Blood and Kisses(11)

As they climbed the dark green wooden steps that led to the porch, the frosted glass-paneled door opened. A tall man wearing a tan T-shirt and brown khaki shorts stood in the doorway. He was completely bald with a neat, close-trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, mustache, and olive skin. He stepped back, inviting them in. “I’ve been expecting you.”

“Heath Gordon, this is Gideon Damek,” Thalia introduced as they stepped inside.

Heath led them into the front parlor. The centerpiece of the room, a large fireplace with a sculpted marble mantle, was flanked by a loveseat, couch and chair suite in distressed brown leather. “Please have a seat.”

“You know why we’re here?” Thalia settled into the overstuffed armchair. Gideon and Heath still stood. Heath reminded her of a terrier challenging a Doberman. She considered standing, but changed her mind. If there was going to be a fight, she might as well have a good seat.

She fingered the cording that covered the seams of the chair as she waited for Heath’s reply.

“I read the newspaper,” he said at last, his features stiff, his gaze glued to Gideon, as if Gideon would pounce if he turned away. “I don’t know why you’re bothering to interrogate the magic community when it’s clear a vampire is to blame.” He crossed his arms over his stocky chest.

Thalia’s eyes flicked between Heath and Gideon. Heath’s hostility was unexpected. He was one of the most respected mages in the community and their relationship had always been good. He’d also been at the bar that night. “Now, Heath—”

“We’re speaking with anyone who was at the tavern that night. Vampire or witch.” Gideon’s rich voice seemed to fill the small room. Most mortals would have been hard-pressed to maintain their animosity in the face of that heavenly voice, but Heath was apparently made of sterner stuff.

“We prefer mage, or sorcerer. Witch has such a negative connotation.” Heath rocked back on his heels.

Thalia was taken aback by Heath’s sudden pomposity. She never gave a thought to using the word witch.

She sent a mental apology in Gideon’s direction.

There’s no need to apologize. He’s acting out of fear.

As she received Gideon’s response in her head, Thalia let her eyes widen questioningly. You can hear my thoughts? she sent back.

I’d always heard it was impossible to read the thoughts of witches, but I could hear you clearly when the thought was directed toward me. The mage’s thoughts are closed to me. However, I can smell his fear.

Thalia turned her attention back to Heath. “All we want to know is if you saw Lily the night of her murder? Or if you’ve heard anything from someone who did?”

Heath shook his head. The light from the chandelier reflected off his tanned scalp. “I saw Lily when she came in, but I never saw her leave. As for hearing anything, I can’t say I have...exactly.”

Thalia leaned forward, her fingers digging into the fabric-covered arm. “What do you mean?”

He paused, as if reluctant to speak. “I don’t know if it has anything to do with the murders, but there has been an increase in bad omens, and there’s talk of something coming, something evil.”

“Why am I just hearing about this now?” Thalia had always been the first to hear about anything of this nature. A feeling of disquiet sparked in her stomach.

Heath avoided her eyes. “It’s nothing specific. Just rumors. They started a few days ago.” Right around the time that Lily died.

Thalia let the subject drop and got to her feet. Clearly, he’d told her as much as he was going to. “Thank you for your time, Heath. Keep your eyes open. Whoever is responsible for these murders, I don’t think he’s done. He may not be able to feed on mages, but I doubt he’d hesitate to kill one, if he got in his way. If you should think of anything else, or hear any more rumors, I expect you to let me know immediately.” Thalia let a hint of magic creep into her voice, turning the words from a suggestion into a command. She was the Champion and keeping secrets from her was more than just ill-considered; it was dangerous.



After he saw them out, Heath paced for a moment, then went to the telephone. He dialed, tapping his sandaled foot while the line connected.

“Hello?”

“It’s Heath. I thought you should know, the Champion was just here. She had that vampire with her.” Distaste tinged his voice.

“As expected.” The soft female voice on the other end was calm and even. “You told her about the omens?”

“It was necessary.” Heath rubbed the back of his neck. “She’s bound to find out and wonder why I hadn’t mentioned them. Her powers may be weak, but she uses what she has wisely,” he said grudgingly.

“Yes.” There was a weighty silence, before the woman continued, “But can she handle what’s coming?”

Heath took a deep breath. The rumors and Thalia’s preoccupation with Lily’s death had given him a long awaited opportunity. He hoped his proposal would be well-received. “I don’t think we should wait to find out.”





Chapter 7



Thalia slid into the seat of Gideon’s car and pulled out the list of witches she’d compiled. Before she could open it, her cell phone rang. She glanced at Gideon as she flipped it open. “Hello?”

“Thalia? It’s Ursula.” Thalia sat straighter in her seat. Ursula was a local psychic who had helped her in cases before.

“Ursula? I thought you were out of town.”

“Something called me back early. I heard about Lily. Maybe I can help.”



The ancient smiled as he closed the cell phone. He stepped over the blonde’s body, kicked her legs inside the closet, and closed the door. He walked over to the hall mirror and focused his mind. His features blurred and melted before reforming. Leaning forward, he checked his make-up, fluffed his newly blond hair. Perfect. He’d have the Butcher and the witch exactly where he wanted them.

Minutes later, Thalia and Gideon pulled up outside a small contemporary ranch. A pink neon sign in the window read, Psychic Readings. Some pains had been taken to soften the uncompromisingly linear façade of the house, mounds of purple and pink petunias lined the drive, ivy clung to the blond brick above the foundation. A fledgling clematis grew up a small trellis beside the front door.

Ursula met them on the concrete stoop. Slender, blonde, and young, she had a trendy razored haircut and shiny red lips that curved up at the sight of Gideon. She barely looked at Thalia.

“Who’s your friend, Thalia?” she said, offering Gideon a dainty hand and a seductive look, her mascara-covered lashes lowered coyly over tilted green eyes.

“Ursula Grant, this is Gideon Damek. Gideon, Ursula.” Thalia damned the stiff sound of her voice. “He’s a vampire,” she felt compelled to add, but Ursula’s smile didn’t dim. Why should it? Despite her psychic talent, Ursula was totally and completely a petty.

“I think I’ve seen you at the B.B. and C.,” Ursula purred. She linked her purple silk-clad arm with Gideon’s and led him into the house, the high heels of her shoes clicking on the ceramic tile floor.

A pile of luggage, evidence of Ursula’s recent return, sat in the foyer, blocking the bi-fold doors of what Thalia figured was a coat closet. The lights were low and scented candles burned everywhere. Thalia wrinkled her nose. The overpowering perfume of so many candles in such a small house made her head ache.

She followed Gideon and Ursula down a short hall. Both tall, they made a charming picture as they walked along, Ursula so pretty and fair, and Gideon so dark. Thalia wondered what she looked like when she stood next to him. A strange, sick sensation she refused to acknowledge burned in her chest.

Ursula’s kitchen was small and neat, little more than a galley kitchen with a diminutive table shoved up against the far wall and three nineteen fifties diner-style chairs.

Ursula showed them to the table and pulled out a seat for herself. The rubber tips on the metal legs of her chair caught and squeaked against the linoleum floor. “I don’t usually do readings outside of business hours,” she said, slanting a sidelong look at Gideon who reclined in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee. His ebony eyes focused neutrally on her face. “But under the circumstances...”

Thalia wondered if the circumstances had to do with the fact that there had been two murders, or that Gideon was her client. Ursula seemed different tonight. The psychic seemed just a bit too glossy, a bit too hard, a bit too...hungry. She smothered a sigh, angry with herself for being catty, and faked a smile with some effort. “Thank you for accommodating us. Can we begin?”

Ursula’s smile slipped. Her tone became more business-like. She folded her hands. “Certainly. I don’t usually contact people I knew in life, so before we try, you’re aware we might not able to reach either victim? There’s no telling who might come through.”