Archangel's Shadows(149)

            Her hunter soul, however, wished she’d been able to help Ash and Janvier also, the ugliness of what they’d discovered enraging her. No one had the right to do that to another living being, to take sick pleasure in the terror of another.

            “My gut says it’s Cornelius,” Dmitri answered now, dropping the report on his desk. “It all lines up too well—the way the victims are emaciated, the red and cream feathers, and the fact that Giorgio spent half a century in Lijuan’s court at the beginning of his Contract. That last’s something I’ve just learned.” He put his hands on his hips, raised an eyebrow. “But Janvier and the hunter are chasing this trail. What can I do for you, esteemed consort?”

            Her fingers itched for a blade. “Have you seen Raphael?”

            “Ah.” He walked closer. “I’m afraid one of your favorite people has come to visit.”

            “If you tell me Michaela is here, I’ll have to stab you for being the messenger.” Raphael had personally escorted the other archangel out of his territory prior to the battle, after Michaela pretended to be pregnant to gain their sympathy—or for some other Machiavellian purpose they hadn’t yet worked out.

            “Such kinky things you say, Ellie.” A purr of sound, before the scents around her became intoxicating enough to strangle her breath.

            “Dmitri, stop baiting Ellie.” Having entered behind Elena, Honor went to poke her husband in the side, a scowl on her face. “What are you doing to her?”

            Wrapping an arm around Honor’s shoulders, Dmitri held her close. “Keeping her strong.” His eyes watched Elena, unblinking as a predator’s. “Her scent susceptibility is a weakness others haven’t yet learned to exploit, but they will.”

            Elena wished she could disagree, but, bastard though he was, Dmitri was right. Forcing air into her lungs, she said, “Spit it out. Who’s here?”

            “Caliane.”

            Her mind simply refused to compute that. So did Honor’s, judging from the way her jaw fell.

            “Caliane?” they both said in unison.

            “Yes.”

            “But she’s an ocean away!” Elena pointed out in desperation. “She can’t just leave her city and fly over.” Elena had spoken to Raphael about Naasir’s report of Caliane’s loneliness, but he’d said nothing about his mother visiting so soon. “What about the shield that protects her people? Lijuan’s generals are just a short flight away.”

            “It appears Raphael’s mother has secrets like any Ancient,” Dmitri said, a faint curve to his mouth. “I’ve been in touch with Venom—the shield is active, and Venom didn’t even know she was gone until I called him. Caliane told her people she would be sequestered with her maidens for some days.”

            Elena rubbed her face. “Oh, God,” she moaned. “My mother-in-law has arrived for a visit and the house isn’t even ready! Is she there?”

            Amusement open, Dmitri said, “She was spotted by a far-advance scout—Raphael has flown out over the water to escort her the rest of the way home. You have at least an hour and I’ve alerted Montgomery that a suite needs to be made up.” The drugging tendrils of scent retracted, the vampire taking pity on her. “Trust your butler.”

            Excellent advice, even considering the source. “I need to get home, change.” She had grease and blood on her from the capture, the acrobat having led her and Hilda into a junkyard. “Why didn’t you give me a call earlier?”

            “The sire stated an hour’s warning would be enough. It’s all the time you need.”