by Lizzy Ford
“I feel like this is the first time since I became Chief that I really understand what I’m doing,” Declan replied. “You were right. We can’t face a war on two fronts. We can’t openly oppose the Sucubatti and stop what they’re doing while also undermining the Cambions. But we can stop one of them, and I think it’s gotta be Olivia.”
“Olivia killing off her Halflings seems very rash a decision for the Sucubatti Council to support. While tragic, it might give you the leverage you need to manipulate them into turning their backs for a day or so on Olivia. The Councils of both societies are conservative. If called out, quietly, they may back off.”
“I’m counting on it.”
“You may put a dent in their plan without destroying it.”
“It’s a risk I’ll take. I’d rather set them back fifty years than let the Paul-Olivia’s game play out.”
“Agreed.”
Declan almost sighed, grateful to have his father’s approval.
“What do you need me to do, Son?”
“Paperwork. Have the Council pass a resolution ordering everyone to cease and desist involvement with the Sucubatti. Something strong enough that I can enforce it without restriction. And …” he drifted off, not sure how to phrase what he wanted. “… I guess an off the record deal with the Council that when Zoey and her team take out Olivia, they either recognize her as a third society or at least, take her off the most wanted list.”
“Nice.” Ethan gave a slow smile. “She’s not Sucubatti, so the restriction not to interfere will apply to Cambions but not to my boys and their soul-mates. She does our Council a favor, and they in turn expunge her record, if not formally recognize her party.”
“Exactly.”
“Smart, boy, smart,” Ethan said. “It pains me to hear about the Halflings, but I believe there is good to come of this disaster. This may be the slip up Olivia needed to make that enables us to corner her.”
“Yeah.” Declan’s thoughts returned to his mother. “I know … or at least, I imagine, you wanted a chance to take out Olivia yourself, after her involvement in my mother’s death. I don’t know how to make that happen, but I can assure you that Zoey won’t let Olivia leave alive.”
“Olivia was the head of the lab at the time,” Ethan replied. “The IAB chief died mysteriously several year after Sienna’s death, which is how Olivia came to power. In hindsight, I should’ve gone after Olivia but …” Ethan shrugged. “I didn’t know that at the time.”
“So you had your revenge,” Declan said, surprised by yet another secret of his father’s.
“Trust me when I say there is no revenge great enough for what was done to your mother,” came the soft, fierce response. “Which is why, in my lifetime, I will see an end to the Sucubatti and Cambions alike. Your plan is yet one more maneuver in an even greater war, one I’ve raised you boys to win.”
I see that now. Declan was quiet, his knowledge of his father’s dedication and careful manipulation over the years expanding every time they spoke. “Dad, I know you don’t want to hear this, but I think my brothers should know what really happened to our mom.”
“In time, Declan. When you have your own son, which I understand will be soon, you’ll understand why I hesitate.” He winked.
Declan eyed him. “You knew?”
“I suspected at first and then Liam broke down and told me. You’re sending your pregnant soul-mate to face someone like Olivia. You understand the risk?”
“I do. But I trust her, Dad. Zoey isn’t someone who can live her life in a cage. She follows her heart, and I’ll follow her, even if that means I end up paving the path to hell and back.”
“I miss that feeling. Do whatever it takes to keep her alive, Declan. There is nothing in the world that will help you if you lose her.” Ethan’s features grew warmer. “Are you sure about this, Declan?”
The sad words sent a streak of cold fear through him. Declan swallowed hard, and his mouth went dry. It had taken every ounce of his willpower not to lock Zoey up to keep her safe, and it was purely out of love for her spirit and respect for their future that he agreed to her plan. He didn’t let himself think about what happened if she died or was wounded in a way he couldn’t heal her.
“I’m sure, Dad,” he whispered finally. “Terrified but sure.”
“Then let’s get our part of the deal started.” Ethan rose and went to his bedroom to change out of his T-shirt and shorts into a suit. “I’ll hit up the Council today. I’m guessing you have a plan to approach the Sucubatti.”
“I do.”
Declan walked to the kitchen for water, his heart beating hard and fast. Ejecting the thought of how his mother died, he focused instead on his arduous task of convincing two Councils to let Zoey kill off the IAB chief.
As daunting as the duty was, it was nothing compared to the two months he spent in constant turmoil over how – or if – he’d be able to win his soul-mate back. He knew that answer now, and nothing would stand in his way of ensuring he did everything required to realize the future he’d almost lost.
Chapter Twenty Four: Energized
Grant Brown’s fingertips touched, his hands steepled and his gaze sharp. The handsome human was seated behind his desk, the combination of relaxed professionalism and natural readiness reinforcing Zoey’s first impression that he was former military of some kind. She decided to call upon him at his office for once in the hopes he was more cooperative if she behaved somewhat professionally. She’d even made an appointment and precisely at one in the afternoon, she and Vikki sat down to plead their case.
When they finished putting all their cards on the table, they waited for him to speak.
“First, I appreciate you taking a more civilized approach this time, Zoey,” he started. “Professional courtesy will never serve you wrong.”
“I’m learning,” she replied. “I’m not used to asking for help.”
“Think of it as negotiating for support,” he replied. “My issue is that you want me to break the oath of discretion I took.”
“For a very good cause,” she reminded him, not for the first time. “To stop the person who put eight hundred Halflings in a grave.”
“And who’s allied with the Cambions,” added Vikki.
“I understand what you want. I’m not convinced revealing Olivia’s location will protect the human population, which is my priority.”
Zoey held her breath. It wasn’t a no, though he didn’t appear ready to commit yet. It would be easy to force him to do it by removing his armband. No human could refuse her once she lured him in with sex magic. Doing so, however, would hinder their future relationship, an angle she’d never had to consider before becoming the leader of Team Rogue. Declan, Olivia, the Professor and others were right. She had to do what was best for her team, the greater good and that meant being civilized, as Grant called it.
“We’ll give you Chrissy’s phone number,” Vikki said in the quiet.
Zoey shot her a quizzical look.
A flare of interest went through Grant’s gaze before he suppressed it. Zoey felt the subtle pulse of human arousal, and she leaned forward. “We’ll make her our liaison to you,” she added.
Vikki kicked her. “Zoey means we’ll create a business-related excuse for you two to get to know one another.”
“Like … she can stay with you at night while we’re out hunting Cambions.”
“Zoey, let me handle this,” Vikki hissed and slapped her arm.
Grant looked between the two of them skeptically. “Chrissy’s a full human? She’s not a Halfling?”
“Nope,” Vikki replied.
“She’s single, brilliant, and allergic to soy, which we found out the hard way,” Zoey added.
“Soy.” Grant appeared to be trying to remain stoic.
“Shut up, Z,” Vikki snapped. “So we’ll give you her phone number and arrange the circumstances for you to work together and get to know her in exchange for one teeny, tiny location and its schema
tics.”
“But only if you promise to take care of her and defend her from Cambions when we’re not around,” Zoey voiced. “Because otherwise, we’ll gut you.”
“I’m ex-Special Forces. Pretty sure I can handle myself,” he replied. Tapping his fingers on the desk, she saw him give before he spoke again. “Deal. I’ll print the info you need.” Grant flipped his laptop open.
“You guys are in so much trouble,” Chrissy hissed through the communications network into the earbud Zoey wore.
“I’m sure Chrissy will be excited,” Zoey said. “She thinks you’re hot, Grant.”
Vikki rolled her eyes.
Grant smiled as he typed.
“I hope your buzzers blow up in your pocket, Zoey,” Chrissy growled.
Vikki snorted and then leapt up to snatch the papers Grant printed before he could change his mind.
“Thank you, Grant,” Zoey said, standing. “We’ll need a cleanup tonight at about two in the morning at this location.”
“I figured as much,” he replied. “Zoey, before you go, we need to talk about the Halflings.”
Her elevated mood fizzled, and she returned to her seat. It took all her effort not to let the fates of the Halflings drag her into a meltdown so steep, she didn’t think she’d ever come out of it. Buoyed by the night with Declan and the knowledge she’d soon have Olivia’s head for the massacre, she nonetheless started to sink into melancholy.
“I did as you and Declan asked, waited into the Cambions found and called in the discovery. It’ll take a while to sort the bodies and bury them, though, so I need to start now, before anyone else finds them. I also have the Halfling from the warehouse. I found her in a bag in the van you all wrecked in Maryland,” he said. “You okay to talk about this?”
She shook her head. “But I know we have to.”
“I’m sorry, Zoey. It’s not easy to lose people in your command,” he said, features softening. “There’s a time to mourn, and sometimes, it has to wait until the battle is over. It’s difficult but necessary. Do you understand?”
She nodded, soothed by his quiet, assured voice.
“I don’t have anywhere large enough for all of them,” he continued. “And no way to identify them.”
“Chrissy can get you personnel and medical records,” Vikki said, hushed.
“It’d be nice if they could be all together,” Zoey added. “The Sucubatti has a lot of land they scored in old deals that we found when we broke in … uh, that we found recently. If we send you a list, do you think you could tell us spots that’ll work? We’ll relieve them of whichever plot you think is suitable.”
“I can do that.”
“Chrissy, you got that?” Zoey asked.
Grant froze.
“Yeah. I’ll start on it now,” came the annoyed response. “I take it this is the first Chrissy-Grant project?”
“Yep.”
“She’s listening?” Grant asked, shifting in his seat.
Zoey winked. “She didn’t object to working with you.”
“It’s a start.” He didn’t seem entirely certain how to react.
“Just remember that she can blow you up or knock out the electricity for everyone for miles if you piss her off,” Vikki said.
“And triangulate your phone, find your location and identify everyone with you, in case you decide to cheat,” Zoey added. “You still interested?”
“I am,” Grant replied with no hesitation.
“Wow,” Chrissy breathed.
Zoey hid a smile. Vikki flashed her a grin.
“We’re out,” Vikki said.
“Thanks, Grant,” Zoey echoed and followed her best friend out. She waited until the door closed behind them. “How’d you know Grant liked Chrissy?”
“I had a hunch. Then when the EMP went off, I asked her to call him. She was crying when she did and he not only didn’t flip out, but he told her it wasn’t a problem at all. An EMP knocks out electricity in two states and the District, and it’s not a problem? That’s love, Zoey,” Vikki replied.
Zoey laughed.
“You guys are horrible,” Chrissy said. “He is hot but … I mean, he’s …” She sighed. “I’m terrible with men.”
Zoey used sign language to keep Chrissy from overhearing. You’re right.
Vikki bowed dramatically. She tucked the papers into her pocket.
“C’mon. We gotta plan.”
They left through the back door and ducked into an alley, where Chrissy and Ginny waited in the van.
“Got word on Lydia. She’s going to be okay,” Gin reported when they hopped in back.
“Unlike you two,” Chrissy snapped.
“Oh, thank god,” Zoey said. “After tonight, things go back to normal. No more fucking IAB hunting us down. Just us and Cambions.”
“Never thought I’d say this, but Cambions look like fairies compared to Olivia,” Gin agreed.
Vikki handed Zoey the schematics to the facility where Declan reported Olivia was supposed to be tonight.
Zoey studied them. “I’ve never seen this location before. Southern Fairfax County,” she said.
Vikki hunched close to her. “Me neither. Either it’s relatively new or super old.”
“The Professor might know.” Zoey traced the perimeter with a finger. “Hey, V, there used to be a prison there, right? Might make for an insanely isolated location.”
“Yeah,” Chrissy said from the passenger seat, a map pulled up on her laptop. “It closed over ten years ago and most the land was sold off for subdivisions, except for the central prison center, which is supposedly abandoned. It’s haunted, too.”
“Ghosts and Olivia,” Vikki murmured. “Fitting.”
“There’s a lot of open ground to cover,” Zoey said, taking in the area surrounding the prison. “I’m not a fan of being exposed like this.”
“We’ll need a topographical map to find terrain features likely to hide us.”
“Like this?” Chrissy passed them her iPad.
“Perfect!” Zoey exclaimed, accepting it. She and Vikki evaluated the area in silence.
A text popped up on Chrissy’s iPad.
Tomorrow at noon is fine. The contact was labeled as GB.
“Chrissy’s got a date!” Zoey called.
“It’s not a date. It’s work,” came the acerbic response.
Smiling, Zoey focused back on her task.
“How sure are we that the Sucubatti won’t try to wipe us out after this?” Ginny asked, joining them.
“I’m not concerned about whether they do or not,” Zoey replied in a hard tone. “Olivia is a problem. We need to get rid of her.”
“Declan is taking care of the Cambions,” Vikki said. “Hopefully.”
Zoey glanced at her. “He will,” she said quietly. “I trust him.”
Vikki smiled. “How’re the remaining Halflings?” she asked Ginny.
“Tiff says good. She’s doping the shit out of them to make sure they’re good for tonight. We have about twenty.”
“So few,” Zoey said, her humor fleeing. A vision of the trench flashed through her mind, and her resolution to exact revenge solidified. “And one we think is diming us out, which means we can’t tell them what we’re planning.”
“I have a lead on that,” Chrissy volunteered. “I’ve been tracking everyone via their cells over the past week, assuming whoever it is, she’s too smart to call Olivia. It took some waiting but last night, I figured out who it was.”
“Was that before or after the Halflings were found?”
“After. And she hasn’t returned.”
“Who?” Zoey demanded.
“Jess.”
It took a moment for Zoey to recall the brunette. “She and Wendy had an issue, right?”
“Yeah,” Vikki said, frowning. “She’s been with us for about two weeks. The timing makes sense. I mean, we started seeing Sucubatti scouts shortly after we picked up Jess on a raid of a Sucubatti safehouse.”
; “I can’t believe …” Zoey drifted off. “I can’t think about it.” With a growl, she leaned back. “Anyone else go anywhere suspicious?”
“It’s hard to tell. You all were moving like crazy the past week. The only reason I picked up that it was her was because she went out and didn’t comeback.” Chrissy lifted her laptop to show them a map of the DC area. It was crisscrossed with hundreds of lines, each marking the movement of one Halfling.
“Even if that’s the case, I want to keep tonight a secret,” Zoey said. “The core members know. The others think we’re going on a Cambion raid. Got it?”
The women around her nodded.
“Now, we need to figure out what it’ll take to breach this place.” Shifting forward once more, she began the task of predicting what kind of site it was, so she knew what sort of fortifications to expect. Blind missions were always the most hazardous, but no part of her was willing to see what Olivia had planned after the Halfling incident. Their reconnaissance would consist of about fifteen minutes advance notice. “This is gonna be one hell of a mission.”
“And I’m running point, since you’re the one who’s preggers,” Vikki told her.
“Fuck no.”
“Ready? One, two, three.”
They slapped closed fists onto their palms three times and then displayed the results. Zoey had chosen paper and Vikki scissors.
“Dammit!” Zoey grumbled.
“Ha! You always lose, Z.”
“Fine. You run point. But I get Olivia.”
“Fair enough.”
The atmosphere in the van was tense, but no one voiced their fears about running into an army of succubae or the heavy sorrow of knowing it was too late to save all but twenty Halflings.
They settled into making preparations. Zoey’s mind went to tomorrow and the thought that, if she made it that far, it likely meant she had a future with Declan. Tonight was a hurdle she didn’t know for sure she’d defeat, but she found herself praying she did.
Chapter Twenty Five: Zoey Avenger
“Comms check,” Zoey ordered quietly from the back of the darkened van.
