Page 54 of Cold Curses

“Yep.”

“I’ll add that to Petra’s list.”

It seemed to start with Dante. So we’d start there, too.

* * *

It was late, and the Gold Coast was quiet enough that we could hear Lake Michigan’s waves pounding on the beach to the east. And the buildings were darker than they’d been the last time we’dbeen here. At the mayor’s suggestion, humans had already begun to leave the city—or at least the people who could afford the cost of relocating. They’d locked up their homes, turned off the lights, and headed for higher ground.

Given what we’d just seen, I couldn’t blame them.

There was no one in the lobby of Dante’s building tonight. The security desk was empty, and we were alone in the elevator on the way up. We found nothing unusual until we reached the Buckley condo. The door was open, and old-fashioned music spilled out. Sinatra, I think, singing about his successes.

Theo and I went inside, Connor behind us. We found more furnishings along the way than we’d seen on our last visit. There were pictures on the walls now and gaudy side tables against the hallway’s walls.

There were also more demons, but apparently buzzed on booze and magic, they mostly ignored us. Once again, Dante held court on the sofa near the big window. He wore another suit tonight and was looking down at two demons prostrate on the floor in front of him.

“You’ll do what’s required,” Dante said, either unaware or unconcerned that we’d entered. “Or you’ll go back to being nothing.”

“You could go back to New York,” Theo suggested. “Save us all the trouble.”

The room went silent, and all those demon eyes looked back at us with clear malevolence. Then they began to move in, pushing Theo, Connor, and me closer together, like so much prey.

Dante looked very surprised to find us in his apartment. And not happy about it.

“Your showdown was a fucking mess,” I said.

I wanted to immediately demand Dante explain the magic that had affected Lulu. Remove it. Give me antidote. But if I startedthere, showed that card too early, I’d never get an answer. I had to pace myself.

Dante’s smile was arrogant. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Your battle with the upstart in Hyde Park.”

That eliminated the smile, which boosted my mood.

“We’re sorry to report your team was not victorious,” Theo said. “Only two survivors, so you will not be advancing to the finals.”

“Tough loss,” I said, and Theo nodded.

Magic pierced the air. Having felt the demons’ magic at the mural brawl, it was easier to distinguish Dante’s. Not in type—his magic was as corrupted as theirs. But it was stronger. Older.

“Everyone out,” Dante said, teeth grinding.

These demons knew when to obey orders, so all but a couple—probably Dante’s lieutenants— hustled out, leaving magic behind them.

When they were gone, Dante stood. “Two survivors,” he said, and looked bothered by the calculation.

I doubted he cared much about his minions as individuals. But he did probably care about the loss of troops or the effect on his burgeoning territory.

“Well, thereweretwo survivors,” I clarified. “They’re gone now. Handy trick, that thing with the ash.”

His stare was blank, and I didn’t think he was faking it. “What ash?”

“Burning up the demons before they could give away too much,” I said. “Very clever of you.”

“They burned,” he repeated, confusion furrowing his brow.

“Hooves to horns,” I said, and cocked my head. “Why did you kill your own people?”