CHAPTER FIVE
There was a rumor going around Galdorcwide, one so extraordinary, and to most unbelievable, that it had become the topic of discussion in person, over cell phones, landlines, and the Internet. CreatureBook was said to have crashed because of this extraordinary rumor. There had been an overload of users trying to access the system at the one time to catch up on the latest and gasp disbelievingly at whatever was reported.
This rumor had even overtaken talk of an organized creature revolt against the High Council. There had been a leaked report of an attack on three sentinels by one of their own, a very serious crime and betrayal that had all of Galdorcwide worried. No one yet knew who leaked the story, but it was being investigated.
Which meant, a few spells here, some thought reading there, and voila! Another suspect cleared. Having magic was the best!
Penny Galindo smiled at the thought while setting up an important meeting on her phone. She had to hurry now; she didn’t want to miss the meeting that was being held in the High Court building. The plan was to sneak into the small auditorium, as she was sure no one would notice with so much going on. If the meeting was taking place in the main council chambers or the large auditorium, there was no chance she’d gain admittance, but the small one meant that those like her may not necessarily be tossed out on their butts. Of course, there were no guarantees in this world, but as she loved rumors, and loved finding out whether they were true or not even more, she was willing to use some of her magic to get in. She hurried along the wide halls covered in the finest Italian marble and passed priceless statues and paintings without lifting her head from her phone more than to check her footing.
Today, Penny wasn’t interested in the big rumor that was circulating. Well, she was interested, she amended, how could she not be? Fates blood, that was huge news! The werewolf crown prince may have found his destined mate! If ever there were a scoundrel born, Nathaniel Le Garde was him. With an easy charm, smarts, and rugged handsomeness, he was well known on CreatureBook for his exploits and conquests, and how often he frequented the Mist Fields of Galdorcwide and chased his prey down, bedding them where they landed.
She got hot just thinking about it. Nate was one red hot horny werewolf who could get most females temperatures soaring with one of his cheeky smiles or just a look. The man radiated heat and sex. All male, well aware of his raw appeal. As a rule, werewolves were always up for sex. Any time, any place, they were willing and ready. Nate definitely was, CreatureBook full of just how willing, ready and fantastic a lover he was. His younger brother Patrick was mated, so he was no longer doing the rounds, but his cousin Blaine—gorgeous, relaxed, stud that he was—got mentioned numerous times, mostly in the “why doesn’t he get around more?” way. Blaine was not as much a rutting dog as his only slightly elder cousin, much to the disappointment of the Galdorcwide females. To Penny, Blaine was like an elder brother, but that didn’t mean she was oblivious to his appeal, or to Nate’s.
She finished with the phone and slipped it into her bag. Sweet destiny! If Nate really had found his destined mate, the one who was the other half of his heart and soul, there were going to be a lot of disgruntled women, and the werewolf clan wouldn’t be all that happy either. Not at first anyway as the mate in question was apparently a brownie. Penny smirked at that. A thieving, dirty-faced brownie. As far as she was concerned, out of all the different kinds of creatures, brownies probably received the worst deal and reputation. It was their own fault of course; they were such defensive, stubborn creatures. They would rather just smile and nod, politely rejecting any offer of assistance, then bad mouth and steal your purse for trying to help. Gods, every creature had their own temperament and nature, but the brownies and imps were the sneaky, difficult ones.
King Thomas of the werewolf clan was bound to spurt some nonsense and be huffy for a few days. But once he saw the possibilities, like his eldest son settling down a bit and having an alliance with the thieving brownies, he’d be plotting and planning ways to have the mateship work for him and welcome her with open paws.
What caught Penny’s interest even more than the “Nate and a brownie” sensational gossip was the very small rumor going around about an imp and a warlock. She doubted this rumor was true, but some sixth sense was telling her not to be so dismissive. If it were in fact true, she would have to move fast.
The door was closing for the small auditorium. With a burst of supernatural speed, Penny rushed in just before it closed. The place was packed! She had to wiggle to get through the crowd but managed to find a spot between a fairy, who was studying an old, dusty medallion that radiated nothing but bad black magic, and an imp. The fairy, Jaac Montello, the youngest prince, closed his fingers around the medallion and slipped it into his shirt pocket when seeing her notice it.
He grinned at her. “What’s doing, saucy immortal?”
Popping a piece of gum into her mouth, Penny winked at the prince who was at least a century younger than herself and heaps of fun. Jaac was well known for his meaningless flirtation and constant mischief. It wasn’t that Jaac deliberately made trouble; it just seemed to find him. Penny put it down to him being a fairy. An inconsistent, carefree creature. Her brother Severo’s best friend, werewolf Blaine Le Garde, disagreed. He said the imps were the mischief makers that trouble always found. He was right in some ways of course, but fairies were too as far as she was concerned.
“Here to find out the latest.”
“Aren’t we all,” the imp on the other side of her muttered.
Penny didn’t know the imp personally but had seen him around. He always looked surly, and the gossip was, he had once annoyed a demon and was now in servitude to the big, fierce creatures. Apparently they were happily tormenting and draining him of magic often. If this was true, which, as Penny thoroughly investigated, it was, the poor creature had a right to be such a sour puss. On the other hand, it was his own damn fault for being stupid, or arrogant enough, to make a deal with a demon without representation. What a jerk. She straightened and smiled at the imp who was a few inches shorter than her five foot nine height.
“I heard an imp was—”
“Shh!” Jaac waved his hand in front of her face and whispered loudly. “That’s a secret!”
“Stupid fairy, that isn’t a secret,” the imp snapped.
“It isn’t? So it’s true?” Penny jumped in before conflict could take over and prevent her from finding out anything. God’s damnation, as if she could live without gossip! And this particular piece of rumor was important, more so than just the necessity of gaining her daily quota of innuendo, whispers and outright gossip.
“Don’t be daft. Imps are powerful and don’t get taken by no one.”
OK… Penny smiled. So it was true. She hadn’t said an imp was taken. And the speed with which this particularly surly imp jumped down her throat at a perceived insult told her there was truth behind the rumor.
Gods have mercy; she grew weary of creature politics.
But this meant she needed to get a move on. Before that though, as she didn’t entirely trust the surly imp or Jaac, she needed to confirm with someone in authority. A ripple sensation went through the gathering along with hushed whispers. Penny glanced around and stood on tiptoe to see what the cause was, thinking it was probably someone powerful and important taking the podium at the front of the room.
She was right. Beside the podium was absurdly handsome Chasen Diablo. Sighing in appreciation, she absently prepared her phone to take notes while she looked the very male demon crown prince over.
“Quiet.” The blond demon prince said in a low, authoritative voice, his piercing dark blue eyes fierce. “Sit.”
Everyone sat, not a single one thinking to disobey the very direct order. Honestly, the demon was powerful and delicious. If he hadn’t been her older cousin’s absolute bestie and sentinel partner, she would have made a pass at him eons ago. Unfortunately, Chase considered her an angelic little sister and treated her as such.
Penny was neither angelic nor his little sister, though she understood completely and resigned herself to the occasional fantasy about him. A movement on her left caught her attention, Penny turning to glance over and saw her older brother, Severo, come through one of the doors and lean back against the wall. He had on the “don’t approach me, don’t even look at me” expression that very few dared to defy.
What Sev lacked in magical power and skills, he certainly made up for in attitude, smarts, and strength. Actually, he had a magical skill much coveted, one so rare it had to be kept quiet about, so mostly everyone thought he wasn’t as strong as other immortals, but he was. And a very fine blacksmith and crafter.
Sev’s eyebrows rose a fraction, an insolent look that pretty much summed up his personality. Penny always thought he should have “bite me” tattooed on his forehead to warn those off who weren’t perceptive enough to pick up on his standoffish attitude. As much as she loved her brother, she wasn’t blind, stupid, or prone to wearing rose-colored glasses. He could be a jerk, and if it weren’t for their uncle, their parents, and a few dozen others, Sev would be marching off on his own and probably on the wrong side of the law.
Harsh perhaps, or realistic. Penny sighed and worried about her brother, as usual. Beneath it all, she loved him, adored him, for under the bristle and couldn’t-care-less attitude, he was unique and good, and he used to be heaps of fun a dozen decades ago. He was just different, and creatures could be a mite harsh to those who did not fall exactly into the right category. It wasn’t uncommon, unfortunately, for people and creatures alike, to have some sort of bias or fear of what they didn’t know. For some reason, different made them uncomfortable, and they grew defensive and lashed out because of it. And if said creatures discovered his hidden talent, they’d be over him like a rash! Sheesh, creatures could be fickle. They were already over him for his looks, he was too hot to handle, and for his crafting skill. Severo was hot property.
Returning her attention to the front to see who or what had received Sev’s more insolent look, she smirked at seeing it was in fact their older cousin, Grand Duke Divij Alto. Sev tended to diss Div a lot, or blatantly ignore him, while Div was constantly checking up on Sev. Penny guessed every family had some problems, though Div would deny that this was a problem. He was far too much of a diplomat and negotiator. To Div, everything could, and should, be resolved. And he did it all with his renowned smooth, calm tone.
An uneasy shiver crawled along her spine as both Sev and Div looked directly at her. Instantly Penny’s eyes narrowed as they glanced away hurriedly. She studied both, trying to gauge what they may be up to. When those two actually managed to get together and conspire, she was prone to breaking out in cold sweats, as were most others. Two sorcerers conspiring was a damn scary thing.
Divij was next in line for the sorcerer immortal’s throne and was the ambassador and diplomat. There was rarely an argument, conflict, or dispute he could not resolve. And he was the one to call upon when in need of someone to negotiate a demon deal.
You were basically a moron or brainless sucker to enter into a deal with a demon without representation. Or you’d been tricked by the bastards. Anyway, Div was the negotiator and a sentinel and best buds with Crown Prince of the Demons, Chasen Diablo, whom she often lusted after.
As she watched, her cousin stepped in front of the podium and meticulously arranged sheets of paper. He raised his head once this was done and studied each and every creature. He was imposing without intending to be, power snapping the air around him and all knew that with one wrong word, the other side of an immortal sorcerer would come out. Which was not always good. He was imposing enough at six foot four, slender and toned with icy blue eyes, light brown hair clipped short and very handsome features. Div seemed to assess the crowd before him for a moment, everyone enraptured by his mere presence before them and hardly breathing lest they annoy him in some way.
Penny looked around. She saw Suzy the fairy seated down the front with a small laptop open and ready. Easy Suzy got her name not from being overly sexual, which she definitely was, always flaunting about in revealing fairy outfits and doing anyone in authority, the latest being imp Chairman Hughes. Admittedly, Easy Suzy was a good reporter and kept Galdorcwide well informed of any and all gossip and authentic news.
A few seats down from Suzy was her rival and on-again, off-again lover, Rigoberto Barnett, an egotistical demon who’d sell his own spawn, mother, and mate. He was a good reporter though.
Ooh, interesting! Jasmine Carlile was sitting beside Tammy Goodridge. They were the biggest gossips in and out of Galdorcwide. Those two acted like the original Stepford Wives, dolling themselves up every day, pedaling gossip, backstabbing everyone, including each other, and had ruined many a good reputation. One day, Penny planned to get even with them for that little story they circulated a hundred years ago about her.
Penny narrowed her icy blue eyes on the two women. She raised a finger and gave a twirl slowly counterclockwise.
“Ha, that’s a pissed off sorcerer look if ever I’ve seen one.” Jaac grinned. “Who’re you hexing?”
Satisfied when Tammy scratched her head and Jasmine shifted uncomfortably in her seat, Penny let her eyes return to their normal perfect clear blue. That was just a small taste of what was to come for the Stepford Bitches.
“No one, just practicing.”
“As you are all aware by now, and for those who are not, Galdorcwide has an enemy.”
A murmur of unease went through the gathering.
Divij waited briefly for quiet then continued in his even, steady tone. “The enemy have named themselves Revmiras, and believe they are revolutionaries.” He waved a hand dismissively, ice-blue eyes piercing each and everyone in the crowd. “They are not. Nor are they fanatics in any respect. Their only care is to strip our land of its shield and secrecy, exposing us to the human populace. We know what this will cause. Uncertainty. Animosity.”
The words were like a physical blow when delivered in Div’s steady, hard tone.
“At first the humans will be amazed, excited even to learn that what they deemed mythical creatures do truly exist, then they will become nervous and afraid. The Revmiras do this to gain power over humans and creatures alike. They will pit us against each other and humans, hoping we are destroyed and unstable, and then they will attack while we are weak.”
Div leaned forward slightly, eyes flashing black. “Do not allow yourselves to become fools. If and when there is such a time that we are made known to humans, ensure the High Council and each of you have been consulted and agree with the decision. As yet, no such agreement has been reached or discussed for hundreds of years.”
Penny gaped in shock like the rest of the crowd. Holy shit! This was not what she expected. Yes, she had known about the Revmiras as her uncle Tienn was the immortal’s Emperor and her cousin was a sentinel, but she was unaware just how bad the conflict had become. She guessed that within an hour, the entire creature population would know of all the Revmira problems.
“Shit. Things must be stirring up,” Jaac muttered, glancing at a shiny gold Rolex encrusted with diamonds. “Gonna make it more difficult for me—”
“Quiet.” Chase the luscious demon cast a glare at Jaac.
“Right you are, o mighty demon spawn.” Jaac rolled his eyes and grumbled good-naturedly under his breath.
Penny smiled and put up her hand. Both Chase and Div saw her, and both ignored. She tapped her foot, and half the creatures in the room turned to look at her.
Div sighed. “Yes, Lady Penelope?”
Sheesh, she so disliked how formal Div could be at times. “Because of the Revmiras threat, are Galdorcwidians under any type of restrictions?”
He looked relieved. “Not at this time—”
“Awesome!” Jaac exclaimed.
“We will be revising restrictions over the next few hours.” Chase looked formidable. “And you do not ever have permission to leave Galdorcwide, fairyboy.”
Jaac did not appear worried with this pointed reminder. Then again, the youngest fairy prince never bothered much with rules, that was why he never had permission to leave Galdorcwide.
“What of the imp abduction?” Penny quickly continued and saw Chase wince. Obviously they were trying to keep that quiet like Jaac alluded to earlier. “Remika Alberts was taken from her apartment in New York a few hours ago, presumably by a warlock—”
“Lies! No greedy, magically inferior warlock would ever get the better of an imp!” The surly imp beside Penny yelled, red-faced.
It was her turn to roll her eyes. “Geez, you better watch it, you’ll blow a gasket.”
This resulted in being told off by the four imps in the room and Severo getting annoyed at them for it. They of course subsided, mumbling under their breaths because they were not foolish enough to risk Sev’s ire too far. Penny hid her grin, watching the commotion and Div nod at whatever Chase said quietly in his ear.
“Silence!” Chase roared. Immediately the room went quiet. “Continue.”
Divij nodded his thanks. “My cousin is, unfortunately, correct. Earlier this evening, an imp by the name of Remika Alberts was allegedly taken from her New York apartment by a warlock. At this time, we have no further news but can assure you, everything is being done to find her.”
“The sentinels are looking for her?” A female werewolf asked.
“Indeed, they are.”
“Are the Revmiras involved?” Someone else asked.
“No. That we are sure of. But it does not mean they will not take advantage of the situation.”
“I heard Nate and Nico are working with a brownie to find the imp. Is that possibly true?” She pressed.
Didn’t seem impossible, a werewolf, vampire, and brownie working together, but stranger things did happen. And that was what Penny was so interested in. Yes, OK, she should be more caught up in the Revmiras threat. She was, really, and worried. But the imp abduction was more personal and immediately important to her.
The imp in question, Remi Alberts, was an old, close friend and though she had never met Ada Gerritsen, Remi talked about her best friend constantly. So much so, Penny felt as though she knew the smart, uptight, beautiful brownie. Penny was amazed and appalled that a warlock, a less magically powerful creature than an imp, was able to abduct her friend and she feared what may become of her. It could happen, of course, that a less magical creature could get the jump on someone who was more powerful. There was the element of surprise. Potions and spells that disabled if a creature wasn’t quick enough to evade or counteract. Penny had faith though that Remi would be plotting and fighting, so there was still time to find her.
“The werewolf and vampire crown princes are lending their aid to the missing imp’s lawyer friend, a brownie by the name of Ada Gerritsen—”
“Fates blood! No way is my second cousin working with a rabid dog and spooky bloodsucker! You take back that filthy lie, dark deed sorcerer!” A brownie standing down the front of the room glared up at Div on the podium and jabbed a finger in the air. “Those thieving werewolves are stealing our lands—”
“Enough.” Chase’s voice dropped to a deadly quality. “End of discussion. Divij.”
The brownie sat, crossed his arms, and scowled. Penny could imagine the creature was going to be rushing back to the brownie clan after this and Ada’s phone would be ringing constantly.
“Yes. Any further queries regarding the Revmiras threat, speak to your High Council representatives. Good day.”
With that, Div and Chase vanished, and like a dark tornado, Sev zoomed through the crowd to her side. He took one look at the imp and Jaac on either side of her, and they both hurried away. Smart of them.
“What do you know about this warlock who took Remi?”
“They’re tracking down information as we speak. The powers that be wanted to keep the abduction quiet to stop the imps taking revenge against warlocks. Guess that’s shot to hell now.” Sev lit a cigarette and scowled at a werewolf who gave him the evil eye for smoking on High Council ground. “Yeah, piss off, dog breath.”
Penny laughed. “I’m sure Blaine’s going to be impressed with you calling one of his kind dog breath.”
Blaine was fairly easy going, most werewolves seemed to be from her experience, but they were also fiercely territorial and loyal. Blaine would probably just smile and shrug though, not bothered by his constant companion’s ways.
Creatures, it seemed, developed an affinity for a creature in particular, the way humans had best friends. For creatures, this very unique friend was usually called a companion, and they spent most of their time together. Some said it was another of destiny’s gifts, like soul mates. Those who were not granted such a gift, Penny, for instance, believed that it was a distinct connection of some kind that drew them together. She believed this connection forged unbreakable bonds that stopped creatures from fighting one another too much and made them stronger together.
“He can piss off too. Come on, give me a lift.”
Her brows shot up. “A lift? Why do you need a lift? And where to?”
Immortals, or sorcerers, could shift themselves from one place to another whenever they wished with just a thought. Sev had some power issues, but he was still capable of shifting.
“I’m a bit drained.” He grunted out.
“Oh, OK. Where do you want to go?” Drained? What the hell did that mean? What was going on?
“Home—”
“Compound.” Blaine had come into the room quietly and stood behind Severo. He smiled at her. “Heard you caused a stir in the meeting as usual, Penny love.”
“Sheesh! News travels fast here. The meeting finished less than three minutes ago! Well, I’ll leave you two—”
“Home.” Sev cast Blaine a glare. “Got a problem with that?”
“I’m cool. We can go to yours.” Blaine, ever easy going.
Looking greatly aggrieved, her big brother stuck his hands into the pockets of his old black jeans and dragged his beat up shit kickers out of the room without further comment. Penny looked at Blaine.
“What’s going on? He looks…kinda down.”
“Tired. We spent hours searching New York for your friend, he’s disappointed not to have found her.”
There was surprising goodness in Severo, that was why she adored him. And the great amount of amusement he always gave for pissing creatures off.
“You need anything? Want to come home with us?”
Blaine, ever considerate and thoughtful. Penny smiled, shaking her head. She had a great many plans, and none of them included staying in Galdorcwide.
“Thanks, but no. Look after the morose one.”
“I always do.”
Penny waited until Blaine had hurried after Severo then quickly doubled checked the contents of her overly large, very stylish red leather bag. She was all set to do some rescuing.