Page 45 of Vampire Visions

“There are laws in this territory, York. I can’t prove that he did anything, I can only threaten him.”

He huffed at me, glancing over at Novak. “There are no treaties or accords between the druids and the vampires.”

Why was he bringing this up now? Instead of asking, I responded with, “I know that.”

“Right,” he agreed. “As per Druidic laws, I can rightfully kill that bastard for trying to put a spell on druid royalty that was non-consensual. But,” he continued, a little louder so I wouldn’t interrupt him, “since we aren’t on Druid lands, I questioned Novak about the implications.”

“He did,” Novak acquiesced. “And I told him that it’d be best if I was the one to step in, that way it wasn’t taken as an act of war or any of the other bullshit the elders may think up.”

“What the fuck is going on?” Stone whispered, more to Briggs than the rest of us.

“I’d rather not talk about this with Dad and Papi here,” I acknowledged with a shake of my head. “They don’t know about any of it, and I don’t want them to try to do something about it tonight. Kill him if it won’t cause a scene, but if it will, then wait. Once Novak and I take over, we can label him a rogue for following Kadence.”

When they kept trying to ask me questions, I shook my head again. “Not here, but I’ll tell you guys about it when we get home, if you really want to know.”

Papi came around the corner, the rest of tonight’s group hot on his heels. “Charlie and I will go pick up Simon and meet you at Nate’s.”

“Isn’t this Nate’s house?” Palmer inquired.

“You could call this a family home or a guest house,” Jack explained. “His main house is where all the business dealings are done. Nate would stay here when we were in town, but otherwise he lived at the House of Vampyre.”

“That’s why Jack and Lo have bedrooms here and such fond memories in this house.” Dad smiled over at Jack and then me. “We bounced between the pack, the coven, and the academy grounds in Detroit when they were kids. When they graduated, we found a middle point and put them there.”

“Nashville.” Novak nodded, showing he understood. “That’s why we were all sent there, for one reason or another. Sloane was already there, and you guys were just waiting for the right time to introduce us all, or the off chance we’d bump into each other.”

“Mmm,” Dad tilted his head left then right, telling Novak he was close to being right. “When we met York for the first time, we’d already done some digging and realized that he was friends with you guys. We asked him not to introduce you yet. It wasn’t time.”

I scoffed at Dad. “It was never time. Can we go over the plan one last time? We need to go soon.”

He gave me an indulgent grin. “Better watch that attitude, Pretty Lady. I’m still your alpha.”

I laughed at him. “For now.” Shooting him a conspiratorial wink, I turned to the rest of the group. Eyeing each one, I lifted my chin and began my run down. “Dad and Papi are picking Simon up and meeting us at the House of Vampyre. Dominic, who is a member of the council, will be there already. Blaire, Novak’s sister, has been filled in and she’s waiting for her moment to step up. Jack, Grim, Palmer, and Briggs. You guys are going through the Void. Do not cross over until either Novak or I reach out. Stone, Vaughn, and York will be with us.”

“This plan has the potential to backfire pretty badly, so stay vigilant.” Vaughn nodded his head at Briggs and Palmer. “Stone, York, and I come from different realms, so we’re hoping that looks like the right kind of threat. This also gives us the chance to misrepresent how many mates Sloane has, which could be useful for us. It’s another way for Kadence to underestimate all of us.”

“She’s going to be shocked and livid when she realizes that Sloane is alive, so we’re going to play her as much as we can. It’s going to be a big crowd.” Novak sighed at his own words. “I hate these parties.”

“Everything after Blaire and Dominic stepping in is going to be us winging it. We may fight, or she may leave without a word.” I shrugged my shoulders, watching Briggs watch my breasts bounce with the movement.

“Beast.” I thought at him, hoping he’d hear me. When his eyes jerked up, surprised, I smiled. We were actually getting somewhere with this bond if he heard me.

“I don’t think she’s just going to leave, Devil,” Papi said to me. “I think you need to be prepared for the biggest fight you’ve ever had.”

I nodded at him. “I’m prepared, Papi.”

“Are you bringing the hellhounds as backup?”

“Not as backup for me, no.” I smirked. “But they’ll help the guys if need be. Whatever happens between Kadence and me has to stay between us. No one and nothing can interfere on my behalf.” I gave the guys a stern look, making sure they all understood. “But if someone or something intervened on her behalf, then I’ll call the hellhounds to me.”

“Where will they be?” Dad asked, intrigue thick in his words.

“Oh, you know… just hanging around.” I gave him a saccharine smile. Whistling, I called my hellhounds to my side. They’d been lounging around for long enough. As soon as the three of them were in sight, I snapped my fingers, transforming them into little bats. Cheesy, I know. It made me happy, though. I sent them to hang from the silk handkerchiefs in the jetted pockets of Vaughn, Stone, and York’s tuxedos.

“Okay.” Papi snickered at me. “We’re heading out now. We should arrive a few minutes after you guys do.”

We walked out of the house in time to see their tail lights disappear. Jack placed his hand on Briggs' shoulder, pulling him into the Void. Palmer and Grim followed them seconds later.

Vaughn opened the passenger side door to my Navigator, helping me get the bottom of my dress in. Stone got in behind Novak, who was driving, leaving York the third row.