I took a deep breath before continuing. I’d been constantly in motion since all this happened, so there’d been no time to think or worry. But now, explaining it, the gravity of the situation was hitting home.

That mage had wielded a power I couldn’t easily counteract, and he hadn’t even been possessed. That meant that the demon who’d imparted its power was definitely mighty, and quite possibly something I couldn’t handle.

What had I gotten myself into?

“Anyway.” I put both palms on the bar and leaned toward the guy, because he was something I could handle. “The vampire’s claws work on that demon-inspired power, which means he needs to stick around. If you have a problem with that, get Roger on the phone. I’ll deal with your alpha, not you. Otherwise, serve me up that whiskey, because I need to talk to my friends.”

The bartender’s face crumpled into an expression of wariness. He leaned away from me, and as he did so, his eyes flicked to the right. Without another word, he turned and went after the whiskey.

“Does your magic work on those demons because you’re a vampire, or because you are an elder?” I asked Darius quietly.

“An elder of my age and experience can handle most demons, all the way up to the higher echelons of power. Vlad has tested this theory with a few level-five demons, but from what I gather, he hasn’t been able to get at Lucifer’s right-hand demons. I would wager that the most powerful demons and angels are beyond our capabilities.”

“He is trying to work out a deal with demons, but he’s testing his abilities to kill them?”

“The demons have power games, like humans. Like vampires. In order to get things done, Vlad is willing to do whatever it takes. He had to kill a few naysayers to prove his worthiness, and kill a few more who stood to oppose the plan. He is one of the most ruthless vampires living.”

“Well, not really living, as it were…”

“You have used that joke before.”

“It’s funny every time.”

“Hardly.”

“And that is why you didn’t want me to kill that demon at the mage battle?” I asked. “You didn’t want to step on Vlad’s toes.”

“Correct. I am not at Vlad’s level. Not yet. My power is nearly equal, as are my strength and prowess, but I don’t have as many fail safes in place. I can’t let him know that I possibly upset his plans by allowing a demon to be killed. He would take that as a personal slight, and pay me one in kind.”

The bartender placed two glasses of whiskey in front of us, his gaze downcast. “I don’t know what kind of magic you’re wielding, but try to fit in. I don’t need no trouble in my bar.” He must’ve caught my unique scent. Thankfully, he wasn’t as curious as Roger’s people.

“Don’t worry.” I hooked a thumb Darius’s way. “He’ll pay for the damages.”

Darius’s lips thinned.

“Whatever. Look, I know a couple of the mages who like to call demons,” the bartender said, sticking out his hand for money and leaning against the bar. He looked away from us, as though the very sight of us offended him.

I nudged Darius. “Thanks for the drink.” He reached into his back pocket.

“They drink in here,” the bartender continued. “Usually after they do the summoning. They are always pleased with themselves. They brag about it.”

“They flout the magical law by summoning a demon, and yet the shifters do nothing?” Darius said. “Do you choose which laws you uphold based on your prejudices?”

“That is also a valid point, but now’s not the time.” I nudged Darius again, this time to quiet him.

The bartender’s face came back around, anger plain in his features. “You don’t know shit about this town. If we make a move on a mage here, it’s as good as declaring war with the Mages’ Guild. They police themselves. I’ve let them know a few times that their mages are calling demons, and I’ve let Roger know, too. Nothing happened. You do the math.”

“I have done the math,” Darius said in a dangerous tone. My small hairs stood on end. “The woman standing next to me has as much courage in her pinky as Roger’s entire force of shifters. She will take on the mages, the demon, and the Mages’ Guild, if need be, in order to save your town. Helping her are two other mages, a human detective, and a vampire. Not helping her…” Darius swept his hand toward the bartender, his bar, and then made a wider, more inclusive gesture. It was clear he meant the entire town. “For a species who boasts fearlessness, you sure quiet down fast enough.”

Darius took his drink off the bar, staring the bartender down, and sipped slowly. “This whiskey is subpar.”

The bartender motioned at me. “She picked it.”

“Okay, then. Good talk.” I pulled Darius’s arm. “Time’s a-wastin’.”

“Hey.” The bartender raised his hand for me. He went to the till, showing the bar his big back. A moment later, he turned back with a few folded bills in his hand. “I may not want you here, but I ain’t no crook. And don’t bother tipping. I won’t spend your filthy money.”

It was Darius’s turn to nudge me this time, even though it wasn’t my change. I didn’t argue.

I took the few steps closer to the bar. Darius continued on toward Callie and Dizzy’s table, taking both drinks with him.

“No tip,” the bartender said again, louder. Then he lowered his voice. His eyes were soft and sincere, almost imploring, as he shoved the bills into my hand. I could tell this was more than a mere monetary exchange. “That’s about all I can do. Good luck. I mean that. I got kids here, a business. I can’t afford to be a vigilante. But if you organize something against the guild, Roger will want to know about it. We don’t have the guns against that organization, but he won’t balk about lending a hand to those who do.”

I crumpled the money in my fist and shook my head, playing it up for whatever spectators he was worried about. “Leaving you no tip makes absolutely no sense, you realize.” I slipped the money into my pouch. His nod was slight as he leaned away. “You’ll take the wage after his filthy money is laundered through your business, but you won’t take it directly? That’s just stupid.”

His brow furrowed. “Do you know what laundering means?”

I rolled my eyes. I had thought so…

“Whatever. Suit yourself.” I patted my pouch. “Also, if I don’t die, I’d really appreciate you putting in the good word to Roger. Shifters follow me around about as much as that vampire does, and I’d rather neither of them did. It doesn’t do much for my appearance of neutrality, you know? So, anyway, I’d love it if he heard something good about me for once. You know, like I helped out your town.” I smiled at him hopefully and waggled my eyebrows. “But if you do talk to him, don’t mention the vampire.”

A grin slid up his face. “You’re cracked.”

“I know. But think about it, would you?”

“Get outta here.” The bartender flung up his hand and turned away to serve someone waiting down the bar.

A moment later, I was in the ladies’ room pulling out the money. The white of a bar napkin was nestled between the green bills. On it a lazy hand had scrawled two names. Nothing else, just the names.

“That’ll do, pig,” I muttered. Google would help me put faces to the names, no problem. But this time, I needed the dual mages on board. I knew what I was up against, and I knew I needed more power.

Chapter Twenty-One

I exited the bathroom, planning to finish both whiskeys. Darius needed blood later, fine, but I didn’t need to be sober to give it. Actually, I didn’t want to be sober when giving it. I really didn’t want any part of the whole thing.

Stupid promises and watchful shifters.

The men at the pool table were no longer hunched over when I walked out of the hall leading to the restrooms. Both were standing up straight, looking in the vague direction of Callie and Dizzy’s table. I didn’t think much of it until I had to push my way past a group of people, all of them staring in that same direction. In a moment, I knew why.