“Everything is fine,” I said.
A slight frown tightened Quinn’s lips, but he said nothing as he gazed at the fire-darkened exterior of Black Church. The structure looked ominous against the bright blue sky.
I spotted a man wearing a kilt striding toward the front doors. “He’s here,” I murmured, but loudly enough for Grey to hear. “Meet you soon.”
Quinn paid for our coffees, and I stood, grabbing the bag full of potion bombs that Eve had given me. We left holding hands for good measure. I assumed no one gave a damn about Quinn or me, but you never knew who might be watching.
We strolled along the edge of the square, and I gazed into shop windows as if interested in the wares. Slowly, we made our way closer to Black Church and ducked into a narrow side street. I tried to make it look like I was pulling Quinn in to make out with him, but I had no idea if the effect worked.
From the scowl on Grey’s face, it was at least somewhat effective. The vampire stood in the shadows of a small intersecting alley, still as a statue and dressed in simple black tactical wear that would make running and fighting easy.
Quinn removed three small vials from his pocket and handed them around. “Drink these. Eve made them. They’ll make it so that it’s difficult for anyone who sees us to remember our faces. But it only works for short encounters, so if you have a conversation, it won’t work.”
“Thanks.” I swigged it back, appreciatively. It would be a big help with any admin staff or guards that we came across in the halls.
“Come,” Grey said. “My contact is waiting.”
Though we’d broken into Black Church through the dwarves’ underground tunnels last time, we didn’t have that option now. The Council had blocked off that secret entrance into their dungeons.
We followed Grey down the side streets, working our way to the back of Black Church. He’d said he had a contact in the kitchens, and they were going to let us in the back.
A young man stood outside, smoking a cigarette as he leaned against the brick wall. His apron was scattered with flour, and his face was sullen.
“This guy?” I asked skeptically.
“He wants out,” Grey said.
“Out?”
“Out of Guild City. After he does this for us, he’s going to make himself scarce for a while.”
“The perfect candidate, then.” It made sense. If the Council found out that he’d sneaked us in, he’d end up in jail.
The back street was empty, so we hurried toward the kid. He gave the Devil a look, then turned and pressed his hand to the door. Magic sparked around his palm, and he pulled it open, the cigarette hanging from his mouth as he held out his free hand to Grey.
As Grey strode through the door, he passed the kid a thick envelope—cash, no doubt—and our accomplice grinned.
I nodded at him and walked through, Quinn bringing up the rear. The door shut quietly behind us, and I could imagine the kitchen boy already hightailing it for one of the gates at the edge of town. I hoped he had a damned good time wherever he ran off to.
The hallway in which we stood was quiet and dark.
“The kitchens are near here,” Grey murmured. “They keep a staff since so many Council members spend all day in their offices.”
I shifted the bag over my shoulder, reaching inside for a stunner. The smooth glass ball fit perfectly in my hand as I gripped it loosely.
Grey met my eyes and raised an eyebrow.
I grinned. “Just in case.”
“You know the way to Ubhan’s office?” Quinn asked.
“Yes,” Grey said. “We’ll drop you at the main meeting room on the way.”
“Perfect.” Quinn nodded. He was going to deploy an alarm on the doors that would alert us when the meeting was out.
As we slipped silently through the halls, the thrill of the chase raced through my veins.
We were going to get him.