“Mixed results.” Cass curled up the side of his lip. “Vamps sent us packing as soon as we turned up on their doorstep, and we’re not supposed to cause any trouble, so it’s not like I could nab one and search his soul. I didn’t see anything in the alpha that’s relevant or fits with any of this. He’s longing for something… but I don’t even think he knows who or what that something is.”
“Maybe he wants to belong in a pack.” Pushing his plate aside, Ra magicked some banknotes and put them on the table. “How about we go and track down one of these other wolves and see what you can see in them?”
“That was our next idea,” Wes agreed. “Do you really think you should…?”
“Come with you?” Ra grinned. “Absolutely. This is a mystery that begs to be solved. You hardly expect me to walk out midway through the first act.”
“Maybe we should call Seth back? He seems very protective.” Wes added a few more notes to Ra’s pile. “A tip,” he added when he saw Ra looking. “To show our thanks for the service.”
“But she didn’t even speak to us.” Ra looked over at the kitchen. “All she did was bring our plates to the table. That’s her job.”
“It’s like I explained to Cass when he said something similar.” Wes pushed his chair back from the table. “Wait staff get horrific wages and rely on tips to make ends meet. It’s after midnight. That poor woman has probably been on her feet all day and is sick and tired of having to be nice to people who treat her like dirt, in the hopes of getting a good tip. So, I don’t tip any differently regardless of the level of service I get; I tip people because they are in a shit job with shit pay, and yet they still turn up for their shifts so the likes of you and I can sit around and chat all night, enjoying good food. Our waitress’s shoes were almost worn right through. She needs the money.”
“My Wes notices things like that.” The fond tone was back in Cass’s voice again.
“I appreciate you explaining things to me. I’ll make a point of noticing things like that too.” Ra rested his hand on the pile of notes, adding a hundred to the tip. With luck that would be enough to buy a new pair of shoes, not that he’d been shopping in the last fifty years or so. “Let’s go wolf hunting, shall we? Do we have any idea where they like to hang out?”
“Usually in the blocks of shops on the road leading to the coven.” Wes linked his arm with Cass. “It’s going to be interesting having you along. Are you sure you don’t need Seth?”
Ra allowed just a hint of his power to come through. His personal appearance didn’t change but Wes’s face went white and Cass stilled. “I’m sure I’ll be fine,” Ra said firmly. “I’ve been taking care of myself a long time.” And this promises to be the most fun I’ve had in ages. Ra could barely contain his excitement, but after showing off his power, skipping out of the diner wouldn’t do his image any good.
Chapter Three
Kirill snarled, showing his fangs, the moment the door to his dank cell opened. “You can’t keep me imprisoned forever.” He rattled the chains around his wrists that were secured to the wall. “I’m older, faster, and more powerful than you will ever be and when I get out…”
“Oh, don’t go getting hot headed. You know your nasty temper gives me a headache.” Yakov, the coven second sauntered in, making sure to close the door behind him. Immaculately dressed, as always, the man oozed sleaze like an oil pump. Tugging at his cuffs, ensuring they were perfectly aligned with his rose-pink jacket, Yakov looked up and smiled, without fangs. “This is for your own good. You’re going to thank me for this one day.”
“Thank you?” Kirill roared, drowning out the clanking of his chains as he tried to break free. Just one more foot… one more foot and I’d have my hands around your scrawny neck. “You shot enough tranquilizers in me to kill an elephant, dragged me down here and chained me to the damn wall before I woke up. What should I be thanking you for – the fact you didn’t chop my head off while you were at it?”
“There you go again, spouting off all those wild ideas.” Yakov shook his head with a sigh. “Why would I want to harm the best coven master this coven has ever had? I’m devoted to you. You have the strength to keep us all safe, not to mention money and contacts to ensure we all thrive under your care. The whole coven wishes only the very best for you and are all praying you have a speedy recovery from your temporary lapse in judgement.”
“You told the coven I had a mental breakdown?” Kirill could barely get the words out from between his teeth.
Yakov looked shocked. “Not a breakdown, no. Heavens, then there’d be challengers coming out of the woodwork, trying to take over your territory, and we don’t want that, do we?”
“If it’ll get me off of this fucking wall, then I don’t care how many challenges I have to face.”
“Tut. Tut. Tut. See, there you go. Not thinking clearly again.” Yakov sighed. “No, the coven believe you are on holiday, taking a vacation. You haven’t had one in over ten years, so it’s perfectly understandable to everyone here, that you were long overdue for a rest. We’re all covering for you, making sure no one actually knows you’re not here…”
“I am here, damn it!” Kirill tugged on his chains so hard he felt a wrist bone snap.
“Well, technically no, you’re not. You’re in Bermuda. On holiday. Soaking up the sunshine and supping on luscious island maidens in between swimming and having afternoon naps. Everyone misses you, but they are so pleased you’re having a glorious time.”
Kirill’s eyes narrowed. “How long am I supposed to be on this wonderful holiday of mine?”
“Not much longer. Just long enough to make sure the wolf you lost your head over isn’t around to cause any further lapses in your judgment.”
“You promised me.” Kirill saw red, literally. “You gave me your word you wouldn’t go near him and you assured me you’d make sure none of the other members of this coven would touch a hair on that wolf’s head. He doesn’t know who I am, he didn’t get a chance to scent me or even come close to me. He doesn’t know…” …he’s my beloved. Kirill’s heart ached just thinking about the precious creature.
“No one in this coven has touched him.” Yakov checked the time on his gold Rolex. “However, for some reason a second wolf with a demon mate were being pushy about talking to you over the past few days, and the wolf you’re enamored with still hasn’t left the area. I did call in a few rogues to take care of the problem initially, but they’re proving totally useless. But no matter. Three of the finest mercenaries money can buy are arriving in town about… now.” He looked up from his watch again. “This issue should be neatly solved by the morning. The wolf won’t be harmed,” he added as Kirill’s growl got louder. “He’ll simply be relocated to where he can’t cause you any temptation and then you can be set free. I think a nice coven party to celebrate your return from a holiday is a good idea, don’t you think?”