That’s because death is reaching her sharp little claws toward one of my friends. I swallowed back bile and said, “Look, I’m fine, but I want you to go home right now. And don’t open the door to anyone but me.”
“Why, if I didn’t know better,” he said, amused, “I’d say you were worried about my safety.”
“I am, asshole. I mean, if anyone is going to kill you, I want it to be me. Now, cut the crap and just get moving.”
He chuckled, and airily waved a hand – a movement I only half saw on the small screen. “No one can get into the office, Ris. Not only is there security downstairs, but the entry into this area is thumb-coded. I’m actually safer here than at home.”
“Security doesn’t worry vampires,” I told him. “All they have to do is take over the mind of the guard and they’re in.”
Or, in the case of thumb-print security, cut off said thumb.
His grin faded. “And that’s what you think is after me? A vampire? Why?”
I took a deep breath, and released it slowly. “I’m not sure you’re the actual target,” I said, honestly enough. “But a vampire has threatened to kill someone I know, and I’m just warning everyone.”
“Warning heeded.” His voice was somber. “And I’ll be careful, I promise. Now, do you want to hear what I found?”
I did, but I wanted him safe, too, and I couldn’t escape the notion that he wasn’t, no matter what he thought. Hunter hadn’t made that threat idly. But maybe part of the torture was the waiting, the ever-tightening fist of fear, and the knowledge that sooner or later, one of my friends would be dead. The bitch would no doubt enjoy toying with me like that.
“I’ll listen, as long as you promise me you’ll go home, lock the door, and stay there until further notice.”
“Sounds a bit extreme,” he said, with a frown.
“Trust me, the bitch who made the threat is extreme.”
He studied me for a moment longer, then nodded. “I’ve seen too much lately to ignore such a warning. The minute I hang up, I’ll leave. That okay?”>“And Hunter in a snit is something I really don’t want to face – even if only on a phone.”
“If you don’t answer it,” Azriel said, “it will only antagonize her further. That would not be wise.”
No, it wouldn’t. I made to jump off the table, but Azriel motioned me to stay, then disappeared. A heartbeat later, he returned and handed me my vid-phone. I hit the Answer button and Hunter’s image appeared on the screen. Her face held no expression, but her green eyes promised death.
“I’m sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner,” I said, before she could say anything. “But things have been kind of crazy —”
“I do not care about your current problems,” she cut in, her voice so devoid of life it sent chills down my spine. “And you certainly will be sorry. I have warned you, Risa, about the consequences of inaction.”
Fear chased the chills down my spine. I swallowed heavily, trying to ease the sudden dryness in my throat, and croaked, “What do you mean?”
“You know full well what I mean,” she replied, still in that same emotionless tone. “I’m sick not only of your manner and attitude, but of the delays when it comes to the keys. I had hoped my actions with the Jorõgumo would convince you of the need to take me seriously, but it appears that is not the case.”
The Jorõgumo had been a spider spirit stupid enough to kill Hunter’s lover. She’d tasked us with tracking it down and, when we had, she’d proceeded to kill it – by consuming it. Flesh, blood, and soul.
It had been a horrifying demonstration of just what Hunter was capable of – and how far she would go to get what she wanted.
“For fuck’s sake,” I all but exploded, despite the fact I knew anger wasn’t the best option right now, “you’re not the only one after the keys, and the others are not only not of this world, but they can do a hell of a lot more damage —”
“Perhaps,” she cut in coldly, “but I am the one who lives in this world, and I am the one in close proximity to all that you love. Only there is now one less to love.”
And with that, she was gone.
Leaving me to suddenly wonder who the hell she’d killed.
Chapter 5
“What’s wrong?” Tao said. “You’re as white as a ghost.”
“Hunter has killed someone,” I said. “Do you want to ring Ilianna, and make sure both she and Mirri are okay?”
He swore vehemently. “I was just talking to her five minutes ago. Surely she couldn’t —”