“That’s not what we agreed!” Adam ground out and kicked his brother in the shin. “You said we were gonna play for it. And whoever wins the first game gets that room. You’re such a jerk sometimes.”
“Hey guys, sorry, but you’ll have to share the room out front,” Blake interrupted.
Both boys stared at Blake, their mouths gaping open. “Why?”
“Lilo is staying in the room with the turret.”
Nicholas jumped up. “What? I don’t wanna share with Adam. I need my own room. Can’t your girlfriend stay in your room? It’s not like you have to pretend for us.” The teenager puffed up his chest. “I know about these things.”
Lilo felt heat shoot into her cheeks. They thought she was Blake’s girlfriend? Just like Zane had probably thought so, too. His look had implied as much.
Next to her Blake ground out a low curse. “You’re sharing the room out front. No discussion.” Then he turned to look at her and said more quietly, “I’m sorry about that. They’re just boys. They don’t know any better.”
9
Blake closed the refrigerator and turned back to Nicholas and Adam who were both stuffing their faces with sandwiches. That was one thing about young hybrids: they were constantly eating. Not only human food, but also blood to keep up their vampire strength. It didn’t matter that it was two in the morning.
“And not another remark about Lilo and me. Is that clear?” he said, pinning Nicholas with his eyes.
The boy shrugged and managed to look sheepish. “How was I supposed to know she’s not your girlfriend?”
“That’s exactly the reason why you don’t make assumptions.”
“Is she pissed at us?” Adam interrupted.
Blake smiled at him. “I don’t think so.” Somewhat embarrassed maybe, but not upset. At least that much he’d gathered when he’d shown her to her room in silence. That had been nearly a half hour ago. “Now eat, and then you should go to bed.”
Nicholas protested instantly. “It’s school holidays. We’re allowed to stay up as long as we want.”
Blake tilted his head to the side.
“Honestly!” the fifteen-year-old hybrid insisted. “Even Dad lets us keep vampire hours when there’s no school.”
Adam kicked him under the table. “Shh! You’re not supposed to say vampire when there’s a human in the house.” He lifted his eyes and met Blake’s gaze, looking for approval. “Right, Blake?”
“That’s right, Adam. Your brother should know better.”
Nicholas shrugged, Blake’s scolding sliding off him like oil off a Teflon pan. “So the broad doesn’t know what you are, huh?”
“Broad?” Blake asked, shaking his head in disbelief.
Adam rolled his eyes, looking all grown-up, despite his tender age of thirteen. “Nikki’s been watching those old gangster movies. You know, Al Capone stuff.”
“You’re not supposed to call me Nikki! I’m too old for that.”
“Enough, guys. If you want to stay up, you’ll have to behave. And that means: nobody calls a woman a broad, the word vampire will not come out of either one of your mouths, and there will be no fighting. Do I make myself clear?”
Adam nodded wordlessly, while Nicholas said, “And Adam can’t call me Nikki.”
Blake sighed. There was just no winning an argument with a teenager. “Remind me why I volunteered to watch you two while your parents visit Cain and Faye.”
Adam’s face split into a wide grin. “’Cause you love us and we’re fun to hang out with?”
Blake threw his head back and laughed. “I guess I can’t argue with that. Now go play before I change my mind.”
He rose and was about to clear off the kitchen table when he heard a beep from the kitchen’s security monitor, and the corresponding sound of the front door opening. He glanced at the screen: Eddie was finally here.
He marched out into the hallway to greet his friend and colleague. As always, Eddie was dressed in his biker gear: leather, and more leather. With his sandy-blond hair and deep dimples, he looked like the kid from next door.
“Thanks for coming, Eddie.”
“What can I do?”
Blake ushered him into his office.
“Haven’t had time to unpack, huh?” Eddie asked, pointing at the boxes that were stacked up against one wall.
Blake grinned. “Maybe I’ll get Nicholas and Adam to give me a hand while they’re here.”
Eddie chuckled. “Yeah, good luck with that.” He sauntered to the desk. “Is that the laptop you wanted me to have a crack at?”
“Yes, it belongs to Hannah Bergdorf. Have at it.”
“Do I know her?”
“She works for Vüber and disappeared three days ago.”
Eddie nodded and slunk into the chair behind the desk. He pulled out a small electronic device from his pocket and connected it to the computer, then booted up the machine. While he waited, Eddie asked, “Did you check her last Vüber ride to see if a customer could be involved in her disappearance?”
“Finn sent me the info of her last ride, but I have the feeling that’s a dead end.”
“Why?”
“Her last ride was a Scanguards employee: Roxanne. I left a message for Roxanne to call me, but you know she’s solid. I’d trust her with my life.”
Eddie nodded and started typing on the keyboard. “Same here.” Then he fell silent, focusing on his task.
Blake walked to the window and stared out into the darkness. In five hours, the sun would come up, limiting him in his search for Hannah. While he didn’t need much sleep, he wouldn’t be able to explore every lead during the daytime. He would have to rely on others, mostly hybrids, whom the sun’s rays couldn’t hurt.
Fortunately, Blake’s house was outfitted with several special features, designed by Scanguards’ IT expert Thomas, which made it easier to hide his vampiric nature from Lilo. The windows were treated with special UV-impenetrable coating, making it possible for him to move around unimpeded, without the need for heavy, drawn curtains during the daytime. As long as Nicholas and Adam didn’t trip him up, his secret was safe.
“Hi.”
The quiet female voice made him turn. Lilo stood in the open door to his office, hesitating. He motioned her to approach, and walked toward her. “Come in, Lilo.” He pointed to Eddie. “This is my colleague Eddie.”