Netherworld: Drop Dead Sexy(58)
Eddie snuffled his revulsion. “Tattingail is a putz. I ever catch him anywhere near me with a rifle, I’ll tear his head off on general principles.”
Gerald seemed about to reply when his nostrils flared and ears perked. We all turned as he said, “Here comes Tristan, Patricia and the Judge.”
If I had a heartbeat, it would have skipped a few thumps at the sight of the three predators that stalked towards us.
Chapter Twelve
They all looked lean and hungry despite having supposedly just fed. The Judge in particular looked at everyone around him like a starving man put before a feast. I shuddered, very glad they couldn’t see me.
Tristan’s gaze immediately lit on Lana, and he loomed over her. Eddie and Gerald moved to bracket him and Patricia, who stood at Tristan’s shoulder. If there ever were two vamps that looked less like they needed protective muscle, I couldn’t imagine them. Power radiated off the siblings in waves.
Well, maybe one other bloodsucker looked invulnerable. The Judge was forced to stand to one side, outside of the bodyguards. Avoided like the specter of Death, they left him alone. He didn’t seem to mind.
Tristan smiled at Lana, making his face gorgeous, though not warming it in the least. “How lovely to see you, my dear, but it’s not good news, is it?”
Lana smiled tightly back. When Tristan put an arm around her, she briefly touched her head to his shoulder, receiving comfort from an old friend. The clairvoyant didn’t mind the predatory look on Tristan’s face at all. I realized she’d probably never seen him any other way.
She and Gerald reported on the latest missing escort and the anti-para rally. Patricia and Tristan exchanged a look at the end of their recitations.
Patricia told her brother, “I’ll prepare a statement. We’ll hold a press conference right away.”
Tristan jerked his head slightly. “Not immediately, my dear. Emotions are running too high right now, and it will look like a knee-jerk reaction. Let the humans’ emotions cool for a few days.”
The Judge’s rolling baritone sounded as musically pleasing as ever, but its flat lack of emotion drew a shudder from me. “Is that really wise? The rabble may only draw strength from our silence.”
Tristan considered before answering. “You may be right, my friend, but my instincts say timing is everything. Besides, we have more pressing concerns at this moment.” He turned back to the lone living human in the room. “Lana, is Dan here?”
Lana’s naturally sunny disposition made a slow comeback. Her face remained sober, but the tightness around her eyes and mouth disappeared. “He is. I’d like him to go with me as we search for the latest supposed victim. Augustus has volunteered to stay with Brandilynn until his return.”
Tristan and Patricia were the only ones who didn’t seem surprised. The Judge’s eyes darkened as he looked at the griffin. “You confer honor on the dishonorable,” he growled.
Augustus stared back at the old vampire without blinking. “Pure hearts can reside in sullied vessels, for even the strong must bear weak wills from time to time.” He tilted his head and gave me a slow wink. I grinned.
Tristan paid no attention to the drama. He told Patricia, “Plan the press conference for Friday. Two days is neither too long nor too short a time to respond to these issues. Then arrange for the other matters we’ve discussed.”
Patricia nodded and headed towards her desk, Gerald following close behind. “All will be in place,” she called over her shoulder.
A lovely blond hurried to Tristan’s side, her paper-white skin blinding against her black lace dress. She must have been a newer vampire. With the exception of the Judge, most of the fanged eschewed wearing head-to-toe black. The contrast wasn’t very flattering when you were bloodless.
Looking nervous and deadly all at once, the vampire girl said, “There are two FBI agents here to see you, Tristan.”
Tristan took Lana by the elbow and helped her down from the bandstand with a courtliness that made my insides flutter to see. “It would probably be for the best if they don’t see you here.”
Lana smiled and nodded. “Come on Dan, let’s sneak out the back door and find us a ghost.”
Dan paused for a moment, surprising me with a gentle kiss goodbye. He glanced at the griffin patiently sitting at my side. “Thanks for keeping an eye on her, Augustus.”
Augustus inclined his head, and I watched as Lana scurried out a side door, Dan following. As soon as they were out of the room, Tristan told the vampire aide, “Show the agents in, Penny.”
She spun on her heel and slipped down the center aisle of the room with a speed that dazzled me. Wow, I wished I could move that fast. Then I remembered I could teleport in the blink of an eye, and my envy faded. I liked having cooler powers than a vampire. Well, at least when I didn’t mess up and take myself to the wrong locale.