“Then let me remove her from the Compound.”
Sylvan gripped Niki’s shoulders and stepped back, lowering her head until they were eye to eye.
“You won’t touch her. Do you understand?”
“Yes, Alpha,” Niki said.
After a moment, Sylvan released her and returned to her desk. She sat down and ruthlessly caged her furious wolf. Then she picked up a pen and pulled a file folder in front of her.
“Send in the Councilors.”
A moment later Zachary Gates strode in with the Fae Queen by his side. Cecilia Thornton was a voluptuous blonde with huge green eyes, a delicate face, a sinful mouth, and a quick, calculating mind.
In her Prada suit, she looked every inch the CEO of the Fifth Avenue marketing powerhouse that she was. When she sat on the Fae throne she traded in her designer suits for gossamer gowns or sleek, body-hugging leathers. Sylvan wasn’t certain the full extent of Cecilia’s power, but she’d seen her reduce a traitorous subject brought before her court to an unrecognizable mass of quivering jelly—literally—with a nonchalant flick of her hand. Like all absolute monarchs, Cecilia craved power and guarded it jealously.
“Cecilia, I thought you were in Washington.” Sylvan gestured to the chairs in front of her desk. “Please. Sit down.” Ever the gentleman, Zachary waited until Cecilia was seated before sitting himself. He wore his Armani well, giving the appearance of a modern-day corporate raider. Which he was. He leaned forward with an unctuous smile. “Forgive this unscheduled visit, Alpha. Since Cecilia arrived unexpectedly for business, it seemed a perfect opportunity to meet with you privately.”
Cecelia crossed her legs and folded her lovely manicured hands in her lap. “Especially since you seem too busy to schedule time for the full coalition board.”
“The next meeting isn’t until late next month,” Sylvan pointed out, wondering what Zachary would do if she took him down with her teeth in his neck, which she’d had the urge to do since he walked in the room.
“True,” Cecilia said, smiling as her eyes slid over Sylvan’s face.
“But in light of recent events—”
“Recent events?” Sylvan said.
“The delay in moving PR-15 out of Weston’s committee has some of us concerned,” Zachary said. “The bill has substantial economic repercussions—and until we can assure our stockholders that our corporations are solid and secure, our margins are at risk.” Sylvan narrowed her eyes and barely suppressed a growl. “I wasn’t aware that the primary goal of the legislation was to preserve your portfolio. We get reports every day of attacks on Praeterns, including homicides—because humans don’t fear prosecution.”
“Of course,” Cecilia said, “those things are important too, but without an economic advantage, it will be far more difficult for us to convince the humans that it’s important to recognize our place in the world trade structure.”
“And what about the sanctity of our territories, protection for our young, our right to governing autonomy?” Sylvan shot back.
“We don’t need the humans’ help to preserve our societies.” Cecilia shrugged. “We’ll let the humans know what we want them to know. That’s always been our way.”
“That presumes keeping a great many secrets,” Sylvan said.
“Exactly,” Zachary said. “The less we call attention to our…differences…the better it will be.” He glanced at Cecilia, who nodded almost imperceptibly, then turned back to Sylvan. “You might consider whether you really want to remain as visible as you have been.”
“It sounds suspiciously as if you’d like to replace me,” Sylvan remarked, leaning back in her chair. She decided that she didn’t really want to tear Zachary’s throat out. It would be messy and unsatisfying in the long run. Parrying Zachary and Cecelia’s mind games actually helped her distract her wolf from her singular goal, which was to find Drake and claim her.
“Your opinions, of course, are invaluable,” Zachary said, “but I think we all know that the public has the hardest time embracing the concept of others who are…part animal.” Sylvan laughed. “And you think they don’t have trouble with bloodsucking Vampires?”
Zachary’s eyes flared crimson for a moment, and then he smiled thinly. “On the contrary, they seem to like the side effects of blood-hosting quite a lot. As I think you’re aware.”
“I appreciate the concerns of the coalition,” Sylvan said, although she was fairly certain that Zachary and Cecelia were jockeying for more power and didn’t represent the entire board. If she were replaced by a Were who didn’t have the ability to dictate policy—and no one did, other than her—Zachary and Cecelia would steamroll the coalition into going along with their own agendas. She had no intention of allowing that to happen. “But there’s really nothing to worry about. Weres have coexisted with humans for millennia without being detected, and we’ll have no problem continuing to coexist now that they know of us.”
“Even when the humans discover that you’re capable of transferring a lethal infection to them?” Zachary asked.
Cecilia sat back, a placid expression on her face, as if she were watching a mildly entertaining tennis match.
Sylvan growled. “What are you talking about?” Zachary spread his hands. “Just a…rumor…that a number of humans have contracted a fatal condition from Weres. We all know how the humans deal with a threat of that nature—the next thing you know, they’ll want to isolate you in camps, regulate your breeding, experiment on your offspr—”
“How exactly were you made aware of this rumor?”
“A phone call,” Zachary said. “Actually, several of them. Of course, I immediately sought to bring this to your attention.”
“And I certainly appreciate that.” Sylvan stood, waging a fierce internal battle to keep her claws and her canines retracted. Zachary was threatening her Pack and she wanted to scatter pieces of him around the room. “Your solidarity…and Cecelia’s”—she tipped her head to Cecilia, who gave her a slow, indolent smile—“is very much appreciated, but I can assure you, rumor is all there is to this.” Zachary rose and extended his hand to Cecilia, who rested her fingers delicately on his arm as if he were a royal consort.
“That’s very comforting, Alpha,” Cecilia said. “Please do keep us informed.”
“Of course,” Sylvan said as the pair walked out. When the door closed behind them, she snarled in frustration. Her chest throbbed and she rubbed the bite. Very few individuals knew about the human females who had contracted Were fever. Drake knew, but Drake would never betray her and the Pack. Sophia, who was loyal unto death. Someone else had alerted the Vampire—someone who was not Pack. An enemy.
Niki knocked and edged inside the room. “I’m sorry, Alpha, but while you were engaged a call came in—one I think you’ll want to address.”
“What is it?”
“A request for an urgent meeting with you tonight. From Detective Jody Gates.”
“Zachary’s daughter.”
Niki nodded.
“I wonder if she’s finally decided to do her father’s bidding.”
“The timing is suspicious,” Niki agreed.
“Well, let’s see what she has to say. Set up the meeting.”
“Yes, Alpha.” Niki hesitated, then quietly left.
Sylvan returned to the window. The sun had set, but the night sky was hazy and the city lights obscured the stars. She ached for the taste of pure mountain air in her lungs, for the feel of pine needles under her feet, for a glimpse of an endless midnight sky. She longed for the comfort of another running close by her side, their shoulders touching, their breath mingling.
She picked up her cell and called Elena. “How is she doing?”
“As far as I know, she’s not showing any signs of decompensation. She’s very strong.”