Chapter Nineteen #2
“He used to work for the FBI before he mated Cass, one of my demons. Wesley was one of their top investigators, specializing in cases with missing children and trafficking, I believe. I’d have to check to be sure.” Lord Hades leaned back in his chair.
“Wesley had already left the FBI before he met Cass. He was captured by the Dark Elves when all that business went down with the Cloverleah Pack – Wesley had been part of that pack until he was deceived. Cass was the demon who found him. Anyway, after Wesley and Cass started working for me and the Zeus network, helping paranormals in trouble, he did reconnect with a few of his FBI sources from back in the day. It’s proven really useful in other cases. ”
Ewen sat forward. “Do these contacts know about the paranormal world?”
“Will a gargoyle special agent work for you?” Lord Hades smiled.
“The person I’m thinking of heads up a task force that deals with corruption cases with paranormal elements, and while this case is mostly human on human, or more to the point, corporations putting money over people’s health and safety, the paranormal element here is you two.
You’d be able to speak to him honestly and he’d filter what needed to be kept out of official documentation, especially relating to your rescue, Ewen. ”
Relief surged through their bond from Lamont’s side. “If I could talk to someone who already understands what happened, who wouldn’t question the translocation or demand to know how I located the textile factory...”
“All that would be treated like any witness statement,” Lord Hades confirmed. “Wesley trusts him completely. And this particular gentleman has the authority to open an investigation without going through any possibly compromised channels.”
“But would he help?” Ewen had learned to be cautious about promises of assistance. “We’re talking about exposing a sitting assistant deputy director at the Department of Defense, a congressman, and a senator. That’s career-ending if it goes wrong.”
“Our helpful gargoyle has taken down bigger fish over his many centuries of existence.” Ali grinned. “Wesley tells the best stories about their more modern cases together. There was this one involving a vampire running a human trafficking ring out of a shipping company...”
“The point is,” Lord Hades interrupted gently, “Redford Stone has the experience, authority, and paranormal awareness to handle this properly. And it helps that he owes Cass a favor after Cass and Wes helped rescue his sister from a trafficking situation last year.”
Ewen looked at Lamont. The hope was right there in his dark eyes. “We’d be grateful for an introduction,” Ewen said firmly. “Every day we wait is another day those people keep profiting from soldiers’ deaths while putting more soldiers in danger.”
Lord Hades inclined his head. “I’ll have Wesley contact you tomorrow to set up a meeting. He’ll brief Redford first and give him the basic outline of the case, so you’re not starting from scratch.”
“Thank you, my Lord.” Lamont’s voice was rough with emotion.
“None of that formal address tonight.” Ali waved a hand dismissively. “We’re having dinner, not conducting court business. Besides, this is what pack does for each other. Now, tell me, are you ready for something sweet, because I know I am.”
The demon returned with dessert - some kind of chocolate cake that smelled like heaven. Ali immediately claimed the largest slice, earning an amused look from Lord Hades.
“So once the FBI investigation is underway and Der Spiegel publishes,” Ali said around his mouthful, “what are you two planning to do? More investigations? Take some time off?”
Ewen hadn’t thought that far ahead. The investigation had consumed his life for months, and then with the kidnapping, meeting Lamont, and everything that followed, the idea of having actual free time felt a bit weird.
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I suppose I should figure out my employment situation. The New York Times scrubbed me from their records, so I’m technically unemployed.”
“Good riddance to them,” Ali declared. “Any outlet that caves to political pressure and abandons their reporter isn’t worth working for. You deserve better.”
“I’ve been thinking about going freelance,” Ewen said slowly, the idea forming as he spoke. “Like Lamont. I could work on investigative pieces in my own time then, rather than writing filler on slow news weeks.”
Lamont’s hand squeezed his under the table. “We could work together on some stories. You have the investigative instincts, and I have the contacts and experience with deep dives.”
“The paranormal world could use more journalists willing to tell the truth,” Lord Hades observed.
“Most human publications don’t know we exist, but there are plenty of stories that affect both worlds.
Someone who understands the intersection between paranormal and human affairs would be valuable.
I know you’ve been working a lot on correcting historical factual inaccuracies in your expose’s, Lamont, but you could apply those skills to modern day mysteries as well. ”
“And if you two worked together, you’d have more flexibility with your schedule,” Ali added, pointing his dessert fork at Lamont. “There would be more time for those important things in life like dates, long vacations, and actually enjoying your mating.”
Ewen felt his face heat again, but he couldn’t deny Ali had a point. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone on vacation. It could be fun for him and Lamont to just be together…to see what sorts of things they could enjoy outside of work mode.
“After this story breaks and the investigation is underway,” Ewen said, looking at Lamont. “Perhaps we could take some time off. We could see places that aren’t the Underworld, or a hotel in Cairo, or Germany.”
Lamont’s expression softened. “I’d like that. There are places I’ve wanted to show you. Scotland has this incredible…”
“Oh no, you two are not spending your first vacation working.” Ali waved his fork between the two of them. “You can guarantee that the places Lamont wants to show you, Ewen, are going to be historical sites that Lamont wants to write articles about. That is not relaxing.”
“Scotland would be relaxing,” Lamont protested. “Cain and Ollie live there.”
“You’d spend the whole time researching clan histories, ancient battlegrounds, and goodness knows what else. The only pictures Ewen would be able to take as holiday snaps would be of ancient ruins.” Ali turned to Lord Hades. “Back me up here, hon. You know how single-minded our hellhounds can get.”
“My consort has a point.” Lord Hades’s lips twitched. “Perhaps try somewhere warm? A beach resort, maybe.”
“The Maldives,” Ali suggested. “Or Santorini. The Greek islands are beautiful this time of year. Well, they’re always beautiful, but especially now.”
Ewen grinned at Lamont’s slightly horrified expression. His mate clearly hadn’t considered a beach vacation, probably because there were no historical archives to dig through on a beach.
“I think that sounds perfect,” Ewen said, just to watch Lamont squirm. “You could get one of those metal detectors, hon, and look for washed up artifacts buried in the sand if you get bored.”
“Traitor,” Lamont muttered, but affection flooded their bond.
They finished dessert while Ali described other various vacation destinations with so much excitement, Ewen wondered if one of his past jobs was that of a travel agent.
Ali was clearly taken with the idea that his mated hellhounds should take fun holidays in all sorts of places.
Apparently, Giorgio and Enda had recently spent a week in the Italian Alps, due to Consort Ali’s suggestion, and Raoul and Jason were currently in Hawaii as part of their world tour.
“That was my idea, too,” Ali said proudly.
“How do you feel about Australia? Lamont will tell you Patrick and Faron live there now, and that’s another really vibrant country. ”
“We’ll start with Santorini,” Ewen said, “and we can see what comes up from there.”
“You’ll come to Sunday dinner once things settle down,” Ali said as they prepared to leave.
It wasn’t really a question. “All the mates get together. It’s nice having people around who understand what it’s like being mated to hellhounds, and the hellhounds themselves have a chance to get together longer than five minutes in the one place without upsetting power balances on Earth. ”
“I’d like that.” Ewen meant it. The evening had been surprisingly comfortable, and the idea of having pack – a real family - still felt new and yet really precious. Plus, being anywhere where he didn’t have to hide his fox was a bonus.
Lord Hades walked them to the foyer. “Wesley will call tomorrow morning. Be prepared for Redford to ask some very detailed questions. He’s someone else who’s very thorough.”
“Thank you again,” Lamont said. “For everything.”
“Take care of your mate.” Lord Hades’s gaze moved to Ewen. “And take care of yourself. Ali’s right - you both deserve time to enjoy your mating outside of crisis management.”
Ewen nodded, throat tight with unexpected emotion. Having people who cared and who wanted to help - it was almost overwhelming.
Lamont pulled him close, and they translocated back to the German hotel room. The moment they materialized, Ewen sagged against his mate.
“That was nice,” he said quietly. “Not what I expected, but really nice.”
“It was.” Lamont pressed a kiss to his temple. “Consort Ali likes you. I could tell.”
“I’m sure he likes everyone.”
“In some ways, but he’s really protective of hellhound mates. He genuinely likes you.” Lamont guided them toward the bedroom. “And Lord Hades wouldn’t have offered Wesley’s contact if he didn’t think you were worth helping.”
They collapsed into bed together, exhausted but content. Through their bond, Ewen felt Lamont’s quiet satisfaction, his hope that Redford Stone would be the break they needed, his determination to make sure Ewen got that vacation Ali had insisted on.
“Santorini,” Ewen murmured sleepily. “We’re definitely going to Santorini.”
Lamont groaned, but Ewen felt his mate’s amusement through the bond. “Fine. But I get to pick at least one historical site to visit afterward - there’re a lot of them in Greece.”
“You’ve got yourself a deal.”