by Tina Folsom
“Yeah, a friend who’s going to regret that he trusted you really soon,” Aiden hissed. “You won’t do your case any favors by making a pass at Virginia. She’s a council member, and though she’s new, she has a vote. She only has to turn four other council members against you, and your fate is sealed.”
“What’s that supposed to mean? What could they possibly do to me?”
“Execute you for breaching our defenses.”
Not exactly a prospect he relished. “Well, in that case, I’d better make sure Virginia takes a liking to me.”
Aiden rolled his eyes and pressed the tray into Wesley’s hands. “Why am I wasting my breath?” He reached for the door to close it, as another figure appeared in the corridor: Virginia.
Wes shoved the tray back at Aiden, wiped his hands on his pants and took a step into the corridor.
“Lost cause,” Aiden murmured even more quietly and turned away.
“Morning, Virginia,” Wes greeted his jailor with a smile, and ran his eyes over her.
“What’s he doing out of his cell?”
Aiden lifted the tray in his hands by way of explanation. “Man’s gotta eat. And I for sure ain’t stepping into that cell.”
Virginia seemed to accept the excuse, then finally looked at Wesley directly. “The council is ready to hear your case.”
So much for having time to influence Virginia’s opinion of him. He’d hoped for a little delay. “That was fast.”
“They are quite eager to find out how you were able to use the portal,” she said to his surprise.
It seemed Virginia was feeling a little more talkative today than the previous night. Could he exploit that fact somehow?
“And I’m just as eager to make their acquaintance,” Wes lied.
He would have preferred to spend more time here at the compound, or even better, alone with Virginia, to work his charm on her. He knew she’d eventually give in; he just needed time. Apparently, he was fresh out of time.
“Let’s go,” Virginia ordered.
“Have a pleasant trip,” Aiden said.
Wes met his gaze and saw the warning it carried. Don’t do anything stupid.
Would I ever? Wes mouthed.
With an exaggerated eyeroll, Aiden pivoted and walked away.
Virginia motioned to a second corridor.
“We’re taking the portal, I assume?” Wes asked, recognizing where it led as he walked along, Virginia right next to him.
“It’s the fastest and safest way. I don’t want to spend endless hours on a plane.”
“So it’s far then?” He didn’t really care, but he wanted to keep her talking.
“That’s not for you to know.”
Hmm. Apparently that had been a bad question. “So you don’t like planes?”
“I have nothing against planes.”
“Then why wouldn’t you want to fly? Frankly, I found being tossed around like a ragdoll in that portal a little unsettling.”
She cast him a sideways look. “Because it would mean spending endless hours with you.”
He laughed. “I walked into that one, didn’t I?”
He’d seen it coming. He knew playing the hapless fool had its charms and worked on many women—humans and vampires alike. He’d gotten laid plenty of times, because women had found him cute and not at all threatening. Little did they know that under the happy-go-lucky attitude lay the iron will of an alpha male.
Seducing women had always been a pleasurable pastime, a hobby. Seducing Virginia would be nothing of the kind. It would be a critical mission, not because he needed to forge an alliance with her race, but because the alpha in him wanted her like he wanted his next breath.
“Get in!”
Virginia’s order interrupted his musings. They’d reached the portal. The door or whatever they called the entrance was already open. He nodded and walked into the dark, cave-like space. It was no larger than a hotel elevator capable of carrying eight people.
Virginia joined him, and a second later, all went dark. The opening had closed.
He was bracing himself to be tossed around again, when Virginia took his arm. His heart stopped for a brief moment. What the fuck was happening? Was she finally responding to his charm? Was she giving him a sign that she was interested?
Hell, he wouldn’t turn down a little fumble in the dark!
“So you like it in the dark, huh?” he murmured, and put his other arm around her waist, drawing her to him. “I don’t mind that at all.”
“What the fuck are you doing?” she ground out and yanked his arm off her, keeping a tight grip on his bicep with her other hand.
Totally confused, he stuttered, “But, but you were touching me. I thought…”
“Goddamn it! You thought I—?” She stopped herself. “Hell no! I have to touch you to take you with me. If I didn’t, you’d stay right here.”
“Oh.”
Well, that was a tad embarrassing. But he shrugged it off like he shrugged off any minor setback. It would have been too good to be true. But another opportunity would present itself soon. He wasn’t giving up hope yet. After all, it had taken him years to learn his craft as a witch, and he’d had many setbacks on the way. He was used to trying again and again. Particularly when the reward was worth it.
All subsequent thoughts vanished, because in that moment he was tossed into the air like clothes in a dryer. “Ah fuck! I’m not a wet sock!”
“Easy, we’re nearly there.” Virginia’s voice was surprisingly soothing, as was the fact that suddenly both her hands were on him, steadying him.
He concentrated on her touch and nothing else, blocking out the feeling of tumbling in space. Maybe traveling through the portal wasn’t so bad after all.
5
Virginia let go of Wesley’s arms.
They’d arrived at their destination. But she needed a few moments to steady herself—and not because of the ride in the portal. As a Stealth Guardian she didn’t experience the disorientation that humans and other creatures seemed prone to when traveling this way. However, touching Wesley, something she’d been forced to do to transport him with her, had sent a tingling feeling from her palms through her entire body. A not at all unpleasant tingling feeling. And that unnerved her.
His muscles had tensed under her touch, and she’d felt their strength. Despite the fact that he wasn’t as strong as she, it was clear that this man took care of his body, trained it to gain physical strength that didn’t automatically come with being a witch. Stealth guardians, demons, and vampires, yes, their physical strength was part of their nature. But a witch’s body wasn’t much different from that of a human. Only their knowledge of magic made them dangerous. Of course, within the walls of the Stealth Guardians’ compounds, magic couldn’t exist.
Then why did she feel as if she was under his spell whenever he looked at her with those baby-blue eyes? Did he have other powers, powers she had no defenses against?
“Something wrong?” Wesley asked all of a sudden.
“We’re here.” She jerked her thumb behind them, where the portal had already opened.
“Thanks for the ride.” He smirked and turned around to leave the portal.
She was glad for it, because his words had conjured up an altogether different kind of ride, a ride that involved her straddling a naked witch. And the image made her cheeks blaze with fire. Forcing the thoughts out of her mind, she exited the portal.
Wesley stood in the corridor, waiting for her.
“Funny,” he said and shook his head. “No alarm. It went off like gangbusters when I used the portal the first time.”
Virginia nodded. “Because you used it alone. The presence of a Stealth Guardian overrides the alarm.”
“Interesting.”
Hmm. Maybe she shouldn’t have told him that. Too late. Not that he would be able to do anything with it. He couldn’t very well overpower her or any other member of her species and force that person to operate the portal for hi
m.
“So, where are we?”
“At the council compound.”
“And where’s that?”
Virginia scoffed. “Do you really think I would tell you? Only the Stealth Guardians know its location. Not even their human mates are privy to that information. So I’m sure as hell not gonna give it to you.”
Wesley shrugged as if it didn’t matter to him. “Just making conversation.”
She didn’t believe that for a second. “Sure.” Then she tilted her head toward one of the corridors. “This way.”
He turned, but waited until she was next to him, before he started walking. Knowing that any escape attempt would be futile, she didn’t insist on having him walk ahead of her. She could watch him just as well from the side. At least this way, she wouldn’t have to look at his tight backside, which filled his pants in a way that should be illegal.
The walk was a short one, two corridors, two flights of stairs, and they reached the double doors to the council chambers. In front of it, a warrior was standing sentry. He nodded at her, a sign that he recognized her.
Virginia stopped a few feet away from him. Wesley did the same. “Is the Council of Nine assembled?” she asked.
“Yes, Counselor Robson. They are ready for you.” He stretched his hand out. “Any electronic devices, please.”
Without hesitating, she pulled her cell phone from her pocket and handed it to the guard. When he looked at Wesley, Virginia shook her head. “The prisoner’s phone has already been confiscated. It’s still at the compound we came from.”
The guard nodded and placed Virginia’s device into a niche next to the double doors. The cell phones of the other council members lay there, too. It was a security measure: no recording devices were allowed in the chambers, so the council members could speak freely.
The guard opened the double doors. “Go right in.”
Virginia nodded to him, then motioned Wesley to enter with her. The door shut quietly behind them.
When they entered the council chamber, the councilors were talking quietly amongst themselves. Now, all their murmuring ceased, and eight pairs of eyes landed on her and her prisoner.
“Primus,” she said. “Fellow council members.”
“Virginia, we received your report,” Barclay, the head of the Council of Nine replied. “Take your seat, and we’ll start.”
“Would you like me to give you some background first?” she asked.
Barclay shook his head. “Not necessary. Your report from last night was quite comprehensive.” He motioned to the empty seat at the half-moon-shaped table.
Knowing what was expected of her, she took her seat, leaving Wesley standing, facing the nine members of the Guardians’ governing body.
“So you’re the witch,” Barclay started.
Wesley smiled. “Name’s Wesley Montgomery.”
Barclay glanced at the notes in front of him. “Yes, so I hear. Our understanding is that you were able to use one of our portals to invade our Baltimore compound.”
Wesley shrugged. “Invade is a harsh word. I visited.”
Several council members snorted in displeasure.
“Let’s not mince words. I have a detailed report here about what you did on your visit to the Baltimore compound. According to this you were of great help to the warriors there. Because of it, I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt.”
Virginia snapped her head in Barclay’s direction. Her report had said nothing about Wesley being of great help. It could only mean that one of the guardians at the compound had contacted Barclay behind her back. And she had no doubt about who had done so: after all, Aiden was Primus’s son.
She gritted her teeth. So Wesley had buttered up Aiden to help him put a good word in with Barclay.
“Now explain to me and my fellow council members how you were able to operate the portal,” Barclay demanded.
“Well,” Wesley started, shifting his weight to the other foot. “Wish I could explain it myself, but—”
“Spare us your dillydallying, witch!” Geoffrey snapped. “Primus might be in a lenient mood today, but the rest of us are not.”
Wesley visibly swallowed. He took on a different tone, and continued, “My apologies, sir. What I meant to say was that I was quite surprised that what I did actually worked. You see, about two weeks ago, I saw one of your kind disappear into a portal in the woods of Sonoma. He saw me, too, so it shouldn’t be too hard to verify my story. I did some research, and I found references to your species in some of my old books. The texts described the guardians as a race of warriors dedicated to the protection of the innocent from evil supernatural forces. If that’s true, I figured you might be the kind of people who would be interested in an alliance with Scanguards.”
“Mmm,” Geoffrey murmured, then looked at the other council members. “Do we have any information on Scanguards?”
Barclay tapped his finger on the piece of paper in front of him. “An emissarius has been dispatched. We’re waiting for more information.” Then he looked at Wesley again. “Continue.”
“Anyway, I decided to try to make contact. And since the portal was my only lead, I started there. I’ve been experimenting with transformation spells.”
“Transformation spells?” Norton, another council member asked.
“Yes, it’s a spell that puts oneself into a trancelike state during which one can take on the attributes of another species. It’s of a very short duration, seconds only, a minute at most, but it was sufficient to make the portal believe that I was a Stealth Guardian, not a witch. It opened for me, but I have no idea how I landed in Baltimore. That’s the God’s honest truth. I was tumbling around in there without any idea how to steer the thing.”
Virginia suppressed the awe she felt at the witch’s skills, keeping her stern expression in place. He was powerful, no doubt. And that made him dangerous.
“Interesting,” Barclay mused and glanced at the assembled. “Any questions?”
Riona raised her hand and upon Barclay’s nod, asked, “The guardian this witch saw, has he been identified yet, so he can corroborate this story?”
Virginia cleared her throat. “The Baltimore compound sent a message to the other compounds inquiring about this incident. It’s the reason we were notified in the first place. At least at other compounds, guardians follow the rules—”
“Yes, Virginia,” Barclay interrupted. “We’re quite aware that rules have been broken. We’ll get to that later.” He glanced past her at Riona. “To get back to your question, Riona, we believe that a guardian from the Seattle compound will be able to confirm the witch’s story—”
“Name’s still Wesley,” the prisoner piped up.
A collective gasp traveled through the assembled. Nobody interrupted Primus.
Barclay tossed him a glare, then turned his gaze back to the council members. “I’ve sent for the guardian in question. He’ll be arriving shortly. Any further questions before we begin discussions?”
Nobody spoke up.
Barclay pressed a button on the table. A moment later, the door opened and a guard entered.
“Primus?”
“Lock the prisoner up.”
The guard approached, but Wesley took several steps toward the table. “But you haven’t heard me out yet. I’m here to propose a potential alliance between your kind and Scanguards; you haven’t let me explain!”
“There will be time for that later.” Barclay looked at the guard again. “Take him to his cell.”
“But—”
For a moment, Virginia felt a twinge of regret at seeing Wesley dragged away. Were they being too harsh on him? Or was Barclay right in exercising extreme caution when it came to the witch?
If only she knew whether Wesley’s words could be trusted.
Or whether he was putting on the greatest performance the world had ever seen, fooling them all.
6
Nearly an hour went by without the council reaching any kind of c
onsensus. The guardian from Seattle had come and gone. He had confirmed that he’d observed Wesley working together with several vampires to put down a group of rogue vampires who’d tried to flood the market with dangerous drugs. Believing that these drugs, which facilitated mind control over a long distance, should not fall into the hands of the demons, the guardian had advised the witch to destroy the drugs and all traces of the vampires’ operation. A follow-up visit to the woods of Sonoma had confirmed that Wesley had indeed done so.
That knowledge helped ease the minds of some of the council members, including Virginia.
However, there was another, much bigger concern on everybody’s mind. A concern that could put their very existence at risk: how the witch had been able to use the portal.
Nobody could explain how a spell could overcome the portal’s fail-safe controls and allow a non-guardian to operate it. Assumptions were raised and then tossed out. Ideas were shared, then rejected. Yet, one thing was clear: they couldn’t allow the witch to leave for fear that he might teach others how to penetrate their defenses.
“Then what do we do with him?” Cinead, the oldest and one of the wisest of the council members finally asked.
“The way I see it, we have two choices: lock him up for good, or kill him,” Ian proclaimed.
The latter choice sent a cold shiver down Virginia’s spine. As much as she didn’t trust Wesley, could she really vote to kill him? Never before had she hesitated to execute a prisoner if it was warranted, so why was she hesitating now? Had he somehow wormed his way under her skin, penetrating her defenses, just like he’d penetrated the compound?
“There’s a third choice,” Barclay said.
Virginia stared at him, as did the other council members. “Yes?”
“We let him go and follow him. See where he leads us.”
Immediately, everybody started talking. Virginia remained silent. While Barclay’s suggestion was unorthodox and dangerous, it was nevertheless feasible. It was easy for a member of their species to follow anybody—after all, invisibility lent itself to such a task. If anybody could follow a witch without being discovered, it was a Stealth Guardian. Still, the idea was fraught with danger. Too many things could go wrong.
