The elevator dinged when we reached the third floor of the WaterMark Hotel; it was one of the nicest hotels in the city. Agent White led us to a room halfway down the hall, swiped a keycard and opened the door. Chris Townsend was inside, standing beside a man in his late sixties or early seventies, with graying hair that had once been black. Wrinkles lined his face and fading brown eyes studied me with a puzzled expression as I walked in. I went over to get his scent. This man wasn't connected to anyone that I knew.
"Charles is on the phone," Agent Townsend held a cell phone out to me. I blinked at him and Agent White.
"Charles?" I said, taking the phone.
"Lissa? Can you tell anything?"
"Charles, this man isn't connected to anyone I know," I said.
"You're sure?"
"Yeah. I'd know if he was connected to somebody I'd ever scented before. He's not." Charles sighed at my explanation.
"That's Everett Hancock," Charles informed me. "Anthony Hancock's father." Oh, lord.
"Charles, I'm sorry. This man isn't related. He is also completely human, no other bloodline," I added. Charles knew what I was saying. Gavin wasn't surprised by my words either, but Agents White and Townsend sure were.
"Let me talk to Chris again," Charles said. I handed the phone back to Townsend. Charles told him to keep the information to himself about what I could do and instructed that he tell Ken White the same thing. Chris said all right and ended the call.
"We're still going to send him somewhere safe, just in case our friend gets wind of him," Chris said, meaning Everett Hancock. Were we going to tell Tony? I hoped not. I think he had enough on his plate right now. I just shrugged and nodded at Chris instead.
* * *
"Mom, the Head of the Council has given permission for you to visit with Tony," Deryn spoke with Corinne Alford on his cell. "It's not something they normally permit, but since we're wolves, they're allowing this and setting a precedent." Deryn was happy to be passing this news off to his mother; she worried that she wouldn't be allowed to see her oldest son again.
"How soon?" Corinne Alford wanted to go to Tony immediately. That wouldn't be possible.
"He's in Oklahoma City," Deryn replied. "The Honored One says you can visit as early as tomorrow. William Winkler is coming up from the Dallas Pack so you won't be alone in a sea of vampires. They'll set up a plane ticket for you as soon as you want to go."
"Can we do it tomorrow?"
"Sure. For dad, too, if he wants to go along. Somebody will meet you at the airport." Corinne agreed and Charles, who was nearby, was already arranging for first class tickets from Denver to Oklahoma City the following evening. Deryn passed the flight information off to his mother and everything was set up before Deryn terminated the call.
"It's a relief actually, to know the old fart isn't Tony's dad after all," Deryn sighed, glancing at Charles. "I only met him twice and he was the biggest, grumpiest old gas bag you've ever seen. Tony only went to him when he had to."
"Was Anthony happy with your father?" Charles asked.
"Absolutely. Dad taught us how to fish and how to box. Dad's a black belt, too, so we learned Karate when we were young. Tony was the one who wanted to study Jiu Jitsu, Aikido, Wing Chun and several other disciplines. Dad drove him to all the classes until Tony was old enough to take himself. Tony won competitions, he was so good. He got his college degree in three years and then went right into the military—special ops, you know. It was no surprise that he kept getting promoted, and when they started looking for a replacement for the Director's job, he accepted but only on the condition that he could make the job hands-on. I hear Agent Jennings made the same arrangement." Deryn was proud of his older brother; Charles could hear it in his voice. "I'm just glad he's not dead right now."
"No, he's definitely not dead. He's been officially registered with the Council. All his papers were completed before he left for the states. He's no longer Anthony Hancock; that name with that face is too recognizable. All vampires change their names. Your brother's ID shows he's Anthony Rockland, now. A variation on his sire's last name, de la Roque."
"He didn't mention it," Deryn said. "It doesn't matter. Everett Hancock can be a memory, now." Charles nodded in agreement.
* * *
This was the second time I was awake in daylight. It was better this time—I was more lucid, even if the light did hurt my eyes at first. I'd jumped and gasped awake. Another dream had come, only this time I'd seen a young woman—a very young woman—possibly still in her mid-teens, who was begging someone not to send her away. She was quite pregnant and standing in a field of tall grass. An older woman was shouting at her, telling the girl to take herself and her whelp out of her sight. If that was mom, she needed lessons in parenting, I think. That's when I woke inside the darkened basement, breathing hard and blinking away remnants of a disturbing dream.
"Raona, why are you awake?" Roff stopped chopping vegetables and came to me as soon as I made my way up the stairs and into the kitchen area. Concern clouded his face as he took my hand and led me to a seat at the tiny kitchen table.
"I had another dream," I said, wiping a hand over my face in an attempt to clear away my grogginess. Light was streaming through open blinds in the kitchen window. I squinted at it, attempting to see past the brightness to the day beyond.
Roff went to get a glass of water before I had the opportunity to ask. I gulped it; he'd added a few ice cubes and I thanked him for that. He merely nodded and sat down at the table with me. "Was this a troubling dream?" Roff asked.
"No, I didn't know the people in it," I said. "A mother was sending her pregnant daughter away—that's what the dream was. Jeez, talk about confusing," I set my water down on the table and rubbed my eyes.
"Raona, let me carry you back to bed."
"I can get myself down; you don't have to go lugging me around all the time."
"But I like this," Roff grumbled.
"You can't like hauling me around." Except that he did. And he insisted, so I was carried downstairs and placed carefully back in bed.
"Go back to sleep, my Queen." Roff gave me a careful kiss and pulled the blanket over me. I listened while he made his way up the stairs, hearing the faint thunk of the basement door closing. I snuggled against Gavin's wide back and closed my eyes, falling asleep quickly.
* * *
"Child, Dominic is likely in the U.S.," Wlodek informed Radomir over the phone. "Make arrangements for the jet to fly his brothers to Oklahoma City. I would prefer that you go with them, rather than allowing Russell to make the journey. I have another assignment for Russell, and I will feel easier if you are there with Lissa and the others. I will be assured of getting complete information this way."
"Of course, father," Radomir had stepped outside the hotel to take the call, in case his father had sensitive information to impart. "I will make arrangements to leave tomorrow evening."
"Get the address for the safe house from Charles; obviously you will have to move the others and find another place to stay. None of the safe houses in the area are large enough to hold all of you." Wlodek tapped a pen on his antique desk; Radomir recognized the sound and could picture his sire's hands as they toyed with the gold pen.
"I will, father," Radomir said, ending the call. He immediately called the vampire who scheduled the Council's jet as he walked through the hotel entry and took the stairs to his room.
"Russell, call the Honored One, he has another assignment for you," Radomir announced as he strode into the room. Lorenzo and Thaddeus watched Radomir closely; they didn't know what this meant.
"Do not fear, your brother has been spotted in the U.S.," Radomir informed them. "We are flying there tomorrow evening to join others who will help us in our search." Lorenzo breathed a sigh of relief at the news; he worried that the Council would abandon his brother's cause and Dominic would be lost to him and Thaddeus.
"Pack up, brother," Lorenzo slapped Thaddeus on the back. They walked through th
e connecting door to gather their things.
* * *
"Our Raona was up in daylight again," Roff informed Gavin, who'd finished a pint of blood and was tossing the used bag into the compacter.
"What did she do?" Gavin asked, concerned.
"She claimed she had another dream and wandered to the upper level, where she drank some water. I convinced her to go back to bed." Roff watched Gavin carefully for signs of anger; he knew to leave should a vampire became uncontrollable. Gavin sighed instead.
"I do not understand how or why this is happening. Please continue to watch her and make sure she returns to my bed. When the werewolf arrives, he can assist you in this."
"Of course," Roff nodded to Gavin, quite happy that the vampire hadn't gotten angry.
Winkler arrived two hours later and Lissa had only been awake for an hour, moving about sluggishly while she drank her usual amount of blood. "Lissa," Gavin lectured, "it would ease my fears if you will promise not to wander around should you rise during daylight hours."
* * *
I looked up at Gavin's face; he was standing on the other side of the refrigerator door as I was placing my unused third of a unit back in the fridge. "I'm not going shopping or jogging down the street, if that's what you're worried about," I said. "The light is a little bright to my eyes; I don't think I can just walk out in it without blinding myself or something. All I do is talk to Roff or whoever is awake."
"Ask the wolf to find a pair of dark sunglasses for you, cara," Gavin said. "This way, you may sit and talk with Roff and your eyes will be protected."
My mouth dropped open—I know it did. Gavin, making a good suggestion instead of cursing in multiple languages and chastising me for going upstairs during daylight? Unheard of. "Uh, okay. I'll see if Winkler will mind getting some for me."
The doorbell rang upstairs and Roff came down a few minutes later, followed by Winkler, Dalroy and Rhett. Where were we going to put everybody? I even said that out loud, I think.
"Lissa, we have already discussed this on the phone with Charles and Winkler while you slept late," Gavin smiled. "The home in Nichols Hills is still vacant and Winkler has secured it for us to use again. There is plenty of room there for everyone. Also, Anthony's mother and stepfather are coming for a brief visit; they will meet us here first. Radomir, Lorenzo and Thaddeus will be joining us as quickly as they can arrive; they are flying here on the Council's jet."
"Holy crap," I muttered. Our numbers were getting huge. "Does Tony know his mother is coming?"
"He has been informed—René has taken him shopping so he may buy a gift for her."
"Ah." That's why I hadn't seen either of them. Winkler came over, grinned at me and leaned down to give me a peck on the cheek.
"Babies are fine, we had a doctor's visit yesterday," he informed me before I could ask.
"Good," I patted his back before turning to say hello to Dalroy and Rhett.
"Do you think you could get me back to that restaurant that had the good chicken fry?" Winkler said, his nearly black eyes twinkling.
"I can get you back there, but they stop serving at nine, dude," I poked Winkler in the ribs. It was past that already. "Maybe we can take you in the next few days and Tony's mother and step-dad can go with you."
"Sounds good. In the meantime, I need to eat something. We went straight to the airport after Rhett and Dalroy woke. I haven't had a chance to eat, yet."
"Jeez, Winkler, you could cave in," I teased. "Roff, do you have something suitable for tall, dark and furry, here?"
"I have a steak I can grill for him," Roff nodded. "I cooked chicken earlier; he may have the leftovers while I prepare his meal."
"I'll deal with that," Winkler nodded and followed Roff up the stairs. I trailed behind him with Rhett, Dalroy and Gavin right behind me. Winkler got reheated chicken while Roff slapped a steak under the broiler. "I like it rare," Winkler offered. Roff nodded and threw some vegetables together for Winkler. Winkler was perfectly happy with his steak; Roff left it bloody, just as Winkler prefers. We were talking and watching Winkler devour his meal when Tony and René came back.
"Mom and Dad should be here any time," Tony said, showing me a pair of earrings he'd gotten for his mother. His step-dad was getting a gift certificate from a popular sporting goods store.
"These are nice, Tony," I admired the earrings inside a small jeweler's box. They sparkled with rubies and diamonds—and not small ones, either. René had spent some money, looked like. Tony had to give up his bank account and credit cards; everybody thought he was dead. René was providing for him, as a normal sire should. If he didn't have one already, René was probably arranging for Tony to have a credit card with his new name on it—Anthony Rockland. I hated that he had to give up Hancock; I liked that name.
The doorbell rang and Tony was up like a shot. René went with him to answer the door. Worriedly I searched Gavin's face; I hoped René knew to be circumspect; Tony's mother believed him dead until she'd learned differently, so this was a reunion. Gavin must have been on my wavelength; he nodded slightly to me. I released the breath I was holding.
Corinne Alford was introduced to me, as was Tony's stepdad, Lucas Alford. Deryn resembled his dad, I noticed. Both had dark hair, brown eyes and a straight nose. Corinne had black hair like Tony's, and blue eyes, where Tony had gray. And she wasn't his mother. I knew that the minute she walked into the room. Everett Hancock didn't have a drop of Elemaiyan blood, so Tony had to get it from someone else. At first, I figured that Corinne had an affair with someone who did have the blood. Now I knew better. At least one of Tony's parents had been of Elemaiyan descent; it just wasn't Everett Hancock or Corinne Alford.
I wasn't about to tell Tony that Corinne wasn't his mother. He loved her. Big time. And she loved him. I wasn't going to ruin that. I might tell Wlodek if he asked, or Merrill, but that's it. Tony didn't deserve the upset. Had Corinne wanted him to know, she would have told him.
"We're moving to another part of the city, so there will be room for all of us," Winkler informed Lucas Alford. Lucas was more than happy to meet the Dallas Packmaster; he was Second for the Denver Pack and he and Winkler were knee-deep in werewolf politics and intrigue in no time. Gavin and I gathered our things together while the others talked; Winkler had rented an SUV, so it and the van would carry all our things to the house in Nichols Hills.
Rhett and Dalroy were set to provide security for us at night; Winkler was going to watch things during the day. Winkler would guard us with help from Lucas while he was here, and he'd arranged to bring in a wolf from the Oklahoma City pack when Lucas went home. Oklahoma City had a werewolf Pack. I never knew, honestly. Winkler had to clear things with the local Packmaster—not just for this time, but the time before as well. It was courtesy to let the local Pack know you were in the area if you were a visiting werewolf.
We loaded up after an hour or so and Winkler and Gavin drove. Gavin remembers everything, and he clearly remembered the way to the mansion. I sat up front with him; René and Roff rode with us in the back seat of the van. "This is quite adequate," René remarked as we drove through the mansion's gates. He was right. The mansion covered the better part of half a block with a high brick wall surrounding it. Gavin and I had walked the perimeter of that wall many times.
"Gavin, what did you do with your paychecks from Winkler?" I asked. He'd been paid, just as I had.
Gavin laughed. "I never cashed them," he replied. "And once I took you with me, I'm sure Winkler canceled them."
"I ought to smack both of you," I grumped.
"I believe I'd like to see that," René observed.
"Stick around," I said. René laughed, this time.
"We would like our guesthouse," Gavin announced when Winkler tried to set us up in the main house. Winkler frowned slightly but didn't argue. Gavin was revisiting the past; doing now what he hadn't been able before. He placed our bags in the room he'd taken during our previous stay, which was slightly larger than the other
bedroom over the garage. Roff took the other bedroom so he could be close to me. He unloaded all his groceries inside the small kitchen and seemed more than happy with his space. He also went to bed shortly after everything was put away. Gavin's cell rang—it was Radomir.
"Radomir is on his way with Lorenzo and Thaddeus," Gavin informed me after ending the call. I knew already; I'd overheard the conversation and Gavin had given out the new address. Radomir showed up twenty minutes later, so Gavin and I went to help them unload. Winkler was still awake, thank goodness, and handed out bedrooms to the new arrivals. Radomir was placed on the third floor, next to Thaddeus and Lorenzo. Radomir would be watching them, I knew, in case there was any trouble. I wasn't getting any bad vibes off them and my skin didn't itch, so I was confident they were okay.
"Have you had dinner?" I asked as Thaddeus and Lorenzo explored the ground floor of the mansion. It was tastefully decorated and had abstract art on the walls. They'd eaten already; they'd brought a supply of blood in two good-sized coolers and those were promptly unloaded in a refrigerator inside the game room upstairs.
"Father wishes to speak to you privately," Radomir informed me quietly; he'd sought me out. I'd put a late-night snack together for Winkler in the main kitchen while Gavin helped René with another of Tony's lessons. I think it involved fighting more than one vampire at a time. I hadn't gotten that lesson, I recalled.
"All right," I nodded at Radomir and pulled out my cell phone. I'd never been to the roof of this house so I misted upward, going right through the roof and settling down to have my conversation with Wlodek.
"Hi, Charles," I said when he answered the phone.
"Lissa! We miss you," he said.
"Is that the royal we?" I teased.
"If it includes me, then the answer is yes," Wlodek had taken the phone away from Charles. I guess I was going to have to get used to the fact that they were both in Merrill's basement, with Charles's office right next to Wlodek. And had that been a joke on Wlodek's part? Well, the sun was going to rise at midnight next time.
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