Rumors stated that the prince and princess’ were lovers who shared common goals and ideas. Supposedly the romance of the couples was the biggest draw of the ceremony. The two would be so in love they would only have eyes for each other. Never experiencing that kind of love or attachment she wanted to see it in action and talk to them about the process. Did it happen fast? Was it like a mating? How did they meet and know they were the one for each other? Questions ran in circles in her mind, but there were no answers.
The Prime Minister couldn’t answer any of those either. His wife had died years ago and he raised his six children on his own. According to her research, he never re-married or fell in love again. One of his daughters would participate in this year’s crowning ceremony. Danielle thought hard… what was her name? She shook her head trying to recall her research, granted it was rushed, but she knew the basics.
“Miriam!” She jumped up shouting and then looked around. The princess’ name was Miriam. The prince’s name was…she frowned and flipped through her pages. Nothing. No name had been given regarding the prince. Was that the norm? It couldn’t be, not if they had a flourishing love life. Moving quickly she went to her bag, pulled out her flash drive and stuck it into her tablet. Seconds later, her entire file regarding Lyrill, and the crowning ceremony filled her screen. She searched extensively for the name of the prince and came up empty.
“Okay, they didn’t give any information on him. Yet every year before now, there was always an extensive bio on the prince prior to the celebration. Now they don’t want them interviewed…” Her nose itched at the smell of a story.
Another glance at her watch and she put the story idea on simmer, grabbed her camera bag, and headed toward the door. Strangely enough, the knowledge that something odd happening at this ceremony made her steps lighter and her smile brighter. Her wolf was a natural hunter and she would use her beast’s skills to unearth the truth of what was happening in Lyrill. Bag on shoulder, she stepped into the hall holding the map showing the location of all the events.
Turning toward the stairs, she wondered if all five of the guests were located in this building. The doctor from last night had followed a different hostess and headed in the opposite direction. Once she reached the first floor, she pushed through the door. Some of her former eagerness returned at the sight of the natural beauty of the place. The vibrant shades of red, yellow and blue in the flowers, the trees and even the grass surpassed any that she had ever seen. The artist in her rose to the surface. She pulled out her camera, adjusted her lens and took pictures of everything. Every once in a while she would be bumped by someone hurrying to the parade site. Per the instructions she needed to get to her reserved location before the horn signaled the beginning of the ceremony. Security was tight for an event that did not allow outsiders.
Holding her camera, she jogged to the area that had been set aside for guests, showed her badge and moved to stand in front of a seat near the stage where the ceremony would be held. Danielle and her small group were in an elevated box and could see everything perfectly. Carefree laughter bubbled from her belly. She was here…in Lyrill…at the crowning ceremony. All of her dreams fell flat to the reality. Her gaze flitted around trying to take it all in.
To the far side of Lyrill stood an old fashioned, honest-to-Goddess castle with stone walls, turrets, spiral roofs and flags flying from the top. Small holes dotted the sides, she assumed these were windows. She adjusted her lens and took more pictures of the old building.
“It is breathtaking, isn’t it?” A soft voice said from behind her.
Danielle nodded without turning. “It is indeed.”
She jumped at the sound of the horn blast signaling the beginning of the parade. People lined up behind the rope barriers, looking down the road to where the parade started. Many stood next to security guards and she realized how much shorter the majority of the crowd were. Frowning, she caught the scent and realized the guard was a wolf. He didn’t bother shielding like she did. His gaze ran over the crowd.
Full-bloods in Lyrill? The knowledge knocked her back a bit. How was that possible? More importantly, why? Wolves rarely traveled alone, she searched the area for the rest of his pack. Now that she knew what to look for she wondered how she had missed them before. The wolves were stationed along the parade route and two more were on the platform where the crowning would take place.
A bad feeling rolled through her. Wolves and humans never mixed, not at events like this. Not as police to humans, it made no sense. Curiosity rose to the forefront, and she reevaluated what she knew. First no mention of the prince, then they cancelled the interview, and now full-blood wolves served as guards around so many humans. This could not be the same celebration her grandmother attended decades ago. She slapped her forehead and shook it. Damn. She would be accepted to the one that had major problems.
“He’s tall.” The soft voice said near her ear. She swiveled and looked down at the short man… or woman…or both, she wasn’t sure. During her travels she had seen all manner of beings. But she wasn’t sure exactly who or what stood behind her.
“So are you for that matter,” the soft voice said looking at her through violet tinted eyeglass lens.
“Thanks.” She turned around and continued taking pictures, the first float passed in front of her. The pretty blond sat on top of a waterfall waving to the crowd, it was a beautiful creation.
“She is pretty or would be if she filled out the gown. Whoever dressed her should be shot immediately,” the soft voice said.
Danielle stifled her laugh at the accurate observation. The teenager’s dress should have been worn by someone with curves.
“Oh my… not another one. I swear they need to make these floats more balanced, show a little male flesh. Not all of us want to see dressed up little girls on display.”
This time she laughed out loud and looked over her shoulder. “You have to stop. I’m the photographer and need to get these pictures.”
“Oh posh. You’re the foreign photographer, they have five of their own photographers taking pictures of everything, including when one of the princesses fart.”
She couldn’t help it. Laughter escaped through her lips and she let it rip at the same time a horn blew in the background. He offered her a slim, effeminate hand. “Frances LaRue, I am so glad you have a sense of humor and a beautiful smile. I have been standing here hoping to talk to someone, but these people are so stuffy, it’s ridiculous.” He rolled his eyes at the three other guests in the small box.
Grinning, she took his hand. “Danielle Brindle, foreign photojournalist.”
“No shame in that. I’m the lowly musician for tonight’s festivities.”
She nodded.
“Hmm, I suppose you have not heard of me?” He sounded offended, but she had not so she shrugged.
“I travel so much, I probably missed your music. What do you sing?” She spoke over her shoulder while snapping more pictures. The last float was visible and she wanted to get a glimpse of the prince and princess.
He laughed. “No…I was never a big name, my voice is nowhere as good as it used to be but they offered and the pay is great.” She sensed his shrug.
The crowd clapped and whistled as the last float drew near. All of the ladies and men who had been on the previous floats waited on the platform, the women held bouquets of flowers. They were dressed similarly, but in different colored gowns. It reminded Danielle of a rare, exquisite garden with colorful flowers. Except… there was no groom. No prince she corrected as she took more pictures of the princess sitting alone waving to the crowd. Even from this distance, Danielle could tell the smile was forced. Something definitely was going on. The wolves moved closer forming a barrier between the platform and the people who now pushed closer for a better look at the ceremony.
“Well, I was promised there would be serious eye candy today, and there’s nothing,” Frances complained.
A new scent in the air. Danielle’s wolf rose so
fast she clamped down onto the railing and bore down to keep her wolf from leaping onto the platform. The hair on her arms rose. Her gums tingled. She took large gulps of air to slow her racing heart, and to maintain control of her snapping wolf. How was this possible? What was he doing here? She knew, without getting a clear view of him, that her mate was nearby. They hadn’t flown in together, and it was damn near impossible to gain entry into the country. She peered at the platform, waiting.
The princess walked up the staircase and waved to the audience again. The crowd’s applause was half-hearted at best. Even they knew something was off.
None of that mattered. Not to Danielle. Her gaze locked on the back of the tall, broad shouldered man who just walked out onto the platform with his hands to his side. He nodded to the crowd and turned toward the official. His face was a contrast of shadows; he was a few shades darker than the off-white outfit he wore. He had hair, it looked thick, and her fingers itched to run through the dark locks. Mine! She echoed her beast’s claim.
Even from this distance she sensed his barely leashed power. His dark hair brushed against the top of his neck. Every cell in her body strained to line up with his. She longed to rub her face against his chest. Her nipples tightened as awareness rippled against her skin.
She released a breath.
His posture changed, stiffened. Did he sense her? Of course he did, she answered her own question. Why was he standing there?
“Now that’s what I’m talking about,” Frances said, pointing at her mate when he turned slowly and scanned the crowd. His gaze brushed across her and her wolf whined to be free. Her nipples pebbled as if his fingers brushed against them. He stopped, but continued perusing the crowd until he faced the Prime Minister again.
The growl started low in her belly. Why the hell was her mate standing next to another woman?
Chapter 12
“Thank you for coming on such short notice, Dr. Pierce. We are having a difficult time with this one. Nothing we have tried has worked so far. He refuses to bend to my will. We are running out of time, the ceremony is in a couple of hours.”
“Rone, look up a Dr. Pierce, not sure how to spell his name but they bought him in to make me obey. Tell Silas to stand-by I may need more energy to get rid of the poisons they’ve been shooting me up with. I’d love to vomit all over this doctor like the last one who gave me a shot.” Tyrese lay on his back with his hands behind his head speaking through his link. The Prime Minister had been shooting him up with all kinds of serums and formulas to gain some kind of control over him. It wasn’t happening and the man was pissed. Ambassador Prinkston had disappeared, the coward.
“Will do and Silas is already on board. We’ve got you and I am locked tight. Asia and her crew should be on the ground by the time the ceremony is in full swing. You gave your word to do the ceremony so they’ll wait until it’s over to move.”
“I think it’s fucking fantastic, they are on a military plane headed over here. Those bastards will pay for this bullshit.” He heard footsteps. “They are here. Ready?”
“Ready,” Rone said and Tyrese relaxed a fraction. Since his fitting yesterday, he had been given three shots of drugs that burned through his system like wildfire. If Silas hadn’t isolated and dispelled the drugs immediately, his hybrid would have turned feral and been out of control. He could not afford for that to happen. Better to wait for his team, together they’d tear this place apart. After what they’d done to him, the idea was damn appealing.
Silas was one smart man and worthy of his title. He sent Asia, slipped her beneath the Pentagon’s nose. She could probably have rescued him on her own, she was that good. But he also sent Angus, a black wolf few could beat. To top that off Leon and Brix would join the fray. Lyrill won’t know what hit them after they finished kicking ass.
“So you’re Tyrese Bennett.” The man wore a lab-coat and stared at him as if he were some specimen in a petri dish. Tyrese returned the gaze and tried to figure the guy out.
“I have wanted to meet you for a long time. I studied your family tree and am impressed with how well you thrived beneath your mother’s tutelage. Pity your father died serving our country, but your mom upgraded when she mated La Patron. Tell me, is he on his way to save you?”
“No.” Tyrese continued staring at the man. He had no smell. That was odd. “Rone this doctor knows about mom and Silas. He has no scent, can’t tell if he is human or not.”
He heard Silas’ growl roll through their links. “I need a little more information about him to isolate the name,” Tyrone said.
“And you are?” Tyrese asked, wondering if the man would tell him the truth.
“Dr. Pierce.” He lied.
Tyrese sighed long and hard. “If you know so much about me, you know I can smell a lie. Who are you?”
The doctor’s face reddened and he glanced at the Prime Minister who frowned. “You are mistaken, I am Dr. Renard Pierce.” Beads of perspiration popped on his brow.
Tyrese shrugged and looked at the Prime Minister. “He’s lying, that’s not his name. Not that it matters, I suppose. Why did you want to meet me?”
“You are a half-bred wolf who survived adolescence without a pack… that is unique in your culture. I believe that is why you are so strong. Strength is necessary for the task here. What I don’t understand is your refusal to assist in such a simple job. The Prime Minister would pay for your services. Can you explain your reluctance to serve this country in their time of need?”
“Sure, as soon as you explain why you are here using a false name, what else is false about you? Are you even a doctor? Or did you kill the real Dr. Pierce and take his place?”
The Prime Minister looked at Tyrese and then stared hard at the doctor.
“His name is not Pierce,” Tyrese said meeting the Prime Minister’s considering gaze.
For a moment no one spoke. “Guards,” the Prime Minister called.
The doctor’s face turned shades of red and blue, purplish as if he had been bitten and strangled. He pulled out a syringe and lunged at Tyrese, his intent clear. Tyrese waited a second and moved with lightning speed to the other side of the room. The doctor crashed onto the bed with a loud oof. The guards entered the room and headed toward the man. He looked over his shoulder, glanced at Tyrese and then stuck the needle in his arm. By the time the guards reached him his head lolled on his neck and he fell forward to the floor. No one tried to catch him.
Tyrese walked to the doctor, kicked his shoulder with the tip of his slipper to turn him over. The hypodermic needle stuck out the side of his arm like an errant missile. Bending, Tyrese touched his neck, searching for a pulse. There was none. He pulled his sleeve to cover his hand and grabbed the end of the needle. The guards stepped back and drew their weapons. Tyrese ignored them. Whatever had been in the needle was lethal enough to kill in a few seconds, whether it would’ve killed him, he didn’t know. Inhaling, he identified traces of the chemical that had been used in the lotion which poisoned his grandmother. Someone was dabbling in chemical warfare again.
“What is it?” The Prime Minister asked staying far away.
“Poison.” He looked at the Prime Minister. “You brought him in here to kill me?” He tilted his head to the side considering the matter.
“What? No…of course not. I need your cooperation. How would it serve my interests if you were dead,” he sputtered, his face red. “Give that… that thing to the guards.” He turned to the men who remained frozen in place since the doctor killed himself. A couple of them were turning green.
“No. Believe me, you do not want this anywhere in your country. It’s highly classified and nothing but trouble.” He placed the needle behind his back.
“And yet you know about it and expect to keep it…for what? To kill me? My daughter? My people?” The Prime Minister looked at his guards as they dragged the dead man out of the room.
“No. Your death will not come by my hands.” Tyrese said straight faced. This jackass w
ould die eventually, but not until the US government got what they wanted. That was the only way this game could play out and the Prime Minister was a fool to think he was more than a pawn.
The man’s mouth dropped open and he snapped it shut. Tyrese knew the Prime Minister was out of time and out of options. He wondered what ploy he would attempt next.
“I am a father. You are not and cannot possibly understand what it feels like to disappoint your child. Miriam is head strong, but she is a good girl and the last of my line to be crowned as princess. This is her big day… it happens once in her life. Can you not extend a small courtesy and ride with her in the parade? For one day, can’t you pretend she is your intended? It would mean so much and cost you little.”
Tyrese repeated the conversation to Silas and Rone. “No. Don’t do it. There may be a hidden clause somewhere and you may become a slave or something,” Rone said.
Silas agreed.
“I cannot. Perhaps if you had asked in the beginning instead of resorting to bullshit games and deceit…but I don’t trust you. I’ll keep my bargain and stand in a certain spot during the ceremony, but I’m not agreeing to any vows. None. And I’m leaving after the ceremony.”
“At night, after the feast. No one will see you then. We already have an excuse lined up for your absence, it’s flimsy, but it’ll have to do.” The man sounded defeated but Tyrese kept his guard up. He was sure the military was still involved somehow. Lyrill did not manufacture drugs for full-bloods, those drugs came from the outside. His bet was on the Liege Lords, but why?
“Okay, we have a deal then?” Tyrese asked more so the remaining guards would hear than anything else. He hoped Asia and the team were in Lyrill tonight to help him escape.
“Yes…yes, of course.”
Tyrese’ brow rose from the stench of the lie. The PM’s face reddened at Tyrese’ knowing gaze. He spun and strode out the room.
Two hours later, they came for him. Six full-bloods escorted him down to the lower levels and then walked him through underground tunnels. He drank in the damp smell of the earth, allowing it to soothe him. His beast wanted to dig his paws in the soft dirt and run. The long walk was over too quickly. They opened a large wooden door and had him stand in the shadow of it.
BirthSign (La Patron, The Alpha's Alpha) Page 12
