Shades of Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #16) - Alexandra Ivy Page 0,31
search of entertainment. Basq remained in the shadows of an alleyway as he watched the ebb and flow of traffic. There was one male imp who leaned against the pole of a streetlamp, his expression bored.
A gopher.
It was a name used by creatures who were willing to barter and sell anything in the bulla.
Like human pawn dealers, only with fewer morals and the ability to use magic.
Just what Basq needed.
Stepping out of the shadows, Basq crossed to stand directly in front of the fey creature.
He was tall and slender, with reddish gold hair that hung in a long braid down his back and a thin face with bright green eyes. He was wearing a long gray robe that could no doubt change colors to allow him to blend into any background. Like a chameleon.
At Basq’s approach the imp straightened, his nose twitching as he sensed a customer.
“Master Vampire.” The creature offered a deep bow. “How may I serve you today?”
Basq got right to the point. The sooner he finished his business, the sooner he could return to Chaaya.
“First I need blood.”
“But of course.” The male lifted a slender hand as if about to wave toward a hidden covey of females. “Imp? Fairy? Something more exotic?”
Basq released a trickle of his power. Just enough to make the white in his eyes shimmer and the air thicken with warning.
“I want it in a bottle, and I have the ability to detect if it’s been diluted or tainted in any way.” An imp possessed the power to enchant objects including blood so that the buyer became addicted. They would be forced to return to this particular seller over and over to get their magical fix. “The price of trying to cheat me is a slow, painful death.”
The green eyes widened with faux outrage. “Why, master. You wound me.”
“Not yet.” Basq tapped his elongated fang with the tip of his tongue. “But it’s a distinct possibility if you try to screw with me. Got it?”
The male’s amiable charm faded. It was replaced by a shrewd, ruthless entrepreneur.
“Fine, but it’s going to cost you.”
“I’m not done.”
“What else?”
“Human food.” Basq rummaged through his memories of watching Chaaya consume her meals with unabashed gusto. He didn’t know if she needed it for substance, but she loved to eat. “Preferably a chicken pot pie,” he finally said, recalling she was always stealing them from the kitchen despite the fuming protest from the chef. “And a dessert,” he added, well aware she had a sweet tooth. His eyes narrowed. “As a reminder, I will know if it’s tainted.”
The imp arched his brows, surveying Basq from head to toe as if trying to determine his worth.
“You ask a great deal.”
“I’m not done,” Basq told him.
“What else?”
“I’m looking for a Were.”
The imp looked confused. “There’s no Weres in this place. Not at the moment.”
“She just arrived along with a tiny gargoyle.”
The male’s eyes lit up at the mention of Levet. Obviously he’d heard rumors about the aggravating creature. Then, mentally sifting through the various ways he could make the most money off the information, he offered Basq a cagey smile.
“Really?” he drawled. “It sounds like a peculiar pair.”
Basq grimaced. “You have no idea.”
“Why are you searching for them?” The creature kept his tone offhand, as if he was only mildly interested in the answer. “Is there a bounty on their heads?”
Basq had his answer ready. He knew that as soon as he revealed his interest in the two, there would be a stampede to find them. There were always demons eager to make easy money. Which might not be a bad thing if it didn’t spook Brigette into fleeing. He had to make sure that no one was willing to go near the Were and gargoyle until he had a chance to get his hands on them.
“The Were is carrying the plague,” he stated in grim tones.
As expected, the imp pulled back in horror. Even demons could die during an outbreak.
“Plague?”
Basq nodded. “An extremely virulent strain that has wiped out more than one bulla. I’m trying to contain her before she can spread the disease any further. I could use some help if you’re interested.”
“Certainly not.” The imp shivered from head to toe. “You should warn the chieftain.”
Basq leaned closer, as if sharing a secret. “I prefer not to cause a panic. If I can locate her quickly, I have the ability to wrap her in a stasis and remove her without a fuss.”