At Risk

by Gayle Parness

  Vantor stood there slack-jawed for a moment, then bustled around getting Brina exactly what she’d ordered.

  Tea in hand, she slid in next to me at the table and kissed my cheek. “Morning.”

  “You’re in a fun mood today.”

  “I get to meet the king of the unseelie races. I’ve heard so much about him.”

  Together we glanced at Vantor, who was humming. “I believe he’s smitten,” I sent.

  “He’s a handsome male. His shoulders are so broad I could probably sit on one side with room to spare.”

  “Your ass…”

  “Don’t you dare.”

  “I happen to admire that part of your anatomy.” Even though we were speaking mind to mind, I leaned closer, laying my hand on her leg right above the knee. “I can’t think of a part of your body I don’t admire. And I’m familiar with every—”

  She moved my hand back to my own lap. “He’ll get over his crush fast enough.” Brina was not the easiest traveling companion. “Might as well take advantage while I can.”

  Vantor was my height but broader, similar to Rick. His long hair was that shade of black that sometimes looked blue and his large eyes were navy to match. His nose was largish, but I’d noticed that all the dragon shifters I’d met had nostrils that could shift to be large enough to accommodate taking in huge amounts of air. I imagined Vantor spouting fire in his demon form. Wyn had sent out a few curls of smoke. Maybe it was possible.

  Wyn had also been watching his younger clan member filling up Brina’s plates. “Vantor will not be your personal attendant, Lady Brina.” Wyn’s lowered brows and chiseled frown had me shifting closer to my mate. “He will be representing our clan and our race on your journey and should be treated with respect.”

  “No worries. I can take care of myself. His offer was just so sweet.” Her over-the-top smile was not lost on Vantor.

  The bowl and the plate dropped loudly into the space in front of her. “Your breakfast, Lady Brina.”

  “Thanks. Only I forgot something.”

  “Get it yourself,” he growled.

  And snap. Fastest dying crush in the three realms.

  I opened my mouth to calm the mood, but Brina beat me to it. “I apologize if I offended you, Vantor. I am not a lady by any stretch of the imagination and am known by all to be…difficult. You are forewarned.”

  “Duly noted.” The tension in the room dissipated with her apology and Vantor strolled over to get his own food.

  We spent a few more minutes eating and chatting. Wyn sighed. “I almost wish I could travel with you, but my work is here. Vantor, pack what you can carry in this form and meet us here.” Vantor ran toward the double door that led to the bedrooms. “Tell the cooks to pack food.” Wyn shouted after him.

  I took my warrior lady’s hand. “You set to go?”

  She held up her sock-covered foot. “Bootless.”

  “Me too. Are you finished?” She nodded and we rose.

  A few of the dragon shifters I’d met the night before passed us in the hallway, nodding a solemn greeting as their irises spun with colors. I wondered if any of them would volunteer to help. If they saw me as someone capable of leading them in battle or if their more intense acknowledgement this morning meant nothing at all.

  Back in our room we pulled on boots, strapped on weapons and shouldered our bags and cloaks. The hall outside our room was growing noisier by the minute as dragons traveled to the breakfast room.

  “Khent will be difficult.” I grasped Brina’s hand. “Try not to… try not to provoke him.” Her only reply was an arched eyebrow and tilt of her head. Shit. “Look, I love that you’re honest about how you feel, but in certain situations…“

  “A diplomat such as yourself will serve our cause more efficiently.” Brina shifted toward me, laying her hand on my cheek. “I’ve asked for your honesty in all things and you give it freely. Never think you must walk on glass when you speak to me. It is true I can be ungracious if I am confronted with someone equally as rude, but I will not do or say anything to anger the King of the Unseelie or to endanger our mission.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Stop.” She covered my lips with a finger. “You are right to warn me. Make sure to warn the demon and the dragon. Their egos in combination will surpass even a king’s, I fear.”

  I lowered her hand, threading my fingers with hers. “And Jay?”

  “I tease your second, but his nature is to observe and not to interfere unless danger rears its head. He chooses to distract, to appear less than he is. Most see him as weak. How can a playful, foolish shifter without magic be a serious threat in a war between fae and demon?”

  “Jay has his own brand of magic.”

  “Please do not tell him I see through his ploy. I enjoy our snippy banter.”

  “I do too.”

  Brina brushed her lips against my cheek. “From you I want truth and… and much more.”

  Her smile made the rest of the room fade away. All the chatter between shifters in the hallway quieted. “When you smile at me, everything makes sense and the rest of the world disappears.” I pulled her in for a gentle kiss and she yielded.

  Brina placed one of her hands flat on my chest, right above my heart. Her cheeks flushed with pleasure; her eyes shined with a touch of possessiveness. “You belong to me.”

  “Always.”

  Vantor and Wyn waited for us on the ledge outside the cave entrance. “Your demon and grizzly are late.” Wyn glanced past the entryway and toward the double doors that led to the bedroom area.

  “They shared a room. Jay’s a bit of a slob and Isaiah is a neat freak, at home at least. Isaiah’s probably lecturing Jay about the proper habits for a warrior.”

  Brina sipped at a mug of mint tea she’d conjured, giving Vantor the once-over. “Impressive, dragon.”

  Vantor wore a combo of fighting gear, including a corvo skin breastplate and a set of half gauntlets that covered his lower arm, but left his fingers free. The dark red embroidered tunic fit his form as if it were hand-tailored and his breeches were tucked into finely made corvo skinned boots. Vantor carried a dagger in a sheath at his waist and a sword in a long metal scabbard carved with intricate designs. His relaxed stance hinted that our war was not going to be his first time in battle.

  He met Brina’s gaze with a cool expression. “Thank you.”

  “I’m glad to have you as a companion, Vantor,” I said, feeling it needed to be spoken out loud.

  “Thank you, Charles.” This smile held real warmth.

  “Charlie is fine too. It’s what my friends call me.”

  “I will not be a burden. I can hunt.”

  Isaiah arrived with Jay in tow. “Hunting in the unseelie realm could be a difficult prospect for a dragon such as yourself.”

  Isaiah’s patronizing tone was one I’d heard many times. Brina was right. I needed to lay down a few rules with my advisor.

  “In what way difficult?” Vantor widened his stance, placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.

  Isaiah continued, “Are you familiar with all the sentient unseelie species? What if you chew and swallow someone’s brother or mother or—”

  “Or uncle.” I tilted my head in Isaiah’s direction, not really joking.

  “I am certain the king or his servants will inform me of the beasts I am allowed to hunt.” Vantor tugged at his leather breastplate, not looking quite so self-assured.

  “Yes, if you can get a straight answer from any of them. One species may have a grudge against another and could send you off to wipe out an entire family.” Isaiah winked in my direction. “You might start a civil war. Then Charles would have to leave without his promised soldiers.”

  Wyn embraced his clan member then stepped aside. “Remember who you represent, Vantor.”

  “Yes, Alpha.” The younger dragon bowed.

  “Van’s gonna fit in just fine, Wyn.” Jay patted his fellow shifter on the back. “I’ll show him the ropes, no pro
b.”

  Before Wyn or Vantor could comment, Isaiah stepped forward, waving his hands around in an elaborate system of gestures and chanting in Ancient Rux. A smoky portal opened in front of us, startling even Wyn.

  “Two days and thank you!” I managed to call out before being urged into the void by my drama queen uncle. The world turned upside down a moment later.

  12

  Jackie

  Montreal was backed up with traffic, the holiday shopping season starting earlier than usual and spreading north to include this beautiful city. We’d decided to check in at the hotel before making our way to the mansion that housed the NAVA board and staff.

  Our three-room suite was luxurious, the view from the balcony spectacular, although the air was a little colder than I preferred. Call me a wuss, but northern California winters were more like early fall in Canada. I’d never been good at winter sports. Beaches were more my thing.

  Garrett came up behind me, opened his coat and wrapped it around both of us. “Better?”

  “Always, when you’re with me.”

  “Ready to go?”

  “Mmm hmm.” I snuggled closer.

  “We can’t be late.”

  “I know.” I sighed, but instead of obeying, turned in his arms, kissing him soundly. He responded exactly as I’d hoped, yanking me closer and holding me there. Finally, he gently urged me away.

  “To definitely be continued later. We must go, my love.”

  “Worth a try.” I jogged back to the balcony door, made sure the breeze hadn’t done too much damage to my carefully arranged hair, and accepted Garrett’s outstretched hand with a nervous smile.

  With Sash and Rick touching Farrell’s shoulders, we took the lines to the back entrance of the enormous building. It must have been the front entrance once, because the plaque on the outside stated it had been built in the 1700s by representatives of George III, then taken over and used as a private college for a time. The North American Vampire Association took ownership in the early 1800s. According to Garrett, most of the former classrooms, eating halls and dormitories had been demolished and redone. Now NAVA headquarters included several large meeting spaces, one dining hall and kitchen for guests, a ballroom, a gym for sparring, an indoor pool, and at least a dozen elaborate bedrooms. Blackout shutters had been installed inside every window, so vampires were able to take advantage of the entire facility during daylight hours.

  We took the elevator down to Level B2.

  A male and a female greeted our team, their looks of surprise immediately hidden by stony expressions. They spoke in cultivated French and not the earthier French found in most areas of Montreal.

  “Why have you entered NAVA with a fae and a demon, Monsieur Cuvier?”

  “Jacqueline is my mate. Farrell is a member of my team. He’s here as my mate’s personal guard.”

  Farrell nodded in the fae style and glanced my way, his lips curling up. I didn’t need a personal guard and was about to say so when Garrett sent, “Not the best time to argue.”

  I sighed and nodded.

  “I am Manuel and this is my associate, Patrice.” Garrett introduced Sash and Rick. “Please follow us.”

  The hallways were narrow and dark and it became clear as we passed open doored rooms that this section of the basement level was designed for storage. At last we came to an elaborate door with an eye scanner device. Our female guard stood on tiptoe to use it and the door opened.

  A large room similar to a luxury hotel lobby opened before us. Two fountains, a bar, plush carpeting woven in sumptuous colors and furniture that looked comfy enough for naps were decorated in shades of red, purple and black. Along each angled wall, the hexagram shaped chamber had built in double doors equipped with eye scanners. It was hard to believe that security was an issue in a building occupied by beings who could kill so easily.

  I squeezed Garrett’s hand a little harder. “Does this feel right to you?”

  “I’m usually admitted to a room on the first level. I’ve never had a meeting on B2.”

  “Please join us over here. We’ll have complete privacy.” Manuel pointed toward the far corner where two males sat chatting. When they saw us, they rose, greeting Garrett with a firm handshake and acknowledging the rest of us with small smiles as we were introduced.

  “It’s lovely to meet you, Jacqueline. Garrett speaks highly of you and all you’ve accomplished. I see he’s a fortunate male.” This particular male, introduced as Gregory, seemed to be the head honcho. I didn’t like that he’d called me Jacqueline or that he’d looked me over like he was considering having me as an appetizer.

  Dane, the other male, bowed to Garrett with respect, referred to me as Mrs. Cuvier and indicated that I should sit. With impeccable manners, they waited as Patrice and I sat, then Garrett, Gregory, and Dane took their seats. Manuel remained standing behind Gregory, Sash took position behind Garrett, Farrell behind me. Rick stepped back to observe the room.

  “We appreciate you coming in. We have an important matter to discuss,” Gregory said.

  Tension? Oh yeah. But what was this really about? We’d come to report a dangerous situation in our territory. Gregory was behaving like the meeting had been their idea.

  “We’re here because of a startling situation occurring in—”

  Gregory held up a hand. “A moment please.”

  Dane snapped his fingers and another vampire appeared. “Might I offer you refreshment? We have wine. Beer. Blood donors. Or we are happy to bring your mate and her… bodyguard a menu.”

  The look he gave Farrell heated my blood.

  Garrett placed his hand in mine to calm me down and answered for the group as he would for most of this discussion. “We’ll be eating at the hotel but thank you.”

  “Where are you staying?”

  “Nearby. The Esquire.”

  “Excellent choice.”

  Actually, we were staying at a different hotel closer to a private airport where Joseph, our pilot on call, waited with the plane. We couldn’t always rely on being able to use the lines. Best to prepare for every eventuality.

  Gregory’s dark gaze turned toward Farrell. “I have a few questions, if I may. It is rare to see fae and vampires working together. How did this come to be?”

  “Farrell has protected our son for more than seventeen years and is a key member of our Rogues Team. As I explained, he’s here today as Jacqueline’s personal guard.”

  “You refer to Jacqueline’s son? Charles?”

  “Yes, however—”

  Gregory raised his hand again, this time with a finger pointed up. I felt like asking him if he had to use the potty.

  Dane’s brows turned down. “Is a bodyguard truly necessary? We offer no threat. Garrett has controlled his territory with little violence. The nests in his region all speak of his fairness. They respect him despite his youth. NAVA recognizes your accomplishments.” Dane’s chair was next to mine. He leaned closer to me, placing a hand on my knee. “Many of our master vampires are still living in the Middle Ages.” He laughed as if we were sharing a private joke of some kind.

  Farrell stepped forward, but I had this. I stared at Dane’s hand, then at him, allowing a bit of fang to show. He removed it.

  Gregory cleared his throat, casting an unfriendly glance at Dane. “We understand why your mate feels she needs extra protection. This is normal for a delicate beauty such as herself. Perhaps it is best to send her and the fae guard back to the hotel.”

  Sasha grunted softly behind us, probably trying to hold in the laugh. Delicate beauty was a phrase I’d be teased with for the next ten years.

  Garrett straightened, his eyes narrowed. “Jacqueline is not only my lifemate, but my chief advisor. She is capable of taking down most threats on her own and as part of our team has killed rogues with her magic and her spelled blade on innumerable occasions. I trust her with my life and the life of our team. To disrespect her abilities is to disrespect mine.” He kissed my cheek in punctuation.
“She’s precious to me, and I will never leave her unprotected.”

  Our mental exchange was lightning fast. “When we get back to the hotel, all your wishes will come true.”

  “A dangerous statement.” Garrett smiled.

  “I live and love dangerously.” I rested my hand on his thigh.

  “Vixen.”

  Gregory frowned. “I apologize if I have offended either of you, but you must understand. We will be discussing matters for vampire ears alone.”

  “Tonight I’d rather discuss what happened recently at our home in Crescent City and what appears to be happening up and down the coast of the Pacific Northwest. Jacqueline, Sasha and Heinrich were witnesses, which is one of the reasons I brought them along.”

  Garrett described the plight of the newly made teens and their circumstances. Dane and Gregory shifted in their seats, glancing occasionally at one of the double doors.

  “You say they’re all under seventeen years old?” Dane asked.

  “Yes.” Garrett nodded.

  “What do they say about the vampires who made them?”

  The master vamps Garrett called had followed orders and cleared the beaches of all evidence of the teens’ presence, then divided the remaining teens between them. Garrett had received detailed reports.

  “A female and male approached the young humans with an invitation for a meal in exchange for a service. They were weak with hunger and went along, figuring it was sex the two wanted. Anything was better than starving. Instead, they were attacked and changed, then kept prisoners until it was certain they’d survived the transition. Donors were brought in to feed them and after a few months, the teens were directed to the encampment and given keys to safe houses in the same area for the daylight hours.”

  Gregory relaxed back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. “This story is difficult to swallow. What purpose would it serve these two vampires to turn so many young humans into vampires?”

  “Some must have died. Wasn’t anyone looking for these young people who disappeared?” Dane asked.