He shrugged. “Why not? Do the shapeshifters take time to flatter you? Do they tell you how grateful they are for you sticking your neck out for their sake?” He touched the blood ward again. “Do they beg your forgiveness every time this precious blood is spilled?”

No, they generally didn’t. They mostly complained at me, but I wasn’t going to tell him that. “The answer is no.”

“No, they don’t flatter you?”

“No, I’m not leaving with you.”

“I suppose I’ll have to come and get you then.”

“Knock yourself out. I’ve got a sword I’m dying to introduce to your blood.” Wait. Knock yourself out. Funny I said that. An idea began to form in my head.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw Robert leaning into the hallway. He was watching. He’d probably heard every word. Great. I could look forward to more questions I didn’t want to answer.

“Come with me,” Hugh said. “Let me show you the kind of power you’re missing. Nobody else has to die. He’s waiting for you.”

Every nerve in me came to attention. “Don’t see how he has the time for me, preparing for the claiming and all.”

Hugh’s eyebrows rose a quarter-inch.

I laughed quietly. “I see he doesn’t tell you everything. I think I’ll stay right here.”

He shook his head. “Seriously, what the fuck are you doing, Kate? Running around the frozen city in the night like some filthy bottom-feeder playing queen of the shapeshifters? Come to me. I’ll give you the city on a silver platter. A gift.”

“If I wanted the city, I would’ve taken it.”

“I love that snarl in your voice,” he said. “Sexy.”

I rolled my eyes.

“I like that, too,” he said.

“Just out of curiosity,” I asked. “Last time I checked, the cops frowned on the random murder of civilians. Do you think Atlanta’s Paranormal Activity Division will just let you blunder about hunting shapeshifters?”

Hugh pretended to ponder it for a long moment. “Let me think. Yes.”

Jim was right. He had made an arrangement with someone high in the police food chain. “Aren’t you smug?”

“That’s what happens when you play in the big leagues.”

“Big leagues, huh?”

“That’s right.” He winked at me. “Stick around, I’ll show you how we do it.”

“No need. I’ve already had the proper instructions from my aunt.” Big leagues, I’ll show you the big leagues. It was a gamble, but if it worked, it would buy us enough time to get the hell out of here. “Curran broke Erra’s ward, by the way.”

Hugh’s eyes narrowed. “It’s adorable when you try to manipulate me. I find it charming.”