Free Night Vision by Yasmine Galenorn Page B

looked new from the thrift shops rather than from a department store. Utilitarian, the furniture was a mishmash of patterns, but it served its purpose and Rex seemed content.
    We settled on the sofa and floor surrounding the TV, and Peyton tuned it to the local news channel. Grieve and Chatter stared at the screen, shaking their heads. Neither was comfortable around technology, and neither understood the appeal of TV. The guards had stationed themselves outside the door once they ascertained the apartment was safe.
    Luna carried in the tray, followed by Rex, on his crutches. Cheese, lunch meats, bread, condiments, sliced tomatoes, and lettuce. And a big bag of cookies.
    “If you want soda, there’s some in the fridge,” Rex said. We wouldn’t find any alcohol in his house, since he was a recovering alcoholic.
    The news came on and we settled down, quietly slapping together sandwiches as we waited for Marley Jonathon—the local news anchor—to finish wrapping up the headlines.
    “In breaking news, we have a statement from the Regent of the Vampire Nation, Lord Lannan Altos. He is issuing a warning that all citizens of New Forest must obey.”
    Lannan’s voice came on the screen, dubbed over a painting of the Regent. He was as gorgeous in the portrait as he was in life. A ticker tape under the news desk read, previously recorded.
    “Citizens of New Forest, we are facing yet another challenge. We are hunting three rogue vampires. They are to be considered extremely dangerous. They were responsible for five deaths last night. We are instituting yet another curfew, running from sunset to sunrise. We urge you to hang garlic braids at every window and door and keep alert. Report any unusual activity to the authorities, and also toour hotline—1-800-555-VAMP. I repeat, these vampires are rogue; they do not abide by the Treaty. They are dangerous and will kill.”
    I sighed, looking around. “Five more deaths. At least Lannan is being open with the citizenship of the town. That impresses me, as much as I hate to say it.”
    Grieve let out a grunt. “Don’t give the creep too much credit.”
    Shaking my head, I mumbled. “Credit where credit is due. I didn’t say I
liked
him. But Geoffrey, if he were in this situation, would have done his best to cover this up.”
    With an irritated shrug, Grieve let the matter drop.
    The announcer was discussing the deaths. “All five are victims of a brutal massacre, perpetrated by the rogue vampires. The Crimson Court has put out a bounty on their heads, but it is only available to members of the Vampire Nation. All mortals are urged to
avoid
engaging them. I repeat: They are dangerous and will kill without provocation. The names of the dead are Robert Higgins, George Wendell, Mary Booth, Tregar Johnson, and Lida Lavine.”
    Peyton’s head shot up. “Lida Lavine? Oh, that’s going to go over well.”
    “Who is she?” I asked.
    “The daughter of one of the most influential members of the Lupa Clan. She’s a werewolf, and you know how the lycanthropes feel about the vampires.” The look on her face said everything I was thinking.
    Werewolves hated vampires, and they despised the magic-born. Come to think of it, they pretty much didn’t like anybody but their own kind. They were the thugs of the Supe world, always in a gang, always banding together.
    “Well, fuck. I wonder if Regina knows that. She has to, I would think. But it’s going to mean an escalation in tensions that don’t need any flaming.” The Lupas were just waiting for trouble to set them off.
    My phone rang, and I moved to the side to answer it. It was Ysandra Petros, the liaison between the Consortium and the Moon Spinners.
    “Cicely, the Consortium has ordered you and Rhiannon to appear before the Elder Council.” She didn’t exactly sound worried, but I could hear an edge to her voice.
    “Why?” My first thought was,
Too bad, get in line
, but I didn’t say it. I liked Ysandra, and while I had a