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Months ago, they had been responsible for kidnapping Leo's nephew and threatening his now wife.
And while Leo had helped coordinate a rescue attempt, it'd come down to either saving his nephew's life or taking prisoners to interrogate.
He'd picked Ambrose without question.
However, the choice had resulted in the fucking French vampires becoming a lot quieter and staying hidden. And now Leo and his fellow Dark Lords had to work even harder to determine their enemy's detailed aims and stop them before they hurt any more of the people Leo cared about.
Once the other two males were inside his study and the door firmly locked, Leo didn't waste any time. "Have either of you had luck contacting Matilda Banks?"
She was the unofficial fourth Dark Lord of London, a half-vampire and half-human female who ruled over a large group of humans in the East End; rumor said she identified with her human half the most because of her human mother.
Banks was also skeptical of paranormals and notoriously difficult to contact if you were one.
The blue-eyed Everett Black spoke up. "Aye, one of my people found his fated female with one of her humans. It's recent, though, so the wolf male has been trying his best to get his new wife to share more with us. It'd been bloody difficult—the rumor of extreme loyalty to Banks is true—but she says she has heard from Banks once in recent days."
Leo raised his brows. "And?"
Black shrugged. "All she'll reveal is that Banks swore she's not working with the 'fucking French' and we need to stay out of Banks's way."
Khan grunted. "That's not overly helpful."
Black replied, "Aye, I know. But at least she's not working with our enemy." The wolf glanced at Leo. "Had any luck on why Banks was inside your sister's sanctuary house?"
Earlier the same day River Vale had materialized into Leo's life, he and Yesenia had visited Nora's safe haven for the females Ambrose had freed from dire, abusive situations. Leo had observed from a hidden area above the main room below and had spotted Banks visiting with the half-human residents. More than that, she'd somehow noticed Leo's presence above and mockingly saluted him before disappearing into the shadows. "Not yet. The females Banks talked with are being close-lipped, although the matron is working on it."
Khan asked, "Have you thought to ask your sister to talk with them? They might be more open with a female than a male. Especially one who is the reason they have a place to stay at all."
Leo grunted, debating how much to share regarding Nora. He settled on, "She doesn't like to go outside, and I won't force her, not even for this."
Khan's brow lifted. "But this Dr. River Vale is her fated lord, correct? Maybe he can convince her to go outside and maybe even accompany her."
Leo shook his head. "I know you bloody fae witches don't have fated ones, but just because vampires and shifters do, well, it doesn't mean we instantly do whatever they ask of us."
Black asked, "Have you asked her to help?" Leo shook his head and the wolf continued, "Then maybe you should, aye? I was the same way with my sister—overprotective was an understatement—but she arrived the other day and you'd be surprised at what merely asking what she wants will accomplish."
Leo knew Black's sister was younger than her brother and blind, but not much else.
Not wanting to ask about Grace Black and then suffer questions about Nora he didn't wish to answer, he merely grunted. "Fine, I'll ask her, but that's all I can promise." He looked from Black to Khan and back again. "Now, we have two items remaining for this meeting: a general update on our territories, and what Khan plans to do with the fae witch male from the future. Which is next?"
Khan shrugged one shoulder. "I won't discuss River Vale until I talk with him, and I won't do that until this meeting is over."
Leo sighed. "You do know he's my wife's brother and, despite how much I bloody hate it, my sister's fated lord. He'll have to remain here until the claiming is at least complete. Yesenia will want him to stay forever."
Khan raised a dark eyebrow. "Ah, but what River Vale and Nora Yates want is all that matters. I've heard rumors about your sister." Leo narrowed his eyes and growled, but Khan held up a hand. "I don't give credence to mere rumors, or much care about what happened in her youth. However, if she does end up with Vale, it might be easier for her to live in my territory."
Black shook his head. "The fae witches bloody well hate the vampires, and for good reason, aye?"
The wolf referred to how Leo's father and uncle had been at war with the fae witches for decades, and had committed some truly reprehensible actions against them, the females in particular. "Why would you suggest that, Khan? I know you have a reason."
Khan shrugged one shoulder. "In general, yes, fae witches in this country still loathe the vampires for what your father and uncle did. However, a female who's been the victim of rumors, or worse, and ends up married to a fae witch doctor? Well, they'll accept her more easily than you think. And they wouldn't revile her for things done out of her control as a young female."
Leo had never spoken of Nora's past with either Dark Lord. However, Khan had access to all sorts of magic, including those who could see the future. "Is there something you're not telling me, Khan?"
He shook his head. "You know I can't speak of that."
Black sighed. "The bloody Code of Fae Witches is a right pain in the arse."
The code in question dictated what fae witches could or couldn't do or say with other paranormals. It seemed to be fucking inconvenient at the worst times.
