Only Vampires Cry Blood (Alexa O'Brien, Huntress #3)(12)

“Not everything is kill first, ask questions later,” he scolded, receiving a dirty look from me. “Be careful, Alexa. That kind of mentality really doesn't get you very far. Kill as needed, and always get all of the information first, no matter what you're dealing with.”

I growled then in irritation. I hated being talked to like a student or a child.

I shoved my chair back and clutched the file folder in one hand. “Thank you, Veryl. I appreciate that you brought this to my attention.” With a nod and a few parting words, I made my way from his office, feeling as if I'd just been hauled down to see the principal for something I didn't do. It wasn't fair. Raoul's sordid past was still coming back to torment me.

I stopped in my office to shut down the computer and gather my things. I wanted to get home and enjoy the rest of my night. I also wanted to talk to Shaz about Harley, and my feeling that Harley was my source for answers. I wasn't sure how I was going to tell him about the pack related news. Something about it didn't feel quite right.

Jez' voice reached me from the kitchen. She was chattering on about the latest celebrity couple splashed on the cover of every tabloid and gossip magazine. I smirked to myself, glad that I wasn't the poor sucker she was forcing the wasted details on. When I heard the voice that responded to her, my heart raced just a little. Preoccupied with Veryl, I hadn't sensed Kale's arrival.

Ever since Kale and I had kissed after hunting down a rogue werewolf together, things had been different between us. He'd confessed a developing hunger for me, thanks to the serious vampire power I was packing, and I had been going out of my way to keep us from being alone together.

I was drawn to him for the same reason he had become drawn to me. Power. With vampires, it was always about power. I had more than my share, and naturally, he was enticed by that. Because he was a willing source that invited me to feed on his energy, I had a hard time resisting the urge. Kale's power may not be the strongest I'd ever encountered, but it had a way of coating me like honey. And, it was just as sweet.

Maybe if I bypassed the kitchen and went straight for the exit … not likely. With my purse slung on my shoulder and the folder from Veryl in hand, I headed back down the hall. Jez called my name before I'd even reached the doorway. I couldn't have snuck out if I wanted to.

“Please, don't torture me with words that are really just combinations of two celebrity names. I can't bear any more of that insanity.” I came around the corner and grinned when she flipped me off.

I winked at Kale who smiled and nodded. “I've seen more in the last five minutes than I ever needed to. There are some things that men are never supposed to know about women.”

“I'm sure all men could benefit greatly from this magazine,” Jez quipped. “You might actually learn something new.”

“Hey now, you are in no position to talk about men. You've never even been with one.” Kale admonished, pointing at an ad for feminine products. It was one of the applicators versus fingers ads. “See now that right there is just another thing men don't ever want or need to see.”

The look on Kale's face was priceless as he stared in horror at the ad. I had to laugh, which felt nice since it put us both at ease. The expected tension wasn't nearly as bad as I'd anticipated.

“Anyway,” Jez looked at me pointedly. “That's not why I called you. I just wanted to know what's up.” Her voice dropped low, and she raised an eyebrow. “Do tell.”

Handing her the folder, I said, “How f**ked is that?”

Kale leaned over her shoulder to look as she thumbed through the brief notes Veryl had made for me. “Seems like it's probably the last thing you want to deal with.”

I made a sound of disgust. “It's a waste of my time and so typical of Raoul to leave behind more shit for me to shovel. Like I don't have enough going on right now.”

“What do you mean?” Jez glanced up from the paper in her hand, concern in her eyes. “What else are you dealing with?”

I shook my head and pressed my lips together. I didn't want to talk about it with Veryl in the building. “It's no big deal. I just need to speak with a certain someone that Arys wants me to stay the hell away from.”

“Ah,” she nodded knowingly. “Got it. We'll chat later. I've got to make a few phone calls.” Abandoning her magazine, she handed my folder back.

I turned toward the exit. “Yeah, I'm taking off now. I am more than done here.”

“I'll walk you out.” Kale followed me to the door, and Jez went to her office.

… So much for not being alone with him.

I barely felt the chill of the night air due to the sudden nerves. My stomach twisted with worry. I was leery of his reasons for following me out, hoping it wasn't personal. I'd reached my quota for the week as far as vampire dramatics went.

A light snow was falling; it had already covered our vehicles with a light frosting.

Kale turned to me as soon as the door had closed behind us. I was slightly surprised by the deep concern in his mismatched eyes. Born with heterochromia iridium, Kale had one deep brown eye and one amazingly blue one. It was something that the change to vampire hadn't altered, and it was an intriguing feature that captivated my attention.

“Alexa, you're not planning to walk into The Wicked Kiss, are you? I assume it's Harley Kayson that you referred to inside. Please, tell me you're not that stupid.”