Immortals After Dark 03 - No Rest for the Wicked

fifteen points. This task wouldn’t be so much about life-threatening peril but more about logistics. Whoever could arrange to get there first—won.
    Though the destination fell outside the Accord’s network, Kaderin had other resources, and for the first time in a Hie, she was going to ask her coven for help. Just please don’t let Regin answer when I call...
    Kaderin heard helicopters outside, engines humming louder as their bows dipped to surge forward. Strike hard, strike fast. Yes, that one. She rolled the parchment up and dropped down.
    Before she could leave, Riora asked, “You disapprove of my vampire knight?”
    Kaderin faced her. “I’m well aware that you couldn’t care less about my approval. Or my extreme and absolute lack thereof.” Why was Riora studying her so closely? Kaderin flushed under her scrutiny. Riora had always seemed to take an unaccountable interest in Kaderin, but this was intense.
    “You seem different.”
    ’Cause I can freaking feel! “New haircut,” Kaderin mumbled instead. Could Riora sense her new emotions—most particularly, her shame over her attraction to the vampire? Her gaze darted to Sebastian.
    “So, the interest flows both ways, Lady Kaderin? How inconvenient.”
    “Pardon?”
    Riora tilted her head and perused him. He leaned against a wall, staring at Kaderin with his arms crossed over his muscular chest above his injuries. “Of course, if one were to be interested in a vampire, that one you could almost justify.”
    “Riora, I never said I —”
    “I’m merely saying it appears as if some gods blessed my knight in form.”
    Kaderin felt her expression tighten. “Did they bless your knight with a raging appetite for blood?” she snapped, shocking even herself.
    “Watch your tone, Valkyrie.” The flames hissed and swayed. “This isn’t a coffee klatch.” Behind them, Scribe leapt back, swatting when his sleeve caught fire.
    Kaderin ground her teeth, then said, “Yes, Riora.”
    She sighed. “Go.” Her tone gentled. “If you win the race, you can bring back your sisters.”
    Kaderin’s eyes narrowed. “You know about them? I’ve never told you of my loss.”
    “I already knew of you when they were killed.”
    “If you understand how important this is, then would the incandescent Riora like to bestow some tips on the race?”
    Riora gasped, playful once more. “You treat me as if I’m a one-nine-hundred chess helpline. I feel cheapened.” She regarded her nails. “I’ve blinded men for less.” Scribe was again busy behind them, more tentatively dousing the last of the fires, but he paused to nod, as if he’d definitely seen that one happen.
    “I’m sorry. I should have known,” Kaderin said. “Everyone says it’s impossible to get information out of you.”
    “You’d best step lightly, Valkyrie,” she warned, but she was amused. She glided forward to put her arm around Kaderin, startling her. Riora’s touch was warm and soft, as she shepherded her to the side. Then, in a low tone, she said, “Here’s a hint. If you come across the blade of the blind mystic Honorius, know that he charmed it never to miss its target.”
    Before Kaderin could ask her more about this cryptic hint, Riora turned abruptly. “Oh, here comes your vampire. He can’t stand it anymore.”
    Kaderin tried to deny that he was hers, but Riora spoke over her. “Look at him watching you so greedily! And how arrogant his stance! What thrilling hubris—and broad shoulders.” She gave a growl in her throat. “Shall I stall him while you leave? It won’t be a chore.”
    Kaderin pressed her lips in irritation, then felt ridiculous. She couldn’t be jealous over a vampire. “I’d appreciate that. Though I don’t think it possible to stall him for more than a few hours.”
    “Cheeky, Valkyrie,” Riora said, her gaze never wavering from Sebastian. “You have a day.”

    “Vampire,” Riora murmured as Sebastian strode by. “A word with you.”
    He impatiently turned to her but continued glancing at Kaderin as she crossed the length of the temple. She met the werewolf near the arched doorway, and they had a terse exchange.
    “Relax—yes, she’s getting away from you. But then, nothing has changed since five minutes ago, when she never wanted to see you again. So, who carved you up? Was it that naughty red-clawed Lykae presently threatening Kaderin?”
    Sebastian was going to kill him. “We had an altercation,” he said absently, beginning to