22

"Alpha, a courier dropped off something for you," Christos told me when I stopped home to change clothes and catch a shower. "And for the record, when Mauro recommends that one of the ancients who wants a quiet life takes over the desk for me so I can be more of a Beta, I'm fine with it. I think I was needed originally, but now we don't need a Beta to make the calls here."

I blinked at him for a full minute. "Thank you, but repeat that later when I've had more sleep, okay? I get you, but my brain is like melted Jell-O." I thanked him for the box and headed up with my security.

"You got something sent over?" Sander asked, sounding as wiped as I felt. They really needed to crash because they would undoubtedly be called out for something APOT-related soon.

"No," I muttered, the vibe of the box off. Not dangerous, just… Off. "I've felt this before." I took off the bow and wrapping before the cover and my blood went cold when I saw the note.

This was your present. Get a new head of security if this one is going to be so stupid. I won't intervene again, and normally I only get involved for a high cost. Take this one gift as my appreciation of how many of my kind you've helped.

Be smarter if you want to live long.

I knew instantly what the note referred to. Months ago when I'd been dealing with a psychopath who was stuffing his murder victims in the trunks of cars, the supe who none of us could get a lock on visited me at work. None of us could sense him, but I could get images of him watching me. I'd left him my business card to contact me.

And he'd left me a "get out of jail free card." Like from an actual Monopoly board game. I'd thought it was a sign he wasn't a foe, maybe not an ally or friend, but saying he wasn't the enemy and making a joke about my job.

Apparently not.

"Jesus Fucking Christ," Sander hissed as I lifted out the note.

I dropped the box at the sight of the first photo.

It was me at the rooftop pool… Holding Topher.

"Sera? Sera, come on, stay with me," Sander shouted.

Eva was standing there when the door opened, clearly having sensed what was going on with me. She looked from me to the box and picked it up. Her eyes went wide as she saw what was in there. "Bring her to her apartment."

"I'm okay," I lied, my voice a bit hollow.

"You won't be when you see the rest," Eva muttered. "Who sent this?"

"The supe we can't sense that I've gotten images from watching me," I mumbled. "That's what I sensed. It's like that card he left me. It's a weird vibration of blank."

"Your clairvoyant side senses him using his powers to block even on objects," she surmised.

Sure, we could go with that.

I blinked, and I was sitting in my apartment at the kitchen table with a bottle of cold water in my hand. Sander filled Eva in on everything, and then she was sitting catty-corner from me so she could touch my knee and comfort me.

"You need to see the rest of this so we can decide how to handle this," she told me.

I took a big swig and then set down the bottle before she handed me the other pictures. I swallowed loudly at the second picture of me on the rooftop, but then it was of a dead guy… With a sniper rifle all set up.

"So he stopped a hit on me?" I whispered, flipping through the pictures to show me exactly which building and the huge gap in our security we hadn't thought of. "Is that what he's trying to say with the gift?"

"I would assume so," Eva muttered.

I flinched when the dead guy was in a hole somewhere. So this guy disposed of the body and was letting me know he'd cleaned up the mess even.

Could he tell me who ordered the fucking hit or like how he found out about it? That would have been pretty useful.

Apparently, I was greedy like that instead of just grateful.

"I don't even know how to solve this," I whispered. "We just never use the pool anymore? I mean… Right? But that doesn't take out the threat. Someone who hired a shooter won't just shrug that it didn't work and not try again."

People started showing up. There had been some confusion as to where I'd been heading when they'd felt my upset and they'd thought back to the office, so they'd gone to the lobby.

Dain reached me first. "What has happened, my love?"

"I'm a danger to our son," I choked out as I handed him the picture. "I'm so sorry." I was instantly in his arms.

He sat in my seat with me on his lap, whispering that the monster who tried to hurt me was to blame and no one else. That I was the love Topher needed in his life as I helped so many, not a danger.

I wasn't sure that was true, but I knew my guilt and fear were eating me.

"Don't," Sander snapped. "You're not welcome here."

Carter. I could feel Carter there. I hadn't even seen him really, and part of me wanted to blame him too, mock him for suddenly caring about me again now that we took his wolf away—everything hateful.

But none of that would help the situation we were in.

"We checked this building," someone said. "We checked. There wasn't just roof access and—"

"Well, clearly, they got it," Axel snapped.

I glanced up and focused enough to see him talking to Reagan. Then I realized he'd said it. "You checked the roofs?"

He locked gazes with me and nodded. "Yeah, any around that were taller than this building, and it's only a few." He wiggled the photo. "This shot is no joke, and it's not regular roof access or just some locked door any asshole could just bust open." He held up his hand when several people tried to argue.

"Anything can be broken into with enough determination," Brian said, his gaze on the picture of me holding Topher that was on the table. "We know that. Fuck, the guy could have parachuted onto the top of the building if he was durable like you guys. How this other one got up there and a body down—you all can do crazy shit."

"Good point," I muttered, several of us agreeing. "What do we do now? No one uses the damn pool? I never do? Walls of bulletproof glass like it's a fishbowl? I just don't fucking—"

"Babe, you're spiraling and haven't been sleeping enough," he said gently. "Right now, no one goes up there. That's it. We get answers and—" He nodded when tears filled my eyes. "I'm right there with you. I'm spiraling too, but fuck the fucking pool. We'll figure it out. We leave a damn thank-you present for this guy and figure it out. It's what we do."

"Thank-you present," I muttered, bobbing my head.

Then I jumped to my feet and went to the kitchen, grabbing a basic plain glass vase before a sharp knife from the butcher's block. I sliced my wrist open before anyone could say anything and bled into the vase.

"Sera! Are you out of your mind?" one of them bellowed, but Eva blocked whoever tried to reach me first.

"She's giving a thank-you to a very old vampire," Eva told them, meeting my gaze. "You're right. This person is watching. They would want to see the reaction and how you handle it."

I nodded. "I want cameras and sensors on those rooftops. We're not getting caught off guard again. If the shooter got up there, so can we, and we know what we're doing. Any that are higher than ours. That's where we start."

"Good," Eva praised. "I'm calling my daughter and your uncle on the council. I want answers and people to know. The threat is probably a vampire if a vampire got the information and was able to thwart it. But to be safe."

I nodded as my wound closed and I had to cut myself again. "Because if I was going to take out a hit and not implicate myself, I would hire a vampire."

"As would I," she agreed.

"The picture is weeks old," I muttered, thinking about what I was wearing in it. "At least two. That was the last time I wore that coverup at the pool with Topher, but I don't remember what he was wearing. It could be older, but I doubt it because why hold the proof of what he did?"

"For there to be a crack in your security or some issue he's been waiting for to doubt our usefulness to you," Sander muttered. "It could be someone who doesn't like your coven of ancients." He shrugged when I looked at him. "Just because he hasn't made a move or took out a shooter, don't assume he's really a friend, Sera."

I nodded. It could be someone who wanted to take the ancients or Noah from me, and if I was dead… That made things more complicated.

It took two more slices of my arm, and then Dain stopped me before I was too weak from blood loss in my current state.

"I'm sorry," Carter whispered.

"Don't, just don't," I bit out, everyone in the room going tense. "No, I'm not blaming him for this. Reagan said it, and you guys checked those roofs, the shot is—someone can always get us. We do better, but I—don't speak to me unless you want to lose more power."

And no one else wanted that. I needed a new head of my coven of ancients, and Carter was the best choice.

Or had been to me but still was to others.

"This brings me to the point that I want to go over all of the security of everything with your fiancé, Helmer, and Noah together," Mauro told me. "And that you not finish the transition of this ancient coven no matter who pressures you as I'm sure they will."

I went to agree, but several of the ancients started to argue. "Then leave." I stared them down, even Sander… Though tears filled my eyes when I looked at him. "Haven't I been good to you guys? I'm thirty and felt like it was all breaking before this and now that asshole over there is trying to bond with other wolves. Stop asking me to do everything others can't!"

Tears filled his eyes as well as he came closer and took my arm in his hands, licking the few drops over the closed wound. "I'm not arguing that you need time or you deserve it. I'm arguing the impression it could give others and it being dangerous. I think more needs to be discussed. We're always here for you too, Sera."

I let out a shaky breath. "Sorry."

He tucked some hair that had fallen out of my clip behind my ear. "You have nothing to be sorry for, and a lot of us want to kick someone's ass. It's complicated and scary on our side as well, and I've heard friends say that so—nothing is ever easy. But you're more than our Mistress or boss—you're our buddy. You're our little sister and we love you too.

"So like Brian said, we'll figure this out and handle it. Yes, audit it all with Mauro, but Carter should be involved to explain where things are at and answer questions, not sidelined because that just slows things down. Now, go give your present and then eat and do what you need to. Us old farts will handle the rest as we should."

"Thanks, Sander."

He kissed my forehead and let me go on my way.

After a moment, I wrote a quick note that I appreciated the save and I was going to give him the benefit of the doubt that it was all real and not some setup of his to get a favor from me… Because if it was, he wouldn't like being my enemy and I didn't deal well with being manipulated.

However, if he wanted to give me any more information and maybe what he'd like as a gift of gratitude or something he might want in return to let me know. Also, where to leave the present because outside the packhouse apartment was a bit too visible. Which was why I'd given him my number and he could cloak a number or use an answering service so we could communicate.

I left it out front but not where someone would trip over it on the sidewalk.

"It's gone," Christos told me as I reached the elevator. "I didn't even see a blur or anything pass the camera. It's just gone."

"Another reason to have trouble sleeping," I grumbled, thanking him before I got on the elevator.

I showered and changed, comforted when Brian and the twins wanted to come to the office with me. I gave each of them a soft kiss and told them to stay with Topher and do what they knew best.

Be awesome. They were former military and now FBI or had FBI training.

We needed to use that to our advantage.

But that wasn't all we had, so I made a call on the way back to my office.

"I felt you would be calling me and I'm worried why," Nina greeted.

"Someone's taken a hit out on me," I told her, seeing no reason to dance around it. "A maybe-ally took out the first shooter and sent me the proof, but that doesn't stop the money, so we're stepping up everything. I wanted you to know, but also you said to always call you." I told her the rest and sounded exhausted to my own ears.

Mostly because I was.

Shocking.

"Eva is in town, yes?" she checked when I was done.

"Yes."

"Good, good. I will speak with her. I think there are a few spells that I can do, but over that area is a lot of power. Also, given she is your blood—yes, I can help if she will lend me power."

"Whatever you need. Thanks, Nina."

"I hate to bring this up when you are having issues, but there is a group of witches I would like removed from their situation. Nothing dangerous but old minds thinking they own daughters. They need to be escorted out."

"We'll handle it. We're getting a team to solely handle that now, and now I have another plane," I told her.

She thanked me and we hung up. I glanced at Dain and nodded, knowing who else he wanted me to call.

And I was glad to have him with me. I squeezed his hand as I called Laila.

She immediately said she was sending archers to me, which seemed silly and like a movie response, but Dain's serious gaze gave away that it was no joke. I thanked her and told her that the support meant a lot because I was honestly a mess. The picture had me holding Topher, and that was just a level of evil that shook me.

"Your instincts are good, Seraphine," she said gently. "Who do you think it is? When you calm yourself, think about it, and I bet you know the answer. I would think that is why this person circling you did not tell you. He wouldn't want to start trouble in his own life when you undoubtedly know the answer."

"I knew you were always more than a pretty face," I teased. And she was right. I almost immediately had an answer. "Igwe."

"I wouldn't think any of the council would be so stupid after you took out the last councilman," she hedged. "It cost him everything and the council took a hit."

"Yes, but we had agreements in place and I don't with Igwe," I countered. "And while they wouldn't want anyone to start a war with me, several still would like me gone and a shifter with power out of their hair even if I'm doing good for vamps too. They liked their old ways of being assholes from the shadows. More than that, I'm costing him his ‘kids.'"

"That's why you immediately went to him, because you were holding Topher," Dain surmised, swearing when I nodded. "It makes sense. The bear elder was grateful you didn't blow up the situation with Barry being his family. You've had no other grudges with people involving children or family. Other than…" He gave me a horrified look.

"We need to check West Andrews," I muttered. "Yeah, he thought Eddie was his—there's no way Stacey ordered a hit from where she is in Greece, but we check. We check it all."

"Yes, yes, we do, and I will make it clear through my people as well," Laila agreed.

"Who could I have pissed off… Dain's family?" I hedged.

"No, they would not risk my wrath," she said firmly. "They made it clear on that and they stood by their decision to kick him out and didn't want to dig up the past. As if it was an ugly matter to leave alone and not their damn child. But I know Jonik's family is not happy they lost one of their studs to use as they wanted. I will make sure it's not them."

"Thank you, Laila."

"Always, my friend. We need you. We need you safe and taken better care of." She cleared her throat. "I am sorry I have been pushing so hard. I know—I forget you are so young. You handle everything—it seems so easy to you. You handle so much that I cannot even, and—I'm sorry, Sera. Truly. I applaud your idea of an audit and—whatever you need."

"Who snitched?" I chuckled.

"I had a discussion with Eva. She spoke with your mother and me, and we were told to calm ourselves. Rightfully. We can focus our efforts in Bolivia and Iran if we're so bored. That was how she said it."

"Thanks, Laila. Yeah, I just need—I'm overwhelmed and can't let things fall apart."

"We would never let you. We love you."

I felt it and that helped a lot.

We hung up right as we pulled into the parking garage and then headed inside. Ten minutes later, I was sitting in front of Greg Camara.

He gave me a bored look. "Yeah, yeah, you're awesome, dog. You caught me because the humans fucked up. My council isn't going to care that I was screwing over our food, so give me my phone call to them so they can get me out of here."

I blinked at him for a full minute before bursting out laughing. I laughed so hard I would have fallen out of my chair if the SAiC hadn't steadied me.

The vamp got pissed and launched at us. My instincts kicked in, and I went overboard because there were humans in the room—humans I was responsible for. I punched him in the mouth and he plopped right back in his seat… With one less fang.

"You will die for that," he shrieked. "It's against everything to break a fang and—"

"Okay, who the fuck is your maker who taught you all of this stupid shit?" I demanded. "Seriously, because none of this is…" My eyes went wide when he went possum. When worried or lying, other people's hearts raced, but a vampire was the opposite, and their bodies went almost cold and quiet. "Did you kill your maker?"

He stared at me as if to say he wasn't stupid enough to answer that.

Yeah, he was so out of his league. I put my influence on him and he immediately answered.

"She was weak," he blurted. "I did vamps a favor by killing that weak bitch who was so stupid she turned me after some flirting. I did things the way of vamps."

"According to what bad romance novel?" I drawled. "You're delusional, but smart enough to have pulled this con off for a bit. It's not your first though, right? Where did you do this before?"

"Not this, but I've done other cons." He growled when I made him tell me what and where. "What does it matter? Let me call my council and—"

"Kid, they're not coming," I told him firmly. "That was why we laughed. Everyone in this building knows that, even the humans. The council doesn't care about one fledgling who will give vamps bad press. You broke the law about making vamps look bad, and you're dead for killing your maker. There are laws against that. Big time."

"You're not lying," he whispered in horror.

I actually almost felt bad for him. "You're such a guppy." I sighed when he looked affronted. "I'm not lying, but I'm too fucking powerful for you to tell. I'm containing my power." I realized it would be easier to just show him, so I peeled back the covering of my power and let it out and out.

And then turned it up again and again which was nice since I tended to neglect that side of me when I was upset. Hey, I could learn.

He was gasping for air when I was done and looking truly afraid.

"Yeah, so I'd feel sorry for you if you didn't immediately use your new powers and life to hurt people," I told him. "So make this as painless as possible for yourself before you die. Hell, you work with me and give me the deal about your maker and I'll advocate they make the exception for real rehabilitation instead of death."

He studied me for several minutes as I reeled back all my power and covered it back up so I wasn't a beacon to anyone in Chicago. "Have they ever done it before?"

"Yes." I nodded, but then I let my eyes go cold. "But I will end you myself with a smile if I push for leniency and you ever hurt another person—human or supe. They're not food. You're a fucker, but you do the time and fix yourself and maybe your immortal life could be worth something."

He took the deal.

What choice did he have?

I would keep my promise and advocate that he not get the death penalty for his maker, but he would be serving at least a thousand years in prison for the list of crimes he told me. I wasn't sure that was really any better.

And the list was ridiculous. Did he seriously think he lost his soul when he became a vampire or something?

Yes, yes, he did.

"For the love of fuck," I groaned when he admitted that, mumbling that I needed a break. We'd been going for hours and I just needed some air.

And food. Shocker.

I was surprised Carter was waiting outside the front doors where I normally went to stretch my legs. I did a double take when I saw him and went to go back inside.

But he was faster, moving to block me but not touching me.

"Is there any way we can fix this and move past what I did?" he whispered. "Please, Sera?"

The tears in his voice killed me. They really did and my heart hurt too, but I had to keep moving, so I stepped around him.

I had to keep moving. I had a job to do and too many people who relied on me. "I don't know. I can't seem to wrap my mind around what you did even yet. I never thought—it was never supposed to be you who betrayed me like that or was…" I shook my head. "Not you who knew the pain only we could understand." I wiped my eyes. "I don't know. I just don't know."

I went back to work because that was what I did know and what I had the answers to. That was what I knew how to handle.

My heart?

Fuck if I knew.