Page 19 of Dead Heat

“You can spread the word that Jesus isn’t the only one to rise again.”

Otto laughed. “Please, no distractions. What I have to tell you is important. Petra made it clear she was aware of my friendship with you.”

“Do you think that’s the real reason she attended the auction?”

“Perhaps, although I do think The Corporation genuinely intended to acquire the vase. Her disappointment when she lost was evident.”

“Did she smash her paddle over your head?”

“And risk a permanent ban? Certainly not. According to my companion, she sat in the corner and pouted like a spoiled grownup.”

“What did the two of you discuss?”

“First, she reeled off a few items from previous auctions. I didn’t know at the time I’d been beaten by a representative from The Corporation, of course, but I recognized the names of the items she mentioned as ones I’d attempted to acquire.”

My stomach soured. “And then she offered one of them to you in exchange for me.”

He took a sip of water. “The choice is mine. In exchange, I am to trick you into meeting me under false pretenses, where one of their members would be ready and waiting to whisk you away.”

“If they know we’re friends, why would they tell you they intended to kidnap me?”

“Because they don’t understand true connection. They see me as a greedy vampire incapable of genuine human emotion. They are under the misguided belief that possessions are more important to me than you are.”

If this were another vampire seated across from me, maybe that would be true, although I felt confident that Josie wouldn’t hand me over to them either, if only because Kane would never forgive her.

“What did you tell her?”

“That I’d consider her generous offer and let her know.”

“They must have given you a deadline.” The Corporation loved their ticking clocks.

“Midnight tonight. I figured I could stall them while I let you know they’re attempting a sneak attack.”

“Thanks, Otto. I appreciate the heads-up, as well as the amazing food.”

“My pleasure.” He ran the edge of his linen napkin along the contour of his mouth. “What will you do?”

I shrugged. “Nothing. I can’t control what others do. If they keep trying a back door, one will eventually open for them.” In the meantime, I was bolstering the ward and helping people in need. Business as usual.

“I doubt they’ll try this tactic again. Once I refuse them, they’ll suspect I told you and that you’d share the information with other friends.”

“I’m surprised they don’t try one of the assassins in the guild. Some of them aren’t thrilled by my presence.”

“Maybe so, but they answer to Kane. Even if the assassins don’t mind upsetting you, they certainly mind upsetting him.”

A fair point and, most likely, my saving grace. “I’ll tell everyone to be on their guard, just in case.” I stuffed a tiny red velvet cake into my mouth and chewed.

“Now that business is out of the way, I wouldn’t be opposed to a spot of music.” Two stunted fangs made an appearance. “After you’ve finished your cakes, of course.”

I eyed the tiny caramel cake dusted with salt. “Otto, my favorite vampire, what would you like to hear?”

CHAPTER FOUR

I calledKane on my drive home to update him on The Corporation’s attempt to use Otto against me. “Do you think you should warn the guild members not to speak with any Corporation representatives if approached?”

Kane was silent for a moment. “I would prefer not to raise the issue. One of the more industrious ones might decide to be proactive and approach The Corporation first. They’re not all like Gunther and Camryn.”

Which is why Kane had chosen to oversee the guild and keep its members in check. “Maybe not, but do you think they’d risk pissing you off?”

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