The blond snorted, making it clear he didn’t believe a word out of my mouth.
“Aileen.”
Again with my name said as a threat. Did he really think that would work?
“Liam.”
I couldn’t help it. I knew it wasn’t a good idea to antagonize him. It made me seem closer to the petulant child he viewed me as, but there were some things in life too good to pass up no matter what they cost you. Yanking Liam’s chain was one of them.
The look he shot me said I was treading on thin ice.
“If it’s not Hermes business, it is my business.”
Now it was my turn to narrow my eyes.
“I don’t think so.”
“You’re a vampire, which places you under my jurisdiction, hence whatever is your business, barring your job with Hermes, is also my business.”
“Sorcerer’s mark, remember?”
He gave me a humorless grin. “That only means you can’t be claimed by a clan. You still have to follow vampire law.”
I didn’t know if that was true. This was where knowing about this world would really come in handy. I hated my ignorance. Knowledge was power, and I was seriously unarmed in that arena.
“And you say I’m irritating,” I said.
He gave me a roguish smile. He thought he had me right where he wanted me. We’d see about that.
“Suddenly my memory is feeling kind of spotty. Must be all that bourbon. Alcohol just goes right to my head.”
“You do know we can’t get drunk drinking this stuff straight, don’t you?” the blond asked. “It has to be filtered through blood before we get a buzz.”
I did now.
“She doesn’t,” Liam said. “It’s best if you assume she has less knowledge than an initiate applying for the kiss for the first time.”
I resented that statement. Even if it was kind of true.
I gave Brax a long look, hoping he’d take it as his cue to step in. He arched an eyebrow at me. No help from that corner then.
Fine. I had questions for Liam about the vampire in the clearing anyway.
“I felt Brax needed information about some events I witnessed earlier this evening,” I said.
“Oh? And you didn’t feel that one of us could answer your questions.”
I shrugged. Truthfully it hadn’t occurred to me.
“This wouldn’t have anything to do with a wolf running in their fur close to the city,” Liam asked in a silky voice.
I stilled.
“Who was it?” Liam asked without waiting for my confirmation.
Moment of truth. Did I give Sondra up to face whatever punishment the action warranted or did I cover for her and keep that little tidbit to myself until I knew more about the circumstances that led to the action?
I shrugged one shoulder. “No clue. It’s not like I’ve seen every one of Brax’s people shift.”
