“Is that an old crater?” Giovanni asked.

“It looks like it. There’s a natural depression of some kind, but the tunnels Tulio dug seemed solid.”

Giovanni and Tenzin both nodded. “So this plan of yours—”

“Won’t work.” Baojia shook his head. “I’d need seven or eight vampires. We have no way of knowing how many will come, or if Ivan will be with them. Probably not. I don’t expect you to go down there. I’ll just have to figure something else out. Maybe if I go down alone—”

“What?” Natalie sat up straight. “No way! You can’t go alone. With all those other vampires?”

He gave her a warning look. “I’m not going to risk anyone else to do this. And don’t even think—”

“I’ll go,” Tenzin said quietly. “Between the two of us, we should be able to take out the rest.”

“We’ll tag along,” Carwyn called from the door, his hand on the small of Brigid’s back as the two walked toward the table. “We’ve been looking for some fun.”

Brigid added, “And if all of these vampires have taken elixired blood, they’ll be stronger than average. There’s no need to take chances with the two of you.” She nodded at Baojia. “Carwyn told me your plan. It’s a good one. We’re in.”

Giovanni said, “Beatrice and I—”

“Can provide a distraction,” Baojia said quickly. “See if Ernesto wants to meet for dinner tomorrow night. The last thing we need is for the two of you to become involved in a political problem. If you meet with him, it provides both you and Ernesto with cover should this turn messy and the cartel raise a fuss later.”

“Are you sure?”

He nodded. “I’m sure. It’ll be a relief to know that this isn’t going to come back and cause more problems down the road for either you or my sire. All I want is to stop Ivan.”

“Only if you’re sure, Baojia.”

“I’m sure.”

Natalie watched the quick exchange with mounting anxiety. The plan seemed e pre,to be that Baojia and the other vampires would go down to the desert and stake out the hunting grounds where the women would be taken. Then, when all the vampires were there, he’d launch a surprise attack and kill them with no one in Ensenada or Los Angeles the wiser.

Brigid looked at her. “We’re going to need some humans. If you want to get the women out of there, we’re going to need someone to replace them. The first thing they’ll notice when they get there is scent. If it doesn’t smell like humans, they’ll know something is wrong.”

“I’ll go,” she said. “It’s my story. I’ll go.”

“No,” Baojia said quietly. “Not acceptable.”

Tenzin ignored him and spoke to Natalie. “Ben has already offered to help. He’s well-trained. With us providing cover, he’ll be able to guard you while we handle the vampires. You’ll be safe with him.”

“No,” Baojia said again, slightly louder. “She’s not trained. She’s staying here.”

Tenzin cocked her head. “She has to go. We need her. Ben’s presence will not be enough. And he’s male. They’re expecting women. If you want to save these girls—”

“I’m not saving them by putting her at risk,” Baojia said, stepping closer to Tenzin. “It’s not an option.”

Both vampires broke into a sudden flurry of Chinese that looked seconds away from turning into blows. Tenzin’s voice was raised and she gestured toward Ben, who had been sitting quietly on the couch by the fire, seemingly at ease with the angry voices. Baojia looked furious, biting out words and baring his fangs at the small woman who would not back down.

Finally, Natalie stood and shouted, “I’m going, okay?” They both stopped and stared at her. “I’m going.” She looked pointedly at Baojia. “You knew I was going to. Don’t try to stop me.”

His nostrils flared while Tenzin simply nodded. “Good. So, we will leave at dusk tomorrow. We will stake out the crater and wait for the women to arrive. When they do, Carwyn can tunnel under the crater and hide them while we leave Ben and Natalie as bait for the other vampires. Ben will cover Natalie while Baojia, Brigid, and I kill the vampires who come to hunt the women. Will Ivan be with them?”

Baojia’s fangs were still down, and he was still glaring at her. “We don’t know.”

“So how are we going to make sure this doesn’t happen again?” Tenzin looked cross, but Natalie was still focused on Baojia, who had not taken his eyes off her.

He said, “Because if he is not with them, then I will hunt him down and kill him myself.”

“Oh,” Natalie muttered. “But I’m the reckless one.”

He slammed his hand on the table, spun around, and stormed out of the library. Natalie watched him go but did not rise to follow him. She raised her chin and looked at Tenzin. “I want a stun gun. Two of them would be better.”

Tenzin smirked and nodded toward Brigid. “She’ll get you set up. You’ll be with Ben. Tell him not to worry.”

Giovanni murmured, “Oh yes. Obviously that’s going to ease his mind.” He winced when Tenzin kicked him under the table. “What?”

Carwyn squeezed Natalie’s shoulder. “Go talk to him,” he said quietly. “You know why he’s angry.”