Page 47

“About time. I needed your help,” I start.

“Sorry, I’m in Europe on holiday.” Since when do vampires do holidays? “What can I do for you?”

“Random question. If a vampire dies, what happens to his assets?”

“They go to his descendants.”

“What if he has none?” I ask.

“Then the master claims everything.” Now everything is clear.

“Thanks, Virgil.”

“Why are you asking? Did you force Lex to marry you, and then you killed him? He has that nice apartment downtown. Good choice.”

I laugh. “Not exactly. But it’s an idea for the future. Thanks.” I hang up.

So there it is. Julian wasn’t just an uncontrollable vampire heir. He was a walking fortune. For Marcus, getting rid of the kid might be far more profitable than admitting to the whole city that he chose wrong. But as far as I know, the bounty is still up. One hundred thousand, and I need that money like air. Even if it’s a cover, I have to chase it. I just hope Marcus never finds out how much I truly know. I like my head attached.

As this is already a tiresome day for me, I need to meet with a new supplier because the market is bone dry and Miloš has nothing. I hate using backups. They’re too twitchy, too unpleasant. But Vito Caruso wants more product, and I’m not making the same mistake twice.

Before I step out of the car, I tell Sava to keep his gun close. With these guys you never know. We pull into the multi-story parking garage. The supplier is already waiting, leaning against a silver Volkswagen. Rat-faced, dressed in Balenciaga hoodie, Gucci hat and fake LV bag. I do everything I can not to cringe. I just want this over with.

“Famous Lara Voss. It’s an honor –”.

“What do you have?” I cut him off immediately.

He pulls out a few bags, and I already know it’s bad. It’s all too dark, that grape color I hate.

“Is that all?”

“I have more.”

“Show me everything.”

He spreads the bags across the hood. I sort through them. Some lilac catches my eye. After this many years I know every shade of purple and exactly how each one will taste. I can feel it in my mouth just by looking.

“I’ll try this one.”

Standard practice. Sometimes the shit looks right but turns out to be human coke with food coloring. I’m too old for stupid mistakes. I crush the powder on my phone with a card and snort it through a plastic straw. The supplier keeps talking.

“You know, I can get more of this shade if you want. I heard you have a huge turnover. I can help with distribution –”

The dust hits. Hard. Too hard for me, too hard to take it every day. But it will work for Vito.

“I’ll take these five.” I pick the best colors, though my eyes keep drifting to the dark plum bags. “Where do you get these from?”

“I source from everywhere. The market’s empty, you know. Everything sells.”

“Don’t. You know this is shit. And if Ordo Morituri finds out, you’ll be out of business and out of a soul.”

He flinches, eyes wide with fear.

I shove the cash at him. “There.”

I turn and walk away without another word.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Lara!” he yells after me. “If you need company, just text me!”