Stealing Time (28 page)

I remembered the newspaper articles and my breath caught.

“Yeah, although the murders in Boston and D.C. followed a different pattern. Four or five humans were killed over a period of a few weeks, all of them drained and torn up. Nic disagrees, but I think it was the same bastard, experimenting.”

“And in the other cities?”

“Whatever this thing is, it came down the eastern seaboard. It skipped New York, no idea why, before hitting Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans…and now, Dallas. If it continues like this, we’re guessing Albuquerque, maybe Phoenix or Tucson, will be next.”

Because we didn’t get the newspaper in Canada and hadn’t read one since coming to Dallas, we were unaware of the more recent murders.

“There’s been a killing here?” Leo asked, alarmed, and I could practically see him shifting into Elder mode.

“Yes. Last night.” Siska shifted restlessly. “That’s the pattern now. It starts with just one murder—almost like it’s a training exercise.”

I startled. “
Training?
”

Siska looked me in the eye, his gaze flat. “Yeah. Because, in every case, just after the first murder, it escalates to an unbelievable degree. Atlanta, for instance. A real estate agent found most of a woman scattered around an empty office building he was going to show to a client later that day. The pieces were so small and there were so many of them, he didn’t even know what they were at first. Not until he found a flattened eyeball. The night after ‘Jane Doe’ was butchered, remains were found in an empty warehouse four blocks away. We
think
eight people were killed, but there were so many damn fragments the medical examiner still can’t be sure.”

He leaned forward. “A week later in New Orleans, another single murder, equally savage. The next night, more human bits and pieces were found in a shipping yard along the Harvey Canal. A yard foreman found them when he came on shift in the morning. The New Orleans ME thinks it was more than eight people. Way more.”

“But wouldn’t there be missing persons reports filed? Wouldn’t somebody miss all those people?” I asked, trying to comprehend the slaughter he was describing.

“You’d be surprised,” Siska said. “Homeless people and illegals have their reasons for lying low. And so do gang members, parole jumpers and others like them.”

“The killers are selecting their victims carefully,” James remarked.

“Looks like it.” It was interesting that his speech pattern had changed to a more relaxed, abbreviated style as he’d discussed the case and I wondered at the influence the human Nic had over him. If she insisted he carry out the arrest warrant on James, would he do it? The thought had my lip curling over my fangs.

Leo asked, “You mentioned that you think the first murder is some sort of training exercise. Why?”

“It’s all guesswork, but I think someone is going through these cities and teaching others to kill in a way that will create the greatest outrage and terror possible. I also think a message is being sent.”

“What kind of message? To whom?” Leo asked sharply.

“I’ll get to that in a second,” Siska said.

“Do the police have any leads?” Kate asked, her face pale.

“That’s just it. They don’t have a clue what they’re dealing with.”

“You think this is being done by vampires,” James said, confirming our suspicions from those early newspaper articles.

Siska nodded. “Yeah, I do. I think a mature vampire has been hitting the big cities, creating a small army of psycho changelings and setting them loose to slaughter humans. Because of the brutality, I think his changelings were already extremely violent mortals. Then the maker moves on. Even when the violence starts in the next city, the killing continues behind him.”

Horrified, I whispered, “But why…?”

“That’s the message part,” Siska said. “I think somebody has declared war on humans, and wants the slayers and our Ancients to know it.”

James’s face was a mask of rage. My own anger and the energy stirred in response. He was shielding, but the strength of his emotion was so great, it leaked around his control. “Philippe is behind this. I am sure of it.”

Siska went still. “Your uncle is doing this?”

“He wouldn’t dirty his own hands, no,” James said through gritted teeth. “But he is certainly capable of conceiving such an abomination and those who follow him are of a kind.”

“Do you know of the Gathering in Idaho, Siska?” Leo asked.

“I’ve heard about what happened, yeah. Social events aren’t my thing and I skipped it, even if it meant pissing off Abasi and Amenenhep.” Turning bleak eyes on James, he asked, “So it’s true. We really are at war?”

He nodded.

Kate spoke into the silence. “I thought Jack was different. How could he have anything to do with this?”

“We don’t know him, Kate. How could we possibly know what Jack would do?” I muttered.

Siska turned to her. “Jack? What is his last name?”

Her expression was confused. “I have no idea. Vampires don’t seem to have last names. It’s Leo or Gage or Abasi or Siska or Amenemenemenhep.” We had to laugh at her purposeful slaughtering of the Ancient’s name. “Except for James and Evie, y’all are like friggin’ Cher and Shakira.”

James asked, “Do you think you know him, Siska?”

“Almost as tall as me? Black hair? Wears a ring with the words
Dans la Mémoire
on the outside?” James nodded and a slow grin stole across Siska’s face. “I knew a Jacques Fortin. I met him when he fought in the French and Indian War.”

Kate inhaled sharply. “But that was in the 1700s.”

I chuckled. “It takes some getting used to.”

James asked, “How did you happen to meet him?”

“It’s a very long story.” Siska’s eyes went opaque. “He has changed since I knew him, if he’s involved in these murders.”

“But he didn’t kill me,” Kate said. “When he had the chance. And he didn’t give me to Philippe.”

Without an answer, Siska shrugged and moved on. “Will you meet with Nic, James?”

I felt James’s gaze and turned to him. Seeing the unspoken question there, I sighed. “It depends how much you trust Siska.” Ignoring the tall vampire’s snort, I continued, “If it would convince this marshal that you had nothing to do with Tom’s death, maybe she could influence the police to leave you alone. Besides, if there’s a chance to treat Philippe to some intense public scrutiny, all the better.”

Gage chuckled evilly. “Now you’re talking.”

James lifted my hand and kissed it, his gaze never leaving mine. “I do trust Siska. But I want to be sure you are comfortable with my meeting his Nic.”

“You mean
our
meeting her,” I said firmly.

He opened his mouth to protest, even as Leo, Kate, and Gage echoed my words. “All of us?” he said, his expression disapproving. “That is not necessary. The exposure risk is unacceptable. And, forgive me, Kate, but it is not safe.”

Kate glowered, and I knew James was in for a serious argument if he intended to try and leave her behind.

“It seems you’re outnumbered, love,” I murmured.

He looked as if he wanted to argue. Meeting each determined gaze, he just shook his head and smiled softly. “I am a lucky man to have such friends.”

Siska’s eyes tightened. “Yeah, you are.”

We arranged to meet Nic that night at the first place I thought of. It was part of the Trinity River system of parks, a wide and densely treed area that followed the water moccasin-infested river for miles. If Nic intended treachery, we could disappear in any direction, under cover of a canopy of heavy trees and over ground that no human could easily traverse. Leo had already whispered to James and me that if we had to run for it, he would carry Kate.

Because all of us were going, we took the Range Rover. With the headlights off, James drove the last few yards on the faint track and continued into the trees until the SUV was hidden.

As we got out of the Rover, Gage pulled me aside. “Can’t you make her stay with the car?”

He had spent the afternoon trying to convince Kate to stay behind and, because coercion and blatant bribery hadn’t worked, he was giving it a last shot with me in the hopes that I would have better luck. I glanced at James and felt his surprise at Gage’s concern for Kate, something that seemed to indicate more than just the casual interest of an acquaintance.

“Once she makes up her mind, that’s it. You have to respect her decision. Fighting her isn’t going to win you any points.” Seeing the stubborn look in his eyes, I shrugged. “Look, consider it from her perspective, Gage. Remember how you felt when James and I tried to talk you into skipping the Gathering.”

Defeated, Gage sighed and walked over to stand with the others. James came around the front of the Rover and took my hand.

“Gage seems to be developing feelings for Kate,” he said quietly.

“You mean besides seeing her as lunch?”

He raised an eyebrow at my sharp tone.

“Sorry. Between the arrest warrant and this damn energy, I’m feeling pretty jumpy.” I forced my expression into an approximation of pleasant and looked up at James. With an enthusiasm I didn’t feel, I said chirpily, “Why yes, I believe you’re right. He does seem to be interested in her.”

James pulled me against his chest and rested his chin on my head. “That’s supposed to be an improvement?” he asked and I could hear the smile in his voice.

Pressing my face against his neck and inhaling his precious scent worked its usual magic on me. When I tilted my head to look up at him, my smile felt normal and relaxed, not like the earlier one I’d plastered on my lips. “I sure didn’t expect Gage’s interest. Guess I don’t have much of a career as a matchmaker—my instincts are all wrong.”

He chuckled, bending his head to kiss me lightly. “They suit me just fine.”

The wind shifted, carrying Kate’s luscious scent to us.

“Huh.” My smile broadened. “Gage must care for her after all.”

“Why do you think so?”

“Because she’s still breathing.”

James snorted.

Leo led the others to where we were standing. “Where do we go from here, Evie?”

“This way,” I said and set off. There was no trail, but we were able to pick our way through the thick mesquite and live oak trees, arriving early as we had planned.

“How do you know about this place?” Gage asked. “I wouldn’t believe such an isolated spot existed right in the middle of Dallas.”

James guessed, “Was this where you met the cartel’s informant?”

“Yes.” I smiled with genuine delight. “You did read my articles.”

“I can’t believe you came out here alone. You had absolutely no sense of self-preservation.”

“Not a bit, although I was armed. Gran didn’t raise me to be stupid.” Without warning, James’s eyes went flat and he cocked his head.

The sound of a human coming through the undergrowth carried to us a moment later—Siska moved far too gracefully to make a whisper of sound.

“Do you hear anyone else, James?” I pitched my voice low.

He hesitated a moment, concentrating. His expression cleared. “No, only them.”

Leo asked, “Just in case, my dear, how quickly can you generate energy? If we should have to fight?”

I had practiced all afternoon, for just this reason. “I’ll be ready, Leo.” Because of my current level of anxiety, the bizarre power was already thrumming—contained, but ready to flare the moment I gave it a path to follow.

“Only do so if you must, Evie. The heat you generate would make you very visible to an infrared scope,” James said. “Even to an unaided human eye, you would be easy to see.”

He was right, of course, and I reined the energy down a notch.

Siska stepped first into the small clearing. His expression was guarded as his gaze rested on each of us in turn and he visibly assessed the potential threat we might pose to Nic. It was clear he took his role as her guardian very seriously. After a moment, he stood aside and we got our first glimpse of the marshal.

She stood a little taller than me and her skin was a dusky shade that set off her black eyes and lush, rosy lips. Nic’s jet-colored hair was parted in the center and hung straight to her waist, shining like silk in the moonlight. She wore a dark blazer over a black T-shirt and jeans, sensible clothes for moving through the night, and her figure was slim and athletic.

Surprised by her exceptional beauty, I sniffed, disbelieving that a human could be so lovely. With her scent, the predatory desire struck and I locked my muscles against it, having confirmed that Nic was, indeed, very much a mortal.

Siska’s eyes snapped into sharp focus as he stared at me. I allowed a small smile in response—
see? no fangs
—but he did not relax his guard.

Nic moved closer to us and stopped just a little beyond the distance a human would stand from other mortals. I wasn’t sure if this was because Siska had cautioned her or if she was used to meeting vampires and knew to keep back. Not that it would save her if we wished to attack—there were too many of us for her lone guardian to fend off. With this thought, I realized the degree of trust Siska had for James.

Nic said in a soft contralto voice, “You are James Wesley.”

He nodded. “You wish to speak with me?”

“I do.” She glanced at the four of us standing on either side of him. “I hadn’t anticipated a crowd, however.”

None of us responded and the silence stretched for several minutes. For some reason, this amused Nic and her lips twitched. “I’m not here to arrest you.”

“You’d play ten shades of hell trying,” I said levelly.

Siska leaned into a crouch and James’s gaze flicked to him. “Siska,” he said, a clear warning.

Nic’s eyebrows arched as she studied me. “Are you glowing?”

Chagrined, I cranked the energy to a lower level—it had taken advantage of my anxiety to flare and the thought occurred that I must look like a freaking firefly.

Siska’s voice was rough. “Nic, would you just get on with it?”

Sparing a glance at the tall vampire by her side, she chuckled and returned her attention to James. “Tell me about Thomas Jankowski.”

When James spoke, it sounded like a bleak recitation. “He worked for me for several years as a doorman. He ran errands and was my human face to the world. He didn’t know I was a vampire, just that I was a painter and valued my privacy. Tom would have retired in another year or two. And he was killed by my uncle in an effort to hurt me.”

She considered James. “Why?”

He looked off into the night, his face a mask. Shrugging, he turned to meet the marshal’s gaze. “Philippe would answer ‘
why not?
’ and find it sufficient reason.”

“Siska told you about the mass killings.” She made it a statement, not a question. James nodded. “You think your uncle is involved.” Again, a statement. Again, a nod.

“Mmm.” Nic’s eyes flicked to Kate. “So Kate Garrison is alive and well. I’ll have to figure out some way to call off the missing persons. I’m guessing you don’t want your whereabouts known, Miss Garrison?”

“It’s Kate. And no, Philippe has already tried once to get hold of me. Hearing all I have about the killings, I want to make sure he doesn’t get a second chance.”

Nic nodded once, decisively. “You damn sure don’t.”

“How does this help you?” I asked. “Siska already told you everything we talked about earlier, didn’t he?”

“Yes. But I needed to hear it for myself.” She looked like she was carrying on an internal debate. Flicking a glance at Siska, she said, “I’m very good at telling the difference between truth and lies. But I have to hear the person speak in order to do so.”

Siska’s eyes widened before his face resumed its watchful expression.
Interesting
—he didn’t want us to know that.

“Now that you have, will you cancel the arrest warrant for James?” Hope accelerated my heart rate—as if synchronized, the energy strained against my hold and pulsed into my hands.

“It’s not quite that simple,” Nic responded, dismissive. “But I will see what can be done.”

“What about a trade?” I thought quickly. “If we gave you a detailed description of Philippe, as well as those who follow him, would you do more than just see what can be done about the warrant?”

Her head came up as her hand disappeared inside her jacket. “If you have information and withhold it, the warrant will be the least of your worries,” she snapped. “All it would take is a word slipped to Rome’s local representatives.”

My lip curled over extended fangs. “Unless you have your hand on a slayer’s pistol, the only person you’re likely to hurt would be Kate and we’d all take that very personally.” In a lower voice, I snapped back, “Do a headcount. You’re not in a position to threaten anyone.”

Siska’s crouch deepened and James shifted closer to me, his eyes hard on his friend. “Perhaps, Marshal, if you took a more civil tone.”

“Now, now, everyone relax,” Leo chided. “This is ridiculous. Marshal, you needn’t be so sharp nor your attitude so superior. Siska, relax and straighten up—you’re being ridiculous. Evie, you’re no better than Siska. James, be at peace—Evie doesn’t need protection. Honestly, all of you! Worried about protecting your mates when people are dying. You should be ashamed.”

“Siska isn’t my
mate.
” Nic’s voice was curt. Her back was to Siska and she didn’t see his jaw tighten at her words. “Look, since I’m the one who asked for this meeting, I should apologize for coming across like a bitch. Force of habit, I guess.”

The most I’d unbend was to retract my fangs. Call me immature, but I was damned if I’d apologize—threatening to sic slayers on us had been over the top. “Siska, how does seeking work? Do you have to meet someone first before you can hunt them or would a detailed likeness be enough?”

He spoke as if it went against his instincts to discuss his talent. “It’s easier if I’ve met the person, but a good image works almost as well.”

I turned back to Nic. “James can sketch the images of the people we know are with Philippe. Siska can then use the sketches to seek them for you. Would that be a sufficient trade for you to get rid of the arrest warrant?”

“Yes.” Nic hissed the word. “I want these bastards.”

“James, do you still have your sketch pad in the back of the Rover?”

“Yes, along with my pencils.”

Relieved that there was a course of action—finally—a huge smile stretched my lips. “Let’s get to it.”

A little while later, James completed the last of the sketches of Caleb, Nathaniel, Philippe and Jack, as well as the other vampires we saw in their group. Between James’s incredible talent and vampiric perfect recall, the sketches were so precise they could have been photographs.

When he looked up from studying each likeness, Siska’s gaze was troubled. “I told you that I knew a Jacques Fortin?” He held up the sketch of Jack. “This is him. And, in the interest of full disclosure, I should tell you that he will not be pleased to see me.”

“Why not?” James asked.

“Because I made him a vampire.”

This surprised all of us, probably Nic most of all. Her voice hard, she said, “You have told me over and over that the
sachem
forbade your changing anyone…”

Siska met her gaze without flinching. “Yeah, he did.”

“And yet…” She trailed off. There was something in the way she looked at him that made me think this was not about violating a chief’s edict, that it was far more personal.

“Look, I didn’t change him on purpose.”

“No?” She managed to give the word a singular tone of menace.

“No, I was trying to kill him,” Siska said, his voice a little defensive.

Kate stirred angrily. “You were trying to kill Jack?”

Surprised by an attack coming from a different direction, Siska swung around. “Yes, I was thirsty.”

She shrilled, “
Thirsty?
”

“Hellooo,” Siska said mockingly and pointed at himself. “
Vampire?
”

Nic’s voice was rough with anger. “So…
what?
You somehow decided after all not to kill him? To change him instead? How’d you stop, Siska? Aren’t you always telling me how hard it is to stop once you bite someone?”

“I was interrupted, okay? I bit the guy and everything was going fine…” Siska began.

“Fine?” Kate interrupted. “You’re sucking the life out of Jack and it’s
fine?
”

Siska threw his hands in the air and appealed to James. “A little help here?”

He chuckled. “No way. I’m not getting anywhere near this one.”

Clearly trying to get everyone focused and back to the point of our evening, Leo asked, “Siska, do you have any emotional ties to Jack? If the coming confrontation is difficult for you, perhaps you should remain behind.”

“No, it’s not difficult. No, I don’t have any ties to him.” Siska glanced sharply at Nic. “When I changed Jack, the situation was complicated, White Owl. This isn’t the time or the place to get into it.”

She nodded. Her expression made clear, however, that she fully intended to revisit the topic later. She snapped, “Don’t think your using my tribal name gets you off the hook,
Running Wolf.
”

Kate huffed, but kept silent.

“Moving on,” Siska grumbled. “Any preference who I look for first?”

Nic shrugged. “Why don’t you see if you can tell who’s closest? The single killing happened last night, so they must be gearing up for the slaughter right now. At least one of the senior vamps has to be in Dallas.”