My conception had been unexpected, facilitated by bonding magic Lulu’s mother had created to trap a creature ravaging Chicago. I wasn’t just uniquely born, but uniquely fused to a consciousness not my own—and one that only Connor knew about.
“There’s no problem,” I said, with more calm than I actually felt, and pushed down the monster’s sudden perk of interest. “These vampires are going to say their piece and leave.”
The vampire’s eyes flashed silver, a sure sign of his flaring anger. But he could get in line behind me.
“Then I suppose we’ll do this in the hallway,” the vampire said with obvious disdain. “I’m Blake. This is Sloan, and Levi,” he said, introducing the vampires beside him. “We are representatives of the Assembly’s Compliance Bureau.”
By tradition, vampires that weren’t Masters used only their first names. Blake was the one talking. Sloan was the dark-haired female behind him on his right, Levi the blond-haired male behind and on his left. They all wore the same dark and fitted suits, although each with a different flourish. Sloan had a string of pearls; Levi had a rose tucked into his lapel. Blake wore a pendant on a leather thong. They looked official and posh in the way of vampires, who knew how to use fashion to intimidate.
“This will formally advise you that you have breached vampiric Canon, laws and regulations, by making a vampire without authority to do so and without the human’s prior agreement,” Blake said. “Your activities risked the exposure of the local coven, harm to the human, and danger to all vampires. You are summoned to appear before Bureau representatives at midnight tomorrow for adjudication. Grant Park.”
“She saved someone’s life,” Lulu said.
“Carlie,” I said, because the AAM knew her name by now. “Her name is Carlie, and she didn’t deserve to die in someone else’s fight.”
Blake’s expression stayed bland. “You broke the rules.”
“Not the rules that matter,” Lulu said.
Blake turned his chilly gaze to Lulu. “She broke our rules. She is a vampire, sorceress. You are not.”
I shifted, putting myself between them. Sorceress was the path Lulu had purposefully not chosen, and she didn’t like the reminder. Bickering wasn’t going to help. Most important, I didn’t want their anger directed at her.
“Who told you about Carlie?” I asked.
Blake’s lips thinned. “A confidential informant.”
More than a few candidates for that position, I thought ruefully, including the Minnesota Pack members still angry at our interference in their dysfunctional little community and the head of the vampire coven now sheltering Carlie, who hadn’t been happy I’d made a vampire.
“I’m entitled to know their name.”
“You aren’t,” Blake said with a smirk. “That’s why it’s confidential, particularly since they were doing a service to American vampires. You, of all people, should know better.”
“Blake,” Sloan said. “That’s enough.” She looked at me with what I thought was sympathy. But given who and what she was, I doubted her sincerity.
“At the meeting, you’ll be able to tell your side of the story,” she promised.
Also doubtful, I thought. “You’ve delivered your message,” was all I said.
“Please formally acknowledge receipt of the summons.”
I didn’t like the way that sounded; vampires liked rules and bargains, and a formal acknowledgment sounded like something that would snap an obligation into place, magical or otherwise.
“I acknowledge you have attempted to issue a summons,” I said, “but I do not agree to your terms. Grant Park is too public.” And too large, and too difficult to secure, I added silently.
“What location do you propose?” Blake asked after a moment.
“I’ll let you know.”
Blake nodded, glanced at Sloan, who tapped her screen—the sleek devices that kept us connected to the world.
I felt a sudden pinch at my clavicle and looked down to find a small but glowing X across the bone. “You marked me.” I scratched at the X, which did nothing.
“Magically tagged summons,” Blake said, and he slid a glance to Lulu. “We have our own magical resources.”
“When will it disappear?” I asked.
“After midnight tomorrow,” Blake said. “When you show up at a mutually agreed location.”
I cursed silently. “How do I contact you?”
They looked at me for a moment before my screen beeped. “Instructions,” said Blake, and all three of them turned on their heels and left.
I closed the door. And locked it tight.
* * *
* * *
We all moved to the long windows and watched the street in silence, waiting until the three vampires had climbed into a black vehicle with tinted windows and driven away.