“And risk unleashing Armageddon?” I stared at him. “Are you out of your fucking mind?”

“Don’t think so, no.” Cooper rocked back and forth on his heels. “But some days? Some days, I’d welcome Armageddon.”

Cody finished his call and rejoined us. “Okay, Daise. I told the chief that the Cavannaugh curse was a dead end so far. Levitt’s pulled files on a handful of kids with priors for vandalism in the cemetery, and that’s what the chief wants us to follow up on tomorrow. Sound good to you?”

“Sure.”

He glanced at Cooper. “You willing to lend a hand again?”

Cooper sketched a bow. “The big man’s placed me at your disposal. Just tell me when and where.”

“The big . . .” Cody frowned. “Oh.”

“I’ll call you,” I said to Cooper. With a nod, he straddled his bike, brought it to life, and chugged away.

Cody watched him go. “He looks so young.”

“I know. But he’s over two hundred years old.” It occurred to me that Cooper might be the perfect candidate to tell Heather Simkus, the underage vampire acolyte wannabe, a few things about the burden of immortality. That was either a great idea or a recipe for catastrophe. I’d have to think about it more. I didn’t have a lot of faith in my judgment right now.

Cody had to drive me back to his place to pick up my car, which of course resulted in an awkward parting with the two of us standing in his driveway, both of us feeling that something needed to be said, neither of us knowing what it was.

“This has been a very, very disconcerting day,” I said finally.

He looked relieved that I’d broken the silence. “No kidding.”

“I should go.” Something howled in the distance, long and mournful. Cody’s head turned. “Kinfolk?”

“No. Bob Conklin’s dog. He keeps her tied up around the full moon.” He glanced up at the darkening sky, then at the shadows falling around the woods, then at me, and there was regret in his gaze. I didn’t need to read minds to read his at that moment. If I were a suitable mate, we’d hunt beneath the just-past-full moon tonight, running with the pack and calling to one another, the autumn air ruffling our pelts. We’d hunt and kill and feast, and then we’d go home and fuck like werewolves, and one day we’d teach our own little wolf cubs to do the same thing. Well, just the hunting part with each other, obviously.

I sighed. “Just make sure you get some sleep. God only knows what tomorrow will bring.”

“I will.” Cody hesitated, then grabbed my shoulders and kissed me. It was quick, but firm and decisive.

“You confuse me,” I informed him when he released me, feeling slightly breathless.