“Not the KM, exactly.” Creek knew this was a bad idea and yet he couldn’t help but try. “I need your help. Me, personally.” He watched Dominic’s face but the vampire showed no reaction. Creek continued. “I have a chance to gain my freedom from the Kubai Mata, but it won’t be much of a chance unless I have some help.”
Dominic twirled a gold pen between his fingers. “What can I do? I am a vampire. Not exactly friends with the KM.”
“I’ve never done anything to harm you. In fact, I spared your nephew’s life.” Beside him, Luciano sniffed. Creek looked at him. “You sired the mayor for your own personal gain. I’d be surprised if the KM were the only ones who considered you a threat after that.”
Dominic held up his hand. “That transgression was Luciano’s doing alone. For sparing his life, I thank you.” He tapped the point of the pen on the desktop. “So you mean to collect on that debt?”
“That wasn’t my intention. Just to ask for your help. I have to fight a battle against a creature I’m no match for. I was hoping you might have some kind of spell—”
Dominic’s eyes flared silver. “I’m an alchemist, not a witch.”
“Got it.” Creek nodded. “And one of the most talented alchemists who ever came out of the House of St. Germain, from what I know.”
The silver in his eyes faded. “What is this creature you’re to fight?”
“A basilisk.”
Dominic raised his eyes to look Creek in the face. “A basilisk.” His tone reeked with disbelief. “Have you actually seen this beast?”
He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Seen her, talked to her, even had dinner with her at my grandmother’s house. She’s my KM sector chief.”
Luciano mumbled something in Italian and Dominic nodded. “My nephew says not only should such a creature not exist, but they are the last ones who should be in charge of protecting mankind.” He picked up the pen again. “And you know she is what she says? You’ve seen proof?”
Creek had prepared for this. He dug into his jacket, pulled out the cockroach Annika had turned to stone and tossed it onto Dominic’s desk. “She is what she says. Without question.” He nodded at the insect. “I saw her make that.”
Dominic dropped the pen and picked up the bug, rubbing his thumb over the body. “She did this?”
Creek nodded.
Luciano cursed and panic colored his words. “This creature lives in Paradise City? What defense do we have against her? I have no desire to spend my eternity locked in a stone prison.”
“Full circle,” Dominic muttered, staring at the insect.
Creek leaned in, hoping for some kind of advice or secret he could use against Annika. “What does that mean?”
Dominic shook his head. “Nothing.” He dropped the cockroach. “Which is exactly the amount of help I can give you.”
Disappointment tightened Creek’s gut. “You realize if something happens to me, she’ll take over until they find a replacement. And she’s not as understanding as I am when it comes to the goings-on in this city.”
Dominic narrowed his eyes. “It’s not that I won’t help you. It’s that I
Creek shrugged. “What the hell is original material?”
“Bones, blood, skin—”
“Scales?” Creek interrupted.
Dominic pursed his lips and nodded. “Scales would work well. Very well.”
Creek stood. “I’ll be back.”
“
Creek stopped himself from scowling. Of course Dominic would want something in return. “Besides my not executing Luciano?”
Luciano sighed.
Dominic smiled gently. “I am a businessman, no? Surely you understand that my skills do not come cheap.”
“I don’t have any money. If I did, I’d be buying my way out, not risking my life in a fight.”
Dominic picked up the cockroach again, hefting it in his palm like he was weighing it. “Since losing Katsumi, I am short-handed here. If you are free from the KM, you will also be unemployed, yes? I assume you will need some source of income.”
A cold shiver went through Creek. “I will.” Desperately.
“I will help you and when you win your freedom, you will come to work for me. You will be fairly compensated, I assure you. Do you agree?”
“What do you get out of it?”
Dominic offered him a faint smile. “I am aware of your skills. I would much rather have you on my side than against me.”
He was getting out of bed with one master to get in bed with another. What choice did he have? Taking care of his family had always been his goal, but at what cost to his own life? To his sense of justice? “Can I give you an answer when I return?”
“
Chapter Forty-one
From the pile of Tatiana’s ashes rose a ragged whirlwind. Even in the bright moonlight, the swirl of gray dust cast a sinister shadow on the grassy plain.
“What the hell—” Mal shoved Chrysabelle behind him. She’d done enough to protect him. Now it was his turn to get them home.
“Doesn’t make sense,” Chrysabelle said. “There’s no wind.” She scooped Lilith up and the little girl clung to her.
“This isn’t wind; it’s something… else. Son of a priest.” The whirlwind took shape. Tatiana’s shape.
With a shiver, the ashes became flesh and blood again. Tatiana shook herself a second time, then stared at him, an unnaturally bright smile on her face. “Well, now, my dear faithless husband. You weren’t expecting that, were you?” She laughed and brushed at her sleeves. “I wasn’t either, but isn’t it a fun surprise?” She gestured at the tree. “Everlasting life on a grander scale than I could have imagined. I’m so glad you convinced me to eat one of those little black apples.”
The beast roared for release. Instead, Mal charged forward, caught Tatiana in his arms, and took her to the ground. Her laughter rang in his ears as he yanked a knife from his belt. She rolled out of his grasp and got back to her feet.
She shook her finger at him like she was scolding a child. “What are you going to do? Kill me? Weren’t you watching? That doesn’t work on me anymore.”
He jumped to his feet and threw the blade. It sunk home just shy of her heart.
On the perimeter, Chrysabelle clutched Lilith a little tighter.
Shaking her head, Tatiana tugged it out and grimaced. “That hurt, Malkolm. Not as much as your betrayal, but then that’s all you’ve ever been good for, isn’t it? Causing me pain.” She flung the dagger back.
He caught the knife by the hilt, inches before it pierced his chest. “I saved your life.”
“Phft. That old song.” She walked to the tree, picked another black apple, and stuck it in her pocket. “Screw what that guard said. I’m taking a few of these home with me.”
“No,” Chrysabelle answered. “You’re not leaving here. This is where your reign of terror ends.”
Tatiana shifted her attention to Chrysabelle. “You do know that I’m going to kill you, don’t you? What chance
