"An interloper?"
"We're humans. You're vampires. But for the result of a genetic mutation, you'd be like us.
And that makes you aberrations in our town, uninvited guests. Guests that need to mind their manners and take their leave." His tone was matter-of-fact, as if he hadn't just suggested we were genetic aberrations that needed to hightail it out of the city.
"I beg your pardon," Ethan said, but McKetrick held up a hand.
"Come, now," he said. "I know you understand me. You seem to be an intelligent man, as does your colleague here. At least from what we know of her parents."
My parents—the Merits—were new-money Chicago. My father was a real estate investor mentioned in the papers on a daily basis. Smart, but ruthless. We weren't close, which made me that much less excited to learn I was being judged on the basis of his narcissistic press coverage.
Don't let him faze you, Ethan silently said.
You know who you are.
"Your prejudices," he said aloud, "are not our problem. We suggest you put down the weapons and continue on your way."
"Continue on our way? That's truly rich. As if your kind are merely going to continue on your way without bringing this city into all-out supernatural war?" He shook his head. "No, thank you, Mr. Sullivan. You and yours need to pack, leave, and be done with it."
"I'm from Chicago," I said, drawing his attention to me. "Born and raised."
He lifted a finger. "Born and raised human until you switched sides."
I almost corrected him, told him that Ethan had saved me from a killer hired by Celina, brought me back to life after I'd been attacked. I could also have told him that no matter the challenges I faced as a vampire, Ethan was the reason I still drew breath. But I didn't think McKetrick would be thrilled to learn that I'd been nearly killed by one vampire—and changed without consent by another.
"No response?" McKetrick asked. "Not surprising. Given the havoc your 'House' has already wreaked in Chicago, I'm not sure I'd object, either."
"We did not precipitate the strike on our House," I told him. "We were attacked."
McKetrick tilted his head at us, a confused smile on his face. "But you must recognize that you prompted it. Without you, there would have been no violence."
"All we want is to go about our business."
McKetrick smiled magnanimously. He wasn't an unattractive man, but that smile—so calm and self-assured—was terrifying in its confidence.
"That fits me fine. Simply take your business elsewhere. As should be clear now, Chicago doesn't want you."
Ethan steeled his features. "You haven't been elected. You haven't been appointed. You have no right to speak on behalf of the city."
"A city that had fallen under your spell? A city finally waking up to your deviance? Sometimes, Mr. Sullivan, the world needs a prophet. A man who can look beyond the now, see the future, and understand what's necessary."
"What do you want?"
He chuckled. "We want our city back, of course. We want the departure of all vampires in Chicago. We don't care where you go—we just don't want you here. I hope that's understood?"
"Fuck you," Ethan said. "Fuck you, and your prejudice."
McKetrick looked disappointed, as if he truly expected Ethan to see the error of his ways.
He opened his mouth to retort, but before he could answer, I heard it: cutting through the night like roaring thunder, the sound of rumbling exhaust. I glanced behind me and saw the headlights—a dozen in all—moving like an arrow toward us.
Motorcycles.
I began to grin, now knowing whom Ethan had contacted on his cell phone. These weren't just motorcycles; they were shifters. The cavalry had arrived.
The troops looked back to their leader, not sure of the next step.
They cut through the darkness like sharks on chrome. Twelve giant, gleaming, low-riding bikes, one shifter on each—brawny and leather-clad, ready for battle. And I could attest to the battle part. I'd seen them fight, I knew they were capable, and the tingle that lifted the hair at the back of my neck proved they were well armed.