Always one for theatrics.
I turned my attention to the alpha. “Fox, do you think your pack could sniff around the pines? Our team could go out there but with the festivities happening it would be much easier if you did. See if anything pops up.”
“Like dead bodies?” he asked, wrinkling his nose.
“I’m hoping not, but I’m not ruling anything out.”
“So now that you’ve gotten the pets on patrol,” Vivaldi started, waving a hand at the shifters, “what are we doing here?”
“As Fox said earlier, your kind are used to making people disappear.” I sighed, knowing how ludicrous the words were going to sound. “Any ideas where these people could be going—how they could leave without any clue of a location—would be helpful.”
That arrogant smile returned along with the fangs poking down from his gums. “You’re asking the criminal to tell you how they commit crimes?”
“We don’thaveto ask. I could always have Agent Holt take a gander.” Saros bristled next to me, not even subtly. “I know you two are well-acquainted.”
“That won’t be necessary,” Vivaldi dismissed. “Obviously, our methods are…unique to our kind, so I’ll have to think about it.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. If Agent Holt wasn’t here, I’d have ripped your throat out over a threat like that.” He said the words as if he were talking about an everyday task like doing the laundry. Not that I feared him, or death for that matter. “Fortunately, I’m willing to work with him on your little problem.”
I sucked in a breath before I said anything else to shorten my already dwindling lifespan.
“I’m sure we all have Hallowed festivities to attend to. The link on this card will send a message to me without us needing to meet again.” Agent Aleander handed each of them the spelled card as I spoke. “And remember, word about this can’t spread. We don’t want to terrify the entirety of Celestial Haven unless we have to.”
“Yeah,” Dante snickered, “would hate to see the housing market go down. Devalue that monstrosity of a mansion you’re moving into.”
“It’s about keeping our supernaturals safe.” I ignored the fact that he seemed to know where I lived.
“All supernaturals or justyours?” Red had started to bleed through the navy blue of his irises, ready for his next iron-rich snack. “Because you can bet that if these things were happening to our people, you wouldn’t be so persistent in your search.”
“That’s not fair—”
“But it’s the truth,” Dante added, cutting me off. “Let’s not pretend this is something it isn’t. Or that our government is some shining star. We all know better here.”
His crimson-spun eyes scanned the room, snagging on Saros a moment, nearly imperceptible.
“I’d watch what you insinuate openly at this meeting,” I seethed. “Some might call that treason.”
“Some might,” he replied, brushing off some lint from his expensive suit jacket before scooting his chair back. “Thanks again for the enlightening conversation. We’ll be in touch soon.”
And with that, the meeting was over.
Chapter16
Oakley
I’d been near silent the last twenty-four hours, focusing on emailing over the photos and graphics for the boudoir displays for tonight’s Moonlit Masquerade and doing the final touches on my dress.
Hazel stayed out of my way, not prying when I’d stormed straight to my room to cry after talking to Atlas. I’d spent the rest of the night only coming out to feed Aspen, settle him in his crib for bedtime, and grab a few snacks while I worked on designs. Meanwhile, Hazel was attached to her phone, nearly jolting each time I appeared, as if she didn’t want me to see what she was up to.
Slipping the nursing pads into the breast pockets I’d built into my corset, I held it up to the light, inspecting it one final time. Thin spiderwebs of lace cradled the black velvetVthat ended in two circular cups that covered my breasts. It was the most daring article of clothing I’d ever worn in public, but when Hazel saw the mock-up, she’d insisted I bring it to life. I’d created it with her in mind, but I had to admit, I was obsessed with it.
A whistle came from behind me. “Damn, sis. That turned out amazing. I cannot wait to see how many hearts you stop tonight in that.”
Craning my neck, I found Hazel in the doorway wearing her high-waisted trousers and crescent-shaped bra that had a strappy overlay. She wasn’t wearing the blazer that went with the ensemble yet, but who knew how long that would stay on.
The Moonlit Masquerade was an adults-only coven affair, held late in the evening while our younger witches were watched nearby at the community center.
