life darted through her mind like phantoms. Fragments presented themselves for her review but were not retained. A rush of psychic energy surged through Emily’s body, revitalizing her.
“There’s a lot you don’t know, Mom,” Stephen said quietly once she’d thrown away the tube. He pushed himself up from the counter. “Especially about Varik.”
Emily watched him follow Janet’s path to the bedroom. She pulled on the silver chain at her neck and cradled the small silver four-leaf clover charm in the palm of her hand.
Thoughts of her husband, Bernard, crowded her mind. The charm had been his, a symbol of a secret she would do anything to protect. “I know enough, Stephen,” she whispered. “I know enough.”
She returned the chain to its place beneath her blouse and leaned against the sink. Staring out the window at the brightening eastern sky, she hoped the sun would burn away the darkness that continued to prey on her family.
three
RAIN ALWAYS MADE EVIDENCE COLLECTION AT OUTDOOR crime scenes difficult. Water either washed it away or destroyed it altogether. Although the thunderstorm had moved on, water continued to flow through the center of the parking lot in front of Nassau County Community College’s women’s dormitory. Varik studied the makeshift stream and wondered how much had already been lost.
By the time he and Alex arrived, a protective canopy had been erected over Mindy Johnson’s abandoned car to minimize the amount of evidence lost. Freddy Haver and Reyes Cott, the two forensic analysts on loan from the FBPI’s headquarters in Louisville, were already processing the vehicle. Other Enforcers and uniformed humans from the Jefferson police and Nassau County Sheriff’s Department canvassed the area, interviewing anyone who may have seen something. Their efforts would most likely prove fruitless due to the early morning hour, but they had to be thorough, especially if his own suspicions were correct.
He shifted his attention from the storm runoff to Alex, who stood with Chief Enforcer Damian Alberez near Varik’s Corvette. Damian had greeted them and pulled Alex aside as soon as her feet hit the pavement. Even though Varik couldn’t hear their conversation, he sensed Alex’s rising impatience and anger through the blood-bond.
Varik sighed and shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans. He loved Alex and her fiery spirit, but a pissed-off Alex could complicate an already challenging investigation.
Alex broke away from Damian and headed toward the yellow tape marking the boundary between public area and crime scene.
“What did he say?” Varik asked, moving to intercept her.
“Not much, just that I’m completely fucked.”
He blocked her path. “What do you mean?”
She crossed her arms in front of her, eyes downcast. “Chief Magistrate Woody Phelps has taken a personal interest in my inquiry.”
“Phelps? Why would he—”
She shrugged. “Damian doesn’t know. All he knows is a special investigator for the Tribunal will be here in a few hours to grill my ass, and the SI is to report directly to Phelps.”
“Oh, baby,” he murmured and laid a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “I’m sorry.”
She brushed his hand away and sidestepped around him. “I don’t want your sympathy, Varik. I just want to get through this shit. Alive.”
He watched as she ducked under the tape barrier and signed in with the officer tracking who came and went from the scene. He understood her frustration. He’d faced his own inquiry long ago.
In the years before the Bureau’s formation and the inception of Enforcers, he’d been a Hunter, one of a select group who ensured the vampire community remained hidden from humans. Vampires had few laws, but punishment for breaking them was swift, with the only penalty being death. Generations of vampires lived in fear of the Hunters, but even the Hunters weren’t above the law they maintained.
For over a century, Varik specialized in tracking down and disposing of other Hunters who broke vampiric law. His assignments took him across the globe, and he prided himself in his efficiency. However, one assignment turned into a nightmare when faulty information resulted in the death of an innocent teenaged vampire.
The incident led to an official inquiry by the Tribunal, the Hunters’ governing body. His name was cleared but he hadn’t been the same and swore never to kill again, a vow he’d kept for over fifty years.
Movement behind him drew his attention and he turned to find his oldest and best friend glowering in Alex’s direction.
“I don’t like this one bit,” Damian grumbled. “I don’t like her being on this case.”
Varik glanced over his shoulder at Alex, who’d joined