As quietly as she could manage, she went into the bathroom to clean up. She kept some disposable toothbrushes and a makeup kit in her bag. Too many nights like last night in the past few months had taught her to be prepared.
But once shed gotten into the bathroom she noted her clothes from the day before had been laundered and folded, left on the counter with a new toothbrush.
She smiled. He was a good host and a nice man. Lycian. Whatever. He was welcoming and took care of her when she needed it. It was blessedly appreciated.
She managed to clean up into some semblance of humanity with some mascara and lip gloss, rebrushing and braiding her hair before she went out into the main room. She had split ends and was in dire need of a cut. Helena avoided even looking at the wreck of her nails. She usually spent time at her stylist and time at the range. No time for her stylist at all, though sadly, a lot of real-life experience with fight preparedness of late.
As much as she hated it, shed have to wake Faine up, as he was expected at the meeting. She had the car hed driven, which was from the Gennessee fleet, but they might as well drive in together since they both needed to be there.
And. Well, she could admit she liked being around him. He smelled good. He was huge and battle hardened so it was nice to have him at her back.
But he was already awake. Standing in his kitchen with a mug of coffee in his hand and a smile on his face.
He looked good. Like so good her libido stood up and saluted him. Stupid libido. Didnt it know she had shit to take care of and jumping on Faine Leviathan was not on her to-do list? This was Larks fault for putting the idea in her head.
Thanks for washing my clothes. I appreciate it. She waved at herself, hoping he couldnt tell how awkward she suddenly felt.
Not a problem. Mine needed washing too. Nicer to have clean ones than to trudge around covered in soot and blood.
Or a T-shirt so big it could have been a dress.
He looked her up and down slowly and she couldnt have moved if she had to.
Youd have made it look like a designer outfit. You have that way. I heard your phone. His tone changed back to business. I figured youd need some breakfast before you have to rush off to work. Coffee is done and Im nearly finished with all the ingredients for a breakfast burrito.
She got herself a cup of coffee and freshened his as well. Now that she could smell breakfast she was aware of how ridiculously hungry she was. I was trying to be quiet, though I was going to have to disturb you anyway, Im sorry to say.
Sit. He indicated the table. I only need about three hours sleep a night. Ive been up about half an hour. Lets eat and you can tell me about what Im needed for.
Wow. I wish I only needed three hours. I could get so much more done.
He pulled a chair out and waited until she sat. He befuddled her sometimes.
You run yourself ragged. You and your sister both. Molly too. None of you are superhuman. You need rest or youll just fall apart. I know you need to charge your magick and you cant if you constantly rush from one emergency to the next.
He placed a number of platters heaping with food on the table before he sat to join her. He began to fill his plate and she followed suit, feeling better after shed taken a few bites.
Its not like I plan it that way. It seems that my whole life has been reduced to running from one emergency to the next. Ugh, Im whining. Sorry. She sighed and ate some more.
Anyway, thank you. For everything. She started speaking once shed filled up a little. They needed to get moving soon and she might as well tell him what was up. Im afraid Im going to have to ask you for more help.
Faine put his mug down but continued to eat. Youre not whining, so stop apologizing. Im here to help. Tell me what you need.
It was Lark on the phone. I need to be at a videoconference at Gennessee in two hours. Well, an hour and forty-five minutes now. They want you to be there too.
Like you, this is the job I signed on for. Im pleased to do it, especially if it aids you.
She blew out a breath. I dont want you to regret that.
He snorted, finishing his plate of food rapidly. I was bred to do this. Much like you. He stood. Finish up. Theres aluminum foil in the pantry if you want to make an extra burrito or two to take with us. Im going to change and we can get moving. The traffic should be a little better by this point.
She watched his retreat and totally ogled his butt. Magnificent ass.
* * *
HED wanted to talk with her on the drive out, but shed taken one call after the next, working on her laptop as she did. Helena was rarely still. Most of him approved of this. She was a woman who knew her mind, who understood the severity of the situation and put all her attention on solving it. There was an intensity about her that he responded to. That her people responded to and seemed to be calmed and focused by.
But on the other hand, shed taken one hit after the next and he wanted her to have just a brief respite from all this damned tragedy. Intensity like hers tended to take a great deal of energy and focus. Never having a break from it was hard on body and mind. He knew it was taking a toll on her. Knew the stress beat at her, splintering and drowning her. He wanted to protect her when he could. Knew on some level that the way she made him feel was different than hed felt about anyone before. And he accepted it.
He could also admit he wanted her attention. He liked it when she focused on him. All that bright intelligence homed in on whatever he was saying.
Why Pasadena? he managed to ask once theyd gotten off the freeway and were headed to the Gennessee headquarters.
She looked up from her work with a smile and he was glad he asked. Magick is good here. Its clean, runs in strong ley lines from the mountains out to the ocean. When they first settled hereOwen witches I meanthey had their headquarters down in whats now Long Beach. Near the port. But about fifteen years later, we settled out here. We sort of, I dont know, dug in. The Gennessees have had houses out this way for the last three generations. My family are just over there in those hills. She pointed. Of course, weve got satellite offices all over the state. The territory is too big to manage otherwise.
I like the mountains. Its nice to be able to go run.
Its not as heavily forested as close to the city as Seattle is. But its good. The wildness of it all, city and nature, feeds my magick.
Helenas magick was vibrant. Golden yellows and blues. Larks was electric in a different way. But Helenas had a taste his beast could identify with its eyes closed.
Driving that thought from his mind wasnt too hard as he headed through the streets to the office. More police presence of late. And now, he noted, they were far more militarized.
He wasnt alone. Automatic weapons. Christ. She blew out a breath as she noted the cop on a nearby corner.
At least here they have some decent relations with Gennessee.
Decent. She shrugged. Getting worse though. Its factionalizing more by the day. Out here its not too bad. Weve worked with them since the Magister. But their relationship with the shifters is more tenuous.
The packs down here have some problems. Lazy to have let things get so bad.
He disapproved quite deeply of how poorly and disorganized the werewolves ran themselves in Southern California. They had big problems with rogue wolves, so big they allowed the witches to cull their numbers. Lycians handled their own problems. In Faines opinion, to have allowed not just outsiders but another race to deal with an issue of their own making rendered them weak.
They could take lessons from the Wardens. Undisciplined down here. Someone needs to take over and whip them into shape.
She laughed and he turned, not very used to hearing the sound from her. He liked it. His beast liked it too. What?
You and Simon are so judgy when it comes to the wolves here. Its cute.
Cute? He snorted, not sure if he should be offended or not. Im not cute.
You totally are. They are undisciplined down here. For too long they just let things happen and didnt really care to enforce their own rules. But theyre trying now. If they dont rise to the occasion, theyre screwed. I guess if facing obliteration cant up your game, youre beyond help.
He grumbled, not entirely satisfied. To have witches culling their rogue wolves is a disgrace. Lex Warden should take over. Theyd be better off with real leadership.
Lex has enough on his hands right now. I think theyre scared. Which is good. They switched out their leadership. If they can use this to tighten their pack up and be better, they deserve the chance. Its not that I enjoyed having to do their enforcement. I didnt. I have enough to do without being their boogeyman. But these are dark times. Their new Alpha is stepping up since they pushed the old one out. We cant all be as awesome as Lycians.
He hmphed.
Im not joking. You and your brother are trained in ways I could only dream of getting my people up to. But for them its been a huge cultural shift. Theyve done their own thing for so long and its hard to get used to the new reality. I dont like it much either, but you adapt or you die. If they dont get their act together, its Cade Warden they need to worry over, not Lex.
Cade Warden was the Supreme Alpha of the National Pack. In charge of all the Packs in the United States. Though Faine had only met him in person once or twice, hed been impressed by Cades power and commitment to protect his wolves. It was an Alphas job after all, but one that was difficult, especially now.
I should thank the wolves down here anyway. Helena spoke as he turned down the street where the Gennessee offices were.
Why is that?
Tracking wolves is serious business. Because I had to do it so often for so long, Im good at it. Its made me a better hunter. She turned and then laughed at his expression. What? Im trying to have a glass-half-full moment.
Ive yet to see you track, but Ive seen you in several other guises as a warrior. Youre quite good. If youd like, Im always happy to help with training of any kind.
Really?
He turned to her, smiling at the excitement in her tone as they waited in line for security to come and examine the car.
Yes, of course. He liked that shed responded in such an enthusiastic manner. He also liked the possibility of working closely together with her in that way.
Witches at the security points checked for magick as well as bombs and guns. No car was allowed to park in their lot without a pass and a check.
The witch whod come nodded at Helena, taking the pass and running it through her handheld. Helena was adamant that everyone, including her, have their documentation reviewed each and every time. All visitors were logged. All employees were monitored as well. Owen had adopted this policy recently, as had several other Clans and Packs.
Helena had told him it impressed the gravity of their situation in ways her saying so never could. Every day they were confronted with the severity of what was happening. Each time they had to run a security protocol, or be the subject of one, it underlined it. Made them safer because of it on multiple levels.
She was right.
Once theyd gone through the car check, it would be an armed camp inside. Even before the Magister theyd prepared and trained their hunter team. That level of preparedness was an adaptation to the far more dangerous environment they lived in and was now an international model for the other Clans and covens dealing with the new threat post-Magister.
Once theyd been waved through and hed taken a spot in the garage, she got out, bending to grab her things. He wanted to take her bags but knew she wouldnt allow it or anything anyone could ever perceive as weakness. She moved like a predator, her gaze flitting from place to place as they moved. Evaluating. Always measuring threat.
It was so sexy he had to look away, pushing his beast firmly beneath the skin.
From there they passed through more checkpoints, including a fingerprint and retina scan, and finally they were on their way to the restricted floor where the hunters and Full Councils offices were.
Ill see you in the conference room in ten minutes. She stopped at the end of the hallway, touching his arm briefly. Thanks again for the ride. She handed him a bundle. I made you two more burritos.
He paused, filled with warmth and something else he didnt examine too closely right then. Shed taken care of him.
She blushed, which charmed him more. I mean, you made all the food and I was wrapping up an extra for myself. You have to keep your strength up if youre going to drag me all over the place.
He took the bundle, briefly placing his hands over hers. Thank you. Ill see you in a few minutes.
Trying not to be flustered by the way hed put his hands over hers, the warmth still on her skin, Helena headed to her office. Once shed closed her door, she changed into one of her more professional outfits and did a better job with her makeup while going through her messages.
Grateful for her assistant and her top people who shed hand all this stuff off to, she headed into the conference room. It was already filling up. Though hed gone into a sort of retirement after an injury years before, her father waited at the table. He taught her everything she knew and had run the hunter crew long before she and Lark had been born.
He stood to give her a hug. Good morning, sweetheart. Call your mother today, all right? She worries.
Helena smiled at him. He worried too, she knew, though both her parents seemed to be doing better since she and Lark had finally worked through some long-standing but stupid personal stuff and were once again as close as they had been before.