Declan grabbed a decanter of whiskey off the wolf’s shelf and poured himself a double. “Don’t ask.” He downed the contents in one gulp, welcoming the fire as the liquid burned its way down to his gut. “You hear any chatter on the street? Otherworlders new to the area that don’t belong? Or has my trip here been wasted?”
“A trip to Decatur Street is never wasted, O’Hara.”
“Normally I’d agree, but I’ve no time to play and even less time to find this bastard.”
“I might know something.” A lazy grin spread across Ransome’s face, and yet his eyes were dead serious as he focused on Declan.
“Might?” Declan asked.
“I’ve got a couple of conditions.”
Declan eyed his old friend closely. “And they’d be . . .”
“I don’t want a holy war running amok in my backyard. Keep your boss out of my city.”
No worries there. Bill was with Azaiel. He was one of the original Seraphim but had fallen from grace centuries ago, lured from the upper realm by a beautiful eagle shifter. Dumb fuck.
He’d created a portal that had almost ripped a hole the size of Hell into the human realm. A lot of people had suffered, given their lives in order for the portal to remain hidden. Declan’s own father, Cormac, had tried to get his slimy hands on the damn thing.
Azaiel had languished in the Hell realm for eons, but two years ago he’d been retrieved and now was on trial for his sins.
As far as Declan was concerned, the fallen was going to get what he deserved. Bill would be busy for days.
Declan nodded. “Done, and the second?”
Ransome grabbed a coat from the chair behind his desk. “I’m coming along.”
“Not possible.” Declan shook his head. “I’m working this one alone.”
Ransome ignored him and slipped supple leather over his powerful shoulders. “You forget, sorcerer, that this is my town, and nothing of significance happens without my knowledge or involvement.”
Declan’s lips thinned but he remained silent. He could use dark magick to stop him, Ransome had no idea the kind of power that lived beneath his skin, but he couldn’t deny the wolf was one hell of a tracker.
He nodded and stepped aside, following Ransome out the back door. He’d humor the wolf for the moment.
Besides, Bill would fucking hate the idea.