Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael 3)

"You catch on rather fast."

"That's what they pay me for. We'll check it out. In the meantime, don't leave the city. We may need to talk to you again."

"I have no intention of going anywhere.” Not until this fiend was caught. Killed. He nodded. A second agent made an appearance and motioned her to follow him. I dare not risk the sun again, Michael said as they began the walk back to the sewer entrance. I'll have to meet you back at the hotel.

And perhaps do a little exploring along the way?

He hesitated. Yes. But don't ask to come with me. Not when Farmer is aware of your every movement.

Don't worry. I have no intention of invading your work space right now. Nikki—

She flung up a hand. Yeah, I know. It's for my own safety. Which was a load of crap. She was probably safer with him than being alone at the hotel. Especially when Farmer and his gang had no apparent trouble getting into that building.

Which is why I don't want you to go immediately back to the hotel. Walk around and do some sightseeing. I'll contact you when I'm heading back myself. Like hell she'd be doing the touristy thing while there was a madman running around underground. I have to call Jake and let him know what's going on.

Then do so. Just don't go back to our room until it's safe. Fine. I'll play it your way. For now.

Warmth flowed through the link, a tender caress that made her toes tingle. Keep safe. I'll see you soon. She blew him a mental kiss, and the heat of his presence disappeared. The cop stopped and motioned her up the rusting ladder. She climbed, blinking as she reentered the bright sunshine. Two cops helped her out, another helping her escort a second later.

"You want a ride back to the hotel, Miss James?” he said. She shook her head. “It's a nice day. I think I'll walk." They let her go. She dragged her cell phone from her pocket and dialed Jake's number.

"About time,” he grumbled. “What's happening?"

She gave him an update, and he swore softly. “We need to catch this bastard fast."

"The problem being we have no idea where he is, while he has every idea where I am.” And until Seline came through with this charm Michael was talking about, there wasn't much they could do to alter that situation.

"Wish there was some way we could make that work for us,” Jake muttered. She bit her lip for a moment, mind racing. “Maybe there is,” she said slowly.

"What?"

"How's Dale?” she said, by way of answer.

"Not good. She's still in intensive care, and the doctors are not saying much."

"Is she conscious?"

"Apparently not. Why?"

"Do you think you could convince Mark to get us in there?">And the vamps?

Up ahead.

Energy surged to her fingertips. She flexed her hands, trying to relax. They're not going to attack?

No. I think they plan to await discovery then attack.

Why? It didn't make any sense to give up the advantage like that, though they were talking vampires. She guessed it didn't really matter if they did give up the benefit of surprise. Fledglings or not, they'd still beat the crap out of most of the officers here.

I suspect Farmer intends to let the police finally know what they are up against. His mind voice was grim.

Thank God there are no reporters down here with us. It'd cause a panic if people knew vamps were real and living in the sewers.

His smile spun around her, a touch of sunshine through the darkness . This is a city renowned for both its tolerance and its diversity. Somehow, I don't think people would be all that surprised. The necklace burned into her hand. She held it by the top of the plastic instead, but it made very little difference to the images assaulting her mind. Anne was alive but in a bad way. She might not have had a heart attack like Dale Wainwright had, but the vamps had assaulted her and fed off her, and she was struggling to survive.

We're approaching the large chamber where the Loop waits, Michael said. You'd better try to warn the police.

She cleared her throat. “We're nearing where Anne is, but there's something waiting just ahead.” As she spoke, fog seemed to stir the darkness. It wasn't the vampires, wasn't anything threatening. Yet it came with an almost overwhelming feeling of fear.