He could do it too. He was damn good at his job.

Though born human, Katon had long since become something else. Struck down by a vampire, he was rescued by Rahim Alakha, a powerful wizard on DRAC’s High Council. Unable to save Katon’s mortal life, Rahim evicted the vampire’s spirit and corralled Katon’s dying essence, installing it in place of the vampire’s. Grateful for the rescue, Katon pledged his services to Rahim and DRAC. He’d worked with them ever since.

Dressed in black; jeans, T-shirt, calf-high boots, all topped off with a classic biker jacket with studded forearms and shoulders, he looked every bit the heavy metal badass. The hint of a smile etched his dark face. I could just see the points of his eyeteeth peeking out from under his top lip.

At his waist hung a short sword less than two feet long, its blade a deep crimson. Forged from the tip of the Spear of Longinus, the Holy Lance, which pierced the side of Jesus Christ, the sword was fearsome. It was said Christ’s blood stained the blade, and having met Longinus, I could vouch for that fact. I could feel the power emanating from it.

“And to what do I owe this unexpected pleasure?” I asked, keeping my tone neutral, or at least attempting to. I took another sip of coffee. He waved me through the door into the wide, Page 16 well-lighted corridor beyond. “I heard you had a runin with Baalth’s men.”

“News travels fast.”

Katon shrugged, his feral eyes peering at me.

“Any particular reason why?”

“They were looking for Scarlett. It seems she made a bit of a mess at the railyards. I’m sure you saw all that on the news.”