Erik sat in Preston’s office while Robert stared out the window, and Preston shook his head at the computer. They stopped a massacre, but the vampires below had already coughed up more information than they knew what to do with.
They were able to trace the killings back four months. And Amelia had been dead-on about Turow. The kid had sunk a ton of money into an estate, thanks to his parents’ money, and the building had been sold, according to the paper trail, to Death Fount Inc., Yuri’s company.
The building was rumored to have an extensive basement that covered more than twice the area the house did. Plenty of room for everything a few of the vampires admitted to seeing.
And the difference with Turow’s and most of the corpses, there was only one set of true vampire marks, and that wound had been determined to be later than the rest of the bites.
It seemed Yuri had targeted some of his victims for what they could offer, others for whatever threat they may pose.
“He’s bought several other homes and properties that were owned by some of his victims,” Preston explained. “We need to raid all of them, but I think it’s safest to go to Turow’s place first.”
“Agreed,” Erik stated. “Do we bring Consuela and Declan? She seemed stressed last night, after absorbing the blood.”
Robert nodded. “Yeah, we’re bringing them. And I believe she was only worried about the extra power from the blood. She’s got a better handle on her power and temptation than she gives herself credit for.”
Erik sat back. “She’s blaming herself for what happened with Yuri, and her brother. I get her fear. I worried about my abilities after raising half of Seattle. She’s seeing how things could have gone so differently for her and she’s worried where she’ll land.”
“Yeah, but she has you to talk to. She has Declan to talk her out of that mindset. And I bet there are others who can help her see she won’t fall down that rabbit hole,” Preston offered. “Maybe today, you can visit her, get her to talk to you.”
He nodded. “Good plan. Maybe I can get Monique to meet us for lunch.”
“Good luck.”
* * * *
After breakfast at In 2 Deep, Consuela walked down to Inktastic and found Fallon sitting at the table out front with a purple-haired girl, and a man who looked a lot like Fallon’s mate, just not as tall or broad.
Fallon grinned. “Hey, Consuela. This is Amethyst, and Adam, Brody’s brother.”
“Nice to meet you both.” She bit her lip and took a seat across from Fallon. “Was hoping you could fit me in sometime soon to add to my tattoo.”
“Of course. Busy right now? Or are we talking a big piece?”
“Small, just want a few new flowers to go with what’s there.” There were several black roses tattooed on her pelvis.
“What were you thinking?”
“Maybe black dahlia.”
She nodded. “That I can do. You ready now?”
“Sure.”
“Come on back.”
As soon as the door was shut, Consuela smiled. “So, I want to do something for your father with you, your family, and Devlin and Jamie. I don’t want to do a big dinner exactly, but there should be food for those who eat. Neither Declan, nor Amelia can eat real food.”
“We could do that. But I want to know how Amelia is adjusting.”
“As long as you add the flowers, I’ll tell you anything.”
“Still surprised Dad became master of a vampire.”
“He didn’t want her to die. That was the other option.”
“He’s pretty amazing.” Smiling, Fallon shrugged. “So, black dahlias. Anything else?”
Consuela smiled. “Maybe your father’s initials in runes.”
Fallon smiled. “You two look good together.”
“I never thought I’d fall in love.” Consuela chuckled. “And your father gets me in a way I never thought anyone would.”
“I’m glad he convinced you to come out.” Fallon smirked. “You’re fun when you’re drunk.”
Consuela snorted. “Been a long time since I was drunk.”
“Yeah, well, maybe we can get someone to watch the twins and you can come play pool one night.”
“Uh, I still suck at pool.”
Fallon shrugged. “It’s all good. I’ll make sure we win. Now, for all of us, maybe a barbeque at my place. That way the twins can go to bed when it’s time. We have access to the lake, and there’s plenty of room for those who can’t eat to wander.”
Consuela nodded as Fallon pulled inks out.
“Free handing?” Consuela asked.
“Unless you want me to draw something, but I know just what to do.”
She grinned. “You’re brilliant, you got this.”
“Now, you owe me a story, so pull your pants down and lie back while you explain how Amelia became a vamp.”
* * * *
Now that Erik had more news, he needed to track Consuela down. She wasn’t answering her phone. So, he called Preston for help.
He wasn’t sure what was bothering him. Maybe it was the fact that Monique was his. He felt like he was spending a lot of time away from her.
“What’s going through your head?” Preston asked.
“I don’t trust Yuri. The more we learn, the more fucked in the head he is. And yeah, that’s part demon, but I dug deeper. Do you know he had a thing for Consuela’s brother? Some of those journal entries, the early ones, he was obsessed with her brother for years. So, you tell me. Did he ever care for her?”
“Bad people fall in love. Who’s to say he didn’t really feel something for her?”
Erik lifted a shoulder. “True. There were definitely passages where love seemed to be the most prevalent emotion, but there were also passages where it was something closer to obsession.”
“Dangerous, but Yuri seems to be the type who is up and down.”
“So, where is Consuela?”
“This way. I’m willing to bet she’s getting a tattoo.”
“Why?” Erik asked. “Never seen anything visible on her.”
“Yours aren’t visible,” Preston pointed out.
He shrugged. “I was a cop for years.”
“So? You notice I don’t give a damn what anyone thinks and I’ve been an enforcer for ages now.”
Erik shrugged. “I didn’t take her for the type to have tattoos.”
Preston rolled his eyes. “Why not?”
“She tends to look classy most of the time. Too well put together.”
“I think she puts on a good front. Her appearance is unusual, and her parents are from different backgrounds. So even though she’s pale as ivory, she has African features. I imagine it wasn’t easy for her growing up. Not to mention the Deathcaller business, then add the Voodoo stuff her uncle primed her for, and the Crimson Witch abilities. All that makes her a scary individual. I imagine she wants to appear to be a lady at all times.”
Erik’s brow pinched. “Yeah, maybe that’s it.”
They stepped into Inktastic and Erik felt Consuela then. Amethyst looked up from a book with a smile. “Hey, guys. What are you doing here?”
Erik nodded down the hall. “Think Fallon and Consuela are too busy to have someone come back?”
Amethyst hopped up. “I’ll check.”
Adam leaned back in his chair. “No new work for either of you?”
Preston shook his head. “Not right now.”
Erik chuckled. “I haven’t come up with anything. Sooner or later, but not today. Have a case to solve and need Consuela’s help.”
“Oh, the Blood Bound game. That took a turn for the worst,” Adam offered.
Amethyst came back with wide eyes. “That game…why would anyone want to pretend to be a vampire? I don’t want to drink anyone’s blood.”
Preston chuckled. “Some people like the idea of it a lot more than others. And I think it’s more about the immortality. Not to mention books and movies tend to portray them as sexy, sensual creatures.”
She shrugged. “Yeah, I guess most of the vampires I know are sexy, but most real people don’t know that.” Amethyst tipped her head toward Fallon’s door. “They’re fine if you go in.”
Erik smiled and strode back. Preston stayed out in the lobby, chatting with Amethyst and Adam.
Consuela looked up with a slight grimace as the tattoo gun bit into her hip bone.
His brow arched. “Black dahlias and black roses. Pretty.”
“Hey, Erik. Have a lead we can follow now?” Consuela asked.
He shook his head. “We have a few leads, we may even know where to find him, but I believe Declan would be pissed if we went without him.”
“He would. So, what have you learned?”
Erik offered a smile. “Why don’t you come back to my place after the tattoo, or I can bring what I have to yours after you’re done.”
“That sounds good. I won’t be much longer. Was going to grab a bite to eat before heading back, though.”
He smiled. “What sounds good? I could grab something on the way. While you finish up.”
She reached for her purse.
Erik shook his head. “No, let me get it. Honest, it’s fine.”
“How about pizza? I know Talia’s is down the road. Was thinking of trying that. As for toppings, I’m easy.”
He nodded. “Come back to Monique’s.”
“Sure. It will be good to see her. Is she home?”
“She is. I’m sure she’ll be happy to see you.” He stepped into the hall. “How is Amelia doing?”
“She’s adjusting. Don’t think she’s going to have a problem long term. I hope. Are there any counselors for Others? She might need someone to listen to the issues she’ll face.”
Erik’s head tipped to the side. “I may know someone. Hopefully by the time you make it to my place I’ll have answers.”
“Thanks.”
Erik waved at Fallon and ducked down the hall. “Thanks for helping find her,” he told Preston. “And if you want to come with, we’re having pizza at my place to discuss what we’ve found.”
“Sure, let me drop by Dacia’s office, and I’ll be there.”
* * * *
Consuela made it to Erik’s quickly. She lifted her hand and Monique answered the door. “I want to see.”
Laughing, Consuela stepped inside and opened her jeans.
Monique’s brow arched. “What did you have done?”
“Added to the flowers already along my pelvis.
The dark flowers on her pale skin were gorgeous.
“Wow, that’s pretty.” Monique smiled as Consuela closed her pants. “The runes are for Declan?”
She nodded.
Turning, Monique lifted her shirt. “Before Erik and I fixed things, I did this for him.” She showed off the Raven that decorated her ribs.
“Raven?” she’d heard Monique call him that a few times.
“Yeah, seems ravens follow him.”
“Don’t think anything followed me.” She sighed. “Other than the dead. And it seems they’re around a lot more than they used to be.”
Erik came out of the kitchen. “I think the demon residing in Everaud scared them off. They don’t run screaming from you now.”
Consuela wrung her hands. “They did before?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Never saw anything like that. They don’t since we sent Alkirran away.”
“At least he didn’t get into me this time. How can we banish them forever?”
“My mother is looking into that. She has an idea to get rid of both him and Daloisha, and have you noticed Daloisha is female?” Erik snorted. “Anyway, we’ll be able to deal with them for good.”
“I hope so.”
“Come on back. Preston’s here too. We can discuss the plan and get your input. Might take some cooperation to put an end to the horrors he’s involved with.”
Erik walked back to the table and Consuela followed. After grabbing a couple slices, she asked, “So what did we learn?”
“That the torture museum is in a dead heir’s home,” Preston blurted out and took another bite of pizza.
“The one Amelia talked about?” Consuela asked.
Erik nodded.
Preston rubbed at his neck “Didn’t he die months ago? Before the game got popular?”
“Yeah, but we think Yuri targeted him on purpose. Shortly after he died, the house went up for sale, and Yuri’s company scooped it up,” Erik explained. “And since the mansion is small, compared to the underground compound.”
“The game cropped up some time ago then?” Consuela asked.
Erik smirked. “Found records that said it started in Portland four years ago. Moved up here about a year ago, while still running down there.”
“And the bodies, when did they start showing up?”
“About four months ago. The body count is slowly increasing. I think the Deathbringer coven found him in Portland and he moved operations. There are game meetings in most large cities. They’ve been building up over the last three years. We’re not sure where he was located before Portland or if his started there.”
“How many cities?” Consuela asked.
“Official cities? Ten across the world. However, with the Internet, the game is spreading to other cities, and the players are creating their own places to play,” Preston told them. “Not to mention, some of the player created ones are being claimed as official places as Yuri visits them. It’s very possible that he could move operations if we don’t stop him tonight. So, we’re going to do our damnedest to find him and end it.”
“Who all is going?” Consuela asked.
“You, Declan, Erik, Robert. Tremaine said he’d step in, and we have some other mages. Can you think of anyone else who may help?”
She shook her head. “I’m not sure my uncle would be much help. He’s not fond of the Silver Council, but I could ask him. His gift with the dead is on par with mine.”
“Leonaldo Saint-Jacques?” Preston asked.
“That’s him.”
“His issue with mages are the Dark Templar, which are no longer an issue.”
“True, but he may not understand that.” She sighed. “Though he may be willing to hear what you have to say if you allow me to call him first.”
“Try, can’t hurt. And if he’s willing, Robert can pick him up before we go,” Erik offered.
“Are you worried we’ll run into the coven as well as Yuri and whatever vampires he has left at his disposal?”
“He has more. The other vampires confirmed that. Most young, a few old. He’s making friends with the powerful ones who can’t fit into normal covens and still crave companionship.” Erik leaned back and squeezed Monique’s hand. “You okay with another late night?”
She smiled. “You’ll stop them. I’m not worried.”
That was a lie. Consuela saw the signs of stress. Monique may trust him, but she didn’t like him in danger. Though he did have a dangerous job.
If Consuela was accepted into the DSF, would Declan accept that choice? She knew he had no qualms with the Silver Council. However, would he like her doing this kind of work more often? That she wasn’t sure of. And Voodoo was still shunned by most casters. People weren’t as easy to accept things they considered demonic.
Funny, some of the things Christians had done in the past were worse. Wars, genocide, you name it. All because they thought they were righteous. People didn’t take the time to understand what Voodoo was supposed to be.
Erik sat up straighter. “I could come with Robert to pick him up, if he’s interested. Maybe seeing a necromancer with you will ease his mind?”
A smirk graced her lips. “Wouldn’t be too sure about that, but it doesn’t hurt to try. When I get home, I’ll call, then I’ll let you know.”
“Sounds good.”