Department 57: Bloody Crystal by Lynne Connolly Page A

wrought-iron walkway, his booted feet rapping on the boards. He didn’t stop until he’d turned the corner to face the bay.
    The sea soothed him. He should have been a merman, not a vampire. He’d always loved the sea. He knew a few mermen, but he’d never asked them to take him down. They could breathe into his mouth and help him to stay down longer. A mermaid would be better. He could see a really sexy time being had by all. But the woman currently obsessing his mind wasn’t mer. She never gave him any indication that she even liked swimming, although like him, she loved looking at the sea. He crossed the road and headed for the rail that fronted the drop down to the beach.
    He’d grown up here, and coming back was always bittersweet for him. Even more now that the last of his relatives had died. He’d hardly known Gareth, but he’d miss him all the same because he’d been the last Tryfanwy in Llandudno. Clearing out his house these last few weeks had shown him the clutter most mortals collected around themselves.
    He’d employed cleaners to clear the place and stripped it of all but essential furniture. That was why he’d been staying at the Excalibur. At least, that was the plan. But he’d ended up going home with Cerys this last week. Her place was closer than the hotel, and by the time they got there, he was usually too horny to think about going any farther.
    He’d have to rectify that. Give her a night of pure, pampered luxury before he left.
    Thinking of Cerys reminded him of something he had to do. He pulled his cell out of his pocket and hit a number on speed dial. “Can you put me through to Will Grady, please?”
    “Could I have your number, sir?”
    He rattled off his security number. That was only the first layer. He had another check and another number to get through before he could talk to Grady. He wished the man would just give him a direct line, but he guessed if he did, Grady would spend his day taking phone calls. There were full-time agents like him and part-time ones, people who made a living doing something else as well as acting for Department 57 when it needed them. Lots of them.
    It still riled him. But he was put through to Grady in four minutes. He stood facing the sea, spreading his senses to make sure nobody overheard him. “Hi. Listen, I’m edgy, and after all this time working, that accounts for something. I’ve made a—friend here in Llandudno.” He put in the pause deliberately, and he knew Grady would get it, that she was a bit more than a friend. “She’s alone, man. Completely alone.”
    “There are vampires in Llandudno,” Grady said. “Other Talents.”
    “Yeah, but she’s avoided them. Weird parents. That’s the other thing. She told me they were killed in London in one of the demos five years ago. You remember, when the government changed hands and they hoicked up the taxes. She said the Department took them in to one of the hospitals. Can you have that looked at for me?”
    “No problem. Give me their names and the date of their deaths.”
    He’d already anticipated that. He did so. He’d bet Grady was typing the names into his secure laptop as they spoke. He could hear the keys clicking just after he had the thought. “Something else. Nobody knows what she is. Not other Talents, nobody. Hear me?”
    “And you want it to stay that way.”
    He watched the little white crests on the waves. The tide was coming in. People sat on the beach, in deck chairs and on towels, watching it. The day might be bright, but Floridians would consider it cold. He preferred this. Hot places didn’t suit him. “Yeah. I do. It’s her best protection right now. I’m waiting for word about Wilkinson. It could come any day, but I don’t want to leave her unprotected.”
    “I’ll see if we have anyone in the area and let you know. I’m sure there’s someone who can keep a discreet eye on her. Just one person, if you like.”
    “Thanks.” But the idea didn’t sound