Without time to think, I sprinted around the limo sandwiched between two black SUVs, opened the passenger door, and slid inside, ducking down into the seat and hoping to hell no one had seen or heard me. The driver was standing outside on the other side, clapping.
Quickly, I pulled my Nitro-gun from the bag and shoved it into the back waistline of the skirt. I prayed this was Mynogan’s limo and he wouldn’t do something unexpected, like get into one of the SUVs.
I scooted to the far edge of the seat, made my posture straight and my expression blank. Whatever happened, I couldn’t lose my cool. Nobles respected control above all else.
The door opened to a throng of legs and reporters’ shouts. I held my breath. The first to get in was the third unidentified Charbydon noble from Veritas. His face I remembered well; the classic features, the high cheekbones, and the sardonic mouth. A lock of sable hair fell into his eyes as he dipped his body into the cab of the limo. Eyes I thought were black were, in fact, the darkest midnight blue shot with silver flecks, like stars in a clear night sky. They widened in shock at finding me crouched against the door. But the shock was quickly replaced by a droll smile that cut slits into each side of his cheeks. Mirth and a brief flash of disbelief danced in his eyes as he sat down next to me, a puff of sage and cedar reaching my nose.
I found my breath again, but it was almost sucked permanently from my lungs when Mynogan entered right behind him.
He settled into his seat across from me and the other noble. I braced myself. The only thing that made me feel better was the cold press of my weapon at my back. As his eyes turned to me, no surprise or emotion flitted across his haughty face.
The door shut, the sound echoing finality through my body. My hand itched to pull my gun, just to put a barrier between us.
“All set, sir?” the driver asked, getting into the car.
“Yes, Gavin, thank you,” Mynogan answered in an even tone, his black gaze never leaving mine.
The car pulled away from the curb, and a thread of panic wove its way into my psyche. Claustrophobia closed in on me. I was in a tiny car with my worst nightmare.
“Your glamour is fading, Detective Madigan,” he said evenly, adjusting the cuffs on his expensive wool jacket. “I’m sure you realize the entire city is looking for you.”
My teeth clenched as his words struck anger in me. Much better than fear. I grabbed on to it like a lifeline. “If it wasn’t for the CPP …”
The male next to me angled in his seat to watch me, his body deceptively relaxed. I ignored him, sensing he was more curious than threatening at the moment.
Mynogan’s lips lifted into what was supposed to be a smile, but it was more like a sick grimace. “Is that so?” He tugged his dress shirt cuffs out from under the suit jacket until the proper amount was shown to his satisfaction. “Do you know, Charlene—”
“It’s Charlie.”
His black stare lifted to mine for a second. “Do you know, Charlene, the kind of power the noble class holds?”
Which translated into:
“We’re an oligarchy, Detective,” the other one said in a deep, mellow tone that sounded way more sensual than it should. “Ruled by two kings, two different royal bloodlines, and overseen by a council of elders.”
“Carreg is Lord Lieutenant of the House of Astarot,” Mynogan introduced the male next to me. “And I am High Elder of the House of Abaddon.”
“I know the history,” I said, hiding my surprise at finding them to be actual royals—only royalty served in such high positions in their government. The Astarots and Abaddons kept mostly to their own world, only sending delegates and lesser nobles like Otorius to ours. “Since when do the two Houses agree?” I asked, knowing full well the two ruling families in Charbydon weren’t known for working together. They’d managed their world for eons, but were always, according to scholars, at odds. Kind of like Republicans and Democrats.
They exchanged looks, and I detected a brief moment of tension. “We do agree on the continued prosperity of our people,” Carreg said slowly. “Cultivating a better relationship with your world will help us in that endeavor.”
I started to ask him what he meant, but Mynogan interrupted.
“But do you know the power inside us? The abilities we have, Charlene?”
My nostrils flared. Oh, this guy was pushing it. “The name is Charlie, and unless you want me to start calling you
Carreg covered his laugh with a soft cough as Mynogan leaned forward and pierced me with the blackest, most brutal stare. A streak of fear shot through my system, but his refusal to use my official title or my preferred name pissed me off.
Pink tinged his perfect olive skin. “I could end your insignificant little life with a thought, Detective.” His voice dripped with menace and disgust. “You possess the life span of an insect and hold just as much power. You have no idea the influence we wield.”
“Yeah, like walking all over those who are weaker and poorer? You’re no better than a schoolyard bully. Some power. You have no intention of bringing the races together, do you?”
Instantly, the limo filled with Mynogan’s rage. The whites of his eyes bled to blackness. An oppressive hum of strength and energy engulfed me in the smut of his being and past deeds.
Carreg cleared his throat gently, the sound diffusing some of Mynogan’s anger. “You have more courage than I thought, Detective.” He cocked his head. “Or is it stupidity?”
“Stupidity,” I answered, surprising him. “Of the purest kind. Which makes me unpredictable, wouldn’t you say?”
“You mock something you know nothing of,” Mynogan said. “I should take your blood right now.”
I frowned at the odd statement. “What’s that supposed to mean?” Was this the Abaddon way of threatening one’s life? Sounded suspiciously vampiric to me, which, as far as I knew, was nothing but pure myth.
A thin grin twisted Mynogan’s face, and he lifted a severe white eyebrow. “For all your knowledge, you know very little of my kind.”
“Then, by all means, enlighten me.” We stopped at another light. From our location, I guessed we were headed back to CPP headquarters, which meant I had to get out of the car soon.
“Better yet,” Mynogan said, leaning so close that I was forced to lean back into the seat. “Why don’t I just start by picking the flesh from your bones?”
The breath whooshed from me, and my heart skidded to a painful stop. I pressed myself against the door, flailing for my gun. Air filled my lungs as my fingers closed around the handle. I drew it on him, hand shaking as the whine of the charging weapon filled the silence. “Get away from me.” He sat back, happy to have completely unwound me. “You too.” I waved the gun at Carreg. “Get over there, next to him.”
My gaze flicked to the street. We had stopped at a traffic light, but it was a bad time to bail. The bodyguards could easily follow on foot. “Who are you? How the hell do you know me?”
Mynogan shrugged. “I can be your worst nightmare, Charlene, or I can show you the path to immense power.”
I tightened my hold on Bryn’s bag and opened the door as the limo started through the intersection. “I’d rather suck face with an imp.” And with that, I ducked out of the limo before it cleared the intersection.
