Jared tipped his chin toward the bar. “There’s our guy.”

I recognised the tall, grim looking vampire from the photograph the researchers had provided. I’d suspected then that I’d met him before, long ago. Now, I was certain I was right, but I couldn’t recall where from.

There were three Pagoris either side of Giles, keeping others from getting too close. None of them were aware of our presence. Yet. It was really only a matter of time.

One of the nearby vampires accidentally bumped into Jared and swiftly turned – maybe to apologise. Then he gawped, clearly very much aware of who he was looking at. Without moving his eyes from Jared, he tapped the vampire behind him with the back of his hand. The guy turned, joined his friend in gaping at Jared, and then clicked his fingers at another vampire to gain his attention. On and on it went – one vampire wordlessly warning another, who warned another, who warned another, until eventually news of our arrival reached Giles just as the music abruptly switched off.

Giles snapped to full alertness, eyes searching for us. A wave of his hand caused the crowd to part, creating a path. We followed Sam and Jared as they strolled casually toward Giles.

Smiling graciously, he bowed at them; his guards copied the move. “It is a pleasure to meet you both.”

I might have believed that if it wasn’t for the apprehension that very briefly glinted in his eyes. I was betting he knew exactly why we were there.

“Same to you,” drawled Jared. The civil exchange seemed to relax the crowd, and the music came back on.

As Giles introduced his guards, I briefly studied each of them, and was surprised to discover that I’d met one of them before. Going by the black glower he was wearing, he recognised me too. And that was when I realised why Giles was so familiar.

Why does that guard look like he wants to castrate you? Jared asked telepathically.

Back when I worked for Will in his fight club, I was pitted against this guy by Giles.

I take it you won?

Knocked him unconscious in under ten seconds – that was without using my gift.

Despite that glower, it wasn’t that particular guard that was at risk of seriously pissing me off. It was the one who was raking a heated gaze over Ava. I shifted closer to her, gaining his attention, and shot him a ‘don’t even fucking think about it’ glare. Wisely, he averted his gaze.

Rather than introducing each of us, Sam simply said, “We brought along some friends.”

Giles did a very quick study of each of us, and his eyes lingered on me. “You’re one of Will’s vampires. Salem, isn’t it?” I merely nodded. Giles then turned to the bartender. “Hal, please get our guests whatever drink they choose. It’s on the house, of course.”

Sam smiled as she perched herself on a stool. “I appreciate the gesture, Giles, but we’re unfortunately not here to socialise.” Jared sidled up to her, presenting a united front.

“Oh?” Giles’ smile wavered slightly. “Then what has earned me the honour of your presence?”

“I think you know. But let’s pretend that you don’t. Let’s pretend that you didn’t watch or hear of the announcement that Jared and I made on V-Tube. Let’s even pretend that you didn’t know we’d mentioned the involvement of a vampire who has a gift that protects their identity in that announcement. Or we could drop the pretence and have a straightforward conversation that doesn’t insult anyone’s intelligence.”

Giles inclined his head, admitting, “I saw the announcement. You think the person you are searching for may be Diane.”

He didn’t say it may have been Diane, didn’t say her name in the past tense, which would suggest she was still alive.

Sam shrugged casually. “We’d simply like to talk to her.”

“Many vampires have gifts similar to Diane’s.”

“That they do, Giles. That they do. Which is why we need to briefly speak with each one of them.”

“Hopefully it will be a case of crossing Diane off the list of suspects,” said Jared. “Where do we find her?” His expectation of an answer was clear in his expression and tone.

“She has an apartment in Manhattan.”

“Yes, one of our squads did pay it a little visit.” Sam sighed. “It seems that there was some kind of fire. Does she have any other homes?”

“Not that I am aware of. But I do not know the business of each one of my vampires.”

“Her entire nest has gone into hiding.” Sam had been pretty pissed on hearing that from the squad she’d assigned to find them. “It’s not looking good for dear Diane. It’s important that we talk to her.”

“I wish I could help, but –”

“Don’t play games.” Jared’s voice was like a whip. Giles’ guards tensed, ready to protect their Sire. My past opponent was focused totally on me, probably desperate for an excuse to attack.

“People of various species were kidnapped, sold, and forced to work in a brothel,” continued Jared, his voice close to a growl. “The owner was also blackmailing the clients. It is imperative that we take care of this, because if we don’t, another species might.”

Giles’ face fell. “Some survived?”

Jared evaded the question. “The trail will eventually lead back to a suspiciously absent Diane, which will then lead to you.” And he’d pay for what Diane did.

“There was a demon in that place.” Sam’s revelation made Giles blanch. “She got away.”

Giles swallowed. “I heard that a horde of demons has been hunting vampires.” And it wasn’t a stretch to conclude it had something to do with the brothel.

“It will only be a matter of time before they come knocking at your door, Giles,” she pointed out.

“What do you want from me?”

“I told you, we want Diane.”

His sigh was resigned. “I do not know her exact location. She told me she must go into hiding, but she refused to tell me where.” That was not only an admission of her guilt, but a confession that he had withheld her guilt.

Sam’s expression hardened. “You should have come forward, Giles.”

“Would you give up one of your squad?”

“No. But if they did the sick shit that Diane did, I would – though it would pain me to do it – end their lives.”