Page 82 of Mortal Shift
“You couldn’t have had this revelation two hours ago?”
“Sorry.”
I shook my head and stretched out my arms, easing the kinks from my shoulders. “Don’t be. You probably saved us another six hours of pointless searching.”
“So, what now?” She eyed me cautiously. “Please tell me you’re not thinking about breaking into Astor’s office to hunt for the records.”
“Seeing as I don’t have an actual death wish, no.” Relief flashed in her eyes, and I added, “I’m going straight to the source. The humans.”
All trace of relief fled Ling’s face—along with all the blood in it, leaving her pale and ghostly. More so than usual, that was.
“Please tell me you’re joking.”
“Well, if that will make you feel better…”
“I’m serious, Cali. Last time you were caught trespassing in a feeding den—by accident, with a genuine reason—Thaden drained you until you passed out as punishment.”
“Yes, I was there,” I said tightly. “I do remember.”
“Do you? Because if you go snooping around there on purpose, asking questions and upsetting the humans, that’s going to pale in comparison to what Astor will do to you. Those areherhumans.”
My chair screeched across the floor as I lurched to my feet, fury heating my blood. “Herhumans? They’re people, not pets, and they don’t belong to anyone.”
“That’s not what I meant.”
“Isn’t it? Because everyone round here seems to think humans are less than supernaturals and can be passed around and played with as they see fit, and it’s bullshit. I’m a person. They are people. We all matter just as much as every damn supernatural in this place, and I’m sick of everyone thinking otherwise.”
“Idon’t think that,” she said quietly. “I think you’re better than all of them.”
“You…do?” A lump formed in my throat and I swallowed it quickly.
“Yes. How many of them would risk their lives for a bunch of humans they’ve never met?”
“You’re not going to try to stop me, then?”
She shook her head with a rueful smile. “Hardly. Apparently you got supernatural stubbornness with your supernatural pessimism.”
“Um, thanks. I think.”
“But what are you going to do if they really do want to be here, and wanted to even before they got hooked on vampires—if they are hooked, that is.”
“Find some other obsession, I guess? Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.”
She laughed. “Cross it, or burn it? Because I think you have a greater talent for one than the other…”
I rolled my eyes, and then leaned my forearms on the back of my chair. “Guess we’d best get all these books put away, then.”
A knock sounded at the door, and both our heads snapped round to look at it. Because seriously, whoever heard of someone knocking at the door of a public library?
The door swung inwards, and Cole stood outlined in the doorway, looking awkward.
“Can we talk?” he asked, and I shrugged.
“Didn’t think talking was your thing, but sure.”
He came in and clicked the door shut behind him. His gaze flicked to Ling and his eyes narrowed, but he must have known I’d have told him exactly what he could do if he wanted her to leave, because he said nothing, and then turned his attention back to me.
“It’s almost March,” he said.
