Page 42 of Heart and Soul
Through clenched teeth, the demon master mutters, “Someday, Charlotte Hayes, it will be you under the spotlight, for all your friends to see plainly. What then?”
“Then nothing, Arael. I don’t have any friends.”
To my embarrassment, her remark stings a little. Thank goodness I’m not the one Theo Coltrane is about to expose.
The master vampire gently places his palm on Arael’s temple. After a moment of concentration, he says, “Special Agent Hillerman, if you’re looking for an image of yourself being picked apart by a giant crow, it’s here in vivid detail.”
I shudder. Hillerman seems unfazed. “Go deeper. Arael, I’m giving you ten seconds.”
Arael curses under his breath, and then Coletrane nods. “Ah, here it is. A business card of sorts? All black, no contact info. Just a logo of a white building. Obvious neoclassical architecture, like a state capitol building. White marble columns, a dome on top.”
“No writing?” Hillerman presses.
“An inscription. Looks like Latin, but it’s not very clear. His memory is spotty.”
“Because I took one look at the card and tossed it,” Arael growls. “If you want more details, Agent Hillerman, why don’t you try asking Beyona the next time she drops in?”
“I’m counting on it. Agent Davies, does a building of that description ring any bells?”
“Sure. Neoclassical architecture simply abounds in Detroit, don’t you know?”
“Did you know what neoclassical architecture was until just now?”
“Oh, not a damn clue. But I still could have told you that old-ass buildings cover the shit out of downtown.”
Coletrane smiles. “Elegantly said.”
“So, we’re done with Cafeteria Girl? I’m sorry, what was your name? Monica? No, Mindy.”
“Mandy.”
“Report back to your post,” Hillerman orders.
Cafeteria Girl lets out a sigh of relief. “Oh, good. I really can’t sing to save my life.”
A strangled groan brings our attention to Arael Moaz, who glares at me with unrestrained hatred. His face is turning red. The veins in his neck bulge.
I turn to Coletrane with exaggerated bravado. “Well, I don’t think it takes a vampire to read that thought, does it?”
Coletrane tips his hat to me. “Badass.”
I make an astonished face at Hillerman—that totally worked did you hear that he just called me badass!
She only sighs and walks away.
From the front steps ofthe Old Wayne County building, I spot Jay’s car three blocks down, turning onto Randolph Street. “There they are.”
“We shouldn’t stand out here in the open,” Hillerman says.
She’s right, but I can’t help it. I’m too eager to see Jay, to watch him get closer and closer, until he has arrived at the safest place he could ever find in this world, which is by my side. I may be one of the lowest shifters on the food chain, but I can’t help but feel that, somehow, not even Nick Gorgeous could protect Brenner better than I can. It’s a strange kind of pride, to feel so protective of somebody besides myself.
Speaking of Nick Gorgeous, a text from him pulls my gaze from the car.
Nick: Take the next few days off. Not a request.
“What the hell?”
“What is it?” Hillerman asks.
