Page 149 of The Vampire's Thirst
Nace looped an arm across Celene’s shoulders. “In that case, I think females make sneaky warriors.”
The women raised their glasses.
“A gentleman and a politician.” Chiara twisted around to stare at Dax as he shoved off the floor, rubbing his head. “Battle stations, ladies.”
Chapter Thirty-Two
Kole glanced around the breakfast table at the stronghold. Arne had set out a fantastic buffet for the mates. Obviously he’d heard rumblings about last night.
With a plate stacked high with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, hash browns, and buttered toast, he took the seat next to Skyler, patting her hand. Though she still refused to leave him if things got hot, they had made up after the harsh words following Celene’s rescue. Their apologies were loud. Demon style.
All the couples seemed calmer this morning. No hot tempers or accusations flying.
Rein finished off his coffee before he pushed away from the table. “Comm, it’s time.”
“Sure.” Kole rose, bending to kiss the top of Skyler’s head. “Frisca, take care.” He brought his palm near his mouth and blew across it, returning Kae’s kiss. She giggled. He said his goodbyes to the rest of his Firebrands and their mates.
In his conference room, the leather in Kole’s chair creaked as he settled at the head of the table. Alarik arrived with Indigo, who smiled sheepishly before giving him a snarky finger wave. He doubted she was worried about last night’s events. The witch was too powerful to be cowered. A little crazy, but a force to be reckoned with. Others followed them in, taking seats.
“Are you two joining us at the stronghold?” asked Kole.
“You must be kidding.” Indigo sat beside her brother. “I get the willies being near so many bigwigs. No offense, makers and shakers.” She nodded at Viktor, Aras, and Nerina, popping her gum, kicking her booted feet onto the table where her long skirt wrapped around her ankles.
Alarik, as always, made no move to control her behavior. He’d probably given up. “Elisabeta and Castia have moved into my ministry as have my employees. We are fine where we are.”
“I have a question for Indigo,” said Viktor, his arm braced over the back of his chair.
“Ask away, vampire. I might answer. I might not.” The witch twirled a piece of hair around her finger.
“What have you observed in the River Am?”
She slammed her hands onto the tabletop. “Excellent question. Winged creatures. Dragons. The Phoenix. Ravens. Blood Coven descendants. Newcomers I don’t recognize.”
Viktor leaned forward in his seat. “What does it mean?”
“How the hell do I know? Big stuff poppin’. Things will get clearer as the future flows toward the present.”
Everyone’s attention turned to the door when Cadmon strode into the room with Nace and Jarek. Rein kicked out an empty chair for the high commander. He pointed at the empty seats for the others.
Glancing around the room, Kole said, “I don’t think intros are necessary.”
“No, I am acquainted with everyone here.” Cadmon nodded as he took a chair. He propped elbows on the table and tented his fingers. “I received important intel yesterday.”
Kole didn’t share with the group that the high commander had a deep-cover operative in Arisen Dawn.
“What’s up?” Rein spoke from Kole’s left.
“The insurgents are gathering for a big incursion onto Earth.”
Claws sprang from Nace’s fingers. “Anyone else here feel like shit’s moving too fast? Coming at us at Mach speed? The scenery is starting to blur. Where? When?”
“Two days out. They plan to go through North Shelters to Sacramento. This will be their biggest invasion to date. I’m told they can transport slightly larger groups through the portals.”
“Do I have a traitor I need to worry about?” asked Alarik.
While Boden oversaw the production and distribution of portal jumpers, Alarik’s scientists and Logan guarded the D-chip technology which allowed Firebrands to pass through the gates in large numbers.
“Very doubtful. It’s more likely Boden amped up the juice in their devices.”
