by Petra Landon
From the driver’s seat, Luis asked. “Is her asking price too costly for us?”
“A seat on the local Chosen Alliance?” the Alpha inquired.
“Yes.”
“Not for me, Luis. I’d always meant to include her, once we had the framework of the alliance in place. What’s the point of a local coalition of Chosen if one faction is excluded? It defeats the purpose. But Franciszka was always going to be a tough sell to David and DiZeyla. Now, if she comes through with where Caroline is being held, I’ll have a stronger case. It will demonstrate what Franciszka brings to the table. And, David and DiZeyla will be a lot more amenable.”
“That was David Hamilton” the Alpha announced, putting away his cell.
The two Shifters in the room, engaged in a low-voiced conversation, turned to him.
“He’s heard from Bianchi?” Duncan arched a brow, already knowing the answer.
“He’s heard from Bianchi” Raoul confirmed.
“Any surprises there?” inquired Faoladh.
“Nothing I wasn’t expecting. Bianchi assured David that Caroline would not be harmed, that he had no quarrel with the Wizards and would release her once the Pack allowed him access to Sienna. He hinted that Sienna should have been the Wizards’ responsibility, that he’d have preferred doing business with them, and all this would’ve been avoided if the Shifters hadn’t interfered with Wizard business. He insisted to David that Caroline would not be involved in this, if it weren’t for the company she keeps.”
“The company she keeps?” Faoladh prompted, puzzled by the cryptic reference.
Raoul took a deep breath. The more he attempted to keep the witchling away from this, the more she seemed to be inadvertently drawn deeper into it.
“The Hamilton girl is friends with a Wizard under Pack protection.”
“Aah. The friend she was visiting here at the Lair, before being taken by the Clan.”
Raoul nodded, choosing to ignore the subtle query in Faoladh’s voice.
“Bianchi is attempting to create a rift between the Pack and the Wizards” Duncan interjected, doing his bit to divert Faoladh’s attention away from Tasia. “He’s throwing everything he can to ruffle the waters, hoping that something will stick.”
“Will this affect your relationship with the local Wizards, Raoul?” Faoladh had watched from afar as Raoul had slowly built relationships with local Chosen. He did not want those relationships to suffer because of an investigation the Alpha led at his request.
“No.” Raoul shook his head decidedly. “The irony is that David agrees with Bianchi that Sienna should be a Wizard responsibility. Where their views digress is on who is to blame for the current situation. David told me a few weeks ago that the Wizards are abrogating their responsibility to Sienna with the infighting, and that he appreciates the Pack stepping up to offer her sanctuary.”
Faoladh said nothing, merely looking thoughtful.
“David Hamilton also owes Raoul for Anderson, as well as the mercenaries we gave into your custody, Faoladh” Duncan said. “It was his Wizards Anderson had targeted. Raoul put a stop to it, handing the Guardian and proof of his crimes over to David.”
“The Guardian has been released by the GCW, I hear.”
“Yes” Raoul concurred. “Another matter that has David unhappy with the Guardians.”
Faoladh studied Raoul. “This Wizard of yours, isn’t she the one the Guardian held captive at the Registry here?”
“Yes, Tasia aided one of mine. For her actions, I extended Pack protection to her. When she was targeted for essentially running interference for a Shifter, the Pack went to her aid. Her insights on the investigation have been invaluable. She brings a different perspective to the table” Raoul explained, trying to stave off Faoladh’s interest from veering into suspicion. Faoladh was curious of the witchling and her association with the Pack.
Faoladh looked intrigued. “I never thought to see you deal so with a Wizard, Raoul.”
“Raoul’s come a long way from the teenager you met a decade ago, Faoladh.” It was Duncan who responded, an undertone of pride in his voice he did not bother to hide.
“That he has” the powerful Shifter agreed. “I’ve watched the enormous strides you’ve taken over the years, Raoul. It only reinforced my belief that I did the right thing all those years ago.”
The Alpha stared at Faoladh, speechless for once. Faoladh had saved his life by giving him a second chance. Had he not been given that chance, Raoul’s only option would have been to continue as a Pack-less Shifter in the wild. Sooner or later, he’d have been discovered. Then, either a Pack or Faoladh himself would’ve put an end to his short life.
“I’ve never said anything all these years because I didn’t think you needed to hear the words. But I’ll say this today” Faoladh stated. “This alliance of Chosen that you’ve formed in this city makes me very hopeful for the future, Raoul. I’ve always believed that Chosen will eventually die out, unless we put our differences aside to work with each other. The day our secret is discovered is not that far off — we should ready ourselves to face that day as a united people.”
The door to the Alpha’s Room rattled before Raoul could respond.
Luis slid open the heavy door to address the Alpha. “The Ancient you’re expecting is ten minutes away. Should I have him escorted to the Pack Room?
“Yes. And inform Sienna about it, please.”
“Sienna’s here in the Pack Room, Alpha, as are Jason and the First Wizard.”
“I guess it’s time to meet ElThor’s First One” the Alpha remarked to the others, as Luis shut the door behind him.
“Raoul” Faoladh interjected abruptly before the Alpha could exit the room. “Esmeralda has been playing with a bad hand for a long time, when it comes to the GCW. She owes you big for this investigation into Bethesda, and she knows it. Use this opportunity to extract concessions from her. She won’t refuse you anything you want.”
Raoul, not sure what Faoladh was hinting at, stayed silent. He had every intention of asking the First Wizard about The Prophecy at the heart of Lady Bethesda’s ambitious power play. Beyond that, his inclination was to stay as far away from the Wizards as he could.
“I know you agreed to do this as a favor to me” Faoladh reiterated. “That doesn’t take away from what the Wizards owe you. Don’t step back from plain-speaking to Esmeralda as a sign of respect to me, Raoul. And that includes the Guardian she allowed to be set free despite his transgressions on your Pack.
“If I know you, you want to deal with the Guardian yourself” Faoladh continued, intent on driving his point across. “That would be my inclination too, if I were in your shoes, Raoul. Just keep in mind that this is how alliances are struck. She needs allies now, and this is the time to get concessions from her in return for your assistance. Your investigation has helped tremendously and will uncover more in the future. Esmeralda understands only too well that the Wizards have neither the inclination nor the ability to dig successfully into Bethesda’s past.”
“I understand” Raoul acknowledged quietly, his expression thoughtful. Faoladh was right, he realized on second thought. He shouldn’t allow his dislike of Wizards to blind him to what the First Wizard owed the Pack. While he steered clear of Wizard affairs, he should not walk away from what was owed to him and his Pack by the Wizards.
“Come on, let’s go check the mettle of ElThor’s First One” Faoladh said mildly, satisfied at having gotten his message through.
Minutes later, a tall, well-built man strode into the Pack Room with Luis.
The Alpha moved forward to greet him. “Raoul Merceau.”
“The Alpha Protector making waves” the man responded with a flash of recognition. “Roman Durovic. Pleased to meet you.”
Raoul returned the Ancient’s greeting politely, but something in the Alpha’s expression, a subtle shift perhaps, seemed to betray him, for Durovic murmured “I see that you’ve heard of me too.”
“Ours i
s a small world” the Alpha countered suavely, directing his guest to where the First Wizard waited to greet him.
Raoul had certainly recognized the name. Roman Durovic was slated to be the next Ancient to lead the Setik in the Americas. Rumor was that TorElnor himself had hand-picked his successor and was grooming him for the day he would lead his brethren. Durovic might not consider himself powerful enough to use a Magick Façade yet, but Raoul had no doubt that the Ancient possessed raw power in spades. TorElnor was as shrewd as they came and would not pick a leader without the power to overawe the Ancients he would one day lead.
While the First Wizard exchanged polite pleasantries with Durovic, Raoul cast a quick glance behind her, where Sienna waited for an introduction with Tasia in tow. Sienna’s expression held both hope and trepidation, while the witchling looked uncomfortable. He had been surprised to see Tasia in the Pack Room when he’d emerged from his tete-a-tete with Duncan and Faoladh. She’d been seated by Sienna, engaged in polite conversation with the First Wizard, while Hawk, a little distance away in company with Jason LaRue, kept a watchful eye over the proceedings. As expected, Hawk had taken his Alpha’s dictum very seriously. Not that Hawk ever needed a command or excuse to watch over the witchling. At Raoul’s entrance, the witchling had shot him a glance that hinted at her discomfort. He’d interpreted it to mean that her presence here had been unavoidable, and not by choice. Unfortunately, before Raoul could respond to that glance from her, Roman Durovic had been announced and it had been too late to banish her from this encounter.
The Alpha gave the First Wizard as much privacy as possible, under the circumstances, to confer with the Chosen who had come to San Francisco, at her request, to assist with Wizard business. But once the two had exchanged pleasantries, the First Wizard seemed to step back, leaving further introductions up to him. Raoul stepped in to introduce Durovic to the others.
“Sienna McAlister and Tasia Armstrong” he introduced briefly, before moving on to the next set of introductions.
“Hawk Manotti and Jason LaRue. Jason is the Guardian liaison to the Pack.”
With brief introductions, the Alpha sought to give Roman an idea of the various players involved in the matter he was here to solve.
“Duncan Hawthorne, one of my Were-Alphas.”
Before the Alpha could introduce the man beside Duncan, Roman Durovic acknowledged the Shifter respectfully. “Faoladh” he murmured. “It’s an honor.”
“I’m pleased to see the First Ones involved in this matter.” Faoladh returned the greeting graciously.
Roman acknowledged the comment, before turning to Raoul.
“I gather it is Sienna who needs my help, Alpha?”
Considerably taken aback, Raoul responded affirmatively. It seemed the Ancient would rather deal with him than the Wizards who’d invited him into this affair, he realized. Otherwise, it made no sense for Durovic to pointedly address his queries to the Alpha when the First Wizard, who had made the deal with ElThor, was in the room.
“How I can help?” Roman asked briskly.
“Sienna has a magic artifact around her neck, held in place by Vampire magic. The Wizards have been unsuccessful in detaching it without triggering its inherent magic. All attempts so far have caused Sienna immense pain.” The Alpha was succinct and to the point.
“I see.” The Ancient glanced at Sienna.
Sienna returned his gaze with composure, though her nervous fingering of the locket around her neck betrayed her uneasiness.
“I should be able to assist with that.” Roman directed a reassuring smile at Sienna. Sienna’s effervescent charm was missing this evening. Caroline’s kidnapping had unnerved her.
“The First Wizard tells me you’re the man to talk to about this matter.” Roman addressed the Alpha with a sweeping gesture that took in the Wizard’s presence at the Lair and Sienna’s predicament. It was Roman’s way of reminding the First Wizard of her promise to ElThor to not keep the Ancients in the dark anymore. It was also a way to ensure that the Shifters were on board with the deal the First Wizard had made.
“I am” Raoul acknowledged. “But you’ll have to excuse me for now. I’ve an urgent situation I need to deal with first.”
“That’s fine with me.” Roman was agreeable. “I’ve all the time in the world.”
In an abrupt move, he turned to Sienna to hold out his hand to her. There was a sharp cry from her as she swept her hands to the back of her neck in response. Tasia turned to her friend in alarm, even as the First Wizard and Jason rushed to her.
Roman, seemingly oblivious to the urgency of Sienna’s friends, turned to the Alpha unhurriedly.
“I believe this belongs to you.” He held out his closed fist to the Alpha. As his fingers uncurled unhurriedly, the locket from Sienna’s neck could be seen nestled in his palm, still attached to the string that had once held it together. The two ends of the string were frayed.
The softly spoken words nevertheless seemed to draw the attention of everyone in the room. A muted gasp rang out at the realization that the locket had been detached successfully, with minimum fuss.
Tasia, like everyone else, craned her neck to look at Durovic’s palm.
He’s a powerful telekinetic. And he knows how to use his powers.
Raoul glanced at the Ancient, amusement writ large on his face. “Nicely done” he commended, making no move to take the locket from the other man’s hand.
“Thank you. I try.”
“I believe the artifact belongs to the Wizards” the Alpha said. “The First Wizard is the rightful recipient of it.”
Roman directed a searching glance at the Alpha, before turning to the First Wizard.
She, in turn, shot the Alpha a puzzled look before accepting the artifact from Roman.
“Thank you, Roman Durovic. The Wizards are in your debt” she said formally.
Roman inclined his head to acknowledge her, before addressing Sienna. “I hope I didn’t hurt you. It had to be done quickly, unexpectedly, and with a single wrench to effectively void the Blutsauger magic.”
“I’m not hurt.” Sienna was more composed now. “To be honest, I was more startled than anything. Thank you. I’m glad to be rid of that thing.”
“You’re welcome.”
There was the standard warning rattle from the door before Luis opened it to step in.
“There’s a leech downstairs with information from the Mistress, Alpha” Luis stated calmly.
Neither his voice nor expression reflected any of the excitement that the presence of the leech messenger had generated throughout the Lair. Word of Caroline Hamilton’s kidnapping and the Alpha’s out-maneuvering of the Mistress to gain her co-operation had quickly spread.
“Escort him up. And Luis, I don’t have to tell you to watch him.”
“I will.” Luis was his usual steady self as he shut the door behind him.
“It might be better for the leeches to remain unaware of your presence here, First Wizard” the Alpha remarked to the CoC representative.
“I agree” she said briskly. She glanced at Faoladh, her eyes inquiring of his intentions.
“Could we borrow your private room, Raoul?” Faoladh asked.
“Of course.”
“Come, Esmeralda.” The powerful Shifter held his arm out to the First Wizard who hurried to take it. As the two headed to the smaller room set aside for the Alpha’s use, Raoul glanced at Roman Durovic, his eyebrow arched in silent query.
“This is the local Clan?” Durovic inquired.
“Yes.”
“I’ve no objections to the local Vampires knowing about my presence at your Lair. I’d like to stay, if that’s okay with you.”
“You’re sure?” Raoul checked once again. A lot of Chosen were paranoid and tended to keep information, especially related to their whereabouts and knowledge of potential alliances, private.
“This is to do with the urgent situation that needs handling, correct?” the Ancient asked perspicaciously
.
“Yes.”
“Then, I’m sure.”
Duncan shepherded everyone discreetly to one side of the room but Jason strode up to the Alpha.
“You think the Mistress has Caroline’s location?”
“I’m sure of it.” Raoul was confident.
Jason shot him an incredulous look. “You have to tell me one day how you managed it, Merceau.”
Raoul glanced into the brown eyes of the man he had come to trust and respect over the course of the investigation. “I will” he promised.
The door rattled in warning once more before Luis escorted a Vampire into the Pack Room. Raoul recognized the man. It was the leech who had peeled away from the shadowy walls of the room Franciszka loved to lounge in, to obey his Mistress’ imperious command to locate Caroline.
“You have information for me?” The Alpha noted the Vampire’s muted surprise at the presence of others in the Pack Room.
“The girl you seek is being held at an empty warehouse in the Presidio” the man intoned without emotion. Pulling out a piece of folded paper from his pocket, he placed it carefully on a table near him.
“She’s there now but we cannot guarantee that she’ll not be moved by morning” the Vampire stated precisely.
Raoul acknowledged the Vampire’s warning with a nod. The leech was not telling him anything new. Time was of the essence here. If Bianchi even suspected that the local leeches knew where he held Caroline, he’d move her. The Italian leech, playing a dangerous game of pitting Chosen against Chosen here in San Francisco, could not risk Franciszka succumbing to pressure from one or other of the local Chosen, who presumably she’d have to live with, once the foreign leeches had abandoned the city for greener pastures.
“Tell your Mistress that the Pack will not forget this.”
The Vampire nodded respectfully at the Alpha, shot another look at the other Chosen in the room, and allowed himself to be escorted out by Luis.
Duncan walked over to pick up the folded piece of paper the Vampire had left behind. He unfolded the note carefully to glance through it, before handing it to the Alpha.
