Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Guardian 8)

West shook his head. "Not that I know of. Besides, it'd be overkill. "

If it meant their plans for my eventual end ran smoothly, I had no doubt that both Tyson and Blake would employ as much overkill as they thought necessary.

"Then you need to keep playing the game. Report on time, and don't give anything away. "

West didn't look happy, but I was betting he was smart enough to know he had little choice in the matter. "And if I do?"

"Then maybe you get to keep your job. "

As I spoke, a sliver of energy spun through the air. West blinked and his eyes went briefly lifeless - although if you weren't watching him carefully, you wouldn't even have noticed it.

What did you do? I asked, without looking at Quinn.

Just applied a little insurance. He won't be able to warn Tyson even if he wanted to.

Good. I glanced at Harris. "I need to use your computer. "

He nodded and rose, walking across to a desk in the far corner of the room. I followed him across, watching as he typed in his ID and had his iris scanned.

"Okay," he said, stepping back. "You're ready to go. "

"Thanks. " I sat in the chair and scooted forward. A few key taps, several passwords, and an iris scan later, I was into the Directorate's database. "What was that number again, Evin?"

He repeated it. I typed it in then hit SEARCH. As I waited for the results, I glanced up at Quinn. "How soon can your plane be ready to leave?"

"Turnaround is usually an hour. " He glanced at his watch. "We could be gone in twenty-five minutes, if need be. "

"Want to warn them, then?"

He smiled. "Already have. The pilot is telepathic. "

"Handy. " I glanced down as the search results flickered up on the screen. The number was listed as belonging to a house in Mickleham, which was an outlying area of Melbourne rather than one of the recognized suburbs, and made up of small farming subdivisions rather than high-density housing estates. It also wasn't that far away from Essendon Airport, where Quinn usually landed his planes.

I rose. "Evin, you'll need to stay here - "

"No. " He thrust to his feet, his expression belligerent. "I'm coming with you. I need to help - "

"The best way you can help," Quinn said gently, "is by continuing the scam here. If they get the slightest idea that something has gone awry, then your mate's life will be even more at risk. These men are dangerous, and they will do whatever they think is necessary to protect themselves. "

"This is what we do," I added softly. "And we're damn good at it. We will get her back safely. "

Which was a stupid thing to promise, given we had no idea what her situation was, but I couldn't help it. I liked Evin - stepbrother or not - and I didn't want to see him face the pain of losing a soul mate like I had.

One loss in the family was more than enough.

Evin glanced from Quinn to me then back again. His shoulders slumped. "Okay. But let me know the minute you've found her. "

"We will. " I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. "And now to tell Jack. "

Quinn stepped forward. "I can - "

I held up a hand. "No. This is my battle. "

I spun around and walked into the cell area. The vamp's door was open and Rhoan leaned casually against the door frame. He glanced at me. "Find out anything interesting?"

"His contact was Tyson. " I stopped and peered into the cell. Jack was sitting on a chair, and the vamp was upright on the concrete bed. They looked for all the world like they were in the middle of a staring contest, but the sweat beading the younger vamp's forehead was evidence enough that something else was happening.

And that he was losing the battle.