Page 10 of Roguefinder

“My clients know they can count on me for confidentiality,” Sterling said. “It’s built into the Moray Corporation’s fees, which are quite steep.”

“Okay, but what if she talks?”

I curled my fingers around the arm of my chair. It was either that or lunge across the scant space between me and Caleb and slap a hand over his mouth.

An indulgent look touched Sterling’s features. “Anyone can keep a secret if they’re properly motivated. Although, I imagine keeping yours must be exhausting. A seer mated to a wolfseeker.” He raised his brows. “I don’t believe the supernatural world has ever seen that particular combination.”

Caleb sat forward. “Who told you about my gift?”

A groan formed in my throat.

Sterling’s indulgent look stayed put. “No one. Until you did just now.”

Caleb stiffened. My groan turned into a sigh.

“I had my suspicions, of course,” Sterling added, “but it’s useful to have confirmation. Thank you for that, Caleb.” He tilted his head. “I’d heard you were something of a himbo, as you Americans call it.” His lips quirked. “Another confirmation.”

The hot metal scent of Caleb’s anger seared my nose. A second later, he growled low in his throat.

“Caleb,” I said quietly.

He cast me a guilty look.

That’s right, brat. I kept my attention on Sterling as I let my displeasure roll across the mate bond.

Slowly, Caleb sat back in his chair.

Sterling favored him with another smile before turning serious green eyes to me. “Last evening, one of my people captured photos of Ulfrik Haraldsson in Rome.” He pushed the folder on his desk toward me.

Leaning forward, I flipped it open and spread three photos between us. Caleb’s chair creaked as he craned his neck to examine them. Ulfrik was unmistakable, his long blond hair streaming over leather-clad shoulders. His features were clear enough to confirm his identity.

“Those photos were taken outside the Teatro della Rosa,” Sterling said.

I looked up. “Carlo Gesualdo.” The master vampire was the most powerful of his kind in Italy. He’d owned the opera house for over a century. He hadn’t used his real name in a long time, but every magic-wielder in the world knew his history. Humans knew it, too, although they believed he’d died four hundred years ago.

Sterling nodded. “Ulfrik attended a single performance and left. My associate took the photos with a long lens. Unfortunately, Ulfrik moved too quickly to track.”

Damn. I stared at the images, which were less grainy than the ones Stefanos had shown me. They’d also been taken earlier in the day, when purple dusk was just beginning to fall. Ulfrik had spent the last fifty years of his life in Denmark. What was he doing in Rome? What was he doing alive?

Caleb looked up at Sterling. “Seems pretty convenient that you had someone in Rome at the same time as Ulfrik.”

The irritation in my chest sharpened. Sterling’s himbo insult had landed as intended. Caleb was nettled and looking for a fight. Sterling wouldn’t give him one. He’d just twist Caleb into a pretzel.

Next time, I was getting Caleb’s vow of silence in writing.

Sterling smiled. “Moray Corporation has interests in every major city in the world. Rome is no different.”

“But you just happened to have someone with a long lens hanging around this theater.”

Reluctant admiration spread through me. As usual, Caleb was a detailed observer. Considering how he’d grown up, it didn’t surprise me. He’d learned to pay attention. If he saw things coming, they were less likely to hurt him.

“The Teatro della Rosa is an opera house, not a theater,” Sterling said. He looked at me. “Your mate asks better questions than you do.”

I kept my voice neutral. “Are you going to answer him?”

He waved a hand. “As I said, my coven protects its interests. Gesualdo rules Rome. I’d be foolish to take my eyes off him.” He smiled. “Or anyone in a position of power.”

The implication slotted into place as precisely as he’d intended it to. Sterling kept an eye on the vampires—and the Council.