Biting Cold: A Chicagoland Vampires Novel (CHICAGOLAND VAMPIRES SERIES)

ruffled into dark waves. There was a glint of gold around his neck, and I knew instantly what it was. Every Cadogan vampire wore a small gold disk on a chain, a kind of vampire dog tag, that identified their name and position. I’d bargained mine away to Tate in exchange for information about the Maleficium .
    Ethan had given me the medal, and although I’d gotten a replacement, I didn’t like to see Tate wearing it.
    “I’m open to any suggestions you might have, Sentinel,” Ethan said, eyes fixed on Tate.
    Unfortunately, our sharp and sleek Japanese swords were in the trunk, and I doubted Tate was going to give us time to grab them.
    “We face him,” I said. “And in case we need to make a run for it, leave your door open.” Knowing Ethan could maneuver the Mercedes more effectively than me, I handed him the keys, sucked in a breath, and opened the door.

C HAPTER T WO

    HE’S A MAGIC MAN
    W e stepped outside at the same time, two vampires facing down a magical mystery man on a dark Iowa night. It wasn’t exactly how I preferred to spend an evening, but what other option did I have?
    Tate’s eyes darted to Ethan, widening in surprise. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
    “As you orchestrated my death, no, I imagine you didn’t.”
    Tate rolled his eyes. “I orchestrated nothing.”
    “You set the wheels in motion,” Ethan said. “You put Merit in a room with a drugged vampire who hated her. You had to know I’d look for her and that Celina would react. Since it was her stake that hit me, I think ‘orchestrated’ is rather accurate.”
    “We’ll have to agree to disagree, Sullivan.” Tate smiled drowsily at me. “Lovely to see you again, Ballerina.”
    I’d danced when I was younger, and Tate had filed that information away. “I can’t say the feeling is mutual.”
    “Oh, come now. What’s a little reunion between friends?”
    “You aren’t a friend,” I said, and I wasn’t in the mood for a reunion. “How did you get Mayor Kowalcyzk to release you?”
    “Easily, as it turns out. There’s no evidence against me.”
    That was a lie. They’d found Tate’s fingerprints on the drugs, and his favorite minion, a guy named Paulie, had spilled the rest of the details to the Chicago Police Department.
    “Did you tell her your arrest was part of a supernatural conspiracy?” I asked. “Woo her with your tales of oppression by vampires?”
    “I’ve found Diane to be a woman who appreciates a reasonable argument.”
    “Diane Kowalcyzk couldn’t pick a reasonable argument out of a lineup,” I countered. “What do you want?”
    “What do you think I want?” he asked. “I want the book.”
    Ethan crossed his arms. “Why?”
    “Because our girl made it sound so interesting.” His smile was oily. “Didn’t you?”
    “I’m not your girl, and I didn’t tell you about the Maleficium .”
    “So my memory isn’t perfect. But I can only assume you enjoyed our visits, or you wouldn’t have visited me twice.”
    Beside me, Ethan growled possessively.
    “Quit baiting him,” I demanded. “I visited you to get information, which is the only thing I want now. Why do you want the Maleficium ?”
    “I told you already,” Tate nonchalantly said. “I told you when we sat together in my prison of human making, when I advised you the division of evil and good was unnatural, that ‘evil’ was a human construct. Holding it captive in the Maleficium is unnatural. I have an opportunity to right that wrong, to release it. And I don’t plan to let that chance pass me by.”
    There was an intent gleam in his eyes and a shock of chilling magic in the air. There was little doubt he didn’t plan to let us stand in his way.
    “We don’t have it,” Ethan told him.
    “Given the direction you’re traveling, that’s obvious. But I also assume you’re on your way to retrieve it, perhaps before Ms. Carmichael does something drastic?”
    A sickening feeling blossomed in my stomach. “Stay away from her.”
    “You know that’s not possible. Not when we’re all racing for the same prize. And besides, she might come in handy.”
    I felt the rising tide of magic lift further as my own fury contributed to the swell. “Stay. Away. From her,” I gritted out, “or you will answer to me.”
    Tate rolled his eyes. “I could finish you in a minute.” Then he looked at me askance, which was even more frightening. Like he was studying me. “I bet it hurts, doesn’t it, to feel like your