“Where are they congregating now? The coven’s property?” Takoma asked.
“No, the museum. We called Adler’s people after Spencer got back and demanded to meet at that location.”
Spencer scrunched his nose at the questioning look Takoma gave him. “Alyona said she saw the Ouroboros Mirror in some type of gallery with a casting circle. They have one there open to the public. I’ve been holding off on letting the SOA know until you were awake.”
Takoma’s phone rang before he could respond, and he pulled it out of his pocket. Haitao’s name was on the screen, and he answered it immediately. “The heart is intact.”
“I should have been there,” Haitao bit out.
“You couldn’t have done anything in daylight. We’re heading into Seattle. Adler is at the museum. Apparently, a plan has been set into motion.”
“So I’ve been told. It’s amusing the mage thinks you’d stay behind.”
“I won’t be. What happened with Rufus’ people?”
“Dead-end chase. Magic aided them staying out of our reach. That Night Court will be wherever Adler is.”
“I want human servants off the streets tonight. William and Alyona will coordinate support from a distance.”
“I’ll have everyone ready when you get across the bridge.”
“Good.”
Takoma ended the call and shoved his phone back into his pocket. He swept his gaze around the small group before settling on Wade. “Tell the god pack alphas to steer clear of Downtown Seattle.”
Wade furrowed his brow. “You don’t want their help?”
“Legally speaking, they have less of a right for retaliation than the Night Court does,” Spencer said.
“Okay? But we both know hunters will go after anyone from the preternatural and supernatural communities. That’s the one way theydon’tdiscriminate.”
“No one in the Seattle god pack or the packs under their direct protection were targeted for possession. It could be argued when the hunters attacked Makai and me on the road that he wasn’t the target and I was.”
“And we’re all about wanting to follow the government’s rules,” William muttered.
Spencer rolled his eyes. “I’m doing my best here to find a legal way out for you. Any good attorney can argue that Takoma being targeted for a sacrifice was more than enough reason for his Night Court to defend against the Cascade Coven by taking them out. But it strengthens your defense even more if you demand a meeting and they attackagain. Alyona already told us Caitlin has the Ouroboros Mirror. Takoma, in his capacity as my CI, letmeknow, which is how I’ll be going with you.”
“So are you their backup, or are they your backup?” Wade asked. “Legally speaking, I mean.”
“I’ll leave that to the attorneys.”
“In that case, shouldn’t you let the SOA know about the location of the Ouroboros Mirror?”
Spencer hesitated, clearly torn, so Takoma made the decision for him. “You will inform the SOA after we reach the museum.”
That startled his human servants, with William appearing the most incredulous. “You really want government interference?”
“I want them to see the proof of Adler’s misguided ambitions.”
As much as he despised the government and didn’t see it as having authority over him, Takoma was well aware of the world he existed in—one in which colonizers still lived on stolen land ruled by those in false power who would only ever see him as lesser than they were. But knowing that meant he’d learned how to navigate that society and culture over the centuries to twist its rules to better suit his needs.
Ensuring the SOA witnessed Adler’s use of an illegal artifact would help him eradicate her family and coven once and for all. He wasn’t above using the government to target one of its own citizens if it got him what he wanted.
“You’ll need to figure out how you're going to explain me because I’m not staying on the sidelines,” Wade warned Spencer.
“Patrick was brought on as an expert witness in the case. I’ll say he sent you to help out the Seattle god pack with their demon issue if I can’t bury your presence,” Spencer said.
“Great. So what’s the final plan? Please say it’s not a Patrick plan.”
