Page 85 of The Huntress
Dimitri rose, bringing George with him. He lowered her to her feet but remained standing behind her, his warning clear.
“Hello, Lord,” George said in a small voice as she cowered behind Callie’s leg.
“I hear you saved Callista,” Syl said in a gentle tone. “You have the heart of a mighty warrior.”
Gabriel hid his surprise by glancing away. He hadn’t known his brother remembered how to talk to children. Centuries had passed since they’d last encountered anything younger than teenagers, and no one, not even humans, could talk to teens.
George shook her head, tossing her curls. “It’s not nice being alone. When I felt that man coming, I ran…I’m sorry.” She faltered, her eyes growing wide before she buried her face in shame. “He scared me.”
“Which man?” Syl knelt to tuck a curl behind her ear.
“He gave us food, but he wasn’t a nice man. He’s not coming here, is he?” She raised a large fear-filled gaze to Syl, her body trembling.
Gabriel gripped the chair, the urge to gather her in his arms and protect her sweeping through him. He didn’t want to dwell on how much his solitary life had changed.
“Gabriel and Callie wouldn’t let any harm befall you,malen’kiy,” Dimitri said.
She released Callie’s leg to leap into his arms. Snuggling against him, she settled with a contented sigh. Their bond was disturbing despite its beauty. Perhaps the trust had formed when Dimitri had rescued Callie?
Gabriel shot a look at Leo and arched a brow.Investigate this, will you?he asked, tossing the request in thought.
I plan to, Leo said.
Gabriel waved a hand, and a mahogany table appeared with Callie’s files now strewn across its polished surface.
“Start at the beginning,” he said to Syl.
Dimitri slid into a chair with George still clinging to him. Her eyes drooped, and after the day she had, Gabriel wasn’t surprised.
Callie chose the seat next to Gabriel, her warmth spreading to his palm when she laced her fingers with his. She left the farthest chair for Syl.
He sat, his brow furrowing with concern. “Alrik, the previous alpha of the Knights Ridge, approached me saying they’d discovered, through various sources, the cure to vampire infertility.”
Callie gasped before breaking into a relieved and delighted smile. Her shoulders relaxed, but she squeezed Gabriel’s hand with her excitement barely contained.
Syl materialized a snifter of brandy, staring at its amber liquid before swirling it. “Of course, I didn’t trust him. So, I played along and agreed to test a sample. The results were promising. The women smelled fertile, so I purchased the canister. It’s in our lab now. The chemical breakdown is different, though, as if they have added something since the sample. We have yet to test it on women for obvious reasons.”
“What if you say you tested it?” Mike asked. “Hear me out.” He raised his hands in supplication. “They’re watching, waiting. I know I would. React as if the cure is killing your women. Start gathering your forces as if you plan to attack the beasts…I mean, shifters.”
“Yes…that could work. I would chat first to the new alpha, Rhys. Find out if he’s in on Stavros’s plan.” Gabriel gestured with his head to Leo, suggesting Syl take him with to the meeting.
“If he is oblivious, we can deceive Stavros with a fake war.” Dimitri grinned, revealing how eager he was to best Stavros.
“No one likes to be played,” Callie said.
“Monique, Carter’s daughter, must reveal her existence to her father to end his vendetta, and if he cannot accept what she’s become, then we’ll destroy him.” Syl gave Leo a make-it-happen look.
“Carter won’t go down alone. He’ll take Duhamel with him,” Mike said.
“That leaves Stavros.” Dimitri grinned, his eyes sparkling.
“This ruse should flush him out,” Leo said, sipping his cognac.
“He’s after Gabriel. We’ll use him as bait.” Dimitri rubbed his palms together. The full details as to why he hated Stavros were still unknown.
“Keep my family safe.” Gabriel shot a glance at Callie’s pinched lips.
“No.” She slammed her fist on the armrest. “I’m with you.”
