Page 38 of The Second Sight (Wanderlust Emporium Presents, Season One)

Chapter

Twenty-Seven

SEVEN

Idescended the grand staircase of Crackstone Manor at dawn.

The ritual bath with Kasi still clung to my skin.

The floral scent lingered on both of us.

As I moved through the shadowed hallway toward the library, I wondered what changes might manifest in Kasi.

Would her fae abilities strengthen? Whatever transformations awaited her, I had vowed to stand beside her through them all.

But first, I needed to rescue Brooklyn from Desmond Moreau’s clutches, and the strategy meeting awaiting me would determine whether we succeeded or failed.

Kasi had fallen into an unusually deep sleep after our time in the bath.

Her breathing was more even and peaceful despite the madness surrounding us.

I’d left her wrapped in silk sheets, reluctant to wake her from what might be her body’s need to physically and mentally recover.

The memory of her warm skin against mine remained vivid, and that now drove my steps to war.

The halls of my mansion were unusually quiet. Normally at this hour, the night-shift vampires would be returning from their feeds, exchanging stories in hushed tones while the day-dwellers prepared for their occupations.

I approached the library doors. I paused, listening to the muffled voices within before pushing the doors open. The heavy drapes remained drawn across the windows, protecting those of us who couldn’t bear direct sunlight.

The room fell silent as I entered. Lily stood near the fireplace.

Her posture was rigid and formal. Romeca and Kyren had positioned themselves on the opposite side of the room, as if physical distance might emphasize the difference between vampire and fae.

Marcus, Feliz and Charlie flanked the doorway.

Their eyes tracked my entrance, heads inclining in respect as I joined them.

“Seven,” Lily acknowledged. “I contacted Gideon directly,” Lily explained.

I nodded for her to continue, taking my position at the head of the ancient oak table that dominated the center of the room.

“He was more forthcoming than I had anticipated. I lied to him,” Lily continued.

“I claimed that Brooklyn belonged to one of our vampires and that we were unaware of her connection to any faefolk.” She paced along the edge of the vintage rug from the Orient.

“Since Gideon and Tarus fled before they saw Seven and I arrive on the scene. They remain ignorant of our newfound alliance. They think we merely want our protected human returned.”

“And he believed this lie?” Romeca interjected, skepticism evident in her tone.

Lily’s lips curved into a slight smile. “I told him Brooklyn didn’t show up to her vampire mate, and he went to look for her.”

“It’s a trap. How could you know it was this Gideon that took her?”

“Video cameras and cell phone towers. Have you been in the fairy realm too long? Humans have made it easy to track each other. Brooklyn’s cell phone was left inside the vehicle.

I know people who can get the location. I explained this to Gideon, who, unlike you, is well aware of all the modern technology that makes it next to impossible to disappear when someone is actually looking for you. ”

“What else did he reveal?” I asked, leaning forward.

“Gideon mentioned more faefolk in Chicago,” Lily added. “I feigned complete ignorance, of course. I told him I didn’t know there were fae in town until I saw the camera footage from the distant warehouse's video surveillance system.”

“And he believed this?” Romeca asked.

“The warehouse is only yards from the desolate road on which Kasi’s friend was abducted. I quick license plate search led me to Gideon. I emphasized our desire to avoid breaking the treaty between the Bambara Brotherhood and the vampire kind.”

The treaty was a fragile peace established after centuries of bloodshed and fire.

Vampires agreed not to interfere with the Bambara’s hunt for fae people, and in return, they spared our kind from their sun and fire rituals that could destroy even immortals.

It was a shameful agreement from the past that all vampires had to adhere to back when we had a vampire king, King William Adams. He was a born American who was appointed by the first of our kind, the 13 disciples of the Blood God.

I hated the treaty, especially after what they did to my Basirah.

But I had to adhere to it. I was only one mere vampire with no rank in a world full of vamps.

Lily paused, her expression growing more serious. “And then he told me Desmond Moreau is in town.”

I felt my body tense, every muscle coiling with ancient hatred. Desmond was a demon in human form, and he was here in Chicago just as Kasi’s visions predicted.

“Desmond,” I repeated.

“Yes,” Lily confirmed. “And he has a proposition. He will return Brooklyn unharmed, but only if Theia’s daughter surrenders to him. I told Gideon I would search for her to facilitate the trade. I promised to call once I talked to my sire and had more information.”

The room fell silent. I could hear each unnecessary breath, each shift of weight as the implications sank in. Desmond wanted my Kasi. He wanted her blood, her power, and probably wanted to drain the life from her. The thought made my vision tinge red with rage.

“How long do we have?” I asked, my voice deceptively calm despite the fury building inside me.

“They are giving me until tonight to find her,” Lily replied. “They don’t know we already have her. He’s eager to complete the exchange and leave Chicago.”

Before I could respond, I heard. “I’ll do it,” Kasi said. I never saw or heard her enter the war council room. Too distracted with my rage to smell her scent or sense her presence. “I’ll surrender myself to save Brooklyn.”

“No!” I growled. My control slipped in the face of her willingness to sacrifice herself.

“Seven, it’s the only way to get Brooklyn back.” She pleaded.

She had a point. “We’ll only pretend to comply with Desmond’s wishes. I won’t let him take you.”

Her eyes met mine and filled with trust. Trust in me, despite knowing what I was. Her trust was both a gift and a burden.

“Seven is right.” Romeca said unexpectedly. “We appear to comply, but we set a trap instead.” She looked at me with grudging respect. “The vampire and I are in agreement on this, Kasinda. No one is surrendering my niece to Desmond Moreau.”

“But Brooklyn—” Kasi began.

“Will be saved.” I assured her. “But not through your sacrifice. We will pretend to surrender you but never truly let you go to them.” I turned to address the entire room. “We have until tonight to prepare.”

I’d waited for this opportunity. Desmond had taken Basirah from me, had burned away the only light in my endless darkness until Kasi appeared. I would not lose another mate to his cruelty. This time, I would be the hunter, and Desmond Moreau would be the prey.

I excused myself from the library, motioning for Lily to follow me. The weight of the coming confrontation settled on my shoulders like a cloak, like the capes movies like Dracula claimed vampires wore. My private office beckoned.

I pushed the door open and swept inside, Lily following close behind. The door closed with a heavy thud that echoed in the silent room.

“Call Gideon,” I instructed Lily, settling into my leather chair. “Put him on speaker.”

Lily moved to the desk. Her fingers tapped across her phone screen. She placed the device in the center of the desk as it rang. I leaned back, with my fingers beneath my chin.

“Humility?” Gideon’s voice filled the room, tinny through the speaker yet still carrying that arrogant tone that made my fangs itch to descend.

“Gideon,” I replied, my voice level despite my contempt. “This is Severin Crackstone.”

A pause, then, “Crackstone. I was expecting to hear from Humility.”

“You’ve been upgraded.” I said dryly. “I’m handling this matter personally now as it pertains to a mate of one of my vampires.”

“I see.” His voice carried a note of caution. Smart man.

“We’ve found this Kasinda,” I stated plainly, watching Lily’s face for any reaction.

She remained impassive, a perfect reflection of the control I was maintaining.

“She was hiding in an abandoned home near Bronzeville. We tracked her through hacked security cameras from the area where you last spotted her.”

“Impressive work in such a short time.” Gideon replied. “And the other yumboe? The two women and the man?”

My jaw clenched at the mention of Romeca, Kei’Mani, and Kyren. Lily’s eyes met mine across the desk.

“They flew into the air and off camera.” I lied smoothly. “We were only able to track the half-fae girl because she remained on foot. She doesn’t appear to have wings.”

“Interesting,” Gideon murmured. “And you’re certain it’s Theia’s daughter?”

“I don’t know Theia,” I confirmed, the lie bitter on my tongue. “But this girl has golden eyes. She even went into a trance of some sort while in our custody.” I leaned closer to the phone. “She’s definitely what Desmond is looking for.”

“Desmond will be pleased.” Gideon replied.

“We’re holding her in a secure location,” I continued. “When do you want to make the exchange?”

The line went silent for a moment. I could hear breathing, a murmured conversation just beyond the phone’s range. Then, a distinct voice emerged from the speaker. The voice was deeper, with a faint West African accent.

“Severin Crackstone,” said Desmond Moreau. “It’s been too long.”

My entire body tensed, muscles coiling like springs ready to snap. Lily’s hand shot out, resting atop mine in a silent command to control myself. I forced my fingers to relax, and my face to remain neutral despite the speaker’s inability to see me.

“Desmond,” I replied, my voice a perfect mask of civility. “I didn’t realize you were in Chicago. What a pleasant surprise.”