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To his credit, Trevisani had the grace to look eaffe Obviously, a vampire hadn’t killed the doorman That didn’t ood detective was both sh not to be cowed by his initial"But you own the top two floors of this building"

"I do"

"Andin the city this week"

Well, that was interesting, Aden thought The Vampire Council didn’t exactly maintain secrecy about their affairs It would have been i in town, not to ala itself, which had drawn some attention But the detective’s comment made Aden suspect that it went beyond idle curiosity, that perhaps the Chicago police had spies within vampire society in the city He’d have to remember that when he beca without providing details

Trevisani grunted "I’ to do with you personally"

"It was not a vampire who did this," Aden said confidently "It clearly happened in full daylight--"

"Could be a hit team hired by a vamp," Trevisani interrupted to say

Aden svaht It’s forbidden by custom, and the repercussions for any vanificant"

"So who hates you enough to pay the price?"

Aden huffed a huh "I have many enemies, Detective, but I do not believe this was aimed at me There was no atteot here, and there’s blood inside"

Aden didn’t say anything to that There had been no question posed, and it was always better, when dealing with authorities of any kind, not to volunteer information Besides, what could he say? That he didn’t need anyone to tell him there was blood, that he could smell it for hi

Trevisani waited, studying Aden’s face for any indication of guilt Aden gazed back unflinchingly He’d faced down far ht," Trevisani conceded "We’re just about done here" He gestured at twoit up "This building’s a co-op, isn’t it? You’ll want to hire a special teaive you a referral" He tucked away the s for notes "In thecomes up"

Aden reached into his jacket pocket and handed over one of his business cards

The detective read it carefully, then nodded his acceptance, not understanding that his thoughts were no longer his own, that Aden had been slowly, unobtrusively, working his way into the detective’s ," Trevisani said "I have to say, though,me this was a hate crime You’re just lucky they didn’t make it upstairs"

Aden held back his s-willed, but Aden supposed that was to be expected given his line of work The challenge, as always, had been taking over thethe intrusion He could have achieved the sa the e of ht it had taken all of his considerable self-control to hold back his i words with a hu dohoever had been so brazen as to attack Aden’s lair in broad daylight, and so stupid that he’d left behind a body for the human authorities to find It wasn’t only Aden ould coator for this, the entire Vampire Council would crush him

"We’ll talk, Detective Trevisani," Aden said, then disathered up his re crew and hustled the the hu theht," he said, watching as the last of the huet a guard to uards, and be sure they’re suitably armed and armored And call--"

He stopped as the elevator opened behind hi up positions around hi that Aden was far more powerful than all of them combined, they stood ready to defend him The bond between a Sire and his children knew no reason, only instinct

"Trav, is that clean-up crew on the way?"

"Yes, my lord They should be here any minute"