Darkness Unmasked(159)

As I am not in the room, I cannot say precisely. I merely sense the vibrations of their souls.

 

Which isn't much good given the room is packed. Our task would be easier if we knew who to keep an eye on. I downed my drink in several gulps and rose. I'll take the long way to the bar and see what I can uncover.

 

If you wish. His tone suggested he didn't think it was necessary, and I couldn't help grinning all over again. My reaper might have accused me of being jealous over his flirting with other women on more than one occasion, but it really was beginning to sound like he was suffering from the same affliction. And I couldn't help but be happy about that, if only because it suggested that I wasn't imagining the caring I sometimes sensed in him.

 

Of course, taking the long way to the bar did mean walking past a lot of very merry men, many of whom seemed to think a female rump in close proximity really did need a pinch, if not a good fondle. It irked the hell out of me, but I kept my temper in check and a smile on my face and was rewarded by finding all four psychics. Two had parked themselves at the bar, one was sitting with a dark-haired woman near the front door, and the last one leaned casually against the wall opposite the bar, sipping his beer and idly surveying the crowd.

 

His gaze met mine briefly, and a frisson of recognition raced through me. Not because I knew him, but because I knew the type.

 

If he wasn't Directorate, I'd eat my damn hat. If I'd been wearing a hat, that was.

 

At least his gaze slid past me and continued on. My inner devil was tempted to go over and chat him up, not only because he was one of the few half-decent-looking guys in the room, but because it would have been interesting to see if I could tease any information out of him.

 

But we were both here to catch a killer, and that sort of behavior wasn't something either of us needed. Besides, it wasn't like I needed another man in my life, however briefly I might flirt with the idea.

 

I made my way back to my table, but had barely sat down when Azriel said, She's here.

 

Where?

 

Just entering the club via a rear door. He paused. She can sense me.

 

I swore softly and pushed up from the table so quickly that I half spilled my beer. Meaning she's running again?

 

No. I retreated fast, and she remains.

 

I sighed in relief. Keep your distance, then. With the Directorate here, we can't do anything until she picks out a victim and leaves with him.

 

The guardian will follow her, just as we plan to.