“A lot of sighing from you today.” He chuckled as he pushed back his chair, making her move, and stood. “The bar’s packed. Let’s try to act normal and make some money. We’ll get takeout on the way home.”
“Chinese?”
“As long as I get more than two egg rolls, you’re on.”
“Fine. But we need to seriously get our act together. I know we have a general strategy, but if it doesn’t get more specific, we’re all going to die.”
“That’s the plan though, isn’t it?” He asked, his smile sharp.
“Maybe, but not before that asshole pays for what he did.” Val had no intention of dying before she’d made Vladimir suffer for murdering her family.
They’d come so close to the end. So much sacrifice and loss, so much work, and they had their target in sight. Spectre was in fact Vladimir. And she had a face to go with the name, finally.
She refused to let haste or sloppiness ruin their endgame.
Talon nodded. “You’re right. Chinese food and revenge. It’s a date.”
She hadn’t counted on a vampire ruining their plans…
CHAPTER
FIVE
Khent had waiteduntil the sun disappeared before setting out with his raven, Mila. She perched on his shoulder when he left his car and walked past the humans who parted before him. Not to the effect their revenant could, but as a reaper, Khent’s power lay in his ability to control life and death. He projected a repellant energy that humans, naturally and without noticing, respected.
Though Khent didn’t like magir, humans, or crowds in general, he did like going to the bazaar. Located in Capitol Hill, an entertainment district in Seattle, the human establishment concealing the bazaar underneath the streets sold touristy collectibles and tee-shirts with pictures of the Space Needle and Sasquatch.
Although Khent had seen all types of creatures in his 563 years, he’d never seen a yeti. He suspected some type of fae woodland creature had escaped the fae realm and been spotted exploring in the woods at some point in the past. His fervent wish was to get one for his lab, where he’d dissect it for study then reanimate it for fun.
He walked through a glamoured wall in the back of the shop and continued through an Employees Only door. Down the staircase, he met four massive gargoyles standing watch.
With gray stone skin, their bare feet in contact with the ground below, they would be tough foes to conquer. But the challenge stirred him, an answering flash of fire in the guards’ eyes as he approached.
Khent would have loved a brawl. Though the most academic of his kin, he still enjoyed a good bloodletting. But he’d come on a mission and had little time to injure those only doing their jobs.
“I’ve no quarrel with you.” Unfortunately. “I’m just here to fill my shopping list.”
The largest guard looked him over and grunted. He gave a respectful nod to Khent, which the others then followed. The leader opened one of the large double doors behind him.
Khent entered through a soundproof spell and joined an energetic crowd of magir buying and selling wares in the biggest magic market in the Pacific Northwest.
Mila rumbled her displeasure, not appreciative of so many beings close by.
“Apologies. Go on, sweet. Try to find my quarry.” He’d already planted the image of the necromancer in her mind. She gave him a gurgling croak of assent before flying away.
Khent moved around, studying the many magir content to avoid him.
The sprawling shopping district was split into distinct sections. Along the outer edge of the bazaar, popular establishments belonging to herbologists, apothecaries, metalworkers, and specialty shops ran around the clock. At the far end, a variety of eateries and bars catered to every type of magir, including vampires—though they seldom visited.
In the heart of the bazaar, the scene resembled an indoor flea market. Most vendors set up and packed away their tables at their leisure with no expectation of security if they left their stalls unattended. The more affluent merchants boasted sturdy, well-built displays, while others made do with temporary setups made from cardboard boxes and flimsy folding tables.
For just fifty dollars a month, anyone could sell whatever they wanted—provided MEC didn’t catch wind of it.
The Magir Enforcement Command policed the magir community. Humans, even if they knew magir existed, would never be able to handle such powerful creatures. MEC kept things quiet so that the Mundane world didn’t get wind of the magical living alongside them.
None of them would be able to contain a vampire unless he wished it. Khent, though not known for his skills as a brawler, could incapacitate most of the creatures in this place before any of them could think to react.
Though the idea tempted him, he wouldn’t. He couldn’t help it that his kind thrived on the chaos of battle. Khent didn’t like to break things just to make a mess, though. He had a purpose for coming this evening. Because the sooner he captured the necromancer and tortured some answers out of her, the sooner he’d stopdreamingabout a human.
