Lord Azerius will be too busy dealing with my boot in his ass.
“Thank you for your honesty, Mr. Rogozin,” she said, sensing she’d reached her limit on gathering Azerius intel before they got suspicious.
Rogozin asked her if she’d like to take a moment to collect herself in the ladies’ room, but Charley shook her head.
Her whole life, men had been making deals on her behalf. Her own father had bargained away her soul. Travis had taken him from her. Rudy had been manipulating her ever since.
Now, it was Charley’s turn to make the deal. That’s what she’d come here for. And she wouldn’t leave this fucking table until she’d seen it through.
“I feel like we got a bit off track,” she said, leaving the naive little human behind and stepping back into the role of chief negotiator. “I’m here to discuss a potential partnership between your organization and House Redthorne. It’s obviously no surprise to you that Rudy is planning to double-cross you. But what may come as a surprise is the fact that the object you seek is in fact in Dorian’s possession, and he is willing to sell it to you directly for half of Rudy’s price.”
Rogozin’s poker face was in full effect, but Charley could sense the shift of energy in the room, the greed and anticipation gathering among the demons like a storm.
She opened her laptop again, then pulled up the photos she’d taken on her phone when she’d first inspected the Mother of Lost Souls, right before she’d smashed it.
All of them gasped.
So much for poker faces, assholes.
“The Mother of Lost Souls has been secured at an out-of-state location,” she lied, “pending the outcome of our negotiations. In addition to the sale, House Redthorne is extending another offer—a seat on the King’s council, which will be reconvened shortly. It’s important to Dorian that all supernaturals are included, and he feels your organization can best represent the interests of the demons in our community.”
Rogozin folded his arms across his chest and narrowed his eyes, his suspicion growing. “Why would vampire king offer this honor to me, and not to Nikolai Chernikov?”
“Because.” Charley shut her laptop flashed a wide smile. “We need your helpkillingNikolai Chernikov.”
In the stunned silence that followed, the wait staff finally delivered the meal, and as the demons shoveled in their ham and cheese crêpes and tuna niçoise salad, Charley took polite nibbles of her food and shared what she knew of Chernikov’s plans and the allies he’d already amassed. This time, there were no spreadsheets, no photos, nothing but the story Isabelle had told them and the pieces of the puzzle she and the others had cobbled together.
But Rogozin believed her. She saw the suspicion slowly leave his eyes, replaced instead with something that utterly shocked her.
Respect.
“We are working on a plan,” she continued, pressing her advantage, “but would like to know we can count on you when the time comes. Once the threat from Chernikov is neutralized, Dorian will happily conclude the transaction—with a few caveats, of course.”
Rogozin folded his napkin and set it on his plate, eyeing her warily. “Caveats?”
“We know it’s not the sculpture you’re after, Mr. Rogozin. It’s what’s hidden inside.” Charley held up her hand to cut off a string of sputtering denials. “Dorian understands it’s a piece of cultural significance to you, particularly given your connection to Azerius. That’s why he’s willing to part with it. But youmustagree not to use the blade on humans. I understand this may be part of its appeal, but as the ruling body over all supernaturals, House Redthorne is responsible for ensuring the safety of the humans who live amongst you. As such, he can’t allow you to take shortcuts that would violate the existing Accords. Demons have other ways of making deals—consensual deals. Using the blade on humans would constitute a breach of contract as well as a breach of trust. And trustme, Mr. Rogozin. The Royal Redthornes are not a family you want to cross.”
Rogozin glared at her, scrutinizing every word for the lies within.
But Charley held firm, refusing to look away. Other than the little fib about the sculpture’s location, she’d spoken the truth—about her uncle and Estas. About Chernikov. About the deal Dorian was offering.
She’d done what she could. Now, it was up to Rogozin.
“I’ll give you gentlemen a moment to discuss this in private.” She rose from her chair, but before she stepped away, Rogozin spoke.
“No need for moment,” he said.
Charley held her breath, her heartbeat crashing against her ribs.
And then, after an agonizing eternity, Alexei Rogozin finally said the words she’d been longing to hear from the moment she’d first suggested this crazy-ass plan in Dorian’s study last night.
“Tell vampire king Alexei Rogozin accepts proposal.” He smiled at her—the first real one he’d offered—then gestured for her to reclaim her chair. “Now you must enjoy food. You eat like bird. Is not healthy.”
Charley laughed, happy to accept the invitation.
* * *
After brunch, Rogozin escorted her back out into the main restaurant. As they awaited the elevator, he said, “So tell me, what are we to do about my two traitors?”
