"There are levels of spirits, just as there are levels of demons. This one is obviously one of the higher ones."
"So the Rakshasa we hunted would be have been considered a higher-level spirit?"
"Yes. Although perhaps not as high as the spirit we seek here, because she could not ignore the call of the ghosts."
"Does that mean she won't be hunting tonight? I mean, she knows we're looking for her after this afternoon's events."
"Yes, but remember, she is also in breeding mode. That is an imperative not even intelligence can ignore." His grip tightened on my hip, and the tension suddenly evident in his touch echoed through my being. "We should go. Someone comes."
"Who?"
He hesitated, then said, "Directorate. Your uncle."
I swore softly, called to the Aedh, and hoped like hell that I hadn't been in human form long enough for my scent to linger in the air. And thanked whatever gods that happened to be listening that I'd parked my bike around the corner rather than directly opposite the apartment as I'd first planned.
I swept out as Uncle Rhoan walked in. He hesitated, as if he'd sensed me, but I just kept going. Hanging around to see if he actually had would not have been a bright idea.
"What do you wish to do now?" Azriel said, the minute I re-formed beside the Ducati.
I grabbed my helmet and shoved it on. "Go home and make mad, passionate love to you."
Amusement touched his lips, and desire flared briefly around me, bathing my skin with its warmth.
"That is something I would not find unpleasant." His voice was even despite the desire that pulsed between us. "I suspect, however, you merely tease."
"You suspect right. We need to check out Summer's place before my uncle beats us to it." Hell, for all I knew, he already had. Maybe there was a cleanup team there right now, photographing, cataloging, and pulling apart any clues that might be left. I had no doubt that Summer had suffered the same fate as Shard.
I flipped the helmet's visor down. "I'll see you there."