Motor City Mage (17 page)

“I’m fine, Mom. No injuries, I promise. We just got stuck on the other side of a portal and had to find a roundabout way of getting home.” Des patted his mother’s shoulder.

Lien Sutton sniffed even as she backed away from him. Her dark eyes twinkled, though, letting him know she was teasing, at least partly. “Just like you to rush into something without proper backup. And you dragged that poor girl with you.”

“That poor girl is a werewolf,” Ted, Des’s father, reminded his wife. “And she’s all right, too, son. Isn’t she?” His bright blue eyes studied Des carefully, making Des squirm. His parents both had a knack for seeing right through him.

“Lana is just fine.” Elise said as she and Lana appeared at the door of the room. “Mom and Dad, let me introduce my dear friend, Lana Novak. Lana, meet my parents, Lien and Ted.”

Des couldn’t help being proud of the way Lana faced his parents without flinching, her gaze warm, friendly and full of confidence. “It’s a delight to meet you at last,” she said. She held out her hand to shake, but Ted engulfed her in a bear hug. He was a big man, taller than Des and twice as broad, with a shock of graying red hair and a ready smile. “Elise has talked a lot about you.”

“But not my son, eh?” Lien followed with a more restrained embrace. The two white streaks in her black hair, framing her face, had widened since the last time Des had seen her, but her skin was still almost as smooth as her daughter’s. She reached up to pat Lana’s cheek. “I have heard of your fierceness in defending our granddaughter. Our family owes you a great debt.”

Des picked up his Scotch and sipped, waiting to see how Lana responded.

“There’s no debt involved—only friendship,” Lana said, taking Lien’s hands. “I adore Dina. She’s a great kid. And your family has come through for mine as well. I wouldn’t want to begin keeping track of who owes whom.”

“This is a smart girl,” Lien said to Des. “You should consider marrying her.”

Des spewed Scotch out his nostrils. The burn made his eyes water, but that gave him a moment to think before he spoke.

Elise saved him the trouble with a laugh. “Oh, the League would just be thrilled about that. They’re having enough of a hissy-fit over me marrying an elf, and I’m not even active anymore.”

“We have some talking to do about the League,” Ted said seriously. “But we’ll wait for your other friends to arrive.”

“Full-on war council,” Aidan agreed. “If I’m not mistaken, that’s Ric and Meagan now. The Novaks shouldn’t be far behind.”

Within the next fifteen minutes, Lana’s parents, Julian and Helen, arrived along with Greg, Fee, George and Jase. That was a long and loud family reunion, with Lana forced to repeat over and over that she was undamaged and perfectly fine. Her father sniffed and glared at Des, then Greg did likewise.

Des mentally cringed.
Oh no, I forgot about the scent thing.
Too late to worry about it now, but Julian and Greg both cast him a look that said they’d be discussing it later.

Meanwhile, Elise herded everyone into the dining room where the massive table was laden with full bowls and platters of food. Aidan had asked Toby Bootle and his head of security, Wallis Silverwood, to sit in, and even Vin was there, in human form, having been brought down from the guest suite Aidan had stashed him in. The only one noticeably absent was Dina, who was safely tucked away in her room. In other words the place was crowded, and of course everyone tried to talk at once.

“Quiet,” Des finally thundered. “First, I want to know why the League is causing problems.” He gestured to his father, who was a past director of the Vancouver branch. “Dad?”

“Brewer has accused you of being in league with the demons plaguing the city with their drugs.”

Lana gasped but Des just nodded. Trust Ted not to bother with sugar-coating anything. Besides, this wasn’t unexpected. He’d considered the possibility that Brewer would cover his own ass by blaming Des.

“He’s telling the regents that your consorting with Lupines and Fae is proof you can’t be trusted. Obviously it was just a matter of time before you took up with demons as well.” Ted tipped back a swallow of Aidan’s Scotch.

“Which is utter nonsense, of course,” Lien added. “The League has grown far too insular over the years. It’s past time to relax their opinions on other races.”

“My question is who put them in charge in the first place?” Of them all, Meagan was the newest to be introduced to the supernatural world and likely had the most objective viewpoint. “What gives the League the right to claim authority over other races?”

“That’s a very good question,” Elise said. “And one I never thought to ask when I was a member.”

“I believe the
Wyndewin
have always seen themselves as the protectors of humanity against those with more innate power,” Lien said. “And, contrarily, as the defenders of magic against those with an agenda against it. There are many of us who see that as a contradiction. But like any other large organization, political factions have come into and out of favor, and right now, many of the people in charge are older, conservative…”

“So the League essentially missed the civil rights movement.” Lana made a face. “Figures. Add in male and white and they’d actually sound a lot like my grandfather.”

“And some of the Fae,” Meagan added. “They don’t even like halflings.”

“I think the tendency to keep to one’s own is pretty ingrained in all the supernatural communities,” Ted said. “For centuries it was all about trying not to be hunted and burned. But we’ve all taken it too far, and forgotten that we can strengthen each other as well. Not all of us, but enough to cause trouble. I was going to add, though, that several newer directors and even regents have come on board within the last few years. A few of them are open-minded and ready to make a difference. If we can expose Brewer, prove he was the one in bed with the Gravaki while loudly espousing the racial superiority of humans, I think it will go a long way toward establishing the need for new ideas within the League. Also, the work you’ve all done here in Detroit hasn’t gone unnoticed. The regents are watching your mixed-up group very carefully as an example of what can be accomplished when various races work together.”

“But first we need to deal with the situation in Detroit.” Aidan’s voice rang out from the head of the table. “While you were gone, the drug trafficking has increased by an order of magnitude. Dozens of homeless people have gone missing and even more people in the city have died from overdoses. The police are calling it an epidemic of drug use. The FBI is involved. There have been half a dozen armed conflicts between dealers and cops, with several police officers being killed. Detroit is essentially a war zone right now. Getting in and taking care of things without being seen is going to be even harder than usual.”

“Shit.” Des and Lana spoke at once.

“Exactly.” Greg tunneled his hand through his hair. “So far, the cops don’t seem to know about the salt mines, so a frontal assault there might be our best alternative. I can round up some more pack members and Aidan’s crew did a damn good job on that warehouse a few months ago.”

“Sounds like a suicide mission to me.” Vin shrugged. “But what the fuck, I’m in.”

About an hour into the planning, Lana felt her mother shake her shoulder, waking her up. “Crap.” She rubbed her gritty eyes. “Sorry about that. Where were we?”

“Figuring out if we should strike tonight or wait until tomorrow,” Des answered. “I’m voting for tomorrow, but sooner is probably better.” He looked as exhausted as she felt.

“Don’t forget we also need definitive proof of Brewer’s complicity,” Ted reminded them all. “Without that, Des is still in trouble with the regents, and through them, maybe even with the human authorities.”

“Right. What can we do to make sure Brewer’s there when we show up in the mines?” Aidan asked.

“What if Des called him and offered to make some kind of deal,” Lana suggested. The idea seemed reasonable to her but drew a mixed reaction.

“What we really need is for Mandrake to call,” Meagan said. “Then he’d have to show up, wouldn’t he?”

“Yeah, but even with an illusion spell on our voices, I’m not sure we could fool another
Wyndewin
,” Ted said, his bluff, friendly face glum.

“Maybe I can.” Before their eyes, Vin transformed into a Gravaki—but not the same one Lana had seen in Sheila’s apartment. This was Malen—the demon they’d met in the mines. “My people are true shifters. We can take on any other form, including voice.” He rapidly morphed back into the pleasant-looking black man he normally posed as.

“That could work.” Ric said what they were all thinking. “We use a burner cell phone—arrange a meeting for them somewhere, get some photos—then we take on the mines after Brewer is already in custody.”

Everyone seemed to agree and began to talk at once, making suggestions and plans. “Lana and Elise can coordinate from here.” Aidan gave his fiancée a doting smile. “Which will free up Wallis and his team to come with us.”

“Not happening,” Lana said. “Meagan, Elise and Fee can man the computers and communication. I’m going with you.”

“Likewise,” Elise said. “Mom can help here. I’ve been practicing my combat spells and you might need an on-site medic.”

“But…” Greg started to growl something and Lana held up her hand.

“No. Don’t even think about being as sexist as the old man. I’m a fully competent lupine and this is my fight as much as it’s anyone else’s. I’m going. End of statement.”

“She’s right.” Des spoke quietly but with authority. His eyes were bleak. “Lana has as much invested in this as any of us. I don’t like the idea of Lana or Elise going into a life-or-death situation either. But the same is true for any of us. I’d rather not lose any of my friends or family. Period. But if we’re going to do this—all risk our lives tonight—then it should be each person’s choice as to whether or not they go, assuming they’re physically capable.”

“Meaning not pregnant.” Ric glared at Meagan who rolled her eyes.

“Duh,” she said. “But Lana’s right. Fee and I can work coms.”

“I can operate Aidan’s computer system in my sleep, as can Mairead.” Fee had been Aidan’s private secretary at one time, and Dina’s current nanny had been her predecessor. “With Meagan, we will not need any additional help.”

“My fighting days are mostly behind me.” Lana’s mother tapped her manicured pink fingernails on the table. “But I can still drive and I have lupine sight and hearing as well as reflexes. I could act as a lookout and driver.”

“You’ll need at least two,” Lien added. “Even with large vans or limos. And that way I’ll be nearby in case you need another healer. Plus I can hide the vehicles. I’ve always been good with illusion spells.”

Julian and Ted shared a look of horrified resignation but neither could seem to marshal a reasonable argument for their wives to stay behind.

“Well, if this is going to happen tonight, then we have preparations to make. And Lana and Des have been up for far longer than the rest of us. They need to get some sleep.” Elise could be quite authoritarian when the situation warranted it, but Lana didn’t disagree. She needed a nap if she was going to be in top form later that evening. Des did, too, whether he’d admit it or not.

“She’s right.” Des’s ready agreement was something of a shock. “I also need to go get some things from my place. Did anybody get our cars back, by the way? Lana’s was at the apartment where we met Vin and mine wasn’t far from the mine entrance.”

“We did. Vin showed us where they were.” Aidan nodded at their Gravaki ally. “They’re both here in the garage.”

“Good. I’ll head home, grab some sleep and a real shower then be back by dinner.”

“Brewer’s having your place watched,” Greg said. “You might not want to do that.”

Des snarled but nodded. “You’re right. Mind if I catch a nap here?”

“Of course not.” Elise smiled. “Use the same room you had last time you stayed.”

“Lana, you want a lift to your place, or is here okay?” Greg studied her as if she was about to break in half.

She shook her head. She didn’t want to answer his questions—not yet. She was so tired her defenses just might crack. “I think I’ll crash here, too, if that’s okay, Elise?” Since she wouldn’t be wearing clothes into the conflict, it didn’t matter that she was still in borrowed garments.

“We have lots of rooms. Pick an empty one.”

“Mind if I go up with you?” Helen asked.

“Of course not, Mom.” Lana cringed as she and her mother headed to the stairs behind Des. As soon as the two lupines had rounded the bend in the staircase, they turned right, while Des turned left and disappeared into a room. Lana looked back at her mother. “So what’s up?”

“Oh, I think you know.” Helen wrapped her arm around her daughter’s waist. “His scent is all over you, darling. And there’s a fang mark peeking out from under his collar now and then. Didn’t you think any of us would notice?”

Oh, fuck.
“Apparently, I didn’t think much at all,” Lana muttered. “Try to keep the males from going ape-shit, okay? It’s not serious. We were together, and we’re attracted to each other, but it’s over now that we’re home.”

“Now that’s a shame.” Helen chuckled, a low, feminine laugh of appreciation. “I know you, sweetheart. You love him. He’s a good, strong male and he obviously cares deeply for you. If he’s what you want, dig in your claws and hold on.”

“If I thought I had a chance, I would.” Lana walked into the decadent guest room she’d used on her last visit, and turned to face her mother who lingered in the doorway. “Just—don’t let Greg or Dad hurt him, okay? None of this is his fault.”

“Don’t worry, sweetie. After this drug business is over, we’ll get your relationship sorted out.” Helen smiled and turned to leave. Over her shoulder, she murmured her parting shot. “After all, I want grandchildren some day.”

Lana peeled off her sweater and leggings before crawling into the big bed. She huddled under the covers, hugging a pillow tightly. She’d like kids someday, too. Too bad it looked like that was never going to happen.

* * *

Des figured he’d dodged a bullet by escaping before Greg and/or Julian could corner him and ask about his intentions. Tonight might render it all moot anyway. He couldn’t answer questions if he managed to get himself killed—and better him than any of the others. The idea of Lana or Elise in the thick of things made him sick to his stomach—not to mention his parents. He wished to hell they’d waited in Vancouver. Aidan and Ric were priorities too. Since they were life-bonded to Elise and Meagan, one death would mean two—though in Meagan’s case not until after she delivered their son. Des sure as hell didn’t want that on his conscience. Or Fee having to raise twin werewolf cubs without her lupine mate. She and Greg might not be able to life-bond until she got her powers back, but she still needed him.

Oh hell
, he was going to worry about all of them. Everything about this situation stank. This was why, for so many years, the only people he’d let himself get close to were his family.

In the guest room, he set his alarm and crashed like a rock. Two hours later he showered, shaved and felt like himself for the first time in days. His jeans had been washed and were waiting for him, along with a black turtleneck. Once dressed, he stuck his wallet, which had somehow made it with him through all those worlds, back into the pocket of his jeans.

Then he pulled off the bracelet and turned it over in his hands a couple times, studying it. It was kind of bulky—a little bigger than the ID bracelet he’d had once upon a time in high school. Meant to slip over the hand, it was loose on his wrist, unlike the feminine version. The man’s design was also wider, giving it more masculine lines. The engraving was a perfect match though—a Makran design Uther said mean
eternity
. He wondered if he could get a jeweler to add a clasp and hinge like Lana’s, maybe refit it a little so it hugged his wrist and didn’t bounce around. That way he could wear it from time to time when he wanted to feel her close to him.

For tonight he reluctantly set it aside, wrapping it in his battered flannel shirt. Armed conflict was no place for jewelry, though he did strap on his watch and slide his cell phone—returned from Vin and waiting for him fully charged at Aidan’s—into his back pocket.

He went downstairs quietly, hoping none of the werewolves would have time to corner him. Slipping into the kitchen for a snack, he encountered his sister, loading a tray full of coffee and sodas. She gave him a conspiratorial grin.

“The war council is in the library, but I was just about to head upstairs and wake Lana. Don’t suppose you’d want to handle that for me?”

“That’s probably not the best idea.” Des snagged an apple from a bowl on the counter and took a bite. “I’d rather not pick a fight with the entire Novak family right before we go into this mess.”

Elise lifted one eyebrow. “So you
don’t
want one last chance to say anything to her before all hell breaks loose? Thought you were smarter than that.”

Hell.
He debated with himself for maybe thirty seconds and nodded. “You got any more of that coffee? She’s going to want that when she wakes up.” Come to think of it, he could use a few cups, too.

Elise handed him two tall mugs and pointed to the coffee urn on the counter. “There’s a service staircase from the kitchen up to the second floor. Helen said she’s in the second guestroom on the left when you come out of the stairway. That way you shouldn’t run into anyone on the way up.”

Des leaned over and kissed his sister’s cheek. “Thanks.” Then he filled the mugs and made his way up the stairs.

Lana didn’t wake when Des opened the door. He closed it silently behind him and stood for a moment watching her sleep.

She was so unbelievably beautiful it made his stomach hurt to look. With her wild, dark hair tumbled across the pillows and her cheeks pink in sleep, she seemed positively angelic. It was about as far from the truth as possible. She was loud, brash and as in-your-face as a woman could get.

And he loved her—for every characteristic he’d once considered a flaw, he now saw the positive side. She was brave, confident and determined to bring out the joy in her own life and others.

For a little while, he’d found his.

After talking to his parents today, he held out a hope, a little one, that he wouldn’t have to choose between Lana and his job. Because really, without him being fully aware of it, he’d already made that decision. If she’d have him, he’d leave the League. He didn’t know what he’d do after that—maybe he’d open his own investigations agency, maybe he’d find himself working at the bar—but Lana was more important than any job.

“Is that coffee I smell?” She stirred, smiling and stretching as her eyes opened and focused on him. “Des? How’d you sneak up here?”

“Elise knows the hidden stairways.” He brought her one of the mugs and set it on the nightstand. “You feeling better?”

“Right as rain, or at least I will be once I get some of that Kenyan ambrosia into me. How about you?” She sat up against the headboard and reached for the mug. She was clad in nothing but a stretchy sports bra and panties, but made no effort to keep the sheet around her as she sipped. Des’s mouth watered and not from the admittedly fabulous coffee.

“I’m good,” he said. “Listen, before everything gets messy tonight, there are a few things I wanted to say to you.” Fidgeting with his own mug, he looked for a chair, but when Lana patted the edge of the bed, he sat down beside her, staring at the wall above her head.

“Okay. Shoot.” She took a long swallow and set her mug down, drawing her knees up to her chin and wrapping her arms around them. A flash of gold told him she hadn’t removed her bracelet yet. Hell, Aidan had to have wire cutters in this place. Maybe she really didn’t want it gone.

“I know better than to ask you not to go tonight.” He stuck his mug next to hers and dropped his eyes to study her face. “Just like I know I don’t have to ask you to be careful. You’re too smart not to be.”

“Thanks.” She gave him a tentative smile. “I appreciate the confidence. It means a lot, coming from you.”

“But I also know you’ll put others’ safety ahead of your own. And that scares the living hell out of me.”

“But you’ll do the same. I know you will. And I’ll be terrified for you the whole time.” She took a deep breath, dropped her knees and reached out to cup his chin. “I know you probably don’t want to hear this, but I love you, Des. Promise me you’ll do your best to come out of tonight in one piece.”

She loved him? Des barely suppressed a war whoop that would have brought the entire household running. He knew he was grinning from ear to ear and didn’t care. He dragged Lana onto his lap. “I love you, too,
chán-láng
. I don’t know what’s going to happen tonight, or afterward with the League…”

“We’ll figure it out. You love me? Oh my God, I hoped but was afraid… Damn, I never thought I’d hear you say that.” She peppered kisses on his cheeks. “As long as we love each other, as long as we both live through this mess, we’ll make it work somehow. I’m sure of it.”

He wished he had her confidence, but maybe that’s why he needed her—to counterbalance his own pessimism. Trying to concentrate on anything, though, when Lana locked her lips on his and began kissing the breath out of him was downright impossible.