Page 25 of Of Flames and Crows

“I will be if you stop doing that,” Nikolai groaned.

“Oh.”

Julius let go. Nikolai searched frantically for Alastair. His racing heart stuttered.

The crow was awake and looked like he’d recovered from what had just happened to them. He was standing guard over a burning chameleon, his own feathers simmering gently still with dark red flames.

The creature’s scales slowly shifted from red to a vibrant pattern of jade and sapphire as the fire engulfing it dissipated where it lay atop a jagged crack in the floor.

Nikolai’s eyes widened when he saw the animal’s ribcage shudder with its labored breathing.

It’s alive!

Alastair clicked softly and nudged the chameleon with his head.

“What’s going on?” Klara mumbled.

CHAPTER11

Cortes arched an eyebrow.“You mean, you still don’t know if I’ll be able to see Volkov or not?”

I’m gonna shoot this guy.

Vlad suppressed his instincts and forced a polite smile as he settled on a leather seat opposite theBacatá Cartelmobster.

“Like I said, he’s proven somewhat elusive to reach since he arrived in Prague. I know where he’s staying, so arranging a meeting shouldn’t be a problem.”

Cortes looked unconvinced by his statement. Vlad’s gaze skimmed over Ilya and Milo where they were coming down the aisle of the private jet. They took up position behind and to the side of him, studying Cortes’s men with flinty eyes.

“You should tell your escort to relax.” Cortes propped his neck against the headrest and closed his eyes. “It’s going to be a long flight otherwise.”

Vlad ignored his advice. “I thought Gomez was coming with you.”

Cortes didn’t reply.

Vlad made a face. “He’s still alive, right?”

Cortes sighed. “I’m not a savage, Mr. Vissarion. Gomez may be a fool when it comes to certain matters, but he is loyal to a fault.” He paused. “And I value loyalty above all else in this wretched life.”

Vlad wasn’t exactly pleased to find he had another thing in common with the Colombian. Tarang’s tail flicked his legs languidly. It reminded him of the question that had occupied his mind since his last encounter with the mobster.

“How come you can see Tarang?”

Cortes opened his eyes and glanced at the tiger before fixing Vlad with a cool stare. “I didn’t put you down as a talker.”

Vlad’s mouth stretched into a thin smile. “Humor me.”

A flight attendant came over to serve them drinks. Cortes waited until the man left before answering.

“I have magic in me. I just…can’t use it.”

Vlad stared. “How so?”

Cortes assumed the expression of a man resigned to a fate worse than death. “Someone damaged my core and killed my familiar when I was fourteen.”

Tarang lifted his head from Vlad’s thigh and huffed worriedly.

Vlad gently stroked the tiger between his ears. Tarang settled back down, his slit-like eyes focused unblinkingly on Cortes.

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