Free Crossroads by Jeanne C. Stein Page B

identity as the one to inherit Frey’s mantle as Keeper of Secrets when the time comes.
    That Chael knows of him is not reassuring.
    How do you know about Frey’s son?
    I try to keep the alarm from my tone, but Chael picks up on it. I mean the child no harm. The Keeper of Secrets is an important and revered position that benefits all supernaturals.
    Even if I were to believe Chael’s words, a question still remains. What happens to those supernaturals, vampire or not, who do not share Chael’s vision for his new world order? I have no doubt he would exterminate them as ruthlessly as he vowed to exterminate any creature who will not bend to his will.
    Once again, Chael watches me, his piercing eyes and laser-like mind trying to rend the barrier I’ve erected between us. I know whatever I decide, the first thing I have to do is get Frey’s child to safety.
    Chael stirs, irritated that I have shut myself off from him. I open my mind.
    You have delivered your message. Now get out.
    Suspicion darkens his thoughts. What are you going to do?
    You will know when I’m ready. How do I get in touch with you?
    He brightens. I am staying with an old friend of yours, Judith Williams. You can reach me at her home.
    Judith Williams? It figures. And it explains a lot. I’m sure she took great pleasure in reading Chael the newspaper article that detailed what happened in the supermarket. I’m also sure she provided her own editorial comments along the way. Did she mention the game she played with David on Sunday?
    Another whore. I wonder what her husband, whom you claimed to be a friend, would think of your alliance.
    Chael inspects his fingernails. He would not approve. To either my plan or my fucking his wife. She has been set free under my tutelage. A willing and talented student.
    I’ll bet. Do you plan to dispose of her when you are through with her education?
    Now he meets my eyes. No. When the time comes, I expect you will do that for me.
    Chael’s last sardonic remark touches a nerve. He doesn’t expect a reply. I don’t give him one. He knows the truth. If she gave me cause, I would kill Judith Williams without a second thought. But I will not do it at Chael’s bidding.
    I cross to the front door, unlock it, hold it open. Give Judith a message for me. Tell her to leave David alone. If she speaks to him again, her days as your playmate may be over sooner than you expect.
    Chael departs without response, his bearing regal, a Middle Eastern prince whose fiefdom is comprised not of land but of control over thousands of the most powerful creatures on earth.
    I watch him walk down the sidewalk to Mission Boulevard. A discreet black Mercedes pulls up at his approach, a rear door opens from the inside. As he climbs in, Judith Williams’ pale face stares back at me.
    I wonder if she knows she’s consorting with death.

CHAPTER 12
     
    I ’VE JUST STEPPED OUT OF THE SHOWER WHEN I hear the trill of my cell phone from downstairs.
    I choose not to answer it. The way the last couple of days have gone, it can’t be anything good. If it’s Stephen, he’ll leave a message.
    Besides, the person I need to talk to right now is Daniel Frey. To tell him of my conversation with Chael and to warn him that the existence of his son is not the well-kept secret he thought it was.
    And to broach the subject of the shaman.
    To become human again.
    The idea fills me with excitement. At the same time, the logical part of my brain screams to put on the brakes. Nothing Chael says can be trusted.
    I towel dry my hair, slip into clean clothes and start downstairs.
    Then I remember—and retrace my steps to shut and bolt the slider. Of course, any vampire worth his fangs could break that door without breaking a sweat, but may as well not make it too easy.
    The message light on my kitchen phone is flashing. My cell phone is chirping. Shit. Whoever is trying to get in touch with me is persistent to say the least.
    I ignore the landline and reluctantly