and then to Midas, but Abbott didn’t waste his breath asking them to be more careful. The mechanical way he treated them made it clear he had other things on his mind. That, or he had shut down his emotions to prepare for what awaited him.
Once they got the green light, Hadley lingered a moment with Midas. “I have to find him.”
“All right.” She hadn’t let him bargain alone, and he would return the favor. “Let’s go.”
She salved his pride by not asking if he could handle the trip. Neither of them was in prime condition, but the coven was pounding the city on all fronts. They couldn’t afford not to hit back. Even if it cost them.
“I have to call the other packs.” She booked them a ride first. “Clairmont and Garou should be put on alert.”
The Clairmont warg pack lived in the city, in downtown. They were small, urbane, and insular. He doubted they trolled the streets for drugs, but if the coven had thought to dress it up, make it cost, the pack might have been tempted to give it a whirl.
The Loup Garou were thugs. Odds were, they had been first in line to try Faete and decided, against common sense, to invest. They peddled whatever sold, and there would be paras willing to pay for a high that lasted hours instead of minutes. No doubt the old man would create addicts among his own people, but Midas doubted Garou lost sleep over it.
Midas gave her room to warn the other alphas while he sent a text of his own.
“That’s our ride.” She pulled up an address from a conversation with Linus. “This should be fun.”
The way she squared her shoulders, ready for a fight, belied her bravado.
The address Hadley read to the driver was unfamiliar, but Midas recognized the gentrified neighborhood by its reputation. High-end brothels catering to every kink imaginable operated in this area. His pack had more than a few members who spent their weekends, and their paychecks, behind these closed doors. He figured it was their business, so long as they made it to work on time come Monday.
The hotel that drew Hadley’s eye had an artfully weathered blue door. Haint blue, if he wasn’t mistaken. He learned about the color during his time in Savannah. It was an old Gullah tradition to paint the ceilings of porches to keep away ghosts. He hadn’t realized it was practiced this far north in the state.
“Ears perked and eyes open.” Hadley started up the steps. “I don’t know what to expect.”
The door opened as she raised her fist to knock, and she cocked a hip and planted that same fist on it.
The man, who wore only black leather pants slung low on his lean hips, was aware he was beautiful in a way that mortals envied, and knew how to use his appearance to his benefit. Otherwise, he wouldn’t leave so much skin on display as a carnal enticement to invite visitors to look their fill then wonder how much it cost to touch.
Dark eyes, luminous and curious, appraised them both. The tips of his ears, which he took no pains to disguise or hide behind a curtain of midnight hair, were dagger sharp in the way of high fae.
“Hadley,” he said warmly. “What an unexpected surprise.”
“I doubt it.” She locked gazes with him. “You baited your trap.” She honed her glare. “Consider it sprung.”
“You aren’t much like your master, are you, little shadow?” He chuckled under his breath. “He loves the game.” He looked her up and down, and he took his time about it. “You’re more straightforward.”
More than one person had mentioned Hadley’s lack of tolerance for dancing around subjects. Midas appreciated that frankness about her, but it did set her apart from Linus’s leadership model.
“I don’t have time to play.” She tightened her hands into fists at her sides. “I prefer to speak plainly.”
“So eager to prove yourself,” he murmured. “So eager to matter.” A smile tugged up one corner of his mouth. “You’ll slow down, in time.”
“As much as I love cryptic remarks, I’m sure you can guess why I’m here.”
“Come in.” He stepped aside. “You too, beautiful one.”
Midas glowered at him as he crossed the threshold, and the twin scents of blood and sex filled his head.
“I won’t hurt her,” the male promised. “That costs extra.”
Based on the slender whip hung from a loop on his pants, he meant it.