about. Myself, of course, and three or four of my most trusted lieutenants.” He wrapped his hands around the edge of the podium and leaned into the microphone. “My friends, our time has come. With this machine I will be able to keep the rift open indefinitely. Our compatriots from the other dimension will join us, and soon, very soon, we will outnumber the humans on this planet.” He waited until the cheers died down and then said, “And then we shall rain chaos down on them, and take control. It will be glorious.”
“Oh, my God,” he heard Keira whisper just as applause broke out again.
He glanced at her but couldn’t tell if she was appalled at Liuz’s batshit craziness, as he was, or enamored by the vampire’s alleged brilliance. Liuz adjourned the meeting and Keira hopped up right away. Without sparing a glance for Finn, she headed toward the end of the row.
He frowned. That was definitely a woman with a mission, and he had the sneaking suspicion she meant to go up to Liuz and offer her praises like a lot of other prets were doing at this moment. Finn stood and walked to the back of the room where he could keep an eye on things. Damned female. He let out a breath. She was brighter than that, he knew. She was one of the most intelligent people he’d ever met. But for such a bright woman she was being too goddamned stupid right now.
Keira walked slowly toward the front, casting out with her empathy abilities to pick up on the emotions of those gathered in the room. Mostly she felt the highs left over from the galvanizing speech, but there was something, coming from two vampires just ahead, that seemed like secretive excitement. One of those I know something you don’t know kind of things that she reckoned required further investigation. She stopped at a group of five other fey talking quietly on the opposite side of the vamps. Pretending to partake in that conversation, she focused her attention on the vampires. One of them mentioned a mine, but he didn’t say the name or anything about the location.
Frustrated, she excused herself from the fey and turned toward the vampires. As she was about to outright ask them about the machine, she heard her name being called over the din of voices. She looked around and saw Stefan beckoning her.
As she walked over to him, she saw Finn heading that way, too. Hmm. What was this all about, then?
Stefan smiled at them. “Ah, you two. My shining stars.” He took Keira’s hand, cupping it between his palms. “I have another assignment for you. We are setting up bank accounts throughout the world, so that when our new brothers and sisters arrive, they can make their way to one of the banks, give a verbal password and be allowed access to funds. I’ve set up Scottsdale as the hub for orientation and to determine where in the country these new preternaturals can best be utilized.”
“You’re assuming these newbies will be able to speak English?” Finn’s voice held a wealth of sarcasm and a darker tone that made her look at him. Flecks of demon yellow colored the bright blue of his irises, and his gaze was fixed on her hand in Stefan’s before he raised his eyes. Was he jealous?
A thrill zinged through her at that thought. Of course, jealousy didn’t necessarily equate to love, but it was a start.
Stefan shot him a sharp look. “No. I am not stupid, Finn, and don’t make the mistake of thinking that I am.” He looked back at Keira and his expression softened. She sensed that he was attracted to her and, even more, that he genuinely liked her. He gave a light squeeze to her fingers before releasing her hand. “We have people in place in these banks who can communicate with the newcomers in the standard language of the other dimension,” he went on. “However, we need more money to fund these activities. Which is where you two come in.”
“You want me to kill someone else?” Finn didn’t sound eager about the idea. As a matter of fact, to her, he sounded resigned. Resentful even. The bits of yellow had grown his eyes, making it clear he was going demon.
“No.” Stefan threw him another look. “Now that I see how good Keira is, I want you to have her back.” He glanced at her and then stared at