Kane rolled his eyes. “Do you need a level head at the meeting with the prophets?”
Dage gestured for Talen to precede him out the door. “No. I need you to deal with this damn virus before it reduces our women to single cell organisms.” He stalked out of the room, following Talen down the hallway and into the summer day, neither man speaking to the guards posted at duty. Sighing, Dage squinted into the sun. “Three hundred years ago I offered you the crown, and you hit me in the face.”
Talen shifted so the sun stood to the side. “I know. But we’re talking about my mate. What would you do?”
Choose Emma over the Realm. No question. “I’d stop and think. Kidnapping a well-known human would bring more trouble down on us than we need.” He reached out and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “But if it comes down to it, we’ll take her. I promise.”
Talen gave a short nod. “I know.” His jaw tightened. “I should be with you at the meeting today with the prophets.”
“No.” Talen on edge would be disastrous. A mated vampire was the most dangerous being in existence if his mate was threatened. “Your place is with your mate right now. And with mine. I need you to protect them both.” Dage stepped back. “Keep an eye on our asshole brother. I can’t believe Kane did that.”
Shards of emotional green shot through Talen’s golden eyes. “He did it for my mate. Eating a virus that might kill him. For my mate.” A pebble skipped across the cement when Talen kicked it. “I don’t know whether to hug him or punch him in the face.”
Dage grinned. “Hell. It’s Kane. Do both.”
Talen returned the grin, then quickly sobered. “Do you know what you’re doing today?”
The air crackled for a moment as energy shifted around the king. “Hell no. Bringing Caleb back into the Realm may be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”
“I agree we could use him and his allies.” Talen squinted toward the white building. “The prophets won’t like it.”
“Half the Realm won’t like it.” Dage tapped a signal on his watch to let the pilot know he was ready. “Caleb may tell me to go to hell.” In fact, that was probably a guarantee.
“True. When will you be able to transport again?” Talen raised an eyebrow.
Dage shrugged. “I could do so now.” The time had come to be smart, not convenient. “I’m holding on to the strength just in case.” So he had a two-hour plane ride to think about strategy.
“Smart move.” Talen clapped him on the back. “Good luck.”
Dage nodded and began to jog for the airplane hangar on the other side of the lab. He’d need it.
Chapter 11
The two-hour plane ride had been a strategic waste of time. Striding down the hotel hallway lined with bouquets of fresh lilies as if directing a wedding procession—or a funeral—Dage wasn’t any closer to a solution. He shook his head at his youngest brother. “What do you mean Caleb isn’t here yet?”
Jase shrugged. “Conn went to fetch him at the airfield and he’s late.”
Not good news. “Caleb said he’d be here, so he’ll show up sometime. We’ll go ahead as planned.” Dage had wanted to meet with Caleb before meeting with the prophets. If his old friend told him to go to hell, there was no reason to piss everyone off with his plan.
“Good.” Jase grabbed Dage’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “I, ah, I’ve been working on something.”
“Really? What?” Dage shifted to meet his brother’s gaze.
“You know how I can heal some wounds with my thoughts?”
“Sure.” A handy talent to be sure.
Jase cleared his throat. “I think I can yank the virus out of the women.”
Shock bashed into Dage for a moment. Reality soon filtered through. “What would happen to the virus?”
Jase shrugged. “If I could get it out of their chromosome, which to be honest, I’m not sure I could, then I might need to attach the bug to mine. Who the hell knows?”
Dread and pride filled the king in equal measure. “Sacrificing yourself isn’t a solution, Jase.” His brothers were truly men of honor.
“We protect mates at all costs, Dage.”
He gave a short nod. “We’re not to that point yet, but I appreciate your willingness.” Damn. Now Jase as well as Kane had to be kept from sacrificing themselves. That was his job. Dage pivoted, stalking down the hallway until reaching a thick double door manned by two armed vampires with the prophecy signet on their lapels showing their ranking as guards to the prophets. One opened the door.
He crossed the threshold, his spirits lifting as a cloud of wild strawberries rushed toward him and a small woman graced both of his cheeks with a kiss. “Dage.” Kind eyes the color of midnight twinkled before a grape energy drink was thrust into his hand. “For you.”
He grinned. “Prophet Sotheby, you’re as lovely as ever.” Gazing closer, he fought a frown. Dark circles marred the pale skin of the prophet’s stunning face. Her golden hair had been pulled up into an intricate knot but her perfect makeup failed to provide camouflage. The prophecy marking on the back of her neck stood out in deep blue.
She returned the smile. “My friends call me Lily, and you mustn’t look so concerned. I took a bet from a multi-shifter last night involving a dart game and tequila. I lost.”
“Lily. Multies claim incredibly fast metabolisms. You didn’t stand a chance.” He tugged her arm through his and led her to a plush chair near a crackling fire. Her hand trembled slightly against his forearm. Poor thing. A hangover and now her day was about to get worse. He settled her down.
He shifted his attention to Milner, who appeared regal in a deep velvet waistcoat. “Prophet.” Who in the hell wore waistcoats these days?
Milner shook his hand, taking the chair next to Lily’s. “King. I hope you don’t mind, but Prophet Sotheby suggested we meet in here by the fire instead of yet another cold conference room.”
Lily nodded next to him. “Yes. I do love a nice gathering by a warm fire.”
Milner nodded toward Jase, who had taken up position next to the door. “Prince.”
Jase returned the nod, then smiled at Lily.
Dage hid the concern for Lily from his eyes. “Thank you, Lily. This setting is much nicer than usual.” He turned and took the next extended hand. “Prophet Guiles.”
“We appreciate the chance to speak with you, King.” Guiles gave a short shake and took the chair opposite Lily. His long brown hair cascaded down his strong back. He had to be, what? Maybe a hundred years older than Dage’s three and a half centuries? The fates designated him a prophet the same day Dage became king. War and death had created the openings for them both.
Prophet Milner cleared his throat. As the oldest person in the room, the meeting would be run by him—for a while, anyway. “First, let me say how pleased we are that two of the royal family have mated. We’d like the rest to follow suit.” He shot a glance at Jase, who grinned in response.
Lily clapped her hands together. “Yes. I spent some time with both Emma and Cara at the ball. Wonderful women. I’m so happy for you, Dage.”
Dage smiled. So far so good.
Milner continued, “We reviewed the information you provided regarding the Kurjan virus. Has there been any luck finding a cure?”
“Not yet.” Dage might have a duty to inform the prophets about Cara and Katie being infected. Probably. “We finished setting up the lab and are hard at work.” Nah. The less the prophets knew the better. He took a drink.
Lily leaned forward. “Has the wolf shifter had any other episodes?”
“No.” Dage had hoped to avoid this issue. The doctor who’d diagnosed Maggie had copied the reports for the prophets. “In fact, there’s a good chance the virus will run its course with her, leaving her healthy.”