Ilona Andrews - Wildfire

“The animal mage is dead . . .”

“You’re wasting my time,” I said. “Just say everyone I know and love is dead. It’s more efficient.”

He laughed quietly. “You’re mouthy.”

“And you’re a psychopath.”

“You say it like it’s a bad thing. It’s practically a requirement for people in our position.”

“Yes, well, David Howling did it better.”

“Rogan won’t always be there to do your dirty work.”

“Rogan didn’t kill David. I did. He fought me for his life and lost. The next time we meet I’ll pull every dirty secret out of your mind and lay them out in the open. When I’m done, you’ll curl into a ball and weep, just like all the others. That’s how you threaten, Vincent.”

Nguyen blinked. Rivera took a careful step back.

I passed the phone to Rogan. My fingers shook and the phone trembled slightly. He took it and I curled my hands into fists.

“She’s right,” he said. “You need to work on your delivery.”

“I’m so glad you’re there, Rogan. It saves me a phone call.”

“I’m always here for you,” Rogan said, his voice deceptively light. “It’s been too long. We should get together.”

“I was thinking the same thing. You’re overdue for a visit.”

“Can’t wait.” Rogan smiled.

“You can’t kill all of us, Rogan.”

“But I can kill you, Vincent. Don’t worry about the others. You’ll never know how it will turn out anyway.”

“We’ll see. Your cousin sends her love.”

“Tell her I’ve missed her.”

The phone call cut off.

Rogan turned to me. “House Harcourt disavowed Vincent about an hour ago. They claim to have no idea where he is or what he’s doing.”

“How convenient.”

“I thought of going over to the House Harcourt compound in the morning.” His tone was still light. “I could knock on their door and you could ask them some questions. Would you like that?”

“Yes. Yes, I would.”

Rogan looked at Rivera. “Make the arrangements.”

“Yes, sir.”

Rogan led me to the stairway. I walked up the steps. “He knows that we’ve identified him. He will expect retaliation.”

“Yes,” Rogan agreed as we crossed the second floor. Bug saw us and didn’t say a thing.

“If I were him, I’d attack the base as soon as we leave.”

“I’ve accounted for that possibility.”

“What if he attacks tonight?”

“He won’t.” Rogan led me to the staircase to the third floor. “He performed a high-volume summon tonight. With summoning, the totality of the matter coming through is what counts. One large creature is equal to several smaller ones. Vincent summoned nine beings tonight and then expended energy and magic manipulating them, defending against you, and fighting Cornelius for control. He won’t risk attacking tonight knowing that I’m here. He needs to recharge.”

“What about Cornelius? He’s an isolated target.”

“Cornelius is staying here tonight, in the same building where I put Rynda. Matilda is with his sister and brother at their family ranch. He called them while en route. They are coming over in the morning to view Zeus.”

“When did you find this out?”

“When I got up to deal with Rynda. I would’ve told you about it if you didn’t leave in a huff.”

We walked through the door into the bedroom.

“What will attacking the Harcourts do to Brian? Brian is our first priority.”

“Nothing,” Rogan said. “I don’t believe Vincent cares, but even if he did, he botched an attack on Rynda. As you said, the retaliation is expected.”

He shut the door and turned to me. I stared back at him.

“Let it out,” he said. “You’ve been holding it in since the phone call.”

“He threatened my family,” I ground out. “I watched him let a creature eat a man while he was still alive, in front of his niece and nephew. He enjoyed it, Rogan. I saw it in his eyes. He would’ve killed us all, even Rynda’s kids. I know he’s a monster. And then he calls here and pretends to be urbane and charming and wants to have a polite conversation. He’s like a serial killer who butchered a person in plain view, washed his hands, and went to a costume party.”

“He’s a psychopath. He always was one.”

“There is a disconnect there, Rogan. He did horrible things and he doesn’t even realize how screwed up it is. He doesn’t feel bad. This can’t be the first time he did this. How did he get to the age he is without someone realizing what he is?”

“He’s a useful asset to his House,” Rogan said. “His usefulness outweighs his unsanctioned excursions. They punish him, they talk sternly to him, but in the end they need him. Other Houses knowing that Vincent exists is enough to keep them from attacking Harcourt.”

“This is what bothers me.” I spun around and began to stalk back and forth. If I didn’t move, I would explode. “What kind of world is it where Vincent is necessary? Where he’s an asset. Where Dave can just kidnap people off the street and nobody will do anything about it? Don’t you see how terribly fucked up this is?” I stopped. “And I’m about to drag my sisters and cousins into it. I’m scared, Connor. I’m scared out of my mind.”

“When you are in it, you have no idea it’s not normal,” he said quietly. “I didn’t realize until I joined the army that everyone didn’t live like this. This is what we’re fighting against. If the conspiracy succeeds, Vincent will get free rein.”

All of the fight went out of me. I sat on the bed. “The further I go, the less choices I have. We’re not even a House yet and already I have to make sure we look strong enough to not be attacked. Everything I do from now on has to be dictated by getting more magic, more power, more wealth, just so we can survive.”

He knelt by me, resting his hands on my arms.

“If I don’t do this, my own grandmother is going to crush us. I’m not just responsible for making sure I put a roof over my family’s head and food on the table. I’m now responsible for their lives. I want to murder Vincent Harcourt before he lets his beasts tear my mother into pieces. I killed David and I have nightmares about it, but now I want to kill Vincent, because I have no choice. Even the choice of my husband has to be calculated based on some genetic bullshit that says Rynda is a better match than me . . .”

I’d said too much. I clamped my mouth shut.

“Do you love me?”

The question caught me off guard. “Yes.”

“Do you love your family?”

“Yes.”

“Would you do anything to protect them?”

“Yes.”

“Then it doesn’t matter, Nevada. Nothing’s really changed. I love you. You love me. We’re together. I don’t care about genetic matches. You told me before it didn’t matter. Did that change?”

“No.”

“Then we’re okay.” He slid his warm hands down my shoulders and took my hands in his. “Every world has dangers. There are muggings, shootings, car accidents, drug addictions, abusive relationships. It has nothing to do with being a Prime. This is life. The only difference is, now you can see the dangers more clearly.”

He squeezed my fingers.

“Your grandmother was a threat to you before you were even born. Your father didn’t run away from her because she was a loving and caring mother. He found your mother and married her without any genetic matches. You are at least as strong as Victoria Tremaine. The difference between you is education and experience, and you can get both.”

I took a deep breath.

“It’s all coming too fast,” he said. “A lot happened in the last two days. You met your grandmother, you registered for trials, you dealt with Rynda, you fought Vincent and almost died. You need time to sort through all of this. But you are here tonight, and nothing will touch you while I’m with you in this room. I promise that I won’t leave no matter what the hell happens and if I go, we’ll go together.”