Sofia’s voice cuts in, colder. “Did Damien return to his room?”
“Yes. Marcus confirmed. He’s not moving.”
“For now,” she agrees. “But he’s planning something. A man doesn’t spend a hundred and forty-six years on revenge to give up after one conversation.”
“No. He doesn’t.” I watch Poppy laugh at something one of the girls says. “Stay alert. I’ll update you once we have a plan.”
The channel closes.
Marcus arrives within minutes, briefcase in hand. He sets up at the desk, pulling out tablets, displays, and a secondary communication hub.
“I’ve been monitoring Damien’s movements since he returned to his room,” he says without preamble. “No calls. No visitors. He’s either sleeping or planning.”
“Vampires don’t sleep,” Nathaniel points out.
“Then he’s planning.” Marcus pulls up the resort layout on his tablet and casts it to the suite’s television. “The reception tomorrow—”
“Hold that thought,” I cut in. “I’m bringing Elena and Sofia into this discussion. Everyone.” I activate the group channel again. “Marcus is going to walk us through tomorrow.”
“We’re listening,” Elena responds.
“The reception tomorrow,” Marcus continues. “Main ballroom. Capacity three hundred, though the guest list is closer to fifty.”
“Exits?” I ask.
“Three. Main entrance here, service corridor here, emergency exit here.” He highlights each point. “Lucas will take the main entrance. Bastine will cover the service corridor. One of our guys in resort security will be on the emergency exit. I’ll be in the security center with eyes on all feeds.”
“And Elena, Sofia, and Nathaniel?”
“Mobile. They circulate through the reception, ready to converge on any position within seconds.” Marcus looks up. “The question is where you’ll be.”
“With Poppy.”
“That limits your tactical options.”
“I don’t care about tactical options. I care about keeping her alive.”
Nathaniel shifts in his seat. “The Council’s position?”
“Unchanged.” Marcus pulls up a message on his tablet. “LaChance was explicit. Any move against Damien without clear provocation will be viewed as aggression. If we strike first, we lose their protection.”
“So we let him come to us,” I say. “Force his hand. Make him the aggressor.”
“And if he doesn’t attack?” Nathaniel asks. “If he just... talks? Reveals what you are without touching anyone?”
“Then I deal with the fallout.”
“You’re willing to be exposed? After two centuries of hiding?”
“I’m willing to do whatever it takes to keep her safe.”
The words settle into the room. Marcus and Nathaniel exchange a glance.
Sofia breaks the silence. “Tell the Council his plans. Send them the audio of him talking to Poppy. Let’s see if they give us authority after they hear that he plans to expose our kind.”
I nod to Marcus. “Do it. Can we can get Nepenthe here in time?”
“You want a witch to help?” Elena sounds offended by my suggestion.
