Page 5 of Lucas
Lucas glanced at Bella, whose head rested on her fist as she stared unblinking at the display.
“These are critical details,” Simone insisted.
“Agreed.” Devon smoothed her ruffled feathers. “But perhaps a better discussion for the three of us. It’s enough for the rest of the cadre to understand the final outcome. We’ve been at it awhile, and I’m satisfied with your plans. I would suggest the ideas you’ve scrapped be considered as backups. We’ll require a constant shifting and rotation of security protocols. I want to keep Lorenzo guessing.”
Simone nodded. “Shall we move on to the personnel assignments?”
Devon stood and stretched his back as he moved to the windows that overlooked the north side of the property. Stately oak trees dotted the landscape along with native brush, grasses, and comfortable modern cabins that housed Family members. “Let’s take a break. I have messages to return. We can meet back here in an hour.”
Lucas stood as the others filed out.
“Lucas, can I have a few minutes?” Devon turned from the window and poured a cup of coffee. He held up the carafe, and Lucas nodded. Devon poured a second mug and took both to a small seating area at the far end of the conference room.
Lucas followed, wondering what type of dressing down he might get for not paying attention. He took the offered mug and sat. “I’m sorry for being distracted during the meeting.”
Devon chuckled. “I was having a hard time paying attention myself. Simone and Sergi can become rather narrowly focused when discussing security. Especially now while we wait for Lorenzo to make a move.”
Lucas relaxed. Not a dressing down then. “I fear it might become difficult to keep Oasis a secret.”
“I do as well, which is why we’re establishing more defense perimeters. Simone has also taken to heart Decker’s suggestion of using rogue shifters. She’s been working with him and Remus on the list of rogues and has interviews set up.”
That surprised him. “Really? I thought she would consider it and then decide against it.”
“After the last mission, I think she’s finally come to trust Remus and his motives. Shifters bring a whole new dimension to security. And, if Lorenzo comes, he won’t be prepared for wolves. With his inability to accept their cunning intelligence, it will take time for him to modify his attacks. Our job will be to stay one step ahead of him and keep him guessing.”
“The rogues should love having the space to run and track. And they won’t be afraid to attack. It’s a perfect solution.”
“I agree. Now, the reason I asked you to stay behind. It’s time to get back to our search for Philipe Renaud and theDe første dage.”
Lucas straightened. He’d been planning on asking Devon but had decided to wait until the afternoon battle training. “It’s been on my mind.”
Devon smiled and sipped his coffee as he studied Lucas, almost making him squirm. “No doubt. I should probably include the rest of the cadre in this discussion, but I’d prefer to review the plans one-on-one. We know time is of the essence. While Cressa and I were in San Francisco the last three days, we were able to obtain a passport for her.”
“Passport? You’re leaving the country?”
“I haven’t told the rest of the cadre yet. Cressa will tell Ginger later today. During Lorenzo’s ball, just before the sirens went off, she met with the Oslo twins.”
“They were there?”
Devon nodded. “Apparently, they’ve been getting close to Lorenzo with an interest in current Council matters and word of the Poppy. But who they really work for is House Aramburu.”
“Aramburu? They haven’t been heard from in ages.”
“Yet, it appears they’ve been keeping up on Council politics from their homeland. They’ve extended an invitation, and I’ve accepted.”
Lucas sat back—stunned. House Aramburu was, at one time, an extremely powerful House. From what he’d read, their homeland had been one of the largest among the Houses. But centuries ago, they had shuttered their gates and remained removed from vampire society. There were only rumors as to why.
“When do you leave?”
“In a few days. Security will become tighter during my absence, and we want to keep the fact I’ve left the country a secret. We’ll be traveling on one of Remus’s planes.”
“That’s a good idea.”
“But until then, I’d like to hear your thoughts on the search for Philipe and the book. And this must be done quickly. I want a tentative plan by tomorrow. I understand whatever you comeup with needs to remain fluid based on your discoveries, but let’s have a framework to start with. You’ll leave in two days.”
Lucas scratched his chin and stared at his mug of coffee. No time like the present. “About that. I have a special request.”
I strolledthe path to the lake, stopping occasionally to smell a flower or watch a bee collect pollen before flying to another bloom. I ran my hands along the tops of the tall grass that was allowed to grow wild.
