The Rainmaker

by Petra Landon

  Raoul glanced at the clock. It was a little after midnight. He reached for his cell.

  Need a favor, LaRue.

  A few minutes later, back came the response.

  What do you need?

  A photo of Azevedo.

  Any particular reason?

  Just a hunch, LaRue. If it works out, I’ll tell you about it.

  You got it. Give me a few days to ask around?

  Sure. Thanks.

  You’re welcome, Merceau.

  Something weird was going on with him, Raoul mused. Strange flashes of real life events that made no sense and freaked the bejezus out of him. But it seemed to involve the witchling. Maybe, it had something to do with the curious ability that allowed him to sense her emotions and mood, even in a roomful of people. With her, it went beyond the usual physiological clues that Shifters were adept at. Equally strangely, she’d shown flashes of a similar ability when it came to him.

  Chapter 17

  A rescue and a night in the woods

  “Has anyone heard from Durovic?” the Alpha inquired.

  Tasia glanced up from her conversation with Sara. They were on their way to Portland to meet with some acquaintances of Lady Bethesda from before she’d become a prominent and infamous Guardian. The First Wizard had organized the meeting. With the Guardians’ continued intractability about the official prophecy records, the First Wizard was attempting to aid the investigation in other ways.

  To Tasia’s surprise, Atsá and Sara accompanied them on the trip, in addition to the team working on the investigation. Sara had taken the day off from work, at the Alpha’s request. From what Tasia could tell, her friend seemed equally in the dark about the reason for her inclusion.

  “Something wrong, Raoul?” Duncan inquired, not noticeably perturbed.

  “I don’t know.” The Alpha shook his head, a tiny pucker between his brows. “He said he’d head north to TorElnor after Portland, but it’s curious that there’s been no word from him since the meeting.”

  Luis seemed about to say something when Sienna, seated with Hawk and Tasia, piped up. “I’ve a bad feeling about this, Alpha” she said simply. “Roman knew how eager I was to get news of my sister, and there’s been nothing for three days now.”

  Sienna had been more perturbed than she’d let on, not wanting to harry the Shifters over this, but now that the Alpha had broached the topic himself, she did not hide her concerns. Jason, who had guessed at her impatience but not her alarm, looked taken aback.

  “Roman Durovic is more than capable of handling himself” Atsá said calmly, his words directed at Sienna. As always, he was a man of few words but infinite wisdom.

  Sienna acknowledged his words with a somber glance directed at the older Were-Alpha.

  “In Portland, we will be guests of the local Pack” the Alpha announced. “The Alpha Protector is distantly related to Atsá and requested a meeting with her cousins.” The last was directed at Sara and Hawk.

  Sara’s eyebrows shot up in surprise but Hawk merely looked curious, clearly disinterested in meeting any new relatives. Atsá cast a glance at Hawk but remained wisely silent.

  The tring of his phone interrupted the Alpha, who excused himself to move away with his cell tucked into his ear.

  The past three days at the Lair had been busy for Tasia. One evening, Duncan had accompanied Sara and her out to dinner, a welcome respite from the Lair for Tasia. The rest of her time at the Lair had been spent poring over the reports that Faoladh had sent over. The Alpha had been absent from the Lair, his larger-than-life presence noticeably missing from what was usually his second home. No more late-night drinking fests in his private room or back-to-back meetings with Shifters while he worked energetically around the clock to further his Pack’s interests. His temporary absence had served to bring home to Tasia his strong work ethic. A throwaway remark from Duncan had hinted that the Alpha was taking the time to heal himself, his body fighting off two bouts of silver poisoning less than a week apart.

  The Chosen were agog at the events at Wizard Headquarters. With her insulated existence, Tasia had no access to the rumors that abounded in their world. But she had not shied away from asking Duncan for news. Between Jason and Duncan, she gathered that the loudest whispers were about the astonishing prospect of a CoC trial of a Guardian and the distance between the First Wizard and GCW that was now starting to affect Wizards of all stripes. There was also rampant speculation about what had rattled the Shifters’ cages enough to have them rampage in San Diego and trash Wizard Headquarters with impunity, before saner minds had prevailed. Faoladh, the Alpha, the First Wizard, and some of the Guardians’ names were being bandied about, as was the rumor of some Vampires joining in gleefully with the Shifters to wreak havoc on Headquarters. But for once, public opinion was not on the side of the GCW, for word had gotten out that the group confronting the Guardians had included First Ones and Wizards, in addition to Shifters, as well as a few members of the Clan, unlikely as that was. The Chosen were inclined to believe that if such a myriad group of Magicks had come together to confront the GCW, then there was sure to be some smoke to the fire.

  Tasia glanced up as the Alpha came striding back towards them with his cell in his hand.

  He wore a strange expression on his face. “That was the Lair. Someone called this morning and asked for me by name. Gave her name as Nandini and insisted that she would only talk to me about Roman Durovic.”

  Sienna straightened in her seat, as the others turned their attention to the Alpha.

  “Any way to get in touch with her?” Duncan inquired.

  “She left a number with instructions for me. Apparently, she was insistent that I only send messages to the number and not call her.”

  “She’s in trouble” Jason muttered, his eyes flashing to Sienna, who had gone white.

  “No.” Raoul shook his head, leaning back against the seat, a thoughtful look on his face. “She’s being careful, but I don’t think she’s in trouble. However, Durovic may be.”

  He busied himself in punching in a message with one hand, the long fingers moving expertly as he typed. Tasia felt a bubble of absurd laughter well up in her at the sight. Despite the gravity of the situation, his normalness, for want of a better term, always caught her by surprise. Sensing her gaze or perhaps her untimely mirth, he directed a gold-eyed glance at her, part curiosity and part something else. Tasia subsided.

  “Let’s see what she has to say” he said.

  But the Alpha’s phone remained stubbornly silent, despite the many troubled glances Sienna directed at it or how impatiently the Alpha glanced at it. Three hours later, it finally beeped. By then, they were in Portland and on their way to their appointment with the Wizards from Lady Bethesda’s more convivial past.

  Raoul glanced impatiently at the first message from Nandini Rathore.

  Roman Durovic is a prisoner of my mother.

  The Alpha turned promptly around to show Duncan the message on his phone. The English Shifter read it out aloud. There was an instant of astonished silence and Luis, in the driver’s seat, arched his eyebrow in surprise.

  Are you offering to help free him?

  Raoul typed furiously, wondering what the girl was leaving unsaid. If Roman had never made it out after his meeting with Nandini, then it had been three days. Durovic was tough as they came, but Lady Bethesda was ruthless — though Raoul couldn’t help but wonder why she’d take Durovic prisoner. Roman Durovic was to be the next leader of an influential faction of Ancients. What good would it do Lady Bethesda to antagonize the Setik?

  My mother leaves in an hour. When she’s away, only a few Undead guards remain behind. I don’t know how long she’ll be away but that would be the best time to free Roman. He’s being held in the cellar in a house in the woods. I’ll send you what the GPS pinpoints as the location. The nearest town is forty-five minutes by road.

  She was succinct and to the point. Raoul appreciated that, but there was one question he wa
nted an answer to before he commenced a rescue.

  Will you leave with Roman?

  He didn’t have long to wait. Pat came her answer.

  I would like to but my mother doesn’t leave the house much. And when she’s here, she has an army to protect her. She’s insisting I accompany her this evening and I don’t want to arouse her suspicions by asking to remain behind.

  Raoul frowned, his mind whirring as he read the texts. Seconds later, there was a gentle warning from her.

  Roman is in bad shape. I’ll remain and maintain the charade for as long as I can. My mother will not allow her Undead followers to mistreat me.

  Now, he understood. With her mother away, it might be their best chance to free Roman. She was ready to flee but didn’t want to arouse Lady Bethesda’s suspicions. In essence, she was willing to sacrifice or at least postpone her shot at freedom, to allow them a chance to rescue Durovic.

  Raoul pondered furiously, weighing his options. He liked their odds of a rescue but didn’t like the thought of leaving the girl behind when it was clear that she was disenchanted with her mother.

  Roman asked me to tell you this, in case you suspect this to be a trap. He was the one to rid my sister of her locket, when no one else could help her.

  It was the final text that pushed Raoul to make his decision. The girl was giving him an opening, one she might not be able to again. And, she was right that her mother would not harm her. Lady Bethesda needed her daughters to fulfill The Prophecy and further her ambitions.

  He glanced around the car at the others watching him silently. They were nine of them in total — six Shifters and three Wizards. Atsá and Sara had remained behind at the local Lair with Alpha Tlizilani. He’d rather not take either Sienna or the witchling into the skirmish. Both were vulnerable — one from Lady Bethesda, and the other from her leeches. But the rest would make a formidable team if they had to fight their way through to Roman. Unfortunately, there was no time to take Sienna and the witchling back to the local Lair. Neither could he spare anyone to escort them back. Nandini believed her mother would take the bulk of her leech guards with her, leaving a skeletal crew behind at the house. They’d have to take the chance, Raoul realized. They might not have another opportunity present itself anytime soon. And Raoul felt responsible. Roman had walked into the Lion’s Den at his request. He deserved to be extricated as soon as possible.

  He reached for his cell to make the girl a pledge.

  I’ll come back for you once we have him.

  Raoul hoped that the girl believed him. She had no reason to.

  I’ll hold you to that, Alpha. Good luck.

  In a few seconds, a snippet of a map came through to his cell. The house in the woods was in a nature preserve, with a few marked roads skirting it and a network of walking trails bisecting it. Raoul studied the portion of the map carefully, matching it meticulously with a larger map on his phone to ask the girl a few questions about the road through the preserve leading to the house. She answered readily enough, though her knowledge of the roads was not as extensive as the woods surrounding the house.

  He turned to the driver. “Change of plans, Luis. Pull over and punch in these new co-ordinates.”

  Luis pulled over immediately without a word, to study the map on the Alpha’s phone. The Alpha turned around to face the others.

  “We’re getting Roman out?” Jason arched an eyebrow.

  “Yes, we’re getting Roman out. This is our best shot. Lady Bethesda doesn’t leave the house much and Nandini says she’s headed out in an hour, with her guards. He’s being held in the middle of nowhere. When in residence, her mother surrounds herself with an army of leeches.”

  “Vampires” Sienna muttered in disgust.

  “This is good news, Sienna” Raoul pointed out. “I’d rather she have leech allies we know about than others we don’t.”

  “Agreed, Merceau” Jason seconded him.

  “What about Nandini?” Sienna asked, hope in her eyes.

  Raoul shook his head. “Can’t get her away this time, Sienna. Her mother insists that she accompany her and Nandini doesn’t want to arouse her suspicions.”

  “She’s playing her part to allow us to get Roman out” Duncan murmured.

  “Yes, I’ve promised to go back for her once we have Durovic.” The last was directed at Sienna.

  Sienna nodded, unable to swallow her disappointment.

  “Is there any chance this is a trap, Alpha?” Simeonov asked.

  “It could be” Raoul acknowledged. “Nandini is telling the truth. Roman did ask her to send word to me. However, there’s always the possibility that the leeches in the house have overheard her or her mother suspects we’re coming, so we’ll have to be very careful.”

  “A request to Alpha Tlizilani for reinforcements might not be a bad idea, Raoul” Duncan suggested, in his prosaic way. “Just in case we need the numbers to get Roman away.”

  Raoul mused on his friend’s suggestion. Without Sienna and the witchling along for the ride, this would be fun. Going up against leeches was always enjoyable. With them along, it could easily be fraught.

  “I’ll send her a message” he assented.

  This went against Raoul’s instincts but Duncan, as usual, was the voice of reason and practicality. Allowing Sienna to fall into her mother’s clutches in the attempt to free Roman Durovic would be catastrophic. Lady Bethesda already had one daughter in her power, and they had no clue where the third daughter might be.

  “I think I’ve a fair idea where this is.” Luis shifted into gear to roll out onto the road again. “Should be there in an hour and a half.”

  “We’ll be cutting it fine” Raoul warned. “Nandini’s not sure how long her mother plans to be absent.”

  In a modest house in a Portland suburb, an elegantly-dressed lady awaited news.

  “My Lady” the pale young man greeted her with respect, before seating himself at her invitation.

  “What news, Rafaelo?” she inquired.

  The Vampire sighed. “Not very good, My Lady.”

  She contemplated him. “Your Guardian didn’t succeed in his attempt at revenge?”

  “No.” Bianchi shook his head.

  “Do the Shifters know who was responsible for the assault on their Alpha?” Her mind churned over the matter carefully. “If not, we should find a way to let them know, Rafaelo.”

  Perhaps, this might be the straw to break the camel’s back, she mused. This inexplicable alliance between Esmeralda’s Wizards and the Wyrs must be torn asunder quickly, before it posed a threat to her.

  “The Shifters know, My Lady” Rafaelo answered. The Lady had been at her forest abode for the past week and seemed oblivious about the momentous sacking of Wizard Headquarters.

  This time, his words surprised her. An eyebrow arched elegantly.

  “The Shifters had a showdown at Wizard Headquarters over the Guardian, My Lady. The GCW backed down, but not before the Wyrs trashed Headquarters.”

  The Lady’s lips quivered unexpectedly. She’d have loved to witness the rampaging Wyrs trample all over the glass and steel building the Wizards were so proud of. It had been built to honor their First Wizard and the Lady could find no appreciation for anything that reminded her of her singular defeat all those years ago.

  “Are you implicated in anything to do with the Guardian, Rafaelo?” she asked bluntly.

  “No, My Lady. I met with the Guardian once, but that is not enough to implicate me, and I merely made some suggestions to the Guardian. He was the one who acted on them.”

  Her sharp gaze searched his expression carefully, while Rafaelo waited with some trepidation. Rafaelo had worked too hard and too long to further the Lady’s ambitions for him to be swept aside now. He was sure that the Beast Lord would come after him for his part in the attack one of these days. The Beast Lord was not the forgiving kind. But he hoped that the Alpha might find himself a tad busy to do so right now.

  “You know what has me wai
ting to make my move, Rafaelo” she warned him. “I don’t want you embroiled in anything that might jeopardize my plans.”

  “Nothing will jeopardize your plans, My Lady” the Vampire assured her.

  “See that they don’t, and lay low until things die down.”

  Bianchi nodded, pleased at having escaped greater scrutiny.

  “Where’s the Guardian now?” she asked.

  “He’s in Faoladh’s custody.”

  “Hmm.” She pondered the matter. Perhaps, there might still be a way to exploit the situation. She doubted that any Shifter, least of all Faoladh, was happy with the Wizards after the assault. Bianchi had been rather clever to instigate the Guardian into going after the Alpha. The Lady approved of the way the Vampire’s mind worked, devious and cunning, but always careful to keep his fingers away from the fires he stoked.

  “They say that the Guardian will be tried by the Council — the first ever CoC trial” the Vampire remarked.

  Astonishment flashed across her face before she recovered her composure. Rafaelo was unsurprised by her reaction. He’d had an equally tough time believing this particular rumor himself, when it had first come to his ears.

  “I’ve confirmed this, My Lady” he reiterated. “Faoladh has convinced the Alpha to let the Council try the Guardian. No one is quite sure why the Alpha agreed to it. It seems out of character for him.”

  “Loyalty to Faoladh, possibly” she murmured, deep in thought. The Wyrs had always been an obsessively loyal bunch, their fealty to their Alphas and Packs part of the ancient code that drove them. She planned to use this very quality against them, when the time came.

  “I know how Faoladh is, when it comes to his precious CoC. But we should look at it from a different angle, Rafaelo. This tells me that the Alpha will not break with Faoladh’s wishes, regardless of his own beliefs. It would be pointless to attempt to weaken his fealty to Faoladh. Our efforts must focus elsewhere.”