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Gina looked toward Frank, and without hesitation, he ran toward the side door to the office, already on the phone calling the security detail. “I knew there was something off about Charles. Let’s hope the weasel didn’t already destroy everything we need. We left a security detail at Palais de Valois, so not all is lost.”
I sighed again. “Rookie mistake. When we took control of House Valois, we should have removed all their household too, just to be safe. Or I should have just physically stayed in their house until we assumed full control.”
Sorcha raised her hand.
I rolled my eyes. “Please, this isn’t a schoolroom. You carry my bond, and I expect my siblings to speak their mind. Even—especially—when I’m wrong. What is it, Sorcha?”
“I was going to suggest we send sibling envoys to House Damas and their siblings as soon as possible to protect any records you may wish to review. Though I’m guessing there are people posted around outside to note who leaves the premises and make their reports. It may already be too late.”
“I have a way to avoid any spies outside. Are we through all the siblings, Harvey?”
He bowed low. “We are, Your Majesty.”
I stood, Rik at my back before I stepped down off the dais. Sekh, Guillaume, Vivian, and Daire fell into step with me, as I snagged Sorcha’s and Mairead’s hands in mine. “I need a couple more volunteers to make a little trip and secure property for House Isador.”
Not surprisingly, the surviving Valois siblings all followed me as I led the way to the fountain in the back garden. Though I didn’t know if they truly wanted to help—or simply wanted to escape the ravenous sphinxes of House Isador.
22
SHARA
My human team stood to the side, fingers frantically pulling up information on the sibling properties on their phones and tablets.
“Damas, Montmorency, Dupont, A L’Espée, and Lyons.” Kevin chuckled. “Sounds like the worst law firm name ever.”
“Good thing for us most hôtels particuliers celebrate water features.” Gina turned the screen to me showing a triple decker fountain in front of a massive gray mansion. “Palais de Damas, my queen, though I don’t know if the fountain is inside their blood circle or not.”
“It doesn’t matter now since Kimora’s blood is mine.” To Mairead and Sorcha, I said, “Other than Valois, Damas is the most important, so I think both of you should go. Take control of the property. Dismiss all humans inside and revoke their access to the blood circle if it’s still up. We may rehire some of them, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. Snoop around and grab anything interesting, but we’ll do a more detailed search later.”
“Understood, Your Majesty,” Sorcha said.
Mairead flashed a quick grin, though her more reserved look quickly returned. “I love to snoop.”
“Through my blood, you may turn a body of water into a portal, but you need to be able to build a picture in your mind of the destination.” I added a drop of my blood to the water while I looked at Gina’s phone, holding the image of the fountain in my mind. “There. You may pass directly through to House Damas. Use my bond anytime you wish to communicate with me. Once the property is secured, come back through for dinner tonight. If that’s acceptable with the staff, Harvey?”
“But of course, Your Majesty,” he stammered quickly. “We wait upon your every desire. Gladly.”
“What time?”
“Any time you wish, Your Majesty. We could dine in thirty minutes if that’s your wish.”
“How about nine?”
He bowed. “Perfect, Your Majesty. I’ll communicate with the kitchen at once.”
“Ready?” Sorcha shared an excited but apprehensive smile with Mairead, who quickly reached over to take her hand. They both looked at me. “We just step through?”
I nodded, watching as they did just that.
:We made it, Your Majesty,: Mairead said, at the same time that Sorcha squealed. :Woah! So fucking cool!:
Both of their bonds quivered with shock. Sorcha’s entire bond burst into frantic butterflies and birds fluttering with anxiety. Before she could apologize, I said, :Fucking A. Have fun.:
Then I turned my attention to Kevin’s waiting screen.
“Turns out you can’t just Google ‘Montmorency water feature’ or you get a waterfall in Canada. Luckily House Montmorency commissioned a glass fountain similar to the ones on Champs-Élysées designed by the Bouroullecs, so I found a picture of it.”
Rather than stone statues or basins, the Montmorency fountain was a series of pipes in geometric shapes that sprayed water down into a simple round pool. I didn’t look up from the water until I was sure I had the image right. Waiting nearby, one of the new siblings gave me a hesitant smile, though I couldn’t remember her name.
