“The trade it is,” Caim said, striding over to the ripped map they’d managed to tape back together. Slivers of it were still missing, but the pattern was clear. The killer had claimed far too many victims, and we couldn’t let him add to his collection. There was also that little issue of him running to Lucifer. If he spilled the beans about what the Legion was really up to here, the people of New York weren’t the only ones at risk. The future of this world was at stake. And this all depended on whether or not I could keep my shit together during the fake trade.

No pressure, right?

“But first, you two lovebirds need to go on your date,” Phenex piped in as he poked a finger at the West Village section of the map. “Rumor has it, our friendly neighborhood vampire mob boss will be dining at the Waverley Inn tonight. We’ve already booked you a table for eight.”

I swallowed hard, avoiding Az’s gaze. “Can’t this wait until tomorrow? After we get Serena back?”

“Afraid not, love,” Bael drawled in his charming British accent. “Word is that Lars is finalizing his list of invites first thing tomorrow. That info could be wrong, of course, but we’d rather not risk it.”

A date. With Az. While Serena was missing. And after what had happened between us last night. Still, I couldn’t ignore the repercussions. There were human souls on the line. Actual mortal lives. And it was too late for Az to find another human date that would be convincing enough. Besides, the idea of him taking someone else made me feel a little funny.

Not jealous, obviously. Just…funny.

Az glanced at his thousand dollar wristwatch and nodded. “If we want to get there on time, we need to head back to my apartment now. You’ll need to get changed.”

Frowning, I glanced down at my outfit. Faded, ripped jeans, a rumpled black tank, and my signature knee-high boots. Maybe he had a point. Not that I had any other options.

“Ah, about that. I have something.” Phenex winked and vanished out the door. Narrowing my eyes, I gave the others suspicious glares. I didn’t really like the sound of that.

“Where’s he going?” I asked.

“You’ll see, love,” Bael said with a wink.

“You guys bought me a dress. Didn’t you?”

“We love you, Mia,” Caim said. “But you can’t go out to a fancy dinner where you’re meant to convince a rich vampire to invite you to his exclusive ball wearing…that.”

“I am very comfortable.”

His grin widened. “Yeah, you look it.”

Az let out a low, menacing growl. “Maybe you two should go on the date. Your flirting would convince anyone.”