Page 22 of Betrayed in Blood
“I began my investigation some time ago with a specific mission in mind—to remove my censure with the Council so I could have a voice in the future of our race. My digging was also personal and involved my sister.” He glanced at me. “Then fate, or however one chooses to look at it, brought me a thief to accomplish my mission. When I discovered…when we discovered Cressa was a dreamwalker, it was my first indication that the Council and the ones before it had been lying to us. Perhaps they all don’t know, but Venizi knew. The Magic Poppy, the censure, even my parents’ deaths were all lies to hide a horrible decision made a millennium ago.”
He sipped his coffee, then glanced around the table, all eyes were on him as their food grew cold. “I’ve always suspected there was more to it, and after yesterday, the truth is darker than I thought possible. My plans are to expose it all.” He cut a sausage in half and stabbed one with a fork. “I need to gather a few more documents to expose the Council’s deception and officially declare war against House Venizi.”
He bit into the sausage and grinned at the gasps of surprise and mumbled words.
“Hush,” Gregor whispered, but it was enough as the table fell silent. “This is a dangerous game. I don’t want the children exposed.”
“I would never endanger the children, and their existence won’t go beyond these walls without your express consent.”
“You’ll require many allies if you want to prevent a civil war.”
“Which is one of the reasons I accepted your invitation.” He swallowed a bite of eggs and grinned before picking up his cup again. “The allies I’m gathering aren’t just vampire Houses, though I’m gaining support with many of them. The Wolf has given his pledge to stand with House Trelane, and while I won’t mention her by name until she gives permission, we have a very powerful dreamwalker who is tired of their race living in the shadows.” He sipped the coffee then set it down, glancing around the table before landing on Gregor. “I spent centuries as the general of my Father’s army. I don’t go to battle unless I’m prepared to win.”
Gregor gave Devon a long look before he shifted his gaze to his family. I watched the interaction between him and Sonja and then his children. I didn’t know them well, but I caught the fire in their eyes.
Gregor stood and walked to Devon, who rose as they met. Gregor held out his hand. “House Aramburu stands with House Trelane.” The two shook hands. “While I won’t sacrifice the knowledge of our children, I will devote what I can to the search for truth and your war against House Venizi.”
Later that afternoon,Devon stretched back in the leather seat as the private jet rolled toward the runway. He turned his head to look at Cressa. Her eyes were closed but not in nervousness about the takeoff. She was sleeping off the vodka.
He glanced at the small cooler strapped into the seat across from them and closed his eyes. It had been a bold move to ask one more thing of Gregor, and it required the House leader to have faith in The Wolf. A shifter he’d never met.
The two of them had a good conversation while Cressa and Sonja met with the dreamwalkers. They’d discussed the old days like two old men sitting in rockers on a front porch, though they’d lounged on the balcony of Gregor’s office that overlooked the front of the manor. Devon hadn’t been sure of Gregor’s response until after lunch when he and Cressa had reached the limo before leaving.
“I’ve thought about your request and spoke with Sonja and the healer.” Gregor scanned his domain before turning his stern dark eyes on him. “I’ve heard many things about Remus over the decades since taking on the mantle of The Wolf. I only have your word that he can be trusted with this gift.”
“You have my word.”
Gregor’s smile was wide, and his laugh deep. “And I believe the son of Guildford Trelane to be as trustworthy as his father. I hope it provides what you need to bolster your evidence for the Council.” Then he’d shaken Devon’s hand, kissed Cressa on the cheek, and walked up the steps to meet his wife and children as they watched them drive away.
When Devon slid into the limo after Cressa, he noticed the cooler next to Ulrik’s feet. He couldn’t imagine what Remus would think of another surprise. As if the Blood Poppy hadn’t been enough.
He should have contacted Sergi on their way to Madrid, but Erik and Ulrik had engaged them in conversation the entire way. Surprising for Ulrik but not Erik. It might have had something to do with the vodka they kept pouring as they asked for their impressions about the Aramburus, El Recinto, the village, and the people.
Cressa laughed with them, and Devon couldn’t help but smile. It took his mind off his problems, at least for a little while. He’d shaken hands with the twins when they were dropped off at Barajas airport in Madrid that catered to private jets.
“It will be good to continue working with you,” Erik said as they shook hands.
“I wasn’t aware we had been.” Devon grinned at the twin. The vodka had mellowed him.
“Of course,” Erik laughed. “But we couldn’t let Venizi believe it was so.”
“And is that what we can expect in the future?”
Erik shrugged. “Until you declare war against him, it’s better if we continue our ruse and collect what information we can.”
Devon looked to Ulrik, who simply smiled in return. “House Trelane can work with that. Thank you for watching over Cressa.”
She elbowed him in the side before hugging both brothers. “See you on the other side.”
They had watched the vampires return to the limo and waved as it pulled away.
He’d settled into his seat, planning on calling Sergi as soon as they reached altitude. The ding of the bell signaling they had leveled off woke him. Cressa was awake, munching on nuts, sipping ginger ale, and flipping through a magazine.
She glanced over. “Hey, you.”
“How long have I been asleep?” Devon straightened and glanced out the closest window.
“About half an hour or so. I’ve only been awake fifteen minutes myself.”
