Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson Guardian 5)

"They haven't changed," Rhoan said. "They've just been... ignored. This club is operating under a trial license for a year. If every thing goes well, the current law forbidding human entry into wolf clubs will be overturned."

"That's just stupid."

"Humans have always wanted what they can't have. It's the whole forbidden fruit effect."

That was an effect not restricted to humans, but in this case, the laws were there for a very good reason - the protection of humans.

"This club would have to have a hell of an insurance bill." I looked at the matchbook, flipping it over and still seeing nothing of interest. "Did you ferret out the article she wrote?"

"I've requested a copy be sent to us." He paused. "Adrienne is very well liked by her coworkers, you know. That's surprising, considering her family."

"I guess there has to be one good apple in every bad barrel." I took a sip of coffee, then asked, "No whispers of her sexuality, then?"

He raised a pale eyebrow "No. Why?"

"Because she's sharing her apartment with a woman Blake had no idea existed, and I found that woman overdosed in Adrienne's bed yesterday afternoon."

"That doesn't mean there's a relationship. They could be good friends."

"And how many people are willing to off themselves over the disappearance of a good friend?"

"Not many, but then, it wouldn't be the first time someone emotionally unstable has done such a thing."

True. "Nothing else of interest?"

He shook his head. "I haven't had the chance to do anything more. I've been chasing after this damn baby vamp sucking the life out of folk in the Footscray district."

"When will these idiots realize we make the creator pay for the crimes of his young?" The Directorate wasted too much of its time ridding the world of rogue baby vamps when there were often greater evils to worry about.

He snorted, "For some of them, probably never."

"What, their brains go out the door when they become a vampire?"

"Think of it this way. Expecting some vamps to control their urge to create underlings is like handing out free condoms and expecting horny teenagers to actually use them. The excitement of the moment always gets in the way."

Amusement ran through me. "That's the first time I've heard of vampires being compared to horny teenagers."

He shrugged. "It works, though. Most of these babies are created by vamps who are still young themselves and who love the feel of power it gives them."

"So have you caught any trace of his daytime hidey-hole yet?"

"Narrowed it down to a couple of buildings. I'm off hunting once Jack gets here for his daily pep talk."

I grinned. Pep talks weren't exactly Jack's forte, which is exactly why we referred to his morning rundowns that way. And it had the extra bonus of pissing him off - something I liked to do every now and again, just for the hell of it.

I tossed the matchbook in the air and caught it lightly. "I'll check this out once I talk to the girlfriend at the hospital."

"What girl in what hospital?" jack said, as he strode into the room.

"It's a missing persons case that may blow up to be a whole lot more."

He walked over to the coffee machine, filled up a cup, then said, "Tell me about it."

I did. He harrumphed. "I don't want it monopolizing your time, but keep me updated on progress all the same."

I nodded. At least I had the go-ahead to pull in Directorate resources if I needed to. "Has Cole handed in his report from the Richmond murder case?"

"It's in the system. Both parties involved tested as human."