The Mech Who Loved Me(7)

It scared the shit out of him.

"I don't know. There's been no sign of the Sons of Gilead, or this mysterious group of dhampir that are working against us." Malloryn handed over a photograph. "Until now. We know there was a power struggle within the Sons of Gilead and Lord Ulbricht won. He now leads the SOG, and their mission is to return the blue bloods and the Echelon to power. Ulbricht was spotted in Brighton two days ago, an agent of mine informs me. Whatever he's planning, I want to know about it. Gemma, fancy a little trip?"

The vivacious young woman snatched up the photograph, smiling down at the sneering face of Lord Ulbricht. "It would be a pleasure. Do you want him dead or alive?"

"Alive, preferably. I want to know everything he knows," the duke replied. "Take a dirigible to Brighton, and-" His gaze slid over them, making Kincaid stiffen, before the duke's eyes narrowed on Charlie Todd. "Take Charlie with you."

"To protect her?" Charlie asked.

Both Gemma and Malloryn snorted. Even Isabella succumbed to a faint smile.

"He's such a sweet boy," Gemma said, patting Charlie's cheek. "There are at least twelve ways I could kill you, Charlie, despite the fact you're a blue blood. For a human, there's at least a hundred. No, Malloryn wants to send you as a distraction for Ulbricht."

"I could do it," Kincaid said.

Isabella rolled her eyes. "Unfortunately, Kincaid, you're not quite the right sort of distraction."

He shot an incredulous look at Charlie, who'd crossed his arms over his chest. The lad was dangerous-all blue bloods were-but he was barely in his early twenties. "I-"

"You would terrify Ulbricht," Gemma hastened to add, as she slid an arm around Charlie's neck. "Charlie is young, handsome, intelligent, and-"

"Exactly Ulbricht's type," Malloryn concluded.

Both Kincaid and Charlie shot him a sharp look.

"I thought Ulbricht had a mistress," Charlie blurted, flushing bright red.

"He did," Malloryn said. "Zero, a young, beautiful blonde dhampir who was very dangerous. Ulbricht likes fair-haired youths of either gender. He also likes his bed play a little dangerous. Gemma will brief you on the flight."

"I am not seducing Lord Ulbricht!" Charlie looked horrified.

Kincaid scratched at his jaw. "There's no need, I'm sure. I doubt even Malloryn would send you off to be some blue blood lord's catamite. A little flirtation, and if you're lucky, you can lure him somewhere isolated where Gemma can truss him up and return him to face the duke's tender mercies. Am I correct?"



       
         
       
        

"I don't know that I would use the words 'tender' or 'mercy,' but something like that, yes." Malloryn's smile died. "Ulbricht knows I want his head. He's bound to be well guarded by his fellow members of the SOG. Be careful."

"I could do this in my sleep, Your Grace," Gemma replied.

"And me?" Kincaid demanded. Surely there had to be something for him to do? Malloryn wouldn't have called him or Ava up here just to listen.

Malloryn shot him a look. "A crime scene just came in. It has nothing to do with our work, but the Nighthawks have requested Ava's assistance, as she used to work for them. It's the fifth death in a fortnight.... I think Master Reed said they were referring to it as the Black Vein."

"Black Vein?" Ava murmured.

All of them turned to look at her, as though startled to find she'd spoken. Kincaid examined them from beneath sleepy eyelids. Sometimes she faded into the wallpaper-or perhaps that was purposeful-but he seemed to be the only one who always saw her.

Malloryn waved a dismissive hand. "Some sort of disease afflicting blue bloods, and now a human by the look of it. Kincaid can make sure you're safe."

Bodyguard work. He slid his hands into his pockets... and didn't say a damned thing.

"But blue bloods cannot succumb to illness," Ava protested. "That's impossible. The craving virus is a jealous mistress-it will tolerate no other diseases in its host while it sets about colonizing them. It heals all wounds, and there's been no way to even cure it."

"Well something is killing blue bloods," Malloryn said, "and considering your interest in the craving virus, it was thought you would be the perfect candidate to proceed with the investigation. Just be quick about it. The second Gemma and Charlie have Ulbricht in hand, I plan on setting things in motion very swiftly. I want to crush the SOG before they can cause further chaos to England, and then we still have those dhampir to find. Whatever is killing blue bloods is important, but it pales in comparison to the real threat to the empire." He gained his feet. "Report to Isabella in my absence. She'll keep me apprised of any of the goings-on. And make sure you keep your actions quiet. The last thing London needs is mention of a disease running rampant."