Drake didn’t like the Illuminari having any kind of weapon. He braced himself in case she tried anything, but Irina pricked her finger and pressed it to the parchment before handing it back to Charlie. Drake glanced to the other faces in the room as everyone fell silent.
Garth step forward, drew a wicked looking knife and signed. Slowly the others followed suit.
Chapter 11
Drake leaned against the bar waiting for Silas, one of his demonic contacts, to appear. Charlie shifted on the stool next him. “Remind me again why you’re calling Silas of all people,” she remarked.
“He’s an old acquaintance.”
She scowled. “Yeah, and he’s a slippery bastard who wouldn’t even tell me where you were when you went missing.”
Drake said, “He’ll never give you straight answers unless you have something valuable to offer.”
She crossed her arms. “What you can offer him?” she asked. “Shouldn’t we be getting ready for that party?”
“We will and that depends on what he has to say.”
Silas appeared. With his pointy white beard, beady eyes and white hair that rose in two short tuffs he gave Charlie the creeps. “Well, well, look who has finally outed himself as the Akaran.” He gave a toothy smile, showing shrivelled gums. “And the witch is here too, wonders never cease.”
“What do you know about Goodridge’s meetings?” Drake got straight to the point. “What was he planning?”
Silas’s lips thinned. “Why?” His eyes narrowed. “Goodridge is bad news. I thought you would know that by now.”
“Oh, believe me, we do,” Charlie muttered.
“Come now, Silas. You know something,” Drake said.
“Price, boy. My intel comes with a price.”
“Name it.”
Silas cackled. “Fine, then I want your club.”
Charlie snorted. “Why the hell would you want a club?”
“Done,” Drake said without hesitation. “Now tell me what you know.”
Why are you giving him the club? Charlie asked.
It’s just a club. I have dozens more.
Kind of fond of this one.
“Fine.” Silas dropped a small silver crystal disc into Drake’s hand. “You’ll need this to get into party.”
Charlie’s eyes narrowed. “That’s it?”
Silas sidled at her. “Would you be needing something, witch?”
“Nope, ever thought of seeing a dental hygienist? They can work miracles nowadays.”
Drake stifled a laugh, then conjured piece of paper. “Here is the deed to the club.”
Silas grinned, grabbing it. “This is for a club in Lordan.” He scowled. “What the hells?”
“You said a club, not this club. Besides this place is not only mine. Most of my businesses also now belong to Charlotte too.” He took Charlie’s hand, then glanced at the other demon. “Pleasure doing business with you, Silas.”
Charlie gasped as they reappeared in their bedroom. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me that you put me on the deeds to your businesses?”
“It hasn’t all been processed yet.” He shrugged. “I wanted to wait until it was settled.”
She scowled. “No, I meant why would you put my name on there in the first place without asking me first?”
“You’re my mate. Everything I have is equally yours.”
Charlie let out a breath. “But I don’t want them. They’re yours.”
He laughed. “You don’t have to run them, little witch.” He gave her a quick kiss. “I don’t see the problem.”
She rolled her eyes and muttered. “Demons!” Then she said, “Drake, we’re supposed to talk about big stuff like this – not that anything about our relationship has ever been normal.”
“Everything I have, everything I am, belongs to you now. That’s what being life mates means.” He stroked her cheek. “I thought you wanted us to have a life together?”
“I do, believe me. The business thing is just weird that’s all.” She smiled. “The forever thing I can deal with.”
“Come, the party will start a few hours. We’ll need to be prepared and ready.”
“I still can’t believe you gave him one of your clubs.”
Drake waved a hand. “It’s a seedy place. I’m glad to be rid of it,” he told her. “Time to pick our aliases and disguises.”
Drake straightened his tie, feeling the prickle of the chip he’d had placed under his skin to disguise his true appearance. His hair appeared longer, his jaw line rougher and covered in stubble. His eyes now looked dark green, to match his alias — Johan, a lesser-known leader of a demon tribe. He just hoped the chips would be enough to disguise their true appearances when they met with Goodridge.
“I’ll never get used to this part of the job.” Charlie scowled at her reflection. She looked petite with curly blonde hair and blue eyes. She wore a plunging red gown that matched her fiery red lipstick.
I much prefer your true appearance. Drake wrapped his arms around her, kissing her neck.
She giggled. I thought you liked blondes.
What made you think that?
Lana‘s blonde, so is that woman in Kyral.
I never used to have a preference. As long as it was female and decent looking, I didn’t care.
She rolled her eyes. I feel so loved.
“You should.” He kissed her again. “You’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”
Charlie smiled, leaning into his embrace. “Good, because you’re stuck with me now. I mean it. If you change your mind, I’ll just follow you everywhere.”
“Likewise, little demon.”
Little witch sounds better, she said.
Remember we get in, assess the situation with Goodridge then get out.
I hope these chips really disguise us, she remarked. Goodridge is powerful. He might see straight through us.
Drake shook his head. I’ve used this device countless times over the centuries. It will work, and I believe your father did a good job on the upgrade.
Charlie grinned. When this was all over, and we get to the orb back we should go and visit my family again. Tell them the news about us being bonded.
We not fully bonded yet, he pointed out.
Right, we should do something about that.
We will soon, he promised.
Drake wanted to take the joining vows more than anything. But somehow he wanted it to be special, more meaningful. Most demons became fully bonded when they mated but he wanted it to be different. He had something big planned; he just needed it to be the right time.
Charlie frowned. “Why do I sense you’re hiding something from me?”
He smirked. “It’s a surprise.”
“Never been a big fan of surprises.”
“So I’ve noticed.” He let go of her as the lift doors pinged open.
Charlie slipped her arm through his as they headed into a foyer.
Drake sensed a mass of demons throughout the building. Their energy signatures felt different which meant they hadn’t sworn allegiance to him and he wouldn’t be able to control them. At least not to the extent he could others. Drake spotted a giant standing guard in front of some double doors. With incredible strength, giants didn’t have much in the way of magic except for a higher resistance to it.
Remember when we get in, watch the meeting then we get the hell out, Drake said. Don’t be tempted to go snooping.
Charlie pouted. As if I would.
He stifled a laugh, dropping the disc into the giant’s outstretched palm. The giant scanned it. Charlie gripped Drake’s arm tighter. Silas better have given us the right disc, she remarked.
He will have if he knew what was good for him.
The scanner bleeped, and the giant motioned for them to follow. Charlie let out a breath, relieved they had made inside.
Relax, little witch. We have to look like we belong here.
Yeah, yeah. We’re walking into the viper’s den. You can’t blam
e me for being a little nervous.
Inside a dozen demons stood or sat around the grand ballroom. Chandeliers sparkled overhead, a rich red carpet covered the floor.
Are all these people demons? Charlie asked. With so much energy in here it’s hard to tell who is what.
Most. None of them have sworn allegiance to me. Must be why Goodridge invited them. He spotted a table near the front and sat down with Charlie beside him.
Time for the games to begin.
Chapter 12
Charlie shifted in her seat. She wanted the damned meeting to begin and find out what Goodridge was up to.
Drake clutched her hand underneath the table which relaxed her a little. Until her senses tingled. Wearing the usual grey tunic and trousers, Scott, with his Illuminari tattoos on full display, waltzed into the ballroom.
“Holy crap!” she muttered. Drake!
Drake’s gaze shot to Scott too, eyes narrowing. This could be a problem.
Bugger, bugger! Maybe I should have called him again after going back to Setara. But she had her own problems to deal with. Now Irina had sworn the Illuminari’s loyalty to Drake and the Alliance she thought she wouldn’t have to worry about them for a while.
Great, just great.
Ignore him, Drake told her. We have a job to do.
Right, I’m Lila. A succubus, sex crazed demon. Or, at least, my alias is.
“Mind if I sit here?” Scott came over to their table. Charlie grabbed her water glass and gulped some of it down.
“Please.” Drake motioned to the seat opposite them.
Charlie scowled. What are you doing?
I can keep an eye on him this way.
She rolled her eyes. You really need to get over the jealousy thing.
I am over it, but that doesn’t mean I trust him.
“I’m Scott, lieutenant to the lady of the Illuminari,” Scott said.
“Johann, leader of the Amara tribe. My wife, Lila, leader of the succubae.”
Charlie gave Scott a cold smile. “Pleasure.”
Scott opened his mouth to speak, but everyone fell silent as the lights dimmed and Myles Goodridge appeared. “Thank you all for coming here today,” Myles’s voice boomed. “We gathered here because all of us are tired of the way Magickind overruled both here and throughout the world. The council and the Alliance’s reach grows every day. Their power and influence govern dozens of races. Now even the Akaran himself has announced allegiance to them.” Myles settled on the podium. “But I say that time needs to end.”
Here we go. Charlie rested her chin on her palm. She knew there was a need for domination in there somewhere.
“Why should we believe you can bring about any type of change?” Drake prompted in the voice of his alias. “The Covenant spent millennia trying to change things and you only lead a gang of thugs.”
A murmur rang out through the crowd. Some agreeing, others not.
Charlie bit back smile. Go, demon.
Myles’s smile never faltered. “True, but the Covenant were wrong in their approach of attacking the other races head-on,” he continued. “They never had the true power required for such an endeavour.”
“And you do?” another demon asked.
“Yeah, do you?” A she-demon with claws spoke up. “The Covenant were always making empty promises and with or without the Alliance we’re doing fine.”
“Are we?” The first demon, Devin, Drake had said his name was. “The last Akaran treated us like shit. I’d say were better off without any leaders. We should all do our own thing.”
Charlie saw Drake’s lips twitch. If they only knew what he had done for them over the centuries.
“Agreed, I like things the way they are,” the she-demon growled. “Why would we follow you anyway?”
“Because together we can prove unstoppable,” Myles replied. His body shimmered as he passed in and out of existence. “Wouldn’t you all like to be able to walk in and out of reality?” he asked. “To not be left out? The rest of Magickind treat demons as inferior. It’s time we proved them wrong.”
“How?” Drake demanded. “Your words may inspire but we need proof.”
Myles pulled out a small crystal orb. It reminded Charlie of the Srimtar.
“This is an orb used by Oberoth to store some of the energy he amassed during his reign.” Myles held it up. It turned red as a ball of energy shot upward, shattering the chandelier and plunging the room into heavy darkness.
Looks like he’s building weapons of mass destruction, Charlie remarked.
It’s like he’s trying to build a new Covenant, Drake replied.
He can’t – can he? It took Oberoth centuries and we have measures in place to prevent that.
Evil never goes away. It just changes forms.
“Bear in mind, that’s just a taste of power,” Myles told them. “Imagine what we could do with more of these.”
Charlie let out a harsh laugh. “You really think you’re going to bring down the council and the Alliance with that?” she snorted.
“I have more to show you later — but first enjoy yourselves,” Myles said. “Eat, have wine.” He moved off the podium and started talking to Devin.
I don’t like this, said Charlie. It doesn’t feel right – none of it does.
I’ll stay here, see what else he has to say.
Good, I’m going to snoop around a bit.
Charlotte. He gave her a hard look.
Drake, Myles doesn’t sit and chat. He’s up to something and I’m going to find out what. You keep an eye on things here.
Fine, but be careful. Don’t faze or he might sense it.
Yeah, yeah. You need to stop the protectiveness.
He gave her a smile.
She shook her head, rose and headed out the room. A giant step in front of her. At eight foot high, he made Charlie feel small in comparison as she stared up at him. “Where are the toilets around here?”
He grunted, pointing a finger behind him.
“Thanks.” She totted off on her high heels, ducked inside, did a quick scan of the cubicles to make sure no one was there. Charlie peered out the door again, the giant still stood where she had left him, watching what was happening in the ballroom.
The door creaked as she slid it back open. She kicked off her shoes, dropped them into a bin, then snuck out the door. A camera sat one corner, she ducked to avoid it, wishing she could faze. But she didn’t dare risk it.
Charlie crept down the corridor, watching the cameras and guards as she moved around. Spotting a door with a keypad, she pulled out a device she had clipped to the inside of her thigh, held it over the lock. It flashed green, she hurried inside. Charlie clipped the lock scrambler back on, glanced around the office. Another box sat there. She tried to pry open, to her surprise it opened easily. Inside were dozens of files each with pictures of the guests including mentions of their powers and backgrounds.
Someone’s done their homework.
“Charlie?”
She stopped dead to find Scott tucking in behind her.
“Goddess, how the hell did you know it was me?” she hissed.
“I knew you’d come here so I managed to wrangle an invite.”
“Go, I’m busy. Leave before someone comes looking for you.”
“I need you to get Irina out of prison.”
Her mouth fell open. “That’s what you came here for? Are you serious?”
“That and to ask you to come back with me. You still haven’t mastered your demon powers.” He stuffed his hands into his pockets.
Charlie ran a hand through her fake blonde curls, missing the feel of her real hair. “Are you trying to get us killed?”
“Think about it.” Scott turned go. “Your mother keeps our people safe. We may not survive without her.”
“Why are you really here?” she demanded.
He touched her cheek. “Because I want you back. We were starting to connect again. I know you felt it too.”
“
You’re my friend, that’s it.” She shoved him towards the door. “I love Drake. End of discussion. Now go!”
The door swung open and the giant came in. Scott froze as something flashed.
“What—” Charlie started to ask and gasped when Scott fell forward, blood gurgling out of his mouth.
He’d been shot. “No, no, no. This can’t be happening.” She cradled his head in her lap. “Scott, just hold on.”
I’m sorry, he told her.
Charlie looked up and saw the gun aimed at her. Scott shot up, trying to tackle the giant. Charlie kicked the gun out of the way. The giant growled, threw Scott across the room, then grabbed Charlie, punching her. She dodged the blow, kicked his shin and yelped as pain exploded in her barefoot. She wanted to use magic but didn’t dare. The minute Myles sensed her, the game would be over. Instead she grabbed the giant, about to use her witch powers on him.
The giant punched her in the face, making her vision blur as blood poured down her face.
“You’ll pay for that,” she mumbled, feeling power flow between her fingers. But the giant punched her again and everything went black.
Chapter 13
Drake tensed in his seat. Charlie, where are you? He felt her close by but couldn’t sense her emotions as she seemed to be blocking him. They had agreed to do that during missions so they could focus on their own things and not worry about each other. But Drake hated the feeling of loss and familiarity that came with their deepening bond.
“Everyone please gather round,” Myles motioned for them to gather around a circular table.
Charlie, answer me, he said. You need to get back here, Myles is about to do something.
He noticed Scott slip out of the room too, but he didn’t feel jealous any more. Jealousy seemed a useless emotion now. He knew Charlie loved him as much as he adored her. But worry filled him, if Scott interrupted her… But how could Scott have known Lila was Charlie?
“I have one more thing to show you all.”
Myles had already given them another lecture about joining his cause. Drake could see the others starting to believe his tale.
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