Page 147 of The Firebrand
A witch, jeweled and leathered-up like Tyr, strolled by their table. The warlock snagged her arm. “Where’re ya going?”
“With you into a backroom, Goth-boy.”
“I’m down with that,” he said, tossing back his pint before he unfolded from the sofa to trail behind the female.
Alone, Chay sniffed under his arms.
I need a shower before I pick up Angeli.Fuck.
Pouring another brew, he leaned back, hooking a foot over his opposite knee.
She’ll wait.
****
Cerberusrelaxed in a chair by the fireplace in Dante’s English country estate. He canted forward to warm his hands near the flames, the nip in the fall air making him chilly. To an onlooker, the two would look like old friends on Earth swapping tales over a dram of Macallan.
Dante sipped from his tumbler and, angling the glass, admired the swirling amber liquid. “I haven’t always enjoyed a good Scotch. When I was younger, before my daughter died, I favored a full-bodied Cabernet, fancying its essence of dark cherries, currents, blackberries rolling across my tongue. Now, I prefer Scotch.” Swishing his drink again, he continued, “I wonder what changes our tastes. Experience? Age?”
The Englishman reminisced, picturing his daughter’s easy laughter. Nostalgia was a ponderous weight in his heart tonight. The girl had been everything to him. Then a secret life ripped her away. Through Cerberus, he would exact revenge.
“Some of us never change, friend. Scotch has always been my drink of choice.”
“Are the two Blood Coven descendants still safe in our keeping?” Dante asked.
“Yes, we have them contained. In the meantime, we will search for others to add to the collection. When our hunt is complete, we will be ready.”
Dante nodded. “A ruddy setback, losing our operation.” He gazed into the fire.
“Quite.” Cerberus crossed one knee over the other, leaning away from the heat. “We must begin anew. The records are gone. We have no blood samples. Aisen and Silas saw to that. It was necessary, but so much work was lost.”
“Time is on your side, old chap. You’re an Aeternal. I’m human. We must find faster methods if I am to see this project through. Silas coordinated all activities on both realms. Perhaps we should create two networks? One on Earth can search the medical facilities while another on Scath can handle the mage descendants brought there.”
“That would be an efficient division of labor. We must discover a new way to bring the identified humans to my realm.” Cerberus rolled the Scotch around in his tumbler. “Duplicating jumpers will be difficult, if not impossible now. Our contact at the manufacturing plant is dead. Though we could approach someone else to create copies, the Alliance will be watching employees too closely. I may have an easier avenue.”
“Will it be more challenging to establish a network on Scath with Firebrands sniffing around, frightening off prospective operatives?”
“No. I can always hire more grunts who don’t fear the warriors. Money talks. Better yet, I am capitalizing on the growing unrest among Aeternals.”
Dante raised his eyebrows, pressing his lips together. “An army of the like-minded?”
“Exactly.” Cerberus had led the Englishman to believe the goal was to topple Scath’s oppressive government, reintegrating the realms to establish open trade. A wise business move. “I can replace Silas. Someone has been recommended. Though he demands a bigger paycheck, he is more qualified. We have learned much and will be better prepared next time.”
Dante sipped his Scotch. “I may have access to a man who can get us into health records again. My resources are vast. What will you need?”
“Funds to organize, house, feed, clothe, train an army. Money to hire researchers or mages to find faster, more efficient ways to expose descendants of the ancient coven.”
“Done.”
Cerberus thrust his tumbler forward, a stiff smile twisting his lips. “To a successful hunt.”
“Jolly good.” Dante raised his glass.
****
OnceBraelyn caught her breath, she scooted against the headboard. “You know, this you-master-me-submissive thing will not work. Right?”
Rein brought his lips to her breast, wrapping them around her nipple, sucking gently. Braelyn quivered.
