Burning Both Ends

by Ally Shields

  * * *

  “Good afternoon, Arianna,” the president greeted her. “I trust your flight went well?”

  She nodded and took the offered seat. They were meeting in the wizard’s private chambers attached to the Magic Hall. The governing council of forty members, representing the major and minor races, met next door each Friday morning. In contrast to the ornate opulence of the Hall, his office was sparse and utilitarian. The only concession to his importance was the gold wand in its crystal holder. She shifted her attention to the wizard, whose faded blue eyes were benevolent and questioning. He waited for her to begin.

  Ari took a deep breath. “Sir, I’ll get straight to the point. I was approached by a man on the plane who claimed to be connected with Homeland Security. He said Steffan had been involved in secret negotiations for them. If this is true, I’d like to know why you didn’t tell me.”

  “I must say, Arianna, you become more direct every day. Steffan is part of the discussions, not for Homeland Security, as that would be improper, but the federal authorities are very interested in the outcome.”

  That made sense. Under the McFarland treaties, US government agencies were required to go through the Magic Councils. In some ways the Otherworlders operated like a separate country.

  “I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t the right time,” he finished.

  “What?” She struggled to moderate her tone. “Why? Don’t you realize it may be related to his disappearance?”

  The wizard’s expression never changed. “Are you questioning my judgment, Ms. Calin? If so, I’m not sure I like it.”

  Oops. Ari noticed he’d slipped into formal address, putting some psychological distance between them. Perhaps a more subtle approach was in order. “I’m sorry, sir, if I seemed rude. I’m worried about Steffan, and this stranger’s story came as a total surprise. If you can’t tell me about the negotiations, can you at least verify that Horatio Jones is a government representative?”

  “No, because I’m not familiar with this man, but I will ask Homeland about his credentials. In case they ask, perhaps you should provide me with a description.”

  “Seventy-plus, white hair, brown eyes, stocky build. Dresses like a professor. Carries a cane. He said he worked for the CIA before retiring.” She thought about her conversation with the old gentleman. “He claimed to be my liaison with the federal government and gave me a number to reach him. He’s rather eccentric. Nearly caused a fight on board the plane in order to move to the seat next to me.”

  The president looked taken aback. “A colorful character.”

  “You could say that. Not very spy-like.”

  “Perhaps you should avoid him until I confirm his status. If he checks out, make your own decision how much you want to use him. Your only orders from the Council are to find Steffan. Quickly. Whatever that takes. In furtherance of that goal, I’m prepared to give you any details you want on the negotiations.”

  “Thank you, sir. Anything you can share could be helpful.”

  When the wizard had finished relating the weeks of meetings, the volatile reactions of some of the wolves, and the every-changing support and opposition, Ari could see what had made Steffan so tense that night at the park. According to the president, Steffan believed a coalition was the best future for the wolves, bringing a united voice to their concerns, decent career opportunities for their youth, and more than lip service to government recognition. He had fought hard to make it a reality. It wasn’t such a leap of imagination to believe someone opposed to the scheme might have wanted Steffan out of the way.

  “As for the night he disappeared, I can tell you very little except he was expected at a 3:00 a.m. meeting with four other wolf leaders at a resort north of here. They kept waiting to hear from him, thinking he’d been delayed by something urgent.” The wizard sighed. “I wish they had told someone, but no one said anything until we contacted them after the pack reported him missing.”

  “That doesn’t seem right,” Ari said. “Why would they wait so long? Are we sure they’re not involved?”

  “Something about a heated argument the day before, and they thought he might be cooling off.”

  “That’s bogus.”

  The wizard nodded. “In their defense, they don’t know Steffan as well as you or I do. I don’t doubt the argument occurred—they’ve done very little for the past two weeks except argue—but Steffan would never stay away and sulk. If they think so, it might say more about them than him. In any case, I think that is all I know. Except”—his eyes began to twinkle—“it was never my intention to conceal Steffan’s assignment from you. I’d planned to inform you when we met today. When we spoke on the phone I didn’t think it was wise to entrust such sensitive information to the airways.”

  Ari nodded, somewhat chastened. “I should have considered that.” She stood, assuming their meeting was over. “I’ll do my best to find him, sir. You can count on it.”

  He inclined his head. “Before you leave, update me on the situation in Toronto. Is our friend Andreas in trouble? Is similar trouble likely to come to Riverdale? Toronto’s problems have spilled over onto us before. I don’t welcome a repeat.”

  “Andreas has control at the moment, but I assume you’re referring to potential interference from the O-Seven. If the elders try to bring down Daron and Andreas, protecting two courts may place both at risk by stretching our resources too thin. But right now I’m more concerned that Andreas could face a revolt from the local vamps.”

  The wizard tapped his desk with a boney finger. “Until I read your latest emailed report, I’d not heard the O-Seven mentioned in many years. It is disturbing to see them taking such an active interest in affairs on this side of the world and to know they were encouraging Sebastian’s activities. I will be talking with some of the other American Magic Councils about this. To have any of the O-Seven’s attention on Riverdale is quite alarming. I expect you to keep me informed of developments in Toronto. If the situation grows worse, perhaps there is some way in which our Council or the Toronto Council can assist. We certainly support his goals for a civilized and cooperative vampire community.”

  “I’ll tell him you said so, sir.”

  “Do that, but keep in mind my primary concern is for Riverdale’s safety. If trouble is coming here, I want to know about it.”

  “Understood.”

  Ari took a deep breath when she stepped outside the hall. Although she knew little more than when she arrived, she was reassured the wizard was playing it straight with her. Vampires weren’t the only Otherworlders who could be secretive and a little bit paranoid. After so many centuries of minimizing or hiding their affairs from humans, individuals hadn’t automatically changed their behavior when the McFarland treaties were signed. Ari understood the reticence, but cops couldn’t function without all the facts. Still, it hadn’t been a wasted visit. It looked like Steffan’s disappearance was tied to the summit meeting. It was the obvious place to start.

  Lilith was half asleep when Ari opened the car door and climbed in. “About time,” the lioness growled. “I began to think I was going to miss supper. Can we find some place to eat now?”

  “Sure thing. Did you talk with Russell?”

  “Yep, he’s fine. Everything is pretty much like we left it. A lot of talk going on behind closed doors, whispering, everybody watching one another, but no fighting. What you really want to know is what Andreas said.”

  When Lilith stopped talking, Ari looked at her. “So?”

  “He’s going to call you.”

  “But what did he say?” Ari demanded.

  “I don’t know. I don’t think he said much. At least Russell wouldn’t say much. Andreas found your note, asked Russell a couple of questions about the flight and arrival time in Riverdale. He wanted to know if you’d gone alone. That sort of thing. Nothing else, really.”

  “No reaction at all?”

  Lilith shrugged. “Sorry. When I tried to pin Russell down, he said he
couldn’t tell what Andreas was thinking, except he seemed worried. Which would be natural. You’ll just have to wait for his call.”

  Ari was confused by his reaction. He didn’t seem angry, but was he thinking she’d chosen Steffan over him? Had she hurt her normally cool, collected vampire? She frowned at the thought and considered calling him now. But if she caught him in a meeting, when he couldn’t talk, that would only make it worse. She blew out an uneasy breath. She’d have to be patient. He’d call; he said he would. She needed to concentrate on solving Steffan’s disappearance. Get this over and fly back to Toronto. Maybe she’d still be in time to help.

  The person she should call right now was Ryan, but she hadn’t decided how much she could tell him. He couldn’t help with the wolves, which meant he didn’t need to know private wolf business. And Homeland Security, if that’s really who Jones represented, wouldn’t appreciate interference from the local police officers. Ryan wasn’t exactly the type to sit back and do nothing. Better to wait until there was something he could do.

  “Change of plans,” Ari said, making a sudden decision. “I’ll drop you off at your place. You can eat, get some sleep, whatever you want. Be ready when I need you. I’m going to talk with Steffan’s wolf pack, and they won’t want a lioness present. You don’t have to worry, I know most of them. I won’t have any trouble.”

  “Makes sense, but can we pick up burgers on the way? I’ll check in with Daron’s staff. See if they know anything we don’t.”

  Ari turned the car toward the condo where Russell and Lilith lived. She knew a drive-through on the way, and once she dropped Lilith at home, she’d head to Steffan’s house. She hoped his pack had made some progress in finding their leader or could at least give her the name of his enemies. Maybe they knew who was opposing the coalition. With any luck, those opponents had been vocal about their opinions.

  * * *

  Steffan’s suburban home was lit up like a big party was in progress. As Ari approached the front door, she realized the atmosphere inside was far from celebratory. Raised voices, most of them angry. The argument sounded on the verge of erupting into a physical fight. Ari knocked twice, pounding the second time, before someone answered.

  “Guardian.” The large man filling the doorway was second-in-command of Steffan’s home pack.

  “Gilbert, isn’t it?” Ari had only met him a time or two, but at least he knew she was a friend of Steffan’s.

  “Come on in. You might as well join the fun.”

  She figured he was being sarcastic.

  Gilbert stepped aside to let her pass. Close to four dozen angry, gesticulating wolves jammed Steffan’s living room. The nearest stopped talking and turned to scowl at her. Silence gradually spread throughout the room. Hostility bristled. Maybe it had been a bad idea to come here without Lilith. Of course, two to forty wasn’t much better than one to forty. There were a lot of angry wolves in this room.

  Gilbert spoke quickly. “For anyone who doesn’t know her, this is our Guardian, Ari Calin. She and Steffan are friends.”

  “About time she got here,” someone said.

  “Where’s she been?” one of the younger wolves demanded.

  “Yeah,” another voice called from the back. “Isn’t this her job?” There were murmurs of agreement.

  It was a fair question. “You’re right,” Ari said. “It is my job, and I should have been here two days ago. I was out of town, and nobody told me about Steffan until a few hours ago. But I’m here now. He is my friend, and that makes this more than a job to me. I’m hoping we can find him quickly, but I need your help. Can someone bring me up-to-date? Do you have any idea where he is?”

  “If we did, I wouldn’t be standing here,” the same young wolf snapped.

  Ari looked at him. “Then let’s figure out something useful for you to do.” She raised her eyes to the larger group. “Steffan was doing some private work for the Magic Council.”

  “What kind of private work?” a balding man from the back interrupted.

  “I don’t have all the details,” she hedged. “But he was talking with other wolf clans about some joint business. You can ask him after we find him. Has he said anything about any problems he’d been having? Or somebody who’d made threats? Anything you know about his activities over the last couple of weeks might be helpful. I’ll be around for a while this evening to hear any ideas you have. If you know or suspect anything, please talk to me or to Gilbert.” She glanced at the angry young wolf again. “I promise this case has my total attention until Steffan is found. I need the rest of you to report even the smallest piece of information.”

  “Are you telling us to back off on the search and let you take over?” The beefy, balding man who’d shouted out a question before was working his way toward the front of the room. His aura was charged with hostility. “Somebody’s responsible for this insult to our pack, and I ain’t going to wait around, hoping to hear something.”

  “I’m not suggesting that—in fact, the very opposite. We can use everyone. Eventually we may need a search party, but for now we need information, a trail to follow. Haunt the bars and clubs, talk to anyone and everyone you can. This is an Otherworld problem, and I believe there’s an Otherworlder out there who has the answer.”

  “Just what are you not saying?” the balding man asked, coming to a halt in front of her. “This business stuff sounds fishy to me.”

  “You’ll have to take that up with Steffan. My job is to find him, and time’s passing as we argue. You want answers? Get us a lead.”

  “Back off, Fagan,” Gilbert said, eyeing the man. “She’s right. We don’t have time for this. Let’s split up into groups and get it done.”

  During the general commotion that followed as the wolves organized, Gilbert leaned over and whispered in Ari’s ear. “We need to talk before you go.” He turned away to speak with a young wolf tugging on his sleeve, leaving Ari staring after him. What the hell was that about? If he knew something, why didn’t he just say so?

  If she hadn’t been so busy the next hour listening mostly to fears and theories rather than hard facts, she might have tracked Gilbert down and demanded an explanation. Instead, she heard the same story over and over. On the night he disappeared, Steffan had been hunting in the hills east of Riverdale with a dozen other pack members. Around one o’clock in the morning he told them he was going solo for a few hours, and he veered off on a side trail. No one had seen him since.

  The story at least gave her a time frame. Whatever happened, it was between 1:00 and 3:00 a.m., when he failed to appear for the early morning meeting.

  Dispensing encouragement with a liberal hand and using her best witch skills to project calm, Ari worked on redirecting the wolves’ frustrations toward potential avenues of information. As they began to disperse, she finally went in search of Gilbert.

  She found him waiting near the front door. Ari nodded at him as she passed, and he followed her outside. They fell into step, strolling toward her car as if he was merely seeing her on her way.

  “OK, what gives?”

  “A couple of things. Both could be nothing, but you never know. First of all, a heads up. Fagan, the guy who was so vocal toward the end, is Steffan’s biggest opposition for control of the pack. He’s always thought he should be leader. I can’t say for sure that he’d harm Steffan, but I don’t trust him, and you shouldn’t trust anything he says. He’s a sneaky bastard.”

  “Gotcha,” Ari said. “I’ll keep my eyes open around him. What else?”

  Gilbert hunched his shoulders, looking uneasy. “I don’t want to get false rumors started, but I think Steffan has gotten into something funky.”

  “Define funky.” Like national security funky? Or was he referring to something else entirely? She wasn’t going to reveal the Homeland Security connection until she heard what Gilbert had to say. And maybe not then.

  “Some kind of trouble. He was keeping secrets, even from me. Private calls, and he was meeting so
meone. At first I thought he had a new girl, but I don’t think it’s that. He’s been short-tempered, really impatient. No woman makes you feel like that, at least not one you keep around. When I asked him what was going on, he blew me off.”

  “It may be related to his work for the Magic Council. A few days ago he implied his meetings for them were pretty shaky.” Maybe she should have pushed Steffan for answers—as if that would have worked. Frankly, she didn’t know anyone who responded well to nagging, but this would be a whole lot easier if he had talked to them that night in the park.

  “Maybe you’re right.” Gilbert sounded doubtful. “Do you know what he was doing? Why the need for secrecy?”

  Ari hesitated. She’d like to confide in Gilbert, but she didn’t know enough about him to cross him off the suspect list. Maybe the reason he’d told her about Fagan’s ambitions was to conceal his own. Still, Steffan had trusted him enough to make him second-in-command.

  She compromised. “I know he was involved in high level negotiations with several out-of-state wolf clans. It’s all hush-hush, but I’ll try to find out more, if it looks like we need it.” She changed the subject. “Have any strangers been hanging around? Anyone suspicious?” A sudden thought occurred to her. “How about an elderly man with white hair and a cane?”

  “No, no one. I would have noticed. Who’s the old man?”

  “Probably not important. Just someone I talked to at the airport.”

  Gilbert frowned at her. Ari didn’t wait for him to come up with further questions. She opened the Lexus’s door and got in, saying she’d be in touch. Even if Gilbert hadn’t been a suspect, she wasn’t going to share anything about Jones unless his credentials were verified. Just because the negotiations were legit didn’t mean Jones was, or the rest of his story, except what the Council president had confirmed. She didn’t want everyone running off in the wrong direction.