Page 50 of The Night Firm

I take a small sip first, then sigh in pleasure and drink more deeply. It is a perfect blend of sweet and tart and it makes my vision swim just enough to enjoy. "This is the best thing I've ever tasted," I say, with a more relaxed smile than I've had all day.

Sebastian returns the smile, sipping his own drink, which is the same blue, but as he drinks it begins to turn purple as it mixes with a red at the center. "Does yours have blood in it?" I ask, enjoying the swirl of color in his glass despite myself.

"It does," he says.

I nod. "It makes a cool color."

He raises an eyebrow and continues drinking as I look around, studying the other diners.

There's a couple who look like they're on a first date. Rough choice of place, dude. She doesn't look happy. She catches my eye and we share a knowing look and rueful smile. I'm only slightly surprised when I look more closely and notice her eyes aren't human, but rather more like those of a fish. Then I notice the sheen to her skin isn't a trick of light, but a reflection off of the iridescent scales on her skin.

"Is that… " I ask Sebastian, my words trailing off.

"A mermaid? Yes. Though she won't be able to remain on land too long."

"What is the guy she's with?" I ask.

"Werewolf," he says with distaste. "Odd match. I doubt it'll last."

I snort at that. "I agree, but not because of their species difference. He's not impressing her at all."

"Not surprising. He is a werewolf, after all. They're a rather brutish bunch."

The centaur arrives with my food, and I poke my spoon at the thick stew. "You sure this is safe?" I ask.

"I'm sure."

"And these are normal vegetables? Nothing strange or sentient?" I feel like a real lawyer, finding the loopholes in everything.

"Yes, normal vegetables. You have my word." He's got an amused glint in his eyes and I squint at him in distrust, but then decide to take him at his word. I take a small bite, teasing it with my teeth and tongue. "It's quite chewy," I say, when I can finally swallow. "Like a tire."

Sebastian laughs. "So not a fan, then."

I push the bowl away. "Not so much."

I study the man across from me as we drink our Elf Juice and I nibble on bread. His green eyes are intense, his body full of energy.

"Why would Liam be visiting Dracula?" I ask, refocusing our attention back onto the case.

"He wouldn't," Sebastian says, gritting his teeth and clenching his fist.

"You don't think… you don't think Liam is the letter writer, do you?" I ask.

"I do not know. For the sake of this case, my brother, and everyone involved, I certainly hope to gods not."

It's a tense drive back once we've finished our drinks, and Sebastian stalks into the castle. I brace myself for the confrontation I know is about to happen.

We find Liam in his personal quarters, head bent over his desk as he writes in a journal. He slams it shut when we enter, then curses as he knocks over a vial of ink onto a stack of papers. "What do you want?" he growls, avoiding eye contact with me.

Sebastian doesn't say anything, but instead pulls out the crystal and projects the memory of the cat. "Those are your shoes," he says, pointing to Liam's feet. Sure enough, the shoes match.

"So?" he asks.

"So, this memory occurred inside Mary Dracule's bedroom. What the hell were you thinking, Liam? Were you having an affair with our sire's wife?"

Liam stiffens, then stands. I step back, not wanting to get between two vampire brothers, but not wanting to miss anything important either. A flash tingles in my mind and flows down my body like electricity. Something is happening.

"What I do is my business, not yours," Liam hisses, his face inches away from his brother's.