She nodded and he felt ever so much better that he knew she’d be safe until he returned. That’s when he saw the box of chocolates on his passenger seat. “Ah! Wait a moment.” He reached in and produced them for her with a slight bow. “To help you remember not all Vampires are the ones whose houses you want to burn to the ground.”

  She smirked. “Thanks, Scion. I’ll save you one. Maybe two.”

  Chapter Five

  It was about an hour after Clive had returned home for the night. They’d worked in the companionable quiet of their sitting room after enjoying a snack.

  Over and over she’d opened up the file David had pulled together for the final round of Vampire interviews they’d be conducting later that afternoon. Rowan read through all the documentation of each of the three multiple times. She kept going back to the beginning and looking through it all over again, but the fourth time she’d made it all the way through, she tossed a folder to the table with a sigh.

  Clive’s attention flicked to her. “Are you well?”

  Rowan pressed the heel of her palm to the center of her chest, just below the hollow of her throat. “There’s something,” she muttered.

  He didn’t panic but he did shift his work aside so he could turn to her completely, taking her in carefully.

  That he didn’t touch her, didn’t interrupt her was her own personal miracle. He was there. He’d burn things down to help. But he was waiting for her to tell him.

  “There’s something I’m supposed to know,” she said at last. Rowan pointed at the papers she’d been reading over and over. “In there.” She held up a hand. “They’re personnel packets for each of the Vampires we’re interviewing tomorrow so you don’t need to go through them.”

  He narrowed his eyes at her, and she held her ground.

  “You’re far better off with plausible deniability unless we have no other choice,” she added, and Clive heaved a sigh but relaxed slightly. Because she was right.

  “Fine. For now. Is this related to your dreams? Prophecy in some way?” he asked.

  “Yes. I think so. The dreams are images, and this is...you know how some days you just have a feeling about something. Turning right down a road a few blocks after your usual, or you grab a sweater on a perfectly warm day and a storm blows in and the temperature drops. I’ve had feelings before. Anxiety over something that seemed out of the blue.”

  Rowan hadn’t ever really been human. Born to the vassal to the First and an acolyte to the goddess Brigid, her very existence had been against the law. And then as she grew, Rowan began to manifest magical gifts, enough that it became clear she was the first physical Vessel of Brigid in centuries. Part of her connection with Brigid was the gifts that increased in intensity and power and in number over the years.

  And more than just the passage of time, it seemed she came into new gifts after tumultuous events in her life. Nearly being killed was the main offender. Not her favorite. But together with massive infusions of ancient Vampire blood on more than one occasion to save her from certain death, these events had unlocked an affinity or talent or something like that with prophecy and foresight to go along with superior speed and skill on the battlefield and her increasing ability to emotionally soothe and calm others in times of need.

  She was working on understanding it all better. There was no manual. It was very much by the seat of her pants. But Rowan’s connection to Brigid, her sense of being able to let go and trust she’d find her way, grew stronger and deeper each day.

  “All right. I approve. If it warns you early, that keeps you safer,” he added before she could ask. “So, you’ve got a, let’s call it a knowing there’s something in these documents that will lead you to something important.”

  On surer ground now that she had words to define it, she rolled her head and shook out her shoulders to release the tension she’d been holding. “Yes, yes, that’s...it’s not the Vampires themselves, but something or someone connected to them. Maybe a place?”

  “Surely you can’t hire someone if they’re connected to this, Rowan.” Frustration laced his tone.

  So nosy! “Really? This right now?”

  “Yes! You’re having some sort of premonition about one of the Vampires you want to hire. Of course, I’m curious as to who, though I do trust you when you say they’ve been vetted.”

  She sighed out a breath. “It’s not that kind of thing. It’s not about him. The idea of hiring him isn’t the thing I need to pay attention to or worry about. I’m not... I don’t know how to do this, much less find the right words to communicate it. I’m stumbling along the best I can.”

  Heat banked low in her belly as She made Her presence known. Brigid burned through Rowan, bright and steady. I am here. We are one.

  Clive’s mouth flattened against, she knew, all the things he wanted to say to get her to reveal who she was hiring. He was being her husband right then, even though the Scion was always right there too.

  Because of that, she found some patience. “I promise you if I thought for even a moment it was about him, I wouldn’t make the offer. Or I’d wait. It just feels...” Rowan pressed her hand over that same spot on her chest. “It’s good that I hire him. And I think I’m supposed to.” A flare of power in her chest left her a little dizzy. But surer that yes, indeed she was supposed to hire him. “I’ll see him again later this afternoon and if there’s even a twinge, I won’t make an offer. I don’t need to shoot myself in the face to get back at the Nation.”

  He growled a little. “Fine. So what do you plan to do? How can I help?”

  “Do not make me sorry I did this,” she told him as she narrowed her gaze at him.

  He laughed and then tried to sober up. “I apologize, darling. I do find it so delightful when you’re so wary and feral. I’m terribly worried you’ll hurt me, but also hoping quite fervently you will.”

  Snort laughing, she flipped him off before leaning close to kiss him thoroughly. Rowan held up the part of the file dealing with Aron, her top candidate for the job and the one she had that knowing about.

  “I need another set of eyes on this. I can ask another Hunter. But I thought perhaps you might have some insight. Something I’m missing but you’ll see.”

  His amusement wisped away, replaced by a flash of tenderness and then he pulled all his smug around him to make her feel better. “You know I’m dying to see that.”

  Rowan nodded. “I do. I’m trusting you as my husband. If you have an issue, you tell me to my face. You don’t take this to the Nation unless you truly believe it’s necessary they know.”

  He paused, thinking it over, and then nodded. “I can agree to that.”

  She handed the file over and left the room, prowling to the kitchen for a slice of citrus cake before everyone else ate it all. And also to resist standing over Clive as he read. She trusted his word but knew herself. She’d want to see every expression, every pause and change in breath and then demand to know what he meant.

  * * *

  Clive did his best to put aside being Scion because what Rowan needed was for him to be her spouse. He’d probably never admit it, but the Vampire she was about to hire was a fantastic candidate. Clearly qualified.

  He knew who Aron Jimenez was, of course. Clive had a file on all the powerful and high-profile rogue Vampires in his territory. There were a few dozen. Americans did love their rebellion so it was no surprise that Vampires of that same bent would be attracted to the place. Mostly they didn’t make trouble and he left them alone unless that changed.

  He didn’t rule his territory anything like his predecessor had. And once the Vampires of North America had figured that out, they’d reacted accordingly. Most of them kept themselves on the right side of Nation law and attention. Those who didn’t want to do so had been executed or had left.

  When Rowan returned, he attempted not to show his astonishment that she’d managed not to poke at him the whole time, demanding to know what he thought and why. She placed a slice of cake near his cup of tea and sat across from him.

  “To start, I cannot argue that he’s not a very strong candidate. No problems with the Nation. And, just between us, cheeky to have broken into Nation databases. Clever as well.”

  Her delighted laugh brought his smile.

  “If you provided me with information when I requested it instead of playing games, I wouldn’t have to resort to other methods. But needs must and all that. Don’t be such tight-asses with information if you don’t want me getting it in other ways.”

  “Theft. You mean theft,” he said.

  “Well, yes, of course I mean theft,” she said. “Because you didn’t give it to me when I asked. So, that’s okay.”

  That brought a belly laugh. “I do adore you,” he managed to say once he’d gotten his breath back. “Your defense of your actions is always entertaining.”

  “I don’t need to defend myself.” She raised a shoulder.

  “So long as we’re both on the same page,” he teased. “This is a rather detailed dossier. I plan to bring some of these ideas to Alice to apply to our own hiring process. I didn’t see anything that leapt out at me. He’s not a baby but also not an ancient. Powerful enough to hold his own and prevent a challenge from most other Vampires. His Maker lives in the same region, which indicates a level of self-control that will serve him well as a Hunter. But also that he’s not out to create trouble for Nation Vampires. Perhaps it’s about a Vampire who can challenge him? Another who is more powerful. One who lives in close proximity? A former employer or a client he had to deliver unhappy news to. An ex-lover or someone who still resides in the line he left who resents him. Vampires live a long time. It could be many things.”

  “You gather drama and petty beef like dust in a dark corner.” She shook her head.

  “Or it could be the Vampire you anger to the point of violence when you hire Aron.” He shouldn’t have said it, but he worried for her on the best of days.

  “That could be it too.” She shrugged. “I think I have to ride this one out. Do the interviews as we’d planned and trust whatever it is will come to me. I’ll know when I know, I think.”

  Star had been napping under Rowan’s desk and at that, she snapped her head up and barked before returning to her sleep.

  “I think that’s a yes. It’s really too bad I don’t have any way of calling Carl up for a chat to see what he thinks.”

  Carl was Rowan’s very own sage. Kooky, as she called him. He wore outlandish outfits and gave her prophecy in his own meandering way that she claimed drove her to violence, but Clive rather believed she enjoyed figuring out.

  “Do you feel there’s danger in this path?” he asked, trusting she’d tell him the truth.

  “Yes, in a big-picture way. Things had been sort of blurry since we killed off Guy the Faerie. Not calm as much as maybe everyone on all sides was taking a breather. I think that’s over.” Rowan pressed her hand against her chest again and he wondered if she even knew she was doing it. Wondered, too, just what that meant.

  “But I don’t think hiring Aron is the dangerous thing. Well, not the dangerous thing in this context. Yes, of course I know the Nation will flip their shit when we do this. But that’s a whole ’nother type of trouble.” His wife, the target of multiple—nearly successful—attempts on her life, said this all so breezily it set his teeth on edge.

  “I do hate that you have so many possible avenues of danger in your life. I’m delighted to be nearby just in case someone or something comes at you.” He pinched the bridge of his nose and attempted to find his composure.

  “Me too. But you’re a Scion and I’m a Vessel, a Hunter, and generally bitchy. So loads of beings have some sort of issue with me. It comes with the territory. Now. I ended up telling you about one of the Vampires I’m hiring even though I said I wouldn’t. Which means you’ll need to be extra Vampirey and avoid answering truthfully if Theo asks you.”

  “One step at a time, darling,” he told her. Clive would protect her. He’d choose her over the Nation and the First and he hoped he’d never have to do so. She was his country. His queen. His everything.

  “I know you want to ask questions about Aron. Ask them fast and don’t be ridiculous or I’ll rescind my offer.”

  A declaration of love. Clive gave her a heated look and she sent him a raised eyebrow.

  He said, “I read through that material. He’s an excellent candidate. I’m disappointed he was driven away from the Nation because I’m certain he’d be an asset. Now Hunter Corp. will count his skills as their own and the Nation has lost a chance to place one of our own within your number to keep an eye on you on our behalf. Fools.”

  Rowan snickered. “Honestly, I can’t believe they missed that. But I’m not in the help the Vampire Nation spy on Hunter Corp. game. All those years of life and they managed to build a big bank account and closets full of haute couture and yet not a moment spent on being smart. Works for me, I guess.”

  “And the other Vampire you believe you might hire?”

  “Katya. Her family is affiliated. Pays their tithe. She was born, not Made. They’re average in most ways that matter to the Nation. She’s fantastic, but you’re all so obsessed with designer labels you forget about quality. In any case, they’re so average the Nation will complain but mainly just for form. She fills a space. Her skills are appreciated by Hunter Corp. and she’s not going to spy for you.”

  “Clever.” She’d given him several clues. Enough that he could most likely figure out who she meant. But his deliberate ignorance would serve both Rowan and Clive. He didn’t need to know.

  “Instead of more questions I’ll give you some advice you can take or leave. Tomorrow in your interview you should know not only why he left, but why he wants to be a Hunter knowing just how much trouble it will bring down on his head. He’s a rogue, but not a hermit. He’s active enough in Las Vegas in the Vampire community that they’ll notice he’s working with you, and they won’t all react positively. Why take that risk?”

  Surprise rode her features as she blushed. The smile she gave him was so open and sweet it stole his breath.

  “It’s my final question to all candidates who get to a final interview. It’s a shitty job. People are always trying to fuck you up in some way. The benefits are good though, if you live and all. You didn’t have to use your question opportunity up to help me,” she said. He’d moved her by taking her side and he regretted not telling her up front that he’d supported her with this latest Nation nonsense.

  He cupped her cheek briefly. “I’d give my life to help you. Now, before anyone catches us being so bloody tender toward one another, we should fuck.”

  She shot to her feet and peeked at the clock. “Forty-eight minutes until sunrise. Wow me.”

  Feeling rather smugly sure he’d do just that, he took her hand and dragged her into his room.

  Chapter Six

  By midday, Rowan found herself feeling very satisfied, indeed. After a late breakfast they’d turned into a work meeting, she and Genevieve had headed into the Hunter Corp. offices. In the hours after that, she’d managed to finish several hours’ worth of research and meetings before the sun went down and they held second-round interviews of two of the three Vampires she’d told Clive about earlier that morning.

  Everything she’d heard and felt had underlined her prior conviction that while Katya was ready to take on a spot at Hunter Corp., the other Vampire needed more seasoning before Rowan would be comfortable sending him out into the field and trusting him to serve as able backup. She wanted to talk it over with Susan first, but Rowan felt like a Hunter Corp. training program would help him to develop those skills and some loyalty to them as well.

  This step was good for the overall effectiveness of Hunter Corp. But it also created a bridge, a new type of connection and relationship with other paranormal groups. A connection different than what they’d already had or tried. Something organic that had the potential to change relations between them all for the better.

  Rowan hadn’t mentioned the knowing to David or Genevieve. It felt like she needed to do this herself. Not let anyone else’s perception get in her way, though of course Brigid burned bright within Rowan, which was guidance, but of the type it had felt right to follow.

  That knowing had led her to exactly that moment where she was wrapping up with Aron. She’d worked with him briefly when she’d first landed in Las Vegas and had trouble with the Vampires not being reined in by Clive’s predecessor. Since then, she’d gotten intel from him a handful of times. He was steady. Had excellent discipline and control over his blood hunger.

  He’d scored high marks with blades, hand to hand, and guns. A big plus was that he had his own sophisticated intelligence network spanning over the western and southwestern United States.

  She liked him. Brigid seemed to as well given the warm weight in Rowan’s belly. It definitely wasn’t that she shouldn’t hire him. No, she knew for certain Aron wasn’t the problem.

  David had asked his last few questions and left the room. As with the other two candidates, Rowan wanted to speak privately when she asked her final question. She felt they’d all be more frank if it was just her.

  “You have to understand this is going to piss off the Nation when I hire you. And we both know I’m going to hire you. So what’s driving you to do this?”

  Once that had all been said, that frantic beat at the back of her mind calmed.

  He leaned back a bit and thought a while before he answered. “For the last seventy-five years I’ve been getting past what happened in the thirty years before that. I came to Vegas after I left my Maker’s line in 1947. Not much here back then, especially by today’s standards. Still, more than enough for me to make a living if I had the courage to.” He shrugged.