He pulled out a shirt. “You keep telling me.”
She raised her eyebrow. “This plan would’ve dropped dead in the water if it wasn’t for that connection. Admit it.”
“And now that connection is also mine.”
“Oh, is it?” She chuckled shortly after her smug reply.
“I’m the only one qualified to make deals with the devil.” He pulled out a one piece white dress from the closet and tossed it at her. Still sleepy, she made no attempt to catch it. “Put this on for the Skype meeting.”
Her upper lip curled and twitched. “I’ll look like a researcher’s wife.”
“At least you’ll look somewhat respectable.” He walked out of the room.
****
With his hands resting on the table in front of him, Kenneth scanned the meeting room, finding it eerily empty. A large white portable projector screen stood near the front with a long black cord running from the back to his laptop in front of him. The air felt moderately cold on his skin and he rubbed his forearms to generate heat. His tie tugged at his neck and he readjusted it.
The door opened and he saw Johanna walk in, wearing the white dress he picked out for her. Without saying a word, she headed for the screen and turned it on.
“Don’t forget to turn on the computer.”
She did as she was told. She then walked to a computer situated on a desk.
“Let’s go through this again.”
“This is ridiculous.”
“This is how it’s going to happen.”
After she finished checking the screen, she lowered herself in the chair next to him. She moved the fabric tugging around her chest. “This dress is uncomfortable.”
“It’s only for half an hour so remember what I told you. Whatever questions he asks, answer them in short sentences. Don’t give him more information unless he requests it.”
She exhaled loudly, irritated.
“Try to hide your hatred for Veronica.”
“I know what to do.”
“And if he asks about the Dorvo vampires, remember to act surprised.”
“I know what to do.”
“He’ll know if you’re lying.”
She slammed her hands on the desk. “I know what to do!”
He ignored her outburst and straightened his suit. “Let’s get started, then.” He opened his laptop and made the call. He watched the screen. It went blue and after several glitches, the image of an elderly man appeared. Like most individuals in The Brotherhood, he had spoken to Mr. Alvaro but never saw him in person before.
No one dared to call him by his real name—Marvel Alvaro—to his face. It was unheard of. Instead, like a flock corralling at their master’s feet, everyone having anything to do with the organization mentioned him by his title and spoke about him as if he held a godlike status among them.
The Head Master wore a brown turtleneck sweater. His thinning gray hair was slicked back and next to him Kenneth saw what looked like some kind of breathing apparatus. Johanna bit her lower lip and avoided eye contact. Just being in his presence alone made her uncomfortable.
“I’m the President of the Midwest Division,” Kenneth spoke. “And this is Johanna Rahn, Region Leader of the Midwest Division.”
“I know who you both are.” He spoke in a deep and slow rumbled voice. “Let’s just skip over the formalities.”
“Yes.” He nodded.
“It’s nice to finally have a face to go along with the name,” The Head Master lifted his bony finger and pointed at Johanna.
She swallowed slowly. “Thank you.”
“I had hoped to have this conversation in person but given the current circumstances, that’s impossible. My apologies.”
“In person?” Surprised, Kenneth rubbed his clammy hands together.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures.” The Head Master lifted his head. “Now tell me. What do you know about the current Deamhan situation in Minneapolis?”
“Well, sir.” Kenneth cleared his throat.
“I’m not asking you. I’m asking your Region Leader.”
Johanna blinked slowly. “I believe, sir, that Kenneth’s told you everything.”
“Yes, but I want to hear it from you since your family is closely connected to the Dorvo Coven.”
She shrank back in her seat.
Don’t fuck this up. Kenneth took a deep breath and listened intensively as she spoke to Mr. Alvaro.
“As you know, sir, Kenneth offered me this position in response to the rising presence of Dorvo vampires in the city. He strongly believed that I could use my family’s connection to somehow convince them to leave Minneapolis in peace.”
“And is it working?”
“It’s slow going,” she replied. “As we all know, they have a rough and long history with Deamhan. So trying to get them to agree to leave the city isn’t an easy process.”
He moved onto the next subject. “What have you found out about Nathan Tiernan?”
“Mr. Tiernan? I know that he has a long history in The Brotherhood, like you do. His family was pushed out of the organization and he took Miss Austin into his home when she came to Minneapolis.”
“Yes, we all know that,” Mr. Alvaro replied. “But have you found any new information that might be important in our goal?”
“Goal? Sir?”
Kenneth rolled his eyes slowly. She’s fucking this all up. He wanted to cut her off before she could arouse the Head Master’s suspicions.
“Yes. Any information that might be important to our goal,” the Head Master repeated. “The Brotherhood’s main priorities. Surely you know what they are. It’s one of the first things a researcher learns before moving into the field.”
“Yes! Of course! We haven’t been able to get close to Nathan due to his living conditions.”
“So how to do you expect us to retrieve the piece of the Dark Curse tablet his father stole from our Archives?” he asked.
“I-I don’t know, sir,” she stuttered.
Kenneth cleared his throat. “Sir, if I may speak—”
“No. You may not.”
“But, sir, Johanna is fairly new to the city. She’s still adapting and trying her best to acquire the information you want—”
“I wasn’t born yesterday, Mr. Dearhorn. You were there when the ritual took place. You were the last researcher to see Mr. Austin alive, were you not?”
“Yes but—”
“And the other Presidents unanimously agreed to provide you with mercenary support in order to stop the ritual from happening.”
“Yes, but, sir—”
“You are the only researcher who has firsthand knowledge on The Dark Curse. So how is it possible for your Region Leader to struggle in building onto the intelligence that you already have?”
His ability to cut him off, building question upon question, made Kenneth fidget in his seat.
The Head Master leaned to the right, grabbing a manila folder. “Hmm.” He flipped through it. “A Ramanga,” he said, bringing the manila folder up to his eye level. “Anastasia.” His eyes moved back to them. “We know she stays with Nathan Tiernan along with a Metusba and a Lamia.”
“Yes,” Johanna spoke up. “But I don’t see how that is important to—”
“Mr. Tiernan provided support and protection to one of our own during her stay in the city.”
“Veronica?” Kenneth questioned. “She wasn’t a member of The Brotherhood.”
“She is an Austin and that makes her a member, whether you agree or not. With her father’s death, she is next in line to replace him. I’ve taken great care in looking into her health while you and Johanna have wasted your time in Minneapolis, following dead ends. She’s recovering right now, as we speak.”
“She’s no longer in a coma?” Kenneth couldn’t believe his ears.
“No. She’s not in the medically-induced coma you ordered her to be in.”
“That’s good news.” Kenneth did his best to hi
de his surprised demeanor. What else did Mr. Alvaro know? What did Veronica tell him?
“We need more people in this organization who think like she does.” He closed the folder and placed it on his lap. “I don’t know if you both understand The Brotherhood’s history. This organization was created as a form of security against Deamhan. The idea to document and research them is a fairly new concept. Although we have mercenaries trained to fight against them, we don’t desire an all out war. Times are different now. We need to think smarter.”
Kenneth felt his forehead teeming with sweat.
“As of right now, we have the ability to wipe these creatures from the planet without using The Dark Curse to do so.”
Unable to sit still, Johanna paused before she spoke. “Excuse me?”
“We have the means to destroy every Deamhan, including Amenirdis,” the Head Master said. “In fact, we know where she is.”
Kenneth wasn’t convinced. “Sir, if you know where she is then why doesn’t The Brotherhood act? Why don’t you kill them all?”
“Because that is exactly what you want. You and the other Presidents will never see eye to eye as to what should be done about the growing Deamhan problem.”
Kenneth froze and continued to stare at him with wide eyes.
“However, we know that if The Brotherhood wipes away its focus, it would lose its focus.”
He gripped his hands on the side of the desk. “Sir, Deamhan are out of control in the city. There aren’t any Ancients to keep order.”
“My sources say different. In fact, there are few of them in the city and, thanks to you and Johanna, they’re currently they’re being hunted and killed by Dorvo vampires.”
“I don’t know anything about that.”
“No, you don’t, and as the President of the Midwest Division, you should be aware of what your Region Leader is doing behind your back.”
Kenneth shook his head. “Johanna is innocent, I swear. We both had no idea this was happening.”
“Of course you don’t,” Mr. Alvaro replied in a condescending tone.
“Thinking about it now.” Kenneth paused. “Isn’t that a good thing? Before, they were out of control. The city wasn’t safe for researchers. Now, with these two creatures going at it, we’re in the clear. We can do what we came to the city to do.”
“And what exactly is that?” The Head Master asked.
“To put Amenirdis back in Limbo and to make sure none of them can escape ever again.”
“Maybe not.”
“So you don’t want us to figure out how to put her back in Limbo?”
Johanna stood to her feet. “Sir, if that is the case, then forgive me for saying but that would be a tragic mistake.”
“Allowing Kenneth to make you Region Leader was the tragic mistake. Sit down, Miss Rahn,” he ordered.
She slowly lowered herself in her seat.
“Right now our focus is being eliminated by the Dorvo Coven, not only in Minneapolis but in cities around the world,” The Head Master continued. “The Presidents are concerned and so am I. We all know the rough history between our organization and that gang of hooligan vampires. Once they reach their goal, they will be more dangerous than Deamhan has ever been to humans. They want only one thing. To see the destruction of Deamhan by using The Dark Curse. That hasn’t and will never change.”
“This is crazy.” Kenneth caught his outburst late and instead of apologizing, he lifted his head high. “This isn’t what The Brotherhood was created for.”
“We adapt with the times.”
His body felt as if it had been crushed under a million weights. “I..I just.” He stuttered, unsure of how to react. The feeling of being close to getting what he wanted suddenly felt out of reach. Instead, anger replaced his frustration and he wanted to reach through the computer and strangle Mr. Alvaro. From that moment he was done responding and obeying anything The Brotherhood wanted him to do.
“Veronica has told me much since she awoke,” The Head Master said. “This is why the other Presidents and I have decided to bring her back to the city when she’s fully recovered. She will be our eyes and ears. She’ll tell us everything that happens at Nathan’s sanctuary. If a pen drops, we will know about it.”
“By then it’ll already be too late!” Kenneth screamed. “Why are you putting so much trust in her? She hates this organization!”
“Not as much as she hates you. Veronica has given us more information than you’ve ever accumulated while at the Chapter. She will find the location of the other tablet piece that Nathan Tiernan has.”
“She’s a traitor!” His proclamation caused Mr. Alvaro to stop in mid speech. Johanna jumped in her chair and glared back at him in utter shock.
The Head Master’s voice remained calm and collective. “Kenneth Dearhorn. Do I have to remind you that as a member of The Brotherhood, you are obligated to follow the orders given to you?”
Kenneth ground his teeth. “Don’t tell me what I should do. I’ve given my life to this organization.”
“You haven’t given enough. Documentation has already been sent. The other Presidents have already agreed. Veronica’s association with Nathan and the Deamhan at his sanctuary is incredibly important to the future of this organization.”
“More important than what I’ve sacrificed?” he questioned. “More important than my parents who were murdered by Deamhan?”
“She’s more important than you can ever be.”
“I’m also a President!” Kenneth jabbed his finger into his chest. “It has to be a unanimous decision. I haven’t voted yet.”
“You’ve been temporarily demoted. Effective immediately, you and your Region Leader will report back to San Diego.”
“You can’t do this to me!”
Johanna stood up from her seat. “Sir, with all due respect—”
“I’m not going back to San Diego until I’m done here.” Kenneth’s brow furrowed. “This Chapter just reopened its doors only a month ago and now you and your cronies voted to dissolve it and replace me?!”
“We aren’t dissolving the Chapter; but yes, your replacements will arrive by the end of the week,” The Head Master said. “The decision has been made. We’ll be in touch.” The screen went black.
Kenneth spun around and slammed his fist on the table. “You did this!” he bellowed at Johanna.
“I did what you told me to do,” she replied in self-defense.
Panicked, he paced back and forth and combed his fingers through his hair.
“Why didn’t you tell him that you have a piece of the tablet?”
“Are you that stupid?!” He bared his teeth. “If he knew that, we wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Ugh.” He slapped his forehead. “You are that stupid.”
“Demoting us won’t change what’s going to happen.”
“I need more mercenaries if this is to work.”
“You have the Dorvo Coven.”
He stopped pacing. “Yeah, you would want me to put all my faith into those vampires, wouldn’t you?”
“Dorvons. Not vampires. And that’s not what I’m saying.” She grabbed his arm.
“Vampires. They’re fucking vampires?!” He pushed her away. “He can’t get away with this. I’ve served in this organization too long to not get what’s due me!”
“And you will. But let’s think about this first.”
“Contact Ruby.” He marched toward the door and opened it. “We’re meeting her tonight.” He called out for the mercenary. When he appeared, Kenneth ordered him to pull out any files they accumulated on Deamhan in the city.
The mercenary paused. “I’m sorry, Mr. Dearhorn, but I have new orders.”
“I’m the President of the Midwest Division!”
“But you’re no longer the President of this division.”
“What are your new orders?” Johanna asked him.
“We’re to remai
n inside until your replacements arrive. All further work is placed on hold. That includes research, documentation, and field work.”
She clasped her arms behind her body. “And if I was to go out there and continue the field work?”
“Sorry, ma’am. That includes everyone.”
Kenneth stormed out of the room and she continued to eye him. “So, is that all Mr. Alvaro ordered you to do?”
He nodded.
“Great. Just fucking great.” She grabbed her pen from the desk. “I’m sorry for this.” She jabbed the pen into the side of his neck. Kenneth heard the commotion and stumbled back just in time to see the mercenary fall face first to the floor.
“What did you do?” He eyed her in wonderment.
“What I had to do.” She stepped over the body and walked down the hallway. “I’ll go and set up a meeting with Ruby.”
1
DECEPTION. DEAMHAN CHRONCILES #3
CHAPTER seventeen
“It's almost over. They will be freed.”
Anastasia watched Lucius place a stake against his chest. She remembered that night as if it’d happened yesterday—when he freed Amenirdis from Limbo. However, this time she watched the incident happen from behind a thin veil that, when poked, sent electric shocks through her system.
From her strange position, she saw Maris and Remy; their wrists were tied with chains connected to a brick wall of the warehouse. Selene’s smoldering remains lay at Lucius’ feet. A feeling of disconnect moved Anastasia to search around her for a way to escape this dream, brought forth by Amenirdis.
Lucius took a step back. “I strike true and I offer you her blood, the blood of the descendent, in exchange for their freedom.” He closed his eyes and pushed the tip of his weapon through his body and into his heart.
She watched him drop to his knees and lean his head back. Suddenly, as she remembered it, his body jerked forward and blood spurted from his mouth.
Kyra appeared, stopping him before he could sacrifice himself. The stake she stabbed him with protruded from his chest. Ayden appeared out of the shadows and rushed toward Maris to free her.
“We had to wait until Lucius was vulnerable.” He began to work on her chains.
Deception (Deamhan Chronicles Book 3) Page 16