“But he isn’t in the guild.”
Jameson’s gaze moved to Grant’s in question.
“I am so tired of people trying to decide what I should know. Out with it.”
“Grant’s position in the guild is tenuous.”
“And what does that mean?”
Jameson didn’t wilt at all, despite my hard look. “It means if you wish to know more, you should ask him yourself. I am here because it would be improper for someone from the guild not to be present.”
“And that someone had to be acting Magistrate, who I would imagine is the highest up in the guild?”
Jameson didn’t answer the question, telling me that all mages were as annoying as Grant when it came to information sharing. “It was nice to meet you, Ms. Harlin, and I suspect I will be hearing more of you in the future. Grant, please think over what I’ve said.”
“We both know that won’t happen.,” Grant answered.
Jameson only nodded, as if he’d expected no other answer, before leaving, the woman Victoria on his heels.
“What was that about?”
“History, and not the fun kind.” Grant hadn’t removed his gaze from the two, not until they were far enough away, they blended into the party. Only then did he turn back toward me, offering me that charming smile of his I knew so well.
The one I also knew hid whatever he really thought.
“What was he talking about?” I asked to derail whatever Grant was going to say, because no doubt it was all about changing the subject.
“Nothing important.”
I crossed my arms like a defiant kid.
He rolled his eyes and let out a sigh as if I tested his patience. “It is an old story that now is not the time to tell.”
“Let’s go with simple here, since you told me you wouldn’t lie to me anymore. Are you in the guild?”
“I didn’t lie about that—it simply isn’t an easy answer.”
“You said you killed people and you left.”
“Leaving the guild isn’t official. Most mages who leave or are kicked out are fairly unimportant. The guild isn’t worried about them. Let’s say I left the guild but they see it differently.”
“So you said ‘I’m out’ and they said no?”
Grant nodded. “That sums it up fairly well. They leave me be for the most part, but apparently this was deemed important enough to send the acting Magistrate himself. That’s almost enough for me to be honored.”
“But why is he here?”
Grant shook his head. “I don’t know, but I can assure you it isn’t anything good. Jameson doesn’t show up unless he thinks there’s a big payoff for him. My guess? He’s hoping I get weakened enough in the competition that he has a shot.”
“A shot at what?”
Grant’s gaze wasn’t on me, having moved in the direction Jameson had gone, his eyes narrowed for a split second before he turned back toward me, his face wiped clean for the suspicion. “It doesn’t matter. Others have tried before him, others will afterward. Now, have you eaten? Given that this time there are actual beings from the living realm, I believe there is a table of non-disgusting food just that way.”
I offered Grant the same look he’d given Jameson, one that said I know damn well he was up to something even if I didn’t know exactly what.
Then my stomach gurgled, and I realized putting nothing but tea into an empty stomach wasn’t a great combination.
“Fine,” I muttered, giving in.
Grant gestured toward the side wall, and I followed.
He was keeping secrets, but what was new? If I waited for Grant to be honest with me, I’d starve to death first.
Chapter Eighteen
The food was good, but the company left a lot to be desired. Grant remained for a short while, but before long, he left me to fend for myself.
At first, I couldn’t seem to help but nurse a hurt from the fact that all four men didn’t have time for me.
They had spent so much time following me—even when I’d told them to get lost—and yet suddenly they were all too busy?
Then I watched, carefully, and noticed how each spared glances my way. The reality was that they were getting ready for a second round in a game that had killed so many already. Then I noticed how they watched their opponents, how the two teams circled each other, and I realized this was part of their game. They were sizing each other up, getting ready to go into the final battle where only one of them would walk out.
Feeling abandoned would have been petty.
Or so I told my hurt feelings.
“I can’t say I get the appeal.”
I turned to find someone far too close to me, and the blue jumpsuit he wore let me know who he was.
One for the team facing off against my team.
He was tall—at least seven feet—and looked similar to the man who had tried to plant me. Except, where that man had been twisted and burned, this one appeared quite nearly human in form, other than the size and the dagger-like claws that tipped his fingers.
He turned his head, as if surveying who was around, and it gave me a look at some of his back.
More ridged claws ran down his spine like some dragon, and they shone as they caught like as if made of silver rather than bone.
I took a step backward, wanting far more personal space.
He chuckled as he looked back at me, and when he spoke, I realized his teeth were every bit as sharp as the rest of him, and a long, forked tongue darted inside his mouth.
It was a miracle he sounded so normal…
Or maybe that was part of the translation Grant had mentioned.
“I’m not going to hurt you. Well, not here, at least. Harming Lucifer’s guest of honor would be a foolish mistake, and I’m far from foolish.”
“So what are you doing here?”
“Do you know how many of these I’ve been
