David shook Craig’s hand and took his leave of him. Another two down without violence, he thought with heavy satisfaction at a job well done. Craig and his mate were strong betas and a good addition to the pack. They had good jobs, had never been in trouble with the law unlike some of the others he’d been forced to recruit, and although both had tried their strength against him and Ronnie, it was for form only. Craig and Maggie had known the moment they tried they would lose. They must have, because it had been obvious to him the moment he met them, and he assumed, to Ronnie as well. Mist had been exceedingly smug about it too.

Craig and Maggie were strong willed, and could almost be alpha. That had pleased Mist and was a big part of why he was so smug at besting them, but although they were strong, they lacked that little something, that extra spark that could have tipped their Presence from beta level to alpha. That was to the pack’s benefit. The Blood Drinkers were already top heavy, and already had too many strong males in the alpha range. True, it did strengthen House Edmonton and that was important, but as Lawrence had stressed earlier, a healthy pack needed balance to function well. He needed to recruit betas to turn the Blood Drinkers from House Edmonton’s enforcers into a proper pack.

“That went okay,” he said as they headed back to the SUV. “What do you think of them?”

Ronnie shrugged. “He’s okay.”

“But?”

“But Maggie is a little quiet for my taste. It’s lucky they have good jobs already. They wouldn’t fit in at the club, and there’s no way she would make a good enforcer for Stephen.”

“Well, we knew that from the start. We don’t need more fighters.”

“I know, but we don’t need liabilities either.”

He frowned. He didn’t see them that way. “Are we adopting trouble?”

“We’ll see. Probably not. They’re strong enough to stand up for themselves if they need to, it’s just...” she grimaced. “Maybe I’m just spoiled. Living among so many big dogs at the club makes these two feel timid.”

“Strong in Presence but timid at the same time? That doesn’t sound like any shifter I’ve ever met.”

“You haven’t met many outside of the pack.”

“True. Maybe Craig and Maggie are the norm, and we’re the freaks. How would I know?”

“You could ask me.”

“Okay. Are we?”

“Are we what, freaks?” she said and he nodded. “Not freaks, but unusual, sure. That’s why we’re recruiting people like Craig and Maggie. We’re trying to dilute the strangeness in a way. Look, we all gave ourselves to Stephen because we were running from a situation in our pasts, right?”

David nodded.

“But running from your pack is very unusual to begin with. It’s a really big deal rebelling like that. It takes a certain kind of person, not just Presence. It takes determination to throw away all you’ve ever known based only on the hope of something better around the corner.”

“Okay, I haven’t been in that situation, but I understand what you mean. So our pack is full of rebels.”

He unlocked the doors of the SUV with the remote and Ronnie climbed into the passenger side. He climbed behind the wheel and buckled up. Ronnie rolled her eyes at his safety conscious attitude. She knew, and so did he really, that he could be ejected through the windscreen and take no long term harm from it these days, but that wasn’t the point. It would still hurt, so why not wear the belt?

Ronnie powered the window down on her side to hook her elbow on it, and fiddled with the stereo. She found a station she liked but lowered the volume so they could continue talking.

David started the motor and pulled into the sparse nighttime traffic. “Do you know the way to the next one?” he said, glancing at the blank GPS in the dash.

“Keep going straight, I’ll tell you when to turn.”

“Okay. So we’re all rebels?”

“Yes, except for you and one or two of the others. We’re not timid, even our few betas aren’t. We’re a really powerful pack in terms of pure strength. I don’t want you thinking we’re not, but we’re so top heavy that the pack is a little... unstable, I guess is the right word. Stephen has kept everyone in line until now. We knew that without House Edmonton, we would have no sanctuary in LA. You’ll have to do that for us from now on.”

“No one has challenged me since that first day.”

“They will though. They’re still settling into the new situation. Once they have, they’ll start to look around and make a move. We need to fill out our numbers with people who can settle them down without challenging them.”

“And you don’t think Craig and Maggie help us there?”

“It’s not that they can’t, it’s that I doubt they’ll feel motivated to try. They’re mated and too timid. Like I said.”

“The opposite would be bad in a different way.”

Ronnie nodded.

“What’s the answer?”

“We keep doing what we’re doing, but I think we need to advertise for some single female betas.” She noticed his grimace. “You’re going to have to get over that. It’s human silliness anyway. A couple of dozen females will calm things. I’ve seen it in action and it works. The Alley Dog pack is mature and it’s a big one. Pederson is a bastard, but he knows how to run a good pack. We could do worse than copying him. Well, in this at least; not so much in the screwing every bitch not nailed down arena. You’re—” she broke off frowning herself now.

“I’m what?” he said with a crooked smile.

We are hers, she is ours, Mist said smugly.

“Never mind. Turn left here.”

He made the turn. “Who are we meeting?”

Ronnie didn’t have a chance to answer as her link chose that moment to chirp. She dug in a pocket for it and answered the call. “Yeah?”

David tried to listen in, but although the stereo’s volume was low, he couldn’t hear who was calling. He noticed Ronnie’s frown as she listened, but when it turned to alarm his heart sank. What had gone wrong now? He began searching for a place to park.

“What does Edward say about it? He should be able to...” Ronnie was saying. “...yeah but that’s impossible. He said that, or you think that? Right... no but we can lock the place down. Let me... no he’s here with me. Driving. Okay I’ll tell him. Just hang... no don’t do that, Lawrence. I want to get a sniff of the place myself. Screw that... yeah... okay. We’re on our way. Yeah, bye.”

“Trouble?” David asked.

“Yes. Turn around; we’re needed back at the club. Stephen’s missing.”

A chill swept through him. “What do you mean missing?”

“Like Michael. That kind of missing.”

“But how? He was visiting Marie wasn’t he? That place has top flight security.”

Ronnie shrugged. “Lawrence didn’t know. Something went down though. There are cops all over it apparently. There’s something else weird as well. Edward says he can’t feel Stephen anymore. That should mean he’s dead, but he can’t be dead.”

“Why?” he said hoping she was right.

“Edward is Stephen’s human servant. They’re bonded. Edward is alive, so Stephen must be too.”

“You’re sure about that?”

“Edward is.”

David turned down another street and got them pointed the right way back to the club. He preferred to drive manually and not use the autopilot, and always had. He enjoyed it, but it was hard keeping his speed down right now. He wanted to race back and learn exactly what had happened, but getting pulled-over by a traffic cop or sanctioned by the AI traffic control system wouldn’t improve his mood.

He tried to plan what he would do when he got back to the club. He could send the pack out listening for any word about what went down, but he would need to check Marie’s house himself, or Mist could, depending upon what he found waiting there. There might be a way to track Stephen’s scent. How they had managed to get the drop on such a powerful vamp puzzled him. Stephen would have fought and probably killed them unless seriously out numbered.

“Does Lawrence have any leads at all?”

“He didn’t say, but taking out Stephen after what we found at Michael’s estate? It has to be AML again.”

“Hmmm. Hoberman might know something,” he said, frowning in thought. “I wonder how far into their circle he really is.”

“Who is Hoberman?”

“My ex-boss. Doctor Hoberman tried to recruit me for AML and wanted to use me in his bid for the Mayoral election.”

Ronnie snorted her derision.

“It’s not as stupid as it sounds. He didn’t know me that well, obviously, but I can see it working with someone else. If I’d been racist or the kind who wanted to lash out, I might have accepted his offer. As it turned out, all I wanted was the one responsible punished, not every shifter in the city. He couldn’t understand that.”

“And he’s part of AML?”

“I’m not entirely sure. The bodyguards with him were, but I don’t know if he’s a card-carrying member himself. They might just be using each other.”

“It’s worth thinking about,” Ronnie said. “We can squeeze him if necessary.”

“Let’s talk to Edward first. He might have an opinion on it, and I guess he’ll call Gavin and Rachelle too. You know, we should think about their security. AML, or whoever is behind them, has taken out two of four Houses. They might try for the entire set.”

“I hope they try Gavin. He’ll shred them.”

“I’m not so sure about that. I would have sworn Stephen could protect himself, but here we are and he’s missing.”

“Yeah.”

The rest of the trip to Lost Souls went quickly by in silence. David concentrated upon his driving while going over scenarios in his head. He wanted to know what was happening right now at the Stirling house before choosing a direction. Was OSI involved in the investigation? That would make things trickier, but they had their own cop, and she could probably find out more than he could with a single link call to her friends in the department. He would wait for Edward’s opinion, but he had a feeling he would need to visit the detective tonight. Angel would know her address.

The club was in full swing when David parked in the lot, and it reminded him that he couldn’t just send the entire pack out to search for Stephen. Life went on despite the disasters sent his way. Stephen wouldn’t appreciate it if he closed down the club. Still, the Blood Drinkers had the numbers to do both. He glanced at Ronnie as they marched across the lot side by side. He would leave Ronnie in charge of the club. He wouldn’t leave it unprotected. The Alley Dogs had been quiet recently, but they might think of Stephen’s absence as an opportunity to make trouble. The other city packs were sniffing around the borders as everyone had warned him would happen, but they were a lesser concern compared to the huge danger the Alley Dogs represented.

They found Edward in his office standing with Lawrence watching the news on the vid. The big screen had Channel 5 on and the reporter was speculating upon what had happened. The pictures were very clear, provided by hover cams buzzing overhead, recording the police and forensic teams investigating the scene and collecting bodies.

“That’s right, Dave,” the reporter doing the voice-over said cheerfully. “The police have now confirmed that billion dollar industrialist William P. Stirling died along with eighteen others in his home around 10:15pm this evening when it came under attack. Rumours are spreading that the Anti-Monster League has claimed responsibility for the atrocity already, but the police have so far failed to confirm or deny the story. Instead, they stated in their initial bulletin that their investigations have barely begun, and that they will inform the public at the appropriate time.”

A small inset window opened showing the news anchor sitting behind his desk in the studio. “That’s interesting, Liz. Do we know why AML would be interested in Mister Stirling? He was human, wasn’t he?”

“That’s right, Dave, but as we all know AML doesn’t always limit itself to non-humans. They’re well known for their indiscriminate use of violence often leading to collateral damage.”

“You think Mister Stirling was collateral damage? If so, who was their target?”

Staged question much? David shook his head in disgust as he joined Edward.

“No one knows for sure, but rumours about Marie Stirling and her recent adventures in LA might explain AML’s interest. She is known to frequent a particularly fashionable and popular monster club called Lost Souls in the Waterfront District. According to my sources, Miss Stirling invited the owner, a well-known vampire, to visit her at home this evening.”

“Oh bugger me,” Edward said in disgust. “That’s torn it.”

David nodded. “Check in with security front and back. Right now, Lawrence. The reporters will be all over this, and us.”

Lawrence hurried out.

“Who do you think is her source?” Ronnie asked, but Edward shook his head.

“It could be anyone,” David said. “Thrill seekers watch us all pretty close, and Stephen has a lot of fans.”

Ronnie snorted.

It was true though. Stephen was well known in Monster Central as the owner of Lost Souls, and the club was very popular. Unless he took particular steps to maintain secrecy for a special reason or occasion—such as visiting George AFB for conclave—everything he did was under scrutiny and remarked upon by someone. Marie’s visits had obviously been noticed. No doubt some poor sap was a few dollars richer for revealing them.

Edward turned off the screen.

“What do we know?” David asked.

“Nothing,” Edward said and threw the remote underhanded to land on the couch. “I felt him disappear, but there was no warning.”

“You felt the bond break?”

“Of course not!” Edward snapped and rubbed his forehead. “The bond didn’t snap. If it had I would be dead, and Stephen’s death is the only force I know that could break it. He’s alive but hidden from me.”

“Magic?” Ronnie said.

“It must be some kind of spell. Necromancy possibly, or something else. A ward? I have no bloody notion what could do this. I didn’t know this was possible! I don’t... I feel... empty. It has been so long since I’ve been alone in my head. It feels wrong.”

David could sympathise. If Mist were suddenly taken from him, he was sure he would feel something similar despite their bond being so new. How must it feel to lose a centuries old bond? Not comfortable he was certain.

“Did you ask Rachelle’s witch about it? What does Gavin say?”

“Rachelle tells me she will look into it. Gavin has sent his people onto the streets. Angel has contacts she can tap. If there are any useful rumours she’ll hear them.”

“I was thinking we should add to Rachelle’s and Gavin’s security. AML are two for two. There’s no telling whether they’ll try for the full set. They could do that at almost any time.”

Edward frowned. “We don’t have the resources to search for Stephen and protect all three Houses. Stephen must be our priority.”

“I agree,” Ronnie said.

He frowned but let it go. “About that. I think I’ll visit our cop and take her with me to talk with Hoberman. She can make herself useful by flashing her badge in his face.”

Edward looked hopeful suddenly. “You think he might know something?”

“I was telling Ronnie earlier that when Hoberman tried to recruit me he was escorted by AML bodyguards, and not long after that I was attacked by AML. He’s either one of them himself or he’s working with them. He might have heard something that will help. A badge might make that easier.”

Edward nodded eagerly. “Try.”

“I’ll come along,” Ronnie began but scowled as David shook his head. “Why not?”

“I need you here. With Stephen out of the way, the club is vulnerable. I don’t need a fight with another pack right now, especially not with reporters on our doorstep ready to record it all, but that doesn’t mean we let them just walk over us either. One of us has to stay, and Hoberman doesn’t know you.”

“And what will Lawrence be doing while I protect the homestead?”

He winced at the scorn dripping from her words. “Coordinating a search. I want half the pack here with you and ready for trouble. The rest in groups sniffing around the city for information. I’ll check out Marie’s house after my visit with Hoberman. Maybe the cops will have packed up and moved on by then.”

Ronnie wasn’t happy but Edward liked it and that was enough.

David left them in the office and hurried back to the parking lot and the SUV. He wanted to leave before the reporters entrenched themselves and made things trickier. He reached the car before the reporters arrived but only just in time. He sat behind the wheel and watched the vans pull up and the reporters begin setting up. He shook his head as they tried to enter the club despite security on the doors. Darrin’s eyes ignited and that was enough to back them up and down the steps. It was a good trick that he used himself when on the doors. It was enough to remind the humans what they were dealing with without getting physical. Martina’s eyes ignited a few moments later. She swept them contemptuously over the milling crowd below her like some kind of demonic lighthouse. He laughed at the thought and dug in his pocket for his link.

He watched the show while waiting for Angel to pick up. Darrin must have called for reinforcements because two more of the pack came out to back him up. That allowed him to concentrate on his real job of vetting the guests and allowing them in or turning them away.

“Yeah?”

David turned his attention to his own business. “Angel, its David.”

“Yeah?”

“Do you have our cop’s address?”

There was a brief hesitation. “Yeah but... what do you want it for?”

“Nothing sinister. You heard what happened. I want her badge and expertise on this with me. I might have a lead. I think she can help.”

“Oh, okay. Got a pen?”

“I’ll remember it.”

“Whatever—”

He listened as Angel gave him the address and directions. “Okay thanks, I got it. Keep an eye on Gavin.”

“Why?” Angel said, suddenly sounding suspicious. “What have you heard?”

“Nothing like that. I’m just worried that AML is two for two now and might try for all four of our vamps, that’s all.”

“If they come here they won’t be leaving, like ever!” Angel snarled.

“You’re there now?”

“Yeah.”

“Good. Stay safe. Bye.” He put away his link and drove slowly out of the lot.