Chapter Twenty-Nine
Twenty-Nine
“You were right,” Noah said. “They weren’t that difficult to find once we cross-referenced high-value properties with owners who never seemed to die.” He gave Antoine a pointed look.
“It wasn’t a problem before,” Antoine demurred. “But if we’re this easy to find, it makes me wonder who else has.”
“Maybe put the house up for sale, then buy it with a holding company?”
“That’s not a bad idea. Marcel has lawyers on retainer. Would you ask him to look into it?”
“Sure.” Noah reached for the map on Antoine’s desk.
“Tobias’s house is on Meadowbrook Road in Dedham, and Nico’s at the end of Hillside Street, here in Milton.
” He used a black marker to circle the address.
“The nice thing about hunting vampires is that their estates are secluded and private. Shouldn’t disturb the neighbors too much.
But that does make it harder to get thralls close.
” He looked up at Antoine. “Have you given any thought to how you want to do it?”
“Knock on the door. Walk in.”
“Through an army of thralls?” Noah let his skepticism show. “Even you can’t survive a barrage of automatic weapons.” His eyebrows rose. “Can you?”
Antoine clenched his jaw. “I figured I’d take them out first.”
“Right.” Noah nodded slowly. “We have thermal cameras, ballistic drop shutters, anti-personnel mines, concealed remote turrets, and lately Marcel’s been talking with enthusiasm about deployable drones. What makes you think they don’t have something similar?”
Antoine’s lips quirked. “Marcel has been talking about deployable drones?”
“He saw something on Netflix.”
“Uh-huh.” Antoine strode to the window, staring out into the garden.
The sun was soon to rise, a lightening of the sky on the horizon, with heavy clouds promising imminent rain.
The view didn’t offer the peace he wanted, but maybe killing Nico and Tobias would, and then Roberto after that. Somehow. “Do you have suggestions?”
“We gear up and come with you. Sniper rifles in the treeline, a few grenades, some explosives for tricky doors. Maybe a car bomb. It would be loud and messy, but if we were quick, we could be out before too much heat arrived.”
“It’s not really ‘staying in the shadows’, is it?” The first rays of sunlight emerged, and he narrowed his eyes at the brightness. “I was thinking something more surgical. Boring for the neighbors.”
“We could still use snipers with silencers.”
“If we had them.”
“Can get them in a week or two.”
Antoine folded his hands behind his back as the rain arrived, drops hitting the window.
“I don’t much feel like waiting.” Where had that come from?
Patience is a given. But he didn’t feel patient.
“It would be easier to cut the power, cause some distractions from multiple directions, and draw out the thralls. Then I can go through a window and deal with the vamp before anyone’s the wiser. ”
Noah shifted subtly; the floorboard creaked, betraying his discontent. “It’s my role to keep you safe, and I—”
“No, it’s your role to do as you’re told.”
“Damn it, Antoine! I know you’ve come back with a passion for vengeance, and I understand it, I really do.
After what they did to you, I’d support it even if I weren’t your thrall.
You can command me to shut up, if that’s what you want, but until then I’m going to speak my mind.
You have a dozen loyal thralls trained in the military, and you can wait until we get sniper rifles.
” He paused for a breath, then continued in a calmer voice.
“If you want to Batman through the window, at least let us clear out the thralls first.”
The quiet drew out, and Antoine tightened his jaw. The irritation was that Noah was right. “Fine. Then get the weapons, and build a plan. An approach that favors speed and silence, and draws out the thralls early.”
“I can do that.”
Antoine turned around, and Noah straightened his back. “I do appreciate your input, my friend. Please keep your… critique coming, and I’ll try to stay open-minded.”
“Thank you.” Noah hesitated, then shook his head and walked for the door.
“Don’t hold back on me now.”
“I was just going to say…” He trailed off, then forced the question. “Have you told Cally yet?”
“Why would I?”
“Because you love her. Because you want her to know—or, at least, you don’t want her to find out any other way. Because for no other reason than you’re bonded.”
Antoine held his gaze, then nodded. “Maybe you’re right again.”
*
It was still early, but he knew Cally was up because he could hear her voice in her room, and Eve was there too.
“—an hour to get to Milton.”
He knocked twice and waited, trying not to listen, respecting her space. Even if she had spent the night in his room, this one was still hers, as he’d promised.
It had been Eve speaking, and she stopped abruptly. Cally opened the door. “Hi! Is everything all right?”
She wore all black—jeans, a roll-neck sweater, and a leather overcoat he didn’t know she owned. It was a good look for her.
“Off out?”
“Uh… yes.”
“To see your dad?”
“Uh… yes. Is that okay?”
“Of course it is. Take Noah, would you? I would feel happier knowing you’re safe.”
Cally winced. “I’m not sure my dad would understand. He would probably assume Noah was my boyfriend.”
“Zoey then.”
“Aren’t I stronger than both of them now?”
Antoine smiled ruefully. “Yes, I suppose so.”
“And it’s not like Minh’s thralls are coming after me.”
“True.” He pulled her close and kissed her cheek. “My apologies, ma chérie. I shouldn’t try and coddle you.”
“No… I like it when you do. Are you off to bed?”
“Soon. I talked to Noah, and…” He paused to glance at Eve.
Her lips pressed together stubbornly, then she shook her head in resignation. “Uh… I’ll be… downstairs, probably bugging Marcel.” She walked past them both, and Antoine stepped back to make room for her.
“I’m glad you have her,” he said, as her footsteps faded. “Did you tell her she can stay?”
“I did, but I don’t think she will.” Cally looked uncomfortable. “Not for long, anyway.”
“A shame.” He nodded to the room. “May I come in? There is something I wanted to tell you, and… not out here in the hallway.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” Cally stepped back. “You don’t need to ask. It’s your house.”
“But your room,” he said as he entered. “As I promised.”
She closed the door behind him.
“Is this the book you mentioned?” Antoine asked, gesturing to the tome that lay open on her bed.
“Yeah.”
“Are you making any progress?”
“I hope so.”
He smiled ruefully at the paintwork on the carpet. “I had best ask Marcel not to come and clean in here for a while.”
“I’m so sorry. We’ll remove it, I promise.”
“No, I understand. There are empty rooms. I could find you one to practice your magic.”
“I’m sorry. I should’ve asked.”
“It’s your house too.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. This wasn’t what he wanted to discuss. “There was another matter. Noah has tracked down Nico and Tobias.”
The blood drained from her face. “He has?” she asked, her voice small.
Smooth delivery.
“I apologize, that was sudden. I did not mean to alarm you.”
“No, it’s… fine.” She turned away, her arms hugging herself. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to kill them. Just as I told you.”
“When?”
“When we’re ready. We’re preparing now. A week, maybe two.”
She turned back, and her face was less pale. Already she has recovered from the shock I gave her. “Which will you go after first?”
“We haven’t yet decided.”
“I want to come.”
“I am not sure that is wise. It will be dangerous.”
“Nevertheless. I’m tougher than any of your thralls, and we’re bonded.”
“A reason to keep you safe, tough or not.”
She crossed her arms and raised her chin, her jaw firm. So beautiful. So stubborn. “I want to come, Antoine. My place is at your side.”
“Ma chérie, I—”
“I’m not leaving you. Not for something like this. I can’t wake again in our bed to find you haven’t returned.”
He bowed his head. “Very well. When we go, you will come with us.”
She released a breath. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you. Your support matters more to me than you could ever know.”
“It’s not just support, it’s love.”
“D’accord.” He offered her a smile, but it felt tinged by restraint. He knew she picked up on it, but there was nothing he could do. He wasn’t ready to say the words yet. Soon, maybe. “You are clearly busy; I will leave you. Enjoy your day.”
“Sleep well,” she said quietly.