Page 44 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

“So, how are we going to get Giles to drink this potion?” Kayden asked, standing in front of Giles’ cell, with Kevin, Bert, Ian, Seth, and Sean.

Giles sat staring at them, an angry look on his face and his eyes spewing hate, his nose swollen, red, and slightly crooked.

The cell was of medium size with a single bed along one wall. A sink and a partition wall with a toilet behind and a small window high up near the ceiling completed the space. All the walls were solid brick except for the front one which were bars.

“We could hold his nose, open his mouth, and force it down his throat,” Ian said, grinning like a loon.

Giles paled.

“Good idea, but he might spit it out at us,” Kayden said.

“Not if we clamp his mouth shut after we’ve poured the potion in,” Bert said.

“Let’s do that then,” Kevin said, using the cell key to open the door.

Seth and Ian grabbed Giles and pulled the now screaming, struggling man to his feet. Kevin held his mouth open and tipped his head back.

Kayden took the stopper out of the bottle and poured some of the potion into Giles”s mouth.

Quick as anything, Kevin closed his mouth shut, holding tight so he couldn’t open it, and Bert pinched his nose.

Kayden stepped back and Sean looked at his phone, ready to say the spell.

“Now,” Bertrum said.

“With this potion, I break the spell put on Giles Goodsir. In this time and in this hour, I call upon my witchcraft powers. Break the spell on Giles Goodsir. I now command you to tell us everything you know about the underground network you were involved in.”

Everyone loosened their hold on Giles, who flopped down on the bed, coughing as he did.

“You added different words,” Seth said, looking at Sean.

“I did. It seemed appropriate,” Sean replied with a shrug.

“Did it work?” Ian asked.

“Let’s find out,” Bert said.

Kayden pulled his phone out of his pocket and hit record, hoping to catch everything Giles said.

“Giles, tell us everything you know.” And not being able to refuse Giles started talking.

* * *

“So,that’s all the important rooms searched,” Gabe said, holding a bag. He shook it, not believing the number of listening bugs they had found.

“I was expecting maybe one or two, not this many,” Mathis said, shaking his head.

“Is there a way you can trace what was listened to or recorded?” Rafe asked, standing in the doorway.

“Hopefully. I’m hoping they downloaded onto one of the devices we have from the lemmings,” Mathis replied.

Rafe nodded. “Gabriel, have you used your magic to make sure you found them all? Some could be hidden by magic.”

“Yes, we found a few more that way.”

“Good. I have a friend who’s on the staff in the Witches Council offices. It would seem Quintus and his assistant have both been arrested because of Kay and Quintus’ involvement in covering up for his son. The council do not know about the investigation that you are all doing. At this point in time, I’m not sure who can be trusted in any of the council offices.”

“Bertrum, the Alpha King, has faith in his council member, and Stefan hasn’t said anything about not trusting his. I’m hoping Quintus was the highest-ranking person involved,” Gabe said.

“It might be worth suggesting that both kings start investigations of their own into their council staff. If, as you said, this is across all paranormal groups, then vampires and shifters had to be involved, as well,” Rafe cautioned.

“I’ll talk to them when we’ve finished here,” Gabe replied. He paused, looking at the Elder. “Rafe, are you okay?” he asked softly.

Rate sighed. “I honestly don’t know. Everything that’s happened over the last few weeks, everything Roberto and the others were into, it’s a lot to take in. To know I failed in my promise to your parents breaks my heart.”

Gabe looked confused. “What promise?”

“The promise to keep our coven the happy, safe place it was in your parents” day. To protect both you and Roberto and to help any way I could.”

“Rafe, you couldn’t have known what was going on here. None of us did,” Gabe pointed out.

“But you pointed out more than once that your brother was mad, and we— I ignored you. It’s only been in the last year that I realised you were right, but by then it was too late to do anything. Because of that, people have died.”

Gabe walked over to the elder and touched his arm. “None of this is on you, Rafe. Roberto was the strongest witch at the time, what could any of us have done? I’m sure Sheldon is feeling the same way, if not worse. All we can do now is pick up the pieces and turn this coven back into the happy, safe place it was in my parents’ day.”

“We will. If I can do anything to help, let me know. Also, you need to think about who you want as your second,” Rafe pointed out.

“It will be Kayden and Sean. I’ve just not told them yet,” Gabe said, grinning.

“Good choice. Now I will leave you two to get on.” And with that, Rafe left the room.

Gabe turned to look at Mathis, but before he could say anything, Mathis said, “Sean and Kayden are a good choice.”

Gabe walked back to Mathis’ side. “You’re not mad I didn’t ask you?”

Mathis shook his head and pulled Gabe into his arms. “No, little witch. I’m your mate. I’m not second-material, but your friends are. They’re almost as protective of you as I am.”

Gabe sighed and leaned into Mathis. “Love you, vampy.”

“Just as I love you, little witch.”