Blood Song

with

preschoolers on the playground.”

He reared back in surprise. “Glaring? We weren’t glaring at each other. He was offering me a job.” At

my confused expression, Bruno tapped his temple. “He’s a telepath, remember?”

Oh. Duh. “But you have a job. Didn’t you submit to a binding oath to them?” Like the confidentiality

oath, the non-compete oath prevented employees from moonlighting or being double agents. Nothing

worse for a firm’s reputation than an employee kil ing the client because he got a better offer from the

bad guys. “Didn’t you tel me once that your fingers would start to burn off before you could finish

signing your name on another deal before the contract term was up?”

He tipped his head rueful y and crossed his arms over his chest, unconsciously hiding his hands from

sight. “That is a point. But my current job is on the East Coast and the term is up at the end of the

quarter. Creede’s offering to make me the head of the L.A. office. It’s less money, but—” He raised his

brows significantly. “It’s just down the road from here. What do you think?”

My jaw dropped far enough to feel cool air on my fangs. “Are you asking my opinion? On your

career?”

He shrugged and started to fiddle with the button on the wal -mounted hand dryer, tracing the edge of

the square over and over before he answered. “I don’t real y know. It just came up and I thought … I

real y didn’t like you facing that demon alone. You were lucky and you know it. And it’s not the only one

out there—”

I took a deep breath and let it out slow. We both knew something big was happening, which was why

the Vatican had been beefing up on warrior priests.

The door opened before I could reply. Dottie walked in and reared back in surprise to see a man in

the bathroom. He blushed as she let out a little squeak. I grabbed Bruno’s arm to push him out of the

room and had started to fol ow, thinking about what to say to his offer, when Dottie tapped me on the

shoulder. Her face showed that she was eager to talk to me, so I said, “Be right out, Bruno. Keep my

drink cold.”

“I’l ask Vicki to spin by the table again. Sure is saving on ice having her here.”

When the door closed and the music faded somewhat, Dottie smiled. “I’m so glad you survived, my

dear. I was very worried when I saw the demon in your future. But I just couldn’t tel you.” She seemed

both embarrassed and afraid.

I gave her a smal smile. “It’s okay, Dottie. I understand. I was friends with Vicki long enough to know

how hard it is for clairvoyants to live with what they see. It doesn’t always come—”

“—true. Precisely. If I told you everything I saw, either you’d not believe me or you’d want to rush it …

or, worse, ignore the signs. But that’s not what I’m here to ask you about.”

I raised my brows and leaned back against the sink. I should have looked first, because I felt cool

water from the last hand washer wet the back of my shirt.

“You know that Mr. Gibson died.”

I nodded. “He was a good man. I’m glad he died in the line of duty. He would’ve wanted it that way.”

She sighed. “There was nothing to be done. I think he probably didn’t move fast enough …

intentional y. But he was taking care of Minnie for me, and now that I’m back in the housing project I

was hoping—”

Minnie the Mouser. I’d forgotten about the cat. Birchwoods al ows pets. I’d even thought about buying

a pup for Vicki at one point but never got around to it.

“I’ve read that cats don’t seem to have the same problems with vampires that dogs do. In fact, I saw

her sitting on your lap in a vision, and you were petting her just the way she likes. Since you haven’t

met her yet, I thought that perhaps—”

A cat. I’ve never considered a cat, but they do purr and I like things that purr. I don’t know why the

words came out of my mouth, but, “I’d be happy to keep her. Provided you visit her from time to time if I

have to go out of town.”

She beamed and promised to cal , then pranced to a stal . I walked out of the room to the happy yel s

of another pinata being beaten to a pulp. Every half hour or so one would start to spin and dance in the

air. Vicki was choosing the victims and then someone would grab a stick and start to pound away.

I noticed Dawna sitting in the corner and started to go over to talk—but she saw me coming and got

up, hurrying off in the opposite direction. That hurt. A lot. I hate that she’s avoiding me. Bubba says she

feels guilty. Lilith got the information on where to find me from her. I don’t blame her. Nobody could

stand up to that level of mental manipulation. Hel , I’m just grateful she’s stil alive.

I glanced over at the corner of the bar. Seems the good doctor is quite a darts player—if the grin and

the green pieces of paper crossing his palm were any indication. I made a decision and headed that

way, with a wave of my hand to tel Bruno I was going to be another minute.

“Dr. Scott? Can I talk to you for a second?”

He clapped a man I didn’t know on the shoulder and nodded. He sat down at the only free table in the

place and looked me over careful y. “Is everything okay? The stress getting to you?”

I let out a harsh laugh. “I’m fine. After the past few days this is hardly what I’d cal stressful. But thanks

for asking. No.” I careful y pointed my thumb toward where Dawna was sitting at a different table

chatting with Emma. “See that woman over there? Her name is Dawna Long. She’s a friend of mine

and the receptionist at my office building. Remember I told you about the vampire, Lilith?” He nodded

and I took a deep breath. “Lilith tracked me down by attacking Dawna on her way out of the parking lot

at work. She didn’t kil her, but the bite and the psychic trauma have been devastating. I don’t know if

she’l ever be able to come back to the office. Is there any way you could talk to her a little? I know

you’re not real y here for business, but—”

His face grew concerned and he looked at her the same way he’d looked at me. Then he frowned.

“Actual y, business is exactly why I’m here. And you’re correct. She’s not dealing with things very wel .

Very close to suicidal, actual y. I appreciate your bringing it to my attention.”

Suicidal? Crap. I hadn’t realized it was that bad. I felt sick to my stomach and wanted to race over to

her to try to make it better. But the fact that she hadn’t already sought me out … no, it was best if this

was dealt with by a professional. “I don’t know if she has the money to afford you, though. We pay her

pretty wel , but you guys are sort of pricey.”

“I’m sure we can work something out.” He added, quickly, “Now, if you’l excuse me.” I looked across

the room. Dawna stood up, looking dejected, terrified, and nearly angry. Dr. Scott rose smoothly and

touched my hand. “We’l talk more later. Right now, I think I need to speak to your friend before she

does something she’l regret.”

I stared after them until I saw that he’d caught up with her and offered his arm with a kind smile. She

hesitated, then accepted, and they stepped outside into the cool night. I caught a glimpse of the

entrance that told me that the police department had added another two uniformed officers to the

contingent at the door. Probably not the best advertisement for the business, but I … or, rather, Vicki