jinn 03 - vestige (11 page)

I exhaled and glanced at my watch. “I should check in at the club.”

“Fine. I’ll go by myself. No problem.”

I shook my head. “Shouldn’t you be looking for a way to save yourself?”

“There’s not much I can do on that front, but I can take care of this.” She touched my chin for just a moment, stealing my breath for a moment. “You go to the club. Your brother will be in good hands… as soon as Maggie gets back to watch Charlie.”

“Charlie?”

“The girl needs a name. We can’t keep calling her the kid.”

I glanced back at the room. “Why Charlie?”

“It’s cute and tough, just like her.”

A slow steady stream of warmth spread in my chest. How did she always manage to do that? I could know Olivia for five hundred years and she would never cease to surprise me with her ability to find the one switch that would lighten even the darkest of hearts and give hope. And at the moment it was a ratty little girl and Olivia knew it. “Charlie it is,” I said.

She didn’t smile, but happiness lit her from within. It had been too long since I had seen her look like that. “Now go. Take care of the jinn. Let me handle this while I still can.” She stood up.

“No.” I shook my head. “They can wait. Let’s see what Death has to say.”

“Selene is resting,” Cheney said as he opened the door that was nearly twice his height into his office.

Shelves of books in languages I didn’t speak lined the walls and the warm smells of the fireplace and the soft leather couch gave the area a sense of calm that went against my grain so much that it put me further on edge. I had stabbed my best friend in the chest to save her, certainly not to kill her. No one had time to rest. Favors were getting called in, and one way or the other everyone was going to help. The elves owed me. It was time they paid.

I planted my butt on the couch, crossed my legs and slung an arm over the back of the cushion, eyes narrowing. The Erlking and I were about to have a major problem. “Wake her up.”

His gold eyes flashed and his eyebrows arched in a challenge as his arms crossed over his chest. My fingers brushed the handle of my knife. Diplomacy wasn’t my best subject. In torture, however, I excelled.

“You don’t want me for an enemy.” I pulled the knife and flipped it this way and that, smiling at him, though I wasn’t feeling friendly. “I don’t have time for egos. Not today. You will help us or I’ll get testy.”

“You come into my castle and dare to threaten me?” He pulled his own sword from thin air.

“This isn’t a threat.” I pointed at him with my knife. “You see, Cheney, I don’t make threats. If I want to kill you, that is exactly what I’ll do. No warning. I will rain down a hell upon you like you have never known.” I smiled broader and patted the cushion next to me. “Now that we have that straight, come have a seat. Let’s chat.”

Cheney’s lips pursed and I could practically see him weighing his options. Finally he opted for the chair across from me. Chicken.

“Remember when we first met? You know, when your father had a bounty on Selene and I didn’t take her in, even though it was well within my rights to do so?” I waited for him to acknowledge my words. “In fact, not only did I surrender my bounty, but I even
helped
you though I had no reason to do so. And I’ve helped both of you many times since. And do you know why I went out of my way?”

He sighed and shook his head.

“Because I’m not a selfish, twinkle-toed asshole who only thinks of myself.”

“I am aware that you have helped us, but—”

“In fact, I introduced you to Olivia and Holden who, surprise-surprise, also helped you. These are not bridges you wish to burn Erlking. Trust me when I say life can get very,
very
hard.”

His chin lifted and disdain colored his elfin features. “I have killed people for less insolence. Don’t forget, sekhmet, I too have defeated impossible odds and have the command of an army at my fingertips. The fae is an enemy you should not court.” We glared at each other for a couple beats. “I am protecting my family. Something, perhaps, if you had done a better job of, you wouldn’t be here now.”

I shot my knife across the room, sinking it into the chair just above his shoulder. “You do not seem to appreciate the gravity of the situation.” I leaned forward, and tugged another blade from my boot. “I’m not asking you to risk your family. I’m asking your wife to help save a life. Olivia is dying. If you’re too damn self-involved to get off your ass and help us, then yes, you and I are going to have a problem that even Sy can’t protect you from.”

Cheney plucked the knife from the chair and handed it back to me. “If there was anything I could do to help, I would, but—” He gestured with his palms up. “This just isn’t our fight, and we’re not equipped for this kind of enemy.”

“We don’t need help with our war. I inflicted Olivia’s wound.”

He sighed. “What makes you think Selene can do anything?”

The office door opened, and the beautiful half-elf witch in question peeked her head in. “Sorry to interrupt, but Cheney could you—” She stopped, smiled widely when she saw me, and came the rest of the way in. “Femi! It’s great to see you. I didn’t know you were here. Why didn’t you come to get me?” She glanced at Cheney.

Damn elves. I hugged Selene back. “Congratulations on the wedding. I’m sorry I couldn’t be there.”

She shook her head. “Don’t worry about it. How are you? It seems like I only hear about you and Olivia from Sy these days. We totally need another girls’ night.”

I winked at Cheney. “Better make it fast.”

Selene’s brows pulled together and she tilted her head to the side. “Are you going somewhere?”

I shook my head. “Olivia is dying.”

Selene covered her mouth and sank down onto the couch beside me. “What? What happened? What can I do?”

“Let me catch you up.” I went through the whole story. Cheney didn’t say anything, just poured himself a drink and watched Selene’s reactions as I spoke, probably mentally counting the ways he would like to kill me at the moment.

When I was finished, Selene wiped a tear from eye. “Baker’s gone? I can’t believe it. How did I not know any of this? I’m so sorry.”

I nodded, my throat burning. It still didn’t feel real.

She shook her head and squeezed my hand. “So all we have to do is find a way to heal the stab wound. It shouldn’t be that hard. Take me to her. I want to see what we’re dealing with.”

Cheney’s hand clamped down on Selene’s shoulder. She looked up at him and he shook his head. “You cannot go there. They’re fighting with demons and hell. That is the last sort of attention you need to draw to yourself.”

“Exactly,” she said through gritted teeth. “Something is here from the underworld. Something that normally wouldn’t be able to cross. How exactly do you think it got here?” Cheney scowled, but didn’t answer. “Right—so how can I not get involved?” She gave him a pointed look that made him frown further.

“You don’t know that is true.”

The stubbornness melted from her face and she batted her eyelashes at him. “Cheney, my love, you can help me, or you can stay here, but I’m going with Femi. That, and that alone, is the only say you have in this matter.” She flashed her perfect teeth at him, then stood and kissed him softly. “Actually, it’s probably better if you don’t come. We don’t want to draw attention. I’ll keep you in the loop.”

“We have to stop and get Corbin. He stayed down in the garden.”

“In the rain?” Selene asked.

I nodded. “He said something about agreeing to give you space.”

She rolled her eyes. “I’ll be back soon,” she told Cheney and we made our way to the maze. Selene walked directly to where Corbin was, as if she knew he would be there, waiting for her down a dead-end path.

“You look lovely as always, my pet. Radiant,” Corbin said, hugging her softly. “I take it you agreed to help this hopeless plight. Can’t say I approve.”

“Can’t say I asked you,” Selene said. “What are you doing here?”

“Hmmm, the cat has something I want, but she refuses to share. I’m wearing her down with my charms.”

“We have a mutual acquaintance he’d like to kill,” I filled in. “I am less inclined to commit murder.”

“He is a lying, thieving, kidnapping hustler who deserves no such compassion—and he’s a vampire. We take care of our own. If you would kindly point me in his direction, this could be painless for the both of us.”

“Everyone I work with may have an asshole, but I avoid the ones who
are
assholes. Find him yourself.” I blew Corbin a kiss.

Selene laughed. “I don’t think your charms are working on Femi. I mean, did that burn hurt?”

He licked his lips and ran the back of his fingers down her cheek, stealing her smile. “You tell me, love.”

I had the urge to hit him on her behalf. I knew all too well about vampires who toyed with emotions and took little nibbling bites off of souls.

Selene blinked, then shook her head, as if clearing her thoughts. “Shall we?”

I would ignore it this time, if that was how she wanted to play this, but if he did it again, I’d stake him so fast death would catch up with him.

Back at the warehouse, Olivia and Holden were gone, leaving only Maggie reading on the couch wearing sunglasses.

“Where’d they go?” I asked.

“Something about needing to see the Angel of Death.”

Selene blanched. “What? She didn’t even give me a chance to help.”

Maggie waved her off. “It’s not about that. I asked. Holden wasn’t exactly forthcoming, but Olivia said it was an unrelated issue.” Maggie’s knees bounced so hard as she was talking, the movement shook her entire body.

“Still hungry?” I asked.

“Speaking of food,” Corbin said. “You gonna be here for a while, pet?”

Selene nodded. “Not that that should make a difference to you.”

“Nevertheless, it does. I’ll be back soon.” He left.

Maggie frowned. “Show off,” she mumbled then looked at me. “Touching Olivia made me feel better for a while, but it’s back, worse than ever.”

Selene looked at me to clarify.

“Maggie is a half-vampire who apparently can’t eat anything. We’re trying to work out the logistics.”

Selene brushed a stray hair back into submission. “That’s weird. I didn’t know there could even be a half-vampire. How does that work?”

“That’s what happens when an angel runs interference after you’ve been turned.” I refocused on Maggie. “So about Olivia and Holden, how did they seem when they left? I mean, they went together, right?”

She nodded. “They seem better. Not quite where they were, but who is right now?”

I wasn’t satisfied, but I nodded.

Selene took a seat. “So who is this vampire Corbin is after? Why does he want him so bad?”

Maggie stared down at her lap.

“His name is Thomas, or I guess he goes by Tom now. He did a lot of species trafficking and framed certain vampires in a very public way. It might have directly contributed to many people’s hatred of them. Basically, he managed to piss off the vampire in charge, who Corbin works for—”

“Paolo?” Selene asked and I nodded. “But he seems so nice.”

“Not really my experience with him. Regardless, however, they want Thomas, but can’t seem to find him.”

“But you know where he is?”

I shook my head. “I knew where he
was
, but I haven’t seen him in two weeks and I honestly hope he doesn’t come back.”

Selene nodded. “So you said some scary demon thingy was up here. Any ideas how it crossed over?”

“No.” I leaned forward, and even Maggie stopped tapping her foot and looked up. “Why? Do you have any ideas?”

“Maybe,” Selene said quietly. “It could, indirectly, be my fault.” She cringed.

There was a knock on the door. Maggie jumped up to get it and I asked, “Why do you think that?”

Sy came in. “I heard my favorite cousin was here.” He grinned at Selene, making a point not to look at me.

Maggie followed behind him, checking him out. She mouthed, ”Wow,” at me.

“What, does Cheney have you on speed dial?” Selene grumbled. “What happened to the two of you not liking each other? I can take care of myself.”