Poor Salvator. I almost felt sorry for how easily he caved, but not sorry enough when I thought about all the humans he’d murdered for money.
“You did real well, Salvator. Take a deep breath and relax. That’s good. Lights out.”
I drove the push dagger deep, and he slumped over to the passenger side, crushing his burger sack. The stunner had penetrated his spine, but he’d survive. It took a lot more than that to kill a Mage. At least for now he was under my control, so that bought me some time. Since the front windshield didn’t have as much tinting as the other windows, I used a sunshade to give us privacy.
A phone peeked out of his back pocket, so I palmed it and stepped out of the car. As I sat on the trunk, a group of teenagers across the street caught my attention. Their boisterous laughs made me wistful, remembering what it was like to be that age when I had all the answers. Monsters didn’t exist; life would get better; and someday I would die, so I needed to make every moment count. A cold chill ran down my spine when I realized that some of that humanity was slipping away from me. Was it inevitable with immortality, or was I allowing it to happen?
“Do I know you?” Wyatt said on the line.
“It’s Raven.”
He snorted. “That’s a world record. I didn’t think I’d hear from you for at least a hundred years. I thought maybe we’d bump into each other at a rodeo and reminisce over old times when you almost got me fired. Whose phone is this?”
“A man who works for Darius.”
“Hmm. Should I ask where this man is?”
My tone became somber. “I just called to let you know that I have information on where Christian’s remains are.”
“Son of a ghost.”
Chapter 17
Two Nights Earlier
Christian cursedhimself for having cozied up with Raven, imparting words of wisdom so she’d see the error of her ways. That lunatic wouldn’t know what to do with a nugget of knowledge if it hit her in the noggin.
Still. A small part of him wanted to connect with her on some level, and he didn’t know why. She had a way of looking at him with her mismatched eyes that made his heart quicken. He’d never seen eyes so enchanting. Maybe that was why he’d slipped out of his bedroom when she rolled over in his bed to face him. Christian had to remind himself that this woman couldn’t be trusted, and if made a permanent member, he was going to be expected to put his life in her hands.
After leaving his bedroom, he descended the stairs to the second floor, inviting Viktor into one of the soundproof rooms. It was a quaint sitting room—absent of windows, a fireplace, or even a couch. It looked more like a medieval chamber used to hold hostages, except for the two gold chairs and resplendent white carpet with intricate details woven into the fabric.
Viktor struck a match and lit one of the lanterns on the table between two chairs.
“Are you angry?” Christian asked, pulling a clean shirt over his head while Viktor took a seat.
“Come sit, Christian. I cannot discuss anything when you’re hovering.”
Christian reluctantly strode across the room and took the opposite chair, his legs straight and ankles crossed. “She’s a murderer. What other skills can she offer to Keystone? You can’t just choose someone because they know how to kill a man.”
The soft light flickered in Viktor’s grey eyes, and he gave Christian a pensive look. “Do you think I make decisions in haste? She does not kill indiscriminately, and the evaluation period allows me to get a feel for her talents. I’ve never seen anyone like her before. She has potential. Raven is not as seasoned as the rest of you, but if I do not give her this opportunity, she may one day become the very person we end up hunting. Which side would you rather see her on?”
“You can’t save them all.”
“Nyet.But I was your last resort. You were each at a crossroads. What will hold someone to me if they have better options? I’m here to give each of you an opportunity to make a difference, and that means I need to be your only option. What we do is not glorious, and it requires a certain kind of… finesse that not everyone has.”
Christian tapped his fingers on the armrest. “Like turning someone’s car into a carnival of blood?”
“I need more men who have fighting skills, and you know it. I cannot continue putting Gem and Wyatt in dangerous situations. They were chosen for different reasons. And while Claude can fight, he’s my tracker and inside man.” Viktor wagged his finger. “You have expressed a desire to work alone, but you cannot be treated specially in a group of equals. You must learn to follow the same rules, and that means taking on a partner. It will do you more good than you realize. Vampires are loners by nature; I understand this, and you don’t strike me as a man who has ever trusted anyone with his life. But it’s time for you to step outside that comfortable place that limits your potential. I will not change my mind.”
Christian shifted in his chair, unsettled by Viktor’s resolve. In a perfect world, Viktor would skip the rules and pair her up with the next member of Keystone—ifsomeone new joined their group. Viktor had never expressed how many people he wanted in Keystone, but Christian had secretly hoped that he’d be the last.
Christian tilted his head to the side, searching for the right words to reason with him. “She’s a crossbreed. That’s something you should consider before making a decision. You don’t know what she’s capable of because there’s never been anyone like her. You’re only seeing one side of the coin. She’s dangerous and unpredictable.”
“As are all of you.”
“Aye, but we are not that to each other. She’s been on her own too long without any guidance. If she’s never had a positive influence in her life, she may be too far gone to save. Is it worth jeopardizing our lives for a rogue?”
Viktor laced his fingers together. “Tell me what this is really about, Christian. You are not a man who backs away from a challenge. Is it because she’s a woman? Is it because she’s abeautifulwoman, and you somehow find that a distraction? What is the root of your fear? We are not angels.”
