Page 77 of That Mafioso Magic
“Where are you going? We have to wait to hear back from Sage,” I said.
“Sage said for us to start heading toward the airport. We need to arrange for the flight, because that’s going to take us there. If I can go with you, then we can all board at once. So, I’m going to get the plane ready, you gather what you need,” Jewel said. She rose and left to take care of business.
“That doesn’t make me feel good. Not too keen on taking on a demon with just you and me. We’ve never done it before,” Xavier said.
“Hopefully, we won’t die. In the meantime, let me pack some magical weapons.” I began gathering the things I’d need to incapacitate a powerful demon and the map with the stone to keep track of Lacey’s whereabouts until we could trap her. I just hoped Sage could work his own brand of negotiation magic before she could get farther away.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Idialed Callum Marston first, werewolf alpha of Orlando. An ornery bastard to say the least, but fair. I didn’t have the contact info of every supernal leader in the world… just places I’d done business in one way or another. I’d sent human convoys to Florida, Orlando, and Miami in particular on business trips. Some legal, some not. Humans could travel all over with very little issues. Most of the time, that was how business was conducted by supernals as to not step on each other’s toes or encroach on territories.
After about six rings, Callum finally answered his phone. “Sage Tamir… what do you want?”
I rolled my eyes at the rude greeting. The last time I had needed his permission was to finalize a deal on a casino/nightclub down there. I sent a human there to manage it and of course, Callum wanted his portion of the proceeds at ten percent of the take. Which was fair, as I was charging him the same for the restaurant he was running in my territory.
“I need a favor. Some friends of mine are flying in to your city. They need to be able to pass through in order to get into Corteo’s territory.”
“Friends of yours? Passing through?” Callum said. “Who are these friends and how many?”
“My lover, his partner, and one of my pride members.”
“The fuck? You want me to let one of your pride members into my territory?”
“That’s where the airport is.”
“Cute. Fuck off.”
“They will only be landing and driving through. We don’t have any business in your territory.”
“There won’t be.”
“Callum, so far, we have a working relationship. I’m only asking for this small favor,” I said.
“Are you threatening me?”
“Just reminding you that things don’t have to get ugly for no good reason.”
He laughed under his breath. “You’re what? Less than two centuries old? My pack is four times the size of your pride. I don’t think I’m the one who needs reminding.”
“Yeah, and if you thought you could take me, you would have already tried.”
“You’ve got magic, we know that. But that doesn’t mean I’m not confident that I’d win,” he said.
“Are you issuing a challenge?” I asked, daring him, because if he was, then I would show up with my pride.
There was a moment of silence, then I heard him speak.
“Like you said, we have a working relationship. No need to bloody the water. But if your friends stay longer than an hour in my territory, I will consider the act a challenge and I will respond accordingly.”
“They just need to land and drive through. Tops, an hour and a half depending on traffic,” I said.
“Fine. They will be escorted by my envoy,” Callum said.
“Whatever makes you feel better.”
“Why are you coming anyway? I mean your friends?”
“He’s trying to save a little girl’s life. She’s been possessed by an evil spirit. If he can get to her, send the spirit back to hell, he has a chance to save her,” I said.
