Last Blood (25 page)

“Who’d she kill?”

“She was the victim.”

His brows lifted. “Really? Someone must have had a serious issue to take her out. She’s Dominic’s right hand from what I know about her. Noble, too. He resired her a short time ago.
Navitas
or whatever they call it.”

“Yes,
navitas
. She was the wife of a Yakuza boss when she was human and since coming to work for Dominic, she’s made a name for herself running fighters through the Pits and now heading his comarré operations. There are a lot of people who might want her dead.”

“But not that many who could take on a noble vampire.”

Annika nodded. “So let’s narrow it down.”

“The mayor’s a possibility.” And he knew the KM were looking for a reason to remove her from office. “She’s noble now, so she has the strength and ability and being Paole means she has the advantage of stealth. Katsumi being involved in the comarré operation could mean the mayor might want to take her out as revenge for the death of her daughter, Julia.”

“Good. Who else?”

“This new vampire, Luciano. He’s Dominic’s nephew. He might see Katsumi as a threat to his succession at Seven. Plus, he’s a loose cannon. We don’t know much about him.”

Annika scanned the streets as they walked. “Any others?”

He thought for a moment, wondering how much leeway she’d give him. He had his suspicions, but the KM
was a tight group. They tended to protect their own pretty strongly. He shrugged. “I’m sure there are.”

“You’re thinking of a name. Who is it?”

“One I shouldn’t say.”

“Why?”

“Because you won’t like it.”

She paused, making him stop too. “Who?”

Nothing about her expression said she was going to let this go. “Octavian.”

She didn’t react. “Why would he kill Katsumi? It hasn’t been ordered.”

“Katsumi was part of the crew that went into Corvinestri to bring the vampire baby back. If he was at Seven, she could have recognized him, could have threatened to blow his cover.”

“But why? What would she have to gain?”

He lifted one shoulder. “She’s known for her ambition. If she could make it work for her, she would.”

Annika started walking again. “He wouldn’t kill her without an order to do so, and she’s done nothing out of line to cause that to happen.”

“Then it wouldn’t hurt to ask him a few questions. I’m sure he’s got nothing to hide.” Actually, Creek thought Octavian had a lot to hide. Getting Annika’s okay to dig might help him prove that.

“It’s not your place to question a superior.” She let out a gruff sigh. “Keep it casual, understood?”

If casual meant no excessive force, he could do that. In theory. He nodded. “Understood.”

H
i, Pete. Sorry, Chief Vernadetto. I know you’re here on official business.” Fi gave him a big smile, despite her nerves. Doc had briefed her on the ride home, so she’d been anticipating the chief’s questions since she’d arrived.

“Good afternoon, Fiona. It’s okay if you call me Pete. We’re friends, right?” His smile didn’t quite erase the sadness in his eyes.

“Absolutely we’re friends.” It was nice to know he still thought of her that way. She sat across from him, glad she’d been able to shower and change. There was something about an expensive dress and killer heels that gave her a real boost of confidence.
Killer
heels. She almost laughed. “How are you?”

“Fine, fine.”

“Are you?” She looked at him closely. “Have you thought any more about what we talked about? You know, I have a lot of othernatural friends. If you want, I could ask around, see if any of them might know what you—”

“No, no, I’m good. I’m okay with not knowing too much, really.” He lined his stylus up parallel to his tablet,
even though it was already parallel. “How are you with everything that’s going on?”

She didn’t buy him being okay with not knowing his bloodlines, but for the moment she’d let it drop. “I’m dealing. I got a little freaked out when Remo attacked me, but other than that, I’m dealing.” She leaned in. “I know you’re here to talk to me about the fight with Heaven, but can we have a few moments off the record, just you and I?”

He nodded, seemingly grateful for the chance to take his police hat off. “Sure, what’s on your mind?”

“You know how I asked you to do a little digging on Remo? I was just curious if you found out anything about him.”

Pete frowned. “Unfortunately, due to this case, I can’t say much about that.” He sighed and tapped the stylus on the table. “I can tell you that Remo’s record isn’t spotless.” He looked toward the door before going further. “He’s got a pretty long rap sheet of minor run-ins, most of which his father has made go away. All small stuff, though. Fights. A DUI. A possession charge. Disorderly conduct. The typical bad boy who likes to party.”

“What about pride issues? Those wouldn’t be recorded in police records, would they?”

“No. Pride law is a separate thing unless it involves a legal issue. And each pride keeps its own records. What are you thinking?”

She held a hand up. “I’m not in any way trying to do your job—”

“I know that.”

“What about possession of powdered silver?”

Pete went quiet, but kept tapping his stylus on the
table. Then the tapping stopped. “Is that against pride rules?”

“They treat it like a drug or a poison. Possessing more than an eighth of an ounce without a legitimate reason—which I don’t think there are any—is grounds for a small fine and seizure of the powder. Second and third offenses have much more serious consequences.”

Pete seemed to be mulling something over. “You think he might have tainted that sand himself then?”

She shrugged. “Not really, but he might have been involved in it.”

“Why would he do that? Heaven was his sister.”

“Whom he admitted he never got along with. Maybe he knew if Heaven was out of the way, it would open up a chance for him to come to the States.”

“But why? That would be like a prince leaving his kingdom. Remo’s father is one of the most powerful men in all of Brazil. Why would Remo want to put so much distance between them?”

Fi traced a circle on the table top. “Remo’s the third born. I know that much about him. There was no chance he’d ever inherit that throne.” She stopped drawing. “And Doc’s a nobody to him. Maybe he thought he could come in here and take over this pride. Especially if he could throw suspicion about his sister’s death on Doc or me.”

Pete nodded. “That’s interesting. And it gives me a lot to look into.” He pushed his tablet forward a little. “I still have to ask you questions.”

“I know. And I’m ready to answer.” She’d said her piece, given him everything she and Doc had come up with in the car. Remo could definitely be behind this. And
even if he wasn’t, it would buy Doc and his council a little more time to do their own investigation.

Pete cleared his throat. “Where were you the night of Heaven’s death?”

“Right there in the arena with her, getting the daylights beaten out of me. By her.” Fi took a breath. “Next?”

“The sun will be down in an hour, maybe less.” Chrysabelle pushed her dessert plate away. “I want to wake him up.”

Not alone
, Velimai signed as she began to clear dishes.

“I agree.” Mortalis set his coffee cup down. “Let Damian and me go with you. Just to be safe.”

Amylia smiled politely. “I feel like I’m intruding on personal business here. Thank you for dinner, it was lovely, but I’m going to go back to the guesthouse and let you have your privacy.” She pushed her chair back.

Chrysabelle nodded, knowing how awkward this must be for the girl. “Thank you. You’re welcome for dinner any time.”

Amylia gave a little wave and left.

As the front door swung shut, Chrysabelle raised her eyebrows. “That was intuitive of her. Of course, she can’t be that comfortable knowing there’s a vampire in the house. I get it, but it is my house.” She looked at Damian. “Sorry.
Our
house. I guess you’re probably not crazy about him being here either.”

“Amylia’s… fine. As fine as she can be in this situation. And she understands about Mal.” He flattened the crust of his key lime pie with his fork, turning it into sand. “She knows, like I do, that Mal helped you get me out of
Corvinestri. He kept you safe. And I know you have feelings for him. I’m not about to tell you whom you can and can’t love.” He looked at her. “I just hope for your sake, he wakes up like his old self again.”

“Thank you.” Having her brother on her side meant a lot. She pushed her chair back and stood. “Shall we?” She led them down the hall.

Mortalis stopped them at the door to the hurricane shelter. “Let me.” He opened the door slowly, then tapped the light panel. Soft overheads filled the space with gentle illumination.

Mal sprawled on the couch, one arm hanging off, but otherwise stone still in the deathly repose of a vampire in daysleep. Mortalis pulled a small black dagger from his belt.

Damian unsheathed the sacre he’d grabbed along the way. “Just in case,” he whispered.

She didn’t like it, but she understood. “Mal,” she called. “Can you wake up?”

No response. She went close enough to give his leg a shake. He wasn’t usually a sound sleeper. “Mal. Wake up.”

His eyes came open and he blinked a few times. The moment his gaze focused on her, he grinned. “You’re home.” He leaped off the couch.

Damian’s blade came flashing down between them. “Not so fast.”

Mal snarled, but his hands went up in surrender. “You have a death wish?”

Damian kept the blade in place. “Do you?”

“Enough.” Chrysabelle itched to touch Mal, but first things first. “Mal, how do you feel?”

“Like if I don’t get some alone time with you, I’m going to kill somebody.”

Mortalis spun the blade through his fingers. “Not the answer we were looking for.”

Mal frowned. “You know what I mean.” He turned his gaze to Chrysabelle. “Damn, it’s good to see you. I just want to hold you and make sure you’re real.”

He stared at her, his expression fraught with all the emotions that had been ripped from him, his eyes so silver they gleamed, and she knew in that moment that he was back. This was her Mal standing before her. “That might be a little uncomfortable.” She pulled up the sleeve of her tunic top. “I’m wearing my body armor.” It was the best protection she and the baby had against him if things went poorly.

His hands reached out for her, but he made no move to come closer. “I am so sorry. I shouldn’t have let the raptor touch me. I should have fought.” Anger and humiliation razed shadows across his face. He turned so she couldn’t see his eyes. “That damned thing got the best of me.”

Mortalis tucked his blade away. “There was nothing you could have done. And I’m the one who should be apologizing to you. I knew what that fae was capable of; I just never guessed what he’d go after.”

“Put your sacre away, Damian.” Emotion made it hard for her to say more. “I’m just glad you’re back, Mal. So… glad.”

He looked at her again, squinted, and pointed to her forehead. “Please tell me I didn’t do that.”

Her fingers went to the scratch near her hairline. “The raptor did.”

Mal’s jaw clenched and he slanted his eyes at Mortalis. “You brought that thing back? After what it did to me?”

“No.” She held her hand out. “I went after it. I… killed it. I had no other choice.”

Mortalis nodded softly. “That’s why she wasn’t here
when you arrived. And why your emotions returned to you.” He looked proudly at Chrysabelle. “She did the impossible. To save you.”

Dominic’s patience had stretched to a new definition of thin. Katsumi’s murder, much like Maris’s, stirred a fire in him that could only be quenched by another death. He stared at his nephew as he entered the office. “What have you found out?”

Luciano settled into the chair across from him. “The mayor knows more than she is saying, but not much I think.”

“She lied to you? You are her sire.”

“And she is also
Americano
.” He said the word with disdain. “She knows nothing of the old ways. Nothing of respect.” He crossed one leg over the other, his pant leg pulling back to reveal a sheath of slim throwing daggers. “Do you know this new vampire that works for her? I spoke with the staff and he was definitely here with her that night.”

Dominic waved his hand, one of his rings throwing flashes of red. “I don’t know many of the fringe.”

“He’s not fringe. Not with that face and those eyes.” Luciano nodded. “Definitely noble, and I could sense him before I stepped off the elevator, so not Paole either.”

“What’s his name?”

“She called him Octavian and I confirmed with both the server and the croupier who took care of them that night. Octavian Petrescu.”

Dominic stared at Luciano but saw only memories. “Brown hair and eyes, medium build. No age on him. Sired less than a year, probably.”

“
Si
, that could be him.”

Dominic swore. “He works for Tatiana.
Porca troia
.” He rested both elbows on the desk and steepled his fingers. “I want him brought in alive, and then I want word sent to her that her errand boy has been discovered. If she wants him back, she can come and get him herself. Otherwise, I will kill him.”