by Petra Landon
“I helped you locate the Hamilton girl, Raoul.”
“Yes, you did.”
“Now, it’s time to keep your word, Raoul. Allow me and a small entourage of my Pure Bloods to stand with you when you punish those who dare to attack you.”
“I’m leaning towards it, Franciszka” the Alpha said gently.
“What can I do to help make up your mind, moj drogi?” she inquired flirtatiously, abandoning her serious mien. Victory was in sight; the Mistress could almost taste it.
“David and DiZeyla have both expressed reservations about this, Franciszka.”
“The Pure Bloods and the Pack have always had a good relationship, Raoul, separate from our equation with the other Chosen in San Francisco.”
“I agree” he said thoughtfully. “There might be a way, Franciszka.”
Her eyes narrowed. She was starting to suspect that she was being played masterfully.
“There’s a piece of information I’m interested in. If you can get it, I’ll work to convince David and DiZeyla that their scruples do not do you justice. Especially, after your assistance with Caroline Hamilton.”
“What information?” she asked, her eyes wary.
“Something fairly minor for someone with your position in the Clan.”
Franciszka waited, her eyes on him.
“Twenty-five years ago, a First One disappeared under mysterious circumstances, rumored to have gone to work for the Clan. I’d like you to confirm whether that is true.”
“First One” she repeated thoughtfully. Few non-Pure Bloods ever came to work with the Clan, so it was certainly unusual. “Which nest?” she asked.
“Lombardi” the Alpha said evenly.
“This is about Rafaelo Bianchi” she exclaimed, sudden realization smiting her. “I told Duncan that he’s not involved in this.”
“He is, Franciszka. But never fear, Bianchi didn’t set foot here, so you’re off the hook. However, he’s not. Not for this.”
“He’s involved?” Franciszka looked startled. While relieved that he didn’t hold her accountable for Bianchi’s action, she was also curious.
“He hatched the plan with the man who gave the orders.”
“May I ask who?” she asked.
“A Wizard” Raoul said briefly.
The Mistress’s eyes widened. “If you’re planning to take on San Diego, Raoul, count me in.” Franciszka was confident that her Master would not object to her teaching the Wizards a lesson.
“The only one doling out any punishment will be me, Franciszka” Raoul reminded her softly, correctly interpreting her eagerness. “But confirm this information for me, and you can stand by my side. That’s the deal. Take it or leave it, Franciszka.”
The Mistress sighed. She had not expected the Shifters to invite her to a fight. But standing with the Pack, along with the other local leaders, would be symbolic, if nothing else.
“The Lombardis won’t like it if they find out that I’ve been asking questions” she warned the Alpha.
The Alpha shrugged. “So, don’t let them find out.”
The Mistress hesitated, wondering if she could push him for more.
“I’ll give you sixteen hours, Franciszka. If you don’t have anything by then, the Chosen Alliance goes without you.”
“So soon.” The Mistress looked startled. “That’s not enough time, Raoul” she protested.
“Strive, Franciszka” he said blandly. “When you strive, you’ll be surprised at what you accomplish.”
Later, back at the Lair, Jason arched his eyebrow at the Alpha with a smile.
“She’ll come through” Raoul said confidently.
“I have good news, too” Jason said. “Trent gave up Anderson. With David Hamilton’s assistance, the First Wizard’s team is building a case. They’ll work through the night, and have it ready by the afternoon.”
“That was fast work, LaRue” Raoul said.
“It’s a good team and the First Wizard is making this a priority.” Jason paused to emphasize his next words. “They’ll dot the Is and cross the Ts, Merceau. The evidence will be airtight.”
“Thank you” Raoul said quietly.
Jason smiled his slow smile. “Same team, remember. Oh, and Faoladh touched base with the First Wizard.”
Faoladh had been livid, enraged and outraged, when told about the attack. But he’d also cursed rather colorfully when informed of their main suspect. That the Wizards had let Anderson go before, despite the strong evidence against him, had infuriated Faoladh. Raoul had a feeling that Faoladh, willing so far to give the Wizards some leeway, was starting to run out of patience with the dysfunction in their ranks.
Roman Durovic addressed him. “I’ve spoken with TorElnor. He’s angry and disturbed, wants to see the Guardian punished very publicly. He’d like some influential First Ones to join us in San Diego — a message to the GCW that we are watching.”
“We leave tomorrow for San Diego, Durovic. LaRue says the evidence will be ready by the afternoon.”
“That soon?” Durovic frowned. “They won’t get to the West Coast so quickly. Can we delay by another day?
Raoul shook his head. “I don’t want to wait a second longer than I have to. The longer we wait, the more it gives Anderson time to dig in. I don’t expect the GCW to give him up easily. But if he’s allowed the time to get more reinforcements, it’ll be a blood bath.”
Roman had to agree with him, but he wished fervently that they had just a little more time. The presence of First Ones might have tempered the GCW’s response to the Alpha. Now, it would be up to the rest of them to ensure that the confrontation did not become the spark to a civil war where the Chosen were forced to choose sides.
Chapter 15
A confrontation at Wizard Headquarters
Tasia glanced around her. They were on their way to San Diego, slated to arrive mid-morning. This trip was different from her previous forays with the Shifters. For one, the flight was full, with every seat taken. And this, despite the fact that the plane was scheduled to make two additional trips to ferry more Shifters and guests from San Francisco to San Diego before they confronted the Wizards. It was clear the Alpha intended to confront the Guardians with a show of force. Though, Tasia was unsure whether the show of force was to threaten the GCW into giving up the Guardian into Pack custody or whether the Alpha intended an actual showdown between the Guardians and his Shifters. She rather suspected that it was the latter. A cold rage seemed to simmer in him under his usual reserve. Perhaps, she had come to know him a little better over the months, or maybe even read him a bit more after the experience in the cage, because Tasia could read the subtle change in him. Nothing had changed in his interactions with his Pack or others, yet she could sense that something had fundamentally shifted. The Lair had been teeming with non-Shifters the past two days, and he had played willing host in a way she had not associated with him before, all while a cold fury simmered beneath, like a volcano readying to spew its destruction. She wondered at the change. The rage, she could understand; it was the subtle opening up that confused her.
Somewhat to Tasia’s surprise, her fellow passengers on the flight today included other Chosen, in addition to Pack. David and Stuart Hamilton as well as DiZeyla, and her deputy, were present. A few other Wizards and First Ones accompanied them too, as did Roman Durovic. Two Were-Alphas had been left behind to guard the Lair, but every other Were-Alpha had joined them on this trip to San Diego, including those they didn’t often see at the Lair since they resided outside the city. The Pack held vast swathes of territory in Northern California, and only seven Were-Alphas out of the ten lived within the outskirts of San Francisco.
On the flight, each faction huddled together, keeping its distance from the others, despite their leaders’ ease with each other. The Wizards were gathered around Stuart Hamilton, and Tasia guessed the second huddle to be the Ancients. The Shifters, of course, kept to themselves. The only mixed group that crossed faction boundari
es was the one around the Alpha — Duncan, Luis, Jason LaRue, Roman Durovic, Atsá, Maartje, DiZeyla and David Hamilton. Glancing around her, Tasia wondered how this disparate group was likely to come together when they descended on Wizard Headquarters.
Lost in her thoughts, it took Tasia a few moments to catch a pair of bright blue eyes observing her. As their gazes tangled, Stefan Simeonov directed a dazzling smile at her, his eyes full of speculation. Tasia responded perfunctorily, hastily tearing her gaze away to focus on Sienna, seated across from her.
“You okay, Tas?” Hawk inquired from beside her, missing the little byplay but roused to attention by her imperceptible start.
“Yes, Hawk” she assured him.
Sienna gave her friend a once over. To her relief, Tasia seemed to have come through her ordeal remarkably well. Both Caroline and Sara had descended on the Lair the evening before. With the Pack Room crowded with Shifters strategizing about the trip to San Diego, the ladies had been forced to hang out in Tasia’s room. This had not allowed much in the way of open discussion, but Tasia’s general demeanor and easy responses to their subtle queries had helped put her friends’ minds at ease. Tasia was going to be okay, was the general conclusion. Sienna had also noted an interesting change in her friend. The experience had served to subtly increase Tasia’s confidence. Where she had always kept herself firmly in the background at the Lair, Tasia now seemed more open to voicing her opinions within the Pack. This transformation in attitude and intention heartened Sienna, but also left her pondering. She supposed that when someone came through an experience like the one Tasia had endured, it put things in perspective.
“Will the Mistress be joining us, Raoul?” DiZeyla inquired of the Alpha.
“Yes, I’ve asked her to be in San Diego by noon” he answered.
Raoul thought it best for the leeches to make their own way to San Diego. Unlike the Wizards and Ancients, he’d not offered them the hospitality of the Pack plane. Instead, he’d informed Franciszka’s emissary this morning that she could only bring a maximum of four leeches in her entourage. Franciszka had come through, as he’d expected. Her leech had confirmed that ElDarZin had gone to work for the Lombardis, before his disappearance twenty-five years ago. He’d been confident that given the right motivation, the Mistress could perform miracles, and entry into the club was currently the best bait to entice her, since Franciszka was acutely conscious of the sidelining of her and her leeches’ interests as the ties between the other Chosen factions strengthened in San Francisco.
“Did you have to bribe her, Raoul?” DiZeyla persisted. In general, the Mistress and her followers were not the kind to get involved in any matter because it was the right thing to do. In DiZeyla’s experience, the only thing the Vampires looked out for was their own interest.
“Not much” he said blandly. “She desires to be included in the local Chosen Alliance.”
“Perhaps, we should consider an invitation to the next meeting” David Hamilton, who had been listening in, murmured thoughtfully.
“She holds great sway over her leeches and given the right incentive, Franciszka can be enormously helpful.” Raoul was encouraging.
“She’s also notoriously difficult to work with, Raoul” DiZeyla pointed out.
“If we make it clear that she’s on probation, Franciszka will be on her best behavior.” The Alpha was confident.
“I’m willing to try anything that helps to keep the city safe for Chosen” David admitted. His Wizards were currently the most vulnerable of all the Chosen in San Francisco, for they had no protection or recourse to justice beyond him and the local Chosen Alliance.
DiZeyla sighed, giving in to David’s desire. She could empathize with her old comrade. The revelation of a Guardian’s involvement in the assault on the Alpha had brought home David’s predicament to DiZeyla. After the Alpha’s confrontation with the GCW, David’s Wizards would be left even more vulnerable. Regardless of how the confrontation went, the Wizard community would disintegrate even further after it.
“I’m willing to give her a shot if Raoul promises to keep her in check” DiZeyla said lightly.
The Alpha raised an eyebrow. “How on earth am I meant to do that, DiZeyla?”
“I don’t know, Raoul, but you’re the only one I know who can get her to do what you want” she countered with a smile.
“Will Faoladh meet us in San Diego?” David inquired.
“He’s already in San Diego, in conference with the First Wizard, to get the lay of the land.”
“Maybe Faoladh will find a diplomatic way through” DiZeyla said, almost under her breath.
David sighed. “The GCW will not give up a Guardian easily.”
“And we’ll not walk away without the Guardian” Luis countered grimly. “Not this time.”
“But perhaps, we can help pave the way a little” Duncan chimed in thoughtfully with a glance at Raoul.
The Alpha arched an eyebrow.
“It might not be a bad idea to let the Ancients take the lead on this, Raoul. On the face of it, they’re an unbiased third party — neither Wizards nor Shifters. The Guardians will have a harder time dismissing their concerns.”
Raoul agreed immediately to Duncan’s suggestion. He’d been chewing over the same idea. “Perhaps DiZeyla and Durovic could speak for us at Wizard Headquarters?”
DiZeyla looked a tad surprised at hearing Durovic’s name called out so publicly, but she accepted the Alpha’s suggestion with alacrity. “I’m willing, Raoul. The less we make it a partisan quarrel, the better it’ll be in the long run.”
“I’m agreeable too, Merceau” Roman drawled slowly, his eyes on the Alpha. “DiZeyla and I make a good team. She represents your local Chosen Alliance while I will represent TorElnor.”
DiZeyla’s eyebrows shot up. “TorElnor knows about this?”
“Yes. The plan was for a few influential Setik Elders to stand symbolically with the Pack in San Diego. Unfortunately, given the short notice, we scrapped the idea, since they’d never make it in time.”
DiZeyla stared at him. The Pack was getting cozy with TorElnor’s hand-picked successor and she wondered why that was.
“Durovic is helping us with the investigation we’re running for the First Wizard” Raoul explained, gauging DiZeyla’s curiosity correctly.
“I see” she murmured, directing another thoughtful glance at the young Ancient.
“A Wizard from Lady Esmeralda’s team will meet us at the tarmac in San Diego” Jason chimed in. “Perhaps DiZeyla, Roman, David and I can go over all the evidence tying Anderson to the assault before we confront the GCW?”
David nodded. “The more solid our case against the Guardian, the harder it’ll be for the GCW to deny his culpability.”
More than anyone, David knew that the chances of a peaceful resolution rested solely on their ability to convince the GCW to give Anderson up. Otherwise, the Shifters would go in all guns blazing and the fallout from that would be catastrophic and far-reaching. Any rupture between the GCW and the Pack would affect his Wizards the most.
“Should we bring up the allegations against Anderson from before, in San Francisco?” Duncan inquired.
David glanced around him.
“I believe we should” Roman Durovic said firmly. “The GCW should be put on the defensive from the get go. Questioning why they allowed a Guardian to go free, despite the evidence against him, will force them to answer some uncomfortable questions.”
“I agree” DiZeyla seconded him. “The GCW is culpable by brushing his crimes in San Francisco under the carpet. If he had been punished then …” She trailed off.
The Alpha’s cell rang, interrupting the discussion. He excused himself to disappear into the stateroom. The others continued their discussion on strategy, tossing suggestions and ideas back and forth.
As was his wont, Duncan observed the group around him silently. A motley crew of Wizards, Ancients and Shifters united towards a common purpose. This was highly unusu
al in their world. Under normal circumstances, even DiZeyla and Roman Durovic would keep their distance from one another, for they represented two distinct blocs within the Ancients. Yet here they were, no awkwardness between them, as they batted forth ideas on the best way to bring to justice a Chosen they felt had stepped beyond the pale. If left to the Pack, the Shifters would have gone for the jugular, without any efforts to put their case to the GCW first. It was their way. A little Guardian blood on the way to capturing Anderson would be extra icing on the cake for them. And their bloodlust would be justified. It wasn’t as if the GCW wasn’t complicit to some extent in Anderson’s actions against their Alpha, but with the inclusion of other Chosen, better sense had prevailed. Forcing Anderson to face his crimes without igniting a civil war was always going to be a tricky proposition. Raoul might pull it off by himself, but it would be tough. With the likes of Roman Durovic, DiZeyla and David Hamilton beside him, and Faoladh laying the groundwork, Raoul’s chances had just improved.
Such a diverse coalition would have been impossible even three months ago, Duncan mused. Raoul had been slowly and gradually emerging from his shell, and Duncan had been apprehensive that his experience on Russian Hill might set him back again. Not for the first time, Duncan found himself thanking whoever watched over the boy for throwing Tasia in Hawk’s way. Not only for the subtle changes in the boy, but also for her determination and resilience when confronted by the terrifying spectacle of a Raoul bereft of his legendary control and enmeshed in the nightmare of his past.
“That was Faoladh” the Alpha announced, slipping back into his seat. “He’s made the arrangements in San Diego. We move on Wizard Headquarters at three. That gives our friends time to join us.”
“I’ve a suggestion to make, Raoul” Faoladh directed at the Alpha.
The two men stood in a corner together, watching the others sift through the evidence against Anderson. David Hamilton, DiZeyla, Duncan, Jason LaRue and Roman Durovic pored through the reports with one of Lady Esmeralda’s Wizards in the conference room at a San Diego hotel, not far from Wizard Headquarters. Faoladh had booked an entire floor, including the conference rooms, for their party.
