Flight of the Dragon

Chapter 1

I slammed the phone down, giving into a spurt of temper. I absolutely loath insurance companies sometimes. Last month my PT Cruiser had been destroyed after a run in with some hybrid werewolves who had kidnapped my nephew Anthony. The car had been turned into nothing more than scrap metal, that's what started my battle with my insurance company.

I hate being right all the time. At the time of the incident I had pretty much stated that there was no way my insurance would cover the damages. I was right, the policy didn't cover rampaging werewolves. That's just my luck. I save the city, destroy the bad guys and then get screwed by the insurance company. Maybe there's something to all that Karma shit after all.

“No go huh, babe?”

I turned and looked at Alaric, my partner and mate. He was slouched on the couch, long legs stretched out in front of him. Just looking at him tightened things low in my body. I've never met anyone else who could take my breath away with just one look. Those golden eyes lingered on my face and I wondered, not for the first time, just what the hell he saw in me.

No one will ever mistake me for being a human. I stand six feet even with waist length black curls and the white blue eyes of a husky. My looks are just too odd to be considered pretty.

When I was young I had desired to look like my sister Gennera. She's this dainty girl, with blond hair and silver eyes. Of all my siblings, I was the only one to end up with mother's black hair. Both my sisters and my brother inherited our father's blonde locks.  For years I'd had a lot of jealousy, but as time has passed I have become comfortable with my looks. I look exactly like what I am, dark and dangerous.

A sound brought my thoughts back to the matter at hand, the insurance company. I shook my head at Alaric and frowned.

“Nope, the kind lady informed me that werewolf damaged is not covered under any policy. Those assholes, after all the money they've made off of me. I highly doubt they've got any other customer who's been with them as long as I have. Not only are they not covering the damage, but they've raised my damned premiums. See if I save the city again,” I griped.

“Oh come on, Talia, you know the next time the city is in trouble, you are going to be right there, high premiums or not. Hell, there isn't anything that you can do about the way the insurance company is run. Getting pissed off isn't going to change their minds, babe,” he said lifting an eyebrow at me. I hate it when he's right.

“Yeah I know,” I grumbled, “I just hate going car shopping. I'll need to do it before we go to Kentucky. I don't like being stuck waiting for someone else to take me places and I've got a lot of shit to finish up before we head out.”

We'd been called in on a case in a small town in Kentucky, people being eaten, town terrified, the usual. I was starting to feel a little too blasé about my job, maybe I needed a vacation.

“You mind driving me around while I go car looking?” I asked.

He nodded and stood, stretching his arms high. The nice view of skin between the bottom of his shirt and the top of his jeans was highly appreciated.

“No problem, let's go get it over with. Grab Anthony and we'll get started. Between me and him we should be able to find something that you'll like,” he answered.

I really hoped that Alaric didn't have any ideas about his and her Hummers. While his Hummer H-2 was a very nice vehicle, I've always hated the “his and her” stuff. I like being original. And besides, strictly speaking, I prefer cars to S.U.V's.

I smiled as Anthony came bouncing out into the hall, my grouchy mood lifting right away. I gave him an appraising glance as I locked the door behind us. He'd had a growth spurt. The steady meals and exercise were doing him a world of good. Anger rose in me again at the thought of his worthless mother and my sister, Gennera. She didn't deserve either title. At least he never had to go back to her, I'd kill her before I'd let her get her claws on him. There was no way anyone, not even his worthless mother was taking him from me.

Seeing my dark look, Anthony cocked his head, reminding me that he saw much more than I gave him credit for. Like so many adults, I underestimated just how perceptive kids can be.

"What's wrong Aunt Talia?" he asked.

I shook my head and gave him a smile.

"Nothing to worry about, cub. Though, I guess I won't be able to call you that much longer. At the rate you're growing, you'll be as tall as Alaric before long. Which reminds me, we need to get you some more clothes, don't let me forget."

His shy smile made me beam. How the hell he'd turned out to be such a great kid with the way he'd been raised was beyond me. Gennera had practically starved him and worse. In spite of that, and the abuse he'd suffered a few months ago when he'd been kidnapped, he was still a sweet and even tempered kid.

While the adults had been working on our last case, the hybrid pack that Gennera ran with had kidnapped Anthony, as a way to weaken me. They'd beaten and done worse to him. I'd rescued him, and killed the men responsible, but for a while, the haunted look in his eyes hadn't faded.

I'd ended up putting him in therapy, luckily, it helped. His nightmares began to slow and then stopped. The light returned to his eyes. Still, they'd stolen part of his innocence, and I'd made damned sure they'd paid the price. My car and office had been destroyed in the process, it was worth it. The only thing I would change if I could do it over again, is that I would kill them slower this time, so they could suffer as much as he had. That's the problem with killing. It ends too quickly, once the bad guy is dead, it's over for him. His victims though, their pain never really ends.

I shook off my thoughts and slung my arm around Anthony's shoulder as we set off down the hall. It did my heart good that he never once flinched.

"Ready to help me look for a new car?" I asked.

"I am sorry about that Aunt Talia," he whispered.

I stopped, pulling him to stand in front of me. I tilted his chin up to gaze into his silver eyes.

"Anthony, it was not your fault, okay? They kidnapped you and did horrible things to you. My car is just a car, I'd sacrifice damned near anything to keep you safe," I said.

The sorrow in his eyes broke my heart.

"I know, Aunt Talia, I just-"

"You aren't to blame, the ones who deserve the blame are dead. I know that you are in so much pain, Anthony, but I want you to know I don't care about the damned car. Just like I don't blame Cara for the office exploding when she killed that blood sucking bastard who made her," I said, looking at him steadily, "So, let's go find a new car, then get ready to head to Kentucky and kick some ass."

I was rewarded for my efforts with a small smile. I grinned and pulled him down the hall.

"Let's hurry before Alaric goes and buys me a gas guzzling monstrosity like the one he has," I said, pulling a face.

That earned me a genuine laugh, he was still laughing by the time we climbed into Alaric's "monstrosity."

On the way downtown to the Subaru dealership I found myself listening with amusement as Alaric and Anthony talked motors. I already had a good idea as to what I wanted to get, that's why we were heading to this particular dealership rather than to one of the others.

A few months ago I had seen this car that blew me away, in a good way, not the way the bad guys would like. After asking around and describing the car; I was informed that the car I'd drooled over was in fact a Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

I'd learned more about the car than I felt like I actually needed to know, for instance the fact that it came equipped with all wheel drive, and turbo charged 2.5 four cylinder. Now as far as what that actually means; I have no clue, it sure as hell sounds impressive though.

It was really funny, once we drove on to the lot, we got mobbed by salesmen. All eager to sell us a car, accessories or even their grandmothers. Ok, so maybe the grandmothers was a bit of an exaggeration, at least I hope it was. The idea of someone being that desperate to make a sell bothers me on a lot of levels. There has to be a point that you won't go just for money.

I ignored the salesmen clambering for my money and attention for the moment, there on the corner of the lot it sat, all glistening black and gleaming chrome. I may not know much about cars, but I've always known what I liked. Speed, chrome and sleekness, that's what makes a fantastic car. It was beautiful, it was sweet, and by hell, it was gonna be mine.

I headed straight for it not missing the looks that Alaric and Anthony exchanged. I wasn't crazy, just in love. Once I reached the car that I was determined to make mine; I turned to the nearest of the hovering salesmen.

“I want to try this one out,” I said, not taking my eyes from the car.

He nodded, eager to sell me anything on the lot, provided I had the money, of course.

“Of course. I'll just get the keys for you, ma'am.”

Alaric walked over, smiled at me and then nudged my shoulder.

“Made up your mind have you?” he asked.

I leaned against him and laughed. I guess it was a little on the obvious side.

“You know me, babe, it never takes me long to decided what I want.” Seeing the look he shot me I quickly amended that, “Well, in material things that is.”

The salesman made it back with the keys. He handed them over and then seated himself in the passenger seat. I grinned at the complacent look on his face, that look sure as hell wouldn't last long. It never did when I was driving. For some reason, my love of speed seems to scare people. I think they underrate my reflexes.

The car drove just as well as I had heard, a big point in its favor. So what if the salesman gained a few gray hairs during the test drive? He'd have gone gray eventually anyway and everyone knows you have to drive it hard to make sure that everything is okay. I will admit though, that doing donuts in the parking lot was just for fun. We made it back safely, that's what counts and after a little paperwork it was mine.

Jingling my new keys in my hand impatiently, I told the boys that I'd meet them back at the apartment. I still had to make a stop at the police station. That was the official reason, I also couldn't wait to get back behind the wheel of my new car.

I set off for the police station with high spirits. After everything that had happened the past few months, the Chief of police, once a person I'd have cheerfully shot, had become someone that I almost liked.

I figured that he needed to know that we were going out of state for a while, just in case anything popped up while we were gone. The police department is very under-budgeted and understaffed. Because of that my team takes up a bit of the slack. In the past, the biggest problem that the Chief had with us was the fact that the criminals that we'd gone after tended to end up dead.

In our defense though, it was safer for the world if we killed the preternatural creatures. I've yet to see the jail that could hold a vampire or werewolf, let alone a demon. Demons were the worst, lately I had been up close and personal with far too many of them for comfort.

Our last case had cemented a bond between us and the police department. Chief O'Rielly had called me in on a murder case he had been having trouble with. We worked with the department practically hand in hand and together had taken down the demon that had been responsible.

It was after the demon had been dealt with that my office had been destroyed in a fight with a rogue hybrid pack and a master vampire. Luckily, the Chief hadn't held it against us, mostly I think because of the fact that no human blood was spilt.

I jogged up the steps and nodded to a few of the officers, and shot a smile at Simpson. She and I had become pretty close after the last case.

She'd been a part of my team and I'd ended up saving her from the demon. Suddenly we went from barely looking at one another to close friends. Funny how life works isn't it? Hell, we'd even started working out together, with the exception of my coworkers, I'd never had much of a social life.

I walked into O'Rielly's office and sat on the edge of his desk, we may be friends now, but that doesn't mean that I don't like to annoy him.

“Guess what, James? You are catching a lucky break for a change,” I quipped.

O'Rielly raised his brow and smirked at me.

“You're going to stop sitting on my desk, which by the way you know pisses me off?” he asked.

I laughed and shook my head. “Nope, even better, my friend. The Night's End crew is not only leaving town, but leaving the state for a few weeks.”

“Now wait just a damned minute, Talia! What if something happens here?” he asked.

I grinned. “Aww are you going to miss me, James?” at his dark look I hurried on, “That's why I'm giving you my cell number as well as Alaric's. If something comes up while we're critter hunting in Kentucky, you just give us a call and if we can't figure it out by talking, then one of us will come back here.”

I patted him on the shoulder and placed our numbers on his desk. I'd started walking towards the door when he called after me.

“Hey, what's in Kentucky anyway?”

I shrugged, “Don't know, that's what we gotta figure out. On the bright side I don't think it's demonic. The Mayor says that the victims were eaten. Demons will take a bite or two but not eat the entire victim. Well, later, James!”

I waved and bounced back out, the prospect of a case without demons involved was definitely cheering me up. I was long overdue for a lucky break. This was bound to be it. Go to Kentucky, find out what was eating people, kill said people eater and come home. What could possibly go wrong? When am I going to learn to not ask that question? Probably around the same time that I learn that my bullets really can't solve every problem.

***

Before heading back to the apartment I stopped by the office. I was eager to see how the reconstruction was going. Previously the building had been made of brick, only one door in or out and a large picture window at the front. Since we were having to start from scratch I'd decided that we could revamp the appearance.

I'd bought the original building back in the twenties for only five thousand dollars. It had been a decent amount of money back then, but now, hell you couldn't buy a new car for that. It had been a deal I'd never regretted. Night's End had remained unchanged on South Street, while everything else had changed, until now. Part of me was sad that the building was going to be completely different, the other part was very excited to see the changes.

Between the six of us, we'd come up with what we thought to be a much more attractive and warm looking building. I always knew killing things wasn't my only talent. I will admit though, killing is what I'm best at.

Anthony was going to be doing the painting inside. The outside was going to be done in adobe, sort of a Mexican Villa style, with arches and an  patio on the second floor. There will still only be one door to get in or out due to my paranoia. Instead of a picture window, there will be a few smaller windows.

The barn will still be in the basement, it will have steel reinforced beams for added security. In addition to that, the barn will be larger, in the past we'd found that the area was too small if we ever ran in to having to hold two vamps down there.

I was thrilled to see that the building was coming along nicely. These guys really knew what they were doing. I stood and gazed at the building for a moment. Just a few weeks ago, there had been a pile of rubble where now stood a building that was looking pretty sharp.

The foreman saw me and made a bee line in my direction. I took in his appearance with an internal nod of approval. I'm a firm believer, if you work with your hands, it should show. I would never hire a construction company where the workers had manicured nails. Show me a crew with calluses, dirt, flannel and blue jeans, making catcalls at every woman who walks passed. That's a crew that knows what they're doing.

“Ms. Vann, let me show you where we're at,” he said.

I allowed him to take my arm and show me around.

“As you can see, the foundation and walls are in place as well as many of the cosmetic touches. We're working on adding the adobe finish, that's going to take another two weeks if the weather holds. You don't often run into having to do the real thing any more. Most people just get the paint that looks like it.”

I smiled and nodded. If I'm going to do something, I'm going to go all out.

“Yes well, I like authenticity. You guys are doing great and I appreciate all your hard work. I have to leave town for a while, most likely I'll be gone for about three weeks. Will it be possible for it to be finished by the time I get back?” I asked.

He nodded and answered, “Barring any complications everything will be finished. You said that you had your own painter for the inside?”

“Yes, my nephew will be in charge of all the interior painting,” I said.

“Well then, we should be ready for your painter in three weeks time ma'am.”

I left our soon to be finished office and headed back toward the apartment, we had plans to make and packing to do. Thankfully Cara had packed her stuff last night. I really didn't want to brave her closet again. Given a choice between facing an enraged vampire or Cara's closet, I'd take the vampire any day.

Cara and I are close but I'll never understand the stuff that she wears. I'm a jeans and T-shirt girl, comfort all the way. Cara, is highly fashion conscious, she puts style over comfort. I can't figure out how she gets into most of that stuff. All straps, lace and velvet. I've always wondered why feminine stuff has to be so damned complicated, women sure got the short end of the fashion stick.

Anthony and Alaric were busy packing their stuff and Kane’s. I was hoping that Anthony would remember to pack some clothes with his video games.

Kane Kidwell is the newest member of Night’s End. We had saved the kid from his parents. They’d been on the verge of accidentally, or not so much, killing him. Kane is your average fifteen year old boy, well aside from the fact that he is a vampire and the strongest psychic I’d ever come across.

Most psychics lose their powers when they become vampires. No one really knows why, it just happens. Kane is an oddity in that not did he retain his powers, they became stronger. At this point, Kane could very well be the most powerful psychic on earth. Not bad for a fifteen year old kid from the wrong side of the tracks. We couldn't get his parents to see what a gift his powers were. The Kidwells had hated the fact that their son was a psychic, they'd really gone ballistic when he became a vampire.

I normally wouldn't have taken Anthony and Kane on a case with me, but even though I'd obliterated the rogue pack that had threatened Anthony, there was still Gennera, his mother, to consider. I had no doubt that if she would kill her own son if she thought it would hurt me. I'd be a fool to leave him behind in light of that.

With Kane being such a powerful psychic, in spite of being a vampire, he was sure to be a huge help. Plus I had no clue what his parents would do to him if we left him here. What was it with parents who actively tried to hurt their kids? And why the hell do I keep running into so many of them?

I shook off my thoughts as I filled one duffel bag with clothes and another with weapons. The weapons were of far greater importance to me. I don't go anywhere unarmed. Being a werewolf gave me more strength than any human, plus claws and fangs that I could use at will. In spite of my natural weapons, I had run up against creatures in the past that my claws and fangs didn't effect. That being the case, my guns and knives were very precious to me, far more than clothes.

A girl has to have her priorities, weapons then clothes. When attempts on your life are pretty much a daily occurrence it isn't paranoia, it's being prepared.

***

I called Brian, our pilot. On the few occasions we had to travel it was better for us to have our own pilot and plane. Trying to get enough weapons for most third world countries onto a commercial airline is damned near impossible.

Our Cessna had come from an auction, Brian had come from the streets. A down and out Vietnam vet, he'd lost everything; wife, kids, job and home. When I'd found him out on the streets, my heart had gone out to him. I'd brought him back to the office, cleaned him up and poured gallons of coffee down his throat. I'd learned that he'd been a pilot and hired him on the spot.

Since coming to work for me, Brian hadn't been drunk a single time. I knew he'd been working on getting visitation rights to spend time with his kids. I was really hoping the trip to Kentucky wouldn't throw a wrench into any of his plans.

“Brian, how does your schedule look for the next two weeks?” I asked.

His voice came over the line, there was a little static, but not too bad for a cell phone.

“I'm open for the next three weeks, you saved me time, boss. I was going to call you later today.”

“What's up?”

There was silence for a moment, then his voice came through, uncertain and nervous.

“I was wondering if you'd be willing to testify that I have a job and am sober now?” he asked.

There was no need to even think about it, the man deserved to be able to see his kids.

“Sure, Brian, call Cara and giver her the details to put on my calendar and get ready to head to Kentucky tomorrow afternoon. I'll have the details for you once we get to the airfield,” I answered.

I hung up and smiled. I was really glad things were working out for him. Now if things would just work out for everyone else. That would be good. Surely we were all do for a break.

The phone rang before I could take a single step. I frowned and picked it up, damn but I missed having the office and answering service.

“Night's End, Talia speaking. What can I do for you?” I asked, not bothering to hide the impatience in my voice.

There was silence on the line, then a voice I'd never heard rolled out of the receiver.

“Control your vampire, bitch, or we'll do it for you.”

“Who the fuck is this?” I snapped.

“All you need to know is that if you don't control him, we'll stake his ass. This is your one and only warning,” the voice replied.

He hung up with a click, leaving me fuming. My hand tightened on the plastic, feeling it crack under my grip. No one was going to threaten me or any of my employees. The only male vamps at Night's End were Kyle and Kane. Considering Kane was a teenager, the man had to have meant Kyle. Which was weird, Kyle was a pain in the ass most of the time, but not a troublemaker. What the fuck was going on?

I glanced at my watch, there was an hour to sunset. Kyle and I needed to have a chat. If I was going to have to kill someone for him, I wanted know why. I tugged my hair up into a ponytail and stomped into the bedroom.

“Alaric, what the fuck is going on with Kyle?” I asked.

He looked up at me, his eyes puzzled.

“What are you talking about? As far as I know nothing is going on. At least he hasn't said anything to me.”

“Someone just called here, told me to keep my vampire under control or they'll stake him. I highly doubt they meant Kane,” I muttered.

I flopped down on the bed and turned my head to look at Alaric. He shook his head at me and curled closer.

“I don't know what they mean. Unless it has something to do with Jack,” he said.

I tensed, Jack was still a sore point with me. He'd been a vampire who worked with us. He'd stopped taking his pill and attacked Cara, so I'd sent him to the barn. During our last case, Alaric had been working hard to rehabilitate Jack. For a while it had seemed to work, but then Jack had tried to kill me. Alaric had killed him instead, something that still ate at him. He and Jack had been close friends, it had destroyed a part of Alaric to have to kill him.

I glanced at Alaric. What did Kyle have to do with Jack? Kyle had hated him.

“What do you mean, Alaric?” I asked.

“You know Jack was working on a private case when he went crazy, right?”

I nodded, none of us had known anything about the case.

“Kyle has started digging into Jack's records, trying to find out what set him off. He might not have liked Jack, but he says that anything that could make Jack that insane could do the same to any vampire, including him, Cara and Kane,” he said.

What could Jack have been investigating that could have those kind of consequences? There was nothing I knew of that could do that. Even as I thought it, I realized there was one thing that could. One force, rather. I'd only ever had dealings with them once, long again when they contracted me to hunt a rogue vamp. The Magistrate, the governing body of the vampires could have done this.

“Alaric, you don't think that Kyle has been investigating the Magistrate?” I asked.

His face paled as the idea took root. Good to know the thought scared him just as much as it did me.

“Gods, I hope not, Talia. The Magistrate is not to be played with. Those are the most powerful vampires on earth. What the hell are we going to do if Kyle's been pissing them off by digging where they don't want him to?”

I thought about what that would mean. We'd avoided the Magistrate like the plague for centuries. Dealing with them once had been enough for me. They weren't like any other governing body. The werewolf council had been tough, but fair. They'd put the welfare of their people first and foremost. The Magistrate was the opposite. They controlled using fear and punishment. No one survived a run in with them.

I rubbed my temples tiredly. This was so not what I needed right now.

“You want me to talk to Kyle or do you want to do it? Either way, one of us has to do it,” I said.

He placed his arm over my chest and smirked at me.

“You talk to him, you're the boss after all.”

Great, just what I wanted to do, talk to Kyle about pissing off creatures bigger and badder than him. Like I had a whole lot of room to lecture him about something I considered myself to be a professional at.

***

I stepped into the apartment, focusing solely on getting the truth out of Kyle. I looked at Cara and Kane.

“Why don't you guys go see a movie or something,” I muttered, practically pushing them out the door.

I barged into Kyle's room without knocking, surprising him in the act of dressing.

“You know, Talia, if you wanted to see me naked, all you had to do was say so,” he said.

I glared at him and sat down in the only chair in the room. After crossing one leg over the other, I cocked my head.

“Want to tell me what you've been up to, Kyle?” I asked.

He raised an eyebrow at me, and finished pulling his shirt over his head.

“I'm not up to anything, boss. What's going on?”

I leaned forward, resting my chin on my hands.

“Well, Kyle, I got a phone call today, telling me to control my vampire or they would. You got any idea why someone would say such a thing? You wouldn't happen be to fucking with the Magistrate, now would you?”

His head shot up, the look on his face making it clear that I'd hit the nail on the head. Oh gods, what had gotten into him?

“Why the fuck would you screw with the Magistrate? Damn it, Kyle, I thought you were smarter than that. You know what those bastards are capable of,” I yelled.

Before I could blink he'd moved, hovering over me, his face contorted in anger. He gripped my shoulders tightly. It was not improving my mood.

“Kyle, remove your hands before I do it for you,” I snapped.

“Just once, do you think you could accept that you don't know everything? You storm in here, flinging your anger around like a fucking weapon, and don't even stop to think I might have a damned good reason for poking around! I know what the Magistrate is, maybe even better than you do,” he said.

He stormed over to his dresser and picked up a disc. He tossed it to me and shook his head.

“Check out the information on that, then maybe you'll understand what I'm trying to do.”

I studied the disc in my hand, it wouldn't hurt to look at it. I stood and nodded.

“Fine, I'll look at this, but I want you to drop the investigation until I understand what's going on.”

I left the apartment, it was time to find out what Kyle had gotten himself into. Then I would see if I could get him out of it. My biggest worry was that anything involving the Magistrate was something I wouldn't be able to help him with.

I went back to my apartment. A few months ago we had all gotten laptops at Cara's insistence. I'd only used mine once, I'm not big on technology. I pulled it out from under the bed and blew the dust off. Cara would have a cow if she could see it. It took a moment for me to get it loaded, and then I slid the disc into the slot.

A document popped up on the screen, I frowned as I studied it. I didn't recognize most of the names, though a few stood out. I shook my head, Kyle had really stepped into it now, if the Magistrate knew he had this document, they'd stop at nothing to retrieve it.

Times were definitely changing, if anyone had asked me, I'd have said the the Magistrate didn't bother with computers. Just goes to show what I know. The document left me with few options. Normally, I'd steer clear of vampire politics, people think the human government is messed up. They really have no clue as to just how bad it could be.

I ran my fingers through my ponytail as I considered my moves. The scent of coffee pulled me from my thoughts. I looked up and smiled at Anthony as he handed me my favorite mug and a fresh pack of cigarettes.

“Hey, kiddo. What's up? You've been trying to get me to quit smoking for weeks now,” I said.

He shrugged his shoulders and sat down on the bed beside me.

“I know you Aunt Talia, the best way to get you back in a good mood is coffee in that mug with the silly monkeys on it and a cigarette.”

I glanced down at my silly mug and grinned, he was right. Coffee was good anytime, but monkeys cheer me up.

I lit my cigarette and blew the smoke at the ceiling.

“You know, Anthony, I think you might very well know me better than anyone else does,” I said.

He nodded and grinned at me, the very sight warming my heart.

“Yeah, I do. Unlike everyone else, I know that underneath that rough, cranky facade is a really caring person. You just don't like to show. I think it's because you don't want to give anyone the chance to let you down,” he answered.

Maybe he had a point. I've never been one to rely on others, especially when I can just handle it all myself.

“Well, we'll just keep that side of me to ourselves, kiddo,” I said, “Enough about my issues, you feeling alright?”

He nodded and crossed his legs.

“I'm fine, but I was wondering. Why are you mad at Kyle?”

Maybe I'd been a little more obvious than I'd meant to be. Anthony thought world of Kyle, I needed to set him straight before something changed that.

“Anthony, I'm not mad at Kyle, I'm angry with him, but not at him. He's been doing some stuff that could get him in a lot of trouble, so I'm angry about that. We'll work it out, though, we always do,” I answered, “Go get Alaric for me, will you?”

I sipped my coffee as he bounded from the room, his footsteps pounding through the apartment. Maybe it was time to consider buying a house. I snorted, if I bought a house, it would pretty much cement that I was going to stay here for a long time. No, a house was out of the question. Maybe I could just rent one.

Alaric popped his head in, I motioned him to sit down.

“I take it you found out what's going on with Kyle?”

“Yeah, I did and it's not good. He found a disc that Jack had hidden in his office. The disc had a document from the Magistrate on it. Basically, they are planning an attack on other preternatural creatures, putting themselves at the top of the hierarchy,” I answered.

His face paled, the situation sinking in immediately.

“That would mean war between the various preternatural branches. It would bleed over onto the human world. Gods, Talia, we can't let this happen,” he whispered.