by Petra Landon
“That quickly?” Duncan raised an eyebrow. “You believe the leeches.”
“I do. Bianchi will figure out soon enough that Franciszka’s leeches have been snooping around, asking questions. I’ll give David and DiZeyla a heads-up. Then, we move out. I’ve a feeling the clock’s already ticking on Bianchi moving her.”
“I’ll rustle up as many as I can.”
“Count me in” Jason added, strolling up to the duo.
Raoul shot a quick glance at Sienna huddled together with Tasia, Hawk and the Ancient. Roman wore a thoughtful expression on his face.
“You’re short-handed tonight with the search teams still spread out over the city. It’ll take time to bring them in — time you might not have” Jason countered persuasively. “It will give me great pleasure to teach Bianchi a lesson. It’s long overdue.”
“You’ve persuaded me, LaRue.” Sienna would be safe in the Lair and they could certainly use him.
Raoul turned to Duncan. “Beef up the Lair. Bianchi will turn vicious if he feels cornered. If he lays siege here, I want the numbers to remind him what a mistake that would be, Duncan.”
It was an unlikely prospect, but Bianchi was unpredictable and Raoul did not intend to chance it.
“Atsá and Maartje will hold down the fort here while we’re gone. Ask them to be ready to send out reinforcements, should we find ourselves in need of them” Raoul continued. “I want you with us, Duncan. You’ll stay in communication with the Lair at all times.”
Duncan nodded. They didn’t want to be outnumbered, like they had been once before by Franciszka’s Vampires. Shifters already spread out searching for Caroline would be on their way back to the Lair. Once they were here, they’d have the numbers to secure the Lair and even send out reinforcements to the Alpha if he summoned them.
“And Duncan” Raoul warned softly. “Don’t worry about the numbers. Time is our enemy here. Get together as many Shifters as you can quickly, to move out.”
“You’re planning to go up against the Clan, if I understand correctly” Roman Durovic chimed in, strolling up to the Alpha as Duncan set the ball rolling. “Does this have anything to do with why my presence was requested here tonight?”
“Yes.” The Alpha’s response was brief.
“Then, count me in. Our deal with the First Wizard makes me privy to this information anyway. This way, I can be of some use while I wait for you to brief me.”
“I’m not shy in a fight” Roman added, his tone lit with an underlying note of amusement, as Raoul remained silent. “If that’s what is making you hesitate to include me, Alpha.”
“I’m sure you’re not.” The Alpha’s voice held a matching trace of amusement. “LaRue will give you some background. I’ve to make some calls before we head out.”
“Hawk, you’ll stay at the Lair” he directed as he headed to the Alpha’s Room, cell in hand.
“Okay, Alph.” Hawk knew who he was responsible for tonight. Atsá and Maartje were formidable Were-Alphas and it would take someone very crafty to pierce through their defenses. But not many knew about the dangers that stalked Tasia. With Duncan and the Alpha out tonight, endeavoring to get Caroline back from the leeches, Hawk would be the only Shifter at the Lair with knowledge of Tasia’s unique vulnerabilities.
Roman turned to Jason with an inquiring expression, as Raoul slipped into the Alpha’s Room to shut the door behind him.
“Bianchi, the leech we’re after, placed the artifact you helped extricate on Sienna. He’s been trying to get to her for weeks.”
Roman’s lips quirked subtly in silent amusement at the Wizard’s use of the Shifters’ colloquial moniker for the Clan.
“Presumably for the locket he placed on her?” he inquired.
“Yes.”
The number of Wizards at the Lair had surprised Roman, and the subtle evidence of their cozy relationship with Raoul Merceau was even more astonishing. This Guardian, it seemed, not only resided at the Lair but was also comfortable enough with the Alpha to ask to be included in Shifter business. It also hadn’t escaped Roman’s notice that the Alpha had agreed to include the Guardian without demur. The incident had emboldened Roman to offer his assistance to the Alpha. Usually, the Wyrs were touchy about including outsiders in their business. TorElnor was right — something strange was brewing here between the Pack and the First Wizard’s people.
“I’m guessing the reason this Vampire hasn’t been able to get to Sienna is because she lives at the Lair?” Roman prompted, subtly pumping Jason for more information.
“The Alpha offered Sienna sanctuary, once we realized the significance of the artifact around her neck.”
“What is the significance of this artifact?”
“That’s a question you’ll need to direct to the Alpha.” Jason clammed up.
“Okay” Roman said agreeably. “Can you tell me why the Vampire kidnapped this particular Chosen?”
“She’s the daughter of the ranking Wizard in San Francisco. He’s hoping to use her father to push the Pack into giving him Sienna.”
Roman whistled silently, taken aback by the blunt assessment. The Clan was either desperate or knew something not privy to the other Chosen. This Vampire was deploying a scorched earth policy to get his own way here. Fanning the flames of inter-Chosen rivalry and mistrust in a territory was frowned upon, especially since the advent of the CoC.
“This Vampire, Bianchi — he’s not local, right?”
“No, he’s from the Lombardi Nest.”
“The messenger that came in with the girl’s location is local, though?” Roman verified.
“Yes, Merceau persuaded the local Mistress that it would be in her best interests to co-operate with him” Jason said blandly.
The Ancient’s eyebrows arched up. “I see” he murmured. Interesting, he mused silently. The Alpha seemed to have deeper relationships with Chosen factions in this city than rumor and gossip hinted at.
Ten minutes later, Raoul exited the Alpha’s Room with Faoladh and the First Wizard. By then, Atsá and Maartje were busy directing operations in the Pack Room, with a group of Shifters in tow. A quick glance showed the Alpha that Hawk had used the opportunity to whisk the witchling away, before the Pack Room got more crowded.
“Duncan has twenty Shifters assembled downstairs, ready to go” Atsá informed him.
“If you give us the location, we’ll direct all Shifter search parties near it to join you, while we organize the rest” Maartje chimed in.
“Twenty will be more than sufficient for tonight, Maartje” Raoul said calmly. “Have everyone else head back to the Lair.”
“You’ll call for reinforcements later?” Maartje insisted, not wanting the Pack to be outnumbered on Pack turf.
“If I need them, certainly, but I don’t think we will, Maartje” the Alpha said. “The Pack will be part of a joint group of Ancients, Shifters and Wizards to confront Bianchi. The group is primarily a show of force to back DiZeyla up, while she negotiates for Caroline’s release. I doubt Bianchi will choose to fight once he sees our combined numbers.”
Silence descended on the room as the Shifters digested the unexpected news.
“If we don’t teach the leeches a lesson now for messing with the Pack, Alpha” Stefan Simeonov spoke up. “It’ll embolden them to try a stunt like this again.”
“Once we have Caroline, Bianchi and his leeches will be asked to leave San Francisco, and the Pack will work with the local Wizards and Ancients to enforce it” Raoul stated implacably.
There was another instant of silence in the Pack Room. This was unprecedented — the Pack had never co-operated with other Chosen over something they considered Pack business. And neither had they allowed anyone else to take the lead on a matter like this before.
“You believe we should work with the other Chosen on this, Alpha?” It was Atsá, the venerable Were-Alpha, who asked the question that every Shifter was thinking but didn’t dare ask, lest it be taken as a challenge to his auth
ority by the Alpha.
Raoul cast a glance around the silent room and the Shifters waited with bated breath for his response. The non-Shifters, sensing the pulse in the room, looked suddenly more watchful.
“One day, Atsá, this Pack will have a showdown with Rafaelo Bianchi” Raoul said, an underlying note of steel in his voice. “He might not have come at us directly, but I won’t let Bianchi walk away scot-free for this. He’s made Shifters feel under siege in their own home. Just for that, he deserves to be taught a lesson. Right now, the Wizards and Ancients want him away from their city and are willing to help enforce a ban. I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth. I want our vulnerable Pack mates to feel safe again — no more being asked to travel in packs while the leeches are in town. Once he’s been booted from here, it’ll be my pleasure to teach him the consequences of going up against the Pack.”
“That is sound strategy” Maartje remarked approvingly, though the watchful look in her sharp blue eyes belied her laidback tone.
Atsá nodded affirmatively, responding to her quick glance at him.
Their steady responses seemed to break the sudden tension in the room.
“Sienna has a suggestion.” Jason drew Raoul’s attention. “If we’re primarily going in as a show of force, it merits consideration.”
“I should go with you, Alpha” Sienna, who had strolled up with Jason, remarked. “If Bianchi sees that the locket is no longer on me, he might stop trying to ambush others to get to me.”
Unsaid were the words that Bianchi would no longer have any reason to go after those he considered her allies or well-wishers.
The Alpha pondered the matter. “It’s a good idea. He’s not stupid enough to come after the Pack directly, but many of our friends are under the gun because of him. It’s time to take the fight to him. This will throw him off his game.”
“I agree with Raoul — it is time to take the fight to them” Faoladh, silently watching the Alpha handle his Shifters, joined the fray unexpectedly. “We’ve allowed them to dictate the terms of this engagement so far. Now, it’s time to change the game before they get too comfortable. While my Shifters sift through the past, let’s push a few of their buttons.”
Raoul met Faoladh’s eyes for a split second. The First Wizard watched the unspoken communication between the two Shifters silently. Raoul understood the message — the baton had been passed. This was his mission now. He had earned the right to drive it as he chose. Shifters never played it safe and Faoladh was letting him know that it was time to handle this game of cat and mouse like a Shifter. The Wizards had effectively abrogated all responsibility on the matter.
He turned to the Ancient watching the byplay with no discernible expression on his face. “Now that the chances of a fight are slim, would you still like to join us, Durovic?”
“Absolutely.” The response was prompt. “If nothing else, I can help the Guardian keep an eye on Sienna here. We wouldn’t want any harm to come to her. Not after I’ve helped rid her of the seemingly radioactive locket around her neck” he said lightly.
Sienna arched an eyebrow at the sally that Roman responded to with a grin.
“Let’s go.” The Alpha gave the call.
As the door to the Pack Room swung shut behind those heading out to confront Bianchi, leaving only Atsá and Maartje in the room with them, the First Wizard turned to Faoladh.
“I’m very impressed with your Raoul Merceau” she admitted softly. “When you first told me who you’d put in charge of this investigation, I was taken aback because I know a little of his history with us. But I’ll be the first to admit that you picked the right man for the job.”
“I knew that when I picked him, Esmeralda” Faoladh said imperturbably. “It is why I chose him for the job in the first place.”
“This local alliance he seems to have forged is astounding” she added, an underlying note of astonishment in her voice. The First Wizard had assumed that the alliance was a token one, like an unofficial forum to air differences between local Chosen factions. In a big city like San Francisco, it would be hard for the various Chosen to not occasionally trip over each other. A forum would help resolve any friction before small misunderstandings could escalate into bigger issues. But she had been privy to the Alpha’s conversation with the other Chosen leaders in his private room, and this alliance seemed much more than a simple forum. The factions here were looking to co-operate on matters of common interest. This case of Caroline Hamilton pertained directly to the Wizards and indirectly to the Shifters, yet both groups, as well as the Ancients, seemed united in their intent to co-ordinate her rescue. To the First Wizard’s surprise, when David Hamilton had suggested that DiZeyla handle the negotiations with the Vampires for Caroline’s release, the Alpha had not demurred. Neither the vaunted Shifter pride nor the usual raring for a fight that Shifters were notorious for had been on display in the Alpha’s Room.
This was no quick-tempered and volatile Shifter Alpha, it was clear. The infractions against his Pack would be punished, but only after the Wizard girl had been brought home and the vulnerable members of his Pack made safe. That astounded the First Wizard, who was used to a more brawn-heavy and less well thought out strategy from the Shifters. Perhaps, she realized shrewdly, Faoladh’s propensity for Raoul Merceau was driven in part by the same cool-headed judgement and intelligent decision-making the powerful Wyr was himself known for.
“Come, Esmeralda. Let me introduce you to two of Raoul’s Were-Alphas.” Faoladh drew her towards the two Shifters.
Chapter 8
The local Chosen Alliance comes to the party
At the Presidio, in the dark, a group of Chosen held council a safe distance from the address unearthed by Franciszka’s Vampires. Scattered warehouses loomed large in the night, silent now that the businesses they housed were done for the day.
Duncan strode up to the three leaders who led their brethren in San Francisco. “All three teams are in place, awaiting our signal.”
Three teams, one from each Chosen faction in the local alliance, surrounded the warehouse they suspected Caroline was being held in. They waited for the signal to move in and cut off access to the building, while a different team negotiated for Caroline’s release.
DiZeyla glanced around her at the assorted Chosen and the small fleet of cars that waited to block all the exits from the warehouse.
“It’s time to make my entrance” she interjected.
JaRol, her deputy, turned to Duncan. “Shall I signal the teams?”
“Have them move in ten minutes. The timing has to be precise or the leeches might move their hostage.”
“Understood.”
Raoul glanced at his watch. “Let’s give DiZeyla a thirty minute head start” he remarked to the Wizard beside him.
“Agreed.” David Hamilton looked solemn.
“We’ll have her back safe, David” DiZeyla murmured reassuringly as she passed them on her way to the car that waited for her at the curb.
David roused himself. “I’ve no doubt that Caroline’s rescue is in very good hands, DiZeyla. This is a good team we have here tonight.”
DiZeyla hopped into the car with two of her Ancients. They drove the short distance to come to a stop before a warehouse. She waited patiently, making no move to exit the car. A cell trilled abruptly, breaking the silence in the car. It was their cue. DiZeyla reached for the cell while one of her Ancients jumped out to hold the door open for her.
“You’re a go” Duncan’s plummy English tones announced dispassionately on the call.
DiZeyla stepped out unhurriedly. Flanked by two Ancients, she walked to the warehouse entrance. The driver of the car peeled away from the curb to bar the way into the building, making no effort to hide his presence anymore.
The Ancients accompanying DiZeyla pounded on the door enthusiastically, until it was opened by a bony pale-faced man.
“Clan?” inquired an Ancient.
The Vampire, clearly surprised by
the query, nodded affirmatively after a quick glance at the three facing him.
“We’re First Ones and this is our leader” the Ancient said. “She’s here to meet Rafaelo Bianchi.”
“Rafaelo, but …” That was all the Vampire had time to squeak as the Ancient grabbed him to move him forcefully out of the way.
DiZeyla and the second Ancient made their way in to stride unhurriedly through a narrow corridor that brought them to an open foyer with two exits, a door on the same floor and a second one through a staircase that led to the floor upstairs. They waited at the foyer, confident the Vampires would come looking for them soon enough. Vampires had phenomenal hearing, like Shifters. That was why the teams protecting the other exits had to be timed precisely. A minute later, the door was shoved forcefully open as a youngish man strode out purposefully.
“What the hell’s going on here?” he spat out, before stopping short as he caught sight of DiZeyla and her companion. “Who the fuck are you?”
“I’m DiZeyla” she announced calmly. “I lead the First Ones in this city. I’m here to talk to Rafaelo Bianchi.”
The Vampire’s dark eyes widened with mingled shock and astonishment. DiZeyla watched him dispassionately.
“First One” he spluttered, before pulling himself together.
“I’m Rafaelo Bianchi” he introduced himself more calmly. “What can I do for you?”
DiZeyla shot a glance at her Ancient escort, who turned away to head back the way they’d come in.
“I’m here to escort Caroline Hamilton back to her family” she said.
Two more Vampires burst precipitously through the door.
Bianchi shot them an angry look. “Attend to your duties” he snarled. “I’ll handle our guest here.”
The Vampires disappeared back through the door they’d emerged from, after a quick glance at Bianchi’s face.
Bianchi turned to DiZeyla. “I’m open to a discussion” he said smoothly. “Shall we?” he asked the Ancient leader with a smile, his good mood seemingly restored after the quick flash of temper. He gestured at the doorway the Vampires had disappeared through.