Steal the Night (Thieves #5)(54)

“No, Hugo,” Dev drawled. “Allow me to beat you up over it.”

Hugo Wells was roughly the same height as Marcus, so he stood about five inches over me but was certainly shorter than Dev. He was solidly built, with a barrel chest and what appeared to be an incredibly strong body. His face was smooth and white, but he was the first vampire I’d seen who sported a beard. From what I knew about the vampire, he’d been born during Elizabeth’s reign and, like all academics, was considered extremely intelligent. He was used to a red-haired queen, and that was a good thing.

“If we might get to more comfortable accommodations, Mr. Wells, I would appreciate it,” I said evenly. He was blocking the way into the limo. “I believe I’ve had enough of Scotland Yard’s hospitality.”

The vampire graciously moved to allow us in. “I can only hope my hospitality proves more pleasant, Your Highness. I’m a great admirer of the king. I think you will find I’m one of Daniel’s strongest supporters. I’ve believed in his cause for many years now. I’ve written several papers supporting Daniel’s legal claim to the throne.”

Dev got in first and I smiled as I saw Neil was waiting in the limo. He looked surprisingly well for someone who’d been shot and knocked out mere hours ago. Now I knew who to thank for getting Marcus so quickly.

“Hey, Z,” Neil said. “I woke up surrounded by corpses. How about you?”

I turned to Lee because that wasn’t the story I’d heard.

He shook his head and managed to make his face completely blank. “I have no idea what he’s talking about. The streets just aren’t safe these days.”

I sighed and let Dev help me into the limo. After we had Terry safely stashed in the trunk, we proceeded to move toward Hugo’s enormous townhouse in a fashionable section of London. Since I’d taken Dev’s leash off, he did what came naturally to him. He’d been through a harrowing afternoon and he was still anxious about how mad Daniel was going to be. He needed comfort and for a Fae, comfort came with close contact. Carefully avoiding my injured arm, he stroked my hair and let his head rest against mine. I looked across the seat at Hugo, who was staring.

“Does your master know about your guard’s affections?” Hugo asked.

Marcus said something under his breath in Italian, but I ignored him. “He isn’t my guard and you know that, Mr. Wells. He’s my husband—my consort, if you prefer. If you have a problem with the way he’s behaving, you should take it up with me. Daniel has more important things to worry about than a vampire’s preoccupation with a female who doesn’t belong to him.”

“It’s not proper in our society, Your Highness,” Hugo argued.

“I don’t give a shit,” I admitted flatly. “And who are you to tell me how to behave? What was it your Shakespeare said? I am a queen. I am the maker of manners. Has it been so very long since you had a queen, Mr. Wells, that you’ve forgotten how to show one proper respect?”

“Not at all, ma’am,” he responded quietly, and I caught the hint of a smile he quickly covered.

Marcus exchanged a look with him. “I told you. She is not a proper companion but she might be an excellent queen.”

“Then why do you always push me, Marcus?” I asked, irritation flavoring my voice.

The Italian’s smile was smooth. “Ah, cara, it is because you always look so beautiful when you’re angry.”

Dev groaned. “Is every man in the world going to hit on my wife today? First it was that oracle boy, and now I get to listen to Marcus fawn all over you.”

Hugo’s hand went to a switch in the ceiling. “Stop the car immediately.”

The car was expertly pulled over and Hugo jumped out, shoving Zack aside in the process.

“What was that about?” I watched out the window as the trunk was opened.

Marcus frowned my way, obviously irritated again. “Why did you not mention it was the Order of Galahad you had trouble with?”

“You didn’t give her a chance,” Lee growled. “You just started yelling at her the minute you walked in.”

Marcus gave the wolf a look that told him he didn’t need to speak.

“What he said,” I replied because Lee had been succinct and to the point, as always.

“Did you think I blew up a helicopter because it was fun?” Dev frowned at Marcus.

I gave Dev a look and he grinned slowly.

“All right. It was fun,” he admitted. “But they were also trying to shoot us down at the time. One of their soldiers tried to kill me and ended up shooting my goddess instead. I was very irritated.”

I heard a shout and then the car shook briefly. When Hugo got back in the car, he was holding something in his hands and there was just a tiny spot of blood on his fingers.

“Got it,” he said, handing the small dot to Marcus.

Dev sat up because he was a technology junkie. “Is that a locator device?”

“Yes.” Marcus tossed it out the window as the car picked up speed again. “The Order surgically implants these in all their knights so they can always track them. I’m surprised we got to the station before the Order could. They’re very quick to retrieve their knights. I suspect they hoped we would take the knight with us and he would lead the others straight to you.”