With one swift movement, Ricky pulled out the stake and plunged it into Carl’s heart. “Did I mention that I hate it when people don’t listen to me?”

Before his eyes, Carl’s body disintegrated into dust. The cell phone and a few coins of change fell onto the wooden floor making a clanging sound. As the fine ash-like substance settled onto the wood floor, Ricky placed the stake back in his pocket and stepped back, not wanting the dust to dirty his clothes.

Getting rid of Carl had been even easier than anticipated. Gabriel had done the right thing by calling for somebody to protect Maya—that somebody was here right now. He would take care of Maya from now on, like it was always supposed to be.

Ricky inhaled deeply. Her intoxicating scent drifted into his nostrils. He looked up toward the stairs. She was up there on the second floor, most likely in the guestroom. How long he’d waited for this moment. Finally, he’d get his reward.

***

The video surveillance room was a windowless room in the basement of the hospital. Amaury glanced at the security officer who sat propped up against the wall, staring into the void. Zane had used mind control on him to put him into this catatonic state, in which he neither saw nor heard anything.

He and Zane had already gone through several tapes to see who had attacked and killed the doctor. So far, nothing had shown up on the tapes. It was almost as if the rogue knew what camera angles to avoid. Amaury sighed. “This is frustrating.”

“Frustrating, yet revealing,” Zane answered.

“How so?”

“That was quite a display of emotion on Gabriel’s part.”

Amaury gave his old friend a sideways grin. “Looks like it’s hit him pretty hard.”

“She’s got quite some fire in her.”

“Seems so, even though I’m sure Nina’s got more.” His own mate was hell on wheels, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“With how you put up with her, I’d say you’re a saint. Only I know better.”

“She’s just what I need.”

“Still in the honeymoon phase, huh?”

“I’m planning for it never to end. Now, let’s make sure Gabriel gets his own honeymoon.” Amaury pointed back at the screen and sped up the tape.

The monitor showed the main entrance to the hospital. “There’s Ricky entering.” Zane nodded. Several minutes passed, but the tape showed no one exiting or entering. Then a woman walked in with a small child. She stopped at the information desk. Another few minutes passed.

“There, Samson’s R8 is just pulling up,” Zane noted. A moment later Maya ran into the hospital and down one corridor, out of the reach of the camera.

Amaury sped through the tape again, until finally Gabriel and Yvette entered. Shortly after, Zane entered on his own. Nothing else happened. Amaury stopped the tape.

“I didn’t see you or Thomas go in,” Zane noted.

“I took the side entrance where I parked the car. Thomas probably did the same. He knows the area well and probably went in from the back—it’s a shortcut from his house.”

“So everybody is there, first Ricky, then Maya, then—”

Amaury put his hand on Zane’s arm. “Wait a minute. Fuck! First Ricky? Why would Ricky be there before Maya?”

His friend stared back at him. “Let’s roll back the tape.”

They found the exact spot when Ricky entered the hospital and paused it. At the bottom of the screen, it showed the time:  12:49 A.M.

“This had better not mean what I think it means,” Zane cursed. “I had my suspicions about Ricky but then thought I was just being my usual asshole self, considering I don’t particularly like Ricky’s cheerful attitude.  His talent.  He must have used it against us.  I think he fooled us all.”

“One way to find out.” Amaury picked up the phone on the desk and punched in a few numbers.

***

Gabriel pulled his focus back from the witch and opened his eyes. “I’ve restored your memory of where you put the charm. Do you recall now?”

She nodded. “Thank you. Do I have your word that you won’t go there yourself to obtain it?”

“I have no interest in charms, no matter how powerful. All I want is—” The ringing of his cell phone interrupted him. “Excuse me.”

He looked at the San Francisco number, but didn’t recognize it. “Yes?”

“It’s Amaury.”

Finally, he was returning his call. Tension immediately crept into his bones. “Any news?”