Page 83 of Bitten

“You know—a buddy of mine in PD was telling me about a small-time dealer he’d just pinched. The dealer had claimed that he answered to a vamp. But when they went in to question him a second time, he’d been killed in his cell. Ripped apart, is how my friend described it. No one was in the cell with him. No trace of magic, no animal scent—so vamp hit high on their list of potential killers.”

“Inside a cell?” Noah asked. “That smacks of help from inside.”

“It does,” Chris said. “Which is why my friend was upset about it. We met up for drinks a few days ago, and he told me the deal. There seems to be a growing fear in the station houses.”

Noah frowned. “That researcher Theis hired. He told a tale of bringing blooddust into the city. We nabbed a transit cop who’s been looking the other way and letting it through. Maybe Caelian can help give us some other answers—and we need to find out more on that transit cop.”

Caelian. “I’ll talk to the elf,” Kane snapped.

Noah eyed him oddly.

“One of the jobs Theis had me do was guard duty. He and I talked a little bit—I might be able to get some information out of him. Then I can check out that transit cop.”

Kane’s mind drifted to Caelian. He searched through the memories he now shared with the elf, but that one wasn’t inside his mind. From what he’d read, memories of trauma, shame, intense fear—those were ones that a person held close and often didn’t transfer in the blood.

That wasn’t always true. How Ralnur had seen his family killed—that had shocked him in the moment and he hadn’t known what to say. Considering he’d never transferred memories to another before, he hadn’t really known what to expect.

Seeing bits and pieces of Ralnur and Caelian in his head wasn’t easy—it only further complicated the situation. And now—when he needed it most—he didn’t have a memory he could’ve used.

What drug had he brought into Midnight—and who did he bring it to? If it was just a bit of everyday dustweed, no big deal in Kane’s book. Sure, it was frowned upon and carrying vast quantities was illegal, but most cops ignored small bags for individual use. Only licensed shops could sell it in small amounts, but there was an illegal underground trade that sold stronger stuff, sometimes laced with a little more than just fairy dust. That was dangerous, and he’d shut down a few dealers and users in his days as a beat cop.

The growing epidemic of blooddust was an issue. If Caelian had been wrapped up in that, he needed to know. And Kane needed to know who he’d been working for—especially if it led to the vamps.

Maybe it wouldn’t be a few days before he saw the elf again.

He needed answers—and to see just how much danger Caelian was in.

“I want you two working this blooddust angle. Chris—I still want you to go track down the two previous owners and see what you can find out from them,” Noah said to Chris before turning to Kane. “You. In my office. Now.”

Kane frowned but followed Noah into the shifter’s office. Noah shut them inside.

“What’s the problem?” Kane asked.

“What’s the connection between you, Caelian, and Ralnur?” Noah asked.

Kane was silent a moment. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Noah lifted a brow. “You were the one who found Ralnur, deep in that nest. You seemed to lock in on his location and stormed through until you got to him. You’re the one who brought him home to the castle. Then he asked about you last night at dinner. And Caelian.”

Kane eyed Noah, but didn’t say anything.

“Now you jump at the chance to see Caelian.” Noah paused before adding, “Something smells fishy to me.”

Kane frowned. “Like you said—I found Ralnur. Maybe it was my vampire side—I sensed someone was there. Someone not a vamp. Then I checked in on him at the hospital afterwards—I’d seen how tore up he’d been and I was curious to see if he was okay. The king asked me to escort his uncle home to the castle, I didn’t volunteer for that.” Kane shrugged. “Maybe I’m just a familiar face for the warlock. I’ve been there to help him.”

Noah narrowed his eyes. “And answer his vampire questions, hmm?”

Is that what Ralnur told him? Unsure, Kane just sort of shrugged before continuing.

“As far as Caelian—Theis forced a babysitting shift on me. I told him I was supposed to remain on this case, but maybe fate put me there for a reason. Caelian and I talked some that night I was guarding him. Maybe I can be a familiar face there, too. Might get him to open up. I’m good at getting people to talk.”

Noah didn’t look convinced. “Okay. If you say it’s up and up, then I’m good. I trust you. Find out what you can and report back.”

Kane nodded as he rose, feeling like a bit of a shit for holding back with Noah. The guy had given him a chance. I trust you. “Will do.”

He rolled out, hoping he wasn’t ruining that trust.

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