7. Seven

seven

Shortly before take-off, I went back to my seat and stared out the window, lost in thought.

It was funny. This was my first flight in years. The first since becoming a vampire at least.

Come to think of it, I hadn’t done any traveling since my transition. At first, I’d been too busy keeping my head down to even think about leaving the city. Even after I’d come out of my shell and accepted my place in our society, it had been one thing after another.

Strange—since at one point in my life I’d had plans to see the world. It was one of the reasons I’d joined the military.

Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so bad after all. Minus the whole having to rescue Brax and the rest of the pack, of course.

At the very least, it might prove a distraction from whatever was going on with me.

Rustling came from the seat next to me. Seeing my glance, Deborah tilted the package of cookies she was opening toward me and raised an eyebrow, silently asking if I wanted one.

“Remember the house rules, Deborah,” Connor advised without opening his eyes.

Deborah slowly brought the package of cookies back to her chest. “Sorry about that.”

“I’ll take one,” Caroline chimed from a few seats away.

The grin she aimed at me was taunting as she selected a few cookies before turning back to her companions.

“You two have a good relationship,” Anton remarked with a thoughtful glance at Caroline.

“What gave us away?”

Our witty banter? The way we constantly tormented each other? Unerringly pushing buttons in that way only friends with a long history can. Or was it how this was only the most recent example of how I’d stuck my neck out for Caroline?

“Friendships for people like us are a double-edged sword,” Anton said.

“What does that mean?”

People like us? I’d never considered Anton and myself in the same category.

Of Liam’s enforcers, he was the one I had the hardest time getting a handle on. Sometimes hot. Sometimes cold. But always testing me. As if to see what I would do.

“Just that when you love as deeply and completely as we do, you have to be careful that love doesn’t lead to your destruction.”

It felt like he’d just handed me the key to unlocking the mystery that was him.

Something had happened to Anton. Something traumatic and awful that involved a person he loved utterly and completely.

It was another layer to the complex man that I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to see.

“Be sure to keep that in mind, Lena,” Anton murmured.

Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed the slight turn of Caroline’s head that showed she was listening to our conversation.

“I’d say it’s worth it in this case,” I murmured.

Caroline shifted, her gaze meeting mine.

“Because it was my choice. No matter what comes later, I won’t regret it,” I finished fiercely.

So don’t try to protect me or leave me out of this, I added silently.

Anton’s expression was inscrutable when I finally looked back at him. He was too intelligent to have missed the meaning behind my words.

“I hope that you don’t,” he murmured.

I wouldn’t. I was sure of that.

I went back to staring out the window, the rest of the flight passing quietly. Connor kept his eyes closed while Deborah occupied herself with a book. An hour or two later Anton left to sit beside Daniel.

Thomas spent most of the flight reviewing paperwork. It was surreal to see my sire hard at work. To get a glimpse of the person he was outside of just being the vampire who made me. Someone who ran not only the city and his territory but a business empire.

The wolves kept mostly to themselves, not saying much. Probably for fear of the vampires overhearing.

I watched the sky outside the window. There wasn’t much to see at night. Just clouds. And an endless black that somehow felt comforting.

Hours passed in what felt like a blink of an eye.

Soon the landing gear was lowering and we began our descent.

“You okay?” Deborah asked.

I stared at her, the words taking longer than they should have to make sense. “Of course. I just got lost in thought.”

Thankfully, Deborah wasn’t able to distinguish lie from truth.

She tucked the book she’d been reading into her backpack. “I’m excited for this. First official trip with my new House. It’s going to be fun.”

Fun. Not the word I’d use.

“I’m sure it will be,” I agreed with a look at Caroline.

The plane touched down a short while later, saving me from any further conversation. Taxiing went by in the blink of an eye and before long we were pulling into a medium size hangar. Outside, a motorcade of black SUVs waited along with what seemed like practically an army standing by.

“It looks like they rolled out the welcome committee,” Anton observed, retracting his gaze from the window.

“You know what to do,” Thomas said.

Anton nodded, jerking his chin at Daniel. The two stalked toward the front of the plane as soon as the hatch was open.

“Aileen, Connor, there’s been a slight change of plans. I’ll need you to remain beside me once we deplane.” Thomas aimed a suppressive glance at the two of us. “Try not to act like you hate me while we’re here.”

“Is there a reason you want to keep up appearances?” I asked.

“While the owner of Vegas isn’t a vampire and thus less familiar with our customs, it’s still never wise to give an opponent more information than necessary.”

Reasonable and not far off what we’d done in the past when there had been visitors we didn’t trust in our city.

“We’ll be on our best behavior, Thomas,” I promised.

“For now,” Connor added.

“I guess that’s all I can expect,” Thomas murmured. To Caroline and the wolves, “It might be best for you to disembark last. You’ll draw less attention that way.”

Caroline and I didn’t miss the implications of his last sentence. Thomas knew, or at least suspected, that the wolves didn’t wish for anyone to know they were here.

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Caroline said with a glance at me.

I kept my face blank as Thomas rose and donned the suit jacket laid across the seat next to him. After smoothing the lapels, he handed off his briefcase to the companion with the sunny disposition.

Thomas glanced at the rest of us. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?”

Connor and I followed as he strode toward the hatch and the stairs. Deborah came next. Drake and his fellow companion last in line. Caroline and the rest would wait before disembarking thanks to Thomas’s lovely warning.

Connor and I flanked our sire like perfect bookends as we stepped into the hangar to find a large group waiting for us. At their center was a man whose power signature eclipsed everyone else’s.

Their leader, I took it.

Despite the pointed ears that I could just barely make out, he wasn’t Fae. He was something entirely else. Shadows wrapped around his torso and arms in my other sight. Thickest around his legs, to the point that his lower half was almost entirely veiled from view. They moved, almost dancing as we came to a halt in front of him.

“We were supposed to do this later tonight,” Thomas said.

“Why wait? Once the formalities are over, you’ll be free to enjoy your stay.”

The stranger was handsome. Black hair artfully styled away from the strong features of his face. A well-trimmed beard shadowing his jawline. Even with my limited knowledge, I could tell the suit he was wearing cost a fortune. Its deep plum color right at home in this city.

“It’s customary for the supplicant to visit the territory’s owner,” Thomas responded.

“Are you complaining that I saved you a trip?”

“Just curious over what may have enticed you to leave your territory. From my understanding, the djinn rarely step foot outside of their domains.”

No wonder there had been something about him. Something I recognized. Those shadows, or ones very similar to them, were awfully close to those I’d seen in the company of a friend of mine. Someone who was also a djinn.

The shadows must be a marker of their species. The same way fangs were for a vampire or howling at a full moon was for a werewolf.

Unlike Dahlia, this djinn didn’t put much effort into blending in with humans. He’d never be mistaken as anything other than a spook. If the ears hadn’t given it away, his predatory nature would have.

Any human facing him would be left feeling uneasy and afraid. They’d know there was something unnatural about him. If they didn’t freeze in terror, they’d flee. Or fight. That good ol’ instinct kicking in.

Black crawled across the whites of his eyes as he glanced at me, his lips parting on an inhale. Fascination flitted over his features before it disappeared along with the shadows that had bled into his eyes.

“You needn’t have bothered with the happy meals.” He eyed the humans among us with a half-smile. “I wouldn’t have denied you hunting privileges. There are plenty of blood dens.”

“I find it more convenient to have sustenance on hand,” Thomas said smoothly.

A thoughtful look settled on Connor’s face as he shifted to take in his father’s profile.

Thomas’s smile was a touch less polite than it had been a few seconds ago. “Shall we get this over with?”

If I hadn’t made a practice of studying him and his smallest expressions in an effort to protect myself, I wouldn’t have picked up on the faint signs that something about the mention of blood dens had upset him.

The djinn inclined his head. “By all means.”

Power blanketed the hangar.

Suddenly, Thomas’s mild-mannered facade was gone. A merciless predator in its place.

It was hard not to fold under the crushing pressure of his aura. Fear was an instinctive reaction. As was the desire to submit. To throw myself prone on the ground and hope the monster in front of me spared my life.

Locking my knees, I forced myself to breathe through it, knowing any loss of dignity would reflect poorly on my sire.

Normally, I couldn’t care less. Thomas and how others perceived him had nothing to do with me. This time was different, however. Right now, we were in enemy territory and couldn’t afford the slightest flaw. It left me with no choice but to play these stupid power games.

Also, my pride would never allow me to bow. Not to Thomas. Not to anyone.

Thomas looked almost bored as he began. “The master of the Midwest territories requests entrance into this city and the immediate surrounding area.”

The djinn was quick to answer. “Consider your request accepted. Hunting rights are also yours. As long as you make no attempt at subverting the city’s master, you and yours will see no harm by our hands.”

The subtle tension that had characterized the exchange evaporated as those on both sides relaxed.

The djinn nodded at Thomas. “Now that the formalities are taken care of, I hope you’ll enjoy your stay.”

“We’ll be sure to do that.”

“Will you be residing on the strip this time?” the djinn inquired, his expression open and harmless.

Thomas’s hesitation was faint before he answered. “I’ve made alternative arrangements.”

The djinn tilted his head. “Nevertheless, I think I’ll reserve a set of suites just in case you change your mind. The attractions on the strip aren’t to be missed. Especially for first time visitors.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I caught the way Thomas stiffened. Something in the djinn’s comment making him wary.

“That would be much appreciated,” Thomas said with an ease that made me think I’d imagined his agitation. “My youngest brought a few friends along. I’m sure they’d appreciate staying so close to everything.”

Very smooth.

With just a few words, he’d managed to separate me from the wolves. All without having to lift a finger himself.

I forced a smile, wishing I could kill Thomas. “What a great idea. I could even stay there with them. It’d certainly save time on the commute. From what I’ve heard, Vegas traffic is a bitch.”

Bonus—it would get me out from under Thomas’s eye.

Yes, I liked this more and more.

“I’m afraid not, my dear. I’d like the family to stay together on this trip. You can play with your friends all you’d like, but at the end of the night, I want you under my roof.” Thomas smile was unyielding. “For your protection, of course.”

With how carefully the djinn was watching our exchange I had no choice but to give in.

“As you wish,” I murmured in a low voice that managed to cover the anger heating my blood.

From behind Thomas’s back, Connor leveled a look on me that had the words “see” written all over it.

Yes, brother dearest, I very much did see.

“I hope your visit meets with your expectations,” the djinn said, watching us with an enigmatic gaze that felt vaguely threatening.

Or maybe that was just my paranoia talking.

Thomas offered a partial smile. “I’m sure it will. I’d accept nothing less.”

The djinn inclined his head. “May fortune favor you.”

“You as well, Saul.”

Interesting name. Saul. Not what I’d expected from a djinn. Then again, most beings as old as the one in front of me underwent several identity changes throughout their long lives.

To my relief, the djinn seemed to have lost interest in me, not sparing me another glance before he vanished like a mirage in the desert. One moment he was there, a tangible presence to my senses. The next he was gone in a masterful stroke well suited to the big budget magic shows featured in Vegas.

“That’s one way to make an exit,” Anton observed, coming up to us.

Car doors slammed as Saul’s bodyguards climbed inside. A minute later, the majority of the SUVs drove away, leaving only a handful behind.

A man pushed away from the hood of one, a roguish smile on his face as he sauntered toward us. “As I live and breathe, our resident troublemaker has once again found her way into a sticky situation.”

“Nathan!” I said, my heart lifting with gladness at the unexpected sight of my friend. “What are you doing here?”

“What am I doing here? The better question is what are you doing here? Does Liam know?”

That had me clamming up.

A loud guffaw came from Nathan as he read the answer on my face. “Oh, this is priceless. You’re not supposed to be here.”

He looked at Thomas in question.

“She insisted,” Thomas said, eyeing me askance.

“I’m sure she did,” Nathan drawled with a lift of his eyebrow as he focused on me. “What are you doing here, bestie?”

His voice was soft and dangerous, reminding me that this wasn’t a vampire to take lightly. Nathan may have been my friend, but he was also Liam’s second for a reason. No matter how flirtatious and affable he seemed, he was a stone-cold killer at the end of the day. Just as unhinged—maybe even more so—as all the rest of them.

Nathan’s gaze locked on something behind me as Caroline and the rest of the wolves chose that moment to deplane.

“Girl’s trip,” I blurted in an effort to distract him.

It was the same excuse I’d given Thomas. Hopefully, it worked better on Nathan.

“A girl’s trip,” he repeated evenly.

I nodded, not trusting my voice since I got the sense that lying to Nathan right now would be a mistake.

“Without Dahlia or your sister?” he asked in that deceptively soft voice that warned me to tread carefully.

“Dahlia rarely leaves her bar, and Jenna had to attend a last minute business trip.”

Even to my ears my excuses sounded lame, but I was already committed. I couldn’t backtrack now.

It almost made me wish I’d stuck to the truth from the beginning.

Almost.

The wolves never would have agreed.

Nathan stared at me for a beat. Long enough for me to become antsy. With the exception of Connor and Liam, Nathan was probably the one who knew me best. He would know I was lying. I wasn’t sure how long I could withstand a focused interrogation either.

A wide smile bloomed on his face. “I’m so glad I ran into you then. I’ve always wanted to be part of the infamous Girl’s Night.”

“Wait. What?”

No. No. No.

Caroline made a choked sound from a few feet away, her gaze as wild and panic stricken as mine.

We both knew how fucked we’d be if Nathan tagged along. Forget information gathering. We’d be lucky to get through the night intact.

“You don’t mind, do you, boss?” Nathan asked Thomas.

“Not at all. In fact, I insist. Put everything on my tab. I want my youngest and her friends to have the most memorable night of their lives.”

The smile Thomas leveled on me had shivers running down my back. It was the smile you’d see on the devil’s face after you just sold him your soul.

“You don’t have to do that,” I tried, knowing we’d landed ourselves in a trap.

“Oh, but I do. I have appearances to keep up. Have fun, my dear.”

With that, he followed Daniel to one of the waiting SUVs. Anton lingered a moment, shaking his head at me as if in sympathy.

Nathan clapped his hands. “I can’t wait until Liam finds out you’re here. Until then, your chariot awaits, my ladies.”

He gave me another silly grin before striding back to the SUV he’d been leaning against earlier.

I rubbed my forehead. “This is bad, isn’t it?”

Connor nodded. “I’d say that’s an understatement. We should have gotten off the plane as soon as we found Thomas waiting for us.”

“Hindsight is always 20/20,” I muttered as he followed Nathan over to the vehicle and climbed in the back.

“Aileen,” Caroline moaned, dragging her feet over to me.

“I know.”

“He’s going to ruin everything.”

“I’m aware.”

“What do we do now?”

“The only thing we can.”

We kept moving and hoped that things eventually sorted themselves out.

Caroline and Deborah climbed in the back with Connor while I took the front passenger seat. Sondra and the rest of the wolves rode in a different vehicle.

“Where too?” Nathan asked as I buckled my seat belt.

“We hadn’t really made any concrete plans.”

“I’ve got just the place then. You’re going to love this.”

“Let’s not go too crazy tonight,” I said, not quite trusting that look on Nathan’s face.

“How can you say that? It’s Vegas, baby.”

Nathan threw me a wink and started the vehicle.

“I’m seriously going to regret this, aren’t I?” I asked.

Nathan’s cackle as he pulled out of the hangar was less than reassuring. I was so totally going to regret agreeing to this.

Deborah leaned forward with an excited look. “I don’t suppose we could find a pool to sit by.”

At my look, she mouthed “what?”

I shook my head and turned back around. Read the car, Debs.

“I was thinking something a little more Vegas,” Nathan responded as we exited the airport and headed toward the strip.

Deborah gave Nathan a flirty little look. “I like the sound of that.”

“If we’re taking requests, I vote karaoke,” Caroline said.

“Oh no. Not after last time,” I swore.

It was bad enough that Columbus’s spooks called me the karaoke vampire. I had no desire for that name to follow me to the other side of the country.

Nathan smirked into the rearview mirror. “Now we’re talking.”

A loud sigh escaped me as I slid down in my seat. “Suit yourself.”

It wasn’t like anything I said could stop the madness train anyway. Might as well join it.

Nathan reached over and patted my thigh. “Don’t worry, grumpy. I’ll make sure you have a great time.”

That was what I was afraid of.

It didn’t take long to reach the strip. All too soon we were driving past the glittering lights and busy streets as we made our way to the Bellagio, where a pair of nymphs were playing in the hotel’s iconic fountain. Invisible to the throngs of humans streaming by.

Nathan pulled into the hotel’s entrance and parked his SUV in front of the valet stand before climbing out.

“Silver lining—at least we’re not footing the bill for this,” Caroline said.

“That’s good, because I doubt that we could afford even a portion of whatever it is Nathan has planned.”

Caroline shoved open her door. “Then it’s definitely for the best we’re not paying.”

Reluctantly, I followed.

Nathan tossed his keys to the valet. “Park her somewhere nice. Or don’t. She’s not mine.”

The rest of the wolves arrived a second later. They filed out of their vehicle in an orderly fashion as Nathan sauntered into the hotel like he owned the place. The rest of us trailed behind him like lost little ducklings.

Catching up to us, Sondra fell in step with me. “Is this wise?”

I huffed out a laugh. “Definitely not.”

But like I’d told Caroline, there wasn’t much choice.

“That’s what I thought,” Sondra murmured.

She didn’t say anything else as we strode across the marble floor of the lobby, our steps loud in the vast place. A long line of humans waited to check in.

“I’d watch yourself with that one,” Sondra said, nodding toward Nathan. “He has quite the ruthless reputation.”

“Thanks for the unsolicited advice, but I think I’ll manage.”

As if any of the spooks I knew were any different—including Sondra. They all had one thing in common; their mercilessness.

Nathan was dangerous, yes, but not to the people he loved. Somehow, I’d found myself among those numbers.

To my surprise, Nathan didn’t head immediately for the casino or any of the bars attached to it. Instead, he branched off toward the shops that I could tell at a glance were highly overpriced.

He stopped in front of one, jerking his chin at the door. “In you go.”

I stared blankly at the display window. “I don’t understand.”

“You’re not dressed for what I have in mind.” Nathan ran his gaze over my simple outfit, a pair of jeans with a t-shirt and jacket. “Anton called ahead. They’ve already picked out a few things for you and the other ladies.”

Deborah squealed and did a little dance. “Best. Trip. Ever.”

She waltzed into the shop without a backwards look, forgetting all about her master as she waved at the closest saleswoman.

“Always so difficult,” Nathan said with a gusty sigh. He took my shoulders, physically turning me in the direction of the door before giving me a little push. “Get dressed, woman. You’re burning moonlight.”

Caroline’s chuckle was soft as she trailed behind me.

“Are you Ms. Travers?” a saleswoman asked, spotting me.

“Much to my dismay, yes.”

The woman’s confusion showed for only a split second before she donned a professional mask. “Right this way, please. We’ve already pulled several pieces to get you started. If none of them meet your approval, we’ll be happy to find you something else.”

Caroline tagged along behind me as the saleswoman escorted us to a series of luxurious dressing rooms that were as over the top as the lobby had been.

“Champagne?” another saleswoman asked, holding out a flute.

Caroline reached around me. “I’ll take that.”

Deborah appeared, already holding a glass. “We need more trips like this. I have been waiting forever to shop here. I’m not even the one paying either.”

“Don’t get used to it,” I instructed.

This was a one-time thing.

Deborah arranged her features to look serious “Sure thing, boss. Whatever you say.”

“Where’s my changing room?” I asked, ignoring my companion’s sass.

The saleswoman nodded to an alcove on the right.

I heard Caroline asking about hers as I stepped inside, sliding the velvet curtain closed behind me.

Alright, let’s see what I was working with.