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The Horsemen had proven far more helpful and reliable than she would have predicted. They’d gotten the word out so effectively that Ash met with dozens of vampires each day wherever she was. She no longer had to seek them out.
That still left the rogues running wild and wreaking havoc, but baby steps. The Horsemen seemed to have switched sides, but it would take far longer than a week for her to trust them. Many of the new vampires were also in the probationary period when they were welcome but not trusted.
With her forces now numbering in the thousands, it was long past time to secure a compound with the space and versatility to house her army and serve as Gaia Vampira’s state seat. Picking a property was at the top of her priority list as her team flew to the Therian palace Friday morning.
They had space for just over a hundred vampires in the cave barracks Luca’s people had crafted, but it wasn’t the Therians’ responsibility to house her vampires. That was more unity than anyone was ready for. All the reports said the new vampires she’d left at the palace had fared well, and she wanted to keep it that way.
While Niletean handled the logistics of their flight, Ash relaxed and let her mind wander to what she should do next. She was confident that they had reached most of the vampires in this part of the world, but Ash had to plan on a global scale. According to the Horsemen, there were five million vampires worldwide, and without leadership, they would continue doing what they’d been made to do, which was kill. If Ash didn’t get control soon, they would think they could act as they liked, believing they were beyond her reach.
She had a vague plan but needed to talk to her sister. Dani’s unique skills, open mind, and creative problem-solving were exactly what Ash required to locate and recruit her vampires on a global scale. Her protective side hesitated to get Dani more involved in supernatural fuckery than she already was, but she knew her sister would not abandon her. Ash grinned, imagining the havoc Dani had wreaked during the week she’d been at the palace.
After securing a temporary vampire camp in a mountain valley a mile from the palace and sending the location to the night-bound sheltering in a nearby cave, Ash and the others returned to the palace. Luca wasn’t back, but Dani was there when Ash’s feet touched the ground, as were Kittania, Mikhail, Remy, the vampires she’d left behind, and hundreds of curious Therians.
Ash was swept up in a crush of people eager to speak to her and hear about her adventures. Viktorija and Euan disappeared shortly after landing, then slipped into the throne room through a side door as Ash spoke to the throng. She’d been thrilled to see another ornately carved throne next to Luca’s, although she remained standing. She was touched by the gesture of acceptance. When her recap finally drew to a close, Ash grabbed Dani and retreated to the quiet study Remy had designed for them to share.
“Dani, we have a lot to catch up on, but I need your help.”
Flipping her dark bob, Dani grinned as she dropped onto the overstuffed sofa. “Anything. What’s up?”
“I need your digital wizardry.”
Dani chuckled. “You said stalker wrong.”
Ash smiled. “Seriously, I need you to get on the computer and Winchester me the locations where people have been disappearing at an unusual rate.”
Dani’s laugh filled the room. “’Winchester’ is a verb now?”
Ash nodded confidently. “You bet your ass it is. That show is a million times cooler now that we know the hidden world exists. I wonder how much Supernatural lore is accurate. Vampires don’t come off well in the series, but if anything, the reality is worse. Some of them are likely still operating under Nadya’s last orders.”
“Fair point. I can get to work on it right away, and I might have a couple of locations before Mom and Dad arrive. They were super cagey about their visit. Do you have any idea what they’re up to? Uuka wouldn’t tell me.” Dani pouted.
Ash grinned. “Aw, poor thing. Your panther wouldn’t tell you their secret?”
“He’s not my panther,” Dani protested.
“Mmhm. Sure. Whatever you say.”
“Seriously!”
Ash shrugged. “Okay. I won’t argue with you. He’s not your panther.”
Dani growled and threw a couch pillow at Ash. “You’re a bitch and I hate you.”
“Eh, sometimes, and no, you don’t. You love me. I’m the best sister in the universe,” Ash teased. “You’re just frustrated that Uuka won’t let your budding romance stand in the way of his duty when you’re here, and he has to stay with our parents. Relax. Anyone could see he’s crazy about you. It will work out.”
Dani sighed and slumped. “I’m trying to trust it, but I’ve never felt like this with anyone. Not that I have much to compare to. I can’t stop thinking about him.”
Ash grinned. “I know, and It’s fucking adorable. Is that how I was with Luca?”
Dani snorted. “Was? You are worse. Much worse.”
Ash shrugged and smiled, unashamed. “That tracks. I am ridiculously in love with that man.”
“Okay, back to the task at hand. Where do you want me to start searching? Russia?”
Ash shook her head. “No. I can’t become predictable. With Eiko’s help, we can portal to practically anywhere. Nadya took thousands of people all over the world, and the Horsemen are doing a good job of getting the word to those who were turned against their will. They just keep showing up.
“It’s the other ones we need to find. Before she went into a frenzy at the end, Nadya chose her children for their inclination toward evil and desire to kill. With the big bitch gone, they might try to make families of their own.”
