Chapter 3
“Their heat signatures have still spread,” Dru murmured.
She stared at the digital map of the North American continent highlighted on the wall of her office.
The royal military had top-notch technology that was recently developed to track the lycans.
She stepped forward with her hands behind her back.
A growl threatened to erupt at the sight of so much of the enemy.
For centuries, they had believed they had hunted the lycans down to abysmal numbers.
To see they had been wrong and the mangy animals had not only brought their numbers back but had organized and had an alpha who was set on conquering the world astounded Dru.
Never before had the lycans showed such organization.
In the past, they had been overcome by their beasts.
Even when they were under vampire ruling, they were difficult to control.
Dru had truly believed, as everyone else had, that the lycans were almost extinct. She’d been on many of the missions where they had wiped out entire dens. She scowled at the thought of their current numbers.
Next time, they’d obliterate the lycans. There would be no coming back.
“How are their numbers still increasing?” Ishmael murmured.
Dru had called in her most trusted warriors who fought under her. These vampires had assisted with her mission to hunt down the lycans. Gale and Ciro stood behind her as they, too, took in the highlighted areas on the map.
There was only one answer to the question they all were thinking.
“They have a new alpha,” Dru murmured.
Pure-born lycans’ numbers wouldn’t explode in this way. It would take decades, if not centuries, to increase in the way they had from new births. This was a result of lycans turning humans. Not many humans could survive a lycan bite. There was no telling how many had died in the process.
Dru ran a hand along her face and blew out a deep breath.
“Azura’s sister?” Gale moved closer to the map and studied it.
Dru eyed her and gave a slow nod. It would only make sense that the twin of the alpha who was killed would take over and lead.
“I need proof.” Dru turned to face her warriors.
They all stood to their full height. She’d need to put as many ears to the ground as she possibly could.
Azura may have been a powerful alpha who’d led the lycans on their attempt to dominate and overthrow the vampire rule, but little was still known about this twin, Rayna Vaughn.
For all they knew, another lycan could have overthrown the prior alpha’s twin.
“We need hard evidence of who’s now in charge.”
Azura had made her intentions known publicly. Not only had she boldly contacted the royal family to threaten them, but the deranged female had boasted on national television what she’d planned to do.
But this new alpha—they were moving in silence.
And that made them all the more dangerous.
“What would you have us do?” Ciro had helped develop the technology in which they were able to track the lycan dens. He was a younger vampire who’d caught Dru’s attention with his intelligence and willingness to enhance technologies to assist vampires in staying ahead of the lycans.
“We’re going to target the larger dens. Recently turned lycans may not be as loyal. We know from experience that any who may have human families may talk,” Dru said.
Gale came back to stand next to her fellow warriors. Lycans had been turning humans against their will. Thousands of humans had gone missing, and most had been blamed on the lycans. Those who may not be lost to the beasts may be willing to rat out the whereabouts of the new alpha for a price.
“I have an algorithm put together to determine the fastest-growing dens,” Ciro announced.
Dru folded her arms. She nodded to have him continue. This just proved her gut feeling about the vampire was going to pay off. She’d mention this to Lethia so they may reward him well for his contributions in the fight against the lycans.
“Many of the newly turned lycans have gone feral and are unable to change back to human forms, but there are those who are not. I already have information that can help us determine which dens to infiltrate first.”
“Well done. I want a few teams to go out and hunt down the most vulnerable targets who may talk. Ciro, I want you on Azura’s sister. Princess Hegna has a computer hacker who would be the perfect person to connect with. Her name is June. Reach out to her,” Dru said.
June had played a key role in the vampires overrunning the human government.
“I’ll connect with her immediately.” Ciro bowed his head. He sat at the table where his computer awaited him.
Dru respected those who were technologically savvy. She was a vampire not born of this century and didn’t depend on much of the new ways, but she appreciated those who were able to.
A knock sounded at the door. She was not to be disturbed during this meeting unless it was urgent, and if there was an urgent matter—she’d know about it.
“Enter!” Dru moved back to her desk and glanced down at her meticulous plans she’d drawn up before the meeting. So far, they had covered everything she’d wanted.
“Captain Moldark.”
Dru glanced up in surprise at the sight of the castle’s butler, Sterling, standing at the doorway. He had a hand in all of the workings of the castle. He’d been employed by Lethia for decades and was well revered.
“Sterling. What can I do for you?” Dru folded her hands behind her back. Why would he personally come and see her? If there was something he needed, he could have sent a servant.
“You’re being summoned to the throne room, Captain.” He bowed his head slightly.
The room fell silent. Dru frowned. Summoned to the throne room?
“By whom?” She hadn’t heard word of the king or queen arriving in Crystal Cove.
She moved to stand in front of her desk. Lethia never used the room for her own purposes, and if she chose to, Dru would be informed. As Lethia’s right hand, there wasn’t much that went on about the castle or in the territory that Dru wasn’t aware of.
“Princess Lethia has requested that you come immediately,” he said.
“The princess?” Her eyebrows jerked up high.
She blinked then stood to her full height.
She turned to the warriors who all had their attention on her.
“Gale and Ishmael, I want you to put together small teams. Each of you take a top den to target using Ciro’s algorithm. Find me the information I need.”
“Yes, Captain,” Gale and Ishmael echoed simultaneously.
They thumped their fists against their chests. She nodded to Ciro then stalked to the door. Her warriors had their orders, now she needed to find out why she was being summoned. Sterling stepped to the side to allow her to pass.
She paused outside the office at the sight of Lethia’s guards awaiting her. Enoch and Izora. They stood in their formal uniforms.
“Captain,” Enoch’s deep voice echoed through the hallway.
“Captain.” Izora rested a fist above her heart.
“What is the meaning of this?” Dru demanded. The hairs on the back of her neck rose. Curiosity burned in her chest. Had she done something wrong?
“We’re to escort you to the princess. She’s instructed us to ensure you come straight to her,” Enoch said.
Dru jerked her head in a nod and walked down the hall. The two guards flanked her on both sides. Her mind raced, and she couldn’t think of one damn thing she could have done to piss off the princess. She quickened her pace. Lethia was going to give her answers.
* * *
Enoch stepped in front of her and pushed open the double doors that bore the insignia of the royal house.
Dru relaxed her hands from balled fists.
She didn’t want to appear anxious when she came before the princess.
Her heart thundered as she followed Enoch inside.
It had been a long time since she’d been in this room.
Lethia rarely used it, and the last time they’d utilized it was for the king and queen.
The throne room with its stone walls and vaulted ceiling was breathtaking.
Massive pillars lined the chamber, their shadows stretching across the dark marble floor.
The air was heavy with silence other than the sound of her footsteps.
Paintings of past battles were draped along the walls while gold-and-diamond chandeliers provided lighting.
The windows were hidden behind the steel coverings that blocked out the sun.
Dru strode forward. She didn’t know what the hell was going on, but she refused to appear anything else but strong. The room was filled with vampires, and all eyes were on her. She recognized members of the local coven and council along with other notable warriors who fought underneath Lethia.
Dru zeroed in on Lethia Riskel who looked every ounce a royal princess. She sat on the throne, her long blonde hair flowing over her shoulders. Her expensive blue gown highlighted her eyes. Out of the three Riskel sisters, it was Lethia who enjoyed the luxury and wealth of her family.
She may be dressed in a formal gown with her makeup done, but one shouldn’t be deceived by her looks. Lethia was a deadly vampire who Dru had fought beside during many battles and wars in their lifetime. Dru flicked her gaze to the figure who stood beside Lethia—her mate, Alima.
Dru came to stop at the bottom of the stairs. The room remained silent as she bent down to one knee and lowered her gaze. Whatever was the meaning of this, it was official royal business, and Dru would show the utmost respect.
“Your Highnesses.” Dru kept her eyes to the floor.
Her heart rate increased. She inhaled to try to will the pounding muscle to slow down.
She’d at first thought she’d be demanding the meaning of this, but seeing how there was an audience, she bit her tongue.
She may be the right hand of the commander, but that didn’t mean she was above anyone else who served Lethia.
“Captain Moldark.” Lethia’s strong voice carried through the room. “Rise.”