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“And then we all somehow end up eating in some seafood joint, where he orders the whole menu and the waiters serve us glassy-eyed,” I said. Curran finished his coffee in one gulp. “Last week a flock of harpies attacked Druid Hills. It took the Guild six hours to put them down. One merc ended up in the hospital with some kind of acute magical rabies.” “Well, at least it’s rabies,” Roman said. “They carry leprosy, too.” “I called Roland about it,” I said. “He said, ‘Who knows why harpies do anything, Blossom?’ And then he told me he had two tickets to see Aivisha sing and one of them had my name
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“She’s your Herald,” Derek said. “That’s your color. Blue for humanity.” My what? He made a big show of moving a few feet to the side. I looked at him. “In case your head explodes,” he said helpfully. “Not another word.” He chuckled under his breath, the rough lupine laugh of an amused wolf. Laugh it up, why don’t you?
“You’re grounded,” I said under my breath. “I don’t have a social life anyway,” Julie murmured. “Barabas called the house before I left. He says not to burn any bridges.” That was Barabas’s standing legal advice when it came to my father. If I burned this bridge, it would mean war.
“Blossom!” “Father.” There. I said it and didn’t choke on it.
“How go the preparations for the wedding?” “Very well. How goes the world domination?” “It has its moments.”
“That’s barbaric.” Roland turned to me with a small smile. “No. Barbarism usually produces swift death. Cruelty is the mark of a civilized human. I still have a hundred Iron Dogs in this location. He’s an excellent visual aid.”
Don’t open this door. You don’t have the ruthlessness to fight me.” I’d had enough. “Father, when was the last time you killed someone? I don’t mean with magic, I mean with your hands, close enough that you could look into their eyes? I killed a woman a week ago to keep her from sacrificing her children to some forgotten god. I have killed so many, I don’t remember all their faces. They blend. The door is already wide open and you were the one who opened it. Are you ready for me to walk through it?”
“You’re wasting your time,” I told him. “Ascanio has the worst poker face I’ve ever seen.” “I have a strategy,” Ascanio announced. “Aha.” “I’m going to play with women and distract them with my smolder.” Ascanio unleashed a devastating smile.
“Let’s see it.” “See what?” He blinked. “The smolder.” Okay, I had to admit the smolder looked pretty good. “Needs improvement. Work more on seductive and less on constipated.” “I don’t look constipated.” I glanced at Roman. “Nah,” the volhv said. “Constipated isn’t your problem. You’re too slick about it. Women sense when you’re faking.” “What am I supposed to do about that?”
Your wedding is in two weeks. Have you prepared your guest list?” “Why do I need a list? I kind of figured that whoever wanted to show up would show up.” “You need a list so you know how many people you are feeding. Do you have a caterer?” “No.” “But you did order the cake?” “Umm . . .” “Florist?” “Florist?” “The person who delivers expensive flowers and sets them up in pretty arrangements everyone ignores?” “No.” Roman blinked. “I’m almost afraid to ask. Do you at least have the dress?” “Yes.” “Is it white?” “Yes.” He squinted at me. “Is it a wedding dress?” “It’s a white dress.” “Have you
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“Also, your father.” My eyes snapped open. “What about my father?” Roman blinked. “That was a bona fide snarl.” Ascanio nodded, his eyes wide. “Yes, she gets scary sometimes. She’s very difficult to work for.” “I can imagine.”
“This is just typical.” Roman raised his eyes upward. “The one time I try to do something good, like join two people who are long overdue in holy matrimony. The one time! And it all goes to hell, doomsday prophecies and death. I’ve served you for ten years. Would it kill you to have my back one damn time?” “Yes, of course, make it all about you.” Evdokia sighed.
The window rolled down and Andrea stuck her blond head out. “I’m free! Free!” Oh boy. “Aren’t you supposed to be in the Keep?” I could’ve sworn Raphael told me during the Conclave that Doolittle had confined her to the medward. “Screw that. We’re going to lunch.” “It’s almost dinnertime.” “Then we’re going to dinch. Or lunner. Or whatever the hell early-dinner-late-lunch stupid combo we can come up with.” “Now isn’t . . .” Andrea’s eyes blazed. “Kate, I’m nine months pregnant and I’m hungry. Get in the damn car.” I got in the Jeep, and Andrea peeled out like a bat out of hell. “We’re going to
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And he loves you in his own twisted way. I saw the way he looked at you when you claimed the city. He was practically bursting with pride. If you manage to stab him in the heart, he’ll be proud of you with his dying breath.
He moved one of the folds aside, revealing a tiny red squished face and a shock of dark hair. “Beatrice Kate Medrano,” he said. “Named after her grandmother and you.” “Me?” “You. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have met,” he said. Andrea opened her eyes and smiled. “We’re going to call her Baby B.”
It hit me like a freight train. Wow. This was a very stupid idea. An idiotic, stupid, suicidal idea. Find a Rubicon to cross. I’ll show you a Rubicon. This wasn’t just crossing it, this was setting it on fire and blowing it up. “Do you remember when we went to the Black Sea and you pretended to be infatuated with Lorelei?” “Not that again.” His face shut down. “I’m going to do something very dangerous and stupid. I’ve done some idiotic things in my life, but this takes the cake.” “Tell me.” “No.” Gold rolled over his eyes. “What do you mean, no?” “If I tell you, you will stop me from doing
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The head may cause a problem. Be very careful.” The head? What head?
Good luck, In-Shinar.” She hung up. I hung up too and stared at the phone. Shinar was the name of my father’s old kingdom, the one that started it all.
“Did you run any of this by Curran?” “I told him I was about to do something idiotic and dangerous, and he told me to go ahead and let him know if he could help in any way.” “I don’t understand your relationship.” “You don’t have to.
“I’ll look into it. Kate, don’t think that it’s you against him. That’s how you talk about it, but it’s not true. He’s by himself, but you have all of us. We’re in it together and we’ll stand against him together. You have a lot of goodwill in this city.” “Thanks, Jim.” That was unexpected. “And if you ever turn into your father and feed on this city like a leech, I will kill you.” Really? Not even in your wildest dreams. “If I ever turn into my father, you will kneel and pledge yourself to me, Jim. And you will be happy doing it.” His expression turned flat. I winked at him, got up, and left.
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“Has anyone seen Julie?” I asked. “We’ve seen her,” George said. “We’re supposed to tell you that she’s not dead, but she is staying over at the office tonight.”
“Woo-woo!” I waved my fingers at him in between bouts of laughter. “You and Jim are two idiots. Maybe you should marry each other. You can rule the Pack together.” “Why the hell would you do this to me?” “Because you deserved it. Jim came to you with this nonsense and you got all concerned.” “I told Jim to go to hell. I also told him that if he ever told me that my wife is a ‘potential threat’ again, I would become a real and immediate threat.” I laughed and opened my arms. “My hero.” “You’re an asshole,” he told me. “You knew that before you asked me to marry you. What, no hug?” “You know how
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To tell him or not to tell him? “Okay, remember the stupid reckless thing I can’t tell you about?” His eyes shone. Oh, yes, he remembered. “It involves going back to Mishmar.” Barabas dropped his teacup and caught it an inch above the table. Shapeshifter reflexes for the win. “Why?” Curran asked. “I can’t tell you.” A roar rumbled in Curran’s throat. Barabas sat back a bit. I shuddered. “So scary. Still can’t tell you.” He opened his mouth. “Lorelei,” I said. Curran swore. Barabas grinned. “Don’t,” Curran warned him.
Inside, Ascanio greeted me with a salute and a bright smile. “Good morning, Alpha Sharrim.” Why me?
I looked at Ascanio. “Where’s the rest?” He shrugged his shoulders, his face a picture of perfect innocence. “Julie was the one who filed it. I just work here. I have no idea why the Blond Harpy does anything.” Argh.
I swung the door open a moment before Derek walked through it. “I heard the conversation. I’m coming,” he said. Ascanio rolled his eyes. “This will be fun.” Derek parked himself in the doorway. “You need backup.” “She has backup.” “Yes, but someone will have to carry the Prince of Hyenas if he accidentally stabs his pinkie toe, and she isn’t a shapeshifter.” “Fine.” I headed for my vehicle. Behind me Ascanio snorted. “Idiot wolf.” “Spoiled bouda brat.” “Bigot.” “Crybaby.” “Shit for brains.” “Momma’s boy.” Universe, grant me patience.
“Ne’er-do-wells?” Derek asked. “I read.” Beau looked slightly offended. “Ancient literature?” Ascanio inquired. “Did it have words like ‘dame’ and ‘stool pigeon’ in it?” “Do you make your deputies call you ‘copper’?” Derek asked. “Have you two ever thought of taking your show on the road?” Beau asked them.
“You’re okay,” I told him. “You’re cool. Everything is okay.” “I quit.” “You’re okay. It’s shock.” “No. I’m done.” He waved his sword at me. “She swallowed me! I was inside her!” Ascanio cracked up, showing way too many hyena teeth. I gave him the look of death and he clamped his mouth shut. “I quit!” Holland threw his sword down. “Okay,” Derek said. “Look, be reasonable,” Ascanio said. “We’ve all been there. One time there was this hungry wendigo . . .” “Redundant,” Derek said. Ascanio rolled his eyes. “The point is, weird shit happened. Weird shit happens a lot. It’s traumatic. Look, she
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I hadn’t crossed the line. I’d ridden an elephant up to it and run back and forth along its edge while a mariachi band played in the background, but I hadn’t crossed it.
There were four main incentives that moved people to do things: power, wealth, knowledge, and emotion.
“Hello, winged devil. Are the Pegasuses rideable?” “Kate?” He sounded startled. “Yes.” “Good evening to you, too.” “Good evening, Teddy Jo. How’s life, how’s the family? Are the Pegasuses rideable?”
Also, this is utterly ridiculous. Why do I have to choose between the meat and vegetarian option?” “What?” “You are the princess of Shinar. Your line stretches back beyond known history. You shouldn’t have to make your guests choose a single option. Your wedding should be a feast.” I pried the wedding card open. Inside a smaller RSVP card said, Please indicate if you prefer a vegetarian course.
“We need to do something about your father. Soon.” “Yes. He called the house upset about the reception dinner.” “I know. He called the Guild as well.” “Really?” Curran nodded. “He and I had a conversation. I told him that it was a bit late to play father of the year, but if he behaved himself, we would make sure to save him a seat at the wedding.” I laughed.
“Julie, where is he?” “He went out to check on the horses.” “Really? He hates horses.” Julie’s eyes sparkled. “He said it was very important for him to check that they were still there. And that he was also there and not here when you snapped.” When I got out of this dress, I’d give him a piece of my mind.
“That ought to do it,” Roman said. “Greeks and their wings. Flying here, flying there, screaming their heads off, scaring the horse.”
FLYING WAS OVERRATED. Heights were very overrated. Flying with wings was probably less overrated when said wings belonged to you, but when you were dangling in a swing that bopped up and down every time the angel of death carrying you beat his wings, you reached a new level of appreciation for walking. Walking was amazing and awesome, and I really wanted to do it again as soon as possible.
“My father called me, all offended on my behalf that the wedding dinner isn’t sufficiently feastlike.” “Umm,” Roman said. “Curran is also now offended because my father referred to him as a pauper.” “Umm,” Roman offered. “And then you called over to the Keep and offended the dress designers, so they hunted me down this morning and invaded my house.” “You do need a dress.” “You’re not a wedding planner, you’re a menace. Stop planning my wedding.” “I’ll stop when you start.” “There is nothing to plan.” Roman turned to Teddy Jo on the trail next to him. “Do you see what I have to deal with?”
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“Beware, Daughter of Nimrod. I have seen your death and it is a horror you cannot imagine.” Awesome.
“You have a weird life.” “Look who’s talking.” He shrugged. “It’s not that I’m that evil, really. I’m just beloved by evil things.”
I held out my hand. “Kate Daniels, daughter of Nimrod the Builder of Towers, Guardian of Atlanta.” He looked at my hand and then took it with his long slender fingers. “Christopher Steed, twenty-second Legatus of the Golden Legion, god of terror.”
“What will you do now?” I asked. He smiled, baring vampire fangs. “When you fight your father, I will soar above you. I want to be the last thing he sees before he dies.” So far I had the god of evil and the god of terror on my side. My good-guy image was taking a serious beating. Maybe I should recruit some unicorns or kittens with rainbow powers to even us out.
The horse neighed and showed me her teeth. “Are you laughing?” She neighed again. Behind me the herd neighed back. Great. Now the horses were making fun of me.
I couldn’t see Jim’s face from all the way up here, but I recognized his pose well enough. It was his “what the hell is this bullshit?” pose.
“I would try to be friends with her but she’s too busy being a smartass.” “Now you know how the rest of us feel,” Jim said. “Who the hell is that?” I glanced in the direction he was pointing, where a man rode the air currents on blood-red wings. “That’s Christopher.” “Who?” Jim looked like he was about to have a heart attack. “Christopher. He remembered how to fly.” Dali laughed. Jim stared at me. I had to go before he suffered an apoplexy and the rest of the Pack, with Dali at the head, came after me. “Bye!”
