“We warned the state’s few other god packs about the demon threat. The god pack out of Tacoma got back to us today about a possible possession issue in a pack out in Black Diamond. It’s a small city, and the pack there doesn’t even number two dozen people. They’re under the Tacoma god pack’s geographical protection, but because they know we’ve been in contact with you, they’re handing the pack outreach to us this one time.”
“Generous of them.”
“The alpha of the Black Diamond pack thinks one of her members is possessed.”
“I’m guessing you want me to check them out?”
“I would think it’s in your best interest to do so.”
“You know I can’t be chasing rumors. That’s not my job.”
“Your job left two people under my protection dead.”
Spencer winced. “That wasn’t my intention.”
“It never is when werecreatures die.” Mallory’s voice became clipped and hard, offering up no recourse for forgiveness. “I understand your case comes first, but I can’t see how letting werecreatures stay possessed will aid you.”
She was right. Spencer knew better than most how such a dangerous problem could spread and become a threat to mundane humans. “Fine. I’ll meet with them and take a look at their souls.”
“Good. They’re expecting you tonight.”
Spencer jerked back up to a sitting position. “Tonight? I can’t go tonight.”
“It’s barely even an hour’s drive to Black Diamond. I’m not asking you to drive over the Cascades. We’ll send along a member of our god pack to facilitate the meeting. The Black Diamond pack won’t talk to you otherwise.”
“I have plans tonight.”
“If they involve vampires, then the Night Court can wait.”
Telling her that his plans consisted of sleeping probably wouldn’t go over well. But it wasn’t like he hadn’t ever worked on little to no sleep before. He pulled his phone away from his ear to check the time. The sun had officially set thirty minutes ago, and Takoma hadn’t called yet. He put the phone back against his ear. “I’ll make it work. Where can I pick up your representative?”
“Makai will meet you at the corner of Twelfth Avenue and Madison Street, near Seattle University, in twenty minutes.”
“Text me his number so I can call him when I’m close. You can tell him Fatima gets shotgun.”
Spencer hung up and went to dig his handgun out of its lockbox. He didn’t bother changing out of his outfit from earlier, but he opted for a belt holster rather than the shoulder one. His heavy wool coat would be enough to hide it from prying eyes, if not prying noses.
“Fatima,” he called out. “We’re leaving.”
When he came into the living room, he found her stretched out on the couch, trying to take up as much space as possible.More demons?
“Maybe, but we need to check it out anyway.”
She flexed her claws, careful of the cushion’s fabric.You need to sleep.
“I promise I’ll sleep when we get back. Let’s go. I don’t know what traffic is going to be like around the university.”
He figured students probably took evening lectures, but there still wouldn’t be as many people there right now as there’d be during the day. But he’d promised he’d be on time for the pickup, and he wasn’t about to be late.
He did stop for coffee though. Thank the gods for twenty-four-hour Starbucks.
When Spencer finally pulled up at the designated corner, Makai was there waiting, wearing jeans and a thin jacket that didn’t look as if it would be much against the cold. But Spencer knew werecreatures ran hot, and Makai was probably too warm. The dire slid into the back seat with only a dissatisfied grunt, narrowing his eyes when Fatima stuck her head between the front seats and trilled smugly at him.
“Is she always like this?” Makai asked.
“I mean, she likes to think she’s the boss of me,” Spencer said as he pulled back into traffic.
I am the boss of you, Fatima said.
