how much this meant to me. He clapped his hand on Daniel’s back, as a form of thanks, before taking his seat again.
“What happened to what was left of Gary’s body?”
Scanning the room, I noticed it was Jonas who spoke up.
“I personally took care of it as soon as I heard,” Devlin responded, and was rewarded with another round of murmurs. “I know the Pack takes care of their own business, but I felt under the circumstances, it was the least I could do. I made sure no evidence was left behind at the scene, and have other Enforcers working on erasing Gary from any human system. Give it a few more hours and it will be as if he never existed.”
“What arrangements have been made for Jasmine?” Daniel asked almost reverently.
Mason spoke up this time and I was curious as well. I wasn’t sure whether any plans had been made, seeing he spent the last few hours with me. Guilt began to creep in again over taking so much of his time, but as his hand slid over to my thigh, the slight pressure was reminder enough. Being together had been important-needful. I placed mine over his and squeezed.
“Some of her pack sisters are with her at the moment, preparing her for the farewell ritual. We’ll be holding it tonight after sunset. Vivien has agreed to officiate and does us a great honor by doing so.”
A warm rush of emotion filled my body. This wasn’t something the witch did often, but it was fitting. As the Alpha’s sister, Jasmine would have the perfect send off, and I recognized the significance of the gesture. Vivien was also showing her support of the Mystic Wolves.
Mason moved on to next part of business. “I’m assuming Zane is interested in how vampire blood comes into play with last night.” Devlin nodded as the Alpha continued. “From what Darcy’s shared, it gave Gary extra strength and a crazed appearance-made him unreachable to logic and her attempts to talk him down.”
I’m sure I wasn’t the only one curious about how he obtained the blood and for what purpose.
Devlin interrupted my thoughts with his comments. “The blood would have heightened everything-brain and physical functions, emotions and rationality. Depending on how long he was using, he would’ve been highly unstable-his actions proving so.”
There it was in all its ugliness. Blood addict… user. But why? From what I knew of Gary, there was no need for such measures. He never showed any interest in Jasmine before now, and always appeared to be a happy, well- adjusted human who appreciated the friendship of the pack. It made the drama of the past twenty-four hours even more disturbing. It was completely out of character.
“Has anyone else seen him use while he was here? Seen him act differently?” Jonas asked.
No one had.
“No offense, but why the hell do we care?” Eric spoke up. “The human was a traitor. He’s been around us all enough to know not to mess with things he didn’t understand. If he was in some kind of trouble, he could’ve come to any one of us and we would’ve stepped in. He was a coward, and I don’t see why we need to waste any more time talking about the why of the situation. All we need to know is where he got it from and let the Enforcers do their job.”
I turned to Mason for his reaction, watching him reflect on what was being said. He took a moment or two before he spoke again, with a very clear, authoritative tone.
“We care because I’ll be damned if this happens again. Not just to us, but anyone. I know it’s not pack business to be involved in the distribution of vampire blood, but I didn’t bring this to our doorstep. Gary did. We won’t stop until we find out and put an end to this. No one should have to bury family members and loved ones. Not like this.” Facing Devlin, Mason continued. “What do you need from me?”
“Not much. I have a team going through Gary’s things at his home, trying to find clues before they remove everything. They’re checking past calls, asking neighbors before they scrub memories. I’m not sure how much we’ll learn, but whatever we do I’ll share with you. You might need to prepare yourself for the chance there’s nothing to discover.”
Mason bowed his head, stewing on the thought when a cell phone rang, bringing everyone’s attention to Vlad. Releasing a growl, he leaned forward, causing the young vampire to shrug apologetically while trying to turn off the annoying sounds of his ringtone, Kung Fu Fighting.
“Did no one warn you what happens to cell phones in Pack meetings?”
I tried not to giggle as Mason laid the intimidation on thick. Daniel didn’t even try to bother as he let out a loud bellow.
“My Lord of Beasts, you’ll make him faint if you don’t stop with the growling!”
Mason groaned at the title his second-in-command used. A quick glance told me Daniel wasn’t far off. Vlad was white as a sheet, and his hand holding the phone trembled.
“Excuse yourself, young one, before the Alpha decides to eat you.” Devlin chuckled. This caused the vampire to blanch further before leaving the room at an almost dead run. The Enforcer shook his head, finding the situation entertaining. “Did you really need to do that, Mason? Terrifying him is my responsibility.”
“I know, but I couldn’t resist. I thought the moment needed a little humor. Wanted to make my Darcy smile.” Mason took hold of my hand and raised it to his mouth, kissing the back of it. Heat spread across my cheeks as I felt myself blush, and the room filled with soft laughter. Everyone was used to seeing their Alpha openly show his affections.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss, or are we good?” someone asked.
Without taking his eyes off me, Mason nodded, and the sound of chairs being pushed back echoed. He released my hand and added, “Make sure you stay available. If I need you, I’ll let you know. See you all tonight.”
The door burst opened and Vlad re-entered, screeching a panicked filled, “Wait!”
Devlin snorted. “Please. Must you be so dramatic? What is so important you need to rush in here like a hysterical woman?”
Before I could add my indignation, he looked at me and winked. “Present company excluded,” he said as I stuck my tongue out at him. He rewarded with a warm smile. As instantly as it flashed, Devlin shut everything back down and turned back to his companion. “Spit it out, Vlad. Don’t keep us waiting.”
The young vampire’s mouth flapped open two or three times as his eyes darted around the room. It was obvious he was reluctant to share the news which confused me. Didn’t he just come in here and tell us to wait? Judging from the annoyed looks of my pack brothers, they were also wondering the same thing. Now wasn’t the time for games.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, tell us whatever it is before I let the wolves tear into you.”
Vlad looked around frightened and Daniel didn’t help matters by growling, flashing sharp fangs.
Shaking my head, I interjected. “Please, Vlad. Don’t mind everyone. It looks like you have something to share.” I tried to lace my voice with soothing tones, and I noticed him relax somewhat.
That peace was shattered, however, by Devlin grabbing the young man by the scruff of the neck and pushing him down into a chair. “Speak. Now.”
Taking a hesitant breath, Vlad gestured to the empty seats and whispered. “You all might want to retake your places. I just received a message I think bears importance.”
Heavy sighs and frustrated mutters covered the air. One comment sounded very close to a threat should the “fang-boy” be wasting time. A murmured assent followed with the loud sound of cracking knuckles.
Now with the room’s attention solely on him, Vlad had very little to say and needed a reminding tap from Devlin to prompt him. Even my head hurt as I watched, and I lifted my hand to rub away the sympathy pain.
“There was a message delivered in the last thirty minutes to the King.” He stopped, looking expectantly around the room as if it was meant to explain everything.
“You’re trying my patience, youngling. Speak what you know, or I’ll rip it from your throat. Regardless of who you are.” The threat lay heavy in Devlin’s voice. “What was the message?”
“A dead body-well at least what looks like one. According to those who were there, it more resembled a mass of raw, bloodied, meat. The sentries were making the hourly sweep, found it outside the gates to the estate, and raised the alarm. Reports say the blood amount was so incredible it took vast strength to resist partaking. On further inspection, it looks as though it was a human woman.”
If Vlad didn’t already look agitated, he did now as he continued. “Inspecting the surroundings, they found two items they felt the Alpha needed to know, and if I’m permitted to suggest, may be connected to what happened last night.” The young vampire had our complete attention.
Mason was the next to speak, his confusion breaking the silence. “What were the objects, and why would they
