Hope and Vengeance (Saa Thalarr, book 1): Saa Thalarr, book 1 by Connie Suttle Page B

kept that to myself. There wasn't any need to let this wolf know of disagreements with my own kind.
    "I want to know what information you have," Daniel said. "So the Dallas Packmaster and the Grand Master can be fully informed."
    "It was no vampire," I said, raking fingers through my hair in frustration. "The fangs were too far apart for it to be a vampire."
    "Then what was it?"
    "I don't have an answer for that. Anna may, but you'll walk carefully around her or you'll regret it."
    "Is that a threat?"
    "Look, I'm trying to solve this, Anna has answers and we may not get them if we use force, all right?"
    "I've never believed in psychics. Especially psychic detectives," Daniel growled.
    "She says she's not psychic. I don't know what she is, but she knows things that I can't begin to explain."
    "Then I want to meet her."
    "She's sleeping right now."
    "She'll be up come daylight, unless I miss my guess. We can wake her now and I can talk to her with you present, or I can wait for sunrise and ask questions by myself. You should know not to place compulsion. I have assurances from the Grand Master, through Wlodek."
    "Who are you?" I countered, narrowing my eyes at him.
    "Naval Intelligence," he replied. "That's my day job."
    "Please tell me the U.S. Government isn't involved."
    "They're not. I'm doing this as a favor to the Grand Master and the Dallas Packmaster, who runs his own investigations through Winkler Security."
    "I'm familiar with Winkler Security."
    "Then I don't need to explain that to you. Let's go speak with Anna Madden."
    * * *
    "I'm up," Anna said when Daniel and I walked through the door. Not only was she up, she was showered and dressed.
    "Anna, this is," I began.
    "Daniel Carey. Works for Naval Intelligence. Also a werewolf. How's that work out on full moons, Mr. Carey?" Anna frowned at him.
    "Damn," Daniel muttered. "How did you know that?"
    "I know plenty," Anna said, crossing arms tightly over her chest. "What killed your werewolf compatriot, Sam Greene, is known as a kapirus. They're not local. They're water demons, which are amphibians that prefer fresh water, but they'll swim in saltwater if they have to. They drink the blood of mammals. To them, the blood of a humanoid is a delicacy. I imagine a werewolf's blood is quite rich and tasty, too. Is there anything else you'd like to know?" She rounded on both of us.
    "What does Roy Cheek have to do with this?" Daniel asked.
    "Well, the kapirus is just a distraction," Anna said, walking to the window and peering out. Thankfully, it was still dark. That wouldn't remain true for much longer, however.
    "A distraction? I don't understand," Daniel said.
    "A distraction from the real enemy," Anna sighed. "Spawn. And their maker. For now, they're our real enemy."
    "Spawn?" I asked the question, as Daniel registered disbelief at Anna's statement.
    "Enemy spawn. I can't say the name of the enemy," She added. "Some people call spawn demons, because they choose not to say spawn or just don't know any better. Spawn are not demons. Only demons are demons. Adam, daylight is coming."
    "I know." Joey, get up here .
    On my way, he returned.
    * * *
    My eyes snapped open just before sunset. I wake early, nowadays, but usually my mind isn't racing at five hundred miles per hour when I wake. I barely recalled climbing into bed the night before, fully dressed because I couldn't wait any longer. I'd left Anna in the room with a werewolf, too, and I didn't like that at all.
    Joey? I sent.
    Huh? His reply was sleepy. I always woke first.
    I'll be there in a minute. At least we were safe. Sitting up, I pushed hair off my forehead and looked around, hoping Anna had left a note for me. I found nothing. Dragging my cell from a pocket, I dialed her number. There was no reply—it went straight to voicemail. Muttering obscenities, I stood, examined my clothing, changed in the time it takes to blink twice and went to haul Joey out of bed.
    * * *
    "If he's harmed her, I guarantee the Grand