Dark Overlord’s Clan (The Children Of The Gods Paranormal Romance Series Book 40)

by I. T. Lucas

  But the progress was too slow.

  At the current rate of recruitment, he and Elijah might not see the division reach its full potential during their lifetimes.

  That was why the success of tonight’s mission was so critical.

  With one fell swoop, they might bring into the program a bunch of new recruits that would have taken them a couple of years to collect using their regular methods.

  “Turn right at the next light,” Elijah said. “I found a drive-through taco place.”

  “I had my heart set on a hamburger, but perhaps I should start watching what I eat as well.”

  Roberts snorted. “I doubt you’ll last a week. You love the good life too much.”

  “Would you like to bet?”

  Elijah laughed. “With you? Never. You’ll do anything to win.”

  That was true. He loved a challenge, and winning was nonnegotiable.

  After eating their meal in the restaurant’s parking lot, Simmons checked the GPS again. “We are meeting my guy in a warehouse on Elliot Street.” He put the gearshift in drive.

  “Doesn’t he have an office?”

  “Renting space anywhere in the Bay Area is costly, so Hector works from his home office. For this mission, he’s subletting a place from a friend.”

  “Where does he keep his weapons?”

  Simmons shrugged. “I don’t know, and I don’t care. Maybe he has a self-storage somewhere.”

  “Could be.” Roberts took a sip from his diet drink. “What I’m worried about is that he doesn’t sound professional.”

  “I told you he’s a small operator. Besides, what we need from him doesn’t require special ops training. Although he has it.”

  Pulling into a parking spot in front of a warehouse, Simmons pointed at the row of black vans parked one next to the other. “I guess those are ours.”

  Roberts grimaced. “The thought of riding in one of these all the way back to West Virginia instead of flying is unappealing, to say the least. My hemorrhoids are going to give me hell. Maybe you can stay with the team, and I’ll fly back?”

  “I wish it was possible, but I need you. We are driving back with tranquilized cargo. Your job is to make sure that we bring them in alive. I don’t want to lose any on the way.”

  Roberts sighed. “I get it. I just don’t like it.” He released the safety belt and got out.

  After locking the rental, Simmons walked up to the door and pressed the intercom button. “We are here to see Hector.”

  “Doctors Simmons and Roberts?”

  He recognized Hector’s voice. “That’s us.”

  The door opened, and Simmons walked in first. “Any new recon?”

  “Yes.” Hector motioned for them to follow him to a back room. “I sent one of my guys with a camera drone to check on what they had going in the backyard.” He pulled out two plastic chairs for them.

  “Did he find anything interesting?” Roberts asked.

  Hector sat behind the dingy metal desk. “It seems like we are going to crash a wedding. The tables are covered in white tablecloths, and there are flower arrangements on each one. They’ve also built an elevated platform, which I suppose is for the actual ceremony.”

  “That’s good news for us. We don’t have to hunt for the terrorists one by one.”

  Hector lifted his hands in the air. “I don’t need to know who they are, and I don’t want to know. As long as I’m getting paid, I don’t ask questions.”

  “Smart man.” Simmons pulled an envelope out of his suit pocket. “This is half of what we’ve agreed on. You’ll get the other half when you deliver the cargo to West Virginia.”

  6

  Wendy

  In her room, Wendy lay on her belly and flipped through the selection of movies on the server. Whoever had downloaded them had apparently never heard of anime or cartoons because there were none.

  She needed something to distract her from the bad mood that had snuck up on her unexpectedly.

  Things had been going well with Vlad, and for a couple of hours, she’d felt great. But then Jin had told them that Jacki was getting married and that she and Arwel were leaving for the wedding.

  Why wasn’t Wendy invited?

  Was it because of what she had done?

  Everyone else seemed willing to forgive her, so why not Jacki?

  Besides, what did Jacki care about her betraying the organization? They weren’t her people. She was marrying the guy who Jin had tethered, a supposed threat, and a potential enemy much worse than Wendy.

  What was the deal with that anyway? Jacki had just met the guy and was already marrying him?

  And what about Richard?

  He hadn’t done anything wrong, and yet Jacki hadn’t invited him either.

  There was a knock on the door. “Can I come in?” Vlad asked.

  “It’s open.”

  Wendy didn’t bother to move. She was fully dressed, her bed was made, and she was lying on it facing the television, with her socked feet pointing at the headboard.

  Vlad sat on the bed next to her. “Why are you in your room?”

  She shrugged. “I’m trying to find something to watch.”

  “What’s wrong?”

  “Why do you think that something is wrong with me? I just want some decent entertainment, but there is nothing on this freaking server.” She dropped the remote and turned sideways to look at Vlad.

  “You told me that you watch things to keep out of your own head, so I assumed something is going on up there.” He tapped her temple with his finger. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Wendy shrugged. “Jacki is getting married, and she didn’t invite Richard or me. She has known us a lot longer than she has known Jin, but she invited her.”

  “Richard doesn’t seem to mind.”

  Wendy rolled her eyes. “The guy has the emotional spectrum of a gnat. Besides, he had the hots for Jacki, so he’s probably not too keen on seeing her hooking up with another guy.”

  Vlad chuckled. “I think Jacki is old news for Richard. He and Ingrid were hooking up right in front of her.”

  Closing her eyes, Wendy plopped on her back. “Maybe I’m jealous. Jacki was like me. She stayed away from guys, and everyone thought that she was not into men. I even suspected that she might have been abused, and that’s why she didn’t want to enter a relationship. But apparently, we were all wrong. She just waited for the right guy. A rich and powerful dude that even the mighty Kian fears.”

  Vlad didn’t say anything, but she sensed his hurt feelings.

  Flopping to her side, Wendy opened her eyes and looked at him. “Why are you offended? Jacki wasn’t your friend.”

  “I don’t care about not being invited to the wedding. What I care about is you being jealous of Jacki because she is marrying a rich and successful guy. How do you think it makes me feel?”

  “It has nothing to do with you.”

  He arched a brow. “Really? If I were rich and powerful, would you still be jealous of Jacki?”

  Rolling her eyes, Wendy sat up, lifted on her knees, and wrapped her arms around Vlad’s neck. “You are such a silly boy. My jealousy has nothing to do with whom she is marrying. It’s just that Jacki is over whatever issues she had, and I’m not. She has good friends that want to celebrate with her, and I don’t.” She leaned and kissed his lips lightly. “But I have you, so I shouldn’t complain, right?”

  Vlad let out a breath, scooped her into his strong arms, and put her on his lap. “Yes, you do. And if you stop brooding in your room so much, you’ll notice that there are three other guys out there who think of you as a friend.”

  “Bowen hates my guts.”

  “No, he doesn’t. He was angry at you, but so was I. In fact, I think he got over it before I did.”

  “What makes you think that?”

  “He was the one who pointed out to me that you are just a young girl, and that you might have called the director because you were scared of living like a fugitiv
e. He said that not everyone is brave.”

  Wendy put her cheek on Vlad’s chest. “He’s right, you know. Everything I did was motivated by fear. I’m a big fat coward.”

  “You are not fat.”

  She lifted her eyes. “So, you agree with the rest?”

  “You’re not big, either. In fact, you’re quite tiny.” He lifted her hand and kissed her pointer finger. “Your hands are so small and delicate.” He kissed her pinky.

  “But I’m a coward.”

  “You were a coward. You no longer are.”

  7

  Vlad

  Wendy sighed. “I’m still scared.”

  “But you are not letting fear rule you, and that’s brave.”

  Lifting her hand, she smiled and cupped his cheek. “How are you so sweet?”

  Sweet wasn’t the adjective Vlad wanted Wendy to associate with him. He would have preferred sexy, manly, handsome, but perhaps thinking of him as sweet was what made it easier for Wendy to let him in.

  Her main fear was falling in love with a guy who might turn abusive, and sweet was the opposite of that.

  “My mom made me from sugar and spice and everything nice.”

  Wendy chuckled. “That’s what girls are made from. Boys are made from snips and snails and puppy-dogs' tails.”

  “That’s so sexist.” Vlad pretended offense. “No wonder you didn’t like boys. Is that the original rhyme?”

  “I’m afraid so.”

  “Then, I need to thank my mom for ignoring it and sticking to the sugar and spice and everything nice.” He smiled. “She would always kiss and tickle me when she said that.”

  Wendy’s eyes misted with tears. “She sounds so nice. I wish she hadn’t canceled. I would have liked to meet her.”

  “You said that you were afraid of my mom giving you the stink eye.”

  “I still am, but I’m also curious to meet her. Your mother sounds so awesome. She’s creative and compassionate, and she is also a great mom.” Wendy sighed. “I need more good people in my life.”

  Wrapping his arms tighter around her, he kissed the top of her head.

  Wendy was lonely, and she felt friendless. Right now, he was the only friend she had, but perhaps he could change that.

  If Kian agreed, and there was no reason why he shouldn’t, Vlad could invite people over. The more of the clan Wendy met, the more friends she made, the less isolated she would feel.

  “I have an idea. I can invite Jackson and Tessa to come over. Maybe Roni and Sylvia too. Jackson is my age, and Roni is yours. Tessa and Sylvia are a little older, but they are cool.”

  “Jackson is your best friend, right? Vanessa’s son.”

  “Yes.”

  “And Tessa is his girlfriend?”

  “That’s right.”

  “What are their talents?”

  Damn. He had to make something up quickly. “Jackson has a knack for business. He sees opportunities where no one else does. The bakery I work in belongs to him.”

  “That’s impressive for a twenty-year-old. What about his girlfriend? What’s her talent?”

  “Compassion.”

  Wendy laughed. “That’s not a talent.”

  “She works at a detective agency, so I assume that she has some spying abilities. I don’t know what each person in our organization can do, and if they don’t volunteer the information, it’s considered impolite to ask.”

  That should do it. From now on, he could claim not to know.

  “I’m glad that you told me that I shouldn’t ask them. But I can ask you, right? What about the other couple? Roni and Sylvia?”

  “Roni is a gifted hacker. Sylvia can fritz out electronics at will and with precision.”

  “Do you think Kian would allow them to come?”

  “I don’t see why not.”

  “Do they know what I’ve done?”

  “Jackson does, so I assume that Tessa does as well. And Roni kind of knows everything that goes on, so yeah, he and Sylvia probably know too.”

  Wendy grimaced. “Then maybe it’s not a good idea.”

  “That’s fear talking. My friends are good people, and they are not the kind who hold grudges. Everyone makes mistakes, and I’m sure each of them has a story they are not proud of. Besides, I’m the one who got duped, so if anyone has a reason to feel embarrassed, it’s me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Wendy murmured into his shirt.

  “I’ve already forgiven you, so you don’t need to keep apologizing.”

  She lifted her head and smiled. “I can make it up to you.”

  The mischief in her eyes and the slight whiff of her arousal were enough to trigger a response he couldn’t let her notice, and it wasn’t the club he’d sprouted in his pants.

  He really needed to tell Wendy the truth already.

  “I’ll take an IOU. Bowen is waiting for us with lunch, and you know how grouchy he gets when he’s hungry.”

  “Why didn’t you say so before?” Wendy slid out of his arms. “I’m hungry.”

  “Yeah, me too.”

  8

  Kian

  As Anandur stopped in front of the rented house, Syssi looked out the window. “I thought that Kalugal's place would be more impressive.”

  Kian opened the passenger back door. “This is the house that we are using as our base of operations. Kalugal’s place is just around the corner.”

  “Are you going to be long? Jacki is waiting for us.”

  “I only need a few minutes to check on the guys and make sure that everything is ready, but I want you to stay in the house while I put the cuff on Kalugal. I’ll text you when it’s okay to come.”

  “Wasn’t Magnus supposed to do that?”

  “There was a change of plans.” Kian got out and walked around to open the door for Syssi.

  Except for Lokan and Carol, who had gone gift-hunting, Kian expected the rest of their party to arrive shortly. Everyone had been instructed to stop by the rented house first. Turner, who had just parked behind their car, had Bridget, Wonder and Callie with him.

  Pulling her sweater tight around her, Syssi shook her head. “I really don’t want to get out of the car before I have to. It’s cold outside, and this sari is so difficult to move in. Can I stay here while you take care of the cuff? You can go with Anandur and Brundar, and I will drive up when you give the signal.”

  He took her hand and kissed it. “Please, humor me. I don’t want you out here in the car when I’m doing that. This wedding is giving me a phantom ulcer. I can’t shake the feeling that it’s a trap.”

  Syssi smiled indulgently. “Fine, my loving and overprotective husband. But just so you know, when we get back home, I’m going to limit your playtime with Turner. He’s infecting you with his paranoia.”

  Passing them by on the way to Turner’s car, Anandur chuckled.

  “Very funny.” Kian glared at him. “Do you want Wonder to wait in the house? Or do you want her to accompany us to meet Kalugal?”

  “I want her to wait in the house.”

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Amanda sauntered over. “How long do we have to wait here?”

  “Only until I put the cuff on Kalugal and the drones are up in the air.” Kian wrapped his arm around Syssi’s shoulders and headed toward the house.

  “Do they have enough juice to last that long?” Dalhu asked.

  Turner had his arm around Bridget as they walked up the front steps. “We need to change the batteries every hour or so. But since we have seven drones, we will rotate them, so there are always at least three in the air."

  “I thought they ran on fuel,” Amanda said.

  “The big ones that can fire missiles do. These are small. Think of them as flying cameras with machine guns.”

  “Operating them is like playing a video game,” Anandur said. “That’s why Roni, who has no flight or combat experience, can operate these beauties better than Charlie.”

  Turner nodded. “That’s the futur
e of warfare.”

  Syssi shivered. “Can we continue this fascinating discussion inside? It’s cold out here.”

  “Of course.” Shrugging his jacket off, Kian was angry at himself for not thinking of giving it to his wife sooner.

  Thankfully, it was warmer inside the house, and as the ladies and the brothers got comfortable in the living room, Kian, Turner, and Magnus went out to the backyard to check the drones.

  Four black birds were perched on the grassy area, while the other three were stationed on the second-floor balcony.

  The original five had been manufactured by one of the clan’s subsidiaries, and Kian knew that they would perform well. The additional two Turner had gotten might not be of the same caliber, but since they were only needed for the airshow, they would do.

  “Where did you get the other drones?” Kian asked.

  “They are on loan from a friend,” Turner said. “He wanted to charge an insane amount for them, but when I explained that they were only going to be used for an airshow, he agreed to lower the price.”

  “Good job.” Kian clapped him on the back. “I don’t want to spend too much on this.”

  “It’s the clan’s wedding gift to Kalugal.”

  “True, but I like the idea of doing it in-house and saving a bundle.”

  Magnus nodded. “William is unbelievable. Overnight, he was able to write a computer program to control all seven drones from the village and perform tricks that they weren’t designed for.”

  “Quite impressive,” Turner agreed. “I’m usually not a sentimental guy, but I’m glad that we are doing this for them. If not for the airshow, Kalugal and Jacki’s celebration would have felt as if it was taking place on a battlefield.”

  Kian chuckled. “The saying about killing two birds with one stone has never been more apt.”

  Behind them the French door opened, and Yamanu stepped out. “When do you want me to start shrouding?”