William had turned his €8 million townhouse and four of the neighboring houses worth millions of euros into The Garm headquarters after Eirik was killed. William’s was a modern house with Scandinavian influence, inspired by William’s friendship with Eirik. It was not at all what anyone wouldexpect of a supernatural intelligence operation. Which was the point. William hired powerful witches and warlocks to spell the headquarters from attention from the human world.
Several vampires guarded the houses at night, while werewolves guarded them during the day. The two vampires guarding the main entrance to William’s recognized her and nodded as she moved past them and into the house. The place was always buzzing with supes. Nodding at folks as she moved, Echo could thank William for his training, at least. Without it, she’d never be able to face these people. She’d never be able to face him.
“He’s in his office,” Orla, a two-hundred-year-old vampire, promoted to second-in-command after Eirik died and William took over, gestured to the office as Echo approached. “He wants to see you alone.”
Trying not to worry about what that meant, Echo kept her expression placid and strode in, closing the door behind her. Bright lights illuminated the Scandi-designed space. Sleek, minimal, a hidden place for everything so it never looked cluttered.
William sat on the edge of his desk, staring at her expressionlessly. At just over five hundred years old, William was one of the most powerful supernaturals in the world. The son of a wealthy London merchant, William had wanted for nothing and thus grown into an industrious and handsome man. When he was thirty years old, married, a father himself, he’d gone on one of his many work trips to France to buy French wares to sell back in England. It was there he caught the eye of a French aristocrat who’d turned him.
He was tall, broad of shoulder, had thick dark hair, and ice-blue eyes.
Cold, emotionless eyes.
My God, I’ve been so blind.
“F-father,” she forced out in greeting.
He looked away, the muscle in his jaw twitching. “Am I to brush off the last two nights of debauchery as youthful impetus that is never to be repeated? Or should I be concerned?”
“Youthful impetus. Believe me, no one is kicking my ass more than I am right now.”
His blue eyes seared right through her. “Why?”
Knowing what he asked, Echo shrugged. She’d already thought of an excuse that could be verified as truth. “Do you remember my friend Cassandra from boarding school?”
“The one who got you drunk on vodka when you were but sixteen?”
Echo shrugged again. “I bumped into her at a restaurant here in Munich.” She didn’t lie. She had, in fact, bumped into Cassandra a few evenings ago and spent much of the encounter evading questions about her life. “Here, of all places.” Their boarding school had been in Canada. “I … I faltered briefly. Forgot to be grateful for the gift you’ve given me.”
Understanding dawned. “You grieve your human life.”
“I know it was ungrateful.”
He sighed and shook his head. “I forget how young you are. Your physical strength and professionalism belie your years. It is quite normal to grieve for these things at your age. Know it will pass.”
I hate you. I want to drive a wooden stake through your fucking black heart and watch the horror on your face, knowing it was me who ended you.“Thank you for your understanding, Father.”
He nodded abruptly. “You are done with it now? You feel … strong again?”
“Absolutely.”
“Good.” William picked up the iPad on his desk and handed it to her. “Because you’re going to Vienna.”
Surprised, Echo looked at the screen and saw an image of a familiar man. She wasn’t sure why he was so familiar until she read the information on the screen. Looking up at William, she frowned. “Why are we interested in a rock star?”
“Because word in the magical community is that he’s a powerful warlock.”
“Okay?”
William curled his lip in disgust. “But there are those who suspect he is able to do magic without taking energy from the Earth and its occupants.”
Echo’s pulse began to race. “You suspect he’s one of the fae-borne.”
“I’m not sure. But, as always, we must investigate. I need someone young, beautiful, smart, and strong to infiltrate his life and uncover his origins.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You want me to seduce it out of him?”
“If it comes to that.”
