“Have you come to kill us?” Kat marched up to him with a finger pointed at his face. Had I not been violently pissed, I would have found her actions comical.
“No.”
“You are surrounded by many who can kill you, even without their powers.” Kat snarled, and I knew the other’s fangs were down, the urge to kill strong. This vampire made a mistake coming here. Unless . . .
I released his grip but stood ready to grab him again if needed. Kat took a step back, but then stilled with her hands clenched into fists. He’d come into enemy territory on purpose. This vampire is smart enough to know he would fall to an original. So why was he here? His hand rubbed at the skin of his reddened throat, and he coughed once before answering my internal question.
“You father’s use to me has run out. I have no interest in taking over the world and he no longer has what I want. So I will help you take him down on one condition.” He cleared his throat again, eyes moving to Kat’s frown.
“What condition?”
“I want Hiromi Sakura.” The vampire had the gall to ask for Kat’s sister. My woman’s mouth dropped.
“What do you mean you want my sister?” She stepped closer, her teeth clenched in anger. Kat had been willing to die to save Romi from my wrath. She’d take out this diluted monster on her own if he wanted to hurt her sister.
“That’s my business, but I won’t harm her.”
Instincts screamed at me to end his life, but the warrior in me pondered his use against the true enemy. His second-in-command on our side was a tempting treat.
“She wants to talk to him.” Rei held a phone out and we all shifted to his previously unnoticeable presence.
“What do you mean she wants to talk to him?” Kat yelled and snatched the phone from him.
“Romi?”
“Kat, give him the phone,” Romi answered and every vampire in the area heard it.
“Romi, you can’t be serious. This guy is enemy number two.” Kat metaphorically shot daggers from her eyes into the heart of the said enemy.
“It’s my choice. I am a grown woman and make decisions for myself.” The two stubborn sisters argued and eventually Kat hung up the phone with a huff. Another cell rang, and Eleanor picked up immediately.
“Don’t you dare,” Kat threatened but Eleanor wasn’t scared. Rei, however, had the decency to flinch. With all the grace of a queen, my old friend glided to the waiting enemy and handed him a phone. Kat frowned and a single tear brimmed the edge of her eyelid.
“She deserves to be in control of her life, just as you do.” Eleanor placed a hand on Kat’s shoulder lovingly. Kat knew the words to be true, but those two sisters were martyrs to each other. The need to protect ran deep.
“Hiromi.” The vampire’s voice sounded softer, almost a kind tone, and everyone noticed the change.
“What do you want with me? What exactly do you bring to the table to make me consider this?” The sister probed with a calm yet heated tone, which we all could hear. Kat spoke quietly to Rei about his betrayal of calling Romi while listening to the others’ conversation. Rei knew Romi needed a say, or at least to know her name had come up, since he knew Kat would keep it from her. He knew them well, and I admired his courage to face my kitten’s wrath.
“I want your time, and in return I will get you access to him. I will use my powers for your team.”
“My time?” Her questioning tone had Kat sighing.
“Yes, I will not harm you.” He confirmed with a nod to me, like that meant something. Silence dragged on for about a minute as Romi thought about this deal.
“Hand the phone to Tatsou.” The phone was thrust a foot from my chest.
“Here.”
“Do you think he will help?” She sounded unsure, and I couldn’t blame her. I looked at the vampire for signs of lying or treachery and found none. That didn’t mean there weren’t ulterior motives, but I was rarely wrong about character once I analyzed it. I’d learned ages ago how to tell the difference between good and bad people. This male was gray, but I did believe he wouldn’t hurt Kat or Romi. Every vampire here would torture him for many years and ways he couldn’t imagine. Even smiling Lan would break out his vast collection of weapons to fuck him up if he messed with us.
“I do.” I gave her the truth and Kat walked into the house without a word. She knew what her sister’s answer would be now and needed space to come to terms with it.
“I’ll do it. Tell Kat I’ll call her later.” Romi hung up, and I nodded to the vampire.
“Hurt any of them, and—” I opened my mouth to list all the ways I’d make him hurt, but he interrupted with a roll of his eyes.
“I won’t, but your warning is understood. Kano is in Tokyo to go after the Prime Minister. He makes his move tomorrow, then he will be leaving for China. If you wanted to wait until Kat’s ready to fight, you will lose your chance. Tomorrow is your deadline.”
