“You want him to find out more about this Bastian?”
He nodded.
Dean stood. “I’ll get him on it right now.” He walked to the door, but didn’t open it. “We don’t tell Mikey anything.”
He was right. Mark saw little need to burden his little brother with this. “And Dean?”
His brother turned to him. “Tell him to be discreet. This could be bigger than we know.”
“Why would you think that?”
He couldn’t be sure. “Just a hunch.” The enormity of the situation was complicated by Bastian’s familiarity with both Caster and Damien. If he were related in any way to them,then the treaty would come into play. He was prepared to get vengeance at any cost, but he hadn’t considered how it would affect all wolves. The war was not a prospect he would wish to revisit.
Dean nodded and left him to his thoughts. He reached for the psychic barrier holding his wolf back and reveled at the connection that was still present. He’d retreated further back in deference to the Prime Alpha, but now warmed his body with his presence. Mark didn’t want to analyze Caster’s role in restoring it. He couldn’t. Not when his mind was consumed with renewed burning desire for vengeance. Could he heed his own advice and wait for more information?
Caster still had trouble getting over the events in his study two days ago. Julian reported that Bastian had disappeared, and he needed more time to locate him. It was clear his young cousin was up to something, something that would not be good for everyone involved. He buttoned his white shirt, staring at his reflection in the mirror. Like a nuisance he couldn’t get rid of, the memory of Mark invaded his thoughts again. He could almost taste his lips, hear the echo of his unguarded cry as he claimed his pleasure.
He shook his head, grabbing his suit jacket with more force than necessary. The house was big enough that he had only caught glimpses of Mark in the last two days. They avoidedeach other, which was just as well. Now was not the time to analyze this thing between them. His attempts at denying its significance, the trust the guarded wolf had granted him, were thwarted by the memory of how wonderful it had been.
That is where it all needed to stay, in his memory. Mark’s demeanor the morning after and the complication of Bastian’s involvement meant they would never again have what they shared that night. Good. The last thing he needed was to take his eye off the ball that was his immense responsibility. He needed to prove to his parents he was ready for the throne. That meant dealing with whatever Bastian and Uncle Lucien were up to.
“Morning, boss.” Kyle opened the door for him, and Caster nodded his greeting. He settled into his seat, and they set off to his meeting with the council.
Kyle’s presence was reassuring amidst the witch’s considerable threat and the unknown but present threat Bastian posed. Companionable silence permeated the space in the vehicle as they drove to Damien’s house. The Council could come to his mansion, but with their guests in attendance, there was no need for further confrontation. The fragile peace between the species was too brittle to expect the council to be comfortable with the wolves around.
Kyle parked in front of Damien’s house, and Caster relaxed when he saw Riley’s driver leaning against his car. He hadn’t been aware he needed his friend’s reassuring power until now.
The sound of the bickering council was apparent as he approached his cousin’s study, and he took a breath, readying himself for a fight.
“…no one knows?” His Uncle Mason’s voice carried throughthe open door, a hush falling over the room as he walked in.
“I am here. What is so urgent that you needed me in person?” His impatience colored every word, even as Damien’s chuckle pointed out its absurdity.
“She has killed again.” Uncle Mason’s voice filled the momentary silence his question had brought.
He opened his mouth, but Riley anticipated a question he hadn’t voiced. “Last night. Ten vampires and at least a dozen humans.”
“Where?” Caster wasn’t sure he wanted to know the answer, but the question needed to be asked.
“Los Angeles,” Mason answered. “Which is why everything you’re doing here seems so futile. A locator spell won’t find her if she’s no longer close enough.”
The intensity of Riley’s immense power filled the space, and gasps emanated from the council as the twelve vampires in the room felt its threat. “I assure you, my locator spell can find her anywhere.” He reined in his power, but not enough to ease the tension in the room. “It is also possible that she hasn’t left. She doesn’t need to be there to kill them.”
The conviction in Riley’s words didn’t bode well for them. “What do you mean?”
Riley looked at him. “I went back to where we saw that creature, and I could sense she hadn’t been there at all. It seems these things that bear her magic can act without her intervention.”
“Great. So she could be anywhere,” Damien said, and the room erupted into chaos as each member attempted to voicetheir thoughts at once.
Caster sighed and reached into Riley’s mind.Do we have a chance?
Do you doubt me? I just need a little time and a little help. Mother and Edie should be here later today.Riley’s mother and his aunt Edie were powerful Fire Witches whose expertise would be invaluable in their quest to find the witch.
Caster nodded and stood to get away from the noise in the room, but also to get their attention. In rare deference to his position, each member fell silent. “You will notify their families and offer compensation.” He leveled his uncle Mason with a stare. “Give me time to find her.” His uncle was powerful enough to subdue the council members who wanted more direct action.
Although they would never voice it, some radical council members wanted the King to compel the Grand Priestess to do more. The Grand Priestess was a proud woman who wouldn’t respond well to threats or ultimatums, and given the power she controlled, antagonizing her was not the best idea.
Mason nodded. “But you need to be ready if the search bears little fruit.”