conversation.
“We have linked three bodies,” Viktor said. “They were dumped in human alleyways where juicers hang out, but none of these women lived or worked in the area where their bodies were found. It is possible they went there for other reasons, but when we discovered the second victim worked at the same club as the first, we suspected something more than a random attack.”
“How do you know they worked at a club?” Blue asked.
“They had a tattoo that linked them to the establishment. We can’t always tell someone’s Breed right away, but all three had a Creator’s mark.”
“Juicers might have done it,” Claude pointed out. “Remember that Creator we recently caught who was giving every random Joe Blow his first spark? Who knows how many he made, and unclaimed Learners are targeted by juicers more than anyone else. They’re weak, and it’s possible to kill a young Mage if you take too much light. I don’t see how a few bodies connect to a fighting ring.”
“None of these women were Learners,” Viktor stated. “Two were ancients.”
I shook my head. “Then how did they die? You can’t juice an ancient to death, can you?”
“The first victim had blood on her but no marks. That investigation was handled poorly, and they cremated her body. When a second girl with the same tattoo showed up dead, they called me, and I sent Shepherd to examine the body.”
“Ah. So that’s the case we’re talking about.” Shepherd bent his knee and draped his arm over it before filling us in. “The first girl I looked at died scared and fighting. It was a long battle, and it didn’t take place in that alley. The residual emotions on bodies fade, so the fresher they are, the more I can read. Pride was a big one, and that particular rush I’ve only felt when someone accomplished something in front of a cheering crowd. She had a few significant injuries. Same on the third girl, except not as much fear. Mostly exhaustion, so she must have fought for a long time. The full sensory experience is long gone after a person dies, but sometimes what’s left is enough for me to put two and two together.”
“We found no weapons at the scene,” Viktor added. “The higher authority sent Regulators to the club after hours to speak to the manager who overlooks the staff.”
“Oversees,” Gem said, correcting him.
“Spasibo. She told them that just before two of the victims went missing, they mentioned quitting the club because of a side job. She thought it was unusual since the club pays well and customers tip very high. People in those positions will work multiple jobs and rarely quit one for another. She said they weren’t the only ones who had mentioned quitting and were secretive about the second job. Shortly after this meeting, the higher authority decided it would be prudent not to send in Vampires for questioning.”
I jerked my head back. “Why not?”
“The Regulators’ presence in the club got out, and it spooked a few of the girls. They disappeared.”
“Disappeared?” I parroted. “Suspiciously?”
“Aren’t all disappearances suspicious?” Wyatt asked.
“No. If you pack all your stuff and leave town, that’s not as suspicious as vanishing in the night and leaving your cat behind.”
“Guess how long cats can live without food?”
“Longer than you.”
Viktor cleared his throat. “We think they were involved.”
Blue shook her head. “Why run? They could have cooperated and helped take down the ring. People only give a shit about themselves.”
Viktor nodded. “Tak-tochno.”
Gem smiled. “In English.”
“Never mind,” he said with a wave of his hand. “Admitting the truth would implicate themselves. The higher authority does not show leniency, especially if they were paid and participated of their own free will. A crime is a crime.”
“They were fighting each other?” Christian dipped his chin.
“I do not know. This would be the first I’ve heard of Mage fights. All the women appeared strong and capable, so the person hiring them is looking for fighters who can hold the attention of a crowd. You cannot just scoop people off the streets and expect that to be good enough for wealthy customers. They want something special. Where do you think one finds such a woman?”
Wyatt bit his fingernail. “Not the library.”
“A bondage club,” Viktor replied.
Was he for real? “What would a dominatrix know about fighting?”
Christian chuckled darkly. “Sweetheart, this isn’t the same world as the one you grew up in. I think Viktor is referring to an adult entertainment club. It’s not just BDSM.