Chapter 14
The new staff arrived throughout the afternoon in a carefully coordinated sequence. Seth met each one personally, briefing them on the situation and stashing them around the estate, where the existing staff wouldn’t see them.
First came Helena Abados, a lioness shifter from Sam’s network who would serve as head housekeeper, overseeing all the other domestic help in the giant castle.
She was part of the African side of the Clan and had moved to Germany in her youth, working in hospitality at several major resorts.
She was in her early fifties with steel-gray hair and the kind of no-nonsense competence that came from years of experience managing large staffs.
“The current employees will be dismissed shortly, but until then, stay out of view,” Seth told her quietly as they stood in the forest beyond the castle’s sight lines. “Some or all of them are very possibly in league with the enemy.”
“Understood.” Helena’s sharp eyes assessed the castle. “Sam briefed me on the Venifucus connection. I’ve dealt with dark mages before, so I understand a little of what we might be up against.”
Behind Helena came three younger women—Greta Sterling, Marie Hopfner, and Sarah Venton—all wolf shifters from Germany who’d worked in hospitality and understood the need for discretion.
Seth gave them the same instructions, emphasizing the importance of remaining hidden until the old staff departed.
Next was Klaus Lichtner, a bear shifter who would take over as groundskeeper. He was massive even in human form, with hands like shovels and a gentle demeanor that belied his size.
“I understand there may be complications,” Klaus said in heavily accented English. “I am prepared for trouble.”
“Good. The previous groundskeeper only came twice a week, so you can shape your hours as you see fit, but your real job is perimeter security disguised as grounds maintenance.” Seth showed him the property map on his phone.
“Familiarize yourself with the layout. Note the camera and sensor positions. They’re disabled now, but the mages might try to restore them.
My team will be here for the duration of any confrontation, but after that, ongoing perimeter security will be at least partially up to you.
I’ll discuss the fact that you’ll need to hire more people with Petra, once my team pulls back, so she knows what to expect. ”
Klaus nodded slowly, studying the map with careful attention. “I will walk every meter of the grounds tonight.”
The new chef arrived next. His name was André Voisine, and he was a French fox shifter who came highly recommended by Mark. He was slim and elegant with sharp features and an even sharper wit.
“I am told the previous cook was talented but hostile,” André said, his accent making the words sound almost musical. “I promise to be talented and friendly.”
“That’s all we’re asking.” Seth liked him immediately. “The new owner is human, raised in England, and new to our world. Be patient with her.”
“Of course. Mark has told me she is brave and kind. These are qualities I respect.” André adjusted his chef’s jacket. “I have already planned menus for the next week. Comfort food with excellent nutrition. She will need her strength.”
Finally, just before four o’clock, a town car pulled up containing Wilhelm Jarling, the new butler.
He was a tiger shifter in his sixties, impeccably dressed in a dark suit, with the kind of bearing that came from decades of service in prestigious households.
Sam had pulled serious strings to get him.
Wilhelm had been semi-retired, only taking positions he found personally interesting.
He was also a former Royal Guard for the Tigre d’Or.
He’d served under the last true king of all tigers and had left royal service under the usurper. Now that the monarchy was restored to a true heir, he’d been spending a lot of his time at the royal palace, helping train young Royal Guard candidates.
“It is a pleasure to meet you, sir,” Wilhelm said, extending his hand to Seth and exchanging a firm handshake. “Alpha Kinkaid has explained the situation. I understand the previous butler was problematic.”
“Thirty-two years of service to the Kettering family. He almost certainly has connections to the Venifucus and has been reporting everything that’s been going on in the house to someone. Presumably the enemy.” Seth studied the older man. “You’ll be walking into a difficult transition.”
“I have managed difficult transitions before.” Wilhelm’s smile was thin but genuine. “I once served in a household that was later revealed to be a front for a drug empire. I know how to recognize corruption, and I know how to restore proper order.”
“Good. We’re terminating the existing staff tonight. You’ll need to be ready to take over immediately.”
“I am always ready, sir.”
The last arrival was Anna Lightfoot, who would serve as Petra’s personal assistant.
She was a lynx shifter from Canada, who was fluent in both English and French as well as a few other languages.
She was in her mid-twenties, energetic and focused, with organizational skills that bordered on supernatural.
Sam’s notes said she’d managed logistics for a multinational corporation before deciding she wanted to use her abilities for something more meaningful.
“I’ve reviewed all the estate documentation Sam sent,” Anna said, pulling out a tablet before Seth could even finish introductions. “I have preliminary organizational structures mapped out, with color-coded priority systems and timeline projections for the next six months.”
Seth blinked. “You’ve been hired for less than a day.”
“Twenty-eight hours, actually. Sam contacted me yesterday afternoon.” Anna’s smile was bright and efficient. “I don’t believe in wasting time. Ms. Haas will need administrative support immediately, so I’ve prepared accordingly.”
Yeah. She was going to fit in perfectly.
By six-thirty, all the new staff were positioned in various locations around the estate, ready to move in the moment the old staff departed. Seth had gone over the plan multiple times, making sure everyone understood their roles and the timeline.
Now came the unpleasant part.
Seth found Petra in her room at quarter to seven. She stood by the window, her posture rigid with tension. She’d changed into a dark blue dress that looked both professional and elegant. It was armor for a different kind of battle.
“They’re all here,” Seth said from the doorway. “The new staff. Everyone Sam and Mark promised, plus a few extras.”
Petra turned to face him, and Seth could see the anxiety in her eyes. “I don’t know if I can do this.”
“Yes, you can.” He crossed the room in three strides and took her hands in his. They were cold despite the warmth of the evening. “You’ve already done harder things. This is just business. Katja has all the legal paperwork ready. I’ll be right beside you the entire time.”
“What if they refuse to leave?”
“Then Pax and Ari will escort them off the property.” Seth squeezed her hands gently.
“But it won’t come to that. Herr Müller is too calculating to make a scene that could complicate his legal standing.
He’ll object, and he’ll probably try to guilt you into changing your mind, but in the end he’ll leave because he has no other choice. ”
Petra took a shaky breath. “Okay. All right. I can do this.”
“You can.” Seth lifted one hand to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing across her skin. “And I’m proud of you for standing up to them, even though I know it’s hard for you.”
She leaned into his touch for just a moment, drawing strength from the contact. Then she straightened her shoulders and lifted her chin. It was a gesture Seth was beginning to recognize as Petra’s way of preparing for battle.
“Let’s get this over with,” she said.
They met Katja in the corridor outside the library. The lawyer looked as impeccable as ever in a charcoal suit, carrying a leather folder that Seth knew contained termination letters, severance agreements, and every legal document needed to make this clean and final.
“Ready?” Katja asked.
“As I’ll ever be,” Petra replied.
Seth had instructed Herr Müller to gather all staff in the library at seven o’clock sharp.
When they entered, the five employees stood in a loose semicircle near the fireplace.
Müller occupied the center looking stiff and formal, Frau Dietrich to his right with her perpetual dour expression, the gardener on his left, and the maids arrayed behind him looking nervous.
They all straightened as Petra entered. She moved to stand behind the massive mahogany desk, with Katja to her right and Seth slightly behind her left shoulder. A united front.
“Thank you for gathering here,” Petra began. Her voice wavered slightly on the first word, but then steadied. “I’ll get straight to the point. I’ve decided to make changes to the household staff, effective immediately. As of now, your employment here is terminated.”
The silence that followed felt heavy enough to crush. Seth watched each face carefully, cataloging reactions. The maids looked shocked. Frau Dietrich’s expression darkened. And Herr Müller…
Müller’s face went through several emotions in rapid succession—surprise, anger, calculation—before settling into carefully controlled outrage.
“Madam,” he said, taking a deliberate step forward. “Surely this is hasty. We have served this household faithfully for many years. I, myself, have been here for thirty-two years. To dismiss us without cause, without warning—”
“There is legal standing for these actions,” Katja interrupted smoothly, her voice cutting through Müller’s objections like a blade.
“Ms. Haas is the new owner and has full authority to hire and terminate staff at her discretion. Your employment contracts, which I have reviewed thoroughly, all contain clauses allowing for termination without cause provided appropriate severance is given.”