Chapter 14
Standing in the doorway, Brady knocked lightly before calling out. “Hello, Dylon.”
Glancing up from his monitor, Dylon smiled at his visitor. “Hey, Brady, perfect timing. Have a seat.”
Brady sat down, unsure about how to begin the meeting. Yesterday, it was apparent Jackson wanted Dylon to follow Brady’s plan, but Brady hadn’t a clue as to what it was going to be. The only thing he was sure of was the Witches’ Council couldn’t be trusted.
Dylon’s face softened in response to the bewildered look Brady was trying to hide.
His Alpha need to protect the weak welled up, but he pushed it back; Brady was anything but weak.
Running a background check on him after their meeting with Jackson, his respect for the man had grown.
He was truly a David taking on Goliath and that took guts.
It didn’t matter to Dylon that Brady had lost the first round.
What mattered was he was willing to enter the battlefield once more, even though the odds were against him—that was admirable.
Well, this time, Dylon would make sure Brady had the full strength of the Blackwood Pack behind him.
Deciding to start the ball rolling, he said, “How about we start with what’s known about the threat to Remy. ”
Shrugging, Brady said, “That’s easy…Mystia said their lives are in danger, but why or how…well I think I know why, but the how is still unknown.”
“Okay,” Dylon said, “so you know the why…care to share?”
“Uhmm…” Brady’s tongue licked his lower lip, his nervousness showing. “Uhm, the members of the Witches’ Council don’t like anyone challenging their decisions. They don’t like change and they fear what the new Keeper of All Magic will do to their way of life.”
“Why would Remy make any changes? From my research, the mystic realm has complied with all the laws of the High Council. In fact, they were one of the few that received a perfect score during the last review.”
“That’s what the members want the world to think but, trust me, the Witches’ Council is one of the most corrupt governing bodies in the entire paranormal world. The Keeper of All Magic is walking into a trap. I don’t know what kind, but I’ll swear before all the gods, there is one.”
Leaning back in his chair, Dylon scented that Brady was telling the truth—at least, the truth he believed in.
The question flitting through his mind was the accuracy of Brady’s belief.
He was exiled by the same council he’s now accusing.
If I accept what he claims, then I have to ignore the positive report about them on file at the High Council.
Yet, if that report is true, then why are Mystia and Oracle insisting Carson and Remy’s lives are in danger?
Sensing the doubt Dylon had about his accusation of the Witches’ Council members, Brady’s heart sunk. It wasn’t until that moment he realized how much he was counting on the Blackwood Pack’s support, but it was apparent he was on his own. Rising, he murmured, “Thanks for…”
“What do you know about…” Dylon stopped when Brady rose. “What are you thanking me for?”
“Your time,” Brady muttered. “What do I know about what?”
Frowning at Brady’s reply, Dylon asked, “Did I do something to upset you? Is that why you’re leaving?”
“Uh…” Brady felt like a deer frozen in the headlights as Dylon’s eyes bored into his. “Uhh…no…I thought you were finished.”
Arching an eyebrow, Dylon’s mouth slowly widened in a smile. “I was just getting started.”
“I thought you didn’t believe me,” Brady said.
“But I do. Last night I reviewed what I knew about the Witches’ Council and came to the conclusion something smelled fishy.
According to what I know about politics, the members should be falling all over themselves in an effort to curry favor with the new Keeper of All Magic.
But Carson says not one has bothered to visit them.
Granted, I’m not very familiar with the mystic realm, but I can’t believe it would be any different there…
so that makes me wonder why the members of the Witches’ Council are ignoring their new Keeper? ”
Slowly sinking down again into his chair, the corner of Brady’s lips twitched. Finally, someone was asking the right questions. “That’s exactly why I’m sure they’re planning a trap.”
“I agree. We need more information…like assets, business connections, deals…stuff like that about each member to find out exactly what they have to lose if Remy remains the head honcho.”
“That’ll be hard to do because the records are protected by magic. Only select members of the Witches’ Council can see them.”
“Can Remy view these records?”
“The Keeper of All Magic has access to everything.”
“Can Remy order that you be shown the records?”
“Yes…but it would immediately cause a major uproar with the Council members and I don’t recommend doing it until more is known about what they’re planning.”
“Hmm…okay, let me think about that. In the meantime, maybe Zane can turn something up that will help us.”
“Help us do what, exactly?” asked Brady.
“By finding out who’s involved and what they have to lose if Remy and Carson are not eliminated.
For some reason, persons unknown don’t want the Keeper of All Magic poking around too deeply into the Council’s actions.
According to Mystia, the danger began after Remy issued his first orders about low-level magic users, so it’s a reasonable assumption it has something to do with that.
The trouble is, I can’t figure out what the connection is. Do you know?”
“The low-level magic users have been stripped of all rights and are, for all practical purposes, slaves. This has been going on for years. And before you think I’m blowing smoke, a careful examination of all the laws enacted by the Witches’ Council will show I’m correct.
But knowing it won’t help you. Trust me, they have covered their tracks very well,” Brady said.
Grinning, Dylon replied, “That’s why I need Zane. He’s a genius when it comes to finding out other people’s secrets.”
“But these are magic users!”
“So what? They still have to put their money somewhere.”
“I don’t know…I’m pretty sure they would hide it,” mused Brady.
“Maybe…especially from the new Keeper of All Magic, but in my experience, crooks get careless when they aren’t caught.”
A wan smile crossed Brady’s face. “I can tell you members of the Witches’ Council don’t view themselves as criminals…especially since the laws they passed strip the low-level magic users of any recourse if they object to harsh treatment by their owners.”
“Right, but I believe there’s more going on than the laws allow…otherwise, why the knee-jerk reaction when Remy asked for information about the low-level magic users?” Dylon stood. “C’mon, let’s go and see what Zane can uncover.”
~/~/~/~/~
After knocking on his Alpha’s door, Rudy waited till he heard Josiah’s voice giving him permission to enter.
Claiming the chair facing his boss, he realized something was up, but damned if he knew what.
Everything had been quiet, both with the High Council and the Blackwood Pack, but he was sure that was about to change.
As usual, Rudy remained silent, allowing Josiah to speak first.
“What’s my fucking son doing?” Josiah asked, his voice tinged with anger.
“Like I told you, he’s still in San Francisco,” Rudy said. “Painting.”
“Painting!” Josiah snorted in disgust. “He should be here, dammit.”
“I don’t think that’s gonna happen any time soon. According to my research, Kahn’s making a good living. The woman I spoke to at one of the art galleries said your son’s work is in demand. As she put it, ‘they fly off the wall’.”
“Did you see him?”
“Yeah…but I made sure he didn’t see me. I left a couple of men to guard him…and no, he won’t know it.”
Josiah grunted. Kahn wasn’t worth all the trouble he caused, but keeping up the illusion he was still Josiah’s heir was useful to hold challengers at bay.
Soon, it wouldn’t matter anymore, especially if the High Council sided with his fucking nephews.
And that thought brought him back to why Rudy was there.
“I’m leaving tonight and will be gone for a couple of weeks.
You’ll be in charge of my pack. Don’t fuck it up. ”
Caching himself just in time, Rudy hid his reaction to Josiah’s announcement.
He couldn’t remember his boss ever leaving for that long.
In fact, Josiah never wanted to leave at all, fearing his brother, Striker, would claim the Silver Point Pack as his, though Rudy never saw proof of that when they’d both visited the Fox River Pack from time to time in the past. But Striker was dead now, so there wasn’t any threat from him…
so what the fucking hell was this all about?
Something was being kept from him. “Okay, when are you leaving so I can have three enforcers ready to accompany you.”
Waving his hand dismissively, Josiah growled, “Not necessary.”
Arching an eyebrow, Rudy grew more alarmed, realizing his instinct was correct —something was definitely up if Josiah was going by himself. “Boss, I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
Ignoring the objection, Josiah continued. “While I’m gone, I want 24/7 patrols on our borders and make sure you place some guards at my home.”
Rudy’s eyes narrowed. “Fine, but if you know of a threat to the pack, tell me so I can make sure we’re not caught with our pants down.”
Shaking his head, Josiah growled, “Threat? There’s always a threat…you know that. And with me gone, it’s gonna be worse; there are tons of fucking assholes who’ll view my pack as easy pickin’s. Do the fucking job I hired you to do and protect my damn pack.”
Rudy was getting tired of this shit. He’d been loyal to Josiah since he was first hired many years ago; yet, he was always kept at arm’s length, never being told the whole story. The fucking massacre was proof of that. Rudy stood. “Is that all, boss?”
Squinting up at his second, Josiah saw how tightly he was holding himself, anger clearly showing. Fucking pussy! “Yeah, that’s it…try not to fuck it up this time.”
Grinding his molars together, Rudy spun on his heels, heading for the door. He had two weeks to figure out what his boss was hiding. Unwilling to waste any time, he’d start going through Josiah’s files tomorrow, looking for information about why the need for the sudden trip.
~/~/~/~/~
Spying Glenn heading toward them, Alex grinned, leaning back against Sawyer. “Hey tiger mate, wait till you see the pups!”
Turning his head toward Glenn, Sawyer’s eyes narrowed at the tightness surrounding his mate’s mouth, keeping his smile from reaching his eyes.
Instantly his wolf growled, letting Sawyer know the threat against their mate hadn’t disappeared after arriving at the Blackwood Pack.
Not that he expected it to, but what was pissing him off was his mate’s conduct regarding the danger.
After confronting Glenn back in LA for not informing him about threats to Alex’s safety, his tiger mate had promised never to do it again.
But he had. Last night, when Glenn left their bed, Sawyer’s wolf woke him, letting him know about it.
Ignoring him, he remained quiet, unwilling to disturb Alex.
Closing his eyes, he assumed his mate was headed to the bathroom until he heard Glenn quietly close the bedroom door leading to the sitting room in their suite.
That’s when Sawyer realized something was up.
Using his wolf hearing, Sawyer listened to Glenn’s end of the conversation with Riley and Ghost. By the time it was over, Sawyer realized he’d been excluded once again.
It was obvious there was a serious trust issue in their relationship.
And before he could figure out what to do about it, his feelings were further bruised when Alex sought comfort from Glenn instead of him.
After spending the rest of the night considering his options, Sawyer finally fell asleep; he’d talk to Glenn about it in the morning.
But by the time he woke up, his mates were already dressed, talking about the new pups that arrived overnight.
So he bit his tongue, unwilling to spoil their excitement.
At Glenn’s request, Sawyer found himself reluctantly agreeing to accompany Alex to the nursery after breakfast while Glenn went to a meeting with Dylon.
Right then, he should have insisted they talk about his mate’s broken promise to him, but instead, he swallowed his hurt feelings and followed the plan Glenn had decided for them.
Standing with Alex at the nursery window, Sawyer finally realized unless he brought it up and cleared the air, not only would his relationship with Glenn suffer, but his relationship with Alex would, too.
And with a cub on the way, it was imperative to avoid further stress on Alex. Their cub deserved nothing less.
Confrontations were always difficult for Sawyer.
Knowing what should be said and then saying it went against his easygoing nature, which always prompted him to avoid conflict, even if it meant burying his own feelings.
But this time, he had to find it in him to give voice to his hurt in order for their relationship to be stronger.
“How did your meeting go with Dylon?” he asked, as Glenn joined them at the nursery window.
“Good,” Glenn said before looking at the three newborns. “Holy crap! Is that how small our cub will be?”
Snorting, Sawyer said, “What the fuck did you think? Our mate was going to give birth to a fully grown person?”
“Of course not,” Glenn said, shrugging. “I just thought they’d be bigger…you know, less breakable.”
Giggling, Alex said, “You can’t break a baby, tiger mate.”
Keeping his eyes on the three pups, Glenn murmured, “It’s a good thing we’re only having one.”
“Right, my thoughts exactly,” Sawyer chuckled.
Finally turning to his mates, Glenn said, “I guess it’s also a good thing it’ll be some time before our cub arrives so we can make some plans.”
Rolling his eyes, Alex said, “I think we’re past the planning stage, our bun is already cooking in the oven.”
“He’s got a point,” Sawyer said, laughing. “That ship has sailed.”
“That’s not what I meant,” Glenn muttered.
“Well, it sounded like that,” Alex replied with a grin, before grasping his mates’ hands. “Let’s go and feed our bun and then afterward, you can tell us all about your discussion with Dylon.”
“There’s nothing to tell.”
Stopping, Alex frowned at his tiger mate. “Then why is our wolf mate so upset about you not keeping your promise to him?”