I tucked my fist against my cheek. “Blue did.”
Graham set down his chicken. “What did they say?”
Blue guzzled her drink and then sighed. “Sambah lost a son. What do you think they said? He’s upset. They found him on the stairs.”
“You spoke to Sambah?” Graham cleaned his hands with a napkin. “That’s a powerful pride, and King was next in line. At least that’s what I heard.”
“You know them?” I stood, dumped the chicken bones into the trash, and put the empty plate in the sink.
“I’m not their Relic,” he explained. “I tried to apply once, but they turned me down. They have a lot of money and power. I hope you didn’t upset him. Did he seem upset? I hope you’re not mentioning my name to any of these people.”
Blue scooted her chair back. “We’ve been careful about what we tell them. We don’t want anyone getting suspicious about our visits.”
Graham heaved a sigh. “Good. The last thing you want to do is make enemies with the Freeman pride. I’ve heard stories about them.”
I leaned against the sink. “What stories?”
“Someone murdered one of their lions. Or was it a lioness? I can’t remember.” Graham loosened his belt a notch, causing me to look away. “It was a bar fight, I think. The Council rarely gets involved in family disputes. Sambah didn’t go to the killer’s pack. He sent his men to hunt down the two people involved in the killing and bring them back. Nobody knows what happened to them.”
“If the killing wasn’t provoked, it’s within his rights,” Blue said, scooting back her chair. “An eye for an eye. The leader can ask for any compensation he desires.”
Graham wiped his forehead. “Did you know that lions eat their enemies?”
Striding to the door, I announced, “You better go. Blue and I have more work to do, and I’m sure we’re keeping you.”
He rose from his seat. “Thanks for the snack. That should tide me over until lunch.”
Blue couldn’t stifle her short laugh.
Graham pushed in his chair. “It’s genetic. I have a slow metabolism and a big appetite.”
I gripped the doorknob. “I’m not judging. I’m exactly the opposite.”
He moved around the table and looked me over. “If you need an appetite stimulant, let me know. I have something for that, and it seems to work on all Breeds. Vampires are my biggest customer. Some of the old ones have gone so long without eating that food makes them queasy. Can you imagine?”
“If food makes them sick, why would they want to eat?”
He cleared his throat. “Everyone does business in restaurants and clubs these days. Food is a social activity, and they’re trying to gain people’s trust. Anyhow, let me know if you need a little boost.” He took a package of gum from his front pocket. “Gum?”
“No, but thanks. I’m not a big gum chewer.”
Blue raised her hand. “I’ll take one, amigo.”
He tossed her a stick before shoving one into his mouth. “Call me if you come up with anything. I work with some of these packs. I need to know what’s going on just as much as you do. Have you given any updates to Ren or the other Packmasters?”
I opened the door. “No, I’m leaving him out of it for now. It’s better that way. He’s a good guy, but he’s tight with a lot of packs. They talk, and I don’t want this becoming a topic of discussion while we’re still in the middle of it.”
“Good idea. Well,sayonara, ladies.”
After clearing the table, I returned to my seat and listened to Graham’s car speeding away.
“Raven, we should think about dropping this. We’ve got nothing. You didn’t promise Ren you’d solve it—only that you’d look into it.”
I tapped my finger on the table. “I spoke with a Gemini this morning.”
Her blue eyes widened. “Youwhat? Did Viktor authorize that?”
“Hell no. Christian knows him through a friend.”
