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those who knew where to look. But Holly seemed to be settling in for the long haul and had
begun asking too many questions about Cyn's work. She was especially curious about the
vampires since so little was known about them. Many people considered their existence little
more than rumor.
Cyn had begun to wonder if there was anything wrong with her sister's house at all, or if
maybe Holly had a private reason for wanting to know exactly what Cynthia was working on.
In any event, Cyn had decamped to her office to work. It was quiet here, only the occa-
sional visitor next door and the steady hum of traffic on the avenue. Her office phone rang as
she sat back down.
"Leighton."
"Hey, Cyn! You're there. Speak of the devil and he'll give you a call. Not that Lonnie was
a bad guy. He wasn't ... for a vampire.
"A little early for you, isn't it, Lonnie?"
"Uh, yeah. He laughed nervously. Listen, Cyn. I need to talk to you. Can I come by?"
Cynthia frowned. Sure, Lonnie, you know that. What's the problem?"
"Um, it's complicated and I'd rather not discuss it on a cell phone. I'm about fifteen minutes
from your office."
She didn't like the sound of Lonnie's voice. He was nervous, and a little too insistent for
the normally laid back vampire. But it probably wouldn't hurt to meet with him. Whatever he
wanted, she could always tell him no. Okay, come on over. But only because I trust you. If
you're bringing trouble with you, I'm gonna be pissed."
"Come on, Cyn. Think of all the business I send you. I'll be there in fifteen ... make that
thirteen minutes."
Cyn hung up without saying good-bye, then saw how dark it was in her office and went
around turning on lamps. She'd been working pretty much by the light of her monitor, with
only a small desk lamp on. As she clicked switches, she brooded about the fact that Lonnie
hadn't denied he was in trouble. By the time she had gone back to her desk and started work-
ing again, the security buzzer was sounding and there was Lonnie, staring into the camera on
her security screen and mouthing the words, Hi Cyn."
She was smiling when she hit the intercom. Come on in, Lonnie."
She turned away, pulling open a file drawer and stashing the folders, thinking how Lonnie
frequently made her smile. He had an easygoing personality and a knack for making people
feel comfortable and welcome, which Cyn figured was why he'd been put in charge of man-
aging the vamps personal feedlot down at the beach house. She couldn't figure out what any
of that had to do with her, however.
"So, what's up? she asked without looking as she pulled a notepad out of her desk draw-
er.
"Cyn Lonnie said uneasily.
She glanced up, then jumped to her feet, her Glock 17 out of her shoulder holster faster
than thought and held before her in a standard two handed grip. Pushing her chair away
without looking, she moved as far back as possible, trying to put some distance between her-
self and the strange vampires now standing in her office. Her finger dropped to the trigger, de-
pressing it just enough to click off the safety.
"Lonnie, you little shit, you're dead, she snarled.
The first vampire in the doorway had moved slightly so he blocked her view of the guy be-
hind him, but Cyn was more than happy to focus on the one in front; she could only shoot one
of them at a time anyway. He was about Cyn's own six foot height, but outweighed her by a
good seventy pounds, most of it muscle. His broad chest and shoulders were encased in an
elegant dark suit; his longish blond hair was combed straight back, and very human looking
brown eyes watched her out of a handsome but unremarkable face. When he spoke, there
was not even a hint of fang. I'm afraid Lonnie's already dead, Ms. Leighton, he said.
"Funny. I'm not laughing. Who the fuck are you?"
Blondie didn't like that. He gave her an unfriendly look, then glanced at Lonnie. Lonnie,
he snapped.
"Cyn, for fuck's sake, put the gun down, Lonnie rasped. This is Lord Raphael. He said
the name in a breathless whisper that held as much fear as reverence.
Cynthia shifted startled eyes to Lonnie, then quickly back to the blond vampire. She'd
heard of Raphael. Hell, everybody had heard of Raphael. But she didn't know anyone who'd
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