Page 28 of Black Bird

“I knowofhim … as much as anyone else, I suppose. He’s not a very social bloke, but he’s always been kind toward me. I do remember him being here not long ago, he stopped by the bar for a drink, and he left.”

“Did he say anything to you about why he was present that evening?” She narrowed her eyes, seeming to be in search of a lie within his.

“No ma’am. He asked for a double. His usual. I poured the whiskey, and he drank it and left in a hurry. Is something wrong? Was I not supposed to serve him anything?”

“No, no. He’s still a part of this coven whether he believes so, or not. He can have a drink on the house. Hell, he can have as many as he wants.” She dropped her hands to the table. “What I’m interested in is the events leading up to an attack outside the club on a human girl.”

“Forgive me if I’m overstepping, ma’am … but human attacks are pretty common, aren’t they?”

“Not commonly at the door to the house in which we shelter. That’s equivalent to a mutt sleeping in his own shit.” Soft chuckling sounded around the table.

“I—I wasn’t responsible for—”

“I’m not accusing you, Tony. I know where you were for the remainder of the evening. Truth be told, I’m grateful for members likeyou. You’re one of the lowest on the list of things I need to worry over.” Her red lips pursed, and he shifted in his seat. “I have video feed of you speaking with the victim that was found in the alley.” She raised a remote and a television behind her on the wall began playing back a silent camera feed and Tony recognized the woman. “Do you remember this girl, Tony?”

“Yes, ma’am. She said her name was Sarah.” Dahlia’s mouth curved into a wicked slash at the mention of the name.

“That’s correct. What’s your relation to this girl?”

“Oh, I have no relation, ma’am. She brought back an empty beer bottle and I only asked if she needed another.”

“Seems like a rather lengthy conversation for that to be all that was said,” Dahlia purred.

“It wasn’t. She asked—” Tony paused, looking around the table uncomfortably.

“Yes?”

“S-she asked about him. About Kane.” Guilt swept over him. He hated being put in a position like this. Giving information about another member could always result in their execution where Dahlia was concerned. The crime often didn’t matter. They were as replaceable as trash bags, anyhow.

“Asked what, exactly?”

Tony swallowed hard. “I think she was interested in him. Nothing more than that.”

“And what was your response?”

Another pause. “I only told her he was the quiet type. Likes to be left alone and prefers it to stay that way. She told me that she was on her way out, and she didn’t order another drink. I saw her leave right after that.” He glanced back up at the paused image of that pretty girl standing across from him at the bar. His eyes lingered on her face. “Did she die?” he asked, sadly.

“Would it matter if she did?” Dahlia leaned forward.

“I suppose not … but she was a kind person.”

“How would you know what kind of person she was if this was your first encounter?” She continued to stare at him, along with all the other council members.

“With all due respect, ma’am … I’ve been doing this for a very long time. I see a lot of faces. Meet a lot of people. Humans and immortals alike. Even before I was part of this coven, I’ve had a way of reading others. Comes with the job, I suppose. She was a good one. Not like the crazy cases we sometimes get in the tavern. It’s a shame.”

She huffed a laugh through her nose. “You seem to be in touch with a bit of that humanity that Athan has. I envy that about you.” He wasn’t sure how to respond to that statement. “Rest assured, pet. She’s alive.” Tony raised his eyes to meet hers. “That’s one of the other reasons I wanted to question you about her.”

“I’m not sure how much else I could offer you, mi’lady.”

“Well …” she started, turning back to look up to the screen. “How many attacks have you remembered in the time since you’ve become a vampire that one of our bodies was still alive and going about their everyday lives … without being turned?” She returned her attention to him, and he knotted his brows.

“None,” he breathed, stunned by her admission.

“None … exactly.” She smiled and her platinum locks drooped over her slender shoulder, her lace black collar a stark contrast. “If she comes back, can I trust you to inform me about it … and any conversation that you have with her, or the company she keeps?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. You can go. Thank you for your honesty.” She waved a hand and the stocky male by the door opened it to let him out. Tony had almost reached it before she called his name. He stopped, turning to face her. “I do enjoy your singing. Perhaps we can work out some sort of arrangement for you to express that talent on the slower evenings?”

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