Relieved to have the subject switched from Natalie, he said, “No, not really.”

“Gio mentioned Katya in passing. I’ve known Katya for years. She’s calculating, but fair. One of my daughter’s children lives near Portland. Very happy there.”

It shouldn’t surprise him that Carwyn knew the vampire leader of the Pacific Northwest. At over a thousand years old, the immortal knew practically everyone, at least in the Western Hemisphere. “What does she do? Your daughter’s child. Does she work for Katya?”

“No no. Well out of politics. She owns vineyards. Excellent winemaker.” Carwyn grinned. “Very good occupation, in my opinion.”

He nodded. It was always good to hear from those not involved in politics; it gave a more balanced impression of what it was like to live in a certain immortal’s territory. “And not much intrusion?” Some vampire leaders could be nosy about the others who lived on their land. Ernesto was not, and Baojia imagined he would grate under too much scrutiny.

“Practically none. Quite a hands-off kind of leader from what I can tell. She keeps to herself. Has a very close circle of confidants—not unlike your sire—but mostly leaves others alone. I’ve only met her socially, and she seems lovely. Been mated to a Dutch water vampire for years. Can’t remember his name…”

Baojia took it all in. What would it be like to live somewhere he could make his own way? Where there would be no expectation of loyalty because of blood? He could be… an employee. Or simply a resident. The idea appealed to him. He would need some occupation to keep busy, but perhaps a real job in security consulting would be entertaining. Perhaps he could even lure Luis away from Ernesto. The human had been an excellent assistant. And any of the major cities would have newspapers where Natalie could work. Yes, an introduction to Katya would be worth asking the Italian for a favor.

“Thinking about taking Natalie with you?”

“She can’t remain in Southern California. She’s not safe here.”

Carwyn chuckled. >Carwynkletalie Does she know that?”

“I think she’s figuring it out.”

“Best of luck. I have faith you’ll work everything out. After all, if Brigid and I can learn to live with each other, then you two should be able to manage. You seem quite well-suited.”

Baojia tried not to squirm. It wouldn’t do for the other immortal to see how uncomfortable the topic made him. His feelings for Natalie were clear in his own mind. She belonged with him. She had even said she loved him. But it was no one’s business but their own. He tried to change the subject.

“This priest, Father Andrade, his church is located very near the clubs and bars in Ensenada. Many of the girls who come to the city from the country don’t do well. He and his church help many of them. If there are girls who have gone missing, he is likely to have noticed. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s aware of what’s going on, or at least suspicious.”

Carwyn nodded. “I doubt he’d be aware of the Elixir, though. Most vampires don’t even know what it does. But if any of the girls have had it and they haven’t been killed—”

“Would they be sick?”

“It depends on when they started taking it. From what Brigid and I have found, it puts a human in excellent health for a few months, even up to a year. It varies from person to person. But inevitably, they seem to fall ill with a wasting disease. Doctors have no idea how to treat it. We don’t know much more than that. I’ve been trying to get Lucien Thrax involved.”

“The physician?” Lucien Thrax was an extremely old vampire—rumored to be the son of one of the ancients—and a noted scientist. If he had studied the formula for the Elixir, he might be able to find a cure for the humans who had been affected.

“He had it, you know?” Carwyn noticed Baojia’s widened eyes. “A couple of years ago. He drank from an infected human. Was ill for months. His sire is still alive and could heal him, but he lost a human who was dear to him. He’s been recovering in North Africa for some time, but Beatrice and I have been trying to tempt him to join us. We need someone who has the scientific knowledge—and the knowledge of alchemy—that he has. Maybe this will motivate him.”

“So the cure for vampires is blood from their sire?”

“Or enough of their direct line. But a sire’s blood is best.”

Good to know. Considering his relationship with Ernesto, he’d better avoid elixired blood.

“But no known cure for humans?”

“None that we’ve found so far.”

Baojia’s thoughts swirled around the human Tulio was protecting. Rosa. He was young enough to remember the confusion she must be feeling. Thrust into a world that made no sense. Fearful of everything and everyone. And he knew Natalie must still be feeling as Rosa did at times. And yet, she was brave enough to love him. Her courage floored Baojia.

Carwyn said, “So, you’re no longer under Ernesto’s aegis.”

“I’m not.” And it still stung. Just a little.

“If you were…” The priest stared straight ahead at the passing lights. “How would you handle this situation? If you were still the head of security in Los Angeles—had all his resources—how would you handle this?”

“I’d take six or seven of my best people, along with three humans, and go down to Mexico. Stake out the hunting grounds and kill them. I’d need at least one earth vampire and preferably one wind.”