Triple Dog Dare

  Once the four men were seated in the living room, and Callie was introduced to them and had brought them all drinks and appetizers, Daniel didn’t waste any more time. “The Clan Council meeting is tomorrow. I understand you have a vested interest in being there.”

  Ortega nodded. “I do. I have talked with Jocko, and he assures me your view on the Abernathys is identical to ours. I do understand your position and how you must…as you say, keep appearances. Protocols.”

  Daniel nodded. “Glad we’re on the same page. I would like to propose a formal partnership.” He detailed what had happened with the dragons and cockatrice, as well as Abernathy’s suspected involvement in some of it, but left out the parts about the Tablet. “I don’t know what will happen tomorrow. I’m hoping I can rule against Abernathy without any problem. But if I have to rule in his favor on one or both of those counts—”

  “We will be more than happy to step in and assist, as it were.” Ortega smiled, exposing a row of white, even teeth. If he was this terrifying as a human, Daniel imagined he could induce britches-shitting horror in a person when he was shifted. “That way, your Clan is off the hook.”

  “Exactly. In return, we will include you in everything regarding the cockatrice. And lend you any help you need in your territory.”

  Ortega nodded after glancing at his brothers. He picked at the crease in his slacks before looking back up at Daniel. “It is true what we’ve heard about the Tablet of Trammel?”

  Daniel glanced at Callie before returning his attention to the jaguar. “I don’t know. What have you heard about it?”

  He settled back in his chair, his massive arms crossed over his chest. “That the cockatrice want it. That they, possibly working in conjunction with the Abernathys, are the ones who killed Bertholde? Bertholde was a great friend to our Clan. She was well loved by many of our kind.” His expression darkened. “We take it personally that she was killed.”

  Daniel glanced at Callie again. She sent him a long, single blink. Their cue that he could confide in the jaguar.

  He returned his attention to Ortega. “Needless to say, this information does not leave this room.”

  Ortega looked to each of his brothers in turn, who nodded. Then back to Daniel. “Yes. Absolutely. You have our word.”

  Daniel went back and amended his earlier story to Ortega. This time when he finished, the jaguar silently sat for a long time, his gaze on the floor, his jaw working for several minutes. Eventually, he looked back up at Daniel. “You are a keeper of the Tablet again, aren’t you?”

  Daniel nodded.

  Ortega slowly nodded. “My grandfather was killed by the cockatrice. Fucking bastards. He went with goodwill to talk with them at their request. To negotiate. They had declared a truce. They murdered him and left his body in the middle of a muddy road like he was trash. They shot him in the back. That was ninety-six years ago, and we never caught the bastards.”

  “My parents were killed by them. Believe me, I understand your pain.”

  Ortega briskly nodded. “I am sick of these…things. Wolves, dragons, bears, many cats. All the other races. Even the vampires, for crying out loud, as you say in English. For eons we have coexisted, mostly with no ill will. Or, at least, live and let live. With extremely few exceptions. We all have in common that we don’t wish our secrets to get out and we leave each other alone. These cockatrice bastards have no honor. They kill women and children without remorse. They are filth.”

  “Preaching to the choir, mister,” Daniel said.

  “This Abernathy. He is not much better than the cockatrice.”

  “Agreed.”

  Ortega nodded. “You have our support and brotherhood.” He extended a meaty hand to Daniel, who shook with him. “Tell us what you would like us to do tomorrow.”

  Daniel stood with a smile. “Let’s talk about it while we eat. Callie’s laid out a huge spread. I hope you like turkey.”

  Ortega and his brothers all stood. He smiled. “It smells wonderful. My stomach has been grumbling since I walked in the door.”

  * * * *

  After dinner, they reconvened in the living room. Ricardo and Juan had opened up between the huge dinner and three bottles of Riesling shared between them. Daniel found them chatty, funny, and best of all, as detesting of the cockatrice and the Abernathys as their older brother.

  “I suppose killing this man is not a viable option?” Ortega asked.

  Daniel laughed. “He’d be dead already if it were.”

  “That’s for sure,” Callie snarked from where she was perched on the arm of Daniel’s chair.

  “I am not in the loop, as you say, for all things in this country. I do, however, hear a lot of rumors at Gatherings and from cousins and other families. Rodolfo Abernathy has a bad reputation among many. My experience with him was very typical. Explain to me why, exactly, killing him is not an option, please.”

  Daniel’s smile held little humor. “Believe me, it has nothing to do with desire. But we have protocols to follow. We can’t have him end up dead in our Clan compound after we’ve had a go-round with him.”

  “But if he were to end up dead some other time and place?”

  “We certainly wouldn’t miss him. I don’t want our Clan involved in those kinds of rumors though. The last thing I want is to develop that kind of reputation. Our Clan has done a lot over the past couple of centuries to help maintain peace between not only our Clan and race, but other Clans and other shifter races. I personally have friends who are dragons, bears, and cougars, not just wolves.”

  Ortega templed his fingers in front of him in contemplation. “But,” he slowly said, “no one would mourn Abernathy’s passing?”

  “No. Especially if it looked like an unfortunate accident,” Daniel said.

  Ortega nodded. “Good.” He smiled again. “Tomorrow should be interesting.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  “We have a slight change of plans,” Daniel said as he walked into Lacey’s dining room. “That was Andel Wattersson. He has a new lead on the cockatrice.” He handed Kael a piece of paper. “They’re about ten miles outside of Bangor, to the north and a little east, if the information’s correct.”

  “Let’s go,” Lina said.

  Jan grabbed her arm as she bounced up from her seat at the dining room table. “Calm down, lovely. I don’t know if you should be going anywhere in this condition.”

  “You want to try rephrasing that?” Lina snapped at him.

  Lacey laughed. “Jan, don’t worry. You’ll have more trouble on your hands if you try to keep her here.”

  Rick looked at a map on his phone. “I don’t know if we can make it there and back before the Council meeting.” He looked at Daniel. “What should we do?”

  “You should go,” Elain said. “Seriously. If you have a chance to get these fuckers, do it.” She realized what she said and looked at Ain, who only shook his head and laughed.

  Lina looked worried. “You sure?”

  “It’s okay,” Daniel said. “I’ll send Callie with you all after the cockatrice. The Montalvo brothers will be here any minute to go over final details. When we’re done at the Council meeting, I’ll call you, and if you’re still there and need us, we can all head on up there for backup.”

  Zack pretended to hold up a rifle and imitated Elmer Fudd. “Kill da cockatwice…kill da cockatwice”

  “That’s horrible,” Lina said as she laughed. “You’ll make me wet myself.”

  The doorbell rang, interrupting them. Lacey went to answer it and returned a moment later followed by Ortega Montalvo and his brothers.

  Ortega broadly smiled when he spotted Liam, who stood to greet him. “Liam!” The men embraced. “It is very good to see you here,” Ortega said.

  “It’s good to see ye, too, Ortega.” He indicated Elain and Carla. “This is my daughter, Elain, and her mum, Carla Taylor.”

  Ortega looked a little confused. “But I thought your mate died.”

  “She did
. This is Elain’s adopted mom.”

  “Ah. Congratulations, my friend!”

  Liam laughed. “No, she raised Elain. My mate and Carla were friends.”

  “Ah! I understand now. My apologies.”

  “Don’t worry,” Elain snarked. “It’s gotten pretty confusing around here the past few weeks.”

  With introductions out of the way, Daniel detailed his plan to the others with Ortega contributing where needed. Should it be necessary to rule against Elain or Mai, the Montalvos would then bring their own challenge of an honor debt against Abernathy. Of course, Abernathy would reject the claim due to not being a member of that Clan. Daniel would rule that since Mai and Elain were of their Clan, they could be used as collateral for the honor debt and Ortega Montalvo and his brothers would immediately take custody of the two women and whisk them away to a safe house.

  “Isn’t that kind of risky?” Jim nervously asked as he looked at Mai. Of the two men, he was by far the more overprotective one.

  Daniel nodded. “It’s the best shot we have. We thought about the Montalvos abducting the women from the Abernathys, but that’s far too risky and gives Abernathy too much contact with them. It’d be too easy for him to hurt one or both of them.”

  Brodey nodded. “I hate to admit it, but it’s the best way to do it. It’s bullshit, and everyone will know it’s bullshit, but everyone also knows what Abernathy’s son tried to do to Ortega’s daughter that time. No one will question it, and they’ll see Abernathy as getting the screwing he so rightfully deserves.”

  “And then we just have to live on the run for the rest of our lives?” Elain asked.

  “No,” Cail said. “We’ll sell and relocate. All of us.”

  “What, you mean pick up and move to Bolivia?”

  “Exactly,” Ain said, serious.

  “So you’re telling me because this rabid jackass might get his way, we have to uproot our lives?”

  “No one said it was a perfect solution, Elain,” Daniel said.

  “It’s bullshit, is what it is.” She looked around the room. “I say we take the fucker out and be done with it.”

  “We can’t,” Ain replied, his voice calm and patient. “That would play into exactly what he wants, a Clan war. No sane person wants that.”

  “I’m not feeling particularly sane right now,” Elain shot back.

  “Look,” Zack said. “Regardless, right now, we need to get going if we want any chance of making it back here before noon. Come on, kiddies. We have cockatrice to cook.”

  Lina pulled herself out of her chair. “Let me hit the potty again.”

  Mark stood. “Oscar, Wally, Doug, and I will go with them.”

  Ain nodded. “That’s a good idea.

  “Meanwhile,” Lacey said as she grabbed Elain’s arm, “you and I are going down to the thinking rock for a talk.”

  Ain stood. “We’ll come, too.”

  Lacey waved him down. “Nonsense. She and I need some time together.”

  Lina returned from the bathroom. “Hey, give me hugs, you two.” She hugged Mai and Elain. “We’ll see you in a couple of hours, regardless.” She looked Elain in the eye. “Okay?”

  Elain felt a wave of certainty from her friend and smiled. Whatever Lina had sensed, she apparently knew Elain and Mai would be all right. “Okay.”

  Lina grinned. “Exactly.” She turned and headed for the front door. “Allons-y!”

  “I’ve got to make her quit watching Doctor Who,” Zack grumbled as he followed her out the door.

  * * * *

  Elain walked down to the thinking place with Lacey. “Lina knows something, doesn’t she?” Elain asked.

  “Knows what?”

  “Exactly,” Elain said. “She seemed pretty certain this would all work out okay.”

  “Oh. Well then, I would suggest not worrying.” Lacey smiled.

  From their serene perch, Elain looked out over the water. “He won’t give up without a fight, though. Will he?”

  Lacey shrugged. “That I don’t know. Not likely, knowing his past history.”

  They didn’t have long before they would have to head back so they could go to the Council hall. “What do I do?”

  “Follow your instincts. And I don’t just mean today. I mean in your life as a whole. Always trust your instincts. You are a Seer. You are perfectly capable of taking care of yourself. You’re a strong, Alpha wolf. Let your heart guide you, even if it flies in the face of reason or what anyone else tells you.”

  “I’m scared.”

  “Don’t be.” Lacey looked at her. “There’s no reason to be scared. Trust yourself.”

  “That sounds like a cop-out answer.”

  “It’s not. You have no idea how strong you are. Mentally, physically. You’re a tough woman.”

  “What have you seen in your visions?”

  “About today? Nothing in particular.” She smiled. “I have seen enough about the future, however, to know I can tell you to relax and let your intuition guide you.”

  Elain took a deep breath. “In other words, I need to go through this.”

  “Yep.”

  “Are you coming, too?”

  Lacey’s face darkened. “I’d rather not set my eyes on that bastard. I’d be liable to do something even Daniel and Callie couldn’t save me from.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  They showed up at the Council meeting hall at a quarter till noon. Elain spotted the three jaguar brothers seated in the shadows in the far corner of the meeting hall.

  Ain leaned in and whispered in her ear. “Remember, stay calm. If this goes against us, just follow Daniel’s lead.”

  She nervously nodded.

  Ain looked around. “I don’t see any sign of fuckwad.”

  Mai nodded from inside the comfort of Micah’s arm around her shoulder. “I don’t see Paul anywhere, either.”

  Daniel was already on the dais with Jock and the Council members. He walked down to meet them and shook Ain’s and Micah’s hands. “You guys ready?”

  “Yeah,” Ain said. He tipped his head toward the jaguars. “Are they?”

  Daniel grinned and lowered his voice. “Oh, they’re chomping at the bit and no sign of Abernathy yet.” He glanced at his watch. “They have exactly eleven minutes to get here before I declare both challenges invalid and we’re all off the hook.”

  “Can we get that lucky?” Ain asked.

  “Fuck,” Micah grumbled, tapping him on the shoulder. “I don’t think so.” He pointed at the window where a large, black limo had just pulled into the parking lot.

  “Shit,” Ain said.

  “Yeah. We need to get this dog and pony show on the road,” Daniel said.

  * * * *

  Rodolfo and his entourage entered the Council hall to a low chorus of grumbling growls. It was obvious to Elain that the men had no friends in that room unless he brought them with him.

  Daniel took his place on the dais at noon and banged his gavel. “Quiet, please. As you all know, I’ve been appointed the new head of our Clan Council by unanimous vote of the other Council members. As such, we’re here today to hear the challenge of Rodolfo Abernathy.”

  Rodolfo didn’t even get out of his wheelchair. “Thank you for allowing me to speak. This business won’t take long. I’m simply looking for a return of what rightfully belongs to me.”

  Voices around the chamber booed and hissed and growled, drowning him out. Abernathy tried to speak over the voices, but they soon shouted him down until the meeting chamber was in an uproar.

  Daniel grabbed the gavel and banged it on the dais until the voices lowered to a disconcerted rumble. “Enough!” he yelled. “Quiet!”

  When he finally had everyone’s attention, he pointed at Rodolfo Abernathy. “You wanted to speak, so speak.”

  As Abernathy looked out over the gathered assembly, his wizened visage didn’t fool Elain in the slightest. He might be an old wolf, but she suspected he had more than a few tricks up his sleev
e.

  Mai leaned in close. “I don’t like him,” she nervously whispered.

  “Neither do I,” Elain muttered back, draping an arm around her friend’s shoulders. “Don’t worry. It’ll be okay.”

  I hope.

  “I’ve come here today,” Abernathy said, “to stake two claims and declare two challenges. The first is that we have a blood oath which must be honored. Elain Pardie, as the first female born to an Alpha male from Ysimel’s line, was supposed to be turned over to our Clan when she came of age. This is according to the terms of the blood oath.”

  Then the old wolf looked their way. Elain felt Mai shiver next to her. Micah and Jim put their hands on Mai’s shoulders to reassure her, while Elain grabbed her hand and squeezed.

  “The second challenge,” Abernathy said, “is to Mai Gallatin. She is the mate of my great-grandson and pregnant with his pup. By your very own Code of the Ancients, she must be returned.”

  “Bullshit!” Micah shouted. “She wasn’t mated or marked!” The room erupted in supportive growls.

  “She carries his pup!” Rodolfo shot back.

  “Silence!” Daniel roared. The room settled.

  “As for your second claim,” Daniel said, “I declare it invalid because Mai already has not one, but two mates. She was unmarked when they mated and marked her. You have no proof she’s carrying your grandson’s pup. Under the Code of the Ancients, it only states a wolf cannot take the mate of another. Your grandson was trying to kill her. She’d left him and severed their relationship. She wasn’t marked as his mate. Therefore, she was fairly and justly claimed by Micah Donovan, making the pup, by default, her mates’ pup. I declare her, and her unborn child, a full-fledged member of their pack and this Clan.”

  Rodolfo Abernathy hauled himself out of his wheelchair. “That pup is mine!”