“Now that’s odd. A human that can scent like a dog. What am I missing here, Jace?”
“Nothing. She’s different, is all. I believe it when she says it.”
Caine smiled then. Jace cursed under his breath. The last thing he needed was ridicule from a vampire.
“Different? Really?”
Jace jumped off the table and starting pacing the room again. “Look, just save it, okay. I’m wired and I need to run or I need to mate. One of those two things better happen soon or I’m going to explode.”
Still smiling, Caine put up his hand, as if to ward off an attack. “I’ll see what I can do about that run. But you have to do it quickly and quietly. Don’t let anyone know I let you out.”
“Sounds like I’m your pet,” Jace growled.
Caine arched a brow. It was his way of saying everything he needed to say without saying a word.
“We don’t need any more publicity on this case than there already is.” Caine leaned back in his chair. “I can’t even go out without being swarmed by the media.”
“It’s your vamp allure. Your pretty-boy looks were made for TV.” Jace chuckled.
“Yes, and thank goodness I have a reflection or there’d be some freaked-out San Antonians right about now.”
The conference door opened again and Tala burst through, excitement lighting her face. She moved straight toward Jace, completely unaware that Caine sat in the corner.
“We got him,” she said as she handed Jace a piece of paper. “I knew I knew him from somewhere. He wasn’t arrested, but he was picked up last year for suspicion of dealing Ecstasy—blue pandas, to be exact—at a local rave.”
“Good digging,” Jace remarked.
She smiled at him and it was the first honest look he’d seen from her. It brightened her face and her eyes. Jace found he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her. In that one moment, she was enchanting.
Breaking the spell, he cleared his throat and asked, “How’s your side?”
She twisted back and forth. “I’m okay. At first I thought that kick broke something, but it’s just a surface wound. Nothing major.”
Jace nodded, wanting to offer her more, but acutely aware of Caine watching them. He knew the vampire was looking for something to hold over his head. And his mooning over Tala would be just that certain something Caine would use.
“Great work, Officer Channing,” Caine finally spoke from behind her.
Tala flinched and swiveled around. “Oh, I didn’t realize anyone else was in here.”
“You couldn’t smell me?”
She glanced at Jace. He could see the embarrassment on her face. He had a sudden urge to hug her and soothe away the hurt.
“No. How could I?”
Caine threw up his hands. “Well, there goes my theory that you’re really a lycan in disguise.”
If he hadn’t been looking so close, Jace would never have seen the shift in her eyes as Caine spoke. He swore he saw them glow for one second. A green so bright he couldn’t even describe it. It had nearly taken his breath away. But then it was gone and Tala was turning away from him and walking toward the door.
“I just thought you’d want to know. I have a few hours off, so I’ll be out of the lab for a while.” She glanced at Caine then looked back at Jace. She was wringing her hands, Jace noticed. Nerves were surging through her like wildfire.
“I’ll see you later.” Without another word, she left the room, shutting the door behind her.
Standing, Caine moved toward Jace. He took the piece of paper Tala had given him and tucked it into his file folder. “I’ll give this to Hector. I’m hoping it’ll be enough to get a warrant for the guy’s house.” He patted Jace on the shoulder. “Don’t look so surprised.”
“What?”
“I never thought it would ever happen to me, either. Now, look at me.” He held up his left hand and wiggled his ring finger. “I’m married to a woman I worship. A human woman with more guts and strength than any Otherworlder I know.”