by Kelex
Eilam’s glare softened. “It isn’t as if Theis hasn’t been in here before.” Theis was one of the king’s guards, a valued member of the team.
“If he has news, no time like the present, I suppose,” Adriel said. But from the look on his face, he wasn’t happy to not get his way.
Theis was soon ushered in and brought to the table. “I apologize for interrupting your breakfast, but Eilam had asked me to share what I found as soon as possible.”
“Did you find anything?” Eilam asked.
“Unfortunately, very little,” Theis said.
“You interrupted our meal… for nothing?” Adriel asked.
“The tapes showed nothing. But—” Theis paused.
“But what?” Eilam asked.
Theis frowned. “There’s a blur—a blur about the shape and size—of a man. I’ve had our techs do everything in their power to clear the image. I even brought it to a mage I know, but they’ve found nothing. It wasn’t magically altered, and if it’s not magic, I wonder if it’s just a glitch in the tape.”
“If it was a vampire, would they show on tape?” Noah asked. “They have no reflection.”
“The hospital’s security system is rigged to pick up on vampires. Most systems in Midnight are,” Theis said. “They show as a transparent shape, and that’s not what this was. There were no outlines or anything absolutely visible… just a blur big enough to be a person for a split second on screen. It could be nothing.”
Noah frowned. “What does your gut tell you?”
“That it’s something,” Theis said. “I did find that the police protection was not doing as thorough a job as they should’ve been, and I’ve apprised their superiors. But if this something was invisible, would they have seen anything even if they’d been looking?”
“Perhaps not,” Eilam said.
“Could it be another portal?” the king asked.
Noah shook his head. “We destroyed their base portal during the attack—not to say they don’t have another, but it’s highly doubtful. Our intel hasn’t shown any data to make us think there’s another.”
“If the witches are involved, they could’ve teleported someone into the room… made the bite… and be gone,” Noah said.
“But the blur on the tape was just outside the room, in the hallway. The tape wasn’t affected by magic. Had any magic occurred in the room—or vampires—the sensors would’ve gone off, and alarms would’ve rung,” Theis said. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
“So what else could it be?” Noah asked. “What else could be invisible to cameras?”
“Nothing I’m aware of,” Theis said.
“I was told recently of an old archive—a library of Midnight,” Eilam said. “I haven’t had a chance to go there as of yet, but I’ve heard it holds ancient knowledge of this city. Perhaps we know someone who’s good at research and could dig about a little?”
Adriel’s hand paused before his lips, a bit of food hanging from his fork. “The archives? My goddess, who would want to spend any time in that dank and dusty place?”
“Better question is, do we know people who can read Old Elvish, Umpirian, or Deagian?” Theis asked. “Most of those old tomes are in the old languages—and I don’t know a soul who does. The crusty old librarian certainly won’t be of much help.”
“But perhaps he might know someone who can help,” Noah said.
“I’ll go and check. See who I can find,” Theis said. “Sire, I’ll get a couple of guards back to your uncle’s hospital room and comb through again. Maybe there’s a piece of evidence we missed.” Theis sighed. “I know I’m grasping at straws here, but it’s just not sitting well with me.”
“I appreciate your thoroughness,” the king said. “You’re invaluable, Theis.”
Theis bent at the waist, bowing to his king. And then he turned and bowed to both Noah and Eilam. Noah stared at the man, unnerved by being bowed to. The learning curve at the castle was steep. He had so much to grow accustomed to. There was a lot of protocol to learn.
Too bad he wasn’t just a mind reader.
Mind reader…
“What about Solomon?” Noah asked, his mind spinning around the thought.
“What about him?” Eilam asked.
“Solomon’s a dragon. He’s a mind reader, correct?” Noah asked.
Eilam nodded. Not all dragons were mind readers, but many did have the gift.
“Perhaps he can go into Ralnur’s hospital room and read the warlock’s mind. Maybe Solomon could see who it was who bit the man,” Noah said.
“Couldn’t hurt to try,” Eilam said. “Although, I don’t know what kind of shape Ralnur’s mind is in right now. After what he went through.” Eilam turned to Adriel.
Noah did, too, and saw worry cross the king’s face.
“My uncle will survive, he is very strong.” Adriel inhaled deeply and forced a smile onto his face. “On to brighter news. I’m going to put on a ball.”
Eilam rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you just have a ball?”
“That was to welcome our new witch into Midnight. And that was dinner party, not a ball.” Adriel grinned. “I have to introduce the full court to their new king’s consorts.”
Noah sat back in his chair. “Full court? How many people are we talking about?”
Adriel waved a hand through the air, a look of concentration on his face. “I don’t know… it’s been forever since the last gathering of the full court. Somewhere in the neighborhood of eight hundred.”
“Eight hundred people?” Noah and Eilam gasped at the same moment.
“Give or take. Of course, I would also like to invite some of Midnight’s society members. You know—those who aren’t members of the witch royal houses but are heads of their respective races. It would do them well to be invited, especially after all the chaos of late. Perhaps you could even invite your alpha, from your den in Bear Mountain? All in all, that should bring the amount to about a thousand or so,” Adriel said before lifting a piece of egg to his lips. “Drats, that’s cold now.” He pushed his plate away before lifting a cup of coffee. A servant was quick to move in and remove the unwanted plate.
They also took Noah and Eilam’s—though they weren’t done. Noah snatched the last piece of bacon and his half slice of toast before the servant absconded with it.
“I was thinking this Friday,” Adriel said.
Noah’s head whipped to fully face Adriel. He can’t be serious.
“What?” Eilam asked. “You want to invite over a thousand people here… in a little over a week?”
“I’ve done it with less time,” Adriel said. “I’m known for my part-throwing skills.”
Eilam shook his head violently. “I need to see a guest list… check the history of those I have not yet met. Vet any plus ones. Check logistics. Ready your guard. Ensure the safety of everyone in the castle and Midnight.” He paused. “I need more time.”
“You have Noah to assist you now,” Adriel said. “And honestly, this ball is in your honor. I can’t have you working during a ball in your honor.”
“Who do you think is going to do it if not us?” Eilam asked.
Adriel shrugged. “Perhaps your brother could take over security for this event. He did head my security detail before you.”
“Max has his hands full with other family ventures,” Eilam said, eyeing Noah with a look of mild panic in his eyes.
Noah knew the look well. The hell me, dammit look.
“What of all the work the staff here would have to do to prepare,” Noah added, trying to help Eilam’s debate. “They would need weeks, if not months, to prepare the food and drink for an event of that size. That along with the security needs means we really shoul—”
Adriel waved his hand, cutting Noah off.
A sumptuous feast spread out all around them. Glittering china, shining silver, and glowing candles filled the room. The scents hitting Noah’s nose nearly made him drool.
“You forget I’
m a warlock. I have witches working for me here in the castle. We could have a feast ready within minutes,” Adriel said, looking cockier than ever. “And we can defend ourselves. As we have for centuries.”
“It didn’t help you recently,” Eilam said. “You just experienced two assassination attempts. Your magic didn’t work against them. Are you really so ready to open yourself up to more danger?”
Noah eyed the room, still struggling some to get used to Adriel’s ability to have anything he wanted at whim. He can be such a petulant child at times.
Adriel snapped his fingers, and everything he’d just created vanished. “I have not forgotten the assassination attempts. But the mission Noah led to fight back was successful. I have the two of you at my side, to protect me. We’re safe.”
“We don’t know that,” Noah said. “Not yet. We may have cut off a head, but what if two more grow back in its place?”
“Then this is the best time to have our ball,” Adriel argued. “Before we are forced to fight again, let’s revel in our victory.”
“We should be preparing for the next battle,” Eilam said. “Not celebrating.”
Adriel tossed his napkin to the table. “I want the world to know you are both mine. I want them all to know how much I love you. Is that so wrong?”
After they’d been avoided for so long, it touched him that Adriel now felt so passionately, but even so—it was too dangerous in their current climate. Noah reached across the small table and gathered Adriel’s hand in his. “No. It’s not wrong. It just might be ill-timed.”
“We have forever,” Eilam added before reaching for Adriel’s other hand. “Forever. Let’s make sure we’re all truly safe before we celebrate, hmm?”
Adriel’s chin lifted. “I will not cower. I will not hide in fear of what might come. We need to celebrate. We need to show them that we will not be terrorized.”
“If you need this so desperately—give us time to ensure the castle and guests will be secure,” Noah said, squeezing the king’s hand. “Until then, you can just tell us both how much you love us. I’ll never tire of hearing it. Or telling you the same.”
Adriel turned to him, anger in his eyes. “And give the enemy time to come up with a plan to attack? No.”
Noah sighed, realizing there was no arguing with the king. Once Adriel had his mind set, it seemed to firmly stay lodged in place. They would need to find ways to dislodge it. Noah brought Adriel’s hand to his lips. He kissed the back softly before being reminded they were not alone. A servant cleared another few items from the table as one of the king’s assistants came into the room. He would need to play things carefully.
“Come here,” Noah whispered huskily.
Adriel stared down his nose, looking peevish. Even so, Noah could see the glimmer of lust in the man’s eyes.
He kissed the back of Adriel’s hand again before trailing his tongue down to the man’s wrist. He placed a kiss in the warlock’s palm, adding in a low moan. Again, he lifted his stare and captured Adriel’s. “Come… here.”
Adriel sighed before rising to his feet. Noah did the rest of the work, dragging his mate closer. The king slid into his lap with ease. Noah held the man’s lavender gaze.
“Are you sure the three of us can’t be alone for a little while?” Noah asked softly.
“Tonight,” Adriel repeated on a breathy sigh.
Noah felt his cock thickening again, right into the curve of Adriel’s perfect ass.
The king seemed to feel Noah’s need and writhed a bit in his lap.
“You’re not making this any easier,” Noah growled.
“You’re not the only one who can drive a man insane,” Adriel said with a smile. “And if you think to use lust to change my mind about the ball, you won’t win.”
He pressed his lips to Noah’s again before jumping up and walking around to Eilam’s side. After giving Eilam a goodbye kiss, the king whisked from the room, his band of followers trailing behind.
They were left in the wake of Hurricane Adriel.
Noah turned to Eilam and held his brother bear’s gaze. “I tried.”
Eilam’s lips twisted slightly. “And failed.”
Noah sighed. “Must everything be a battle with this one?”
Eilam rose from the table and crossed the room to the closet. “He’s a man used to getting everything he wants.” He disappeared into the closet and reappeared seconds later, shirt in hand. The king had filled a large closet with clothing for them both with a wave of his hand.
“I don’t know which is worse—the servants doing his bidding or him being able to create almost anything with a wave of his hand.”
Eilam pushed an arm into a sleeve. “Just be glad his powers don’t work on us.”
A thought crossed Noah’s mind. “Would it even matter if it did? He wins every argument. And you let him, Eilam.”
“I let him?”
“In just this one day, I’ve seen you step back and let him have his way over and over again.”
“I choose my battles,” Eilam said, pulling a tie around his collar. “There’s no reason to argue over minutia. I spoke up when it came to the ball—because that battle mattered.”
“I won’t spend my life bending to his will. Mates are equals. Yet, he holds all the power here,” Noah said.
“And just what do you think we should do to even things out? He’s the king. This isn’t a traditional mating. Far from it. Adriel holds vast power. We need to learn to adjust.”
Noah shook his head. “I remember a bear who said he’d make this king beg. Perhaps you need to follow through on that promise.” They were both beta bear shifters. By their nature alone, they were hardwired to seek their mate’s surrender. Why Eilam was fighting him, he wasn’t sure.
Eilam sighed. “We have him. He’s accepted us. And you want to keep fighting instead of finding a path through.”
“He’ll never truly be ours until he learns to meet us midway, Eilam. Until then, we’re mere window dressing. He doesn’t need two more sycophants. He needs two males who’ll bring him to his knees.”
Eilam’s lips twitched slightly. “And just how do you plan to bring Adriel to his knees?”
Noah smiled. “One way or another, I’ll find a way.”
Chapter Two
Theis entered the Midnight Archive, Colm at his side. Rows upon rows of ancient tomes lined up around the vast, dark room. He could smell the scent of old parchment and ink filling his nose. And dust. Lots of dust. As they walked deeper into the space, he saw the Records being written. A whole row of books were being written as the seconds passed. Quills magically scrawled across blank pages, writing the events of the day. From births to deaths to court hearings to arrests—it was all recorded the second it occurred. He paused before one of the books and couldn’t decipher the Old Elvish it was being written in.
“Back away! Back away!” the old curmudgeon of a librarian roared as he rushed closer.
The old man was part fae, if rumors were to be believed, and almost as old as Midnight itself. He looked the part, his slightly pointed ears, small, slender body, and semi-heart-shaped face gave the rumors weight. But the years and years of wrinkles, thick tufts of white hair, thick glasses, and smudges of ink hid much of anything else. He carried a pile of old books in his arms.
“I’m here on royal business,” Theis said.
“Oh, are ya now?” the librarian asked before eyeing the book, likely to assess if Theis had done any damage. He turned and looked back up at Theis. “Royal business? What a load of baloney that is. I have no time for ye. Be gone.”
“I need research done.”
“As if I have the time,” the old man said before rushing off in the opposite direction. He shelved a book here and there as he went.
And moved with a speed that belied his age.
Theis and Colm struggled to keep up. “I know how busy you are.” Doing what, I’m not quite sure. “Do you know of anyone who can speak the old languages and
could assist us?”
The librarian paused, looking thoughtful. “There is only one that I know who can read all three languages—my grandson. I taught him myself. But trust me, he wants nothing to do with this place.” The librarian looked about the stacks, a sad smile crossing his face. “He’s made it painfully obvious.”
He sped off to place another book on another shelf.
“Where can we find this grandson of yours?” Theis called out.
“I told you, he won’t want to help. Told me no amount of gold would bring him back in here.”
Theis shook his head. “And if his king commands him to assist?”
The old man stopped in his tracks and turned to look at Theis. A slight smile formed over the librarian’s lips. It looked so odd on the man’s face, Theis was quite sure his weathered veneer might crack if the expression grew one bit. “Well, if his king commanded it, I’m sure he might feel obliged to assist in any way possible.” The librarian dropped his stack of books, a wave of dust spreading out from them. He scribbled something on a piece of parchment with a quill before handing it to Colm. “Here is his address. Good luck.”
The man grabbed his stack of books and was gone.
Theis turned to Colm before they both exited the old library.
“I can see why his grandson wouldn’t want to be in there, either,” Colm said. “Do you really think this is worth the time to hunt this boy down?”
“We have nothing else to go on,” Theis said. “It’s the only thing I could think of.”
Colm took the parchment from Theis’ hand and scanned the address. “This isn’t far. We could walk.”
Theis smiled. “Thanks for the help.”
Colm answered with a smile of his own. “Of course.”
They headed down the street and walked a few blocks before arriving at the grandson’s building. Theis paused at the front door and looked at Colm. “Maybe stay down here?”
Colm frowned. “Why?”
“This is a building in Fae Glade,” Theis said. Fae Glade was the Fae neighborhood within the city and was built to suit their race. It housed all types of fairy creatures and wasn’t meant to be comfortable for huge males like Colm. “The ceilings are lower. Smaller. You’re nearly too big for buildings your size. You might feel claustrophobic in there.”