Page 31 of Destined for Dreams
“The master of Anchorage wants to work out a treaty with us.” He clenched his fists. “Of course, she’s askin’ for more than she’s willin’ to give.”
“I thought she only allows vampires to live there, except for a few select witches,” Cori said, having heard the restrictions on the largest city in Alaska more than once.
“She’s willin’ to reconsider that—to a small extent.”
Derrick gestured at them to take the seats in front of him. The room was divided between his massive desk—piled with paperwork and a laptop—and a more comfortable sitting area with leather chairs and a small couch. The whole space was masculine yet cozy with its wall of bookshelves and two windows covered with thick burgundy curtains. The faint scent of cigar smoke tinged the air, adding to the atmosphere.
Lucas settled in his seat. “What does Genevieve want specifically?”
“She wants me to send some of my wolves whenever she’s got human troubles. It’s gettin’ harder to guard against the mortals during the day since she ain’t got nothin’ except magic spells to keep the riffraff out while she and her people are sleepin’.” Derrick curled his lips. “She finally figured out witches aren’t gonna be enough to guard her highness.”
Cori had never met the master of Anchorage, but Melena had once while at a supernatural party in New Orleans. Genevieve had propositioned her, wanting a sensor in her city. Of course, Melena turned her down.
“If you’d like me to help in any way,” Lucas offered, “let me know.”
Derrick nodded. “I might take you up on that, but for now I’m thinkin’ we should get to the real reason you came here. Tell me again, what’s the problem?”
Cori was certain he knew by the look in his brown eyes, but he wanted her to spell it out anyway. “Well, I, uh…” She cleared her throat. “I may have developed a special ability since Mel gave me her blood.”
He dipped his chin. “What kind of ability?”
“Sometimes, lately, I sort of instill some weird properties into my tattoos—like immunity to compulsion or making it where a werewolf can shift during the day.” Cori shrugged. “It doesn’t happen every time, but there have been enough cases that people have started noticing it’s only when I’m the one who did the work.”
“Do you think you’re the cause?”
Cori rubbed her face. “I wish I wasn’t, but it’s kind of hard to ignore the pattern.”
The werewolf was silent a moment. “I’m gonna tell you now I’ve been gettin’ complaints about you.”
“Like what?”
“My vampires have run into at least three different humans in the last month that they couldn’t compel. I know one of them confronted you directly, but there’s been more. Also got one who claims he’s half starved because he can’t stand drinking blood anymore.”
“Is he really starved?” she asked.
“No,” Derrick admitted. “But a human diet is makin’ him weaker.”
Cori was relieved he probably wasn’t going to die, so she wouldn’t have that death on her conscience. “Did everyone who was affected have fresh tattoos from my shop?”
“I haven’t been able to verify that.”
“Until you can,” Lucas said, voice brusque. “I suggest they stop accusing Cori as being the problem. You know as well as I that the witches have been selling potions that can make people immune to compulsion. This problem didn’t just start a few weeks ago, considering they’ve been for sale online for months.”
Derrick stiffened. He and Lucas might be allies, but they weren’t friends, especially since the alpha used to want Melena for himself. It wouldn’t take much to put them at odds with each other. Lucas tolerated the alpha because he was the best leader for Fairbanks and its constant cycle of supernatural problems, but the nephilim would probably kill the werewolf if push came to shove. Cori was reasonably certain, though, they wouldn’t fight because of her.
“I considered the potions myself.” Derrick worked his jaw. “The problem is we know for a fact Cori is the cause in at least one case, which she was confronted about last week.”
She felt the heat of his gaze and did her best to hold it despite the overwhelming power she saw there. “I won’t lie. That one probably was me.”
“And that’s what is gonna make my job harder if you want me to fight for you.”
“You haven’t mentioned the werewolf,” Lucas pointed out. “I would assume being able to shift during the day could be a good thing for your kind.
Derrick sat back in his seat. “It appears that way, but until we know if this change might affect him in some other way, I’ve forbidden all supernaturals from visiting her shop.”
He’d donewhat?
Rage colored Cori’s vision as she leaped to her feet. “Without even talking to me first? Do you have any idea how much trouble this is causing me, or how it’s affecting my work? I’ve already been through enough shit lately without losing my business as well.”
