“You want something?” she asked.
“You, secured to a wall and glowing with sexual satisfaction,” the dashing werespider said, “but given the circumstances, I’ll settle for a talk. If you’re up to it.”
Shamira nodded. “I’m tired and I’m hungry, so make it quick.”
“Shane asked me to take over the investigation,” he said. “Looking for the morning star trade.”
She nodded again. She suspected as much. “Congratulations,” she said, not meaning it at all.
“I told him I didn’t want it. It’s your baby, the ideas are yours –”
“Sebastian, don’t cross him because of me. YOU at least have a real future here.”
“So do you,” he replied. “Listen, I try to avoid being serious whenever possible, so feel free to revel in the moment. I’ve always respected cops, and I for one think you’re a great enforcer, especially since you’ve only been at it for a little over a month now. Except for dealing with Shane, you’ve got some great diplomatic skills. Anyway, when Shane tried to get me to take it and I tried refusing. He kept after me, so I told him I’d only do it if you stayed on. Renata told me about how she worked with you before and I figured we could keep the same working relationship. I’m beginning to think there’s something to Lacroix being involved.”
Despite her wavering desire to leave, Shamira’s interest was perked. “How so?”
“Those guys we tangled with had three decked out patrol cars, magical detection devices, and specialized weapons. None of that shit comes cheap, and I haven’t heard about anyone in Macon who had that kind of stroke. Any bigwigs wouldn’t be able to stay off of Shane’s radar, but Lacroix is a lord. He would have the resources, and you did say that the disappearances started closer to Savannah.”
“True. How much money does Lacroix have?”
“I don’t know. And apparently he isn’t required to report it to Shane. Shane could request the information through the Tribunal, but then Lacroix would know he was being audited.”
Something tingled in the back of Shamira’s mind. “Kira,” she muttered.
“Who?”
“Kira Blanks. She’s one of my donors, and she works for one of those big financial firms downtown. I don’t know if Lacroix does business with her company, but she might know how to find this stuff out. I could barely do my own taxes.”
Sebastian grinned. “I haven’t paid taxes since I got transformed. All my jobs have been under the table. Until now at any rate. Shane seems to want more stuff to be above table than most of my employers.”
“Cheating bastard,” she muttered, but her mind was somewhere else. “I don’t know if it’s appropriate to involve a donor in vampire business though.”
“Yeah, because that stops you all the time.”
Shamira glared at him, but he just grinned back. “I’ve knocked you out once before you know.” Even as she said it, she realized that she’d miss this wholly gorgeous and arrogant punk-ass. “Listen, I’ll ask Kira how we could hypothetically trace this info down, but I don’t want her getting involved if there’s a chance she’ll get hurt. I’ll pass it on to you and you can do with it as you will. Take Shane’s offer,” she said. “You’re a good guy. Sometimes. When you’re not being a putz.”
“A glowing recommendation if ever I heard one.” He stepped aside to let her by. “Oh, Bunny was looking for you. It looks like she’s attempting to make enough breakfast to feed a small army and was wondering how many pancakes you wanted.”
“Good grief.” Shamira rolled her eyes and headed inside.
Shamira found Bunny in the kitchen, and she was making a mess that was giving the cooking staff a fit. But the girl’s natural enthusiasm was winning them over, and some even began to help. Bunny’s mouth was apparently connected directly to her long-term memory without the benefit of a filter, so she told everyone absolutely everything about her, though she stopped often when other people had something to contribute.
Several people showed up for breakfast, though they and Shamira avoided conversation with each other. Renata and Banshee both looked like they wanted to, but respected the cold vibe that Shamira was giving off. Only Bunny seemed oblivious to it.
Finally, the silence grew too uncomfortable. Shamira thanked Bunny and then wandered away. She wanted to go back to the room, but wasn’t sure she was ready to deal with Clara. There wasn’t anyplace that she really felt at home. And damn, was she tired. Vampires didn’t require as much sleep as humans or weres, but she hadn’t been able to sleep much at all in her cell.
She walked through the house, hearing the distant din of leather lashing against flesh, chains rattling, orders being given, and moans being made. Things she would miss. Things she already missed. Eventually she lay down on a recliner in the back corner of the lounge and fell asleep almost instantly.
She woke up an hour after sunset, feeling only slightly better rested that she had before. Around the house, her ears began picking up the sounds of training. The time for pleasure would come later . . . after the chores were done. Shamira didn’t give a crap. She was going to go meet her donors in a few hours and talk to Kira about helping spy on Lacroix.
Then the intercom came on and Shane’s voice told everyone to meet in the den to discuss the meeting. She didn’t want to go, but she’d made a promise. She was on the job until the day after the big meet-up, and wouldn’t put it past Shane to lock her up again if she didn’t show. Shamira had no intention of missing her appointment with the Blanks.
She walked into the room and saw that most everyone was there, and pretty much everyone glanced at her silently. Each gaze carried a silent inquiry, and each inquiry went unanswered by Shamira. Clara was the only one who didn’t look, though there was an empty space next to her on the couch. Shamira stood at the back of the room, leaning against the wall and waiting.
Shane walked in last, and he was flanked by a number of people Shamira didn’t know . . . about two dozen of them. They turned out to be other vampires that Shane had changed, as well as some weres in his employ. These were those that worked for him but weren’t officially part of his house for one reason or another.
Bringing up the rear was Travis McNeil, the head security guy from Prometheus, and all of Shane’s human security forces. The werebear looked every bit as massive now as the last time they’d met, and he wound up settling against the wall next to her. He nodded to her, but didn’t say anything. Shamira appreciated his silence.
“Okay everyone,” Shane said, “this is how everything is going to go down. Guests will start arriving tomorrow, and we are responsible for their safety while they are in our territory. Most of them will be bringing their own security contingents, but I still want everyone on their guard. We’ll be getting the canopy set up outside, and that’s where the meeting will be taking place. We’ll have about a hundred guests, and then we’ve got the far-reach spell. For those who don’t know what a far-reach spell is, it’s pretty much a WebEx for the magical world. We’ll be talking to lords and Tribunal members all over the world, so I want everyone on their best behavior. Anyone who instigates a conflict without warrant will be punished harshly. Best dress, best behavior, and total vigilance.” He looked over at Renata, who took her turn to step forward.
“Members of the house will be teamed up, with each dominant having at least one submissive on leash. Submissives, be on your best behavior. You may be stared at or ogled, but you should be used to that. But you have every right to defend yourself if someone tries to take liberties. Our guests know that our subs are just that . . . ours. You may be asked to entertain one of our guests at Shane’s discretion, but ONLY at Shane’s discretion. We look after our own.” Renata’s glance fell briefly on Shamira, then she looked away and continued. “Clara and Lillian will be maintaining the wards from the casting chamber, so they’ll not be topside.”
“Oh, we’ll have some magical help for them,” Shane murmured, also glancing at Shamira. At that point, a little green flitting ball of light shot out from behind a fern. “This is Princess Coramen, faerie and sorceress of the colony of Golden Grass. She is here on generous loan from Golden Grass, with the help of our allies from the faerie colony of Nature’s Blessing. The faerie presence at this meeting is somewhat unprecedented, as both the colonies that I just mentioned will have delegates. So please, make sure that your knowledge of faerie customs is up to snuff.”
Shamira had mixed feelings about this. She was shocked to see Coramen, but was happy that somehow Shane had gotten a hold of them during Shamira’s incarceration and had arranged to give the girl an audition. But she was also angry, because there wouldn’t have been a faerie alliance without Shamira, something which Shane seemed to have forgotten. Or maybe he just wanted to take credit for it.
“The faerie presence will be to our advantage,” Renata said, watching Coramen settle on Shane’s shoulder. The little person seemed to be looking around, finally noticing Shamira, she started to wave, but stopped when Shamira turned her head. Renata continued with, “In an outdoor setting, their magic is powerful and it’s hard to hide from them.”
“Their Majesties from both Golden Grass and Nature’s Blessing express their honor at being included,” Coramen shouted, her tiny voice projecting nicely through the room. “The faeries feel we need to become more involved in the magical community, and appreciate the house of Lord Stapleton taking us in as allies.”
Shamira suppressed a snort. ‘Great,’ she thought,’ now even Coramen is giving him credit.’
“We welcome the aid of the faeries,” Shane said, offering his tongue as greeting. Coramen accepted. For a moment, Shamira hated them both.
Renata nodded. “With a shaman, a necromancer, and now a sorceress, we’ll be as protected magically as we can get. And don’t forget that Jeremiah will be keeping an eye out, so we think we’ve got that angle handled. Travis,” she added, pointing towards the werebear, “will be organizing human security in real-time, and he’ll be in the security control room unless the shit hits the fan.”