Chapter 17
Brian sat next to the Shaman, waiting for Zane to arrive with whatever information he’d found about Reif Markos.
The two previous hours spent wondering if the location of his mate would be discovered were the longest he ever remembered.
Lying on top of the bedcovers, Brian wavered between hope and despair as Kieran’s calming effect slowly dissipated.
Hearing the door open to the Shaman’s suite, Brian pushed those thoughts aside.
“Now, since everyone’s here, Zane, what did you find?” asked Logan after his brother and David joined the group gathered once again in the living room.
“Uhmmm, how to put this…Reif is a ghost…meaning I can’t find any information about a Reif Markos.
Nada. He isn’t listed on any paranormal lists, no record of a birth of someone with that name, no address, no employment record, no family, no social media accounts, no credit history, no bank accounts.
Nothing. There’s absolutely nothing to indicate he exists. ”
“But he does exist because he claimed Brian,” Kieran said.
“That’s right,” said Logan, “and he paid his bar tab with a credit card. If he doesn’t have one then whose card was it?”
“It belongs to Reif Markos, all right,” replied Zane, “but it isn’t associated with any major financial institution.”
“Then how did he get it?” asked Slate
“Not sure. The only thing I found out is the charges are paid by what appears to be a small bank located in Greece,” Zane said.
“That makes sense since he has a Greek name,” said Colton.
“What’s the name of the bank?” Slate asked. “Maybe I know the CEO.”
“I thought of that too, but I can’t find it…really very strange…only the name of the town it’s located in,” replied Zane.
“Which is?” asked Slate.
“Angelopoulos,” answered Zane.
“Never heard of it,” said Slate. “Where is it located?”
“That’s just it…I can’t find it anywhere…not on any maps, even paranormal ones,” Zane said.
“Are you saying it doesn’t exist?” asked Logan.
“No…I’m saying that in the two hour time limit you gave me, I haven’t been able to find it. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist, just that I need to delve deeper,” Zane replied.
“Did you find out anything that would help us find him?” asked Kieran.
“Actually yes,” Zane grinned. “He rented a house in Inverness for a month, so I believe you’ll find him there.”
“Why the fuck didn’t you say that first?” growled Logan.
“For a very simple reason. Whoever, or whatever, he is, Reif has gone to extraordinary lengths to conceal his identity. It’s the best job of it I’ve ever seen, so I ask why?
What’s he trying to hide? Who he is? Or what’s he done?
I wanted you to understand this about him because there must be a reason he’s hiding,” replied Zane.
“Are ye saying my mate’s up to naw good?” Brian asked Zane.
“Absolutely not! There could be a thousand different reasons he feels the need to do this. I’m just saying that before we rush over to his house, we should have a plan so we don’t scare him into fleeing.”
“Zane’s right,” said Logan. “The most important thing is to find him so Brian can claim him. Everything else can wait till that’s done.”
“How about what Ian found?” asked Dakota.
“I was just getting to that,” said Logan. “Ian, anything to add?”
“The only thing I can add is Reif is not any kind of shifter currently known to the High Council.”
“What exactly does that mean?” asked David. “Is Brian’s mate a shifter or not?”
“Obviously he is and, as Kieran pointed out before, a serpent. But I can’t find any kind of serpent that can do what Reif can do…disappear on land, doesn’t leave a scent or footprints. I think we’re looking at a new species of shifter,” Ian said.
Silence filled the room as Ian’s proclamation sank in.
“You’re sure about this Ian?” Logan finally asked.
“As sure as I can be without examining Reif,” replied Ian.
“Is it possible he has other abilities? Ones we don’t know about…yet?” asked Slate.
Shrugging, Ian said, “Anything is possible.”
“Shit. Zane’s right. We need a plan. Any thoughts?” asked Logan.
~/~/~/~/~
After breakfast, Reif found himself striding towards the marina to check on his mate, driven by a need he couldn’t understand.
Dammit, what the fuck is happening? Why does he have such a hold on me?
Just like the treasure, the answers about his mate eluded him, pissing him off.
Fucking great! Two fucking mysteries to solve and not a fucking clue how to do it.
Reaching the marina, he skirted its buildings, trying to see if his mate was aboard his boat, but since he couldn’t feel his mate’s bond, Reif felt it was deserted.
Yeah, like it was yesterday. Unwilling to take a chance, he stayed hidden on land this time, but then, hearing someone approach his location, he faded into the shadows, disappearing from sight.
Undecided about his next move, a series of jaw-cracking yawns made him realize there was only one choice and that was to get some sleep.
On the way back to his house, Reif began plotting how he could touch his mate—maybe even give him another kiss tonight without being discovered.
Even though it was dangerous, the bond between them was pulling him closer and closer to the sea serpent.
Opening the front door he stepped inside, pausing as he sniffed.
Satisfied, he let his guard down and removed his hat, throwing it onto the hook.
Carefully studying the room to make certain nothing had been disturbed since he left, he then grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge, taking it with him into the bedroom.
~/~/~/~/~
“Listen up,” Logan said, waiting for the living room to fall silent. “Theo, Norm and Fionn, this is the first time you are going out on a mission so the number one rule is to follow orders. If your team leader tells you to shift, then you shift but not before you hear their order.”
“What happens if someone attacks one of us?” asked Norm.
“Not to worry since each of you will be paired up with someone who’s been in combat before.
Let them take the lead. This is where you must trust that your team members won’t allow any harm to come to you.
I don’t expect anyone’ll need to fight since our mission is to locate and talk to Reif.
Now, Fionn, you’re with me. Kieran and Theo, your team members are Dakota and Slate. Norm, you’re with Colton and Ian.”
“What about Zane and David?” asked Theo. “Do they have someone to protect them?”
“Don’t worry, Theo, they’ll be fine,” Kieran assured his friend. “Brian, you’re with us, okay?”
“Ay.”
“Okay, the cars will be here shortly,” Logan said, pulling a buzzing phone from his pocket. Reading the message, he looked at the white dragon and said, “Fionn, Penn must speak with you right away.”
“Okay, I’ll be right back.”
“No, don’t leave the suite. Use the other bedroom and make it short,” Logan said.
Walking to the second bedroom in Logan and Kieran’s suite, Fionn felt his nerves on edge once again.
He was sure it had to do with the email he sent earlier.
Shutting the door with a quiet click, he dialed his attorney’s number, sitting on the bed since he wasn’t sure his legs would hold him up if the news was bad.
“Hi Fionn, thanks for calling me back,” Penn said.
“You gotta make it fast…I’m just about to leave,” replied Fionn.
“Fine. I spoke with your family attorney and he’s willing to testify for us about the gifts you received when you were born. The only problem is he can’t spare the time to come to the hearing…”
“Why the fuck not? Is it money, because I can pay?”
“It’s not that…he has a hearing in Scotland that can’t be missed so I’ve prepared a motion asking the Court’s permission for him to appear via video,” Penn said.
“Will the court allow it? Maybe you should ask to postpone the hearing until he can be there in person,” replied Fionn.
“Testimony by video is done all the time in cases like this. If the judge denies our motion, then we can ask for an extension.”
“Why don’t you do that first?” asked Fionn.
“It’s complicated. The court set this hearing and expects all parties to attend.
If we want a witness to appear and they can’t, the proper thing is to arrange for video testimony if the witness can do that.
In this case, our witness is available…so we throw it back to the judge by asking permission.
The likelihood of our motion being denied is minuscule since the court wants to hear from anyone who has pertinent testimony about the matters at hand,” Penn explained.
“Have you done this before?”
“Many times, and it’s never been denied.”
“Go ahead, then. When will you find out if the judge grants our motion?” asked Fionn.
“By tomorrow sometime, since the hearing is the day after tomorrow.”
“Okay, let me know as soon as you hear,” Fionn said.
“Promise.”
After ending the call, Fionn slipped his phone into his pocket, thinking about his attorney.
There was something different about this call but he couldn’t figure it out.
Then it finally hit him—it was the tone of Penn’s voice.
The warmth it usually conveyed was missing and he wondered if his lawyer was being truthful about the motion.
Hearing Logan call his name, he put aside his concerns for now and headed toward the living room.
~/~/~/~/~
An hour later, after everyone had exited the cars, Logan drew them into a circle around him.
Unwilling to raise suspicion, he had assigned different routes for each team to take before they arrived at Reif’s house.
“Slate, you, Dakota and Theo are up first. When you get there, try to find a place in the back of the house where you can stay out of sight while Dakota does his stuff.”
“Will do,” Slate said. Taking Dakota’s hand, he started walking while Theo tagged behind them.
“Okay, Colton, Ian and Norm, head out. The same thing, don’t attract attention and when you arrive, find a place on the east side…between the hedge and the house…and spread out. Keep each other in sight.
“Zane and David, you’re next. You know the drill. The best place for you, two, are the hedges near the front door. Once I hear from Dakota, I’ll give you the signal.”
“See you there, guys,” Zane said, giving a final glance at the marked route on his phone before taking off with David.
Waiting until Zane and David had turned the corner, Logan said, “Fionn, you walk with me; Brian is with Kieran. We stay together as a group. Brian, I want you to talk about some of your memorable customers while we’re heading to Reif’s house.”
“Why?” asked Fionn.
“Because Brian’s well-known and if he’s talking to us about personal shit, people will assume we’re old friends and they’ll forget about seeing us as soon as the next thought enters their head,” Logan explained. “Okay, let’s go.”
~/~/~/~/~
Quin gave a quick rap on Hunter’s office door before entering and taking a seat in front of his desk. “Hunt, we need to talk.”
Holding up a finger, Hunter finished entering the data into his computer before swiveling his chair to face his youngest brother. “Yeah, about what?” he said.
“Are you kidding me? Mac just told me about the road trip you planned without speaking to any of us,” Quin replied, irritation evident in his voice.
“Not true. I announced the trip several months ago at the dinner table. If I recall, you didn’t have any problem then so why now?” asked Hunter.
“Really? You got to be kidding me! That trip…the one you announced at dinner…called for multiple hotel stops where I would have my own room and bath instead of three days driving locked up with my brothers…who are not all known for their cleanliness…in a used damned motorhome.”
Shrugging in response to Quin’s diva attitude, Hunter said, “Yeah, well, I’m not happy about sharing quarters with five dudes either, but that option was taken from me when Mac said it wouldn’t work and recommended the RV.”
“But why?”
“You know why, Quin,” Hunter said, running his fingers through his hair. “I don’t…we don’t have a choice. It’s what Mom wanted and I intend to go before it’s too late.”
Slumping back in his chair, Quin said, “I know. It’s just there won’t be enough room for me to bring everything I need. By the way, how long are we staying?”
“Not sure. I requested a short visit. I don’t expect it to be long since our cousins don’t seem very interested in seeing us.”
“Why not? What’s wrong with us? I mean after everything our parents…not to mention you…did, they should be kissing the ground we walk on.”
“Don’t look at it that way, Quin. Our parents wanted to do it and I, for one, respect them for making the hard choice,” answered Hunter.
“I know, but still, Hunt…how am I going to fit everything I absolutely must have in an RV with space issues,” Quin asked, sure the whole trip was just a disaster waiting to happen.
Looking at his youngest brother, Hunter wondered what their cousins would think of Quin’s use of make-up, conspicuous amounts of jewelry he wore constantly, and the high heels he’d finally mastered.
They better not tease him or there will be hell to pay.
When his mother first insisted they go to see their cousins, Hunter suggested leaving Quin home for that very reason.
The teasing happened too often when his brother was growing up for Hunter to discard the possibility.
Especially, after knowing what an asshole Jackson’s father had been.
But his mother had been adamant, dismissing his concerns, assuring him Jackson and his cousins were perfectly nice shifters.
“Look, there’ll be plenty of room cause I’m only taking a duffle bag and you know Sawyer won’t pack a lot, so right there, you have space for two more bags,” Hunter said.
“But how am I going to get ready to meet our cousins…the ones I never knew about until three months ago? Hunt, are you sure we can’t stay at hotels?” asked Quin.
Sighing inwardly, Hunter rubbed his face with his hands.
Then dropping them on the desk, he said, “Quin, I promise we’ll stop some place just before we get there so you can get ready.
And if you want to take more bags, let me know and I’ll see if I can find space for them.
But, honey, I need your support for this trip. Can I count on you?”