Be Still My Vampire Heart(88)

 

"Why would they want your… friend?"

 

Connor gave him an irritated look. "If ye had listened to yer daughter, ye would know there are two factions amongst us."

 

"Yeah, right," Sean interrupted him. "I've heard it before. But why did they take Emma?"

 

Connor snorted. "It is amazing how little ye know. Emma Wallace is the slayer. She's killed at least four Malcontents since last summer. No doubt Katya is seeking revenge."

 

"Emma is a slayer?" Sean couldn't believe it. Why would she keep that a secret? Hell, he would have given her a medal.

 

Connor gritted his teeth. "She's the cause of this trouble. Angus was trying to protect her. Now Katya has them both."

 

"Angus MacKay?"

 

"Aye. He's been watching her, trying to keep her safe."

 

"What can we do?" Sean winced when he realized he'd used the word we.

 

Connor studied him, then nodded once. "All right. I see no harm in an exchange of information."

 

"Okay," Sean agreed readily since he didn't have any. "You go first."

 

Connor gave him a suspicious look, then crossed his arms. "They were taken to Paris. We notified the coven there, and they found the place where Angus and Emma were held prisoner. There were signs of a great struggle. Several dead bodies, both vampire and mortal. A Russian named Uri was captured. He'll be interrogated as soon as he can speak."

 

"And Emma?"

 

"Her tote bag was found. So was Angus's sporran and knife. We believe they were teleported some place, perhaps in Russia since Katya comes from there. We're searching for them now." Connor tilted his head. "What information do ye have?"

 

Sean smiled. "None. But thanks for sharing."

 

"Pompous arse," Connor muttered. "Have ye no' been conducting a surveillance of the Russian coven? Surely ye heard something. Katya must have been planning this for days."

 

"Our bugs were discovered a few days ago and destroyed by some nasty guy from Poland

 

He told Katya that Casimir was angry with her for killing Ivan Petrovsky. He demanded she catch the slayer by Saturday." Sean blinked. "Shit. He meant Emma."

 

"Ye knew more than ye realized, Whelan. Ye need to plant yer bugs again. Someone in the Russian coven may know where Katya is hiding."

 

"We can't get in. There are too many mafia thugs watching the place during the day."

 

Connor tilted his head, thinking. "I know a way in. If we help ye plant the bugs, will ye share any information ye learn?"

 

Sean hesitated. The idea of allying himself with vampires was sickening.

 

Connor glowered at him. "We are the best equipped to find Miss Wallace. Would ye sacrifice her because of yer hatred?"

 

The vampire was right, but it still left a sour taste in Sean's mouth. "We'll cooperate.

 

Just this once."

 

"Wait here." Connor went into the house, then returned with a piece of paper. "This is my number. As soon as ye have yer surveillance van in position, call me."

 

Forty minutes later, Sean and Garrett were in their white van, parked down the street rom the Russian vampires' house in Brooklyn. Sean made the call.

 

"Keep talking," Connor ordered.

 

"What? Hello? Are you there?" Sean glanced at Garrett. "He doesn't answer."

 

Two figures appeared in the van.

 

"Shit!" Garrett jumped back and fell off his chair.

 

Connor let go of the one who had traveled with him. He was a young black man in torn jeans and a gray, hooded sweatshirt.

 

"This is Phineas McKinney," Connor said. "He knows what to do. Right, Phineas?"

 

"Right." Phineas rubbed his palms nervously on his jeans. "I hope I can help find Miss Wallace and Angus. I feel really bad about goofing up."

 

"Goofing up?" Sean asked.

 

"A long story. Do ye have the bugs?" Connor asked.

 

"Yes." Sean handed them to Phineas and gave him some last-minute directions.

 

"I got it." Phineas stuffed the bugs in his sweatshirt pocket and glanced at Connor. "I won't let you down, man."

 

Connor smiled slightly. "I know, lad. Ye'll do fine."

 

Phineas exited the back of the van and strolled toward the Russians' house. He opened the front door and sauntered inside.

 

"Jesus Louise," Garrett muttered. "How can he just walk in like that?"

 

"They transformed him about a week ago," Connor explained. "They think he lives there."

 

"But he works for you, now?" Sean asked.