Last in Line

by Sydney Addae

  Lukian nodded in acceptance of her explanation. “Yes, I would like Baron to meet with Brieloff. But, he has already agreed to meet with him later today. So that’s not it. I really think Brieloff may be able to shed some light on this.”

  And act as an intermediary between Baron and Rugger were the words left unsaid. If a child had been found in the mountains, Rugger and Orton would know. Baron wondered at Rugger’s mental stability. Everyone knew Rugger was the yin to Orton’s yang. The two complemented each other. It was one of the reasons Baron had required a public declaration of his innocence. Podge died for his loyalty, and he had no idea what had become of Bacas and Strates. Perhaps they’d meet up again.

  “In that case,” Camilla continued, looking at Lukian and then Simone. “I think we should wait and hear what this Brieloff has to say. What time will we meet with him?” she asked.

  Lukian appeared confused. “What time will you meet with who?”

  “With Brieloff” Simone chimed in.

  “I... I’m not sure. I didn’t, uh, realize that you wanted to meet with him,” he finished lamely in the face of Simone’s obstinacy.

  “Of course I need to talk to him if you think he has information about my niece. Wait a minute,” Simone said, untangling from Baron. Standing in front of Lukian, hands on her hips, she tilted her head looking down at him.

  “Are you planning on having a meeting with someone about my business without me or Camilla present?” she questioned softly. Lukian glanced at Baron, who was staring at Simone’s ass and was of no help. Camilla tapped the table with her fingernail to get his attention.

  “No ladies, the thought never entered my mind, I just didn’t fully understand, that’s all. I will request a meeting with Brieloff for you,” he told them with a strained smile.

  “Can you call and ask him, please? Because if he does not have time to meet with us, we need to get a move on,” Simone instructed as she reached back for Baron’s hand, missing his contact already. He took hers, placing a kiss in her palm.

  “He will meet with us all, Simone, I promise you. Although I will need to meet with him separately for a private meeting, I will make sure he meets with you either before or after. Does that meet your approval?” Baron asked as he nibbled her fingers.

  “Yeah, that’s cool. How much time before he gets here, Baron?” Simone asked.

  “No more than two hours’ tops. I need to talk to Lukian and will come get you in plenty of time.” He reached up, pulled her towards him and kissed her lightly. “Promise me, Simone. Promise you will wait and not try to go off on your own. I will be up shortly. I know you are anxious, but I don’t want you getting lost. Let’s focus on Marissa okay?”

  Simone pulled away, a frown marring her face. “That was low, Baron. You don’t want me getting lost? I’m not a child. I can go where I please. But so you don’t bust a vessel, I promise I’ll stay in the suite until you come for me. Is that alright, my lord and master?”

  “Hmmm Master, here? We can try some more...” He broke off as she placed her hand over his mouth, her face reddening. Baron chuckled and nipped at her hand, causing her to pull it back and shake it out.

  “Don’t be nasty and put our business in the street, Baron.”

  “Simone, you and Baron are nasty. And you make so much noise in bed, your business is already in the street, and the highway, too,” Camilla teased as they walked out the restaurant.

  Baron listened until the elevator closed. Lukian watched him. The two of them sat thinking for a few moments.

  “What happened to Bacas and Strates, Baron?”

  “I don’t know. They were still alive the last time I saw them.”

  “What condition were they in when you saw them last?”

  “Well, let me think,” Baron said as he stretched his legs. “Strates had his dagger protruding from his neck and was on the ground bleeding. Bacas’ eyes had rolled back in his head and his leg was at an interesting angle.”

  “Damn Baron, you want them to remember you, don’t you?”

  “Yeah Lukian, I do. I have a job to do and I don’t have time to prove myself to everyone. I need to be left alone. The best way to do it quickly is to hurt some of the top dogs, bad.”

  Lukian sighed as he pulled his hand through his hair. “Have you given any thought to what the reaction is going to be over you with a human? And don’t tell me you don’t intend to breed her. You have completely changed and she’s at the core. That line of yours is brutal, but there are parts of you that are softer and that’s because of her. Shit, you were smiling a few minutes ago. That’s the first time I’ve ever seen you smile in centuries outside of your lab or about your inventions.” He threw up his hands at Baron’s growl.

  “Don’t growl at me, I’m not your enemy. As a race, we only get one last of line for posterity. There will be many who will be upset that you have chosen a human over a Fem, that’s all I’m saying. I’ll back whatever you decide.”

  Chapter 22

  Brieloff arrived an hour later. He knocked on the door to the suite, which was answered by Camilla. Baron, Lukian, and Simone sat in the living room area, going over notes and cross-referencing information. There were plates of appetizers on the table, along with a bowl of fresh fruit and juice. The long sofa faced a loveseat and high-backed chair.

  “I am Brieloff; I’ve come to speak with Baron and Lukian.” He accepted her invitation to enter and proceeded into the living area with a general greeting.

  Baron watched Camilla as she stared at Baron and wondered if the Elder heard her thoughts that he was handsome and distinguished as she walked around him and sat on the sofa. Brieloff’s eyes widened when Camilla considered him shorter than Baron and Lukian, thought his suit fit perfectly and screamed big money. Her thoughts on Brieloff’s salt and pepper hair and perfect widow’s peak made Baron smile. He wondered if Camilla had given him or Lukian the same dissection as she gave Brieloff. Her thoughts turned to Brieloff’s soft, yet angular face, ancient cobalt blue eyes and compared them to her guide Cresio. Brieloff turned, offered her a semblance of a smile. Remembering how the Elder had chided him for being afraid of women, Baron was happy to see the light blush staining Brieloff’s cheeks. “Brieloff, this is a friend, Camilla,” Baron said in an even tone.

  “Nice to meet you,” Camilla murmured.

  Brieloff nodded and turned to Baron. “It is good to see you again, Baron, although I am sorry it is such a sad occasion. A great man has departed and will be missed. I don’t think he can be replaced.” Brieloff shook his head to dispel the grief.

  Baron nodded, but remained silent. According to his linemen, Rugger was a brilliant but troubled fanatic. They advised caution; like any predator, Rugger would exploit any weakness he sensed. Lukian’s eyes met Baron’s before settling on Brieloff.

  “Brieloff, I would like to introduce you to Simone,” Baron spoke after a moment’s hesitation. “We have been searching for her missing niece for the past few days. We began in Pisgah of North Carolina. Recent information has brought us here to the Alleghenies. Her name is Marissa. She is five years old of mixed birth. Have you heard anything about a child lost in the mountains?”

  Brieloff’s attention had been on Simone during most of the conversation. As Baron explained the situation, Simone straightened, returning Brieloff’s stare.

  “Is this the young woman you spoke of, Baron?” Brieloff asked, smiling at Simone. She glanced suspiciously at Baron.

  “Yes, she is.” He paused. “Have you heard anything of a young child lost in the mountains Brieloff?” Baron questioned again.

  “As a matter of fact, I have,” Brieloff answered.

  “What.... When?” Camilla threw out.

  “Where is she?” Simone yelled, coming out of her chair towards Brieloff. Baron reached out and pulled her toward him. She yanked her hand free and stalked toward Brieloff. Silent tears implored Brieloff to end her suffering with knowledge of her child.

  Lukian and Baron stood.


  “Brieloff, please tell us what you know,” Baron asked as he took hold of Simone. She tensed and then allowed him to pull her into an embrace. They stood together as he absorbed the tremors visibly shaking her frame.

  “Well, a couple of nights ago, Rugger contacted me about a child Orton found not far from their home. The child’s arm was broken and some other minor injuries. Orton was a fairly decent medic at one time, and he worked on the child. Rumor has it they were returning the child to a shelter when he was attacked.”

  “I thought he was attacked at a store,” Lukian asked, scratching his head.

  “Yes, he was in the children’s section at the time, shopping for clothing, I believe.” Brieloff watched Baron as the information sunk in.

  Baron nodded as he realized what it meant. He owed Orton and Rugger. “Where is she now, at the training facility?” he asked

  “No, I believe she is at their abode. No one at the training facility has knowledge of her. Just as no one has knowledge of the location of Rugger’s personal lodgings.”

  Camilla grabbed her coat. “Where is Rugger? Will I need to make an appointment to see him?” she asked as she looked around the room, and then picked up her scarf.

  “Hold up, hold up,” Simone called out. Twisting her arms, she pushed away from Baron, sending him a hard glare. “I’m going with you. Mr. Brieloff, how do I get to see this man who has my niece?”

  Brieloff looked at the two determined women and smiled. “You can call him, although I doubt you’ll get through. His partner has just died and he’s not really himself at the moment. Or, I can ask him a couple of questions and see where she is now.”

  Simone and Camilla deflated before his eyes. “That’s right, someone just crossed over,” Camilla whispered.

  Simone looked at Brieloff. “If his partner just died and he’s been with him, who is watching Marissa?”

  Everyone turned to stare at Brieloff. He appeared at a loss and shrugged. “I do not know.”

  “She’s somewhere alone in somebody’s house?” Simone’s voice rose. She pointed a finger in Baron’s direction as he came towards her. “Stop! I don’t want to be comforted! How long has this man been on his deathbed?” She looked between Lukian and Brieloff. “How long, damn it,” she yelled.

  “Two days,” Lukian admitted. Camilla and Simone screamed.

  “Are you sure no one else has access to their home, maybe a housekeeper or gardener, someone? No one would leave an injured child alone for 48 hours, it’s... it’s inhumane. Bullshit... that’s what this is!” Simone lamented while grabbing her purse. Helpless, Baron stood watching the drama unfold.

  “I want her back, and I want her now. Milla, let’s call the police, see if they can make him talk.”

  “They can’t, but I will go see him now and see what I can discover,” Brieloff informed them. He nodded at Baron and left the room.

  “What happened to Rissa? Who brought her there, Camilla? They have my baby,” Simone yelled as tears streamed down her face. She rocked on her feet with her arms wrapped tightly around her waist. Camilla walked over to her and they held each other tightly as Baron looked on.

  Separated by the facts he’d withheld; Rugger would require something from him; he knew it like he knew his name. He watched as Simone drew strength from someone other than him, and bled inside. Her pain, a live current, scraped his heart as he begged silently that she hold him, comfort him. His palms itched to touch her, feel her. When had this craving for her begun? He wondered. He was truly ensnared. He stared at her, his eyes suspiciously moist. She looked up and he saw the longing, the hunger reflected. She moved, he moved. They met in the middle of the room, holding one another, giving and receiving comfort.

  “I’m so sorry,” he whispered. “We’ll fix this, no matter what, we’ll get Rissa.”

  Simone’s arms tightened around his neck. “She’s so small, and just lost her mama, Baron. She can’t keep going through this... it’s too much for her. It’s too much.”

  He wondered if she spoke of Marissa or herself. “I know. I know. We’ll get her back, I promise.” Holding her tight, he rubbed her back and glanced at Camilla standing a few feet away in Lukian’s arms. Whatever his friend said had worked to bring calm to the woman.

  “How long will it take for Brieloff to reach the guy?” Simone asked.

  “Not long,” Baron said, meeting Lukian’s gaze.

  “He’s probably killed the child,” Icar said.

  Baron jerked and met Simone’s questioning gaze with a shrug. “Just thinking,” he said lamely.

  “No, he’s forgotten about her and will turn his grief on her once Brieloff reminds him,” Brevar said.

  “Just stop it,” Cull snapped. “You’re making him jittery and that’s not good.”

  Baron exhaled in appreciation of Cull’s calming words.

  “Well, if he’d checked the device when Lukian brought it to him, this may have been avoided,” Ian said.

  Baron’s eyes widened in remembrance. Lukian had sought his assistance regarding the tampered device right after his transition. The same night he approached Simone. Since then she’d been his sole focus.

  “Even if he’d checked the device it wouldn’t have saved Orton, he and Rugger had no dealing with Sentinels and believed themselves superior to everyone else,” Rhiannon said. “Guilt is a large part of what fuels Rugger’s anger, he played a role in his partner’s death and he refuses to see it.”

  “What part?” Baron asked as he and Simone returned to the sofa. She laid her head on his shoulder and he stroked her hair.

  “Orton wanted them to use technology, Rugger refused,” Rhiannon said.

  Ian whistled. “And a technical device killed him, that’s not good.”

  “Baron created the device,” Bulgar said in a pained voice. “No matter what, he will target you for this. Be prepared for him, we will assist you, of course.”

  “Baron is last in line, there’s nothing anyone can do to him,” Icar said. “But he can hurt or destroy those you love.”

  A cold chill permeated Baron’s chest, immobilizing him. Without thinking, his arms tightened around Simone. She rubbed his chest, calming him. In that moment, he knew Rugger wouldn’t rest until he destroyed him.

  Brieloff’s knock on the door wasn’t a surprise. Lukian disengaged from Camilla and opened the door. Behind Brieloff stood two Sentinels. Lukian nodded and moved aside so Brieloff could enter.

  Baron knew his linesmen predictions were true before Brieloff spoke. Simone and Camilla stood and gravitated to each other in the middle of the room as they stared at Brieloff.

  “What did he say?” Simone asked.

  Brieloff’s gaze slid from the women to Baron and back to the women. “The child is in his home; he has no idea of her current state.” He cleared his throat. “He will release the child to Baron if he agrees to certain conditions.”

  “I agree,” Baron said, standing.

  “Baron? Conditions?” Simone asked, frowning. “What does Marissa have to do with Baron? Why is he involved at all?”

  Brieloff moved toward Simone. “Rugger’s partner just died, Baron tried to help but Rugger refused to be patient and refused Baron’s advice. From all accounts he tossed Baron out of the sick room, absolving him of all responsibility. Now he’s changed his mind and blames Baron for the death of his partner.”

  “What? When? He’s been here most of the time.” Simone’s head whipped around to stare at Baron.

  He stood and took her hand. “I accept his terms and will send Marissa to you.”

  “What? This makes no sense at all,” she said, turning to face him. “You tried to help? When? When you left with him?” She pointed at Lukian.

  Baron nodded. “Yes.”

  “Now he blames you for his mistake?”

  “Yes.”

  She shook her head. “I still don’t understand what you have to do with it.” She paused. “Wait, you told me you invented things, does this h
ave something to do with that?”

  Baron nodded. “Yes, in a way.”

  Simone shook her head, looked over her shoulder at Brieloff. “Is this for real? Is the guy crazy?”

  “With grief, yes. He’s not thinking straight, but will only release the child if Baron agrees to his terms and they are extremely one-sided,” Brieloff said in a grave tone.

  Baron turned Simone to face him. “Lukian will bring Marissa to you, take her to the doctor, have her checked. Make sure she is alright, that’s what’s important now.”

  Simone’s mouth opened and then snapped shut. “Yes, she’s important, but so are you, Baron. I get the feeling this crazy guy wants to do something bad to you. Am I right?”

  “Most likely he will try, but I’m never alone, Simone. I carry the blood of my ancestors and your love in my heart, there’s not much anyone can do to beat those odds.” He pulled her close and kissed her.

  “How do I protect her while I’m gone?” Baron asked his line. “They will come for her.”

  “We will cast the perfect spell to keep her safe from our enemies, Baron,” Rhiannon said. “Only Lukian and Marissa will enter this room when you leave, I promise you.”

  Relieved, Baron smiled down into Simone’s worried face. “Trust me. Let me do this for you, for Marissa, for us.”

  Simone bit her lip and nodded.

  Baron pulled her close and kissed the top of her head. He opened his arms and waved Camilla over. She ran to him and the three of them held each other tight for a few seconds.

  Baron looked at Lukian and then Brieloff. “I must go get Marissa, all I ask is that you remain here until I return.”

  “How will we get Marissa checked out?” Camilla asked.

  “If she is hurt, Lukian will take her directly to the hospital and you’ll meet her there. If he brings her here, then I ask you to remain in this room to avoid Rugger’s men from taking either of you as a hostage,” Baron said, laying the truth on the table.