Chapter 248

INT. - COLLECTIVE OF ALL SOULS OFFICE - NIGHT

Julian exited the elevator onto the 65th floor, shivering despite his expensive suit as the heavy air conditioning washed over him. Constance's cold, nasty stare did little to warm him up, though he took the time to hiss at her on the way past. Her face contorted, tiny body shuddering, a wash of wings appearing like a hologram over her shoulders, fangs protruding, eyes black as pits of darkness.

"Careful," the vampir said on his way by, "your harpy is showing."

She snarled at him in a language he didn't understand, and laughed at her, a harsh bark of ugly before pushing open the door and letting himself into Gideon's office. The tall, broad-shouldered dervish waved absently his way, talking to someone low and private on the phone.