by Robin Roseau
“You’re the one who sent them. Don’t you know who you sent, Dad?”
“Trinity, please.”
“Fine, fine.” We heard the sound of a door closing firmly. “Man and woman. The man is in his thirties and I think his name is Arnold.”
“Arnold?”
“He’s at least as big as Arnold Schwarzenegger,” Trinity said. “The woman is tall, short hair, and I suspect they go to the gym together. Why did you send your muscle with a phone? I was on mine ten minutes ago. I know it’s charged.”
“How is your internship, Trinity?”
“It’s fine,” she said in the tone of a typical teenager. “I talked to Mom about it last weekend.”
“I know. She told me.” Again the two chatted, and eventually hung up. Then the line was quiet.
“Orlando,” Greg said, “it’s actually a very good thing your daughters are where they are.”
“I find that difficult to believe.”
“If you had pulled them home, we would have assumed you were involved.”
“In what?” the man spat.
“Four of your pilots crossed the line, Orlando.”
“Fuck!” he screamed. “Fuck! Fuck! Fuck! They tried to kidnap some alpha’s wife and kids! Chicago?”
“Madison.”
“Fuck!” he screamed again. “Just fuck me!”
“It was quite the raid. They were well equipped.”
“Fuck me!” he screamed again.
“Mr. Gillespie, my name is Michaela Burns. Greg assures us you wouldn’t have done this.”
“You’re okay? Your daughters?”
“They’re fine,” Michaela said. “Mr. Gillespie, either your pilots took a little on the side work, or someone in your organization has decided to revolt.”
“That’s why Greg wanted me alone.”
“And your pilots assured us they were on a sanctioned mission.”
“Ms. Burns, this isn’t what Dark Gorge does. I swear it.”
“Someone at Dark Gorge doesn’t carry that sentiment, and frankly, I’m not ready to believe you yet. But if you present yourself to us in person, we can get to the bottom of this. Your daughters will not be leaving their current locations until you do so, and if you think to escape a trap you’ve created for yourself, you can imagine how they will pay.”
“Do not threaten me.”
“Mr. Gillespie, your pilots knew what they were getting into, but the force of 18 heavily armed mercenaries on the ground did not.”
“What?” he spat.
“It did not go well for them,” Michaela said. “Unfortunately, the person leading the raid foolishly got himself killed, so our information is incomplete. We require your presence. Now, you have a choice. Either you become our guest, or your daughters do.”
“Freund, you’ve never done something like that before.”
“I helped gather information and make a phone call, Orlando,” Greg said. “But your eldest daughter was in New Orleans when this went down. Perhaps you’re not aware, but Carissa and Michaela are quite good friends. I was their second call, but Carissa was their first. And the current Chicago alpha is also on friendly terms with this pack.”
“After they killed his father and brother?”
“That’s a long story,” Michaela said. “You perhaps don’t have all the details. Mr. Gillespie, I find it very curious your two eldest daughters couldn’t have been easier for me to find, unless they’d been in Wisconsin, which would have been far, far too convenient. If you’re responsible for this, come take responsibility. If you aren’t, come help us resolve it.”
“You won’t believe me.”
“Oh, please, Mr. Gillespie,” said Carissa. “You’ll be dying to answer my questions.”
There was a moment of silence, and then he asked, “Are you going to kill me?”
“If you had something to do with this,” Michaela said, “then there are no promises. If you did not, and you help us discover who did, then you’ll be safely reunited with your family quite soon. Mr. Gillespie, if you did this, and you come tell us everything you know, your daughters will not suffer. You have my word.”
“That could be a euphemism.”
“They will continue to live their lives, barring unforeseen incidents completely outside the influence of any of us,” Michaela said. “We won’t touch them. But if you fail to arrive in good health, prepared to help us, the answer is very different.”
“It’s not a bad life being one of my pets,” Carissa said. “Although I may give them to one of my children.”
“I can better get your answers from here,” he said after a moment.
“That may be,” Michaela said. “But we really do need an in person conversation, and frankly, we’re a little worried you’ll tip off the wrong people. We intend to get to the bottom of this, Mr. Gillespie.”
He paused again. “I’m surprised you didn’t come directly here.”
“We didn’t want to ask permission from local authorities,” Carissa said. “Not when your daughters were so available to offer a lovely invitation.”
“You swear they’re safe?”
“If you are completely cooperative, they couldn’t be safer,” Carissa said. “That is true even if you are in the thick of things. We are not monsters, Mr. Gillespie, but whoever ordered this is. We intend to find that person.”
“I can be on my way in five minutes.”
“Tell no one where you are going,” Michaela said. “If you didn’t do this, then someone in your organization did this to you. If they knew enough to send a force to us, I imagine they knew enough to know we’d trace this back.”
“I’ll have to cancel my appointments. I can be discreet.”
“See that you are.”
* * * *
It was late. Even via private jet, San Diego to Ashland is nearly five hours. Orlando Gillespie arrived in the conference room with a hood over his head and his hands shackled, but he didn’t fight when Kristian moved him into a chair. It was Michaela who removed the hood.
“Thank you for coming,” she told him.
“I need to know the details.”
“You will answer my questions first,” Carissa said, stepping around Michaela. She leaned over him, setting her hands on his chair. “Won’t you?”
Carissa grilled him for ten minutes. When she was done, she straightened and gave a nod.
“Uncuff him,” Michaela ordered. “Mr.Gillespie, we apologize for the manner in which we approached you, but we thought it was better than anything else we could come up with.”
The man stared straight ahead into the space Carissa had occupied, but then shook his head and slowly turned to Michaela.“You’re the werefox.”
“I am,” she confirmed.
“I’ve never seen one.”
“I am somewhat petite,” Michaela said.“Good things come in small packages.”
“Do you think I could...” he trailed off then looked away.
“Yes,” Michaela said.“Later. First, I want to assure you that we haven’t touched your family. Your daughters are puzzled, but have no reason to believe they are under surveillance. We believe it is best we keep watch over them until this is over. That is not because we distrust you, but we do not trust the people who instigated this.”
He nodded, and that was when Portia finished removing the handcuffs. He held out his hand. Michaela took it easily, and the two clasped for a moment.“I am Michaela Burns, of course.” She made introductions, although she let Orlando come to whatever conclusions he wished about some of us. She didn’t mention fae or werejaguars.
“Do I address you as Your Majesty?” he asked Carissa. And to Lara, he asked if she preferred the title of“Alpha”.
“My wife and I are co-alphas,” Lara told him.“You will hear our names and our titles. Either is fine.”
“Greg,” Michaela said.“Tell him everything.”
The man sat still for the entire recital. It took some time. He made no
reaction until he heard the main assault was with Chasen. At that, he startled and began swearing.“I’ll kill him. I swear,I’m going to kill him!” The last words were screamed.
“I’m sorry, but we rather beat you to that,” Michaela said.
“Not Chasen,” Orlando said.
“Mr. Gillespie, are you suggesting you know who we may blame for the events here? Because I assure you, you will not be the one seeing to justice in this manner; it is your choice if you wish to witness.”
“I believe,” Carissasaid,“That you should share your suspicions.”
And he did.
So Simple
In the end, it was to be that simple. There would be one more meeting to engineer, and that would take a little bit of doing.
“I will make this trip,” Carissa declared.
She and Michaela squared off, and I suddenly didn’t know which of them would prove to have the stronger will.
“I am going,” Michaela said.
Lara and Elisabeth didn’t even bother saying,“No,” but instead waited to see what The Fox and The Vampire would say. Yes, I know. I’ve just capitalized words that wouldn’t normally be capitalized that way, but when talking about those two, it was entirely appropriate.
“That is not wise,” Carissa said.
“Is there a king of San Diego?” Michaela asked.
“No.”
“Oh.”
“She styles herself Eupheme Basilis.”
“I see,” Michaela said.“Eupheme is a Greek name.”
“Yes,” Carissa said.“And Basilis is a title meaning monarch or queen.”
“So there isn’t a king of San Diego; there is a queen.”
“Who prefers being called Eupheme Basilis.”
“And not just Basilis?”
“No. And while I could safely call her Eupheme, you could not.”
“I’m going,” Michaela declared.
“With or without permission?”
“Without.”
“Alone?”
Michaela paused then looked around, her eyes settling on Elisabeth.“Do you have anything to say about this?”
“We’re waiting to see how this turns out,” Elisabeth said, gesturing towards the two rather small women.“If we had time, I imagine people would be making wagers.”
“Funny,” Michaela said. She turned back to Carissa.“We appreciate your help, Carissa.”
“Don’t you dare,Michaela,” Carissa said.“First, I am here to see this through to the end. And second, I really would enjoy an invitation to stay for a few days of kayaking, if that could be arranged. We’re friends, aren’t we?”
“Of course we’re friends.”
“Then don’t play that‘we appreciate your help’ line on me again.”
Michaela dropped her eyes.“I’m sorry.” Then she looked up.“This is my responsibility.”
“No,” Carissa said.“It is not. It is Elisabeth’s.”
“I am Alpha!” Michaela thundered.
“Yes, you are. And when Elisabeth presented this person to you, it is your job to do whatyou have been doing. But it is Elisabeth’s responsibility to go get him. But she is going to let me do it.”
“Carissa,” Michaela said.“While I am gone, I hope you will remain here. You have had little opportunity to get to know my daughters.”
“Oh, that was a nice try.”
“You’re not going. I am.”
“Why are you so adamant on this, Michaela?” Carissa asked.“You know Lara and Elisabeth aren’t going to let you go. There’s not a person in this room who thinks this is a good idea.Elisabeth wouldn’t try to do this alone; she would bring a team. You are quite capable, but you are not better than a team of wolves, not for something like this. You would be far, far better at infiltration than anyone here barring Kristian or myself. But Elisabeth alone is more qualified to bring the individual back here.”
“I won’t bother bringing him back.”
“When Elisabeth goes, she would bring a team,” Carissa continued.“Only after receiving permission both from Eupheme and Woody Simmons.”
“San Diego pack alpha,” Elisabeth muttered.“Got their number?”
“Shut up, Elisabeth,” Michaela said.“Woody? Seriously?”
“Parents,” Carissa said.“If you were to go, you would quickly discover that Eupheme is a collector. I imagine you would discover this shortly after your plane landed. Werewolves are a dime a dozen.Foxes, on the other hand.” Then she shrugged rather pointedly.
Michaela huffed.“Fine. We’ll send Elisabeth with a team.”
“Michaela, I can call Eupheme. We’re not friends, not exactly, but we’re not enemies, either. I will request a small favor. She will grant it. I’ll have to give her something, but it won’t be that difficult. I will arrive, collect the package, and return.”
“No,” Michaela said.
“Michaela, why are you being so stubborn on this?”
“If Michaela doesn’t beat me to it,” Michaela said,“I am going to destroy whoever did this.” She paused.“I’m sorry, but I can’t match your accent.”
“Ah. You were still awake.”
“This is not your time to enforce justice,” Michaela said.“It is mine.”
Carissa looked into Michaela’s eyes for a minute. The Fox met her gaze, not shrinking from the vampiric power. Finally Carissa nodded.“Michaela, I will travel to San Diego, collect this individual, and bring him to you for justice.”
“And I will pay whatever price Eupheme Basilis demands.”
“Michaela-”
“This is not your debt to pay, Carissa.”
“She will ask for something personal,” Carissa said.“If she asks it of me, it will be something Ican pay. But what she is most likely to ask of you is for you to visit.”
“And?”
“And I cannot guarantee any promises she makes regarding whether you would ever leave.” Carissa reached up and caressed Michaela’s cheek.“You fear you will spend any obligation I feel for you. This is not something you need fear. We are friends, Michaela.You and I are friends, but your pack and I are also friends. Your daughters and I are friends. Friendship is not something you pay off.”
Then Carissa smiled.“Alpha Wolf, if I consider this price she asks as high, and I asked you to partially repay me, would you?”
“Yes,” Lara said immediately.
“You say that without asking what that price might be?”
“As you said, Carissa: we are friends.”
The vampire smiled.“You see, Michaela?” She gave the cheek one more caress.“Alpha Wolf, I will go alone. May I leave my family here to continue to bolster your forces, ensuring the sanctity of your lands?”
Lara didn’t even hesitate.“We thank you for thehelp, Carissa.”
“I do not believe it remains necessary, but I would prefer to error on theside of caution,” Carissa declared.“Kristian, you will be in charge of our family in my absence. I know you will work with the head enforcer.”
“Of course, Carissa,” Kristian said.“We will keep our friendssafe.”
She turned to me.“Anna, fancy a trip to San Diego?”
“I’ve never been.”
* * * *
It couldn’t have been easier. Orlando Gillespie made the appointment for us. We walked into Dark Gorge headquarters, presented ourselves to the receptionist, and five minutes later were escorted into the office of one Magnus Pruitt. I pushed the door closed, and we shook hands with our quarry.
“What can I do for you, Ms. Justice?”
We didn’t use our real names, after all.
“Call me Honor,” Carissa said. Then she leaned across his desk, set her hands on the side of his head, and held him steady for the few seconds it took to capture his gaze.“We’re going for a walk,” she said, her voice cold.“You will look into my eyes the entire time. You will ignore anyone who attempts to distract you. You will be quiet. Stand up.”
And like that, with
me shepherding both of them, we walked right back out of Dark Gorge. Once we reached the car, Carissa continued to hold his gaze while I shackled him severely. We moved him to the floor, and then Carissa released his mind. It took him a half-minute before he began yelling.
Carissa smiled: all fang.“You have made me very, very angry. Now we’re going to Wisconsin to have a long, long conversation about it.”
“They deserved it.”
Carissa hissed.“Two little girls! You sent those people to kidnap two little girls!”
“Not them!” he yelled.“Chasen. His entire team.Do you think this is the first time they’ve tried to kidnap children?”
Carissa drew silent for a minute then said, her words clipped,“I am sure we will discuss that, and much, much more.Anna, please drive.”
“Of course, Carissa,” I said.
* * * *
As I said, there was to be one more meeting. Carissa and I delivered Magnus Pruitt into the arms of Elisabeth and her enforcers. They didn’t bring him to the safe room; while we were gone, they had erected a sturdy, sturdy post within a circle of trees on their property. The enforcers shackled him severely and stripped his clothes.
He didn’t say a thing the entire time.
That was when Michaela strode forth, and with her, everyone who had been on the property: Lara, the enforcers, all the vampires with Deirdre amidst them, everyone from Lima consulting, clustered to one side.
Zoe.
The students.
Rebecca and Celeste, the pups.
Everyone.
But it was Michaela who walked to stand before the bound man.“You are Magnus Pruitt.”
“Yes,” he said.
“Do you know who I am?”
“Michaela Burns, co-alpha of the Madison Wolves.”
She pointed to the pups.“Do you know who those are?”
“No, but I would guess they are your daughters.”
“Correct. Do you know my duties for this pack?”
“You are co-alpha.”
“Did you know I am a science teacher for the high school?”
“Yes,” he said.
“Did you know I bring my students here as part of their education? We have quite the advanced curriculum.”
“I don’t know anything about your classes, but I know you bring your students here.”