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“So what’s your plan tonight?” I said, changing the subject.
Giguhl groaned and came to lean his elbows on the counter separating the kitchen from the living area. “I’ve got to find some warm bodies for the Marauders. We’ve got another bout the night after tomorrow.”
I paused in the process of scooping grounds into the coffee filter. “Another one so soon? I’m surprised.”
The demon shrugged. “I guess getting canned by Orpheus lit a fire under Slade. He’s filling Vein’s event schedule to try to make up for the income he’s gonna lose running drugs for the Hekate Council.”
Even though Slade’s main job for the Council was peacekeeping among the nonmage races in the city, he also made a pretty penny running the mages’ “herbal remedies” through the Black Light District. Made sense that he’d be looking to make Vein more lucrative now. “So you need to find two girls to replace Mac and Georgia?”
He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have needed any but the next bout happens the night after the full moon. The league requires no werewolves play during the four-day window on either side of the full moon. That means the other were I had on the bench as a sub for the last bout is out of the picture, too. I’d like to find a few new players so we have substitutions, but with such short notice I’ll be lucky to find the one player I have to have to meet the requirements for a full roster.”
I closed the lid on the pot and hit the start button. “What about the nymphs?”
“No dice,” he said. “Slade’s short-staffed as it is and said he can’t afford to take another nymph off rotation for the night. Besides, I need someone stronger than a faery.” He paused dramatically. “I need a vampire.”
The heavenly scent of coffee drifted from the machine. I took a deep breath, wishing I could inhale the caffeine directly into my bloodstream.
“It’s too bad Alexis said no,” Giguhl said, his tone baiting. “From what you’ve told me, she’d be ruthless on wheels.”
I tilted my head and waited for Giguhl to look up. Finally, his eyes peeked up and he laughed. “Don’t give me that look, trampire. You know I love stirring your shit.” He bit his lip. “What do you say?”
I pursed my lips and played dumb. “Say about what?”
“Gods, you’re such a diva. Pretty please, Sabina, will you join my Roller Derby team?”
I turned away to hide my smile and grab two mugs from the cupboard. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you the one who said I’m not a team player?”
“C’mon,” he groaned. “Don’t make me beg.”
I set the mugs on the counter and pretended to think it over as I poured the coffee. “I suppose I could drag this out and make you suffer, but if your hangover is as bad as mine, you’re already in enough pain.” I took a deep breath. “Yes, I will join the team.”
“Yes!” He pumped a fist.
“But just until you find someone else.”
“Sure, whatever.” He nodded distractedly. “We’re going to have to think of a good name for you.”
Remembering the silly names all the girls adopted, I grimaced. “Really?”
He pulled back, surprised. “Of course. It’s tradition.” He looked me up and down, tapping a claw on his lips. “How about Madam Menace?”
“Lame,” I said over the steaming cup.
“Buffy the Roller Slayer Girl?”
I rolled my eyes. “How about Bloody Mary?”
“Sabina, please,” Giguhl said. “This is serious.”
I shrugged. “Fine, you figure it out and let me know what you decide. I’ve got to get going.”
He waved a claw to indicate he’d already dismissed me. I polished off my coffee and grabbed a bag of blood on the way to my room for a quick shower. By the time I emerged a little while later, I felt like a new woman.
Just in time to go drug my sister and face my estranged lover’s overprotective aunt.
Thirty minutes later, I turned Adam’s SUV off the highway and onto the dirt road leading to the mage estate. I hadn’t hesitated to take his car. Until I heard otherwise, I assumed I still had the right to use it. Besides, he had the ability to travel magically and I did not.
But honestly, on the drive up, I had plenty of time to stew about the situation and embrace my anger about his continued avoidance of me. It’s not that I didn’t accept my responsibility in the matter. I knew I was wrong and I felt guilty as hell. But I also felt that after everything we’d been through together and shared, I deserved the opportunity to explain my side of things. Part of me was even hoping he’d be at the manor when I arrived. I just wanted to get the fight over with so we could start picking up the pieces.
I pulled the gas guzzler up to the huge black gates set about a mile into the forest. The two iron gates met in the middle to form a Hekate’s Wheel design. As usual, the magical wards protecting the entrance made the hairs on my neck stand at attention. I rolled down the window and punched the code to gain entrance. A surveillance camera above the box whirred to life as the mage on the other end focused on my face to verify my identity. I wiggled my fingers at it. A few seconds later, the gates creaked open.
As I drove through the grounds, I ignored the butterfly fight club in my gut. I hadn’t seen Maisie since our argument in the greenhouse. I wondered if Rhea warned her I was coming or if I was going to be the first in a night full of nasty surprises. I sucked a deep breath through my nose and repeated my new mantra: “It’s for her own good.”
Soon, the forest opened to reveal the estate itself. It glowed like a mirage from some old-time fairy tale. With its spires and turrets and mix of architectural styles, it looked like schizophrenia translated into architecture. I pulled the car into the wide circular drive out front and cut the engine.
Before I could pause to collect my thoughts, the front door opened wide and Rhea emerged. Seeing me sitting in the dark car, she waved an impatient hand to hurry me on. Left with no choice but to comply, I got out.
“You’re late,” she called.
This time I really was. “Sorry. Did you start without me?” I said, climbing the steps.
“No, the chef is just laying out the first course now.” She pushed me toward the door, chattering as we walked. “I’ll slip the sedative into her drink during the main course. By dessert, she’ll be out.”
