Embraced By Darkness

"So it could well be a soul—just one so warped in what it has become that's all you're sensing."

"Maybe." I sipped my coffee, then said, "But how the hell does a soul kill?"

"I don't know. I'll ask our magi division and see if they know."

I nodded. A few months ago I hadn't even known the Directorate had a division that dealt with magic, spirits, and whatnot. It often made me wonder what other divisions we had that I knew nothing about.

"I don't suppose anyone else has talked to the sister yet?"

"No. She's still under sedation." He hesitated. "Why?"

I shrugged. "I was just curious as to whether our second victim had recently been unfaithful."

Jack raised his eyebrows. "You think unfaithfulness is the key to both murders?"

"It's certainly a possibility," I told him about my visits to Nonpareil and Dia. "If unfaithfulness is the key, then we have our link. And our murderer. But he's going to be damnably hard to track down."

"Especially if he's a spirit rather than flesh."

Very true. I walked over to my desk and sat down. "I'm going to do a global search for any past murders resembling our current two. Dia suggested these aren't his first kills, so maybe we'll get lucky. Has Cole given any indication of what killed the second husband?"

"It's looking like a heart attack, same as the first guy."

"Which doesn't make sense, you know. Neither man was heart attack material."

"Given the exertion they underwent, and the shock to their bodies, it's not surprising their hearts gave out." He tossed his plastic coffee cup into the trash. "Kade and Iktar should be finished training next week."

I couldn't help a smile. Having Kade at close quarters would make this dreary old conference room that much more exciting. Although Jack's ethics of not mixing work and pleasure could prove problematic. Especially since Kade was too delicious for my own good. "You still pla

"We'll probably float him, depending on situational requirements. They'll both be officially on deck in two weeks."

"So you've given them a whole week off? You're all heart, boss."

"Given our workload," he said grimly, "they're damn lucky to get that. Tell Rhoan I want to see him as soon as he gets back."

He walked out. I signed into the system, then set about tracking down police reports. As I expected, it was a long, arduous process, and I was still there four hours later when Rhoan finally traipsed in.

I leaned back in my chair and rubbed a hand across my eyes. "Boss wants to see you."

"Jack can wait. I need something to drink." He raised a plastic coffee cup in question. I nodded. And noted that he was covered in dirt and cobwebs, and looking more than a little raw around the edges.

"You catch your vampire?"

"Yeah. Bastard put up a hell of a fight though."

"I thought he was only a youngster?"

"Even a young vampire can be bloody strong." He poured the coffees then handed me one. "This one had help. Bitch scratched me."

He twisted his neck and showed me his battle scars—three deep but healing lines gouged into his skin. "Nasty. What happened to the bitch?"

"Her ass is now in jail. Assaulting a guardian and all that."

"Ah. A human."

"A stupid human, who will spend several years in jail for said stupidity." He plonked down on the edge of my desk. "How goes the hunt for the bastard's missing daughter?"

"Slowly. I talked to her lover today, and discovered Adrie

"Nothing to do with the entertainment piece, I gather?"

"Nothing at all. I'm going there to have a look around tonight."

"Liander wants to take me to the premier of his latest movie tonight."

I raised my eyebrows. "My, my, my."

"Indeed." He screwed up his nose. "Suits and attention are not my style."

"Since when? You love attention and dressing up. It's just that by going as his date, you're making it truly official."

"There is that."

"And you're still afraid to make it official, despite the fact that you've all but committed to him."

"Only outside working hours."

"That's all he's ever asked, Rhoan."

"I know." He sighed. "But I like the anonymity of what we share now. I don't want to have my picture in all the trade and gossip mags. It would make my job here harder."

"Have you explained this to him?" I held up my hand before he could answer. "Of course you haven't. That would be the sensible thing and you don't do sensible in relationships."

"Now there's the pot calling the kettle black."

"I haven't committed to anyone."

"No, but you have a good man who wants to commit and see just where the relationship goes."

"The difference between me and Kellen and you and Liander is the fact I do talk to Kellen. Besides, it's only in recent months we could truly be considered mates. You and Liander have been mates forever, and you admit you love him."

"None of which excuses the fact that you won't do the sensible and commit to Kellen—not even for a month or so."

I gave him a look. "This isn't about me. This about you. Go home and talk to Liander. Be honest with him."

He took a sip of coffee. "I'll talk if you do."

"Deal."

"I'll check with Kellen, you know."

"Ditto, bro."

He gri

"Got to. I need fresh clothes." I hesitated, half thinking about mentioning the car incident, then deciding against it. He'd only get all fussy and protective, and right now I didn't feel up to handling that.

Of course, he'd be a very unhappy little werewolf when he did find out—and I had no doubt he would. Eventually. We might not share the telepathy of twins, but we could often sense when the other was in danger. If the bastard behind these attempts had a serious go, Rhoan would know about it.

So I simply added, "Hope we've got hazelnut."

"Yep. I went shopping yesterday."

"You're going to make Liander such a good little housewife one day."

He snorted. "Given your refusal to shop, the same will never be said of you."

I gri

"Lazy cow."

"Bitch," I corrected. "The cow is down the hall in the liaisons' office."

He shook his head and headed out the door. I sipped the bitter coffee and got back to the business of reading files.

Another hour, and the search results were through. It turned out there were more than twenty murders in the last ten years that bore similarities to our current ones. I hit print, then drained the cold dregs of coffee from my cup and rose. Once I'd collected the printouts, I dumped them on my desk and headed out. Enough was enough for one day. My eyes already felt dry and gritty. I needed to get some sleep if I was intending to go out tonight.

As I caught the elevator back up to the parking lot, I dragged my cell phone out and rang Kellen.

"Riley," he answered warmly. "Wasn't expecting to hear from you for another couple of hours."

Just hearing his voice had me smiling. "You feel like checking out a new club tonight?"

He paused a beat. "Given your love for the old clubs, I'm gathering this is work related?"

"Yeah. I've got to check out Mirror Image, and thought you'd like to come along."

"If you're intending to fuck others, it's probably better if I don't. I've staked my claim, Riley, even if you haven't yet agreed, and I will fight for what is mine."

"The fact that you'd even think I'd do something like that shows how little you really know me."

"Riley, you're the one that keeps telling me you're a free agent."

"Yeah, but—"

"No buts. Free agents go where they please, do whom they please. But I will not stand apart and watch it."