“I get that. I took him out for you. You’re welcome. But Randy, I need that book.”
“It’s Rodney,” Darius said. He traced a fang down the vein in Tamara’s neck. She moaned and slid her hands over his shoulders, trying to pull him in.
Right! Rodney.
“This is getting awkward, Rodney. You should probably do something.” I waited, but he wasn’t breaking. “Might I remind you, Rodney, that Mr.…” Damn it! I couldn’t remember Darius’s last name. The name thing was a huge problem in my line of work. “That Mr. Darius is a vampire. If he bites her, he’ll change her into a vampire. She’ll die. And become a vampire. And then the shifters will kill you all.”
I could barely see Darius shaking his head. I tried to hold back the silent laughter.
Rodney licked his lips. He bounced from foot to foot, not sure what to do.
“Bite her, Darius,” I ordered.
Chapter Sixteen
The whole room paused. I’d been certain the threat would be enough to spur Rodney into action, but no one said a word.
“What the hell is up with you people?” I stepped forward and grabbed Rodney by the throat. His eyes widened in surprise. “You’ll let your wife take a beating, but will you?” I threw him against the wall. “Keeping that book is just asking for someone to come and take it, moron. You are doing the magical world a disservice by not giving it to someone who has the power to keep it safe.”
I advanced on him, grabbed him by the shirt front, and lifted him into the air. His mouth gaped.
“Yeah, I’m strong.” I shook him for effect. “Can you imagine what a punch feels like?”
“It’s in my house. In someplace safe,” Rodney blubbered. “Please don’t hurt me.”
“What do I look like, your slave? Go and get it.” I tossed Rodney toward the archway. He crumpled to the floor like a doll and sobbed. “Good grief, man, it wasn’t that bad. You’re not hurt. Go get the book.” He dragged himself up like a wounded puppy and dramatically limped out of sight.
“This is not at all how I saw this meeting playing out…” I said with a sigh.
“Will he come back?” Darius asked, releasing Tamara.
“Hmm. Go ahead and bite. I’ve always wondered what it feels like.” Tamara reached for Darius.
“And the crazy keeps rolling.” I scratched my nose, willing my frustration to simmer down. “Can you put her outside or something? She’s making me uncomfortable.”
He took a card out of his wallet and handed it to her. “If you would really like to know, call that number. One of my people will get in contact with you.”
“Tamara, we’ve talked about that,” Margaret said disapprovingly. “It’s a dangerous road.”
“It is quite safe, I assure you,” Darius said, directing Tamara out of the room. “Beneficial to all parties.”
“Will you be there?” I heard her ask.
“Decidedly not.” The door closed and he appeared in the room again, looking calm as usual.
“Definitely not how I saw all this going,” I repeated. “One minute, serious questions, talk of torture, and a run-of-mill scare tactics. Next minute, crazy vampire lust from a middle-aged married person looking to get bitten by a walking corpse.”
“That is offensive.” Darius poured himself some more tea.
“Margaret,” I said, drawing her attention my way. “You need to break up this neighborhood. It’s gotten weird, sweetie. The witch next door was clearly insane before he elevated to mage, your neighbor is looking for thrills while her husband stands by, you’re dabbling in spells way above your pay grade…” I touched her arm. “The first step is admitting you have a problem.”
She blinked at me for a moment, her face white. “Please don’t bite me. Or hurt me.”
“Good. A normal response. Thank you.” I went to the window and pulled back the curtain. Rodney was on the sidewalk, and he and Tamara looked to be in an argument. He had something tucked under his arm.
Another light-bulb moment. “Darius, go get that book.” He was out the door in a moment. “Margaret, you need to watch Tamara. I bet she’s looking for a way to power up too. She’ll follow in your neighbor’s footsteps when she realizes getting bitten by vampires doesn’t help.”
“No, she won’t,” Margaret said, setting her cup and saucer aside. “They wouldn’t take her.”
I turned around slowly, pretty sure I had an oh my God! expression. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Darius walking up the stairs with the book. He was moving slowly, studying it. That was probably bad, but right now, this took precedence.
I lightly tapped the window and waved my hand, indicating he should stay out there. I was in friend mode right now, letting her talk. Telling me things I hadn’t known to ask about.
“They have criteria on who they take?” I asked, playing it cool, pretending I knew who they were. Just a couple of girls gossiping, that was what we were.
Darius continued toward the house. He was going to come in anyway, which was probably good, because his memory was better than mine. I just hoped he did it in stealth.
“Yes. John, the…” She swallowed and nodded in the direction of the house next door. “He had the highest level of power in our community. We all have a little spark of natural magic, but he had quite a bit more.”
“Could he get into the Realm?”
She shook her head. “He could see the gate, but it hurt him really bad when he tried to enter. Everyone said he’d die if he went through.”
I nodded, because that was correct. The pain was a warning. Some kept pushing through it. A dead body emerged on the other side.
“I guess he had enough magic for the high mage, though.” Margaret rose and moved toward the door. I was about to throw a question at her to stop her, but before I did, she asked, “Do you want something stronger to drink?”
I released my breath with a laugh. “I sure do. I’ll help you.”
That was code for: I don’t want to let you out of my sight for fear you’ll stop talking.