“I’ll send Frank around. His bus is in the area,” Ramirez said, and I could almost hear the grin. “I’m sure he’ll enjoy this run.”
“He’s going to kill me,” I said with a groan. “Can’t you send someone else?”
“Next time, think twice before you make a mess on my streets. I’ll give the victim three and a warning. Is he a threat?”
“Maybe in a few decades,” I answered. “But not really. Just a mage with an oversized ego.”
“Got it, typical mage,” he said with another chuckle, before becoming serious. “If you hear anything about what caused the City Hall Park crater, let me know, Strong.”
“Will do,” I said, my voice pensive. “Have you tried the Dark Council?”
“They’re giving me the usual line of not having rogue elements in their ranks that would be causing such…what was it, oh yeah, ‘wanton destruction of property.’ They actually suggested I call you.”
“I’m sure they did,” I said. “If I hear anything, I’ll let you know.”
I ended the call and pocketed my phone.
“Who was that?” Jessikah asked, as we stepped to the Dark Goat. “What was that about a crater?”
“Director Ramirez of the NYTF,” I said. “They’re like the Black Orchid without mages. They deal with all of the supernatural activities in the city, from the non-supernatural side. Looks like someone blew up City Hall Park.”
“And he assumed it was you?” she asked. “Why would he do that?”
“We’ve been known to be in the vicinity of some major explosions in the past,” I said. “Not that we are always the cause, mind you.”
“Extenuating circumstances causing staggering destruction?” she asked. “I’m sure it’s just an extreme case of prolonged self-defense.”
“Anyway, he’s going to hold Richard here for three days and let him off with a warning,” I said, pulling out Grim Whisper. “Unless you prefer I end his existence now?”
“What? No!”
I holstered Grim Whisper with a smile.
“Just checking,” I said with a grin. “You know how us cold-blooded killers can be.”
She shook her head as I unlocked the Dark Goat.
“Are we just going to leave him there?”
“Yes, the EMTEs will be here soon,” I said, hearing a siren in the distance. “You don’t want to be here when they arrive. Too many questions. Too much attention.”
“Shouldn’t we…I don’t know…move him? Maybe place him in your vehicle until they get here?”
I stared at her for a few seconds.
“A few things,” I said, looking at Richard and then at her. “He tried to fry you. That makes him unfriendly.”
“But, surely…”
“No, the EMTEs will pick him up and clean him off before dropping him at the NYTF HQ for his short vacation.”
“He seems to be quite distressed.”
“Persuaders are one of the gentler options, trust me.”
“It just seems inhumane to…”
“There is no way he is getting in the Dark Goat like that.”
“Very well,” she said with a final nod. “It is your vehicle.”
She got into the Dark Goat. I opened the suicide door and Peaches bounded in with a small leap, rocking the Dark Goat. I slid in behind the wheel, feeling the familiar ants-on-my-skin sensation and started the engine. I had a few questions, but I wanted to make sure we were some distance from Ezra’s before I asked her.
“I almost pity him,” she said as she strapped her seat belt. “He was clearly out of his element.”
I was thinking the same thing about her, but we would discuss that after meeting Grey.
“Let’s go talk to a dark mage.”
NINE
The Dive was located about ten minutes away from Ezra’s by Dark Goat.
I needed to prep Jessikah before we got there. She had no idea of what dark mages were, or how they should be treated. Grey was a dark mage, but he was no slouch. Even Monty respected his ability and power.
The fact that he’d recently added a dangerous sword—the counterpart to Ebonsoul—to his arsenal only made him more dangerous. Add all that to the fact that The Dive was Grey’s batcave and an unofficial neutral location, and we were walking into a situation where we needed to tread lightly.
I couldn’t have her going all official Black Orchid on Grey and trying to arrest him on the grounds of being dark and grouchy. That wouldn’t end well for anyone…especially us.
I pulled out my phone and pressed the button that connected it to the Dark Goat speaker system. Another button press began the call. After a few rings, the call connected.
“The Dive…Be discreet or be delicious,” the voice said, reminding me of Dahvina and her T-shirts. “How can I help you?”
“Hello, is Grey there?”
“Who’s asking?” the voice replied, warily. “Whatever you’re selling, we’re not buying.”
I knew it was him.
The lizard.
The one trying to corrupt my innocent and guileless hellhound.
Frank.
“Oh, I’m not selling anything…lizard.”
“Li—did you say lizard?” Frank answered, angry now. “Whom do I have the pleasure of addressing? I need a name so I can inform your next of kin.”
“I’d say dragon, but I don’t recall ever encountering mini-dragons,” I answered with a laugh. “Tell me, did you get a choice when you monumentally screwed up the casting? Did you actually choose extra small, or was the size you ended up proportionate to your level of power as a mage? I’m asking for a friend you might know.”
“A friend I…might know?” he seethed. “Who the hell is this?”
“I’m going to be there in ten minutes…lizard,” I said. “Then you and I can discuss what you’ve been telling my friend. I’m sure you remember him. His name is Peaches.”
A low rumble from the backseat filled the Dark Goat.
“Peaches? I don’t know anyone named…Oh, shit.”
“Tell Grey I’m on my way…lizard. You better be there when I arrive.”
The call ended.
<Please don’t scare my friend, bondmate.>
<I’m not scaring him. He and I are going to have a conversation. Besides, if he’s really a dragon, he has nothing to fear. Dragons—real dragons—are powerful, and don’t scare easy.>
<He is powerful…he is just small.>
“Who is Frank and
