Betrayed in Blood (Of Blood & Dreams #6)

Chapter 10

Chapter Ten

Devon stormed out of the solarium and gave a quick nod to Sergi, who marched through the building just a couple of steps behind. He didn’t need to look back to know his security detail monitored every door and hallway they passed.

Once he was inside the limo, he noted Lorenzo’s flashy Rolls drive up. Venizi wouldn’t be happy to hear about his discussion with Isabella. And maybe that was what the vampire was waiting for. With House Trelane on lockdown, it was more difficult to attack. Not impossible, but it wouldn’t go unnoticed. And now Venizi could point to House Trelane as unwilling to make peace.

He would have preferred Sergi riding with him in the limo so he could discuss the meeting, but this wasn’t the time to grow lax with his own orders. So, he took the time during the drive home to review the meeting. When that made him irritable, his thoughts turned to Cressa and whether she’d gotten a hold of Colantha. It was more important than ever to finish the translation of the De f?rste dage .

When he arrived home, he pulled his tie off as he ran up the steps. “Get everyone in the office, and I want an update on our security teams. Fifteen minutes.”

Sergi, who was still right behind him, responded with a “Yes, sir.”

Devon almost chuckled. He rarely got a “yes, sir” from Sergi anymore, but it told him everything. Sergi might not know what the discussion with Isabella was about, but he understood it had pissed Devon off. He took the stairs to the second floor two at a time, stripping off his jacket and tossing it on the bed along with his tie. He changed into something more comfortable—a pair of black chinos and a black button-down shirt. Might as well keep his dark mood going.

He was back in his office in less than ten minutes and was surprised to find Simone and Decker already there.

“Decker. I wasn’t expecting you today, or did I miss something on my calendar?” He dropped into his office chair and pulled the blinds shut.

Simone and Decker glanced at each other. Shutting out the sunshine was another sign of his temper.

“Simone and I’ve been discussing adding more rogues at Oasis. Maybe one or two at the safe houses.”

He nodded, and a tightness around his chest relaxed a notch. “When can that be implemented?”

The two glanced at each other again, and this time Simone answered. “I have names of several that could start immediately at the safe houses. I interviewed them for Oasis, but they wanted to stay in the city. I think we can work out a schedule that would be acceptable on both sides.”

“Get it done. What about for Oasis?”

“I have a few in mind.” Decker pulled a bag of licorice from his pocket. “But we might want to talk with Remus. There’s a small pack not far from Oasis that’s struggling to find work. The Alpha’s young, and he’s slowly building a strong pack, but there’s limited space.”

“Why didn’t he move farther out to a mid-sized city?”

“His mother lives in the local town and won’t move away from her other pups. Her health isn’t good, and he wants to stay close—at least for now. Remus gave his permission.”

“Let’s see what we can do to help them out.”

Simone nodded as the rest of the cadre filed in, followed by Cressa, Ginger, and Lyra. He glanced at his watch. Two minutes to spare. No one said anything as they found their seats, and whether it was the tension already building in the room or Sergi had given them a heads up, it didn’t matter. Most of them were used to his swift mood changes, and they knew he’d just returned from the Council.

“It appears the Council is getting nervous,” Devon began. “I’ve been asked to back down from my conflict with Venizi and make peace.” He explained the crux of the meeting. It was obvious by the immediate glowing eyes of the cadre’s and Lyra’s beasts, and the thinning lips and reddening faces of the others that they weren’t any more pleased with the request than he’d been. Another notch loosened around his chest.

“What was your response?” Simone asked once she’d quieted her beast.

“I told Isabella that I wouldn’t back off and I wouldn’t make peace.”

“Was Venizi in the building?” Lucas asked.

“No, but he arrived as we were driving out.”

The room fell silent, and Devon let them organize their own thoughts.

“Venizi must have stirred up the Council after our raid at Shadow Island.” Bella sat near the bar rather than her normal seat, and would probably start pacing soon.

“But why did it take so long?” Lucas asked.

“He’s preparing something.” Sergi was reviewing something on his tablet, his brows scrunching together. More bad news?

“Cressa,” Devon turned to her. “Have you been able to contact Colantha?”

She startled, not expecting a quick topic change, but she cleared her throat and grinned. Good news, then? “Yes, we dreamwalked, and I showed her a page from the book. It’s definitely a dreamwalker language. She said to expect her soon, probably in the next day or two.”

“That’s fantastic news.” Lucas couldn’t help his grin, and Devon agreed with his assessment.

But that was as far as they got before Sergi stood. “We have a problem.”

The desk phone rang, and Simone picked it up seconds before the alarms went off.

“Got it. We’re on our way.” She stood. “It’s Oasis. We’re under attack.”

“I think we have visitors at the safe houses as well,” Sergi added.

Devon was already up and heading for the door. “Level One emergency. Full defense mode. Lucas, I want you, Ginger, and Lyra to remain here to protect the manor. Who do we have at the safe houses?”

“Teams one and three are in place.” Sergi reviewed notes on his tablet. “Our final security measures aren’t in place yet, but they should be prepared.”

“Bella and Jacques, I want you to monitor the situation and assist where you can. The rest of us are going to Oasis.”

“The limo and motorcade are still out front. Emergency procedures are underway,” Sergi called out as he fell in line.

“Five minutes to gather your weapons and armored vests,” Devon called out. The message was more for Cressa than anyone. There were weapons in the limo, but he headed to the small armory next to the foyer and grabbed a sword, dagger, and a Sig Sauer 9mm.

He paced next to the limo as the team gathered. Bella and Jacques drove past on their way to the gate, a SUV following behind them. He pulled out his phone and called the gatehouse. “Do we have any visitors?”

“Not yet, sir. We called in more security.”

“Very good. The limo and motorcade will be leaving in two minutes.”

He turned around to find everyone jumping into the limo and the motorcade vehicles. When Simone nodded, he jumped into the limo where Cressa waited, her leg bouncing. Mateo was in one of the jump seats texting with the security teams. Simone and Sergi would be in the SUVs, complying with standard lockdown procedures. It was likely Venizi had a team on the way to the manor or could attempt an attack on their way to Oasis.

“We knew Venizi would eventually find out about Oasis.” Cressa might have been trying to calm him or simply stating a fact as she prepared for battle.

When the limo drove south of town rather than east toward the hills and rural area beyond, Cressa’s face scrunched. “Aren’t we going the wrong way?”

He grabbed her hand. “You’ll see.” Five minutes later, they entered a private airport with a single airstrip and a handful of hangars.

A helicopter with the rotors already turning waited for them.

“You have a helicopter?” Cressa stared through the front window as they closed in on it.

“For emergencies.”

When the limo came to a stop, they all piled out. Devon pulled Cressa with him, ducking low as Sergi, Simone, Mateo, and Roberta, raced for the copter and didn’t slow down until they climbed in. The drivers of the motorcade remained behind with the rest of the security detail and the four vampires stationed at the airport for security.

Cressa grabbed Devon’s hand as the copter lifted and banked sharply as it flew out of the city.

“You’ve prepared for this eventuality.” Cressa stared at him with a bit of awe.

“And much more. We’d hoped it would be years before Venizi discovered Oasis.” He squeezed her hand as he monitored the landscape below them. “We have a few other surprises his team won’t be expecting.”

I slid the headset Devon gave me over my ears and stared out the window as the copter flew over the city. My stomach was in knots. Not for the battle that we might not be in time for but for the possible fatalities and the destruction of such a beautiful sanctuary.

It had been just a matter of time before someone discovered Oasis, no matter the safeguards that had been put in place to prevent that eventuality. Devon owned thousands of acres, and while some of it was fenced, it was a lot of land to secure. When things grew more heated with Venizi, Decker had suggested shifters, and after long consideration and a few interviews, Simone had agreed. The wolves had trained well with the vampires with only a few scuffles, but the two species working in defense of the same territory was breaking new ground.

Devon grasped my hand, and I squeezed back, giving him a half-hearted smile. His lips were firmly set, his jaw stiff, and his eyes shined with the glow of his beast. He was pissed. An attack barely an hour after Devon’s return from the Council. Would Venizi have attacked regardless of what Devon’s answer had been? Not that we knew this attack came from Lorenzo. But if not him, then who?

The headset crackled.

“They’ve breached the perimeter at the main entrance and two other points a quarter mile due north and south of the entrance.” Simone’s voice was calm and measured. “The shifters have retreated to the first checkpoints with the Alpha security team.”

Devon nodded, his gaze moving to the window and the sky beyond. Ten minutes into the ride, Devon, Simone, and Sergi all moved closer to a window. We must be getting close. Devon put his arm around me, his cheek next to mine, as we watched more than a dozen vamps move from the perimeter inward. There were probably the same number, if not more, at the north and south breeches.

Several glanced up as the copter approached, and when one pointed something larger than a rifle at them, the copter banked hard to the right. I closed my eyes, waiting for the impending explosion, but nothing happened.

I opened one eye. Simone, who sat across from me, wore a wide grin. I stuck out my tongue, which was completely immature, but I didn’t want to say anything over the mic. Her smile widened, and the tips of her fangs dropped.

I rolled my eyes, sticking with the immaturity. It worked so well for me. “Was that a rocket launcher?” I glanced at the others.

“A grenade launcher,” Sergi replied.

Oh, great. So much better.

I caught the movement of a wolf racing behind scrub oak as we passed, then the first of the buildings coming up fast.

The sound of an explosion was muffled by the headsets.

I twisted around to see if I could see anything, but all I saw was the chaparral landscape.

Another explosion. Then another.

“What was that?” I asked.

“They just crossed the first checkpoint,” Sergi answered.

When I looked at Devon, he shrugged. “C-4. It won’t get them all, but it will slow them down.”

“What about the wolves?” I asked.

“The explosives are remotely detonated. Alpha team would have waited for the wolves to join them before setting them off.”

“What if they ran over them without knowing where they were?”

Devon shook his head. “The C-4 requires a shockwave to set them off.”

I swallowed a lump in my throat. Devon meant business. He’d never mentioned using explosives as part of the security plan.

The copter made a slow circle as it landed several hundred yards from the manor. Everyone exited quickly, heads down, as we ran for the building. The rotors sounded as if they were slowing, but I couldn’t be sure.

When we reached the manor, two vamps were waiting for us. I recognized one as Marta, who used to work at the coastal manor. Her smile was grim as she nodded at Simone and Devon.

“So far, the only activity has been along the main gate. We have three wolves watching our exit roads, and they’re backed up by Delta team.”

“Why wouldn’t Lorenzo attack from more than one side?” It made sense to me.

“The north side of the property runs along a rocky gully, making it difficult for vehicles to approach,” Simone answered. “There’s a single road that runs along the gully before branching out on both ends. It would be easy to ambush trespassers on either end of the road. There’s no road on the south side, but we’ve added fencing with razor wire for a mile to discourage anyone coming on foot.”

“I don’t remember any of this when we discussed Oasis as a fallback from our raid of Shadow Island.”

“We installed it shortly after.”

I wondered if that was when the C-4 was added, but decided this wasn’t the time to ask. “So, what’s the game plan? I assume everyone who isn’t security has been moved to the manor, and the human staff is in the panic room.”

Simone nodded. “All according to Level One security.”

“So, do we wait to see how many make it here?”

“Hardly.” Devon walked to a patio table where Sergi had set down a duffel bag. He removed several swords, a dozen daggers, and four handguns. Mateo placed a hard-sided case on the table and opened the lid.

Dozens of over-the-ear earbuds were displayed in a foam insert. Devon selected one, turned it on, and stuck it in his ear. He tapped it, said something, then nodded to Simone, who took one, and then Sergi and the rest of the security detail each picked up one.

“Where did you get these?” I took one and slipped it over my ear.

“Friends in all the right places.” Devon already had a handgun in a side holster, a dagger on his belt, and his sword in a scabbard, but he picked up two more daggers and stuck them in his vest.

I had my dagger, but I picked up two more, refusing the sword. I’d started training with a short sword, but I wasn’t comfortable enough to use it in the field. “You mean friends in the military?”

Devon had provided vests, hi-tech body cams, and earbuds for Harlow’s team when they broke into Gheata’s rented house, searching for evidence to clear Devon of Boretsky’s murder. I’d never asked where he got them.

He smiled rather than answer my question. Instead, he pressed the earbud again. “Can everyone hear me?”

Multiple clicks came back. It sounded like more than the group standing on the patio. Devon turned to the group. “We move out in three teams. Central command, Charlie teams one, two, and three are ready to move out.”

“Team Rogue is in place with Alpha and Beta teams one and two, waiting for the word to be given.”

“Roger.” Devon nodded, and Simone and Sergi immediately ran off in different directions, each with a four-man security detail. The others moved out in backup positions. Then Devon nodded at me and took off, with me on his six. I’d always wanted to say that.

I felt the presence of the security detail behind me, though they made no sound as we raced toward the main entrance. I had no idea where the checkpoints were, not that it would matter since I knew little of the landscape and even less of the security updates. After today, that was going to change.

I stuck with Devon as we sprinted through the scrub oak and prairie grass. After a quarter of a mile, we slowed. The sun was behind us, and I questioned the wisdom of sending an invasion team that would be looking into the sun.

“Charlie Two has reached Beta One. Moving to the northern incursion group.” Simone’s voice was calm, low, and showed no signs of heavy breathing.

A couple minutes later, Sergi checked in. “Charlie Three has reached Beta Two. We’re moving to the southern invasion group.”

We ran several more yards when a wolf stepped out from behind a boulder. Devon stopped, holding up a fist. The shifter looked toward the west and made a chuffing sound. Devon nodded, and I assumed we met up with one of the teams.

“Charlie One has met up with Alpha team. All players are in position.”

“Roger, Charlie team.” I didn’t recognize the voice but assumed it was someone from the command center. “The targets are a hundred yards out, moving slowly.”

“How do they know that?” I whispered to Devon.

“Drones.”

I looked up but didn’t see anything, thought I knew they could be difficult to see. “I don’t hear them.”

“They’re flying at a higher altitude.”

I really needed to sit in on the security discussions.

“Let’s try to keep one or two alive,” Devon said over the comms. “Team Rogue, the word is given. Everyone move out.”

The word given was something I understood. Team Rogue was the wolves, and Devon just gave them the okay to take down as many of the enemy as possible—no survivors required.

We moved quietly. Would these be the same halflings Venizi had been sending before, or would these vamps be his true bloods?

I scanned the area in front of us, watching for any movement. Devon slowed as we reached a ridge. When I glanced to my right, I noticed the wolf working slowly several feet in front of Devon. He was using the wolves as scouts.

The wolf stopped, lifted its nose, then turned and nodded at Devon. I should have expected the human-like behaviors, having worked with them at the paper mill in my search for Devon when he’d been stuck in his beast form. It was still unsettling.

Devon nodded in return. “Charlie One has engaged the target.”

We moved on, my hand reaching for my dagger.

The ridge wasn’t much of one, and though the other side was filled with scrub oak, I caught movement. A shot rang out, and then another. Then we saw them. They’d brought rifles. An answering shot rang out from our side, and an enemy vamp fell. He wouldn’t be down long, depending on where he was hit.

Sergi and Simone both confirmed they’d also engaged the target.

A movement to my left startled me. A vamp came at me from ten yards away, and without a second thought, I ran for him.

When he saw me coming, he raised his rifle, but he wasn’t fast enough. I leaped up, hitting him with a kick in the chest. My foot clipped the rifle, the hard metal slamming into my ankle. I landed with a soft cry. That hurt.

The vamp was down, but he was rising. I pulled my dagger and shoved it into his side, giving it a good twist. I followed it up with another quick stab in his neck.

He pushed me off and struggled for his weapon. What was with firearms at a vamp fight? I kicked the rifle away and then kicked the vamp in the head. Then I was on my knees, stabbing at his neck until there wasn’t anything left but bloody pulp. I really needed to reconsider the sword.

I turned when someone screamed. A vamp was only twenty feet away and looked like he’d been coming up from behind me. A wolf stood on his chest and proceeded to rip out the vamp’s throat until his head rolled away. The wolf glanced at me, wiped his snout on the vamp’s shirt, then trotted off for its next victim.

I surveyed the area, an occasional gunshot echoing through the ridge. Then my gaze landed on Devon and a security guard fighting off two vamps. I ran that way, keeping an eye out and staying low behind the oak. I tripped over a vamp who was on their stomach. His ankles and wrists were secured with zip ties. They managed to save one. I regained my feet when I heard someone behind me.

I twirled around in time to see a vamp running for me. He stopped and swung his sword over his head. I took the couple seconds before the sword came down to duck and roll. When I sprang up, I could only stare.

The vamp hadn’t been aiming for me. He’d cut the head off the secured vamp.

What the hell?

He glanced up at me, smiled, then ran for me with his sword held high. On second thought, maybe I should have grabbed a handgun.

I held my ground and let him come. They always seemed to falter a bit when I didn’t run, and when they saw I was a woman. I smiled back, and that always made them second-guess their actions. This vamp wasn’t any different. I moved toward him as he came at me, my eyes focused on his arms rising and the position of the sword.

When his arm was two-thirds to its farthest point, apparently planning on putting all his power into his swing, I bent my head and turned my shoulder as I barreled into him. I felt the force of his arm and the side of the blade as it slammed into my back.

The breath rushed out of him. We were on the ground, rolling, and I stabbed him over and over in the side, searching for his kidneys until he dropped the blade. I hated the fact he’d killed one of his own. A vamp that couldn’t defend themselves. This one needed to be saved for Devon, but I didn’t have any zip ties.

I rolled him over and crossed his arms over his chest, kneeling on them to keep them in place. When I heard the rustle of brush, I twirled around as I stood. I stepped on the vamp’s stomach and one of his arms that had fallen away from his chest.

One of the guards who’d traveled with us from the coastal manor held up a pair of zip ties.

I grinned and helped roll the vamp over, then waited while he bound the wrists.

“Alpha team and Rogue team clear.”

“Beta One clear.”

“Beta Two clear.”

“Charlie Two clear.”

“Charlie Three clear.”

Then I heard Devon’s voice, but I wasn’t sure where he was. “Charlie One clear. Wait for the sweepers.”

“Sweepers en route.” I didn’t recognize the voice of whoever was at central command. I really needed to spend more time here.

I wanted to meet up with Devon, but I waited for the sweepers as the partner of the guard reached us. She stared down at the headless vamp and then at me. It was Roberta, one of the lead guards at the coastal manor.

“Did you do this?”

I shook my head, wishing I had water, and nodded to the secured vamp. “I don’t think they wanted anyone taken alive.”

She gave the headless vamp a long look then walked to the other vamp and gave him a swift kick in the side. After giving it a second thought, she followed up with a kick in the head before moving to her partner. She didn’t have to say anything to tell me how she felt about Venizi’s orders.

Ten minutes later, I heard the sound of the jeeps. They picked up the dead, injured, and any vamps they were able to capture. Then Devon was beside me, surveying me from top to bottom until I pushed his arms away.

“I’m fine. I just need water.”

He handed me a bottle that he must have gotten from one of the sweepers.

I dropped to the ground and took a long drink, wiping my mouth on a blood-stained sleeve. “Is the coastal manor safe? Did Venizi attack the safe houses?” I gave him the same perusal he’d given me. He appeared uninjured.

“The manor is fine, but there was an increase in traffic—there and at the safe houses.”

I took another long drink and pointed to the secured vamp. “He killed the other vamp so he couldn’t talk.”

Devon nodded, then looked at Roberta, who stared at the secured vamp with a disgusted look on her face. “Perhaps I should let Roberta have the first crack at him.”

“I don’t think she’d say no.” I sucked in a deep breath. “Did we lose anyone?”

“No, but we have a few injured, including a shifter. Mateo suffered the severest wounds, but he should be alright in a few days. Everyone else is accounted for.”

“Why didn’t Venizi attack at night? Wouldn’t the advantage be on their side?”

He sat next to me. “Not really. The drones have thermal imaging, and we know the terrain better than an invading force. We also have night vision goggles.”

“Who do you know to get all this hi-tech stuff?”

He chuckled. “We’re not using anything you can’t buy off the street, but I know a senator or two for when I require the newest technology.”

I leaned my head on his shoulder. “Why am I not surprised.” After a beat, I mentioned, “Venizi is getting bolder.”

“And with every attack, he shows his hand and helps us shore up our weaknesses. He still has the numbers, but with the additional shifters added to our security, he won’t gain any ground. He’ll become frustrated and become careless. The Council will take note, and while they won’t take any action, they’ll put pressure on him. And that’s exactly where I want him.”