Burning Both Ends

  Ari heard the truth in his voice. He might be reluctant to take a life, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t carry through on this threat. She’d heard enough to know they were facing a zealot, a man with a cause. She hated dealing with fanatics.

  “I’ll deliver your message, but don’t expect it to change anyone’s mind. Lilith, let them go so they can tend to their dead and wounded. There will be another time.”

  The kidnapper’s laugh was short, without mirth. “I almost hope you’re right, Guardian. It would make an interesting match.”

  Chapter Twelve

  “Then we’ve accomplished nothing,” Robert said, throwing up his hands. “You made a mess of it. Now what do you propose?” He turned an angry look on Ari.

  She tried not to take his words personally. Not that she didn’t want to. A punch or two in his face might have made her feel better. But they were all frustrated, and fighting among themselves wouldn’t help. He was right about one thing; they needed a new plan.

  “Let’s just vote the way they want,” Vita said. “The coalition can wait. What’s the rush anyway? A few months, a few years. Maybe it really doesn’t matter.”

  “I know I said that earlier, but I was wrong. It does matter.” Jena confronted the other female leader. “The coalition matters for the future of all wolves. We’ve been over all of this a dozen times, and I thought we had reached an agreement. Now you’re changing your mind again?”

  “It’s not worth Steffan’s life.”

  “Actually, it might be,” Jena said. “Don’t look so shocked. I don’t want anything to happen to Steffan, but this coalition is an incredible breakthrough. The humans came to us—the wolf nation—for help. Isn’t this exactly what we’ve wanted, waited for? To be accepted? Respected?”

  “Uh, I’m not so sure I agree with that assessment. Vita makes some sense,” Warren said. “Maybe we’ve been too hasty in approving this thing. We have to think about Steffan.” He looked at Robert.

  “Isn’t this terrific?” Jena’s voice vibrated with anger. “Are we back to two weeks ago? Three against one.”

  Ari listened in silence. This was the first she’d heard that the coalition was in danger of failing as recently as two weeks ago. So the kidnapping had been planned since then. Interesting. Was it also useful? It proved the kidnapper had learned the details of earlier negotiations and that one of the four leaders was involved in the leak, but she’d already known that.

  “Now, Jena.” Robert tried to calm fraying tempers. “Nobody said they’re changing their vote. We’re only asking questions. Weighing the pros and cons.”

  “You too?” she snapped.

  “No. This whole affair has cleared up one of my major concerns. I’ve been impressed that the government has allowed our Otherworld authorities to handle this instead of pushing their weight around. I was afraid they’d ignore the mandates of the treaties when it suited them. Their actions speak well for future cooperation.” He glanced at Ari. “I suspect you deserve the credit for that, but the point is it happened. So I’m standing pat and voting in favor of the coalition.”

  “Warren?” Jena asked.

  “I’m not sure. I see both sides.” His mouth twisted in a grimace. “It seems to me you’re all being too careless with Steffan’s safety. You’ll get my final answer at 4:59.” He turned his back on them and walked away.

  Jena’s shoulders slumped, as she looked at Ari. “We’re split. Steffan’s the deciding vote and without him there won’t be a decision.” She plopped into one of the chairs and drew her feet up on the seat. Her body language raised an immediate No Trespassing sign.

  As much as Ari wanted to step in, this wasn’t her decision to make. The coalition seemed like a good idea, especially if Steffan was for it, but she wasn’t a wolf. She couldn’t possibly relate to all the issues.

  The door to the hallway opened and one of the weretigers stuck his head in.

  “Ms. Calin, there’s a human male asking for you at the front door. Says he’s with the Riverdale police.”

  With the coalition falling apart around her, Ari wanted to scream in protest. Now what? It had to be Ryan, but what was he doing here? And how did he know she was here?

  Aware of the sudden suspicious silence, she hid her own irritation. “It’s OK,” she said to the tiger. “I’ll take care of it.”

  Even the Council president looked at her with disapproval.

  Robert glowered. “See you do. We can’t have some local cop mucking around in this.” His nasty mood wasn’t getting any better.

  * * *

  Ryan stood inside the doors of the Magic Hall, two guards nearby. His back was to Ari, as he seemed to be examining the ornate gargoyle over the front door. The bunched shoulder muscles straining his jacket and his stiff stance betrayed his discomfort with being watched so closely by two large weretigers. She dismissed the guards with a wave of her hand and eyed her friend.

  “What’s up, Ryan? Why are you here?” she asked as soon as the tigers were gone. He turned, giving her a cold look. His tension was obviously caused by a lot more than the weretigers.

  “You know, I asked myself that same question all the way over here. Your boyfriend called and woke me early this morning. Said you might need help.” Ryan’s blue eyes seemed to darken like storm clouds. “And what does he tell me? Steffan has been missing for days. Imagine my surprise that my partner hadn’t called to tell me. Maybe you'd like to fill me in now. Huh, Ari? What the hell is going on?”

  She hadn’t seen him this upset in a long time. Annoyed, irritated, angry even, but this went beyond angry. He was hurt. She needed to tread carefully.

  “It’s Otherworld business, Ryan. No humans are directly involved. I’m so sorry Andreas called you when there’s really nothing you can do. Don’t you think I would have asked for help if I needed it?”

  “I don’t know what to think. I guess your boyfriend doesn’t feel I’m as useless as you do.”

  “Dammit, that’s not fair. I don’t think you’re useless. Far from it. But this is werewolf business and they don’t want any police involvement. It’s a sticky diplomatic thing.”

  This drew a sarcastic laugh. “And they called you? You’re going to need a better story than that.” He poked his chest so hard, Ari grimaced. “Even as oblivious as I am of what’s going on under my nose, I’m not going to believe that. No one would call you because they needed a diplomat.”

  She propped one hand on her hip but tried not to be too offended. “I’m not that bad. Besides, it’s negotiations, werewolf style. The kind you wouldn’t understand. Which sometimes calls for leverage, Otherworld leverage. The kind you don’t have.” Ari was unloading now; her angry words came spilling out. “I’m trying to save Steffan’s life, dammit. And people keep distracting me. Gabriel. Claris. And now you. I don’t have time to stand here while you yell at me like some jealous lover. Steffan’s going to die if I don’t figure out how to save him in the next few hours.” Her tone was nasty, and maybe she’d want to take it all back later, but she didn’t have the will or the energy right now. Ryan was complicating an already complicated situation.

  He flushed, indecision and anger flitting across his face. He gave her his cop stare, and Ari suspected he was on the verge of stomping out the door and ending their partnership. A part of her was stressed enough to hope he’d go. The rest of her screamed for her to repair the damage.

  “Ryan, I—”

  “Stop right there.” He held up both hands like a concrete wall. His teeth clenched and unclenched. Finally, he expelled a loud breath. “Let’s start over. If I quit yelling, will you? And explain to me whatever you can?”

  Heart beating fast, Ari nodded and swallowed.

  “OK. Let’s sit down.” He pointed to the stone bench. “Forget I’m a cop. And a human.” He attempted a wry smile. “After we’ve talked, if you’re still convinced I can’t help, I’ll go away, and I won’t repeat anything you say to me.”

  Ari met his s
omber look. She could use a friend about now, and she could count on Ryan to keep his word. She looked at the hard, stone bench with reservations, but finally sat down on one end. She began from the beginning. From the first wolf attack, to Sebastian’s death and now her search for Steffan.

  When she’d been through it all, including Gabriel’s last call and Claris’s distress over the missing cat, Ryan was silent for a moment. “Let me guess. You want me to go find the cat.”

  Her eyes cut to his face to make sure he was kidding and caught his cynical grin. “Think you’re up to it? But no, I’ll handle Claris’s problem when everything else is settled. It’s just another piece of my complicated life right now.” She sighed. “Don’t get upset again, but why did Andreas call you?”

  “Guilt, I think. He feels he should be here. Just like you want to be in Toronto. What he said was to make sure you were all right, to watch your back.” He hesitated. “Frankly, I don’t want to worry you any more than you are, but I got the impression things weren’t quite right up there. He mentioned the O-Seven were stirring things up. Should I know that name?”

  “Yes, the vampire authorities in Europe.”

  “That’s it. Knew it seemed familiar. Anyway, he’s worried his troubles could spill over onto you. He wanted me to warn you.”

  Ari looked surprised. “Me? Why would they come after me? I’d think they were busy enough harassing Andreas and Daron.” Her face fell. “Now I wish I’d questioned Gabriel when he called.” As guilt swept over her—not for the first time since she’d left Canada—she continued doggedly. “I hung up on him. I’ll leave for Toronto as soon as Steffan is safe, but I can’t run out on him now. It’s not just that Steffan’s a friend, but this is Council business, my sworn duty.”

  “You don’t have to convince me. I’d still like to help if I can.”

  Ari would have kissed him if he hadn’t been so attractive and so eligible. And so vulnerable. The old Ryan, her partner, was sticking with her. “I don’t know. Wait, yes, I do. Someone in this leadership group is in direct contact with the kidnapper. There’s no other explanation. The only possible way is through their cell phones, which means the phones have to go. I was going to demand they turn them over, but that’s going to make everyone stop trusting me.”

  “So you need me to be play the heavy.” Ryan grinned. “Sure, I can do that. But it would be nice to have a plausible excuse for such an action. Never mind legal.”

  The banging of a door drew their attention, as Lilith came running down the hall. Her flushed face sent Ari’s fears spiking.

  “Russell’s on the phone,” the lioness said, catching her breath. “Andreas and Gabriel left the compound together last night and haven’t returned.”

  Ari paled, as icy chills ran across the back of her neck. “Give it to me.” She snatched the cell phone from Lilith’s hand.

  “Where are they?” she demanded.

  “Honestly, Ari, I don’t know anything more than I told Lilith.” Russell’s voice was strung tight, which alarmed her even more.

  “Repeat it to me. Everything.”

  “They left without telling anyone. As near as I can figure, it was about 9:00 last night. I didn’t know they were gone until this morning when the night guard mentioned they hadn’t returned. He saw them leave and they seemed in a hurry, but that’s all he could tell me. I don’t think Andreas planned to be away all day or he would have told someone.”

  “Yeah, he would. I talked with both of them over night. First Andreas, and later Gabriel. They didn’t mention they were away from the compound or in any kind of immediate trouble. Then Andreas called Lt. Foster about dawn, so we can assume he was fine as late as six o’clock. Whatever they’re up to, they must have been caught too far from home to get back before dawn.” But why hadn’t he called her? Ari’s voice came out smaller than she intended. “Andreas is all right. I would know if he wasn’t.” Brave words, but her stomach churned.

  After an awkward pause, Russell promised he’d call as soon as he heard from Andreas, and they disconnected.

  Willing herself not to panic, Ari sat motionless and fidgeted with a broken fingernail on her ring finger. Where was he? He knew they’d worry when he didn’t return. Why hadn’t he called someone? She pulled out her cell, and punched his number on speed dial. Voice mail, as expected. Damn, that was stupid. At this hour he’d be asleep, wherever he was. She needed to get a hold of herself.

  “He didn’t sound like he was hurt or in distress,” Ryan said softly. “Only worried about you. It wasn’t the kind of call you’d make if you were in a tight situation. There must be a good reason he’s gone underground.”

  “Good thinking,” she said, nodding. “I’m sure he’ll call when he can.” She had to stop imagining the worst. Andreas was a clever and resourceful vampire, and the indefinable magic link between them was still there. She’d learned to sense it, magic speaking to magic, even when he was sleeping. It reassured her he was alive—or the acceptable vampiric version of alive during their sleep cycle.

  But it worried her that Gabriel was the only one with him. Andreas was so sure about Gabriel’s loyalty, but they hadn’t seen each other in a long time. Had Gabriel betrayed him? And what about Gabriel’s call to her? Genuine or part of some devious plan?

  “The sooner I find Steffan, the quicker I get to Toronto and figure this out,” she finally said.

  Ryan seemed to recognize her need to focus on the here and now. “That brings us back to a believable story for collecting the cell phones,” Ryan reminded her.

  “Make up something.”

  “Since these are, in fact, hostage negotiations you’re involved in, let’s treat them that way. As law enforcement, we would ordinarily cut off all possible ways the hostage takers could contact the victims, except through us. I’ll insist on following protocol.”

  “But it doesn’t explain your sudden presence. We’ll have to deal with that first.”

  “Blame it on the feds?”

  Ari shook her head vigorously. “Huh-uh, I’d rather not. If the coalition goes through, the wolves have to work with them. Robert’s been praising the feds for their restraint.”

  “Then it’s got to be the old anonymous call,” he said with a tinge of amusement in his voice. Ryan was trying his best to lighten the mood. “It’s worked for police agencies for a couple centuries. Why pass up a good thing?” She managed a smile, encouraging him to go on. “I’ll say I got a call that Steffan had been kidnapped, and I came to find you before I assigned officers to follow up. That should explain why I’m the only cop involved. I’ll threaten to call in more cops, if you don’t include me. That’s when I’ll demand the cell phones.” Ryan ended on an upbeat note, obviously warming to his role.

  It was such a bad script, it just might work. If official chutzpah was all it took, Ryan could handle it. She gave him the thumbs up, and they started down the hall to spin their tale to the others.

  When they walked into the room, Robert speared Ari with an accusing look. She could almost hear him thinking, “And this is how you take care of it?” She avoided meeting anyone’s direct gaze. After she introduced Ryan, they went into their dog and pony show. They argued; Ari rolled her eyes at him a couple of times. Without a rehearsal, it wasn’t bad, but the demand for the cell phones still didn’t go over without an argument.

  “You have no jurisdiction here,” Robert said. “This is exactly why we didn’t want the police involved. You start pushing people around.” He glared around at everyone.

  Ari looked at the wizard, hoping his more pragmatic instincts or the plea on her face would win his support. His returned gaze gave nothing away, but he cleared his throat and asked, “Why fight about it? We didn’t ask for the police, but they’re here now, and we don’t have time to waste arguing. Ari has worked with Lt. Foster before and trusts him to protect our privacy. If the lieutenant wants my cell phone, he can have it. I’m not going to fight over the little things.”

 
“There’s something you’re not telling us,” Robert said, eyeing the two cops.

  “Quit being so suspicious,” Jena said. “Here. You can have mine, too. It’ll be kind of nice not being bugged all the time.”

  “And mine,” said Warren. “On one condition.” He looked at Ryan. “No one turns them on or checks any private information stored on them. They should be locked up until you return them.”

  Huh. Taking a peek at those call lists would have been nice to see who the leaders had been talking to. Ari sent Warren a furtive look. Was he being cautious, paranoid about his privacy, or concealing his guilt?

  “Not a problem,” Ryan agreed. “I have a small gun safe in my car. I’ll lock them inside. Since I have no interest in your private information, that condition is good with me.”

  The phones were quickly collected and locked out of sight—and Ari’s reach—in Ryan’s off duty car. They’d pulled off the deception, but it left the wolves disgruntled. At least most of the animosity was directed toward Ryan’s broad shoulders.

  It was almost fun letting someone else take the blame.

  * * *

  Walking Ryan out to his car a few minutes later, Ari heard Lilith call her name. The lioness was jogging after them.

  “Don’t you dare leave me alone in that toxic atmosphere,” Lilith said, falling into step. “You guys sure know how to make friends.”

  Ari gave her a quick look. “We didn’t have much choice.”

  “I know. The kidnapper was learning too much about our activities. The rest of them know it, too. That’s why they’re so snarky.” Lilith nodded at Ryan. “Nice to see you, Lt. Foster, but I don’t think the others feel the same.”

  Blinking in the early morning sun, Ari pulled up her jacket collar as a cold wind whipped around the corner. “Where’s your car?” she asked.

  “On the next block. Since I didn’t know what was going on, I left it out of sight.”