Inferno

by Bianca D'Arc

  “You should.” Duncan continued his meal as if they were merely discussing the weather. “Half-fey and bloodletters have been forbidden to mix for centuries, though it was not always so. It was believed that such a union would give too much power to those individuals. I have existed long enough to be certain of the truth of the adage that absolute power corrupts absolutely.”

  “You’re saying that Dante and I can’t be together?”

  “I’m not saying that at all. Merely that you shouldn’t be together, given past precedent. The prohibition against half-fey and bloodletter unions is longstanding and with good reason. However, times are changing and new threats are emerging. I’ve been around long enough to remember the last couple who were like you, of mixed blood.”

  “There have been couples like us in the past?” Now she was confused. He’d just said it was forbidden.

  “Not many and not often,” he confirmed. “When last we faced Elspeth, such things did occur every now and again. The nature and strength of the magic she had at her disposal—and that she passed to her followers—necessitated equal strength to fight it. Once she was banished to the Farthest Realms, the need for such power diminished and was eventually forbidden.”

  “I remember, Duncan.” Dante’s voice came from the doorway. Night had fallen and he had risen without Megan being aware. She checked the place in her mind where he was joined to her and found a passageway blocked from his side. It hurt to think he didn’t want to keep the connection open. It felt like a refusal of her love.

  “Don’t ever think that, my love.” Dante came into the kitchen and knelt before her, cupping her cheek in one strong hand. “I blocked the connection because I thought it would be more comfortable for you. Neither of us is used to this yet and I, particularly, have some memories that I prefer you didn’t see—at least not until you’re ready to see them.”

  Understanding dawned. “You want to take it slow?” She offered him a shaky smile.

  “Just so. I think we both need to acclimate to being in each other’s minds.” He placed a gentle kiss on her lips, speaking in her mind through the small trickle of connection that still flowed between them. “Good morrow, my love.”

  “I’m truly happy for you both,” Duncan said as they pulled apart. He watched them with a sappy grin on his face. “Congratulations, my friends.”

  “Thank you,” Dante replied. “I never thought I could be so blessed.”

  “The Lady knows what She is doing. Her ways are mysterious, but She never gives anyone more than they can handle. Those with the purest hearts sometimes suffer the most on their journeys. You, Dante, have been proven a man of honor time and time again though you suffered greatly. Perhaps this is your reward.” He gave Megan a teasingly speculative look.

  Dante rose and headed for the cooler to select a bottle. “I believe this calls for a toast.” He lifted a fat, dark bottle from the back of the refrigeration unit. “How about some champagne? I’ve been saving this for a special occasion and there is nothing more special than the gift of finding my perfect mate.”

  The look he sent her melted her heart and held the promise of many happy times to come. She tried not to think about the problems they faced as a couple. This moment was too special, too happy to ruin with questions about tomorrow.

  They all raised their glasses for a joyous toast. The champagne was the finest vintage she had ever tasted. It rolled over her tongue in gleeful bursts of tiny bubbles. She savored the drink and the company. These two men were the best friends she’d ever had. Of course, Dante was much more than a friend, but the basis of their relationship was a mutual respect, liking and camaraderie. That was rare in her experience.

  It was a while before they returned full circle to the troubling subject of their mixed heritage mating. She could feel Dante’s concern when he thought on the subject. It had a different flavor than her own panic that somehow someone was going to forbid them to be together. His worry felt more long term while hers was immediate.

  “No one will come between us, Megan.” He took her hand and squeezed it reassuringly. “What concerns me is the fact of our mating at all. If bloodletters are finding mates among were and part-fey once again, it bodes ill for our world. Your blood powers me like no other. I will be one of the strongest of my kind to walk this Earth in many centuries.” He looked from her to Duncan’s serious face and back again. “If you decide to join me in the darkness, you will be the first shifter made bloodletter in just as long. Your fey blood will only increase your power. Together, we will be mighty, but I have to ask why the Goddess would grant us such power, unless…”

  “…unless She is preparing this realm to face a dire threat,” Duncan finished the thought in ominous tones. Megan felt her stomach clench at the implications. She was finally free of her family’s debt and her keeper only to be thrust into an even more dangerous situation.

  “So you can turn me? I thought it was forbidden.” She clutched at the part of his words that gave her hope for them as a couple.

  “It can be done.” Dante brought her hand to his lips for a gentle salute. “Such a thing has not been done in a very long time. If you chose to spend eternity with me, I would turn you in a heartbeat. Or if you chose not to become as I am, I would join you in the next realm when you eventually die. I would not continue here, in this life, without you, Megan. We are One.”

  “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me, Dante.” She held his gaze, hope coursing through her. “I want you to turn me.”

  “Don’t forget, my love, I can see into your heart. I know you love the sun and I know you fear the change. We have a lot of time to make this decision. Let’s just enjoy learning each other for now and let tomorrow’s big decisions wait until we’re more comfortable. There is no rush.”

  “Not to mention,” Duncan interjected, “that having one of you able to operate in the daylight could be very beneficial as a tactic.”

  “It’s good to see old campaigners like you never really lose their edge,” Dante chided his friend.

  Now that Megan was One with Dante, she could feel things directly from his mind. He had constricted the connection but was not able to close it completely. Images still made it through from time to time. Things from Dante’s past. She saw the image of Duncan, looking much the same as he did now, only clothed in the rough fabric of a bygone age. She also saw him shrouded in chainmail, a cunning grin on his face as he sharpened a sword.

  These were memories of times past. Good times shared between the two men in another century. Megan was awed by the thought and feeling of friendship that was so strong between them. They were more like brothers than mere comrades.

  And now she was part of their small circle. Through Dante, she was brought into the select group. Warriors and comrades in arms with a Chevalier de la Lumiere. Stranger things had happened, but she wasn’t sure where or when.

  “The way I see it, last night we took care of a huge problem. Of course, we still have Siobhan to deal with.” Duncan brought them back to their current mission.

  “The more I think about it, the more I believe Poferov was positioned there, just for us. Kevin said he thought the information came too easily. He warned of a trap, but the trap wasn’t for us. It was for Poferov.”

  “He was the highest ranking Altor Custodis agent in the metro area. He controlled a multitude of agents,” Megan recalled. “Usually AC field agents move around a lot, going from place to place. It helps keep their covers intact. The administrators—the ones like Poferov who keep the records and don’t engage in fieldwork—they’re assigned to different locations and often live there for years. Poferov has been the section head for New York Metro for a long time. Forty years at least.”

  “Convenient if he was also the local Venifucus leader,” Duncan commented with a sneer. “I can easily imagine a scenario where the Vabians wanted him out of the way and used us to help them do it.”

  Dante looked pensive, then nodded. �
��It’s likely. He was too much out in the open last night. Too ripe for the picking. I think either way it turned out last night, the Vabians gained. If Poferov had defeated us, Siobhan would be thrilled. On the other hand, if we offed Poferov, he would no longer be around to object to anything the Vabians did. The Venifucus have been keeping a very low profile. I can’t think that Siobhan’s antics would have sat well with Poferov if he was the head honcho.”

  “That makes a lot of sense. I wonder if our were friends have any news for us. In particular, I’d love a chance to talk more with those selkies. I haven’t dealt with their kind in far too long,” Duncan said with a thoughtful arch to his eyebrow. “They were always a complex, thorough people. I think those two we met last night could be of great help to our cause if they are willing to help us more.”

  “Do you expect further action on the water?” Megan didn’t really understand what help water shifters could be unless it had something to do with the ocean.

  “Selkies are more than just seals, my dear,” Duncan said kindly. “They are superb fighters both on land and on the sea. They are the ultimate warriors. Smart, quick and multi-talented. If you had a selkie on your team in the old days, you were almost certain of victory.”

  “They’re really that good?” she asked, awed by Duncan’s praise. He wasn’t one to lavish such praise on just anyone.

  “Better.”

  “That’s it then.” Dante slapped his thighs as he stood. “I’m going to call Kevin. If for nothing else than to thank him for the help last night. Want to listen in?”

  Dante led the way to his office toward the back of the house. It was more of a library, really, with a large desk at one end and a fireplace with the requisite leather wing chairs at the other. Duncan pointed at the logs that had been laid in the fireplace, and they burst into cheerful flame.

  “Handy to have you around.” Megan gave him a playful smile.

  “I try my humble best,” Duncan replied with patently false modesty. He pulled the two heavy wing chairs around to face the desk where Dante sat organizing the call.

  Dante moved the phone to the center of the desk so they could all participate. First he called Kevin’s number and told the Alpha he was putting him on speaker. Duncan and Megan said hello, and they got down to business.

  “Our watery friends got in touch with me this morning and let me know what happened last night. They were impressed with you three and wanted me to pass on their compliments. They said the man you took out was someone they’d had their eye on for a long time.”

  “No kidding?” Dante asked, surprise showing on his face. Megan could feel his satisfaction through their bond, even if she didn’t understand the full ramifications. “As it turns out, we knew him to be a highly ranked Altor Custodis agent, in charge of the New York Metro area. We suspect he also played a similar role in the Venifucus hierarchy.”

  Kevin’s low whistle met the pronouncement. “The water were already had him under surveillance. They didn’t say why. I should tell you, they don’t share much with me as a general rule. They’re sort of the spooks of the were world.”

  Duncan spoke. “I suspected as much. Even centuries ago, they were always in the thick of things when stealth was called for. I would very much like to speak with them further if they are willing.”

  Kevin paused as if considering. “I think they’d be willing, but I’ll have to ask.”

  “I understand.” Duncan’s tone was respectful. “Thank you for passing on the request.”

  Dante took the reins of the conversation back. “Regardless of the outcome, I have to agree with your suspicion that we were set up last night. For one thing, Siobhan was nowhere to be found. The yacht was empty except for Poferov and his familiar. It clearly wasn’t his home base. I think the Vabians sent him there for us to take care of, wrapped up in a bright, shiny red bow.”

  “Igor Poferov?” Kevin sounded shocked even through the speaker.

  “You know him?” Megan asked quickly, sending her companions suspicious looks.

  “The pack had some dealings with him, though I had no idea he was a mage. I ended the business relationship because he just rubbed me the wrong way. Every time I got near him, my hackles rose. I’ve been Alpha too long to ignore that sort of feeling.”

  “Good thing too. The man was a mage to be reckoned with. He was the one who poisoned Megan’s blood, and he placed her under one of the most powerful compulsions I have ever seen. Any mage who can, and would, do that to a were—even a half-were—without them knowing, is someone to steer clear of,” Duncan said with finality.

  “How’d he managed that?” Kevin wanted to know.

  “I worked for him.” Even now, free of his taint, Megan felt grimy just thinking about the man. “I didn’t know he had worked magic on me until it was too late. Heathclif Dean bit me and almost died. Then the compulsion rose to prevent me from even speaking Poferov’s name or disclosing anything that might lead to him.”

  Again, Kevin sounded warily impressed. “So now that he’s gone, I assume you’re free of his influence?”

  Megan sighed. “Thankfully, yes.” She knew it was too soon to disclose to the Alpha what had happened last night between her and Dante. Their mating was going to make enough waves as soon as it was discovered. No need to borrow trouble by speaking of it now.

  “I’m glad for you,” Kevin said in a kind tone. For a big, bad Alpha, he could be as sweet as a puppy when the occasion called for it. “So what next? With Poferov gone, there’s going to be quite a shakeup within the AC. Probably within the Venifucus too if your theories are correct.”

  “Exactly. We need to monitor what happens in both organizations if there’s any way to do so. My more immediate concern is the Vabians.” Dante stared at the speakerphone as if the machine itself could provide the answers he needed. “They apparently wanted Poferov out of the way. We did their dirty work for them last night. In this case I don’t mind because it solved a big problem for us as well. Siobhan remains a difficulty we have yet to address. If Poferov was holding her leash, she is well and truly off it now. Until another keeper steps into his place, she will most likely be running amuck and I fear she will redouble her efforts to make my life difficult. The biggest problem is that when she comes after me, she invariably puts everyone around me in danger as well.”

  “I see your problem,” Kevin spoke in measured tones. “I have a few calls out to my people that haven’t been returned yet. Let me check with them, and I’ll call you in about a half an hour.”

  He signed off quickly, a man with a task, leaving the three of them alone in Dante’s office, looking at each other as they sat around his desk. Megan didn’t like the feeling of not knowing what to expect next. Dante was right. Siobhan was likely to attack again given half a chance. They needed to go back on offense. They needed to get her before she got them.

  Her new relationship with Dante only increased the feeling of urgency. She couldn’t lose him. Not when they’d only just found each other.

  Dante got up and poured wine from a decanter on a side table. He served all three of them, passing the glasses around.

  “I don’t like waiting.” Duncan picked up a pencil and threw it back down in frustration.

  Megan almost laughed at his annoyance but knew Dante felt the same way. She was able to glean that much from their constricted connection.

  “It is hard to wait when you’ve been bred to action,” Duncan admitted, saluting them both with his glass before drinking deeply.

  Before the conversation had a chance to degrade further, the phone rang. She was as surprised as both of the men. Dante went around his desk and sat before hitting the button to pick up on the speakerphone. It was Kevin on the other end, sooner than expected.

  “The seals want to meet with you as soon as possible. Given the compromised nature of your home they suggested you meet them at Howlies. Same room as before.”

  “When?” Dante asked. Megan knew both men were eager to
further their acquaintance with the water were.

  “As soon as possible. They won’t tell me, but I suspect they know a lot about the inner workings of the AC. When I mentioned Megan’s involvement with Poferov, they jumped at the chance to discuss it in more depth with you all.”

  “We can be there in half an hour. Will that work?” Dante consulted his watch.

  “I’ll tell them. They’ll be here. See you then.” Kevin rang off with a quick farewell and Megan stood. If she was going out to that were bar again, she had to change into something a little snazzier.

  Seeing them in the light for the first time, Dante got a very different impression of the two selkies he’d met under cover of darkness the night before. They were older than they seemed, though guessing the ages of werecreatures was never a precise calculation. Depending on the animal that shared their soul, different shifters aged differently. According to what little Duncan had been able to tell them on the ride over, selkies were some of the most long-lived of the many shifter tribes.

  Still, something about these two men indicated maturity. Combined with the steely look in their blue eyes, their appearance gave Dante even more confidence in their abilities. These were hardened warriors who had seen and done much in their lives, if he was any judge. He knew the warrior breed well.

  One of the selkie males was slightly taller than the other, though both were heavily muscled. They had short haircuts and an overall clean cut look that spoke of a military background. They wore dark utility pants and well-worn combat boots with their plain, close fitting T-shirts. They weren’t identical, but they definitely had the same ideas about fashion—or rather, about how to dress to be ready for anything.

  The older one greeted Duncan with an outstretched hand as they entered the back room at Howlies. Kevin was also there, but none of the others from the previous meeting. This, then, was to be a private session.

  Duncan and the two selkies exchanged greetings in a language Dante had heard once or twice in the distant past. He regretted he’d never taken time to learn that ancient tongue. It was pretty clear they asked Duncan a few questions about Dante and Megan before turning to greet them as well, seamlessly switching to English.