Page 101 of Sergi
Because it was Cressa.
He sighed for the third time in less than a few minutes and reached for the tiny blown-glass bowl Lyra had given him where he kept his keys, but the bowl wasn’t on his desk.
He scanned the room and spotted the bowl on a bookcase shelf. Letty interrupted his search of the room, where he found several items out of place. He thanked her as he took the tray from her and, after clearing off a portion of his desk, set it down and poured a cup of coffee from the urn.
He ate the spinach and egg-white omelet and sipped his coffee as he considered how to pay Cressa back. His games with her had begun out of irritation with her antics, but her abilityto play the game had somehow defined their mutual respect for each other.
Devon had mentioned on the way home how worried Cressa had been for him. He never mentioned it again, and Sergi knew Cressa would have been mortified to know Devon had told him. And he would never mention it either, but there were other ways to show he appreciated her concern.
After reviewing a couple of her official reports, he had to admit she had a knack for security, most likely learned during her criminal escapades as Pandora, which explained why she signed her messages with the moniker.
He glanced at a few more reports before setting them aside to read later and spent the last thirty minutes before Devon’s meeting responding to each of Cressa’s thirty-nine messages. Then he closed his tablet, finished his coffee, and strolled to Devon’s office. The only thought in his head was how Alex was doing and how to locate her cell number.
He was the last one to join the meeting, and before taking his seat, he nodded to cadre members and Decker, then acknowledged Ginger but ignored Cressa. He laid his tablet on his lap but didn’t bother opening it. Cressa’s rebellious nature seemed to have triggered his own.
The meeting was long as they reviewed the mission at the lab, including the raid and the rehoming of the shifters. It was followed by individual reports from Lucas on the status of Oasis and Cressa on security at the manor and the two safe houses. The only concern was that no one had heard from Simone since her last email to Cressa five days earlier. Devon, who had agreed to her personal mission, said he would look into it.
Devon’s next topic surprised Sergi.
“During our travel to Romania, Bella and I had a discussion with Remus regarding Venizi’s aggressive attacks and constant drive-bys. After the raid and destruction of the lab, I expect we’llsee more of this, possibly on grander scales. While the Sentinels and Eliminators weren’t happy with the destruction of the lab or the discovery of shifter prisoners, I doubt the Council will see this as a win. As a result, I expect I’ll once again be called to visit the Council.”
Bella stood and began her pacing. “It’s unfortunate for the Council that word has already leaked about the kidnapped shifters, and while nothing specific is being shared, the rumors of unlawful experiments are in the wind. There are concerns that this discovery could spark a war with the shifters.”
“Remus has already filed a complaint with the Council.” Decker munched on a handful of nuts from a container he’d grabbed from behind the bar. The shifter looked better than he had the last few months, and while Sergi sensed the slow-burning rage beneath his calm facade, he believed Decker had been energized by their progress against Venizi.
“That should keep the Council off our back for a bit.” Lucas was scrolling through his tablet. “There’s a lot of chatter this morning from various Houses asking what was being done about the raid. The smaller Houses tend to be located in large pack areas. They have to be feeling nervous about the situation.”
“I had a discussion with Remus this morning.” Devon picked up the white crystal on his desk and passed it back and forth between his hands. “Starting today, we’re moving forward on the development of a counter-strike team.”
Sergi sat up. “I wasn’t aware of this.”
Devon nodded and set the crystal down. “It was something Bella recommended. Remus and I were intrigued by the notion. I wanted to share it with you on our travel home, but it didn’t seem the right time. Of course, I expect you to lead the initiative along with Bella.”
“What’s the directive?” Sergi asked. He liked the idea, but he wanted to know how far he’d be allowed to go.
“I want the Council to know I’m taking their concerns to heart. We can’t proceed with making our war official until Simone returns. Until then, the lockdown will continue, and we’ll fortify our positions, but we won’t strike first. Venizi will have to make the first move, and when he does, we strike back hard and fast. Sometimes that will be with force, and other times, we might take a less direct approach.”
Devon didn’t go into details, and no one asked, but Sergi knew what he was thinking. Corporate espionage and hacking would be on the table. Finally. This strategic directive was exactly what he needed after the last mission.
“Sergi will have the last say regarding who the primary members of the team will be, but depending on the size of our response to each attack, we’ll pull resources from the security detail and our partners as needed. I have a few names I’ll request to be added, specifically Decker, who can coordinate strikes with Remus.”
Devon glanced around the room, and with no further questions, he closed the meeting. When the group stood to leave, he said, “Sergi. Can you stay a moment?” The last person was barely out the door when he asked, “Are you alright?”
“Never felt better.”
He nodded toward Sergi’s lap. “You never opened your tablet.”
Sergi laughed. “I’ve become too predictable.”
“You seem different.”
“If you think Alex has something to do with that,” he shrugged, “I won’t deny it. But it was the mission itself. You know how it is when you’ve been a captive, wondering if this time might be your last.”
Devon leaned back, apparently satisfied with the answer. “I assume you’re ready to get started on the counter-strike team.”
“You couldn’t have given me a better homecoming gift.”
“Excellent. Will training start soon?”
