Page 26 of Grayson’s Challenge

Monique didn’t agree with her mother’s sentiment. Had she been with them, she would have been able to fight the attackers, and maybe Cain and Samson wouldn’t have been kidnapped. She put her arms around her mother and squeezed her for a moment, before releasing her.

“William said there were about a dozen vampires attacking you when you got back,” Monique said, hoping her mother could provide more details to the story.

“Yeah, they ambushed us. There were just too many. And when they killed Steven and Brock, I knew we had no chance.” Faye’s eyes teared up, and a pink tear rolled down her cheek. “Oh God, their families will be devastated.” She sniffled. “I don’t know why they didn’t kill me or Delilah, or why they didn’t kidnap us too. They certainly had the opportunity.”

Monique noticed that Grayson had finished his telephone call and sat down next to Delilah and put his arm around her shoulders, comforting her.

“They must have been targeting Dad and Samson,” Monique mused.

“I think so too,” Grayson added, his gaze wandering from Delilah to Faye. “Why else would they leave you alive?”

“Mom, did you recognize any of the men?” Monique asked.

Faye shook her head. “Sorry. I didn’t.”

“I didn’t either,” Delilah added. “And I know a lot of the vampires living in San Francisco.”

“If we had mugshots, would you be able to recognize any of the attackers?” Monique asked.

“I think so, yes,” Delilah said.

Faye nodded. “I saw several of them clearly. I’m sure I can identify them if I saw them again.”

Monique exchanged a look with Grayson. “Doesn’t Scanguards have a database of known vampires?”

“We do,” Grayson confirmed instantly. “Good idea. I’ll set it up so they can go through the database and look at all the photos. Maybe we’ll get a hit or two.”

“Faye,” Delilah suddenly said, “are you able to communicate with Cain via your telepathic bond? I can’t get through to Samson anymore.”

“I haven’t even thought of it yet,” Faye said, then closed her eyes and concentrated. A few tense seconds passed, but then Faye shook her head. “I can’t feel him. He’s either too far away, or… or they knocked him out like they knocked me out.”

“Given your symptoms I think it was dead man’s blood they injected you with,” Maya said. “It acts like a poison. They could have used the same on Cain and Samson.”

“I’ll keep trying to get through to him,” Faye promised.

Monique motioned to Grayson. “How extensive is Scanguards’ database?”

“It lists most of the vampires living on the West Coast, plus some that are associated with our New York office, but it’s by no means an exhaustive list.”

“Hmm. So what, about ten thousand vampires?”

Grayson nodded. “More or less. Were there any female vampires among the attackers?” He looked at William, then Faye and Delilah.

All three shook their heads.

“Then we can whittle down the list to about half.”

Monique thought about it for a moment. What were the chances that the attackers were from the West Coast? What if they’d come from Louisiana? “I think the palace has a database of all past and present employees and clan members. William?”

“You’re right,” William agreed. “I’ll call and have them set up a link for us.”

“That’s good,” Grayson added, looking at Monique appreciatively. “And while we’re at it, I’ll talk to Luther to get us access to the prison records.”

“The prison records?” Monique asked wondering if she’d heard correctly.

“Yes, an attack like this takes planning and experience. I’m sure at least one of the attackers is an ex-VCON. If he did time in one of the vampire prisons in the U.S., we’ll find him.”

Monique nodded. She liked the way Grayson was thinking.