Circus of the Damned - Laurell K. Hamilton [114]
“You don’t believe Jean-Claude?”
“I wouldn’t believe Jean-Claude if he told me moonlight was silver.”
Richard smiled. “Sorry about the date.”
“Maybe we can try again sometime.”
“I’d like that,” he said.
I opened the door and stood shivering in the cool air. “Whatever happens, Richard, thanks for watching out for me.” I hesitated, then said, “And whatever hold Jean-Claude’s got on you, break it. Get away from him. He’ll get you killed.”
He just nodded. “Good advice.”
“Which you’re not going to take,” I said.
“I would if I could, Anita. Please believe that.”
“What does he have on you, Richard?”
He shook his head. “He ordered me not to tell you.”
“He ordered you not to date me, too.”
He shrugged. “You better get going. You’re going to be late for work.”
I smiled. “Besides, I’m freezing my butt off.”
He smiled. “You do have a way with words.”
“I spend too much time hanging around with cops.”
He put the car in gear. “Have a safe night at work.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He nodded. I closed the door. Richard didn’t seem to want to talk about what Jean-Claude had on him. Well, no rule said we had to play honesty on the first date. Besides, he was right. I was going to be late for work.
I tapped on Larry’s window. “I’ve got to change, then I’ll be right back down.”
“Who was that dropping you off?”
“A date.” I left it at that. It was a much easier explanation than the truth. Besides, it was almost true.
44
THIS IS THE ONLY night of the year that Bert allows us to wear black to work. He thinks the color is too harsh for normal business hours. I had on black jeans and a Halloween sweater with huge grinning jack o’ lanterns in a stomach-high line. I topped it off with a black zipper sweatshirt and black Nikes. Even my shoulder holster and the Browning matched. I had my backup gun in an inner pants holster. I also had two extra clips in my sport bag. I had replaced the knife I’d had to leave in the cave. There was a derringer in my jacket pocket and two extra knives, one down the spine, the other in an ankle holster. Don’t laugh. I left the shotgun home.
If Jean-Claude found out I’d betrayed him, he’d kill me. Would I know when he died? Would I feel it? Something told me that I would.
I took the card that Karl Inger had given me and called the number. If it had to be done, it best be done quickly.
“Hello?”
“Is this Karl Inger?”
“Yes, it is. Who is this?”
“It’s Anita Blake. I need to speak with Oliver.”
“Have you decided to give us the Master of the City?”
“Yes.”
“If you’ll hold for a moment, I’ll fetch Mr. Oliver.” He laid the receiver down. I heard him walking away until there was nothing but silence on the phone. Better than Muzak.
Footsteps coming back, then: “Hello, Ms. Blake, so good of you to call.”
I swallowed, and it hurt. “The Master of the City is Jean-Claude.”
“I had discounted him. He isn’t very powerful.”
“He hides his powers. Trust me, he’s a lot more than he seems.”
“Why the change of heart, Ms. Blake?”
“He gave me the third mark. I want free of him.”
“Ms. Blake, to be bound thrice to a vampire, and then have that vampire die, can be quite a shock to the system. It could kill you.”
“I want free of him, Mr. Oliver.”
“Even if you die?” he said.
“Even if I die.”
“I would have liked to have met you under different circumstances, Anita Blake. You are a remarkable person.”
“No, I’ve just seen too much. I won’t let him have me.”
“I will not fail you, Ms. Blake. I will see him dead.”
“If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t have told you.”
“I appreciate your confidence.”
“One other thing you should know. The lamia tried to betray you today. She’s in league with another master named Alejandro.”
“Really?” His voice sounded amused. “What did he offer her?”
“Her freedom.”
“Yes, that would tempt Melanie. I keep her on such a short rein.”
“She’s been trying to breed. Did you know that?”
“What do you mean?”
I told him about the