Oh like the ones Seymeon has over his heart?
Yes.
Would they do it for me too?
Its old-school ink, Helena. Sharpened bone tapped into the flesh. It takes multiple hours over a few days.
I understand.
I dont know how you always manage to say the right things. But I thank you for it.
Thats why Im your key, right?
Right.
They turned to their loved ones, still holding hands, and received all their love and well wishes.
* * *
TOSHIO had overheard something he was sure he shouldnt have. He hurried down the hall, heading to Delilahs office, which was closer than his own.
Toshio! The hail at his back sounded an awful lot like Carlo Powers. The way the man had just been saying what he had and also referred to Tosh by his first name instead of Senator Sato rubbed Tosh the wrong way.
He was a veteran. A JAG. An elected official and most definitely not a coward. He would not run from this garbage.
He slowed and turned, not bothering with a smile.
I didnt realize you meant me at first.
I called your name. Powers smile was smarmy and patronizing.
No, you called Toshio instead of Senator Sato, so I was sure you didnt mean me.
Ah, I thought we were past such formality.
Why would you think that? What is it you want, Mr. Powers? Im a busy man.
Theres no need for hostility. I saw you in the hall outside Marlons office and we hadnt yet spoken about the troubling issue of the Others.
Like your despicable call for the death or incarceration of a significant minority of our citizenry? I should think such a conversation wouldnt be necessary. I find you and your ideas repugnant. That you have a senator in your back pocket makes it more so. My opinions regarding the civil and human rights status of Others are well documented. Ill pray for you, Mr. Powers, but theres no use in discussing your ideas because theyre disgusting and un-American.
The smarm fell right off Powers features then and the mean settled into his eyes. Tosh had seen that brand of meanness, usually before someone used a racial epithet on him.
Im sorry to hear it. Id hoped youd choose America over your Other-loving ways. But I guess once you get one into bed you lose your mind.
Im not surprised your mind is in the gutter right along with your soul.
Save it, Toshio. Youre nothing and neither is that werewolf whore.
Delilah materialized at his side as if hed dreamed her up. And thank goodness she was there to grab his fist before it slammed into Carlo Powers face.
Careful there, Carlo. Your pornographic imaginings might get you into trouble. Run along and go find your white sheet. Delilah actually inserted herself between them, giving Powers her back in what was a supreme wolf insult.
I was just on my way to your office. He dismissed Powers before he lost his shit and beat the crap out of him like he preferred to. Oh, and Mr. Powers? Thats still Senator Sato to you.
They continued to Delilahs office and he shut the door, leaning against it and scrubbing a hand across his face. I apologize you had to hear such filth. I wanted to punch him. I should have punched him.
She waved it away and took his hands, bending to kiss each fist. I appreciate the chivalry. But I can assure you, Toshio Sato, that once you do get into my bed, you wont be the same.
Her grin eased his spine a little. Listen, I have to make a call right now. Can you be sure were not overheard?
Only if you tell me what the heck is going on.
He did and her eyes got wide. Be right back. Ill send my staff out to get me something to eat and have Allen watch the door.
He got his phone out and dialed Molly.
Tosh, how are you? He smiled at the sound of her voice.
Ive been better. Nearly punched Carlo Powers in the face for calling Delilah a whore five minutes ago.
What? Theres something very wrong with him. Why is he always lurking around the senate offices anyway?
I need to talk to you about that. You might want to have Meriel in on this too.
That doesnt bode well. Im not at the office right now. Im on my way to a COO meeting.
Okay then, you can tell them all when you get there. I overheard something today. Something I shouldnt have. Marlon and Carlo were in Hayess outer office. They have some sort of book. Someone gave them a book and Powers says it has a spell that will open the way to bring the Magister back. One of the turned witches told him they could kidnap Rebecca Gennessee and she could perform the spell. They have her address and handed it over to the turned witches.
Holy shit.
Given that Molly rarely ever cursed, it was an indicator of how seriously she took what he just told her.
She sighed. Okay. Ill pass all this on. Did they know you heard? You said you had an altercation with Powers.
He saw me in the hall, he said. But I dont think he knows I heard.
You need to be on the alert and take extra precautions. Delilah too. Thank you for telling me.
Of course. Let me know if I can help in any other way. Im calling Agent Anderson at the FBI when I get off the line with you. They need to know. As for the bill, were debating this on the floor later today and into tomorrow.
Ill be watching. Be careful, Tosh.
You too, Molly. He hung up and looked to Delilah, who handed him a cup of coffee. Now to call Gil Anderson.
Chapter 23
HELENA was still riding on a lovely joy-inspired high when her phone rang. It was Molly and she smiled, answering. Hey there, Moll.
I wish I was only calling with congratulations.
Helena sighed. Uh oh.
First, congratulations. Im so happy for you. Faine is perfect and the two of you are so wonderful together. Im sorry I had to miss the ceremony, but Lark says your parents are planning a big party for a few months from now so Gage and I will definitely be at that one. Well need to throw a bachelorette party. Belated of course, but still.
Looking forward to seeing you wearing a hat with penises all over it.
Molly paused and Helena laughed, just imagining her face just then. All righty then. On that note, and really speaking of dicks, I have some news about Hayes and Powers.
Ugh.
Which of course was an understatement once Molly had updated her. She started her walk over to Rebeccas office. Im on it. Does Lark know?
Shes next on my list. I wanted to call you first because it dealt with Rebecca.
Have Lark call me once youre done. Do not go anywhere without Gage, do you hear me?
Yes, yes, of course. He was with me when I got the call. He hasnt been out of reach since.
She sighed. All right. Thanks.
Faine appeared at her side. She didnt even need to look to know he was there. Aside from his body heat, she just knew.
I heard part of that. Im not going to be leaving your side either.
Its The Gennessee we need to be worried about. Listen, Ive been meaning to ask you about travel through the Veil. Why havent we been using it? I mean it takes hours to fly to and from DC and even back and forth to Seattle. If you can leave here and exit in Lycia and then head to Seattle, can we do that and go to DC?
What are you thinking of?
Can it be done?
In some cases. I was able to leave here to go to Lycia and then meet you in Seattle because I came through with Simon. Hed come through in Seattle. But its not so straightforward when it comes to originating in one place and coming out another. There are rules about Veil travel. Mainly its about keeping numbers down, so different species cant send an army through to another place. Thats why we cant send an army of Lycians here en masse all at once. It would have to be done in stages. And even then there are caps. Its the same with the Fae and anyone else on the other side of the Veil. Why do you ask? Other than making travel to see your sister quicker. Which we can do if they meet us in Lycia.
Id like to sneak to DC and install some spells in Hayes and Powers homes and offices. We need to know what the heck is happening. Theyre up to all this stuff, and while I dont think they can bring the Magister back, theyre fooling around with dangerous stuff. We have no idea just what it could result in.
I cant get us to DC. Not that way. There are no portals within about six hundred miles of DC. I dont know why, but thats the truth. But . . . He paused. Mei, Cards mate, shes Fae. They can travel that way. Let me call her and see what we can arrange.
All right. I need to get permission first anyway. And if were a go, Id like to do it tonight.
I do like it that you said we.
I know you. And I need the backup. Id ask Lark, shes great at the sneaky stuff, but shes got enough on her plate.
Okay. Ill call when this meeting with Rebecca is over.
She rapped on Rebeccas door. I have some news.
Come in. Hello, Faine. Congratulations are in order, I hear.
Thank you. Im sorry to say my visit isnt a happy one. Molly just called. Senator Sato overheard Powers and Hayes talking about a plot to kidnap you to force you to perform a spell that would open a portal to bring the Magister back.
Well, thats bollocks. We know its not possible. I trust our scholars over anyone they might be talking to.
Yes, turned witches are not reliable, and none of them are ranked highly enough to have known any of the magicks to even try such a thing. But that doesnt erase the danger youre in. For the turned witches and mages, youre a king-sized snack. They could very well be manipulating the PURITY thugs into grabbing you for their own goals, but its still a plot to kidnap you. You have five guards. There are guards stationed at your home as well. Id like to request that you temporarily move into quarters in an enclave. Theres one here in Pasadena. You and the kids can live there until this passes.
Passes? Helena, what if it never does? Am I supposed to just yank my children from the only stability they have right now? From the home they shared with their dad? Rebecca had lost her husband to lung cancer three years before. She had three kids ranging from nine to fourteen. They were currently being educated in the school the Clan set up two years before. Thank goodness they had, it was one less worry, a safe place free of the harassment the children of Others worldwide were facing in public schools.
One step at a time. What would the Clan do without you? What would the kids do? We all need you. Its my job to keep you safe. I dont think they can bring the Magister back. But I do think they can use you in a horrible way. Id prefer that not happen.
This threat needs to be addressed in another way too. Rebecca looked straight at Helena. Faine, I need to speak of something very sensitive.
You can trust me. As Helena is Gennessee, I am Gennessee.
She shrugged and spoke under her breath and the privacy spell knitted around them.
We need to think about what were going to do if and when these bills pass through Congress.
Yes. Ive created a master plan for full military mobilization. Ive coordinated with the wolves, cats and Vampires on this plan through the COO. We do not have the numbers the humans do, but we have the power they dont. Lark is working with the witches to get spells in place to shut things down. The power grid, their communications network. The Kelly sisters up in the archives at Owen think they have a spell that will create a version of an EMP, which would disable nearly all their vehicles and everything else electrical. Wed need to be sure ours are shielded and Gage has been working with Marian and reps from different Other groups to get all that in place.
Rebecca nodded, smiling. Youre very organized.
I feel better when I make plans. If they try to advance this plan to arrest us and put us in camps . . . or worse, we have contingencies in place. I just finished it all when I returned this morning. I hard-copied everyone rather than taking the chance and emailing. Its probably in your inbox. She pointed.
Rebecca leaned forward to sift through her mail and found the envelope. Smart to hard copy. We just dont know if they have anyone else in our ranks, or if they have ways of hacking into our email or phones.
Theres a basic evacuation plan. The kids in the school will be transported to the nearest enclave. Thats where weve got the best numbers for protection. Theyve all been warded up tight. Once a physical evacuation has started, well get the spells in place. You, Meriel, the other Clan leaders, Warden, de La Vega and Franco Pendergast will issue a statement of noncompliance. Im told you all have that in hand?
Yes, we agreed on wording just a few hours ago. Meriel pre-recorded it and its set to go if and when we need it.
Helena tried hard not to think about it in a big-picture way. If she just took care of all the preparatory steps she didnt have to focus on the fact that they were actually really going to war with humans.
I dont think the humans have a majority on these ideas. I think the fringes are driving this bus.
Helena tended to agree. Hopefully if this ridiculous legislation passes through the both houses, the president will veto and the people will stand up and tell their elected officials to back off.
I hope so too. But planning is important. And how are we situated here?
If were stuck here, we can hold out for some time. The bottom floors are fortified. Weve got food, water, generators. The armory is stocked. Several staff are trained medics.