“No, I don’t suppose I can.” She tried to smile, but the result was weak. “I can’t believe you didn’t tell me you were a hunter sooner.”
“I thought about it, but I didn’t want to worry you when you were already dealing with so much.”
Donna nodded. “Is this a done deal then?”
“I can’t stop them from doing what they think is right.” Cammie took a breath. “If it makes you feel any better, they won’t just target vampires and fae. The order will apply to any supernatural that appears to be a threat to mankind.”
“Good to know equality exists among hunters.”
Cammie sighed. “I love you. I hope you know how hard this is for me.”
“I love you too. I hope when this is over we can move past this.”
Cammie nodded. “Me too.” She lifted her finger toward the door. “I can see myself out.”
Donna nodded. Under any other circumstances, she would have walked her sister out, but for the first time in forever, she needed a moment to think and digest. She dropped onto the couch and hung her head in her hands as a few tears leaked out. Cammie was her rock. How was she supposed to get through the rest of her life knowing that her sister might be ordered to kill her?
A soft knock on the open door was followed by, “Boss?”
Donna wiped the tears off her face as she lifted her head. “Time to go, I guess.”
“Not quite,” Temo said. “You okay?”
She stood up, keeping her gaze on the windows. “Looks like snow, huh?”
“Boss.”
She sighed. “No. I’m not okay. But I’ll be fine to do this meeting.”
“You want to talk about it?”
She smiled and finally looked at him. “I can’t. I’ve been sworn to secrecy.”
He nodded. “I understand. I hope everything will be all right, whatever it is.”
“Thanks, but I’m not sure.” She swallowed. The knot was still there. “You think you know someone…”
“Your sister isn’t who you thought she was?”
“You might say that. She’s turned out to be a lot more than I thought she was.”
“Does she know how much more you are?”
“Yes.” Donna sat down again. “That’s part of the problem.”
He came in and took the seat across from her. “What convent is she with?”
“Sisters of the Holy Rosary.”
“Is there, uh, any chance she’s Venari?”
Donna pushed a strand of hair out of her face. “I don’t know what that is.”
“I don’t want to freak you out, but the SHR is a known front for one of the Church’s hunter schools. As in vampire hunters.”
Donna sat up a little straighter. This was one of those times when it didn’t bother her that someone knew more than she did. “Tell me what you know.”
“The Venari, an ancient order of nuns and priests, are trained in the art of killing vampires and demons. Actually, pretty much any supernatural that goes rogue and becomes a problem, the Venari are equipped to take down. The SHR is the local chapter. How long has your sister belonged there?”
“Pretty much all her adult life.”
“Then she has to know about it. She may just be an ordinary nun, but she has to at least be aware of what really goes on there. And having a sister who’s a vampire? That can’t be easy for her. All things considered. But maybe I’m way off base here.”
“You’re not.” Donna had sworn not to say a word, but telling Temo he was right didn’t seem like a violation of that promise.
“Sorry. This has to be pretty hard for both of you.”
“It is. And I can’t really say more, but she let me know that if things don’t go well with the fae, there could be consequences.”
“I’m not surprised. The Venari tend to be about as understanding as the vampire council.”
“That’s comforting.” She ran both hands through her hair, scratching her nails over her scalp. There was work to be done. Whatever happened with Cammie was out of Donna’s control. Unless Donna chose to skip the raid. But how could she? Rico’s time was running out. “Let me get my coat from the office, and we can go meet your contact. I don’t want to be late and screw this up.”
“He’ll wait. He’s very interested in meeting you.” Temo got up. “I already pulled the car around.”
“Okay.” She went to the office and put on her Ferris & Coven coat.
Charlie pointed to it. “The vials you asked for are in the interior breast pocket, and I sent you an email with a link to the banking app you’ll need to install to pay this guy if he wants money. The account number’s in the second email.”
“Thanks, I’ll install it in the car.”
Charlie frowned. “Everything all right?”
“No.” Donna smiled. “But then, what’s new?”
Chapter Six
The ride to the bus station took them into an older neighborhood that could have used a couple million for a rehab. But then, maybe neighborhood wasn’t the right word. Calling it a commercial district might have been closer, since quite a few of the buildings looked like they’d been used for industrial purposes. Those industries were gone now, leaving behind empty warehouses with broken-out windows and brick walls darkened by age and grime.
At least the graffiti added a pop of color.
Temo slowed as they approached the bus station, one of the only brightly lit buildings in the area, along with a bodega, a small neighborhood convenience store, and a liquor store across the street. Proof that there was some residential life here. He did a U-turn at the light and parked near the bodega.
“Is the car going to be okay if we leave it?” She didn’t want to risk losing their way out, should things turn bad.
“Should be.” Temo unhooked his seat belt. “I’m going to give Alvaro a couple bills to keep an eye on it. He owns the bodega.”
“So you’ve been here before?”
“The bus station is where we usually meet.”
“Good. That makes me feel better.” She took her seat belt off as well.
He smiled. “Don’t worry, boss. I do my homework.”
“I know you do. I’m not worried about that.”
“Nervous to meet the fae up close?”
She nodded as she took a breath. “Very. Despite everything I’ve been through in my life, the fae freak me out. I’ll be okay, though.”
He held out his fist. “I know you will be. You’re Belladonna Barrone. And I’ve got your back.”
She laughed softly and bumped her fist against his. “Thanks. I appreciate that.”
“Plus, there are two sentries inside the station, according to LV.”
“Right. I wonder if we’ll be able to tell who they are.”
“I guess we’ll know when we get in there.”
“You lead. I’m ready.”
“Then let’s do this.” They got out. He locked the car, then ran into the bodega to quickly speak to the owner. He came out nodding, indicating that the deal to watch the car had been handled. Together, they headed across the street.