* * *
An hour of driving brought us to the outskirts of Dijon, but it took another three-quarters of an hour to find the DGSI office. Which, I supposed, was the point. Feds didn’t exactly set up shop between the local hairdresser andboulangeriewith a large, bright sign that spelled F-B-I — or, in this case, D-G-S-I. The supernatural branch was even more secretive, though we eventually hunted them down in a narrow alley in an industrial part of town.
“What about the Guardians of Paris?” I whispered on the way. “Don’t they take charge of supernatural crimes?”
I didn’t know much about them, but I knew such a group existed, headed up by a few old-timers along with a dedicated young couple.
“They do their best to keep the peace between supernatural groups — vampires, shifters, gargoyles, and so on,” Roux explained. “But they have their hands full in Paris.”
“We try to operate under their radar as much as possible,” Bene chimed in.
“Why?” I asked.
He snorted. “Because we work for Gordon.”
Which said a lot about the kind ofbusinessmy godfather really ran.
Roux nodded grimly. “We’re dealing with a secret, nationwide layer of law enforcement — the supernatural unit of the DGSI.”
Letters that only appeared in size twelve font on the door, they were that secretive.
We stormed in, only to be stopped by the bear-shifter agent.
“We’re here to see Henrik,” I said. “And Officer Dulaire.”
I couldn’t think of him as Clement any more. I doubted I ever would again. Not after the way he’d cold-shouldered me.
Not now, Geneviève,he’d said, like I was a child.
“This facility is not open to the public,” Agent Bear replied.
I glared. “We’re not the public, and you know it. Now, get me Officer Dulaire, dammit.”
Beside me, Bene and Roux exchanged surprised glances. Did they think I was a pushover just because I’d soaked Roux’s shirt with tears and snot?
Well, I wasn’t. Unfortunately, I also wasn’t my cousin Dora, who would handle this much more diplomatically than I ever could.
“Wait here,” the agent finally conceded, heading down a narrow hallway to the back. When he returned, he pointed to four folding chairs set against the far wall. “Have a seat. He’ll get to you when he can.”
We waited. Forhours. Literally. We huddled together, speculating in low tones. Where was Henrik? Why him? What had happened to Claudette?
I shivered, thinking of the nagas. But why would they go after Claudette?
Finally, Clement appeared and pointed to Roux. “You. Come with me. Now.”
Every word was clipped and angry.
Roux looked at Bene, then tilted his head at me before following Clem into a side office.
Bene shuffled a little closer, giving Agent Bear the evil eye. The guy immediately pretended to be busy with papers on his desk.
“I know Mina put Roux up to watching over me, but you don’t have to do it too,” I complained.
Bene’s eyebrows knitted. “Mina didn’t put Roux up to anything. But if he wants me to look out for you, I will. You don’t cross a tiger when he’s that worked up.”
My mouth fell open. All this time, Roux had been watching out for me of his own volition?
I stared at the door he’d disappeared behind, reexamining all our interactions. That day in Auberre… That long trip to Paris that had robbed him of his day off…
