Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels 4)

“How can I help you?” the receptionist said.

“I need to speak to Charlie Tan,” I said, a touch more tartly than I probably should have. “We’re trying to trace the location of a woman who was recently a passenger in his cab.”

She frowned. “I’m afraid I can’t—”

Azriel made a small movement with his hand. “It is vital we find her.”

“Oh,” she said. “Okay. Hang on a sec.”

She spun away and picked up the phone. I glanced at Azriel. And just what happened there?

I made her believe we were police.

I didn’t think you reapers were supposed to intervene in the thoughts of others.

We aren’t. But I am Mijai, and we do whatever must be done.

Something ominous crawled down my spine at the emphasis he placed on “whatever.” I shivered but refrained from saying anything as the woman turned back toward us.

“If you just go through the door to your left, Francis will be able to help you.”

Azriel gave her a high-wattage smile. “We appreciate your help.”

She blinked and all but stammered, “My pleasure.”

He turned and walked toward the indicated door. I followed, torn between amusement and annoyance. You handled that a little too well. Done it before, have you?

As I said, I do what must be done. In this case, it’s getting the information we need quickly so we can solve this and move back to our real quest.

Then why not just pluck the information from her mind? Why flirt? And why flirt with a damn stranger and not with me?

Because she does not know where the cabdriver is, nor can she connect us to him.

He opened the door and ushered me inside again, one hand pressed against my back. The light contact chased away the ominous sense of trepidation that still lingered, but did little to ease the niggling annoyance.

A woman—Francis, I gathered—glanced up from a com-screen as we entered, and gave us a pleasant smile. And once again, it was mostly aimed at Azriel.

“Sue says you need to speak to Charlie urgently.” Her gaze swept him, and interest sparked deep in her brown eyes.

I felt a sudden urge to grind my teeth. The only reason I didn’t was because it wouldn’t have done any good.

“If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, yes,” Azriel replied, his voice warm enough to melt ice.

If it wouldn’t be too much trouble, I grouched silently. Good grief.

Azriel glanced at me, amusement crinkling the corners of his eyes. And you were accusing me of jealousy?

I crossed my arms and regarded him steadily. It’s not.

In the same way as mine is not?

This is different.

I do not believe it is.

You’d believe the sky was green if it suited you.

That is an incongruous statement.