My gaze drifted to the empty building behind us. Intuition stirred, but it gave me squat as to why. There was no sign of movement, no sense of heat coming from within. The place was empty, and yet . . .

I frowned and glanced at my watch. Three minutes to go. I returned my attention back to our target building. I wonder why they chose six o’clock as an attack time. Hanging about here is only increasing the chances of discovery.

Jackson pointed skyward. Faint drifts of pink and gold were beginning to touch the black. I suspect it has something to do with the sunrise. Vamps are sluggish in the brief time between night and sunset or sunrise.

I snorted. Says who? Certainly no vampire I’ve ever come across has exhibited said sluggishness during those times.

It’s a common belief.

Just like the belief that all fae are small and winged?

His grin flashed. Humans have always gotten fairies and fae mixed up.

I’ve never seen a fairy, not in all the long years I’ve been alive.

Sure you have. They’re those small yellow flowering weeds that form a white parachute-like seedpod.

I lightly slapped his arm. Idiot.

He glanced down at his watch, and his amusement fled. Time to go.

I hope the rats and the wolves don’t waste too much time attacking. I slipped around the corner of the van and ran toward the nearest climbable tree. And I seriously hope we’re not being hung out to dry here.

Baker wouldn’t. He wants revenge too badly.

I agree, but Radcliffe is also involved, and he certainly would.

We’re less a threat to him than Rinaldo. He needs to take that bastard down and regain the respect of his mischief.

A smile touched my lips. I always found that to be a rather incongruous name for a group of rats.

We reached the tree. I lifted one leg so Jackson could boost me up, then grabbed the nearest branch and climbed onto it. The old eucalyptus had obviously been here even before the area had become an industrial estate, and the thick branches were very easy to climb. I reached the one that stretched out over the building’s rooftop and made my way down its length. In very little time, I was on the roof, my fingers lightly brushing the concrete as I steadied myself. Jackson joined me a few seconds later.

Where the fuck is the attack from the— He cut the question off as a gigantic whoosh of debris and heat came from the front of the building. About time. Let’s find the exit.

We padded through the sea of cooling towers, antennas, and other paraphernalia, eventually finding a stairwell entrance toward the rear of the building, to the right of the edge of where the warehouse met the office portion.