Part of her agreed, but unlike most Human Defenders, she didn't see any species as all good or all bad. Just like humans, there were good vampires and bad vampires. And good succubi and bad succubi. She'd seen too many humans torn apart by vampires not to stiffen at the thought of a human child being given to them, but that didn't mean she thought it was fair that the creatures couldn't have children of their own.
Sammi's eyes never left the barista. "It's not nice to eavesdrop."
He elbowed her gently. "Like you weren't."
"Got me there," she said, rolling her head to stretch her neck. "Just trying not to get too irritated too early."
"You are little Miss Sunshine in the-" at her glare he cut himself off. "Sorry, it's just hard. Last week I had some poor kid turned to shreds because one of those bastards got hungry. They shouldn't be able to adopt their food source! We wouldn't give a lion a deer to raise..."
She lowered her voice. "It seems money can buy anything. Even an endangered species." Then, even more quietly she added, "but I also see a lot of vampires who love their kids, maybe even more because they had to fight for them."
Her chest hurt in that familiar way it did when subjects like this came up. Most of their days were spent defending humans from the cruelty of vampires and other species that fed on them. But even though she saw things that turned her stomach, she could never forget that no species was entirely good or bad. Mostly because she was one of those hated and feared species.
Bradley spoke after a quiet moment, wrinkling his nose. "Maybe, but all these restrictions on buying human babies is worth about as much as used toilet paper. 'We're limiting adoptions!' 'We're giving preference to vampires who wait to Turn their babies!' It's a bunch of bull."
Sammi glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. It was moments like these that Bradley reminded her that he might be her age, but he was still far less experienced as a Human Defender. And has lived a far different life.
"Next."Her gaze snapped back to the counter. Coffee. The magical elixir of life. But then all thoughts of Bradley were forgotten when she realized who was working the register.
Jin stood quietly, waiting to take her order.
Sammi hadn't seen her in three months, not since the older woman had come to her and asked for her help. Jin had been framed for murder, and Sammi had been the only one to believe she was innocent.
The gargoyle had cut her hair since the last time Sammi had seen her. It curled gently under at the ends, stopping at the bottom of her chin. A touch of dark red lipstick glinted on her lips, shockingly bright against her skin and hair, which was the delicate color of wet stone.
Sammi moved toward her, barely feeling the ground beneath her feet. She stopped when she came to the counter.
"The usual?" Her dark gaze sought Sammi's, from behind her typical square-rimmed black glasses. "Anything for your friend?"
She blinked and looked at Bradley, who shook his head once. "Just the usual, thanks."
Jin typed in the order while Sammi pulled out her card.
Why am I shaking? Because I took a risk when I helped her? Because maybe her disappearing after the investigation had me questioning whether I'd been wrong?
"It is on me," Jin said, ignoring her money.
"That's not necessary."
Jin smiled. "You saved my life. Cleared my name. It is necessary."
She stiffened. Human Defenders saved lives every day, but it was rare someone actually thanked them. Actually showed they were grateful. But maybe that's because you're always so quick to run away the second the hard work is done. She pushed the thought away, focusing back on Jin.
The words left her mouth before she could stop them. "Where have you been?"
Her chest ached in a strange way. It wasn't as if they were friends. Why did she care if the older woman had disappeared as soon as Sammi had saved her life? Because you were afraid she was guilty, or because you were afraid someone had hurt her? The coffee shop had been?different, without her.
Jin's smile widened. "I took a vacation. Met a man." She smoothed away nonexistent wrinkles on her white blouse. "Our experience made me realize that life was, indeed, short." She placed the coffee on the counter.
"It's part of the job, but thank you. And next time, I'm paying."
The older woman smiled and nodded."And Sammi? It's your job to help humans. What you did for me?that was something you did because of who you are. You believed me, and that was enough for you to risk your life and your neck. In my two hundred and twenty years, I've never had someone sacrifice themselves like that for me. I'll never forget it."
It was hard to respond around the lump in her throat. She wanted to say that Jin was like the grandmother she'd never met, but instead she shrugged and said, "No worries," and headed out the door.
With her coffee in hand, Sammi paused outside and stared at the dark clouds gathering over the city for the first time. She wrapped her hands around her huge cup of coffee and took a long sip, loving the way the liquid burned its way down into her stomach.
"You were worried about her." Bradley's eyes searched her face.
It was a statement, not a question, but she answered anyway. "When I see her, I remember how close she was to paying with her life for a crime she didn't commit, and it reminds me of how important our job is. But more importantly, to remember that it's not just humans who deserve protection."
She opened her eyes, but Bradley wasn't looking at her. Instead, he was looking up, watching the clouds gather.
"And here I thought our job was just about the great pay. " His sarcasm was obvious, so Sammi ignored him.
They turned at the next street and walked two blocks on White Rain Avenue, a street that always held an air of possibility to Sammi. The odd collection of tall narrow brick buildings, interspersed with quaint houses with white porches and shingles, stood out in an oddly pleasant way. In a city where everything was being torn down and built up, the historical district had been left untouched. But amid all the charming buildings, Stockwell Protection was housed in the one yellow-brick building with white trimming the windows.
"Is it just me, or is it slanting even more today?"
She tilted her head, examining the odd tilt of the building. "Definitely slanting more."
Her phone vibrated in her jacket pocket. Pulling it out, she slid up before being able to read the full text. Stop staring at the damn sky and get your asses in here.
"Crap. A.J. sees us. And he's pissed."
Bradley smirked. "I'm just glad you're the one carrying coffee."