Demon Moon

she’d been searching through her memories of that night. Painfully, he imagined—she’d been drinking too much to have paid such close attention to those around her.
    And he’d no doubt Caelum—and Chaos—had been her emotional anchor to access those memories.
    “Do you want us to bring him to you?” Paul asked.
    “No,” Colin said. “Watch him, see whom he speaks with. If he leaves, take Varney and follow him.”
    “And if he meets up with Dalkiel?”
    “Run.” Colin saw Paul’s surprise. “If the demon senses you, he’ll kill you. Once you’re secure, contact my phone or SI immediately.”
    Savi continued searching through the faces onscreen. Finally, she shook her head. “I don’t see anyone else I recognize. Does the club keep the security tapes more than a month? Maybe we can track down Mullet Boy that way, get a name.”
    Colin’s teeth clenched. They might have, had he not ordered them erased after two weeks: only enough time to use them in case of an investigation or a crime committed at the club. He’d not been able to hide his absence from the club employees who worked security, but he hadn’t wanted it archived and filed away interminably.
    “No.”
    “It’d be nice to have a name when I hit the computer tomorrow. I can do a lot with a name: find locations they’ve visited, movements, purchases.” She stepped back from the monitors and turned, her coat hem swirling around her ankles. “Do you know Raven’s name?”
    Fia’s mouth quirked into a smile. “It’s really Raven. Raven Thorne. Shall we ask her to join you at your table?”
    Good God. Her parents had essentially birthed her with fangs in her mouth, giving her such a name. Colin glanced at the screen, and shook his head. “No. Invite Epona. I have a proposition for her.”

    Colin was the most accomplished flirt Savi had ever seen. She watched in amazement as, with a few choice compliments, Epona’s and Raven’s expressions transformed from fear as they hesitantly approached the table, to stunned admiration as they took their seats on the low sofa adjacent to Colin and Savi’s, then to easy, slightly girlish enjoyment.
    And though she’d known he’d use this tactic—and why—she’d feared jealousy would unwittingly rise within her and ruin the evening, leave its insidious ache.
    She needn’t have worried.
    He flirted outrageously, but never indicated his affections lay anywhere but with Savi. Though his eyes shone with interest as he looked at them, when he turned to her to gauge her reaction or seek her response, either they darkened with heated intensity, or his lips curved in a delighted smile he reserved solely for her.
    And she’d guessed where the conversation would eventually lead, but she was surprised by the skill with which he guided them all from a discussion of the tattooed Gaelic knots decorating Raven’s wrists, to their desire to visit Ireland, to pubs and San Francisco nightclubs. And, when a note of disillusionment entered Epona’s voice when she spoke of The Thirst, Colin pounced.
    “I must confess that when I invited you here, it was to discover any secrets my competition has; The Thirst is quite the success.” Colin raised Savi’s hand from her lap, pressed a kiss to the back of it, and stared contemplatively at Epona. Sitting so close must have been torture for him, but he’d kept Savi against his side since they’d sat down. Likely weighing her need for protection against his bloodlust.
    Protection—and appearance—won.
    Epona laughed shortly and shrugged. “I’m only part-time. Barely that. Just Fridays and Saturdays.”
    Raven patted the brunette’s thigh, her black-tipped nails stark against Epona’s white skin. Her own thin legs were tucked underneath her on the sofa cushions, her high heels lying tumbled on the floor.
    It was a gesture that spoke of a long relationship, and with a familiarity to it—it wasn’t the first time Raven had given her that encouraging caress.
    Difficulty in finding a better position when she could only work evenings? Or did it arise from another complication?
    “Forgive me for prying, but you don’t sound as if you’re satisfied with your employment. Surely you can do better.”
    Epona’s lips twisted into a hard smile. “Are you offering me a job?”
    “Yes,” Savi said. “If you are looking for something fulltime. We could use more help at the bar, and we prefer to hire within the vampire community.”
    “I applied when you