Part 33 (1/2)

TWENTY-SIX.

THEREUNION.

INorder to sneak up on the Pennybaker mansion, Breisi parked the 4Runner at the bottom of the hill, where the gates were open.

It was a far cry from that first visit, when they'd been shut and secretive.

As night echoes sought refuge in the darkness, the fighters silently armed themselves: among other toys, Breisi had her death- dealing saw-bow for backup, while Dawn wore whatever she could manipulate with her left hand. This meant that her weapons didn't includeshurikenor a stake. She didn't think she could summon enough power to pierce a vamp's heart with the sharpened wood, so she stuck to carrying the gun, putting a new vial of holy water and a crucifix in her jeans for any other vamp breeds that might show, plus wearing a silver-edged machete from the weapon collection under Breisi's tarp in back of the car. Dawn slidthatbeauty into a sheath at her right hip, believing that she'd be able to swing the blade with enough force to do some damage if the need arose.

As she rubbed more garlic on her skin-for all the good it might do-she focused on Kiko and Frank. Especially Frank.

Would this next encounter with Robby yield any results about her father? If she had to, she was going tochopsome information out of Nathan Pennybaker and his son.

If they knew anything.

”I can't help you,”Robby had said earlier when she'd asked him about Frank. So what the h.e.l.l had that meant?

Dawn turned on the earpiece both she and Breisi were wearing so the boss could monitor. Her sling-ridden right side was chewing at her, demanding to be recognized for its dull nagging. Screw it.

Ready to go, she turned to the other woman. ”Let's do this for Kiko and Frank.”

Breisi's jaw hardened, and when she looked at Dawn, it was with conviction-the gaze of a comrade in arms. In her eyes, Dawn saw a love so deep that it could drown. A love for Frank.

Overcome, Dawn held out her hand to her partner.

Breisi grabbed on, gripping Dawn's wrist in something that felt like a sisterhood promise.

Another voice joined them, the sound in Dawn's ear a million miles removed from emotion.

”Try not to harm Robby, if possible,” Jonah Limpet said. ”I want to talk with him myself. And if you can persuade him to leave the premises and come to mine, that's even better.”

”How can we do that?” Dawn asked, releasing Breisi's hand.

”Normally I would recommend a crucifix for binding a vampire in fear and controlling him, but that doesn't work with Robby.

He's a creature from a line I've never encountered. Hypnosis is our best risk. That's why I want you to put him in a position- alone-to hear my voice on the cell phone. Or if you can get close enough to fit an earpiece-”

”I'm thinking Robby won't let us do that,” Dawn said, on the cusp of asking why the boss couldn't just come out here to hypnotize the vamp himself. But then she remembered that he hadn't even been able to get out of the house for Kiko's emergency, so she knew there had to be a good reason for his absence. Too bad n.o.body was bothering to tell it to her.

Why? And was the possible escape of Robby worth preserving The Voice's isolation? Evidently, yes.

Breisi was holding her cell phone like it was another weapon, readying it for Robby. ”With the loss of the crucifix's powers, I need to work on some sort of binding weapon.”

”I'll look into it.” Jonah's tone had gone even darker. ”But for now, protect RobbyandMarla. And...”

”Yes?” Breisi asked.

Dead air crackled. ”And...go with G.o.d.”

He abruptly signed off, leaving them to their own devices, even though they knew he'd be listening in.

Ruffled by his closing, Dawn fell into step with Breisi and embarked up the hill.

Try not to harm Robby, Jonah had said. But the specter of Kiko's pain-steeped eyes kept haunting Dawn.

So did the vampire's savage attack on her memories.

She brushed off the dread, instead trying to concentrate on the information she needed to get through this night: The Voice had told them that his ”Friends” had seen Robby come home. However, these mysterious pals didn't have enough strength to protect Robby from any possible Guards for an extended period of time, so Dawn and Breisi had to hurry. To make matters even more urgent, Marla Pennybaker, who'd been so eager to find Robby in the first place, was rejecting her son's otherworldly form, refusing to invite him inside the mansion. This left Robby-the vampire they needed for questioning-vulnerable to attack.

As the imposing roof came into view, Dawn wondered ifshemight've triggered Robby's homecoming by telling him how much Marla missed him. Had she actually convinced the vampire to return to Mommy? Was that why he'd left Bava so suddenly?

Earlier, Marla Pennybaker had called Limpet from a closet in her room, wailing that her son was watching her through a window.

Despite Breisi's previous hints to the woman that Robby might turn out to be a vampire, Marla was still in denial. But now she was going through that surreal process of accepting the truth that Dawn was enduring. Seeing was believing.

The mansion loomed before them, looking as paralyzed as it had been the other night. Wind made doubtful murmurs while it combed over the trees plus the hedged maze that Robby had confessed to hiding in.

The scene was too peaceful for Dawn's comfort.

”Where is he?” she mouthed to Breisi.

The other woman shook her head, her dark hair brus.h.i.+ng her jawline.

Without warning, a gust of wind barged into Dawn, and she aimed her revolver at...h.e.l.l, atnothing.

As a shaky breath escaped her, she realized that it had only been a false alarm, a ghostly taunt trailing a low, chilly howl and a trace of...perfume?

Jasmine-reminding her of the invisible hands that had guided her to Limpet's- Cras.h.!.+

Something hit the window near the front door. Both Dawn and Breisi targeted the sound, only to find Marla plastered against the gla.s.s, her face a mask of panic. The woman darted toward the door.”Someone came out of her closet,” Breisi said.

Before Dawn had time to process that her partner had actually made something resembling a joke, they made a run for the entrance, which Marla Pennybaker was now pulling open.

”Mr. Limpet called to say you were near!” she screeched. ”Hurry, get in here!”

When Breisi sprinted to Marla, Dawn guessed that they would quickly return outside to secure Robby after they'd calmed his mother. Unfortunately, that might expose them to the Guards who'd been chasing Robby on previous nights. Dawn only hoped they could contain the young vampire for questioning before those red-eyes showed up.

Following Breisi, Dawn started for the door, too, but was halted by another blast of air. At her jerk of surprise, it swept back, as if it'd only been inspecting her, leaving the scent of jasmine to linger like a delicate threat.

”Dawn!” Breisi was waving her in and watching the lawn.

Behind her, a cry shattered the darkness.

She'd heard that screech before. Tonight. At Bava.

s.h.i.+t.