by Sharon Joss
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. He didn’t want to do it.”
Mike frowned. “He’s a vampire, Taff. Of course he wanted to do it.”
“No. He didn’t. I blackmailed him into it. We’d been friends for years. When I got the diagnosis, I was ready to call it quits. Rafe figured out what I was planning. He made me promise not to kill myself. Found me a specialist up in Rochester and ran the bar on the nights I was too sick from the damned chemo.”
Mike put his hand to his mouth.
Taffy’s eyes met his. “So I guess the detective didn’t know the story, after all.” He looked away. “I was clean for three years, but it came back. Rafe takes a little blood from me every week. It’s the least amount he can take that keeps the cancer away. So yes. I’m his blood steward.”
His uncle concentrated on re-folding the bar towel. “Vampire saliva is the only thing that beats cancer. Rafe doesn’t like using blood stewards. He doesn’t want the responsibility; but when I asked, he didn’t bat an eye. I suppose I could have gone to someone else and become one of those fang bangers, but I would have lost the bar. Rafe is my friend, Mike. Without him, I’d have been dead years ago.”
CHAPTER 13 : AN OFFER NOT TO REFUSE
When he pulled into his driveway, the bright sliver of a waxing moon had risen high enough in the sky so that it illuminated a lone figure seated in the old rocking chair on the front porch. Mike’s heart thumped uncomfortably as he got out of the truck; the hairs on the back of his neck and arms stood on end.
The man uncrossed his legs, but made no other move. “I apologize if I startled you, Mr. Bane. I mean you no harm. May I call you Mike?”
“Where’s the mutt?”
“Beg your pardon?”
“Where’s the dog?”
“I assure you, I have seen no dog on this property all evening. I would speak with you on another matter.”
“Who are you?”
“I read about your little encounter in the newspaper. I have it on good authority that you handled yourself most respectably. Am I to conclude that the authorities are not pressing criminal charges against you?”
Criminently. Not another damn bounty hunter. He ripped off his shirt. “You really think you can take me?”
“Excuse me?”
The man’s confusion seemed authentic. Who the hell is this guy? “Didn’t Clemente send you?”
“Ah, I apologize for the confusion. I seem to have forgotten my manners. I’m Ambrose Van Cleve. I believe you have already met my business associate, Rafe Fontaigne. We own and operate Mythica, the world’s only supernatural amusement park. You are familiar with my estate, are you not?”
Another vampire. “I don’t mean to be rude, but I’m kinda busy right now. What do you want?”
The vampire stepped to the edge of the porch, but approached no closer. He was short. Short as a woman; the scuffed work boots he wore added a bit to his height, but not much.
“I have a business proposition for you to consider.”
Oh this is just perfect. “Sorry, pal; I’m all tapped out.”
Van Cleve continued as if he hadn’t spoken at all. “Every ten years, the Globus of New York calls a gathering of all the Pomps for a summit. We convene for three days to renew treaties and alliances, discuss issues, and as is often the case, realign territorial boundaries.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“This year the summit will be held in my territory; at Mythica. It’s the first time in a century that we’ve met in such a rural location. It is a great honor for me and mine, but there is also great risk for the hosting nest as well. Any misstep on the host’s part can result in a loss of face, or even territory.”
A sense of dread washed over him. If the Pomps were coming here, no doubt Hector Clemente’s brother would be accompanying the Pomp of Queens. Shit.
Van Cleve stepped off the porch. His light-colored eyes reflected silver in the pale moonlight. Other than the Fae, I’m the largest single landowner in the Finger Lakes region. I’m a farmer, Mike. I work my land; it is everything to me. The land is eternal, like me.” He smiled, but no emotion reached his eyes. “My land and my territory are what I value above all else. I see that comes as a surprise to you.”
“A little.” This guy was nothing like Rafe. Power rolled of him in waves. Not like the wolves; this was something different. He smelled like...different. A hint of blood and disinfectant soap and dust. Mike wondered if the vampire could smell his blood.
“I pay taxes, I run a legitimate business. I have expenses. I pay my employees. My land and territory support my home and family.”
Mike slapped at a mosquito on his arm. The silver eyes of the vamp flicked to the smear of blood streaked black across his forearm in the moonlight. Oh that was smart. Bleeding in front of a vampire probably wasn’t a good idea. “I don’t see what any of this has to do with me.”
“The summit will begin on the first night of new moon in September. Up for grabs this year is a new territory. One of the Pomps upstate was killed a few years ago. His territory will be officially reapportioned at this year’s summit. Disputed territory is almost always awarded to the strongest nest. I mean to secure that territory for my firstborn, Cobb. My enemies will be looking for any weakness or slight that would put me in a bad light.”
The vampire stepped off the porch.
Mike held his ground.
“The Mythica wolf pack has lost several members. Our pack is no longer at optimal strength. We are actively recruiting experienced personnel, such as yourself.”
Was this an interview? “I’m listening.”
“I have been extremely selective as I’ve feathered my nest over the centuries. My family and friends have each and every one of them been cultivated for their unique skills and abilities. Similarly, your particular talents have attracted my attention.”
Mike stiffened with alarm as he felt Tehuantl awaken. He didn’t know what would happen if Tehuantl went up against a vampire, but he sure as hell didn’t want to find out.
Van Cleve stepped closer. “I sense that you are a man who appreciates the direct approach. May I be blunt?”
Tehuantl pushed harder. Mike pushed back. He hoped Ambrose would get to the point. Soon. “Please.”
“I need to remove the current Alpha wolf of the Mythica pack.”
Mike stared at the vampire, dumbfounded. “Say what?”
“It’s time for a change. After so much time at the helm, he has become excessively overbearing. We’ve lost a few pack members recently; I fear the wolves departed due to his increasingly bombastic personality. It’s time for him to step down. I want to replace him with someone younger, more in tune with modern times and I need to do it before the summit.”
“Why don’t you just fire him?”
Van Cleve shook his head. “It’s a delicate situation, one that I must insist be kept between us. As my chief of security, he holds the keys to the kingdom, so to speak. Vince isn’t willing to retire, and the young wolf I’d like to install as Alpha may never be strong enough to defeat him. I read about how well you took care of those bounty hunters. I’m impressed. I think you might be just the person we’re looking for.”
“You can’t believe everything you read.”
“Don’t be so modest. You come highly recommended.”
“I’m looking for a job, but I have no desire to be Alpha.”
The vampire steepled his hands. “That suits my needs perfectly. This is why you are so perfect for the contract. You join the pack, challenge him for pack leadership, and then surrender the title to my candidate.”
He frowned. “You’re talking about a fixed fight.”
“Not at all. Your challenge for the Alpha position will be a fair fight, I assure you. But let’s face it; no wolf pack will ever accept a were-cat as their Alpha. My pet wolf will challenge you immediately after you win, and you will surrender to him, thus allowing everyone to save face. The old Alpha wil
l have lost his position in a fair fight, witnessed by his entire pack. He will honor his obligations by departing with his dignity intact; a mere changing of the guard. A new wolf will take his place. There will be no question that the pack will accept and follow the new Alpha. And you will walk away with a good deal of my money in your pocket.”
Clearly, Van Cleve wasn’t looking for him to stick around. Honoring an old soldier’s sensibilities like that certainly appeared reasonable. He could use the money toward Tom’s medical expenses. “Seems like a lot of effort to replace your Alpha.”
“Alpha wolves continue to grow in strength and power for as long as they lead their pack. Vince Dazak has been the Alpha wolf at Mythica for nearly a century. The longer he remains alpha, the more difficult it becomes to make ah, necessary changes.”
“I’m no expert, but don’t you have to be a member of the pack to challenge the Alpha for pack leadership? Any Alpha that powerful would never let a guy like me into his pack in the first place.”
Van Cleve shrugged. “Perhaps. But he would accept you as a lone wolf security consultant for the summit. You’re perfect for the job.”
It sounded good, but Tom had to come first. “I’ve got to be honest with you. I’ve got a family situation that’s my top priority right now.”
“You will of course be compensated for your services. I understand your godfather was injured recently and may have acquired the wolf virus. As a Mythica employee, you and your godfather will be covered with a lycanthropy insurance rider. I will have Felix backdate the date of employment to make sure all of his medical expenses are covered, regardless of whether or not he becomes afflicted.”
A sense of relief flooded through him. This sounded too good to be true.
“Who is Felix?”
“Felix is my Number One blood servant. He is the CEO of Mythica Enterprises and my right hand man, if you will. It was his suggestion to hire you to carry out our little secret mission.”
It was a good offer. Tremendous. Ironic; since he’d lost his job because of the false accusation that he was a lycan. A little payback seemed fair. “If you read the paper, you know there’s a bounty out on me. But what’s not in the paper is that the guy who issued the contract is the right hand man for the Pomp of Queens. I can’t guarantee they won’t try again. I don’t want anyone else to get hurt.”
The vampire’s expression didn’t change. “Unfortunate. Ivey can be difficult under the best circumstances. Yet another reason why you are perfect for the job. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Very well, you will stay at the estate. I am confident I can guarantee your safety through the end of the summit.”
“No can do. I’ve got my own place. And my godfather is going to need my help for a while.”
The vampire looked around, obviously unimpressed. “Very well. I’ll make you my blood steward. If you are my Number Three in actuality, neither Ivey nor any of her people can touch you.”
Inside his head, the cat screamed, and his stomach tightened in revulsion. It took everything he had not to turn and run. Of course there had to be a catch.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’m not on the menu. Ever.”
Van Cleve crossed the distance between them and had him by the throat before he could react. Oh, right. Don’t piss off the vampire. It took real effort not to struggle; Van Cleve’s hands felt like stone. The pulse in Mike’s throat beat unhappily against the grip of Van Cleve’s iron hand.
“You’ll be dead in less time than it takes you to take your next breath if I so wish it. I do not beg for favors, Bane.”
In the back of his mind, the cat put its ears back, and Tehuantl swam to the surface, just behind his eyes. He gasped and shoved the shaman down in a panic.
“There has never been any question that you would do this for me. Do not imagine that this is a choice for you to make. I will not make you my steward without your consent. If you are successful, and all goes well, you may present your grievance against Diego Clemente to the Globus himself at the Arbitration Tribunal on the last night of the Summit. I will personally advocate for the nullification of the complaint against you. If you do not agree to take the contract, I will drain you this instant and present you to the Pomp of Queens myself.”
“Hey, I wasn’t arguing. I’ll take the job. When you put it that way, how can I refuse?
CHAPTER 14 : THE EARTH MAGE OF MYTHICA
Worry lay like the weight of a dead fish across Mike’s shoulders the next morning. The mutt was still missing and cat’s temper had not improved. Not a good way to start the day. He called the hospital, but they wouldn’t say much more than to confirm Tom Jolley was still in intensive care. At least he wouldn’t need to worry about the insurance any more. Tom would have the best care available. The idea that Tom could develop ALVS was a grim prospect he didn’t want to think about. He couldn’t fathom the idea of Tom turning into a mad wolf every month for the rest of his life. Or until he couldn’t stand it any longer and took things into his own hands. He thought about calling Sarah, but couldn’t bring himself to do it. Coward.
Tehuantl had been curiously silent since their late night encounter with Ambrose. Maybe the shaman hadn’t been as interested in vampires as he’d originally thought. Maybe Ambrose had scared the shaman. If true, it would be the first time. Hell, he scared me. A little.
As for fighting Vince Dazak for pack dominance, there wasn’t a wolf on the planet that was a match for the cat. No worries there. And since he only needed to subdue the Alpha, the only lasting injury would be to Vince’s pride. But something about Ambrose’s little motivational speech made Mike question the vampire’s motive for getting rid of his Alpha. Ambrose seemed awfully determined.
He snorted. Like I care. It didn’t matter to him in the least who ran the Mythica pack. They’re just a bunch of werewolves. Silas was alright, he admitted. But as long as Ambrose was willing to cover Tom’s medical expenses, his reasons for getting rid of Vince didn’t matter.
Ambrose had told him to report to the security office at nine. The morning traffic was light, and drive out to Rushville took him less than twenty minutes. Based on what Ambrose had told him, he’d need no more than a week or two to settle in and become accepted by the pack; then he could issue a legitimate challenge to Vince.
He turned off main road and onto the mile-long, private drive leading to the Mythica estate. Most of the property was obscured from the main road by a thick screen of trees and dense shrubbery. Once he passed the trees, he drove through cultivated hills covered in grapevines. He followed the signs to the employee parking lot, likewise screened from the rest of the property by a tall hedge. The lot held only a few cars. He parked the truck and followed the signs to the employee entrance.
The door looked to be made of solid steel, set into a stone wall, which was thickly screened by an evergreen yew hedge. Security cameras covered every angle of the portal. The intercom button was located inside the mouth of a carved stone gargoyle. Cute. He gave his name and asked for Felix Tolland.
“You’re hours too early for Felix,” the disembodied voice answered. “He’s not a much of a morning person.”
“He’s expecting me.”
There was a click, and the door swung open. He was greeted by a digitally-enhanced voice with a heavy Transylvanian accent. “Good Morning, Meester Bane. Velcome to Mythica.”
He grinned. Nice touch. He followed the path to a white stucco building, which housed the Operations Center and introduced himself to the officer on duty, a sizable chunk of muscle named Chaney. The logo on Chaney’s black polo shirt caught his attention. It was a Ferris wheel and roller coaster against a night sky, lit up by fireworks. The motto read, ‘Mythica, New York: Where Even the Dead Have Fun’. Hilarious.
When he was sixteen, he’d won the teenaged equivalent of the lottery and gotten a summer job at MacDonald’s. For ten glorious weeks, he was one of the cool kids; that red, white, and yellow shirt made him the most popular kid in town. He even wore it
when he wasn’t working. The Mythica shirt had the same sort of vibe.
Chaney gave him some employment paperwork to fill out, but told him he didn’t have the authority to process him as a new employee. “When Ambrose told you to be here at nine, he meant PM, not AM. Felix works the night shift, like most everybody else.”
Oh, right. “I should have realized—.”
Chaney grinned. “Rookie mistake, don’t worry about it. Felix lives on the estate, but take my word for it, you do not want me to page him at this hour.”
Mike shrugged. “I’ll come back. Any chance you could show me around while I’m here?”
“No can do. I’m on duty, and until our Alpha gives the okay, the amusement park is off limits. Gordon’s around, though. He can show you the rest of the grounds and the estate if you want.”
“Gordon?”
Chaney nodded. “The Mage; he’s our farm manager. Been here forever. He can tell you anything you want to know about the Van Cleves and the estate.”
Why not? “I never met a Mage before.”
“I saw him out in the vineyard this morning. I’ll show you.”
Chaney led the way back to the parking lot, and directed Mike through a small archway in the hedge. “That’s him. Careful though, he’ll talk your ear off, it you let him.”
Mike thanked him and made his way through the vineyard toward a lone figure slowly pacing the perimeter of the field. His target looked to be in his fifties, tanned and fit, wearing a pair of cut-off jeans and a Milwaukee Brewers baseball cap. He held a forked stick in his hand. As Mike approached, he looked up and greeted him.
“You must be Mike Bane.”
Mike nodded. “Gordon?”
“First day, eh?”
He grinned ruefully. “Yeah. Chaney told me I’m hours too early. I guess everybody else works the night shift?”
“Oh sure.” Gordon sounded dismissive. “This time of year, the park is the big thing, but it’s only open May through October.” He waved his hand across the field. “The real heart of Mythica is right here.”
