His brow wrinkled. “Thanks. Come in.”
The girl reached for Declan.
“Come here, Rhiannon,” he murmured, taking the girl. Rhiannon gave Declan a wet kiss then reached out to grab a handful of Consuela’s hair, bringing her head close to Declan’s.
She smiled and cooed.
“She likes you,” Brody said with a laugh. “Come in.”
Consuela stepped inside and was surprised by the welcoming feel of the home.
Fallon rocked a sleepy little red-haired boy and smiled up at her father. “Hey, Dad.” Her attention swept to Consuela. “Didn’t expect you, and certainly not with my father.”
Declan chuckled. “I’m helping her find Erik. We hoped you might have an idea where he might have gone with Monique.”
“Depends. What’s going on?”
He shook his head.
Consuela explained what she knew of that morning. She assumed the second of the werewolf pack would keep the secret and knew Fallon would.
“Knowing Erik, I would assume Shenanigans in Seattle. At least start there. You could ask Toryn if he knows where they might be.”
“Thank you,” Consuela said, then smiled. “Seeing you so happy gives me hope I may find that one day.”
Fallon nodded. “Well, if you stopped holding onto the past, you might finally get there.”
Declan’s brow arched, but he didn’t ask.
“I’m starting to see that.” She turned to Declan. “If you want a little time with them, we could wait a little while. That or I could go on my own.”
“I want to see this through,” Declan answered. “But a few minutes would be a welcome distraction.”
Chapter 28
“Are you ready to finally end the injustice?” a woman asked in the next booth.
It took an act of will to stay seated. He caught Monique’s face and looked into her eyes with a silent warning. Hopefully she took the hint that quiet would be good right now.
Her brow scrunched.
“How so?” a male inquired.
Monique froze, her eyes widening.
“In the way someone with your skills can manage. I hear you can bring the dead back. I need you to lure some foolish human into a public cemetery and let the dead feast.”
Regret blanketed Monique’s dark eyes.
“You want a mess?” the man asked.
“I do. I want to tear the fabric of mortals’ fragile false reality. One the Council can’t clean up before human police are involved.”
“How much?”
Toryn started for the table, and Erik knew they might lose their chance to figure things out. Erik motioned to the booth with a serious look.
Toryn ducked into the seat and wove a spell. The voices in the next table grew clearer and more pronounced and he knew no one would hear anything at their table.
“You want that to go down?” Toryn asked.
Erik shook his head. “No. I need to stop it, but the moment you go over there, we lose our chance to learn who is putting this guy up to it.”
Toryn leaned forward. “She’s crafty. I know the voice, the face, but I can’t place her. There’s something on the edge of my memory that no matter how far I reach, I can’t grasp.”
Erik nodded. He knew of one person with similar abilities, but he didn’t think Old Lady Murdock would try to destroy the Council. No. Instead that meant they were somehow related, or at least the same sort of thing.
Erik didn’t have all the answers, but he remembered something. Monique’s mother had a friend like that who definitely wasn’t the old mystic. He hoped like hell Robert and Preston showed up soon.
Monique yanked on Erik’s sleeve and nodded back to the booth.
The woman rattled off an address and a time before two pops sounded. Preston and Robert appeared before the table, and Erik closed his eyes.
“She’s gone, isn’t she?” Erik asked.
Toryn nodded. “So is the guy, but if you come back to the office I can play back the recording.”
Robert nodded, then lifted a single eyebrow at Erik. “Thought you were staying out of trouble.
He shrugged. “Didn’t expect the person to plot here. Figured someone high in the Silver Council, but she’s something else. And here’s a better question. Is it a trap? She had to know we were here.”
Toryn shrugged. “She translocated into the booth. Come on. If we can help, we will.”
Preston smirked and followed Toryn to the office. Erik climbed out and took Monique’s hand. She looked utterly baffled. Probably wondering why he hadn’t made a move.
Once in the office, Toryn wove another spell.
Monique lifted her hands. “Why did we let them get away?”
Erik sighed. “First, I was supposed to be keeping my head down. Second, we didn’t want to start a war in a bar that caters mostly to Others. Third, Robert and Preston needed to make the call on what to do.”
Preston nodded. “She would have translocated the second she saw us. As it is, I assume she sensed our presence. She doesn’t want to be found out.”
“Is she a dark mage?” Robert asked.
“Something like that. Her goal seems to be more than just ending DSF. Sounds like she wants to ruin the whole Council. Think there’s a dark version of a mystic?”
“Mystic?” Monique asked.
Robert turned to her. “Monique, I need your word that you won’t share anything you hear in here. Toryn has already learned what we know, but this information can’t be shared.”
“I’ll never tell a soul,” Monique promised.
Erik’s gaze ping ponged from Monique to Robert and back.
Robert shrugged. “You two are together. I don’t expect you to keep secrets from her.”
Doubts still swirled about how long they’d last, but he nodded.
“Besides, you don’t know everything yet,” Preston pointed out. “There’s a group trying to dismantle the Silver Council. HARP was mostly destroyed with Anthony’s and Jules’ deaths, but there was a group above them. Apparently this war is far older than we imagined and didn’t even start in this realm.”
Robert took over. “Mystics and something like them are trying to tear down the Silver Council to bring their world into ours. There’s more to it, but right now the important part is that they believe that if the Council falls apart, they can destroy our world and bring theirs back into existence.”
“So what’s the difference between a mage and a mystic?” Monique asked.
Robert straightened his sleeve. “Know how I translocate wherever I want? That’s part of it.”
“Wait, the magister of the Silver Council isn’t even a mage?” she asked.
Erik couldn’t contain the laugh. “He’s part mage. And another reason I called him. Seems there are quite a few mages who aren’t totally mage.”
Preston dipped his head. “Hell, I’m half fae.”
Monique’s gaze whipped to him.
Preston tipped his head to Toryn. “That’s my dad.”
“I…uh…well, shit,” she sputtered.
Toryn smirked. “I’m all fae.”
“That I know. Okay, back to the topic at hand. So, Kjell is part of an organization that wants to destroy the world?”
“Kjell Emmalyn? Why do you think it’s her?”
“That was her voice.”
Toryn’s face lit up. “That’s why I knew her but didn’t. Shit.” He walked to the monitor and played with it until the table was focused. Sure enough, the woman from the shop sat in the booth with Nigel Shade.
“Looks like you took me to the right person after all,” Erik stated.
* * * *
Consuela followed Declan into a bar in Seattle. There were even more types of Others in Shenanigans with a smattering of humans. Definitely intrigued. She’d spent most of her life in New Orleans and had started to feel bogged down.
A new location seemed
to be precisely what she needed. At the bar Declan caught the attention of the bartender. He leaned forward to quietly say, “Is Erik Mortale here? It’s important.”
She nodded slightly and walked away. Her image faded before they could follow. Consuela looked into Declan’s eyes. “What’s that about?”
He shrugged. “Give her a moment. She didn’t tell us no, and I don’t see him here. Though I do sense his presence.” Declan nodded to the hall where the bartender motioned for them to head back.
Declan took her hand and led her through the crowd. Calm seeped from his touch, rolling through her, pushing away the white noise that constantly buzzed through her head.
He turned his head, his emerald eyes latching onto hers. His lips parted, then he ducked his gaze.
Did he feel the pull? He calmed her storm, introduced hope for something more. There was a light at the end of the tunnel. He was still hurting, and she wondered if it was his wife’s spirit that held him back.
She frowned. She hadn’t sensed her. Had she moved on? Did she linger somewhere?”
Shaking her head, she stepped through a door and found Erik, Monique, Preston, Robert, and another man who could be Preston’s brother.
The one she didn’t recognize smirked. “Interesting. There’s a combination I wouldn’t have imagined.”
“What do you mean?” Declan asked.
“Never mind. Seems there’s a new plot to tear the Silver Council apart, and it isn’t to frame Erik necessarily, but to terrify humans.”
“What’s going on?” Consuela asked.
Erik took a breath. “Someone wanted humans to see the murder yesterday. They didn’t. Now they have hired Nigel Shade to raise corpses, tear humans apart, and make sure someone finds the mess.”
“How do we help?” Consuela asked.
Preston shook his head. “Sorry, Declan. Don’t think you should be involved. Nigel is capable of controlling vampires.”
“So am I,” Erik mentioned.
Declan smirked. “I have a better idea. I imagine you’ll be busy enough. Consuela has already compelled me to her side once. I know the process. She can bind me to her, temporarily, and Nigel won’t be able to.”
Consuela turned to him with wide yes. “You trust me that much?”
He nodded. “You had ample opportunity to do more than question us earlier.”
“Wait!” Erik said, stepping closer. “What did she do?”
Consuela closed her eyes, took a breath, and faced Erik. “I needed to find you. You don’t seem interested in my help, so I pushed boundaries I shouldn’t have. I called the dead to my room, and several vampires showed up.”
Erik looked at Declan. “Are you under her sway now?”
He shook his head. “She only called us to her circle. Wanted to ask questions. Victoria showed up and shut it down. However, she’s already proved her intentions are pure. I’m here to help. Let me do something worthwhile.”
Erik turned to Robert. “Consuela can prevent Nigel from taking control from Declan.”
“Thank you,” Consuela said.
Robert took a slow breath. “Sounds like we have until tomorrow at midnight. I know where they said he’d be, but we need to look for signs that a ritual is taking place at a different cemetery. There is a good chance she knew who was here and listening in. We need a few groups ready to stop whatever is coming, and if she’s crafty, she’s plotting more than one of these.”
Erik nodded. “Good point. Have enough people to monitor the cemeteries in every region? And how far do you think she’ll go if she can go anywhere?”
Preston answered, “Probably anywhere with a Silver Council Headquarters. If she wants everyone to know magic exists, who knows how far she’ll go.”
“I’ll put the word out. Call me if you think of anything. I’ll be in touch if I learn of any other plans,” Robert stated.
“Wait, I’ll see what I can learn,” Toryn offered. “We should pool our resources.” He was one of the founders of Ward Tower Security, and sure they focused more on Fae, but they did watch all Others. He had access to information that most would never have, not even the Silver Council.
“Thank you,” Robert said. He looked at Erik, then at Consuela. “If you don’t mind, Preston and I will be at brunch tomorrow. Beyond what you want to discuss, we should discuss a plan for tomorrow night. Hopefully by then we’ll have some intel.”
“See you tomorrow.” Consuela stepped outside, Declan following her.
“I won’t be at brunch,” Declan said quietly.
“I know. However, I can fill you in once you’re awake. I suppose we’re done here. I don’t know enough about the area.”
“Hungry?”
“You don’t eat,” Consuela answered.
“Doesn’t mean you can’t.”
She smiled. “Aren’t you…thirsty?”
“I fed before you called me to you. I’m more than happy to escort you to a restaurant.”
She smiled and led him outside. “Don’t suppose you have any suggestions?”
He shook his head, a laugh on his lips. “No, but I can call one of my children. Unfortunately, I was a vampire before coming to this area.”
Chapter 29
Preston nodded to Erik. “Go home for now. You found what we needed, but we need you in top shape to stop this. You can handle Nigel. If we can find out who else is involved, we’ll be able to send someone to stop them. Though of all the Deathcallers with enough power to cause real damage, I can only think of three, and two of you are on our side.”
“I know Nigel hates the Council, but I never imagined he’d go to these lengths,” Monique answered. She couldn’t believe she’d wasted so much time with him.
As much as she distrusted the Council for years, she never wished them harm as a whole. Never.
The more she thought about it, the more she realized most of her insecurities had everything to do with her mother. And her mother had been friends with a mage who had reportedly gone missing, and that she wasn’t even a mage, but something darker and more sinister.
She needed answers only her father would have. “I’ll take him home, or to his house, if that’s safe now.”
“Your house is better,” Robert answered.
Erik sighed. “Monique’s it is.”
In the car, she’d figure out what his problem was. She hoped.
He followed her out, rubbing at his temples.
At the car she stopped him. “What’s the matter, Erik?”
“You shouldn’t come tomorrow night. I want you safe.”
“What are you talking about? Maybe he’ll listen to me.”
He stopped and turned to her. “Bullshit, he will. Who left who? You left him?”
She nodded.
“He’s not going to listen.”
“You listen to me,” Monique stated.
“And not every man you leave will listen. The few times I’ve dealt with Nigel, he was an asshole. If you show up with me, he’s going to know who you’re with now. That will only put you in danger. He’s not me, he’s not even that douchebag Dustin. He has a vendetta against the Council, and nothing an ex-lover who left him says is going to change that.”
She looked away. “Are you angry because I was with another necromancer? Or because you think I might choose him?”
“Shit, I’m not mad about who you were with. I’m worried about your safety. You heard him with your own ears. He’s ready to kill innocent people, feed them to corpses, and tear apart everything that keeps Others safe from another witch hunt. You being there…I don’t want anything to happen to you, Monique. That’s all.”
“I don’t need protection. I can handle him. Besides, his clothes have my enchantments, and I have a few tricks up my sleeve.”
“Like what?”
“Like the fact I can alter the enchantments as long as I’m near him. I can stop him from casting a single spell. I could turn hi
s spells against him. By tomorrow I’ll have a dozen more ideas.”
“Shit, why does he even buy clothes from you anymore?”
“He never stopped because I’m the best at what I do. Let me help.”
“Fuck, we’ll discuss this at home.”
“Get in the damned car.” She walked around to the driver’s side.
He snarled and climbed into the seat. She buckled in and threw the car into drive. “What’s the deal, Erik? Do you trust me or not?”
“I don’t know.” He sighed and looked away.
“What do I have to do?” she asked.
“Let me ask you something. Why are you so ready to step into the heat of trouble?”
She gripped his chin and forced his gaze to hers. “I don’t want anything to happen to you either. I know Nigel. Let me help. Please.”
“We’ll ask Robert what he thinks,” he offered.
She had a feeling Robert would hear her out and give her a chance. That was all she needed. And by then, she hoped her father could give her answers. If she could come up with information, they’d be more likely to let her help.
Silence stretched on as she drove. “What don’t you trust, Erik?”
“The whole damned situation.”
“We connected last night, Erik. I know you felt it too.”
“Why didn’t we when we were kids?”
“What are you talking about?” she demanded.
“Something Alistair said. That if we were meant for each other, we would have bonded forever ago. Whatever last night was—doesn’t matter. It’s no different than it ever was.”
“Bond? We aren’t werewolves, we aren’t fae.”
“No. We aren’t. Doesn’t matter. When we find the one we’re meant for, everything changes. And if it didn’t change then, it wouldn’t have happened last night.”
She frowned. “Maybe something stopped it from happening back then.”
“Like what?”
My mother. Damn it, I need answers.
“You love me, don’t you?” she asked.
“Wish to God I didn’t,” he muttered.
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