Page 41 of Rites of Passage

“Anything?” Vlad said in a low voice.

“No. There aren’t any black magic users in the building.” Mae’s skin prickled. “But therearea lot of demons in this city.”

Brimstone huffed in agreement. Vlad’s face hardened, his pupils gleaming vermilion.

“There are?” Noah asked in a guarded voice.

“Yeah. Brimstone and I could tell when we were driving here.” Mae hesitated. “I don’t know if it’s a normal number for this place or whether it’s a recent development.” She grimaced. “By the way, is the entire hotel reserved for the covenstead? All the guests appear to be of a magical persuasion.”

“Yes. It’s the case for all Grand Meetings. In case of—incidents.”

Mae flashed Noah a wary look. “What kind of incidents?”

The sorcerer’s expression turned distinctly uncomfortable. “Like getting drunk. And stripping down to your underwear. Or threatening to pole dance and stuff.”

Ye-Seul sucked in air. “Oooh! That sounds like fun.” She turned to Ilya. “We should try that someday.”

Milo’s eyes bulged.

Ilya smiled regretfully. “I’m afraid my party days are well over, Mrs. Hwang.”

“Nonsense!” Ye-Seul cackled. She slapped Ilya on the back. “I bet there’s plenty of steam left in your engine.”

Ilya’s ears reddened. Milo choked on air.

“Oh God,” Yoo-Mi mumbled glassily.

“I thought you meant people fought with magic,” Mae told Noah.

Noah brightened. “Oh, there’s that too.”

Mae grimaced.

“This place issocool,” Ryu murmured as they made their way to the front desk.

Yoo-Mi and Ye-Seul were staring around, similarly bedazzled.

Even Mae had to admit to being impressed. The venue for the Annual Grand Meeting was the most expensive hotel in Philadelphia. Not only did it occupy a considerable chunk of prime real estate in the business district, but there was also enough marble and crystal in the place to sink a ship.

“You’re finally here.” Relief brightened Bryony’s voice as she emerged from the group crowding the south end of the main desk.

Abraham and Nikolai appeared behind her, along with the other New York coven delegates attending the gathering. Nikolai’s face grew chilly when he noticed the proprietary hand Vlad casually laid on Mae’s back.

Mae peeked at the incubus from under her lashes.He’s gotta be doing it on purpose.

Nikolai had chosen to travel to Philadelphia with Bryony. Mae suspected the main reason for this was that he hadn’t wanted to be trapped in the back of a car with Vlad for two hours straight. Though they put up with each other for her sake, Mae would have had to be a fool not to be conscious of the rivalry that thickened the air whenever they were around her.

Brimstone huffed condescendingly. They’re like dogs with a bone.You should put them out of their misery and just choose one of them.

No one’s choosing anyone.

Your loins say otherwise, my witch.

Hellreaver tittered.Mae managed not to roll her eyes.

“It seems there’s a problem with our rooms,” Abraham said in clipped tones.

“What problem?” Mae looked around. “Where are Violet and Miles? I thought they came with you.”

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