“Yes,” Takoma said. He’d learned Wade’s identity in that grinding push through Manhattan. He knew just how impossible the young man standing before them was. Lucien aside, Wade’s presence within New York City would be enough to make any master vampire reconsider moving against the god pack he was a part of. Takoma could understand why the Night Courts in the five boroughs were reluctant to spark territory wars when Wade called that city home.
“Hey now, I have a name,” Wade said, making a face. “And I have an idea.”
“I’m afraid to ask,” Spencer said.
Wade went to stand by Spencer, eyeing the vampires with a distrust that piqued Takoma’s curiosity. “You got poltergeists and demons going after werecreatures and vampires in this city. I think it’s time you pooled your resources and figured out why. Which means forming an alliance between the two groups in the crosshairs.”
Haitao sneered at the suggestion. “No.”
“The Cascade Coven and that hillbilly Night Court already have some sort of alliance going on between themselves and some ugly-ass demons. They’re conquering and dividing when you and the werecreature community can’t afford that. So figure out a temporary truce or alliance or buddy system orsomethingwith the god pack until this is over, then you can go back to your respective corners.”
Spencer’s expression became pained. “I can’t believe I’m about to agree with you, but it’s not a bad idea. The werecreatures could watch over your people during daylight hours, Takoma.”
“We have human servants who handle that,” Takoma bit out.
“And how well did that work out for Alyona?”
Spencer’s words were said with a carefulness that still stung. Takoma bared his fangs at the reminder Alyona was gone, stolen from a place that should have been safe for her. “The answer isno.”
“I think it should be yes,” Wade said, stubborn in the way Takoma had a feeling all dragons were.
Spencer waved at Wade to be quiet. “Can we talk for a minute, Takoma? Just us?”
Takoma stared at Spencer, cognizant of the way he had asked rather than demanded. Spencer looked like he wasn’t getting enough sleep, but he was here, willing to help, when he didn’t have to be. Takoma jerked his head in the direction of the stairs. “Alyona’s office.”
Spencer gestured at Fatima to stay behind, and the spirit sister trotted over to plant herself next to Wade, rubbing her head against his leg. Takoma took the stairs two at a time, leading Spencer to the home office Alyona worked out of when she wasn’t darting around the city on Takoma’s orders.
He shut the door behind Spencer and watched as the mage wrote out a silence ward on the wood. Takoma’s ears popped, static buzzing in them before it faded to that all-encompassing silence that only occurred with magic in the mix. Spencer turned to face him, crossing his arms over his chest.
“You should listen to Wade. It’s a good idea. It’d be even better if you let me get the SOA to assign some special agents to those in your Night Court who might be most at risk,” Spencer said.
“In what world do you think I’deverlet your government know who is part of my Night Court and where our homes are?” Takoma bit out.
Spencer winced. “Fair enough. But I could probably keep it within the realms of your position as my CI, offer you support that way on my recommendation, not your request. That’s what I wanted to do before. If Wade can get the Seattle god pack to agree to help—”
“There’s no love lost between my Night Court and the god pack.”
“You keep your promises when it comes to territory though. So do they.”
Takoma’s lips peeled back over his fangs. “Your government never has.”
“Yeah, I’m not arguing that. What I am arguing is why you won’t even contemplate bringing anyone else on board to fight a common enemy.”
“You are forgetting that I rule my Night Court, not you.”
“And if Alyona is bait? If they’re afteryou? What good is your Night Court and all you’ve built if you succumb to a true death because you wouldn’t protect yourself?” Spencer stepped closer, letting his arms fall to his sides. “Almost every time that poltergeist has shown up, it’s been when you’re around. It went after Alyona, who is essentially your human right hand when it comes to the mortals in your Night Court. She’s your proxy when it matters during the day.”
“She has always been a target. Why do you think we secured her house?”
“But the enemy still got through,” Spencer said quietly, pointedly, making Takoma swallow back his rage at the truth in the words. “The wards you bought are good against the living and magic users and even the undead. But they weren’t made to ward against ghosts and demons. Your human servants are at risk, as is your Night Court.”
“I’m a vampire. I have no soul for demons to possess. Your worry in that area is misplaced.”
Spencer raised a hand, pressing his warm palm against the side of Takoma’s face, the heat in his skin almost burning. “You have a body. That can be enough for the desperate. I can’t break a demon out if there’s no soul for me to touch, but it’s not always about possession.”
Takoma wrapped an arm around Spencer’s waist, hauling him close. He tangled his other hand in Spencer’s hair, jerking his head back to bare his throat and the bruise there that hadn’t yet healed. Takoma bent his head, peeling back his lips so he could drag his fangs over the rabbit-quick pulse beating in Spencer’s throat. “You’d still try.”
Spencer sucked in a breath, the sound shaky as his hands gripped Takoma’s upper arms. “Yes. I would.”
