A Warlock Called Sigurd (Mated To The Human #4)
Prologue
SIGURD
T he vampire was up to something.
Sigurd wasn’t sure what yet, but as he turned down the soft gray hall of the Paranormal Council building that would take him to Lenette’s office, he was sure of it. All she’d said on the phone was that she had an urgent matter she needed to speak to him about. In person .
“In here, Sigurd,” Lenette called from an open door further down the hall. She was a centuries-old vampire and the leader of Solston’s Paranormal Council..
Sigurd frowned but kept moving. She wasn’t in her office, which was strange. He’d been here often enough to know she favored the suite of rooms designated as hers at the end of the hall.
When he reached the open door, he found Lenette in a small room with little more than a counter along one wall and another closed door leading somewhere beyond.
“Thank you for coming, Sigurd.” Lenette’s long blonde hair was pulled back in a sleek tail, and the deep maroon of her pantsuit matched the lacquer on her nails perfectly.
He sent her a small nod. “Of course. Would be nice to know why I’m here, though.” Quirking a brow, he watched a mischievous smirk pull up one corner of Lenette’s mouth.
“That’s easy,” Lenette said, smile getting wider. “I’ve found your mate, and he needs your help.”
“What?” There was no way he’d heard her right.
Lenette’s smile softened. “Your mate. Chicago’s Council reached out. Apparently, he’s having some trouble with a stalker who happens to be a vampire. When the human authorities couldn’t help him, he went to the Paranormal Council there. As you know, my son is the leader.”
Sigurd’s mind was reeling, but a snorted chuckle escaped him nonetheless. “You have made mention of it a time or two.”
Unrepentant pride shone in Lenette’s eyes. “When Chicago’s Hounds couldn’t find the vampire, my son called to ask for sanctuary for Jamie.”
Jamie.
“Who you believe is my mate.”
A darkness passed across Lenette’s face, quick as a flash. “Don’t insult me.”
“Sorry, sorry.” Sigurd scrubbed at his face. “So, obviously, you offered the sanctuary and once Jamie arrived?—”
“I took one look at him and knew he’s yours. I’d planned for him to go stay with Derek and the Hellhounds at their compound, and he still can, but…”
“No. He’s coming home with me. I’ll keep him safe.”
“I know you will. Now, before we go in, I need to brief you on something else.”
What could possibly be more important than his mate on the other side of the door? Only one thing he could think of.
“What is it?”
“I can’t say whether it’s truly anything or not, but there’s been some increased chatter. People asking questions about the Fae. Humans wondering why, with all the paranormals running around, the Fae don’t seem to be among them.”
“Of all of us, except perhaps your kind, humans have always been the most fascinated with the Fae.” It still amazed Sigurd that most Paranormal Councils had positions dedicated to monitoring online happenings regarding paranormals.
“Yes, but…they seem to be asking the right question more often. A little too often.”
Sigurd’s stomach clenched. “Do they know about him?”
Lenette sighed. “I don’t believe so, but someone is feeding the masses too much truth, and they’re scouring for answers.”