Page 30 of Curses & Keys (Curses & Gods #1)

JAMISON

Y ears of my father’s narcissistic tantrums have prepared me well for this job.

Smooth expression on my face, I wait for the council to stop shouting at each other and come to a consensus.

This is a common occurrence for them. The only thing they used to agree on is the need to take whatever steps are necessary to prevent our exposure to the humans and the return of the gods. Now, I’m not so sure.

Mathias sits beside me, his ramrod posture the only indication of his thoughts.

“They’ll wrap up in a minute,” I assure him.

He absolutely hates politics. When Nolan was on the council, Mathias avoided these meetings like the plague. His feelings haven’t changed, although they have yet to appoint the new vampire councilmember.

Mathias showed them a video of Phaedra poisoning her victim with a ring.

Proof of her lack of magic. The council was arguing over how to spin this to the supernatural society.

Daegan, the dragon shifter, and Virilin, the Fae representative, feel we should be transparent and honest about her lack of magic and subsequent threat status, but my father and Osian, the Elven representative, want to continue using Phaedra as the scapegoat.

Kratos, the demon representative, is playing devil’s advocate right now and has yet to choose.

Unfortunately, I had to reveal Phaedra as the buyer of the key, but I added information about the attack in her apartment to prove she isn’t working with the human group.

Mathias’ video confirmed the attack and seems to suggest a human heritage, but my father isn’t buying it.

He knows Letz’ wouldn’t have hired a human as an expert to assist him with the Nolan Westgate collection, but unfortunately for him, he can’t prove it.

When he mentioned meeting her, the council asked him what race she belonged to, but he couldn’t definitively answer.

Her scent of jasmine and vanilla suggested Elven heritage to him, but Osian adamantly insisted she wasn’t one of his.

They asked me, and I truthfully told them I didn’t smell a hint of magic on her.

My father came to the conclusion she was a shifter as he knows it’s impossible for Daegan to know every shifter in our universe.

Crafty Daegan decided to use that comment in his favor to state his protection of Phaedra until he could meet with her.

From that moment on, it escalated into the current shouting match.

When my phone rings and I see it’s Gatlin, I frown.

He wouldn’t call me when I’m at a council meeting unless it’s an emergency.

Picking it up, I’m surprised to hear his furious voice telling me about the attack at his house.

Cold fury ices my veins. Our addresses are only known to the council.

Nobody else. Relieved to know they’re both safe, I hang up and glare at the council.

“Gatlin’s house was just attacked,” I tell them, slamming my hands on the table in front of me. Mathias flicks his gaze to me, a question in their depths, and I give him a quick nod to let him know they’re okay.

The council turns to me in shock, unused to seeing me lose my cool.

“The five of you are the only ones who know our addresses. Coincidentally, you’re also the only individuals who knew the number of soldiers we planned to take to the warehouse that night.

” I pause to let the weight of my words sink in, then drive the nail in the coffin.

“Someone on this council is working with the humans.”

Several chins lift in defiance, but they picked the wrong person to head security if they think I’ll let this slide. “Until I know who it is, my plans will remain top secret. You’ll be given updates, but I’ll determine when and what. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to check on my team.”

Sharp pinpricks cascade across my back as I walk out of the room, Mathias by my side.

After this is over, they’ll undoubtedly ask for my resignation, but right now, they need me, and they know it.

Hopefully, the thought of a traitor in their midst will make them reticent to share information with each other.

To find the traitor, I need to start pinpointing who knows what.

My phone vibrates the second we’re in the SUV, and I raise it to see an unknown number. “Hello.”

“It’s me,” Gatlin says, his voice strained as if he’s at his wit’s end. “We took a detour.”

“Are you safe?”

Amused, I listen to him rant about portals and The Hari and Phaedra’s unorthodox methods.

“Where is she now?” I ask, careful not to give too much away. Our driver was vetted, but only for his loyalty to the council, not to me.

“In the shower,” he retorts in a gruff voice. “Get here as soon as you can.”

My lips twitch, but I manage to hold in my chuckle until after I hang up. When Mathias raises an eyebrow, I silently tell him I’ll explain later.

I ask the driver to drop us off at Claiborne’s, another supernatural club, but unlike Hawkes House, this one is frequented by everyone, not just the elite.

From there, we slip out the back and into a portal, then hop across London a couple of times to make sure we’re not followed.

Hawthorne’s waiting for us at the rendezvous point.

Unwilling to say anything in public, I remove my signet and conjure an invisibility cloak for the short distance to The Hari.

It’s not a spell I use often because it drains me, but we need to stay off the council’s radar.

A tough thing to do in a city wired with cameras.

I should know. I’ve used the system enough times to catch supes.

We walk through the revolving door at The Hari and find ourselves immediately surrounded by a team of shifters.

Releasing the invisibility spell, I hold up my hands. “I’m here to see a guest.”

A tall, dark-haired man steps forward. “My name is Amir, the ultimate authority here at The Hari. We have very few guests who arrive…as incognito as you. Who do you wish to visit?”

There’s a menacing air about the man I don’t wish to provoke. I motion him closer and murmur her name. “Phaedra Galanis.”

Not a flicker crosses his face. “I’ll check the registry.” He motions for security to stay and walks over to an old-fashioned phone and presses a button. Listening only, he nods once and hangs up. “Follow me.”

Impressed, I step in behind him, my magic ready, but he merely leads us to another wing where a solitary elevator waits with the doors wide open.

“This is Sheraton,” he says, introducing me to the young man standing inside. “He’ll escort you the rest of the way.” With those words, he walks off, taking his security team with him.

Hawthorne whistles. “This is some setup.” His green eyes scan the walls as he steps inside. “No magic in the elevator?”

His announcement brings a slight smirk to the young man’s face. “Technology can hold its own magic. Don’t you agree?”

Mathias steps in, and the shifter immediately moves to the other side.

There’s no love lost between the warm-blooded shifters and vampires.

“I completely agree. Technology is a wondrous thing.” He squints up at one of the corners.

“Cameras. Hidden weapons.” Dark eyes continue to peruse every inch.

“Air vents to disperse agents. Nice set-up.”

Sheraton admits nothing, only turns toward me.

“Thank you,” I tell him, stepping into the elevator.

Moments later, the doors open directly into a suite. The cream and chocolate brown décor reassures me we’re still in The Hari. Gatlin stands by the door, gun in hand, and he relaxes only once he sees our faces. He immediately holds a finger to his lips.

Hawthorne looks around. “Where is she?”

“Sleeping,” Gatlin murmurs. “A combination of jet lag and adrenaline, I suspect.”

He steps to the side, and I get my first glimpse. Curled into the corner of the couch, dark hair tumbling about her shoulders, long, equally dark lashes fanned across her sleep-flushed cheeks, she is a vision. There’s a light blanket tucked around her, and I eye it speculatively.

“How was security?” he murmurs with a frown. “I haven’t wanted to leave her alone to check it out.”

“Impressive,” Mathias answers with a low chuckle. “I’ll have to upgrade the council after this visit.”

I lay a hand on his shoulder. “Sorry about your home. I’ve sent a team over to clean up the situation and make it secure until you can return.”

“Thanks,” Gatlin replies in a gruff tone. “Although I’ll probably have to sell it. Can’t have the world knowing where I live.” Gatlin motions to me. “Did you bring weapons?”

“Too many cameras, and it’s still daylight,” I remind him. He gives me an incredulous look. “We’ll get them tonight.”

He flicks a glance at her, then murmurs, “I have a theory about her.” His words are barely audible as he explains the conversation he had with Phaedra earlier about the gods gifting humans with abilities. “She didn’t deny it either.”

Hmm. The pieces fit together in a way that makes sense. Her secrecy. Knowledge of ancient civilizations and the gods. The ability to manipulate curses and regenerate. Her unique scent.

“It makes sense.”

Does it matter, though? I think about it. No. Not to me. But I don’t know enough about the gods to understand the implications. Will they care if she is with us?

Three heads turn my way, expecting me to say something more, but I ignore them and walk over to her.

The second I sit down, Phaedra’s eyes open, and her hand whips out of the blanket, a stiletto in its grip.

When she sees it’s me, she tucks it away and sits up straight, then pushes her silky locks behind her shoulders.

Stretching, she peers around the room. “Sorry. This couch is heaven. How did the council meeting go?”

Her bright blue eyes find mine, and for the briefest second, I’m lost in their depths. This woman intrigues me like no other. Quietly confident. Intelligent. Mysterious.