by Grosso, Kym
Tristan strode to the head of the table, where Marcel and Logan were already seated to his left and right. Three distinguished pack members, who Tristan held in high regard, also sat in attendance. Willow Marrow, the oldest living elder, had seen a lifetime of pack wars. When Tristan had fought to win Alpha, she’d been grateful, because he ensured her safety and status. Her brothers, also elders, Gavin and Shayne, flanked their sister.
Gavin’s son Declan sat to his right, and was considered a senior wolf, strong and competent. Tristan could sense Declan had been itching to challenge him, yet he’d always been loyal to the pack. There was a good chance Tristan would need to call upon Declan in the coming weeks, and he wanted him on board with his strategy. As a leader, sometimes it was better to coax an opponent into becoming a friend, rather than cause fractures within the pack.
Tristan silently nodded at Mira to shut the door; she entered the security code to lock down the room and then gracefully sat down next to Logan and looked to the Alpha to begin. Tristan closed his eyes slowly and blew out a cleansing breath, aware that his power rolled off him, commanding the attention of his pack. His eyes flew open; the others felt his tension and waited anxiously for him to begin.
“Okay, people, listen up. As you all are aware, someone decided to wage war with Lyceum Wolves by attacking my club last week. Now that Noir is up and running and we’ve had a chance to investigate, it’s time to go on the offensive. However, before we talk about how this is going to go down, let’s review what we know so everyone’s on the same page.”
Heads nodded toward Tristan in acknowledgment but no one spoke; they all knew better than to interrupt the Alpha. While Tristan presented a cool and charismatic appearance, he was also reserved and lethal, like a Samurai sword waiting to be drawn from its sheath. Picking up the remote, he confidently circled the table. Punching a button, the large plasma screen flicked to life. Through the grainy video of a room in flames, a small, cloaked figure dashed across the room toward the aquarium behind the bar.
“Most of the video was damaged in the fire, but we were able to get this footage. Notice the one person we’ve got here. We’re not sure, but we think it’s a human woman. I smelled the blood before the collapse, and the one thing I could tell is that she’s not a shifter or vampire. I couldn’t tell at the time why all the blood was concentrated behind the bar, but as you can see here in this clip, she breaks the glass to get to Eve.”
Eve was a large yellow boa constrictor, who’d been a centerpiece behind the bar. Tristan had raised her as a baby and had built an incredibly elaborate terrarium for her, including lights and trees. Yet, when he’d gone into the fiery building to save her, the snake was missing.
“There’s only a few seconds left on this clip, and as you can see, she appears to cut her arm. She wraps it in a bar towel and proceeds to grab Eve. I find it damn interesting that someone would go through the effort to torch the place, and then take the time to save an animal, a snake at that. But this is what we’ve got. The only prints I saw when I went in were bloodied footprints, presumably hers, since they were small. There was no evidence of anyone else in the place, but then again, it was burning pretty good. I could barely breathe in there let alone detect the scent of a wolf or vamp. Magic is also still on the table as a possibility.”
Tristan flicked the screen off, walked back around and sat down. He felt a silent vibration on the table, picked up his cell phone and read the message: ‘D. on premises. Waiting for you in Luvox Suite’. Tristan impatiently tapped his fingers on the table on learning that the vampire was present in the building.
Looking over to Marcel, he directed him to speak to his wolves. “Marcel is going to update you on the stray wolves that attacked Kat. Not sure how they tie into this situation yet, but I know they are a piece of the puzzle. Marcel?”
Marcel nodded and scanned the faces at the table. He was not their Alpha, but commanded the respect of Tristan’s pack. “The day of the fire, Kat’s car was attacked and her driver, Paul, a young member of our pack, was killed. Kat managed to draw two wolves into an area where we could trap them but both of them committed suicide before capture. I’ll tell you that I’ve never seen anything like it. Cyanide tablets. That tells me they were fiercely loyal and didn’t want to risk our interrogations. Unfortunately, the bodies had no identifiable markings. We did find the car; it’d been stolen. New York plates. And that’s all we’ve got.”
Marcel pinched the bridge of his nose and blew out a deep breath. He continued, “Now I’ve talked to Chandler by phone. He continues to deny any involvement. As much as I want to believe the guy, we can’t be sure. I mean, he didn’t give up wanting Kat for his mate until both Tris and I confronted him. So he’s not one to take no for an answer. He may be pissed and looking for retribution. He could have sent those wolves to kidnap Kat and force a mating. Now, on the other hand, if it isn’t him, it could be that there’s someone trying to stage a coup within his pack. You can be damn sure that if he’s clean, he’s pickin’ apart his pack lookin’ for traitors.”
Jax Chandler was the New York Alpha. Dangerous and cunning, he’d spent the last couple of months trying to convince Tristan’s sister to mate with him.
Tristan stood again, interrupting his brother. “So for now, Kat is safely tucked away in New Orleans. Marcel’s leaving tonight to keep a close eye on her and his pack. As for Lyceum, we are locking down. This new building has several empty apartments with state-of-the-art security. All pack members are welcomed and encouraged to stay here when in the city, or remain at the pack house up state. To date, no one’s claimed responsibility for the fire, but that doesn’t mean this is over. Logan?”
Logan, calm and stoic, raised his gaze to meet his Alpha’s. He was Tristan’s best friend and confidant. As beta wolf, he took second in command, and often shared responsibilities with his Alpha in both work and play. Logan had idolized Tristan when growing up, knowing his power first hand. Until recently, he’d helped run Eden, but now he vowed to stay close to Tristan, guarding him with his life. Over the past century, Logan had become accustomed to the visions that plagued his sleep; good or bad, he usually only shared them with Tristan. Today, he’d been asked for the first time to talk with a group.
Tristan strode over to Logan and put his hand upon his shoulder, giving him assurance of his protection. He wouldn’t push Logan too far, realizing that he preferred to keep his visions private. But this time, Tristan needed him to tell the others what he’d seen.
“I’ve seen a dead wolf. A male. I felt he was ours. He definitely wasn’t one of the wolves down in New Orleans. My visions,” he looked up to Tristan, then back to the others. “My visions, they aren’t always clear. But this, what happened to the club, what happened to Kat, it’s only the beginning. All members of the pack need to be on alert for out-of-territory wolves. In the past, we’ve been relatively lax about wolves entering and leaving our territory. No more. Tristan’s put out an advisory to all other Alphas. Anyone who comes into our territory as a non-pack member must seek the Alpha’s permission or else there will be consequences.”
Consequences. Mira and the others knew what that meant. Death. Tristan wouldn’t hesitate to kill another wolf after the recent attacks. Nor would Marcel.
“In addition, there is no traveling outside our territory until after this issue is resolved,” Logan explained; his serious expression cast a dark cloud over the room. No one was used to Logan speaking about his visions, and they now knew death was coming for one of their own.
“That means all wolves need to be brought up to date on this mandate. Willow, you’re in charge of pack communications, so as soon as the meeting’s over, get on it,” Tristan ordered. “The visions. It’s possible things can change, but our wolves are indulged, used to freedoms. It has not always been peaceful, and unfortunately, such is the way of territorial disputes. I expect everyone here to read and digest the security dossiers that Logan’s put together in front of you. Any questions
, see Logan.”
Tristan looked over to Mira. “Mira, from here on out all deals through my corporation will need to be approved by Logan. In addition, I expect you to run in-depth background checks on all prospective clients, whether we’re buying or selling properties.”
She nodded in agreement. “Yes, Alpha.”
“As for me, I’m setting up a face to face with Chandler to be held off territory in a neutral location. This meeting will be held within the next few days. Even though the location is neutral, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a confrontation. If I sense he is responsible, I will take action. You must all be prepared,” Tristan pointed out with a calm demeanor. He heard Mira let out a barely audible gasp. They all knew it could mean his death if he didn’t win.
Without encouraging their fear, he continued speaking. “Also, Léopold Devereoux is here in Noir, tonight. For those of you who don’t know him, he’s my friend Kade’s maker. I’m not sure what he’s got, but Kade said he’s bringing me intel on the arsonist. So I expect I’ll have more info within the next thirty minutes.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow, surveying his wolves, and then looked down to check the time on his cell. “Any questions? Now’s the time to ask them.”
Declan was the first to speak up, yet again trying to assert his dominance over the other wolves. “Why are we bringing a vamp into pack matters? Wolf battles need to be fought by wolves.”
Tristan smiled coolly at Declan, eyeing him until he lowered his gaze. “Ah, jeune loup. ‘There is at least one thing worse than fighting with allies – And that is to fight without them’”.
A flummoxed Declan stared back at him. “What?”
“Churchill,” Tristan quickly responded. “You will learn with experience that allies are allies, no matter the species. Wars are won based on both strength and information. It is foolish to cut off areas that bring you either. Any other brilliant questions?” He was losing his patience, knowing that Devereoux was on the premises. There was no time to waste. Whatever information the vampire had, it was important enough that he was visiting the club.
Léopold Devereoux was not only ancient and powerful, well over a thousand years old, but he was quite elusive. Tristan had been surprised when Kade called him to let him to know to expect a visit. He was even more surprised that Léopold was coming to see him and not Kade. Whatever the vampire had to say must be damn important for him to travel to Philadelphia, and Tristan wasn’t waiting a minute more to hear it.
With no other questions, Tristan stood. Mira hurriedly entered the security code, unlocking the door.
“Well, then. Carry on with your orders. Anything out of the ordinary, contact Logan or me immediately. Meeting adjourned. Be safe, my Lyceum Wolves.” With those words, Tristan strode out of the conference room with Logan close behind. Mira watched as her men walked away, knowing danger awaited them all.
Tristan knocked once. A response, “Come in”, registered, before he proceeded to open the suite door. Entering, he heard the faint sound of a zipper being zipped as a man adjusted his pants, dressing in front of a long mirror. The debonair vampire turned to face Tristan, a smile on his face, quite comfortable with the intrusion. Léopold Devereoux, Kade’s maker, looked as if he was in his late twenties, with short dark hair spiked into a shark’s fin. Lethal and quick-witted, he casually and smoothly proceeded to button his tailored shirt. Admiring a naked blonde and brunette, who both slept contently on the bed adjacent to the long leather sofa, he licked over his fangs in delight. A moan escaped one of the women as she turned to spoon the other and found the warm breast she sought.
“Lovely, aren’t they?” Léopold asked nonchalantly with a slight French accent. “Your club Noir… c'est magnifique. Exquisite blood and even better sex.”
“Monsieur Devereoux?” Tristan questioned, confirming his assumption that the man before him was indeed Kade’s maker.
“Oui.”
“Monsieur Livingston?”
“Oui.”
“Please call me Léopold,” he insisted, checking his appearance once more.
“I’m pleased you’ve had a chance to enjoy Noir’s amenities but we need to speak privately.” Tristan eyed the nude women, smiling at Léopold. As much as he enjoyed viewing the opposite sex without clothing, business came first.
“Ah oui.” Léopold snapped his fingers loudly and the women on the bed began to stir. “Up now, my lovelies. Time to go. Next time in Philadelphia and all that good stuff. Now off you go.” He handed each of them a white fluffy spa robe, complementary from Noir. Each woman grabbed their clothing and shoes off the floor, sheepishly giggling as they left the room.
Tristan proceeded to sit in an overstuffed leather chaise, and propped his feet up on the ottoman. He gestured for Léopold to join him.
“Let me say that I am appreciative of any assistance you can provide with regards to finding the arsonists.”
“Nasty business, no? Kade informed me of your troubles, cowardly, indeed. Not that I mind revenge or war, when justified,” Léopold commented flatly.
“I can assure you that I do plan on revenge. And when I do, I’ll look straight into their soul when their life leaves this earth.”
Léopold let out a hearty laugh. “A man of my own heart. No wonder you and Kade are friends. Well then, I’d say you’ll enjoy this little tidbit of information I have for you.”
“I imagine I will.” Tristan grinned, tasting the justice he was readying to mete out.
“Let’s get to it then. You know Alexandra? My fille. My daughter. She runs our Philadelphia operations.”
Tristan silently nodded with an utterly emotionless expression. Did he know Alexandra? Who didn’t? She ran her vampire operations with a silk-covered, well-manicured, iron fist. Animalistic came to mind when he thought of how she lusted after anything with a cock, and provided little mercy for her enemies. Tristan considered her neither friend nor foe but generally avoided contact.
While it was true that he allowed her and her vampires to patronize his club, he’d had to refuse her sexual advances on more than one occasion and didn’t relish the thought of having to interact with the black-hearted mistress. Alexandra was interested in one thing and one thing only; Alpha blood. Alpha blood equated to power. As far as Tristan was concerned, it’d be a cold day in hell before he ever fucked her, let alone let her drink from him. He silently prayed that whatever Léopold said next didn’t involve quid quo pro.
As well as Tristan tried to hide his disdain for Alexandra, Léopold began to chuckle to himself. “Alpha, you need not conceal your feelings about her. I am not fond of the little witch, myself. But for now, she leads. And it just so happens that she’s found a toy which you’d like very much.”
Tristan raised an eyebrow. “A toy, you say?”
“Oui, a toy. If you know my fille; she sees most things or people as either food or toys. In some cases, they are one and the same.”
“So let’s say she does indeed have what I’d like to call a ‘person of interest’. Why hasn’t she come to me herself? Why send you?”
“Well, first of all, she very much likes her toy at the moment. And secondly, she’d want something in exchange for her troubles. However, when I heard you were looking for this ‘person of interest’, and I found out about her toy, I decided to force her to hand it over to you. You see, unlike Alexandra, I am very fond of Kade, and unlike most parents, I do play favorites. Sometimes she needs to be spanked a little to stay in line, no?” Léopold stated plainly as he fastened his cufflinks.
“Monsieur, I do appreciate your, shall we call it, intervention.”
“You can go do a pick up tonight. She’s expecting you. I can’t promise your ‘person of interest’ won’t be unharmed. I can, however, say that said person will be alive.”
“You sure about that?” Tristan didn’t mean to question the vampire but he knew Alexandra was nothing short of ruthless.
“Trust is a delicate thing, Alpha. You don’t kn
ow me well, so I shall let this pass. But know that my children do not cross me. For if they do, well, let’s just say that the immortal are not truly immortal. Death can come to us all given the right circumstance,” Léopold responded indifferently as he stood and put on his suit jacket.
Tristan knew his words to be true. Stake or remove a vampire’s heart or decapitate them, and a vampire would indeed die. Werewolves were nearly immortal and could suffer great injury, yet they could be killed by evisceration or broken neck. On that somber thought, Tristan stood up and faced the ancient vampire eye to eye.
“I want you to know that Lyceum Wolves is appreciative of your willingness to help. It will not be forgotten. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, do not hesitate to call on me.” He extended his hand.
“Alpha, you’ve been there for Kade many a time, no? I am only returning a favor. And I must say that after visiting your club, I see why it is so important to our upper echelon vampires. Willing donors for blood and pleasure combined with a decadent atmosphere is quite the attraction in the City of Brotherly Love. C'est une excellente.” Léopold reached for Tristan and returned his offer with a solid handshake. As Tristan opened the door, Léopold briefly raised his hand in a salute, before gathering his things to leave.
Logan gave Tristan a small grin. He’d stood watch outside, overhearing the entire conversation. “He’s quite the vamp, huh?” Logan commented. “Hard to believe Alexandra’s his daughter, although I will say they’re both as deadly as a rattlesnake in a pit.”
“That is true, my friend.” Tristan put a hand on Logan’s shoulder, not fancying a visit to Alexandra. Nevertheless, he couldn’t contain his excitement over the possibility that the arsonist could be in his custody within the hour.
Chapter Two
Kalli slowly opened her eyes, entrenched in a hazy nightmare. Kidnapped and bled out, she could barely move her limbs, let alone try to sit up in bed. Two days ago, she’d left the hospital only to be attacked from behind by vampires. They’d knocked her out and brought her here, wherever here was. At first they’d chained her to the bed, but now her own body’s weakness shackled her. For two nights, she’d been visited by a diabolical bloodsucking mistress. The demon sucked her blood only to spit it out; something about poison, she remembered her screeching.
