“Forward me the report once you have it. Spencer said some of the people there tonight were possessed by demons. I want the Night Court warned that Adler may be planning something,” Takoma said.
Alyona frowned, perfectly shaped eyebrows furrowing together. “She’d be stupid to try.”
“Her coven likes to make the same mistake every other generation or so. We’ll let this play out a little to uncover the information we need. Spencer is here for a case, and he went searching in Adler’s museum. I have a feeling their paths will cross again after tonight, which means she might have whatever it is he’s after.”
“Very well. I’ll send out a notice to the Night Court.” Alyona offered her tablet to him. “I need you to approve the travel itinerary for the Shanghai auction next month. Security will take a couple of weeks to put into place around the Chinese government’s border restrictions.”
Takoma took the tablet and swiped through the document, noting the dates and times of the meticulously put-together schedule Alyona had drawn up. Most auctions allowed for bidding by phone, but the one Takoma had secured an invitation to for next month was a black-market type where in-person bidding was required.
Normally, he wouldn’t leave his territory for an auction being held in another country unless there were noteworthy artifacts up for sale, which was the case here. Takoma had his eye on several artifacts, one of which was rumored to be an amulet of considerable power crafted by a god.
Takoma hadn’t believed in any gods other than his mother since his making. Not until he’d fought beside immortals from different pantheons did he consider that some artifacts with impossible-seeming stories could, in fact, be real. He had no interest in a god’s blessing and would much prefer their weapons or artifacts. The Peach Amulet of Shouxing was supposedly one that could grant a person longevity, and there was an enameled drinking horn whose history indicated it had been carved by the Slavic god Dazhbog and capable of pouring wealth in the form of gold coins instead of a drink.
Both artifacts were up for sale, along with others that Takoma wanted to own. It would set him back millions of dollars, but the money would be well spent. Besides, it wasn’t as if he was lacking money in any way, and ever since he’d learned about the artifacts the federal government hoarded, Takoma had decided to do the same. At least this way, when the inevitable fight against the government came, he and his Seattle Night Court would be ready for it.
“This is fine,” Takoma said, handing the tablet back to Alyona. “Is that all you need?”
She tapped at the screen, saving the document, before setting the tablet aside. “Almost. We received an inquiry from Rufus indicating he wanted to come to Seattle. He gave no reason why. I declined on your behalf.”
Takoma’s lips peeled back from his fangs at the mention of the master vampire for the Spokane Night Court. “When did he contact us?”
“After you’d gone to the gala.”
“He is not welcome in Seattle or my territory, and he knows that.”
“Of course, Master.”
“Have there been any forays of his people outside Spokane?”
“Not that I am aware of.” Alyona glanced over at Haitao. “Have you heard differently?”
“No. Our borders remain intact.” Haitao propped his foot against the edge of the table and slid a little lower on the couch, dark brown eyes meeting Takoma’s. “Do you want to send scouts into Spokane?”
Takoma shook his head. “Not at this time, but have our people in the east ready to move out if necessary.”
“Might be better if we bait the asshole into breaking the treaty.”
“Let him break it, but we won’t go back on the agreement.”
Takoma and his people—both his Night Court and the Tulalip tribe—had a history of broken treaties, and he refused to follow in the footsteps of the colonizing government. He’d ceded Rufus the corner of Washington State and Spokane after the federal government focused its unwelcome attention on their area of the country. He hadn’t been willing to lose his Night Court to another genocide, and Rufus hadn’t wanted to risk his people either. They’d come to a bitter agreement, signed the treaty that marked out their respective borders, and Takoma had kept his side of the bargain.
Rufus, well, that bastard kept trying to undermine the treaty in a way that wouldn’t end with him dying a true death. Takoma was content to let the other master vampire hang himself on broken promises. Better to solve their problems in the dark without drawing attention to their actions by unwelcome third parties.
“Will you be staying at Black Waters tonight?” Alyona asked.
“If the police attempt to find us, they’d look here first. Haitao and I will head to the penthouse and continue working from there.” His Night Court had many properties scattered around Seattle and Washington State, and his favorite one in the city had an enviable view of the Seattle Space Needle.
“I’ll notify the home staff and remain here in case the police come around.”
Alyona stood, and Takoma followed suit. He tugged her close like how a parent might embrace a child, kissing her lightly on the forehead. “Excellent work tonight.”
“Always for you.” She smiled at him when she pulled away, pleased with his praise, which he didn’t give lightly. Alyona was his favored human servant for many reasons, not least because of her loyalty to himself and his Night Court. She had deftly stepped into her mother’s old role and would never willingly betray him.
Haitao followed Takoma out of Black Waters, and he was only a little disappointed that Spencer was no longer waiting for a ride. He wouldn’t have minded offering the mage one. Haitao rolled his eyes at Takoma’s subtle look around before gesturing at him. “I parked down the street.”
Haitao’s vehicle of choice was an obnoxious Acura NSX in a vibrant red. The engine drowned out every other one on the street when he revved it after getting behind the steering wheel. Takoma buckled up, well acquainted with Haitao’s driving habits and love of speed. Haitao knew better than to draw attention to themselves in Downtown Seattle, and so merely made do with weaving in and out of street traffic with an enviable ease.
“Can you trust this mage?” Haitao asked after long minutes of silence.
