Page 83 of Seduced By Moonlight

Kayden headed straight for his bedroom, motioning for them to wait in the living room. “I won’t be long.”

Ward leaned against the wall, his senses on high alert. The quietness of the house was unnerving in a way he couldn’t quite put his finger on. Tank stayed alert by the front door.

It wasn’t long before Kayden returned, pulling a large suitcase and carrying a laptop bag over his shoulder. “Got everything I need.”

“Good. Was anything disturbed?”

“Not that I can tell.”

“Even better. Let’s go, then,” Ward said. As soon as they stepped outside, Ward heard a raven call from somewhere close.

Once they were back in the SUV, Ward finally relaxed. From what Kayden had said, their next stop was Lance’s house. This time, Tank and Emmett escorted Lance inside. A short time later, they also returned, Lance carrying a suitcase.

“Any signs of a disturbance?” Ward asked as they passed by on the way to their SUV.

“No, nothing,” Lance said.

Their luck continued as everything appeared normal at Mika’s home. That left just one stop—the Sky Tower, which was where Raven lived.

Of course the drive to downtown San DeLain was a chaotic journey through a sea of vehicles. Cars honked impatiently, their engines humming and revving in a cacophony that echoed off the towering skyscrapers lining the streets.

The cityscape was a sprawling jungle of steel and glass, with buildings jutting into the sky. Concrete stretched as far as the eye could see, a vast expanse of gray punctuated by bustling sidewalks teeming with people and some greenery.

The air buzzed with the ceaseless chatter of urban life, an overwhelming symphony of sounds. It was slowly driving Ward insane, and he hadn’t even stepped out of the vehicle yet.

“How the hell do people live like this?” Tank muttered.

“Right?” Kayden answered. “It makes my soul shrivel.”

The Sky Tower was an imposing structure, slicing through the city’s skyline like a blade of dark glass and steel. As they pulled up to the imposing entrance, Ward noticed security was tight, as expected.

Vampires in crisp black suits approached their vehicle as soon as they stopped in front of the immense building. Each had an earpiece and a cold, calculating look in their eyes. Tank rolled down his window, and one of them leaned in.

“State your business,” he said flatly, his gaze piercing as vampires checked the other SUV.

“King Hereward Tywyll of Clan Tywyll and his counsel to meet with the Master of the City, who is expecting us,” Tank replied.

“Who’s the teek and the shifters?” the vampire asked.

“We informed your master that we’d have them with us,” Ward suddenly spoke. “Tell him we are here.”

The guard nodded slightly, speaking into his earpiece while keeping his eyes fixed on them. After a moment, he stepped back. “Our master says welcome, King Hereward. You may enter. Park in the visitor section and proceed to reception.”

They followed his instructions, navigating the elegantly brutal architecture of Sky Tower’s underground parking lot before making their way to the lavish lobby.

The interior was all marble floors, ornate golden chandeliers, and artwork by the masters, alongside modern art pieces—a showcase of wealth and power.

Reaching reception, a vampire woman with sharp features and icy eyes met them. “Please follow me to the North Wing conference room,” she informed them, gesturing toward a set of grand doors across the lobby.

She took them into a vast room that had commanding views of the entire city through floor-to-ceiling windows. Raven was already there waiting for them, standing by the window looking out at the skyline. His presence dominated the space. With him were two other vampires.

“Ah, Ward.” Raven turned as they entered. “Good to see you.”

Ward stepped forward, hand out. “Thank you for your help. I appreciate it.”

“My pleasure. And would you be so kind as to introduce those with you who are not gargoyles, Ward?”

Ward had already told him who would be coming, but Raven had never met the other three men. “Raven St. Clair? May I introduce KaydenLancaster, Lance Smith, and Mika Suppasit. They are temporarily under my protection, as I mentioned. Kayden, Lance, Mika? This is Master of the City, the vampire Raven St. Clair of the St. Clair coven.”

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