Blood and Blade (Goddess with a Blade #6) - Lauren Dane Page 0,34

room. Genevieve spelled him to sleep but Rowan insisted on tying him up the same way they’d done his master just in case he came back to consciousness before they wanted him to.

“There are items of great power here,” Genevieve said to Rowan as they stood in the hall.

“He’s selling spells to Vampires who wield magic.”

“Indeed. But I believe he may also have magical objects here too. We need to find wherever he stores his stock. It needs to be de-spelled and removed correctly so we won’t cause any harm.”

“I was just about to sit and chat with Rod. Let’s ask him.” Rowan gave a sunny smile before turning away.

Clive glanced her way as they came in. “As I’m sure David is about to inform you, this is Roderick Haigh. He’s the youngest child of Osric and Getta Haigh.”

Well. “I have heard of his dad. His dad and Theo are buddies though. Or they were the last time I checked.” The Haighs were one of the foundational families who became the original Vampire Nation. Osric would be a very highly placed source if he was their leak.

But was he? She found that hard to believe. The loyalty Osric gave Theo had seemed very genuine and complete. Vampires were con artists and fucked one another over all the time so it wasn’t impossible he was acting or that his allegiances had changed. But if that was the case, he deserved an award for acting because he never even rang a single alarm for her and she was the most suspicious person she knew.

Rod had achieved consciousness once more as he attempted to struggle against his bonds and failed. “You’ll pay for coming in here this way.”

Rowan ignored that and looked to Clive. “Do you know this trust fund shitlord?”

“I know his father. I know his mother and oldest sister. They’re always strong supporters of The First.” Which was what she knew as well.

“And him?”

Clive curled his lip a moment. “We don’t move in the same circles.”

“Thank Goddess for that or I’d never let you near me. This guy has lazy rich kid written all over him.” Rowan shifted her attention from Clive back to Rod. “Where do you keep your stock, junior?”

“I will call the authorities!”

“Yeah. This is me, quaking at that threat. I can leave you on the front steps for sunrise so you can meet the authorities you call to save you. I mean, once you manage to get free from your bonds and find a phone that is. And after your fingers heal up.” She gave him a bright smile.

While he stewed and pretended he was tough, Rowan turned to Clive. “He’s not going to say where his stash is. Go search with Genevieve. You might see something you remember. I’ll stay here with Rod so he and I can chat a while.”

Star came to sit at Rowan’s feet, her gaze on Roderick. The dog didn’t trust him either.

David set himself up at a desk in the corner of the room they were in and connected with Vanessa back in Las Vegas. So far, Vanessa had done an excellent job and had kept her cool under pressure. And she was going to work a hack into Vampire Nation archives to see what they could find about this Blood Front motherfucker in front of Rowan.

There were things Clive wasn’t free to share with outsiders. Even his wife. She hated that. However, she had her own secrets she didn’t share with the Vampire Nation either so mainly they made it work. Rowan wanted in to see all the data about Rod and his family. Wanted to know if the Nation knew he was connected to Blood Front or had any suspicions about him at all.

Vanessa would get the data and Rowan would know. Clive wouldn’t have to be in the middle and she wouldn’t owe a debt to the Vampires. Every bit of that worked for her.

Rowan dragged a chair across the floor, making as much noise as possible. She stopped when she could sit very close, facing Roderick. Out of reach, obviously, she wasn’t a fool. But she wanted to see his pupils. Wanted to watch him sweat.

“I don’t know who you are. Yet. But I bet you know who I am.” She crossed one leg over the other and folded her hands in her lap.

“Why would I know who you are?” he said with a sneer.

“Because I’m the daughter of The First. And I’m married to the Scion