Shadow Born: Book 1 of the Shadow-Borne Chronicles (36 page)

“Your money, sir.
 
You may count it if you like.”

Alec took the envelope but declined counting it.

“Where to?”

“Food,” Alec said and realized just how hungry he really was.
 

“Any particular type?”

Alec thought about it for a moment.
 

“We want to eat and then shop for clothes to wear.
 
Where would you suggest?”

They discussed several different options and agreed on a small outlet mall near where they were.
 
Alec didn’t want to be around a bunch of people in case somehow he or Steven were recognized, but he didn’t want to be isolated either and provoke another attack of some sort.

They arrived at the mall and Jon parked the car.
 
Before they exited, he advised Alec to pull some of the money out of the envelope and put it in his wallet.
 
It wasn’t wise to flash that much money around.
 
He also explained there was a safe in the car and that Alec could choose his own combination on the keypad.
 
Alec took a thousand dollars out, placed in in his pocket and locked the rest up.

Alec wasn’t really worried about being robbed, but he was worried about having to kick someone’s ass and others witnessing it.
 
It was really odd.
 
Alec had never felt confident before.
 
Now he didn’t even worry about muggers or thieves.
 
He could handle pretty much anything.
 
It was a very unsettling feeling when he stopped and really thought about it.

The two young men ate at a fast food burger place, shoving food in their mouths as quickly as they could to assuage their hunger.
 
Alec offered to buy something for Jon but he declined.
 
Alec and Steven went to several different stores in the mall, trying on clothes and choosing what they each wanted to wear.
 
Alec wasn’t really sure what one wore to a confrontation but he chose his usual cargo pants and shirt.
 
Might as well be comfortable.

They arrived back at the car and Jon opened the doors for them.
 
Alec just thought that was weird, he could open a door for himself, but he didn’t say anything.
 
Alec pulled out a small thumb drive that he had bought and handed it to Steven.

“We need to back everything up, just in case.”
 
Steven nodded and opened his computer up in his lap, and he realized his computer battery was about to die.

Steven pressed the red talk button.

“I need to stop and find a place to charge my computer.
 
Preferably somewhere with Wi-Fi.”

The driver’s voice came over the speaker.
 
“Pull down the tray in front of you, underneath the partition.”
 
Steven did as told and found behind it a place where he could plug in his computer and instructions on how to connect to the car’s Wi-Fi.
 
This was awesome.
 

Steven plugged in his computer and got online quickly.
 
He put the thumb drive in the USB port and started transferring information over.
   

“This is odd,” he said after a moment.

“What?”

“It seems our friend the Senator has changed the criteria for his revealing email.
 
He did have it set on a cycle of every twenty-four hours.
 
Now it’s set for every eight hours.”

Alec looked at the time on the computer.
 
That meant that the email was set to release at midnight if the password wasn’t typed in.

“He must have a meeting tonight with Silas and VonBell.
 
If necessary he can threaten them with releasing the information if they try anything or hold him,” Alec said thinking.

“Are you sure that the program has been disabled and won’t send the information out?”

Steven checked just to make sure nothing had changed.
 
“Yep, we’re good.”

Alec nodded.
 
They talked then about a plan and discussed their options.
 
Should they reveal what they knew to everyone, or try and get Silas and Marcus alone so they could talk privately?
 
They decided that if they could get Silas alone they would do it that way.
 
If not, they’d just have to deal with it and tell everyone at the same time.
 
Silas and Marcus wouldn’t be prepared if Taylor, or god forbid, VonBell attacked them, but Alec would be.
 
He just didn’t like being at Von Bell’s mercy while all this was going on.

They told Jon to drive them around Chicago as they made their plans.
 
Alec wasn’t sure what else to tell him.
 
All the driver said was, “Yes, sir.”

Steven eventually got Alec’s attention and turned the screen of the monitor to where Alec could see it.

“Seems like the incident I walked up on with Chris and vampire chick wasn’t the only time that’s happened.
 
Look.”

Alec read what was on the screen of the computer and realized it was an email to VonBell.
 
Since he was emailing a vampire, his language didn’t need to be as guarded, although he was still careful with what he said.
 
The gist of the message was loud and clear; keep that woman away from my son.
 
There were several back and forth where VonBell explained that Chris was not under any duress, but had voluntarily allowed Nia to feed on him.
 
He also told the Senator that if he didn’t want anything mysterious to happen to his son he would stay in line.
 

“This is insane,” Alec said sighing.
 
Steven popped in the thumb drive and copied the additional information over.

“I’ve been thinking about it.
 
Do you think VonBell found out about the Senator stealing money and the payments are his share?” Alec asked, looking at Steven.

“I don’t know.
 
Maybe.
 
It doesn’t seem like it’s a percentage, like half and half.
 
It’s just the same amount every month.”

Sooner than they liked, Alec was sure they would have their answers.
 

Alec had the driver take them to a park that was close by so that he could get out and stretch his legs.
 
He and Steven talked some more as they walked.
 
Neither was sure what was going to happen but figured it couldn’t be much crazier than what they’d already experienced.
 
At least Alec hoped it wasn’t.
 
Steven finally wilted and sprawled in the back seat of the car to sleep a couple of hours, leaving Alec alone with his thoughts.
 

The sun was just starting to set as he gave their driver the address for Vincent VonBell’s.
 
He was trying to time it so that they would arrive just as Silas and Marcus were up, so that they wouldn’t have to deal with security on their own.
 
Alec wasn’t sure what VonBell had told his staff and didn’t want to find out without some sort of back up.
 
The sun was down when they arrived in front of the huge mansion.
 
Alec had instructed the driver to pull up in front and let them out.
 
He had the man roll down the window and tipped him several hundred dollars.
 

They pulled their stuff out of the car and watched as the red taillights disappeared into the gloom.
 
Alec sighed and walked up to the gate and pressed the button.

“Can I help you?” a man’s voice asked.

Alec took a deep breath.
 

“Alec Carson to see Vincent VonBell.
 
I’m with Silas Montgomery and Marcus Roma.”
 
Alec never knew what to say in these situations.
 
The gate buzzed and swung inward.

“We’ve been expecting you Mister Carson.
 
Please come in.
 
Someone will be with you shortly.”

Alec and Steven stepped through the gate and walked down the driveway to the front door.

“Listen, I don’t know what’s going to happen, but if things go all crazy in there, just get behind me.”
 
Steven nodded and swallowed nervously.
 
Alec had stopped burning blood sometime during the day, but after a few tries that feeling of being
more
came back and he felt refreshed and energized.

“Alec, thank you for saving me from Vic and his insanity.
 
Things could have gone a lot different than what they did.
 
I just wanted to say thank you…just in case.”

“Hopefully, it will all turn out okay.”
 
Alec had his doubts, but, hey, it could happen.
 

The servant that opened the door led them inside and walked left down a long hallway to a single wooden door that was guarded by two gigantic men whom he spoke with briefly.
 
One of the men nodded for them to enter and opened the door.
 
The servant informed them that they were expected and left.

Alec and Steven walked into a large open office.
 
The floor was covered with plush red carpet and the walls were paneled in dark wood.
 
There was a large marble fireplace to their left, but it wasn’t lit.
 
Ahead of them was a huge wooden desk with two large windows behind it, showing the night sky.
 
Seated at the desk with his fingers steepled was Vincent VonBell in a dark gray, expensive-looking suit.

To Alec’s relief he saw that Marcus and Silas were seated before the desk, with their backs to him.
 
Standing beside the desk, on Alec’s left was Senator Taylor and his son.
 
Chris had his arms folded over his chest and looked angry.
 
Senator Taylor looked like he was about to hit someone.
 
All eyes turned to Alec and Steven as they crossed the room.

Marcus stood up quickly and hugged Alec with one arm.
 
In his ear he whispered, “I’m glad you’re okay.
 
I was worried.”
 
Alec hugged him back and Marcus sat back down.
 
Silas nodded to him, but Alec could see relief in his eyes.

Senator Taylor’s eyes hardened.
 
“What is he doing here?” he asked jabbing two fingers at Steven.
 
Steven was standing very close to Alec and was licking his lips nervously.

“I brought him,” Alec said simply.

“I want him arrested.
 
No, I want him killed,” Senator Taylor spat.
 
Chris smirked at them both.
 
Alec really wanted to reach over and smack both of them.

“Did you not hear me?” Senator Taylor growled when no one made a move.
 

“Silas, can we speak with you and Marcus privately?” Alec asked before anyone else broke out yelling.

Silas opened his mouth to answer but VonBell spoke first.
 

“You may not. I agree with the Senator.
 
Steven Reynolds needs to be in a cell not walking around freely. He helped with the kidnapping of Senator Taylor’s son.”

“Wait a minute,” Alec interrupted.

VonBell’s eyes hardened and he glared at Alec.

“As a matter of fact, why don’t you join your new friend in a cell?
 
You willingly helped him escape knowing he was a wanted criminal.”

“I can explain all that,” Alec said trying to speak calmly so that VonBell would listen.

“I don’t think so.
 
You are an abomination and your presence here is an insult to my house.”
 
He pressed a button to summon the guards.
 
When they entered he said, “Take these two to cells,” and motioning towards Alec and Steven and then dropped back into his chair.

Alec was stunned for a moment. And then he got angry.

“Hold on a second.
 
I can explain everything,” Alec said, heat coloring his words.

“I’m sure you can,” VonBell said condescendingly.
 
Senator Taylor looked triumphant and Chris just looked smug and said, “Told you I had powerful friends”.

“Maybe it would be more accurate to say
you
have some explaining to do,” Alec said raising his voice and glaring at VonBell.

“How dare you, I will rip your head…”

“Enough!” Silas’s voice echoed through the room.
 
Everyone froze.
 
Silas looked at the guards that were rounding on Alec and Steven.
 
“Out,” was all he said.

“How dare you order my guards around?
 
You are in my protectorate now.
 
You would do best to remember your place.”
 
VonBell was almost shaking.

“And I am a council member.
 
You’d do well to remember yours.”
 
Silas glared at VonBell until he dropped his eyes to his desk.
 

“Did you have something to say Alec?”

Alec cleared his throat.
 
“Yes.
 
I do.”
 
He ignored the glares from around the room.
 

“Last night I found out some interesting information from Steven here.”
 
Poor Steven looked like he might wet himself.

“As you know, last night Victor told me that Chris was aware of the vampires and that one had fed on him.”

“I can explain all that,” Senator Taylor said angrily.
 

“Yes, and you will,” Silas said calmly, looking at the man.
 
“But right now, Alec is speaking.”
 
The Senator snapped his mouth shut and glared daggers at Alec.