Lover Beware 04 - Only Human

snapped. "Your captain assured me you didn't suffer from racial prejudices."
    "Sorry, sir." Those pretty black eyes slid from her chief to Rule. "My apologies, Mr. Turner. The old-fashioned term slipped out. Or should I say 'Your Highness'?"
    "My title is used only among the clans and by journalists.
    Strictly speaking, it doesn't translate as prince. That is merely the closest approximation." Her skin was ivory—not the bland pallor of one who avoids the sun, but a dense, saturated color.
    She smelled wonderful, very female, the muskiness of her skin faintly overlaid with soap. No perfume.
    He smiled slowly. He hated perfume. "You may call me Rule. I would like it if you did."
    Delgado cleared his throat. He looked irritated, which Rule understood. This was his territory, and they were ignoring that.
    "Detective Yu," he said firmly, "this is Rule Turner, prince of Clan Nokolai. Mr. Turner, Detective Lily Yu."
    "Mr. Turner," she said with a curt nod.
    That put him in his place, didn't it? His smile widened.

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    Delgado was speaking. "Mr. Turner spoke with the mayor last night. He offered his expertise. Obviously he has an intimate knowledge of lupus culture and, ah, habits. He will cooperate fully with you."
    “Pardon me, sir, but I'm unsure exactly what that means."
    Delgado's eyes flickered to Rule. Knowing the man's discomfort, Rule took the burden of explanation from him. "Ini-tially, at least, it means we must visit the morgue. I need to smell the corpse."

Chapter 3
    LILY LEFT THE chiefs office fifteen minutes later, confused and irritated. Now she knew why the autopsy had been held up, though.
    Maybe Rule Turner could identify the killer from the scent he'd left on his victim's body. Maybe not. She couldn't take his word at face value. People lied. They did it all the time, to protect small hurts or embarrassments as well as for more serious reasons. But if he claimed to identify the killer, that would be information, whether it was true or a lie.
    She had to figure out his goal, what he had to gain by helping them investigate. Lupi weren't exactly civic-minded about cooperating with the police. Of course, Rule Turner was politically active on behalf of his people, something of a spokesman. Not to mention a favorite of the gossip mags.
    He was also a civilian. Lily did not like working with civilians, but she could concede the necessity at times. Her confusion had little to do with her professional irritation.
    Those eyes ... she'd never heard that it was dangerous to look into a werewolf s eyes. But there was a great deal she didn't know about them, wasn't there?
    The man beside her kept pace silently. At least, she sup-Only Human
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    posed that was the right word for him. Could you be a man without being human? Never mind, she told herself, moving briskly. The courts had ruled that lupi had the same rights and obligations as other citizens... when they were in human form.
    His human form was pretty devastating, she admitted silently. Or maybe that was an aspect of his magic, whatever it was that enabled him to turn into a wolf. Or gave him no choice. Legend said that werewolves couldn't avoid the Change at the full moon.
    "You move quickly, Detective," Turner said as they reached the elevator.
    She jabbed the down button. "Habit. People with short legs learn to move fast, or we get left behind."
    "Is that what it is?" He sounded thoughtful. "I thought you were trying to leave me behind. You're not happy with Chief Delgado's instructions. I'm afraid I disturb you."
    "You annoy me," she corrected. "Cocky, arrogant men usually do."
    "Arrogant, perhaps. Cocky is for puppies.”
    "You said it, not me. Where were you last night between ten o'clock and eleven twenty-five?"
    "At a party with about twenty other people. A party at the mayor's house."
    So much for wiping the amusement out of his eyes. "Were you there when the mayor was called? Is that how you heard about the second killing so quickly?"
    "Yes. The mayor asked for my assistance."
    The stupid elevator was taking forever today. She punched the button again. "If you're ready to start acting as an expert consultant, I have some questions."
    "Of course. I hope they're personal." He stroked his hand down her braid. "Lovely. It feels as soft as it looks."
    The shiver that ran up her spine was as distressing as it was instinctive. She stepped away. "None of this is personal, and you need to keep your hands to yourself."
    "I'll try."
    "You'll