Page 74 of Gray

“That’s Al’s way of agreeing with you.” Gray stretched out his legs and wiggled his feet. “Pride won’t let him admit it, so he has to be all aloof about it.”

Alastair ignored him. “Putting myself in your shoes, I would’ve been wary too. However, it’s my hope that we can put these differences aside and focus on what truly matters: the war with Asa.”

“I understand,” I said. “But I have to say, the other hunters might share my concern when they find out you’re allying with vampires and shifters.”

“I’m well aware. Which is why I want you to tell them.”

That… was unexpected. “You want me to tell them. About Konnar.”

His precious Konnar.

Alastair’s gaze didn’t waver. “Yes. Thor seems to be a very reasonable man judging by the few conversations we’ve had. We’ll tell him and let him decide what he’d like to do from here.”

Thor. I couldn’t bring myself to call him by his real name. He never called me by mine either. It was a thing we didn’t do. Too weird.

“He’s been a hunter a long time and has earned their respect,” I said, nodding. “If we can get his approval, a lot of the hunters will fall in line.”

“Precisely. If he decides to end our arrangement, so be it. But it’s best to take care of it now.” Alastair handed me a phone.Myphone. “Call him.”

“You seriously stole my phone?” I grabbed it from him.

“After the way you behaved, I thought it best if I held on to it to keep you from making any foolish mistakes. You’re lucky I allow you to have it to begin with. When Simon first came here, he didn’t have the luxury.”

Gray snorted a laugh. “You’re such a butthole, Al.”

“A butthole who’s being awfully reasonable right now given the circumstances.” But Alastair’s lips twitched. Gray had been right. Alastair definitely let him get away with things most other people wouldn’t have been able to. “Call Thor so we can finish this quickly. I have other matters to attend to.”

“Like what?” Gray asked.

“I have a video call scheduled with Baxter soon.”

“Baxter is the leader of the Nephilim in Athens, right?” I remembered Alastair briefly telling me about him the morning we first spoke of the alliance. Another group was in the Caribbean led by a Nephilim warrior named Sirena.

“Yes. He and his army have been fighting monsters in Greece, and he phones a few days a week to give me updates.”

“I think you just like hearing yourself talk, Al.” Gray stuck his tongue between his teeth, looking like a mischievous little imp.

Alastair sipped more of his tea.

I dialed Storm’s number.

“Hey, Hawk,” he answered on the fourth ring. “You better have a damn good reason for wakin’ me up this goddamn early on a Saturday.”

“I do.” I looked at Alastair. His indifferent expression gave nothing away, but I knew he was analyzing every word. “I wanted to fill you in on something. The Nephilim took me to meet a friend of theirs last night.”

“A hot friend?” Storm asked. “Guy or girl? Not that it matters. I’d bang either.”

I suppressed a sigh but barely. “A vampire.”

“Ah, fuck. What happened? Did you get your ass bit?”

Alastair took the phone from me. “Thor?” A pause. “Yes, it’s Alastair. It’s come to my attention that you and the other hunters might have some reservations about our allies. As you know, the outcome of this war will affect everyone, humans and non-humans alike.”

As Storm responded, Alastair put him on speakerphone.

“Yeah, I get that,” Storm said. “You tryin’ to tell me this vampire friend Hawk mentioned is an ally?”

“Yes.”