A Council of Betrayal Read online

  Logan moved past me, undoing Lorraine’s restraints, and I eased back. I turned along with everyone else, watching him. How would it feel to have the woman carrying your child trying to kill it? I couldn’t even imagine. His hands were gentle, though, and she rolled over to her side, still sobbing.

  I exhaled a trapped breath as the doctor and police officer left us.

  “I’m going to stay for a while, Blue,” Logan said, sitting down next to Lorraine.

  Blue’s eyes flashed to me, silently asking if he should stay. I tried for a discreet shake of my head no.

  “I’m capable of watching her,” Logan grunted. Like I said, I tried, didn’t mean it was successful.

  I rested a hand on Logan’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Call if you need anything.”

  Logan nodded, his attention riveted to Lorraine. I walked out with Blue, releasing a pent-up sigh as he closed the door.

  The officer spoke behind us. “So tell me, what do you do again?”

  I flicked my eyes down to his name badge. “Officer Bacco, as I stated previously, I provide security for unique situations.”

  “And Lorraine asked you to help her?”

  “She did, once she knew of the baby,” I agreed.

  He watched me shrewdly. “Why didn’t you let her have an abortion when she changed her mind?”

  My brows drew down. “She would have hated herself for it.”

  “How does the ex-fiancée of the Shifter Nation get attached to drugs?”

  “The same way anyone does.” My answers were getting clipped.

  “And no one bothered to get her cleaned up until after she was pregnant?”

  “Correct.”

  “But now that she is carrying precious cargo, you care?”

  I tilted my head, stepping closer to him. “All life is important, Officer Bacco, especially the unwanted. I won’t lie: Have there been times when I wondered if Lorraine was sincere in wanting to be rid of the child, for more reasons than just the drugs? Yes. But you saw him.” I pointed toward Logan, who we couldn’t see at that moment. “If she doesn’t want to have the baby, she can pretend it never happened and walk out of the kid’s life forever. Logan will take care of the child and we will take care of Logan.”

  Bacco watched me and I wasn’t backing down. Okay, sure, did I feel a little, and I mean a very small, insignificant amount of uncertainty about forcing Lorraine to carry the baby to term? Yes.

  Did a small part of me think Logan’s life would be better without Lorraine and the baby? Yes.

  But I meant what I had said: all life is precious. Especially to Supernaturals, who struggle with fertility. And yes, I will admit it, not being able to have children myself made this little baby’s life that much more important.

  Bacco nodded, stepping back. “I’d still like those files.”

  “Of course.” I smiled sweetly. I wasn’t sending them.

  Bacco turned and walked down the hall, and I released a pent-up breath.

  “So Blue, what’s on the agenda next?”

  “You, my dear girl, need to get ready to leave tomorrow,” Blue kindly reminded me.

  “If Logan stays, I’m staying with him.”

  “Is this a tit for tat? Logan has his unborn child to concern himself with, and he undoubtedly will need his right-hand woman to assist in his absence.”

  I groaned, “Blue, do you have to be so damn logical?”

  He laughed. Fucking logical asshole.

  …

  The next day, I was analyzing the contents of my trunk when Jerry pulled up in front of the manor.

  “Are you ready?” Jerry asked, rubbing his dark-skinned hands together excitedly. I was glad he was excited, and equally glad he hadn’t heard of Lorraine’s thwarted attempt at an abortion. I needed a little joy.

  “I think so.”

  Looking down to the bags at my feet, Jerry laughed. “Olivia, I know all three of those bags are not yours.”

  I toed a bag before looking back into my empty trunk. “Two are weapons, one is clothing.”

  Jerry raised a mocha eyebrow at me. “You need two bags of weapons?”

  I turned, leaning against the tailgate. “I was debating if I had time to get to Myrtle’s to buy more.”

  “Olivia, it’s a meeting, not a war!” Jerry laughed, pushing me away from the trunk and towards the car, hoisting a bag.

  I pulled the other two over my shoulders.

  “It’s a war. It’s always a fucking war when that much power gets together.”

  Jerry deposited one of my duffle bags into his SUV trunk with a thud.

  “You need to focus on slot machines, tanned bodies, and dirty dancing.” Jerry wrapped his arm around my shoulders, his other arm extended in front of him as he attempted to convey his daydream to me.

  Not wanting to burst it, I leaned into him. “So, you’re pretty excited about your first vacation with Mark?”

  His smile revealed all the starkly white teeth in his dark-skinned head. “It is that obvious?”

  “Naw, just a lucky guess.” I leaned back, bumping his shoulder good-naturedly.

  He nudged me back. We both turned, hearing the clatter on the cobblestones. Grams exited with Mercer in tow with her three suitcases, none of which contained weapons. My smile fell watching her.

  “Everyone set?” she asked merrily. I wished I knew what was going on behind her slate gaze. It was possible there was nothing.

  “Where are Ali and Grant?” I asked, helping stow her and Mercer’s luggage. He, like me, only had a duffle bag of clothing, which was good since the back was starting to look a little crowded.

  Ali and Grant were next in line to rule the Supernatural Council should anything happen to Grams, or when she chose to retire. They helped run the day-to-day activities of the Council and each had their own special brand of unique powers.

  That was the sole purpose of the Council, to protect those who lacked the strength of a shifter clan or the resources of a vampire House. Granted, when I had taken over, some 7 or 8 years ago, its power had been grossly misused. I like to think I brought back clarity, justice, and protection for those like my succubus and incubus brethren.

  The reality was I probably just scared the Council into obedience. Whatever. I’m not picky.

  It helped that I was the most powerful succubus I had yet met. I’ll have to pay credit where it is due, at the dead feet of Selena, my own personal monster who had pushed me beyond my limits. Most of our kind went unnoticed in the human population until our power manifested, usually after a traumatic event. At that point, unless controlled, the emotions would be felt by all.

  You’d be amazed how many I liberated from mental health institutions.

  “They are meeting us at the airport,” Grams replied, bringing me back. “Grant had to drop his cat off at his sister’s.” She settled her leather purse pristinely over her shoulder.

  “Jerry, you need three bags?” Mercer asked, closing the trunk with a thud.

  “I only have one suitcase; those three bags belong to Olivia,” Jerry informed him. The conversation halted as we got seated.

  “Weapons?” Mercer asked, sitting in the backseat with me. Powder blue eyes twinkled with approval. His hair had grown out since he was no longer with the police department, and I liked the look on him.

  “Weapons,” I confirmed with a nod and a grin. “I got some new toys you are going to love.”

  “Is that the opening line of a badly-planned porno?” Jerry asked in the front seat.

  I slipped a hand around his shoulder from the back seat, “Do you want it to be?”

  “Eww! Get your female hands off of me.”

  I laughed, his easy mood catching. Or perhaps I was just getting better at faking it.

  The drive to the airport made me nervous. The Fae fucking terrified me, and so did flying. Probably for the same reason: lack of control was not something I handled well. I didn’t know how to kill the Fae and I couldn’t fly a plane.


  …

  Logan was arguing with airport security when we pulled up to his private jet.

  “Shit,” I groaned, getting out of the car. It really probably wasn’t for the best that he was here right now, given everything that had happened.

  I debated. Offering help might only throw the unhinged shifter into more of an angry tailspin. Not getting involved could lead to the small human getting ground into the asphalt.

  Jerry gave me a look, knowing what was going through my mind as we met at the trunk.

  “Sir, you cannot—“ began the security guard again.

  “Tell me I can’t again,” Logan growled, stepping forward, leering over the smaller man.

  I watched the man step back, seeing the fear in his widening eyes, the flare of his nostrils. Logan’s tall form arched over him. His eyes began to shift, his lion pressing against his control.

  I hesitated, grabbing my bags, moving to the side to let Jerry, Grams and Mercer take their bags to the plane.

  “I’m going to call for back up,” the human squeaked, shaking.

  “Logan,” I began softly, moving between the two of them. Placing a hand against Logan’s chest, I pushed gently before turning to the security officer.

  “What appears to be the problem?” I asked, flashing my best smile.

  Straightening at having the threat of the Alpha removed, he pointed to the plane. “The safety checklist hasn’t been completed.”

  “I signed off on the checklist,” Logan growled, directly into my ear. I can’t lie, that was kind of hot. The fact he kept picking inopportune times to flirt with me was annoying.

  I watched the man shift in front of me ever so slightly, his shoulders slumping almost imperceptibly, a nervous twitch on the side of his lip.

  “Where is your identification?” I asked, all kindness gone from my voice.

  His eyes widened slightly. I pushed forward from the balls of my feet, my left hand slamming down on his wrist, connecting to the skin not covered by his jacket.

  “Tell me who you are,” I demanded again, my voice low with the persuasion I was pumping though his body.

  He sucked in air as I pushed compliance, the pleasure of obeying, into his body. His eyes glassed over. “Tony.”

  “Who do you work for, Tony?” I asked, softly drawing my power back slightly as his knees wobbled.

  “The Herald.”

  I released him, disgusted I had even touched him. My lips curled in repugnance.

  “Why did you want on the plane?” Logan asked behind me, his shifter warmth seeping into me.

  “One of the spy cameras on the plane needs new batteries,” Tony admitted, swaying slightly, his head lolling on his shoulders.

  “WHAT?” Logan bellowed.

  I reached down and steadied Tony.

  “Olivia.” Logan said my name between clenched teeth.

  “If there are cameras in the plane, Logan, we are undoubtedly on camera now.” I wanted to kill Tony, too, but now wasn’t the time or the place.

  He moved to Tony’s other side, roughly helping him stand. I reached in my back pocket, calling my favorite troll.

  “Olivia,” Myrtle answered. “What can I do for my best client?”

  I like guns, knives, swords, crossbows—okay, so anything that can kill or maim. Some women collect shoes. I collect weapons.

  “Hi Myrtle, I was wondering if you’d consider delivery for your favorite customer?”

  “What do you need and where?”

  “I need equipment that can detect cameras and listening equipment.”

  The noise on Myrtle’s end died. Apparently, I had her attention. “Do I even want to—actually, no. I don’t want to know.”

  I laughed, “We are on Airmark Field outside of St Ann.”

  “Give me twenty minutes. I’m also charging you a delivery fee.”

  “Twenty minutes, that is impressive,” Logan commented as we entered an empty hanger, following Tony.

  I sat Tony down gingerly, though Logan did not mirror my actions. Tony sat dazed.

  “What is wrong with him?” Logan asked, turning to survey the area with his superior hearing.

  “Humans react differently to my powers. Unlike Supernaturals, they take a few hours to rebound.”

  Logan twitched his head toward the far left corner. So we weren’t alone.

  “Come and get Tony,” I called out.

  Even I heard the shuffling and muffled voices.

  “Seriously assholes, we don’t have all fucking day,” I grunted.

  Still no one came out.

  Logan tilted his head, listening, before he laughed. “They’re scared.”

  “I suppose they aren’t completely idiotic, then,” I muttered.

  “Maybe they were after another X-rated video of you, Olie,” Logan joked.

  I turned to him, hands on my hips, mouth hanging open in shock.

  “Too soon?” He cringed.

  I could have been mad at him. It would have been easy to let my humiliation at that video overshadow everything. Instead I rolled my eyes. “And who do you think I was going to be giving a repeat performance with?”

  His gaze met mine with an alluring half-smile, and I couldn’t help the flashback to the kiss he had given me, my cheeks warming.

  I wasn’t claiming my heart had healed up perfectly from the devastation known as Blake. Hell, just the thought of him had my smile slipping. Logan was dangerous. He wasn’t a quick fuck to get my rocks off, he was an emotional attachment and I wasn’t sure I was ready for that again.

  “Are you going to kill us?” a small voice squeaked out, breaking our moment.

  “No, but we are going to sue you,” Logan replied evenly, arms crossing over his broad chest.

  A red head peeked out from a door in the back, his stature hunched and meek.

  “Technically, you can’t since your status as a citizen hasn’t been approved,” Meek replied.

  “Mine was never in question,” I replied.

  He pushed his glasses up, taking a few steps forward. “After that little demonstration, I’m doubtful of your species.”

  I narrowed my eyes.

  Logan rummaged through Tony’s pockets, pulling out his ID and sticking it in his own pocket.

  “Any video gets leaked of this event, and we will find you and make you pay. Legally,” he added as an after-thought.

  I’d make him pay in blood, but let’s not put that on tape to come back and haunt my ass.

  I shrugged. “I’m agreeable to that.”

  A car horn honked behind us.

  “Supplies are here,” I announced. Casting a look at Logan, I turned my back on Tony and his friend. In the Supernatural community, turning a back on an enemy was disrespectful. It was a sign that we didn’t perceive them as a threat.

  Logan and I moved away. Neither of us was comfortable that the situation had been handled, but we had things to do, and scaring the daylights out of two feeble humans wasn’t high on the list.

  Myrtle’s lilac hair glowed in the morning sun, her dark sunglasses protecting her delicate eyes.

  “Olivia, your fans not satisfied with only one sex tape?” she joked.

  I groaned. This wasn’t going away for a while.

  “I’m pretty sure they just want to steal my moves,” I informed her, trying to make the best of a crappy situation.

  Behind her, Jerry was getting instructions from another troll on how to sweep for bugs.

  Logan, Myrtle, and I talked for a bit. Ali and Grant arrived in a rush. They were lucky we were delayed.

  Ali sent a look at Grant before her cheeks flushed and he took her hand, bringing it to his lips.

  “Aww!” I yelled, happy to shift the attention off of me. “You guys got back together.”

  They shrugged uncomfortably before heading into the plane.

  Jerry moved in front of us. “Alright, we are good, the bugs have been destroyed.”

  “Wonderful,” Logan grunted, foll
owing Jerry up the short flight of stairs to the plane.

  I blew out a breath, feeling Myrtle’s eyes on me. “Not a fan of flying, Olie?” she asked gently.

  “Not too much.” I turned to face her, putting off climbing into the flying machine. “Are you going to the Conferences?”

  She shook her head. “I prefer to stay out of politics. Besides, with our limited numbers, we fall under your protection.”

  “Does that earn me a discount?”

  She laughed, “Not with your expensive taste. Take care, Olie.” She patted my arm in farewell.

  I made myself climb the stairs, finding someone had already put my bags in the plane. I gripped the white handrail with a venom that suggested it alone could save me.

  The interior was dimly lit and the ceiling was far too close to the top of my head. The flight attendant closed up the hatch upon my arrival. I swallowed loudly, taking the first available seat. It faced Logan and Mark. Alec sat on the bench seat with me.

  With shaky hands, I secured the seatbelt against my torso, although it seemed silly. If the plane crashed, the seatbelt’s only function would be to identify my body, and since we didn’t have assigned seats, even that was pointless.

  Blowing out a breath, I closed my eyes, willing my insides to relax and my breakfast to stay down.

  I grunted, screwing my eyes closed as the plane began moving. I clenched my jaw. This was going to be a long fucking flight.

  Our speed increased. My heart rate did as well, my fingers digging into the soft leather seating. It was five hours. I could survive five hours.

  The seat next to me dipped down and Logan’s scent filled my nostrils, wild woods and pine trees. I opened my eyes, watching him continue his conversation. He handed me whisky on the rocks.

  I smiled up at him, taking the drink gratefully.

  “What’s the game plan, Olivia?” Alec asked. “Darren told me to come prepared.”

  I cleared my throat, having downed half my drink. “Grams is to be protected at all cost. She is not to be alone at any time. Ali, Grant, and you are charged with keeping her safe.”

  “Safe from what?” Jerry asked, realizing this wasn’t the social vacation he had originally thought.

  “Everyone,” Logan answered. “Olivia is the head of the Supernatural Council for the Eastern United States, plus she holds an honorary place next to me. Many will use Grams to try bring down Olivia, who, in her death, would relinquish that power.”