12. Twelve

twelve

The conversation regarding mine and Liam’s abrupt and unexpected marriage petered out with the arrival of Anton and Daniel.

The former smirked at me as he sprawled in an armchair. “I hear congratulations are in order.”

My head whipped toward Nathan. “Does everyone know about this?”

Anton hooked a leg over the arm of his chair, sitting sideways in an indolent posture. “How else could we have stood up for our illustrious leader as his groomsmen?”

At my accusing stare, Nathan held up a placating hand. “I didn’t lie. By the time we arrived, you had already placed your bet. From there, it was really just a matter of going with the flow.”

“In case you were wondering, we didn’t leave your side out. Your wolf and companion stood up as your bridesmaids,” Anton informed me.

My gaze swung to Liam. “You planned this.”

He remained unruffled in the face of my anger, quirking one eyebrow. “How could I when you weren’t supposed to be here?”

That was the sticking point, wasn’t it? Liam’s surprise at my presence had been genuine. Nothing he’d done since made me think otherwise. Except the rock currently on my finger. Unless Liam had been carrying it around in his pocket for months. There was no way he just picked it up on a last-minute whim.

I wasn’t an expert on jewelry, but this looked like a custom piece. Someone had planned every stage of its creation. From locating the perfect stone to designing its delicate setting. All with my tastes in mind.

The closest explanation I could think of was that Liam had had the ring made for some point in the future when I was ready to discuss taking things to the next level. Only an opportunity presented itself much sooner than he’d planned and he’d jumped on it.

Uncomfortable with that line of thinking, I rose from my seat and headed toward the stairs.

Liam’s gaze followed me. “Where are you going?”

“To find Connor. We have things to discuss.”

If anyone was going to help me untangle and understand the mess I’d landed myself in, it was going to be him.

I set one foot on the bottom stair and paused. “And just so we’re clear, this doesn’t count.”

No matter what that silly bet or some piece of paper said, I wasn’t married.

“If the manner of our marriage is what’s bothering you, we can always plan another one for when we return home,” Liam murmured.

I pretended I didn’t hear him, continuing up the stairs.

“Oh, Aileen,” Thomas called before I’d reached the top. “There’s a gathering tonight. I trust you will be in attendance.”

I took a deep breath, calming myself before giving him a firm nod. Hopefully, this evening was a little tamer than last night’s.

Sienna was waiting for me when I reached the top of the stairs. An unobtrusive presence dressed in a maroon jumpsuit that complemented her skin tone. Gold glinted from her ears and neck as she gave me a regal nod.

It was always hard not to feel inadequate in her presence when she looked like a perfectly dressed goddess, and I was something of a dumpster fire in my lounge wear, with my hair thrown into a messy knot at the back of my head and my face bare of any makeup.

“I took the liberty of setting your outfit for the night on your bed,” she informed me.

“Oh joy. Playing dress up for a bunch of vampires who’ll probably try to kill me before the trip is through.”

Sienna sailed past me. “Then you will go to the grave as the best dressed version of yourself.”

“As long as I look as good as you when I do.”

Sienna’s deep red lips turned up in a feline smile. “Don’t ask for the impossible. No one will ever look as good as I do.”

That surprised a chortle out of me.

Sienna winked before descending the stairs with the grace of a ballerina. Shaking my head, I made my way toward the room adjacent to mine.

I knocked on the door and waited. “Connor? You up?”

When there was no sign of movement from the other side, I frowned and knocked again.

“Connor, it’s Aileen.” I reached for the doorknob. “I’m coming in. Last warning unless you say something.”

Please, please, please, don’t let me walk into something I shouldn’t.

I didn’t need to see my brother naked. Or worse—getting frisky with a certain hunter cousin of mine. The embarrassment might kill me before any Fae could.

Pushing the door open slowly, I peeked into the room, relieved when I didn’t see any naked bodies.

“Connor?”

When no answer came, I stepped fully inside a bedroom that was as lavishly decorated as the one I’d woken up in. Windows on the opposite wall overlooked the backyard and the rolling hills beyond. A telescope sat in front of them, aimed up at the stars.

Done in a mixture of charcoal and autumnal colors, the room featured a leather ottoman and chaise in the center. Against one wall was a massive bed. The wall opposite it was covered in built-in bookcases that reached to the ceiling. Their shelves laden with hardbacks and other items that I could tell even from this distance would appeal to my brother.

Thomas really had bought this place and retrofitted it to suit our family. There was no other explanation. Someone had gone to a lot of effort to design our rooms. They wouldn’t have done that for a temporary rental.

“How long has Thomas owned this place?” I muttered to myself.

Longer than the council’s most recent plot against us. That was for sure.

Leaving the question of the house and its owner behind, I drifted across the room, forsaking the bed, which showed no signs of recent use, in favor of heading toward the bathroom.

Also empty.

“Damn it, Connor. I thought we talked about this.”

No going off on his own without informing me first. How many times did I need to say it before it sank in?

I reached for my phone before remembering that I’d left it on my nightstand.

“Very smart, Aileen,” I muttered unhappily.

Turning to go, I spotted the folded piece of paper on the dresser closest to the door.

“At least he left a note this time,” I grumbled, picking it up. It was an improvement. Though not exactly what I’d meant.

For as much crap as he gave Thomas, Connor was just as prone to finding and taking advantage of any loophole in his way.

Unfolding the note, I focused on Connor’s neat handwriting.

Aileen

As you may have discovered already, I am out following a lead. You were not awake to inform so I am leaving this note behind. Don’t worry. Be back soon.

Connor

P.S. Regarding last night’s events, I will be happy to help you plot your revenge upon my return.

Connor’s postscript brought a chuckle to my lips as I crumpled the note in my hand. “I might just take you up on that offer.”

Turning on my heel, I left Connor’s bedroom to find Deborah in the process of entering the bedroom across from mine as I stepped out.

Looking thoroughly sun kissed from her time outside, her hair still damp, drops of water soaking into the cover up she was wearing, Deborah paused to take in my unexpected presence. Her gaze darted to the room behind me. “What are you doing in Connor’s room?”

There was no accusation in her voice. Only curiosity.

I shoved my door open and walked inside. “I had a question for him.”

“Ah.”

I looked over my shoulder to find her lingering on the threshold of my room, an awkward expression on her face.

“You saw him leave, didn’t you?”

“Maybe.”

At that cagey response, I rolled my eyes. “Don’t worry. I won’t blame you for not stopping him.”

Connor was only a quarter of a century younger than Thomas and Liam. A human like Deborah had no chance against him.

He also wasn’t her responsibility.

He was mine.

Spotting my phone on my nightstand, I snatched it up, relief filling me at the text waiting for me there.

Checking in. Location enabled if you want to track me.

Good job.

A quick check showed me he was in Vegas a few blocks away from the strip. What he was doing there, I had no idea.

We’re going to have another talk later.

Be safe.

A thumbs up emoji was his only response.

I looked up to find Deborah still lingering on the edge of my room. “Something wrong?”

She advanced a few steps, stopping near the dresser to fiddle with one of the knobs. All the while not looking at me. “How much do you remember about last night?”

Ah. I thought I knew what this was about.

“If you’re talking about this,” I held up the hand sporting the ring, “I’m already aware.”

There was no mistaking the way the tension invading her body seemed to drain away. Genuine relief filled her features as she moved closer to me.

“Okay. Good. Because I was afraid that with the alcohol and magic you wouldn’t remember.” Deborah was rambling. “I did some research while you were sleeping. It should be easy to get it annulled.” Seeing my expression, Deborah offered me an awkward smile. “If that’s what you want.”

Was it?

I didn’t know. I’d never been good with surprises. My mom used to say I was a grumpy old woman because of it.

My first instinct at being confronted with something I hadn’t prepared for was to run and hide. To pretend nothing had happened.

According to that, I should be jumping at the solution Deborah was offering me.

Then why did the mere thought make my heart ache?

“Let’s put that aside for now and focus on why we’re here.”

Deborah nodded.

“What happened with Caroline?”

I had a blurry memory of us standing on a bar singing our hearts out and then a few where we seemed to be playing a game similar to volleyball but that was it.

“Her pack picked her up when the magic relinquished its hold,” Deborah answered.

“I assume they’re staying somewhere else.”

I couldn’t sense any trace of Caroline or the other werewolves anywhere around us.

“They took the master of the city up on his offer of lodging,” Deborah explained.

Right. I’d been there when he’d offered. I’d almost forgotten.

“I’ll give her a call so we can regroup.”

Deborah made to leave before pausing. “Aileen—one thing you should know. Drake was with Connor when he took off.”

The unexpected nature of the news meant I didn’t quite have control of my expression.

Deborah gave me a strained smile. “You don’t like Drake, do you?”

“I wouldn’t say I dislike him,” I equivocated.

“Come on. I’ve been around you long enough to pick up on the signs.”

“It’s not that. He and I have some common acquaintances. I’m just a bit protective because I don’t know what he wants.”

Deborah sent me an uncertain look but didn’t push any further. “You’ll let me know if I need to do something about him.”

That surprised a laugh out of me. “If it comes to that, you won’t be the one taking action.”

An offended look crossed Deborah’s face. “I could take him.”

No, she couldn’t. But I didn’t say that.

Deborah looked a little salty at my obvious doubt. “Thomas sent me up here to see if you need to feed before tonight.”

I thought about it for a moment before shaking my head. “I’m good.”

Deborah’s eyebrows lowered mistrustfully. “Are you sure?”

Her doubt was understandable given my history. I had a habit of spacing my feedings as far apart as I could get away with.

In this instance, her skepticism was misplaced. Liam’s blood had more than replenished my reserves. To take any more would make me a glutton.

“I already fed for the day,” I said, hoping she would leave it at that.

A knowing look entered her eyes as her lips curved in a teasing grin. “Maybe I was hasty in my research. It looks like an annulment might not be necessary with all the celebrating you two have been doing.”

I flushed and pointed to the door. “Out.”

Deborah went, snickering. “Thomas wanted me to tell you we’ll leave after sundown.”

“We?”

She shimmied her shoulders as she walked backward. “I’m invited too.” My frown made some of her excitement fade as she straightened. “You’re not going to tell me I can’t come, are you?”

I wanted to. So badly. With what Thomas had relayed regarding the council and Muiredach’s possible involvement, it went against my protective instincts to bring Deborah into a potentially dangerous situation like the one we were walking into.

Except remaining behind in the mansion probably wasn’t any safer.

“Thomas will need all his enforcers with him,” Deborah pointed out logically. “Anyone left here will be vulnerable.”

I gave my companion a look. “You’re getting good at that.”

“Thanks. I’ve had a lot of practice.”

“It wasn’t a compliment,” I grumbled as she skipped out of the room to go get ready.

Shaking my head, I decided not to worry about her attendance. I’d just have to make sure the enforcers kept an eye on her.

Picking up my phone, I opened the text thread with Connor.

Drake? Really?

A moment later his response came.

You said not to go anywhere alone. You should be happy I listened.

I didn’t mean take the male equivalent of Annie Oakley with you .

You will have to be clearer next time.

A pause.

Also, I do not know who that is.

I made an exasperated face at my phone.

Just try not to get shot in the back.

If he got hurt by my cousin, I was totally giving him an “I told you so”.

An idea struck me as I exited the text thread. Feeling a little mischievous, I opened the phone’s camera and aimed it at my left hand. It took a few tries to catch the perfect angle where the light was just right to make the stone sparkle, but I got it in the end.

Snickering to myself, I opened my text thread titled Demon Wolfy and hit send.

Then I waited.

It didn’t take long.

My phone started vibrating.

Smiling, I hit answer. “Caroline.”

“What the fuck?”

A perfect sentiment for the current situation.

“Did you seriously get married last night?”

“I don’t know. You tell me. Apparently, you were there too.”

There was the sound of sheets rustling. “I don’t think I’ve been this hungover in my entire life.”

“It’s not a pleasant feeling,” I agreed.

“Fuck.” A low groan traveled down the line. “I remember singing. Did we do karaoke?”

“God, I hope not.”

“We were in a chapel,” Caroline said with an air discovery. “There was a big foot dressed up as Elvis.”

I nodded, flopping onto the bed. “That fits my recollection too.”

Caroline’s voice dropped to a hushed whisper. “Wait a minute. Please tell me your groom wasn’t either of the two enforcers we were with last night.”

“Eww. No.” My nose wrinkled. “It’s Liam.”

Wouldn’t that have been the cherry on top? If I’d wound up married to one of those two. Or worse—a stranger.

Just the thought made my stomach dip in uncomfortable ways.

The sound of a door opening and then Caroline’s muffled voice. “I’ll be there shortly.”

A rumble from the other person.

Caroline’s tone hardened. “I said I’ll be there as soon as I can.”

There was another rumble and then a door closed again.

Caroline’s sigh floated down the line. “Sorry about that, Lena.”

“You okay?”

“Just dealing with a bunch of impatient idiots.” Frustration bled through Caroline’s voice.

“Anything I can help with?”

“Not unless you can make me a few centuries older or my wolf less dominant.”

“Neither of those things seem to be within my superpower.”

Caroline snorted lightly. “Mine either. Damn it.”

“How’s the hunt for Brax and the rest of the pack going? Did Sondra and the other two find anything while we were playing decoys?”

“There’s a lead,” Caroline admitted, sounding grim.

“You don’t sound happy about that.”

“Let’s just say the source isn’t particularly trustworthy.”

“This would be easier if we were at home where we had an idea of the players,” I agreed.

We didn’t know enough about this city or its power dynamics to figure out who was blowing smoke up our asses or who could be leading us into a potential trap.

The click of nails against wood distracted me for a brief moment. A shape about waist high moved through the shadows. A second later, Alches padded into view.

He had taken the shape of a mid-sized black dog, with a distinctive wide snout that had deep furrows running across its bridge. The tentacles that normally drooped from his jowls were missing today, placing his appearance much closer to a normal dog’s than usual.

A buzzing came from his tightly closed mouth. As if he’d caught a swarm of bumble bees in there.

“Look—Thomas corralled me into attending an event of his,” I said with a frown at Alches.

What the hell was he up to now?

“I won’t be able to hook up with you until later tonight.”

“That’s probably for the best. Sondra and the rest aren’t exactly fans of a vampire being involved. You know how it is.”

I did.

Vampires and werewolves may not have been arch-enemies, but there was always an undercurrent of tension between the two species. That went for every other species as well. Each kept to their own cliques and territories.

That inability to coexist peacefully was one of the reasons businesses like Jerry’s and mine were in such great demand. There was a need for people who could navigate the different groups without accidentally sparking a war.

It was why I was reluctant to let Thomas draw me too deep into his world. I liked being on the periphery. Flowing between the different cliques as needed.

If the werewolves were that upset about my involvement, it did make me wonder how they’d react to learning Thomas had already known about the pack’s plight before we ever got on that plane.

“Do me a favor—if you find him, call me first. Don’t do anything without me,” I warned.

“I’ll do my best. That’s all I can promise.”

I forgot about Alches for a second as I held the phone tighter. “I mean it, Caroline. You’ll need me to break his enthrallment.”

Otherwise, there was a chance he’d turn on them.

Caroline was stronger than most wolves, but she couldn’t take on an alpha of Brax’s level. She’d die. Her wolves would die.

If the Fae holding him and the others didn’t turn her first.

“I’m aware of the risks.”

“Caroline.”

“Take care of yourself, Lena. I’ve got to go. I’ll talk to you later.”

The line went dead.

“She’s going to get herself killed,” I muttered, lowering the phone to stare at it, as if in doing so it would give me the answers I wanted. “Just be safe, Caro.”

I was too old to find a replacement for my best friend.

Locking my screen, I tossed the phone onto the bed beside me before sitting up to regard Alches.

The realm guardian thumped his tail in greeting.

“Don’t give me that. Where have you been all this time?”

Out with Liam. That’s where.

I wasn’t jealous. Not at all. Just a little miffed. I liked adventures too.

Bastards. The both of them.

In answer, Alches spat the thing in his mouth on the ground. A figure covered in slobber landed at my feet.

“What’s this?”

Alches thumped his tail as an unfamiliar pixie raised onto her forearms to glare at the realm guardian. A stream of words in another language fell from her mouth. The contents of which I didn’t have to guess. Some things were just universal.

“You shouldn’t be worried about him and what he did to you. He’s not your real problem right now. I am.” Squatting down next to the pixie, I gave her a friendly smile. “My sire isn’t a fan of spies. I suggest you start talking.”

The pixie fastened eyes, a blue so pale they were almost white, on me. “Oh great. A fucking fang-head.”

There was a slight accent when she spoke. A lilt similar to the one I heard sometimes from Liam. Usually when he was in the throes of extreme emotion.

“Smart. Insult the person who holds your fate in their hands.”

Were bad attitudes a pixie thing? It seemed every single one I ran into was cut from the same cloth.

The rest of the pixie’s coloring mirrored her eyes. Her wings and skin looked like they’d been touched by frost. A sword was fastened around her waist. Evidence she was a warrior of some kind.

The pixie’s lip curled as she looked me up and down as she muttered to herself. “What is she thinking by involving this fang-head? Maybe they were right, and she’s really as mad as they say.”

There was only one pixie I knew who was referred to as mad.

Inara.

I kept my suspicions to myself, not wanting to startle the prey. “Want to tell me what you were doing skulking around this mansion?”

“Who said I was skulking?”

I pointed at the realm guardian behind her. “He did.”

As if on cue, Alches raised off his haunches, several tentacles unfurling as his lips peeled back to expose dangerous looking canines.

“Where’d you find her?” I asked my realm guardian.

One of his tentacles waved in the vicinity of my window.

“Ah. A spy.”

“I am not.”

“Oh?” I arched an eyebrow at her. “How do you explain your presence here then?”

If she was going to lie, the least she could do was make it believable.

“What’s your name?” I asked when she simply glared at me.

“Why should I tell you?”

I made a tsking sound with my tongue. “Why wouldn’t you? It’s not like I can harm you with it or anything.”

There might be some spooks who gained power over a person through their true name, but I wasn’t one of them.

Although a name could give me a place to start if we had to look into this pixie.

“It’s an easy request that poses no risk to yourself,” I pointed out.

However, refusing could lead to painful reprisal. If I were some other vampire, that is.

“I can’t believe this is how far I’ve fallen. Chatting with a fucking fang-head.”

“You have only yourself to blame,” I said unsympathetically.

Who told her to perch outside my window?

The pixie’s shoulders dropped, her expression getting even more pissed off if that was possible. “It’s Nyx. Happy now?”

“Not really.” Her name wasn’t what I wanted. Answers were. “Why were you spying on me?”

Nyx attempted to stare me down.

Alches’s deep woof right over her head made her quail. Her knees hit the ground as she hunched in on herself.

Even my heart jumped.

I checked the door to see if Liam or one of his enforcers had been alerted.

“Inara,” Nyx shouted. “Inara sent me.”

Alches plopped back down on his butt with a happy expression.

“Easy on the barking,” I told him.

Drawing attention was the last thing we needed right now.

I folded my arms and regarded the pixie. “What makes you think I’d believe that?”

My roommate wasn’t exactly known for her friendliness. Particularly to other pixies. In fact, I was pretty sure she loathed her kind. Except Lowen. She seemed to tolerate him. As such, I had a hard time believing she would have sent a stranger to me. Not after going to such lengths to keep me out of this.

“Do you think I want to be here, fanger? The mad queen called in a favor and I answered.”

Her expression said she regretted that now.

“Why would Inara send you here?” I asked.

Nyx shrugged, cocking one hip as she struck an arrogant pose. “How would I know what she wants with a fang-head? As far as I knew, she hated your kind even more than I do. She just said to keep an eye on you and alert her if you go near the barrow.”

“That’s it?”

“What else could it be? You’re like ten times my size and a vampire. It’s not like I pose a physical threat to you.”

Funny she should say that because I’d seen exactly what Lowen could do. Killing a vampire included. The boat had sailed on me ever considering a pixie harmless. They were as deadly in their own way as any other spook that I’d ever met.

“I’m not sure how much of this story I should believe,” I said, almost to myself.

Inara had spent a little time educating me about pixies and their role in society. Most of the world considered them little more than sharp toothed nuisances. Pixies went out of their way to cultivate that perception. For a reason.

In simple terms, they were spies. The eyes and ears of powerful Fae sent to infiltrate the territories of equally powerful beings.

It worked too. People underestimated them. Vampires like my sire. Werewolves like Brax.

I had too in the beginning.

“Either way, I can’t allow you to return to whoever sent you,” I continued.

The risk was too great.

She’d already managed to infiltrate the wards I could see scattered all over the house like neon Vegas signs. If she could get in here without setting off any alarms, there was a chance she could show others how to do the same.

“You can’t do that.” Some of Nyx’s arrogance faded. “Inara swore you wouldn’t kill me.”

“And I won’t.”

I had no need to. There were plenty of other methods with which to keep her out of the way.

Anger swarmed the pixie’s expression. Her wings fanned slightly, the lull having dried them enough for flight. “You should have dealt with me when you had a chance.”

She went airborne. Her wings buzzed loudly as she zipped toward the window and freedom.

“Alches.”

A disgruntled huff came from my realm guardian. A tentacle unfurled, snapping out to wrap around the pixie. It retracted into a gaping maw.

Alches’s jaw clicked shut.