Page 7 of Whiskers on Kittens

Ernesto snorted before letting out fully fledged laughter. “Have they told you your wedding date with your new male?”

“Not yet, but he’s going to be a tough nut to crack. I am, after all, a divine single female lycanthrope. That’s a lot for a male wolf to handle—and to come to terms with. A self-respecting wolf falling in with a cat? Heaven is definitely not forbidding it, and I think he’s going to need some time to accept his status as my new pet wolf.”

“I did not take you to be the type to pick a cat, although I am concerned for your wolf’s sanity. Your feline likes him?”

“He walked into the room and she wanted a piece of him. He’s hot, I’ll give him that. If you can ask the succubi to leave him alone, I’d appreciate it.”

“Consider it done. I can’t promise Amy won’t fawn all over him, though.”

I rolled my eyes at the mention of the succubus. “She’s really going to get me killed one of these days. The judge is going to be giving my cop a supply of that nip and dust to make sure I don’t add too much entertainment to the trip when I get bored during the hurry up and wait portions of the investigation. Right now, I have nothing. I don’t know who took these kittens. I have testimonies from the parents to go through, but that’s it. The man upstairs decided to become involved because He’s in the mood for Christmas miracles.”

“It’s always fun when He becomes involved. I will be over within an hour. Let your cop nap, and perhaps entertain yourself through making him lunch. What’s his name? I’ll send an incubus over to his home to fetch everything he’ll need for the trip.”

“Asher Easton Dannell. Asher for those who like irritating him, Easton for those who take pity on him. I’ll go with Easton unless he’s irritating me, in which case, I’m going to Asher him so hard his head spins. I already offered help with the name change, but he doesn’t want to make his momma cry. I suggested he offer tissues.”

Ernesto snickered. “Are you trying to make him love or hate you, Kelsie?”

“I think I’m going to make him love hating me. That seems like the best idea at this point. I’m not all that good at making people love me, Ernesto. According to an angel, I’m too confident, wealthy, and smart to wrangle men the usual way. I can’t even wrangle them despite having a virus with a steadfast dedication to monogamy and a strong desire for procreation. I should be grateful she hates the cowards almost as much as I do.” Getting up, I headed for my kitchen, which I’d gone the modern route with. The island could seat six, the neighboring dining room could fit eight comfortably, and my choice to include a fireplace in both rooms had driven the renovators half mad as they struggled to make the rest of the home accommodate the required chimneys. I’d rigged the flues and the chimney system to allow for a fireplace on every floor, although the one in my upstairs library saw the most use. “Want me to get the fireplace going?”

“If you have a three-hour log, that would be lovely.”

While I had a stash of regular firewood, I usually made use of the logs for general convenience. I retrieved one from my supply closet in the hall, opened the flue, set up the fire, and ignited the paper wrapping so it would be burning merrily by the time the vampire arrived. “You got it. Maybe it’ll help the cop relax without relaxing him right into general unconsciousness.”

“I’ll give him a nip to startle him awake and report if he has any illnesses in his blood. That’ll keep him going for the rest of the day if he is fatigued, too.”

“Appreciated, especially since I don’t know if there are any vampires involved with the missing kittens.”

“Will you accept my nip as well?”

“Absolutely. I’m not an idiot. If you want to notify other vampires it wouldn’t be a good idea to test their luck, it’d save me a lot of work ripping their heads off their bodies if no doesn’t work the first time.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you soon. I’ll even be nice and leave the demons at home this time.”

“You’re a gem, Ernesto.”

My house and the visiting vampire had a new hole, but to my delight, Officer Asher Easton Dannell didn’t play nice when woken up through a rather rude bite to the arm. As biting his throat or wrist might traumatize the cop more than Ernesto desired, the vampire had opted for the route of caution. Had Ernesto been human, I would have been concerned about him dying.

I was more concerned about my poor wall, which would never be the same again. Well, not unless I hired a practitioner to remove the damage. Staring at the hole, I heaved a sigh. “Come on, Ernesto. You could have at least stopped the bullet.”

“It was not due to a lack of effort,” the vampire replied, and he licked the cop’s blood off his lips. “You’re quite the tasty vintage. He’s healthy enough, Kelsie, so you can take him on your adventure without any worries. His virus is young and strong, and should you decide to keep him, I’m confident in his ability to do his duties.”

Grinning at the vampire’s analysis of the cop, I turned away from the damage. “Easton, this is Ernesto Saven. When you have kidnapped kids of any species, he’s the vamp you talk to for help. He’s almost always got someone available who can help with the search. While he won’t solve the case for us, if he can, he’ll point us in the right direction. As he doesn’t like when kids are trafficked, he’ll even check in on the rings in the Chicago area for us and make sure they stay out of town. We’re going to share our information with him, and he’s going to do digging in places you can’t go.”

“When you told me you had a Saven brood vampire helping with your house sitting, I did not think that meant you could invite the brood’s master over at your whim.” Easton wrinkled his nose, checked his firearm, and holstered the weapon. “I apologize for shooting before asking questions.”

“Oh, dear boy, you did precisely what you were supposed to do. You would have heavily inconvenienced a younger vampire with your aim. You’ll do. It’s time to get up. That little love bite will warn the other vampires you have my favor.”

“What does that mean?”

I grinned at the cop. “Other vampires will think twice before attacking you. I’ll get my nip later. I’m a delicate little female, so I must eat lunch before I’m bitten. You know, to make sure I replenish my blood. You’re just a male. You’ll be fine.”

The cop snorted a laugh. “Should I apologize for falling asleep on you?”

“Not at all. The chairs are enchanted to be as relaxing as it gets. You won’t be the first nor the last to fall prey to those chairs.” I waved my hand for the pair to follow me into the kitchen. “I’ve made a bite to eat while you were napping. Your apartment is currently being robbed by a demon, so we can leave as soon as your stuff arrives. Don’t be surprised if your clothing is intended to appeal to me. You’re being robbed by a demon, after all. But don’t worry; you now have a house sitter.”

“I have a cat. I need to take her in to be boarded while I’m gone.”

I raised a brow before eyeing Ernesto.