“We need some information,” Cassandra began. “Last night, we weren’t entirely forthright with you for security reasons. But, after we spoke to you, it was obvious that I may have underestimated your…stature in the vampire world.”

“It happens,” John said.

“Yes, well, here’s the situation. A vampire has been killing Cabal children—the children of Cabal employees.”

“Since when?” John said, then coughed. “I mean, I heard about that, of course.”

“Of course. As of yet, the Cabals don’t realize that they’re hunting for a vampire. The interracial council would like to keep it that way, to catch the perpetrator quietly. We know the Cabals don’t like vampires. We don’t need to give them an excuse to come after us.”

“Let them,” Brigid said, stepping forward. “They want a war, we’ll give them a—”

John hushed her with a wave. As he watched us, I realized that, as I’d hoped, Cassandra had indeed underestimated him. Playing the fool didn’t mean he was one.

“If you catch him, what are you going to do with him?” John asked. “I’m not going to help you find a vampire so you can kill him. I could argue he’s doing us a favor.”

“Not if the Cabals find out.”

John paused, then nodded. “So I assume you want to know who has a beef with the Cabals.”

“Shouldn’t she already know?” Brigid said, slanting a look at Cassandra. “That’s her job, as our representative isn’t it? To know who’s been naughty and who’s been nice?”

Cassandra met Brigid’s sneer with a solemn nod. “Yes, it is, and if I have been remiss in performing my duties, I apologize. As of now, expect me to do so, and if I do not, you may petition the council to have me removed. As well, I may consider seeking a codelegate.”

“We’d appreciate that, Cassandra,” John said. “We’ve all talked about this. We’d like a second delegate on the council. I’d be willing, of course.”

“I…appreciate the offer,” Cassandra said. “Right now, though, we need to resolve the most pressing concern. If you know anyone who has had a problem with the Cabals—”

“First, I want your word that whoever is responsible won’t be executed.”

“I can’t do that. Council law—”

“Fuck council law.”

Cassandra glanced at me. I shook my head. This we couldn’t do. We both knew that the killer had to go to the Cabals. To do otherwise would be to risk having them turn on both the vampires and the council. All we could do now was negotiate with them to minimize the fallout.

“We can’t promise absolution,” Cassandra said. “But we’ll make surehe’s treated fairly—”

“No deal.”

“Perhaps you fail to understand the importance of this. The more children this vampire kills, the uglier this will get. We need to stop him—”

“Then stop him,” Brigid said. “You shouldn’t need us. And I don’t think you do. I think this is all a little act for your council buddies, so they don’t find out the truth.”

Cassandra’s eyes narrowed. “What truth?”

“That you knew exactly what was going on. You knew how bad things were. You want us to tell your little witch friend here so you can claim you didn’t know a thing about it. Well, you can’t possibly be that out of touch—”

“I’m afraid she is,” said a voice behind us.

We turned to see Aaron step into the basement, followed by Lucas.

“Cassandra doesn’t know what’s been going on,” Aaron said. “But I do.”

Edward and Natasha

“HELLO, AARON,” BRIGID SAID, SLIDING UP TO HIM AND running a finger down his chest. “You’re looking good…as always.”

Aaron lifted her finger off his shirt and let it drop. “Put some clothing on, Brigid.”

She smiled up at him. “Why? Tempted?”

“Yeah, to cover my eyes.”

Brigid sniffed and swung to Lucas. “So this is the Cabal crown prince, is it?” She looked him up and down. “Nothing contact lenses and a better wardrobe couldn’t fix.”

She took a step toward him.

“No, thank you,” Lucas murmured.

“Brigid?” John said. “Please, get dressed.”

“Don’t bother,” Cassandra said. “If Aaron has what we need, then we’ll leave you two to your immortal slumber.”

She headed for the door.

“Hold on,” John said. “I may have details Aaron doesn’t. My deal still stands.”

“Deal?” Aaron said.

I nodded. “He wants us to promise not to execute the killer or hand him over to the Cabals.”

“Ah, f**k, Hans, you know we can’t do that. They’ll come after us, hunt us down.”

Brigid laughed. “You think we’re afraid of the Cabals? We’re vampires. The gods of the supernatural world, impervious to harm—”

“Yeah, until someone chops off our heads, then we’re worm food like everyone else. Hans, maybe you’ve got Brigid believing that vamp-superiority crap, but I know you’re smarter than that.”

“We don’t need this,” Cassandra said. “If you have a name—”

“I do, but Hans may know more. I want to find this guy before he kills another Cabal kid.”