There was also the chance that he’d noticed us loitering outside his house, and was currently lying in wait, using the stillness, quiet, and darkness as cover. I didn’t need a magical jack-in-the-box popping out at me. I hated those things. Even though I knew it was coming, it still scared me. It could only be worse in human form.

“Okay, let’s split up,” I whispered, the sound barely leaving my mouth. That was the great thing about vampires. Darius could still hear me. “I’ll take the—”

“No. We stay together. There is no telling what we might run into.”

Arguing would just eat into time.

I started forward slowly, quietly, clearing my mind and slipping into my inner battle zone. If he was home, I couldn’t afford any mistakes. One loud bang and some nervous neighbors could call in the cops. This guy was a somewhat advanced mage, so he surely had more than one loud spell in his arsenal that he would liberally throw if his life was in danger.

A floorboard creaked below my boot. Deep shadow draped down the furniture and across the floor. There were papers on the dining room table, along with a half-empty cup of clear liquid. Water, probably. People who drank vodka out of a pint glass didn’t usually leave it behind unless they were passed out next to it.

A few crumbs littered the countertop. The deep hum of the fridge reverberated in the silence. A soft touch landed on my shoulder.

I jumped. I couldn’t help it. I really did hate jack-in-the-boxes.

Darius took his hand away and silently pointed at the microwave sitting on a side counter.

A lone casing looked like it had been forgotten there, resting against the salt and pepper shakers. Footfalls still quiet even though my heart had lurched at the possibility of a clue, I crossed that way and let my hand hover over the orb, a half-inch in diameter. The magic in it felt zesty and packed a hefty dose of power. It wouldn’t rot your foot off, but it would cause some damage. With so little evidence, I couldn’t even guess what kind of spell it was, but I did know it would be useful in my arsenal if I didn’t need an incantation to get it to work. It was worth a shot.

I moved to swipe the ball off the microwave, but there was a quick flash of a hand. Darius had gotten there first.

“This is no time to be greedy,” I told him. “You have plenty. Let the little guy have a new spell once in a while.”

“I apologize. That was not intended.” He studied the casing for a moment before holding his hand out flat.

I plucked the orb off his palm. “You need to get that protective thing looked at, dude. You’re falling apart.”

“I need blood.”

A wash of shivers coated my body. I cocked my head and forced my heart to calm down. Playing it cool, and ignoring his comment, I studied the casing. “It’s bigger than the one we found on the way to the unicorn paddock, right?”

“Yes. Similar style casing, able to hold more robust spells, but definitely larger.”

“These guys were in New Orleans for a time. I wonder if Tamara, the mage also calling demons, caught wind of their activities and tried to duplicate them on her own terms? It would explain some things.”

“Either that or she used the same casing supplier. I can have my people check it out.”

“It’s worth a shot.” I dropped the casing into my pouch. “Either way, it looks like we have our guy.”

“You are jumping to conclusions.”

“Nah, I’d already jumped to that conclusion. This just makes his guilt more legit.”

“It is a wonder people employ you.”

“Not at all. I get the job done. Plus a little extra if I end up at the wrong villain’s house.” I moved to the door off the side of the kitchen. A quick peek inside told me it was the garage, and the minimal empty space not stuffed with shelves and boxes said a car couldn’t fit. Neither could a bunch of mages, a guy without skin, and a demon. This couldn’t be the scene of the crime, and not just because there was no blood.

I quickly left the kitchen and angled toward the stairs. Behind us, the fridge clicked off, dosing the space in liquid, gooey silence. As I moved, the faint sound of a ticking clock reached my ears. My breath came out in rhythmic, even puffs.

I hated creeping around. Running at a madman with a sword or spell? I was in. But this slow, deliberate mumbo jumbo when someone I couldn’t see was possibly lying in wait? Good gracious, no. It was a heart racer.

The empty staircase beckoned, closed in by walls. If someone at the top started throwing down spells, this would be a bad situation for me.

I waved Darius back, knowing he’d be in my way if I had to retreat. Also knowing that, in his current state, he’d be more likely to put himself in harm’s way in a futile attempt to protect me.

He probably hated this strange situation in which he found himself.

A loud pop made me flinch. I clutched my sword tighter, ready. A few more pops burst forth like gunfire, followed by a painful groan. Just the house shifting.

Breath now coming in fast pants, I increased my pace lest I suffer cardiac arrest. Nearly to the top, and the roar of a Harley thundered past the house and up the street. I paused, wondering if someone would pop out under the cover of the noise. I would’ve.

All was still.

I was starting to suspect he wasn’t home.

I stepped onto the top step and paused. Four doors awaited me on the second floor, two standing open. One of the closed doors was narrower than the others, denoting a hall closet or something similar. Being that I saw the edge of a toilet through one of the open doors, I suspected this place was a two-bedroom.

Ignoring the bathroom, I walked slowly toward the other open room. I needed to keep my calm and not blast his face with fire. Given that my split-second reactions were always incredibly violent, which had kept me alive so far, my goal of composure was easier made than kept.

I brushed my fingers against the wood, pushing the door open slowly. It swung on well-oiled hinges. A bed came into view, neatly made. A dresser stood against the wall, its top bare. The nightstand next to the bed had a bare top as well. This was a guest room, and clearly not lived in.

The last door awaited me. So did the vampire standing next to it, looking at me like I was going into the snake pit and he did not approve.

“Shoo,” I mouthed, and motioned for him to get away. I had enough to worry about without his vampiric protective malfunction tripping me up. “Go!” I waved at him again until he grudgingly moved to the side.

The deep breath I took didn’t still my raging heart. Adrenaline surged within me, preparing me for a showdown. Making me want to kick the door open with guns blazing, ready to take the O.K. Corral. I was not a subtle person.

I wrapped my fingers around the doorknob and held my breath as I turned it. The latch clicked and I froze. No sound issued from within. I slowly pushed open the door. The bottom rubbed against something. A rug.

That sound would be heard.

I threw the door open the rest of the way and jumped into the room, my sword drawn in front of me, ready to cut through a hex. Something leapt out from the right, streaking through the air. A wall of fire roared in front of me. I hadn’t meant to summon it. A spire of flame shot out, raking across the back of something small and headed straight for me. I hadn’t meant to summon that, either. The thing screeched and darted away, its tail on fire. I cut out all the flame, getting a grip, just in time to see the creature disappear under the bed.

Chapter Eighteen

I stalked forward and swept my gaze across the room. The rumpled covers indicated someone had slept there last night, but it was currently empty. Small artifacts littered the dresser and one of two nightstands. He was single and often slept alone. Somewhat neat, but not anal about it.

My boots creaked as I sank down onto my haunches, trying to see whatever had darted under the bed.

As if hearing my unspoken question, Darius said, “It was a cat.”

I pulled in a breath. “That thing jumping at me was a cat?”

“Yes. You firebombed a kitty.”

“Crap. What kind of a monster sets fire to a cat?” I grimaced and got on my hands and knees. “Are you sure? I don’t want some creature that you mistakenly thought was a cat to dart out at my face.”