Chapter 89 Rhyland #2
Now we've got Ayla, some witch with more power than sense, and Alaric and Vivienne, Lucian's UK cronies, joining our merry band of misfits.
It's a start.
Dani shifts in my lap, drawing my attention back to her. "What witch clans does he have in his back pocket right now?" she asks, her eyes narrow with concern.
Sable, ever the brains of our operation, consults her notes. "From what I have gathered, the Olympic Coven, Cedar Moon Coven, and Rainshadow Circle."
Ayla, with long dark hair and green eyes looking like she's stepped out of a goddamn Wiccan fashion magazine, leans forward. "I can speak to the other covens and see if they will listen to reason before joining forces with the wrong side."
Dani snorts, her fingers tracing teasing patterns on my arm that make me want to bend her over this fucking table. "Yeah, because witches are known for their reasonable nature and calm decision-making skills. No offense, Ayla."
I can't help but smirk as Dani's sass comes out to play, even with the world going to shit around us.
Emily's eyes narrow to slits, "I resent that, bitch. Just because some of us have a little more magical mojo than others doesn't mean we're all batshit crazy. I mean, have you met Rhyland? The dude's got 'anger management issues' written all over his broody forehead. In fucking neon."
What the actual fuck? What the hell did I do?
Lucian, the asshole, throws his head back and laughs like it's the funniest shit he's ever heard. I make a mental note to kick his ass later.
Dani laughs, unfazed by Emily's outburst. "Am I wrong, though? Come on, Em. When was the last time you made a decision that didn't involve setting something—or someone—on fire? Or ripping a certain someone through a damn vortex?"
Emily's face is a perfect picture of resentment, like someone just pissed in her cauldron. Sable's trying and failing miserably to hide her laughter.
Erik, the lucky bastard, stares at the ceiling with his arms folded, looking like he'd rather be elsewhere.
I feel you, brother.
"Oohh, burn... And here I thought witches were immune to fire." Lucian smirks. "Guess that's just another myth shattered, like the one about vampires being broody and sexless. Right, brother dearest?"
I shoot him a glare that would make Satan himself shit bricks, but the fucker just winks at me. I swear to god, I'm going to murder him in his sleep.
Brandon's eyes ping-pong between everyone like he is watching a supernatural tennis match, his face screaming 'WTF' louder than words ever could.
Alaric, looking like he's regretting every life choice that led him to this moment, asks, "Are you all always like this?"
In a moment of perfect, chaotic unity, we all chorus, "Yes!"
Vivienne rolls her eyes and lets out a breath that sounds like the last gasp of her patience.
Ayla tries to steer us back on track. "None was taken," she says, her voice calm despite the madhouse around her. "Witches usually don't get coerced—so, I find it extremely strange that even that many are working with him."
I run a hand down my face, wondering for the millionth time how this ragtag bunch of smart-asses and misfits is our best hope against Azrael.
Dani pipes up, her brilliant mind already working overtime. "He's got to be holding something over their heads, just like with the wolf packs," she muses, with sarcasm. "What, did he promise them all—unlimited magic and a pony?"
Lucian grins. "Oh, come on, Dani-girl. Don't sell the ponies short.
I mean, who wouldn't want a magical, flying, rainbow-farting pony?
" he snaps his finger quickly, pointing, "Ooh-ooh, better yet, what if it's Calimari or whatever and his gang with a dash of his unicorn glitter?
Hell, I'd switch sides for that kind of equine awesomeness.
Well, that and maybe a lifetime supply of tacos. "
Dani rolls her eyes. "No, jackass. And it's Calimero, not whatever the hell you just said. There's no freaking way Azrael got through to Luminara. Use that brain of yours for once."
I lean forward—my patience wearing thin with Lucian's shit. "Enough with the bullshit, Lucian. Stop saying stupid shit with your goddamn fantasies."
Lucian, the insufferable prick, leans back in his chair, propping his feet on the table, ignoring us.
"If Azrael is handing out magical ponies, I say we counter-offer with dragons.
Don't we have to go to the fire realm?" He barely pauses for breath before continuing, "We need fire-breathing, scale-covered, bad-ass dragons.
We'll be like the Mother of Dragons, but with less incest and more snarky one-liners. Who's with me?"
The room falls silent, everyone staring at Lucian. I resist the urge to fucking smack the shit out of him, reminding myself for the thousandth time why I both love and want to strangle my brother.
Fuck it.
With a mental shove, I send his chair skidding back. He lands on his ass with an undignified "Oomph!" drawing laughter from Emily and Sable. Dani tries to hide her giggles behind her hands.
Lucian picks himself up, grumbling as he rights his chair. "Real mature, bro," he mutters, shooting me a half-hearted glare.
I shrug, a smirk tugging at my lips. Sometimes, you gotta put the little punk in his place, even if it means getting a bit childish. Besides, it's worth it to see my Angel smile. Her laughter is damn near the best sound in the world.
Not missing a beat, "Oh sure, because nothing says 'we come in peace' like riding in on fire-breathing death machines." Dani quips. "Brilliant plan, Lucian. Maybe we can accessorize with some nuclear warheads while we're at it?"
"Alright, enough of this bullshit," I say. "We've got real fucking problems to solve. So unless anyone has some actual useful ideas, shut the fuck up, and let's focus."
Brandon, looking like he's about to pop a blood vessel, "I can tell you what it is. The wolves get off on his blood. It gives us power—and with power comes wars between the packs. I've never liked that shit, it's evil." He pauses, glancing at Erik. "No offense."
Erik merely shrugs. "It can be evil stuff in the wrong hands. So none taken, friend."
I resist the urge to slam my fist through the table.
Of course, that's his secret weapon—feeding the wolves his blood, getting them hooked on that supernatural high.
I know damn well what our blood does to other supernaturals—it's like a fucking adrenaline shot straight to the heart and twice as addictive.
I clench my jaw, my grip on Dani's hip tightening as the pieces fall into place.
Fucking Azrael—always playing dirty.
"I should've known that was his play to gain them. Bastard's turning them into his junkies."
Dani turns to face me, her eyes sparkling with that dangerous intelligence that never fails to get me hard. "So, what's the plan, big guy? We can't exactly set up a 12-step program for blood-addicted werewolves during a supernatural war."
"No, but we can cut off their supply. And believe me, Angel, withdrawal's a bitch."
Erik nods, his face an impassive mask. "Indeed. We must strategize carefully. Cutting off their access to Azrael's blood will weaken them but may also drive them to more desperate measures."
I lean back, my mind already racing with possibilities. This isn't going to be easy, but then again, nothing worth doing ever is. And taking down a power-hungry vampire with delusions of grandeur? That's definitely worth doing.
I nod, already formulating a plan. "Agreed. And we need to figure out what he's holding over the witches. No way they're joining his fucked-up crusade willingly."
As the others start discussing potential strategies, I pull Dani closer, burying my face in her hair. Her scent, mixed with the lingering sweat from her workout, grounds me and reminds me of exactly what I'm fighting for.
"I'll see what I can find out. Whatever it is, it can't be good." Ayla offers.
No shit.
Alaric, who's been quiet, finally speaks up. "Why isn't your mortal law or authorities doing anything about this?"
It's a fair fucking question. After all the work we've done to integrate into mortal society, you'd think they'd give a shit about a power-hungry vampire running amok.
Emily rolls her eyes, her fingers flying over her tablet as she speaks.
"Oh, you know, just your typical mass cowardice," she drawls.
"Turns out, when faced with a psychotic vampire with a power trip, our brave boys in blue suddenly develop a severe allergy to doing their jobs.
It's all Azrael—they're too busy pissing their pants to actually, you know, enforce the law. "
It's clear she's as fed up with this bullshit as the rest of us.
"I don't buy that for a second," Vivienne demands, looking ready to rip someone's throat out.
"Someone should contact your local authorities and find out why they are not stepping in as they should be.
There are special weapons put into place for this exact reason— In our country, this shit wouldn't fly regardless of how powerful one vampire is. "
She's got a point. Mortals have devised various UV weapons to take us down if we ever get too powerful for their liking.
Lucian grins like a maniac. "Isn't it obvious? He's corrupted even them—I wouldn't put it past the fuckwad. Maybe he's offering them all-you-can-eat donuts. Or, you know, the slightly more sinister option of blackmail and mind control. But hey, who doesn't love a good conspiracy theory?"
I roll my eyes, but I can't deny that Lucian's got a point. Azrael's done this before, back when we busted him for his illegal blood and slave trading. The fucker's got no qualms about using his power, blood, and anything else to influence and corrupt anyone and everyone who gets in his way.
"Lucian's right," I growl, my fingers rubbing Dani's back. "We can't trust the mortal authorities on this one. Azrael's got his claws in too deep."
Dani twists in my lap, looking up at me with those big, golden eyes that never fail to make my heart skip a beat. "So what do we do? We can't exactly walk into the police station and ask if they're under the thrall of a psychotic vampire, can we?"
"No, but we can start digging. And believe me, Angel, if Azrael's left any trace of his meddling, we'll find it."
And when the dust settles? Well, let's just say I plan on being the last motherfucker standing.
Let the games begin, you blood-peddling bastard. I'm coming for you, and I'm bringing an army.