Eternal Kiss of Darkness (Night Huntress World 2)

"Yes, you're full of surprises, aren't you?" Bones agreed, with another pointed look at Kira.

"You told him you weren't the one who torched the club. If he doesn't want to believe you, we should just go," Kira said quietly, but with underlying steel in her tone. "I'm sure you have other friends who will be willing to listen to your side of the story." Mencheres felt a swell of pride as Kira squared her shoulders and returned Bones's hard stare. She might have choice words for him later about his lethal intention toward those three miserable vampires, but all Kira showed now was her steadfastness - and her inability to be intimidated. She was a strong woman. Strong enough to survive this murky human and inhuman world once he was gone.

"That may be true, yet I don't see anyone of them here," Bones replied, encompassing the park with a wave of his hand.

"Nor will you see them. I'm meeting them without you," Mencheres stated calmly.

Both of Bones's brows went up. "Indeed? And why is that?"

"The less you know about my plans for Radjedef, the more that ensures the safety of our line if I do not succeed," Mencheres replied, his tone hardening when Bones's expression darkened.

"You know, I could really use a drink," Cat said, again breaking the tension. "Kira, mind keeping me company while I hunt for some gin and tonic?"

Kira glanced at Mencheres. "I won't be long."

It both amused and touched him that Kira felt protective of him. How long had it been since anyone felt the need to shield him from others?

"Gin and tonic, huh?" Kira asked as she walked away with Cat. "I've got some bad news for you. I don't think this park serves alcohol."

Kira's prediction turned out to be true, and her new companion settled for a lemon slush instead. She was about to head back to Mencheres, but Cat waved a hand at a nearby table and benches.

"Maybe we should give the guys a few minutes by themselves. That way, they can burn off some excess testosterone. Sit with me?"

Kira could still glimpse Mencheres through the passing throngs of people, even if all the surrounding noise made it difficult for her to hear him. She eyed the redhead warily, but Cat's smile was bland, devoid of any of her husband's thinly veiled antagonism. Cat slid her lemon slush across the table when Kira sat down.

"Enough sugar to make a dentist cry, but it's good."

Kira took a sip to be polite, but then was unable to stifle her grimace at the taste. It was like wet sawdust.

"Sorry, not my favorite," she managed, sliding it back over.

Cat took another gulp, unoffended. "Right, you're a newbie. Nothing will taste good aside from blood for your first couple weeks. Then your taste buds will even out." Kira knew the woman across from her was a vampire; her lack of heartbeat had given that away the instant they met. She wondered how old Cat was. The tingle Kira had felt when she shook Cat's hand was far less than the vibe Bones gave off.

"Terrible, to be brought over without choosing it," Cat went on, still watching Kira with those clear gray eyes. "I saw the video. That Law Guardian was a real bastard. I don't blame you or Mencheres for being pissed - and if you ask me, those other three vampires had it coming, too. Torturing you? Kidnapping a teenager and making her strip for them? Burn, baby, burn. Mencheres did the world a favor by ridding it of those creeps.

"

Kira let out a laugh as understanding dawned. "Good cop, bad cop, right?" She nodded in Bones's direction. "He comes in acting all hostile, but you smooth things over and take me for a nice little chat. Was I supposed to be bowled over by your sympathy into confessing Mencheres's crimes? Sorry, try again. Something more original this time, I hope."

A smile played across Cat's lips. "Was I that obvious? God, I suck at subtlety. I suck at beating around the bush, too, so since you're obviously an intelligent woman, let's cut the shit and get right to it, shal we?"

"Yes, let's," Kira muttered. "It wasn't Mencheres. I've been with him in Wyoming ever since we left that club over a week ago. Yes, he could have snuck off while I was passed out from dawn until late afternoon, but the news station reported that the fire started after midnight. And Mencheres has been with me every night from the time I opened my eyes until dawn broke, so it couldn't have been him."

"See, that's the real scary thing right there." Cat leaned forward, her voice lower but more intense. "Mencheres clearly has a thing for you. That tape and seeing firsthand how he acts around you proves it. Normally, I'd say live and let love, but the last woman Mencheres fell for was an evil, murdering bitch. He couldn't bring himself to take her out until she almost destroyed everyone - and I mean everyone - close to him, me and Bones especially. So you'll understand if the sight of Mencheres making goo-goo eyes at you strikes fear in the hearts of me and anyone else who lived through what happened the last time that man had it bad for a woman."

Kira closed her eyes, hearing again the flat intonation in Mencheres's voice when he told her he'd participated in his wife's death. Was he still carrying guilt over whatever happened? She'd already surmised that the circumstances had been justified - if Mencheres was a casual murderer, he'd have killed Kira the first day they met. Cat's description of his ex only confirmed Kira's speculation. Mencheres clearly hadn't had a choice about killing her if he wanted himself and those he cared about to survive.

Just as Kira had had no choice about turning her husband in for drug dealing, knowing what would await him in prison.

"So you're worried that I might be another evil, murdering bitch? Maybe one who manipulated Mencheres into torching and slaughtering those people just to avenge what happened to me, is that it?" she asked, opening her eyes.

"You were tortured and killed." Cat's gaze flashed green for a second. "I've been tortured and almost killed, and let me tell you, I swore bloody vengeance against everyone who had a hand in it. If you did encourage Mencheres to torch that place and kill those vampires, I'd understand, but it seems he got overzealous. He does tend to lose his shit over a woman he cares about. Either way, both of you need to quit running and deal with the consequences before this problem gets any worse."

"It. Wasn't. Mencheres," Kira gritted out, her frustration rising. "It was that disgrace of a cop named Radje. He set Mencheres up because he wants something from him. Didn't you pay attention to that part of the tape? If you and Bones were real friends, you'd quit suspecting Mencheres, and you'd start helping him prove who really did it."