“They alreadydid. We’re killing Adler tonight.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t say that,” Spencer said tiredly.
Takoma clenched his jaw, gaze tracking back to Spencer like he was magnetic north. “Leave us.”
His human servants immediately left the living room without argument, but Wade stayed put, glaring at Takoma. “Spencer can’t smell how pissed you are, butIcan. I won’t let you—”
“What makes you think I would ever raise my hand to the man who guarded the heart of my Night Court against a threat when he had no obligation to do so?” Takoma asked in a silky voice, staring the fledgling down.
Wade glared at him for a few seconds more before finally nodding sharply. “Glad you’re not stupid. Just remember, I can eat you.”
He left the living room, Fatima trotting after him. Takoma didn’t watch him go, his entire attention reserved for Spencer. The mage met his gaze easily enough, blue eyes troubled. “You’re lucky the demons and hunters struck when they did. Any later, and I might not have been here.”
The implication of that was a horrifying thought Takoma refused to acknowledge because it hadn’t come to pass. “But you were.”
“Did you think I wouldn’t defend you?”
“Your government would rather see me truly dead.”
Spencer licked his lips, voice cracking slightly when he spoke. “I’m not the government. Not here, in your home. In your heart.”
Takoma crossed the distance between them in less than a second, hauling Spencer into his arms and kissing him, fangs catching on his lips and tearing thin, fragile skin. Acidic, bitter blood welled up; Takoma licked it away, licked his wayin, holding Spencer still as he stole breath he didn’t need until the mage was gasping for it against his mouth.
“You arewastedat the SOA,” Takoma hissed. “You belong with me because you’remine.”
Spencer made a sound that maybe would’ve been words if Takoma hadn’t kissed him again. He was addicting, all fragile human flesh and a spine of steel that Takoma had borne witness to and coveted back in Manhattan. That their paths had crossed again for Takoma to have him? He was never letting the mage go again.
Spencer tangled his hands in Takoma’s loose hair in a way he allowed no other and desperately kissed him back. “Yeah, yes,fuck, I’ll be yours.”
They broke apart, Spencer gasping for air, pressing in close, warm in a way Takoma never was. Takoma wrapped his arms around Spencer and held him tight, scraping his fangs against the arch of his throat but not biting down.
“The SOA doesn’t want a supernatural turf war. The director was pretty adamant about that. She cleared me to use my magic however I need to under an emergency clause, especially since Caitlin has the Ouroboros Mirror in her possession and is trying to bring over a Great Duke of Hell,” Spencer said in a ragged voice.
“And this meeting you want?”
“Legal cover. That’s all.”
“You’re fighting with us.” Takoma made it a statement, not a question.
Spencer swallowed, throat clicking. “Yeah. You’re going to need me.”
Takoma nipped at Spencer’s throat. “Always. And I’ll want you just as much.”
Spencer tugged at Takoma’s hair, pulling him away so the mage could kiss him, hard and quick. “You’re losing moonlight.”
Takoma wrapped his hand around Spencer’s throat, thumb pressing against the underside of his chin to push his head up. Spencer blinked at him, holding still, waiting for whatever Takoma wanted. “When this is over, you’re staying.”
“Okay.”
“Good.”
Takoma let him go because now was not the time to do what he’d have preferred. Taking Spencer apart until he screamed again would have to wait. Takoma had a problem to eradicate.
“Who has eyes on Adler?” Takoma asked as they joined everyone else in the living room.
“Her people didn’t go on the move until Spencer dumped the mage at the hospital,” William said without looking up from his laptop.
“Can’t deny someone their one phone call,” Spencer said.
