“Yes, I got that. And that means he’s trouble.” Claris deepened her frown. “I admire your restraint in the face of such provocation,” she said dryly, “but you aren’t fooling me, Ari. Maybe if I hadn’t seen him. But I think you were at least intrigued by him. Sounds like a bit of flirting going on. Kind of dangerous though. Even witch fire can’t save you, if you can’t or won’t use it.”
“Oh, come on. Flirting? If I felt threatened, I’d burn him just like that.” She snapped her fingers. Lethal crimson fire was forbidden to fire witches only if considered an unnecessary use of deadly force. Like overreacting to Andreas’ provocation.
Claris ignored her protest. “Cute or not, he’s still a vampire. I want you to find a guy, but not this one. Not a barely restrained predator. I hope you never see him again.”
Ari was a little taken aback by her friend’s vehemence. Not that she was interested in any kind of a relationship with a vampire. And she got Claris’s point.
“You’ll probably get your wish—unless he breaks the law. And then it might be fun to lock him up.” Ari set her empty cup down and looked at the clock. “Surprised Ryan hasn’t called. He likes to get going early. I’ll step in the back and give him a ring,” she said, scooting toward the beaded curtain. “Can’t be scaring off your customers with talk of murder and autopsies.”
“Help yourself to more coffee,” Claris urged, giving her friend a worried look. “You need it. Might have another myself, if it stays quiet up here. By the way, nice boots,” she said, pointing to Ari’s feet. “They new?”
“You like?” Ari showed them off by doing a little side step. “Cost me a mint, but worth every penny.” The coal-black leather boots, all shiny and wicked, had called to her last weekend as she passed the window of an exclusive shop two blocks over. In a weak moment, she’d turned into the shop. Still wasn’t sorry.
Entering the kitchen area, Ari punched in the police department’s number, learned Ryan was in a meeting, and left a message with the clerk. Resigned to more waiting, she refilled the coffee cups, took a seat at the table, and scanned the morning paper. The Clarion’s headlines warned of continuing political unrest in South America. What else was new? Smaller articles condemned government corruption and reported suspicions about a financial merger. A two-column story from the crime beat caught her eye long enough for a quick read. The latest drug fad appeared to be a hallucinogen called Fantasy.
Angela’s death made page two.
Woman’s Battered Body Found
The body of 18-year-old Angela Raymond was found last night in her Olde Town apartment. The immediate cause of death was unknown, pending autopsy. Around 9:30 p.m. neighbors called 911 due to loud noises from the residence where Ms. Raymond lived alone. Police and Council authorities are investigating the death as suspicious.
Ari was surprised the press had gotten the victim’s name so soon. Family notification and confirmation of identity hadn’t been completed when she left at 5:00 a.m., well after print time. Somebody had slipped up. At least there was no mention of claw marks or speculation about an Otherworld killer. That would have been messy this early in the investigation. Public attention wasn’t always helpful, and human panic was a real possibility in this type of case. Too bad the reporter had mentioned the Council. A careful reader would notice that.
Ari finished the article as Claris came through the curtain. She turned the newspaper face down. Enough murder talk.
“Seen Yana lately?” Ari asked.
Claris settled at the table. “We talked on the phone. That reminds me, if you visit her sometime soon could you stop here first? I have some seedlings she wanted for her garden.”
“No problem. It’s been awhile since I’ve been there.” Ari’s face pinched with guilt. “Thanks for reminding me. Maybe later today or tomorrow, while it’s still on my mind.” She brightened at the thought of seeing her mentor and discussing the werewolf case. Maybe even learning about a certain vampire.
Ryan’s return call interrupted their chat, and Claris exited to the shop.
Ari listened in silence as Ryan related the expected results of the autopsy: homicide due to traumatic severing of the cervical spinal cord; multiple fractures of both legs, left arm, four anterior ribs; multiple bruises, lacerations and abrasions; perpetrator unknown. Off the record, the ME voiced his opinion that someone,