by Ally Shields
Andreas closed the office door and walked down the club hallway. His staff was scurrying to shut down the kitchen and bar. He entered the dining room, interrupted the evening’s music, and made the closure announcement. A few grumbled, but it was brief and perfunctory. The menace outside was all too obvious.
The exodus was handled efficiently, and when he returned to the security office fifteen minutes later, Club Dintero was virtually empty except for staff. Gabriel was in the same chair in front of Andreas’s desk. He seemed lost in thought.
“Are they worth a penny?”
Gabriel started. “What?”
“Your thoughts. Are they worth buying?”
“Probably not.” The blond vampire sat up straighter. “Daron didn’t have anything definite, but he’s heard rumors of growing unrest among the European vampires. They’re demanding more autonomy. About time they woke up. That has to be putting the O-Seven on edge, and they may place the blame on you and Daron for rejecting the old ways.”
“But what about Bastian?” Andreas insisted.
“Daron thinks he’s taking a different path, adapting to more modern practices.”
“Such as?”
“Becoming a business entrepreneur, negotiating, not indulging or at least not flaunting his more bloodthirsty behaviors.”
“Yes, Bastian mentioned the business part,” Andreas said thoughtfully.
Gabriel stood and walked to a corner cabinet, opened the bottom door, and pulled out a bottle of wine. “Do you mind?”
“Not if you pour two.”
While they sipped the dark red Chianti, Gabriel eyed his friend. “Over recent years we’ve seen a combination of actions and reactions from the elders. Most of them are still living in the dark ages. They’re desperate to maintain their dominance in the only ways they know—bloodshed and brutality. It’s causing a backlash, and Bastian is the only one showing an ability to change.”
“Are you suggesting he might help us?”
“You’ll never know if you don’t ask.”
Andreas studied Gabriel for a long moment. “He will exact a price. It may be one I will refuse to pay.”
“At least we’d know.”
“Before we make that call, I’d prefer to know more about his activities, something I might be able to use in a negotiation.”
Gabriel laughed. “You mean like digging up dirt on a politician. Bastian won’t care.”
“What about his business dealings? Is there a legitimate enterprise that he wouldn’t want exposed? Or maybe he has done something else—similar to lying to Porbius for us—that he wouldn’t want the O-Seven to know.”
“Blackmail’s kind of risky territory.”
Andreas gave him a hooded look. “What about our current situation is not risky?”
Gabriel gave a half shrug. “I still have some contacts in Europe. I’ll see what I can learn.”
After Gabriel left to supervise preparations at the caverns, Andreas helped Russell and Lilith close the club, then he went to the house, discussed defense plans with Samuel, and finally headed to the vampire compound. Oliver and two of their older vampires met him at the door.
“I’m relieved you’re taking your own advice.” Andreas’s third in command gave him a pointed look. “We’ve warned everyone to only move about in groups, but I was afraid we’d have to hunt you down to arrange your protection detail. Thayer, Minerva, and I are volunteering.”
Andreas suppressed a sigh. “You know quite well I had no such intention, Oliver.” He raised a hand to stop a protest. “However, your point is well taken. I accept. Is everything arranged for the compound’s defense?”
“It is.”
“Then come walk with me.” Andreas held the door open while the three vampires passed him, and he followed them out. “I’d rather be on the streets where we know when trouble arrives and can look it in the eye.”
CHAPTER TEN
“You’re expecting more hellhounds, aren’t you?” Oliver fell into step beside Andreas. Thayer, a dark-skinned Egyptian vampire, and Minerva, a lanky, blonde descendent of the Vikings, brought up the rear. Ironically, Andreas was the youngest of the four.
“I think they’ll be back,” he admitted. “If not something worse.”
“I can’t imagine what that would be.” Oliver looked up at the trees that lined the street. “What about the birds? Are they spies?”
“Maybe.” Without revealing the council president’s name, which Ari had shared with him, Andreas explained Merlin’s divide-and-conquer theory as they walked through the nearly deserted Vampire Strip. Conversation stalled.
“Where are we going?” Thayer asked.
“I thought we’d do Arianna’s rounds for her and make sure the town is as quiet as it seems.” They approached the west gate of Goshen Park. “Just a circuit of the woods, check the fountain areas, and we’re done.”
“Sounds like you’ve done this before.” Minerva’s gaze roved from one bush to another as they entered the park and followed the main path.
“A few times. Usually with Arianna. She does this—”
His magic spiked an instant before he heard the sound of running paws. A loud baying began almost on top of them, and six hellhounds bounded out of the trees.
Four to six. Decent odds. Andreas locked down the link with Arianna to avoid alarming her at this time of night. He shifted his feet, prepared to spring. A motion to his left warned him his assessment had been hasty. A quick glance detected several sets of glowing eyes in the underbrush. He softly said, “Run,” and spun on his heels.
Andreas raced for the park fence and sailed over, Oliver, Minerva and Thayer right beside him. A dozen hounds now snapped their jaws in pursuit but were losing the race, unable to match the vampires’ superior speed. Andreas was eager to take them on in a one-on-one fight, but he wouldn’t risk himself or his companions more than necessary. He slipped a hand into the belted magic pouch that Arianna had given him, grabbed a fistful of her barrier dust, and tossed it over his shoulder.
The hounds directly behind howled as they bounced off the invisible shield. He braked and whirled to knock back the hounds on the left side with a stream of energy from his warlock ring. Three of them stumbled and fell. Oliver and the other two vampires turned on the beasts on the right flank. By the time the barrier spell disintegrated, eight hounds were down and the rest abandoned the fight, vanishing into the dark.
“Anybody get bit?” Andreas demanded.
Oliver dusted off his hands in a classic gesture of satisfaction. “Not me.”
Minerva shook her head. Thayer was slow in responding. “It’s not deep. I’ll shake it off, but I need a minute.”
Andreas inspected the jagged laceration on Thayer’s arm. It wasn’t healing as quickly as it should. Andreas pricked his own finger with a sharp fang and let the blood drip over the wound. “That will speed the process.” A chill ran across his skin, and he snapped up his head, listening. “We should get out of here. That may have been a chance encounter, but they’ll be back in larger numbers.”
They started up the street. A few steps later Andreas stopped. His senses clamored, sending alarms from every direction. He whipped out his phone and was already talking with Gabriel when the first of the hounds trotted into sight.
“Hey, Gabriel. Send the cavalry. Three blocks south of the Magic Hall. We’re surrounded by hellhounds.”
“On the way.”
The devil dogs had closed a ring around them. The beasts circled slowly, tightening the net with each step, red flames glinting in the pits of their eyes.
Damnation! He’d been had. The first pack hadn’t been a chance meeting. They’d been decoys, sacrifices, to allow the larger pack of several dozen to move into place. He instantly drew a magical barrier that encased him and his three guards in a protective bubble. It bought time, a temporary standoff, but the shield was a power drain.
The hounds didn’t understand the concept of an impenetrable barrier, and
they hit the shield repeatedly. Wave after wave of hellhound bodies banged against and clawed at the bubble. Andreas called on increasing levels of magic to reinforce the energy field as it threatened to disintegrate a couple of times. Green venom from the hounds’ fangs slid over the invisible surface.
Within minutes Andreas sensed Gabriel and the vampires coming, and his concerns shifted to their safety. How many had Gabriel brought? He turned toward the west end of the block to watch for them but whirled when three lightning bolts lit up the sky behind him. The hounds yelped and whined in the brilliant flare of light. Andreas stared in astonishment.
Merlin and two other wizards marched toward him. The sorcerers held their staffs in front of them, bathing the sides of their path with a shower of lightning strikes.
Gabriel and four dozen vampires raced out of the dark and attacked the outer circle, while the wizards cleared a corridor to the center. Andreas dropped his shield and the four vampires fought their way toward the wizards. Andreas tossed the closest hounds out of his way and incinerated others with energy bolts.
With attacks from three directions, the devil dogs seemed confused, temporarily disoriented, as if they didn’t know which way to attack. In those seconds of indecision, the vampires cut the hounds’ numbers significantly, and Andreas’s group reached the wizards. Together, the band of seven moved outside the increasingly chaotic circle of hounds.
Once clear, Andreas paused beside Merlin. “Thank you, but you should fall back now. We’ll take it from here.”
The wizard nodded. “You’re welcome to the fighting. We’ll keep the overhead light show going. It’ll hurt their demon eyes.” He smiled. “They won’t like it.”
The wizards withdrew, and Andreas waded into the snarling beasts, followed by his security team. He threw out a few flash poppers, encapsulated spells that stunned anything within three feet. He and Arianna had spent several hours working on them. This was the first real test. As hounds snarled and howled in frustration, the result was definitely worth the effort.
He spotted Gabriel nearby and headed toward him, grabbing the hound in front of him. It reared on its hind legs—but suddenly cringed and slunk back as a large shadow fell over them.
Andreas looked up. A gigantic black bird swooped toward him, its talons and beak extended, its eyes flashing like strobe lights. Andreas raised the Valvano ring and struck the creature with a bolt of energy. It kept coming. Andreas set his feet and brought up both hands to grab the creature’s wings.
It banked and veered away. Andreas threw another ball of lightning after it, but the crow was already gone. A dozen vampires swarmed past him, pouncing on and shaking the last of the enemy pack. A few of the demon dogs escaped, but most stood and fought to the death. The street was littered with smoldering bodies.
Andreas stepped over one of the hound bodies to reach Gabriel. “Nice rescue, old friend. Did you call out the wizards?”
“I figured they were closer, and you sounded as if you needed immediate help.”
Andreas frowned, feigning disbelief. “I sounded…? Did you get the mistaken impression I was worried?”
“Oh no. You were way too calm. I figured it had to be bad.” Gabriel cocked his head at him. “Seriously, I can’t remember the last time you called for help.”
“It was an intense moment,” Andreas conceded. “I must speak with the wizards. Can you check our people for injuries? See if anyone needs treatment for venom poisoning.”
Andreas strode toward the sorcerers. “Mr. President.” He looked at the other two. “I’m sorry. I don’t know your names, but I’m in your debt.”
“This is Ronald and Umberto,” Merlin said. “They work in our lab.”
Andreas shook their hands.
“I’m glad Gabriel called me,” the old wizard said. A glint of amusement crept into his eyes. “It’s not often we get to help the vampires. Arianna always beats us to it. How did you keep her out of this?”
“I shut down communications.”
Merlin nodded. He was aware of their telepathic link. His lips broadened into a smile. “I don’t envy you when she finds out.”
Andreas returned the smile. “I think I have some leeway until the baby is delivered.” He skipped to the question he’d come to ask. “Did you sense anything about the crow that can help us identify its master?”
“We all tried. There was an undercurrent of tremendous power, the magic of Mahmo. As for who’s wielding it?” Merlin shook his head. “I don’t know exactly. But that wasn’t a possessed bird. It was a manifestation of your enemy.”
“Are you implying it was one of the elders?” The wizard Umberto appeared appalled. “What do vampires know of sorcery?”
“The Mahmo magic is sorcery. All it needs is power.” Merlin’s gaze sought Andreas. “The elders have no lack of that…and with power, any piece of villainy is possible.”
* * *
Andreas had to make the call. It was the only way to learn what he needed. He frowned, shook his head, and looked at the number on his phone screen. Perhaps he should have one other conversation first. He pulled up a different contact and dialed Toronto.
Prince Daron answered promptly. “I expected your call before now.”
Andreas grimaced. “It has been a busy night.” He described the hellhound attack and the appearance of the large crow. “One of the elders is behind this.”
“I agree, but I already told Gabriel it could be any of them.”
“I need something else from you.” Andreas hesitated. “I have no choice but to contact Bastian, and I need a reason for him to talk to me. Any insight would be helpful.”
“I have no influence with him. I can only share my observations.”
“I’m not so sure you don’t…but go on.”
Daron was silent, as if assessing Andreas’s comment, then he sighed. “He has changed, but not that much. I hate to guess about anything that concerns my sire, but for you I will try. The only logical explanation for his behavior toward you—and me—in recent months is he believes his life or future depends on us. In what way, I do not comprehend, but he has never taken any action just to help someone. It is not in his nature.”
Daron believed what he said, but Andreas tried to listen with an open mind. His friend’s harsh assessment was fueled by years of bitterness.
“Who exactly is us in your theory?”
“That is the tricky part. You, me, Arianna. All three? I’m not sure, but at different times he has demonstrated an interest in keeping all of us alive.” Daron cleared his throat. “I’ve made inquiries with other visionaries about this prophecy of Zylla’s.”
“And found what?”
“Her lack of clarity is not unique.” Daron’s voice held a tinge of impatience. “While conflict was seen by all—not a surprise, as we have had frequent clashes with the elders—the final outcome was unclear. The first seer reported various scenarios and just as many outcomes. They win, we win, both, neither. One seer said the final outcome was too far in the future, that the battle would continue for centuries. The latest was an oracle who predicted a defining battle in which both sides would perish. So take your pick.”
“Not particularly helpful,” Andreas said dryly. “Perhaps the moral of this story is we make our own mark on fate.”
“Perhaps. But I do not think Bastian shares your skepticism.”
“So which of these prophecies does he believe?
“None. All. The important point is everyone predicted the three of us were part of it. If he believes that, he would want to establish ties with any potential winner.”
“To ensure his own survival.”
“Yes.”
Andreas brushed a stray lock of hair off his forehead. There was a major flaw in this theory. How could any of them be a danger to the seven vampires who’d never been defeated? But as Daron said, it might be enough that Bastian believed it.
As soon as they disconnected, Andreas thumbed through prior calls, found Basti
an’s number, and pushed connect. He reached messaging as expected—it was already daylight in Germany—and left his name, asking Bastian to call. Now he would wait.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Ari dangled her feet over the deck railing of the Montreys’ hut and listened to the sparrows and songbirds in the woods. Cheerful, friendly. No raucous cawing. The scent of wild flowers drifted on the early morning breeze. She drew in a deep breath, savoring the quiet moment, and stifled a yawn. Something had woken her in the middle of the night. She’d lain awake listening for hostile activity outside and hadn’t dozed off again until almost dawn. At one point she’d almost called Andreas, or opened their telepathic link, but had stopped herself. He would worry that she wasn’t sleeping well, and he had enough to think about.
She yawned, broader this time. The cabin door behind her opened and closed.
“I thought you might enjoy some honey tea.” Kyra set a tray down on the wicker table and pulled up a chair. She waited until Ari joined her before adding, “What would you like to do today? I have to pick herbs and berries. Want to come with me?”
“I’d love to. Sitting around isn’t my usual style.”
“I suppose not.” Kyra gave her a half smile. “But isn’t that why you’re here, to keep you away from your usual activities?”
“Not exactly.” She pointed to her belly bump. “It’s to keep the baby away. And right now we are irrevocably attached.” She set down her cup. “So, are you ready?”
Kyra laughed. “As soon as we have baskets and clippers.”
They spent the rest of the morning wandering the forests paths. Kyra showed her the hidden places where the herbs were found. They ate their fill of berries and still had their baskets brimming by the time they returned to the hut.
Kyra’s grandfather joined them for lunch. Even for a long-lived race, he was old, and his years showed in his wrinkled jowls and his shuffling pace. His eyesight was fading, and he stared vaguely at his soup bowl, fiddling with his spoon.
