Blue Blooded: Jessica McClain Book 6

by Amanda Carlson

  Leo walked over to some scaffolding that held a bunch of busts. “This will not be without error. Enid is very powerful. When she finds out, she will resent my help, and there may be damaging consequences. But if you’re willing to pay the price, I believe I should help you.” He reached out to run his fingers over the face of a woman carved into white stone. “I have not encountered an unselfish supernatural in many centuries—if ever. You are willing to risk the unknown, and that is commendable. In my experience, supernaturals are out for themselves, not others.” He turned to face me. “It would also go against my being to let harm come to millions of innocents if you were to die.”

  “I appreciate that,” I said. “So where do we go from here? Enid has instructed us to go to the Ponte Vecchio. I believe that’s where we’ll find a note with new instructions. Enid wants me to swap my life for the hostages she’s taken. I’m willing to do it, if that’s the only option we have.”

  Leo paced to the worktable. “I have the power to cloak you, but I cannot mask all of you.” He glanced idly around the group. “Three will be enough. You and two others. Go to the bridge when you leave here and pick up what is waiting. I believe you’re right, and she has left instructions. Then meet me in the Piazza della Signoria in front of the statue of David at dawn tomorrow. We will proceed from there.”

  “I’m sorry to interrupt, but Enid is a seer,” Marcy said. “Won’t she know we had this little meeting today? And won’t she be able to change things accordingly?” When Leo’s gaze landed on Marcy, she discreetly coughed, muttering, “Hell’s bells.”

  “As a precaution to any and all prying eyes, I spelled Accademia long ago. If I was going to be spending a great quantity of time here, I had to make sure it went undetected from those who would scry. Since then, this museum has been off the supernatural radar. So when you entered, Enid could no longer see you. She does not know what went on here today. It would behoove you all to scrub your brains of this meeting. Once you leave through those doors, instead of remembering our conversations, lament about how you were unable to find the supernatural you were searching for as you head to the Ponte Vecchio. Your time outside of her ability to see you should alter some of her earlier plans, and she will not be able to do much in broad daylight with many humans around.”

  “Will that be enough to cover our tracks?” I asked. “Scrubbing our brains?”

  He shrugged. “It certainly won’t hurt. Enid is savvy, but she will not be able to solve the mystery without more clues. Once I unleash my power, she will know, but not until then. Spend some time in the gallery before you go, look at the art, and admire the statues, and when you leave, think of those things. Think of Michelangelo”—he grinned—“and how beautiful his art continues to be. I will see you tomorrow.”

  We made our goodbyes and headed out. Maria came bustling up to us in the hallway, saying, “Pardon me for leaving. I had some pressing business to attend to. If you follow me, I will take you into the main gallery now.” It was hard to know if she was in on it, or had had a mind trick played on her.

  It didn’t matter.

  We followed her into the gallery, and as we walked among the paintings and statues, admiring the beauty, which wasn’t hard to do, we talked about the next step. “The note just says show up at the Ponte Vecchio,” I said to the group. “Enid has to know we’re coming today. I’m hoping the note will be easy to spot.”

  Rourke shook his head. “I don’t care if it’s easy to spot. I don’t think you should go. You can wait on the street while we take a look.”

  “I disagree,” I said. “I don’t think Enid will leave the note for anyone but me.”

  “I agree with Rourke,” Tyler said. “Jeb said you would die if you followed Enid’s plan. Why not play it safe and wait on the sidelines? We can pick up a note, no problem.”

  “Yeah,” Ray chimed in. “I can fly over that bridge in a few minutes and scout it out. There’s no need for you to set one foot on that structure.”

  “I don’t think so,” I said, shaking my head. “I have a feeling that note is for my eyes only, and it won’t show itself unless I’m there. Enid is crafty, but I don’t think this is a snatch and grab. She wants me to come willingly, to forfeit myself by choice. That will be her coup de grace. Forcing the wolf to come with her tail between her legs. I have to be there.” We were nearing the exit of the museum. “Once we get on the street, everybody has to think we failed this mission. You can allow the name Michelangelo to filter through your head, but nothing else. We have to come off as disgruntled. Got it?”

  Everyone nodded.

  “If you want,” Marcy said, “I can spell everyone to temporarily forget the last hour until sometime tomorrow. My memory spell is a twenty-four hour thing. I haven’t mastered the quicker version yet, sorry. I’ve been a little preoccupied lately and am behind on my spell mastery list, which is about two miles long.”

  “Thanks, but we can’t risk it,” I said. “Twenty-four hours is too long.” I looked around the group. “We’re all adults, as well as talented supernaturals. It shouldn’t be hard to keep this out of our heads. Like Leo said, once he unleashes his power, Enid will know. We just need to keep it under wraps until tomorrow at dawn.”

  We filtered out of the gallery onto the street. “The bridge is this way,” Lucas said. “It’s almost a straight shot from here.” We began to walk down the quaint streets. “Man, it’s too bad we couldn’t find who we were looking for. I’m sorry I couldn’t help. Maybe next time?”

  “That’s okay,” I answered. “Once we have the note, we can keep looking. There have to be other places with statues around here.”

  “We can head back through the Piazza della Signoria on the way back,” he suggested. “There are several statues there. Perhaps they will give us some clues.”

  “That sounds perfect,” I told him. “I’m confident we will be victorious. We just have to keep looking.”

  We covered the blocks quickly. As we neared the bridge, everyone was on high alert. “I’m going to check it out from above first,” Ray said. “Wait for me across the street.”

  “Good idea. And, by the way, when did you get so bossy?” I joked.

  He snorted. “The day I was born, Hannon. The day I was born.” He took off before I could get in a snappy comeback. He had been bossy since birth, but I was just learning to appreciate it. It was what had made him an excellent cop. Ray and I had finally achieved a bond, and I was grateful for it.

  After the next block, the bridge came into view, and we all slowed.

  “So, do you think this note is just going to be sitting right there in the open for us to grab?” Tyler said. “Or are we going to have to search for it?”

  “I have no idea,” I answered. The bridge wasn’t that big, but it was thick with people. It was a unique structure. It was wide and there were parts where it stood three stories high to accommodate living quarters. It was built on massive pilings sunk deeply in the Arno River and was painted in vibrant yellows and golds to give it that eclectic Italian feel.

  “This used to be a bustling marketplace back in the day,” Lucas informed us, “full of merchants, mainly butchers and larders. They would throw their waste into the river, thus polluting it. Now the big draw is gold. There is jewelry store after jewelry store crowding this bridge. It’s prime real estate for tourists, not so much for everyday Italians.”

  He wasn’t kidding. There wasn’t even a gap where you could see the sidewalk.

  That was a good sign. I didn’t think Enid would risk doing something in the middle of a horde of humans. I could be wrong, but I didn’t think so.

  What do you think? I asked my wolf. Is this a trap? She gave a low growl, but showed us walking across the bridge with no issue. I agree, I think we should try. Something tells me they won’t find the note if I’m not there.

  Rourke’s voice rumbled his dislike. “Let me go first. You stay here. If I don’t find the note, then I’ll come back and get you.”
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  “There is not much you like when it comes to my safety being in question.” I chuckled. “If we all go together, we’ll have strength in numbers. Let’s wait for Ray to get back and see what he finds. If he’s uncovered something suspicious, we can talk.”

  It didn’t take long for Ray to return. He landed behind Lucas, who startled. I grinned, glad I wasn’t the only one with the vampire-landing problem. “I couldn’t sense anything amiss,” Ray said. “There weren’t any weird signatures, and I didn’t pick up on any creatures lurking. But I didn’t sense anything back at the apartment building either. I don’t like it. It feels too easy.”

  “Join the club,” I cracked. “There’s no way around it. This entire mission is going to be full of danger. Jeb said that I couldn’t follow all of Enid’s missives, and I won’t, but we’re just picking up a note. The chances of her wanting to do a swap right here on this crowded bridge are next to none. We all walk together, keep our eyes peeled, find the instructions, and get out.”

  Tyler nodded. “I think Jess is right after all. Enid can’t take us all out, and she knows we’re all together anyway. We go as one, and if we detect danger, we haul ass out.” He glanced directly at Ray. “If shit hits the fan, grab Jess and get out. We’ll meet you back at Julian’s.”

  Ray nodded before I could protest.

  I didn’t enjoy everybody making plans about my well-being without my consent, but I understood why they were doing it. “If we sense danger,” I said, “I’ll get myself out, or I’ll fight.” I refrained from adding, like a big girl. “Ray, I want you to take Kayla out if anything happens. She’s the most vulnerable. We regroup at Julian’s, like Tyler said.”

  Ray grumbled, but nodded. He knew I was right.

  “If I may ask, what exactly are we searching for?” Lucas asked. “You mentioned a note, but is it written on parchment paper? Will it be sealed in an envelope? A Post-it Note? I’m pretty good at finding things, and I’d like to help.”

  “Of course,” I said. “We are grateful for your help and everything you’ve done so far. Kayla, please show Lucas the previous note.” Kayla complied, pulling it out of her pocket. “I’m assuming the next one will be similar, but we don’t know for sure.”

  Kayla held out the small piece of paper. The Kitsune was quiet for a moment, looking thoughtful. “I take it these are the friends of yours who are missing,” he said. “The ones Enid wants to swap for your life.”

  “They are more than friends, they are family, but yes.”

  “Then it’s imperative we get them back,” Lucas said. The fox understood completely. I was really beginning to like this guy. “I will do my best to aid you.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “And the first step in retrieving them is to actually set foot on the bridge. Let’s move out.”

  “Marcy and I will stay back and cover the rear,” James said.

  “I’ll cover the rear with you any time, babe,” Marcy quipped, giving him a kiss on the cheek.

  “Must you?” I joked.

  “I must.” Marcy linked arms with James, smiling.

  Ray and Lucas went first, followed by Nick. Rourke and I went next, Tyler and Kayla close behind.

  The moment my foot hit the cobblestones, I felt something was off.

  Rourke picked up on it immediately. What is it? he asked. What’s wrong?

  Someone’s here, I said. My hackles were up, my wolf on all fours. But it’s not a foe. The message was confusing. Enid is muting something. Or trying to mute something. To everyone, I asked, “Does anyone feel that? I’m getting a strange vibe. It’s a low hum. I think someone is here, but it’s not an enemy.”

  “I’m not getting any strange vibes,” Ray answered.

  Lucas and Nick both shook their heads. “I’m not picking up on anything specific either,” Nick said.

  Tyler passed us, his nose up in the air.

  He stopped midstride, his irises flashing.

  “What?” I asked. “Can you scent something?”

  “Danny.”

  11

  “Danny? Are you sure?” My heart gave a quick, irrational beat. Could he really be here? “Tell me he’s alive.” I grabbed on to Tyler’s arm. “I don’t smell death or decay,” I added hastily, hope filling my voice. “That means he’s alive, right?”

  Danny and I had an Alpha-to-wolf connection, but we’d never been able to speak internally unless we were both in our wolf forms. I sent my power out, racing to find that bond.

  A faint quiver pinged back, a tiny, tenuous tug on a line.

  It was enough for me.

  “He’s here!” I exclaimed excitedly. “Enid is trying to mute the connection, but I felt him!” He had to be okay. Anything else was unacceptable.

  “Damn straight he’s here,” Tyler said. “She tried to mask his scent, too, but I can smell it. She underestimated my abilities.”

  Tyler began to walk purposefully through the crowd, and we all followed. He came to a stop in front of one of the many shops lining the street. The name on the door, and the awning above, read: E. FANTONI.

  It was a small, unassuming jewelry store.

  “I think I’m picking up on the same trail,” Lucas commented. “I’ve never scented who you’re tracking before, but there is an unmistakable wolf signature here.”

  Marcy and James came up behind us. “Marcy,” I said, “check for any spell signatures you can find, especially anything that would incapacitate or mask a supe.”

  “Will do,” she said.

  “And,” I added, “you’re going to have to spell this area so we can investigate in-depth without causing a scene.”

  “Double on it,” she said as she closed her eyes.

  Tyler tried the handle of the shop, but it was locked. A small note was posted on the door, scrawled hastily in Italian. “What does this say, Lucas?” Tyler asked.

  “It says they have taken a riposo and will be back later. It’s the equivalent of an Italian siesta. It’s a little early to do such a thing, as it’s only midmorning, but not overly unusual. Many business owners take a riposo if they have to run an errand. Things are a little less structured here in Italy.”

  “It doesn’t matter if the shop owner is on a siesta, we can get in there if we have to,” I said. “Marcy is spelling this area, nobody will notice.”

  Tyler abruptly lifted his nose and walked around the side of the building. This particular shop had a side that was exposed to the road, without another shop crowded next to it, which was a rarity on this bridge.

  We followed him around to find a large metal door full of rivets set in the stone of the building. It had a long deadbolt securing it.

  Rourke said, “I can smell him now. He definitely went through this opening.” He walked up to the door, which Tyler was currently investigating, and rested his palm against the black steel. “He’s behind here”—he gave me a pointed look—“and that’s exactly where Enid wants you to go.”

  I reached forward to set my hand against the cold metal and closed my eyes.

  It didn’t matter if this was a trap to lure me, we had to help Danny. We weren’t going to leave him behind, which Enid well knew. If he was in pain—or, worse, dying—somewhere below us, it would be awful. I filtered my power out and pushed it through the door and beyond, my wolf generating as much energy as she could to fuel us. It finally pinged back with something. “He’s down there,” I said. “We’re going to have to go get him.”

  From behind me, Ray said, “I hate to break it to you, but look up and to your right. There’s the note we’ve been waiting for. I’m not looking forward to what that Hag has to say. I have a feeling she’s going to make this as painful as possible.”

  I glanced where Ray indicated, and sure enough, there was a tiny folded square of white poking out between two old, crumbly stones. Rourke reached over my head and yanked it out. It was small, folded only once. He opened it so we could read it:

  YOU ARE RIGHT. THE WOLF IS HERE.

  F
IND HIM, IF YOU CAN, AND AWAIT YOUR NEXT INSTRUCTIONS.

  JESSICA GOES ALONE OR THE FEMALE VAMPIRE DIES.

  I glanced around the group as we processed the message. “Well, on the bright side, she wants us to find Danny. She’s just made it harder than it had to be, because she gets off on that kind of thing. However, I think she will hurt Naomi if we don’t listen to her. We have little choice but to follow her instructions.”

  Rourke shook his head. “Jeb specifically told us not to. I have to believe this is what he meant.” He shook the note. “Why else would Enid want you alone? Her prime motive is to kidnap or kill you. There is no easier way to do that than if you go down there alone.”

  “I agree, she wants me isolated,” I said. “But I also truly believe she wants me to come willingly. Without my submission, her retribution won’t be nearly as sweet.”

  “But you can’t know that for sure,” Tyler pointed out. “If she’s a seer, and this is her only opportunity to get you, she won’t hesitate. I agree with Rourke, we have to come up with something other than you just going down there blindly.”

  “That may be easier said than done,” I argued. “We don’t have a lot of options.”

  Kayla cleared her throat. “I might be able to help.” We turned toward her, waiting. She exhaled a shallow breath. “I…I sense many dead beings below. They are very old, but can be reanimated. There must be a catacomb somewhere inside these pilings where they stored their dead long ago. I can call them up, and they will help protect you.” She fidgeted with her hands. “They are not real people any longer, and they are already down there, so you aren’t technically bringing them with you, so it shouldn’t count against us. At least, that’s what I think.”

  Her suggestion surprised me, but it shouldn’t have.

  Her talent was necromancy. She reanimated dead bodies and controlled them with her mind. “Okay…that sounds like an interesting solution,” I managed. It was interesting, but also creepy as hell. “What does everybody think?”