“Damn! How many does he have?”

“We have no way of knowing, but I suspect that our two bodyguards who killed their clients are some of them. I believe it was all a set-up.”

“But they committed suicide.”

Gabriel shook his head. “That’s what eyewitnesses said, but the dead bodies couldn’t be identified. The first one was burned to a crisp, the other bodyguard jumped into the Bay according to witnesses, and the body has not been found. The eyewitnesses could have been tampered with. For all we know, Luther used mind control to plant false memories into their minds so they would testify that they saw the two die.”

“And they would even pass a lie-detector test,” Samson continued, “because they wouldn’t know they were lying. Clever.”

“Yes, Luther was always smart.”

“So for all we know, Edmund and Kent could be vampires. And supporting Luther. Who knows how many others he’s turned before those two. Any idea?”

“Paul had no information on it.”

Samson balled his hands into fists. “We have to stop him. He’s gone crazy. Who is with us?”

Gabriel glanced at his boss. “I’d say only the inner circle. I suspect that Luther’s been planning this for a long time.”

“You’re right. I’ll assign my guys to the search. We’ll coordinate with Zane and the others. Amaury can run the show.”

Gabriel sighed. “About Amaury …”

“What about him?”

“I think his loyalties are divided right now.”

Samson frowned. “Amaury’s loyalty to me is without question.”

“The woman,” Gabriel said.

Samson paused and closed his eyes for a moment. “I hadn’t thought of her. Damn, you’re right. I’d hoped finally something would change for Amaury. I don’t know how much longer I can pretend I don’t know what he’s going through.”

“What he’s going through?”

“Yes, his gift.” Samson sneered. “As if he can fool anybody.”

“You know of his pain?”

“He’s my oldest friend. I wouldn’t be much of a friend if I didn’t know the pain he’s going through every day.”

Gabriel gave Samson a surprised look. “And I thought I was the only one who knew, because I sensed his memories, as much as he was trying to shield them from me.”

“When I saw him with Nina last night, I could feel that he was much calmer than usual, as if he was at peace. Whatever she’s doing, it’s good for Amaury. He needs a break. But I’m afraid we can’t let him continue this, as much as I feel for him.”

“Do you think she knows her brother could be with Luther?”

Samson clearly contemplated Gabriel’s question. “If she does, then the reason she’s with Amaury isn’t his good looks.”

“Shit.” Gabriel didn’t like that idea at all. If she was in her brother’s camp, she would be a danger to Amaury and all of them. “He needs to know.”

Samson nodded slowly. “I think you’re right. We can’t trust her. If she was as close to her brother as she claims, he would never have kept her in the belief that he’s dead. We have to assume she knows.”

“Then she’s been using Amaury and us to help Luther.”

“That’s a distinct possibility.” Samson looked straight at his second-in-command. “We have to contact Amaury and warn him.”

Twenty-seven

“I know you’re in there. Open the damn door, or I’ll kick it in.”

Impatiently, Amaury hovered outside of Nina’s front door. The place was a dump. Sure, he didn’t live in the best area of town either, but there was no way he’d let her continue living in this vermin-infested place. At least he had a good reason to live where he did.

“Go away.” Nina’s voice came from inside the apartment, the first sound he’d heard in the five minutes he’d been banging on the door. It was a start.

He dropped his voice an octave, using all his persuasive powers, knowing mind control didn’t work on her. “Please, Nina. We need to talk. Let me in, chérie.”

A moment later he heard a chain being released and the door being unlocked. Finally.

“Nina, please let me come in.”

Nina opened the door and stepped back. He glanced at her face and recognized that she’d been crying. Had he done that? He felt like a complete and utter jerk for making her cry.