“We were just doing our job,” Campbell said.
“Yes, you were. You’ll be happy to know the trial date has been set for the detestable Mr. Salmeri. And if I have anything to say about it, he will no longer be a problem.”
“I’d be happier if I could just toss him out into the sun to roast,” Kaja murmured, but Catherine didn’t miss it.
“You never know,” Catherine said. “He might end up with a date with daylight.”
Campbell winced, not because he didn’t think Salmeri deserved such a punishment but rather at the memory of his own brush with the sun.
“I am sorry to not be able to let you all enjoy a much-deserved break,” Catherine said. “However, I need to discuss something of the utmost importance with you. I’m afraid that your job will only grow more challenging in the days and months ahead.”
Campbell knew vampire crime was on the rise, but something told him theft and assaults weren’t exactly what she was talking about.
“What I’m about to tell you is classified to the highest levels of the Imperium. I do not agree with that decision, so I’m not going to abide by it.”
Sophia gasped, and a couple of the others shifted uncomfortably. The Imperium’s law was absolute.
“It must be something very serious to cause you to make that decision,” Campbell said.
“It is indeed. It’s why I’ve been traveling like a crazy woman lately, why I’m in New York now. I’ve been meeting with the heads of the various Imperium offices around the world. We believe there is a building and significant threat to the Imperium itself.”
“The Nefari has gained that much power?” Colin asked.
“I wish it were as simple as the Nefari. Them, we know how to deal with. Common crooks, if ones with a lot of resources.” Catherine sighed, though she hadn’t required breath in more than a century. “I’m afraid the Nefari are child’s play compared to the Pravus.”
“The Pravus?” Campbell asked. “Sorry, but I’m no expert in Latin.”
“Evil, pure and simple,” Ray offered.
“We do not know who is behind it or what the specifics of their plans are, but what little we have gleaned points toward it being a plot by the Soulless to take over the Imperium and substantially change vampire society.”
“Oh, my God,” Sophia said, and sank heavily into her chair.
Campbell watched the baroness for a moment before speaking. “Why are you telling us this?”
“Quite frankly, because I trust you more than I do some of my colleagues in the Imperium.”
“You think someone in the Imperium is involved?” Kaja asked.
“That I don’t know, but I’ve been around long enough to know I should always trust my instincts. And those instincts are telling me that your team members are trustworthy. You all have proven that by how you interact with humans.” She looked directly at Campbell. “You, more than the vampires at the highest levels of the Imperium, see them as more than a food source. You see the potential for our two species to coexist, to do more than just share a world without crossing paths.”
He felt like squirming but refused to do so or make eye contact with any of his fellow team members. There were many reasons he shouldn’t be with Olivia, but he didn’t feel he should have to enumerate them. They ought to be obvious to anyone with eyes to see.
“What do you need from us?”
“Right now, simply be observant. If anything seems beyond what you normally see from the Soulless, let Ray or me know. I have a handful of Imperium representatives I trust investigating, as well. I also need for you to just be on standby.” She paused. “But before you agree, you need to know that should I call on you, what I ask of you must take precedence over everything else. You may have to deliberately disobey the Imperium.”
The full impact of what was going on descended on the room, but Campbell didn’t look away from Catherine. Like her, he trusted his instincts. And they were telling him that the vampire world was on the precipice of something huge, and Catherine was standing on the right side of the battle.
“I’m with you, but I cannot speak for the rest of my team. This is too big.” He shifted his attention to the others. “Each of you has to make the decision for yourself.”
“Well, I’m in,” Len said with no hesitation.
“Me, too,” Colin said.
Kaja flipped her hair over her shoulder, and a sort of defiance flashed in her eyes. “I don’t like authority figures who take advantage of their positions, so if there’s a chance that’s happening here, I’m with you one hundred percent.”
Travis followed suit, and finally Sophia, who unsurprisingly had the most difficult time with going against authority. She had a good heart and always wanted to do the right thing, but she wasn’t by nature a rebel.
Campbell returned his attention to Catherine. “There you have it.”
“Good.” She smiled. “I knew I was making the right decision. Until you hear from me again, go about your normal duties. I have no idea when I might need you or for what. It could be hours, days, even months.”
Campbell couldn’t say he liked the sound of that. If a threat existed, he’d much prefer to dedicate all his energy to rooting it out and destroying it for good. But for now, he’d trust Catherine and just keep his eyes and ears open.
Catherine and Ray shifted as if to leave. “Campbell, walk with me,” she said.
He fell into step with her and noticed that Ray lagged behind.
“I know how you think, so I would bet my considerable fortune that you consider this new threat yet another reason to not be with the lovely Olivia.”
He wasn’t even surprised that Catherine had found out Olivia’s name. She probably had Olivia’s entire family history committed to memory by now.
“You’re wrong,” Catherine said.
Campbell stopped walking. “How do you know that?”
Catherine halted and shifted halfway toward him. “Remember those instincts I mentioned? They tell me that you are stronger with her in your life than without.”
“But what about her? Her life is more dangerous, more full of problems with me in it.”
“Is it? Or could it just be you’re afraid?” She turned to fully face him. “Tell me, would she be safer with or without someone with your power watching over her? Loving her?”
Campbell paced several steps away. “I could kill her so easily.”
“But you won’t.”
“You talk as if you’re all-knowing.”
“Hardly. But I have been around for a long time. And I know that cutting people out of our lives because we think we’re protecting them is never the answer. It just makes us resent this forever life we lead. How much sense does it make to be lonely for eternity when you have the option not to be?”
Campbell didn’t have an answer. The truth was his resolve to stay away from Olivia was weakening more with each word Catherine spoke. He didn’t know if he could convince himself that going back to her was even remotely safe, but there were things he could do for her while he tried to decide.
Catherine had started to walk away when he spoke again. “I need a favor.”
When she turned back toward him, she wore a victorious smile.
* * *
Now that the abduction case had been put to rest, Olivia expected Campbell to come see her. But two days passed with no visit, no call, no word of any kind. Her mood was not improved by the continued emptiness of the diner.
“I don’t know why I even opened,” she said to Mindy, who sat across from her in the dining room. “I sure don’t know why you came in. You should be resting.”
“If I rest any more, I’m going to go bonkers.”
Olivia sighed and looked out at the deepening darkness. “At this rate, I can’t afford to keep the diner running much longer.”