"The child is dangerous most of the time, but I have recently learned that his power is diminished. If you can arrange to take him before his power returns, you might command it instead of the pretender, Matt Michaels."
"Where did these photographs come from?" Curtis held up the two photographs he'd discussed with Arthur Vaine.
"An acquaintance, who owed me a favor," Wildrif dismissed the photographs with a wave. "He is no longer alive—William Winkler and the boy saw to that."
"That's too bad," Curtis muttered. "Look, how about I set up an account for you and deposit what Tanner was scheduled to get, then hand you some cash and find a place for you to stay? You can clean up there and I'll have my associate, Mr. Calhoun, get shoes and clothes. Just give him your sizes and he'll take care of it."
"I'd appreciate that," Wildrif nodded, his colorless hair floating about his head.
"Calhoun, make sure he has a new cell phone, too," Curtis waved his assistant away.
* * *
"How long? Your best guess, Rabis?"
"I see your power returning in two days, my Queen." Rabis bowed to Friesianna so she wouldn't see his eyes. He was giving her truth, he merely refused to let her see what else he knew—that she would contact Baltis the moment she held enough power to do so. After that, who knew what might come? Everything was becoming unsettled with those surrounding the boy, too, and Rabis was more worried than ever.
"Where is Parlethis? I wish for him to attend me," Friesianna snapped as Rabis straightened.
"I will find him for you immediately." Rabis bowed again and left Friesianna in her tent.
* * *
"Climb up the conventional way?" Winkler settled beside Ashe on the roof of the Evans home.
"Ladder," Ashe nodded.
"Heard your dad is on his way home. Know anything more about that?"
"No. I was hoping Nathan would have more when he was up and around, but he didn't stop at the house."
"You think your dad knows about your mother's near miss and sudden memory restoration?"
"No idea. I can't really explain the memories returning, either. One minute she doesn't recognize me, the next, everything's like it was." Ashe considered telling Winkler about the visit from Griffin and the note he'd found in a book, but held off. There was enough trouble, without letting Winkler know about impending god wars. Absently, Ashe rubbed the medallions around his arm. How could he unlock their secret, when he'd lost that ability?
"Did you catch up with Shirley Walker's werewolf nurse?" Ashe asked instead.
"Yeah. He's in a lot of trouble. Said Zeke's wolves were holding his wife hostage and said they'd kill her if he didn't do what they asked, which was to give you a big dose of an opiate painkiller."
"What will happen to him?"
"The Grand Master left that with Shirley, so I don't have an answer."
"He should have told you and the Grand Master. Before he gave me that crap, I could have done something about his wife."
"After you woke up."
"I would have."
"Yeah. Water under the bridge, kid. Water under the bridge. How's the gunshot wound?"
"Not bad." Ashe pulled back his right sleeve to let Winkler see for himself. "Almost closed."
"Impressive. Have you healed that fast, before?"
"Don't think so. Last time I was shot, it took a lot longer."
"At least something's going right."
"I guess. And Dad's coming home. I don't know what's gonna happen with all the extra vampires."
"Hector and Edmond have been recalled by the Council." Nathan lifted himself onto the roof and came to sit next to Ashe. "I have heard from Aedan. I did not inform him that Adele seems to have lost whatever it was that separated her from him. Perhaps it will surprise them both."
"I hope it's a good surprise," Ashe muttered.
"Ashe, Aedan did not mean to treat you so harshly. I believe he thought to protect you. I don't have a reason for the Honored One's reversal in this, but I am inclined not to inquire. I do know that Wlodek always keeps his word, and Aedan says he has been released from his service to the Council for at least fifty more years."
"Good," Ashe bumped his forehead against his knees.
"Casimir is staying in Star Cove?" Winkler asked Nathan.
"Yes. He will help us guard the community."
"Good. I'll feel better, knowing there are three of you. I don't know about anybody else, but this thing with Dawn Smith and Wildrif has me worried."
"Yeah. It's not a good thing, either," Ashe mumbled against his knees.
* * *
Dawn fought off the urge to call Randy. She hadn't left a note, either. Perhaps it would keep him out of trouble with Marcus and the Grand Master. She'd dumped her cell and bought a temporary replacement so she couldn't be traced. Cursing Zeke Tanner for perhaps the hundredth time, she drove toward St. Louis, on her way to Chicago. If she were to be executed for murder, she'd like for one of the murders to be profitable to her. To Randy, too, if he'd only see the sense in it, someday.
* * *
"All three have criminal records," Matt informed Winkler over the phone. "We ran fingerprints through the database, and got positive IDs on all of them. I'd bet money they didn't have ties to Tanner, though. Their crimes were committed back east, mostly in New York and New Jersey."
"You were their target, that's easy enough to see," Winkler said. "They intended to take you down. They got Andy, instead."
"There's no reason for me to be on their radar—unless somebody sent them in my direction," Matt observed.
"I think that's exactly what happened."
"I'm beginning to agree with you. How's the kid?"
"Still impaired."
"Not good. Tanner somehow knew exactly what to do to take him out of the game."
"Wildrif knew. I'd bet a lot on it."
"You're right. You think he's playing all the pieces against each other?"
"I do."
"How much are they paying him?"
"No idea. Bear in mind, though, that he didn't look wealthy to me when we picked him up with Obediah's bunch."
"True. Is he not spending the money, or is he being compensated in another way?" Matt asked.
"Something to think about," Winkler muttered. "I've got mine working on the Smith woman, hoping we'll get a hit on her credit cards."
"I've got her tag number and vehicle description distributed, but it varies, state-to-state, how actively they search for that," Matt said. "It's probably safe to say she's left the state of Texas."