Page 76

Kara spun to me, eyes wide in shock.

My muscles tensed as soon as I heard his name. “He’s dead.” I stared back at her. “He was dead, right? No magic could’ve saved him, right?”

She nodded wordlessly, her face pale.

“Are we letting him in?” Iyoni asked, her voice far calmer than I felt.

I couldn’t move. There was no way this was possible.

How was he alive? How had he found us?

“Xan?” Kara asked, her voice wary.

I swallowed hard, then braced myself. “Find out if he’s alone.”

Kara turned back to the intercom. “How many guests?”

“Just the one, madam.”

She lifted her finger from the button and turned back to me, a question in her eyes.

“He’s not going to go away, is he?” I asked.

Kara shook her head, watching me.

“No,” Iyoni replied simply. She slipped from beneath my arm. “I’m going to get changed into something less comfortable.”

I spared her a glance as she walked swiftly toward the second bedroom where her bag was, amid Kara’s gym equipment.

“Fine,” I said through gritted teeth. “Let him up. If he’s alone, we can take him together if we need to.”

Kara turned back to the intercom. “Send him up in five minutes.”

“Of course, madam.”

We got dressed quickly in the time we had, and I carefully moved the guitar to the dining room table, collecting the spilled packaging from the carpet.

A few moments of peace and quiet, already destroyed. It wasn’t fair.

The two-toned chime sounded through the apartment again, and I glanced at both of them. As one, we activated our shields, and grim-faced, went to answer the door.

The man standing on the other side was tall and slim, wearing a dark suit more fitting a lawyer or a banker. He had a briefcase in one hand, adding to the image, and he wasn’t Silas Moreau. His demeanor was unnervingly composed, like he didn’t think he was in any danger.

I extended my senses. He was a midrange supe, a demon of some kind, but I didn’t bother to delve too deeply. Any of us could take him by ourselves, let alone together.

“Who the hell are you?”

He inclined his head in greeting, like I’d warmly bade him a good morning. “My name is Varek Moreau. I know who you all are, of course.”

“You do, do you?” I said, voice tight.

He nodded to Kara then Iyoni. “Miss Halden, Miss Saelan.” Then to me. “Mr. Moreau.”

Kara gave a gasp. Iyoni stared at me.

“What did you call me?” I said, but it came out as a whisper.

Varek gave a slight wince. “Er … I feared this may be a shock to you. May I please come in? There’s no reason for you to lower your shields if you would prefer not to. I assure you I will not raise mine.”

I watched him for a long moment, my jaw clenched tight enough to ache. He stood waiting patiently, his demeanor free of any aggression.

“Fine,” I said at last. “But I’m going to search you when you come in, and if you so much as raise a hand, we’ll kill you.”

“I agree to those terms,” he said formally, then inclined his head. “No doubt I would insist on the same.”

I moved out of his way, and he stepped into the entrance hall.

“Hands on the wall,” I ordered, then patted him down when he complied. I was thorough, but couldn’t find anything on him. Not even a wallet or a set of keys. “What’s in the briefcase?”

“Papers,” he replied, voice calm. “May I open it and show you?”

“No,” I said. “Keep your hands on the wall. I’ll do it. Is it locked?”

“No.”

I wondered if it was a bomb. We had our shields up, but I still positioned myself between the case and the girls. I flicked the latches, and nothing happened. I opened the lid, and it was empty save for a black folder thick enough to hold only a half-dozen sheets of paper. I closed it again.

“Very well,” I said coldly. “Come through. I’ll give you ten minutes.”

We all walked into the living room, keeping Varek between us. He set his briefcase on the dining room table beside my guitar, his expression giving away nothing as he glanced briefly around the room.

“I believe we would all appreciate it if I got straight to the point,” he said.

“Damn right. You can start by telling me how you knew where to find me.”

“Your phone,” Varek answered simply. He gave a smug smile. “Silas has been tracking your movements since you visited his estate.”

I felt my blood run cold at that revelation, but it was difficult to refute with Varek standing before us.

Had he played me all this time?

It was an effort to keep my composure. “What do you want?”

He nodded, like I’d politely encouraged him to introduce himself. “As I said, my name is Varek Moreau, and I am one of Silas Moreau’s sons. Silas Moreau has a lot of sons.”

“No daughters?” I asked, unable to stop myself.

Varek gave a half shrug. “One presumes so, but he never showed any interest in them.”

I waved at him to carry on.

“Our father’s recent passing—” he began, and I couldn’t help clenching my jaw; not because of Silas’ death, but from the gut punch of hearing Varek’s claim again.

“—has left a vacuum of power at the head of the Moreau Corporation.” He paused and gave a small, superior smile, reminding me again of his lawyer-like persona.

“We all know what they say about vacuums and power. As you can imagine, there has been some … jostling for position among Silas’ descendants.

Several unfortunate deaths in the past twelve hours. ”

“My condolences,” I said dryly.

He gave another shrug. “Like I said, Silas had a lot of sons, and few of us ever grew all that close. Most of those who have recently passed will not be mourned.”

I crossed my arms. “You said you were going to get to the point.”

“Indeed.” He braced his shoulders and looked me dead on. “You are not only one of Silas Moreau’s sons, as no doubt you are aware, but after your display last night, many of us have chosen to throw our support behind you. We wish you to take over the mantle of our father.”

I stared at him. Aware? Was I supposed to have guessed from Moreau’s last words? Had I missed a birthday card or three? “This is a joke, right?”

“Not at all.” He gestured to his briefcase. “May I?”

“Why not?” He still had about eight minutes left before I chucked him out, and part of me was curious to see the rabbit he was going to pull out of his hat.

He flicked open the case with an efficiency of movement, pulling out the first sheet of paper from the folder, and handing it to me. “DNA test. You can have it verified if you wish, but it’s conclusive. You are Silas Moreau’s son.”

I scanned the piece of paper, taking in the small amount of information it presented. It confirmed what Varek had said and looked official, but I was no expert. I glanced at Kara, seeing the recognition and horror in her eyes.

“Xan …” she whispered, and it was barely a breath. “I’m so … so sorry.”

“For what?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “The world’s a better place today.” I passed the sheet to Iyoni, focusing back on Varek. “How did you get my DNA?”

He gave a snake-like smile that was eerily reminiscent of Silas. I’d never be able to look in the mirror again without making sure I never smiled like that.

“Our father wore a specially designed porous ceramic ring. You shook his hand when you met.”

“You’re kidding me.”

“Not at all, Xan.” He hesitated. “May I call you Xan?”

I stared at him, narrowing my eyes.

He carried on like I’d given consent. “Our father was quite particular about confirming who was, and was not, of his blood. In most cases, he kept close track of the mother, and followed the progress of the child from a distance.”

“Not in mine,” I said, already knowing it was true.

Varek inclined his head. “Your mother hid you at birth. Silas was most wrought.”

“What did he do to her?” I growled, the words coming out sharper than I’d intended.

Varek took a half pace back, bumping into the table behind him. He raised his hands in placation. “Nothing, as far as I am aware. I was, of course, not privy to much unless Silas wished it.”

“Where’s my mother now?”

“Regretfully, that’s not information I have.

” He turned to his briefcase, pulling out the next two pages, stapled in one corner.

“This is a legal document Silas signed before his death, formally recognizing you as his son.” He passed it to me and pulled out the next.

“This is another binding document, granting you a proportion of Moreau Corporation, but it is subject to certain conditions.”

“I don’t care,” I snapped. “I want no part of this.”

Varek didn’t seem too concerned. He turned back to his case, pulling out the last piece of paper.

“This is a letter signed by myself and thirty-seven of my brothers, pledging their allegiance to you. With this and our support, you have the majority right to claim ownership of the whole corporation. Sign it, and the corporation is yours … along with all the power and wealth of our father’s estate. ”

He held it out to me, but I didn’t take it.

The tableau held for a moment, then he shrugged and laid it on the table. “I should warn you, if you do not accept this position, it is highly likely that some of my … less civilized brothers may regard your continued existence as a threat.” He gestured toward the windows. “Are those armored?”

“Of course they’re armored,” Kara said, like it was obvious. “But don’t bother to ask any further questions about our security arrangements.”

Varek nodded slowly to her, a quite graceful act of acknowledgement. His mannerisms reeked of private school education, and he’d probably been born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

“Nevertheless, the threat is real.” He hesitated for a moment.

“That said, if you do decide to claim your rightful place as Silas’ heir, I expect they’ll act even faster, trying to eliminate you before you consolidate your power.

” He gave a small smile. “After what I witnessed last night, I doubt they’ll be successful, but one feels you should be warned. ”

“You were there last night?” Iyoni asked.

“I was, Miss Saelan. I understand you not remembering me; you were quite occupied with Marietta Kye, and then …” He gave her an assessing look. “I am relieved to see you have recovered from your injury.”

I cut through the air with my hand, bringing the focus of the conversation back. “Why me?”

“I would’ve thought that was clear.” Varek straightened the cuff of one sleeve, as though about to give a summing-up in court.

“Aside from your obvious blood relation, we have Silas’ own interest in you, as demonstrated by the documents.

” He waved at where they lay on the table.

“Silas was most interested in you on learning that you were a warlock.” He gave a small smile.

“I can only imagine that interest growing when he learned you bonded a celestial too, though alas, I never had the opportunity to discuss it with him.”

“That explains Silas’ interest, but not yours,” I said.

Varek inclined his head. “Quite so. But simply stated, most of my brothers believe Moreau Corporation should be run by the strongest of us. That is, quite undeniably, you.”

“Fine,” I said. “You’ve said your piece, and I’m not interested. Now get out.”

Varek didn’t seem concerned by my brusque dismissal. He simply turned and closed the now-empty briefcase, pointedly leaving the documents where they lay, and walked to the door like he got what he came for.

I followed after him, watching him carefully.

He paused at the exit to Kara’s apartment, then pulled a small business card from inside his jacket and offered it to me. “When you change your mind, do please give me a call.”

I didn’t take the card. “I won’t change my mind.”

“Well … maybe when you’ve had time to reflect.” He laid the card on Kara’s hall table, then opened the door and stepped through.

I closed it behind him, the lock engaging.

But it didn’t make me feel secure.

“Trapped,” Kara whispered from behind me, the word heavy with her worry.

“Yeah,” I said grimly, resting my forehead on the door as I fought for control.

‘Trapped’ pretty much summed it up. Once again. Either I enter willingly as a target in a game of corporate whack-a-mole, or let someone intent on killing me own the largest demon corporation in America.

I turned to Kara and Iyoni, my own despair reflected in Iyoni’s clenched jaw and the tears brimming in Kara’s eyes. “So what the fuck do we do now?”

End of Book One