“No. It is mixed with Sven’s. That is an important part of the art.”
“Mortal blood and vampire blood?”
“Yes. Killer and victim.”
I shuddered. “You’re telling me Ryder killed Sven.”
“I’m telling you that’s his blood. We won’t know he’s the killer until I question him.”
I let go of the door knob. “You won’t be questioning him.”
Rossi shifted, his eyebrow lifted, eyes steady on mine. “Won’t I?”
“No. Ryder is a mortal. That means he falls under mortal law. I will question him and you’ll keep your hands off him.”
“No.”
“I’m not leaving this room until you agree to keep your hands—and everything else—off Ryder.”
“Why should I do that?”
I could lie. I could try to strong arm him with legal threats. He wasn’t the only one who could hire vampire lawyers. Just because Rossi ruled the vampires didn’t mean he ruled Ordinary. But I figured the truth would work best.
“You understand that I am the law over you, over the mortals, and over the gods of this town. If you do anything illegal, I will throw you out of town. Permanently.”
“You would never do that.”
“Test me.”
He glared at me. I glared right back.
“Do you love him?” he finally asked.
I don’t know what he saw in my eyes. Probably something I wished I knew how to hide.
Rossi blinked. Opened his mouth, shut it, blinked again. “Oh, Delaney,” he breathed, “are you sure?”
“No. Yes. Sometimes?”
“Is this recent? Since he’s returned to town?”
“Yes and not really. I’ve loved him for years, but never said anything. We finally tried it a couple months ago.”
“It? Sex?”
“Dating. And sex. But I got shot and we decided to take it slow.”
Red flashed across his eyes, a flame moving fast. “Did hedumpyou?”
“That doesn’t matter. I’m still sorting through the whole thing, which is personal and not a part of this case. You will stay away from him. I will find out if he is involved in Sven’s death. If he is, if I find anything to tie him to Sven—”
“Such as his blood?”
“Which could have been stolen, or taken without his agreement. If I have any solid proof he was actually involved, I will let you question him while I am in the room with both of you. Got that?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll also take your word that the other vampires in town will stay away from him.”
