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heart swelling with pride as he watched her take charge during utter chaos. She d
stepped in to make sure everyone was safe, dispatching club employees to pass out
bottled water or bottled blood to the exhibit guests, making everyone gather on the
main floor, and in general keeping things from descending into total mayhem.
The woman was born to be queen, whether she knew it or not. And she was his.
 Vance Carmitru?
He looked up to see a cop, the hard-boiled plainclothes variety, holding up a
badge.
 I m Vance Carmitru, he affirmed.  And the owner of this club.
 Alvin Davis. The cop put his badge back on his belt.  Regional captain of the
Texas Slayer Squad. He drew Vance aside.  We ve got our top investigator doing an
energy reading of this place right now, but it s safe to say that our friendly
neighborhood serial killer paid you a visit tonight.
Vance felt his heart stop beating. All of his guests had been sitting ducks.
Phaedra&  Are you sure?
 Same MO& severed carotid arteries, victim s totally drained of blood& unless
it s a copy cat, then yeah, I d bet my badge on it.
 I got a read on the perp s energy signature. A petite brunette appeared at
Alvin s side.  It s definitely the serial killer.
Vance squinted down at her.  I know you from somewhere.
 Agent Katya Stern. She held up her badge.  Also the fiancée of Rex
Fontainebleau.
Alecia Monaco Black Pearl - 62 -
 Ah, Crimson Hungers. The vampire bar a few blocks away.  Yes, I ve been
there on more than a few occasions.
 What did you find? Phaedra had joined them with Royce at her side.
 We ll need to interview everyone and try to get statements from the vampires
first. Katya glanced at her watch.  We ll need to start with them so they can all find
shelter before sunrise.
 How did you get here so fast? Phaedra asked her.
 I was just down the street at Crimson Hungers when I got the page from Mr.
Charles. Katya folded her arms over her chest.  Did you know the vic personally?
Tears filled Phaedra s eyes.  Not very well. I d see her when I left after closing.
I d be heading back to the Ruthven and she d be going out for a smoke.
 She had a routine of going out to the alley to smoke. Katya sighed.  The killer
had obviously been watching Tamara, and knew she d show up in the alley for a smoke
eventually. She took out a pad and began jotting down notes.  You said the extra key
is missing. We re checking the alley for it.
 It s likely the victim took the key with the intention of letting herself out for a
smoke, and the killer was waiting for her out there. Alvin shook his head.  Leaving a
body to be found during a special event like tonight sent a very special message from
the killer. The captain sighed.  Human servants and subs are in just as much danger as
anyone else in the vampire community.
 But what s the motivation for this? Phaedra threw up her hands.
 Some say it s about court politics. Katya shrugged.  There s a vocal minority
who are vehemently opposed to Eden the dhampire taking Melaina s place as empress,
even though Master Cain appointed her as his successor of House Black Rose& and
you know whoever rules Black Rose is also going to rule the court.
 Wait. Phaedra held up a hand for silence.  Who is this Eden everyone keeps
talking about?
 The soon to be crowned empress of the gulf coast court, Vance explained.  A
dhampire is the offspring of a human and a vampire, which gives our lovely Eden a
Alecia Monaco Black Pearl - 63 -
rather unique set of powers. Some in the community object to her as ruler because she s
half human.
Phaedra s blood boiled.  Oh, I guess a half-human isn t worthy to rule? As if
that s what being queen is about. She snorted.  My mother was half-human, and she
was the most beloved queen in the history of the Fey. And if this Eden is one-tenth the
queen my mother was, she ll stick by her people no matter what. Nothing but death can
keep a queen from serving her subjects& because that s what a queen does. She serves.
She puts her people first -- none of this let them eat cake crap. Green sparks shot from
her eyes.  A ruler lives and dies for her subjects. Otherwise, she s not fit to rule.
 I m glad to hear you say that, daughter.
Every head turned to watch the King of Terra Mystica limp toward them, leaning
heavily on his cane.  Because I have come to bring you home.
Chapter 11
 You see, daughter, the king continued, once they were settled in Mr. Charles
office,  the royal physician has ordered me to rest. As you can see, my arthritis has
taken a turn for the worse. The king shrugged, chuckling good naturedly.  Kings do
not rest. They abdicate the throne or die. He smiled at his daughter.  I m choosing the
former.
Phaedra s heart sank like lead.  But, Daddy& I have a life here. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]