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“The ranch is outside my Gyre, but it’s part of my territory. I have every intention of finding out why twelve witches are dead. I can do it or—”
“I will,” Valen interrupted.
The hazel eyes darkened with an emotion that might have been amusement. “I thought you might take a personal interest.”
“The mages are valuable assets,” Valen said in cold tones. “Eventually they’ll accept my authority.”
“Hmm.”
Valen refused to be provoked. It was no surprise that Gabriel was aware of his interest in the mages, and his particular interest in Peri Sanguis. Even though the Cabal had sworn a peace treaty, they all had spies in each other’s territories. A treaty was nothing more than a promise. One that was easily broken.
“Is that all?”
“No. I have a contact in the area.”
Valen nodded. Gabriel would be a fool not to keep a close watch on a coven of witches. They didn’t have the power of a mage, but they could manipulate magic. That was always trouble.
“And?”
“The coven has always been secretive, but the past few years they’ve completely isolated themselves.”
“Any reason why?”
“My contact said there are rumors that they’d started practicing dark magic.”
Valen shrugged. Humans were the only ones gullible enough to believe in dark magic.
“Magic is magic. There’s no black or white.”
Gabriel’s features tightened. “There is, however, evil intent.”
“True.”
They shared a glance that was filled with ancient pain. They’d both survived the demon uprising that had destroyed severalvampires. As immortals, they were resurrected in new hosts, but each rebirth meant that the vampire awakened with no memory of their past and powers that were a small fraction of what they had possessed. It took centuries to regain their strength.
A severe loss, considering there were around fifty vampires in total spread throughout the world, and that they had no means of expanding their numbers. The human myths about a vampire’s bite turning them into an immortal were ridiculous. The only things that Hollywood had right were that vampires drank blood and they couldn’t go out in the sun.
“For now I have eyes on the property,” Gabriel assured him. “Nothing will approach the ranch without me knowing.”
“Good. I’ll be there as soon as my jet is ready.” Valen’s mind was already racing with the number of details that needed to be taken care of before he could leave the city.
“I can make a call to delay the commuter flight to Casper,” Gabriel offered.
“I would appreciate that. I would also appreciate if you’d spread the word that I’m not invading your territory,” Valen said. “I don’t want any messy misunderstandings.”
Gabriel nodded. “In return I want a full report on what you discover.”
“Fair enough.”
Valen was preparing to end the call when Gabriel abruptly smiled, revealing his massive fangs.
“Valen.”
“Yes?”
“You have excellent taste.”
* * *
