Forged in Flame (19 page)

Saturday morning meant a significant drop in early hour traffic and the drive from Hollywood to his cozy home in Los Feliz took less than ten minutes. While the garage door rattled in its tracks, he gathered his things and the sword. Before he got out of the car and closed the door. His cell phone rang again, startling him. He took a quick glance at the caller ID before answering.

“Hey James, what’s up?” He asked as he crossed into the house, hearing the latch click behind him as he walked down the hall.

“Boss. I hope this isn’t some bad joke. It’s too early even for Saturday morning cartoons. You know Morgan pays us extra to do shit like this.” The young werewolf sounded pissed off. Charles couldn’t blame him. There had been more troublemakers than usual starting from the time they’d opened until the last patrons left after last call.

The vampire laid the Falchion on his coffee table and rubbed his temples with his free hand. “What do you mean? It’s no joke.”

“There’s a whole lotta nothin’, near, beside, in, or around our dumpsters.”

“What?” Charles flopped onto his couch. He cradled his phone between his cheek and shoulder and pushed back his sleeve. The shirt was ruined but, the wound underneath had healed, leaving behind nothing but a pinkish scar that Charles knew would be gone by evening. “That’s impossible,” he said, voice snapping like the tip of a bullwhip in an expert’s hands.

“Look boss, the nose knows.” James punctuated his words by taking in and exhaling a long breath. “The only blood that’s been around here is from meat that ain’t been cooked long enough.”

“Shit. What about the lights?”

“They’re busted,” James said. “You want me to do something about ’em, boss?”

“Yeah, have them replaced before we open for business. Then find someone to cover the first couple hours of your shift. Come in late. Sorry about the goose chase.”

“All right, catch ya tomorrow,” James said and cut the connection.
 

Charles called Nicholas and left a message when he got the elder vampire’s voice mail. He glanced at the sword on his table and shrugged. Nothing else he could do, so he left the blade and went into the bathroom to clean up the wound on his arm.
 

“It’s well past time for me to fall into bed for a good day’s sleep. Running the club without Christophe is proving to be more of a headache than I’d bargained for,” he grumbled as his head hit the pillow.

21 - San Francisco, CA - October 19, 2012

The last vestiges of sleep slipped from Morgan’s mind, leaving behind a maze of cobwebs. Eyes still closed, she reached out, seeking Nicholas. When her hand found only empty cool sheets, she slipped out from under the covers and put on his robe. Tying the belt with a knot at the waist, she wandered into the living room and found him sitting at the grand piano. His fingers were resting on the keys though he wasn’t playing. He sat, frozen in place, not even bothering to breathe. Not certain she wanted to disturb him, Morgan stood for several moments waiting for Nicholas to make a move of any kind.
 

“I know you’re there.” He didn’t turn to face her. “Why don’t you come over here and say whatever is on your mind?”

“Why do you think I had something to say? I just woke up and you weren’t beside me… I was simply wondering where you’d gone.”

“You were worried about me?” he asked, turning on the bench to face her.

Morgan stepped behind him and laid her hands on his shoulders. “I always worry about you.”

“Always?”
 

“Every night. It was harder in the past. When I knew I might not hear from you for weeks or months, but even though communication is easier now that we have the Blood Bond, it’s still difficult.”

“I wish I could do something to make things easier, but you knew what you were getting into when you married me.”

“Marrying an Enforcer? That was easy. When you asked me about becoming the Assassin, I didn’t object. I had some idea what I was signing on for.” She joined him on the bench and leaned against his shoulder. “So, tell me what’s bothering you. Maybe I can help. Even if I can’t, maybe talking it through will.”

“It’s Jayson.” He sighed. “I thought this would be simple. It should have been, but it’s as though the kid grew a brain overnight. For the life of me, I can’t figure it out.”

Morgan frowned, “What do you mean, grew a brain?”

Nicholas shook his head, “He’s more careful and hasn’t left a clue we could trace since the night after we arrived in the city. If I didn’t know better, I’d say he was getting help.”

“Why not?” Morgan asked. “Why can’t he be getting help?”

“It would have to be one of Samair’s people, and they’re on notice. They know I’m involved, so it would be foolish for them to get involved, Morgan.”

“Their Sire’s not exactly a brain trust,” she said with a shrug, “That being said, he surrounds himself with strong people. I can’t see any of them being this stupid. So, maybe you need to look beyond Samair’s people.” Morgan smiled, liking the idea that her insights might be helping.

“Beyond?”

“Yes, I know you don’t like him, and to be honest, neither do I, but, is it possible that you’re trying to lay this at his feet because you’re really looking for a reason to get rid of him?” Morgan suggested, her mind turning over possibilities no matter how remote.

“He treats his people like crap,” Nicholas said. “Any Dynastic vampire would have been entombed for half the shit I can prove he’s done.”

Morgan shook her head and gently combed her fingers through his sandy hair. “That doesn’t mean he’s at the heart of all of this.”

“So, if I look beyond Samair, what am I left with?”

“Jayson.”

“Just the kid.” He sighed and turned to fully face her, straddling the bench.

“Yes, just him,” she confirmed taking his hands in hers.

Nicholas closed his eyes and dropped his head forward, shaking it. “I think this is going to be a bigger pain in my ass than I expected.”

They were silent for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts. Nicholas leaned forward and rested his head on Morgan’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
 

“You mentioned the pattern has changed?” she asked, breaking the silence.

“Yeah. Either he’s gotten help from somewhere or two vampires are at work.” Nicholas sat back and watched her eyes clear.

“Can I make what may seem like a radical suggestion, without you flipping out on me?”

“Go ahead, my love. I’m open to anything at this point.” His eyes narrowed and he inched away from her on the bench.

“I know it’s beyond normal procedures.” She paused, giving him a moment to consider her words before she pushed ahead. “You’ve got access to a trained investigator. Why not make use of his talents?”
 

“You mean Eric.” It was a statement, not a question. He furrowed his brow, in thought

“I mean Eric.” Morgan nodded. “He’s an asset at your disposal.”

“It’s not how we do things. He’s not an Enforcer.” Nicholas shook his head, a puzzled look crossing his whole face.

“So what?” Morgan tilted his head up with a finger under his chin. “You’re the Assassin. Don’t you get to make up the rules as you go along?”

“You think he might be able to help?”

“I do. Even if he can’t, at least you’ve tried. Who knows? Maybe something will fall into place, and you’ll figure it out.”

“You sound worried, love,” Nicholas whispered.

“I am,” she confessed. “I haven’t seen you at loose ends like this for a very long time.” She took a deep breath and continued, “What’s
really
bothering you?”

“Everything. Jayson, The Order of the Black Rose making its return. Finding out that Richard’s brother is a Knight.” He stood and started pacing the area around the piano circling it like a predator with wounded prey. “And that’s just what I know about. Part of me thinks I should ask you to go back to LA. Or better yet, go hole up in the Council’s compound. As my wife, you can do that now that everyone knows.” He frowned and shook his head. “But that’s no good. Lucian is there.”

“I love you, but sometimes you take on and worry too much.”
She rubbed her forehead as if wishing away a headache.

“I’m not going to stop worrying about you or my duty.”

“One of the reasons you’re so good at what you do is because you care. I wouldn’t want you to go about business as if no danger existed.” She stood and put herself in his path. When Nicholas tried to step past her, she caught his arm and held him tight. “Love, you need to ask for help.”

Nicholas stared at her for a moment, a puzzled expression on his face as if she’d spoken in an unknown language. “I already have. I believe Eric went to see a friend about the situation this evening.”

“You let me go through all of that when you’d already asked him?” Morgan shoved his shoulders and stepped back, Nicholas caught her around the waist and held her in place.

“Ha. You were making such a compelling argument, I didn’t want to interrupt you.”

“Sometimes you’re a jerk, you know that?” A slight smiled curled her lips and her voice had dropped to a lower sultry register.
 

“You are fond of reminding me when I lapse, my love.”

“Do you want to call Marcus? See if he’ll come to town? Maybe have Charles come up too? I can have James and Danny take over the day-to-day at the Dracul. They managed well enough while I was vacationing in Insanityland and the boys went to New Orleans to help look for me.”

“Maybe,” Nicholas sighed, “I’ll give the Old Man a call tomorrow. Don’t worry about Charles yet. If we need him, it’s not a long flight from Los Angeles up here. Hell, he could make the drive in one night if absolutely necessary.”

“Good. Now, for the rest of the day, you’re not allowed to worry. You need to get a fresh perspective. Dwelling on the situation won’t do anyone any good.”

“Any thoughts on how to distract me?”

“I could tell you all about what’s been happening at The Dracul.”

“Troubles?” He asked as Morgan led him back to the piano bench.

“Nothing out of the ordinary.” She shrugged and sat down in front of the piano, running her fingers over the ivory keys. “The same old song and dance every night.”

Nicholas sat beside her and began playing a soft melancholy melody. “So, why are Charles and the wolves reporting?”

“Because I like being kept in the loop.” Morgan giggled. “That, and I think they like keeping tabs on me.”

“Why?”

“Yep. Since New Orleans, I think they’ve all become overprotective.”

“We all are,” he said and resumed playing a tune she didn’t recognize though he studied her, not the keys. “I know you want things back to the way they were, and I can respect that, but you also have to know that we worry about you for good reason.”

“I do.” She leaned against him, closing her eyes. “I think we’ve found an acceptable balance.”

“So, what do you have planned for this coming evening?”

“I thought I’d go see a couple of old friends after my lesson with Richard.”

“Would these old friends be Nomads?”

“Yes.”

“Love?” he asked but continued in a gentle tone without allowing time for her answer, “Are you planning to stir up trouble for the Lord of San Francisco?”

She sat up and looked at him through half-closed eyes. “I never said anything about making trouble.”

“I know you, Morgan.”

“So you know I’ll be careful,” she said with an innocent smile curling her lips.

“But you
are
planning to stir up some trouble,” he said even though he already knew.

“If I open a location here, there’s no way I’m going to deal with his bullshit.”
 

“Sounds more like self-preservation,” he muttered the concession, knowing he should tread lightly to avoid pissing Morgan off.

“Yes. That and you’re right. He needs to go.”

Nicholas shook his head and the music shifted to something with a faster tempo, a feeling of urgency and a darker tone. “I’m not sure I like this.”

“Are you going to stop me?” Morgan asked.

“It’s not that.” Glancing at her, brow furrowed, he said, “I’m not certain that I like the…” another short pause as he found the right word, “…precedent it sets.”

“No one will know I’m involved.” She held one hand up touching her thumb and pinky.
 

“Love, you were never a boy scout.” Taking her hand in his, he kissed the back of it, while adding, “And those sound like famous last words to me.”

She rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue for a second before laughing. “I’m not going to come out and announce that he needs to be removed. Despite the fact that he most definitely does.”

Nicholas sighed, knowing he wouldn’t win against Morgan’s stubborn streak. “You know I can’t order you to leave him alone.”

“I know.” She reached out and put her fingers under his chin, turning his head to face her. “But if you ask me to, I’ll lay off.” She shrugged. “Open the new club on the East Coast.”

“You know I won’t ask you to walk away because I know why you want to open the new club here. Besides, I trust you to be sneaky enough that your name will never come up or cross that lounge lizard’s mind.”