Magic Slays (Kate Daniels 5)

Ghastek nodded. "That's one of the reasons we prefer to run them along the rooftops."

"That and it makes killing people easier by leaping on your unsuspecting victims from above."

"Indeed."

"A loose vampire will naturally follow a vampiric scent trail if it stumbles on it, because there might be food on the other end." I took a map out of my folder and pointed to the red line veering its way through the streets. "This is a section of your patrol line. At least three vampires pass along this route every day. I'd say this is as strong a scent trail as you could get. Was the journeywoman patrolling that route when she fainted and dropped the vampire?"

"Correct." Ghastek was watching me with acute interest. "Since the vampire was already following the scent trail, I felt it was unlikely she would deviate from its course. Your office sits right under our outer patrol line. The building itself is in the Pack territory, but the parking lot is in ours. I'm sure it was by design."

It was. The location of my office had put me into a perfect position to watch the border with the People. Curran and I had discussed it at some length. That was part of the reason why my door could withstand concentrated bombardment from a tank. In case the shapeshifters got in trouble in their midnight adventures in vampire land, they could hightail it to my office and hide behind my sturdy door.

"It was a smart move on the Pack's part," Ghastek said. "The cooperation agreement forbids any fortified Pack or People structures within one mile of the border, but it doesn't forbid a business licensed by either party."

"And I'm sure you license several businesses near the border."

"It wouldn't be in my best interests to confirm or deny." Ghastek permitted himself a small half smile.

Here came the hard part. I had to say enough to hold his interest but not too much to betray the Red Guard's confidentiality. "I'm working a case in Sibley. During my investigation, I encountered a ward that disappeared."

Ghastek leaned forward. "What do you mean, disappeared?"

"It vanished, as if it'd never been there." I turned the map and pointed to Johnson Ferry. "This bridge is one of the two primary ways out of Sibley and into the city. Yesterday the wards guarding the Bridge Troll also disappeared." I trailed Johnson Ferry until it crossed the red line of the vampire patrol. "I'm guessing this is the point where your girl dropped the vampire." Ghastek said nothing.

"Something passed this way out of Sibley, over the bridge, and along this street. Something that ate the wards and tainted your vampire. Your own journeywomen told me that they couldn't grab its mind. I think that it took all of your power to hold it." That was why he made it curtsy and put on a show. It was a huge, shocking bluff.

Ghastek laughed softly.

"The thing that ate the ward left Sibley on a cart or a car, and your girl probably saw it just before she fainted. I need to know what that vehicle looked like."

Ghastek considered it. "I'll think about it."

I'd saved his life. Apparently it wasn't worth a tiny crumb of information. Thrashing Ghastek in his own office was out of the question. First, he had two vampires with him, and second, I would cause an interfaction incident. I rose. "Do that."

I was almost to the door, when he spoke. "Kate?"

"Yes?"

"I liked you better as a merc."

"I did, too." I could kick people and say what I actually thought without causing a diplomatic disaster. "But we all have to grow up sometime."

WHEN OUR TWO-JEEP PARADE ARRIVED AT THE office, Andrea was already there. I knew this because there was a new pile of steaming dog puke three feet outside our side door.

The two teenage shapeshifters pondered the puke.

I pointed to the spot in front of the door. "Ascanio, stand right here."

He moved to the spot. "Why?"

I stepped to the side and opened the door. One hundred pounds of Grendel caught in intense canine joy burst through the door. The attack poodle launched himself into the air. Ascanio grabbed him and clamped Grendel tight.

Good reaction time.

Ascanio stared at the poodle. "What is this?"

"A faithful canine companion."

"He stinks like a sewer." The mutant poodle squirmed and licked Ascanio's chin.

"Ugh. What do I do with him?"

"Bring him inside."

I stepped into the office. Behind me Derek said, "I'd sterilize my face if I were you."

"Mind your own business, wolf."

The office smelled like coffee. Inside, Andrea raised her head from a small laptop sitting on top of paperwork spread on her desk. "What took you so long?"

"Good morning to you too, sunshine." I dropped my bag by my chair.

Andrea tossed an envelope at me. I glanced at it. The Order's shield logo marked the top left corner. Uh-oh.

"What is this?"

"It's Shane," she growled. "He wants me to `cease my efforts' to get my weapons, because they are currently being used to apprehend real criminals."

Ha, I thought it was something dire. "He's just jerking your chain. If you want, I'll get Barabas to draw up a letter with his lawyer credentials on it. We'll send it to the Order and you'll get your weapons back. Shane can't hold your property."

"I know that. I'm still pissed off. It's your duty as my best friend to be outraged with me."

"I'm outraged!" I snarled. "That bastard!"

"Thank you," Andrea said.

Ascanio cleared his throat. "Consort? May I put him down now?"

I turned. He was still holding Grendel, who seemed to be enjoying it, judging by the way he kept licking Ascanio's shoulder. Behind him, Derek was trying to choke off a laugh.

"Yes."

Ascanio set Grendel on the floor.

Andrea peered at Derek. "What are you doing here?"

"I hired him," I told her.

Andrea's blond eyebrows crawled up a fraction of an inch. "And him?"

"Him, too." Andrea pointed at Ascanio with her pen. "How old are you?"

"Fifteen."

"He can't work here. He's too young."

I shrugged. "The legal age for employment is fourteen."

"Yes, with the exception of hazardous jobs."

"He will be an office helper. How is that hazardous?"

"Kate! Would you like to go outside and look at the bullet holes in the pavement?"

"He isn't a full-time employee. He's an intern."