The elevator’s control panel let out a shower of sparks and went dark. When a wizard is actually trying to blow out tech, not much is safe. Just being in proximity to a wizard actively using magic is enough to blow out a lot of electronics. Mortal wizards and technology don’t blend. I waited until the elevator doors closed behind them, flicked a finger, and muttered, “Hexus,” unleashing a minor effort of will as I did. I’d seen statues that indicated their desires more strongly. You guys filled out some kind of paperwork for how you want your remains disposed of, right?”Īt that, the Sidhe blinked. “Okay.”Īnd without ever quite turning my back on the Denarians, I followed Mab back to the elevator.Īt the bottom of the elevator ride, I turned to Mab’s bodyguards and said, “Time for you guys to get out and bring the car around.” When none of them moved, I said, “Okay. Deirdre’s hair rasped and rustled, slithering against itself like long, curling strips of sheet metal.īut this was not the time or place to make that stand. I stared hard at Nicodemus and his bloody-mouthed daughter for a moment. “Done, then,” Mab said, and plucked the card from my fingers. Nicodemus considered that for a moment before nodding his head. Shall we agree to an explicit truce until such time as your mission is complete?” “And I can make none as to yours, Sir Archleone, should you betray an arrangement made in good faith. I can make no promises as to the safety of either your Knight or his. “I do not have explicit authority over everyone involved. Then he inhaled deeply and inclined his head very slightly in agreement. I believe this request exhibits symmetry.” “As I remember it,” she said, her tone arctic, “when you loaned me your service, you brought your spawn with you. Mab turned her head very slowly to Nicodemus. “Plans have already been made and there is no room for extraneous personnel.” “Out of the question, I fear,” Nicodemus said. I want another set of eyes along to make sure one of them doesn’t shoot me in the back the second I’m not looking-you’re loaning out the Winter Knight, after all. “And if he’s picking a crew, they’re going to be just as bad.

“Because Nicodemus is a murderous murdering murderer,” I said.

I met Mab’s implacable gaze and said, “It is necessary to set one condition.” One thing I’d learned in long years of spine-to-brick circumstance was that anything you could do to create a little space, time, or support was worth doing.

My back might have been against a wall, but that was hardly anything new.

Skin game by jim butcher