“We aren’t done,” Clive said. “You’ll submit to the AAM’s authority one way or the other. The only difference is how many people will die before it’s done.”
I saw the truth in his eyes. That I was his quarry, and he didn’t care who else he had to run down to bring me in. To bring me down.
I met his gaze squarely. “You’re in Chicago now, Clive. You so much as threaten a human in my town, and I’ll bury you.”
His eyes gleamed with hatred, with purpose. And then he followed the others into darkness.
***
“You’re injured,” Connor said, finding me as cruiser lights cast blue and red upon the ground. He put a hand on my cheek, checked my eyes.
“Left shoulder,” I said. “I think I tore something.” Vampires healed quickly, and I could feel the dull ache as tendon worked to stitch itself back together. “But I’ll be fine,” I said, to settle the worry in his eyes. “You okay?”
“Nothing major.”
“Alexei?”
“He’s fine.”
“Good,” I said and accepted the bottle of water Theo handed me, drank thirstily.
“Maybe it’s because we’re in the Midwest,” Theo said, “but I think Chicago’s vampires are much friendlier.”
“They’re certainly smarter,” Connor said dryly, finishing the bottle I handed him.
A woman came toward us. She had medium brown skin and wide brown eyes, her black hair pulled into a sleek bun. Her dark burgundy suit was just as sleek, and a gleaming detective’s shield was pinned to her narrow waist.
“Detective,” Theo said with a nod. “This is Elisa Sullivan. Elisa, Detective Gwen Robinson. She’s the CPD’s new liaison for supernatural issues.”
“Elisa,” the woman said. “Trouble here tonight?”
“Unfortunately,” I said. “Did Roger give you the basics?”
“He told me the vamps came to Chicago to cause trouble for you,” she said, then glanced around. “They disappeared quickly.”
“They didn’t get what they want, and they need to be free for round two.”
“So you think they’ll be back?”
“Not here, and not tonight. But after me? Yes.”
She looked around. “You had permission to be here.”
“We did. Express, from the owners.”
“Any injuries?”
“A few. None major.” My shoulder was the worst, as far as I knew, and giving her the details on that wasn’t going to help.
“Do you want to press charges?”
“No. Why would I?”
She just sighed. “Vampires.”
“They area lot,” Theo said with a smirk.
“With all due respect, Detective, arresting him would cost the taxpayers money, and it won’t change anything. I don’t want you or Theo to waste your time.”