Hot Demon in the City (Latter Day Demons Book 1) by Connie Suttle

leads," Lee added. "We still have calls coming in about dead seals in the bay."
    "Of course," I stuttered.
    "Do it tomorrow," he said. "Go home and get some decent sleep for now; you've earned it."
    "All right." I pushed my chair away from the desk, feeling numb.
    * * *
    "Mason is at the hospital," Kory said when I slid onto the passenger seat of the van. He'd waited for me—again.
    "But why?" I began as Kory put the van in gear and headed for the parking garage entrance.
    "He's watching for other vamps to show up—ones who may not be so friendly."
    "Oh." I sat with my hands in my lap for several minutes, watching the reflecting highway lines rush past. It was foggy again, so only three lines at a time were visible in the van's headlights.
    "How do you happen to know a vamp and a werewolf?" I worked up the courage to ask.
    "Accident," he shrugged, turning onto the highway. "Met both at a bar. Kept them from getting into a fight."
    "Oh." He'd answered with mostly the truth—so I let that go.
    "I could ask you a similar question," he turned dark eyes on me. They glittered in the dim interior light of the van, expressing his curiosity. "How do you know about vamps and weres?"
    That was a tricky question, which required an even trickier answer. "My grandmother told me," I said. That part was true. Mom and Dad told me about High Demons, which constituted much of my heritage.
    The rest—my grandmother had given me plenty of stories and introduced me to all sorts of people; vampires, werewolves, shapeshifters and dozens of other races. Anita's race was a long tale all on its own. I didn't want Kory to know about that—it could place him in danger.
    "What will Mason do if other vamps show up?" I asked.
    "He's pretty talented, plus he took a portable flame-thrower with him."
    "What?" The word expressed my level of shock.
    "I bought it for him," Kory shrugged again.
    "Oh, my gosh," I rubbed my forehead. "I really, really don't want to hear that someone burned the hospital down in the middle of the night."
    "Yeah, you'd just have to report on it," Kory turned briefly and grinned at me.
    "Lee wants me to continue the investigation into the bar fire and what led up to it," I blurted.
    "What?" It was Kory's turn to be shocked. "You know that's the most dangerous assignment he could hand anybody, and to hand it to the rookie," he broke off, realizing that he'd likely offended me.
    "No, you're right, I am the rookie," I admitted. "I think he ought to just leave this thing alone, unless he wants to watch the bodies pile up. I understand that I might be at the bottom of that pile, too."
    "Fuck that," Kory growled.
    "It's investigate it or I'll likely lose my job," I muttered.
    "Then find another job," he snapped.
    "That's really not an option," I retorted. Aunt Bree had been quite specific. I had to work for Rome Enterprises. I worried she'd haul me back to Avendor if I quit, and an unwelcome marriage would commence shortly after.
    "Then tread carefully and call me if there's trouble," he said. I stole a glance at his face as he concentrated on driving the van; his mouth was set in a thin, disapproving line, his brow furrowed with restrained anger.
    "Fine."
    "It better be fine. Vann lost his life because of this, and Mike's fate is still on the line. I've already warned Rick and Farin; they know where those two live, you understand."
    "Yeah. I understand." I hesitated for a moment. "Lee wants me to track down the bar owner and get her on camera."
    "No." Kory smacked the steering wheel to emphasize his command.
    "You think I want to?" I tapped my chest. "That's suicide, in my opinion."
    "Then hold Lee off," he said. "Tell him you can't find her."
    "I need to find out what the other stations are planning to do about this," I closed my eyes in resignation.
    "Rick can ask at his place," Kory pointed out. "That's actually a good idea—let them take the fall."
    "Did that just come out of your mouth?" I stared at him in disgust. "You want