Free Chasing Daybreak (Dark of Night Book 1) by Ranae Glass

who had made me choose. I could either assume responsibility for Shane or they’d put him down like a rabid animal. That was the penalty for an unauthorized change.
    Looking like he’d just stepped out of some glossy men’s magazine, Xavier wore confidence like he wore his casual slacks and button-down blue shirt. He was much less formal than the first time I’d met him. His black hair was hanging limp, hints of waves falling on the pale skin of his face. He wore no tie and his sleeves were rolled to his elbows, but even so, he was completely drool worthy.
    It was a common misconception that all vamps were young and attractive, but it was one that worked in their favor, so they used it. Being so good looking, Xavier quickly became the vampire poster boy. It was his handsome face on TV pleading for equality, his earnest, green eyes swearing vampires meant humans no harm.
    Yeah, right.
    “Xavier,” I said, unable to keep the surprise out of my voice.
    I knew for a fact that he and the rest of his advisers had offices in the Bank of Charleston building. I also knew it had a basement vault, since Shane had been kept there after his change. So what was he doing in the basement of a were -run antique store?
    Xavier didn’t look at me, choosing to glare at Shane instead.
    “You should not be here,” he stated flatly.
    His tone was cool, professional. A stark contrast from the first time we met, the day he told me what happened to Shane. After the attack, he’d been taken by the Conclave. I thought he’d just run off on me. Somehow, the truth was both better and worse. Still, when he brought me the news, I cried. I cried like a little girl—like I hadn’t cried in years. And he’d wrapped his arms around me, holding me until the tears ran dry. It probably wasn’t Conclave policy, but it was more kindness than he should have offered a nobody human.
    I owed him for that.
    Shane bowed stiffly, still keeping one hand on my arm. “I apologize. We will be on our way.”
    “I told them it was forbidden,” the super-helpful were woman piped up.
    “Thank you, Catherine. That will be all.” Xavier dismissed her, turning to a file cabinet and pulling it open.
    Shane and I turned to follow Catherine, but Xavier’s voice stopped us. So much for sneaking out.
    “Why have you come?”
    I assumed he was talking to Shane, so I remained quiet.
    “We’re investigating a disappearance. The woman was last seen in this area. When we came in to ask if she’d been seen here, I smelled were …” Shane paused. “I wasn’t sure what to think. The were claimed to be under orders from the Council, but I was unaware we had ties to the were clans.”
    Xavier was fingering through the files. “Yes. Well, fledgling, there is much about the Council you are unaware of. That fact is not likely to change soon. I understand since you are still new, it would be your first instinct not to trust the were . However, you must understand that your actions do not reflect well on you.”
    I stepped forward, swallowing a dry lump in my throat. “This was my fault. Shane wasn’t going to come down, but he followed me.”
    Xavier raised one dark eyebrow. “Is this true?”
    Shane nodded. “I was afraid she might get into trouble.”
    Xavier mumbled something I couldn’t hear. Shane snickered.
    “What disappearance are you investigating?” With a fluid motion, Xavier tugged a manila folder out of the drawer, flicked it open, examined it for a split second, and then returned it to its place with a frustrated sigh. He moved on to the next drawer, flipping through the folder tabs with lightning speed.
    It was difficult to pry my eyes off him. Even from the back, Xavier possessed an almost magnetic charisma, not to mention an ass that just begged to be leered at.
    Shane glanced at me, snapping me from my half-formed daydream. I shrugged, forcing myself to look away.
    While Shane filled Xavier in on our most recent case, I took the opportunity to pace