Biting Cold: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel (CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES SERIES)

but I wanted to keep our people safe.
    “I don’t approve of this plan.”
    “Your disapproval is noted. But you know there’s no better way.”
    His lip curled in distaste, but finally he nodded. “And you’re sure Jonah is trustworthy?”
    I found him trustworthy, but by Ethan’s estimation? Probably not, especially since he was a member of the RG.
    “He is. He was a great help when Mallory was trying to destroy the city. Malik and Catcher can testify to that.”
    Ethan tilted his head and watched me for a moment. “Is he in love with you?”
    My cheeks turned flame hot. I wouldn’t call it love, but Jonah had definitely professed interest. He’d gotten as far as a kiss before backing off. But perhaps, given our current situation, that wasn’t information Ethan needed to know . . .
    “I’m not sure,” I said. “And as long as our relationship is on halt, I’m not sure it’s any of your business, Liege .”
    Ethan’s jaw tightened, but he still wouldn’t abandon his position, even if the ship was sinking around him. “I see,” he said.
    I nodded. “As long as we’re clear. I’ll update you as soon as I have news.”
    This time, when I left his office, I was smiling a little.
    Jonah, as I suspected, was up for the meet. He also called out a handful of other RG members to take spots in the crowd in case things got completely out of hand, which I fully expected them to.
    Tate and his clone were maybe, possibly, planning to kill four Chicago police officers in a public space populated with attorneys, judges, protestors, and reporters. How could this not get fully out of hand?
    It did make me feel a little better that Ethan was locked safely away in Cadogan House under Luc’s and Malik’s watchful eyes. He’d worry about me from there, but Luc had plenty of Ops Room toys—satellite surveillance, feed from traffic and CCTV cameras, and scanners covering a full range of frequencies. Ethan could keep eyes and ears on us from Hyde Park.
    Jonah met me half a block away from the CPD building, standing on the sidewalk in jeans and an open long wool coat. Easier to hide the sword beneath, I assumed.
    Jonah was tall and lean, with broad shoulders and shoulder-length auburn hair that waved around his face. His mouth was wide, his nose long and straight, his jaw square. He was wearing a little stubble tonight, along with a Midnight High School T-shirt that marked him as a member of the Red Guard . . . at least to other members of the Red Guard.
    His gaze was on the CPD lockup building.
    I looked back at the building—a typical government shop built in white stone to look Greek or Roman, with the spill of steps in front of it. A portico covered the top half of the steps, that half roof held up by the two columns.
    There was a podium about halfway up the steps—the perfect post for a few enterprising criminal defense attorneys to claim a little credit.
    An area had been roped off at the front of the stairs for reporters and photographers. Men with cameras and impressive lenses stood behind it, waiting for the cops and their attorneys to emerge from the building. And on the edges of the knot of reporters stood two groups of protestors. One group protested the cops’ release. Their signs read justice for vampires and keep criminals behind bars! The other group’s signs weren’t nearly so pleasant. They congratulated the cops—and rued they hadn’t managed to wipe us out altogether.
    The steps were already lined by people waiting for the cops to emerge from the building. There were plenty of CPD officers on the perimeters, and I was momentarily nervous they’d ask for the registration papers I didn’t yet have.
    On the other hand, if we were right about what was about to go down, my paperwork would hardly matter.
    “Hey,” Jonah said, glancing at me.
    “Hey.”
    “How’s Ethan?”
    “Alive, so far. I kept him at the House so he’d stay that way.”
    “Good call.” He looked at me with obvious curiosity.
    “What?” I asked.
    Jonah shrugged. “I’m surprised you called. Since he’s back.”
    “I made a promise to the Red Guard,” I said. “I intend to keep it. And my feelings for Ethan aside, the GP’s on my shit list. Now more than ever.”
    Jonah nodded. “Darius came by the House last night. I wasn’t privy to his discussions, but Scott was in a foul mood when he left.”
    That news made my stomach curl. Had Darius confessed to Scott the shofet ’s plan to close down Cadogan