“She probably won’t even come to Denver,” I said. “What are the odds?”
“I can console myself that she’ll likely attack you before she comes after me. Canary in the coal mine. Early warning system.” He smiled as if this pleased him.
I winced. “I’m not going to be here. I’ve got some work to do in Albuquerque. An interview for the show.” Could vampires smell lies? I worked hard not to look into his eyes, not to let him capture me with his hypnotic gaze, and thereby control me.
He pointed at me. “There’s a reason vampires do not have day jobs—so to speak. Playing the Long Game is a full-time occupation.”
“I’m not playing. I’m trying to throw the board over.”
“Oh, you’re playing, whether you like it or not. Be aware, when you go away on this trip of yours, the city might not be the same when you get back.”
He almost surprised me into meeting his gaze. Instead I picked a spot on his swept-back hair and glared. “Well. That’s ominous.”
“It’s supposed to be!” He swept a hand through already mussed hair. “I’m not strong enough to stand up to Mercedes Cook. I’m just telling you.”
I thought he was, but he was scared, a vampire raised on terrifying stories of the Long Game and Dux Bellorum and what happened to weak vampires who got in the way.
“You just have to hold the fort for a few days. You can do that.”
He stood, stared down at me. “I’m looking at you, and it feels like I’m never going to see you again. You’re such … my goodness, you’re trying so hard, it’s like watching a child try to build a cathedral. You’re like Joan of Arc. You’re doomed.”
“Angelo—what’s gotten into you?”
“Oh, don’t worry about me.” His smile was tight, cruel. “I’ve looked after myself this long, I’m sure I can manage for a while longer. Good evening to you all.”
He stalked out of the place like he was on a mission.
“What the hell was that all about?” Ben asked, watching after him.
I wanted to rush over to Psalm 23, the vampire-owned nightclub and hunting ground, and find someone to ask what was wrong with Angelo. But I didn’t have time.
“Let’s finish our drinks and get out of here.”
I tried to sip slowly, to enjoy the atmosphere, looking around at this thing we’d made. Ben and I started the place to be neutral ground, a safe haven
where the members of our pack could gather as human beings, where they wouldn’t be inclined to let their wolfish instincts overwhelm them. The plan had been a success, and being here usually gave me a warm feeling of pride. But tonight, this all felt suddenly fragile. Mercedes Cook and her cohort would like nothing better than to come into Denver, take over the vampire Family, and shut this place down.
That was what I fought for, and why I wanted to stop Roman. Good to have the reminder.
Finally ready to leave, I nudged Ben. “Go on ahead. I’m going to talk to Shaun.”
“You want company for that?”
“Naw. Don’t want to scare him.”
He nodded. “Right.” He squeezed my hand, looking as grim as I felt.
Leaning on the bar, I waited for Shaun to finish pouring a couple of glasses of wine for a pair of after-work professionals, a man and woman who seemed to be deep into an evening of flirting. I wished them well.
“What’s up?” he said, coming over.
He was another manifestation of my good luck: if I hadn’t been able to win him over when I came back to Denver, I never would have been able to confront the old abusive pack alphas, and I never would have been able to take over the pack and build what we’d done here.
I said, “Hey. Shaun. I just wanted you to know—if anything happens to us, you’ve got New Moon.”
“Yeah, I’ve got you covered until you get back—”
“No. I mean, it’s yours. It’s in the will and everything. Ben did the paperwork, and I thought you should know. I hope you’ll look after the pack, too, but that’s going to be up to everyone else.”