“I did a background check. Free and clear.”
“No marks at all?” Bijou peered over at him. “So she’s managed to remain clear of humans?”
“I know, it’s a shocker, right? But yep. She implemented a school system within her clan, and she’s focused on educating the offspring mostly.”
Sounded very noble.
“How old is she?”
Blaz’s eyes cut to hers briefly. “One forty-five.”
So still very young in the eyes of the vampire community. Probably a good thing. Not too jaded from history.
“And her feelings on the currentkirlesgun?” she asked.
“That was the first thing I asked her.” He grinned. “She and her family were staunch supporters of Kardobahn, and they support Kaj though they would prefer to get to know him better.”
Bijou understood that. Her father had yet to make a name for himself as thephaal. Then again, he’d been too busy running for his own life to have time to make an impact. Now that they had settled somewhat, she hoped that would change in the near future.
“What would you like me to do?” she asked as Blaz flipped the turn signal and steered the SUV into a parking lot lined with stand-alone stores, including Books & Beans. She assumed that was their destination, and her mouth watered with thoughts of a cappuccino.
“Preferably lead the interview,” he said, motioning for her to get out.
Bijou stepped out into the cool night air and inhaled deeply. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been outside, but it was glorious to be beneath the stars, the crisp air slipping into her nostrils, the scent of coffee drifting toward her. When she joined Blaz at the front of the vehicle, she noticed he was tucking in his shirt, adjusting the weapons he had beneath the suede jacket he wore.
“You look beautiful,” she teased.
He offered a smirk, then gestured for her to walk before him. Their keen senses scanned their surroundings as she led the way to the glass door of the coffee shop. A tinkling overhead signaled their arrival, and they were instantly greeted by a couple of employees manning the coffee bar at the very back of the shop. Warm air billowed their way, along with the delicious scent of coffee.
She was just about to ask how they would know who they were looking for when she caught the scent of a vampire nearby. She scanned the various seating areas and located the female sitting in a small section blocked in by short bookshelves.
The female’s eyes lifted as though she, too, had caught their presence.
“I have to have coffee while we’re here,” Bijou whispered to Blaz. “We can introduce ourselves, then I’ll get us something.”
“I’ll get it,” he countered.
“Scared to be left alone with her?” she joked.
“You have no idea,” he rasped.
She actually found that interesting since she wasn’t sure Blaz had ever met a stranger. He was likely the most outgoing of all the males who worked for her father.
Oh, yeah. This was going to be fun.
When Kaj asked her to join himfor a walk-thru of the new training facility, Acadia had been surprised but not at all disappointed.
Now, as they stepped into the din, she smiled.
Angels and vampires alike were scattered about, working diligently on their tasks. A few were chatting softly, a couple of them had headphones on their heads, more were moving to the beat of the music drifting out from a set of speakers set up on a table.
“How long have they been working on this?” she asked, sliding her hand in his when he offered it.
“This is their first full day together. The angels arrived just before dawn, the vampires a couple of days ago. On Thursday.”
The enormous space spread out before them was brightly lit with various forms of lighting, none of which were coming from the inserts in the ceiling, which had yet to be connected to power.
As they neared, she noticed Huracan talking to two young males, using hand signals to exaggerate whatever it was he was explaining to them.
