Rafael Read online

She pulled into a parking space at Dane’s apartment complex and shut the engine off. If he was going to be out for a few days, she was going to put someone else on the case with Jorgenson. At this point, they should probably have all hands on deck. She needed leads instead of the dead ends they were hitting.

  Kaya knocked then waited. The door opened, and Dane’s large body was filling the frame. “I told you I’m contagious. Does that not matter to you?”

  “Hello to you too. Right now? No, it doesn’t matter.” Dane still didn’t move to let her in. “Are you going to make me stand in the hallway?” He didn’t look contagious, but he did look, ashen. That was as good a word as any.

  He finally stepped back and allowed her in. “I would offer you something to drink, but I drank everything in the apartment. I only have water left.”

  “I’m fine, but thanks anyway. I wanted to ask you about the lead you mentioned. Right now we have absolutely nothing. What did you have?” Dane’s eyes shifted as he hesitated in answering.

  “Spill it, Abbott.” Dane was now pacing back and forth like a caged animal, apparently irritated.

  “Like I told you, it didn’t pan out.”

  “What was it? If you’re going to be out, I’m putting Craven on the case to help Kyle. We have eleven murders and a missing delegate. Dane, I need what you have, whether you think it’s viable or not.”

  He ran his hands through his hair then rubbed his neck to loosen the tension. It was something he did when he was frustrated. “What’s up with you, Abbott? Is there something you should tell me?” She didn’t have time to babysit, but she also worried about him as a friend.

  “I’m just not myself right now. I have this condition that’s making me ache all over. At first I thought it was the flu, but the doctor says it’s something else. What, she doesn’t know.”

  Dane continued pacing, seeming more agitated as he wore his carpet out. “Dane, stop. Listen, I’m sorry you don’t feel well, really. Give me the lead you have and take the week off. We’ll handle this.”

  Dane walked out of the room then came back holding a piece of paper. “Here. It’s a possible location for Gordon Flanagan.”

  “What the fuck? Didn’t pan out? Did you already check the location? And where the hell did you get this?” This wasn’t just some tip that could be checked out whenever. This was big.

  “I promised I wouldn’t say, Kaya. Nobody with half a brain would want credit for finding him. And no, I haven’t had time to check it yet. I’ve been lying on the floor dying.” He was getting agitated again.

  She was ready to ream his ass for withholding something of this magnitude. “Since when do doctors make house calls? Just who are you seeing anyway?” Suspicion came with the territory, even with her own employees.

  “Dr. Isabelle Sarantos. She was referred by a neighbor, so I called her. She specializes in infectious disease.”

  “You really think you’re contagious? I guess I should get out of here. You’re not off the hook for withholding this information and lying about it, but I’ll cut you some slack since you’re sick. Don’t come back until the doctor clears you, hear?”

  What if he was contagious? Could she have already contracted what he had in this short amount of time? If she had, it was probably too late to do anything about it today.

  Dammit Dane. This shit’s big. You don’t sit on something like this. Pulling her phone out of her pocket, she dialed Kyle. “Jorgenson, Kane. Do you have anything new from the hotel? I still think there had to be inside help there. Listen, I need you to take over the investigation for Dane. He’s going to be out a few days, and we don’t have time to wait. I have an address I want you to check out. I know this is huge, that’s why I’m pulling Craven from the drug sting so he can assist you. Right, do you have a pen? Okay, here’s the address…”

  Kaya hung up, feeling both excited as well as aggravated. Hopefully, this would turn out to be a legitimate lead. She got in her car and headed home.

  Rafael stood on the balcony of his apartment, looking out over New Atlanta. He was enjoying a cigar when Nik’s Audi came speeding around the corner and pulled into the parking lot. Nikolas was almost yelling for Rafe when he didn’t find him inside. “Out here,” Rafe said quietly, knowing his cousin’s shifter ears would pick up his words.

  Nik was holding a book in his hand and talking about Jonas Montague, some woman named Caroline, and babies as he came through the sliding glass door that led to the patio. “Nikolas, slow the fuck down. Do you mind repeating that?”

  “Which part?” Nikolas was always high strung, but this was different.

  “All of it. Jesus, start at the beginning.” Rafael gestured to the cushioned chairs, and they sat down. Nik recounted finding the journal and what it contained. After leaving the library, he went to the park and read the rest of Montague’s words.

  “Rafe, this is it. What I don’t understand is how Montague, Victor, hid the fact that he’s a shifter and why we didn’t know about it. I have never seen his name, or any other Victor, listed in the archives.

  “That’s a very good question, one I hope to find the answer to. So, Montague was a shifter, and he and his human mate were able to produce children?”

  “Yes. He was scared to try because as far as he knew, it had never been done, but Caroline finally won out. The baby and mother both lived, Rafe. He mentions several children, both boys and girls, but that’s where this journal ends. I need to find the next one. If I can find his daughter, it’s possible she would have the next journal. I have to know more.”

  Is this about a woman?” The look in Nikolas’ eyes was the same one that Rafe now saw in the mirror. Hope.

  “Not just one woman, Rafael, all women. All our women.”

  Rafe cocked an eyebrow at his cousin. Nik never could bullshit very well.

  “Ok, maybe there is a girl, woman, whatever. But if we can mate with humans…”

  Rafe allowed him a moment to ponder the possibility. “If he were one of us then he could still be alive. Did you show this to Jules?”

  “No, I came straight here. I am headed to see him now. Between the two of us, hopefully we can track down the daughter and get some answers.”

  “Great job, Brother. I am proud of you.”

  “Thank you my King.” Nik stood, bowed ever so slightly and headed for the lab.

  Rafe inhaled on his cigar then blew a smoke ring. He closed his eyes, envisioning Kaya as she was standing between his legs. Her hands curled in his hair as her hips rubbed against his. She wanted him whether she knew it or not. Now he just needed to convince her of the fact. That, however, would have to wait.

  He had received a phone call earlier from the Elders, demanding a meeting in person. The original Gargouille established a governing body comprised of Kings from each continent. They had been after Rafael for two hundred years to take his rightful place among them. He was perfectly content to rule from New Atlanta. One more plea, one more wasted trip. This time though, he had questions for them. Questions about his future.

  Vincent was restless. He hated sleeping in the woods, but he would wait as long as it took. He had given that reporter the address two days ago. He felt sure she would pass it along to the police immediately. If someone didn’t show soon, he would send another anonymous tip. Wanting a change of scenery, he stood and slung the rifle over his shoulder. He was just about to reach the clearing when he heard an automobile approaching. He pulled the rifle off his shoulder and looked through the scope. Hello, detective.

  Vincent let out a loud whistle. Once the detective turned his direction, he fired one shot. Bullseye.

  Vincent walked to where the body had dropped and picked it up, taking it into the warehouse to join Magnus.

  Chapter 21

  Flying overseas was boring and tedious. Even with a private jet and his own personal staff, Rafael loathed any flight that lasted more than a couple of hours. The Elder Council made their home in Italy, and he had no desire to return for
an extended period. He was glad the meeting was scheduled for early morning. He could get this over with and head back to the states.

  He stood outside the Elder chambers and took a deep, cleansing breath. These conversations were always the same. Now that it was possible he had found his mate, there was no way under the heavens he was leaving New Atlanta.

  As he entered the chamber, all conversations ceased. “Rafael, so glad you could join us.” The once warm voice was now laced with ice and fatigue.

  “Mother, good to see you as always.” He placed a kiss on her cheek. Was she shorter than the last time he’d seen her? Female Goyles didn’t die when their mate did, but they often stopped living. Since Rafael wouldn’t take his place on the council, his mother was required to serve instead. This did not sit well with her, so she had distanced herself from her son.

  He greeted the other members with a nod and took the vacant seat at the end of the table. Xavier, one of the original Elders, spoke to the room. “Now that we are all here, we can get started. Rafael, as you know, it is your duty to serve on the Council since you are King. Your mother, as you can see, is not well.”

  Rafael’s mother held her head high even with being spoken about in such a way. He should feel guilty about leaving her with his responsibility, but he didn’t. The Elders rarely met. New laws hadn’t been put in place since before his father was killed. His participation was not warranted at this juncture in time.

  “Xavier, please let me interrupt here and save us all valuable time. While I understand my mother’s health is not as it once was, from what I can tell, the only time you meet is when you bid me to come to you. If you understood that I am not going to join the Council, you would stop having these meetings. Now, more than ever, I am determined to continue in my role as King, living in New Atlanta.”

  “Why now, has something happened?” his mother asked him with concern on her face.

  “Yes, it has. I believe I have found my mate.” Rafael knew he shouldn’t bring up the subject of Kaya until he had more information, but he wanted to gauge the reaction of those in the room.

  His mother was the one to ask the question, “How is that possible? All the females alive have been spoken for.”

  “I didn’t say she was one of ours, Mother. I have met a human who has brought on the changes in me that a mate would. This is why I am here, not to discuss the Council. I need to know if any of you have heard of humans being mates.”

  Rafael watched each face closely. Most were looking confused and talking among themselves. Only one was looking at him. He spoke directly to Xavier. “We have searched the archives and there is no mention of mating with humans. In fact, there is little mention of mating at all. Why is that?”

  “This information was to be passed down between the families. We didn’t put it in writing because we didn’t want the information to fall into the wrong hands.” Xavier, being an original, should know.

  “I see. Let me ask you this: is it possible that Jonas Montague, the scientist, is a shifter and alive but in hiding?” He watched Xavier for any sign of recognition. He hid it well, but the fluctuation in his breathing for just a couple of seconds let Rafe know he hit the target.

  “Why would you ask that?” His mother seemed more shocked than inquisitive. Was she hiding something from him as well?

  Rafe responded to his mother while looking at Xavier. “Because he has written books on the subject of shifters.”

  “Yes, but those are purely fiction. I’ve read them myself.” Xavier obviously knew more than he was telling. He was not controlling his breathing nor his heart rate.

  “Then have you read his journal? The one talking about mating with a human?”

  This brought about more rumbling in the chamber. Rafe’s eyes were locked with Xavier. “I’m sure it’s more fiction from a man with a vivid imagination. Rafael, if you have no intention of joining us, I will declare this meeting adjourned.”

  Could the other Elders not see what Rafael saw? Xavier was standing, whisking everyone out of the room. All except for Rafe and his mother. “Athena, if you would stay, I’d like to talk to you and Rafael.”

  Xavier waited until the room was cleared. “I apologize for acting so skittish. There are those of the Council who do not believe as I do, as your mother does. Rafael, we do feel it is possible that we can mate with humans, but the original Gargouille are quite prejudice against humans.”

  “You are an Original, Xavier. Are you not prejudice against humans as well?”

  “No, I am not. If I were, I wouldn’t have spent my whole life protecting them.”

  “Mother, you’re being very quiet. How do you feel about this?”

  His mother had tears in her eyes. “My son, my King, I have waited hundreds of years for you to tell me you have found your mate and that you are going to be able to continue the Di Pietro lineage. If your mate is human, then the fates have deemed her worthy.”

  “What about Montague, is it possible he is a shifter and fooled everyone?”

  Xavier paused a little too long. “Yes, I guess it could be possible. He created a clone, so the man was a genius.”

  “Do you know anything about mating with humans? Or are you speculating? If you are withholding information, I will not be happy Xavier.”

  Xavier’s eyes flashed. “Do not threaten me boy.”

  “It’s not a threat, X, it’s a promise. Mother? What about you? Are you withholding information I require for my Clan?” Xavier flinched at his disrespect, but Rafe ignored him.

  “Of course not, Son.” She wiped a tear from her cheek then patted his. “I only want your happiness, Rafael.” He gauged her sincerity and honestly didn’t know if it was real. He had never seen her shed a tear, not even when his father was killed. Why would her heart have softened now?

  “I will not stop until I have unburied any information I need, nor until I have found Jonas Montague.” Rafe left them standing in the chamber. They were both hiding something, and he was going to find out what.

  Chapter 22

  Frey, Lorenzo, and Jasper were recounting the events of Tamian’s so-called attack. It would take a few days for the judge to hear the case since this was Friday, but that allowed Tam to sit in regular lock-up before being sent away. Jasper was laughing. “If we weren’t shifters I’d have a black eye. That man has a helluva left hook.”

  As he did every night before taking flight, Frey stood on the heli-pad enjoying the fresh air. Being the pilot, he kept the family helicopter at his estate. Lorenzo and Jasper had enjoyed their time with their cousin: working out, learning about the family on the east coast, getting to know one another. Now they were going to fly together. He was relieved to hear Jasper laughing.

  The sun was no longer visible and in its place was the full moon. Frey closed his eyes, drinking in the power from the heavenly orb. Now, he needed to fly. He removed his shirt and phased. The others did the same and soon they were headed toward downtown. First, they would patrol the more heavily populated areas before going to check out the warehouses the family owned.

  There was no trouble from the Unholy, which was unusual for a Friday night. Not begging for trouble where there wasn’t any, they turned toward the outskirts of town. As they approached the warehouse that was farthest from the city, they noticed a vehicle parked haphazardly. Geoffrey gave the signal to spread out, and they each took a corner of the property.

  Once on the ground, the men phased and slowly made their way to the building. Frey whistled giving the signal to stay put. He would go in and check out the interior. What he found made his skin crawl. He had seen some fucked up shit in his many years, but this was beyond comprehension. He whistled again letting the others know they could enter the building.

  “What in the holy hell happened in here?” Lorenzo held his forearm against his nose.

  “I do believe we have found Magnus Flanagan. Or what’s left of him. Jasper, go see if you can identify whose car is outside. I doubt it belongs to
him.” Frey was pointing at the mutilated carcass at his feet.

  Jasper left to do his cousin’s bidding as the others looked around. “I have another body over here,” Lorenzo said from the other end of the building. “Gunshot wound to the forehead, through and through.”

  “Fuck!” Frey was clenching his fists. He pulled out his phone and dialed Rafael. Hopefully he would still be in Italy and not headed back to the States.

  “Good morning Geoffrey. I guess I should say good evening to you since it’s still night. What is it?”

  “Lor, Jasper and I took a patrol tonight. We were checking out the warehouses when we found two more bodies at Forest Grove. One sort of looks like Magnus Flanagan. I’m waiting on Jasper to get the identification of the other victim out of his car. Hang on, here he comes.”

  Jasper was holding a wallet in his hand when he returned. “Detective Kyle Jorgenson, New Atlanta P.D.”

  “I guess you heard that. Rafe, why the fuck are they using our warehouses?”

  “Because they’re empty, secluded, and they implicate me. Fucking Flanagan. We have to find him. Right fucking now.” The Society had half-heartedly searched for Gordon over the last thirty years. Now it seemed they were going to have to put more effort into it.

  “I know I just asked this, but again, why you? Neither you nor the family has ever had any dealings with the man, not directly anyway. We had nothing to do with his wife and child going into seclusion. Do you think there’s some way he has found out about us, that we’re the ones who take down the Unholy?”

  “Anything’s possible, Frey. Until we know without a doubt it isn’t him, I am going to go with the assumption it is.”

  “Son of a fucking bitch. You know you can’t tell the chief. She’ll have this pinned on you faster than you can phase.”

  “I will have to think on this. I have a few things to see to, but right now I am headed to the family archives to do a little research on my own. If that doesn’t take too long, I should be home Sunday. Now, there’s nothing you can do for those two so get out of there. We will discuss our options when I’m home.”