Guardian's Joy (Guardian's of the Race) by Rhoades Jacqueline

Author:Rhoades, Jacqueline [Rhoades, Jacqueline]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Published: 2012-07-11T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 24

The first four stops yielded nothing. The first address was an abandoned building and the downstairs tenants were pretty sure the guy on the third floor had left for warmer climes. The humans passing along the info were pretty high at the time, but believable. The Paenitentia in question had kept them all fed and they missed him.

The second actually returned from a visit to his cousins while Joy and Nardo were rifling through his belongings. They hastily explained their reason for being there, apologized profusely and apology accepted were on their way.

Stops three and four were definitely missing in action. Their apartments still held their belongings, but the refrigerators and cabinets were empty and the toilets had black rings, the kind that come with long term lack of use. A search of the closets yielded evidence that some clothes were missing and in one, a deep rectangular indentation in the carpet was suitcase sized. Newly turned vampires cared only for blood and nothing for their appearance, so packing clothes, toothbrush and razors didn’t fit the profile. Wherever these men had gone, they went willingly.

Nardo itched to get at their computers, but didn’t dare. Both places looked too much like temporary absences and he couldn’t justify such an invasion of privacy.

Since parking was at a premium on this side of town, they left JJ’s Mustang where it was and walked the six blocks to the next address on their list. Halfway there they passed a small bakery. The lights were on in the back and they could see the shadows of someone moving around in the back.

“Care for a donut?” Nardo asked.

“Sounds good, but they’re closed.”

“Yeah, but the baker’s one of us. He and his mate live upstairs. The owner thinks he’s a little weird, but he works cheap and he’s a terrific baker.”

Two minutes later they were seated at a tiny corner table with coffees and a box of six donuts, still warm from the fryer. They sipped their coffee and ate a donut apiece in silence. Then JJ cleared her throat.

“I know you were born with the red tear,” JJ began awkwardly, “But Grace said the choice to become a Guardian is yours. So how did you know this was what you were meant to do?” The two sides of his life, computer whiz and warrior, seemed like polar opposites.

She’d shared a secret with him. Was she looking for one in return? Or was this her attempt to get to know him? Nardo hoped it was the latter. “I was born in a botanical research facility in the Yukon. My parents are both researchers, both well known in the human world. I’m not sure why they mated, but it wasn’t for love. Anyway, for whatever reason, it was approved.” He pointed to the ceiling and smiled wryly.

“What do you mean, approved?” She mimicked his pointed finger.

“Higher power. Didn’t the women tell you about the roses?”

“Lilies, but no roses.” Nardo frowned and she knew he was searching for the right words.

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