The dark-haired vampire named Sean lingered, looking her up and down with a predatory stare. “You look good,” he repeated.

Brigid snorted and rolled her eyes. “Learn some manners, vampire.” Then she tossed back the rest of her champagne and handed the glass to a passing server before she walked away. Despite her warning, she felt his eyes follow her across the room.

December 2009

“Oh, Brigid will never be satisfied with a mortal, will she now?”

“Shut up, Jack.”

They were passing the time going through the security tapes they’d taken from a club one Saturday night. Jack was teasing her mercilessly and had gotten Declan in on it, too. Declan’s humor was more tolerable. He had drier sense that matched his personality and closely resembled her own.

Jack said, “It’s true. After having a vampire, how would a woman be satisfied with a human again?”

She thought about Axel and Emily teasing her months ago about the same thing. “If I didn’t have objections to anemia and insomnia, I might agree with you.”

Declan said from across the room. “What makes you think Connor doesn’t like the tanned, surfer types, Jack? She hangs out with the ridiculous Swede all the time.”

“He’s Norwegian!”

Jack frowned. “What’s the difference? And Brigid doesn’t like surfers. Look how pale she is. And she doesn’t even have our excuse.”

“What makes you two think I like vampires at all?”

Jack gaped. “Well, surely you’ve at least tried one out.”

Brigid shrugged and continued staring at the television screen. “Never felt the urge. Don’t have a biting fetish.”

She heard Declan chuckle across the room. “Are you sure about that? It’s not just the neck, you know.”

“What, never?” Jack said. She glanced at him. He almost looked offended. “Really, Brigid, never?”

“I’m not a virgin or anything. I’ve just never had a vampire. Is this so shocking?”

Declan said, “As many as you know and are friends with? A little. Most girls are at least curious.”

“Well, I’m not.” If she was lying about one completely unattainable vampire, well… they didn’t need to know that.

Jack spun her around in her chair. “Please, Brigid. Let me help open your eyes.” He grinned and his fangs descended. “Consider it part of your training.”

Declan snorted. “You’re only asking because you’re sure she’ll say ‘no.’”

“Brigid.”

Tom’s quiet voice called her name and everyone in the room turned. That was the thing about Tom; he never yelled. Everyone just quieted down when he wanted to talk.

She frowned a little at his extra-grim expression. “What’s the story, Tom?” He didn’t smile, but then Tom rarely did. But there was something in his eyes…

“Murphy’ll see you in his office.”

“All right.”

Her heart began to beat faster. Something was wrong. Murphy never called her to his office. If she’d made a mistake with work, Tom would be the one to correct her. What was going on? Visions of her aunt swam in front of her eyes. Could Sinead have had an accident? Brigid thought she was in good health, but maybe something was wrong. Was it her mother? She hadn’t see the woman in fourteen years, and she had no desire to have anything to do with her.

She swallowed back the lump in her throat and tapped on the door.

“Come in.”

Brigid opened the door and slipped inside. It was dark. Only one lamp was lit in the corner. Murphy rose behind his desk. His eyes met hers for only a moment before he sped from the room. Brigid blinked in confusion, even more confused than she had been before.

“Brigid.”

She spun toward the sound. Carwyn was in the corner, leaning against the wall. “Carwyn?”

Far from his normally affable demeanor, his face was dark. Fierce. He looked like he was on the edge of bursting into a rage.

Brigid’s heart raced. “What’s going on? Is it my aunt? Is something wrong with Sinead?”

Carwyn walked toward her slowly. “No.” He raised his hands, and they hovered over her shoulders, as if he was afraid to touch her.

“What’s going on?” she whispered in a shaky voice.

The rage fled from his face, and suddenly, Brigid was enveloped by the crush of his arms. They wrapped around her, enfolding, protecting, as if he was trying to shield her. But she didn’t know from what, and her body was racked with violent tremors.

“Please… please tell me.”

“We have to find him,” Carwyn whispered desperately. “He’s been gone too long now. You have to help us. What was he working on, Brigid? He would have told you.”

The hot burn of tears threatened the corner of her eyes. “What are you saying?”

Carwyn shook his head. “I’m… Ioan is missing, Brigid. He was in the city, working at one of his clinics.”

“I know. We met for a drink Monday night.”

“He’s gone.” His violent whisper tore at her heart. “No one has seen him for days.”

“What?” She didn’t know where she found the strength, but she pushed away from the solid wall of Carwyn’s chest and shoved him back, her fear turning to rage. “What are you talking about? He was just here. He was staying at his place in town and going home on Wednesday after the clinic closed. He can’t be missing.”