I turned to Mason for his reaction, watching him reflect on what was being said. He took a moment or two before he spoke again, with a very clear, authoritative tone.
“We care because I’ll be damned if this happens again. Not just to us, but anyone. I know it’s not pack business to be involved in the distribution of vampire blood, but I didn’t bring this to our doorstep. Gary did. We won’t stop until we find out and put an end to this. No one should have to bury family members and loved ones. Not like this.” Facing Devlin, Mason continued. “What do you need from me?”
“Not much. I have a team going through Gary’s things at his home, trying to find clues before they remove everything. They’re checking past calls, asking neighbors before they scrub memories. I’m not sure how much we’ll learn, but whatever we do I’ll share with you. You might need to prepare yourself for the chance there’s nothing to discover.”
Mason bowed his head, stewing on the thought when a cell phone rang, bringing everyone’s attention to Vlad. Releasing a growl, he leaned forward, causing the young vampire to shrug apologetically while trying to turn off the annoying sounds of his ringtone, Kung Fu Fighting.
“Did no one warn you what happens to cell phones in Pack meetings?”
I tried not to giggle as Mason laid the intimidation on thick. Daniel didn’t even try to bother as he let out a loud bellow.
“My Lord of Beasts, you’ll make him faint if you don’t stop with the growling!”
Mason groaned at the title his second-in-command used. A quick glance told me Daniel wasn’t far off. Vlad was white as a sheet, and his hand holding the phone trembled.
“Excuse yourself, young one, before the Alpha decides to eat you.” Devlin chuckled. This caused the vampire to blanch further before leaving the room at an almost dead run. The Enforcer shook his head, finding the situation entertaining. “Did you really need to do that, Mason? Terrifying him is my responsibility.”
“I know, but I couldn’t resist. I thought the moment needed a little humor. Wanted to make my Darcy smile.” Mason took hold of my hand and raised it to his mouth, kissing the back of it. Heat spread across my cheeks as I felt myself blush, and the room filled with soft laughter. Everyone was used to seeing their Alpha openly show his affections.
“Is there anything else we need to discuss, or are we good?” someone asked.
Without taking his eyes off me, Mason nodded, and the sound of chairs being pushed back echoed. He released my hand and added, “Make sure you stay available. If I need you, I’ll let you know. See you all tonight.”
The door burst opened and Vlad re-entered, screeching a panicked filled, “Wait!”
Devlin snorted. “Please. Must you be so dramatic? What is so important you need to rush in here like a hysterical woman?”
Before I could add my indignation, he looked at me and winked. “Present company excluded,” he said as I stuck my tongue out at him. He rewarded with a warm smile. As instantly as it flashed, Devlin shut everything back down and turned back to his companion. “Spit it out, Vlad. Don’t keep us waiting.”
The young vampire’s mouth flapped open two or three times as his eyes darted around the room. It was obvious he was reluctant to share the news which confused me. Didn’t he just come in here and tell us to wait? Judging from the annoyed looks of my pack brothers, they were also wondering the same thing. Now wasn’t the time for games.
“Oh for heaven’s sake, tell us whatever it is before I let the wolves tear into you.”
Vlad looked around frightened and Daniel didn’t help matters by growling, flashing sharp fangs.
Shaking my head, I interjected. “Please, Vlad. Don’t mind everyone. It looks like you have something to share.” I tried to lace my voice with soothing tones, and I noticed him relax somewhat.
That peace was shattered, however, by Devlin grabbing the young man by the scruff of the neck and pushing him down into a chair. “Speak. Now.”
Taking a hesitant breath, Vlad gestured to the empty seats and whispered. “You all might want to retake your places. I just received a message I think bears importance.”
Heavy sighs and frustrated mutters covered the air. One comment sounded very close to a threat should the “fang-boy” be wasting time. A murmured assent followed with the loud sound of cracking knuckles.
Now with the room’s attention solely on him, Vlad had very little to say and needed a reminding tap from Devlin to prompt him. Even my head hurt as I watched, and I lifted my hand to rub away the sympathy pain.
“There was a message delivered in the last thirty minutes to the King.” He stopped, looking expectantly around the room as if it was meant to explain everything.
“You’re trying my patience, youngling. Speak what you know, or I’ll rip it from your throat. Regardless of who you are.” The threat lay heavy in Devlin’s voice. “What was the message?”
“A dead body-well at least what looks like one. According to those who were there, it more resembled a mass of raw, bloodied, meat. The sentries were making the hourly sweep, found it outside the gates to the estate, and raised the alarm. Reports say the blood amount was so incredible it took vast strength to resist partaking. On further inspection, it looks as though it was a human woman.”
If Vlad didn’t already look agitated, he did now as he continued. “Inspecting the surroundings, they found two items they felt the Alpha needed to know, and if I’m permitted to suggest, may be connected to what happened last night.” The young vampire had our complete attention.
Mason was the next to speak, his confusion breaking the silence. “What were the objects, and why would they think I would need to be informed. Is it connected to Gary?”
Vlad lifted his cell phone and began touching the screen, searching for something before passing the device toward the Alpha.
“They forwarded me three images and asked if you knew what they meant.” The phone made its way into Mason’s hand, and I shifted in my seat so I could look with him. When he pushed the screen, illuminating it, I couldn’t help my gasp of horror.
There was so much blood. I prayed that it had been quick and whoever it was hadn’t suffered, because the violence it would’ve taken to accomplish the scene left me speechless.
Mason was tightlipped, and I felt him buzz with energy beside me. His wolf was stirring. I was sure of it because the air suddenly crackled with electricity, eliciting a round of growls from the rest of the pack in response. The Alpha was unsettled and it didn’t bode well.
With the scroll of his thumb, he moved on to the next image-a piece of paper with some words scribbled on it.
I peered in closer, but I didn’t need to as Mason read it.
“How many women must die before you lose everyone you love?” He flipped back to the previous photo, but it was just as indiscernible as before. He looked back at the note, and started to speak, but Vlad interrupted.
“It was written in blood, and before you ask, look at the last image.”
Now I was confused as a bloodied driver’s license filled the screen. The owner was a pretty young woman, but someone I wasn’t familiar with. I raised my head to ask Mason whether he knew her, and was rewarded with a not-so-subtle cuss. Seems he did, and judging by the fury that flashed in his eyes, she meant something to him.
Dropping the phone, he pushed back the seat and began pacing, raking his fingers through his hair. One of the greatest things about Mason was he usually had a cool head under pressure, and he made a point not to become unhinged in front of others. I was stunned by how truly rattled he was, and I could almost taste his impending change on my tongue. He needed to settle before he forced a shift on everyone.