Blake watched Selene walk down the dark alley stairs ahead of him to the Darkling District. Practitioners of the Dark Arts lived here, ignoring the rules of their kind and, unfortunately, smart enough to never get caught. It didn’t matter that everyone knew who and what they were; there was little that even the Enforcers could do without evidence.

He followed Selene, walking with her head held high, her long black hair flowing behind her. He looked around and caught the looks that she attracted. Fear. She was Selene Sintas, who had killed more than her share of Dark Witches. They all knew better than to take her on or lie to her. She had gotten away with six deaths; what was one more to add to the list.

Selene led them to a house and knocked on the door. Blake shared a confused look with Jeanette. His eyes widened when he saw a Witchling answer the door. Witchlings were feline-like people; once they were cats, they were simply familiars turned into Witches, partially through Dark Magic. Witchlings still had feline-like grace, fur, eyes, and ears, but they also had beautiful long legs and slender bodies. This one crossed her arms, leaned against her door frame, and tapped her fingers against her arm, a sly and secretive smile on her face.

“Hello, Selene.” Selene hugged her, and the Witchling laughed, hugging her in return. Once the embrace ended, the Witchling welcomed them into her home. She locked the door once they were all in.

“Blake, Jeanette, this is Zoë.”

“Hello,” greeted Blake. Jeanette, as was her newest custom, didn’t say a word.

“So, what can I do for you today,” asked Zoë, sliding onto her divan and stretching out like the cat she originally was.

“I need to know if there have been any Vampyres who have bought Fairy Dust?”

Zoë laughed, her golden eyes glittering. “Other than you? Only a few, why?”

“Have you heard about the two recent murders?” asked Blake. Zoë looked at him, her gold eyes dilating in the dim light.

“Yes,” she purred.

“Then that’s why,” said Jeanette.

“Talkative, isn’t she,” joked Zoë. “Quite honestly, I don’t know how many exactly, but I could find out for you.”

“We need those names as soon as possible,” said Selene.

“All right, don’t worry. I know the maker; I’ll inquire delicately and have your names tomorrow. Sound fair?” Blake watched Selene nod and hold out an uncut diamond to Zoë. Blake watched Zoë in amusement. He wondered which life she was in. Witchlings were almost like Reborns. They were reincarnated nine times and regained the memories of their past lives. Zoë reminded him of someone he knew. She must have caught him staring because she looked up from her divan and smiled at him warmly.

“Thank you for the diamond, Selene. It was nice to meet you both.” Zoë smiled again, at Blake more than anyone else, and snapped her fingers, unlocking the door. As they left, Selene stayed behind and exchanged hushed words with Zoë.

“Do you think Selene is okay,” Jeanette asked him. “I’ve never seen Eris show such a lack of care towards her. He’s never been so harsh with her, not since Katherine’s death.”

“Eris is a horse’s ass. Something is bothering him, and he’s taking it on her.” He looked at her. “I implicated him.”

Jeanette smiled. “I know. It was brilliant. Stupid, but brilliant.”

“Thank you?”

“I think you might be onto something, though,” said Jeanette, ignoring his question.

Blake nodded. “So you feel it to huh?”

“Something isn’t right. Do you think Eris knows? About Jason?”

“I hope not. But if Eris did, why hasn’t he done anything to confront Selene?”

“Maybe he doesn’t know Selene knows.”

“Eris doesn’t know.” Blake and Jeanette jumped at the sudden reappearance of Selene at their sides. “Jason would be dead if he knew.”

“We were having a private conversation,” scowled Jeanette. Selene merely smiled that mocking and arrogant smile of hers.

“Then you should have gone down the street. I barely had to heighten my hearing to eavesdrop on you two.”

“Selene, you have to—”

“Yes, Blake, I feel it too. I even sense the change in him. But if he knew, either Jason or I would be dead, and we aren’t. Something else is going on. Something within him. It’s a change I’ve only noticed in him once before, a change in his eyes. He’s tired.”

“Of what?” asked Jeanette hotly.

“Of waiting for Azelia. He’s tired of living.” Blake watched the sadness in her eyes grow. It only served to make her dark beauty more alluring. “Head back to the cave. I need to find my human dealer.”

“Why?” asked Blake.

“Just a precautionary measure. I need to do a Memory Wipe.”

“Don’t you think we’ll stop whoever this is before four?”

Selene shook her head. “I don’t know, but I can’t risk it.” Selene took off down the street. Blake looked at Jeanette, who shook her head in answer to his silent question. He had to agree, his hope just as fleeting.