He disappeared around the corner; a heartbeat later, there was a slight rattle as he climbed the fence. I scanned the area for any unwanted interest in what we were doing, and then followed him. The barbed wire snagged his jacket and ripped one side open as I jumped down on the other side.

Sorry about that. I tucked the torn bit under the T-shirt I was now wearing.

He shrugged. It’s only a jacket.

Yeah, but it’s a nice one.

His grin flashed. So buy me a replacement. Or compensate me in some other way.

Now that’s the Jackson I know and love.

Seriousness can only last so long. He paused. Which isn’t to say I’m not still furious over what happened—

To both of us, I cut in softly. And we’ll talk, but not now.

He didn’t say anything to that, and I had to wonder if talking was something he was actually willing to do.

We moved on, keeping close to the grimy, graffiti-strewn redbrick wall. Rinaldo’s warehouse began at the end of it. Beyond it lay a more modern-looking building; then the lane swept around the corner and joined Risley Street.

We stopped for a second time. Jackson peered around the corner. Two entrances, ground level and first floor, just as Google Street View promised. No cars in the parking space and bars on all the windows. He glanced at his watch. Better tell Sam we’re ready.

I pressed the com earpiece Sam had given me and softly said, “In position.”

“Right,” came his reply. “Everyone head in. And be careful.”

I didn’t reply; I just followed Jackson around the corner, then took the metal steps up to the first floor, keeping as close to the wall of the next building as practical. I paused on one side of the first barred window and carefully peered inside. The room beyond was pitch-black. If Rinaldo was in there, he was one with the darkness.

And if he was there, then he was more than likely aware of my presence. He was, after all, a vampire, and my racing heart probably sounded like a damn alarm to him.

I took a deep breath, then ducked past the window and paused again beside the door. Why anyone would bar the windows and then put an unprotected, double-glass door between them was anyone’s guess, but at least it gave me a somewhat easier way in.

Ready when you are, Jackson said.

I flexed my fingers. Sparks flew, tiny fireflies that spoke of tiredness more than tension. Go.

Even as I said that, there was a crash from the front of the building—Sam and Adam were heading in.