The Isis Collar

by Cat Adams

  Even the zombies who hadn’t yet burned up.

  Shit.

  26

  I slept for an entire day, then began to address cards because I was too restless, but the city was nearly shut down by the pandemic. Highways had been turned into inflows to hospitals. It was impossible to get around the city, according to the news, so I didn’t try.

  The pandemic was increasing, with no end in sight. I’d either been too specific with my wish to Isis, or it had been beyond her ability. The whole city was going to change and there wasn’t anything I could do about it.

  I wrote condolence cards mostly. Reality bites sometimes, but as Gran always said, “It’s the little niceties that hold humanity together.” One for Officer Harris, another for the school, then get-well cards for those who were improving. I decided Julie and Mikey should get balloon bouquets once they were out of ICU. At least they would come out. They were healing slowly, and while there would be therapy required, at least for today I could breathe a temporary sigh of relief.

  The only call I took was from Rizzoli’s wife, Karen. I’d thought it was Rizzoli because that’s how it came up on caller ID. “Ms. Graves? This is Karen Rizzoli, Dominic’s wife.”

  I’d never talked to her, but the voice matched the photo. Soft, sweet, loving. He was a lucky man. “How is he? I haven’t seen him since the EMTs took him away in the ambulance.”

  “He’s improved a lot since last night. It’s so strange to watch bruises disappear as I watch.”

  I was still struggling with the appearance of a goddess, or whatever she was. But there was no denying her power. People who were doomed and dead came back. “It does take some getting used to. So his prognosis is good?”

  “He died.” Her voice sounded odd. “He told me so. He … saw things. I think he’ll need to talk to someone about it. But the Bureau’s really good about that sort of thing. He’ll get the help he needs.”

  Oh. Near-death experience. Yeah, I’d had more than one of those. I’m pretty good at repressing them, but eventually I know I’ll have to deal with them myself someday. “Well, give him my best. I’m sure he’ll need some time to—”

  “Actually,” she interrupted. “That’s not why I’m calling. He asked me to tell you they found your book. He said it was a very rare volume and he wanted you to have it. Dom said maybe it would give you answers, or clues, about other things.”

  Oh! The book Dr. Sloan gave me. “That’s awesome! Who do I need to talk to to get it back?”

  “He said he’d get in contact with you soon. He also wanted to thank you for saving Indira—Agent Matumbo. She was able to impersonate the witch you caught at the docks later and a whole bunch of extremists are behind bars.” Yay! What great news.

  “Confidentially,” she added in a quiet voice, “I think he’s embarrassed he pushed you into this.”

  What? “He didn’t. Not a bit. Going after the witch was my choice. I had people involved that she’d intentionally hurt. It was my fight.”

  Karen sighed. “I don’t think Dom feels that way. He worries when he sends people into dangerous situations. I’m glad you weren’t hurt for purely selfish reasons. He’d never forgive himself.” She then went on to add that the Feds had found Glinda’s stockpile of drugs, and the interim president of the drug company was working with the government to get them distributed to the victims. Of course, everyone there swears Glinda was acting alone.

  I don’t know if I believe it. It’s awful ambitious for one person, collar or not.

  I rang off with Karen, suddenly grateful for so many things. But I was still too weary for excitement. And I was still sad that Gran wouldn’t return my calls. There’d been a message on my machine to say Mom was back on the island and had a new personal guard … Baker.

  But no Gran and no Ivy. That hurt. A lot.

  * * *

  Bruno and John both came to my house near dusk, for different reasons.

  Bruno arrived first and wrapped me in a hug when I opened the door that left me warm but breathless. Then the kiss he bestowed turned what was left of my muscles into Jell-O. “How you doin’?”

  I let out a slow sigh and allowed myself to rest against his muscled chest. “Better. The Feds used some magic on me. Apparently, my vampire healing doesn’t work on magical burns, just natural ones. I could still use a little more rest. You?”

  He nodded and lowered his mouth to mine once more. I could feel his warm breath on my face as his mouth ate at mine gently. God, those lips. I’d missed them. He smoothed his hands down my back, knowing just where to touch to make me moan. I pulled away after a few moments, shaky but pleased. “Mmm. Much better now. Actually, I’m headed back to New Jersey. Just stopped by on the way to the airport.”

  It startled me and I pulled away farther. “Why?”

  He shrugged and smiled just a bit. “Gotta pack up my apartment to move here. I don’t want anyone handling my magic stuff. Not even family. Besides, I promised Mom I’d be there for her Ascension.”

  “Ascension?”

  “Yeah, they’re making her Grand Hag of the East Coast.”

  I knew Bruno had gotten his power honestly. His mother was a witch. His father a mage. But … Grand Hag? I bit my tongue. Hard.

  Because I didn’t disagree with the title for his mother.

  “Don’t,” he warned. “Not one word. It’s a big honor and a huge responsibility.”

  I tried to say something nice; it almost worked. “I’m sure she’ll do a fine job.” Of course he knew what I was thinking. Not because of any mind-reading ability. He just knows me that well.

  I backed away just a bit and he noticed my outfit. “Wow. You look stunning. What’s the occasion?”

  “Dinner with me.” John’s voice. I hadn’t heard him drive up. Bruno’s shoulders dropped as John climbed the stairs, and he let out a sigh.

  I shrugged. “He asked first. I’m trying to play fair.”

  John slid to my side and touched my cheek with his lips but added a flick of his tongue that Bruno didn’t notice and that gave me shivers. “Sounds like I have a couple of weeks to work my magic, too. Feel free to keep taking these trips, DeLuca. They’re doing me a world of good.” Their eyes met and I could see genuine respect in both men. Demon fighting seems to be a guy-bonding activity. “I dropped the directions for the body-binding charm on your car seat on the way up. Seemed only right after you gave me the energy boost.”

  Bruno smiled and he really did seem amused, rather than hurt or angry. There’s nothing he loves more than new spells to try and that one really was amazing. “Just keep your calendar free in two weeks, Celia. I’m going to take you somewhere that will knock your socks off.”

  I smiled at him as he climbed down the stairs, while on the arm of the other man in my life. Yeah. He was and I didn’t have a clue what to do about it. “Looking forward to it.”

  Once his taillights were on the road toward the gate, I turned to John, who looked amazing in a sport coat and open-necked cream silk shirt. He was wearing the cologne that made my knees weak and made me want to nuzzle his ear. He smiled at me. “Ready?”

  “Where are we headed?”

  “Dinner. Then maybe dancing if you’re up to it.”

  I hadn’t been dancing in … wow. I still hurt, but not too bad. Maybe I could manage one song. “Actually, dinner sounds good, but I need to ask you something first.” Something that could completely ruin the date. And where better than right on my doorstep?

  He frowned just a bit when he saw that in my mind, and backed up until he was in the shadow, where I couldn’t see his face well. “What’s up?”

  “Why haven’t you told me anything about you?” I started the list. “I didn’t know you had a sister, or that you met her every Saturday. I didn’t know about your food poisoning or the casinos in Monte Carlo or how many places you’ve traveled for jobs. Hell, I don’t even know what you do to keep your calves looking that good.”

  His face was calm and unreadabl
e. “You’ve never asked.”

  That was no answer. “I’ve told you a ton of stuff about me.”

  He nodded once. “Because I asked.” When I opened my mouth, he raised a hand. “Celia, I’m a mage and I’m in security. I don’t tell just anyone my life history. Knowledge is power and in magic it’s deadly. But you feel the same, whether or not you realize it. It’s taken verbal crowbars to get you to reveal anything about your past. There are a dozen questions I’ve asked that you still won’t answer. So why in the world would I volunteer information when you’ve obviously had no interest?”

  I stood there openmouthed for a long moment, “But I do want to know.”

  He shrugged. “Then ask. I can’t promise I’m an open book. Not yet. But eventually, when we both trust each other a little more, we’ll see. But the simple stuff—likes, dislikes, family, beliefs—sure. I’d love to tell you.”

  I decided to use a line from one of my favorite novels to open the conversation. “So, tell me of your homeworld, Usal.” John smiled and stepped forward into the light. Apparently he’d read the book, too. He held out his hand and I took it. When he started to turn to walk down the stairs with me, I noticed something. Not a new thing, but a missing thing. “John? Where’s your siren charm?”

  He let out a small sound that I couldn’t decipher. “I don’t know. I think they stripped me of all my magical items when I got jumped. But I didn’t see that in the bowl reading. I’ll make another one, though. It’ll only take a few days.”

  “You said knowledge was power. What does a missing piece of … me mean?”

  He put an arm around me and pulled me close to him. “I don’t know. I’m hoping it’s in Glinda’s effects. I’m trying to get a court order to let me look at the other items in George’s safe, too. It’ll turn up.”

  “What if it doesn’t? What if it wound up in the demon dimension? Things were flying thick and fast in there.”

  He tried not to let me see the shudder that overtook him. “We won’t think that way. Because that would be bad, Celia. That would be very, very bad.”

  Tor Paranormal Romance Books by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

  THE SAZI

  Hunter’s Moon

  Moon’s Web

  Captive Moon

  Howling Moon

  Moon’s Fury

  Timeless Moon

  Cold Moon Rising

  Serpent Moon

  THE THRALL

  Touch of Evil

  Touch of Madness

  Touch of Darkness

  WRITING AS CAT ADAMS

  Magic’s Design

  Blood Song

  Siren Song

  Demon Song

  The Isis Collar

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  CAT ADAMS is the author of three previous Blood Singer urban fantasy novels: Blood Song, Siren Song, and Demon Song.

  Adams is the joint pen name of C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, who live in a small town deep in the heart of Texas. They are USA Today bestselling authors with their Thrall series, which begins with Touch of Evil, and their critically acclaimed Sazi series, which begins with Hunter’s Moon.

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  THE ISIS COLLAR

  Copyright © 2012 by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

  All rights reserved.

  A Tor Book

  Published by Tom Doherty Associates, LLC

  175 Fifth Avenue

  New York, NY 10010

  www.tor-forge.com

  Tor® is a registered trademark of Tom Doherty Associates, LLC.

  The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

  Adams, Cat.

  The Isis collar / Cat Adams.—1st ed.

  p. cm.

  “A Tom Doherty Associates book.”

  ISBN 978-0-7653-2873-1

  I. Title.

  PS3601.D3697I85 2012

  813'.6—dc23

  2011033202

  e-ISBN 9781429924191

  First Edition: March 2012