Page 74 of Taste of Blood

Russell nods. “That’ll work.”

We all turn around and go back the way we came, moving quicker now that we know there are no surprises waiting for us. Once we’re in the warehouse, Russell ducks out to the van to retrieve his tech toy while Zeke calls Dante to explain what we’re doing. He orders everyone back to his warehouse with the exception of Russell and the men going down the tunnel.

“That was good thinking, coming up with the idea for the physical location,” Zeke says to me as he starts the van and heads out.

“I just couldn’t see us getting through that door without losing men,” I reply.

“No. Let’s hope we get them this time.”

I nod, contemplating that scenario in silence throughout the ride back. This will probably entail another stakeout. Another wasted night sitting in the van. I should’ve fed before we left earlier. Maybe Dante will give us some time so I can hit a den or a bar. And speaking of bars, I wonder if our mysterious escapee is still at O’Hara’s. I could maybe kill two birds at once by swinging by there.

First order of business though is to find out if Elaine has come up with any new information. I dread it because that means calling Asher. I glance at my phone–it’s nearly 9:00 pm–so he should be home from the office. I don’t know if that’s good or bad.

I punch in his number and wait for him to answer. He does so on the second ring.

“Cord?”

“Yeah. Hey listen, I haven’t heard anything so I was wondering if Elaine came up with any new intel.”

He’s quiet for a minute. “No. As of an hour ago, she was still combing the Reddit trying to decipher their code. Why, what’s happening?”

I tell him about the warehouse and the tunnel and trying to get the location of their new site.

“So what are you doing right now?”

“Just sitting around waiting.”

“Have you fed?”

I bite down a retort; I don’t want to argue with him right now. “No. I was just thinking about doing that.”

“Fine. I was about to call Lupercalia. Why don’t you come over and I’ll have them send up two donors.”

I want to say no since I know how any visit to Asher’s apartment will end up, but since the thought of bagged blood or finding something in the wild turns my stomach, I find myself agreeing.

“Great. I’ll see you when you get here.”

Fuck. He did it again.

I go find Dante and tell him I’m going out to feed.

“Good,” he says. “I’m glad to see you’re taking care of yourself.”

Yeah, if he only knew.

26: Asher

I SHOWER QUICKLY after calling Lupercalia, dressing in sweats and a tee shirt then pouring myself a drink. I’m surprised Cord called like he promised he would, but I have no illusions that it wasn’t at least partly because he wanted to check in with Elaine. I’m glad she didn’t give him her number.

He arrives with the donors. I would love to have been a fly on the wall of the elevator to watch that awkward ride. Lazlo sent two I’m unfamiliar with, and I wonder not for the first time just how many people Lupercalia employs.

When I tell the donors we’re just interested in feeding–no sex–I get a smirk out of Cord, the only interaction he’s offered since entering the apartment. He feeds quickly then pours himself a drink and settles back on the couch while I finish up and tip the donors. Once they’re gone, I join him with my own drink.

“Thanks,” he says, finally breaking the silence.

“For what?”

“The blood.” He sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose. “I know I should do better. I just, well, I forget sometimes. And don’t tell me how important it is. I know that.”