Page 56 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)
Stefan, David, Gabe, Mathis, Kayden, Sean, Cairo, Troy, Bertrum, and Drake met up outside the council offices. David, Mathis, and Cairo were all carrying bags with whatever they thought might be needed.
“Everyone, this is Drake, my second. Drake, this is King Stefan and Prince David D’Angelo, Gabriel Augusta and Mathis Stone. Gabriel is the head of the Southern Witches; and these are his two seconds, Kayden and Sean; and this is Cairo, who has the misfortune to be mated to the kitty,” Bert introduced.
“I saw you all at Kevin’s meeting,” Drake said, nodding to everyone. “Kitty, still alive, I see.”
“I’m more than surprised you are as well, old bean. I thought Kev would have done away with you by now, or Ian.”
Bert sighed. “Children, can we try and behave?”
“Yeah, good luck with that. The only reason the kitty is still alive is because my mate won’t let me kill him,” David said.
“For which I am truly thankful,” Cairo added.
Gabe looked at Kayden. “How are your injuries?”
“All healed now,” Kayden told him. “Sean thoroughly checked me over and healed my bruises.”
Sean grinned. “It was a tough job, but one that had to be done. And by the way, Gabe, seconds?”
“What, you think I would ask anyone else? I trust the two of you. Of course, I was making you both my seconds. Plus, seriously, you expected me to go through all this without the two of you?” Gabe said, grinning at them.
“I can’t wait to see other witches’ reactions to us,” Kayden commented.
“Mowbin should be meeting us in the reception area,” Stefan said, trying to bring things back to the here and now.
“I asked Icarus to meet me there, as well,” Bert said. “I also got him to make sure his office is bug-free so we can go in there and talk strategies before we start.”
“I didn’t ask anyone to meet us because Quintus and his assistant are both in jail at the moment, and I have no idea who on the witches” council I can trust,” Gabe added.
“Shall we go in and get started?” David asked.
Drake looked through the window that showed the reception area. “There seems to be an unusual number of people standing around chatting. Let’s go and shock them, shall we?”
Bert laughed. “This should be fun.”
“Not sure I would go right to fun, but it will be interesting,” Mathis added.
Stefan and Bert walked in first with the others following.
Shocked gasps were heard when they walked in.
The inside of the paranormal council building was grand like something a high-end hotel would have. The floors were marble, the decorations were gold and yellow, and a large reception was along the far wall. Uncomfortable looking chairs were dotted around in groups, and here and there were potted plants.
Two men walked over to join them.
“Ah, Mowbin, good to see you,” Stefan said, shaking his hand. “You remember my son David?”
Mowbin nodded. “I do. Hello, your Highness.”
“Mowbin,” David said with a regal nod.
“These are our friends. The Alpha King, Bertrum Mellor, and his second Drake; this is Gabriel Augusta, head of the Southern witches and his mate Mathis; Kayden and Sean, Gabriel’s seconds; and this is Cairo and Troy,” Stefan introduced.
“Gentlemen, welcome to the council building,” Mowbin said.
“Your Majesty,” the second man said, nodding his head at Bert.
“Hey, Icarus. Thank you for meeting us. This is King Stefan D’Angelo of the vampires, and I’m sure you heard everyone’s names,” Bert said.
“I did. Welcome,” Icarus said, looking at the group. “Shall we go to my office? We can talk there.”
“Let me sign everyone in first,” Drake said, walking over to the reception desk.
“So many people are staring at us,” Gabe said softly.
“Just stare back, little witch,” Mathis said. “That’s what I’m doing.”
“Me too, old bean,” Troy said. “I find it works really well.” As if to prove his point, the person Troy was currently staring at turned and rushed away. Troy grinned at Gabe. “See, works every time.”
“Yeah, but see, you’re scary. No one will look at me and think that,” Gabe pointed out.
“More fool them, then,” Bert said. “Out of all of us, they should fear you the most.”
Gabriel snorted.
“I’m serious, my friend. Everyone knows or has heard of me, the same with Stefan. You are the unknown witch. All anyone here knows is that you are a strong witch, but they have no idea how strong you really are.”
“He’s right, little witch. You can use that to your advantage,”
Gabe looked from Bert to Mathis and grinned. “This should be fun, then,” he said, echoing Bert’s words from earlier.
Drake walked back and joined them. “So, gossip around the building is that the new head of the Southern Witches is sacking and arresting all the old witches that work here for laziness and gross misconduct. The vampires are looking to overthrow everybody, and the Alpha King is coming to challenge the vampire king and stop him.”
Silence met Drake’s statement before they all burst out laughing.
“They seriously think that?” Gabe said while still laughing.
Drake cracked a smile. “Oh, yeah. Imagine, then, the receptionist’s surprise when we all walked in together and I signed everyone in.”
“I need to go to the witches’ offices before they all pack up, destroy evidence, or run away,” Gabriel said, looking around. “That is after I find where their offices are.”
“They are on the second floor,” Stefan said. “The lifts are there.” He pointed in their direction. “The vampires are on the fourth floor, and wolves are on the third. Other paranormal’s are on all these floors, as well.”
“Instead of talking strategies, let’s go to our offices and see what is currently happening. Chances are, either someone at reception or someone standing around has alerted everyone to the fact we have arrived,” David said.
“They probably have. Good luck one and all, and if anyone needs help, just call,” Bert said.
“Same. If you need me, call,” Gabe put in.
“Ditto for me,” Stefan added.
“Ditto?” David asked his father, laughing.
“Exactly,” Stefan said, grinning.
“Then let’s get this party started,” Troy said.