Page 114 of Blood and Bonbons

“I was too freaked out to see any details. But I saw a fairy tattoo on Sierra's lower back after her shirt got torn.”

Vena nodded thoughtfully, not looking nearly as shocked as I’d thought she would be.

“You knew?”

“I glimpsed her tattoo when we were in the employee room the other day, but I couldn’t remember the exact design. I saw it again when Doc gave her his shirt. She has to be the one who was in Miles’ apartment, but why?”

“We don’t know for sure it was her. Did Miles even know her?”

“That’s what we need to find out. I say we pay her a visit tonight and ask.”

“First, I don’t know where she lives, do you? Second, you heard Shepard. She’s got a bodyguard, and so do we. If we go tonight, there will be a ton of questions.”

“Fine, we’ll wait until first thing in the morning and bring Cross. He can sniff her perfume and tell us if it matches.”

“I don’t remember smelling perfume on her.”

“It might not be actual perfume. When she walked by the other night, I did smell something citrusy. Cross might have assumed it was perfume and not body wash or lotion.”

“I suppose. He’ll be able to confirm it tomorrow, either way.”

Vena smirked at me.

“What?” I asked.

“Don’t think that I'm going to ignore the hug Shepard gave you. Why do you get to have two beasts at your beck and call, and I’m here all alone?”

“They’re not at my beck and call. And you have Anchor drooling over you.”

She made a pouty face. “But you won’t let me have any fun.”

“You heard Shepard’s warning. Wolves don’t do casual. If you want Anchor around for the long haul, go for it. I bet he’d be one hell of a ride. But if you think I don’t like your treasure hunting, what do you think an overprotective wolf will be like?”

That wiped the eagerness off her face, and she shifted uncomfortably. “Way to kill the mood.”

“Something needed to cool you down.”

“You doused me with the perfect ice bucket.”

“Good.”

We parked and waited in the car while Anchor searched the house. It didn’t take him long to give us the all-clear signal.

Before we left the car, I patted Vena’s shoulder. “Find a human to harass.”

When we entered, Anchor was by the couch, frowning at the blankets he’d used the night before.

“Everything okay?” I asked.

“Yeah. It’s fine. There’s a smell here that hasn’t faded like I would have thought.”

Vena smirked at him. “What exactly have you been doing on our couch that you don’t want us to smell? Did it involve lotion?”

“Vena.” I thrust a finger toward her room.

She huffed a sigh but didn’t argue.

I waited until her door closed behind her to look at Anchor, who was staring at the hallway like he was thinking about following her.

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