“Sounds like you two already had that conversation.”
“What’s he want, then?”
“I believe he wants to discuss an alliance.” Smiling pleasantly, I turned to look at Ned, who was watching me with a raised brow.
“Now I’m confused. What are you all playing at?”
“Agree to a meeting and find out.”
The rumble over the line might have been distant static, or his growl. I hoped I dangled enough bait in front of him. He had to be curious.
Finally he said, “All right, but we meet on my turf. Hyde Park in an hour. My people have used the park for emergencies before—we can disable enough of the CCTV cameras to create a protective blackout.”
“I think that sounds entirely reasonable.”
“And just him. He can bring flunkies to stand watch, but when it comes to talking it’s just the two of us. I don’t want any of those other Masters there.”
“As long as the same applies to you, I expect. A few flunkies, and that’s it.”
“He’ll never agree to terms I set. Just watch.”
“We’ll see you there, Caleb.” I clicked off before he could harangue me further. “There. Meeting set.” I relayed the details.
Ned pursed his lips like he’d tasted something sour. “I was hoping we could meet someplace a little more … sheltered. Like here, for example.”
He’d overheard the whole thing. Just meant less for me to explain. “I think he has every right to avoid that. You’re not worried, are you?”
“Don’t worry Ned,” Antony said, smiling. “We’ll be there to back you up.”
“Ah, no you won’t,” I said. “Caleb said just Ned. You all have to hang out somewhere else.”
“Isn’t that a bit unreasonable?” Ned said.
“Not to mention presumptuous,” Antony said. “We agreed to the meeting with certain assumptions in mind. Who are you to undermine that?”
“A werewolf?”
“Exactly! The nerve—”
“Get used to it,” I said. “If this is going to work, you have to treat Caleb and me as equals. If you can’t do that—why are we even here?”
Antony slouched back in his chair, glowering.
“There there,” Ned reassured him. “Humility is a lesson we all have to learn.”
“Remind me again—why are we listening to her?”
“Because she’s faced Dux Bellorum and lived to tell about it. Pay attention, Antony.”
They planned among themselves, which of Ned’s followers should tag along as bodyguards, and how close Marid and Antony could get without violating Caleb’s terms.
“I assume you and I are going to this?” Ben said, leaning in close and whispering. We couldn’t guarantee that the vampires didn’t hear us, but we could make the attempt at privacy.
“I’m the mediator, right?” I whispered. “You know, this makes me seem a whole lot more badass than I actually feel.”
“Just keep playing badass and you’ll do fine.”
“Thanks, dear.”