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“Well, I know one thing for sure; I’m not making a decision like that tonight.”
She laughed again, a sound that dug deep between his ribs. He even liked the way she laughed.
As he continued swigging his beer, he thought about Axton’s latest attack and a jolt of anxiety went through him. Axton had almost pierced the colony’s protective shield and what if he’d gotten through? He had no idea whether Axton knew he was after an entire colony or just a few families, but if he’d penetrated the entrance, he would have discovered the truth.
What a public relations’ nightmare the colony’s existence would have become for Malik. A thousand complaints would have flown to the Sidhe Council, demanding his removal.
And there was one more element he needed to remember. Axton had his own Guard. He’d kept it well-concealed all these years, but Malik knew of its existence; he just didn’t know how big it was or how far Axton would be willing to go to get at the wraiths.
He decided then and there he needed reinforcements.
“I’m thinking of calling Zane in to help.”
“Mastyr of Swanicott Realm?”
“Yes, I think I’m going to need additional support over the next couple of nights. I don’t like the way any of this is shaping up, and I don’t want to be caught flat-footed if Axton should decide to bring in his not-so-secret Guard force that is loyal to him.” At least fifty Guardsmen, aligning with Axton, had left the Vampire Guard when Malik became Mastyr of Ashleaf. And Malik had no reason to believe that the numbers hadn’t grown over the past two centuries.
“Sounds like a plan.” She’d spoken quietly, and as she leaned back in her chair, he could see that her eyes were almost shut.
He slid his phone from his leathers and made the realm-to-realm call.
“Malik, how the fuck are you doing?” Zane had one of the deepest voices of all the mastyrs.
“I’ve been battling an upstart asshole who wants to kill a bunch of innocent people. How are you?”
Zane chuckled. “Up to my ass, as usual. So, what’s going on, because you sound like nine kinds of gremlin shit, my friend.”
Malik smiled. Zane had always been able to make him laugh. He was about to relay the details, when Willow rose to her feet, gesturing to the doorway behind him. He turned and saw that Hank was smiling and jerking his head toward the bedroom treehouse. It looked like all was ready.
He nodded to them both, and Willow left with Hank, talking quietly to him.
Malik turned his attention back to Zane and for the next several minutes he told his fellow mastyr about the goings on in his realm, including the whole blood rose thing. The only detail he held back was the existence of an entire colony of wraiths and instead used Willow’s ploy about protecting a few hidden families on her land.
“The thing is, I don’t know what fae is helping Axton out, but her power level is pretty high. I’m thinking one of the black market fae. So, what I need is for this entire area on Willow’s property to be reinforced at full-dark, near the entrance to where the families live.”
“How about me and fifty of my best Guardsmen head your way?”
A wave of relief rolled through Malik’s chest. He hadn’t realized how tense he’d been. “That would be perfect. I’ll get back to you just after full-dark to give you the details and location. Just do whatever you can to stay away from Willow. I almost killed Axton for talking to her.”
“Got it, but damn that must have felt good, taking that bastard on.”
“Used my fangs and took a couple of chunks out of his fucking arms.”
Zane laughed. “I would have paid to watch.”
Malik fell quiet.
“What?” That bass voice rolled through the connection.
“I’ve never been out of control like that before.”
When Zane spoke, his voice sounded hushed. “Is it like what they all say? A drive like none other?”
“Yep.”
“Well, shit.”
“You said it.”
