by Susan Illene
“Why would you rent a mechanics shop if you aren’t going to do repairs?” she asked, crossing her arms. “That’s awfully misleading.”
“Look, lady. It’s not like we’re advertising. You shouldn’t have even bothered coming here.” That was O’Connell, disdainful voice and all.
I took the last couple steps and came up next to Cori.
His eyes rounded. “Melena! What are you doing here?”
“Funny. I could ask you the same question and did you grow your beard out just for me? It’s so cute!”
O’Connell always been a clean-cut guy who dressed impeccably, but right now his brown hair was long enough to cover his ears and he had a scruffy beard. Guess he thought that would be enough of a disguise that I wouldn’t notice him lurking about town. That and his clothes, which looked like they’d seen at least a hundred washes and still had some stains on them, especially his jeans.
He jerked back and moved to slam the door. I kicked it just before it closed. “I don’t think so. We need to talk.”
“I can explain.” He put his hands up as if I was pointing a gun at him.
“Sure you can.” I glanced at the others. “Let’s go inside where it’s warmer.”
I grabbed the DHS agent by his collar and dragged him into his office. There was a desk against the far wall with a chair in front of it. I shoved him onto the seat.
“Didn’t we have an agreement?” I asked.
He glanced at Cori. She’d pulled off her cap and was now unwinding her scarf. “Hey, I recognize you. You’re one of Melena’s friends.”
“One point for the DHS agent,” she said, smoothing down her hair.
“You could get into a lot of trouble for helping her.”
She put a hand on her hip. “I’m pretty sure you want to hear what she has to say.”
Not that Cori knew anything yet, but she trusted me enough to know I’d have a good reason for my visit here.
“What do you want?” O’Connell gave me a suspicious look.
“First we need to discuss why you’re back here when I told you to stay out of my city.”
He swallowed. “They ordered me to come back.”
I pulled out a knife and studied it closely, saying nothing.
“They did!” His hands gripped the arms of the chair.
“Months later? Why now?”
That was the point that bothered me. If they had come back a couple weeks after I’d kicked them out that would have seemed more normal. Leave just long enough to pacify me.
“We received an anonymous tip. Someone called saying we’d better get to Fairbanks because things were about to get hot here.”
Interesting. My senses confirmed he spoke the truth—mostly.
I put the knife close to his throat. “Any idea who?”
“No.” He glanced at the blade.
O’Connell knew I could tell if he was lying.
“Did they say anything else?”
He clamped his lips shut.
When my glare didn’t make him talk, I nicked his neck with my knife.
A drop of blood ran down his skin and he gripped the chair arms. “I can’t tell you what they said.”
I pointed the blade at his groin. “Are you sure?”
“Yes.” His voice came out strained.
I pushed the tip against the denim, but he just winced. The damn man had to know I wouldn’t really hurt him.
“Kerbasi,” I said, glancing at the guardian. “Would you be so kind as to figure out what he’s not telling me?”
He dropped his invisibility. “Gladly.”
The guardian moved closer to O’Connell and peered into his eyes. “It seems he knows something about supernaturals getting sick.”
The agent winced and covered his face—as if that would help.
“Did DHS cause it?” I asked. Surely they didn’t have access to demon magic.
“No,” Kerbasi replied. “They received a tip about a deadly disease soon to spread among the supernatural population. One that will not affect humans. They’ve been sending agents out to multiple U.S. cities to see if it comes true. Fairbanks was mentioned specifically.”
“You can’t do this!” O’Connell said, giving us all scathing looks. “When I tell my superiors…”
Cori stepped up to him and covered his mouth.
“Maybe we can kidnap him and convince his agency to help come up with a cure?” she suggested.
The agent jerked her hand away. “They’ll never negotiate with you if you do that.”
“Yeah, they’ve got the corner on kidnapping since they’re still holding the pixie family from here, aren’t they?” I leaned down and put my hands on the armrests of his chair. “So what are you going to do, just watch the sups die?”
His gaze dropped. “Well, it might not be such a bad thing if there are less of them.”
“Did they bother telling you it’s the plague they spread? And they used demon magic to keep it to the supernatural races—which I can break at any time, by the way. Then it can spread to humans.”
Not that I ever would, but he couldn’t be sure of that.
“Demon magic?” His eyes widened. “There are demons, too?”
I shrugged. “They’re rare. Most of them have to possess humans to get to Earth, which isn’t easy, but the people who tipped you off must have helped them.”
“Sorry bastards,” Cori muttered.
“How dangerous are these demons?” There was real fear in O’Connell’s eyes now.
I kept my gaze steady on his. “They usually kill their hosts within a few days, but they can stay in the bodies for a long time after that. During their last outbreak, they caused a lot of mayhem and destruction before we stopped them. Now it appears they’re helping spread the plague. How long do you think it will be before humans are their next target?”
We might not know for sure who or what had started this, but the demon magic was real enough I’d twist the facts in whatever way I needed if it would get O’Connell’s cooperation.
“I swear. We didn’t know they were spreading the plague or we would have handled things differently.”
“Well, now you know.” I finally backed off enough to give him a little space and put away my knife.
He straightened his shirt. “We must find the individuals behind this and stop them.”
“Which is why I’m here. We may have a lead on who is spreading it and would like your help taking them down.”
O’Connell’s eyes narrowed. “You’re asking for our help? I wouldn’t think you’d need it.”
“Technically, we don’t.” I crossed my arms. “But the people we suspect are an extremist group with the same abilities as me. Magic won’t work on them and they have no problem using guns and explosives. With their hideout being close to humans, I think it would be better if we coordinate with you to take them down.”
“I’ll have to run it by my superiors,” he warned.
We both knew they’d be interested.
“Of course you will.” I leaned around him and grabbed a notebook and pen, writing down the number for one of my spare cell phones. “You can call me when you’ve got an answer, but don’t take too long. We’ve got intel the group will be gathering at their hideout this weekend. With or without you…we’re going in then.”
He nodded. “I’ll let you know as soon as a decision is made.”
“Good. In the meantime try to get out more, O’Connell. You look pale.” I patted his cheek, brushing his whiskers.
“Very funny.” He attempted a scowl.
The agent should have been happy. I’d basically just given him permission to stop hiding and lurking around Fairbanks. He could move openly now.
My cell phone buzzed. I checked the caller ID and saw Derrick’s name on it.
“Gotta go,” I said, waving at him.
Cori and Kerbasi followed me out the door. I waited until we were across the parking lot before calling the alpha back.
&
nbsp; “What’s going on?” I asked after he answered.
“I need you to come to the house now.” His voice came out gruff. “We’ve got a few things to discuss.”
“Can’t we meet somewhere else?”
I hadn’t gone back there since Felisha died and was in no mood to visit the place now. Not with Nik—the former master—out of the picture.
“This isn’t a request, Melena,” Derrick growled out.
“Don’t think just because you became master of the area…”
“Get here now.” I was cut off by a different voice. “We need to finalize our deal.”
That was Yerik. I had no doubt he wanted to make sure I understood what it meant to be given control over the raid on Jerome’s hideout. Particularly at a time and location where Lucas wouldn’t be around to catch any of it. Guess I should have checked the cell phone he’d given me for messages, which I hadn’t for months. Not after he failed to meet with me like he’d promised after Felisha died. It was time we had it out.
“Fine. I’ll be there in an hour.”
Chapter Seven
Gray stone walls surrounded the house and grounds now. As I made my way up the drive, my headlights lit them up. There was a heavy spell on them, too, so no humans would willingly come near them. Uninvited supernaturals couldn’t pass the new barrier, either.
Nik had always kept the grounds open, but Derrick must have started building the walls right after he took over leadership in early September. He hadn’t built them to be decorative in any way. They were at least ten feet high and as I pulled up to a heavy wrought-iron gate I saw the stone went back about two feet. The alpha wasn’t taking any chances. I could even sense guards roving the area.
There were also two at the gate. They aimed flashlights at Kerbasi and me—nearly blinding us—the moment we got close and indicated I should roll down my window.
“Melena Sanders?” A dark-skinned vampire asked.
I’d never seen these guys before. Their signatures weren’t even vaguely familiar to my sensor radar. There’d been a lot of that lately. I’d heard Derrick’s new leadership had drawn in a lot of new sups and the long winter nights of Alaska drew in even more.
“That’s me.”
He looked at Kerbasi. “You’re expected, but the guardian will have to stay here.”
“I most certainly will not!”
Smart on Derrick’s part. We couldn’t have Kerbasi listening in on the things we had to discuss.
“It’s alright. Just stay here and I’ll be back soon,” I reassured him.
“They can’t stop me.” He disappeared in a flash of light.
A spark and sizzle came from the shield just above the gate. He returned a second later with his clothes smoking and curses spewing from his mouth. I valiantly tried not to laugh.
“Bet that hurt,” I remarked.
If he'd asked, I would have told him he couldn't get past the shield without an invitation. Derrick had used a hell of a lot of supernatural power to form it. I was almost sorry to have missed the gathering that must have formed to create something that strong. There were nearly one hundred signatures webbed into it, plus several strong witches and mystics.
“That was not amusing,” he said once he’d calmed down.
“Stay here and tell the guards about your preferred torture tactics,” I suggested. “That should help pass the time.”
“Excellent suggestion.” He opened the door and got out.
As soon as he cleared the Jeep a guard hopped in to replace him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” I gave him an incredulous look.
“It is policy that all guests must have escorts.”
“Get out.”
The guard didn’t move. “This is the only way they’ll open the gate.”
“Fine.” I shifted the Jeep into gear.
With a nod from my passenger, the gate raised up to let us through. I drove until I’d gotten twenty feet past it and stopped.
“This is as far as you go.” I reached past him and opened the door.
“I must stay with you.”
The guard had a stubborn look, but I could sense his nervousness underneath. Too bad for him. I’d be damned if I had an escort going into a house I’d visited a thousand times before with no problem. No thirty-year-old vampire was going to stop me.
“There is a difference between cannot and will not.” I put the gear shifter into park.
“The master is adamant we follow his rules or there are consequences.”
“Then I’ll take the blame.” I got out of the vehicle, came around to the other side, and yanked the vamp out.
“You can’t do this,” he cried.
“Watch me.”
He struggled, but his strength didn’t match mine. I took him by the arm and spun him around into the air. The vampire sailed over the gate and landed with a thump on the other side.
Kerbasi laughed. “Good one, sensor.”
Glad I could amuse someone.
I got back into the Jeep and drove the rest of the way up the drive, heading around to the side parking area. It was a large two-story house with wings stretching out from either end of the main entrance. Derrick had changed the siding from blue to a cream color, but otherwise it looked about the same from the outside.
Keeping my gaze away from the spot on the front lawn where Felisha died, I walked toward the front entrance. Nadine, Derrick’s second-in-command, waited for me there. The werewolf with shoulder-length blond hair and a slim body glared at me when our eyes met. The gate was within view of the house so she would have seen my big display.
“That wasn’t very nice of you,” she said, blocking my path.
Ever since I discovered she’d been the one to convince Derrick to oust Nik I’d held a grudge against her. It was tempting to have it out now. Though she was stronger than the vamp I’d just thrown and likely to put up a better fight, I had full confidence I could win. Unfortunately, it would take more time than I could spare at the moment.
I pulled my gun and aimed it at her head. “Do you really want to make an issue of this?”
A bullet between the eyes would put her down long enough for me to get to my destination without her being able to stop me. And it would relieve some stress.
“It’s alright. I’ve got it,” Kariann said, coming outside.
I hadn’t seen her since Christmas. She had a strong face that wouldn’t be considered pretty and blond hair in a tight braid that ran down her back. This was one vampire I wouldn’t want to fight. She had more than six centuries of experience battling supernatural enemies and the body of an Amazon to make her look more than intimidating.
I lowered the gun. “What is going on with this place? It’s turned into Fort Knox.”
“Derrick’s a little more security-minded than Nik.” She smiled and took my arm, guiding me through the front doors.
“A little?”
“Okay, a lot.” She waved at another guard inside the foyer. “He doesn’t want any more attacks and figures the best offensive is a good defensive.”
“Fair enough, but he shouldn’t have to worry about people like me.”
We headed down the left wing of the house where I noticed a few small changes. There was a fresh coat of white paint on the walls and the wood floor was polished to a high shine. I remembered from my military days how much work that took to maintain. Was that one of the extra chores Derrick made Hunter do over here?
Kariann glanced down at me as we walked. “You made it clear you weren’t under his command. Therefore, we have to treat you like a guest.”
“You’re not agreeing with him on this are you?”
“He’s my master now and I swore loyalty to him. It’s not my place to disagree,” she said, voice emotionless.
One thing about Kariann—she took her oaths seriously. When Nik forfeited his position and abandoned his people, she moved on to the new leader. To be fair, she’d been working with Derrick a coupl
e years and knew him well, but I couldn’t give in to the new status of things that easily.
“Remind me to never get on your bad side.”
She gave me a hard pat on the back. “I will. Now go in, they’re waiting for you.”
We’d reached the office that had once been Nik’s and was now Derrick’s. My senses told me the alpha and daimoun were inside—moods dark and unpleasant. This was going to be fun. I opened the door and went through, shutting it behind me.
Derrick was standing behind his desk with his arms crossed. He wore a pair of blue jeans and a burgundy button-up shirt. His hair was slicked back, brushing his collar, and his face looked stern. He was in full alpha mode. I hated to admit it fit him well.
“Melena, you shouldn’t have tested my security like that.”
“Why not?” I lifted a brow. “It’s good for them.”
“We’ve got enough problems right now without you adding to them.”
I leaned against the wall. “Someone has gotten stuffy since taking over.”
“This isn’t a joking matter,” he growled.
“Tell me what happened with Zoe and maybe I’ll take you seriously.” That was another point of contention. I’d tried to protect him from her because she could hurt him emotionally and physically, but he’d gotten to her anyway with Yerik’s help. No one would tell me what happened or where they’d stashed her.
The muscles in his neck bunched. “You lost the right to know anything when you kept me from her.”
“You know why I did it, Derrick.”
“Yet I survived meetin’ with her and got what I wanted,” he argued.
“What was that? Aside from immortality.” Though Yerik had actually given him that gift—likely before letting him see Zoe.
He flashed his teeth and not in a nice way. “It’s none of your business.”
“It became my business when you used your newfound strength to kill my friend!” I shouted.
He flinched. “You know I didn’t mean to do that.”
I could sense the hurt I caused by bringing the topic up, but I couldn’t help it. If he hadn’t pushed for the duel between him and Nik, Felisha would still be alive. Whether he meant to strike her with his sword or not was beside the point.