Mayor Kowalcyzk’s city got a lot more diverse than she’d imagined.”
“Let’s just say her knowledge is now a little closer to reality. In all seriousness, that woman was in some pretty heavy denial. I may not have many pleasant things to say about Seth Tate right now, but the man appointed me to office and usually gave a fair shake to sups.”
“Seth Tate is still the unanswered question,” I said. “It’s Dominic—the fallen angel with the bat wings—who’s causing all the trouble.”
He whistled. “I wouldn’t have imagined this world was possible if I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes.”
“I understand the feeling.”
“At any rate, I believe everyone realized their secrets had very limited life spans. Better to come out on your own terms than be forced out by registration laws and black helicopters.”
“That makes sense to me. It was a brave thing to do—especially now, when the hatred’s a lot louder than the love. I’m proud of them for taking that step.”
“I don’t know that everyone’s thrilled about it,” he said, “and there were certainly some dissenters, but it was time to do the right thing. Vampires have hoisted up the weight for long enough; it was time for others to do their fair share. I think they realized that.”
We’d certainly tried to do our fair share, but it was our failures that stood out in my mind, not our victories. Chicago had nearly burned because I hadn’t seen that Mallory was behind the chaos. Ethan had taken a stake because he’d come looking for me, and I’d nearly died for a punishment I’d basically volunteered to take.
Maybe Ethan was right. Maybe I would have been better off in the library.
But there was no time for self-pity. Not with Dominic and Seth still out there. Not when others had work to do, as well. This was the time for graciousness and gratitude.
“Thanks, Grandpa,” I said. “I try to do my best.”
“I know you do. We all know it. Stay safe, baby girl.”
“I will. You, too.”
We said our good-byes and I put the phone back into my pocket, glad that I had family to count on and turn to, even if it wasn’t the family I’d expected.
My phone calls made, I left my room and made my way to the basement. I kept my fingers crossed that everyone would be dressed and in an upright position when I opened the door. But I still braced myself for horror, especially when I heard loud thumping coming from behind the double doors—music, something of the techno or electronica sort, with a solid bass line and a strange, high-pitched melody.
Since musical thumping could easily be accompanied by physical thumping, I opened the door carefully and peeked inside.
Success! There were no chaps in sight.
Kelley and Juliet sat at the conference table. The computers and CCTV monitors were all staffed. Although their faces looked familiar—they were Cadogan vamps I’d seen around the House—I’d never seen them in the Ops Room.
Curiosity piqued, I walked inside, pointed at the newcomers, and looked at Kelley. “What’s going on?” I yelled over the music.
I hadn’t exactly been shy about the question, and all of them turned to look at me.
“You actually hired someone? How long was I out?” I looked over the guards, who all wore the Cadogan uniform (black suits) and small earpieces tucked around their earlobes. They typed quickly and scanned their screens intently, and generally looked pretty competent.
“They’re temps,” Kelley said, her head bobbing with the music. “We gave up on interviews.”
That was understandable, especially if the few interviews I’d seen were any indication of the whole. The applicants weren’t big on social skills. Or physical skills. Or really any skills that would have made them decent candidates for House guards.
“Glad to hear it. That you have temps, I mean, not that the interviews were awful. And the music?”
“Vamps and shifters are no longer the only sups in town!” Juliet said, raising her hands in the air.
Luc and Lindsey appeared in the doorway, and Lindsey squealed when she saw me. She pulled me into a hug that nearly rebroke my rib. After a moment she released me but still pressed a big kiss to my forehead.
“We were so freaking worried about you!”
“I’m glad to be back.”
Luc pulled the door shut, then directed one of the newbies to turn down the music. “The big man’s in the House,” he said, “so let’s keep the celebration quiet and simple. As