by Emily Shore
“Don’t tell Mom!” panicked Brian and pleaded, eyes imploring but fingers straining against the leather seat.
“Your secret’s safe with me.” I waved a hand. “I thought you’d joined Marque’s Pack. Isn’t he grooming you for his second-in-command?”
“I said I’d join on a trial basis,” Brian corrected me, shaking his head a little so his pumpkin brown locks teased his brow. “Trial period’s expiring at the end of the summer.”
“And you’d really leave Le Couvènte? You know what Mom will do to you?” Especially since the Sierra packs occasionally took in ugh lycans. Double betrayal.
“I know! Ugh!” Brian groaned and slapped the mirror beside him, cracking the glass. “And now I’ll be listening to you whine for the next month.”
“I won’t say another word.”
I didn’t want to imagine losing either of my brothers. But I knew Brian had more trouble fitting in than Heath. Sure, Brian was likeable. He simply didn’t possess Heath’s dripping charisma. Brian was casual and friendly and street-smart, but finding his place in a pack had proven troublesome. Living in the shadow of hyper-intelligent older brother, an Alpha mother―not to mention a human little sister―Brian had trouble narrowing down his place. Though his determination could excel in ranks, Brian didn’t possess any normal wolf skills like tracking or even hunting. His stamina exceeded most wolves but so did his adaptability. Probably why he was exploring the Sierra region. But Mom had grown up in Le Couvènte. And I understood why she would rage if she knew. Her family had disowned her and relocated to the Sierras. She intended to keep her branches growing only in Le Couvènte. She wanted Brian to join her pack. They couldn’t disown her since she was an Alpha.
“Make no mistake, Rin,” Heath warned and followed with an order, “You will tell Dad everything that happened tonight. It’ll be better coming from you.”
“Agreed, but there’s not much to tell,” I noted, crossing my arms over my chest. “So, what about you, Heath?”
“What about me?”
“I noticed you talking to Enton Carolton earlier. Did you have a nice conversation?”
Heath smirked, leaning back against the leather seat, outstretching his casual arms. “Thought I caught you spying on me. And yes, it was good.”
“Good?”
He sighed and eyed me. “I was getting information about the next Council election.”
“But that’s still two years away.”
“And…?”
“Are you thinking of running for a Council position?”
Brian grunted. “Wake up and smell the current affairs.”
A little surprised, I uncrossed my legs and placed my hands on the seat on either side of me. It was obvious that Heath would always be meant for great things. The first to rise to a challenge, the first straight-A student, the youngest in the family to earn a master’s degree…and his unmistakable charm, but I still couldn’t wrap my head around my oldest brother with his penchant for fashion and pompousness would head down the political path.
“Eh, he’s been a kiss-ass all his life. Turning it into a career should be simple,” Brian joked to our oldest brother―
―who deflected with a worthy come-back. “Better a kiss-ass than an ass-wipe such as yourself.”
I smacked the backs of both my brothers’ heads, causing them to jerk but ending their little tiff. “Mom would do worse. You’ll just have to settle for me.”
“Thank you, faithful sister,” Heath mocked just before the limousine slowed to a halt in our driveway.
Time to face Dad.
After changing into some overalls and a plain t-shirt, I explained what happened. Curling up in the wool throw on the couch beside the fireplace, I prepared to glean as much as I could of my father’s advice. With how emotional Mom and I were, most of our serious discussions ended in a metaphorical boxing ring. Not with Dad. We rarely ever fought.
“First,” he commenced and sipped at his nightcap in his leather chair across from me, “I want to commend you for your confidence. You handled the situation with the dealers well along with your departure from The Chateau. As for the other event…” I knew that look in my father’s eyes and how warm pride frosted into chilly disapproval as he continued, “I know it can be difficult at your age, and you have a yearning to test boundaries, but in your case, you put your life at risk. As your father, I will not tolerate it. Even with a vampire as esteemed and respected as Stefan White.”
I leaned back on my hands and crossed my ankles. “So, will I always be doomed to live at home forever and have Brian and Heath follow me around like guard dogs?”
“Patience, daughter. Even if the prophecy rings true, you will still have to tolerate Guardians. Official ones.”
“But I can’t find out anything about the prophecy―”
“The prophecy is a mystery to us all. Perhaps you will become neither race. Or perhaps both. Hopefully, Queen Caroline will shed some light on the situation.” Dad was on a first-name basis with the queen, but he still used her royal title.
I straightened. “Did you find out when…?”
“Enton Carolton has arranged a meeting for tomorrow. She will be arriving in the morning.”
“Here?”
“Queen Caroline insisted. She said you would be more comfortable in your own environment.”
I knew why. The Queen had foresight. And I was eager to get answers from the most powerful pre-cog in Le Couvènte.
To my right and left, there was nothing but stone walls in the long underground passageway. On each side were arched gaps carved in the walls. In the gaps, smoke curled from glowing candles like some villain's sinister mustache. At the end of the passage, I turned right and felt a chill colder than an abandoned churchyard just before the vampire descended on me. His fingers fondled my neck before his mouth leaned closer and fangs seized my jugular…
When I woke this time, it was to a branch jabbing my forehead. I lost my footing and stumbled, landing on my rear. At least it wasn't something too breakable, but I'd be sore later. Um…no. Not as sore as my shoulders. My muscles there ached just like the day before but only worse. Like someone had pounded them with miniature battering rams over and over.
Not this again.
Before getting up, a growl worked its way up inside me, and I grabbed a handful of cold dirt and chucked it at a nearby tree. Finally, I took a few deep breaths and tried to get my bearings. This time, I wasn’t transported to my dream’s location. Otherwise, I’d be in some underground stone hallway. Instead, dark silhouettes of trees surrounded me along with thick brush and bushes. Redwoods. All too high to climb. At first, I surveyed the area, wondering if Raoul would be my hero twice in a row. No, it was quiet. In fact, it was too quiet. Animals were nocturnal. I should hear something ― thickets rustling, twigs snapping, critters scurrying. That could mean only one thing: a predator.
Last time, I missed the murderer. It seemed I wasn’t so lucky this time.
Chapter Seven
Murder Two
I saw the wolf in the distance. About a hundred yards away. Peppercorn gray fur and eyes like frost and moonstones in the darkness. First, I froze, hoping the wolf wouldn't see me. Or sense me. Or smell me; flimsy spider webs might as well have held my hope together. And when the wolf flicked its head in my direction and grunted a white breath, I considered running. But my instincts were tampered. Defaulted to freeze. Never run from any wolf. Don’t become their prey, I preached lessons ingrained in me. First, I waited for four extra seconds and judged the wolf before one paw stepped in my direction. I scrambled for a weapon, reaching for the closest tree branch…until the wolf turned aside to the nearest tree. That’s when I heard a growl fade into a low moan along with the faint noise of bones breaking, realigning.
After another moment or two, a pale figure in a black dress started walking toward me, her silver hair pricking the night and betraying her identity. Charlotte DuBois, a prominent member in the DuBois Pack and a Gua
rdian intern who attended my school. Even if we weren't exactly friends, Charlotte was personable. I was lucky it wasn’t a real wolf. Except the blood drenching her chest and disappearing below her cleavage made me wonder if that was still true.
“Reina, what on earth are you doing out here at this time. And so close to the border? Do you have a death wish?”
I shook my head. “No. But it looks like my subconscious does.” I muttered the last part and motioned to the blood on her chest, deflecting. “Were you hunting?”
Charlotte glanced to the right and licked her lips before answering as if judging on whether or not to tell me something. “Guardians are forbidden to hunt while on duty. Our sole focus is keeping the border secure. You're fortunate that you crossed my path instead of one of the vampires’. They're not far.” I never knew Charlotte was so good at deflecting, too.
“What about Raoul Kelley? Is he on duty?”
“He is. Why?”
“He can take me home. If the border can get along without him for a short time,” I added.
Charlotte squared her shoulders before sighing a ghost-like breath. “He's patrolling the southwest border not far from here. I’ll return to wolf form and pass a message through the lines. I hope I won't meet you like this again.”
She wasn’t the only one. Charlotte turned aside and approached the nearest tree so she could remove her dress and transform. After a few minutes had passed, a familiar voice caught me off guard. “Reina.”
Startled, I jumped when his breath curled against my neck, sap-sweet and thick. His expertise was unrivaled when it came to sneaking up on me. A talent he'd honed over the past thirteen years. I spun around and crossed my arms over my chest and tapped my foot. “Seriously, are you ever going to get tired of that?”
He casually joined his hands behind his back. “Never. And it's high time we stop meeting like this. People may start to talk.”
I heaved a sigh and glanced down at my clothes, dropping my hands to my sides. “I certainly won't be wearing pajamas to bed anymore. Mind taking me home again?” I knotted my fingers, pleading.
“Not at all. My shift was almost over. Will you be addressing this new and rather alarming habit with the Council or higher?”
“Oh,” I shifted my weight. “Who told you?”
Raoul tilted his head and smirked.
It wasn't a guess. “Heath.” I rolled my eyes. “Bloody mouthpiece.”
“Would you prefer I didn't know about your royal rendezvous?”
“You know me. Miss. Open Book. It's fine, I just wish I had the chance to tell someone something important for once.”
“Perhaps next time.”
Even though I wasn't gone as long tonight, everything lapsed much the same way it had before. This time, Raoul stayed for the drama.
“That's it!” Heath threw his hands up in the air. “I'll post myself in your bedroom each night.”
“Like hell you will.” I nearly scalded him with my amethyst eyes while he escorted me up the porch.
“Maybe we can handcuff her to the bedposts,” suggested Brian, who stood in the doorway dressed in nothing but a pair of cutoff jeans with hair like a petrified porcupine.
“You all act like I'm doing this on purpose!” I raised my voice and stalked inside. “Where's Mom?”
“Taking a chill pill,” said Brian, jerking his head upstairs.
Terrific. Xanax night. Not good.
“I'm certain that Caroline Abbott will have some helpful insight as soon as you meet with her,” Raoul encouraged everyone. Ever the peacemaker, he quelled the tension.
Dad sat in his usual leather chair in the family room ― palms touching, fingertips poised against each other.
“Let us all hope Raoul is right,” he silenced everyone. “Reina, you should go upstairs and salvage any sleep you can. You should be as well rested as you're able for your meeting with the queen.” I yawned, almost ready to pass out as it was.
“And Raoul…” My father turned to the young man standing just to my right. “You seem to enjoy fate's placing yourself in the position where you may rescue my daughter.”
Raoul glanced over at me and smiled. That smile wasn't familiar. The way the corners of his mouth eased into a tighter grin. It was playful. And his words backed up the smile. “I confess that I do, sir.”
“We should discuss that sometime soon.”
“Whenever your schedule permits, sir.”
He was laying it on thick tonight. With the sirs. Ironic, considering Raoul was scores of years older. His history dated back to the Civil War while Dad’s timeline extended to the Roaring Twenties. Whatever they had to discuss was lost on me, but the rarity of Heath's silence assured me he was reading both their consciousness. Maybe I could sucker him into spilling some information later.
“I sent your mother to bed as soon as I heard of your arrival,” Dad alerted me. “And I asked her not to bother you in the morning. Please try to get some rest, and for all our sakes, I hope your subconscious decides not to go on holiday again.”
I stood up, meandered toward him, and leaned down to kiss his cheek. “Me, too. Thank you, Daddy.”
He pinched the bridge of his nose, an action that might as well have said “this human is going to be the death of me.”
Sometimes, I wondered if that was true.
All Council meetings were held at a remote location, unbeknownst to anyone in Le Couvènte who was not already on the Council. The queen coming to my home was an honor. Then again, it was the home of a former queen and king who still retained their title. Once a queen or king of Le Couvènte, always a queen or king. Still strange to consider my parents as monarchs.
Refreshed from the remaining uninterrupted night’s sleep, I changed into a burgundy-colored baby doll dress that fell to my knees over some black lace printed leggings. Then, I secured my generous curls into a messy knot at the back of my head but left a few to flirt with the sides of my neck and jawline. I was even prouder when Heath tapped on my door and approved of my ensemble.
“Good heavens, don't you ever clean this pigsty?” he scoffed.
My eyes twirled around my room. “It's not that bad. Nowhere near as messy as Brian’s.”
“True.”
“We don't have time to worry about my sub-messy room. Did Enton call Dad yet?”
“They’re on their way. They’ll station a security detail around the house.”
Downstairs, we learned there was just enough time for breakfast before the queen's arrival. Big meals were common on the weekend. And since Dad and Heath were both born vampires, they reaped the benefit just as much as Mom, Brian, and I.
“Come on in, Raoul,” Heath called from the dining room table.
I glanced up just as Raoul turned the corner. So annoying that my brother could see through walls. Waving my fork at Raoul as he entered, I tried not to ogle at his dark locks gallivanting across the sides of his face. Or the casual suit that accentuated his height.
“Hi,” I mentioned just after swallowing. “What are you doing here? Is your rescue radar busted?”
Raoul chuckled and peered down at me. “Fully intact. I'm here upon the request of the Council for questioning. However, I’m not certain if I'll be of much help.”
I scooted out of my chair, picked up my dish, and headed to the kitchen. “I'm not sure I will be either. If this is my ability,” I raised my voice while adding my dish to the dishwasher, “I'd much rather stay human.”
Whatever happened, I still wanted to stay human Well, human-ish. I always suspected Heath and Dad wanted me to become a vampire so they wouldn't have to be so careful. Both Mom and Brian were less conspicuous about their desire for me to become a wolf. Mom’s hopes were high for me to become an Alpha so we could lead two packs together. But I didn’t feel like an Alpha. I wasn’t a leader. Or a follower. I was just…me.
Just as the others cleaned up, Brian flicked his head up and announced, “They're coming.” Wolf hearing…and sense of s
mell.
I slid across the hardwood floor of the hallway past Raoul and to the living room window to ease the drapes aside. Almost expecting a procession of black hooded figures, I was surprised to see a company of custom vintage cars rolling onto our driveway. No Guardians in sight, but I knew they were well trained; they'd probably formed a perimeter and were camouflaged better than Navy Seals.
Stepping out of the lead car, a vintage white Rolls Royce, was Frederick Abbott followed by Caroline. First impression: Downton Abbey meets modern day bohemian. From her Roaring Twenties floral headband to the ivory lace batwing top down to the sapphire blue A-line skirt, Caroline Abbott had stepped off the pages of a vintage paper doll book. I inwardly gushed. Her decadent strawberries and cream hair was swept into a twisted knot at the base of her head. I could never pull off that style. Unfortunately, I did not get my mother's curvaceous, hourglass figure. I was slender with minimal hips. My waist wasn’t too trim. Thankfully, my chest wasn’t either, so that was something. But according to Heath, my neck would've suited the cover of any Harlequin Vampire-themed romance. My neck, my hair, my long legs…all my crowning attributes.
My mother and father took their places on the front porch. I smiled when Mom greeted Caroline with a sincere peck to each cheek while Dad and Frederick shook each other's hands.
“Aurora.” Caroline took my mother's hands in hers and then her gaze drifted to our house. “It's been a long time since I've had the fortune of meeting you here. We should make more time to see each other away from Council meetings.”
“It's good to see you here, too, Caroline. Life has certainly been hectic.”
“More for you as I've learned.”
My father cleared his throat and moved to one side of the porch, directing the attention to the three of us. His children.
“Queen Abbott, I know you've had the fortune of meeting my son, Heath, in the past…”
