He wondered where she fit in.
“The end result is our access to these troubles is unwelcome. And friction between the wolves and the demons cannot be good for anyone. The earlier everything is resolved between the two, the better,” Malcolm said. “As someone with a position of note in the city, I’m certain you understand my sentiment.” This last he said to Luc.
“I do,” Luc said.
“This seems like an ideal opportunity, then,” Stirling said. “For all of us.” He raised his wine glass. “To alliances and mutual benefit.”
Curtis raised his wine, feeling like he’d stepped through the looking glass.
What the hell is going on? Working with Malcolm Stirling? He felt sick.
“Given the likelihood of the involvement of wolves,” Luc said, putting down his glass, “I’ve begun learning what wolves we might have in the city.”
“We can help you with that,” Malcolm said. He glanced at Mitchell. “Jonathan. Your people would know, yes?”
“Yes,” Mitchell said. He looked like he’d swallowed something foul, but he agreed.
“Get the information to them,” Malcolm said.
“That would be appreciated,” Luc said.
The waiters returned with the main course, a delicate cut of lamb with a pungent mint sauce.
“Let’s eat,” Malcolm Stirling said, with a pleasantness that didn’t reach his eyes. “And we’ll take your contact information before you leave.”
*
Hours later, they sat in the car, watching the others drive away.
“Wow,” Curtis said. “We’re in a position to be helpful, eh? What a load of crap.”
Anders grunted. “The only position I want Malcolm Stirling in is—”
“For the love of everything holy and good, please don’t finish that thought,” Curtis said.
They sat in silence for a few moments.
“So what do you think they really wanted?” Luc said.
Curtis sighed. “I’m not sure what they get out of the deal.”
“No-risk bragging rights,” Anders said.
Both Curtis and Luc craned to look back at the demon.
“Oh, come on,” Anders said. “That’s what that was. Think about it. The demons said butt out, and since we’re not a part of Malcolm’s crew, he’s done what they asked. But if we figure this shit out, Stirling gets to claim he was the one who put us up to solving the problem, and the miserable old fuck gets to be the hero. If we screw up? We’re totally on our own, but he still gets to be the wizard who magnanimously tried to help out the poor demons despite themselves, without risking any of his own precious people.”
“Ugh,” Curtis said. “You think?”
“It’s not unlikely,” Luc said. “And part of me wonders if Stirling is also troubled by thoughts of involvement of one of his own. He can’t very well turn to the other covens if he’s not sure one of those covens isn’t behind the murder. Magic, after all, must have been involved. We’re conveniently not allied to any of them, and if he believes we didn’t do it, then in a way we’re his most trustworthy option. If he doesn’t trust his compatriots, it makes us the devil he knows.”
Curtis thought about it. “Did you notice Jonathan Mitchell wasn’t happy with us being there?”
“I did,” Luc said.
“None of them were happy about us being there. Except maybe that Katrina woman,” Anders said.
“Right.” Curtis bit his lip. Maybe Luc was right. Maybe Malcolm Stirling was worried this came from within. And if Malcolm Stirling felt his grip on the Families was slipping? Nothing about that made him feel any better about working with Malcolm Stirling. In fact, it meant the man was likely more dangerous than ever.
“Well, at least now we can help David without having to hide it.”
“Indeed,” Luc said.
“Yay,” Anders said flatly. “More time with David.”
“David gave me chocolate,” Curtis said. He pressed the start button on the car. “Neither of you gave me chocolate.”
“Valentine’s Day is not for a week yet,” Luc said, unflappable. “I assure you your present is at home.”
Curtis looked at him, a warmth spreading through his chest despite himself. “Aw. Really? Thank you.”
“I got you something, too,” Anders said.
Curtis’s surprise grew. “You did?”
“I reminded him,” Luc said.
“I’d already planned to,” Anders said.
Curtis did his best to hide a smile and yawned instead.
“You should go to bed,” Luc said.
“Given what Malcolm Stirling said, do you think it’s still worth going to the crime scene? I mean, I will if you think it’s worthwhile,” Curtis said, but Luc could tell he was forcing himself to sound willing.
“Was that a plan we had?” Anders said.
“We were discussing it before Malcolm called,” Luc said. He turned back to Curtis. “If Malcolm and his people already cleaned up, you’re right. There’s no point. You’re exhausted. Get some rest. Though if we have time after my meeting tonight, perhaps Anders and I will go by anyway, just in case.”
“You think it’s worthwhile without me?” Curtis said.
Luc raised an eyebrow. “We do have some skills of our own.”
Curtis winced. “Sorry. That came out a little bit…pompous.”
“Which isn’t like you. All the more reason you should rest.”
Eight
All three were once again on time, and Luc took it as a good sign. He might not want the Duc title, but he had it. And while he had it, he intended to do his level best to give none a reason to try and take it from him. He maintained his patience through the gestures of respect, trying to match their bows in depth and duration to ensure each knew he respected them and their positions.
Wine followed, this a gift from Catharine, and each made appropriate noises of appreciation at the tasting.
Vampire politics might be tedious, but Luc couldn’t deny the occasional benefits. A bottle of Haut Brion certainly chief among them.
“You’ve started redecorating,” Catharine said, as they sat. The ugly desk had been replaced with one of his own, and the throne-like chair was likewise no longer present. Their replacements were far more understated, though he took pride in their craftsmanship: a polished rosewood desk, hand tooled in a French Canadian style, and the chair to match, though perhaps more comfortable than an actual period piece might be.
“Yes,” Luc said. “At the very least, that obelisk of a desk needed to go.”
Her small smile conjured one of his own.
“I know it hasn’t been long since we last met,” Luc said, drawing them to the point at hand. “Unfortunately, it seems things are growing violent. There was a demon attack on some pack wolves, and I’d like to get ahead of these events if we can. And I should note I have been invited quite cordially by Malcolm Stirling to become involved in the situation—through Curtis, of course.”
Étienne raised his eyebrows. “That’s…unexpected.”
“Then he’s worried about the trustworthiness of his own?” Catharine said.
“It would seem so,” Luc said. “Now, of course, the pack wolves we’ve spoken with deny sanctioning any action on the dead demon, and the obvious magic use would point to their innocence, so we circle back to the likelihood of a lone wolf.”
“As far as I can be sure, it would mean one of five,” Denis said. He reached into his suit and pulled out a folded piece of paper, handing it over the desk to Luc. Luc unfolded it and saw far more than five names on the list. It took him a moment to realize he was looking at a list of all the wolves that came and went through the city, both those with a pack and those who were alone.
“There are this many wolves in Ottawa?” Luc raised an eyebrow, surprised. The histories Denis had sent him hadn’t made it seem like this would be likely.
“Renard didn’t care much about them coming and going,” Denis said.<
br />
Étienne snorted.
Luc regarded the list. On a second glance, much was as expected. Two packs seemed to have minor interests in Ottawa, mostly small businesses their pack members owned. He found the wolves he and Curtis had met right away: Jason Parsons, mechanic; Zack Kling, tattoo artist. They were listed under the same pack, the rest of which mostly lived and worked in Merrickville. It was the lone wolves he was interested in, and… He frowned.
“I’m afraid I’m not sure what this circle with the dot inside means. Beside this one. Taryne Rhedey.” He turned the paper back toward Denis, but Denis didn’t need to look.
“She’s a bit of a local elder among the wolves,” Denis said. “Respected by them all, even though she doesn’t belong to any of the packs. She’s a druid. General consensus is not to bother her.” Denis paused. “I’ve never met her, but I’m told her magic is quite potent.”
“I see,” Luc said. Unfortunately, given magic was involved, this Rhedey needed to be high on Luc’s list. “Any others with the knack?”
“Among the lone wolves?” Denis said. “No. The packs tend to favor taking in wolves with gifts, so they court them heavily. The Merrickville pack has one, more of a hedge witch, really. And the Gatineau pack has a few, but I don’t recall them ever coming to Ottawa. The wolves with the knack are all marked.”
Luc looked at the list. Sure enough, some of the names in the packs had pentacles beside them. “Thank you,” Luc said, and he meant it. It would have taken him much longer to get this information on his own, if he could have managed it at all.
Denis seemed pleased. “Of course.”
Luc turned his attention back to them all. “Have any of you had a chance at all to work on our other initiative?”
“I have,” Étienne said, surprising Luc with an obvious enthusiasm. “One of my coterie made contact. You were right, the former hospital on Bruyère. My sang-soeur had to use her dominance to stop him from running away, but she delivered my message and then let him go. He fled as soon as she released him, which is unsurprising, but she believes he listened to the invitation to make contact. She felt he was not strong, and when she asked him who had sired him, the description fit Renard.” Étienne’s voice dripped with disgust. “I would not be surprised were the majority of the castoffs to turn out to be Renard’s.”
“Anna had a similar experience,” Catharine said. “With much the same result.”
“Nothing yet,” Denis said. Luc was not particularly surprised. By fortune, Denis’s territory had only contained two of the eleven markers on their map. “But I believe I have the right person looking.”
“Good,” Luc said. He hoped it was.
Someone knocked at the door.
“Ah,” Luc said, rising. “He is a few minutes early.”
“You invited someone?” Catharine said.
Luc went to the door. “I did.”
If David Rimmer was surprised to find more than Luc in the office, he hid it well.
“My friends,” Luc said. “This is David Rimmer. He is a detective with the police, but more importantly, he is as eager as the rest of us to ensure our current troubles between the wolves and the demons are ended as soon as possible.” Luc turned to David. “Please, you are welcome to enter this evening.”
The three vampires rose as David entered. Denis offered his hand, and David shook it.
“Denis Chabot,” Denis said. “You are a demon yourself, yes?”
David nodded. “Yes.”
“And recently released from indentured servitude,” Catharine said, offering the back of her own hand. “Catharine, the Lady Markham.” David didn’t miss a beat, taking her fingers and drawing them to his lips for a brief kiss.
“Yes,” he said to her. “The Families don’t pull my strings any more.”
“That must be a relief.”
“It is.”
Once Étienne and David had introduced themselves, Luc showed David the list Denis had gathered for him.
“Do any of these lone wolves give you reason for concern?”
David scanned the list. Something made him frown almost instantly.
“You’re sure these lone wolves are in the city?” David said.
“Quite,” Denis said. He almost sounded offended.
“Duane Faris,” David said. He exhaled. “That’s not good news.”
“Duane Faris?” Luc said. “I take it that’s someone we should know?” He shared a glance with the others, but none seemed any the wiser than he was, Denis included.
“Honestly? I’m pleased you don’t,” David said. He crossed his arms. “Duane Faris is a runner for hire. If you want something moved from one of the big cities to another, he’ll do it for a price. He’s a lone wolf, no pack, and strictly a fan of cash. He has no interest in what it is he might be carrying, only how much you’ll pay him to move it. He services Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Kingston…” He said the last with emphasis. “You have no idea how much bad magic comes out of Kingston.”
“I do,” Denis said, and the two men shared a dark look.
“You think this Faris could be our wolf?” Luc said.
David frowned. “I’m not so sure I’d go that far. He’s a rough character, but he’s definitely got the right attitude. If this was about a deal gone wrong? I wouldn’t be surprised at all to find Faris ripping someone’s throat out. Or anyone’s throat, honestly.”
“Does he have any gifts beyond his wolf nature?”
David took a deep breath. “I don’t honestly know.”
“Not according to my records,” Denis said. “But they are out of date, and as I said, the former Duc, Renard, didn’t care much about the wolves. It’s possible this Faris wolf does, and we simply don’t know.”
“Thank you,” Luc said. “I’ll leave you all to your evenings.”
As Denis, Catharine, and Étienne passed, each offered him a bow of respect. Luc returned them in kind.
Once the door was closed, David spoke again.
“Duane Faris wasn’t on the list of wolves Stirling had me to bring you.” He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to Luc.
Sure enough, David’s list didn’t mention Faris. It was a glaring omission in an otherwise identical list of names.
“Do you think that’s born of ignorance or intent?”
David shook his head. “No idea. Stirling’s second, Jonathan Mitchell, pulled the list together, but he was ordered by Stirling. Faris is definitely one to stick to the shadows, so I suppose it’s possible Mitchell’s people had no idea he was in the city.”
“And Stirling genuinely seems to want this situation dealt with,” Luc said.
“Like I said, I don’t know. Seems to me the only thing Stirling cares about is Stirling himself, and the Families. In that order. If not telling you about Faris was good for him, he’d no doubt tell Mitchell to keep it to himself.” David shook his head. “Is there anything else I can do for you?”
“I’d like you to take some time with the other names on the list, just in case,” Luc said. “It can’t hurt to check into all the lone wolves. And while I know the pack leaders have all said their packs had nothing to do with any attack, perhaps we should not take it at face value?”
“I’m already on that.”
“You are a credit to your profession,” Luc said.
David opened his mouth to speak, but whatever he’d been about to say, it was cut off when the door opened. They both turned and saw Anders and Curtis.
“Nice office,” Anders said.
“Come in, both of you,” Luc said, noticing the way David bristled as Anders brushed past him. Anders went right to Luc’s desk and sat behind it. Luc supposed he should have been grateful the demon didn’t put his boots up on the surface.
To Luc’s surprise, Curtis hugged David. “Hi, David.”
“Hi, Curt.” David patted Curtis’s back, and a rush of annoyance made Luc look at Anders.
Their bond. He wondered
if Curtis had felt anything.
“This is…spacious,” Curtis said. His face had reddened. That answered that question.
“I’m aware it’s hideous,” Luc said. “I intend to redecorate.”
“Nah,” Anders said. “You should leave it. It’s masculine. It’s no-bullshit. Except maybe this desk and the chairs. You could get something better. Chrome, maybe.”
“David was just telling me about a particular wolf,” Luc said. “Duane Faris. Have either of you heard of him?”
Curtis shook his head.
Anders shrugged. “Don’t think so.”
“I’m glad,” David said. “He’s a bottom-feeder. Runs bad things in and out of the city.”
“Bad things?” Curtis said.
“Grey market stuff. Dark magic, drugs, that sort of stuff.”
“And the Families let this happen?” Curtis said.
“I would assume they don’t know,” Luc said.
“You guys are so cute,” Anders said. Everyone looked at him. “Seriously, you think the shady stuff happens in a vacuum? Of course the fucking Families know. They just want to be in control of it and make sure no one else comes in and messes things up for them.”
“He’s right,” David said. “But in this case, it’s possible we’re dealing with something they don’t know about. If they did know about Faris, I don’t think Malcolm Stirling would have been quite so eager to get you guys on board.” He frowned. “Then again, I don’t like how they’ve looped you guys in. I’m sure it’s just a way to keep tabs on you.”
“Who doesn’t want to look at us? We’re hot,” Anders said.
Luc stopped short of rolling his eyes. It wouldn’t do to give Anders any encouragement.
“Uh, anyway,” Curtis said. “You think this Faris guy brought something into the city without them knowing? Like what, exactly? Drugs? Was the demon drugged? Is that how the wolf got the drop on him in a one-on-one?”
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