Page 57 of Daring Her Vampires
“I do.” Shade is my only friend outside my family. Neither of us is quick to trust, and our friendship was slow to develop. “Are you tracking Fredrick?”
“Of course. He’s avoiding cameras, and it’s pissing me off,” he says. “The number he called from is no longer functioning. He disposed of it. I’m narrowing down the last location it was used. He’s close, but I can’t get a lock on him.”
“He’s gotten away for years. This shouldn’t be a surprise.” Shade prides himself on knowing all. He can’t stand not catching who he is after.
“He’ll slip up,” he assures me.
“We have a plan,” I mumble, but pause.
“And?”
“Do you have experience with witches?” I ask, leaning my shoulder against the window.
“Secretive fuckers,” he replies. “I don’t associate with humans who have magic. They exist and use spells.”
“Very informative,” I drawl. “I thought you knew everything.”
“You asked if I have experience with them, not what I know.”
“Such an ass.” I shake my head.
“That’s why we are friends. We have a lot in common,” he says. I hear the clack of keys. “Witches and warlocks are human. Their magic is what makes them live forever. Without it, they would age and die. They can cast spells with words, yet it’s mostly the intention behind the words. They have an array of special gifts. Why are you asking me?”
“We are going to ask one to find Fredrick,” I say, and he doesn’t say anything. “Shade?”
“It could work,” he murmurs. “Depending on the witch.”
“She helped before, but she isn’t well-liked.”
“Sounds right.”
“Sally had to get the approval of the family.”
“Of course, Sally would,” he snorts. “Sally would do—”
“Did I lose you?” I frown.
“Why did you say Sally’s name like that?” he asks.
“How do you know Sally? You never leave your office.”
“You first.”
“She’s my mate. She’s our mate.” The silence stretches longer this time. Shade is still a mystery to me in many ways. He seems to know everyone here, yet I’ve never seen him travel. He sits behind his screens watching the outside world, yet never enters it.
“I should have guessed,” he hums.
“How would you?” He sounds disappointed.
“I sent the dragons there for Saphira.”
“What?” How did I not know?
“Kingston and Maverick work for me. I got a feeling.”
“Shit.” I knew I had heard the names. We never met them. Shade has numerous contacts, and I’ve never seen them. Most of us speak to him remotely.
“How is Sally?” he asks.
