I hesitated. "If there is, we'll be back. Have a pleasant evening."
Her smile was as insincere as my words. "Oh, you, too."
I spun on my heel and got out of there. Once we were out in the cool air of the night, I drew in a deep breath and released it slowly. "I hate dealing with vampires. I know the world at large doesn't care about that, but I'm just putting it out there."
"You are right," a flat and all-too-familiar voice behind me said. "The world at large doesn't care. Nor do I."
I inwardly groaned, but somehow managed to fix a smile in place as I turned around. "And to what do I owe this pleasure? Or is it simply a matter of you not trusting me to do my job?"
Did Markel not warn you to be pleasant? Azriel commented. He was standing so close that Valdis's energy streamed over me, little flashes of fire that spoke of their readiness for action.
I am. It's not like I called her a bitch or anything.
Her dark eyes flashed. As usual, she'd caught the one thought I didn't want her to catch. One of these days I was going to learn.
Maybe.
"I was told you were here. I was close by, and thought I might get a report firsthand."
I grimaced. "There's not a lot to tell. Wolfgang left with Di Shard, last night's entertainment. I've already sent you her picture."
"Yes, and we're currently searching for all relevant details. Unfortunately, the entertainment agency that manages her maintains regular office hours, so we will be unable to talk to them until tomorrow."
How inconsiderate of them. "At least you can put an APB out on a woman matching her description or something."
"Hardly. She is mine to find and mine to kill."
There was death in her eyes. It might not be aimed specifically at me, but it would take only the slightest nudge and I'd be in her sights.