Page 22 of Coven

Ember snorted. “He’s lazy. With dawn approaching, he won’t want to chance having to rush home. Means he’ll want to go first thing tomorrow night, though.”

Which was when one of Ember’s wolves would sneak Kana into the mansion. Ember was certain Octavius wouldn’t allow Sophia to go out at the same time, so she would be in the mansion. They had to wait for Octavius to return before they could attack Sophia, just in case she was able to get some sort of message out to him and he was able to escape the trap. One group would be lying in wait for her, and Kana and a second group would be waiting for Octavius. Then, both groups would attack at the same time.

“I’ll make sure I leave work on time,” Kana said. “I assume another car will pick me up?”

Ember nodded. “They’ll idle in the neighborhood until they get word Octavius has left.”

And that was all their plans hashed out yet again. Kana didn’t have anything else to say, and they lapsed into awkward silence. He had zero idea what to say. Should he ask more questions about tomorrow? But they had already gone through the plans twice now, so that seemed silly. Kana definitely didn’t want to ask Ember about his family, since the vampires had taken care of that. Did he dare say something about how hot Kana thought Ember was? No, this didn’t seem like an appropriate time or place for that.

Why not? Sora asked. He’s cute, you’re horny, and I know Mika and I would enjoy a bit of that too.

Because we’re about to go into battle. I’m sure he’s focusing on that and doesn’t want to be distracted.

Riiiight. Sora sank as much disbelief into that one, drawn-out word as Kana had ever heard. Well, whatever. Mika and I are done. Come down and pick us up.

“They’re done,” Kana said.

Ember stood, then paused to press his hands against his spine until his back cracked. Kana couldn’t tear his eyes away as that deliciously flat stomach and firm chest were pushed in his direction. Ember didn’t appear to notice, as he simply dropped his hands and turned toward the door. Kana scrambled to follow.

They exited the building from the same side door. Ember locked it, then turned to walk deeper into the alley. Mika and Sora were waiting there in their small forms, and they were both completely covered in blood, their fur matted with it. Ember heaved the metal bilco doors closed, then slid a chain through the handles and clicked a padlock closed.

A car pulled up as they were walking back to the street. A wolf jumped out and opened the back door for Kana, who climbed inside. Mika and Sora dashed in after him, moving fast so they wouldn’t be seen.

Ember waved as the car pulled away, so Kana waved back.

I need a bath, Mika grumbled, his voice disgusted.

Definitely, Sora agreed. And then maybe we can help Kana out with his horniness problem.

Mika laughed. Sounds good to me!

Kana’s cheeks were warm again, and he was glad he was the only one who could hear Mika and Sora. Still, a bit of fun would help keep his mind off tomorrow night so Kana welcomed the distraction.

Chapter Nine

THE VAMPIRE’S MANSION was even more ridiculous farther inside. Kana was now in a sitting room clearly used by the vampire residents. The couch he was sitting on was completely covered in embroidery. Flowers in multiple colors crossed every inch of the fabric. The ceiling was gold, and Kana couldn’t tell if it was painted or gilded, but it was bright and clashed horribly with the couches. Those were only the two most egregious issues, but the entire room screamed snooty.

George and another beta, introduced as Emily, stood against the wall by the door to the hallway. Emily had her arms crossed and looked bored, and George was picking at a fingernail. The opposite wall held a second door; they hadn’t told Kana what was on the other side, but he guessed it was a closet, and no one seemed concerned about it.

“I still don’t understand why we couldn’t just attack them while they’re sleeping during the day!” Emily said with a huff.

George rolled his eyes. “Because they sleep inside a fricking fortress. By the time we breached the first door, they’d be awake and ready to kill us. Better to catch them out in the open like this where we have a chance of survival, and they won’t have any time to prepare.”

“If you say so.” Emily’s tone was sarcastic and said she didn’t believe George, but the question had been brought up at the meeting Emily had missed. George’s answer to Emily was the short version of what Ember had explained at the time.

Emily opened her mouth to say something else, but George suddenly held up his hand. His head was cocked so his ear was close to the door.

“They’re coming,” George said, both to Emily and Kana, and into the mike hooked inside his collar.

Kana tensed, his hands clamping around the cushion he was sitting on, and then he let out a heavy breath and forced his shoulders and fingers to relax. His hands left chalky residue behind on the ridiculous fabric, so Kana tried to brush it off while they waited.

“Why am I being brought to a sitting room?” Octavius’s voice sounded clearly, even through the closed door.

“You requested information on the witch responsible for killing Mistress Penelope and Master Xavier, Master Octavius,” Ember said as he turned the handle and pushed the door open. “We have identified the witch and brought him to you.”

Octavius walked into the room, looked at Kana briefly, then circled the couches until he was standing across the room from Ember.

“I told you to take care of the witch problem, not to bring him here,” Octavius said, his voice sharp and haughty as he looked down his nose at the three werewolves and Kana. “Never mind,” he continued quickly with an offhand wave. “I already know why you’ve brought him here: you think your little coup attempt will be marginally more successful with a witch on your side.”

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