Gem shook her head. “We still don’t have absolute proof. Some of the Breed shops are open to everyone.”
Blue leaned forward, elbows propped on her knees. “What did the tattoo mean?”
Gem’s gaze drifted to the ceiling. “Well, it’s a proverb that doesn’t make sense in direct translation.The stick is worth breaking.”
Blue jerked her head back. “That’s obscure.”
“For sure,” Gem agreed. “Alas, I only have a brief history on the tribe; I don’t know enough about their culture or proverbs to be able to interpret the meaning.”
Viktor clasped his hands before him. “This is a strong lead. I want to question the artist. Raven, Christian… this is your first assignment. You will fly out to Washington and speak with the artist. Do whatever you have to,” he said, giving Christian a discreet look.
“Can we get a photocopy of the tattoo?” I asked. “I’ll look through their books and see if it’s something they offer to everyone. If not, then he shouldn’t have any trouble remembering something like that.”
Christian shook his head. “Who gets a tattoo in a language they don’t understand?”
I frowned at my chipped nail polish. “Countless humans who think Chinese writing is pretty?”
He uncrossed his legs. “Aye, but how do they know they’re not really getting a recipe for eggrolls printed on their arse?”
“Everyone needs a good recipe,” I said with a smile.
Viktor looked between us. “Then it’s settled. And both of you better come back alive. I know how you bicker like cats and dogs, but remember you are professionals. This will be your first assignment alone, so no killing each other.”
Wyatt raised his finger. “Maybe I should go in case one of them winds up buried in a cemetery.”
I chortled and glanced at Christian. “Don’t worry. I don’t stake my men on the first date.”
He rose to his feet. “That’s not what I’ve heard.”
* * *
“Most people hate airplane food,” Christian remarked.
I shoved a cracker into my mouth as the flight attendant collected my empty tray. “Most people hate romance movies where someone dies in the end, but they still watch them.” I wiped my hands on my jeans. “Why do you get the window seat? I’m the one who’s never flown before.”
He tapped his knuckle on the closed shade. “Aye. And if you were sitting here, I’d have that infernal light blasting me in the eyes the entire flight.”
Christian still had on his dark sunglasses. Older Vampires learned to tolerate bright light, but many of them still wore shades in the daytime. Their eyes were black because the pupils were permanently dilated, concealing the irises completely.
Viktor had purchased plane tickets for us to leave the day after our meeting, and I’d been anxious since it was my first flight. Once the plane took off and I was still in one piece, I decided to sit back and enjoy the experience. Everything about it was foreign and exciting—especially the idea of traveling above the clouds.
“We can watch TV,” I said, gesturing toward the screens on the seats in front of us.
“If you turn that blasted thing on, I’ll put you in cargo.”
I dusted a few crumbs off my lap. “You older generations really have a thing against technology. That’s what’s going to hold you back as the years roll by.”
He shifted in his seat. “And that’s what’s wrong with the younger generation. You’ve lost the ability to sit still and have a conversation. You need a talking box to keep you entertained, or one of those fancy music players.”
“You carry a phone,” I pointed out.
“Do you see me on it every second, sending Wyatt pictures of your revolting lunch? An intelligent mind doesn’t need external stimulation.”
“I’ll remember that the next time I walk in on you having sex with a random person.”
He widened his legs and laced his fingers together. “I’m not sure why that vexes you so, but you seem to bring it up every chance you get. What I do with women is natural, and believe me, I’m quite good at what I do.”
“Shouldn’t you at least get their names first?”
