How had Triton known about the danger?
Though he was still shaken when the cops finally left, Jo-Jo stirred himself to leave when Saber offered him a ride.
“I hate to ask this, Princess, but can you still pick up Vince’s contract?”
“I’ll do it,” I assured him.
“Thank you, Graciousness. Oh, and I’m giving you two last lessons on Thursday and Friday after your tours.”
I sighed. “Jo-Jo, there’s no need.”
“I beg to differ, Highness. If you could have truly flown tonight, you might have caught the shooter.”
That thought made me shiver to my toes.
“He’s right, Cesca.”
“Guys, we can’t practice outside without being targets.”
“We can if whoever it was doesn’t know where to find us,” Jo-Jo said. “There’s a little neighborhood park near the comedy club. No one will expect us to be there.”
Saber nodded. “We’ll meet you there. Cesca, what time are your next two tours?”
“Both at nine.”
“Then we’ll meet Jo-Jo at eleven. You’ll practice for an hour, maybe less, and we’ll get out of there.”
He enfolded me in his arms and kissed me on the cheek.
“And, if you can find that damned cat who’s supposed to be protecting you, tell her I want her on patrol. Both nights.”
“Aren’t you coming back after you take Jo-Jo to the motel?”
Mouth tight, he shook his head. “First, I’m dropping in on Ike and company. Then I’m going home to check the online GPS
readouts of every vamp in my territory.”
“Why?”
“Because no one but a ninja or a vampire could’ve gotten out of that tree without detection.”
He didn’t have to tell me it wasn’t a ninja.
ELEVEN
013
I fought feeling abandoned when Saber left with Jo-Jo. I knew he had to go, but my heart still pounded two beats too fast, and I couldn’t munch ice fast enough to ease my dry mouth. Mostly, I wished Saber had been there to hold me. Take control, my rational voice said as I crunched another ice cube. Be the affect, not the effect. Stupid voice didn’t know how close it had come to being permanently silenced.
If Triton hadn’t warned me, I could be dead. If I hadn’t listened to the warning, I could be dead. If the shooter’s aim had been better, I could be forever dead.
Wait. Why wasn’t the sniper a better shot? For that matter, why would a vamp use a rifle at all? Vampires didn’t rely on firearms. They killed up close and disgustingly personal.
Which either meant this vamp couldn’t kill me up close or didn’t want to be identified. Damn it all, I hadn’t survived over two centuries in that crummy coffin to be killed by a sneaky sniper. I’d listen to my rational voice and take charge.
To that end, I closed all the drapes, reset the alarm, and even checked the escape hatch in my closet to be sure I hadn’t blocked it with boxes. Nope. The closet system shoe rack swung away at a touch to reveal the escape tunnel behind it. The hatch moved smoothly and silently and sealed completely.
Not that I thought the shooter was hanging around. In fact, Hugh Lister posed more of a threat. Yep, if I tuned in with vampire hearing, I could hear Hugh swearing viciously enough to peel the enamel off his teeth. Selma? She blessed to the heavens and muttered something about a long cruise and her damn vodka.
Since I couldn’t do anything about the Listers, I decided to dial up Triton on the telepathic airwaves. He’d darned well better answer my call.
I went to my desk and plucked the chain and mermaid charm from the tiki mug. Then I quieted and centered myself, the charm in my left hand. This time, the white noise buzz passed quickly into the song of ocean waves, and Triton’s mental door opened a slit.
“How did you know about the sniper?” I whispered.
The cat. Be alert and aware.
“But where is she?”
Triton’s mental door vanished, but Pandora’s thoughts poured in.
Princess Vampire, I am nearby once again.
“Are you all right?”
I am well. You must wear the talisman so I may be fully attuned to you.
“Is that what happened tonight? You couldn’t find me?”
Pandora was silent for so long, I thought she’d cut the connection.
I was diverted by another signal.
“Like what? The mother ship?”
I regretted being snarky when I sensed her confusion. “Never mind. Did you see the shooter?”
I arrived too late. I know only it was a vampire. Triton will try to learn more.
“Peachy, and will one of you please tell me when you get the scoop? Saber would like to catch this guy, you know. Oh, and he wants you to patrol when I practice flying tomorrow night. Can you do it?”
Wear the mermaid, and I shall find you.
“Uh, Pandora. About the charm.”
Silence.
“Pandora?”