Mob Sorcery 5 - Ch8v2

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“Hey! Are you saying I’m worth less than this chump?” Ashley pointed at Vince while baring her teeth at Quintus.

“I made no such comparison,” Quintus said, turning his head ever so slightly to bring the full weight of his gaze to bear on his subordinate. “But when one wishes to battle a kyuubi—or whatever Mei Suwa has turned herself into—the power required is immense. Immense enough that those possessing it are running scared as we speak. When one is immortal, a foe that threatens oblivion is little different to the Grim Reaper.”

“Fucking lovely. So you want me to fight death itself.” Ashley scowled and her tail lashed the walls of the elevator. Then she looked at Vince with a clouded expression. “The fuck are you going up against a monster like that?”

“Somebody needs to kill her,” Vince said. “And I’d rather it not be Houou.”

Booming laughter burst from Ashley as she threw her head back. Her eyes blazed with fire. “Amazing. I’ve always wondered what made you so interesting to the others. But I guess you wouldn’t have that dragon of yours if you lacked the spirit for it.”

Vince shifted uncomfortably. He never thought of himself as reckless or a battle junkie—both ways he would describe Ashley—so her praise made him wonder if he was making a mistake by going after Mei.

Then he remembered everything he’d gone through recently, including the events of the other night. Months of deception, leading up to betrayal. Duilio died, alongside other Lionetti enforcers, and Vince nearly joined them.

All for the mad schemes of a crazed mystic fox.

The elevator came to a stop and let out a ding.

Even as the doors opened, Vince had something to say. “I saw the true Mei that night. Heard her schemes. If the great powers of Aulfair are too scared to stop her, then I will.” He paused. “With help.”

Quintus nodded. “One does not gain power without taking risk and seizing opportunities as they arise. When those who can, don’t, it opens up the path for others. A story as old as time, written in the collapse of empires, companies, and political careers.”

Despite stopping, Quintus did not step out of the elevator. Vince frowned.

After a few seconds, Ashley grumbled beneath her breath and slipped outside. The elevator had stopped on the first floor. Presumably, she was heading to collect Nina.

Once she was gone, Quintus stared at Vince.

“Want your ring back?” Vince asked.

He could have asked how Quintus knew, but didn’t care to waste his breath or their time. A demon this old would have turned to ash long ago if he didn’t stay on top of things.

“Keep it. For now,” Quintus said. “The longer your current actions remain invisible to others, the greater the payoff for lending you that ring to begin with. Just don’t lose it. It has sentimental value.”

“Sentimental?” Vince repeated in a dubious tone. “What, did the volcanic eruption that created the ring destroy a rival of yours?”

The demon cracked a smile and leaned on his cane. For a brief moment, his gaze turned wistful. He almost looked as old as he must be.

“It wasn’t mine back then, but it probably did,” Quintus said. “My mentor gave it to me during the fall of the Roman Republic. She’d crossed La Lupa by backing Sulla, and her death was inevitable. Giving me the ring undoubtably killed her, but it was the only reason I survived the aftermath—particularly after the foolhardy assassination of Caesar.”

“I didn’t think demons held the capacity to help others at their own expense,” Vince said.

He regretted his words immediately and winced. But Quintus merely sighed.

“A common sentiment. Accurate for most. But Immanuel exists for those demons who step beyond the shackles of our myopic nature. The very fact my mentor gave me this ring proved we can ascend above our base selves. She was more than a demon, and capable of the agency and impact on the world those such as I can only dream of.”

The self-deprecating note in Quintus’s voice surprised Vince. He held back his snippy response about “ascending” as a demon.

“You’re referring to what Immanuel is supposed to be,” Vince said quietly. “The reason why it’s named after some old philosopher.”

“Sharp.” Quintus inclined his head. “But you always have been, despite your lack of attention to your education. Immanuel isn’t a prison for demons who left Europe, and that ring stands as a reminder of why I helped form it.”

Vince stared at the ancient demon.

Helped form it? Quintus was a founder of Immanuel?

He opened his mouth to ask a question, but the demon began speaking before he could.

Unfortunately, it was to change the subject. “I imagine you have many questions about how and what I know of your recent adventures. I won’t reveal my secrets, but suffice it to say that yours are safer than I’d prefer.”

“How much do you know?” Vince asked, swallowing his other questions with great reluctance. “About Mei and that night.”

Straightening, Quintus smirked. “Enough. Mei Suwa left enough hints as to her true target in all this, and Houou’s stockpiling of catalysts supported my conjecture. As for your… new friend, I’ll merely say that telling me of her was the price Bastet paid to meet with you.”

“Huh. So for all her posturing, she didn’t pull rank?”

“She could have, but it would have been a mistake. I gambled that either your loyalty to the Lionettis would overcome any particularly large offers, or that she’d reveal her true opinion of you and make an unimpressive attempt to recruit you.”

Footsteps echoed outside the elevator, indicating Ashley was returning with Nina. Vince glanced outside then back at Quintus, who shrugged.

“I’m assuming that offer wasn’t one you were scared of,” Vince said drily.

“Hardly. You refused the equivalent when I held your leash.” The demon smiled. “Alessia Lionetti snatched you away by offering you the equivalent of millions, going by your current rate. What you received from Bastet was something you could take back to your current master and ask for a raise.”

Vince scowled at the talk of him being under either Quintus’s or Alessia’s control.

While Alessia had referred to him as an asset, the difference between her and Quintus was plain as day. The demon spoke in such terms casually and intentionally, demeaning Vince’s independence even as he talked up his own goals in life. Alessia had merely been using the language of business.

“So, I assume I should cancel the case of Dom Perignon I ordered?” Nina asked as she stepped inside the elevator ahead of Ashley.

A blotch of dried blood marred the back of her glove, and Vince coughed as he pointed it out. Ashley bared her teeth at the other enforcer as she entered. While she looked unharmed, Vince suspected the two women had briefly come to blows.

“With your recent pay, I would think you could afford the case with ease,” Quintus said. “A case of early 2000s vintage wouldn’t cost more than a few thousand dollars.”

Nina rolled her eyes and leaned against the back of the elevator. “Sure. If negotiations fell through, are you making your own offer? Pushing a job? Making threats?”

Ignoring her, Quintus waved his hand over a small scanner inside the elevator. A magic pulse echoed throughout the enclosed space before the doors slid shut and the motor whirred. They began to rise. Or move in whatever direction they did with these magical elevators.

“Allow us to speak at length in my office,” Quintus said.

Quintus’s office turned out to be less grandiose than Bastet’s. Vince doubted it was because of his “lesser” position.

If Vince hadn’t seen Bastet’s office, he wouldn’t even know about the pocket dimensions. Quintus’s office looked like every oversized CEO office he’d seen in movies and TV shows. Modern and sleek, with curved glass windows that allowed Quintus to look over the harbor and northern Aulfair at the same time. One of those obscenely huge wall-sized TVs spanned over twenty feet, but was broken up into multiple smaller monitors showing the news and stock tickers in multiple languages.

“Is your office smaller because you’re less important or because you don’t see yourself as a the king of Egypt?” Vince asked.

Nina shot him a confused look, which Ashley took great pleasure in.

“All of Immanuel’s executives have restrictions on the size of their pocket dimension,” Quintus said as he strolled around to the far side of his overly large metal desk. “We’re encouraged not to be excessive, given the tax burden. Bastet’s is larger because it assists her role as global head of HR. When you want to woo a key engineer or general of a nation to give us their secrets, appearances matter.”

The demon gestured at the oddly plain seats on the far side of the desk. Vince got the message.

He especially got the message when Quintus poured himself a snifter of brandy from a cabinet beneath his desk but didn’t offer any.

As they sat down, Vince’s eyes caught an odd corkboard on the wall to the side of Quintus. It looked cheap. Too cheap.

Black-and-white stencils of faces were pinned to the wall. Dozens of them. Beneath each drawing was a name, presumably of the person depicted, and a location. At first, Vince wondered if this showed old friends and where the drawings had been made.

Except half the names were easily recognizable. Britain’s king, President Davis, Alessia Lionetti, Wagner, Mei Suwa, even Vince. He recognized a few from the news as European magical and political figures.

Curiously, both Merlin and Solomon were there.

The locations varied from scarily accurate to completely useless. Vince’s was listed as “Immanuel Central Office,” while Wagner’s merely said “Aulfair.” Merlin and Solomon both had “Location Unknown.”

“It’s a very old artifact, despite its appearance,” Quintus explained without being prompted. “It automatically scries individuals and lists their last known location. It’s even able to discern broad locations thanks to the eddies in magical currents, despite anti-scrying wards. While it’s attributed to divine creation in Greece, the crafter was likely the greatest expert in divination until Abe no Seimei.”

“Yet it can’t find Merlin,” Vince said drily. “Are you sure he’s not dead?”

“He may be. I have to manually remove individuals occasionally, but both Merlin and Solomon could emerge tomorrow for all I know. If Atlantis can make itself felt millennia after its supposed destruction, only a fool would write off other great powers without first seeing a body.” A pause. “And inspecting it themselves.”

Something told Vince that Quintus had been surprised by foes he had thought he’d killed in the past.

Nina kicked her feet up on the desk and leaned back on her chair, producing a squeaking sound in the process. “So, high-priced offer, job, or wasted threats?”

“If I make threats, they aren’t wasted,” Quintus said, his burning eyes lingering on Nina’s boots. “Consider this the long-anticipated restart of our professional relationship. Vincent has taken a break and proven he is worthy of higher-quality, better-paying enforcer jobs. You have returned from retirement, but no less capable than before, judging from the outcome of the other night.”

“Do you want me to rip Ashley’s arms off to prove it?” Nina asked.

Ashley sneered. “I’d take yours and hang them up as trophies, but losing them tends to be permanent for mortals. Heard you might have lost one of yours, though. Keep it in a pocket dimension so you could sew it back on, like the weak little fleshbag you are?”

“You’re made of flesh too, moron. Do you want me to prove it by splattering the walls with your insides?”

Both women glared at each other, their muscles tensing. Ashley had bulked up in size, and showed off more flesh—and not just her cleavage, which had grown to match Nina’s. Vince wondered if the demon had felt threatened by Nina and intentionally matched her.

“Enough,” Quintus said, a soft rumbling echoing off the walls.

All eyes turned to the demon, who sat half-facing them while sipping from his massive brandy snifter.

“Miss Hayes—” Quintus said.

“For the love of god, just call me Nina,” the lioness groaned. “I am so fucking tired of being Miss Hayes.”

“I believe that was your preferred term of address years ago?” The ancient demon raised an eyebrow.

“Sure, when I thought it sounded cool, because I called my teachers like that and it seemed respectful and shit. Now it reminds me of what random clients and HR called me in the office. Just being Nina is a fucking blessing.”

Quintus inclined his head. “Very well. Nina…” He intonated her name oddly, as if speaking it aloud was part of an incantation. When he said her name again, it was more normal. “Nina, I’ve already told Vincent of my wish to have Ashley involved in your… whatever it is you are engaging with regarding Mei Suwa.”

“Assassination,” Nina said flatly.

“That would imply more subtlety.”

“Uh, if it’s a wish, can we say no?” Ashley raised her hand like a child.

“You can, but you may regret it.”

“May, or will?” Ashley muttered.

Quintus smiled without looking at her. “Involving Ashley comes with no recompense, but I assume her presence is compensation enough. However, should she use certain skills of hers, I require nobody present to speak of them.”

Ashley’s eyes widened to the size of plates, while Nina frowned.

But Vince knew Quintus was referring to Ashley’s blood magic. Evidently the fact Vince knew of it had come up.

“I’m not sure I can guarantee that,” Vince said.

“Then if it happens, make it clear that my stipulation comes with a guarantee. That of certain death, with my seal.” Quintus stared at Vince, his eyes glowing like embers.

Quintus’s cane leaned against the side of his desk, but Vince suspected he would have used it then if he held it.

“Fine.” Vince nodded.

Nina remained silent, aware something secretive was being talked about but more than smart enough to keep her mouth shut.

“With that said, I do have work for you.” Quintus sipped his brandy thoughtfully. “Or I did, before Houou once again overstepped their bounds. Yakuza retribution was expected, and carried little danger. But these foxes once again test my patience, and that of the entire foundation of Aulfair.”

Vince frowned. “The hit they put on me. They’re right to be pissed.”

“Right and wrong have little to do with the actions of conglomerates, especially with times as they are now,” Quintus snapped, before calming himself. “The current situation would be much simpler if Houou didn’t push the status quo to its limits so consistently. Perhaps the elementals may directly act against the Yakuza, knowing that the conglomerates weren’t on the brink of war.”

“I’m surprised they’re standing by if this eight-tail bitch is becoming stronger,” Ashley said. “Sure, maybe a clan guardian dies or the elementals get cut in half. But if she’s getting a ninth tail and wants to wreck up the place, why not crush her now?”

Vince and Nina looked at each other, then at Quintus. The demon sighed and waved a hand at them.

“What?” Ashley asked.

“Mei’s ninth tail is fake,” Vince said. “That’s the only reason we’re attacking her. I don’t know how much Houou knows given… Well, they’re a mess, but they definitely know something is amiss. Mei should be strutting around with nine tails and blowing up suburbs.”

“Indeed.” Quintus nodded. “Houou are scared of their potential losses, as defeating a kyuubi requires unity they presently lack. And as I said earlier, the police worry that the appearance of their immense strength may shatter. Should a fissure open within the ranks of the elementals, it would be more disastrous than letting Mei Suwa seize Houou outright.”

“Unity, huh?” Vince crossed his arms. “They seem united enough to try to have me killed, it seems.”

This was a lie. Anzu and Momo almost certainly opposed a hit. Or Anzu did at any rate. Assuming this wasn’t another test.

Okay, he felt no certainty about the fox twins’ position.

“The hit is part of a broader problem. One that limits your capacity to work openly.” Quintus turned and picked up his brandy again. “You are aware of the problems Juliet Forest faces when she takes contracts, yes?”

Vince reeled from the abrupt change in topic. But he nodded.

Nina answered verbally for him, “Enforcers flock to take her head, as she attracts bounties like shit does flies. She’s still in hiding because Aulfair Statewide want to wring her dry to pay for the damages to Lionetti Tower.”

“I imagine the sorcerers running that insurer will use her like a soul egg should they get their hands on her,” Quintus said drily. “Unfortunately, you face a similar conundrum, Vincent. If you take on a job, hit squads will intervene. I wanted you to assist me with crushing the supply lines Houou is using the import and export catalysts through its puppets, but you’d be more trouble than help. Half the enforcers I’d usually hire would betray me.”

“The bounty’s that high?” Nina asked. “I should check on it.”

Vince feigned being stabbed in the heart, and his girlfriend patted his arm. The demons waited patiently for his antics to end.

“So, I’m unemployable?” Vince asked, once he recomposed himself.

“For now. I plan to rectify this by reminding Houou of why it is unwise to enact retribution against independent enforcers,” Quintus said. “The Golden Path has an unprecedented number of mystic foxes assigned to it, in order to allow Houou to act against the Yakuza without exposing the conglomerate directly. A few of those foxes will be used as a gruesome message.”

Vince blinked. Had he heard that right?

“Won’t Houou strike back?” he asked.

“If they’re fools, perhaps. But they don’t have the strength to battle both the Yakuza and another conglomerate. I will make sure they understand that the Golden Path is vulnerable should Houou refuse to accept the conventions of enforcer employment and maintain the price on your head. This is how the rules of society are maintained. With civility at first, and then raw, unyielding force to enforce them. I feel many have forgotten that last part these days. Politeness exists because the alternative was often a dagger between the ribs.”

“I’m assuming that’s how you’re going to be bringing Houou to heel?” Vince raised an eyebrow.

“If it were so simple…” Quintus frowned and spun his chair to face them. “If this were over drinks and of an evening, I’d lecture you at length on the philosophical underpinnings. The prisoner’s dilemma is of great use here. In isolation, selfish actions are expected and bring about everyone’s downfall, but on a grand scale, cooperation produces the best outcomes.”

Vince frowned. When he looked at Nina, she shrugged.

“I never studied game theory,” Nina said. “You’ve probably seen as much of it as I have on TV and in movies. Two people are arrested, they get a year in jail if they remain silent, go free if they confess, three years if the other guy confesses and they don’t, and two years if they both confess. Everyone betrays each other by confessing because it’s always a better move.”

“Ah, pop culture. The understanding is good enough,” Quintus said.

“Betraying others and being selfish can appear good, but actually leads to a worse outcome for everyone?” Vince asked. “That’s about all I know. The ‘optimal’ outcome of the game is apparently that everyone gets fucked over, while the smart outcome means someone screws you over.”

“Good enough.” Quintus appeared to be physically holding himself back from an extended lecture. He swirled his brandy while grimacing. “The more interesting version is the extended one. What if you repeatedly play the prisoner’s dilemma with another person? Do your choices change? There’s a right and wrong answer to this. Philosophy is all well and good, but I enjoy this problem because it has been studied using people. A game can be played, after all, and isn’t merely in someone’s head.”

“I haven’t played the prisoner’s dilemma with anyone, but…” Vince scratched his head. “Probably? I mean, if you know the other guy will betray you, you won’t trust him.”

“But trust can produce a better outcome.” The demon smiled grimly. “By cooperating, you serve less time than if everyone constantly confesses.”

“Except then you can betray the other guy and…” Vince stopped. He blinked. “Huh. Then they’ll get back at you, and you’re back at square one. Right? If you always cooperate, you benefit more, but only so long as you make sure the guy betraying you never benefits from it.”

“Exactly. And that sums up the situation with Houou. There is immense benefit from the conglomerates remaining out of each other’s business. The same goes for the broader world. A single nation may feel they can benefit by undermining others for their own gain, but retribution will leave them worse off. Yet, if someone betrays the order, how can they be brought back into line without retribution?”

“You brought all this up to say that you need to hit Houou with a big stick a few times to remind them there are consequences to being a selfish, underhanded asshole who abuses the rules and conventions?” Vince asked.

“No. I brought this up because there’s a darker version of the repeating prisoner’s dilemma. Sometimes, betrayal is the end of cooperation. In society, that represents the idea that other parties retaliate, and nobody stops. If Houou isn’t brought into line, then either they continue to push us, making Aulfair worse at our expense, or everything will collapse.” Quintus drained his brandy, then leaned forward. “Hence why I told you in November that cutting off part of the tapestry may be for the benefit of all.”

Vince had a sinking feeling Quintus wasn’t talking purely hypothetically. This was leading somewhere.

“You still have a job for me, don’t you?” he asked.

“After all that?” Nina frowned. “We can come back after Valentine’s Day, assuming you’ve killed a few enforcers, Quintus.”

“No, Vincent is right. The job I have isn’t one I need handled now. In fact, merely telling you of it will change the course of Aulfair.” Quintus leaned back. “Do you wish to hear it? Or would you prefer to wait until after you deal with Mei Suwa and are capable of acting upon it?”

Bastard. Vince knew he’d regret asking, and Nina’s expression told him to shut up.

But Vince was a stubborn bastard, and refused to let Quintus win like this.

“Sure,” Vince said.

“I want you to kill Masaki Hatoyama,” Quintus said. “Ideally with minimal collateral damage and without implicating Immanuel.”

Vince’s, Nina’s, and Ashley’s eyes all popped at once.

“Fucking what, Quintus?” Ashley snarled. “If we get fingered for killing a clan head—”

“Hence why Vincent is perfect.” Quintus stared at Vince.

“Bastard,” Vince muttered. “It’ll look like a Lionetti job if I get caught. And with Hatoyama’s stupid behavior, it would pass as an internal hit if I don’t. But why? And why risk me involving others?”

“Because that won’t matter. Hard evidence matters a great deal, and I sincerely doubt you’ll sell me out. Especially if I pay you market rate.” The demon leaned down and refilled his brandy snifter.

“Us,” Nina said coldly. “Talk fast, Quintus. Or I see who will buy the intel?”

Vince already knew someone who would. Or someones. The twins.

“A hundred thousand each. No expense coverage,” Quintus said. “It reduces to ten thousand if Immanuel is implicated. Eighty thousand if you’re caught.”

“So we’re getting eighty thousand each,” Vince said.

But that was damn close to the original heist payment. Hatoyama was currently “missing,” as Houou had sidelined him after his recent fuckups.

Yet the fox still had six-tails and was a clan head. Killing him would be hard as hell. A good step short of the heist, but the retribution wouldn’t stop because of a few threats from Quintus.

Except there were two powerful parties who wanted Hatoyama dead as well. One had been named, and the other might be able to protect Vince.

“Way too low,” Nina said. “A 200K package for a six-tail is lowball. Houou threw ten times that at fucking Alessia.”

“I’m asking you to penetrate the mansion of a single mystic fox of a lesser clan, not attack an entire underworld gang inside one of the most heavily warded buildings in Aulfair,” Quintus said drily. “I’m also certain you’ll find… other bidders when you speak to them. Go ahead. I don’t mind.”

“Because they’ll cover your tracks.” Vince sighed.

He’d say no in most circumstances. Quintus was being a lowball jackass, as always. Vince had allies who could help him, and if the Inaba twins supported him, the full pay might be as good as his.

Especially as Vince suspected saying no would come with consequences.

“Why?” Vince asked. “That’s not ‘why are you so damn stingy,’ but why do you want Hatoyama dead? How does killing him pull Houou into line, especially if nobody knows you’re responsible?”

“Because Houou is facing great internal strife. Saito Fujiwara’s time is over. Some wish to use Mei Suwa’s defeat as a way to prop themselves up as his replacement, but I fear it will only accelerate the internal feud. Whatever the outcome, it needs to be nudged in a more palatable direction. One where more reckless players are removed from play before they even realize the game is afoot.”

So both Quintus and Alessia thought Houou was undergoing a succession crisis. If they both thought that, then Vince trusted them.

“I didn’t think Immanuel interfered in the politics of other conglomerates. Didn’t you just say that was how things are done?” Nina said.

“Ideally, yes. But we are past that.” Quintus shrugged. “You may refuse, if you wish. Find me in a few weeks for a more mundane work. This conversation never happened.”

“Then we—” Nina began to say.

“Fine,” Vince said.

His girlfriend squawked and stared at him with wide eyes. She spluttered for a few seconds, and even Ashley stared at him as if he’d grown a second head.

“But I expect actual market rate next time you call me in for a job,” Vince said. “Not because I’ll necessarily want the money, Quintus, but if I can do the job, I want the pay and the respect. Next time you lowball me, the answer is no. No matter how important the job is.”

Quintus steepled his fingers. “Understood. Perhaps you may be worthy of speaking to me with such disrespect then, but I’ll overlook it for now. See to the berserk fox, and then my job. I imagine you and Aulfair will be changed in that time.”

“At least one of us will be,” Vince said as he stood. “Don’t forget to send Houou that message. And stop spying on Salome so much.”

“I’ll ease off her now,” Quintus said. “Your cooperation is greatly appreciated, Vincent.”

Vince grunted, then turned and walked toward the elevator. Nina followed.

After a few seconds of staring at the elevator, which still only contained emergency buttons he didn’t want to press, Ashley rushed over to them.

“I’ll let you out,” the fox demon muttered as she activated the elevator and rode it down.

Silence followed for several long seconds. Then Ashley exploded at him.

“Are you fucking insane? That job is a deathwish! Hell, so is attacking this fucking eight-tail fox! Did somebody hit you with a spell that made your brain the size of this titty monster’s?” Ashley tried to knock on Nina’s head, only to have her wrist violently seized.

The two women scuffled, before separating.

“I have something up my sleeve for Hatoyama,” Vince said. “After Mei, he’ll be easy. Mei… Well, I already fought her.” He paused. “You should come to Lionetti Tower for a debriefing at some point. I’ll need to organize that for everyone involved, actually.”

“Sure. I’m practically grounded after the Sanchez shit.” Ashley shrugged. “If something happens with the Yakuza, I might see action, otherwise…” She stared at the floor.

“Is that why you’re playing along with Quintus’s wishes?” Nina asked. “Never took you for a lapdog.”

“Fuck you. Once this is done, I guarantee Vince will be singing my praises, not yours.”

The elevator doors opened, and he took the opportunity to flee before Nina decorated the walls with Ashley’s innards. Didn’t want to be trapped inside.

Although he did need to collect Nicki.

Ashley played her role and grabbed the harpy. Nicki appeared bored.

“You’re not walking out of here with new Rolexes and pockets bulging with ingots of pure bismuth, so I assume we’re not rich?” she asked.

“Anybody can buy a fucking Rolex,” Ashley growled. “Talk about buying a house like actual kids. Fuck knows even if I find them too expensive.”

“Quintus needs to pay you more,” Nina said.

“Fuck off.”

Ashley’s friendliness bar had run dry, so they beat a hasty retreat. The bulky demon from earlier opened the external doors before they got close. An especially amusing fact given they were automatic.

Nicki stretched her wings once they got to the marble landing outside. “Free food aside, that was boring as shit. I didn’t even eat much. Had my fill at the hotel earlier. Where are we going before lunch? I’m pretty sure Vince is meeting up with Ally, right?”

“That’s not for a while,” he said. “It’s probably best to stay downtown. Otherwise you’ll be flying all over the place.”

“And it’s safer,” Nina said with a sidelong glance at Nicki.

Frowning, the harpy nodded before activating her barrier. She rose into the air. “We can do some shopping. Vince can carry stuff for once, and I’ll spend some of this cash that’s burning a hole in my pocket.”

Nicki picked Nina up in her arms before doing a short loop and grabbing Vince in her talons. With that, they took off to the south and the fancy shops on and around main street.

Downtown lacked its usual hustle and bustle. The shops were open, but largely empty. Mid-morning on a Wednesday didn’t appear to be the best time for a retail store.

By contrast, it certainly made for a great shopping experience. Nobody got in their way, short waits on drinks and snacks, and Vince could find seats when the girls were chirping over something he had less than zero interest in.

He wished they go into an underwear store so he could admire Nina in some lingerie, but instead they hunted for new jackets. Nicki wanted something that would fit a larger bust size. Presumably she was leaning toward a transformative that might increase her breast size. Meanwhile, Nina looked for a lightweight jacket for spring.

Vince sat on a bench outside the store. A few bags lay at his feet and he sipped an extra-large black coffee.

His mind ran over this morning’s events. Quintus’s job distracted him, but he tried to focus on what he’d realized thanks to Bastet’s offer.

Between talking to Gaby and Bastet, he’d come to terms with his actual worth. Determining his actual worth was damn hard. Alessia could and probably should pay a little more, given the risk involved. Not to mention the length of her jobs.

But he felt more comfortable with himself now. He sure as hell was worth what he was being offered. What Vince needed to do was determine what he wanted to do, now that scraping together rent money no longer mattered.

First, though, he needed a new home. To get that, it would be a good idea to talk to Alessia. Yet his fingers hovered over her contact info on his phone, still unwilling to message her. Maybe he should talk to Fia first.

“You!” a furious voice shouted, echoing off the walls of the strip mall.

Vince swore, and he reflexively cast his barrier as he shot to his feet. Even after Quintus’s warning, he’d let his attention slip.

Yet no barrage of lightning and fireballs ensued. He got his bearings and focused on the source of the shouting. Then stared.

Amid a small but confused crowd stood several mystic foxes, all with five tails and wearing suits.

The center one pointed at Vince, anger writ across his expression. A short bronze ponytail hung from behind his head, and his five bronze tails were fanned out in preparation for combat. His black suit was fancier than the others, with a silver trim and magical glitter. Numerous rings and a large emerald necklace adorned him, while an unfamiliar obsidian badge hung from his lapel.

“Vincent Keys, I challenge you to a duel,” the fox said. “As the heir to the Miura clan, Goro Miura, I will restore the honor of the clans.”

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Commentary: Somebody said Vince should have had a chat with Quintus, and here it is.