The bedroom door opened, and Vlad poked his head out. “Chatter? I heard a few things.”
“Now he’s Mr. Helpful,” Nina muttered.
I looked at Vlad. “Heard about what?”
“Lucy—this little glampire I was hanging with last night—mentioned something about a couple of norms harassing her, asking her if she’d do them a favor.”
“What’s so weird about that?” Nina asked. “Breathers are always asking us for stupid stuff—love potions, to feed on someone.”
Parker looked green.
“But I never do,” Nina continued.
“They were asking her about the demons at Dirt, and then they wanted to know about the Sword of Bethesda. If she knew where to find it. They were obviously idiots.”
“Why is that?” Parker asked.
Vlad snorted. “Because they couldn’t even tell a real vampire from a glampire. Lucy didn’t know anything.”
Nina slapped her hand on the table. “Wait, let me get this straight. Vlad Count Chocula, Mr. Vampire Empowerment, was hanging out with a breather? If you’re so pro-vamp, why the heck would you be wasting your time with a breather?” She held up a placating palm to Parker and me. “No offense. Isn’t that against, like, your bylaws?”
Vlad steepled his fingers, his porcelain face remaining unchanged. “The weak-willed breathers are used to doing our bidding. They will be properly compensated when their services are no longer needed.”
“You have bidding?” Nina asked, incredulous. “What the hell kind of bidding do you have, Louis, seriously?”
I blanched. “Compensated? Like, changed?”
Nina’s face was fierce. “Oh no. No one is getting compensated that way. No one is getting bitten.”
Vlad raised a single eyebrow. “Perhaps you think she would prefer a puppy?”
“What is it with you two and baby animals?” I shouted. “No kittens, no puppies, and no turning humans into vampires, capisce?”
Nina went back to reading her paper, but I could see the smile playing on her lips. “She’s tough, Vlad. I’d do what she says.”
“What’s the Sword of Bethesda?” Parker asked.
Nina shrugged. “Don’t know, never heard of it.”
“Don’t you know anything? The Sword of Bethesda is a charmed sword,” Vlad said.
“Great,” Nina said, bored. “And why would I want a charmed sword?”
I gulped. “Maybe to gauge someone’s eyeballs out?”
“Or slit their throat?” Parker asked.
Nina looked pained.
“I didn’t mean you would use it to gouge someone’s eyeballs out.” I looked from Nina to Parker. “I’m just thinking maybe that’s what it would be used for.”
Parker shook his head. “When did these guys talk to your friend?”
Vlad shrugged. “Dunno. A couple of days ago, I guess. You can ask Lucy yourself. We’re going out tonight.”
“Thanks, Vlad.”
Vlad slammed the bedroom door. I glanced at Nina, then at Parker, and my eyebrows shot up. “Hey, what if we go to Dirt? I mean Parker and me. You know, like, undercover?”
Nina and Parker looked at me, both their expressions set on “Are you crazy?”
“Just listen. We could slide in, just for a night, and listen to what everyone is saying. Maybe we could get some clues or ask around. I certainly wouldn’t mistake a fanpire for the real thing. Maybe I could find out more about this sword, who’s looking for it—or who’s got it.”
Parker looked at Nina. “Why don’t we just send Nina in?”
Nina crossed her arms. “Why don’t we not?”
I laid my palms flat on the table and knitted my brows. “Come on, Parker. This might be the only way to break this case—or at least to help rule out whether or not the killer is human. And Nina—” I worked the puppy-dog eyes on her. “This could be our only chance to find Sampson. Someone has to know where he is, has to have heard something. A werewolf doesn’t just disappear into thin air.”
“That’s true,” Vlad called from behind his closed door. “That one’s impossible. Dell goblins can, but they’re pretty much the only ones.”
Parker blew out a resigned sigh while Nina looked contemplative.
“Okay,” Nina said finally, licking her lips. “Tonight’s a good night for visiting anyway. Vlad’s going to be there with Lucy, and who knows, you two might like it. Heartstrings are playing and they are fantastic. The keyboardist used to feed on Mozart.”
Parker went pale.
“Okay, great.” I forced an excited smile. “What time do we leave?”
“Wow,” Nina said as we drove to the UDA office that morning, “you’re glowing.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Woke up with Coptastic, have a hot date tonight … I can practically hear the blood coursing through your veins. You’re all atwitter.”
I frowned. “I’d appreciate you not listening to my innards; it really freaks me out. And it’s not a date. It’s undercover work.”
“And this morning?” Nina wanted to know.