by Domino Finn
Milena arched an eyebrow. "You trying to tell us you're a good vampire or something?"
"Good and evil are overrated concepts."
"Not to me," I challenged. "You're an upir, aren't you? You drink blood. Kill others so that you can live."
Leverett remained cool. "In point of fact, I don't. Your people tell numerous folktales about mine. Many of them are true enough. As a species, we drink any and all blood we can get—human, silvan, or otherwise. That doesn't make us monsters. A local slaughterhouse under my ownership sources my restaurants. Not a drop of blood is wasted."
"You guys live off cow blood?"
"It's a compromise in return for an FDA-approved meal. We can tap into blood banks to complement our palates. The Obsidian March runs the American Red Cross. It's one method they use to exert control over our kind in this world."
"Damn!" snapped Milena. "I just gave blood to them last week!"
Leverett smiled. "How delicious."
"Wait, wait, wait," said Evan. "You're telling me that a national charity organization is run by vampires?"
"You don't really think Haiti received all that money people donated, do you? Fools parted from their wealth have no say in where it gets spent."
"Or if they're funding a vampire collective," noted Evan.
"Even the March doesn't kill as often as you might imagine," said Leverett. "Once-a-month feedings are plenty to satisfy vampires who don't exert themselves."
"Bullshit," I fired back. "Tutti told me the girl was dead. And even if they keep their victims alive, they're still prisoners. Familiars don't have a choice."
"They often do, but that's beside the point. It's not my place to dictate their methods, even if I disapprove."
"Yet you give them your pledge."
He swallowed. "The Beaumont clan is small. We're not involved with the Obsidian leadership. However, their territory is vast and... It behooves the smaller groups to make peace with those larger than them."
"So you work for them?" I asked.
"No." He said that single word with such authority that the room seemed to shiver. "As the head of my clan, I lead my people the way I see fit. I own a third of the restaurants and high-end shops in Brickell. Carbon is one such establishment. Clan Beaumont is not in the business of death. I pay good money to the March for the pleasure of running Brickell. They leave me out of their shady pursuits."
Evan grunted. "What you mean is you don't get your hands dirty. If you pay them you're funding them."
"If only we could all dictate where our taxes get spent, yes? I can only control my end, which translates to ensuring the personal safety of myself and my patrons. That includes you."
"It's not like you're a saint," I said. "You're still paying for control."
He cocked his head and flashed an easy smile. "Would you rather I cede my territory to someone more vicious? Brickell is a hop and a skip away from some rather shady neighborhoods. If I exited this stage, the Obsidian March themselves would move in. I'm doing this city a valuable service."
Evan grunted. I wondered if he bought that speech. Working in the department, he often encountered the reality of political compromise. For my part, I wasn't convinced, and Beaumont could tell.
"Consider it from another angle," he offered. "I knew you'd be dining in my restaurant tonight. I could've had you all poisoned if I so wished it."
We all blinked silently.
"I know a little about you, Cisco. Word from the santeros says you killed a jinn. That would be impressive even if it wasn't Connor Hatch. But did you think you could tear down his drug empire and someone else wouldn't fill the void?" My face darkened. "This is Miami, Cisco. We live at sea level. Whenever a dam breaks, a new flood surges in."
He stepped forward, showing something close to anger. "Except this time it was my brothers who slithered into the recesses. The Obsidian March presence in the tri-county area has tripled in the last twelve months. This is not my doing, Cisco. It's yours."
I smoldered at Beaumont's words. Something told me he wasn't too happy with the situation either. Why would he be? The group he answered to getting more powerful meant his empire was that much more tenuous. One day, they might even come for him.
And in his mind, I was the cause of his troubles.
"So you sell me out to the March. Curry favor with them and get rid of a wild card in your backyard."
Emily rested a gentle hand on my shoulder.
Leverett Beaumont appraised her with an impressed eye. He crossed his arms over his white tux jacket and waited.
"He's not issuing a challenge," suggested Emily to my dense brain. "He's offering a truce."
The restaurant owner grinned in applause. "A beauty and a strategist. I am quite taken with you, my dear."
Evan grumbled, but Emily simply raised an open palm and willed an orb of light into existence. Beaumont didn't hiss and recoil, but he did snap his head from the glare and raise a hand to block the light.
"That was not meant to be rude," he said through gritted teeth.
Which was interesting. Sunlight didn't kill these vamps, but it did contain them in their weaker forms and cause them discomfort.
The white witch winked out her magic and the room went dark. "Neither was that. You revealed what you were so I had an obligation to do the same. Think of it as an introduction."
His eyes flashed in rapt admiration. "The pleasure is mine."
Evan cleared his throat loudly. Beaumont turned his attention back to me.
"But it's not quite a truce I'm offering, for we aren't at war. I'm seeking a partnership."
I thought of the Society. "I've been getting that a lot lately."
"As you should," he returned. "You are Miami's most notorious necromancer, and a multi-talented shadow charmer as well. Everybody in the city knows you have a penthouse in Brickell now. But everybody in the city also knows not to bring violence to my territory. Which is the genesis of this conversation."
"The Obsidian March asked for permission to get to me."
"On the contrary: They knew I wouldn't allow it. Instead, they merely asked that I approach you. Due to recent differences, they'd like to meet and set some ground rules."
I grunted. "So, what, they're hiding in the walk-in freezer or something?"
He chuckled lightly. "It isn't wise to allow them to conduct business here. For everyone's sake." He reached into his jacket pocket. Evan brought his pistol halfway up. Beaumont scoffed lightly and presented me with a card. "They ask to suspend all hostilities and see you tonight, in hopes of reaching a mutually beneficial arrangement."
I swiped the card into my hand. It was a business contact with a generic office number without anybody's name on it. "Lincoln Memorial Park."
Beaumont smirked. "You can't accuse vampires of not setting the mood."
Milena scrunched her brow. "What is it? What is that place?"
Evan bit down. "It's a graveyard in Hialeah."
"I know the spot," I said.
Beaumont smiled. "Of course you do."
I flipped the card over. Scraggly handwriting read, "Accord at 1 am."
I checked both sides again, making sure I wasn't missing anything. "Tonight?"
Our host frowned. "I urged them to give you twenty-four hours, but they wouldn't hear of it. They're quite upset with your tactics. If you do not present yourself and come to an accord with them tonight, they're determined to go at you with everything they have."
"Why should I care?" I muttered. "They're doing that anyway. How do I even know this meeting isn't a trap?"
"You don't," he agreed. "And my word means too much to offer any guarantees on their behalf. I'd put it at fifty-fifty that they mean to bargain in good faith."
Evan tightened his grip on the gun at his side. "And the other half?"
Leverett Beaumont calmly blinked. "Extermination."
Chapter 17
"I don't trust him," grumbled Evan as our party strolled outside. Milena lagged b
ehind, hand in hand with Gavin.
"Who said anything about trust?" I countered.
"Oh, I don't know. Try that look on your face that says you're determined to meet the Obsidian March in a graveyard."
"Just because I'm seeing what's what doesn't mean I trust them."
"I'm talking about Beaumont, Cisco. He comped our dinner. He said all the right things. It doesn't mean he's a good guy."
I spun around. "He laid it out plain, Evan. It's not like we're besties."
Emily diplomatically shrugged her shoulders. "I don't think a partnership is that bad an idea."
"Honey!" he chided. "You don't want Cisco dealing with the Society but somehow vampires are better?"
"He's claiming to keep Brickell safe," she reasoned. "I don't know if his influence extends into the residential section, but might I remind you that's where we live? If Beaumont's word keeps vampires from our doorstep..."
Evan sighed at the thought of it. "I can't believe you started another war, Cisco."
"I'm sorry, bro. I told you I was gonna look into the missing children. I didn't discover the vampire angle until this morning. What could I do?"
He hooked his hands on his hips and turned away. He was a cop. He hated the thought of the abducted children more than I did, which was why he'd offered intel to assist my off-the-books investigation.
We frowned at each other while standing in the Brickell corridor. Cars passed, blaring Cuban music and heavy beats. Occasional well-dressed groups walked to and from celebrations, oblivious to the underbelly of the city.
Milena and Gavin stopped beside us. He was mumbling under his breath. "I was hoping we could, you know, go to my place so I could play you the new Coldplay album. You said you liked them."
"I did," she said. "But that was ten years ago when they were good."
"I have other music."
Milena sighed. "Sorry, Gavin—I really am—but something came up and I need to take a rain check."
He pouted for a moment but said, "I understand. Whatever you need."
She winked at him. "That's why you're so great." They kissed on the lips and I almost vomited. When the Uber arrived, I was all too happy to see Gavin go.
"It's cruel of you to tease the man like that," said Evan.
"It's not teasing," she said. "He's nice."
I moved in close to her. "But not exciting, right?"
She snorted. "As if."
"Please. One sniff of danger and you end the date early. You know you can't come with me, right?"
"With us," said Evan and Emily together.
I tried to vocalize the intricacies of sharp vampire teeth, but Milena forced her way between us. "The hell I can't. I've seen worse."
Which was probably true but...
I rubbed my eyes in resignation. "You guys know Beaumont was being literal when he called them vampires, right?"
Emily raised a pointed finger. "That's why you need my magic."
Evan nodded. "I'll back you up from a distance with a rifle."
We all turned to Milena.
"What?" she objected. "I can do stuff."
"Maybe you can introduce them to Gavin," I offered. "They'll die of boredom."
Evan leaned into his wife. "Cisco pretends it doesn't bother him, but it's all he thinks about."
Milena narrowed her eyes at me.
"That's not true," I grumbled. "I'm spending at least a tenth of my thought processes on the meeting with the murderous vampires." They snorted. "Seriously, Milena, what do you see in that guy?" Evan broke into laughter.
Milena didn't find it funny. "Stop being a prick, Cisco. He likes me."
Emily leaned close. "And he's reliable."
I sighed. "And so are you guys. I don't deserve you."
"Damn straight," said Evan. "Now let's go kick some vampire ass."
We had a few hours until the deadline, which was just as well. I was more or less always prepared, but Evan and Emily weren't accustomed to strolling the streets with a full arsenal. We walked back to my place where Evan's bright-yellow Corvette Stingray was parked in tandem with my silver Firebird. One new, one old—both with terrifying power on the street. They agreed to meet back at my place in an hour.
Milena and I went upstairs. Kasper was watching reality TV with a beer in hand. Fran snuggled on the couch, half paying attention on her tablet.
"No!" Kasper said to the TV. "Don't let him talk to you like that."
She giggled. "He always does. He's a major a-hole."
"I can see that." He turned to us and whistled. "Now that is a nice dress."
Milena curtsied.
"It's good to see you back together," he said. "Cisco's much less grumpy when you're around."
She turned to me and I just shook my head. Better not get into it. I changed the subject instead. "What're you still doing up, Fran?"
"It's only 10:30. Why are you home so early?"
"Change of plans. We're..."—I scratched the back of my head—"looking into a vampire dealy."
Kasper's eyes narrowed. Milena slapped my shoulder. "Don't tell her."
"What?" I said. "I don't want to lie to her about what's on the streets. What I need to deal with." I turned to Fran, whose eyes were wide with concern. "It's just a meeting. We'll talk, hash out terms, and hopefully the city will be a little safer."
Fran blinked. "Is this about Gendra?"
I frowned. Nothing got past my daughter. I wanted to be straight with her but didn't want to get her hopes up or dash them too low. I realized the corner I was in.
"It's not about Gendra. I don't know anything about Gendra. But an agreement tonight might help things in the future."
Fran studied me closely. I turned away and made a show of taking off my jacket and tie. I unbuttoned the cuffs of my lavender shirt and rolled them up, revealing the dog collar. Then I looped my pouch of spell tokens to my belt.
Kasper stood. "Should I go with you guys?"
"I can't ask you to do that, bro. You should stay here." I turned to Fran. "Where it's absolutely safe. You should go to sleep too. Your parents are coming over in a bit and they'll be upset if you're awake. You have school tomorrow. Come on."
She washed up while we prepared. When she was ready to sleep, I sat beside her in the guest room and tucked her in. She was unnaturally quiet.
"You like this room?" I asked. I'd decorated it with a few posters from music groups she liked. A pink fairy doll I'd given her a year ago sat on the night stand beside her tablet. "You can keep anything you like here. Think of it like a vacation home."
She only half smiled at the thought.
I took in a slow breath and held her hand. "You know you don't need to worry, right? I've shown you what I can do."
"I know," she intoned. "But you never know what can happen."
I ran my finger down her cheek. "Hey, I know that stuff with Connor Hatch frightened you. He was a scary guy. These vamps are nothing. They're animals. They don't use spellcraft. They can't vanish or shoot fire. They're not invincible." I pressed my lips together. "You know how to kill them? You stab them in the heart." I pressed my hand on my chest. "Right here. It's their magical core. It stores all their blood. All their life force."
"That's it?" she asked.
I nodded. "Easy peasy. Without blood they're nothing but ash."
She considered my words. "It kinda sounds like you can handle them in your sleep then."
I chuckled. "Just about. So no worries, okay? I promise I'll be back before you know it."
She nodded. I kissed her forehead. The door creaked and I noticed Milena watching with her hand over her mouth. She was one of the few people who knew Fran was my daughter.
I stood and left Fran with a long smile, and then stepped out and closed the door.
"That was a hell of a bedtime story," she noted.
"What can I say? She's been through a lot. You know that."
She nodded. "Should I stay with her?" We returned to the living room. "It mig
ht make more sense for Kasper to go with you. I'm a lover, not a fighter."
I shot her a devilish grin. "I wouldn't exactly know, would I?"
She blushed.
"Fran loves Kasper. Plus, I want someone here in case the Obsidian March tries something underhanded while we're distracted."
Kasper rubbed his fists after I said that. I'd hate to see whoever tried to hurt Fran with him around.
"What about Beaumont's protection?" asked Milena.
"I think he's being straight with us, but I can't chance Fran's life on it. You shouldn't have anything to worry about, Kasper. This is just insurance."
"The wards alone will stop anybody. The windows, doors, ceiling, floor—there's no way in."
I made sure the condo was locked up tight at all points of entry. "I wouldn't have paid you so much if I didn't have full confidence, Kasper. It's just that the wards haven't been tested yet."
"Oh ye of little faith," he muttered.
I squared up with him and rested my hand on his shoulder. "Quite the opposite, my friend. I'm relying on you."
He nodded, suddenly solemn. We locked wrists. "I won't let you down."
Evan and Emily arrived. Like Fran, they had keys and entered without me needing to open up for them. Emily immediately checked on her daughter, and Evan thanked Kasper for staying in. Then we went over the plan. What we were up against, what might happen, and what we could do about it.
Milena burped and we turned to her. She shrugged. "Is it weird that we're vampire hunting when we're drunk?"
"We're not hunting and we're not drunk," I said. "You and Emily drink too fast."
"It's not too fast if I can handle it," returned Emily. "Milena's the tipsy one."
"Thanks," she said sarcastically.
"Besides," I added, "we only had three bottles of wine."
"Four if you count the port," said Milena.
"Who counts port?"
Stymied by my masterful argument, we finished up our strategy and filed into the elevator.
Milena sat with me in the Firebird as we followed the Corvette. Evan knew the city like the back of his hand and wanted to approach on the sly. That didn't stop us from a little friendly racing on the open road. I revved past him. He took an unexpected turn. It was a winding dance of horsepower until we rolled into the ghetto outside Miami International Airport. Some blocks were a hive of drug activity. Others had residents wandering and laughing into the night. It wasn't an ideal place to park two sports cars.
