This was doing nothing to bolster my already low opinion of the undead vampires, the masters who manipulated everyone and everything in their decades-long games. Once they noticed you, the only way to avoid being a victim was to die and become a player yourself.
But not Ivy, I thought as I emerged from the alley and she angled toward me. I wouldnt let that happen to her. Unfortunately, the harder you squirmed, the more they squeezed.
Ivys pace hid a thread of tension I never wouldve noticed if I hadnt been sharing living space with her for the past three years. Sleek in her black slacks and top, she strode forward with her arms free and swinging. Her long black hair was up in a hard-to-grab bun, and even from here I could see the rims of brown around her eyes were nice and steady. She jumped at the distant sound of a door closing two streets over, though. Shed noticed something was off, too.
Her shoulders eased as she fell in beside me, and we took the steps up to the front common door together. Lukes car is still in the lot, she said as I pulled the door open and we walked into the foyer of the old apartment building as if we belonged. By the smell of it, its not been run for two days.
So hes doing what hes been told and is still alive. I glanced up at the camera. Jenks had been through the common areas, and according to him, they were fake. The scuffed tile floor was dirty in the corners, and I leaned against the stairway as Ivy leafed through Marshas mail, pulling out everything she might want before putting the rest back in.
They wont let one of them die without killing the other, Ivy said as she made keep and toss piles. Otherwise the dead will claim the living as his or her scion.
Which wouldnt do at all, I thought, looking up the dimly lit stairwell. It reminded me a little of my first place. I dont like this.
A rare smile came over Ivy, and the letter box snapped shut with a click. You worry too much. These two arent that important.
My eyebrows rose. Despite my comments, Marsha was gorgeous. It would be hard for a master to let that much beauty go. Worry? I only worry about you. I dont like this run.
Ivy handed me Marshas mail, and I tucked it in my bag. You just dont like the undead, she said, and I pulled my splat gun out and checked the hopper.
Golly, I cant imagine why.
Making a soft sound of agreement, Ivy started up the stairs. I knew she wasnt interested in the mail, but it had given us a chance to stand at the foot of the stairs while she breathed the air and decided if anyone was waiting for us on the way upJenkss assurance or not. Relax, she said as I fell into place behind her. They agreed to not see each other. We go in, get her stuff, get out. End of story.
Then why did you ask me to come with you? I said, rounding the first landing.
Not looking back, she whispered, Because I dont trust them.
Me either. The door downstairs clicked open, and I spun. My hold on the ley line zinged through me, but it was just Jenks and Marsha. I put a finger to my lips, and she closed the door behind her to seal out the shush of cars. Even three stories up, I could see a new, healthy fear in her. Maybe Jenks had talked to her.
The pixys wings softly hummed as he rose straight up in less than a second. Were clear, he said, the silver dust slipping from him making a temporary sunbeam on my shoulder.
Clear, sure, but he couldnt detect charms unless they were active. Keep her in the hall till I say, I asked. And let me know if anyone pulls up.
Jenks nodded, dropping down to where Marsha was trying to creep up the stairs without her heels clicking. Ivy was waiting for me at the end of the hall, and I closed the gap quickly, eyeing the new detector charms on my bracelet. It had been a pain in the ass to make them that small, but if they were on my bracelet, I could watch them and point my gun at the same time. The wooden apple detected lethal spells, and the copper clover would glow in the presence of a strong charm. The two were not always synonymous.
Ivy was starting to smell really good, a mix of vampire incense and leather. I tried to ignore it as I gripped my splat gun tighter, amulets clinking. Marshas front door had a corkboard for leaving notes, decorated with flowers and a smiley face with fangs. I could hear the womans heels scrape on the stairwell, and I grimaced. It was noon, a time when most day walkers would be at work and the night walkers safely undergroundbut there were ways around that.
The amulets were a nice steady green and I nodded, splat gun level as I crouched opposite the doors hinges. Ivy worked the key and pushed it open to stand in the opening. Jenks flew in, confident that his first look was sufficient, but I listened as Ivy tasted the air, running it through her incredibly complex brain. Hi, honey. Im home, she said, and I followed her in.
I had to walk right through Ivys scent, and even with my breath held, I shivered at the touch of pheromones she was kicking outwafting over my skin like the memory of black silk. Though still sharing our investigation firms letterhead, shed been pulling away from me the last six months or so. I had a good idea why, and though I was happy for her, I missed working with her on a more daily basis.