by Helen Harper
Corrigan.
What the fuck…? I knew it was Mack. By now I’d know her voice anywhere. I couldn’t believe that she was telepathically communicating with me though. It was meant to be impossible. So impossible in fact that I took a moment to glance and make sure she wasn’t actually standing in front of me again. I knew how she felt about me. She may have odd flickers of desire and lust but she really didn’t like me very much. If she were able to use the Voice – and I still couldn’t see how she could – she’d only get in touch with me if it were a real emergency. The only sane thought I had before I responded was that I couldn’t let her hear how shocked I was.
Kitten. I felt, rather than heard, her yelp - and more dread snaked through me. What’s the problem? My heart was hammering in my chest for more reasons than one.
Problem? Her Voice was remarkably composed. Didn’t she realise how momentous this was? The Voice hadn’t deserted me; I was still Lord Alpha. And yet… I have no idea what you’re talking about, my Lord, she continued. Now fuck off and leave me alone.
I almost smiled at her language. At least some things never changed. I could swear as well that she hadn’t even realised who it was who’d initiated the contact. Gingerly, I tested out my theory. Except that this time you called me.
Stop playing mind games with me, My Lord, she snapped, pulling away and leaving nothing more than a dull ache in my head.
I massaged my temples. Perhaps I was becoming so bloody obsessed with her that I was starting to imagine things that didn’t exist. I had no reason to believe she wasn’t still up in the far reaches of Scotland. Even if she could use the Voice in a way that no other shifter other than Lord Alphas had ever been able to before, then how could she broach such great distances?
Kitten?
There was nothing there. Not even a glimmer.
Mack? Mackenzie?
It didn’t matter how hard I tried - the only answer I received was the cold wind whistling down the mountain slope.
Chapter Nine
I dropped the bag samples off at the laboratory, doing what I could to impress upon the scientists there that they needed to get a move on with their investigation into the Somerset blood samples. The longer I remained as Lord Alpha, the more I realised what a fine line it was between demanding people do my will – and risk rushing and screwing things up – and ensuring things were actually completed in a timely fashion. I also had to tell the shifter techs about what happened to the Cwnn Annwn without creating a panic. Explaining that a rural pack of shifters had a disease that had wiped out an entire species not too far removed from our own genetics didn’t go down well. As much as it went against my own grain, I compelled them to silence. Part of me wanted to ensure everyone knew the truth about the severity of the red fever and part of me was terrified about the results if I did. For now I was hedging my bets. As long as no-one else fell sick, I decided I could afford to stay quiet about how potentially bad the situation could be. Of course that meant I also had to speak to the Arch-Mage yet again and request his cooperation in staying silent. Unfortunately that was easier said than done. He was taking his vow to not complete any more Brethren related favours very seriously and refused to take any of my calls. So much for building a healthy alliance then.
After leaving the lab, I knew by rights that I should get some sleep. I couldn’t afford to, however. There was nothing I could do right now as far as the red fever was concerned – I had to wait on other people more skilled than I to find answers. What that did mean, however, was that I was free to conduct my own research into how on earth Mack had managed to initiate Voice contact. It was simply too dangerous to delegate it to someone else, even someone like Staines whom I trusted implicitly.
The library at the Brethren headquarters was normally manned by an elderly were-rat who had long since lost the physical attributes necessary to be an active Brethren member. His past service was too great to ignore though so Brady, in one of his more benign and thoughtful acts, had given him the job in the library. Despite his eagerness to see me, and his panicked desire to fulfill my every whim, I gave him the day off. He wasn’t pleased - but I needed peace and quiet and to be able to pore through the relevant books without having to worry about someone looking over my shoulder.
The filing system, unfortunately, was archaic. It wasn’t only the Way Directives and the shifters’ attitudes that needed to be brought up to date. Still, I managed to located several hefty tomes that looked likely candidates for providing more information on the Voice. What I found made my heart sink.
The ability to use the Voice developed naturally as part of the evolutionary process. It made sense really. It’s not easy to communicate when you’re an animal. It might be do-able if every shifter was a werewolf, say. In that scenario, body language would be easy to suss out. Not to mention the fact that urine marking could convey a whole host of different meanings which humans could never even begin to fully appreciate. When there were not only wolves but bears and badgers and foxes and rats and goodness knows what else to deal with, things became much more complicated. I for one was extraordinarily glad that I didn’t have to live somewhere covered in pee.
Equally, it did make a kind of sense that only Alphas were able to initiate the Voice. It occurred to me belatedly as I read that while the Brethren and other Packs might be subjected to being called on by me at a moment’s notice, at least the Alphas only had to worry about my Voice popping into their skull, whereas regular shifters only had to worry about their immediate Alphas and me. If every shifter in the land could ‘speak’ to me, I’d have no end of petty grievances bouncing around in my head. The Brethren were bad enough vocally – after all, last week I had been forced to deal with a nervy were-lion complaining that her latest fighting positions were being stolen by a group of were-hyenas. Like I cared. When I attempted to point out that we were a pack and that sharing was what made us stronger, I received a pout in return. An actual, genuine pout. It still made me roll my eyes in exasperation thinking about it. Of course, while all this was interesting, it wasn’t what worried me.
It was in the third book, a particularly dusty tome that looked like it hadn’t been opened for decades that I found the information I’d been looking for.
In every Pack there is an Alpha. Every Alpha can use the Voice to both compel and communicate. Overseeing the Packs is the Brethren, the Lord Alpha of which can use the Voice to control them all. Only he has that power. Should another shapeshifter gain this ability simultaneously then there is no doubt that civil war will be the result. In the fourteenth century, such a tumultuous event occurred and the results were catastrophic.
Henry Regis ruled the Brethren. Although his time was bloody and violent, he had the respect of the land. It is suggested that even the vampyres bowed at his throne. However, three years into his rule, another was formed. Thomas Blenheim too received full control of the Voice. Unable to reach agreement with Regis, he fled to Scotland, splintering the Packs of the country. The resulting war infected the country, not just among the shapeshifters but amongst the humans too.
Such power is not to be shared. It is the recommendation of this author that if two Lord Alphas emerge simultaneously, the second receiver must be immediately executed to avoid tragic bloodshed.
That was it. No matter how many other books I scoured, I could find no other details. I’d never heard so much as a whisper of this tale before. I had the suspicion that it had been deliberately swept under the carpet. It would have been easy to blame the humans for the war at that time and to conveniently forget that we were the instigators. It had, after all, been the time of the war of independence between Scotland and England. The book’s author certainly seemed to suggest that it had come about as a result of shifter politics rather than human. The idea flabbergasted – and terrified – me. Manipulating history never ends well.
Mack might not ever be another Lord Alpha, but she could very well be the first Lady. She had the strength. She’d almost kil
led a bloody demi-goddess on her own. If she was still in Scotland, then her Voice was more powerful than mine. I couldn’t reach those kind of distances.
I did, at least, find it impossible to believe that she was interested in seizing power. Not only did she not seem to be aware of what she was capable of, but she possessed an innate disdain for anyone in authority – including, of course, me. She would never be hypocritical enough to usurp my position, that much I knew for sure. Except it wasn’t the idea that she could take my place that concerned me. There were often days when I would welcome it. It was that anyone discovering her abilities might rally behind her and cause another civil war – or kill her to avoid one.
The only way out of this mess that I could see was to pray that Mack chose to remain as far away as possible. For one horrifying moment, I wondered whether that was why she’d left the Pack and gone rogue in the first place. It didn’t fit though. Still, as painful as the thought might be, it might be best for everyone if she stayed away. My heart tightened. I couldn’t think of anything worse. But I couldn’t think of any alternative.
“My Lord?”
I didn’t turn around. There was a faint tremor to Lucy’s tone that somehow mirrored my own emotions. I couldn’t let her see my face right now.
“What’s wrong?”
“Um, there’s someone to see you.”
“I’m busy,” I growled. “Take a message.”
“It’s a vampire.”
My shoulders stiffened. It was still morning. The fact that a bloodsucker was taking the risk of moving around in daylight was enough to cause concern. I knew they had means of travelling in sunlight that kept them safe. I also knew they tended to avoid those means unless they had good reason.
Still, I already had a pretty good idea about who it would be. “Show him in,” I grunted. It was surprising that Aubrey had discovered enough information about the blood sample to approach me so quickly. It was, however, information I desperately needed. I ran my fingers through my hair and adjusted my collar. The least I could do was to look vaguely presentable.
I knew from the reek of rotting flesh that Aubrey was behind me long before he spoke. “Lord Corrigan.” There was a note of cold pleasure in his voice. “Catching up on some light reading, I see?”
I turned and gestured at a nearby chair. “Please, sit.”
“I won’t be here for long. I am merely here to tell you that we have decided upon reflection to decline your offer.”
I gaped at him. “Pardon?”
“Us vampires have been on our own for long enough. We don’t need little parties with animals and witches to make us feel important.”
I narrowed my eyes. Despite his protestations to the contrary when we’d met in the park, I’d sensed that it was already a done deal. The bloodsuckers were always complaining about being outsiders as far as the Otherworld was concerned. I’d thought they would jump at the opportunity to be brought into the fold, even if it were only so they could attempt to manipulate the rest of us. “Can I ask why you have decided this?”
A strange light danced in his eyes. It almost appeared as if he was enjoying himself. “You’re not as powerful as you’d like to think.”
I thought of the wasted energy I’d expended on getting the Arch-Mage to agree to come along too and scowled. This was not my day. “Very well,” I sniffed, doing what I could to appear stoic and uncaring. “Tell me about the blood.”
Aubrey’s smile widened. “You’ll find out soon enough.” He gave me a wink and swept out.
I stared after him. Something was up. I could feel hackles rising across the length of my spine and unease growing in me.
Staines, something is going on with the vampires.
He answered immediately. He was probably hovering outside, having been informed the second Aubrey darkened our door. Any idea what?
No. It merits careful consideration, however. My stomach gurgled and I frowned. Staying here and mulling over everything, from Mack to Aubrey to the damn disease would only drive me insane. Get a group together, I instructed. Let’s go for brunch and talk it out.
Chapter Ten
“We need to go somewhere befitting your station, my Lord,” Staines insisted.
I sighed and rubbed my forehead. “Alcazon is too damn flashy.”
“It is the place to see and be seen.”
“I don’t need to see. Or be seen.”
“Actually, you do.” He met my eyes frankly. “The more visible you are, the more power you have.”
“There’s no logic in that.”
He shrugged. “It’s true though.”
I gave him a terse nod of agreement. Frankly, I’d been hoping for the greasy spoon round the corner rather than the swanky destination dining spot. Still, at least Alcazon was an Otherworld place. There was no reason to hide what we were there. Considering there were eight of us altogether it might help remind the rest of the Otherworld species that we were a force to be reckoned with.
“Mara can join us.”
Staines stiffened. “She’s not Brethren. She’s not even a shifter.”
“Careful, Staines. Your prejudice is showing again. She’s one of us. Besides, having a witch with us will only enhance the show of unity you are so determined to present.”
He backed down, grumbling. I smiled to myself; sometimes I thought that Staines was so used to being grumpy and suspicious that he now felt he had an act to live up to, like the sternest teacher in a school or the kindest nurse in a hospital.
“Is something amusing, my Lord?”
“No.” I tried to look innocent but he feinted towards me with a mock snarl and I was no longer able to keep a straight face. Staines and I had enjoyed a lot more fun like this when I hadn’t been bloody Lord Alpha.
We strolled through the ground floor entrance, everyone else keeping a half step back from me as if to prove that I was worthy and important. The guard at the front murmured into his mouthpiece, “Lord Alpha and entourage.” I only just managed to avoid rolling my eyes.
I turned to my small assembly of shifters. “Any weapons?”
Everyone shook their heads. It wasn’t surprising. Not only did shifters rarely need weaponry when we had our own natural were-forms to fall back on, but it was widely known that Alcazon didn’t permit entrance to anyone who was carrying anything that could be potentially lethal. The sensors here were foolproof.
I smiled at the guard. “Only an idiot would attempt to bring a weapon in here.”
He grunted. “You would be surprised, Lord Alpha. In fact, someone arrived here less than an hour ago with silver needles concealed in her hair.”
I raised my eyebrows. “And this woman expected to get in?”
“She removed them.”
I tsked. “It was still a silly move.”
“Indeed.”
When we reached the main dining room itself, it was clear we’d chosen a bad time to come. The place was packed, with almost every table full. I could hear Philippa and Logan’s breath quicken behind me. It wasn’t easy being assailed with the combined scent of so many Otherworlders.
“Breathe through your mouth, guys,” I told them. “It makes it a lot easier.”
“There’s a vampire,” Tom muttered as the maitre’d appeared to lead us to our table. “A goddamn vampire.”
“What? Never seen one before, country boy?” Logan jibed.
“Actually, no. I’ve not.”
“Well, why don’t you…”
I interrupted before this got out of hand. “Why did the vampire need mouthwash?” Puzzled silence met my question. “Because he had bat breath,” I finished.
There was yet another moment of awkward hanging silence before everyone exploded into laughter. It was loud, raucous and entirely over-blown. I gave them all an exasperated look as we sat down. The maitre’d bowed and left us although I noted that at least he’d not cracked a smile at my pathetic joke. “It wasn’t that funny.”
“Yes, it was, my Lord
!”
My eyes met Staines’. He shrugged as if to say ‘well, what do you expect as the big boss?’ then cleared his throat. “I appreciate the effort you’ve been making to keep things light-hearted, my Lord Corrigan. Perhaps it’s time for you stop trying to make us all feel better and get to the truth.”
He’d seen through my attempt to keep things light-hearted for as long as possible fairly quickly. I sighed and mulled over my options. There hadn’t been any evidence yet to suggest that the red fever was going to get out of hand. Unless you were a Cwnn Annwn, that was. But I couldn’t shake off my worry about it – and I still didn’t want to broadcast my fear to anyone else until I was sure. However, I made a decision to tell the truth about the vampires even though that truth also included the tainted blood. If the others also thought it was a matter of concern then I would tell them about the Cwnn Annwn. Otherwise I was simply reading too much into the situation and I would keep quiet.
“As you all know,” I began, “I met with a vampire called Aubrey a couple of days ago. He’s capricious and nasty, much like any bloodsucker you’ll come across. He was, however, responsive to holding regular gatherings where we could meet with other important groups and discuss issues that might cause potential problems.” I held up my palms to forestall any immediate questions. “Don’t get me wrong, it wasn’t a done deal or anything like that. He was going to take it back to his people and give me a final decision later.”
