Free 0.6-The Asylum Interviews: Trixie by Jocelynn Drake

remember me when you’re naming the little tykes,” I said, rubbing my bruised ribs. Enid looked troubled for a moment, glancing up at Uther. I chuckled as I imagined that Gage wasn’t one of their preferred name choices. “I was joking.”
    Enid gave me a little shove before walking away. I stumbled, struggling to keep on my feet and not knock into any of the other gargoyles. But my smile died when I looked back up at Uther. It was time to get down to business and the real reason for my coming to see his clan. I was glad that I could help his people, but I had other pressing problems bringing me out to this cold location.
    “Is there something we can help you with?” Uther asked.
    “Actually, there is,” I said and then paused. “A friend of mine is in trouble and I need to help her, but I can’t find her. I was hoping that you might supply me with some information.”
    “A girlfriend?” Astolat inquired with a smile.
    I sighed, wondering if this was a trend in my life that I was unaware of. Did I make a habit of riding to the rescue of the women I dated? No. Were both the gargoyles and Chang trying to get me laid? I really didn’t want to think about that either. “No, Jo is an ex-girlfriend and I’m not getting the impression that she’s in a hurry to get back together. Regardless, she needs my help.”
    “What information do you need?” Uther was kind enough to draw the conversation back to the topic at hand.
    “I need to know the location of the vampire nest headed up by a vampire called Chester.”
    Uther visibly stiffened and Astolat looked up at her mate, an anxious expression on her face. I had no doubt that one or more of the gargoyles knew where to find the nest I was talking about, but it appeared they weren’t comfortable with my request. I hadn’t been counting on this.
    “What’s the problem?” I asked after the silence stretched uncomfortably between us.
    “There are two vampire nests in Low Town and both are kept secret for their daytime protection. It would be wrong of us to betray their secret when we have no quarrel with the vampires.”
    I bit my tongue, fighting back the argument rising in my chest. Jo was in trouble. Someone was hurting her and it needed to be stopped. But that didn’t mean that I could ask the gargoyles to do something they believed to be morally wrong just so I could save someone.
    “What if I promised not to approach the nest during the day? Only at night. I won’t hurt anyone else but the master who is hurting Jo.”
    “It would still be wrong to give away their secret.”
    Shoving my hands into my pockets, I tapped down my frustration. He was right, but I hated it. I didn’t know what else to do. There were some tracking spells, but it was unlikely they would work since the nest would be protected and if I pushed it, I would definitely catch the attention of the Ivory Towers—something I was desperately trying to avoid. That left me with the only other option of calling Chester out and getting him to come to me, which seemed even riskier than going to the nest.
    “I understand,” I murmured, trying hard not to sound like I was sulking. “I’ve got to get out of here. Thanks for your time.” I started to walk back toward the door leading to the stairwell when Uther’s voice drew me back around.
    “I am sorry.”
    “I understand. It’s not your fault. Just send someone to the parlor when you need me. Preferably after nine if you can wait.”
    The gargoyle’s expression looked puzzled for a moment. “You’ll still help us with the rookery?”
    “I said I would and I am. I would be honored to do so. Whether you can help me or not isn’t going to change that.”
    “You’re a good man, Gage Powell.”
    I turned back around and headed to the door. “So I’ve been told,” I muttered under my breath. Of course, if I was such a good man, would Jo have hesitated to tell me she was in trouble? If I was such a good man, would I have lost contact