The only thing he wished he could have was the claiming. However, Meadow still hadn’t brought it up, and while the need to have her increased by the day, he was nowhere near madness levels. Plus, she’d been focusing on her magic lessons and even had a small event at Nyx’s Kingdom coming up. Joseph said once she was more confident about her powers, she might be ready.
The hard part was keeping his feelings from their fae witch because Laurie had fallen for her the day she’d helped Michael and Abigail. And his love had only grown as she became more and more confident, rarely wearing her training bracelet any longer, and all-around blossoming into the female she had always meant to become.
Joseph felt the same way about Meadow, but they’d agreed to wait to share their feelings until the claiming. The last thing they wanted was for her to feel pressured; it needed to be her decision and hers alone.
At least tonight was the fae witch Autumn Festival, and in a matter of hours, he and Joseph could show off Meadow and merely have a good time.
Right now, however, Laurie climbed the stairs of his brother’s residence. Leo had sent a note for Laurie and Joseph to come, but Joseph had needed to tie up a few things at the pleasure house, so Laurie was here alone.
Leo summoning him was never a good thing, but Laurie hadn’t done anything to merit a scolding, so his curiosity was piqued.
He reached his brother’s office and knocked. Once Leo said to enter, he strolled inside and sat in the chair in front of Leo’s desk. “I have arrived.”
Leo arched an eyebrow. “Do you need a fanfare? Trumpets, perhaps?”
Laurie snorted. “Yesenia has definitely been good for you.”
His older brother smiled. “She has.” He sobered. “But let me get to the point—I received some information that might make you change your mind about attending the fae witch festival tonight.”
He frowned. “What? Why? I thought our attending was part of your big plan to get closer to the fae witches.”
“It is, but you should have all the facts before deciding if you should go with Meadow and Joseph.”
While Leo was twelve years older than him and they’d rarely interacted as children, they’d grown closer after their father’s death. And he knew his brother well enough now to understand that Leo was truly worried about something. “What is it, Leo? Just tell me.”
Leo sighed and leaned back in his chair. “Well, Everett Black’s people recently confronted and then killed a shifter traitor working with the French vampires. They’d hired him to betray his kind, and he wasn’t the only one. That’s about all they got out of him before he died.”
Laurie leaned forward. “What? The French are hiring people to turn against their own kind?”
His brother tugged down his waistcoat. “Unfortunately, yes. However, that’s not all—the amount they paid the shifter was exorbitant. Given how the vampires in France were mostly impoverished after the Napoleonic Wars, that means they either have a rich patron, or the rumor about the French vampires stealing jewels and riches from the humans executed during the 1780s Revolution is true.”
“Bloody hell. Either way, large sums of money could tempt a lot of people and could become a massive problem.”
“I agree, and I already have guards discreetly watching the few remaining supporters of our father; they’d jump at the chance to take me down. Khan and Black are also trying to determine who might become a turncoat with the right incentive.”
“Hence why you’re warning me about avoiding the fae witch festival.”
“Yes. Khan has tightened security and summoned his most powerful protection Wielders to place magical barriers and trigger traps around his territory. As a vampire, I have my doubts about protection magic. However, Yesenia convinced me we should still go, even if only briefly, to show I’m serious about improving relations between our two peoples.”
Since Laurie and Joseph had hired some protection Wielders in the past to secure Nyx’s Kingdom, he knew how effective they could be. Trigger traps, in particular, were great at freezing in place anyone who didn’t meet the magic trap’s requirements. Afew could get past them, but it required strong magic and a very specific power. Namely, the power of disarmament. And to his knowledge, only two fae witches had that power in the UK.
He replied, “I doubt Khan would overlook anything, and so far I still feel confident about attending with Joseph and Meadow. The more relaxed and normal we appear, the more time we probably have to root out the traitors. We just need to be on our guard.”
“That’s not all, though. The shifter traitor revealed all the London shifter security protocols and secrets he knew to the French vampires. So not only might your security protocols be compromised since Nyx’s Kingdom also caters to shifters, but Black is asking for help with his sister, Grace.”
Everett Black was in charge of the shifters in the UK. And while Laurie had briefly met his younger sister once—a pretty but blind female who hadn’t said much—he didn’t know her well. Regardless, someone selling out their leader’s family, especially a vulnerable one, was one of the lowest things a shifter could do.
Laurie replied, “Damn. I’ll talk with Joseph, and if there’s anything we can do to help Grace Black, just say the word. After what happened to Nora, I won’t allow any male to take advantage of a female, if I can help it.”
Leo nodded. “I’ve offered the same. Although, as hard as it is to admit this, Khan can probably protect her better for now. His residence and massive gardens are one of the most magically protected areas in the country, if not in Europe. It’ll take time to prepare for her arrival, though, so Everett won’t be attending the festival tonight. Instead, he’ll be watching over her in a temporary location, guarded by some of the fiercest magic wielders who are loyal to Khan.”
Tapping the arm of the chair, Laurie said, “With all of this going on, then why is Khan allowing the festival to happen at all?”
“Khan doesn’t want to cause mass panic. And with the protection wards, only those who are invited can cross the magical barriers. There may be a few traitors amongst the fae witches, but between Khan’s extra security and the ones I’ve offered as well, the chance of anything major happening is low.”
“But won’t that many vampires in their territory cause more problems than it solves?”
“Because of the wards and protection spells, it shouldn’t be too bad. Me being there with Yesenia, as well as River with Nora, will help. Whether you bring Meadow or not is up to you, but I thought you deserved to have all the facts.”
