Not only does she have a grudge on the task force, her obsession with whatever it is she’s trying to get from Tutu’s has reached such heights she’s considering attacking me?I rubbed the sheath of one of my daggers and idly wondered…How big of an annoyance would it be to eliminate her?
Dragon shifters were strong, but she’d be an easy mark for a vampire of my caliber.
The real irritant would be her family line. Dragons were solo creatures—they were too selfish to be otherwise—and they weren’t particularly loyal…except… all her relatives would pop out of the woodwork for a chance to claim whatever treasure hoard she left behind, and they would attempt to come after me—her executioner—as a way to stake their claim on her hoard unless she’d managed to disgrace her line. Her actions so far weren’t enough to warrant that.
Taking out a single dragon shifter is a minor nuisance. Having to stamp out any lizards who have more greed than self-preservation is a long-term project I don’t want to take on when I’m already picking up after the snake-brats.
I exhaled in irritation, then glanced at the dragon. “He was in my way because I said he was. Just as you are in my way right now with… this.” I gestured to the wolves, then slipped my hands into my pockets. “Not only is it loud and sure to attract human attention, but it is so painfully obvious one can’t even pretend not to notice your raid on your sister’s business—which is a level of amateurism that suits you, I suppose.” I shook my head. “Either the dragon shifters have fallenlowor in my old age I am misremembering what your kind are actually capable of.”
A guttural growl erupted from Gisila. “Watch your words, Considine Maledictus.”
I straightened up, hopeful. “Was that awarning? Do you mean to threaten me, Lady Gisila?”
If she attacked first, I could hardly be faulted if I ended up accidentally-on-purpose maiming her. As an added bonus, it would also makemefeel infinitely better and likely get rid of the sick feeling in my gut.
As quickly as Gisila’s bravery had come, it burned out. She took a step away from me. “I apologize if my words sounded harsh. I meant to say that I have no connection to this display.”
“Right,” I said, annoyed once again. “If that’s the case, go away. You annoy me.”
“How so?” Gisila asked.
I thoughtfully rubbed my chin. “By breathing. And existing. Go—before I make you.”
Gisila visibly shivered, but before she could do anything more an eruption of gunshots had us turning towards the alleyway.
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FIVE
Jade
Islunk down the sidewalk towards the alleyway my team had taken—opting for stealth over speed. I passed under a fire escape—this particular apartment building had ladders that stretched between platforms outside the apartment windows—then pressed my back against the building’s brick wall and peered around the corner to look down the opening of the alleyway.
It took a moment for my night vision to sharpen before I spotted the four mercenaries searching the area, but I still didn’t see Tetiana, Brody, or April.
At least it doesn’t seem like there are any more reinforcements. For now.
Based on the way one of the mercenaries had his head tilted, I was pretty sure he was scenting a trail.
I backed away from the corner and again looked up and down the street, scanning for any sign of my teammates.
Automatically, I reached for my radio, but it wasn’t there—I’d busted it on a wolf’s head.
The only logical conclusion is that they’ve got to be in that alleyway.
I crept back to my spot and peered down the alleyway again.
This time two mercenaries were studying the emergency exits of the two apartment buildings that flanked the alleyway. One pulled on a door; it was either locked or barred, as it didn’t move. A third mercenary—who was barely more than a blobby shadow since he was farther away—paced back and forth at the mouth of the alleyway, guarding it.
However, it wasn’t until I looked past the third mercenary that my heart leaped into my throat and seemed like it might even pop out of my mouth.
Considine Maledictus—with his spelled hood—was casually standing under a streetlight and appeared to be chatting with Lady Gisila.
Considine? What’s he doing with Gisila?
Gisila was seemingly smiling at him—was she flirting? Were they allies or did she have a death wish?
Allies doesn’t seem likely. He’s too upfront to hide something like that, and he’s helped me too much over the past month to be Gisila’s friend.
