Erick matches Phillipe’s posture. “Callum O’Brien?”
“Yes.”
“Fuck me,” Erick answers. His words don’t match the prim and proper persona he displays.
“Who is Callum?” James asks.
“Callum is an ancient vampire with immeasurable strength,” Harrison answers. “He and I had an…arrangement at one time.”
“What did you do, Chamberlin?” Erick interrupts, making me smile.
“Nothing of concern,” he answers.
I laugh louder than intended. “Tell the truth.” I sit back, crossing my arms across my chest. My maker stares at me, warning me with his glare. Instead of following his silent command, I stand. “Harrison made a deal to give Callum anychildhe makes.” I use air quotes with the word child. “Yet, here I am.”
James stands, placing his hand on his son’s shoulder. “Excuse us. This sounds like a vampire matter that does not involve us.”
“It’s a lycan matter, too,” Gideon answers. “If Callum is here in New Orleans, he’s here for more than just Violet. He’s a threat to lycan as well.”
“Explain,” James demands.
“Callum is not just seeking Harrison’s child. If he’sin the city, he’s here for more.” Gideon looks down. “He’s here to take control of the city.”
“Fuck me,” Erick repeats.
“I have heard stories of Callum, stories of death and destruction throughout the centuries. I have no doubt he would love to take our city, but I simply do not believe that is true.” Phillipe crosses his arms over his chest as he speaks. “The reason you have gathered us here today has nothing to do with Harrison’s child or Callum’s propensity to claim our city.” He pauses, looking each man in the eye. “What is the real reason we’re here?”
The silence in the room becomes deafening. I look at the people surrounding the table. Each one sits stoically and silently, protecting the immortal child. “Oh, for fucks sake.” I stand, slamming my chair to the ground in the process and redirecting them toward my reason for being here. “They have Cyrus.”
“Cyrus Knight?” Erick asks, wrinkling his forehead.
“Yes.”
“I apologize for my rudeness, my dear. How does that concern us?”
“Because he’s one of us,” I answer.
“He’s not one of us,” Remy speaks for the first time. “Vampire politics is none of our concern.”
“If you don’t help Cyrus, I will make sure the entire city of New Orleans knows vampire and lycan are living amongst them,” I announce.
The room collectively stares at me. “We would stopyou before you could do so,” Phillipe answers for the group.
“Not if I protect her,” a voice answers from behind. Lucien enters the room.
“Hello,” Erick greets the warlock. “I don’t believe we’ve met.”
“Lucien Creed, at your service.” He bows grandly.
“You’re a warlock,” Phillipe announces.
“That I am. A very powerful one with the means of placing Miss Du Four far from your reach.”
James stands. “Allow me to put this all into perspective. You,” he points toward me, “want us all to help save a vampire. If we don’t, you will tell the humans of the city that we exist. If we try to stop you, this,” he looks at Lucien, “warlock will protect you. Does that sound accurate?”
“Yes,” I answer simply.
“Although I admire your tenacity, you’d be dismissed and institutionalized immediately,” Erick answers. He stands. “You are lovely, my dear, and I wish you all the luck possible, but I am afraid this is not my battle to fight.” He turns toward Harrison. “I imagine there’s more between Callum and Chamberlin than he’s sharing. Harrison has always been quite…prolific when it comes to getting himself into situations. I do apologize, but I must take my leave.” He bows. “It was a pleasure to meet you all.” He’s gone a heartbeat later.
