Page 23 of Wicked Allure
She walked over to the hostess. “A table for three, please.”
“The human police will charge them with public intoxication.” Talbot slid back into the SUV next to Dru.
The human police had placed the two men in the back of their squad car. She glanced back down the street where the human and her family had disappeared. She and her men had just arrived in the small town of Butterbush, North Carolina.
After much research into Solomon Winterborne, there had finally been a lead, and it was in this town. She’d utilized her most resourceful vampires and human contacts to track it down.
They were to report directly to the central post where she had a meeting set up with the postmaster of Butterbush. They had sent word the post was coming under inspection with her assuming the new title of general. She didn’t want anyone to suspect anything else. This reason for arriving in town would not be suspicious. As the general of Lethia’s army, she had every right to come and inspect each vampire army post throughout their territory to ensure they were all functioning to the highest capacity. Their military posts were vital. They were to provide a military presence to deter the enemy as well acting as a training facility for their warriors.
She’d been reading the file on Postmaster Eldon Alexander when their driver, Orenda, released a curse. There was about to be a violent altercation between three men. Dru had given the word to intervene. The woman’s scream for help had reached her, but she hadn’t known where the scream had originated from.
The entire time Talbot and Niles were defusing the situation, Dru couldn’t take her eyes off the beautiful young woman who’d been in tears. Dru had to resist stepping from the vehicle to see to her. She had her orders, and comforting a female wasn’t amongst them. This mission was extremely important, and Dru refused to fail her queen.
But it hadn’t kept her from memorizing the woman’s features. Her large brown eyes, her long dark hair, her smooth brown skin, and her shapely form that wasn’t hidden by her dress. Dru cleared her throat and acted as nonchalantly as she could.
“Are the females okay?” she asked.
The police cruiser pulled off. The crowd was now gone. Everything appeared back to normal. She settled in her seat as Orenda put the vehicle in drive and continued. She halted at the red light where the human and her family had crossed. Dru glanced in the direction they had gone, but there were no signs of them. She wasn’t sure why her curiosity was piqued about this woman.
“They seemed to be. The male with them was defending her,” Talbot said.
“Good,” Dru murmured. At least the woman had someone willing to defend her. Dru tried to push her face from her mind. She needed to be prepared for this meeting.
She picked up her tablet and read through the files on the postmaster again. It would appear that Postmaster Alexander had been in charge of Butterbush for a little over twenty-five years. He’d been promoted when the last postmaster had retired. She scanned the file and found him to be a warrior who’d received multiple awards and recognitions throughout his career.
They drove through the town which appeared to have grown since the last time Dru had been there. She’d accompanied Lethia there about ten years ago, but she’d been assigned to other duties at the time and had not met with the postmaster. She set the device down on her lap and watched the scenery flow past.
She wondered where the woman lived?—
Dru blinked.
She had to get her out of her head. She highly doubted they’d cross paths while she was here to hunt down a fugitive.
Orenda guided the vehicle onto a dirt road. The SUV ahead of them held the other vampires who’d accompanied them. They were to appear as if they were on official royal business representing Lethia’s house. The post was due for inspections anyway. It had been several years since a member from Lethia’s house had paid them a visit.
They drove down the long winding road until they arrived at the first of several buildings on the military base, which was old, and some of the buildings had been constructed underground. For centuries, these posts had existed in secrecy. It wasn’t until the war and the vampires had taken over that many of the bases had been renovated to include buildings aboveground. There was no need to hide any longer.
Vampires were the superior race and in charge.
There was a training field within sight. Dru made a mental note to assess their training to ensure it was up to her standard. She wasn’t sure how long she’d be here in Butterbush, but she’d ensure this post was thoroughly inspected before she left.
Hopefully with the vampire traitor in chains—or with his head in a bag.
She refused to return to the queen empty-handed.
“We’re here, General.” Orenda brought the vehicle to a halt in front of the main building.
Dru eyed the tall structure and the men who exited. They came out in formation and lined the stairs. She took notice of Postmaster Alexander being one of them. He stood in his full formal uniform, front and center.
Talbot and the others left the vehicle. Her door was opened. Dru nodded to the vampire and stepped out. Her long auburn hair was pulled back from her face in a top bun. She, too, had on her formal warrior uniform. One thing that was new was her insignia stating her position of general. She stalked toward the postmaster with Talbot, Orenda, and her other warriors behind her.
“General Moldark. Welcome to Butterbush,” Postmaster Alexander stated.
He and the other warriors with him stood to full attention. She stopped in front of him and met his gaze before sweeping hers to the others. She gave a nod.
“Postmaster Alexander.”
The warriors pounded their fists above their hearts. She returned the motion.
