Guilty Pleasures   ::   Гамильтон Лорел

“I want you to lead myself and at least one man into the tunnels beneath the Circus of the Damned.”

His frown deepened, forming faint wrinkles between his eyes. “Why should I do this for you?”

“Do you want your people free of the master's influence?”

He nodded. Still frowning.

I was really winning him over. “Guide us in through the dungeon entrance, and I'll take care of it”

He clasped his hands together on the table. “How can I trust you?”

“I am not a bounty hunter. I have never harmed a lycanthrope.”

“We cannot fight beside you if you go against her. Even I cannot fight her. She calls to me. I don't answer, but I feel it. I can keep the small rats and my people from helping her against you, but that is all.”

“Just get us inside. We'll do the rest.”

“Are you so confident?”

“I'm willing to bet my life on it,” I said.

He steepled his fingers against his lips, elbows on the table. 3 The burn scar in his forearm was still there even in human form, a rough, four-pointed crown. “I'll get you inside,” he said.

I smiled. “Thank you.”

He stared at me. “When you come back out alive, then you can thank me.”

“It's a deal.” I held my hand out. After a moment's hesitation, he took it. We shook on it.

“You wish to wait a few days?” he asked.

“No,” I said. “I want to go in tomorrow.”

He cocked his head to one side. “Are you sure?”

“Why? Is that a problem?”

“You are hurt. I thought you might wish to heal.”

I was a little bruised, and my throat hurt, but … “How did you know?”

“You smell like death has brushed you close tonight”

I stared at him. Irving never does this to me, the supernatural powers bit. I'm not saying he can't, but he works hard at being human. This man did not.

I took a deep breath. “That is my business.”

He nodded. “We will call you and give you the place and time.”

I stood up. He remained sitting. There didn't seem to be anything else to say, so I left.

About ten minutes later Edward got into the car with me. “What now?” he asked.

“You mentioned your hotel room. I'm going to sleep while I can.”

“And tomorrow?”

“You take me out and show me how the shotgun works.”

“Then?” he asked.

“Then we go after Nikolaos,” I said.

He gave a shaky breath, almost a laugh. “Oh, boy.”

Oh, boy? “Glad to see someone is enjoying all this.”

He grinned at me.