Page 8 of A Song in the Night

Sylvia opens the door wider and moves to the side. “Come on in. Charlie, grab that folder next to my keyboard.”

I move quickly, relieved that, at least for now, I don’t have to train with Noah. Thumbing through the folders, I pull the one with a sticky note attached to the front with the current time scribbled across it. I step around Noah, who is returning to his desk, and hand the file to Sylvia.

She leans against the wall adjacent to the door, crossing her legs at the ankles as she glances over the papers. “Your application was incomplete, Ratha. There was no last name and no address.”

The nymph’s eyes flash. “Water nymphs do not possess two names. We are each given one that is wholly unique; it can never be given to another, no matter how many years pass. As for the address, mine would only lead you to the new parking lot the Vampire King put over our pond.”

My stomach sinks, and I fight the urge to look away from her. She hasn’t spoken directly to me, or acknowledged she knows who I am, but the shame of my father’s actions continues to haunt me regardless of the fact his blood doesn’t run through my veins.

If Sylvia feels any sympathy for her, she doesn’t show it. “Look, I’m sorry about your sister, I really am. But we’re not assassins or hit men. We’re hunters. We find people who are missing or on the run. Sometimes we’ll take some pictures of a cheating spouse if we’re low on funds.”

Ratha’s brows knit at that, her lips turning down. “I understand, but—”

“Your application has been rejected.” Sylvia’s voice is flat. Final. She gestures to the door, and Ratha clamps her mouth shut before walking out.

My own jaw is clenched tight to keep my mouth from dropping open. I stare at Sylvia as she turns toward me.

She arches a brow. “What?”

“You were cruel to her.”

“We don’t do pro bono work.” Her tone is still level, unaffected by my comment. “Put this back, would you?”

“Why bother keeping it?”

My question is meant for Sylvia, but Noah answers. “Because we’re the best, baby vampire. We’re—”

“—thorough,” I finish for him. “I know.”

“Then why ask questions you already know the answer to?” he counters without looking at me. His tone is dismissive.

What are you being such an asshole?I want to snap at him. As I glare at Noah, I can’t help remembering that night at the waterfall, his favorite spot in the city. How he kissed my forehead in a graveyard after Drew died. How he’d been the one I called at the hotel after I had lost control feeding on Deacon. Why do those memories feel so distant now? Why is Noah acting like none of it happened?

I’m on the verge of actually asking him what’s changed when he lifts his head and looks at me.

“Change your clothes. We’re going to—” His cell phone rings. Noah checks the screen and impatience flicks across his features. “Hold that thought. I’ll be back later.”

He goes to the row of hooks on the wall beside the door, and lifts his coat off one. Coats aren’t necessary for a full-blooded vampire, but it’s a good way to stay dry against the ever-constant sleet and rain.

Noah closes the door behind him with a careless slam. I stay where I am, fists clenched, drowning in a flood of frustration and hurt.

Seconds tick past, each movement of the clock hand overly loud in the stillness. Finally, feeling eyes on me, I turn toward the only other person in the room.

Sylvia waits until I meet her gaze to speak. “What do you know about computers?” she asks.

Chapter Three

Sylvia leaves shortly after Ratha’s brief consultation.

As the quiet fills my ears yet again, I start thinking about Drew. Remembering the dreams and the promise I made to him before he died.

I’ll watch over her.

I haven’t seen Nina since the funeral. Granted, I haven’t had much opportunity to, considering I was being sold at a slave auction. But knowing her, she hasn’t been staying out of trouble’s way or avoided getting noticed. It’s not in her nature.

Her words still haunt me from the night we came upon a fairy being robbed by three tree nymphs.

What do you think a hero is? They’re just ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

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