CHAPTER TWO
Valerian met Silas out front, and they were soon joined by Master Louis DuCane.
It was unusual for the Master to complete business such as this in person, but they knew that he always had a reason for everything he did.
Something was calling him to Detroit to the offices of the Tuffin agency, and both Valerian and Silas were curious about it.
“He’s expecting trouble.” Silas offered.
“Or he wants to start some.” Valerian smiled.
"True, very true." Silas returned lightheartedly.
He was bringing two people with him who could start or end whatever he had in mind.
Master DuCane was not a showy person; he only brought what he needed, and for this visit, he brought two of his best. This spoke to his intent and expectations.
"Stay sharp," Silas stated to Valerian as they drove to the airport.
The business district with the warehouses on the River Rouge would be a perfect location for DuCane Industries to process imports, but it wasn’t set in stone, and it wasn’t the only property in Detroit that Louis had been looking at.
“The negotiations were handled by my people in Lansing, and it looks to be a suitable deal," Louis stated as they sat in the jet on their way to Detroit. He trusted Silas and Valerian to have his back if the meeting turned sour, as his gut was telling him it might.
“The Tuffin Agency that is handling this sale is human-owned and operated, but the sellers are wolves with no pack affiliation. They’re simply a powerful family from the Detroit area.”
"Rogues," Silas stated, surprised.
"Not in the usual sense, but yes, rogues in that they answer to no one and experience no limitations on accepted behavior. The money and the power it affords them within the city has protected them from scrutiny and attack... for now.” Master DuCane appeared to be analyzing his options and making plans.
Valerian wondered just how this evening would end.
“Money is not stable and does not protect forever. Community is important, and every rogue eventually learns that fact." Silas again commented, and Master DuCane nodded.
“Will there be a problem with the owners?" Valerian spoke up, asking the obvious question.
“I’m not sure.” The Master answered thoughtfully.
“The purchase is suitable for my needs, but there are other parcels within the city that would also be suitable.” He began his voice low and calculating.
“The terms have been agreed upon, and all that remains is to meet with Mr. Tuffin and complete the transfer.” Master DuCane paused and strummed his fingers on the small tabletop.
“What’s on your mind?” Silas asked.
“I'm not someone who is used to being indecisive, but at this moment all I can say is that I was compelled to complete this job myself.
" He shifted his gaze to Silas and then to Valerian, nailing them with a dark stare.
“Stay alert and watchful, I don't know what awaits us, but I have a feeling it will be interesting.”
They landed at the airport and picked up their hired car.
Valerian drove with Silas in the passenger seat and Master DuCane in the back.
They drove to the offices of Tuffin and Assoc.
It appeared just as one would expect: it was a six-floor office building with an underground garage.
It was plain and utilitarian in its function, nothing memorable or outstanding.
They were met in the garage by one of the Associates.
Larry Tuffin guided them to the elevator and brought them to the second floor, where the business would be completed.
Larry was stiff and nervous, but it was hard to discern the cause.
Master DuCane had an aura that could negatively affect humans.
Valerian felt a heaviness the minute they stepped out of the car and headed for the elevator.
He assumed it was just the nature of the job and the sharp focus he was keeping on his environment.
He noticed the Master glanced over at him several times, but he did not say anything.
Master DuCane was picking up on something, as was Silas.
They walked out of the elevator, and Valerian moved to the side and dropped back two steps behind the Master and Silas.
They proceeded down the hall to a large conference room, where the paperwork was spread out on the long table.
The moment they entered, a short, stressed-looking human stepped forward with a pasted smile and reached out his hand to Master DuCane.
He introduced himself as Nelson Tuffin, the chief property agent.
Behind him were two men, clearly shifters, acting as security and looking bored.
Master DuCane took in the room with a glance, and a slight smile graced the corner of his mouth.
The shifters were edging for conflict; it was written on their faces, but would they honor whatever oath they gave this weak human?
The humans in the room could feel the tension building, but were clearly baffled by what was causing it. They were unaware that they were standing in the middle of vampires, wolf shifters, and a hellhound.
“Everything is as your representative requested.” Mr. Tuffin assured, obviously hoping for a quick signature and an end to this meeting.
Valerian continued to feel off balance, the air was thick with concern that did not belong.
His discomfort was being felt by the Master, who turned to look at him, gauging the situation as Valerian shook his head.
This had nothing to do with the men in the room; it was related to what was below.
Below them on a lower floor, the urge to leave was overwhelming him because something, someone was calling him.
This was outrageous. "I need to go." He said, and everything stopped.
His tone was deep as his hellhound was taking over.
Whatever was happening, his hellhound wanted control, and that spoke volumes.
"What is it, Valerian?" Silas asked and approached him.
“My mate, my mate is here, and he is crying out to me.” Valerian barely got the words out of his mouth, and he started to shift.
The room exploded with Master DuCane pulling his sword from inside his coat as the shifters advanced.
They'd been spoiling for a fight, and this was all they needed, and the Master was more than ready to reciprocate.
“Go do whatever you have to do.” He said this with a satisfied smile. The Master's gut feeling had been correct, and the necessity of their presence was being explained in real time.
Valerian rushed from the room while the Master and Silas took on the shifters in the room and the others that funneled in from the hallway. The Master was in his element; few men enjoyed a good battle as much as Louis DuCane.
Valerian took the stairs; his hound was not patient enough to tolerate an elevator.
The pleas and the cries were coming from the basement, and they were tearing at Valerian in a way that was red-hot and maddening.
He couldn't seem to move fast enough, even though he was taking the stairs a flight at a time.
His hound was leaping over the rails and descending the stairwell in record time while tearing apart any wolf who tried to stop him.
Anxious desperation was eating him alive as the voice and the fear reached out to him for help. The fact that it was his mate was blowing his mind, but he had to hold it all together for the moment. He had to find him and save him from whatever was taking place in that god awful basement.
Valerian was in a half shift, and he looked terrifying.
He hit the basement level, and the fright of his mate hit him so hard his hound let out a howl that shook the walls.
People in the area scattered and ran for their lives.
Anyone who was too slow was tossed aside like rag dolls.
Valerian had a focus, and it was the room at the end of the hall.
The crying was ripping him open and pulling his heart out of his chest.
He burst into the room and saw him, and his heart broke.
He lay there on the floor, bloody and still, his breathing shaky, and fear permeating every inch of the room.
They were alone, but Valerian could smell the human and the wolf who had been there.
He wanted to go after them to tear them limb from limb, but his mate was pulling his legs to his chest, his fear ratcheting up.
It was so heavy in the room that it was nearly impossible to breathe.
The man was trying to protect himself and to hide.
"It's okay, sweetheart." Valerian tried to speak, but his hound was making everything sound dire and horrifying. He moved closer, checking to make sure no one else was in the room. Everyone had run for their lives when Valerian showed up, everyone except this sad little beauty. Somewhere deep in his fear-addled consciousness, he knew that Valerian was there to save him. Fate was guiding him even though he wasn’t aware of it.
Valerian crouched down and forced back his hellhound, who was demanding to take the lead. His mate was not in a state of mind to handle a hellhound right now. He needed calm and care, and Valerian was going to provide. The man was hyperventilating and clutching at his knees.
“Breathe, baby, just breathe." He stated loudly and firmly, and suddenly the small man stopped, coughed, and took a deep breath.
Valerian wasn't sure how he managed that, but he wasn’t going to question anything that was working in his favor.
Fate was a mystery, and he would take any help she had to offer.