Georgia’s mouth fell open. “Cain? Jesus. What the hell happened after I left New York?”

“Well,” Giguhl began, looking ready to settle in for a long gossip session. While he filled Georgia in, I pulled Adam aside.

“Should we call him?” I whispered.

Adam glanced at the clock. It was five after ten. He sighed. “Probably.”

I nodded and went to the desk to pick up the phone. While I dialed, Giguhl wrapped up his summary.

Georgia looked devastated. “I can’t believe they’re all dead. Oh gods, that must have been horrible. Here I am bitching about my broken heart and you guys are dealing with worse losses.”

She looked so abashed, I paused my dialing and looked up. “Georgia, it’s okay,” I sighed. “Loss is loss, right?”

She nodded. “I guess so. I just can’t believe you guys are going to try to kill Cain.”

“We’re not even sure we can kill him,” Adam said. “But hopefully we can at least find a way to prevent him from causing more trouble.”

I bit my tongue and looked down to finish dialing. Adam might believe that killing Cain was the worst-case scenario, but for me it was the only one. Allowing Cain to live after he’d killed so many people I care about was not an option.

While Adam and the others discussed the plans for Italy, I focused on willing Erron to pick up his phone. It rang once, twice.

Click.

“You’ve reach Erron Zorn. Leave a message.” Beep!

“Erron, it’s Sabina. Get your ass to Zen’s now!” I slammed the phone down. “Shit!”

Adam looked up. “What’s wrong?”

“Voice mail.”

“Should we go over there?” Giguhl asked.

While I considered the options, Adam went to the front and peeked out the window, like he expected to see Erron strolling along the sidewalk. “I’ll be damned,” the mancy breathed. With his free hand, he waved me over. “Sabina, you’ve got to come see this.”

“What?” I demanded, moving around the desk to go join him.

I stepped up to the blinds and looked out. Sure enough, Erron Zorn was pacing back and forth in front of the store. His lips moved rapidly like he was arguing with himself. I let out a frustrated sigh. With my fist, I pounded on the window.

Erron’s head jerked up. When he saw me scowling at him through the window, his shoulders dropped. I mouthed, Get your ass in here. He shot me a scowl but slowly made his way toward the front door.

“Georgia, back up, he’s coming in,” Adam warned.

The vampire immediately moved toward the far end of the store to avoid the pool of sunlight that burst in when Erron entered.

“You knew we were leaving at ten,” I said, crossing my arms. “What gives?”

He looked better than he had the night before, in that he was sober, but the scowl on his face said someone had woken up on the wrong side of the bed that morning.

“For the record,” he said, “I tried Abel’s cell last night after you left. He didn’t answer.”

“Good morning to you, too, sunshine,” Adam said.

“So?” I said.

“So, I called him five times this morning, too. Voice mail, every time.”

“Hey, Erron!” Giguhl called, rushing across the shop to high-five the Recreant. Erron lifted his hand halfheartedly to receive the demon’s claw, but his eyes were on me.

“Well?” he said.

“Well, what?”

Erron raised his hands. “Doesn’t it worry you that the mage you’re seeking isn’t answering his phone?”

Despite the fact I shared Erron’s concerns about the status of Abel’s existence, I wasn’t about to indulge in hand wringing. “There’s only one way to find out for sure, which we can finally do now that you’ve graced us with your presence.”

Erron raised his eyebrows. “You sure you want to do this?”

I sighed. “I believe we’ve already covered this.”

“I know, just want to be sure you know there’s no shame in backing out.”

I looked him directly in the eye. “Yes, there is. But no one’s stopping you from running if that’s what this is really about.”

“How would you find Abel then?”

“We’ll manage. Between Adam, Giguhl, and me, we’ve made it through all sorts of impossible situations. Granted, this is the most impossible, but still. There’s too much riding on this for any of us to lack commitment. I don’t blame you for being scared, but I don’t have that luxury. So if you want to walk away, say so now.”

He fell silent, his gaze locked with mine. “You sure know how to put a man’s balls in a vise, Mixed-Blood.”

I smirked. “This isn’t about your balls.”

“Bullshit.” He blew out a breath. “All right. I’m in.”

“Yes!” Giguhl said, pumping a fist in the air.

I smiled at the Recreant. “Grab whatever supplies you need.”

He hefted his backpack and the guitar case in his right hand. “This is all I need.”

I didn’t comment that his light load clearly indicated he wasn’t planning on an extended visit in Italy. But I’d take whatever help he was willing to give as long as he was willing to give it. “Okay, then, help Adam and Giguhl load the rest of the stuff. We head out in five.”

He nodded and turned to talk to Adam. While they discussed logistics, Zen waved me over to the counter. A few amulets lay on a black cloth she’d spread out. “Okay,” she said. “I’ll make this quick. This”—she picked up the first item, a small bag that smelled like gym socks—“this is a vexing gris-gris. Throw it at an enemy and they’ll be so busy scratching you can make a quick getaway.”

“How long does the spell last?”

“Not long. A few minutes. But it’s long enough to give yourself a head start.”

“Got it,” I said with a nod. I tucked the gris-gris into my jacket pocket. “What’s next?”

“This is a gris-gris of protection for travelers.” She held up a black bag tied with a small metal charm and an evil eye protection bead. I sniffed the bag and was surprised to smell the pleasing scents of rosemary and sage. “That’s a St. Christopher medal,” she explained, touching the charm. “He’s the patron saint of travelers.”

I grimaced. As much as I appreciated the effort, I didn’t put much stock in any spell that invoked mortal saints. Smacked too much of superstition to me to be useful.

“Now, don’t give me that look, Mixed-Blood. My saints and the Loa are every bit as real and powerful as your deities.” She shoved the bag into my hand. “Go on, now.”

“Thanks, Zen,” I said. The black gris-gris went in my other pocket.

“Finally, there’s this.” She picked up an amulet hanging from a long leather cord. The amulet consisted of four stones wrapped into a bunch with coils of copper wire. I looked up at her for an explanation of the components. “The brown stone that feels like marble is actually lignum vitae, also called Tree of Life wood. It’s incredibly protective and healing. The red stone is garnet. Well known for helping increase strength and endurance and its wonderful balancing powers. Of course, it’s also associated with blood, which I thought you’d like.” She shot me a conspiratorial smile. “And finally, there are two pieces of lodestone. One to attract luck and the other to ward off evil.”

I took the amulet with a gentle touch. “It’s beautiful, Zen. Thanks.”

Her lips formed into a stern line. “The best way to thank me is to make sure you wear it.” Her voice was gruff with emotion.

I slipped the necklace over my head. The stone clinked against the moonstone pendant Maisie had given me. “Done,” I said. “I promise I won’t take it off.”

Zen nodded curtly. “You watch your ass, Sabina.” With that heartfelt sentiment, she grabbed me and hugged me hard and quick. Then she turned away abruptly, leaving me with my mouth hanging open. Zen and I had never been hugging friends. Hell, we’d barely even been friends much of the time we’d known each other. But I respected the hell out of her and I was thankful she was on my side.

Zen moved away then to say her good-byes to Giguhl and Adam. Behind me, Georgia called my name. I turned and was surprised to see a determined expression on her face. “What’s up?”

She raised her chin. “I want to go with you.”

I paused. To reject her outright when she was still clearly so bitter wouldn’t end well. I chose my words carefully. “Georgia, I—”

She held up a hand. “I’m strong and I’m fast, so I will be an asset if you get into any scrapes.”

I nodded. “That’s true.” And it was. Having another vampire on the team would be helpful, but her emotional state could end up making her a liability. “But I’m afraid it’s just not possible. Besides, you need to stay here and figure out what you’re going to do about Lagniappe.”

“I don’t care about that. I just need… I need to get away from here.”

I approached her and put a hand on her shoulder. “Running from your problems won’t make them disappear. Besides, battling a psychotic murderer isn’t exactly the best path toward mental peace, you know?” Her face fell and I worried she might cry, so I rushed ahead. “But I promise that if things get too hairy, I’ll call you in from the bench, okay?”

She pursed her lips and thought things over. “I really wanted to help you.”

An idea occurred to me, a way she could help me without getting involved directly. “Actually, there is something you can do for me.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Anything.”

“Have you ever heard of a vampire named Nyx?”

Georgia frowned. “I don’t think so, why?”