by Erin R Flynn
“It is not—”
“I know,” I promised, moving my hands to his chest, which shocked him again. I bared my neck to him, his anger instantly gone and replaced with a lot of emotions from his eyes. “Apollo, I’m sorry he insulted you. He didn’t mean it as an insult. He wasn’t saying that’s what it was, but what people would see it as, what the FBI does.”
“You’re showing me your throat,” he whispered, reaching out and running his fingers along it. “Do you understand what you’re offering?”
“Yes, because I need nothing else to blow up right now. Please, please don’t do what most vampires would right now, and let me take the bite for the insult. I will explain it to Galvin later in private so he understands. I’m offering you the bite because I’m touched you care to protect me even if I can’t accept your gift. I will accept a gift, but please, please let me guide you to give one I could accept.”
He said something in Greek that seemed a bit between cursing and something dirty. He smiled when I shot him a curious look. “Yes, it was not something to say in front of a lady, and you are at your very core a lady, Seraphine.” He leaned over and gave a soft kiss to my neck. “I will not let you take the bite for another man’s insult. I will not make an issue of this out of respect for you and understanding of what you have been through this week.”
“Thank you, Apollo,” I whispered, shivering when he licked where he kissed, letting me know how much he wanted to taste me.
“Will you offer me something I wish instead?” he wondered, not giving me a chance to answer as he moved his arm around me. “After more is settled, when more is stable , you will fly to me and allow me another night of fun on my turf, on my arm.”
“You want to show off to the council that being well mannered, being ‘liberal’ and getting with the times comes with powerful friends and rewards,” I surmised, smiling when he flinched. “Yes, as long as I understand the games to be played and it doesn’t risk my people. I would, thank you, Apollo.”
“If you were anyone else, I would ask you seal the deal with a kiss given on your knees,” he muttered in my ear. “And it was not a fucking bribe .”
“I know, I know it wasn’t,” I promised. “And thank you for finding my lack of diamond knowledge amusing. I think I swooned as a woman at being gifted something so amazing.”
“Swooned?” he checked, sounding a bit pouty.
“Yes,” I promised, biting my lip and turning to kiss him. He moaned and kissed me deeply, his hands roaming my body more than I would have thought.
“You taste like fire and sex and everything perfect,” he growled against my lips, licking his fangs as his eyes flashed power. “I think maybe I will ask to fly you somewhere where we can meet for the full moon and have no games, only fun.”
I raised my eyebrow at him. “I would get on board with that, but I’m not sure any paranormal is able to have fun without games.”
He laughed so hard I thought he might fall over, letting me bring him back upstairs, paranormals relieved when they saw him in a good mood. Except Monroe and Galvin were having words in his office.
“Excuse me,” I muttered, hurrying over there and giving a quick knock before darting in there.
“Are you okay?” Monroe asked, his eyes full of relief.
“Yes, he very graciously understood and is powerful enough to not let his pride overrule his head,” I said, knowing it was more for the ears that could hear us and would puff Apollo’s chest out a bit.
“I didn’t say he was bribing you,” Galvin grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. “I said it’s considered a bribe.”
“Which is how some people say it’s a bribe in a backhanded way so it’s not an outright accusation,” I explained. “We’re FBI so we’re blunt, concise in stating the potential crime. For them it’s the dance to point the finger. Please just trust us, sir.”
He gave a slow nod. “How did you really fix my insult or whatever?”
I swallowed loudly, Monroe giving me a worried look. I went over to his desk and wrote it down, wincing when my boss swore under his breath.
“If he was a bastard, he could have killed her. That’s what showing her throat means,” Monroe wrote when Galvin looked confused. “You have to think of insults like in the old days. Like when pistols at dawn could be called if you called a man a cheat at cards.”
Galvin looked horrified, so I took the pen.
“I figured he’d take a quick sip so blood was spilled for the insult, but yeah, they take insults very seriously, as I also owe a favor to be repaid later.” I sighed when I felt Monroe’s worry and he shot me a look to tell. Fine, I would because Galvin had to understand the stakes if he wanted to get in bed with council to help us. “I have to go to a council function on his arm and play their games for a night as long as none of my people are on the line.”
“Sera, those functions do not have the same protection as here, as the laws in other countries aren’t the same or just don’t cover us as they don’t want us there.”
“I know that,” I muttered, rubbing my forehead. “Chief, tone it back or you’re going to give me a migraine.”
“I won’t,” Monroe snapped. “I’ve heard stories that would horrify you, Sera. You think Igor was bad? There are others who would find his fun mellow .”
“Yes, but she’s also a Dorcus, and no one is stupid on the council,” Apollo said from the other room, Monroe and I able to easily hear him. “And she has certain protection going as my date, not just a guest. There would probably be some slap and tickle but nothing to risk her family’s wrath or this country’s ire given her position here, her friendship with the shifter council.”
“Understood,” Monroe muttered, easing down. He winced, realizing Galvin hadn’t heard and repeated it.
Pride filled me as Galvin walked right out of the office and went to Apollo.
“I apologize and profusely for the insult. I did not mean you were giving her a bribe. I would not think that of you having spoken with you as we have. You might play games I don’t understand, but you are honorable, and I don’t think you would ever besmirch her honor much less your own with a bribe. I was explaining the perception to people outside of this office or weren’t here, which could hurt her career and standing.”
“I understand, and thank you for apologizing and explaining,” Apollo accepted, dipping his head before smirking at me. “You still have to come as my date because you agreed.”
“Yes, but you said when things are stable and settled for me, and when do you really see that happening?” I purred, smiling when he threw back his head and laughed. “Okay, I want to see this thing again now that I know it’s a huge ass diamond.”
“Life won’t ever be boring here, will it?” Carter asked, his eyes dancing with amusement as he handed the box to me.
“No, it’s never boring,” I muttered, internally wincing as I thought of the other night and the pain I was in. I studied the diamond and handed it back. “I would much prefer some tactical vests for our people and this new team, even the others we’re proposing to hire if we get the budget.”
“You are so easy, Seraphine,” Apollo sighed, nodding. “Yes, yes, our gift will be the vests.” He glanced at his fancy watch. “Shall we go so we don’t miss your fun?”
“I do prefer when the guns come out,” I joked, giving him a grateful smile. “You know these guys tonight will probably be assholes, right? I mean, you’re going to put the normal vampire rules of insults aside?”
“Yes, as I would have for your deputy director,” he told me, and I felt all the blood leave my face. “I found your loyalty to your boss commendable, Seraphine, not something to be ashamed of. You’ve been tossed all around lately, or you would have thought officials and leaders of this country off limits.”
“I wasn’t when the last councilmember came to town,” Monroe reminded him, defending me.
It was a good point and sort of where my mind went, and I admitted as much.
Awesome.
The next issue came when we arrived at Noah’s facility for training security that Remus and Jake mostly took over for him but Vlad still got a cut of. I didn’t understand all of the specifics, as it wasn’t my business… But apparently Vlad thought it made it his.
I flinched when I saw him, swearing mentally and trying to remind myself of what Simone said about keeping to the basics and being selfish. I walked over to him and tried to not strangle him as I guessed he hadn’t dropped by just to say hi. “Deputy Director Galvin, this is Vlad, Master of Chicago. Vlad, Deputy Director Galvin, and I believe you’ve already had introductions to the councilman.”
“A pleasure,” Vlad greeted with a nod and then bowed to Apollo. “Yes, of course. Councilman, good to see you again.”
“Earlier than expected,” he muttered, shooting me a confused look.
“Remus is one of mine and he was called upon,” Vlad replied smoothly.
“Crap,” Monroe said under his breath.
“Yes, but this company has clearance to work with different agencies and military,” Galvin said, glancing between Vlad and I. “And I thought the owner was one of yours? Worked for the FBI now? Does he tell the Chicago Master what he shouldn’t?”
“No,” I promised before Vlad could give some shitty answer that implied something bad. “Noah would never break those rules, and he’s promised Remus and Jake take it just as seriously. I’m sure Vlad didn’t understand this was official business.”
“You want to have Remus check out Councilman Papadopoulos’s security,” he answered, challenge in his eyes.
“Yes, but I made the request as Chief Thomas, so I’m sorry if that wasn’t communicated clearly, but it’s not a paranormal leadership thing, as Simone won’t learn about it either.”
He shrugged. “I know how the training and tests work. What does it matter if I observe?”
“Is he always this petty with you?” Apollo asked me, looking floored. “Vlad, she already won my people, and you know this. She is assessing them if they can be useful professionally, not recruiting for her coven. Enough.”
“Yes, of course, Councilman,” he replied with a smile. “I will take my leave then.” He gave a shallow bow. “Until tomorrow’s festivities then. Or is Seraphine entertaining you again instead?”
I didn’t even have time to register the shit comment as a blur moved and suddenly Carter was there with his hand wrapped around Vlad’s throat, lifting him off the ground. “You will speak to our mistress with the respect she deserves, or I will tear out your throat and take over your coven as hers. Do you understand?”
“He is your master, not her,” Vlad snarled, his fangs coming out as he broke Carter’s hold.
Carter didn’t even flinch at the aggressive gesture, calm and cool as he moved into Vlad’s personal space and gave him an evil smile, showing his fangs weren’t out. “Oh no, she told me quite firmly that she’s keeping me. The others are being tested and our worth assessed, but me she accepted.” He snarled when Vlad opened his mouth looking like he was going to say something shitty. “Do not disparage my mistress again, child.”
Vlad swallowed down what he’d been about to say and shot me an annoyed look. “I suggest you teach your new vampires better manners, Seraphine, as mine have never acted in such a way towards you no matter what you have said to me.”
It was my turn to swallow down what I wanted to say, as Galvin didn’t need to hear the deal I’d made instead of arresting Vlad. “We have argued, Vlad, but never have I insulted you as you just did me in front of my hierarchy.” I gestured to Galvin who looked horrified. “I believe I’ve shown you more respect and not made implications I could have.” I felt vindicated when I saw understanding filled his eyes.
Yeah, I’d covered for the fucktard. The council might have found out anyways from Goran, and he didn’t know that yet, but I’d covered for him.
He smoothed out his suit as he dipped his head. “Of course. I apologize for the perceived insult. I did not mean it in the way it was received. You are always a gracious hostess, and any party spent with you is enjoyable, entertaining as you always are with your stories or wonderful observations being new to our world.” He shot me a brilliant smile I used to believe. “Besides, we are paranormals. We do not judge, as my parties normally have live entertainment, as you well know. Fun is fun. I hope we all have such fun tomorrow.”
And then he was gone, taking to the sky to show his power and abilities not a lot had.
“I didn’t know he was coming,” Remus explained before I could even ask. “You don’t do things like other leaders, and it chaps him sometimes.”
I let out a huff. “Because you’re all not his fucking children. I don’t have to go through him to ask permission to talk to you about business. He’s such a control freak. This is work, business, nothing vampire related or a favor. For as forward thinking as he is on lots, he’s so backwards and behind on just about everything else.”
Remus shrugged. “It’s hard to lose the crown, and he had it in Chicago.”
“Well, he was a bad fucking king if Engle did as much as he did under his nose, so I think he should seriously lose a bit of the ego,” I bitched, swallowing down more as I remembered who we were with. “Thanks for fitting us in though.”
“Not a problem,” he muttered, shaking my hand before I introduced him around. “Let’s get things set up and see how they do.”
Everyone headed inside, but I grabbed Carter’s arm to hold him up, pulling his head down and pressing my lips to his ear when we were alone. “After announcing you’re already mine, you better ace this and do me proud, and that way I can give you more than one reward besides for what you just did. Maybe let you master me in the dungeon again.”
“Yes please,” he panted as he kissed my neck. “You are queen, not the jester to make jokes of, and if that asshole doesn’t get it and disrespects you again, I will bring you his heart as proof of my loyalty to my new mistress.”
“No killing,” I muttered, thrilled he would defend me but not about how quick he would throw a coup.
“Fine, his nuts and the point would still be made.”
I smiled at him. That I could live with. “Go kick ass and help me when I need it.”
“Yes, Mistress.” He took in a slow breath as he looked me over, and then he ducked into the building to catch up.
My siren was very clear he did it that way so he didn’t jump me because he couldn’t control himself, but she was pretty full of herself.
“Your master vampire is a problem,” Axel muttered in my ear when we were in the viewing area with all the cameras to see they ran the course.
“The devil you know and all of that,” I replied under my breath. “He’s not happy he got spanked or he’s not the most powerful in town. It’s about to get worse, so we’ll see.” I nodded to Apollo when he gave me a confused look.
His sigh spoke volumes that he thought I was being too flippant. No, I wasn’t, but I couldn’t prepunish Vlad. He was being petty, not really risking my people or Chicago. And he had gotten a bit better… I had enough on my fucking plate too. Like him showing up for this. He almost got the same talk Vlad did, but then he told me Councilwoman Haton was interested, as there were types of shifters that couldn’t infect others.
Fine, fine, everyone join the party then.
Carter headed one team of ten and Nikos the other, his rank and abilities next from what Apollo said. If I didn’t know better, I thought he might actually be worried about how his people did, given he’d admitted they were his best.
“We’re starting with just clearing the course, and then we can go back with targets and hostages,” Jake explained, waiting until I gave a nod to go ahead.
Except all the bosses in the room did too, which seemed to amuse him because which of us was in charge?
Carter’s team went fir
st, and when it was over I actually didn’t have many notes for them. He joined us in the viewing room while Nikos and his team got set.
“Can you play it back?” I asked Jake, moving to the screen that had given the best angle of Carter as he’d led in. I thanked him when it started up and tapped the monitor. “You need to hug these walls better. Your communication is great, your signals to each other are spot on, but you come in, and great, you don’t stack up and block shots, but you also leave room behind you instead of hugging the walls.”
“They originally trained with swords,” Jake explained, nodding when I gave him a look like if he was kidding. “We see it all the time when we train older vamps and they’re ancient. They would have learned with swords, and that means not limiting your swing by a wall.”
“Talk about something to have to relearn,” I chuckled, gesturing for him to play it back. Sure enough, their movements were perfect for if they had swords to keep from hitting each other or getting pinned with no room to move. Also moving on an adversary fast within arm’s length to disarm him if he had a sword instead of maybe walking into a gun shot.
“I see your point,” Carter accepted, studying the video. “We’ve worked together for centuries, but not with this sort of technology and setup. This is helpful.”
Nikos was good, but not as good as Carter at leading. Still, the team was definitely worth keeping once they ran with targets and showed how impressive their skills were.
The problem was when there were hostages. They went the Speed route and shot through the hostages.
“Um, you need to assume they will be human and won’t heal like we do,” I reminded Carter, rolling my eyes when he winced. “Yeah. You go in for vampire stuff, so a gut shot is nothing, but depending on where it lands, a human could bleed out in minutes. Or god forbid someone pregnant.”