Considine’s smiles were gone, replaced with a blank expression. “I am.”
The brownie and the noblewoman simultaneously curtsied. “Please allow us to express our appreciation on behalf of our Sovereign,” the noblewoman said.
“Of course, as long as your beloved queen considers me no longer in her debt,” Considine said.
The brownie adjusted her cat eyeglasses. “Ah, yes, she mentioned you might say something about that. She said to tell you there never was a debt in the first place.”
“Then you vow she won’t try to extract a payment later?” Considine asked.
“Yep.” The brownie nodded, swishing her thick ponytail. “She was thrilled about all the money you gave the Cloisters—fastest way to her heart. That, and she seems to think your presence will annoy the vampire Eminence which will make her year—”
“Again, we appreciate your efforts,” the fae noblewoman spoke over the brownie, cutting off the far more informal conversation.
It was only because of Grove’s words of advice that I noticed she used terms likeappreciateover thanks—which would imply she was now in Considine’s debt.
Fae are so complicated with all their rules and lore. I hope I haven’t asked for more than we can handle with Orrin.
The werewolf guard waited until Sarge signed the paperwork before she opened the door—undoing the various secret locks that secured it—then disappeared into the windowless office.
She returned a minute later with Orrin.
A fae noble, Orrin had the usual fae good looks with gold hair, symmetrical features a Hollywood star would envy, and an air of sophistication.
He used to dress in suits that emphasized his looks, but today he was in a task force uniform that was too big for him. It must have been a werewolf uniform, since it hung over his shoulders.
“Hi, Orrin.” My hands were getting sweaty from my anxiety—I’d have to hang my gloves out to dry after my shift at this rate.
Orrin raised an eyebrow at me, then shuffled around to call back to the werewolf guard. “I thought you said the vampire slayer was coming.”
I forgot. I’m not wearing my mask. Of course he wouldn’t recognize me.
“Um, I am the vampire slayer. My name is Jade,” I said, quick to introduce myself in case Sarge decided to officially introduce me with my squad’s slightly hurtful nickname of Blood. (Coined so, presumably, because of all the bloodshed I caused.)
Orrin squinted as he looked me up and down. “You are her. Only the slayer-who-fights-with-vampires would be innocent enough to give up her name that easily.”
“You’re not that special,” Considine drawled as he threw an arm across my shoulders. “Your boss just found out her identity, so there’s no point in hiding her name anymore.”
“Ah,” Orrin said.
Sarge cleared his throat and waited until Orrin looked at him to continue. “You’ve been released into the custody of vampire elder Considine Maledictus so you can begin your required community service hours. For now, you will be housed in the Cloisters, but in several weeks your case will be reviewed and reconsidered. Until then, you will not be allowed to use magic or wield an artifact, and you will be required to wear magic canceling bracelets.”
Orrin blinked. “You’re placing me in a position that will inevitably require fighting, but giving me no means to defend myself?”
Sarge didn’t buckle. His face—which was more than a match for Orrin’s if we were going by conventional attractiveness—was an emotionless mask. “Yes,” he said. “If this concerns you, bring it up when your case is reviewed.”
“I see,” Orrin said.
“The number of hours you have to serve—as well as the fine you’re required to pay because of the amount of property you damaged—are detailed in this report.” Sarge removed a stapled packet from the papers the fae noblewoman had given him. “You can read it over tonight after you finish your shift. You’ll be given more paperwork—including your own copy of the Department of Supernatural Law Enforcement’s employee handbook, which Jade will go over with you tonight.”
Since that was news to me, I stood a little straighter to address Sarge. “We’re not going out on patrol?”
“Not tonight,” Sarge said. “You need to read Orrin in on the task force’s code of conduct, review department rules and regulations, and go over the Cloisters’ rules for interacting with humans.”
That’s very logical, but I did this less than two weeks ago with Considine.
I didn’t think my expression gave anything away, but maybe wearing my mask all the time had made me sloppy, because Sarge gave me a smile that had an edge to it.
“Yes,” he confirmed, “You’ll review almost everything that you showed Considine with Orrin. The only difference is Orrin doesn’t have the same level of clearance, so he doesn’t need a full tour or to be read in on ongoing cases like Considine was.”
