“We had to track down a spell that would work for humans,” Nathan explained. “I was going to try and find one in the guild’s archives to share with them before I left, but things… took a turn for the worse, and I wasn’t able to. Wolf found a mage in the city who was able to modify an existing spell to protect against humans as well as the supernatural.”
“It took some time to find somebody who could make something that didn’t just requireeveryoneto be invited inside,” Wolf explained. “That wouldn’t have worked, because these guys have clients come here sometimes for their PI business.”
“Nice,” Isaac remarked as Ira stepped down and folded up the stool.
Talon crossed the room, handing Alex a drink and turning to face them by the sofa. “So what happened at the club last night?”
Shadrach wasn’t happy about it, but Isaac insisted on being the one to explain the plan to the others at the Rink. Talon wouldn’t like the idea of Alex going anywhere near Lilith, and he probably wouldn’t like that it was Isaac proposing it. But Isaac didn’t want Shadrach fighting his battles for him, so Shadrach bit his tongue and let Isaac take the lead.
“I spoke to the bartender, Magda, who contacted Lilith for me,” he began, folding his impressive arms and drawing the fabric of his red T-shirt tight over his shoulders.
Shadrach paced behind him, his hackles already raised in anticipation of Talon’s reaction. This wasn’t going to go over well with the other leviathan. He was especially prickly when it came to his human, and he didn’t like Isaac.
“I convinced them that I’m a paladin trying to leave the guild and that I killed Talon when he snuck in and tried to grab me.”
Talon scoffed, as though the idea were preposterous, and a low growl tripped out of Shadrach. Isaac half-turned, meeting his eyes. Impatient, evenamused, exasperationlingered in the depths of his forest green eyes. He held out a hand, gesturing for calm, and Shadrach pulled in a deep breath, loosening his tie and turning away to pace some more.
On the sofa, Ira tracked his steps with a careful eye.
“Since we all know demons decompose very quickly after they’re killed, there’s no way to prove I killed Talon when I said I did, and Lilith knew that. But there is one way to convince her that Talon is dead.”
“And what’s that?” Storm asked, with an arm thrown loosely around Nathan’s shoulders.
Isaac sighed, and Shadrach resisted the urge to gnash his teeth.
It would be fine. Isaac could hold his own.
It would befine. Isaac wouldn’t like it if he jumped to his defense.
It would befine.
“She wants to hear it from Alex. She wants me to bring Alex to her, and if he’s heartbroken with loss, she’ll know Talon’s really gone.”
“Hellno,” Talon exploded. “He’s not going anywhere near her.”
“It’s the only way,” Isaac said calmly.
“I said no!” Talon said, taking a menacing step forward.
Shadrach’s body locked with tension, but Isaac didn’t look cowed.
“I told Magda he wouldn’t come willingly with the man who killed you,” he said. “She told me to do whatever I had to do. It’s the only way to convince Lilith to meet. If I don’t have Alex with me, she won’t show.”
“Then we’ll find another way!” Talon said.
“There is no other way,” Isaac said. “I can’t just cutoff a finger and take it to her, can I? You’re supposed to be dust by now.”
“I’ll walk into that club and start killing demons until someone gives her up,” Talon snarled, far too close to Isaac for comfort now. He was within reaching distance, his black eyes bright with fury.
Isaac shook his head. “You guys already told me that wouldn’t work.”
“You’re not taking him anywhere near her. She blames us both for what happened to her precious club. With me out of the picture, there’s nothing stopping her from killing him.”
“There’sme,” Isaac said. “I’d be right there with him the whole time.”
Talon bared his teeth. “I don’t trust you.”
“I know,” Isaac said calmly, despite the tension winding his shoulders tight. “But you trust everyone else here, don’t you?”
