I didn't risk driving by the not-so-abandoned church. I parked two blocks away like I said I would, at a corner gas station we had passed on the way into the neighborhood. Shawn killed his headlights, slipping the dark purple Mustang in behind my Tiburon. Surprisingly, there weren't a lot of people out. A woman with light hair cascading around her shoulders and dressed as a sexy devil walked by holding on to the shoulders of a three-foot ghost and a pirate boy only a few inches taller than the ghost. Strappy pink slippers flashed from beneath the white sheet. I turned the key, killing the engine.

"Well?" Dinah asked. "I just thought of something. It'll look funny having a bird fly out of our car."

"No one will see me."

"A human might not see you," Normani said. "I certainly would."

I unbuckled my seat belt, letting it snap back with a hiss. Reaching behind my back I took the Pro.40 and its holster off my belt and handed the gun butt first to Lauren. The safety was on, as always, unless I was about to put a bullet in someone.

"Hold on to this for me," I said. "I don't think I could manifest the gun quite yet, and I don't want to risk losing it." I unbuckled the belt from around my waist, sliding it through the belt loops and handing it to Lauren after she took the gun. With nimble fingers she lifted the edge of her shirt, tucking the gun down the front of her pants. The gesture managed to flash a nice line of flesh.

I bent over and carefully drew the gun out. "You've watched too many movies, and I'm not comfortable with the idea of you accidentally shooting your precious bits, vampire or no. You only shove a gun down the front of your pants in emergencies." I started threading the belt through the first loops of her slacks. "If you have the loops," I said, "use the holster." Then I thought to ask, "Have you ever used a gun?"

She took it from me, clicked off the safety, and pulled the slide back, sending a round into the chamber. "Does that answer your question, Camz?"

I swallowed, forcing myself not to turn into a puddle of werewolf in her lap. There's something undeniably sexy about a woman that knows how to handle a weapon.

"Well enough," I said, taking the holster and thrusting the belt through it. "Think you can draw this way?" I took the end of the belt through the last of the loops, sliding it through the buckle, then gave it a good tug to make sure it was sturdy and secure. Voilá.

She turned the safety lock on and reached behind her back, putting the gun into the holster. The holster was canted, which took some getting used to for a quick draw. A lot of the cops I worked with didn't wear small-of-the-back holsters. If you get knocked down by a bad guy and happen to land on your back, it's quite painful. Most cops wear a hip holster or a shoulder holster. A lot of female cops opt for hip holsters, because breasts can get in the way of a cross draw or a draw from a shoulder holster. Fortunately, my breasts are small enough I could pull off wearing a shoulder holster without that problem.

"You've made your point. Be careful your shirt doesn't ride up over the holster, or you'll give everyone a peek-a-boo and scare all the humans."

"You're stalling," Dinah said, with an edge of shock to her tone.

I flicked my gaze to her as she leaned forward in her seat. "What?"

"You're stalling."

I smiled and knew it wasn't a happy smile. "A little bit."

"Why? This is what you do for a living, isn't it?"

"Dinah, every time a person goes into something like this they never come out the same. You always remember."

"I'm going with you, then," she said with an edge of stubbornness to her tone I didn't hear very often.

"No, you're not," I replied just as determinedly. "You're going to stay here in the car with the others."

"But you don't want to do this, and I can't bear to watch you have to do it alone. Lauren?" she said pleadingly, as if asking her for help.

"No," I said again, more firmly, "I am doing this alone. You're more than welcome to come in once I've checked out what we're walking into. Until then, you get to keep your furry ass in that seat and wait."

Her honey eyes widened in a puppy-dog look. I shook my head. "Dinah, no. I'll be fine." I tried to reassure her, even if my words turned out to be a lie. "I have more experience doing this than you do." I began removing the overshirt. I could do this. Normani had shown me how to do this. I could shift fully clothed. All it took was visualization and being confident in my abilities. I drew in a deep breath, willing my mind to concentrate.

"I am going in with you."

It was Normani's voice this time, which caught me off guard. I hadn't expected that.

"Absolutely no—"

"Do not think to tell me no, little one. Your voice may override Dinah's, but never mine."

I closed my eyes. I would not get pissed. I would not get pissed. I would not...

"Lauren," I said through clenched teeth, "we're wasting moonlight."

"I do not dictate Normani's every move," she said. "If she wishes to go with you then I cannot oversay her wishes. Though I must admit I do not think it is a bad idea."

"Fine, but whatever you do, don't get us killed."

"It is not us I shall be killing." The threat in her words made goose bumps break out over my arms.

I opened the car door and stepped out, shutting it on Normani. She could open the damn door herself. I was pissed. I couldn't help it. I wasn't afraid Normani would get me killed. In truth, if something happened to her I would feel somewhat responsible. I may not have liked her, but I didn't dislike her enough to ask her to take a bullet. Or whatever else might be waiting for us.

The church was two blocks away. I headed for it at a quick stroll, slinking into the shadows along the edge of the sidewalk, disguising myself. I'd had a knack for going unnoticed whenever I wanted to as a child. I used that talent now, moving silently and sticking to the shadows.

The sidewalk circled around the blocks. Hedges decorated the edge of the backyards. Other than the lampposts on every corner, the neighborhood was dimly lit.

A rustling noise in the bushes made me pause for a moment. Where was Normani? I hadn't heard her approaching. Had she decided to remain in the car after all? The bushes rustled again, and my heart pounded. Being on guard often meant being paranoid, but it was better than getting killed. I turned slowly, jumping when a streak of black bolted out of the bush. It moved so swiftly, as if its paws weren't even touching the pavement. The cat stopped under the orange wash of the next street lamp, drawing back its ears.

"Normani?"

Keep your mouth closed, wolf. We do not have all night, remember?

Guess so.

Shift here, she said, her fluffy tail flicking as she darted behind a small circle of trees on the side of someone's lawn. It was dark enough to provide cover. I crossed the street and did what she said without arguing.

As I'd done earlier, I let go of my human body and brought the raven into mind, touching the brim of heated air and pulling it around my body like a cloak. I was getting better control and shifted quicker than any of the other times. The magic swam around me, like an invisible cloud. I was drowning in mist without feeling, then suddenly it was gone.

The black cat loomed in my vision. The fear hit me. My heart gave one huge pound and I flew into the tree overhead, breathing a little too fast.

Camila!
Normani's voice vibrated against my skull.
Control your magic! Do not let it control you!

Magic. That was right. I breathed, allowing my chest to puff up before releasing the breath. The cat was just Normani, I reminded myself, nothing to be afraid of, nothing to pick a fight with.

You did that on purpose,
I said.

Normani gave an evil little chuckle that sounded utterly wrong coming from a feline.

I opened my wings, arching my body, following an invisible current as I dived-bombed her. The cat yowled, flattening itself to the ground as my beak barely missed the top of its furry black head.

Karma.
I projected the thought to her.

I cupped the air beneath my wings, pushed it down, and soared. Normani's irritated voice followed me.

Camila!

Next time you think to try and get one up on me,
I said,
you should remember I'm damn good at revenge.

Normani gave an irritated hiss below me, darting across the street as she followed my flight.

I caught the steeple between my feet and held on. Truthfully, I was afraid of heights. If I thought about it I almost went into a panic, but I was learning to ignore it. Then again, I still wasn't flying that high, which helped. Normani's slinky form darted across the steps leading onto the porch.

How will we get inside?

I pushed off the steeple, bouncing across the scratchy rooftop, and peeked over the edge.

I haven't thought that far.

You should,
said the cat, sitting back on its hind legs,
as I find it highly unlikely that they have a pet door.

Check around back.
I dove off the roof, trying not to panic as my stomach dropped. Normani gave another flick of her tail before slinking into the bushes that surrounded the building. The only windows were made of stained glass. Being more for art than functionality, they were fixed. The only way to get through them would be by breaking them. Though fragile, the noise factor wouldn't work.
I have an idea.

Normani sprinted across the front of the yard.
I cannot see a way to get inside using the back of the church.

I said I have an idea,
I told her again.

Share it, Camila.

You think we're faster than any vampires?

That depends entirely on the vampire. Why?

I started walking back and forth across the branch, gazing at the double doors that led to the main part of the church. There were two boarded-up windows in front of the church.

If I could get one of the vampires to open the door, one of us could slip inside and crack a window.

Brilliant,
she said sarcastically,
and if any vampires happen to spot us? What do you think they will do?

To a bird and a cat? We're insignificant.

They might kill us just for sport,
Normani said,
and one of us would have to shift back to open a window.

Then don't get caught.

You are telling me not to get caught?

You're the one going in when the big bad vamp opens the door,
I told her as I flew onto the porch.
I trust your ability to remain unseen and to stay alive and my ability to play the crazy, confused bird part for all it's worth.

This I cannot wait to see.

I'm a smaller target. There's less chance of them catching me, kitty cat.

If you want to keep your feathers,
do not call me that.

I began tapping on the boarded window in a rhythmic manner. It sounded faintly like Morse code. Tap-tap-tap. Tap-tap. I waited a second, listening. Tap-tap-tap. I still couldn't hear anything on the other side.

TAP-TAP-TAP!

Then it came, the sound of heavy footfalls, of hurried and careless footsteps. I'd never heard a vampire make so much noise. One of the doors creaked open.

TAP-TAP-TA...

I stopped tapping when the vampire walked out.

"What the fuck do you think you're—" He caught sight of me.

"Kra?"
I cocked my head to the side. The male was young, with long wheat-colored hair that fell in a braid. He was wearing a blue shirt with a pair of torn jean shorts. I never understood wearing a long-sleeved shirt with shorts.

TAP-TAP-TAP.

"Shoo!" He waved his arms at me.

I opened my beak and let fly a series of clacking and screeching insults, then jumped onto the porch, fanning my wings out and shaking them at the vampire like demented maracas.

"Get the hell out of here!" he said in an angry whisper.

"Kree," I said softly. No.

He lifted his foot and I darted between his legs, catching his bare skin in my beak.

"Kra!" I crooned my victory, ambling out of his reach.

"Stupid bird!" The vampire hissed, fangs dribbling with spittle. Why did some vampires do that when they went all vampiric on someone? The whole slobbery fang thing was so unattractive.

I began making a series of clicking noises, strolling toward the steps.

The vampire got to his feet, grumbling something about tearing out every one of my feathers.

Uh-huh.

I jumped to the second step, taking my sweet-ass time.

Normani?

Hmm?

Get ready to bolt.

Such a shame, this is quite amusing.

Ready? I'm about to really piss him off.

He was moving slowly, like a kid trying to catch a wild animal.

I jumped down to the next step, then the next. He hurried. I stopped and he stopped, trying to be inconspicuous like some horrible cartoon character.

Come on, dip-fangs, make a grab.

The vampire finally lunged at me. I took three quick hops, pushed off the walkway, and launched myself into the air, then dove into the thicket of branches just in time to see him fall on his face.

Nice.
Normani was a sleek black streak as she bolted into the building.

I'm in,
she said.

Good,
I thought,
now let's start taking these fuckers out.

Feeling a little battle lust?

Maybe I am.

We are supposed to wait for the others.

You need to get me inside. Go find a secluded window and let me in, damn it.
I scratched my head against a branch.

The sound of her scoff filled my mind for a brief moment. I'd wait in the tree until she found an unguarded window.

The vampire on the porch was wiping blood off his mouth.

"Pierce your lip?" I crooned softly, cocking my head.

Chapter Thirty-One

The vampire had given up and gone back inside. It seemed like I'd been waiting in the tree for a good twenty minutes when I finally lost my patience.

Normani?

No response. I wobbled across the branch, having to stretch my legs. It was a bitch trying to do nothing. I wasn't used to waiting, probably because I sucked at it.

Normani, don't play games with me.
What's taking so long?

Still nothing, only the soft sounds of the breeze, the hum of a car here and there, and distant noises of kiddies exclaiming, "Trick or Treat!"

This hadn't been a good idea. They shouldn't have come with me. It was too risky. Oh, I understood some of the reasoning behind Lauren's determination to be present and to take care of the Count herself. If she didn't, she'd only appear weak in front of the vampires in her keep.

A barely audible trilling meow came from the ground below. Normani stared at me with those wide amethyst eyes. Even in her animal form they were strange and inhuman, not quite animal.

Finally!

I found a way in, but I do not think going back is a good idea.

Why?

We are badly outnumbered and they would notice us slipping through the back.

By how much?

A dozen.
Her feline head tilted to the side, ears swiveling as if she was listening to something I couldn't hear.

And?
I was irritated. Why did she have to draw everything out? Couldn't she just tell me?

The two children you were looking for...I may have found them. What do they look like?

I turned my head, getting a better view of the black, shadowy figure on the ground while Normani scratched the back of her front leg with her hind leg. The gesture was amusing. She played the cat very well.

Short brown hair, tan skin, dark eyes.
That's what Jacob looks like. I saw a few pictures of Beatrice at her parents' home. She has shoulder length blond hair and blue eyes.

There's more than one of those.

What?

Camila, we need to leave.

Her ears flattened against the back of her head as she turned to look toward the church.

Normani, tell me what's going on. What do you mean there's more than one of those?

Please, Goddess, don't say it. I had one of those moments when you don't want to know, you don't want to hear the evil truth, because you already have a pretty damn good idea what it is, but you have to know, you have to face the reality of that truth.

You know what I mean.
We must go. Now!

I didn't have time to form a response. Normani was like a blink in the darkness. One moment she was there, the next she had disappeared. I had no idea where the fuck she'd gone.

The two double doors to the church were suddenly flung open, as if they'd heard her command. The same vampire I'd pissed off emerged, followed by three other vamps.

"It wasn't normal," he said. "That bird was seriously fucking with my head. It wasn't just a bird. I know it wasn't."

"You're so full of shit," an accented female voice said. "What the hell was a bloody birdie gonna do to you? It was just a bird! And as you can see, it's gone." She motioned toward the yard.

I tilted my head again, trying to get a better view. She was shorter than the male vamps that surrounded her. One of the others stepped forward, running a hand through his long black hair. "She's right. I don't see a bird."

"I swear a bird was out here, a big black annoying bird. I'm not lying. Why would I lie?"

"I don't doubt you saw a bird," the woman said. "I doubt the bird was more than a bird."

The vamp with the long dirty blond hair that had tried to kill me began to fidget. "I'm telling the truth. It tapped on the window. I came out. It started baiting me. It didn't act like a normal bird. Normal birds don't walk right between your legs!" He motioned at the part of his leg I had sliced up, but the wound had already healed. He was a vampire, after all.

"Maddox." The vampire with black hair said his name like a command. The vampire that had been standing apart from the group came forward, bowing from the neck up. "M'lord, what have you?" His tone was rather unfriendly and sarcastic, as if he didn't like the other vamp. His name somehow suited him. He was built, more built than any vampire I'd ever seen. His salt-and-pepper hair was cut short, almost to the scalp. The black shirt he wore looked like it struggled not to rip against the bulk of his muscles. The way he held himself made me think he was an older vampire. I couldn't exactly pinpoint it, but I got a strong sense his resentment had to do with being bossed around by the newbies. I'd be pissy too.

The vampire with long black hair wrapped an arm around the woman's waist. She was wearing a bright red dress that clashed with the red fall of her hair. The dress was strappy and slinky, swaying any time she moved even the slightest, giving an illusion of Hollywood glamour. Goth boy was wearing a red-and-black zoot suit. Most vampires had a taste for fashion, but some of those tastes were a bit eccentric. The outfits alone might've worked, but together they looked cheesy.

"Sorry, Brody, there's no birdie," she said to the younger man.

Goth boy turned to Maddox, who stood waiting for his orders with more patience and reserve than I would've been able to muster in his situation. "See to it Brody does not speak of this. If Master hears his insanity about birds he's liable to kill him just for a laugh."

"It is done," Maddox said. "Come, Brody. Will you be quiet or must I give you another lesson on the power of silence?"

Brody looked scared shitless. I didn't have to smell it. It was written across his features. He bowed his head, his hair falling like a silken curtain to hide his features.

"I'll shut up. But I know what I saw."

"Just cram something in your mouth," the woman said.

"Come, children," Goth boy said cryptically. "The night is young." At his command, they went back inside the church. Maddox turned, looking out over the yard. He wasn't a fool. The others might be, but not ol' Maddox. With a bang, he shut the two doors.

Well, that was certainly interesting.

Are you quite done?
I jumped at the sound of Normani's voice. She slipped out from beneath the cover of bushes near the porch.

Yeah, I didn't know you were still here.

I couldn't leave you alone.

I didn't intend to do anything stupid. Just eavesdropping.

If they had noticed you they might've killed you.
She headed for the corner of the street.

I swooped from my perch, following her to the parked car. She was right. I would've been in deep shit had I been spotted, at least where Brody was concerned. Was he beginning to feel a little mentally unstable?

I did learn one thing,
I told her, trying to fly at the same pace she was walking.

What did you learn? How to hide in a tree?

Besides that.
Brody is the weakest of the vampires on the porch. Goth boy is arrogant, full of himself and his abilities. The woman is so in love with Goth boy that if he said jump, she'd ask how high, and Maddox is not one to fuck with. He means business.

Terrific, that gets us where?

You really aren't very good at this, are you, Normani?
I flew ahead of her, glancing back.
It tells us where to drive the sword. If we seek information, Brody is our best bet. He's afraid of Maddox, and I'm pretty sure Maddox is the vamp that does the devil's work.

I thought you did not believe in the devil?

I don't.
It's a figure of speech.

The black Tiburon came into view. Shawn was standing outside, propped against the Mustang. I landed on the hood of his car. If I could've communicated with him, I would've told him his ass should've been sitting in the car. As it was, I did my best to give him a scolding look.

"What?"

I shook my head. Why bother? It's not like he'd understand me anyway.

Normani was suddenly walking toward us, boots silent on the concrete. "You should have stayed in the car." She said exactly what I'd been thinking.

"I'm not the type of guy that just stands around and does nothing," he said, and I couldn't argue with him, not only because I wasn't able to communicate with a human, but because I knew how he felt.

We were hunters. Hunters don't sit around twiddling their thumbs when they have game to catch. I was finding that bad little vampires made for very interesting game.