Last Blood by Kristen Painter Page B

vehicle approached the gates of the estate. The setting sun glinted off the windshield, causing her to squint, but she could just make out Fi’s driver. “I must have a training session with Fi this evening. Give me a moment, Jerem.”
    He nodded. “Take all the time you need, boss.”
    The gates swung open and Chrysabelle approached the car.
    Fi opened her door and hopped out before her driver reached it. “Hey, how are you? Are you going somewhere? I’ve got a bunch of clothes for you to try on. The trunk is full.” She smiled. “I’ve been shopping all day.”
    Chrysabelle shook her head. “And yet you have all this energy left. How do you do that?”
    Inside the car, Fi’s bodyguard grunted like he agreed. Fi laughed. “Some people can hang, some can’t.” She jerked her chin at Chrysabelle’s car. “You’re leaving?”
    “Yes. I’m headed out to an appointment with Dominic. I must have completely forgotten about our meeting.”
    “Oh.” Fi shrugged. “We didn’t have anything set up.I just thought you’d be home.” A new intensity filled her eyes. “What are you going to see Dominic about?”
    Chrysabelle hesitated, but then Fi had been the one to push her in this direction in the first place. “I’m actually going to see Mortalis. To ask him if there’s anything—”
    “You can do about Mal?” Fi finished hopefully.
    “Yes.” She steeled her gaze as the emotions of the previous night threatened to overwhelm her. “I went to see him last night.”
    “Did you talk?”
    “It wasn’t that kind of visit.” She blew out a breath. “I
have
to try to fix this.”
    Fi’s smile was almost as blinding as the sun off the car. “Can I come with you to see Mortalis? Please? Mal’s kind of my area, you know. I’m sort of an expert on him.”
    “True. No one knows him better than you.” Chrysabelle was actually happy for the company. “But you’re going to have to ditch your bodyguard. I don’t want to make a big scene going into Seven. You won’t need him anyway. I can protect you if something happens.”
    “Cool with me.” She ducked her head into the car. “You’re staying here.” Without waiting for the bodyguard’s answer, she motioned to her driver. “Pop the trunk? I want to get a few bags out.” Fi rubbed her hands together. “I can show you a few of the things I think you’ll really dig on the way over.”
    By the time they got to Seven, Chrysabelle wasn’t sure Fi had left anything in the Paradise City boutiques. She liked most of it more than she thought she would, even sliding a soft beige duster on over her white top and pants.
    “This too.” Fi held out a simple gold link chain. “Trust me. It helps break up all that white.”
    Chrysabelle obliged, although she was starting to feel overdressed, considering she had her body armor on underneath everything else. Jerem parked the car at the employee entrance and came around to let them out. Chrysabelle glanced at Fi. “Stay close. You know how Seven can be.”
    Fi nodded and followed her to the door. This was the only entrance she used these days. Fighting the crowd up front just wasn’t worth it. Chrysabelle punched in the code Dominic had given her, and then they went inside. A few corridors in and the club’s music permeated the walls. When they reached the door into the club, Chrysabelle gave Fi another reminder. “Any trouble, go ghost.”
    Fi nodded. “I know, but I’m the pride leader’s wife now. That alone should give me some protection.”
    “Or cause more trouble.” Chrysabelle pushed through the door and the heavy beat washed through her, syncopating with her pulse. The place was packed with fringe and varcolai alike. Since Doc had lifted the restriction on pride members working at and patronizing Seven, Dominic’s business had definitely benefited. A young female varcolai in half form, leopard by the spots decorating the expanses of skin visible beneath her tiny black top and boy shorts,