by Joyee Flynn
I internally sighed with relief. Having Jessep on my side was a big help. He held a lot of sway with the wealthiest families of our people and had been one of my father’s right-hand men.
“Cynthia, wait a moment, I would speak to you in private,” I said quietly. She nodded and followed me as I walked away from everyone else.
“What’s wrong?” Ferris asked once we were alone by the ballroom.
“I know the portal is safe for adults, but what about a tiny baby?” I whispered as I stared at Paolo. “I mean, most babies aren’t even supposed to travel on planes. Could it hurt him?”
“I don’t know but that’s a good question. Are there any other children in this pack?”
“There were a few but not babies,” Cynthia choked out.
“No,” I whispered in horror as her meaning sunk in. “How?”
“They went for the children first, saying their blood was the best.” Tears ran down her cheeks. “Your brother had been with your mother and when she heard the screams from the kids’ movie night and the people watching them, she raced to the study with the few who’d taken weapons to protect her.”
“All of them?” I felt like the floor was falling out from under me.
“Jenny, Rachel, and Trevor were killed, along with their parents.”
I felt my heart break all over again. Trevor was my best friend’s son. “Chris?”
“No, she was with them,” Cynthia answered. In a flash I turned and punched the wall, every bone in my hand breaking.
“Rylan, please,” Ferris begged as he pulled me back against him.
“My parents, my best friend, my godchild are all gone, Ferris. They’re all dead.”
“I’m sorry, sweetie,” he whispered as I shook. I glanced up in time to see Onah, Bevin, and the Queen staring at me with tears in their eyes.
“They went after the children,” I told them, trying to explain. “We lost three under the age of ten.”
“Monsters,” the Queen whispered in horror. “They will not go unavenged. We will kill every last demon.”
I nodded and turned back to Paolo when he let out a soft cry. “Is the portal safe for a baby to travel through? I didn’t know if I should let him through yet.”
“Yes, but it would cause him more discomfort than an adult. If I carry him through, my magic will make it painless for him.” She gave me a sad smile and held out her arms to Cynthia.
“I trust her with Paolo,” I told Cynthia when she gave me a hesitant look. She nodded and handed over my brother. “Can you get his and your things through the portal and stay with the Queen? I have things to wrap up here and then we’ll be over.”
“Are you staying at the sanctuary with us, your highness?” she asked and I glanced at Ferris and Onah.
“I think it’s wise you stay under the same roof as your people. There won’t be any issue if we stay with the Mariuses tonight as well,” Ferris answered the question in my look.
“Okay, good.” I turned back to Cynthia, exhausted in a way I couldn’t even fathom. “Trust the Queen and Councilwoman Marius. She’s got a slew of children and I trust her with Paolo. But no one else. He is heir to the throne now. And I want you to have a guard at all times as well since you’ll be right there with him.”
“I will assign one of my best to her,” the Queen said as she stroked Paolo’s cheek. “He is breathtaking, Rylan.”
“Feel free to babysit anytime you want,” I chuckled darkly. “I have no idea what to do with a baby. I’ve never even changed a diaper.”
“You will learn but your people need you first,” she said gently before walking away with Paolo in her arms, Cynthia following after.
“I added the treasury to the Queen’s list,” Bevin told me quietly. “We found a demon in there. I think he was waiting us out and going to make off with the crown’s fortune.”
“Good thinking.” I nodded and then winced as a warrior carried out one of our dead from the ballroom. “You’ve found a place for them?”
“Don’t worry yourself about that, your highness. We’re taking care of it,” Bevin answered with a tight nod.
In other words, I wouldn’t like where they were storing the bodies. Then it hit me. To preserve them until they could be buried, it would have to be somewhere cold… Which probably meant the walkin freezer in the kitchen.
“Bring everything you take out of the freezer with us. We’ll need the supplies and the vampires shouldn’t be put out feeding all of us,” I said quietly before turning on my heel and handling what came next.
Chapter 6
Onah My heart broke for my mate. Such a tragedy he was dealing with. I wasn’t sure what to do besides simply be there for him and help in any way I could. Ferris must have felt the same because neither of us would let Rylan out of our sight.
We followed him to his rooms and stood there as he sent messages to the heads of all the margay packs. Then he packed some things, mostly pictures and some extra clothes. Normally I would have thought it frivolous to pack pictures considering there was a limited amount of time we should stay there and hands to carry everything over through the portal… But it was understandable given what he’d gone through.
I’m sure the image of his parents’ dead bodies was burned into his mind and he’d want to look at anything that reminded him of happier times.
After that, we made sure everyone was out of the palace and through the portal. Once it was clear we were the last ones and his orders were carried out, we went through it and ended up back in Barnabas’s house. The Queen was there with Rylan’s friend Cynthia. She handed over Paolo to the margay and closed the portal.
“It is no trouble to reopen it,” the Queen said, lying through her teeth. It wasn’t for her, but keeping it open was draining. I knew that. “The moment you’re ready to start packing up and moving your people’s belongings here, my warriors will escort them and help bring everything over. We just had to do the same thing a few months ago when we crossed onto this plane.”
“Thank you very much, your highness,” Rylan said, giving her a tired smile. Then he went over to Barnabas. “Is your doctor still here? I never got a chance to speak with him.”
“No, he went back home with Micah. They’re helping to get everyone settled. You don’t have to talk with him tonight, Rylan.”
“I might as well. I have an hour and a half before I have the conference with the heads of the packs. I’d prefer not to hold it on my laptop. Is there anywhere that has video conferencing that I can use?”
“We have it here but after Desmond Marius saw my setup he wanted one for his own,” Bas answered. “I’m sure Desmond will let you use it.”
“Thank you for everything, Bas. I’m sorry your kind invitation of dinner was spoiled.”
“I’m sorry why it was,” he said gently. He patted my mate’s shoulder and we headed outside with Cynthia and Paolo.
“I don’t feel like driving and the baby shouldn’t be in a sports car,” Rylan mumbled.
“Cynthia can handle holding Paolo and getting a ride over to the Mariuses’,” Ferris said gently. He opened the door to one of the waiting vehicles. “I’ll drive your rental. You need a moment alone to breathe, Ry.”
“Yeah, okay,” he agreed and walked over to the car. I followed, carrying most of what he’d brought over from Italy. Rylan had too much on his plate to have to worry about his bags.
The drive over to the Mariuses’ was quiet. Rylan was doing some things on his tablet that he had grabbed at the last minute. It made me nervous and after sharing a glance with Ferris, I could tell he felt the same.
“What are you doing, baby?” I asked after about thirty minutes.
“I remembered hearing Brian and Banning discussing that there was a farm on the east side of their property that was going up for sale. They said it was too big for them to buy to expand the vineyard but with all the help they’ve been having, and growing as much as they can to provide local crops for the extra vampires tha
t are staying at the Dragos estate they need more room.”
“You were eavesdropping on them?” Ferris asked, not seeming too happy about it.
“No, I didn’t care what they were saying and I wasn’t like spying. I knew my mate was close but there were people everywhere and I was trying to get a feel of what kind of people they were. I couldn’t just shift back in the middle of unfriendlies once I had found you,” he explained very matter-of-factly, not glancing up from the tablet. “It didn’t mean anything to me at the time other than that they were nice and were dedicated to helping others and providing sustenance.”
“And now?” I was curious what our little mate was thinking of doing with a farm.
“And now, I’ve found out that the farm is seven hundred acres. I could buy it for the new palace we’d need to build here, obviously not of the same caliber as the last one to fit in to the surroundings, and donate maybe fifty acres to Brian and Banning and work out some kind of deal with them. That should show the vampires’ High Council that we’re willing to help the community and not just ask for protection.
“I’ve also asked several builders who say they would work in that area to contact me tomorrow to set up a meeting. I know it’s October but if they work quickly there’s no reason we would have to hold off construction until the spring. Then we can maybe hire some of the vampires who were displaced by the attacks or the wolves I saw building that house to finish the inside to our specifications and needs.
“There’s no reason to get humans involved in that. They’d ask too many questions. I need to discuss all this with Bas and Elena of course, but I feel it’s a good plan.”
“Baby, take a moment to breathe,” Ferris said gently.
“I don’t have time to breathe,” he growled. “I just have to keep moving. If I keep moving and working the problems my people are facing then it won’t be overwhelming.”
I shook my head when Ferris gave me a worried look. If that’s what Rylan needed to get through tonight, then we should let him. He was under pressure in a way two warriors wouldn’t understand. We’d never had a whole species look to us to solve problems and keep them safe.
“We could pay warriors to provide security and implement whatever was needed so we’d be safe from another attack. Also, after what Bas told me about Riley trying to rework the wolves’ blood for the libido side effect not to distract them, the answer is our blood. I think donating some here and there to help keep us safe and make our protectors stronger is an understandable sacrifice. I can sell that to the packs.”
“Just let us know whatever we can do to help,” Ferris said quietly. I saw Rylan nod but he didn’t say anything else the rest of the drive. “We’re here.”
We pulled up to a security gate and Ferris leaned out the window to push the call button, announcing who we were when asked. The gate buzzed open and he drove up to the mansion, parking out of the way.
Rylan practically dove out of the car once I was out and raced over to the vehicle Paolo was in. He yanked open the door and eyed over his brother and Cynthia. I didn’t even think how hard it might have been for him to be separated from the only remaining family he had after losing his parents.
“I do need something from you both,” he said quietly as we joined him. “I don’t want Cynthia and Paolo out of your sight. One guard isn’t enough right now. There’s too much at stake.”
“We can’t leave you alone right now, Rylan. Don’t ask that of us. We need to not let you out of our sight so we know you’re safe.”
He eyed us over and swallowed loudly, realizing we were worried about him. “Okay, but I want someone you know and trust watching them as well.”
“I trust Zion with my life,” I replied, gesturing to the fae warrior the Queen had assigned the protective detail to. “I’ve known him for centuries, Ry. He’s a good man and perfect for the job.”
“Please,” he whispered, his eyes filling with tears. “One guard is not enough.”
“I’m tight with Virgil Marius,” Ferris said gently. “I’ll ask him to watch over them as well. He’s got an extra room in his suite that I’ve crashed in when I’ve come over for dinner and drank too much. I’m sure given the circumstances he’d let your brother’s temporary nursery be set up there.”
“Thank you,” Rylan breathed as he stood on his toes. Ferris got the idea and kissed our little mate. I was hurt because I was doing my best as well and not receiving that kind of affection. It was silly and unwarranted though because moments later he turned and kissed me as well. “I’m sorry I’m being such a beast. It’s the only way I can keep functioning.”
“You’re fine, Ry,” I promised him as I cupped his cheek. “I don’t know how you’re still moving right now. I’d be inconsolable and unable to do much of anything if the situation was reversed.”
“No you wouldn’t,” he chuckled, slipping his hand into mine. “You’d do the exact same thing, making sure you were keeping everyone you could safe before allowing yourself to grieve.”
He had a point and I didn’t want to tell him he was wrong right then so I simply shrugged. We walked into the house, letting Elena know we were the last of everyone. Rylan checked the time on his phone and asked for a private meeting with Riley and to speak with Desmond about using his video conferencing equipment.
“Ferris, you know the way to Desmond’s study. He’s in there filling in other High Councils around the world on what happened,” she said quietly, aware of all the ears around. “And Caleb said that whatever your people need you have the help of the vampires in Eastern Europe.”
“Thank you. We will need it,” Rylan replied with a sigh.
“I’ll send Riley to the study.” She went to turn away but he stopped her.
“If you could sneak away and join us as well, I have a proposal for your High Council when they meet tomorrow that I hope will show the goodwill and community the margays are going to bring to your coven.”
“Of course.” I could tell she was curious but this wasn’t a conversation for right then. It was the kind that was best to have behind closed doors.
Ferris led us to the study and we heard Desmond’s raised voice.
“Come in,” he barked out. All of us flinched at that.
“I’ve never heard Desmond yell before,” Ferris mumbled as he opened the door. “Councilman Marius, King Rylan is here and Councilwoman Marius asked us to come speak with you.” That wasn’t really how it went down, but we didn’t know who Desmond had been yelling with.
“Good, maybe we’ll get some answers now that the cat is here,” someone on the monitor said.
“I know you didn’t just speak to a guest in my house that way, David,” Desmond growled. “His is the King of one of our allies. You will show him the proper respect. I can’t believe after all the years and everything we’ve seen in battle that you still belittle other races. We’re all part of the same world!” The name clicked for me and I knew it was the head of the South American High Council.
“Thank you, Councilman Marius,” Rylan said with a head dip. “I’m glad you feel that way especially when I come prepared to offer a very beneficial deal to your coven.”
“What can the margays give us that we don’t already have?” the guy on the screen asked. He said margays as if he was saying lesser beings.
“Councilman Marius, I wonder if I might use your conferencing equipment in fifteen minutes. I have to address all the leaders of the packs and let them know about the attack,” Rylan said smoothly, ignoring the rude man in the screen. There were several on it. It was what Barnabas had called a split-screen conference.
“I know you didn’t just ignore me, cat.”
“And I know you didn’t just forget to address me as your highness. I am a goddamn King,” Rylan bellowed. “I’m not telling you shit. You’re an ass and I wouldn’t trust you with my laundry with that attitude. People like you are the reason supernaturals are dying out. If we don’t work together, we’re all dead.”
“You would know. You let your own people get attacked,” the Councilman replied haughtily.
“Come say that to my fucking face and you will see exactly what I’m capable of. We didn’t have warriors to protect us and I bet you’re nothing without yours.”
“I was a warrior,” the man growled.
“And my mate fought like one, Councilman. He had just as many kills in the fight as any of the others who went to help,” I said dangerously. “I see now why my Queen denied sending any of our people to your coven to help protect you.”
“We don’t need the help of the fae.”
“And yet you made a request for it,” I replied, giving a wide smile.
“Enough,” Desmond grumbled. “This conversation isn’t helping anything. David, I’m done talking to you. I called to fill you in because I respected our time fighting side by side in the days of old when our covens needed help. But I won’t allow you to speak to the people in my house like this. Maybe someone else will fill you in the next time something happens but it won’t be me.”
He pushed a button on a remote and the man’s face disappeared.
“As my children would say, that D bag needs to get a clue,” another of the men on the screen said. “King Rylan, we are all very sorry for your loss. What can we do to help?”
“Nothing at this time but thank you for your concern,” Rylan said, giving another head dip. “I need to discuss what’s happened with my pack first, they are still unaware about the attack. After that they may need support in their areas. I’m not sure where you are all at regionally.”
“Those of us who are willing to help will e-mail Desmond and he can give you our locations,” he answered. “Our thoughts are with you in this tiring time. I agree with what you said earlier. If we don’t all start banding together the demons will pick us off one coven or pack at a time.”
“If only everyone understood that,” Rylan said sadly. They wrapped up the call and Desmond sat down in a huff.
“I’m sorry for how David acted, your highness. He used to be a good man, worried about all. But when he took over his father’s High Council seat, he changed. I don’t know if the power went to his head or what but I miss the man he used to be.”
