by Jami Gray
Xander padded out of Warrick’s bedroom clad only in one of his T-shirts and towel drying her hair. Male voices drifted up to her. She leaned over the newly repaired railing to find Warrick in sweats, handing her brother a drink. A bare-chested Ryuu was sprawled across the center section of the leather couch.
Warrick stepped over his legs to sit facing Ethan. “So there was nothing?”
Xander made her way down the stairs and curled up next to Warrick, her head on his shoulder.
“It’s like he disappeared into thin air.” Ryuu rubbed a hand over his shadowed face.
“No financial transactions, no paper trail,” Ethan added. “It’s as if Brant Sutler just fell off the face of the earth.”
“That’s not good,” she said.
“No, it’s not,” Ryuu agreed.
Warrick rubbed her shoulder with a light touch. “We need to make sure there’s no more of that drug floating around. Dmitri wasn’t working alone, and there’s no way Sutler was the only human involved.” His chin brushed against her hair as he turned to Ryuu. “You need to reach out to the other packs and see what information you can gather.”
Ryuu nodded. “It’s going to take time. Without Zeke and Sebastian, I’m going to be a bit tight with people I can trust.” His voice was locked down, yet she felt his sorrow. It took her a second to realize she was picking up his connection to Warrick through the pack ties. She bit her lip. This was going to take some getting used to.
“I think you’ll have more help than you realize,” Xander said, thinking of the Wraiths. Dmitri’s death wasn’t going to satiate the Wraiths’ need for vengeance. She held Ryuu’s gaze, hiding nothing.
He gave her a slow nod. “Maybe I will then.”
“What now?” Ethan asked. “Dmitri’s dead, we have no leads on the drug or where it came from, Mulcahy’s dead, and the humans are starting to ask questions no one wants to answer.”
“We prepare,” Warrick answered softly.
“For what?”
“For change.”
Chapter 38
Somewhere in Virginia…
An older gentleman raised his crystal glass, the amber liquid inside sloshing gently against the sides. “Well done.”
The younger man dipped his head in acknowledgement. “Although not our primary target, Ryan Mulcahy’s death doesn’t hurt our long term plans.”
The older man chuckled. “No, it doesn’t. If anything, it gives us an unexpected opening.”
“How sure are you that this will work?” The question came from the heavyset male standing near the multi-paned windows.
“The public is starting to ask questions. Questions that are not easily hidden by the government’s clever spin-doctors. Although the drug didn’t work as intended, it has allowed us to begin peeling back the layers hiding the monsters. A few more incidents and we’ll be able to use the public outcry to our advantage.”
“We must be careful.” The deep voice belonged to the fourth member of their group, currently pouring himself a drink. “If any of the Northwest Kyn catch wind of our plan, we can kiss our collective asses goodbye.”
“You think those—what did the general call them—Wraiths really exist?” Worry chased across the florid face of the one by the windows.
“We have our own version of spooks,” the older one chuckled.
“Better safe than sorry,” the other said and took a sip of his drink. “Perhaps it’s time to look deeper into the general’s claim, maybe consider bringing in Jonah Talbot. If the Kyn really do have a specialized group of killers at their disposal, maybe we can use them to our advantage.”
The younger man watched his little group with a dark light in his eyes. It was always so lovely when things went according to his plan. He turned his face away from the others, hiding his smile.
END OF BOOK THREE
Keep reading for an exclusive Kyn short story
Ensnared by Shadows
A Kyn Short Story
Ryuu Kern, Motaki Pack’s Second, is no stranger to sticky situations, but when delectable Division Agent, Iliana Krychek comes to him for help, it will take more than claws and teeth to untangle a deadly web of deceit.
“Hold it, please!”
Despite his haze of exhaustion, Ryuu Kern held his hand out to stop the elevator doors.
“Thank you.” The woman slipped in, a little breathless, and flashed a polite smile before facing forward.
Behind the rim of his coffee cup, he did a quick eye skim as he stepped back to lean against the far wall of the elevator. Black heels peeked from under the hem of her gray tailored slacks that didn’t do much to disguise her curves, but accented her heart shaped ass. Narrow shoulders shifted under her pale green silk blouse, and her cap of dark hair shifted along her jaw line as she watched the floor numbers flash by.
While the physical picture made the man in him wonder impolite things, it was the delicate scent of vanilla and sage taking over the rising car that made his wolf sit up and take notice. Curiosity may kill the cat, but it was a damn bacon covered lure for shifters. He took another sip of coffee in an effort to cover his instinctive inhale for more of her scent. He leaned back against the wall and sighed.
When the elevator flashed past the sixth floor, he perked up. The doors slid open on the seventh and she stepped out on to the tiled lobby of Taliesin Security, Ryuu prowling behind her. The only indication of awareness she gave was a faint stiffening of her spine as she did that hip swinging walk women did so well in heels to the sleek front desk.
“Good morning,” the redheaded receptionist met her with a smile. “May I help you?”
Ryuu took his time walking over to the hall that led to his office. Even with the din of the construction crews busy rebuilding the damaged rooms, he could hear the mystery woman’s conversation.
“Morning, I’m Special Agent Iliana Krychek, with PCD. I was hoping to speak to your head of IT Security.”
Her request brought Ryuu to a stop. He turned and narrowed his eyes, taking in that slim back as she faced the receptionist, Rachel. The unflappable woman who kept interruptions to a minimum for Taliesin, consulted her computer and still managed to shoot him a questioning glance, under the veil of her lashes. He dipped his head in a nod, and she casually turned back to the Special Agent. “If you wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes, I’ll be sure to let him know you’re here.”
“Thank you.” Little Miss Special Agent went and took a seat on one of the plush chairs, nabbing one of the available magazines.
Ryuu stalked down the hall to his office wondering what unforeseen hell delivered the Preternatural Crimes Division, or Division, to his doorstep. As if he needed yet another problem. Spending the last twelve plus hours playing whack-a-mole with a hacker determined to break through Taliesin’s electronic security was the cherry on top of a hellish week.
The semi-hidden supernatural community known as the Kyn was still reeling from a devastating double whammy of murder and betrayal. While the murder half created its own set of unique problems, it was the betrayal part he had the most difficult time dealing with. Not that he had time to spare.
As the Second in the Northwest’s Motoki Pack of wolf shifters, his focus should be on helping his alpha, Warrick Vidis, and the spitfire, blonde pixie of a mate, Xander Cade. Trying to repair the damage to their pack resulting from a vicious betrayal was one of many items on his to-do list.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t just the pack that paid a hefty price, so had Taliesin Security, the business front hiding the dangerous collection of beings humans tried to convince themselves lived only in fairy tales. Losing one of their own left the company’s electronic security in Ryuu’s hands, and the gaping hole in the ruling leadership to his Chief Information Officer and head of the Magi House, Cheveyo, who was trying to work with the acting CEO and leader of the Northwest Amanusa, the manipulative and ruthless, Natasha Bertoi. Werewolves, witches, and demons, oh my! The only group he didn’t want to snap his teeth
at was the Fey House, who had enough problems right now and were keeping to themselves.
A rumbling growl of discontent rose and echoed in his skull, the wolf that lived under his skin just as unhappy as the man with his conflicting responsibilities. At the first opportunity, he would steal a few hours to run in his fur, but for now he needed to deal with Division’s intriguing Special Agent.
He set his coffee on his desk, sat down, and picked up his phone. “Hey Rachel, go ahead and send her back.” After her murmured response, he hung up, and woke his computer. Time to sift through the avalanche of emails.
Her scent arrived before she did, the unique combination curled around him and his wolf, generating a curious sense of anticipation. He took a moment to recapture his balance, allowing her to wait in his doorway before he acknowledged her.
She didn’t quite hide her sharp inhale as she matched the man behind the desk to the one in the elevator. “Mr. Kern?”
Her husky voice sank beneath his skin and wrapped around his soul’s wilder half, bringing to mind winter nights when the snow lay thick on the ground and the world held its breath. He rose from his chair, clearing his throat to erase the growl. “Special Agent Krychek, won’t you come in.” He waved to one of the two chairs in front of his desk and waited for her to take a seat.
Cloth whispered against cloth as she crossed her legs. She brushed a hand over her knee, then linked her fingers together, stilling any further telling movements. “Thank you for making time to meet with me. I apologize for not having an appointment.”
He retook his seat. “Taliesin is happy to help Division whenever they ask.”
Her chin lifted and her head tilted a bit, as if listening to something only she could hear. “Taliesin, but perhaps not you?” She softened the question with a small smile.
Perceptive and beautiful, an intoxicating combination. His lips twitched in appreciation as he leaned back in his chair. “If it had been any other day, I’d be more than happy to pencil in a consult with you. It’s been a long week of even longer days.”
True compassion added depth to her chocolate eyes. “My condolences on your recent loss. He’ll be missed.” Instead of false platitudes, sincerity rang behind her words, an unusual occurrence in his dealings with humans who knew of the Kyn. And Special Agent Krychek would be one of the few who knew the truth, seeing as she was part of the humans’ government agency created to work with the supernatural. “I wish I didn’t have to interrupt during this difficult time. Unfortunately, my current case may involve one of Taliesin’s employees.”
“Really?” Considering the type of beings Taliesin employed, her interest could become sticky. In an effort to not trigger mass hysteria among the humans, the Kyn were exceedingly careful in revealing to Division what creatures existed in the shadows. Some were so dangerous as to rate their own fairy tale status among the supernatural community, the Wraiths for example, a group of highly trained Kyn specializing in being judge, jury, and executioners. Even he wondered at their existence, until recent events proved they were far from a myth. Hopefully whoever managed to trigger the agent’s radar wasn’t a name he knew.
She nodded. “Ansa Veneno.”
He tried to stop his wince, but based on Ms. Krychek’s sudden stillness, failed miserably. Dammit. “She works in our web development group.”
“Is she working today?”
“Special Agent Kry—”
“Iliana, please.”
He gave her a tight smile, even as his fascinated wolf crept a little closer. “Iliana, before I answer your question, I need more information. Otherwise, I’m obligated to notify both our Legal and Human Resources departments before agreeing to let you meet with Ms. Veneno.”
Strangely, Iliana managed to hold his gaze, something most humans found difficult since avoidance was a preferred method of dealing with a predator who was trying to decide if you’re worthy of being their next meal. Of course, if it was up to him, he might nibble on her here and there, just to see if he could break that eerily calm composure.
The stiffness in her posture bled away. She unlaced her fingers and settled deeper into her chair, one hand lying on the armrest, her nails drumming an absent beat. “Fair enough, Mr. Kern.”
It was his turn to correct her. “Ryuu.”
White teeth caught her full lower lip, as she fought a smile. “Ryuu.”
Suddenly he was very grateful for his desk that hid how much he liked hearing his name in her voice.
Unaware of her impact, she kept going. “Three days ago, Senator Diane Caine’s son was kidnapped. He was found and returned to his family, unharmed.”
“I don’t remember hearing anything about that.” Not surprising since he’d been dealing with other, more immediate concerns.
This time, it was her smile that was tight. “You wouldn’t have. There was a media blackout on the incident in an attempt to avoid inciting the public. Especially after the Ivories Massacre.”
Ivories Massacre? Seriously? What was with humans and their trite names of craptastic events? Disgusted, he ran a hand through his hair. “Is that what they’re calling it?”
She gave a delicate shrug completely at odds with her wrinkled nose and partial sneer. “Better they write that attack off as a crazed ex going after his girlfriend, than the truth.”
She had a point.
As the veil of secrecy hiding the Kyn thinned, humans still weren’t ready to handle the reality of a demented shifter tearing through a packed club. “So what does a political kidnapping have to do with Taliesin? As far as I’m aware, the Senator has no ties to us.”
“She doesn’t, but during our search, the agents handling her case stumbled across a pattern of disappearances, all linked through the Dark Web. The kidnappers were responding to an ad placed in a radical political forum, but as they dug through the kidnapper’s electronic records, they found a list of previous jobs requested by one individual, The Wanderer.”
“Some of those jobs triggered a flag in Division, so we offered our help. Once they let us in, further investigation linked The Wanderer to three other forums with similar postings. Division believes some of those forums are run by either Kyn, or people who know of them. The Wanderer’s requests were rather,” she paused, visibly searching for the right word, “specific in nature.”
Her scent took on a bitter edge, and his wolf flared his lips in response. It was all he could do to keep his growl silent. She had his full attention now. Interagency cooperation wasn’t a rare thing, but for Division to get in so early meant Kyn involvement was an almost certainty.
Then there was the Dark Web, which covered a vast world of depravity. A subset of the Deep Web, which lurked under the Internet, users of the Dark Web surfed through nameless information highways, bypassing most cyber security eyes. It was a virtual playground for narcissistic hackers, elite assassins, twisted pedophiles, and any other number of nightmarish hungers you could imagine. “Specific how?”
“In one, he was looking for individuals who appeared to be highly allergic to various metals. Another, he wanted a child between fourteen and eighteen who displayed personality disorders. In a different request appearing in a suspected Kyn linked board, he came right out and asked for a shifter.” By the time she finished, she was no longer relaxed, and neither was he.
Fey couldn’t handle iron, shifters couldn’t tolerate silver, which meant the first request wanted one or both. The second request clearly targeted an Amanusa. When a half-demon child hit puberty they were prone to mimicking schizophrenic behavior because their demonic nature was in a constant battle with their other half, be it Kyn or human. A great many never survived to adulthood.
“And Ansa Veneno’s part in this mess?” he growled, unable to contain his frustration.
“We think she may know who The Wanderer is.”
* * * *
Iliana fought her urge to scramble over the back of her chair from the man, wolf, whatever, glaring at her from behind his desk.
Rage, or something pretty damn close to it, lent golden flecks to his dark eyes. According to Division’s file, he was right up there with the illusive Warrick Vidis, head honcho of the Northwest Shifters. Thankfully, her status on Division’s totem pole meant her boss, Victor Osborn, got to deal with leaders of the Kyn.
Sitting across from Ryuu Kern was proving to be nerve wracking enough, she didn’t dare consider what it would be like to face someone higher up. When she first walked in, she couldn’t escape the sense of being hunted. Not the kind of hunted that made you want to run screaming into the night, more like the kind that made a woman wary. It was an unusual situation for her, and it intrigued her. Which could be a bad thing.
“Why?”
His question made her blink as she pulled back on topic. “We found her electronic signature in one of the private forums frequented by The Wanderer, and it led us back to Taliesin.”
“But you don’t think she’s your target?”
She shook her head. “We haven’t ruled her out completely, but until we can find the victims, we have to start somewhere.”
He watched her, the intensity behind his consideration made her pulse pick up. “What do you need from us?”
“Not us, you.” When his eyes widened, she knew she caught him off guard, but she kept going, “I need someone who knows how to maneuver in your community, who can help me question her.”
He templed his fingers under his chin.
She couldn’t stop studying him. Dark hair, a mix of browns and blacks, and his dark eyes, tilted at the corners, created a blend of Asian and European features into an arresting masculine grace. Whipcord lean, he had her five foot seven frame by a good two, maybe three inches.
“Since when has Division needed outside help in questioning suspects? Are you planning on using me as a lie detector?”
She fought the heat rising under her cheeks. “No, that would be my job. Your job is to make sure I keep breathing.” Because she was no one’s fool. The Kyn weren’t as forthright as they proclaimed. Just because they admitted to some mythical aspects, didn’t mean they’d shown the humans their full hand. In fact, she was beyond certain there were many creatures lurking behind the curtains she would prefer to never meet.
