Under Suspicion

 

Will and I strolled through the hordes of tourists as we walked away from the bookstore, stopping at an Irish pub on the edge of Geary Street. Will raised his eyebrows and I pushed past him, muttering, “After Harley’s speech, I need a drink. Or maybe a tranquilizer.”

 

It took a moment for my eyes to adjust; but when they did, I felt instantly at home. Not that our home featured posters of half-naked girls hawking beers in the mountains or anything. It’s just that the pub was cozy, with a long, smooth, dark wood bar, mirrors etched with curlycued Guinness slogans, and a worn leather couch set in front of a crackling fire.

 

“I like this place.”

 

Will nodded to the bartender; and before I had a chance to shrug out of my jacket, he had a pint glass in each hand, walking steadily so as not to spill any of the to-the-rim pour. We sat down on the leather couch, and my kneecaps immediately felt toasty from the heat of the fire.

 

“Are you drinking both of those?” I asked.

 

“Not tonight,” Will said, sliding one pint glass toward me. “I’m a gentleman.”

 

I stared at the glass he handed me, the thick black liquid a foamy brown on top. “So you got me motor oil?”

 

“It’s a Guinness. Try it.”

 

I wrinkled my nose, but I took a small sip, anyway. I felt a smile spread across my lips. “Mmm. It tastes chocolaty. I like it.”

 

“So what do you think about this Harley bloke?”

 

“I think he’s a quack and an idiot, and I’m wondering what’s going to happen when he finds out his beloved is a vampire.”

 

Will took a slug from his glass. “You really think he’ll find out before he takes off?”

 

I shrugged. “Probably. I don’t have many more purses.”

 

Will raised his eyebrows and I waved my hand. “Roommate thing, nothing to worry about.”

 

“Hm.”

 

“Hm.”

 

Will and I sat and drank in companionable silence for a few minutes, both of us staring at the fire.

 

“So,” Will said finally, “any word on what happened at the dragon’s place?”

 

“You mean Mrs. Henderson?” I shook my head, taking another sip of my drink. “I told Dixon and he said they had an investigative team look into it, but I think he just said that to shut me up. I don’t know, Will, I just have this feeling. I think Dixon might have something to do with this—with everything.”

 

Will seemed to consider that for a moment. Then he replied, “I’m not doubting you, love, but what would Dixon want with a dead dragon? Or beating up a ... What was she exactly?”

 

“Bettina? Banshee.”

 

Will sat back, looking impressed; I shook my head, worrying my bottom lip. “I don’t know. He’s replacing all the UDA higher-ups with vampires. If he were to take out some of the less desirable clientele, then ...”

 

Will sipped. “Then?”

 

The word hung in the air and I turned it over and over, trying desperately to figure out why Dixon, his toothy brethren, or even VERM would start taking out other demons. Coming up blank, I shrugged, took a heavy slug of my beer. “I have no idea, but that doesn’t mean it’s not possible. Vampires can be zealots. And someone did try to stake me through the heart.” I rubbed the fat bruise that marred my skin.

 

“Why would a vampire try to kill you, Sophie Lawson, human, with a wooden stake?”

 

“It could have been a sign.”

 

“Or coincidental. Or the theory of three.”

 

I cocked a scrutinizing brow. “All bad things happen in groups of three?”

 

Will opened his arms and looked around the half-empty pub. “And yet, nothing bad has happened since we’ve been here, right?”

 

“So we’re out of the woods?”

 

“It’s possible.”

 

I set down my drink and used my index finger to trace the exposed wood grain on the coffee table. “I’m afraid everything that has happened has had a common link.”

 

“That link being you.”

 

I nodded woefully. “Of course. Closing in on me. Killing people around me to let me know they have the power. Its practically textbook. I mean, you’re my Guardian. You should know. Doesn’t the Vessel always draw”—I dropped my voice, my eyes darting around the room—“unrest? And what about it being a fallen angel? Alex said that once Ophelia was ...”

 

I still had a hard time saying “once Ophelia was dead”—both because I was the reason she was dead and technically (however technical demon blood lines went at least), she was my half sister. For a while there, she was the only family I had.

 

Unfortunately, she spent our entire sisterly relationship trying to kill me.

 

I swallowed hard. “He said even after Ophelia, it wouldn’t be over. Another fallen angel would just come and take her place.”