The taller of the two women flashed me a grin. “I doubt she can even open her mouth with the amount of tape you’ve wound over it, but she’s most welcome to try.”

Considering the anticipatory edge to that comment, if my former captive had any sense, she’d be a model of good behavior. But I had a vague suspicion she wouldn’t.

“Oh, and before I forget,” she added, “the inspector said you might need some weapons—you’ll find them in the trunk of our car. Help yourself to whatever you want.”

I nodded and headed out. There was a veritable arsenal in the trunk of the car, and not just guns, but silver knives, good old-fashioned stakes, and several vials of what I presumed was holy water. I grabbed a small backpack and shoved in half a dozen semiautomatics, ammunition, two knives, and some of the holy water. The inspector might not have literally meant “help myself,” but I wasn’t about to forgo the chance to be fully armed. Not when every other bastard after us seemed to be fully kitted up.

Jackson had jumped into the driver’s seat, so I tossed him the keys and placed the backpack on the backseat.

“What’s that?” He started the car up and drove off.

“A mini armory, courtesy of the inspector.”

“You know, I’m actually starting to like that woman.”

I snorted. “I’ll like her more if she actually keeps her word and lets us walk away once this is over. Until then, I’m reserving judgment.”

“Well, at least we now have more of a chance of walking away from tonight.”

“Not to mention something to fall back on if the witch is present and our fire fails.”

It didn’t take us all that long to get into the city. At this hour of night, the traffic was light, even when we’d pulled off City Link and made our way down Flemington Road to Victoria Street.

Jackson slowed the car as we neared the gardens. “Did Rinaldo say where we were supposed to meet him?”

“No, but the old fountain is the most logical place. People have been meeting there for years.”

“I’m not entirely sure Rinaldo applies logic the same way as the rest of us.” Jackson pulled into one of the empty parking spots and killed the engine.

“That’s to be expected, given he’s a very old vampire. He doesn’t see the world the same way you and I do.”

Jackson’s grin flashed, and though it was a somewhat pale imitation of its usual self, I was nevertheless glad to see it. “I’m not sure that sentence applies, as you’re vastly older than I am and fae in general think very differently to most.”