Falcon

I waited in the room for two minutes with my temper reaching levels I never thought it could. This place was meant to keep my family safe, and here we were going to fucking deal with more people that couldn’t be honest. Everyone seemed to be out to get us. I trusted Gideon because I felt it inside of me, but it also helped that Charlotte told me that we would be safe with Gideon around. It was that assurance she gave me earlier today that helped me focus. At times, I wondered why we even bothered with traitors everywhere we turned. I wondered after The Lamia was finally defeated would there be a new threat. The prophecy stopped there. Would Charlotte reach a point where another would be decreed?

When they appeared, I complained, “It’s about time you arrived.”

Draco smiled and shook his head. “I understand your anger, but don’t take it out on us. We will get these bastards, then move on to the next.”

“Yes and then another. After that another. We need to focus on finding Stavros and ripping his head off already.”

“I have news on that front,” Gideon said.

“Go ahead,” I allowed.

“A friend caught an image on camera after the explosion of your home. He sent this to me via message just as you came for me.” We took a look at the image. It was grainy, but those eyes were ones I’d never forget. He was there. The scum had been in my home and had dared to show his face with a smile.

“Where is this image taken from?”

“The airport surveillance in their B Terminal.”

“Can you have him get the passenger manifests for those flights leaving around that time?”

“Let me call him right now.”

He made the call as we listened in. “Hey, Detrick, I need you to do me another solid. Is there any way you can get the lists of passengers for the flights around the time of that image?”

“Sure thing, but it’s going to take a few hours. These people aren’t hard to work with persuasion.”

“Thanks, man. Remember, I owe you for this.”

“Yes, you owe me big time. I’d like my own company once this war is all said and done.”

“You got it.” He hung up the phone. “Well, you heard what he said. We’ll have what we need. I don’t know if we’ll find what we’re looking for. It’s not like he’s going to go by his real name.”

“No, but there are ways to eliminate the other passengers to find which one on here is him.”

“Precisely, and once we have his destination, we may be able to narrow down his next stop.”

“Okay, so what did you call me here for?”

“We need you to protect our women while we’re gone. It’ll be an hour or so, but we need to deal with some more traitors.”

“Don’t worry about them. I’ll protect them with my life. And Falcon, the war will end soon. I feel it coming. I know it has to be. They don’t have that many soldiers.”

“At this point, their numbers could grow if vampires start to feel we are too weak to defend. In fear, many will run to the strongest or who they feel is likely to win.”

“Even with the prophecy?” he asked as we placed our armor on.

“You know faith can easily be tested. Word has already spread that they captured Vigo and destroyed my property. Next is the castle. It’s only a matter of time before they believe us to be weak,” I said as I sheathed my sword. “Have you learned of anything else?” I asked, looking into his eyes, testing his honesty.

“I don’t trust all of the soldiers.”

“Who do you suspect?”

“I feel the brothers are up to something. It isn’t anything obvious, but they often wander off to have private conversations. And the way they examine us, it is as though something is off. It could be nothing, but they bother me.”

“We’ll look into the matter. They have no reason to want to aid The Lamia, but there are so many people switching sides or presenting false loyalty that it could very well be possible.” I didn’t sense any dishonesty in his words. He truly didn’t like them, but he had a hard time trusting a soul and I couldn’t fault him for it. Every day I was learning my circle was getting smaller and smaller. The Council should be rebuilt, but who would be worthy of being on there?

“Thanks, but like I said, it could be all in my head. I’ve been leery of everyone since the start.”

“We’re prepared to head out. Let us say goodbye to our wives, then you will be charged with their protection.”

“I’m honored.” He nodded, then we teleported, leaving him in the room alone. I had to kiss my beloved and let her know all was well before we took off.

She was in the bed, resting with a book in hand. As a fellow reader, I knew it was a death sentence to interrupt someone while they’re reading, so I waited. She sensed me and looked up from her book with a grin. “I didn’t mean to bother you while you’re reading, but I have to leave for a little bit.”

She took in my appearance and shook her head. “Leave for a little bit? Is there more to this or are you claiming to have Charlotte’s limitations now?”

“I just don’t want to worry you.”

“Then you should have said goodbye without all the armor and giant sword,” she remarked, her brows arching as she crossed her arms.

“Nora, my love, I must go, but I’m not in danger. We believe there’s a traitor in our midst, but there’s only three of them. They do not know we know who they are, so we have the element of surprise.”

“I trust you, Falcon. You will be back so your son and I will be loved forever.”

“Yes, my love. What makes you think it’s a boy? Didn’t you have a dream that it was a baby girl?”

“I told you it’s the hormones. They play with the mind. Last time we’d been talking so much about a girl being born that it was the last thing I thought of as I fell asleep.”

“Either way, we will be strong and happy.”

“Kiss me,” she demanded, slinking her arms around my neck. I pulled her close to me, running my fingers into her long hair. She raised her lips to mine and I dominated her mouth, kissing her with a gruff, yet loving kiss. I let out a growl as I had to step back.

“When I return, I will claim all you offered with that kiss,” I promised, teleporting out of sight.

Draco met me at the grove just past the line of trees surrounding the courtyard. “Are you ready?”

“Let’s do this.”

We teleported to their boat, La Luna. Interesting, the boat’s name was telling. Why would vampires who lived in the daylight have a boat called the moon? I saw the first one and caught him off guard with my blade at his throat. “Where are they?”

“Down below,” he stuttered, nervously shaking as I stood behind him ready to kill.

Draco teleported below and found the two drinking and laughing. “Anything to celebrate?” I heard him say.

“How do you…” Octavio, that rat bastard, stammered.

Draco cut him off with a growl. “How did I what? Figure it out?”

“We didn’t tell anyone. We swear.” I marched the fucker down the stairs to the rest just as Octavio added, “It wasn’t us, it was, Andrew.” Who happened to be the man I was holding the blade against.

“You lying son of a bitch. You are the one who told us they wouldn’t last and we could rob them.” I nodded at Draco and we went to work.

We left the boat with a little bit of blood and a clean conscience and headed home. Of course, not before we sunk the boat. Goodnight, moon.