Embraced By Darkness (Riley Jenson Guardian 5)

"Maybe not, but it sure as hell can make things a whole lot more pleasant."

"So why are you still here rather than living the high life at Liander's?"

"Because I value freedom more than money. And he's clingy enough. Can you imagine what it would be like if I lived with him?"

Actually, I could, and there was no way it would be as bad as my brother was imagining. I drank some more coffee, then said, "You heading into the Directorate this morning?"

He shook his head. "I'm doing the legwork for a case the night boys arc having trouble with. Seems we may have a day-walker on our hands."

I raised my eyebrows. "Day-walker?"

"A nonhuman with vampire tendencies."

"But not actually a vampire?"

"No. They tend to be psychos who like the taste of blood. We've had to track down one or two of them during my years as a guardian." He shrugged, like it was no big deal. "How about you?"

"Gotta go in and write up a report, then I might head over to that club and see if I can track down the man matching the picture Adrienne drew."

"You think he might be involved in Adrienne's disappearance?"

"Probably not, but right now, he's my only lead."

"You could wash your hands of the whole thing, you know."

"And leave Mom hanging? Sorry, not going to happen." I hesitated, remembering yesterday's events. "And besides, we now have the joy of Patrin and his bodyguard coming down for more regular reports of our progress."

Rhoan's ringers flexed. "Good. I believe there is some unfinished business between the two of us."

"As I mentioned, he has a bodyguard."

"So?"

"So knowing Patrin, he's probably the type to shoot first and ask questions later. And I don't want a dead brother."

He snorted softly. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."

"Only Superman can run faster than a speeding bullet, bro."

"So I'll disarm the bodyguard before I beat the crap out of Patrin."

"Good." I drained the rest of my coffee in several scalding gulps then dumped the mug into the sink. "Be sure to let me know when it happens. I'd like to watch."

"I heard that about you."

I slapped his arm as I walked out. His laughter followed me into the bathroom. By the time I'd showered and dressed, he'd gone. I scooped up my keys, wallet, and ID, but left my gun tucked safely in the security box. Jack would have a pink fit if he realized I didn't actually carry, but I hated the feel of them on my body. Hated the weight of them, however slight that might be.

Once back at the Directorate, I plonked down on my chair and began typing up the report of last night's events. Technically, I could have handed it over to the liaisons, but Salliane was down there. And as much as I loved teasing the cow, I just wasn't in the mood for any of it right now.

With that done, I picked up the files I'd printed out yesterday and began reading through them. Wading through files of death and destruction was never an easy thing, and some of these murders were so gruesome - so cold - they made my heart ache.

In the end, I found three possibilities. I went back into the database and requested complete details on all three, then logged off the computer and got the hell out of there.

It was just after one when I arrived at Mirror Image. In daylight, the place really did look like a massive factory, the unadorned concrete walls reaching toward an inhospitable sky. There had to be at least two hundred cars sitting in the parking lot. This place was certainly pulling in the customers.

The heady smell of sex and lust stirred the air as I grabbed my pass and headed in, and my pulse quickened. I might have had an amazing night of sex, but the wolf within was always ready for more.

The bouncer, a big white wolf, gave me a wicked smile of greeting as I handed him the card. He swiped it through the reader, then handed it back. "You've access to all areas. The boss upgraded it this morning."