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Maria’s laugh rang out. “Your success is assured, sir. Oh, if I may?”
Blaine raised a brow, knowing what to expect next, but not so inclined to lead her there. “Go ahead.”
Maria cleared her throat lightly. “May I claim the favor of a Chief’s boon for helping you locate the wildling?” she asked, the slightest of trembles causing her voice to waver.
Blaine couldn’t resist pausing longer than necessary. “Technically, we haven’t yet located her.”
“Very true, sir.” The disappointment in Maria’s voice rang clear, yet she didn’t argue with him.
Few did, considering his position and elevation.
“However, I deem this a fair petition for reporting the last known whereabouts of the wildling and delivering her official documents. The city is in your debt and a commensurate boon is thus granted.”
“I am happy I could be of service, Chief.” Maria sounded like the fat cat who’d caught the mouse.
“Did you have a request for your boon?” Blaine asked.
“No, sir. I’d hate to disrupt your duties on a day you likely have better things to worry about. Another time?”
Blaine smiled to himself. He granted boons so rarely they were appropriately coveted. Having one in your back pocket at a council meeting could mean the difference between winning or having your pet projects grounded. “Anytime, Maria. I’ll have Jake record the boon on your file.”
“Thank you, sir. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.”
“You can bet on it. Good day.”
Blaine ended the call and continued paging through Erin’s file, which was filled with seemingly inconsequential data. He sent her vehicle plates and description to the police, directing them to locate and follow, but not apprehend the suspect. He flagged her citizen ID the same, sending out an image of Erin to every badge in the city.
It was only a matter of time before she turned up.
“Jake,” Blaine spoke to his majordomo, who was driving his limo. “I’m sending you GPS coordinates to Erin’s home. I’d like to drive by the area, the local eateries, gas stations, and groceries.”
“Yes, sir. On route now, our ETA is approximately twenty minutes. Are you considering bringing her in yourself?”
“I am.”
“Is that wise, sir? We have people for that sort of thing, you know?” Jake asked.
“Yes, I’m aware. Humor me.”
Jake didn’t respond, which Blaine understood as Jake-speak forI disagree with you, but out of respect I am withholding my opinion. Jake was a wise man.
Besides, if Blaine’s intuition proved correct, having his people bring in Erin would not end well. That she’d taken down Daniel, a seventh-ranked devotee of Ares, gave him pause.
Blaine was the only eighth-ranked devotee in the city, which was why his chapter ran things. If the maenad was on equal footing with him, another eight-rank, which he suspected she was as she’d taken down Daniel, then Erin might actually give Blaine a run for his money in a fight.
The idea of someone actually being a suitable challenge perversely appealed to Blaine.
The notion that another of his rank would be within rights to challenge his authority. Well, that was unacceptable.
CHAPTER20
ERIN
Erin ran through the city, headed toward the relentless, pounding rhythm pulsing through her veins. The late summer sun poured down across her, heating her skin through her white clothes. Buildings passed by in a blur. Grey and black. Granite and concrete. The air in the man-made, cleanly carved and finely finished spaces was filled with emptiness that had been left behind by people who may have once held a flame within them but were now devoid of all hope.
Erin ran past it all, seeking her own pace. Her own space. Cool droplets of sweat trickled down her back, down her neck, yet she wasn’t panting despite the effort.
Erin felt boundless. Limitless.
