Emma stood. “Now we try to find a way to assist their bodies in dealing with the virus.” Maybe some of the new HIV antivirals would be of some assistance. One little bound protein was not going to ruin her sister’s life.
Cara tilted her head to the side. “Are you going to contact Rachel?”
Blowing out a breath, Emma shifted her gaze to Kane. “We argued about Rachel earlier.”
“Who’s Rachel?” Dage asked.
“My friend from Montana. She’s the foremost expert on genetic research in the world right now,” Emma said.
“Let’s go get her.” Talen stood.
“Wait.” Emma held out a hand. “She’s in Europe on tour, lecturing at top hospitals on new cancer treatments. She won’t leave in the middle of the tour.”
“I won’t give her a choice.” Talen tugged Cara to her feet.
“Rachel will be missed.” Dage stood. “We don’t want that type of attention right now.” He pinned his brother with a gaze. “How about we have Emma contact her and lay the groundwork while she and Kane continue their work?” While he phrased the suggestion as a question, the note of kingly command tinged each word.
Talen nodded. “You have one week.”
Dage fought the urge to beat the crap out of his brother. Two brothers, actually. What in the hell had Kane been thinking injecting himself? Smoothing on his diplomatic smile, he gave Emma a kiss on the cheek. “I need to fly back to Portland and meet with the prophets. Stay with Kane and I’ll return later tonight.”
His mate lifted her pretty blue eyes to his. “Did something happen? I mean, you’ve been on the phone all afternoon.”
He paused. “I’m sorry. Have I been ignoring you, love?” Women needed attention. He knew that.
She smiled, her arched eyebrow rising. “I can entertain myself, Dage. I was concerned about the frown between your eyes.” Her tone lightened to teasing yet her gaze wandered his face, studying him.
The frown between his eyes? He made an effort to smooth it out, his heart thumping hard. He was the king. People asked him about the Realm, about war, about laws. No one asked about the man. Her concern warmed him throughout, from his toes to his ears—and he’d had no idea he’d been cold. The little scientist cared about him, the man and not the leader. He hadn’t realized how much he needed someone to see the man. “Everything’s fine, Emma.” Better than fine. He’d found his mate.
“Are you sure?” Now she frowned.
He wanted to laugh at the pure delight he’d just found. He should be worried; the woman held the power to destroy him. Yet only pure contentment slid through his veins. “Yes. A plan has come together quite unexpectedly and I need to meet with the prophets. Nothing to worry about.” Right. He may be preparing to tear the Realm in two. He had the strangest urge to confide in her—to ask her opinion. But the woman had enough on her plate dealing with the virus.
“Okay.” She dropped her focus to the papers before her, frowning and beginning to scribble furiously in the margin.
He ran his hand down her long length of hair, impressed by the scholarly side of her. He’d worry about her power over him later. For the moment, he wanted to bask in it. But duty called. “Talen, escort me out, would you?” No one who knew him even remotely would mistake his question as anything but a clear order.
Talen flashed a full grin in response. “It’d be my pleasure.” He settled Cara back into her chair. “Stay with your sister, mate. This shouldn’t take long.”
Kane rolled his eyes. “Do you need a level head at the meeting with the prophets?”
Dage gestured for Talen to precede him out the door. “No. I need you to deal with this damn virus before it reduces our women to single cell organisms.” He stalked out of the room, following Talen down the hallway and into the summer day, neither man speaking to the guards posted at duty. Sighing, Dage squinted into the sun. “Three hundred years ago I offered you the crown, and you hit me in the face.”
Talen shifted so the sun stood to the side. “I know. But we’re talking about my mate. What would you do?”
Choose Emma over the Realm. No question. “I’d stop and think. Kidnapping a well-known human would bring more trouble down on us than we need.” He reached out and placed his hand on his brother’s shoulder. “But if it comes down to it, we’ll take her. I promise.”
Talen gave a short nod. “I know.” His jaw tightened. “I should be with you at the meeting today with the prophets.”
“No.” Talen on edge would be disastrous. A mated vampire was the most dangerous being in existence if his mate was threatened. “Your place is with your mate right now. And with mine. I need you to protect them both.” Dage stepped back. “Keep an eye on our asshole brother. I can’t believe Kane did that.”
Shards of emotional green shot through Talen’s golden eyes. “He did it for my mate. Eating a virus that might kill him. For my mate.” A pebble skipped across the cement when Talen kicked it. “I don’t know whether to hug him or punch him in the face.”
Dage grinned. “Hell. It’s Kane. Do both.”
Talen returned the grin, then quickly sobered. “Do you know what you’re doing today?”
The air crackled for a moment as energy shifted around the king. “Hell no. Bringing Caleb back into the Realm may be the biggest mistake I’ve ever made.”
“I agree we could use him and his allies.” Talen squinted toward the white building. “The prophets won’t like it.”
“Half the Realm won’t like it.” Dage tapped a signal on his watch to let the pilot know he was ready. “Caleb may tell me to go to hell.” In fact, that was probably a guarantee.
“True. When will you be able to transport again?” Talen raised an eyebrow.
Dage shrugged. “I could do so now.” The time had come to be smart, not convenient. “I’m holding on to the strength just in case.” So he had a two-hour plane ride to think about strategy.
“Smart move.” Talen clapped him on the back. “Good luck.”
Dage nodded and began to jog for the airplane hangar on the other side of the lab. He’d need it.
Chapter 11
The two-hour plane ride had been a strategic waste of time. Striding down the hotel hallway lined with bouquets of fresh lilies as if directing a wedding procession—or a funeral—Dage wasn’t any closer to a solution. He shook his head at his youngest brother. “What do you mean Caleb isn’t here yet?”
Jase shrugged. “Conn went to fetch him at the airfield and he’s late.”
Not good news. “Caleb said he’d be here, so he’ll show up sometime. We’ll go ahead as planned.” Dage had wanted to meet with Caleb before meeting with the prophets. If his old friend told him to go to hell, there was no reason to piss everyone off with his plan.
“Good.” Jase grabbed Dage’s arm and pulled him to a stop. “I, ah, I’ve been working on something.”
“Really? What?” Dage shifted to meet his brother’s gaze.
“You know how I can heal some wounds with my thoughts?”
“Sure.” A handy talent to be sure.
Jase cleared his throat. “I think I can yank the virus out of the women.”
Shock bashed into Dage for a moment. Reality soon filtered through. “What would happen to the virus?”
Jase shrugged. “If I could get it out of their chromosome, which to be honest, I’m not sure I could, then I might need to attach the bug to mine. Who the hell knows?”
Dread and pride filled the king in equal measure. “Sacrificing yourself isn’t a solution, Jase.” His brothers were truly men of honor.
“We protect mates at all costs, Dage.”
He gave a short nod. “We’re not to that point yet, but I appreciate your willingness.” Damn. Now Jase as well as Kane had to be kept from sacrificing themselves. That was his job. Dage pivoted, stalking down the hallway until reaching a thick double door manned by two armed vampires with the prophecy signet on their lapels showing their ranking as guards to the prophets
. One opened the door.
He crossed the threshold, his spirits lifting as a cloud of wild strawberries rushed toward him and a small woman graced both of his cheeks with a kiss. “Dage.” Kind eyes the color of midnight twinkled before a grape energy drink was thrust into his hand. “For you.”
He grinned. “Prophet Sotheby, you’re as lovely as ever.” Gazing closer, he fought a frown. Dark circles marred the pale skin of the prophet’s stunning face. Her golden hair had been pulled up into an intricate knot but her perfect makeup failed to provide camouflage. The prophecy marking on the back of her neck stood out in deep blue.
She returned the smile. “My friends call me Lily, and you mustn’t look so concerned. I took a bet from a multi-shifter last night involving a dart game and tequila. I lost.”
“Lily. Multies claim incredibly fast metabolisms. You didn’t stand a chance.” He tugged her arm through his and led her to a plush chair near a crackling fire. Her hand trembled slightly against his forearm. Poor thing. A hangover and now her day was about to get worse. He settled her down.
He shifted his attention to Milner, who appeared regal in a deep velvet waistcoat. “Prophet.” Who in the hell wore waistcoats these days?
Milner shook his hand, taking the chair next to Lily’s. “King. I hope you don’t mind, but Prophet Sotheby suggested we meet in here by the fire instead of yet another cold conference room.”
Lily nodded next to him. “Yes. I do love a nice gathering by a warm fire.”
Milner nodded toward Jase, who had taken up position next to the door. “Prince.”
Jase returned the nod, then smiled at Lily.
Dage hid the concern for Lily from his eyes. “Thank you, Lily. This setting is much nicer than usual.” He turned and took the next extended hand. “Prophet Guiles.”
“We appreciate the chance to speak with you, King.” Guiles gave a short shake and took the chair opposite Lily. His long brown hair cascaded down his strong back. He had to be, what? Maybe a hundred years older than Dage’s three and a half centuries? The fates designated him a prophet the same day Dage became king. War and death had created the openings for them both.
Prophet Milner cleared his throat. As the oldest person in the room, the meeting would be run by him—for a while, anyway. “First, let me say how pleased we are that two of the royal family have mated. We’d like the rest to follow suit.” He shot a glance at Jase, who grinned in response.
Lily clapped her hands together. “Yes. I spent some time with both Emma and Cara at the ball. Wonderful women. I’m so happy for you, Dage.”
Dage smiled. So far so good.
Milner continued, “We reviewed the information you provided regarding the Kurjan virus. Has there been any luck finding a cure?”
“Not yet.” Dage might have a duty to inform the prophets about Cara and Katie being infected. Probably. “We finished setting up the lab and are hard at work.” Nah. The less the prophets knew the better. He took a drink.
Lily leaned forward. “Has the wolf shifter had any other episodes?”
“No.” Dage had hoped to avoid this issue. The doctor who’d diagnosed Maggie had copied the reports for the prophets. “In fact, there’s a good chance the virus will run its course with her, leaving her healthy.”
Milner shook his bony head. “We must report her existence to the Bane’s Council.”
Dage bit back a sharp retort. “All due respect, Prophet, but you are a spiritual leader of the vampire race only. I lead the Realm.”
Guiles set his drink down. “We’re all members of the Realm and are subject to the same laws, Kayrs.”
“True. But as King of the Realm as well as the vampire people, I decided it is unnecessary to contact the council at this point.” Damn but he hated to pull rank. He needed the meeting to go smoothly.
Lily gave a delicate cough. “Well then. I guess that’s settled.” She fluffed her pale yellow skirt around her legs. “So, what’s next on the agenda?”
Dage wondered once again what the fates were thinking to make this fragile woman a prophet on the day her mate died. Her mate, Miles Sotheby, had been a prophet and a good one. Sympathy for the woman charged through him.
“Dage?” Lily raised an eyebrow.
Milner leaned forward. “Now we talk about humans being given access to our DNA.” His beady eyes narrowed.
“Meaning?” Dage kept his voice low and controlled.
“Meaning it has come to our attention that you’ve allowed humans to be a part of the research team investigating the virus. Do you have any idea how many laws this breaks?” Milner swept his hands out, his jaw clenching.
Dage didn’t twitch a muscle. Apparently he had a leak. “I’ve broken no law, prophet. The human scientists believe they’re studying cancer treatments for humans. They have no access to any data regarding Realm species.”
“You can’t guarantee that,” Guiles said, shaking his head. “This could put your kingship in jeopardy. Don’t you know that?”
The temptation to step away from the kingship nearly overwhelmed him. “My family has led the Realm for centuries.” They’d protected the Realm for centuries.
“True.” Milner sat back in his chair. “But only because there’s been no reason to remove you as the ruling family.”
Dage narrowed his gaze and lowered his voice. “You threatening me, Prophet?”
Milner shrugged. “The council has a duty to make sure the ruling family is doing its job. If it isn’t, the council must take steps to replace the current monarchy.”
Steps that would entail Dage’s head being removed from his body.
Lily slapped her hands together. “Enough of this nonsense. Dage is a fine king and the Kayrs family is doing an excellent job.” She glared at Milner. “We’re at war and the last thing we need is an internal battle. One I don’t think you would win.”
If Dage had had any question as to where Lily’s loyalty lay, he now had the answer. He gave her a short nod. “I appreciate the support, Prophet. And I assure you, the humans are not aware of our existence—nor will they be.”
“Good.” She took a sip of tea, carefully setting the cup back down. “So, what’s next on the agenda?”
He might as well hit them with all of it. “Ah. Well, it’s time to bring Caleb Donovan back into the fold.”
Lily gasped, Milner paled and clutched his chest, while Guiles jumped to his feet. “You must be jesting.”
“Nope.” In Dage’s peripheral vision he could see Jase settle into a readied stance with his knees bent and his concentration focused on the door.
Milner swept a brown speckled hand toward Lily. “Caleb killed the prophet. Her husband. How can you think—”
“No he didn’t.” Dage stood as well. “The Kurjans killed Sotheby. You know that.”
An ugly red crept up Milner’s withered face to make his eyes bug out. “You truly are trying to end the Kayrs monarchy. Caleb was responsible. The Kurjans said they’d let Sotheby go if Caleb stopped his search. He didn’t.”
Lily put a shaking hand to her head. “He was avenging his sister’s death. You can’t begrudge him that.” She chewed on her lip for a moment. “The Kurjans would never have released Miles. We all know it.”
“You disloyal witch.” A dark vein popped out of Guiles’s neck.
Dage pinned him to the wall in a heartbeat, forearm against the bastard’s neck. “I strongly suggest you apologize, Prophet.”
A soft hand on his arm kept Dage from pressing any harder. “Dage. Let him go. I’m not a witch, darn it.” Lily cleared her throat. “If I were, he’d be croaking as a toad right now.”
Dage started in surprise at the humor but kept his gaze on Guiles’s blue eyes. “I’m waiting.”
The door banged open and the two prophecy guards dodged inside, guns at ready. Dage pivoted toward the entry as Jase took one guard down to the floor and the cocking of a gun stopped the other. Caleb flashed a grin, his weapon pressed into the second guard’s n
eck. “Well now. I can see not much has changed with the Realm.” His booming voice echoed around the room.
Dage tightened his hold against the prophet’s jugular. Shit. He couldn’t exactly kill a prophet today. “Now.”
Guiles cleared his throat. “I apologize.”
Lily nodded, dropping into her chair.
Dage threw Guiles back into his seat and gestured for the guards to leave. Jase tossed one out on his ass while the other backed away.
“Caleb. Thanks for coming.” Dage extended a hand.
Caleb shook it, his multi-colored gaze encompassing the entire room. “So. Invited to speak with the Realm after a century and a half of being exiled. Hell has frozen over, huh?” He sprawled into a chair next to Lily, turning toward her. “Before we start, I’d like to say how sorry I am the Kurjans killed your mate. I’d have prevented his death if possible.”
She nodded, her hand going to her throat. Dage frowned. She appeared paler than before. Maybe this was a bad idea.
The red in Milner’s face flushed darker until his skin matched his waistcoat, though he held his tongue.
Conn entered the room and stood at the other side of the door from Jase. Dage gave him a short nod of acknowledgment. “We’re at war. The Kurjans have allies and are prepared, scientifically as well as strategically. The smart move is to reunite our allies.”
“Allies?” Guiles sat forward, biting out the words. “Are you kidding me? Caleb and his crew turned their backs on us years ago.”
“You exiled me, boyoh.” Caleb leaned back, the chair protesting under his weight. He was as tall as Dage, and thick across the chest. A dark eyebrow rose. “In addition, you underestimated the number of my followers. Lost a bit of the Realm, did you?”
“You gave us no choice but to exile you,” Milner hissed. “First you refused to stop your crusade, then you protected your brother.”
“My brother didn’t do anything wrong.” Caleb relaxed back in his chair. He’d probably tied his blond hair back not in an attempt at fashion but as a prelude to a fight. Dage had done the same thing.
“Nothing wrong?” Guiles jumped to his feet again. “He mated with a wolf shifter who’d been betrothed.”