The Phoenix Prophecy: Blood by Cara Clare

Author:Cara Clare [Clare, Cara]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Plume Noire Books
Published: 2023-10-29T16:00:00+00:00

17

NOVA

When we finally arrive at a large archway and duck through it, Kole points at a sign above a pair of large oak doors.

“The Museum of Anthropology,” Tanner murmurs. “This is it.”

“Do we just go in and ask for Thornfield?” I look from Mack to Tanner.

“He didn’t answer his cell when I tried him at the airfield.” Mack takes his phone from his pocket and scrolls to the number he last dialed.

“He could be sleeping.” I shrug and look up at the darkened sky. “I know it’s a gray day, but he is a vampire, right? So he should sleep during the day?”

“Maybe,” Mack grumbles. “Either way, I’ve had enough of this weather already, so let’s go inside shall we?”

Nodding, stonily quiet, Kole pushes the doors open. We’ve only just stepped inside when we’re approached by someone who looks like a security guard.

“No pets allowed,” he says gruffly, pointing at Snow.

Immediately, Snow’s lip begins to curl into a growl. The guard’s eyes widen. I stoop down and stroke Snow’s head. “Play along,” I whisper into his ear. “Unless you want to be left outside in the rain.”

“He’s my service animal,” Mack says, using his Sherif voice. “He has to stay with me.”

“I don’t see a jacket,” the guard says, assessing Snow as if he might have missed a high-vis vest or some kind of badge indicating he’s a working animal.

“Left it at my hotel.” Mack’s fingers twitch at his side. He’s usually much better at keeping his composure, but irritation burns in his eyes.

Stepping in, Tanner rests a firm hand on the guard’s forearm. At first, the guard frowns and looks like he’s going to jerk away from him, but then Tanner meets his eyes.

A shudder runs through me. Tanner rarely uses his ability to influence others. Since he drank from me, his powers have been amplified. But he hasn’t pushed them or tested them, he’s just been happy to be better at shutting out all the voices and thoughts and feelings that usually crowd his head.

Now, though, his eyes glimmer and his features soften. His face changes. He doesn’t look like him anymore, even though he is very much him. He glances at the guard’s name badge. “Tony,” he says quietly, “you’re happy to see us, aren’t you Tony?”

Tony’s lips spread into a comically wide smile. “Oh, sure,” he says. “Really happy.”

“And you love dogs, don’t you Tony?”

Tony looks at Snow and grins wider. “Love them,” he coos.

“And you’re so happy that my friend has brought his service animal to the museum. Right, Tony? Because this dog, right here, is special.”

“Special.” Tony nods. Then he steps aside and gestures to the foyer behind him. “Head on in, guys.”

Darting past, our footsteps echo on the marble floors as we make our way to the front desk. I catch Tanner’s elbow and meet his eyes. As he looks at me, he shakes his head and exhales loudly.

“You changed his thoughts?” I ask, an uneasy sensation in my chest.

Tanner glances back at Tony, who’s still smiling at Snow as if he’s the cutest darn thing he’s ever seen.

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