Night Light. Amy Blankenship

He’d all but flat out called her a jaguar the other night, so he obviously hadn’t been lying about being a paranormal investigator. If it was an army the boys wanted, then the least she could do was help recruit… right?

      â€œNow, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna go make myself a good target for the vampires that have been leaving bodies on our doorstep.” She went to walk around the bar but Trevor grabbed her wrist so fast she hadn’t even seen him move. She simply cocked an eyebrow at the restraining hand. “Unless you’re going to help me, you might want to let go.”

      â€œYou’re serious?” Trevor asked.

      He’d also been leaning toward thinking it was vampires for the mere fact that there seemed to be a baby boom of them right now… oh, and the little fact of half-destroyed fang marks. The downside to this was he hadn’t dealt with vampires before… only during training. He needed a reason to stick around until Envy resurfaced, so why not hang around with the competition's sister?

      When Kat nodded and slowly pulled her hand away, Trevor shook his head knowing he would regret this, “Are your brothers going with you?”

      â€œOh, they’re going all right, but in different directions.” She made a pouty face. “It seems no one wanted to team up with the girl.”

      As if to prove her point, Steven and Nick chose that moment to come downstairs and head for the door together. Nick gave Kat a hard stare, hoping she would get the message and do what Warren had asked her to do… stay here where it’s safe. He felt a little easier when she gave him a small smile as if all was forgiven.

      Glancing back toward the door leading upstairs Kat nodded, “See, its tag teams tonight except for the odd number… aka me.” She flashed Trevor a big smile as if she didn’t mind. “But that’s okay, I don’t mind hunting on my own.”

      Trevor smirked and crossed his arms on the bar top. He leaned forward a little signaling Kat to do the same and whispered two words.

      â€œNot alone,” he shook his head.

      Quinn and Warren stopped as they came down into the nightclub. Warren knew they were overstaffed tonight so the bar would be covered but that didn’t stop him from issuing a couple of last minute orders.

      While he was doing that, Quinn nearly glared a hole in Trevor. He hadn’t missed the monitor, seeing the way Trevor reached out and grabbed Kat’s wrist… or the emotional dance that had followed. How close was Kat to this man? The way they were acting, it was like they shared some secret that the rest of them weren’t allowed to hear and it grated on his nerves.

      â€œWho is that man with Kat?” Quinn asked when Warren was finished with his com-link.

      Warren turned to look seeing Envy’s ex-boyfriend. He figured Kat was telling Trevor that Envy was no longer available, which was a good idea because without Trevor's eye-candy hanging out at the bar, maybe the paranormal investigator would go investigate somewhere else.

      â€œThat’s just the local masochist that likes to be tasered by attractive women,” Warren smirked at his own joke. When Quinn didn’t smile, it made him suddenly miss teaming up with Michael. He wondered if it was too late to change partners then deleted the thought. Quinn and Kane teamed up together would be a disaster waiting to happen.

      Trevor felt someone staring at him and glanced over toward the door. He was barely able to keep the surprise out of his expression when he saw Quinn Wilder with Warren Santos. If he hadn’t suspected what he did, Trevor would believe the two were involved in the murders and were plotting their next move. But that line of thought was reserved for the dumb asses on the local police force.

      â€œWhat is the owner of Night Light doing here?” Trevor asked turning back to Kat.

      â€œWe are all trying to fix the problem with the vampires,” Kat said as her eyes locked defiantly with Quinn’s. Oh my, he looked a bit rattled. Just to test the theory, she leaned closer to Trevor like she was whispering sweet nothings in his ear, “Do you have any weapons we can use to even the odds?” she winked knowing she’d just gained a partner for the night.

      Trevor thought about it for a moment, making a mental checklist of what he did have in his trunk.

      â€œYeah, I’ve got a few things in the car,” Trevor admitted. “We may have to go back to my place to get some extras I’ve stashed in my gun safe.”

      â€˜Perfect,’ Kat thought to herself.

      As Warren and Quinn walked past the bar, Warren was again distracted by the com-link going off in his ear. Quinn didn’t mind the delay. It gave him a moment to find out what was going on with the happy couple at the bar.

      Kat saw Quinn coming and quickly moved down the bar so Trevor couldn’t overhear and Quinn couldn’t blow her cover. Reaching for a bottle, she turned around to find Quinn standing between her and the bar.

      â€œCan I help you sir?” Kat asked with a sarcastically raised eyebrow. “You do know there are no patrons allowed behind the bar.”

      Quinn took a step toward her even though it was already a tight fit. Placing a hand on the shelf beside her arm, he efficiently trapped her where she was. Seeing her eyes stray over his shoulder to the man she had been talking to… Quinn growled, “Don’t get distracted tonight Kat. I’m warning you. Just because you’re not coming with us to hunt doesn’t mean a vampire can’t just walk in the door of this bar.”

      Kat sighed knowing that was the oldest trick in the book. Make someone think they were important by giving them a safe little side job. “I’ll be fine,” she informed him as she ducked under his arm and headed back toward Trevor. “And if I need anything, I already have someone willing to give it to me.” The last was said with a seductive hint in her voice. It was a lie, but Quinn had pissed her off.

      She smirked inwardly knowing Quinn thought she meant sexually and Trevor thought she meant on the vampire hunt tonight. Warren chose that moment to finish up and motion for Quinn that he was ready to leave.

      Quinn’s lips thinned as he stepped behind Kat and leaned down, almost brushing his lips against her ear, “Have a safe night.” He watched the goose bumps spread down her neck and across her shoulder with satisfaction.

      Kat gripped the edge of the bar when her knees went weak. Steadying herself she jumped when Michael’s voice came from right behind her.

      â€œBe careful how hard you pull that cat’s tail, love,” Michael reminded her then nodded at Trevor before going to meet Kane on the roof.

      Trevor frowned at the startled look on Kat’s face. “Wasn’t that a vampire?”

      â€œNo, that was a gentleman and he’s helping us track the real monsters,” Kat said confidently as she silently added, and he’s the only one that didn’t put up a fuss about me going out tonight. “However, it looks like we’re falling behind. Are you ready to leave?”

      *****

      Kane was pacing back and forth on the roof, smoking a cigarette and occasionally waving his arms around. He was starting to get antsy waiting for Michael to show up.

      â€œJaguars and cougars,” he grumbled. “They’re worse than domestic house cats. Everyone has to have domination over the others. I’d rather team up with the Coyotes than deal with this.”

      Michael came up over the edge of the roof right behind Kane, catching him in his agitated rant. He frowned when Kane immediately fell silent and glanced to the side acknowledging his presence.

      â€œDamn it Kane, are we going to talk about what’s bothering you or not?” Michael asked as he crossed