Electric Storm(20)

“Most of the time it’s already too late.” Jackson shook his head, completely convinced that death was the best option. She just wished she could be as sure. She glanced at Taggert, her own rogue, curious at his reaction to what could easily have been his fate, but his face gave nothing away.

The clock chimed ten, startling her out of her first, long overdue lesson in pack law. Though reluctant, Jackson had finally opened up a little. The rest of the discussion had to wait. She closed the laptop. “If you’ll excuse me, my appointment is about to arrive.”

Anger darkened Jackson’s face at being dismissed. The leather chair squeaked slightly as she stiffened, waiting to see what form of attack he’d take to get around her. She suspected he opposed her on purpose just to needle her.

Dominic nodded, pushing away from the wall.

“I’ll stay.” Jackson continued to stare at her, daring her to argue.

She didn’t intimidate that easily. “That’s not wise.”

He drew up at her answer, using every inch of his body to appear larger. He did an impressive job of it.

“Why?” His calm question came as a surprise. She expected a bully, not reason.

“Because I’m a vampire.” A hint of old world accent colored that smooth voice.

Jackson’s whole posture stiffened. Claws burst from his fingers. Fangs descended. Between one instant and the next, Jackson and Taggert leapt in front of the desk, snarling at the trio near the door. The thin veil of humanity dropped away as their eyes gleamed yellow, the animal in them determined to protect.

Two of the vampire’s entourage leaned forward, fangs bared, their eyes awash in black.

Raven met Lester’s gaze, the lead vampire, and smiled at his serenity. Though she knew the elderly man exterior was a lie, his old way charm put her at ease. “I’m sorry for their behavior. If you would, please, have a seat.”

He gave her a courtly bow and did as directed. Spice lightly scented the air, sharp and bold, but she couldn’t place it. A breeze shifted around her, and Lester looked at his two guards. Without a word exchanged, they pulled back but remained standing between the shifters and their master.

“Jackson. Taggert. Either resume your positions or leave.” Dominic, blessedly, remained by the door and in control of his beast.

“You can’t–”

“I won’t ask again.” Raven sent a quick charge, zapping Jackson on the ass, using low enough voltage the vampire would assume it was alpha control. They had no reason to assume otherwise. A muscle bunched in Jackson’s jaw, and he thankfully fell silent.

Though he hadn’t shifted completely, she could all but see Jackson’s fur ruffle. Without removing his gaze from the threat, he retreated to stand at her side. Hovering. Almost protective of her. She must be reading him wrong, seeing what she wanted to be there.

“You’ve acquired bookends.” Humor danced in the vampire’s voice, but there was none of it in his eyes.

Jackson’s growl rumbled deep in his throat. Raven ignored him and focused on the bigger threat. “A trial only, I assure you.”

The vampire nodded. “Understandable. We must take care to protect ourselves.”

Raven released the breath clogging her chest. Although the vampire’s approval didn’t mean anything to her, she was grateful he understood that she hadn’t brought the shifters there with the intention of offending him.

“You want to hire me.”

“My son is missing.” He gestured to one of his guards by lifting two fingers. The man carefully placed a folder on her desk and resumed his position. She gave him points for not flinching as the energy in the room swirled around her.

A missing person complicated matters considerably considering the other case she was working on with the police and Dominic. She didn’t believe in coincidences.

She made no move to touch the folder. She’d done her research on this master vampire and his iron fist. There were questions she needed answered first. “May I ask how you became aware of my unique services?”

A small smile crooked his lips, revealing a hint of fangs. “You were highly recommended as someone who knows how to get things done and when to keep her mouth shut.”

“Of course.” The fear that he came there to pry into her past eased, and she reluctantly pulled the folder closer, flipping it open. “What information do you have for me that’s not in the file?”

“Jason’s been missing for two months.”

“And you suspect kidnapping?”

He tipped his head slightly. “No. Someone murdered him. I want you to find out whom and tell me.”

Raven tapped her pencil on the desk, the rhythm breaking into the little haze the vampire exuded like a fragrance, a haze that could easily wrap around a person and put them under their control.