Page 70 of Visions in Blood
Then he was gone.I had no idea how much time slipped by as I continued to stare out the window into sunshine that still couldn’t warm me.Then the anger rekindled.He never mentioned what my mother had shared with him.
Asshole.
ChapterTwenty-Six
Devon glancedat the tall stone columns and massive oak doors.Large windows displayed a busy bar, most likely a high-end pickup bar for shifters.The restaurant was near The Wolf’s compound, though it catered to humans and shifters alike, or the occasional vampire with no hard feelings toward shifters.It was a safe location, and he’d been here a handful of times before.
He’d been surprised when Decker declined the invitation to join them.Based on current events, the shifter felt it sent a better message for the two alphas to meet on their own.No matter how much Remus trusted Decker, more could be shared if he wasn’t in attendance.Devon couldn’t argue his friend’s reasoning.
He knocked on the glass that separated him from Bella and Lucas.They decided the limo made more of an impression than the sedan.When the window lowered, he said, “I expect this to take an hour, two at the most depending on how much Remus wants to rage.”
They both smiled.Everyone in his family had met The Wolf at some point, especially when the two of them had become friends and not just partners.He credited Decker for his ability to make friends among the shifters.Over the decades, he’d taught Devon how tough, loyal, and trustworthy shifters were—unless you double-crossed them.He grinned.No different than how vampires took care of business.
He left the limo with Lucas two steps behind him.Once inside, Lucas went to the bar while he continued on to the maître d', who was prepared for him, and with nothing more than a nod, handed him over to a hostess who led him to a private balcony that looked out over the city.
Remus was already seated.A glass of single-malt—the bottle of Glenfiddich opened nearby—gripped in one hand as he scrolled through his tablet with the other.A bucket of ice sat at the edge of the table so it could be replenished throughout their meal.
He’d dressed in a sports jacket, shirt sans tie, and tailored pants from what Devon could see.And he breathed easier.Remus always dressed for the particular occasion, and if this was going to be a beat down about the rogue shifters and the delay of the mission, he would have worn an expensively tailored suit.
Remus closed the tablet and moved it to the side as the hostess pulled back the chair for Devon.The woman disappeared after pouring a glass of scotch for him.He never took his gaze from Remus, and when he lifted his glass, Remus tipped his toward Devon.They both drank.
“I think this has always been my favorite.”Devon wasn’t lying to impress.“I’m not sure why I don’t stock more of it.”
“That security man of yours doesn’t know good scotch from rye.He’s a vodka man, and you should never let a vodka man buy your scotch.”Remus took a long sip, and when he smiled, his fangs reflected the bite of the slow burn.
“You’ll be glad to know I’ve given that role to Cook.He’s really the only one in residence who has the appropriate taste for the good stuff.”
“Ah, wise decision.”Remus glanced out the window and then to the glass wall that separated them from the other diners.“I appreciate you taking the time to come out this way.This place is famous for their steaks, but they also have a fine selection of organic meals.”
Devon lifted a brow and after taking a quick glance at the menu tossed it back on the table.“Are we going to sing sweet adulations to each other while we wait for a slow song?”
Remus threw back his head with a hearty laugh.“That’s why I trust you.No subterfuge.Straight to the matter at hand.”
When he smiled, he let a bit of his own fangs show.“Who has the time these days?”
Remus frowned.“More truth than I care to admit.”He was going to say more but paused when the server stopped by to take their order.Once he was gone, The Wolf gave Devon a hard look.“I’ve been patient, and now a new threat is upon us.”
“Possibly.”He felt the urgency as well, but their opponent seemed to be directing the play.“What have you heard about the rogues?”
Remus lowered his gaze, his lips thinning.“They’d been promised safe haven.The alpha of the local pack is very angry.It was difficult to rein him in.”
“He believes vampires did this?”
“There were bite marks, though the bodies were so mangled it was impossible to discern anything other than fangs being involved.Several of the bodies had been ripped apart.”
“Still not conclusive.”
“True.Shifters that haven’t gone through their first change can be equally violent in human form.Saliva and blood samples were taken to our labs.”
Devon paled.“If it was vampires…”
Remus waved him off.“This is for my eyes only.I agree a war now would be poor timing with our own goals so close at hand.But I won’t be able to hide whatever answers we discover for long.”
They paused in their conversation as dinner was served.Remus rubbed his hands together when the thirty-ounce prime rib was placed in front of him, complete with garlic mashed potatoes, and a vegetable medley.Devon’s halibut was succulent and accompanied by the same mix of organic vegetables.And as delectable as it was, he picked at his meal.
“I know I’ve been distracted, but the last artifact is proving illusive.To add to that, another issue has taken more time than I anticipated.”
Remus buttered a roll and sucked a spot of butter from his thumb.“And this is something you can’t share with me?”
