A Council of Betrayal

by Kim Schubert

  “Power napping,” he grunted. “What’s up?”

  “I need help,” I confessed.

  “You need help? Olie, usually you are a little more specific.”

  I rubbed my forehead, not enjoying the pressure building there.

  “There’s a new drug hitting the market that can force a shifter into beast.” I probably should have kept that fucking Mae alive or at least asked a few more questions. “Hey, did you find anything from Mae’s computer?”

  “Um, I’m going to ignore the first part of your scatterbrained sentence in favor of answering the second. I broke down the firewalls but it leads nowhere. The company that paid her was a shell corporation, run by a lady who has been deceased for twenty years.”

  I grunted. I should have kept her fucking alive.

  “So, where do you want me to start on the beast maker serum?”

  That was the problem, I didn’t even know where to start and because of that I wasn’t dealing with it. But they were coming after Logan now, and I needed to figure it out, maybe even come up with an antidote.

  I was getting ahead of myself.

  “I need to get a sample,” I groaned.

  “How do you plan on doing that?”

  “I don’t know, Tommy, but I’ll figure it out. When I do, you have the equipment or lab or whoever ready to analyze it.”

  “That I can do.”

  “Hey Tommy?”

  “Yep, boss.”

  “Thanks for listening.”

  “Anytime, boss.”

  I ended the call, looking wistfully down at my phone. I missed the kid.

  I knew I should probably clue Logan in to my idea, but first I was changing, chucking the beautiful garments for yoga pants and a blue fitted t-shirt with flip-flops. Tossing my leather duster over my ensemble, I checked my guns and knives before adding my phone to the mix.

  Flopping out of the room I spared a look at Grams, working on her computer. “You going out?” she asked.

  I approached her. “What is going on with you?”

  She turned her head back to the computer screen. “I’m not going to dignify that with an answer.”

  I pushed her laptop closed.

  “I’m only going to say this once: whatever is going on with you needs to stop or you need to step down. This is my Council and whatever games you are playing will not continue.”

  “How dare you,” she hissed at me. “I have worked just as hard, just as long to create OUR Council.”

  “Remember who killed to get you there.” My voice was deadly low. “Step down or step to my side, make a decision.”

  I was so livid I stormed out of the door without checking the hall, letting it slam behind me.

  Bad idea? Yep, sure was.

  I landed hard on the wine carpet, my hands braced under my shoulders from the tackle.

  “Perfect, this is just what I needed.” I slammed my head back, feeling the satisfying crack of a broken nose. Turning my body to the side, I landed an impressive kick to something soft. The yelp of pain brought a smile to my face.

  Rolling away to the other side, I took a quick view of the hallway, seeing three additional goons awaiting disposal.

  I pulled a dagger from my duster. Alright, I admit I liked it. There was no way I’d be able to pack all this into my regular jacket. Balancing on my palms, I tucked my legs underneath my body. Shifting my weight onto the balls of my feet, I wrapped my fingers around the ebony dagger handle before I turned. I was still crouched when I slammed my blade into the next attacker’s thigh, hard enough to lodge it into her bone.

  She went down with a satisfying scream.

  Leaving the dagger in the whimpering woman, I inhaled deeply, wondering what the hell they were. I didn’t scent shifter and they were going down and staying down.

  The next one came at me with blurring speed and I fell back, my hand still in my duster as I attempted to pull another blade.

  “You must die, demon whore!” His blue gaze had the same piercing color as Blake’s. I took great pleasure slamming my head against his nose before I slammed my knee home between his legs. I smiled as his eyes lost focus with pain.

  I’ll admit to enjoying that too much. Throwing his light weight off my body, I stood, searching the corridor for the last attacker.

  “You cannot lead us!” screamed the woman, standing, leaning heavily against the wall. She wrenched the blade from her leg before throwing herself at me with the dagger.

  I ducked, taking the brunt of her attack on my back before rolling her over and down on my other side. She landed on her back and I heard the air rush from her lungs. Pinning her with a knee, I slipped a shorter blade out, slamming it home in her heart. Her eyes widened before her head fell to the side. I looked down at the lack of blood.

  “What the fuck?”

  This wasn’t adding up to—

  “Oh, fucking hell.” I turned on the two males, still writhing on the floor. The dagger the woman had lodged weakly into my black fell away.

  I pulled up the closest one, slamming him against the wall. “Who sent you?” He writhed at my touch. “Siren, why are you fighting me?”

  “Demon spawn,” he choked. I released my hold slightly. “You will be the death of all of us. War is coming."

  I sighed, “I will not be the death of everyone. I will, however, be the death of you.”

  I had pulled my gun during my short speech, and now put two bullets at close range into his heart. This didn’t feel good. I turned to the other siren, who was standing with his hands up before I shot him as well.

  My fingers tightened on the gun, hating this. Sirens were not powerful. Seawater ran through their veins, not blood. Why were they coming after me? What was this war?

  “Dammit, why didn’t I keep one of them alive?” I groaned to myself. I was so concerned with eliminating the present threat. Fucking hell, I really needed to work on my long-term game.

  Gathering my weapons, I cleaned them on the dead bodies before turning to walk the short distance to knock on Logan’s door.

  Mark answered, stepping back when he saw the look on my face.

  “Problems?”

  “You didn’t hear?” I asked, shocked.

  Logan exited one of the rooms as I flopped onto their indigo couch. He rolled up his shirtsleeves. I grunted, pulling off the leather duster, fingering the hole in the back with a sigh.

  “Sirens attacked me.”

  “Sirens?” Mark asked, turning me to take a look at my back.

  “They said war was coming.”

  Logan sat on the chair across from me, giving me a knowing look.

  “No Logan, I didn’t leave anyone alive, and yeah I know that wasn’t my best decision.” I rubbed the back of my neck, looking at the gold and blue rug.

  “This doesn’t feel right,” I told him, meeting his gaze.

  “I know, Olie, we will figure it out.” I ignored the comforting look there. Logan was not mine. I was only temporary. It was about fucking time I realized that.

  Shaking my head, I let Mark look at my back.

  “I’m going to need to cover this so you don’t bleed on everything.”

  I grunted at him.

  He took that as a yes and went to gather supplies.

  “What brings you to our room?” Logan asked, sitting on a couch

  “Oh, right, Tommy hit a dead end on the mage. The payment came from a shell corporation.”

  Logan steepled his index fingers, pressing them against lips. “I know, I know,” I groaned. “I should have kept her alive as well.”

  He grumbled, shifting his position before opening his big mouth. “Your love of killing is starting to become a problem.”

  I narrowed my eyes at him.

  Mark broke the tension of our staring contest, coming to sit next to me. I shifted, resting my chin against the high armrest, my thoughts pulled back to my fight with Grams.

  “Is that all that’s bothering you?” Mark asked me quietl
y.

  “That’s all I’m willing to talk about tonight.”

  I turned to see his face. He smiled, nodding understanding before patting my knee.

  “If I’m not needed…” Mark looked to Logan, who nodded, dismissing him.

  Logan stayed sitting, watching me closely. I pulled on my duster, ignoring him.

  Placing my hand on the cool doorknob, I hesitated. I turned my head slightly, seeing Logan in my peripheral view. “I’ll try not to kill any more possible informants.”

  He moved behind me, wrapping his arm around my waist. “Why don’t you find another way to work out that anger?”

  I turned, shocked by his aggressive come on.

  “You’re drunk.”

  “Nope,” he answered with a smile, stepping closer. I stepped back, flush against the door.

  “I’ve tried to be patient. I’ve tried to be subtle, but Olivia…” He ran his thumb over my cheek bone. “I like you. A lot. I’ll be honest, I never thought of you as emotionally available until Blake, and now I can’t stop thinking of you.” His words softened, his lips dipping down to mine, which had a mind of their own, lifting to meet his shapely mouth.

  The touch was light between us, tentative on my end. Apparently, my whole “temporary” self-talk was thrown out the window at the first possibility of a boy liking me. The problem was, I was afraid I liked Logan, too, and while I could try lying to myself, my body wasn’t listening.

  Large, warm palms wrapped around me, pulling my back away from the cold of the door and into Logan’s fierce warmth. I groaned and the pressure of his lips increased.

  My hands were busy pulling out his dress shirt to feel the finely formed flesh underneath it.

  “Hey boss—“ Mark called out, coming around the corner, breaking the spell.

  Logan moved back, turning to face him. I couldn’t see Mark’s face, but I could imagine Logan was sporting some pretty fine, hard, thick, evidence of our entanglement.

  I had to get out of there.

  I slipped out the door before I heard more of their conversation, again not checking the fucking halls.

  No one was waiting for me this time and I continued on, belatedly realizing I was breaking my own rule about going out alone. Whatever, they’re my rules to break.

  I made it back to the safety of my room without incident. Tossing my duster over my suitcase, I landed face first onto the bed. I’d like to say I wasn’t thinking about how pleasant Logan’s lips felt against my own, but I’d lied to myself enough.

  I liked the kiss. I liked his attention and ran away from both, because I’m a chicken shit.

  I groaned, pushing my face into the pillow. I needed to make a decision, either I was in or out. I just wished it didn’t scare me. I wasn’t sure I could handle being hurt again. In some respects I was over and done with Blake. I sure as shit didn’t want him back, but being crushed so effortlessly … I wasn’t sure I wanted to give another the opportunity to hurt me like that.

  Chapter 5

  It was Garrick’s and my turn to meet with the European Supernatural Councils.

  “I have no use for these fuckers,” I told him as we rode the elevators to the meeting.

  He adjusted his jacket sleeves, dashingly dressed as always. “You must get better at playing politics, my dear succubus.”

  He was one of the few people who named my species without disdain.

  “Make me,” I taunted.

  He turned his coffee colored eyes, raking over my black dress pants and gray top. “If only the elevator ride was longer.”

  I laughed when the ding announced our arrival. “The rest of your group meeting you here?” I asked him.

  “Yes, since I was traveling with the highly esteemed executioner, I had no fear for my safety.”

  I laughed again. “Right, as if I’m any match for the strength of you. Tell the truth, Garrick, it’s because I was late.” We strolled down the long hallway, scanning diligently ahead of us. I couldn’t say a fight wouldn’t do me good. I had spent most of the night dreaming of Logan. I was tired and horny.

  He smiled as we reached the small conference room. “Do not doubt your abilities, Olivia.”

  He pushed open the door leading to the meeting room and I smiled at Ali and Grant with Grams. Yes, I was putting on appearances, but a unified front was all anyone was going to be seeing out of us. Well, hopefully. Hash wasn’t in the room so my odds were looking up.

  “I can’t wait to hear this,” Garrick muttered, heading toward his own ensemble, knowing full well everyone heard him.

  Garrick and I had met one gloriously bloody night. A shifter gone pure beast had clawed a pathway of destruction across two states and three counties, ending up in my territory. Garrick didn’t believe I was up for the task.

  I don’t think I’ll ever forget what he looked like, each of us sporting bloody clothing, his wounds far advanced in healing. He smiled at me. “Fancy a drink?”

  “From a bottle or my neck?”

  I brushed the memory away, focusing back on the present.

  We settled in our seats, awaiting the European Council and their antiquated ways. Garrick and I agreed on that wholeheartedly; we had to change with the times in order to survive. It was a lesson they had yet to learn.

  True to their roots, the council arrived dressed in matching robes. I could feel Garrick’s eyes on me, waiting for me to acknowledge the ridiculousness of that alone, but I kept my eyes trained ahead, allowing the edge of my mouth to curl up slightly.

  The European Council had been around forever. They certainly hadn’t always gone by the same name, and they gave the underhanded, dirty vampires a run for their money in political mind-bending tricks. I had no use for them. Garrick, who started out in the European circuit, also had no use for them.

  “Thank you for attending our meeting. I won’t dally, but shall instead dive right into the heart of the matter,” Celino stated regally, fluffing his robe before sitting.

  I stopped listening, turning to watch Garrick fight a smile as he refused to look at me. Eventually, they got to the good stuff. I was eagerly awaiting another chance to poke fun at their antiquated ways.

  “With that said, we have come to an agreement with the Fae…” I couldn’t hear anything else, the blood draining from my face as I stared open-mouthed at the idiots in front of me. The Fae? Seriously? The fucking Fae I had just narrowly escaped from in that shit with Destiny?

  This was not fucking happening.

  Slowly, I turned to Garrick, seeing my own horror mirrored on his face. Good to see we were on the same page.

  Shoving myself up, I bellowed at Ali and Grant, “Get out of here NOW!”

  “Lock the doors!” called Celino. “They will hear this proposal!” Their guards moved to obey the command, blocking the doors against our fleeing party. Garrick tackled one. They bounced off the thick wood door and onto the ground. I reached to free my dagger, but released the handle. I couldn’t kill the European Council’s guards without declaring an open war.

  At least the guard seemed to think the same, leaving his weapons in favor of hand-to-hand combat.

  “I’m going to beat that smile off your face,” I hissed, hitting him in the middle. He wrapped his arms around me, lifting me vertically.

  “Bring it, little girl,” he grunted.

  I kicked my feet, seeking to unbalance his hold. He stepped forward. “Go!” I screamed upside down at Grant. He pushed the guard, giving himself room to pull the door open wide enough for Ali, Grams and him to flee. The guard and I fell and I braced my hands in front of my face for his mammoth weight. I felt my nose crack anyway, the air smashed from my lungs.

  Seriously, does he not know who I am?”

  Balancing on my hands, I drew my body up in a handstand, letting my feet fall behind me. Spinning to face him, I delivered a kick to his midsection. That smug smile flattened as my kick drove him back.

  I smiled. “Come on, pretty boy, that the best you got?�
�

  He shook his head, taking a step toward me. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  I spared a glance to see Garrick having a difficult time subduing his own guard.

  “What are you?” I asked, honestly curious.

  His smile returned and I almost felt bad about having to ruin his handsome face. “Why, pretty lady, are you trying to distract me?”

  I huffed, rolling my eyes as he lunged, taking me down around the middle, “Asshole,” I panted out, letting my body go limp. “You fight well, you’re humane, and you’re fucking intimidating. I’d like to recruit you to my side.”

  He pulled back, looking down at me, probably thinking he had won this round. “We are not for sale.”

  I pulled my legs up, hitting him square on the chest. He moved minimally.

  I huffed, “I didn’t say sale, I said recruit. You know, offer you more money and benefits than what you are currently getting.”

  That caught his attention. “You pay your slaves?”

  That caught me off guard. “I don’t keep slaves,” I answered.

  A resounding crash had all of us looking back to Celino.

  “You are fools. The Fae cannot be trusted!” Garrick yelled, untangling from his own guard to stand next to me.

  “You are the ones telling us to adapt to the modern world. Now you do not like the route we have taken. There is no pleasing either of you!” Celino yelled back at us, throwing his hands up.

  The floor rumbled beneath our feet. Garrick and I shared a look before we turned to crash into the door painfully. It didn’t move. Wouldn’t budge and it wasn’t locked.

  “Magic,” Garrick hissed, stepping back.

  I gave the door another tug. Slowly, we turned back around, watching the cloud of gray smoke swirling behind the self-proclaimed leader of the idiots.

  “At least they got out,” I whispered to Garrick.

  “Right, now what about us?” he responded.

  I swallowed hard. The Fae were the one race that could enslave me again as Selena had. I had every right to be mortally terrified of them. But terror would dull my senses, not hone them. Exhaling a trapped breath, I pushed my mind away from that nightmare.

  The gray smoke grew to an eight-foot shade. Ice blonde hair swirled, purple eyes snapping open.