Page 27 of Kiss of Light

If he’d killed a human, then that was an offence punishable by death. His father had made that decree centuries ago. No exceptions, not even for his son.

Lemar was doomed whether he stayed or returned.

She finished her whisky and downed the rest of his. Then she put her head in her hands, suddenly bone tired.

“Fuck.”

Eleven

Her phone beeped. Tala fished it out of her back pocket and saw she had a couple of missed calls from Denny. She’d forgotten she had her phone on silent.

“Hey D. How’s it going?”

“Boss, it’s bad news.” Denny’s deep chocolate voice sounded worried. “Everyone knows.”

“About New Orleans?”

“Yep. The rumour is you took out a bunch of vamps and legged it with the mark.”

Damn. She’d hoped for more of a head start.

“Who’s coming?”

“The fae twins. And that ex-Special Forces dude, Blake.”

Great.

“Not the trolls?”

“Trolls don’t do planes, boss. So at least they’re out. And the New York vamps won’t take the chance of being exposed to daylight. But they’ve alerted their friends in New Orleans so you can bet there are more fangs on your tail.”

That was bad. But it wasn’t the worst of it. Iftheyknew she’d travelled to New Orleans, then Ravij would know too.

“Don’t worry D.” She tried to reassure him. “I’m not in the city any more. They’re miles behind me.”

“And the mark’s safe?”

“Um, he’s fine. Did you manage to get in touch with my contact in Norway?”

“The weird little old lady?”

“She’s no ordinary little old lady, D. Did you speak to her about Colorado?”

“Sure did, boss. She said she’d see what she could do.”

“Did you tell her how important it was?”

“Of course I did. But she said Shadeed had other things on his mind right now.”

Great. Without Shadeed, the whole Colorado idea would be a bust.

“Denny, please get back to her and tell her this is a matter of life and death.”

“Yes, boss. Would it help if I sent her money?”

“No! Not money. That would just annoy her. Maybe chocolates? Or woolly hats. She likes hats.”

“She likeswhatnow?”

---