Warm hands touched her shoulders, squeezing gently, then Michael leaned past her and turned on the tap. He wet his hands and gently patted moisture across the back of her neck, then her forehead.
"Are you all right?"
She nodded and reached for a cup, filling it with water. She rinsed her mouth, then turned around and rested her cheek against his chest. He wrapped his arms around her and simply held her.
I'm glad you kept the full impact of that from me. It would have been bad, otherwise.
It may be the way we have to proceed with this gift of yours—at least until you gain some semblance of control over it.
I'm not sure if it's something I'll ever be able to fully control. Those images were coming at me before I'd even touched that necklace. I didn't even have to really reach.
Which is a worrying aspect.He brushed a kiss across the top of her head. Our client grows restless.
She lifted her cheek from his chest and leaned back against the sink. He'd be more than restless if he knew what was happening to his wife right now.
I know.He smoothed the hair from her eyes, fingers still hot against her skin. The caring in his gaze almost liquefied her insides. If you're not up to talking to them yet, I can sidetrack their thoughts .
Annoyance swirled softly, but she ignored it and touched a hand to his cheek. No, I'm fine .
Harris came into the kitchen. His hands were thrust into his pockets, and his expression was a mix of anger and hope. "Well, did anything happen?"
She sighed and dropped her hand. "Yes. I found her."
Her words seemed to galvanize everyone in the room.
"What?" one of the blue suits said. "Where?"
She grimaced. "I can't pinpoint it exactly without leading you there. But she's in a tunnel of some sort."
"Lady," the Fed said dryly, "between the Bart and Muni tunnels, the sewers and storm drains, this city is a labyrinth of tunnels. Care to be a little more specific?"
A train ran past. Ten minutes ago.Michael twined his fingers through hers.
"It's near a train tunnel, I think, because one went past when I made contact—about ten minutes ago."
"Well, gee, that narrows the search area."
"And you were searching where, precisely, before now?" she asked.
The Fed smiled reluctantly, blue eyes crinkling near the corners. "Okay, so you show us. Boys, make arrangements."
The police began making frantic calls. Harris thrust a hand through his hair. "Was she… is she….?"
"She's alive, Mr. Harris. She hasn't been hurt yet." The lie tasted bitter on her tongue. She swallowed heavily and looked away.
Michael squeezed her fingers lightly and turned. "Tell me, Mr. Harris, just how did those men get in here this morning to kidnap your wife?"
Harris shrugged. "I'm not sure. Anne apparently left a window open in the dining room, and the police think they may have climbed through there."
Michael didn't glance at her, but she knew he was thinking the same thing she was: Vampires couldn't enter a private residence unless asked, so there was no way in hell they could have climbed through that window to kidnap her.
"Did you have any odd callers during the week? A salesman, perhaps, that insisted you invite him in?"
she asked.
Harris shook his head. "Though we did have to call the plumber during the week because our hot water heater stopped working."
She shared a glance with Michael. "What time of day did the plumber arrive?"
Harris frowned. "Evening. We were both out during the day, and it was dark by the time we got back."
"And he was the only stranger you let into the house?"
"Yes."
"Do you keep your hot water heater in the house or the garage?" Michael asked.
"The house. Why?"
"Do you mind if I take a look?"
Harris' frown deepened, though he shrugged. "Sure. It's through that door there." He pointed toward a door to their right.
Michael squeezed Nikki's fingers then released her hand and headed for the door.
"Hey," a police officer said, "Where are—" Power slithered through the air. The officer's words died, and he turned and walked to the window, staring outside. Michael's gaze met hers, almost challengingly. She didn't say anything, and after a moment he disappeared through the door Harris had indicated.
A blue suit approached. If he noticed Michael's absence, he made no mention of it. Maybe Michael had touched his mind, too. She crossed her arms and tried to ignore the rising tide of annoyance. He was right. There were times, like this, when it was simply easier to control everyone's thoughts. It sure beat answering difficult questions.
"There's no way you could define the search?" the Fed asked.
"As I said, not unless I take you there—and I'll need the necklace as a guide. I feel her vibes through it."
She glanced at Harris as the older man looked set to protest. "I'll return it, of course."
He shut his mouth and nodded. She looked away, disgusted. God, what did he think she was going to do? Run away with the stupid thing? How idiotic would that be, especially when she was going to be surrounded by Feds and cops?
There's no entrance into the room with the water heater, Michael said. Though I'd bet the plumber was a vampire.
"Miss James, are you able to try locating the tunnel for us now?"
"Yeah, sure." She pushed away from the sink and headed into the living room to retrieve the plastic bag she'd dropped earlier. Michael? What are you going to do?
I think I saw a sewer grate just up the street. When you go outside, lift the lid. I'll dive into the sewers and try to navigate my way to wherever you end up.
What about the police?
I'll move too fast for them to see me.
And the sun?
He hesitated . You'll have to treat me gently tonight. I'll be sunburned.
What about using sun block?
Sun block?
Yeah, you know, that greasy white stuff we human's smear all over our skin to prevent sunburn. Harris is bound to have some in his bathroom.
I'm on my way to check.
She smiled. You mean to say that in over three hundred years of existence, you've never thought to use sun block?
Sun block has not been around for three hundred years.
Well, no, but it's got to have been around for at least fifty. I would have thought you'd have experimented by now.
I've had no need to before now. Besides, running around in the sun to test the feasibility of sun block is not something I'm inclined to risk without reason.
Couldn't argue with that logic, she supposed. She picked up the bagged necklace and followed the suits out the door. She went down the steps slowly, studying the street either way. The sewer grate was several houses up to her right.
Power surged, tingling across her fingertips. One of the Feds took her arm, guiding her toward a car parked just down from the grate. You ready?
Yes.
The Fed opened the door. She climbed into the car and studied the grate through slightly narrowed eyes.
As the two agents climbed into the car and started the engine, she reached out kinetically and lifted the grate. It was heavier than she's expected, and she had to reach for a little more energy. She slid the lid toward the shadows of the car in front of them.
Go.
Nothing happened for a heartbeat, then a shadow flowed into the sewer hole and disappeared. She slid the grate back into place quickly to ensure any stray beams of sunlight couldn't touch him in the sewer's darkness.