Page 84 of The Huntress

Color mottled Mike’s cheeks, and he released a resigned sigh.

“Floges sponsored the mayor and Carter’s campaign through various shadow organizations. The link isn’t easy to find, not if you don’t know what to look for,” Leo said. “Floges has a department known as Delta, created to research vaccines.”

“This note,” Dimitri tapped Callie’s scribble of Stavros’s lapel pin, “was the key. Flames, a delta symbol, and a Phoenix. Such a blatant connection hidden in plain sight would appeal to his sense of humor. He’s on a mission to destroy you, Gabriel, and the de Winter Hold.” He sipped his materialized vodka.

“Including the shifters in his plan was genius.” Leo pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice strained. “From Syl’s memories, I have determined they played it from a human-hates-vampire perspective, claiming humans were about to destroy the chemical. The shifters pretended to save our species. Syl’s a better judge of character than this, which implies the shifters didn’t know they were part of the plan.”

“I wouldn’t put it past Carter or Stavros to play both sides,” Gabriel said. What amazed him was that the plan unraveled with such ease, and it had gone unnoticed by all. “If Stavros tampered with the cure and deceived the shifters, wouldn’t it kill on both sides if an all-out war erupted between us? We are on the cusp. A spark is all it would take.”

“Der’mo!” Dimitri cursed. “Where’s the cure now?” He shifted on his backside as nervous energy coursed through him.

His heart pounded loud enough for Gabriel to discern without focusing his hearing.

They faced Leo, who had fallen silent, now deep in thought.

“In our labs, Syl says. He didn’t trust their altruism.” Leo flashed a smile. “I’m pleased to say our king isn’t as easy to dupe as they’d hoped.”

“We still need to deal with the shifters,” Dimitri said, raising his glass as if in salute.

“How?” Gabriel frowned at Dimitri’s simple statement. “That’s an ongoing battle for territory, resources, humans. Stavros has kept his side clean. Carter and Duhamel are human politicians, so untouchable.”

“We can’t kill them?” Dimitri flashed a look at Mike, who held up his hands in surrender.

Mike shrugged. “I wasn’t here.”

“That’s a strange attitude for law enforcement to have,” Dimitri teased.

“Dragging Callie into the middle of this made it personal.” Mike folded his arms across his chest, appearing uncomfortable with the topic. “She’s had files on these idiots for ages. That makes them dirty in my eyes, and if need be, I’ll shoot to kill.”

“Syl’s on his way,” Leo said. “Alone.”

Gabriel offered Mike a whisky, who blinked at the materialized glass but accepted it. After taking a tentative sip, he smacked his lips in appreciation.

“You have been busy,” Syl said to Gabriel as he appeared in his lounge. “Your taste in company has deteriorated.” He looked at Mike who nodded a greeting but didn’t get up to leave or appear offended by Syl’s statement. “I hear you scoured the slums to adopt a daughter. I’m not sure how I feel about this, Gabriel.” He raised his nose and sniffed, scrunching his face as if George’s scent was unbearable.

Gabriel growled, his nostrils flaring. He drew in a calming breath before facing his brother. “I love you, Syl, you know that, but mess with my family and you force me to challenge you for the throne.”

Syl jerked as if punched. “Is that a threat?” His posture stiffened as he squared his shoulders and curled his fingers into fists, but sorrow lingered in his eyes.

“No, of course not. It’s a plea, little brother. I will blood vow that I won’t contest your rule if you bless my daughter.”

“Bless her?” Syl grumbled under his breath, which was more for effect. “Let me meet her first. If I accept her place here in your home, she may never set foot in the Hold. For her safety, of course.”

Dimitri glared at Syl. “She’s welcome in mine.”

Gabriel placed a hand over his heart, grateful for his support.

“You have yourpal’tsyto keep your members in line, Dimitri.” Ice chilled Syl’s voice, his full authority clipping each syllable. “I have long considered the need for our own enforcement, something I was hoping to discuss with Callista. Regardless, I cannot claim your daughter as my niece, Gabriel, no matter how much I might want to.”

“I’ll assess her and the danger she brings.” Leo closed his eyes and nodded as if he had a private word with Syl.

“Good. Now that we’ve dealt with this, let’s discuss the canister.” Syl huffed a resigned sigh.

The kitchen door opened, and George darted across the room to throw herself into Dimitri’s arms, startling him, but he recovered, tickling her until she squealed and giggled. Callie trailed, a strange, conflicted expression on her face. She must have overheard Syl’s words, or George’s unexpected affection for Dimitri alarmed her.

Gabriel gritted his teeth against his frustration and the need for their bond to be complete. How was he expected to know her needs without it?

“George, come meet Lord de Winter.” Callie held out her hand.

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