I stiffened as she breathed in deeply, shifting her shoulders back as she tasted my unease, something Nina probably wasnt skilled enough to read on the air currents. The slight grimace as she looked down at her clothes made me wonder if she was uncomfortable with being in a skirt, or because of the cheap fabric. Her confidence before had been within herself. Now it was the assurance that she could do anything she wanted and no one would think twice. From the door, Wayde whistled, his arms loose at his sides.
Youve never seen this before? I asked, and he shook his head. I watched Nina look over the room, placing herself, hearing things I could only guess at, sensing things Id seen on the way in. I once saw Piscary take over Kisten, I said softly. Ivy hated it when Piscary took her over.
Across from me, Nina smiled. She enjoyed it, she said, her voice sounding deeper, richer, more sophisticated. Dont doubt that.
Realizing I had crossed my knees submissively, I put my feet square on the floor and leaned back in my chair as if relaxedbut I wasnt. This was eerie, seeing a man in a womans body, and I was sure the undead vamp was a man. Someones phone was vibrating, probably mine, and I ignored it.
Nina stood, gracefully catching her balance and frowning down at the scuffed heels she was wearing. Her hand came out to me in invitation, and I cursed myself when I found my hand rising to hers against my will, shivering as she breathed deeply over it, sensing what he/she was doing to me. Its good to see you again, Ms. Morgan, she said slyly, and I reclaimed my hand before she tried to kiss it. God, I hated dealing with the old ones.
I glanced at Wayde, standing stiffly by the door. You were the driver in San Francisco, I guessed, remembering that the driver had been channeling an undead vamp of some importance, eavesdropping on coven business as he drove me out to take care of someone they couldnt.
Smiling to hide her teeth, Nina inclined her head, looking devilish and seductive both as she took up a slightly wide-footed stance. It was really weird. This was not the flustered vampire who had been here when I walked in. And it wasnt what Nina would become when she died her first death. It was someone else entirely, someone old.
I dont like not knowing who Im talking with, I said, trying for annoyed but hearing it come out as petulant.
Today I look like Nina, she said, settling back in her chair and grimacing at the dirty corners of the office and the lack of a window. You may call me that.
Who are you? I said more firmly, and she just smiled, steepling her fingers.
Someone who can help you, she said, and I rolled my eyes as Wayde coughed. From my bag on the floor, a tiny ping told me someone had left a voice mail. If youre willing to make an effort, that is, Nina continued, ignoring Wayde. We failed in recognizing you. We let you slip from us. Youve done well, but you could do even betterwith a little . . . structure.
Im not coming back to Inderland Security, I interrupted, flushing. Crap, if thats what this was about, I might be in trouble. Saying no to them could shorten your life span. But all Nina did was send her pupil-black gaze to a paper on her desk. It was a copy of my license. Under it was a blank registration form. I sighed, remembering the world we lived in. Damn it, my phone was ringing again, too, but anyone important like Ivy or Jenks would know to call Wayde.
I might work a job for you, though, I added grudgingly. Still Nina said nothing, her black eyes making me fidget. If the dead vampire had really been here, he could have tempted me into anything, but Nina was a young, forgotten vampire, and she didnt have the right hormones turned on for the vampire she was channeling to use. Yet.
What is the job? I prompted, wanting to get out of here before I asked to have her baby.
The light in her eyes speaking of a possessive strength, Nina smiled, showing enough teeth to make me stifle a shiver. Right to the point, she said as if it pleased her, and I stared when she tried to put a foot on one knee, checking her motion at the last moment when her skirt caught. She reclined instead to look even more masculine, more in control, not caring that she was showing a healthy portion of leg. You do know the only reason I didnt notice you was because Piscary saw you first?
Piscary was dead now, but I liked this even less. What do you want?
Nina tilted her head, dangerously suave as she eyed me from under her thick eyelashes. Ivy had given me that look before, and I stifled a flash of libido, knowing it was coming from the pheromones Nina was kicking out.
I want you and Ivy Tamwood to help us find a group of Inderlanders committing demonlike crimes in and around the Cincinnati area. We have three sites to look at.
I sat up, shocked. Three! How long has this been going on? Thered been nothing in the papers, but then, if the I.S. didnt want it in the news, it wouldnt be.
Several weeks, Nina said in regret, her gaze falling from mine for the first time, which would be evident once you looked at the data, so listen as I tell you what you wont find there.