Free Shadow Rising by Kendra Leigh Castle Page A

dirty?
    “I don’t understand why anyone would go to these lengths over a single Grigori. We don’t get involved in dynasty politics, apart from our seat on the Council,” Ariane said, more to herself than to him. Still, he was compelled to answer her.
    “In my experience, highbloods never need much of a reason to be complete bastards to one another. It’s like sport. Maybe somebody’s got your friend locked up tight until they can get all of his secrets out of him. Maybe some idiot killed him for fun and is covering it up so he doesn’t get dragged off to whatever desert hellhole you came from. Or, and I think this is quite likely, your Sam has decided to cast off the shackles of white-haired oddity and get a life, and just really doesn’t want to be found. I’ve seen plenty of vamps kill because they want to disappear. It’s about time one of your kind tried it.”
    Ariane shook her head. “No. He’s one of our ancients. He takes his responsibilities very seriously.”
    “So maybe he cracked. It happens,” Damien replied with a shrug. Being a giant white-haired vampire with all the personality of a rock would make anyone miserable eventually. If he wasn’t being paid to do otherwise, he’d be inclined to let the man go and try to enjoy himself. The more he thought about it, the more this seemed the likeliest scenario. This had all the hallmarks of a vampire purposely trying to vanish.
    A stubborn little crease had appeared in Ariane’s forehead. She didn’t appear to agree… not that it surprised him.
    “You don’t know him. I do. And Sam wouldn’t do that. Someone’s taken him, or killed him. And whoever that is has been following one of us. There’s no way that this happening tonight is a coincidence.”
    She looked so upset about her theory that Damien had a momentary urge to indulge her little fantasy and comfort her. But he didn’t have any more time to waste on playing with Ariane tonight. Besides, the very real possibility that he would find himself purring again was too humiliating to think about.
    Now it was time to try and track, before all the scents grew cold. The blood of the newest victim would help. Sloppy work on the part of the killer, and Damien was grateful for it.
    He gave a small, mocking bow to Ariane. “Well, I wish you luck with your theories. I’m afraid this is where I take my leave, my lady, and I’d suggest running along yourself. Manon was a powerful man. You don’t want to be involved with this. Not if you want to stay free a while longer, at least. I can’t believe I’m saying this, but you ought to pull that hideous wig out of the trash too. That hair is a beacon.”
    Ariane stood there amid the bloody wreckage and crossed her arms over her chest.
    Damien had to force himself to step away. It didn’t help that she was back to looking lost again. She truly didn’t seem to have any connection to the vampires Damien was used to. Nor did she seem to want to.
    “You think we should just leave?” she asked. “A man is dead. Probably two men.”
    “Someone will be along. They weren’t technically open tonight, but obviously I got an appointment, and I’m sure he would have had one or two of his higher-profile clients stopping in on a night they wouldn’t have to deal with the rabble.”
    “But… won’t anyone care? Isn’t there someone who should be notified?”
    Damien watched her, surprised by the sincerity that was just about pouring off of her. It really was amazing she’d survived this long in Charlotte.
    “Kitten,” he chided her, “you’re in the real world now. Vampires die all the time. I would prefer to stay alive. You really need to learn to deal with it. Do yourself a favor and enjoy your time in the city. Make friends, go shopping, and ditch the sword from hell. I’ll find your friend, if there’s anything left of him to find.”
    “You can’t just pat me on the head and send me away, as much as you’d like to.” She paused, then