“Once I confirmed whether it was him or not, I planned to bring you into the loop,” Liam finished.
“No need for that anymore.”
Liam’s glanced at me in silent question.
I nodded. “It’s him. Connor confirmed.”
Liam closed his eyes and mouthed a silent curse as I gave a quick rundown of the evening. From the time the red-headed man burst into the bar screaming about a dead person, to Natalia’s missing harpies, to Connor’s reaction of finding my stalker feeding from the human’s neck.
“Could Connor have been mistaken?” Eric asked, speaking for the first time since I got in the car.
I’d almost forgotten he was present.
Liam shook his head. “Unlikely.”
“Liam’s right,” Thomas agreed with a nod. “Connor spent a lot of time with Ahrun in those early years. Even if his state was as you said—”
“Oh, it was.”
Thomas continued as if I hadn’t interrupted. “I find it difficult to believe Connor wouldn’t recognize him.”
“I guess we know why they’re making their move now,” Liam said with a sigh.
Thomas’s lips twisted. “We do. Destroying Ahrun would cement Caecilius’s rise to power. No one would dare question his control of the council after he kills the oldest known vampire. It would allow him to consolidate his authority among the factions. Moreover, this is a chance to deal with us all at once. He was always petty that way.”
“What are your orders?” Liam asked carefully.
Thomas was absorbed in the scenery outside the vehicle. Several seconds passed before he stirred. “You already have them.”
Liam acknowledged his words with a firm nod.
“Anton bought us time—but not much,” Thomas continued. “Investigate the slain vampire and this hunter. We need to prove a link exists. It’s the only way to tie the council’s hands and keep them from getting involved.”
Liam’s gaze moved to me. “I suspect my first lead has already fallen into my lap.”
Finding myself the center of attention, I schooled my features to neutrality.
“Don’t tease,A stór,” Liam teased. “You practically admitted it earlier.”
“Fine. Yes. I may have a lead.”
At the very least, I had a direction to pursue.
“Let her help,” Liam advised Thomas. “She’s proven resourceful in matters like this before.”
Thomas’s sigh seemed to be pulled deep from within him. “You have a point.”
“One condition—I want payment this time.” I rubbed my thumb and forefinger together in the universal sign that meant money.
“You don’t consider your sister’s life payment enough?” Thomas asked with a micro smile. “I assure you she’ll be the first one Dominick targets. If only to bring you pain.”
“Does that mean no money?”
Put like that, I was taking the job either way, and everyone in the car knew it.
“Let’s do this. If you succeed, you remain in the house, and I’ll pay you a generous retainer that will cover all future opportunities you have to work with me.”
“Why does everything have to be a manipulation with you?” I asked in frustration.
