Sig nodded. “I’d expect nothing less.”
Silva
The Hellhound Compound was a large multi-story building on the edge of downtown Solston. It not only housed the headquarters for the Hellhounds in their function as Council Enforcers, but also apartments for nearly all the Hounds and their families.
Silva parked on the street in front of the building since clearance was required for the secure lot behind the building. Wylder had been quiet on the drive over, but there was a pleasant sort of charge to his silence.
“That was some speech back at the house,” he finally said once Silva had turned the car off.
“It was the truth.” Looking over at Wylder, Silva found shiny turquoise orbs looking back at him.
“I know, and I want you to know that I feel the same way.”
Warmth like Silva had never known spread through him. Touching Wylder was electric, like a livewire burning through his every cell, but this? This knowledge? Something settled in him that, in all the long centuries of his life, he hadn’t even realized had been askew. He’d seen mated couples and never truly understood their devotion. One look from Wylder changed all that.
He reached across the console and took Wylder’s hand, lifting it to press a solemn kiss against the back of it.
When he looked up again, Wylder leaned over, gripped the back of Silva’s neck to pull him in, and placed an equally gentle kiss to his lips.
Silva kissed him back, relishing the already familiar feel of their mouths together. Treasuring the comfort it brought him. When they broke apart, he rested his forehead against Wylder’s. “Let’s get this done so I can take you home.”
Wylder chuckled and kissed him again.
A few minutes later, he and Wylder finally got out of the car and walked to the front door.
“How can I help you?” a man behind a reception desk asked as they stepped through the door. “Oh, hey Wylder,” he said after he looked up.
“Hey, Rook,” Wylder greeted and leaned an elbow on the desktop. “Is Derek around?”
“He’s in the bullpen. Something going on?”
Silva moved toward the door leading to the Enforcer Headquarters. “Just need to have a chat with a vampire.”
They found Derek in his office.
“Silva. Wylder. How was Chicago?”
“Windy,” Silva said as he sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk.
Derek snorted.
Silva sighed. “We learned there’s a new Hunter, then got attacked.”
Derek sat up straighter. “Who attacked you?”
“Three vampires.” Silva smiled, all teeth. “I, uh, didn’t get the chance to ask them who’d sent them.”
“Just three?” Derek leaned back in his chair. “If I was coming to kill you, I’d bring a hell of a lot more than three.”
“We don’t think they wanted to kill him,” Wylder said, looking between them.
“Information?” Derek nodded, thinking it over. “So you think they were part of the group Ansel was talking about.”
“We do.”
Derek smiled. “Then they’re idiots. I’d bring even more to take you alive than I would to kill you.”
Silva gave him a little nod.