Chapter 177 - Get In Jail Free Card

"You won't go far being this soft, Diana," was Avarice's first response to my inquiry. That, and a disdainful huff. "When someone crosses you, you have to make an example out of them if you don't want everyone else to get wrong ideas in their heads. This dog you so stubbornly cling to… And I don't mean Dragonslayer…"

I bared my canines in a best vampire impression. "Are you sure he doesn't hear you, right now?"

Avarice pinched her lips, but dropped on disdain a bit. "The wolf had limited worth, and it's over. Now you ask me to spend forces, resources, time, just so he could rot in a cage instead of the ground? It's a waste, and therefore an insult to me. Do you think that after all this we are such close friends that you can insult me in my own house with no repercussions?"

I grinned, not in a friendly way. I knew what was happening. While it was true that Avarice was in a mood darker than the darkest night ever since the shifters' attack, I could see in her eyes that she didn't let this temper rule her entirely. No, in this case, she was simply posturing. I could do this, too.

Call it conditioning. Yes, Avarice could move faster than wind and was strong enough to bench-press cars, possibly one-handed (though I couldn't imagine her, in her immaculate cyan dress, doing anything of the sorts), had badass fangs and flat eyes of a snake… But she was familiar, too, in a way necessary evil or an unpleasant chore are familiar and non-threatening, if unpleasant. When did I put her in that category, I wasn't sure, but I thought that the shit I went through in the last few days—weeks—played a big part in this.

"Think of it this way, Avarice. It's not important what do you think about what I want you to do. What's important, is how much you value our not-friendship that we have here. Play it as you like, but I doubt arranging jail-time for Andrey really will be such a problem for you. Some bribes here, some hypnosis there… I'm sure you did stuff like that already. If you didn't do me such a small favour, well, I'd feel pretty bad about it. Would make me wonder if it really is such a good idea to help you with your nephew. Wonder aloud, and within JJ's earshot."

Avarice scowled. "Is this how you want to play it? Fine. Hide behind Dragonslayer's back if you like. I will do it for him, yes."

I tried to hide my frown, but it wasn't entirely possible. Avarice's words struck a chord, and I had to swallow a desire to retaliate and to find excuses for myself. Avarice's respect… I couldn't deny that it was important, but I wasn't sure that right now she was in the mood to give it to anyone. Instead of trying to achieve attainable, I went another way.

"Thank you. I appreciate your help, Avarice, really do. I found a furniture set for you, by the way. Already at my place. It only needs some restoring and it will be like new. I don't know when I will have time for this, but either way, also I know it will be an insult to give it to you for the same price it cost me."

"Oh?" Avarice raised her eyebrows. "Do tell me, how high it was?"

I grinned. "Zero. Nil. I got it for free. But you won't."

When Avarice bared her teeth, a spark of mean fun fell from them into her eyes. "Indeed, that'd be insulting. Have it repaired, show me, and we will talk."

"Got it. Then Andrey?.."

She let out a long breath. "You don't have to think about him again. I will deal with him. Twenty years, you say? I will find right charges to put him on. How about assault with intent? It will even be true. Will have to find some other person to play a victim in the courts."

"I trust you to arrange it. I just want for him to be safely put away. Maybe… Maybe I will send him a letter at some point, or something," I shrugged, looking away. The mood in the room changed, became more personal, and Avarice really wasn't the woman for a heart-to-heart. "I have places to be, and the time had already passed. Thank you for your hospitality, Avarice. Your cook is fantastic."

"I will take your desires in mind, Diana, and I expect you to make sure Dragonslayer will take mine. Goodbye."

⠀⠀

I was shaving close to the time I agreed on with Panda and Ghost to meet again, but I wasn't late. JJ was still with us, to my happiness, but since Andrey was in Avarice's clutches now, our car didn't have a werewolf in the trunk anymore. More joy.

Nightingale Coven's headquarters were as bustling with idle and busy people as when we left them yesterday. The lockdown Elena enforced on people caused many to loiter around in halls and hallways, doing nothing more useful than speculating, gossipping, and joining questionable political movements.

I was thinking about those as I and Ghost walked to report at Elena's office, when, as if my thoughts called her, I got a message from Prom Queen on my phone. It was much more discreet to pass secret info that way, for sure, than with a really lousy in such things maid.

Well, I could excuse Prom Queen because she didn't have my phone until I have it to her. Still, as I read her message, I could tell that she was still into the spy stuff.

[If you think you have convinced the vamp to help, come with him to TH3, 13:00]

That was in about three hours—decent time to prepare. And that reminded me… I didn't convince the vamp to help yet! I didn't even have time much to talk with him about this stuff!