“God no, she would never forgive that.” Kimiko sighs again. “However, she recalls you were keeping a werewolf around. She wants to report Cody as a suspect to the treaty council.”
Simon’s every impulse resists the idea.
A reasonable investigation would find exactly what Simon found. Cody can’t have anything to do with the attack. Unless they consider Simon’s testimony biased.
And Cody has a history of uncontrolled, blackout shifts.
Simon doesn’t want to count on a reasonable investigation. Not until he knows more. “Can you stop Andrea from reporting?”
“Of course,” Kimiko replies cheerfully. “But I only owe you one more favor. This would clear the debt between us.”
“Do it,” Simon says, without hesitation.
After a beat of silence, Kimiko laughs. “Simon Caley, trading a favor on a werewolf’s behalf. Now that is interesting.”
Simon rubs his temple. An emotional reflex more than a true headache. “Don’t read too much into it.”
“You must visit again soon,” Kimiko says, sounding far too happy. “I want to watch your face as I interrogate you.”
“Begone, foul creature,” Simon says, and hangs up to the music of his friend’s laughter. Fuck. He probably should visit her more. Apparently socializing isgood for him.
If he wants to keepsocializingwith his werewolf bodyguard, Simon has yet another unsolved attack to investigate. He waves a hand, and in a giddy sparkle of magic, all the sconces wink out in his wake. Next step is checking the human news, and he can do that as easily from the library as down here.
More importantly, he can lounge provocatively, for when Cody finds him.
Chapter 28
Cody
Trees and earth and wildlife soften the acrid smell of the distant road. Moonlight paints the scene silver between the shadows. Yesterday’s panic and elation alike have faded, leaving wary rationality in their wake. Cody feels stable. Determined. His purpose walks at his side.
“I’ll get the gate,” Simon says when they reach the fence. His dark red coat fits perfectly, giving the illusion of height. Or maybe that’s the intensity of presence he’s had since drinking Cody’s blood.
Simon looks good tonight, beyond his usual ageless elegance. Last night’s flush is gone, but his lips are pinker and his eyes brighter than before. All traces of stiffness have vanished. Cody hadn’t realized how much effort Simon spent to hide his frailty.
The electric lock beeps, and Simon slides the mechanical latch too.
“Let me go first,” Cody says, before Simon can open the gate. Simon might be cured, but protecting him is still Cody’s responsibility.
He half expects an argument, but Simon simply smiles. “Excellent idea. I’ll enjoy watching your back.”
Cody shakes a finger. “I’m on the clock.”
“Yes, yes, look but don’t touch.” Simon’s expression is angelic. “I learned patience before your great-great-great-grandfather was born.”
Cody’s growing fond of Simon’s weird little vampire jokes. The accusations of graverobbing, peppered with abominable modern slang. As Cody pushes open the gate, though, he wonders if there’s more to the undead sense of humor. He considers the matter while he surveys the clear space before the tree line.
When he finds nothing, he asks, “Does it bother you that I’m only twenty-eight?”
Simon looks up sharply but doesn’t answer until the gate is closed. “Time passes differently for us. We experience so much more, but we don’t truly age. In a sense, you’re older than I’ll ever be.” Simon shrugs. “No, your age doesn’t bother me.”
The answer is sincere, but easy. Too easy. So that isn’t it. Cody leads the way to the border between lawn and wilderness. “Do you think I should be bothered that you’re over four hundred?”
Silence reveals the successful hit.
“I actually think it’s kind of hot,” Cody says—and grins at the sound of stumbling behind him.
Sure enough, Simon tries to cover his surprise with an accusation. “So, you’re a pervert.”
