He drew a box around a large area.

"Only you and Czerno can put up one of those types of shields," Dusty muttered to Damian.

"And it's not mine," Damian responded. "Any cell phone intercepts on why he's in town?"

"The local intelligence collection team is having a problem tracking his vamps. We think they're using disposable cells. As soon as we get a number, it goes inoperable."

"But we know he's here," Dusty said.

"Yeah, pretty sure. This area is ten square miles, though. Unless we know where to look, we won't find where his base is."

"It can't be a coincidence he's here, a few miles from you," Dusty said, turning to Damian.

Damian nodded. He suspected Czerno's Watcher allies tipped him off.

"The vamps we've captured for interrogation have a new technique. They've been killing themselves with cyanide pills," Rainy added.

"What happened in Europe is happening here," Damian said, meeting Dusty's gaze. "Antoine probably wasn't the main threat in Europe."

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Dusty studied him, an odd look crossing his face. Damian waited expectantly, but Dusty shook his head.

"It's probably nothing," Dusty said. "I'll check the records to see which Guardians rotated here from Europe from the past year."

"After the Quarterly, we'll pack up and clean up," Damian said. "Hopefully, Sofi can tell us who's on Czerno's payroll."

"I hope so," Dusty replied. "Rainy, can your Natural trace anything at all within the square?"

"Nope, though I've only let her past the barrier once. Not sure what traps Czerno might have set."

Dusty gave Damian a cool look, and he heard the unspoken warning about women being the downfall of mankind. He smiled.

"Send the UAVs over the area," Dusty said. "We'll see what we can see."

"Got it," Rainy said, turning to face them. "I need more people, boss, or a Traveler at least."

"I've got several incoming," Dusty replied. "Damian, Travelers?"

"None have survived recruitment," he said grimly. "We had three in the last class, more than we've seen in a few hundred years. All three were gunned down. Jule's short, too. We can pull in a Natural from Latin America. He's the closest."

"Hector?"

"Yeah."

"I'll contact his station chief," Dusty said, pulling out his phone. "Whoever is taking out the recruits knows who to hit first."

"They do indeed," Damian agreed.

"Call me if you need a Traveler in the meantime, Rainy," Dusty directed. "I'll make myself available."

"Thanks, boss," Rainy said. "You have a new Natural, ikir?"

"I do," Damian answered.

"If she's flipping out, you can call Lon's wife, Linda. Traci hasn't adjusted yet, and Linda's been a big help."




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