Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(47)

I remembered the incident well. I’d been the one to catch the scam on the very night Dev and I met. I didn’t know anything about him seeking revenge. “Are they serious, Devinshea?”

Dev’s smile was predatory. “They can’t prove anything, my lover. They’re fishing. Why don’t you cut to the chase? What exactly do you want from me? What is this secret Order of yours?”

“My name is Ronald James. I represent the Order of Galahad,” Ronald explained. I could see from the light in his eyes that he was a true believer. “We’re a force of knights set up more than a thousand years ago to ensure that Merlin stays put. He was a demon who influenced our kings.”

“Obviously that isn’t your only job.” I settled in close to my husband and I could feel the SIG Sauer in his arm holster. He’d given up the handgun in his pocket. I leaned in such a way as to obscure the outline of the gun. “Otherwise why would you have files on us? Unless you’re some sort of supernatural vice squad, I can’t see why you care what we do.”

“Zoey Wharton Donovan,” Ronald said, proving my point. “Daughter of the infamous thief Harry Wharton. He did a few jobs for us over the years. Of course, he had no idea who we were, but we found him helpful in obtaining dangerous antiquities and getting them away from those who might misuse them. We actually thought about approaching you for membership at one time. We’re sadly lacking in female agents and you fit the profile. But then you became Daniel Donovan’s companion after his turn, though by all accounts you lived apart for many years. The Order doesn’t police the supernatural world, though we intervene from time to time when human lives are at stake. We keep a close watch on your world. You have a curious relationship with the rumored assassin. Did you finally give in only to find how cruel a vampire master can be?”

“I love my husband,” I said even as Dev’s hand went possessively to my knee. I smiled because it was the only indication I had that any of this was bothering him. I didn’t want this man thinking he might do Daniel a favor by killing his rival. “I love both of my husbands. Your file is sadly lacking. I married Devinshea last year with full Seelie rites. The queen sent witnesses and Daniel was there. We’re not on the run from Daniel. He merely prefers another mode of travel. We’re meeting Daniel here and we won’t have separate quarters, if you get my meaning.” They should know right off the bat that they couldn’t get us to turn on one another.

Ronald’s very cultured eyebrow went up in surprise. “Well, we heard that rumor but I discounted it. I assumed Donovan and Quinn were strictly business partners. I thought Quinn ran the businesses, legal and otherwise, and Donovan scared the living shit out of anyone who dared to take a look at Quinn’s territory.”

“You thought Danny was Dev’s muscle?” I asked, shocked at the thought.

Dev couldn’t stop his short laugh. “Seriously, Ronald whatever-your-name-is, if you wish to keep your head on your neck, don’t ever let Daniel read that file. The Council may use my partner as a mindless killing machine. He is anything but. And if you think a few hours will prepare you for him, then you’ve never dealt with a vampire king.”

Ronald’s very British arrogance faltered. He paled a bit. “He isn’t a king. That’s a rumor the two of you put out to enhance your reputations. Donovan is a common criminal. He ran small-time jobs with a two-bit crew until he met you. He may be a death machine, and that in and of itself is something that concerns us, but he’s nothing more. If he really was a king, he wouldn’t be the Council’s executioner. He would have killed the Council and taken over the way the last king did.”

“Of course, because they’re all the same aren’t they?” I replied, hating the prejudice. “Wolves are all the same. Vampires are just blood suckers. Companions are victims. Mostly I agree with you on the last point, but the rest is just ignorance. It makes me wonder why you don’t just kill us all and make this a human plane.”

Now the soldier on my side sneered at Dev and me, the hatred plain in his eyes. “Many of us would like that,” he said in a thick Russian accent. “We find the Order’s dictates confining.”

“Yuri, we’re not hunters,” Ronald replied in a voice that told me it wasn’t the first time they’d had this argument. “These creatures were born on this plane. They have as much right as humans to be here. We merely attempt to keep the demonic influence in check.”

The burly Russian ignored his commanding officer. I didn’t like the look in Yuri’s eyes as he regarded my husband. “He isn’t keeping the balance. The werewolves were dying out as they should have. Did you think we wouldn’t hear about what you’ve been doing, sidhe? You and your human whore? Do you know that your blasphemous ritual caused fifty new wolves to be born?”

“Fifty-four, I believe. Really, it was a good night for me,” Dev replied with a humorless smile. He leaned forward and spoke directly to the Russian. “And when we’re alone, Yuri, and I assure you I’ll find a way to get you alone, we’re going to have a discussion about calling my wife names. Have you seen the pictures of what happened to those poor Nagas? That was just money, my friend. While I take my wealth seriously, it doesn’t begin to compare to the way I feel about my wife.”

But Yuri was just getting warmed up. He moved to the other side of the limo so he could look Dev in the eyes. “You’re not from this plane, sidhe. Yet you come here and act like our world is your personal playground. You think you can do whatever you like and never have to deal with the consequences.”