They had it coming.”
— Caine Deathwalker
Time for a gesture of trust—as if I trusted anyone. I grabbed both my guns and put them of the table with the handles facing William, an old custom Old Man once showed me. This demonstrated I wasn’t looking to kill anyone … for now.
“Fine, there,” I said.
Izumi and the wolf in the navy suit revived the male wolves , guiding them to the table and to chairs. William looked at Izumi and Gloria, a little confused with what was going on. His eyes were now light brown, deceptively human. Angie took a seat to William’s right, the brunette in the next seat down. The wolf in the navy suit took the first chair to William’s left. Other male wolves fell in past the navy suit in order of dominance. One wolf had to come on my side of the table. Izumi sat between him and me. The wolf seemed happy as a scampering pup to sit next to her. I guess he had a thing for ice princesses—the real kind.
William said, “If we are not to fight, then what?”
“I need someone with a better nose than mine for a job I’m on,” I explained, “and the way I see it, you’re in my territory and still alive, so you owe me.”
William’s voice finally warmed with anger, “You think I’d let one of my wolves wear your collar just because we’re here uninvited?”
“Think of that wolf as a liaison, while I make up my mind on what I should do about all of this,” I poured a refill in my cup and drank it down at once. I wanted them to know I was better at everything than they were.
His wolves relaxed as the ones who’d passed out began to stir awake. Izumi was also flirting with them, a pleasant distraction. I could see they liked her company. She’d been right; these wolves were better th an most.
The bourbon went fast. I called for more, “Hey, Gloria, can you bring us a bottle of Faire tears?”
“What’s that?” Angie asked .
“Faire tears, it clears your mind when you get hit by too much magic, expensive as hell on a Saturday night,” I said.
“There’s no way you can get me so drunk,” William said, “I’ll give you one of my wolves.”
That was true. Alpha s are super protective of their packs. Every wolf is family. It would take more th a n just me saying I wouldn’t kill the wolf in my care. It would take a binding oath.
“Fine, I’ll give you my word as a member of the Atlantean demon clan, no harm will come from me or mine to any wolf that’s with me.”
I might be demon in heart only, but my word’s as good as any accursed hell spawn’s. No demon in our clan has ever broken his word. Words form contracts. Contracts bring power and gold. Breaking one’s word has only one punishment—death. There is an Accord to the universe that constrains demons, fey, angels, and most other inhuman things from breaking their word. Those stupid enough to do so tend to die in awful ways—those that can die. Those that can’t often wish they could.
William knew this. He finally looked convinced. “Okay, but before we get to this liaison business, allow me to introduce my pack, those that are here.”
He pointed at the redhead, “This is Angie, our attorney. She’s very good. Next to her is Kate she’s an artist who’s had numerous gallery shows, receiving much critical acclaim.”
I pretended to look impressed without taking my eyes off Angie’s breasts. I said, “Hello Angie, Kate.”
“Hello,” Angie said, “I’m up here by the way.”
“Sure you are,” I left my eyes where they wanted to be.
William was trying hard not to laugh, doing a poor job. He’d have done a better job if Angie were the female Alpha , and not a mere submissive. He continued introductions on his other side. “This is Andrew, my second in command. He has a PHD in genetics and a doctorate in internal medicine.”
Andrew said, “It’s a unique opportunity to meet a dragon mage, first time I have even heard of someone like you.”
“No one else is like
— Caine Deathwalker
Time for a gesture of trust—as if I trusted anyone. I grabbed both my guns and put them of the table with the handles facing William, an old custom Old Man once showed me. This demonstrated I wasn’t looking to kill anyone … for now.
“Fine, there,” I said.
Izumi and the wolf in the navy suit revived the male wolves , guiding them to the table and to chairs. William looked at Izumi and Gloria, a little confused with what was going on. His eyes were now light brown, deceptively human. Angie took a seat to William’s right, the brunette in the next seat down. The wolf in the navy suit took the first chair to William’s left. Other male wolves fell in past the navy suit in order of dominance. One wolf had to come on my side of the table. Izumi sat between him and me. The wolf seemed happy as a scampering pup to sit next to her. I guess he had a thing for ice princesses—the real kind.
William said, “If we are not to fight, then what?”
“I need someone with a better nose than mine for a job I’m on,” I explained, “and the way I see it, you’re in my territory and still alive, so you owe me.”
William’s voice finally warmed with anger, “You think I’d let one of my wolves wear your collar just because we’re here uninvited?”
“Think of that wolf as a liaison, while I make up my mind on what I should do about all of this,” I poured a refill in my cup and drank it down at once. I wanted them to know I was better at everything than they were.
His wolves relaxed as the ones who’d passed out began to stir awake. Izumi was also flirting with them, a pleasant distraction. I could see they liked her company. She’d been right; these wolves were better th an most.
The bourbon went fast. I called for more, “Hey, Gloria, can you bring us a bottle of Faire tears?”
“What’s that?” Angie asked .
“Faire tears, it clears your mind when you get hit by too much magic, expensive as hell on a Saturday night,” I said.
“There’s no way you can get me so drunk,” William said, “I’ll give you one of my wolves.”
That was true. Alpha s are super protective of their packs. Every wolf is family. It would take more th a n just me saying I wouldn’t kill the wolf in my care. It would take a binding oath.
“Fine, I’ll give you my word as a member of the Atlantean demon clan, no harm will come from me or mine to any wolf that’s with me.”
I might be demon in heart only, but my word’s as good as any accursed hell spawn’s. No demon in our clan has ever broken his word. Words form contracts. Contracts bring power and gold. Breaking one’s word has only one punishment—death. There is an Accord to the universe that constrains demons, fey, angels, and most other inhuman things from breaking their word. Those stupid enough to do so tend to die in awful ways—those that can die. Those that can’t often wish they could.
William knew this. He finally looked convinced. “Okay, but before we get to this liaison business, allow me to introduce my pack, those that are here.”
He pointed at the redhead, “This is Angie, our attorney. She’s very good. Next to her is Kate she’s an artist who’s had numerous gallery shows, receiving much critical acclaim.”
I pretended to look impressed without taking my eyes off Angie’s breasts. I said, “Hello Angie, Kate.”
“Hello,” Angie said, “I’m up here by the way.”
“Sure you are,” I left my eyes where they wanted to be.
William was trying hard not to laugh, doing a poor job. He’d have done a better job if Angie were the female Alpha , and not a mere submissive. He continued introductions on his other side. “This is Andrew, my second in command. He has a PHD in genetics and a doctorate in internal medicine.”
Andrew said, “It’s a unique opportunity to meet a dragon mage, first time I have even heard of someone like you.”
“No one else is like
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