“Aye. Someone’s been living down there a long time. It was hidden and soundproofed behind a faux bookshelf. There were bits of stale bread and hair on the floor… and fresh blood.”
Kat froze as they continued their conversation. While they were behind her, she was skilled at visualizing positions and body movements based on sounds. When she heard a rustle of fabric as someone turned, she continued scribbling nonsense on paper.
“What kind of hair?” Prince continued.
“A few different kinds, actually. Traces of wolf hair all over, but they also found a long strand.”
“Blond?”
“Aye. Unless he’s traversing in the woods with a Shifter on a leash, my guess is he’s not gone too far. We’re scanning motels for recent check-ins, but that takes a wee bit of time.”
“Vlad will scheme something before he makes contact. We need to locate him fast.”
Kat listened to Russell scratching the whiskers on his face. “That’s a problem. One I suppose you can’t help unless we find his rabbit hole.”
“Did you get any sleep?”
Kat peered over her shoulder at Russell as he rubbed his face, eyes swollen with exhaustion. “No, there’s no sense in it now, sire. We got a few false leads from the bulletin; a stiff reward always does that. Not to worry. His motor will be easy to spot with the front-end damage. We have men ready to move.”
“My men?”
“Some of them, aye. The rest owe me a favor… or a pint.”
The door closed and strong hands cupped her shoulders. Prince placed a quick kiss on her temple and then lightly rested his chin on top of her head. “What are we looking at?”
She reached up and held his hands. “A whole lotta nothing. At least, not where my family’s concerned. I did find a list of buyers he’s worked with, so I’m e-mailing it to my contact in the higher authority. I left all my equipment behind to chase Vlad, so thanks for lending me your laptop.”
“All that is mine is yours.”
He straightened and circled around her, sitting on the edge of his desk. Prince still hadn’t gotten dressed, and as far as Kat was concerned, he could waltz around in his black pajama bottoms forever.
“Is this how you spoil all your women?” She twisted her chair back and forth in short semicircles.
“If this is your indirect way of asking me about my past, I’ll readily admit I’ve never been mated.”
“Never crossed your mind in seven hundred years of fornication?”
He blinked rapidly and then averted his eyes. “It crosses my mind frequently, but I was raised with expectations of continuing my bloodline with royalty. There are few purebloods who survived the great wars. Only once had I considered settling for less, although there were circumstances in that situation that made her suitable.”
Kat pursed her lips and then crossed her legs. “Suitable,” she said, letting the unpleasant word play on her tongue.
“Mating with another pureblood is an obligation I have to my ancestors, one that will allow a dying line to continue. Tell me what you’re thinking?”
Kat was never one to censor her thoughts. “I’m just thinking how convenient it is for you that I came along. What if I wasn’t from royal blood and was just like any other woman?”
“I cannot say what I would do in hypothetical situations,” he replied. “But I can assure you it’s not your bloodline that intrigues me. You also forget that it’s not as if I don’t have a choice.”
Her brow arched. “Nadia?You might want to extract your foot from your mouth, because implying I should be grateful that you chose me over my twin sister doesn’t win you any brownie points. Especially if you think I’m easier to claim, because despite Nadia’s fussy standards, I’m the one who’s not easily swayed by a Packmaster’s power and money.”
Prince stepped in front of her and leaned down, gripping the armrests of her leather chair. “Youare the obvious choice. When I look at her, the more I see your differences, not your similarities. What you didn’t allow me to say was that I have a lot to offer a woman, and that gives me options. Perhaps Nadia would be the preferred choice of those I’m surrounded by, but I also have the choice to reject.”
Kat snorted. “You don’t intimidate me, Charming.” She poked his bare chest with her finger and pushed him back. “Just remember that the choice isn’t just yours, and I’m not a woman easily wooed by—”
“Exotic oils and primal sex?”
“I was going to say yummy soup and a comfy bed, but that too.” She twisted her hair back and sighed, distracted once again by thoughts of Vlad.
Prince leaned back against the desk, folding his arms. “Is this what a day in your life is like?”
