Marcus thought about it for a moment. “But there’s got to be more to it than that. I mean, holy shit, my goddess was an Unseelie fae! Mother Miriam must be trying to tell me something about me and Kallie, right? I mean, I’m trying to bring my demons to light, and my relationship with her is the one piece I still have yet to resolve. It’s like Mother Miriam and Santos want me to know the witches and the fae need to be united, because they’re really one people. Kallie was supposed to bond to an Arcanean fae, and I guess in a way, she kind of did, because that’s what my distant ancestors are. Our relationship didn’t make any sense before, and maybe that’s why it was so intense. But now I understand. We aren’t some fluke or freaks of nature. This was always meant to be. Kallie and I… we were meant to bring the fae and the witchestogether, and unite them into one people, because that’s what we are. Our kinds have beenat war for centuries, but they don’t have to be anymore. The witches and the fae aren’t two separate nations, but one.”
“Does that mean you want her back?” I asked.
Marcus hesitated. “If she wanted me back, I would get together with her in a heartbeat… but I don’t think that’s what this vision meant. It’s not about what I need to do in the future, but about coming to terms with the past. It’s showing me that we weren’t wrong to bond, and it wasn’t abadthing. Even if I can never have Kallie back in that way, I can learn from it. I know now that I might not have all the answers, and that doesn’t make something wrong. I just need to trust the process and put my faith in my deities. I don’t have to be in control of everything all the time, because there are forces at play workingforme that I’m not even aware of.”
“That’s a beautiful message,” I said. “And really powerful.”
Marcus sniffled. “I think I get it now, Charlie. I don’t have to be good, because that’s not who I am. It just isn’t in my blood. I’m bad, and that’s okay. Thank you for everything, Charlie. You have no idea how helpful this was. I’m ready to take what I know now and put it to use. You don’t have to worry that I’ll hesitate in The Devil’s City, because I’ll pull the trigger if I have to.”
I clapped Marcus on the back. To say I was proud of him was an understatement. “It’s good to have you on board.”
“I’ll say,” Marcus said breathlessly. “I need to tell Kallie all about this right away!”
I laughed, and we headed toward the carriage. “Let’s get back to the palace. I have final preparations to make with the Elvish Associates, and we need rest before we leave tomorrow.”
I thought about the vision on the way back. What Marcus had just discovered about Mother Miriam and Santos was powerful knowledge. It could bring the fae and the witches together— two sides that had been at war for centuries could be joined into a single nation.
Though that union would have to wait. To bring them together, we would first have to defeat the Warden.
Which meant stealing the vampire key right from Salvatore Bianchi’s hands, no matter what it took.
Chapter Twenty
AVA-MARIE
Our plan was in place. Now we just had to pull it off.
We were leaving for Chicago tonight and staying at the hotel until morning, when we’d begin our heist. Vampires couldn’t move in daylight without magical tools or potions to protect them, so hosting our heist during the day when they’d have the sun as an obstacle was part of our strategy.
At midnight, I drove my car through a massive mirror set up in the royal garage in order to portal to Chicago. Charlie and Oberi sat in the passenger’s seat, while Marcus, Rishi, and Kallie were in the back. Kallie had left Alette behind in her room, as we figured it’d be safer for the faekin. Chancey, Ivy, and the Elvish Associates followed in a white van behind us, ready to make their move.
When we came out the other side of the portal, I looked from left to right. We’d emerged into a massive garage underneath the hotel, which had been cleared out for our vehicles, save for a few high-profile cars stored in the corner. We parked the cars, then took a set of elevators up to the main floor.
The lobby of the hotel was splendid. Candelabras stood next to black pillars, which drew your eye to the cathedral-like ceiling. Lovely frescoes depicted classical paintings of angels,demons, and vampires, portrayed by an accomplished artist. Marcus seemed very impressed by the paintings, unable to keep his eyes off the ceiling. The rest of the room was cast in dark tones, Persian rugs splayed across the hardwood floor while art deco furniture was placed carefully around the room. Whoever decorated this hotel had been very particular, and clearly took pride in making it appear stunning.
A beautiful man wearing a pressed suit was there to greet us. He had gorgeous, flowing hair, and he moved with the most refined grace.
“Welcome to the Scarlet Grand Hotel,” he purred, shaking our hands. “My name is Dorian Abbot. I am the hotelier of this historical enterprise and wish to welcome you. I am honored that the prince and princess themselves have chosen to grace our doors.”
He was a vampire, for sure, but also very Elvish. A regular supernatural couldn’t tell, but I’d spent enough time in Ilamanthe to pick out Elven features, and Dorian had slightly pointed ears and high cheekbones that were signature Elvish traits.
“Thank you for having us,” Charlie said as he shook Dorian’s hand. “My grandfather sends his appreciation.”
“There is no need for your gratitude. I am here to serve the Emperor and his kin, as I have done all my life,” Dorian said, giving a slight bow to Charlie. “My full hotel has been reserved only for you, to conceal any rumors of your arrival from Salvatore Bianchi, and my staff is here to serve you. I would also like to add that anything I can do to be a thorn in the side of Salvatore Bianchi is a personal treat. He and I have had many quarrels over the years.”
Gee, someone else who hated Ivy’s dad. What a shock. Guy should be dead by now, with all the people who despised him.
Dorian turned Ivy’s way and nodded politely to them. “Welcome, Ivy. It is good to see you again.”
“Hey, Dorian,” Ivy said hoarsely, and they averted their eyes. Chancey went to grab their hand.
“You’ll want to stay aware when you enter The Devil’s City tomorrow,” Dorian noted. “This is the most popular time of year for visitors to the casino, and it will be infested with shady characters from all the magical races, not just Salvatore’s men.”
“I thought it was only for vampires,” Marcus said.
“The Devil’s City is a supernatural casino, and magical folks of all kinds can come in and out. Vampires aren’t the only magical beings who come to visit its temptations,” Dorian informed us. “It is one place of refuge during the war where all magical beings, regardless of race, may interact.”
Yeah, sure. Salvatore was definitely racist, but he certainly had the belief that everyone’s money spent the same, especially on cheap slots that probably never paid out.
