was a dragon. Just like the strange bats you’ve been seeing around city hall aren’t bats. They’re the gargoyles on the building come to life, but I suspect you already know that.”
She laughed until she noticed he hadn’t joined her. The smile vanished. “It’s not possible.”
That was enough for now. No point rattling the hive past the point of recovery. “What would you like to know about your daughter?”
“Why did she have those gold tattoos all over her? Do you know?”
“Yes.” But where to begin? “They are an ancient way of purifying the blood.”
The mayor’s face screwed up. “Purifying the blood? Like some kind of ritual? Do you think whoever killed her did that to her?”
“No, she chose to have those marks placed on her body. They’re called signum.”
“Why would she do that?” She tucked her legs beneath her. “As a teen, Julia thought tattoos were ugly.” Her gaze snagged on his well-inked forearms before shifting back to his face.
He leaned into the couch, spreading his arms over the back so she could get a better look at his ugly tats. The move sent a ripple of pain through his still-healing shoulder. “Comarré do what they do because they have chosen to serve a particular master.” Telling this woman her daughter had decided to become a blood whore pimped out by the local vampire kingpin wasn’t going to be easy. Well, the telling might be easy, but her reaction wasn’t going to be.
“This involves a cult, doesn’t it? Dios mio, what did she get herself into?” The mayor crossed herself and whispered a few prayerful words in Spanish.
Creek tipped his head back and sighed. This was not the right place to start. There was too much she needed to know first for any of this to make sense. He edged forward on the seat and leaned his arms on his knees. “It’s not a cult, but there are some other things I need to explain first.”
“Like what?”
“You said you’ve been getting reports about animal sightings. Anything else?”
She hesitated, her mouth hardening. “Yes. Many other things. Things that should not—do not—exist.”
“They do exist. And you need to accept that.”
She stared at him, her jaw working like she was going to scream or cry. “I don’t think you have a clear idea of the kind of reports I’m getting.”
“Vampires. People who shift into animal forms. Creatures with horns. Unnaturally colored skin.” Gold tattoos. Branded skin.
She shook her head. “Those things aren’t real. No intelligent person would ever believe that.”
“They will. Halloween is three days away. The potential exists for greater chaos to erupt. It’s part of the reason I’m here. To protect mankind.”
The doubt and fear on her face gave way to anger. She slit her eyes at him. “I don’t appreciate being made a fool of.”
He straightened. “I’m telling you the truth.”
She untucked her legs. “John,” she called. “Please escort Mr. Creek out.”
Creek stood and yanked his T-shirt off over his head. “Look at my wounds. Do you think most humans heal this fast?”
Havoc ran into the room, but the mayor’s gaze was on Creek’s shoulder. “I don’t know how hurt you were to begin with.” She looked away. “You need to go.”
“And you need to face what’s happening in this city.” He held a hand out to keep Havoc at bay.
She stood. “You told me you could explain what my daughter had done to herself. You haven’t done that. What you have done is waste my time.”
“Your daughter became a kind of counterfeit comarré. Comarré, the real ones, are an elite source of blood for vampires.”
“I don’t want this to be real.” The mayor shook her head. “It’s a nightmare.”
“That’s enough,” Havoc warned.
Creek glared at him. “Don’t tell me what to say, shifter.”
“Shut your mouth, tribe, or I’m going to make you hurt.” Havoc approached, arms reaching.
Creek backed up, buying time. “Mayor, I can introduce you to a real comarré and a real vampire. They can help explain. Prove what I’m saying and what you’re seeing is true.”
“No, I’m done with this. These lies.” She covered her face with her hands.
“Not lies. Truth. Watch.” Creek charged Havoc, ducked the man’s punch, and came up behind him, snaring him in a headlock. He yanked off the shifter’s sunglasses. Havoc growled and the mayor’s mouth dropped open.
She held out a shaking finger. “His eyes…”
“He’s varcolai. An animal shifter. Wolf, in case you hadn’t guessed.” He released the snarling Havoc, pushing him away at the same time.
“Dios mio.” She sank back onto the