I pushed any reservations down and focused on my hosts.
“The bookie said you wanted to talk?” I was still cold from that fight and while I wasn’t worried about being at the same table as a pair of vampires, I wasn’t the most comfortable being here. As far as morals went, vampires were near the bottom of the list. They were better than your average cyclops because at least they only want to suck your blood and not eat you, but I’d been part of plenty of raids against rogue vampire bleeding houses. There were laws about how vampires could take blood in most nations, which the more public vampire socialites adhered to. But there were plenty of other vampires that felt like the rules were too oppressive and they did whatever they wanted.
“Event Organizer.” Ford corrected me. “Master Highlow is exceptional at finding the most interesting entertainment.” He waited until Hera had sat down before taking his seat.
I slid into one of the chairs across from the two. “Not to be impolite, but I’m a little tired after my match and I’d like to get back to my associate.”
“Of course!” Ford flashed me another toothy grin. “Rumor has it that your little band is going to be heading to New Kazadt.”
I tried to hide the surprise on my face, but the grin that spread across Hera’s blue face told me that I’d failed. Considering that it had only been a few hours since Alessa had told us to head to the Camadt island to look for Master Krav, I found it very suspicious that he already knew that was my future destination.
“I’m on a diplomatic mission to the Dwarves.” I pinched the outer corners of my eyes, then wiped my hand over my face. “Why would I be going to the Camadt?”
“Things aren’t going very well for your little kingdom.” Ford clicked his tongue. “You need allies and you need them fast. There’s a Mebope outpost in the Black Sea, but anyone can be sent to fetch them. No, your strongest ally in the area is Master Grim, but he’s gone missing in Kazadt after that Kharm of his vanished.” The vampire casually gestured in the air, like his hand was riding an air current. “There’s only one person that could legally get on the main island and that person is currently running around below this mountain flirting with a Silver.”
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“You’re well informed.” I touched my pocket where the coin his mother gave me was. “But wouldn’t it make more sense for us to go to the Tower and have them send an army of mages over?”
“Ha!” Hera put her hand over her mouth to hide the embarrassment on her face.
“What my dear bondmate meant.” Ford acted like her outburst was nothing out of the ordinary. “Is that there are only students there, along with a few teachers. Master Ammabus is nearly half a world away and while ambassador Shellock has enough sway to get the master mage to stop in once a month to teach her daughter a few magic lessons, he’s a very busy man with an attention span that a goldfish would be envious of.” He chuckled at his joke. “Hardly a reliable ally when the rockslide comes for you.”
“So it’s obvious what our next move is.” I sighed. He was better informed about the political alliances of my kingdom than I was. “Why do you want to talk to me?’
“Well, you were so amicable when my mother asked you for a favor…” He licked his lips as his eyes swept over me.
“I’m not giving you any blood.” I crossed my arms. “Sorry, but I need what I’ve got after that fight.”
“A pity.” Ford shrugged. “But that was a frivolous request anyway. The real reason that I wanted to speak with you is…” He looked at his wife. “Darling?”
The runed Djinn reached into her red skirt and pulled a piece of paper out of somewhere. There was no way that skirt had enough fabric to also contain a pocket. She must have some type of dimensional pocket attached to it.
Hera unfolded the piece of paper and pushed it across the table towards me. I touched the corner of the warm notice and turned it so I could read it.
What was written on it was way more outlandish than I’d expected.