I grinned. “Chocolate cake can and should be eaten whatever the hour.”
The door opened. Ilianna was standing on the other side. Her glance ran from him to me and back again, then she sighed. “I’m so glad you’re both safe. I had a really bad feeling things had gone wrong.”
“They did,” I said grimly, walking past her as she stepped aside. “Just not for us.”
The door slammed closed behind us. I made my way to my bedroom and shifted back to own face. I felt even shittier as I stripped off my clothes and grabbed a T-shirt and jeans from my wardrobe. Tao was right—I needed to eat. Three seconds later I was heading for the kitchen.
“Where are Kiera and Rocky?” I asked over my shoulder, opening the fridge and pulling out the cake. It was six inches high and chock-full of cream, ganache, and strawberries.
“Asleep in the guest room,” Ilianna replied. “We weren’t sure what time you’d get back.”
“Don’t wake them.” Tao walked across to the coffee machine and pulled out three cups.
“I won’t.” Ilianna shoved her tub of ice cream away, then added, “So, what happened?”
“Handberry was killed by the soul stealer, meaning our two different cases might have collided.” I glanced at Tao. “You want a piece?”
He shook his head and started making coffee. I looked back at Ilianna. “I don’t suppose you’ve heard if there are any Charna active in the city?”
She raised her eyebrows. “And why would you be asking a question like that?”
“Because according to Azriel—”
“Hang on,” she said. “Who is Azriel?”
“The reaper who’s following me. According to him, the soul stealer is being transported and protected by blood magic. To me, that indicates either a Charna or possibly a Satanist.”
“If blood magic is involved, you’re more than likely right.” She frowned. “I haven’t heard anything, but I’m not a member of a coven, so that’s not unusual. I can ask around, if you’d like.”
“I’d like.” I dropped a big slab of cake onto a plate and headed into the living room. Tao followed with the coffees, handing them out once we’d sat down. “But be careful. We don’t want the wrong people aware that we’re asking any questions. That could get dangerous.”
And things were dangerous enough as it was.
She lightly blew on her coffee, then asked, “So have you any idea why Handberry was killed?”
“None whatsoever,” I said as the doorbell rang.
“Who the hell could that be at this hour?” Tao said, frowning as his gaze met mine.
“Well, I’m sure not expecting anybody—are you?”
He shook his head. Flames danced briefly across his fingertips, then were extinguished. “I’ll watch your back.”
I regretfully dumped my cake onto the table, then walked across to the door. A quick look at the monitor revealed a small, slender woman with dark hair and the most amazing green eyes. It wasn’t anyone I knew.
I pressed the intercom and said, “Can I help you?”
“I need to speak to Risa Jones rather urgently.”
“And who can I say is calling?”
“Madeline Hunter.”
I knew that name. It was a name that had been spoken in whispers by both Riley and Rhoan. This woman—this tiny presence standing outside my door—was one of the most powerful and feared vampires in Melbourne. And if it was her, she was rarely seen outside the halls of the Directorate.
So what the hell was she doing standing on my doorstep?
“Prove it.”