Page 11 of Artificial Moon

“Right. He’s not recording, I swear. But he also doesn’t forget.”

“Fine.”

“Can you lift a car?”

“Say again?”

“I figured that’s a good place to establish a baseline of strength.”

“Not over my head, no. But off a pedestrian, definitely.”

I almost mention that, as Talos, I can damn well lift a semi-truck. I decide he hasn’t earned that extra tidbit.

“Harvey is telling me that you are showing signs of evasiveness. Are you not telling me the complete truth?”

“Harvey is right.”

“I don’t get to know what you’re hiding?”

I level my stare at him. “That is correct.”

“The car closest to us is my car. Mind you, it’s a big car with a heavy battery. You are welcome to lift it as high as you can.”

I consider telling him to shove it; after all, a recent case of mine had netted me some solid money. I don’t need his money. I weigh this and more, knowing that a creepy AI implanted in his brain is also watching my every movement and facial expression. Finally, I nod, get up, and stride over to the metallic gold car. I reach down under the chassis, and feel around for the frame. I find the metal strut. Once I have a firm grip and, knowing there are security cameras on me galore, I straighten my knees. I’m expecting the car to be heavier than it is. There is, after all, the noticeable lack of a gas-fueled engine. At any rate, up it goes. I’m tempted to just drop it, but I’m not a mean bitch. I ease it back down, having lifted it a good three or four feet, enough that the wheels on my side of the vehicle are slowly spinning.

He claps from the bench. “Holy smokes. Well done, Samantha. Color me a believer—not that you care.”

I didn’t. I would have preferred to be thought of as a mortal woman. I reclaim my seat on the bench next to him. He’s openly staring at me. “I know precisely how heavy that vehicle is, down to the ounce. That was no easy feat, Samantha. In fact, it’s downright remarkable!”

I shrug. “Mind if we get this moving?” I check the time on my cell phone. “I need to pick up my kid in a few hours.”

“Ah, yes. You have two kids, I believe.”

“Two before I was turned, one adopted later.”

“Is there a husband in the picture?”

“There is not, but thereisa werewolf in the picture.”

“Ah.” He nods. “Kingsley Fulcrum, I presume?”

I shake my head. “I will admit to nothing.”

“Well, if I recall from our preliminary research, he is your significant other. And, yes, there are rumors about him, too.”

“Best to leave it as rumors, buddy. Leave him be. It would be better for all involved. Not threatening you... but we are dealing with something massive and potentially very, very angry.”

He shrugs. “As long as you are safe.”

“I am safe,” I say. “But I’m also his snuggle bunny.”

“Noted. And for the record, I was not flirting with you.”

“You almost did, for the record.”

“Just natural curiosity. There are very few of you, Ms. Moon, and even fewer that I might hire.”

I grin, and let my fangs inch out, something I very rarely do. “A vampire for hire,” I say.

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