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“Could you use your blood manipulation magic to sense your mom? I know you’ve told me before each person’s blood feels different, so you would know what your mom’s feels like, right?” I ask her. Luca shakes her head as she explains her power doesn’t work over long distances as her lip wobbles. Jude offers her hand to Luca, ever concerned, and murmurs under her breath, “Let’s go get you some rest, and then if you’re feeling better, we can brainstorm some new leads. I promise I will wake you the moment we hear something.”

This leaves me alone with Jayden, and it’s awkward at first because we both know about each other, but we’ve never met in person. Taking the first step, I hold out my hand in greeting to him. Trying to diffuse the weirdness between us, Jayden takes my offered hand with a warm smile and says to me, “I know all about your history with her. I get it. There was someone for me, too. We both don’t have much of a choice in this.”

Dammit. It would be easier if he was an asshole. And ugly. I'm even impressed by his large frame, and how it compliments his expensive suit. Armani, probably. His dark blonde hair and stubble with his gray eyes complete his looks, and I get the appeal. “Jude and I haven’t really spoken since you’ve arrived for obvious reasons, but please treat her well. She deserves that after everything I’ve put her through.”

Nodding, he tells me, “Is it weird if I say I think we could be friends if the circumstances were different?” Trying to keep the growing smirk on my face hidden, I deadpan as I tell him, “I don’t see how that’s possible.” Raising his eyebrow at my response, he says, “You’re right. I am being optimistic. Anyway, Jude and I are taking things slow, even if our parents would like her to be pregnant tomorrow. I can’t change our fates, but I can buy us more time.”

Before I can acknowledge what he’s said, Jude comes back without Luca. She sounds weary as she tells us, “She’s sleeping, and now we need to figure out what to do next. I’m fresh out of ideas, though. You?”

It's the first time I allow myself to truly appreciate her appearance. Jayden may not get this, but I do. She’s frazzled by Gabriela’s disappearance because Lexie’s death is still too fresh for her. Drinking in her beautiful face for a moment because I don’t know when I’m going to see it again with what I’m about to do, I take a deep breath before I share my feedback, “It’s time for the families to go into lockdown.”

I straighten my spine, letting some of the seriousness of the situation leech into my voice. “Once we’ve done a headcount and know everyone is safe, we can meet at the secure location with all the families so we can resolve this once and for all. It's time we remind everyone that we’re the monsters to be feared.

Chapter 23 | Fuck It

Dominic

Since Dad died, the twins and I tried to make it a habit of having one meal together per day. With all the demands that come with running an empire, I’m worried that if I don’t do this, I could go weeks without seeing them at a time. Where would that leave me? In the same place as Dad?

As much as I loved him, I want to do things differently. The twins are the only family I have left, and that means something to me. Even if I have to work longer hours, sometimes these meals together are the highlight of my very shitty days.

It’s always those moments where everything feels normal, good even, where we tempt fate, and everything goes to shit. When the twins surprised me with a homemade dinner, a chicken Alfredo, I set aside additional time in my schedule to listen to their progress on the complex spell work they’ve been working on. Hearing them explain it is a good reminder of what I’m fighting for. But my phone keeps lighting up like a Christmas tree. Normally, I keep it around for emergencies, but I make a point of not answering calls while I’m having meals with the twins.

And Sebastian definitely doesn’t qualify as an emergency.

It’s only when I see a text from him after the latest missed call that I start thinking I’ve been too quick to dismiss him. Calling him back, I say, “This better be important, I’m with the twins.” He gets straight to the point as he responds, “It’s time for the families to go into lockdown.”

Looking at the twins' concerned faces because they know the rule I have, my only response is, “Understood,” as I end the call. “Hold on, let me get Amelia. She needs to be here for this.” Getting up from the table, I call for her to join us. It's been raining the whole day, but now the thunder starts, and it’s an effort not to flinch at the ominous tone it sets. Turning to face the girls, I try to give them a crash course in lockdown protocol.

“When our families escaped Europe, they recognised the need to have a long-term plan in place in case they were ever faced with a similar situation.” I pause, taking a sip of my drink before continuing. “Dad mentioned it to me before he passed, but we never went into detail because we thought we had more time. After his death, I went through his notes, and they said the lockdown happened every time there was an event which threatened our secret, our lives, or our money. The Salem witch trials were one case, and I believe there was another witch trials case in Germany somewhere in between.”

Remi interrupts me, “We’re going into lockdown, aren’t we, because of the murders?”

With a grim look on my face, I confirm her suspicion. “We are. From what I’ve been able to piece together, each family presents a plan to solve the crisis moment we’re in. It usually includes their connections, influence and abilities in some way. We then each vote, until we find a solution that works for us all. The point is not to leave the sit down until we all agree. I’m going to call the other Sorcerer families to convene here urgently, andthen the rest of the Supernatural families will follow soon thereafter for the sit down to begin.”

Concerned about how Amelia will take this development, because it’s not exactly in the assistant job description, I’m impressed to see how well she’s handling it, and taking to our life. She may have started with no experience, but she acts like she was born for it. Addressing her, I add, “It's not traditional to have a human assistant. Humans are usually reserved for…other parts of our lives. You may get some flack from the others for this. After you’ve checked everyone is here, stay out of sight as much as possible. If I’m not around, stay close to the girls. They will protect you if trouble starts while I’m not around.”

From the tension in her body language, I can see she’s not impressed with this, but she accepts my direction. The twins take the news better than I expected, and I quickly make five successive phone calls to each of the Sorcerer families so they know they should be here soon. Amelia tries to clear our dinner plates while I plan, and I wave my hand at her, indicating she should leave it.

Amelia speaks up, “Dom, do you need us to prepare anything for the families?” Shaking my head, I tell her everything has always been ready, and she just needs to do her part while the rest of the heads of the empires and I come up with a plan.

As I say that, I suddenly realize that all traces of what we’ve been doing with Remi’s spell work need to be hidden from the company we’re about to receive. Relieved that I remembered in the nick of time, I turn back to the twins and say, “We don’t have long before everyone arrives. You need to hide all the notes and elements from the tracking spell we’ve been practicing. We can not have the families knowing we’re trying to do goodwith magic. Get to it.” Wide eyed, the twins race off to cover their tracks, and it’s not long before the doorbell rings.

Dammit. I thought we had more time.

Seeing Amelia is close to me like I instructed, I murmur, “stay close,” as I answer the door. The twins are nowhere to be found yet, which tells me they’re still busy, so I show the first family into the waiting room, trying to buy them as much time as possible. Even if their reception to Amelia is frosty, they tolerate her, and I’m comfortable letting her take over from me after I’ve welcomed them. My presence should be enough to keep everyone in line while she does her thing. I hear the next family arrive, and it's all happening so fast now. I underestimated how efficient we could all be when it counts, and I’m proud of my people. Shooting off a quick text message, I confirm with Sebastian that the lockdown is in motion.

“It’s happening quickly. Exactly like we wanted it to.”

His response comes quickly afterwards, and he lets me know it's the same for him, and we’re the last empire to go into lockdown. It won’t be long until the rest of the families join us. I’m about to respond when a commotion on the other side of the large room catches my attention.

After the night of Hecate, I considered bringing Jax into my inner circle. Until I have a child of my own or one of the twins takes over, it makes sense to have a back up plan since Dad didn’t. But seeing him argue with Remi and Amelia quickly ends that idea. I’m impressed with Amelia’s bravery as she tries her best to diffuse the situation, something most humans wouldn’t attempt. Appreciating the irony of the situation because I’m pretty sure Remi had a crush on Jax at some stage with his dark skin tone and golden hair, I rush over to them to solve the issue.

“What’s this about?” I demand.

Jax shows me his fingers. I see charcoal residue on them as he sneers at me. “What are you doing with charcoal in your house, Dom? We all know that’s an element that shouldn’t be used in a spell. Are you trying to do good with your magic? You know how the families feel about that. Humans have always turned their back on us, so why should we bail them out of their problems? You’re not fit to lead this empire if so.”

Narrowing my eyes, I pause as I consider how to handle this. This is a very dramatic leap for him to make, especially for someone that’s just entered my house. It doesn’t matter that he’s right. It’s that intelligence he’s displaying right now that made me consider bringing him into my inner circle, I just never expected it to backfire like this.