The Hunt is On (The Patroness)

by Natalie Herzer

  “What is it?”

  “The key to your shop.”

  “But I already got one.”

  “No, you don’t. Viviane changed the lock last night. So now, you will open up your shop for the first time, with us at your side and knowing that we are very proud of you and glad we have you in our life.”

  “Oh, Maiwenn. That’s so sweet of you.” She wiped at a tear. “Damn my mascara.” She threw her arms around me and we hugged each other. “I’ve never thought that one day I would be glad to have been high on fairie dust.” We laughed, teary eyed, and then Pauline went to open her store. And stepped inside.

  Viv and I followed her, the scent of flowers and darkness greeting us. Suddenly the lights went on and cheers erupted from all over the room.

  Pauline squealed and stared in shock at the banner and the balloons that welcomed her, and then at Kylian, Ben and some of his shapeshifters, the ravens, some of her suppliers and our neighbors – all with glasses of sparkling champagne in their hands and smiles on their faces.

  From a corner of the room I watched Pauline and the rest chatting, enjoying the subtle instrumental music playing in the background before I took in her shop. The workers had outdone themselves and made the most out of the space, so had Pauline.

  Her shop was a green sea dotted with colorful sails. Her creations seemed to flow over and into each other like natural changes in landscapes. From the simple flowerbox and holiday season decoration, over the orchid jungle, to the perfect wedding day and the silent good-bye; everything had a place, and whatever you needed, Pauline had it. The big counter was her island in the sea, a place for business but also for creation, where customers could watch artful bouquets take shape.

  “I think I’ve never seen you in a dress before.”

  I had just buried my nose in a bouquet of roses with my eyes closed, and very nearly jumped at his voice. I straightened and studied him. I hadn’t seen him since that fateful morning. He had dressed in dark pants and a light blue button-down shirt, the sleeves of which he had rolled up to his elbows. Casually formal, once again. He looked good enough to eat, no matter his clothes. Usually we both went for comfortable jeans, and I remembered the first time we’ve met when mine were even quite sticky with green puke from a drunken leprechaun.

  “It’s their fault,” I said, motioning towards Viv and Pauline. “I should get myself new friends. Mine don’t seem to value the range of application of faded jeans anymore.”

  He chuckled and I grinned back at him. Blue sparks flickered in his eyes as his gaze traveled the length of my body, taking in the tat. “You look beautiful. Forgot something, though.”

  I was a little confused and looked down at myself. “Really? What, bare legs on high heels and all the rest isn’t enough?”

  His gaze followed my words and ice-blue heat flooded his appreciating eyes, but was dimmed as quickly as it had come. “Turn around.”

  When I didn’t move he turned me around to stand in front of him, with my back to him. “Stay still.”

  I felt his heat at my back and his warm breath at my neck, and had to resist the temptation of leaning back, against him. After one of his arms snuck around my head, I suddenly sensed a familiar weight around my neck. Looking down, my eyes confirmed what I already knew. My silver locket engraved with a Celtic knot lay on my chest, undamaged, as if it never had been gone.

  Blinking back unexpected tears, I cleared my throat. “You found it. This morning I had promised myself to go back and to look for it. But you found it.” I turned around to face him. “Thank you. It was my mother’s.” That was true, but he didn’t know that my real mother had lived in the 5th century.

  He inclined his head a little. “You’re welcome. When I came for you, I saw that it was missing. It lay only a few feet away.”

  I swallowed before looking up at him. “I’m sorry for what happened the other morning. It wasn’t fair. And somehow you seem to have found the right method to make me see that, to rattle me awake. For that I want to thank you. Though I’m hoping the next time I don’t have to punch you, or to kiss you, but will be able to see clearly by just using my head.” Without crawling away and picking up the last shreds of my dignity.

  He tucked a lock behind my ear. “No need to apologize, Maiwenn.” His mouth twitched. “Besides, I like those fights with you. But you using your head sure will be fun to watch as well.”

  Haha. I punched him lightly in his gut, though I appreciated his effort to lighten the mood and used it to change the subject. “Let’s see about that. I summoned Romaric this morning. He told me that I made this stupid rebellion happen in the first place.”

  Eyebrows rose. “Interesting. And how is that?”

  “Wondered about that, too.” Loud music filled the room now and I glanced over to see Ben inviting Pauline to dance. “Let’s go find somewhere a little more private to talk.” I lead the way, stopped beside Viviane and whispered into her ear, “We won’t be gone for long. Need to talk shop.”

  After she nodded we headed up the stairs to the roof. The balmy night air hit me, not warm but not cold either, but utterly confusing given the fact that not long ago crystals of snow had covered the terrace.

  “I remembered what I was thinking about before passing out after the fight in Lilith’s Den.” I went to the edge of the roof. The sun was low in the sky, painting the city in orange and rose hues. “Diplomacy was never meant to get out on top in this fight. We did a good job at it for a while and for a moment she even considered working with us. But then her advisor stepped in. Raymond. He whispers into her ear and suddenly she wants to hypnotize you. Stupid idea, a power play with the Chief de la Meute. What did she think? That you would stand still, accepting submission? No, she didn’t think at all. Blinded by power and theatrics she made the mistake of listening to the advisor who wants her dead. And we end with a declaration of war.” I looked at him. “Raymond would have done anything to make sure we didn’t leave without it.” Shaking my head I went on, “The horde will be divided now. Some will be dumb and arrogant enough to follow Lilith. Others will be more careful, knowing that a war between your factions will end with a lot of dead on both sides, or might even not end at all, only if the Councils steps in. Indecision. Do we follow Lilith, or not?” I expelled a weary sigh and grimaced sadly. “Curtain, and enter Raymond. And we have a whole new act.”

  “Raymond played with us.”

  “He is the director of this little orchestra. So I came to wonder, why did we go to the Den in the first place?”

  “Because of the missing vamps, or lack thereof, and which I was the first to point out to you. So you ask yourself how I came to suspect the Undead. You might even consider Raymond and me working together.”

  I smiled at him. “Cut me some slack. Yes to the first, no to the latter.”

  He rubbed a hand over his face. “Moreau.”

  Knock me over with a feather. “Agent Moreau?”

  He nodded.

  “He’s your spy?”

  Another nod.

  Of course, a shifter would have been too obvious. Anouk would have known a shapeshifter reported to Kylian first and only then to her. “What the hell is he anyway?”

  “Tree-dwelling faery. Got him and his brother a date with Moth and Nightingale.”

  “That’s easy to do.” Given they jumped everything male within their reach.

  He smiled, smug. “Yeah, but getting them to fall in love with the two wasn’t.”

  I just stared at him. My head had some trouble wrapping itself around the idea of the amazon-like, man-hating wood spirits being in love. An impossible task. I shook my head, trying to concentrate on Moreau instead. “So Moreau was the one who told you about the vamp problem?”

  “Yes. Before you ask, I don’t think he works with Raymond. Or at least I hope he isn’t or I will kick his ass out of my forest and then some. But what’s for sure, it was Anouk’s team that made me notice it.”

  I didn’t like this at
all. “Then we should talk to Anouk. One of her team is jerking us around and playing directly into Raymond’s hands.”

  Kylian cocked his head and his deep voice rumbled, “I was right. Watching you using your head is fun to watch.” His smiling, ice blue eyes gained a lethal edge. “And it has the damndest results.”

  ELEVEN

  The meeting was quickly arranged. Kylian contacted his man, and I called Anouk. Later that night we would first meet with Agent Moreau to talk with him about our suspicions and to hear his thoughts on it. Then we would clue in Anouk, carefully watching her reaction, and after that we would decide what to do with the little rat we were sure to find among the new investigative team. But for now there wasn’t much we could, or wanted, to do about it, and so we returned downstairs.

  Halfway down the stairs the lively rhythm and sound of music met us, pulling us back into the shop. People were either dancing or chatting and picking mouthwatering delicacies from the buffet Viviane had ordered and later perfected by adding her own creations.

  Kylian went to talk to Gabin, while I made my way towards the table holding all the important kinds of bottles and glasses. I decided to go for some white wine, smiling as I caught sight of Pauline dancing happily with Ben. Leaning back against the wall I watched the couple. That bear could move, and judging from the forgetting-the-rest-of-the-world glow in Pauline’s eyes I had to admit he might have been right about the two of them being mates.

  Viv joined me, a little out of breath from a previous dance, and poured herself a glass of Beaujolais. “Something wrong?”

  I shrugged. “Nothing we can’t take care of.” After a look at her face I knew she wouldn’t leave it at that and ended up explaining the new twist in our situation. “No need to worry. Kylian and I have one more meeting after the party, and will find out who was stupid enough to work with Raymond.”

  “And then what? What will you do with him? Or her?”

  The little emphasis wasn’t necessary. I knew that every member of Anouk’s team was suspected, including its leader I’ve come to trust. The irony didn’t escape me. Michel, the former leader of the Parisian shapeshifter pack should have healed my problem of trusting to easily. I really prayed to whoever was listening that I wasn’t making the same mistake twice here.

  “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”

  But of course, my mind was already heading towards that bridge. If it was Anouk then the responsibility of punishing her would fall to Kylian as Chef de la Meute, who had given her free reign and allowed her lone cat status on his territory. She might end up dead. If it was Agent Moreau, Kylian would want to take care of him, though I would insist on the pleasure of delivering a good kick in the teeth myself. With the other agents, Perrin and Rodriguez, it would become more complicated. Those two were humans – mostly anyway. It would probably become a matter for the Council and even human authorities. Like I said, it would be complicated.

  Kylian strolled towards us, a smile in his eyes and his hands in his pockets but every bit as lethal and graceful as the tiger he could turn into. “It seems I have to note down your number in case I need a caterer or even a party planner, Viviane. You throw great parties.”

  Viv inclined her head. “Thanks, though I have to admit this isn’t all my doing. Maiwenn did some of it, too.”

  His gaze flew to me. “When did you have time for that?”

  Maybe it was the wine but something about his remark made me straighten myself, realizing that there were still too many things left unsaid between us. “For family and good friends you just make time. It’s as simple as that.” I managed to keep the bite I suddenly felt out of my words, but apparently it made its way into my eyes, because Kylian subtly nodded, acknowledging the silent reproach.

  “Dance with me.”

  We’d been through this before, and like some months back I didn’t move. He knew quite well how I reacted to orders – I didn’t follow them. This time he didn’t rephrase his request but just grabbed my hand and pulled me to his chest.

  Viviane brushed by. “Behave, Maiwenn. No fights tonight.” With a smirk on her lips she left.

  “You heard her,” Kylian said, his body starting to move to match the fast and passionate tune, leading, forcing mine to follow.

  I shot him a killing glance. “I did. And since there isn’t much I wouldn’t do for my friends I will indeed behave. For now.” True to my words I put my arms around him and let control go, to be swept away.

  We didn’t say another word as we both were captivated by the music and each other, surprised by and yet recognizing the way our bodies fit. For what seemed a timeless moment but stretched actually into a song or two our gazes locked and we danced and spun, the heat and tension rising between us. Both of us were eager to fight, to push and to shove, but I was afraid of where it might lead us and who would emerge the winner.

  In one sharp movement that made me gasp he pulled me to his hard chest once again and held me there, our breaths mingling as he stared down at me with blue eyes. “I like it when you’re mad. The punching kind and the eyes-throwing-dagger kind, just like now. Whether you use your fists first or your head, it doesn’t matter, you’re beautiful to watch. The other morning you were entitled to take some shots at me. You pack quite a punch, Maiwenn, especially in the last round. So trust me if I say, I only put a stop to it because I care about you. Any other time, any other woman, and I wouldn’t have.”

  He got to me. Every time. Whatever that man said or did, he got to me. He was under my skin and obviously deciding to stay. But he didn’t need to know that just now. “When you came into my life you wreaked havoc in it and we both liked it. We fought, we kissed, and then you disappeared. I can live with that. But don’t come back now pretending nothing happened or that everything’s fine. Like I said before, I’m not a freaking yo-yo.”

  Kylian’s blue gaze racked my body. “Believe me, I know what you are. And I’m not a fool. What was between us three months ago is still there and even stronger now. I won’t ignore it. I know I didn’t call you, I know I should have, but excuse me for being busy taking over the pack of a madman that was as equally crazed in its organization and not dying those first months while the whole lot of France’s dominants challenged me.”

  The music changed, turning into slow, velvety tongues of flames. Our bodies molding against each other we moved slowly. His hand at the small of my back was drawing slow, hot circles. A wicked smile curved his lips. “Though I have to say I’m pleased to know you missed me.”

  “Yeah, about as much as a STD.” Catching myself playing with the hair at the nape of his neck, I stopped. “You know, that is what I was afraid of – unwantedly fueling your ever-expanding ego.” I shrugged. “First I thought running to another continent after a simple kiss was more than a little cowardly. Then when you pulled the disappearing-act I was mostly annoyed.”

  “Did you just call me a chicken?”

  I couldn’t help the grin. Somehow the anger had once again turned into teasing. “I did, didn’t I? Well, you know the saying, if it walks like a duck, swims like a duck…or in this case, a chicken.”

  He spun me around in a movement that left me breathless and whispered into my ear, “I still say you missed me, otherwise it wouldn’t get your hackles up every time. So, why don’t you just admit who’s the real chicken here.”

  The warmth of his breath tickling my skin as he inhaled my scent distracted me for a moment from understanding what he meant. The song ended and I straightened but didn’t step away from him, ready to fight and to admit nothing.

  Then the magic hit. A crushing wave rolling over us that made the lights in the room flicker and left me breathless and pumped up with energy, my skin feeling as if it was too thin to hold it inside of me. Kylian groaned, his ice blue eyes blazing as he probably fought the desire to shift.

  Viv was the first to speak again. “They’re getting stronger.”

  Ben, a little breathless, was by Pauline wh
ose skin glowed nearly as golden as her fairy dust. “Why doesn’t this Turn go as swiftly and smoothly as when the magic left our realm anyway?”

  Viv shrugged. “It’s like a balloon. You can drain it in a rush but blowing it up takes a few breaths.”

  There was something else that worried me. “The lights flickered. That never happened before.” Actually the music had even stopped and was still silent. “Does it mean we might have some troubles keeping the power going when the big wave hits?”

  Another shrug, this time followed by a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. It’s the first time with electricity around.”

  Great. I looked at Kylian, who understood and nodded. “I will ask the Council what they’ve planned in such a case.” He lifted an eyebrow as he looked at his cell, pursing his lips. “That is, as soon as I get a signal.”

  I groaned in disbelief. This Turn was going to be so. Much. Fun.

  After the party was officially over Kylian and I had moved into my office to wait for Agent Moreau. While we waited I paced the room and Kylian had settled into my chair behind the desk. I needed good news. The magic wave and the questions it raised had left me edgy and kind of grumpy. But I doubted my wishes would be granted this night.

  The door to the office finally opened and I stopped pacing to face Agent Moreau. He looked as calm as ever, his intelligent eyes resting first on me and then drifting to Kylian, his lifted eyebrow the only sign he knew something was going on. He walked into the room, his gaze still on the man he spied for.

  “She knows,” Kylian said.

  Agent Moreau relaxed, though the change was barely noticeable since the subtle tension hadn’t even been visible in his body but his eyes only.

  “Thanks for coming by. Kylian told me you keep an eye on the police for him.” Mildly put. When he nodded I went on, “As you might know my encounters with the police didn’t exactly reflect a productive working climate until your new unit came in. I have to say I really liked the change and the mutual trust that goes with it, so finding out that there is a rat in your team kind of pisses me off.”