Free Firestorm: Heart of a Vampire #5 by Amber Kallyn Page A

and higher. “What do you want?”
    “I’m here as an envoy to the New Orleans clan. I’d like to ask you some questions about the recent disappearances and murders of local vampires.”
    The Judge finally noticed her standing off to the side. This time his sneer was genuine. “You again?” To Eric, he stated, “I’ve nothing further to say on the matter. I’ve told your little vampire ,” he drawled the word as if saying trash , “everything I know. You’re not welcome here.”
    Eric barged forward, forcing the man back into the room. He beckoned Cat to follow, and once she was inside, slammed the door shut with a flick of his wrist. “You haven’t told me.”
    The Judge puffed up his chest. “I answer to the Magic Council, not someone like you.”
    “Aye.” Eric glanced around, before taking a seat on one spindly wooden chair. It creaked in response to his immense size. “I wonder how they’ll react when informed about what’s going on here. How you’ve been rude and dismissive to the problem of late. Then there’s what has been happening to the Arcaine, who the Council is sworn to protect.”
    The Judge straightened and asked haughtily, “Oh? And how do you propose to tell them?”
    Eric smiled, and shivers tickled along the back of Cat’s neck.
    “Connor Gregory,” he said simply.
    The name didn’t mean a thing to her, but the Judge’s eyes widened and he paled. His gaze darted around the room as if searching for escape. After a long, tense moment, his shoulders slumped and he slid to a seat on the edge of the bed.
    “What do you want to know? But for Christ’s sake, hurry up and ask what you want, then get out of here.”
    “Tell me how the vampires have been murdered,” Eric asked slowly.
    The Judge opened his mouth, snapped it shut. He glanced at her, then back to Eric, before staring at the door. “We’re not sure. There’s no reason for them to be dead. Nothing we’ve been able to find.”
    Eric fisted his hands on his thighs. “Who, exactly, is we?”
    “The city coroner. He’s an Arcaine, a gorgon I believe.”
    Cat blinked. Really? She hadn’t known any gorgons lived in New Orleans. Not that she was surprised at the fact, just that she hadn’t known. Making sure he didn’t turn people to stone with his gaze must be a tricky thing to prevent.
    “Where can I find him?” Eric asked.
    Before Cat could reply, the Judge rattled off the address to the city’s main morgue.
    Eric settled back in his chair. “And all the disappearances? We know vampires are going missing, what about other Arcaine?”
    The Judge continued to look anywhere but at them. Still pale, his hands shook minutely. “We don’t know anything.”
    “Not much use then, are you, for a Judge?” Eric sneered.
    The man scowled at the floor. “If you have no other questions, you need to leave. Now.”
    Cat took a step closer. “What about all the wolf shifters coming into town lately?”
    The Judge’s face went blank, eyes wild, flashing a hint of wolfy ice blue. He jumped to his feet and stomped to the door, swinging it open. “Pack business has nothing to do with anyone else.” His voice, full of bravado, cracked on the last word and a terror far beyond mere fear leaked through.
    Cat followed him. “Then why are they attacking me and mine? I have a coven member currently in a coma from a wolf attack.” She watched his expression closely. “He was bitten by your kind in both wolf, and human forms. Tell me about that.”
    The Judge swayed, turning so white she feared he was about to pass out. “There’s no way that could happen.” But his voice didn’t ring true.
    “What makes a wolf attack in human form?” she demanded.
    Hastily working to recover, the Judge stared stonily at her. “I said get out.”
    Eric rose and took her arm, leading her from the room. Behind them, the door slammed with a loud bang.
    She studied Eric for a long moment, refusing to allow her temper to take control.