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their latest encounter with the rogue vampire. They’d rescued her, but she was afraid of them, and no wonder, if that monster had been her only experience with the undead. She’d told them almost nothing. Not why he’d held her captive, nor for how long. Topaz could only imagine what she might have suffered while in Gregor’s care, though she bore no illusions that it had been less than horrific.
    Roxy tapped on the door. “Ilyana, it’s Roxy.”
    The door opened and the mortal, with her pixie-short platinum-blond hair and striking blue eyes, stared out at the two of them. Her eyes were warm and welcoming on Roxy’s, but when they fell upon Topaz, they cooled considerably. “What do you want?” she asked.
    â€œGroup meeting,” Roxy told her. “We’re gathering in the van.”
    Ilyana searched Roxy’s face, her gaze occasionally darting past it to Topaz’s, but never lingering there. She was still wary. “Are we giving up the search for Gregor?” she asked at length.
    â€œTaking a break, maybe. Giving up? No way. Raphael is way too stubborn for that,” Roxy said.
    Nodding, Ilyana turned. “I’ll gather my things. Give me a few minutes.”
    â€œThat’s fine.” Roxy pulled the door closed, and linked arms with Topaz. “You know, he’s got it just as badly as you do.”
    â€œWho’s got what?” Topaz asked, pretending she didn’t know exactly what Roxy was trying to say.
    â€œHe—” Roxy pointed toward Jack’s room “—has got it— ” she pumped her fists at her sides and thrust her hips a couple of times “—for you. ” She poked Topaz in the chest with a forefinger. “Just as badly as you— ” poke “—have it— ” thrust “—for him. ”
    â€œOkay, okay. I get it. Enough with the pantomime already. It’s creepy.”
    Roxy frowned. “Men usually find it more sexy than creepy, but I suppose being a straight girl—”
    â€œAnd you’re wrong. He doesn’t feel a damn thing for me.”
    â€œNot even…” Roxy pumped her hips again, more subtly this time, though.
    â€œWell, sure, that. I mean, who wouldn’t?”
    â€œExactly.”
    â€œBut that’s physical. He’d jump my bones if I’d let him. He’d also just as soon take my money and run again as look at me.”
    â€œThen why do you suppose he’s here?” Roxy stared into Topaz’s eyes for a long moment, almost as if she expected an answer to what she had to know was an impossible question. “He already took the money,” she went on. “So why hasn’t he run?”
    â€œHe only came back to me when it looked like our gang was going to kick his gang’s ass.”
    â€œHe could have gone anywhere to get away from Gregor and the rogues, Topaz. He didn’t have to join up with us. I think you should keep that in mind.”
    â€œProbably figured I had a few bucks left in the bank he hadn’t scammed yet. Or maybe he’s planning to run a con on one of you.”
    Roxy lifted her brows and looked over her shoulder toward his room. “Hot damn, it would be worth it. I wonder how much is in my IRA by now?”
    â€œFuck you, Roxy.”
    Roxy grinned from ear to ear. “I don’t swing that way, Topaz. Though I compliment you on your taste in women.”
    Topaz felt her frown dissolve as she elbowed Roxy lightly in the rib cage, and the two of them laughed together as they made their way across the dark motel parking lot toward a canary-yellow conversion van named Shirley.
    Â 
    Jack waited until everyone else had headed out to the van to slip out of his room and down the hall to Topaz’s. He picked the locks with the power of his mind, hand on the knob, ear to the door, willing the tumblers to, well, tumble. When they did, he opened the door and walked