Demon Night

trust—”
    “She doesn’t know it was me that saved her.” And Ethan preferred to keep it that way.
    Jake turned in his seat. “You shape-shifted? Are you sure she was convinced by it? You’re the worst—”
    “She didn’t see me clearly.” Only heard him. If he ever had to use the one false shape he could successfully hold, he’d be certain not to talk much. He looked at Lilith. “The way I figure, there’s about seven vampires being held at Legion, and about seven scientists working there under coercion.”
    She nodded and picked up the small pile of files, tossed them at Ethan. He vanished them into his cache the moment they left her fingers. “You’ve been going to Caelum each day, getting your assignments from Michael. I want you in Seattle full-time. I’ll clear it with him. Whatever Legion is doing, finding out what it is needs to take precedence over everything else. Everything but keeping Charlie Newcomb out of the vamps’ hands.”
    “Yes.” It needn’t be said. A Guardian’s first duty was always protecting human life.
    “I’ll be sending Jake up in a day or two as your backup.”
    Surprise lightened Jake’s psychic scent, and he said softly, “Sweet, sweet freedom. You are a goddess, Lilith.”
    Ethan frowned, his brows drawing together as he looked at the novice. A Guardian’s heightened senses left him vulnerable to sensory overload in the first years of his active service. Cloistering the novices at SI had helped with some of the young Guardians’ adjustments, but the Enthrallment still hit them, especially when they left the warehouse.
    “You still Enthralled? You won’t be much good to me outside if you’re spinning.”
    Jake shrugged. “I’ve gone out several times without being overwhelmed.”
    “It doesn’t matter,” Lilith said. “Once he’s there, he’s going to stay in one place. I just want him to act as your base of operations and SI’s contact, if it all goes to shit. Particularly as they know you’re there now.”
    Ethan nodded. “I’m agreeable to the help, but the apartment I’ve got isn’t equipped for that. Does SI have a location?”
    Lilith leaned forward and punched in a number on her phone. “No, but Ramsdell Pharmaceuticals picked up a property when Colin and Savi visited the vampire community a few months back. Knowing Savi, everything Jake could possibly use—and a couple of things he’d never think to use—should be ready to go.” A smile widened her lips when the vampire answered. “Ah, Colin, you gorgeous freak. You aren’t in your daysleep.”
    “Not today, my dear Agent Milton, but I’ve little doubt I’ll soon wish I was. What do you want?”
    “Your house in Seattle.”
    “Dare I ask why?”
    “Drifter needs it.”
    Ethan stepped nearer the desk, uncertain how well the speaker would pick up his voice. “I’m going in after Legion.”
    “McCabe,” Colin said. “Lilith told you about Milliken?”
    “Yes. How is the doctor?”
    “Once she’s stable, I’ll find her a position at Ramsdell. Savi thinks she’ll recuperate faster if she’s busy.” Colin paused. “Don’t bring me any more turned against their will. Savi’s not resting easy.”
    No, Ethan imagined she wasn’t. Seeing a man cut down might have given anyone nightmares, and he supposed that was one of the benefits of not having to sleep. “I don’t aim to.”
    There was a long sigh, and a sound that Ethan thought might have been a swipe of fingers through hair. “Very well, McCabe. But I’ll not be pleased if you bring in a bloody herd of cows and let them chew on the furnishings.”
    Lilith raised her gaze to Ethan’s. “Come now, Colin,” she murmured. “Drifter’s taste in women isn’t that bad.”
    “I daresay his taste is nonexistent. Don’t use your Gift, McCabe. I’m sending the access codes to Lilith. Savi prepared a few surprises for unauthorized entrants, and the system looks for discrepancies.”
    “He warned you, so he must like you,” Lilith mused a moment after the vampire had disconnected. “Did you call him beautiful?”
    A wry smile pulled at Ethan’s mouth. “I believe I said something of that nature when I met him.” Encountering the vampire for the first time had been a bit like being Enthralled; struck by the impossible perfection of Colin’s features, Ethan hadn’t managed his tongue well.
    The effect had eventually faded, and it was easy to find it amusing now—at the time, his involuntary response had