Page 81 of That Mafioso Magic
Adrian would be gone for hours, so I had time to kill and a griezel heart to protect and a body to dispose of. I couldn’t help but smile as I thought about how much more powerful I’d become. Being able to take that griezel’s head off with one swing saved me time and energy. I probably should have led with that attack. I was going to have to rethink my entire fighting strategy now that I had more abilities at my beck and call. The hands-on approach didn’t always have to be my go-to these days. This, I liked… at lot.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Our plane landed at a private airstrip a whole fifteen minutes earlier than expected, which was good. I had the grimoire with me in my favorite bag I slung over my shoulder as we deplaned. I also had what I needed to put the demon spirit in a sort of stasis until I could get the girl and it back to Chicago and Sage. I also had some offensive and defensive items for us to be able to weaken the demon. The flight over wasn’t as calming as I would have liked. I spent that time really studying the exorcism spell and listening to Jewel and Xavier talk shit to each other over the movie playing and then somehow, finding common ground. I liked that they seemed to be bonding better, which was good since she was our bodyguard. I was too filled with anxiousness to enjoy flying in a luxury plane that was like a hotel suite in the sky for the first time in my life.
But I did take note how this was Sage’s life. Jet setting here and there, seeing the world and all its riches and beauty. Was this what he wanted to share with me? And if so, for how long? He was immortal now and even more powerful. I was human… but also powerful. The door was wide open for me, but magic like that had a high price and would it be one I’d be willing to pay? Your mind could wander into uncharted territory. Especially when you had idle time and were cruising thousands of feet in the air. When all of this was over, if we survived everything on our plate, Sage and I were going to have to have a nice long talk. For now, save the girl.
“Are you Adrian Elias?” a man wearing black jeans, boots, and a t-shirt asked me once both feet were on the ground. He was standing beside a black limo, all shiny and new looking.
“I am,” I answered as I approached with Xavier and Jewel beside me. Both of my companions were on alert, especially Jewel, who was taking her bodyguard role very seriously. She took a few steps before me, making sure I was behind her and protected.
The man gazed at my companions and lingered a bit on Jewel, and that was when he frowned and crossed his arms over his chest. “My alpha sent me to escort you to your destination. It is my understanding that you’re here for a job and then you’ll be leaving.” His gaze landed on me. “My alpha expects you to fulfill your end of the bargain before you leave. I’m going to make sure that you do.”
“A barrier spell. I will keep my word,” I said, even though I wasn’t the one who had made the deal. Sage had, but he made it simple for me and I appreciated that, because I needed access to Orlando’s metro area. Although, I probably wouldn’t have needed their permission if it was just Xavier and me, but I also felt safer having Jewel at my side.
“Good. My name is James,” he said, and opened the back door to the limo and then made a sweeping gesture for us to get inside.
Jewel held her arm out, stopping me from moving forward. “Let me check this car out first.”
James snorted. “Think we’d plan an attack against you? You insult us. My alpha is honorable.”
Jewel stepped up to him, looking up directly into his eyes. “I don’t give a fuck if you’re insulted or not. It’s my job to make sure he stays safe.”
“Like we’d blow up a perfectly good limousine for the likes of you?” he snapped.
“Well, now that you mentioned it…” Jewel cocked her head and started walking around the limo.
I let Jewel do her job and inspect the limo before she gave Xavier and I the thumbs up to climb inside. The seats were leather and comfortable as hell. I was sure Sage had the same level of luxury in his own limo. Did he have a limo? So far, I hadn’t seen him getting out of one, just those expensive sedans. James climbed in last, then tapped the window separating the back of the limo from the front and the car began moving.
“Where are we going? I haven’t given you the directions,” I asked. So far, Lacey was staying in one location. I’d been keeping track of her while on the plane and I just hoped she was still there by the time we made it.
“We have to make one stop before we hit up your location,” James said.
“Why? Where?” Jewel asked.
James’ jaw tightened as he regarded Jewel as if it was taking all of his control not to pounce and attack. You could literally cut the tension between them with a knife. Apparently, there was no love loss where Jewel was concerned. She gave as mean a glare as she was getting, and I had no doubts she would be able to go toe-to-toe with this wolf.
“I asked you a question, wolf,” Jewel growled.
“I heard you, pussy cat.”
“Just answer the fucking question,” Xavier snapped. “Where are you taking us? I don’t like surprises.”
James’ blue-eyed glare was terrifying, but he blinked and when he opened his eyes again, the malice had calmed down. It was as if a switch had been flipped, which could be a good sign or bad. I didn’t know anything about the wolf to know if he was more dangerous when he was calmer. In any case, I was on guard.
“Well, this would have been easier if you didn’t need access into Mr. Alonzo’s territory. The vampire Archduke insisted one of his own join us. So, once we cross into his territory, that contact is who we have to pick up. Then you can give your directions,” James said.
Oh, this was getting better and better. As if there wasn’t already enough animosity in the back of this limo. Now, we were going to add a vampire or if we were lucky, a human familiar to the mix. “Let’s just be quick about it. I don’t want Lacey to get away.”
“Are you tracking her every move?” Xavier asked.
“For now, but if she decides to block me, then we’ll have trouble,” I said. I pulled out the map, which I had folded into a smaller portion, focusing the stone on the same spot she’d been staying.
“Will she know you’re tracking her?” Jewel asked.
I shrugged. “I’m not sure. So far, it doesn’t seem so. But the demon may just get paranoid as they tend to do and come up with a spell as a precaution. We don’t need that.”
“Ugh, all this magic business leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I hate mages,” James stated as he looked at me.
