Mal uttered a curse, then shook his head. “You can say that again.”

“I’m pleased about Octavian.” Dominic lifted one hand and frowned. “Not as pleased as if I’d been able to kill him myself, but one can’t be too picky when it comes to things like this.”

“I get it,” Creek said. “If I’d had anything to do with it, I would have brought him back for you to deal with.” A lie, but one that would hopefully put the vampire in a giving mood. He shifted in his seat. Luciano hadn’t moved from the chair next to Creek’s other than to nod at whatever Dominic said. “There is something else I’d like to talk to you about.”

Dominic raised a brow. “The Kubai Mata has need of me?” He smiled indulgently. “This I must hear.”

“Not the KM, exactly.” Creek knew this was a bad idea and yet he couldn’t help but try. “I need your help. Me, personally.” He watched Dominic’s face but the vampire showed no reaction. Creek continued. “I have a chance to gain my freedom from the Kubai Mata, but it won’t be much of a chance unless I have some help.”

Dominic twirled a gold pen between his fingers. “What can I do? I am a vampire. Not exactly friends with the KM.”

“I’ve never done anything to harm you. In fact, I spared your nephew’s life.” Beside him, Luciano sniffed. Creek looked at him. “You sired the mayor for your own personal gain. I’d be surprised if the KM were the only ones who considered you a threat after that.”

Dominic held up his hand. “That transgression was Luciano’s doing alone. For sparing his life, I thank you.” He tapped the point of the pen on the desktop. “So you mean to collect on that debt?”

“That wasn’t my intention. Just to ask for your help. I have to fight a battle against a creature I’m no match for. I was hoping you might have some kind of spell—”

Dominic’s eyes flared silver. “I’m an alchemist, not a witch.”

“Got it.” Creek nodded. “And one of the most talented alchemists who ever came out of the House of St. Germain, from what I know.”

The silver in his eyes faded. “What is this creature you’re to fight?”

“A basilisk.”

Dominic raised his eyes to look Creek in the face. “A basilisk.” His tone reeked with disbelief. “Have you actually seen this beast?”

He leaned back and crossed his arms. “Seen her, talked to her, even had dinner with her at my grandmother’s house. She’s my KM sector chief.”

Luciano mumbled something in Italian and Dominic nodded. “My nephew says not only should such a creature not exist, but they are the last ones who should be in charge of protecting mankind.” He picked up the pen again. “And you know she is what she says? You’ve seen proof?”

Creek had prepared for this. He dug into his jacket, pulled out the cockroach Annika had turned to stone and tossed it onto Dominic’s desk. “She is what she says. Without question.” He nodded at the insect. “I saw her make that.”

Dominic dropped the pen and picked up the bug, rubbing his thumb over the body. “She did this?”

Creek nodded.

Luciano cursed and panic colored his words. “This creature lives in Paradise City? What defense do we have against her? I have no desire to spend my eternity locked in a stone prison.”

“Full circle,” Dominic muttered, staring at the insect.

Creek leaned in, hoping for some kind of advice or secret he could use against Annika. “What does that mean?”

Dominic shook his head. “Nothing.” He dropped the cockroach. “Which is exactly the amount of help I can give you.”

Disappointment tightened Creek’s gut. “You realize if something happens to me, she’ll take over until they find a replacement. And she’s not as understanding as I am when it comes to the goings-on in this city.”

Dominic narrowed his eyes. “It’s not that I won’t help you. It’s that I can’t. There is nothing I can do against a basilisk without some kind of original material.” He tapped a finger on the stone bug. “This is not enough.”

Creek shrugged. “What the hell is original material?”

“Bones, blood, skin—”

“Scales?” Creek interrupted.

Dominic pursed his lips and nodded. “Scales would work well. Very well.”

Creek stood. “I’ll be back.”

“Uno momento.” Dominic raised a finger. “If I help you and you succeed, what does this benefit me?”

Creek stopped himself from scowling. Of course Dominic would want something in return. “Besides my not executing Luciano?”

Luciano sighed.

Dominic smiled gently. “I am a businessman, no? Surely you understand that my skills do not come cheap.”

“I don’t have any money. If I did, I’d be buying my way out, not risking my life in a fight.”

Dominic picked up the cockroach again, hefting it in his palm like he was weighing it. “Since losing Katsumi, I am short-handed here. If you are free from the KM, you will also be unemployed, yes? I assume you will need some source of income.”

A cold shiver went through Creek. “I will.” Desperately.

“I will help you and when you win your freedom, you will come to work for me. You will be fairly compensated, I assure you. Do you agree?”