Bait

by Kasi Blake

  Nick leaned against the wall, legs crossed at the ankles as he watched Van Helsing rush around his office like an elf mere hours before Santa loads up the sleigh. Mumbling to himself, Van searched for and packed several miscellaneous items including a compass, a tattered journal, and a small bag of poison darts into a worn duffel bag on his desk. Instead of the usual dark suit, he wore traveling clothes that consisted of khaki pants and a shirt someone might wear while on safari.

  Van had summoned Nick to his office for a few last minute instructions before he made an emergency trip to the other side. One of his spies had information. A psychotic drummer banged out a painful tempo on his skull. Hangovers were not fun. After dancing with Bay-Lee last night, a single dance, he’d seen Jordan heading down the stairs with what could only be described as a homicidal expression on her face. Leaving his dance partner without a word, he’d cut through the crowd, grabbed Jordan, and took her to a corner to talk things out.

  Fuming mad, she shouted over the music. “What is wrong with you? You called me to keep her away from you, and the second I turn my back you’re all over her!” Jordan shook her head. “Mike was right. You are so far gone over this girl you can’t even see the quicksand you’re about to step into.”

  “Drop it.”

  She laughed without humor. “It is so like you to pretend nothing is wrong when the sky is falling.”

  “I don’t need this.” He rubbed his forehead, feeling a headache coming.

  “You called me for a reason,” she said. “I’m going to keep that girl away from you even if I have to sleep on her doorstep.”

  After the threat was issued, Nick had gone upstairs to the bar, drinking until he forgot his own name. It seemed like a good idea at the time, but now he wished he’d refrained from drowning himself in alcohol. He watched Van pack while thinking he should accompany him to the Spirit Realm. When he mentioned the idea, Van gave a fierce shake of his head. “You are needed here. If something goes wrong, you will have to take care of my daughter.”

  “Could be a trap.”

  “The thought has occurred to me.”

  Nick abandoned the wall to draw closer to Van, a quiet plea in his voice. “Take a few of the boys with you at least.”

  “Not possible. The shifter I’m meeting is skittish. He’ll bolt at the first sign of an extra hunter. The information he’s dangling sounds invaluable and I won’t risk scaring him off.”

  Nick shoved hands into the pockets of his black trousers and paced in front of the desk, contemplating the situation. “What’s he got that’s so important?”

  “I think he knows the identity of our elusive killer.” Van removed the glasses from his face and cleaned one side with the small linen square he always carried. It was more nervous habit than necessity.

  “If he does, wake me when you get home.”

  Van hesitated before asking, “Do you know of any reason your brother might have for meeting with a vampire on school grounds?”

  “Uh… no. Why?”

  “I was told by a reliable source that Alec was having a private conversation with a vampire in the woods a few days ago.”

  “I’m sure there’s an explanation.”

  “I hope you’re right.” Van returned the glasses to his face while changing the subject. “The Order could be using this shifter to lure me away so they can get to my daughter. Don’t let her out of your sight.”

  Nick bristled slightly at the command. More time spent in Bay-Lee’s company was not a good idea. If he refused, Van would find someone else to protect her, maybe even Gavin. The thought put a sour taste in Nick’s mouth.

  “Don’t worry. Nothing will get to her as long as I’m here.”

  Something in the sound of his voice drew unwanted attention from Van. The man lifted his head and blinked at Nick. “You’re not... are you… falling in love with my daughter?”

  Nick raked a hand through his hair. This was it, confession time. In ten years he hadn’t lied to Van, not once, and he didn’t want to start now, but Van was about to embark on a dangerous mission. Since the man refused to take anyone with him, he would need to have a clear head. If he thought the world was going to end because of Nick, his mind would be cluttered. The last thing he needed was a distraction.

  “Have a safe trip,” Nick said. He walked out without another word, and Van’s probing gaze followed him. The man knew at least a hundred interrogation techniques, some so subtle a person didn’t know they were being drilled until they spilled their guts. Nick didn’t feel safe until he was in the glass elevator on his way down.