Bound to Shadows

And yet his dad had been a priest, so he'd not only known him, but his sister. I frowned. "If your dad was at the end of his lifespan when he conceived you and your sister, then how did he teach you?"

"Because an Aedh's lifespan can be measured in centuries, not mere years. I was ten when he died. The other priests taught me after that." He hesitated. "It is quite possible that Risa will live for several hundred years, although the human part of her will ensure she ages normally until she hits her mid to late twenties."

Then Risa was one lucky girl. Imagine being naturally stuck at that age? Humans would kill for that sort of DNA. "So why haven't the Aedh teachers been in contact with Dia?"

"Because I'm here, and it falls to me."

"Meaning Aedh don't trespass on another's patch?"

He hesitated. "There are other half Aedh in this city—I believe there might even be a few full bloods. But I am the oldest, and I've trained as a priest. The task is mine."

Huh. And here I was wondering how he'd cope with the possibility of a child in the house, and all along he'd been waiting to step into Risa's life to help raise—and teach—her. "Will Dia ever find her Aedh? Or is he more than likely dead?"

"That I can't tell you." He motioned to the plates in front of us. "How about you concentrate on eating rather than giving me the inquisition?"

I'd rather keep asking questions, but I knew him enough to realize I wasn't going to get any more out of him right now. So I did as he asked. Once the food was gone, I filled my wine glass and rested back against his chest, watching the sun fill the sky with ribbons of red and gold as it set over the hills. It was one of the most peaceful and restful moments I'd had in ages.

So, naturally, fate threw a spa

The sharp ring of the sat phone made me jump. "Someone has less than perfect timing," I muttered, scooting away from Qui

He glanced at the number, then said, "It's Jacques," before answering it.

Jacques was the helicopter pilot. I frowned and glanced at my watch. It was nearly nine, so ideally he and the helicopter should have almost been back here by now. Maybe our reluctant councilor had decided to back out of the arrangement at the last moment.

Qui

"What's wrong?" I asked, even though I had a fair idea from listening to his side of the conversation.

"Leon just became the victim of a drive-by beheading." His voice was grim. "Jacques saw the attack and immediately called the Directorate, but it happened so fast he wasn't able to help the councilor out."

I raised my eyebrows. "If it was a vampire who took him out, then we're dealing with someone fairly old. The sun isn't fully down yet."

"Jacques said it was definitely a vamp who killed Leon—his skin went pink when he opened the side door of the van. There was someone else driving, but he couldn't see who." Qui

"But hacking someone's head off with a saw isn't quick."

"The killer used a sword, not a saw. Apparently Leon was walking towards the helicopter when the van appeared. He jumped out of its way, but the van stopped. The next thing Jacques saw was Leon on the ground and the sword swinging. Jacques got the plate number."

Which was probably useless, given the van would more than likely be stolen or rented. And the renter would no doubt have used a false ID—unless he was a complete moron, but these killers seemed way too intelligent. "If he was taken just before he climbed into the helicopter, that suggests he was already being watched."

"Or that they're monitoring phone conversations and knew about the meet." He drained his wine and glanced at his watch. "Jacques is only five minutes away. I wouldn't mind betting Jack will call soon."

That was a bet I wasn't about to take. The clatter of the approaching helicopter began to invade the serenity. Qui

"You know there's no chance of any of the councilors agreeing to talk to you now," he said, tugging me closer then wrapping his arms around my waist. "I very much doubt they'll even talk to me after this."

I knew one councilor who'd be more than willing to talk to me, but I had a fair suspicion Dante would require payback of the sexual kind, and I really didn't want to indulge him that way. There was something about the man that irritated me. But maybe it was just the fact that he used his sexual glamor without restrictions while we werewolves were threatened with all sorts of punishments if we even flirted with the idea of using our auras.

I wrapped my arms around Qui

"No, but the mere fact he took my call, and then a few hours later winds up as the next victim, will spook the rest."

"But how would they know about the call? And why would they think you're involved anyway?" I shook my head at the thought. "I guess, given the situation, that they'd be viewing molehills and seeing mountains, but surely they'd realize a cazador could probably find less obvious ways of killing."

He smiled and pressed me a little closer, so that I could feel the smallest of muscle movements. It was a very pleasant sensation. "Most of those on the Melbourne council don't know my history. Only those on the greater council do."

The clatter of the helicopter was louder and, over his shoulder, a black speck was becoming visible. My brief time of peace was coming to an end, and right now I resented that.

I hated the thought of having to go back to the long hours of investigation and the freaks that killed. But most of all, I resented having to go back and face Kye.

Because I very much doubted he'd wait until tomorrow lunch to see me again.

I pushed the tremor that was part anger, part anticipation aside, and said, "You're not going to get into trouble with the greater council for helping me out, are you?"

His smile was warm, yet there was something very cold in his gaze. It was a quick reminder that my luscious, warmhearted vampire was a very old—and very dangerous—being. "There is only three who would—or could—reprimand me. And given the situation, I doubt they would dare."

I didn't think it was the situation that would stop them. It was more likely the man. Or rather, what he'd once been.

He leaned forward and kissed me, his lips still gentle. Like all the other kisses we'd shared tonight, it was a sweet thing, yet oddly filled with emotion. And while it lacked the instant burn of desire, that very fact was oddly comforting. We'd gone beyond mere lust, and these kisses reflected that.

The helicopter landed, creating a whirl of wind that tore at our hair and clothes before the blades slowed down. Qui

We'd barely even landed in Melbourne when my phone rang. Surprise, surprise, it was Jack.

"I know about Leon's beheading," I said, shivering a little as I stepped out of the helicopter. A sea breeze was coming in off the bay, and even through Essendon airport wasn't actually any where near the sea or the bay, the temperature still seemed several degrees cooler than it had been up in the hills.

"Well, fantastic, but I'm not ringing about that."

"Then what's the problem? Not more dead women?"

"No, thankfully. It's the watch you put on Vi

"Has it turned up something?" I watched Qui