Midnight Poison (The Paranormal Poisons Saga #1)(11)

"Okay, sent." Daphne smiled up at Kiara. "I also said that we were on the trail of an assassin and that you needed your LAPD backup pronto."

"Oh," Kiara said. "Please take that part back, because it probably wasn't a good-"

The phone rang. Daphne answered, but before she could get in a word the caller started shouting.

Kiara closed her eyes. "-idea."





CHAPTER 9





At Leontes' vehement insistence, they had pulled over and provided their location. While Kiara paced along the sidewalk and spoke on the phone, Daphne and Eddie leaned against the car.

"No, they are very nice, Leontes. They helped me, and I didn't even have to glamour them. I just showed them my badge."

"Badge?" Leontes said. "Oh, dear God. Detective Cage."

Kiara grinned. "At your service, Lieutenant Leontes. See, you don't have to worry."

"Worry!" he bellowed. "I am so far beyond worry, you have no bloody clue! Have you told them anything significant about who or what you are?"

"No, but for humans, they've got some really good guesses. Why didn't you tell me you were back?"

Eddie looked at Daphne with a knowing smile. "She called us humans again."

"I know."

"You know who calls people 'humans'?"

"Non-humans?"

"Non-hu- Exactly right."

Daphne shrugged. "I've read that when cops go deep undercover for a long time, they can go a little crazy."

"Oh, right, sure, makes sense because, what, she's been undercover in a witch's coven?"

Kiara laughed. "No, silly. Vampire, duh. But I am part witch. More of a sorceress, really. Although, I don't have any magical ability since I came out of the coffin. It's a-"

"Another long story." Daphne nodded. "We understand. Can't wait to hear it."

Eddie did a double take. "Okay, excuse me, what? She just used vampire, witch, sorceress, and coffin in the same sentence. Are you not hearing this?"

Daphne smirked. "She's just messing with you because she knows you are such a nerd."

"Kiara, stop talking!" Leontes sounded ready to burst through the phone.

"It's really okay," Kiara said. "I think nerd means someone who knows about supernatural stuff and is okay with it. So we're good."

"See." Daphne gave Eddie a smug smile and punched his shoulder. "Totally messing with you."

Kiara punched his shoulder, too. "Totally."

Eddie bounced off the car and fell flat on his butt, grabbing at his chest. "Ow! That hurt! Did you see that? She is fricking way too strong for normal."

"I'm so sorry." Kiara offered a hand, but Eddie scooted away.

Daphne rolled her eyes and helped him up. "Come on, wuss. I'm going to miss curfew if we don't hurry. Kiara, do you need us for anything else?"

"No!" Leontes shouted. "Get them out of there. I will arrive within minutes. Find somewhere to hide and talk to no one."



       
         
       
        

"But-"

"No one!"

"Fine. I have to give Daf-ankle back her phone."

The girl laughed. "Daph-ankle. You're a riot."

"How did you know?" Kiara said. "I did cause a riot once. Just for fun, because it gets so boring. I told the ghouls at the mansion that the zombies were talking behind their backs, and then the ghosts got involved and, holy moly, it was a blood bath. Not for the ghosts, because they don't bleed, of course, but-"

"Kiara!" Leontes yelled.

"Yes, sorry." She smiled tightly. "Goodbye, Leontes."

"No, do not hang up," he said quickly. "I do not want to lose you. I mean, the connection with you. Tell the girl I will pay her for the phone."

"Keep it," Daphne said. "I'm due for an upgrade anyway."

Kiara paused. "You're giving me a gift? But I have nothing for you. Oh, I know. I could curse you. It's my own family recipe."

"Whoa." Eddie grabbed Daphne's arm and pulled her back. "Thanks, but no thanks. We're good. Really. Fine and dandy. Sweet of you to offer, but a serious no on the cursing."

Daphne shrugged off Eddie's grip and patted Kiara's shoulder. "Just be careful. And promise you'll call and let me know how it all goes down. You can tell us one of those long stories when we hang out again." She scribbled on a piece of paper she took from her purse. "Here's my address."

"Hang out?" Kiara asked, taking the paper, her eyes suddenly misty. "Yes, thank you. I would very much like that. I have much gratitude for your assistance, Sir Edward."