Hope and Vengeance (Saa Thalarr, book 1): Saa Thalarr, book 1 (22 page)

"You have nice feet," she said. "Ready?"

"Yes."

"Good."

* * *

"This is where they were taken?" Dragon asked Daniel.

"That's the rumor, but I can't scent anything here," Daniel shook his head. "I and several others from the Pack have been out here, and they didn't find anything, either."

We'd been dropped at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, near the gulf waters. Behind us lay grass-covered dunes and beyond that, marshy land where snakes, insects and alligators abounded. In the winter, the refuge was home to the last of the migratory whooping cranes. It wasn't winter, and, as Kiarra said, the temperature was in the nineties.

"If they pulled a boat up and loaded victims, the waves would wash away any evidence," Kiarra's shoulders drooped. "How did the victims get here?"

"Their vehicles were located at a parking area on the other side. They were reportedly hiking in this direction," Daniel replied. "You're right, though. If they were hauled away by boat, there'd be no evidence left behind. This might explain why they wanted Bill Gordon's boat in the beginning."

"I can't understand what's blocking the information on where they were taken and how," Lion muttered. "That shouldn't be."

"Blocking the information?" I turned to Joey for answers.

"They can
Look
to get information. It's easy, I've done it with Bearcat's help. Something is keeping them from finding this."

"That must have been what happened to me," I nodded absently.  "We know for sure that the kapirus was here?"

"We're certain," Lion said. "Two scales and an earring from one of the victims was found here; it was collected by the authorities. The scales belong to the kapirus. As for the rest of the information, there's a big hole where it ought to be."

"Pheligar says he's checking on it," Bearcat rubbed Joey's shoulders affectionately. "We can't spot the enemy because they're shielded, but this is really confusing. We ought to be able to track a kapirus with no trouble."

"Confusing doesn't begin to describe this," Kiarra said, digging into wet sand at her feet and coming up with an earring covered in grit. "One victim thought to leave what she could behind. She's probably dead, now."

* * *

"Merrill, the bastard is heading for the states."

Merrill jerked his head up at Griffin's words. Franklin, who'd busied himself putting a pan of lasagna together, frowned at Griffin as well.

"Where?"

"Likely Corpus Christi. I have no idea how he's getting information, but it hasn't escaped my notice that he left England behind almost the moment Kiarra returned to Texas."

"He needs to stay far away from her," Merrill hissed, his eyes going red.

"There's nothing to stop us from using conventional means to get there, or even hopping there."

Merrill pulled his cell phone from a pocket and dialed a number. "Have the jet ready in three hours," he said before ending the call. "Franklin do you wish to come?"

"No. I'll stay here. It's Greg's birthday."

"Yes. Of course. Extend my best wishes. Griffin and I will travel tonight, after dinner."

"Stay in touch. I don't like this, Father," Franklin said, turning his attention back to the lasagna preparations.

"Neither do I, but I refuse to allow that ill-bred snake near her."

"Then be safe."

"As always, child."

* * *

"Pheligar made arrangements to buy it for me, that's how," Kiarra shook her head at me as we walked into a huge home located on Mustang Island, just south of Port Aransas. More than ten thousand square feet on three levels, it had additional guest quarters over a large garage and a walkway to the beach. "He said he only wanted to shield one space, so we'll all be here," she added.

"The Dallas Packmaster has a vacation home nearby," Daniel observed as he studied the interior of the house. "This is nearly twice as big."

"It's not a contest," Lion clapped Daniel on the back. "We needed this much room, or we'd be sitting on one another's laps."

"You're right."

"Two more coming," Dragon sighed.

"Who?" Kiarra turned to ask.

"Griffin and Merrill are on their way. They have news."

"I hope it's good news," Kiarra muttered before walking toward the expanse of glass covering the back of the house. The view of the beach was stunning, and I appreciated the play of the afternoon sun on the water.

"My heart," I stepped behind her and wrapped my arms about her shoulders, pulling her against me.

Adam, I'm worried
, she sent.
This is far outside the norm
.
Something's wrong here, and we don't have any clues. We're going at this blind, and that's a terrible position to be in
.

We're together
, I reminded her.
That counts for something, doesn't it?

I suppose it does.

We have sex to take our minds off our troubles, you know.

Adam, I
, she began before cutting off the mental conversation.

"What?" I said aloud, leaning down to kiss her neck.

"We have so much to do, and no idea where to start."

* * *

Griffin and Merrill arrived after midnight. Kiarra stayed up to greet them, therefore, so did I. I'd noticed Griffin's slight limp before, but never commented, as I had no idea if it were chronic.

"You seem better," Lion remarked as Griffin and Merrill walked through the front door.

"I feel better," Griffin agreed. "Amara says I'm pushing things, but this is important."

Injured during his last assignment
, Kiarra explained through mindspeech.
His leg was nearly cut off by the tail spikes of an enemy.

Tail spikes?
I almost yelped the mental words.

Yeah. See, maybe you made the wrong choice after all.

No, I made the right choice. I just need to know what I might be facing, that's all. Tail spikes and serpents don't usually come in combinations.

Also spikes on the head. Lots of teeth. Scales are deadly, too.

Are you trying to frighten me?

If you're not, you should be
.

I'm afraid I may need comfort, now.

Seriously? Where's that stiff British vampire's upper lip, or whatever?

That's not what's stiff, and I'll use any excuse to get you in bed. Come on, we've greeted our guests. Time for us, now
.

Kiarra said goodnight, and I quickly herded her toward our second-floor suite. I only kept her awake for another hour—she was tired.

* * *

"Russell? I don't recall summoning you." Wlodek didn't bother to look up from the papers he was reading, his dark eyes scanning reports from one of his assassins.

"You didn't summon me. I explained to Charles what the difficulty is, and he saw fit to admit me."

"Then I will speak to Charles later," Wlodek looked up, his gaze unblinking as he studied Russell. "Tell me quickly and be done with it."

"It's about Xavier. And the Seer."

"What about them? Xavier is your sire, as I recall."

"And I believe the Seer intends to see him dead." Wlodek's fingers toyed with a gold pen for a moment before stilling.

"Tell me why you believe this," Wlodek commanded, compulsion thick in his voice.

"Because I overheard the Seer saying it," Russell replied, his eyes clouded with Wlodek's command.

"Where is he now—your sire?" the question was soft. Deadly.

"On his way to the U.S. He believes he can capture the woman in the video shown at the last Council meeting. He intends to turn her."

"I did not give that command. The Council has not made that decision as yet." Wlodek resumed toying with his pen.

"The Seer gave the command."

"Where is the Seer? I will speak with him."

"With Xavier. I followed them to the airport, Honored One. Xavier's jet was ready and waiting."

"What persuaded you to follow?"

"I am concerned for my sire."

"I am concerned for your sire as well," Wlodek lifted his cell phone and dialed a number. "Is there anything else I should know?"

"The Seer wants Adam dead, too."

* * *

"Coffee." Lion placed a steaming mug in front of me the following morning. Merrill settled on the barstool next to mine and received a mug as well. He sipped his readily. I was more reluctant.

"Want pancakes?" Kiarra walked in, tying her hair back with a stretchy band. I'd left her sleeping in our bed moments earlier. I must have wakened her, going out the door.

"Pancakes would be great," Lion grinned. "I'll do bacon if you'll do pancakes and eggs."

"Done," she agreed. Merrill's cell phone rang as I watched her put pancake batter together.

"Wlodek?" Merrill sounded surprised. I listened shamelessly to the conversation.

"The Seer has gone rogue, and he's taken Xavier with him," Wlodek growled. "I know you warned me."

"I hear he may be planning a takeover," Merrill responded.

"Of what?"

"Your seat at the center of the Council, that's what. He wants what is here, first, before he returns to England to take what is yours."

"How do you know this?"

"You should know better than to ask that question."

"I despise that source, as you know. I do not question its veracity, however."

"Then I advise you to place your known allies on alert. You may come under attack, and I am not in the country to offer assistance."

"Where are you?"

"In Texas. I must do what I can to prevent catastrophe. I believe the Seer is allied in some way with these rogue werewolves, and those must be dealt with, in addition to the other threats we face. Have you spoken with the Grand Master?"

"Yes. Most evenings. Information has come to him from several Packmasters, listing wolves that have disappeared. He fears they are rogue or dead."

"I believe the rogues may be collecting in this area," Merrill confirmed. "Gathering and lying in wait for some prearrange signal—likely from the Seer."

"Do you need assistance to deal with this?"

"I would not refuse your offer."

"I will send Russell, Radomir, Will and Brock," Wlodek said. "Utilize those two from the area as well. Do you know where Adam is? His life is in danger. The Seer wants him dead, for some reason, and as Xavier appears to be under the Seer's command, Xavier may be instructed to destroy his child."

"Adam is here with me," Merrill said.

"Then he is safe for the moment. Will you advise him of this new development?"

"Of course."

"We must also consider the Seer's replacement, when this situation is resolved."

"Let us see this through, first, before we dwell on future events."

"I'll consider it. Keep me advised." Wlodek ended the call.

"You heard?" Merrill turned to me.

"Yes." I was seething. It failed to surprise me, however, that my own sire might attempt to take my life. It would require little coaxing from the Seer, in my estimation.

"He comes near you, he'll get a surprise," Kiarra hissed. I hadn't considered that she'd heard the conversation, too.

"You're no longer bound to obey your sire," Lion said, dropping strips of bacon into a heated skillet. "He can't command you to stand still while he murders you. Not after getting Kee's blood."

"He's not bound to obey any vampire," Kiarra angrily whisked ingredients together in a bowl. "Compulsion won't work, Adam. You're free of that, now."

"You received her blood?" Merrill asked. He sounded upset.

"Can we not discuss this?" Kiarra poured batter into a skillet while Lion turned the bacon. "We have rogues to hunt, spawn to kill, a kapirus to find and who knows what else waiting for us. A discussion about blood can wait."

"He just wants a taste. Merrill, that is," Griffin took a seat next to Merrill and lifted an eyebrow at Kiarra.

"I fail to understand why."

"Just humor me. It won't hurt to be connected to more than one or two, now will it? And since I've already given permission for blood, you won't have to do that part."

"Connected?"

"You'll feel her—if she's in trouble or gets hurt, just as Joey will," Lion explained, setting a platter of bacon on the island. "It can't hurt to have more connections. Karzac is connected to all of us, except for Kee."

"I'll get Karzac connected," Kiarra muttered, setting a platter of pancakes beside the bacon. "If somebody will get plates and forks, I'll make eggs."

"It'll only take a nip," Griffin coaxed. "Come here."