He didnt answer. Claire looked back. There was something in the shadows in the alley, but she couldnt tell what it was.
Just that its eyes reflected the light.
It was coming up on deep night, when most sensible people were fast asleep in their beds with their doors bolted and windows securely locked, and Claire was knocking on the door of Common Grounds. It had a CLOSED sign in the window, but the lights were on in the back.
Youre sure you want to do this, Hess said.
You sound just like my subconscious, Claire said, and kept knocking. The blinds twitched and tented; locks rattled.
Oliver opened the door of the coffee shop, and the smell of espresso and cocoa and steamed milk washed over her. It was warm, welcoming, and so very wrong, considering what she knew about him.
He looked very humanly harassed at her arrival. Its late, he said. What is it?
I need to talk to you about
No, he said very simply, and looked at Hess over her head.
Detective Hess, you need to take this child home. Shes lucky to still be alive today. If she wants to continue that winning streak, then she ought to be a little more cautious than to run around Morganville in the dead of night, knocking on my door.
Five minutes, Claire promised. Then Ill go. Please. I never did anything to hurt you, did I?
He stared at her for a few cool seconds, and then stepped back and held the door open. You, too, Detective. I hate to leave anyone with a pulse outside of shelter this evening.
Ill bet, she thought. Olivers peace-and-love hippie act no longer worked on her. Amelie had a kind of noble dignity that let her get away with pretending concern; Oliver was different. He was trying to be like Amelie, but not quite making it.
And Ill bet that pisses him off, too.
Hess urged her across the threshold and followed her in. Oliver locked up, walked to the coffee bar, and, without being asked, began to put together three drinkscocoa for Claire, strong black coffee for Detective Hess, and a pale tea for himself. His hands were steady and sure, the activity so normal that it lulled Claire into relaxing just a little as she sat down at a table. She ached all over with exhaustion and the tension shed run through her body at Amelies.
Miles to go before you sleep, Oliver said, as he stirred the cocoa. Here. Steamed milk and spiced cocoa. Hot peppers. It does have an amazing effect.
He brought it to the table and handed it off to her, put Hesss coffee down, and retrieved his own brewing teacup before sitting. All very normal-life casual.
Youre here about the boy, I would suppose, Oliver said. He dunked his tea bag and watched the results critically. I really must get a new supplier. This tea is pathetic. America just doesnt understand tea at all.
Hes not the boy. His name is Shane, Claire said. And hes not guilty. Even Amelie knows that.
Does she? Oliver raised his gaze to fix it on hers. How interesting, because I, in fact, dont. Brandon was hideously and cruelly tortured, then murdered. He might have had his flaws
What, like molesting children?
but he was born into a different time, and some of his habits were difficult to change. He had his bright side, Claire, as do we all. And now thats gone, along with any harm he might have done. Oliver wouldnt let her look away. Hundreds of years of memory and experience, poured out like water. Wasted. Do you think its so simple to forget such a thing for me? For any of us? When we look at Brandons body, we see ourselves at the mercy of humans. At your mercy, Claire. He glanced at Detective Hess. Or yours, Joe. And you must admit, thats a terrifying prospect.
So youll just kill anyone who frightens you. Who could hurt you.
Wellyes. Oliver took the tea bag out of his cup and set it aside on the saucer, then sipped. A habit we learned from you, really. Humans are all too ready to slaughter the innocent with the guilty, and if you were older, Claire, you would know this. Joe, Im sure, is not so naive.
Hess smiled thinly and sipped coffee. Dont talk to me. Im just the driver.
Ah, Oliver said. How generous of you. They exchanged some kind of a look that Claire didnt know how to interpret. Was that anger? Amusement? A willingness to get up and beat the crap out of each other at a moments notice? She couldnt even figure out what Shane and Michael were thinking, and she knew them. Is she then aware of the price of your services?
Hes trying to get you rattled, Claire. Theres no price.
How interesting. And what a departure. Oliver dismissed Hess and got back to Claire, who hastily took a sip of her cocoa. Ohhhhhhit just kind of exploded in her mouth, rich cocoa, warm milk, and a spicy edge that she didnt expect. Wow. She blinked and took another sip, carefully. I see you like the cocoa.
Umyeah. Yes, sir. Because somehow, when Oliver was being civilized, she felt compelled to still call him sir. Mom and Dad had a lot to answer for, she decided. She couldnt even be rude to evil vampires whod caged her boyfriend and were preparing to roast him alive. What about Shane?
Oliver leaned back, and his eyelids drifted down to half-mast. Weve covered this subject, Claire. Quite thoroughly. I believe you might even have the bruises to remind you of my opinion.
He didnt do it.
Let us deal in facts. Fact, the boy came back to Morganville with the clear intention of disrupting the peace, at the very least, and more likely killing vampires, which is an automatic death sentence. Fact, he concealed himself from us, along with his intentions. Fact, he communicated with his father and his fathers friends both before they came to Morganville and after. Fact, he was at the scene of the crime. Fact, he has offered little in his own defense. Need I go on?
But
Claire. Oliver sounded sad and wounded. He leaned forward, braced his elbows on the table, and placed his chin on top of his folded hands. Youre young. I understand that you have feelings for him, but dont be a fool. Hell drag you down with him. If you force me to it, Im sure I could uncover evidence that you knew about the presence of Shanes father in Morganville, and you had knowledge of their agenda. And that, my dear girl, would mean the end of your precious Protection, and put you in a cage alongside your boyfriend. Is that what you want?
Hess put a warning hand on her arm. Enough, Oliver.
Not nearly enough. If you came to bargain, I think you have nothing to offer me that I cant get elsewhere, Oliver said. So please take yourselves
Ill sign whatever you want, Claire blurted. You know, swear myself to you. Instead of Amelie. If you want. Just let Shane go.
She hadnt been planning to do it, but when hed mentioned bargain it had just taken on a life of its own inside her, and leaped right out of her mouth. Hess groaned and ran a hand over his hair, then covered his mouth, evidently to keep himself from telling her what an idiot she was.
Oliver continued to gaze at her with those steady, kind eyes.
I see, he said. It would be love, then. For love of this boy,you would tie yourself to me for the rest of your life. Give me the right to use you as I see fit. Do you have any idea what youre offering? Because I would not offer you the conditional contracts that most in Morganville sign, Claire. No, for you, there would be the old ways. The hard ways. I would own you, body and soul. I would tell you when to marry and whom to marry, and own your children and all their issue. I was born in a time when this was custom, you see, and I am not in a charitable mood just now. Is this what you want?
Dont, Hess said sharply. He gripped Claires forearm and pulled her up to her feet. Were going, Oliver. Right now.
She has the right to make her own choices, Detective.
Shes a child! Oliver, shes sixteen years old!
She was old enough to conspire against me, he said. Old enough to find the book that I spent half a hundred years pursuing. Old enough to cut off my one and only chance to save my people from Amelies intolerable iron grip. Do you think I care about her age? Olivers friendly courtesy was all gone, and what was left was like a man-sized snake, with a cruel light flickering behind his eyes, and fangs flicking down in warning. Claire let Hess pull her out from behind the table, toward the door. Hed drawn his gun.
I may not let you leave, Oliver said. You realize that?
Hess spun and raised the gun, pointed it straight at Olivers chest. Silver bullets washed in holy water, with a cross cast right in. He clicked back the hammer. You want to test the line, Oliver? Because its right here. Youre standing on it. Ill take a lot of shit from you, but not this. Not that kind of contract, and not with a kid.
Oliver hadnt even bothered to stand up.
I take it you dont want your coffee poured to go? A pity. Do watch your back, Detective. You and I will have a talk, one of these days. And Clairecome back anytime. If the hours run thin, and you want to make that deal, I will listen.
Dont even think about it, Hess said. Claire, open the door. He held his gun trained on the vampire, un-blinking, while Claire unlocked the three dead bolts and swung it open. Get in the car.
Move. He backed out behind her as she ran to the car and dived inside. Hess banged the door to Common Grounds closed, hard enough to crack glass, and slid over the hood of the car in a move shed only ever seen in action movies, and was in the car and starting it before she could take a breath.
They raced off into the night. Claire checked the backseat, suddenly terrified shed turn around to see Oliver grinning at her, but it was empty.
Hess was sweating. He wiped at the drops with the back of his hand. You dont fool around when you get yourself in trouble, Ill give you that, he said. Ive lived here all my life, and Ive never seen anybody get that out of Oliver. Ever.
Umthanks?
It wasnt a compliment. Listen, under no circumstances do you ever go back to Common Grounds, get me? Avoid Oliver at all costs. And no matter what happens, dont make that deal. Shane wouldnt want it, and youd live to regret it. Youd live a long time, and youd hate every horrible second of it. Hess shook his head and took a deep breath. Right. Thats the end of the line for you tonight.
Youre going home, Im seeing you safe inside, and Im going home to hide in a closet until this blows over. I suggest you do the same.
But Shane
Shanes dead, Hess said, so quietly and matter-of factly that she thought he meant it, that somehow someone had slipped in and killed him and she hadnt even knownbut then he went on. You cant save him. Nobody can save him now. Just let go and watch yourself, Claire. Thats all you can do. Youve pissed off both Amelie and Oliver in one night. Enough already. A little common sense would be welcome from you right about now.
She sat in dull, grim silence the rest of the way home.
Hess was as good as his word. He walked her from the car up the steps, watched her open the front door, and nodded wearily as she stepped inside. Lock it, he said. And for Gods sake, go get some rest.
Michael was right there, warm and comforting, when she closed the door. He was holding his guitar by the neck, so hed clearly been playing; his eyes were red-rimmed, his face tense. Well? he asked.
Hello, Claire, how are you? Claire asked the air. No death threats, right? Thanks for going out in the dark to bargain with two of the scariest people on earth.
He at least had the good manners to look embarrassed about it. Sorry. You okay?
Duh. No fang marks, anyway. She shuddered. I do not like those people.
Vampires?
Vampires.
Technically, not people, but then, neither am I, now that I think about it. So never mind. Michael put an arm around her and steered her toward the living room, where he sat her down, put a blanket around her shoulders. Im guessing it didnt go well.
It didnt go at all, she said. Shed been depressed on the ride home, but having to actually report on her failure was a whole new level of suck. Theyre not letting him go.
Michael didnt say anything, but the light died in his eyes. He went down on one knee next to her and fussed with the blanket, tucking it tighter around her. Claire. Are you okay? Youre shaking.
Theyre cold, you know, she said. They make me cold, too.
He nodded slowly. You did what you could. Rest.
What about Eve? Is she still here?
He glanced up at the ceiling, as if he could see through it. Maybe he could. Claire really didnt know what Michael could and couldnt do; after all, hed been dead a couple of times already. Wouldnt do to underestimate somebody like that. Shes asleep, he said. Italked to her. She understands. She wont do anything stupid. He didnt look at Claire when he said that, and she wondered what kind of talking that might have been.
Her mother had always said, when in doubt, ask. Was it the kind of talk where you gave her something to live for? Like maybe, um, you?
Did Iwhat the hell are you talking about?
I just thought maybe you and her
Claire, Jesus! Michael said. Shed actually made him flinch. Wow. That was new. You think banging me is going to make her forget about charging out to commit cold-blooded vampire slaying? I dont know what kind of standards you have on sex, but those are pretty high. Besides, whatevers between me and Evewell, its between me and Eve. Until she tells me about it later, Claire thought. Anyway, thats not what I meant. Ipersuaded her. Thats all.
Persuaded. Right. The mood Eve had been in when Claire left? Not too likely
And then Claire remembered the voices whispering to her in the alley, and her blind, stupid assumption of safety leading her into danger. Could Michael do that? Would he?
You didnt She touched her temple with one finger.
What?
Screw with her head? Like they can?
He didnt answer. He fussed with the blanket around her shoulders some more, fetched her a pillow, and said, Lie down. Rest. Its only a couple of hours until dawn, and Im going to need you.
Oh, God, Michael, you didnt. You didnt! Shell never forgive you!
As long as she lives to hate me later, he said. Rest. I mean it.
She didnt intend to sleep; her brain was whirling like a tire rim scraping pavement, shooting off sparks in every direction. Lots of energy being expended, but she wasnt going anywhere fast. Have to think of something. Have to
Michael started playing, something soft that sounded melancholy, all in minor keys, and she felt herself begin to drift
and then, without any sense of going, she was gone.
The blanket around her smelled like Shane.
Claire burrowed deeper into its warmth, murmuring something that might have been his name as she woke; she felt good, relaxed, safe in his embrace. The way shed been the other night when theyd spent it here on the couch, kissing
All that faded fast when the events of the past day flooded back, stripping away the comfort and leaving her cold and scared. Claire sat up, clutching the blanket, and looked around. Michaels guitar was back in its case, and the sun was over the horizon. So, he was gone again, and she and Eveshe and Eve were on their own.
Right, she whispered. Time to get to work. She still needed to find some kind of viable strategy to break Shane out of that cage on Founders Square. Which meant researchmaybe Detective Hess could tell her something about how many guards there were, and where. Clearly, there was some kind of security process for keeping out the human losers like her, but any security could be broken, right? At least, thats what shed always heard. Maybe Eve knew something that could help.
If Eve wasnt back on suicide watch this morning, anyway. Claire thought wistfully about a hot shower, decided maybe it could wait, and wandered into the kitchen to put on coffee. Eve wasnt going to be happy, but shed be even less happy without caffeine. Claire waited while the pot filled, then carried a black mug full of the stuff upstairs. The key to Eves door was hanging on a hook, with a note taped to it. Michaels handwriting. It read, Dont let her leave the house. By implication, of course, it meant Claire was supposed to stay here, too.
As if she could even think about doing that, with Shanes last hours running out. And who knew what was happening to him out there? She thought about the cold fury in Oliver, the indifference in Amelie, her stomach twisting. She grabbed the key, turned it in the lock, and opened Eves bedroom door.
Eve was sitting, fully dressed and made-up in zombified glory, on the edge of her bed. Shed put her hair into two pigtails, one on each side, and shed done her makeup with great care. She looked like a scary porcelain doll.
An angry scary porcelain doll. The kind that they made horror movies about, with stabby knives.
Coffee? Claire asked weakly. Eve looked at her for a second, took the coffee, got up, and walked out of the bedroom toward the stairs. Oh boy.
By the time Claire made it downstairs, Eve was standing in the middle of the living room, looking up at nothing. Shed put the coffee down, and her hands were on her hips. Claire paused, one hand still clutching the banister, and watched Eve turn a slow circle as if she was looking for something.
I know youre there, you coward, she said. Now hear this, crazy supernatural boy. If you ever fuck with me again, I swear, I will walk out this door and never come back. You get me? One for yes, two for no.
He must have said yes, because some of the stiffness went out of Eves shoulders. She was still mad, though. I dont know whats lower, you playing vamp tricks on me, or locking me in my room, but either way, you are so busted, man. Being dead cant save you. When you get back tonight, I am completely kicking your ass.
He was sorry, Claire said. She sat down on the first step as Eve turned a glare of righteous anger in her direction. He knew you were going to be mad, but he couldnthe cares about you, Eve. He couldnt just let you go out and get yourself killed.
Last time I checked, I was over eighteen and nobodys property! Eve yelled, and stomped her foot. I dont care if youre sorry, Michaelyoure going to have to work really hard to make this up to me! Really hard!
Claire saw the breeze ruffle Eves hair. Eve closed her eyes for a second, swaying, mouth open in a round, red O.
Okay, she said weakly. That was different.
What? Claire asked, and jumped to her feet.
Nothing. Um, nothing at all. Right. Eve cleared her throat. What happened last night? Did you get them to let Shane go?
Claires throat just locked up on her in misery. She shook her head and looked down. But its no use going out there with stakes and crosses, she said. Theyd be ready. We need another plan.
What about Joe? Detective Hess?
Claire shook her head again. He cant.
Then lets go talk to some people who can, Eve said reasonably. She picked up her coffee and drained it in long, chugging gulps, set the mug aside, and nodded. Ready.
Who are we going to see?
It may shock you, but living in Morganville my entire pathetic life isnt a complete waste. I know people, okay? And some of them actually have backbones.
Claire blinked. Umokay. Two minutes.
She dashed upstairs for the fastest shower and change of clothes in her life.
