“Boys,” Lady Belladonna said as she strode down the hall toward them. Candide was a half step behind her. The archfey had one hand in a gesture that was likely her concentration for the spell, though she showed no signs of any taxing effort to keep the magic going. “This party is a celebration of the might of winter’s power. Though we chose a vampire’s place, that was a courtesy to the community. This is still a fey party and will remain civil.”
“They are stealing my property,” Seamus said.
“The Pact of Chicago states that free will remains the most important aspect of any service. That way, we fey do not steal away precious vampires from your coven,” Lady Belladonna chided. Her gaze moved to Vincent. “The boy seems to be wearing the crest of Roger, the Wonder.”
“Because he snatched off my collar,” Seamus snapped.
“He threw it away,” Zack replied fiercely. “I saw him do it.”
“Roger, have you accepted this new boy into your service?” Lady Belladonna asked.
Standing tall, Roger didn’t even look at Seamus. “He is mine so long as he deems me a fit master.”
“Boy, do you wish to leave with Roger?”
Vincent managed to nod.
“There we have it. He has chosen a new master, Seamus. Let me find you a drink to commiserate the loss of such a beauty.” Lady Belladonna released her gesture.
The icy shadow holding Zack in place released. Everyone in the nearby rooms had pooled at the doorways and even spilled out a little in order to witness the encounter. Acutely aware that every movement would be weighted and judged, Zack turned toward Candide and Lady Belladonna.
Going without a weapon wasn’t the hunter way, but he was in the depths of the supernatural and their rules. Lady Belladonna had sided with them for the moment, but she could turn on them.No one can ignore good manners.
With a flourish, Zack bowed as he offered the hilt of the saber to Candide. “Mistress, I borrowed this from a wall. Please forgive my use of it.”
“It seems in the same condition it was in.” Candide took the hilt and lifted the blade to inspect it. Then she handed it off to Dryden and made a shooing motion. “I hope you and your boyfriends will visit the Chateau in the future.”
“I would love that, Mistress,” Zack replied. He deepened the bow and then gave Lady Belladonna a bow. Afterward, he straightened and spun toward Roger.
Seamus glowered at him.
Zack shot back a triumphant grin and hurried his step to catch up to Roger.
As they reached the exit, Kit, Carver, and Takashi fell in step with them. Kit leaned in close to Zack. “Why is Roger carrying Vincent?”
“Because he sort of claimed him,” Zack said.
“You didn’t beat the shit out of him, right?” Carver whispered.
“I didn’t,” Zack replied hotly.
Carver held up his hands. “Just checking.”
“Takashi, we need a car without potential eavesdroppers,” Roger said.
Blurring ahead on the long walkway, Takashi zipped to where a length of cars were waiting. One of them was probably the limo they’d brought to the party, but Takashi negotiated with the driver of a luxury town car. He took out his phone, and the driver took out theirs. A moment later, the driver walked away and slid their phone back into their pocket.
Takashi opened the door for Roger. “I just dropped thirty grand on this. Please tell me I needed to.”
“You did,” Roger replied. “And you need to get us to the hotel as fast as you can.”
“Are you sure?” Takashi asked.
“We need the blades.Now.”
“What’s going on?” Kit said. “What blades?”
“The enchanted silver blades in the safe.” Zack opened the front passenger door and dropped into the seat. He ran his hand through his hair, not giving a crap if he broke it free from the styling gel. “Roger, what changed?”
