Page 60 of The Vampire and the Tattooist (The Vampire and Series Book 4)

The alarm was loud. It sounded like a foghorn with three blasts.

Gabe grinned at Bert. “I should change the coven call system for this one.”

“What does yours do?” Bert asked as they left the office.

“It creates a mark on the witch’s wrist. It hurts until you answer the call,” he replied, walking back into Oswald’s office.

“But a foghorn would be awesome,” Kayden said.

They heard people moving along the corridor, indicating they were on the way to the meeting room.

“We’ll wait a few minutes and then go to the meeting room. I’ve asked David and Mowbin to meet us outside,” Stefan said.

“I’ll get Drake and Icarus to meet us there, as well,” Bert said, pulling his phone out and sending the message.

“Troy, will you have issues with the feline representative by walking in with us?” Gabe asked in concern.

“I shouldn’t think so, old bean, but I honestly don’t care. They know I’m loyal to my friends.”

“We love you, too, kitty,” Bert said, grinning at him.

“I meant Gabe, puppy,” Troy replied.

“I love you, too, Kitty,” Gabe said, grinning.

“Forget it. Dave is the only one I like.”

“And on that note, let’s go and cause havoc,” Stefan said, leading the way out.

They met the others waiting outside the main council meeting room. General Goldbury was with them.

“Everyone is inside,” Drake told them. “No one has any idea who called this meeting or why.”

“Then let’s go in and tell them,” Bert said. “Gabe, you walk in next to Stefan and I.”

Gabe blew out a breath. “Okay, let’s do this.”

“Remember, little witch, your magic is strong. Use that to your advantage if you need to.”

Gabe smiled. “Will do.”

The general nodded to the door guards. They pulled the doors open and Bert, Stefan, and Gabe walked in with the others following. The general stood with them.

Gasps were heard around the room and silence descended.

The room was huge. The circular seating area had three levels, depending on your council position. The leaders and their assistants were seated in the first row.

No one quite knew how it worked, but no matter who talked, everyone could hear.

Bert, Stefan, and Gabriel moved to the centre of the room, the others forming a semi-circle around them.

“Thank you for coming to this emergency council meeting,” Stefan said.

“What’s the emergency and why were we not told about this meeting beforehand?” the feline representative demanded.

“If you pipe down, Donald, you’ll find out,” Troy growled out, glaring at him.

“It has been discovered that members of this council have been involved in illegal underground activities,” Bert said.

Shocked gasps were heard.

“Quintus Cameron-Webb and his assistant Oswald are currently residing in the council prison,” Gabe said, stepping forward.

“Who the hell are you?” Donald demanded.

“Donald, I swear I will knock you out in a minute,” Troy shot out, coming to stand next to Gabe. “This is Lord Gabriel Augusta, Head of the Southern Witches. You will show him respect.”

Gabe touched his arm and smiled at him. He turned back and looked at the other council leaders. “King Stefan, Alpha King Bertrum, and I are working together to bring this organisation down.”

Mummers were heard around them.

“The three of you are working together?” a council member asked in shock. He looked at Gabriel. “I’m Stole, council leader for the flying shifters.

“Yes, Stole, we are working together,” Stefan said. “For too long we have all only worked for ourselves, and looked after our own interests, and as such, this underground network has been in operation for a long time. The time for working alone is at an end,” Stefan said.

“We have the files for the whole of this organisation. We have reports, meeting recordings, everything,” Bert said. “We know other council members were involved with this organisation. If you come forward now, we will be lenient; if not, the punishment will be severe.”

“Now hold on a minute,” Donald shouted, standing up. “You have no right to tell us what to do. May I remind you, this council works on a voting system.”

“All in favour of me knocking Donald out, raise your hands,” Troy said.

Muttering was heard from around the room, and Donald glared at Troy.

The general stepped forward and held his hand up for silence. “Make no mistake, ladies and gentlemen, this organisation will be stopped. Every entrance and exit into and out of this building has been locked and guards posted on the doors. Guards are now standing in every office. You can either stay in here or go back to your offices. If you decide to return to your office, you will not be allowed to touch anything, and if you try, you’ll be arrested.

No one in this building is above suspicion except those standing with me.”

A stunned silence descended.

“You really think you can stop us?” a woman said, jumping up. “This organisation is bigger than you could possibly imagine. There is no stopping us. I can, however, stop you.” And quick as anything, she threw something towards them and turned to run away.

“Bomb,” Drake shouted.

Gabe flung his hand out and froze the bomb in the air, surrounding it in a bomb-proof bubble. At the same time, he caught the lady and wrapped her up in rope.

“Nice, Gabe,” Bert said to him just as the bomb exploded, the bubble containing the blast.

Pandemonium broke out as two guards grabbed hold of the bound lady and dragged her away. Council members were on their feet, all talking over each other and shouting.

“So that’s two bombs they’ve tried. Think they’ll go for a third?” Kayden asked.

“Probably,” Mathis replied.

“Quiet,” Troy yelled out, surprising everyone.

Stole stood up and looked at them. “What can we do to help?”