Chloe Neill - Wild Things

Mid-February

Chicago, Illinois

Within the last ten months, Id become a vampire, joined Chicagos Cadogan House, and become its Sentinel. Id learned how to wield a sword, how to bluff a monster, how to fall, and how to get back up.

Perhaps most of all, Id learned about loyalty. And based on the magic that was pouring through the Houses first-floor hallway, I hadnt been the only one whod taken that particular quality to heart.

Dozens of Cadogans vampires stood in the hallway outside the office of our Master, Ethan Sullivan, waiting for a call, for a word, for a plan. We stood in our requisite Cadogan black with our katanas at our sides because Ethanour Liege and my loverwas preparing to run.

Out of one fire and right into another, said the attractive blond vampire beside me. Lindsey was a member of Cadogans guard corps and a skilled and capable fighter, but tonight she looked, as usual, more like a fashionista than a century-old vampire guard. Shed left her suit jacket downstairs and had matched her satin-striped black tuxedo pants with a white button-down and four-inch stiletto heels.

Do they actually think wed just let them take him? she asked. That wed let them arrest himour Masterright there in front of the House?

An hour ago, a Chicago Police Department detectivefortunately, one of our allieshad come calling, advising us that the citys prosecutor had obtained a warrant for Ethans arrest.

Ethan had killed Harold Monmonth, a powerful vampire from Europe whod murdered two human guards before turning his sword on us. Ethan had acted in obvious self-defense, but violence had recently rocked the Windy City. Its citizens were afraid, and its mayor, Diane Kowalcyzk, was looking for someone to blame. Shed apparently managed to bring the prosecutor to her side.

Thats why Ethan was sequestered in his office with Luc, the captain of Cadogans guards, and Malik, the Houses second in command, making a plan.

Detective Jacobs suggested Ethan seek refuge with the Breckenridges, a family of shape-shifters who lived in Loring Park, a suburb outside Chicago. That meant hed also be outside the mayors jurisdiction. The Brecks were ber-wealthy, well connected, and politically influential. That was a powerful combination and enough, we hoped, to keep the mayor from using him as a sacrificial lamb.

Papa Breck, the family patriarch, was a friend of my father, Chicago real estate mogul Joshua Merit. Id gone to school with some of the Breckenridge boys and had even dated one of them. But the Brecks had no love for vampires, which was part of the reason for the closed-door negotiations.

Ethan was the other reason. He was nearly four centuries old, and he had the stubbornness to match his age. Going gently into that good night wasnt his style, but Luc and Malik wanted him safely away. It had been a long winter for the Houseincluding Ethans premature demise and resurrectionand we didnt need any more drama. We certainly didnt trust Kowalcyzk and feared turning Ethan over to a justice system that seemed to be rigged against us.

The door had been closed for an hour. Voices had been raised, and the disagreement between Ethan and his soldiers spilled tense magic into the hallway. That was my particular point of contention. I was Cadogans Sentinel, but I hadnt been allowed in the office. The words plausible deniability had been thrown aroundright before the door had been shut in my face.

The mayor knew thered be trouble, I said. The CPD already said Ethan acted in self-defense. And we just handed McKetrick to them on a silver platter. The city has absolutely nothing to complain about where were concerned.

The detectives warning had come only hours after wed managed to prove McKetrick, the citys now former supernatural liaison, was the source of the riots that had spread violence, destruction, and fire around the city. Youd think that would have put us in the mayors good graces. Alas, no.

They wont stay away forever, I said. Jacobs wouldnt have warned us if he didnt think they were serious. And that doesnt give us many options. Ethan flees, or we have to fight.

Whatever their next move, the House will be ready, Lindsey said. We just have to scoot Ethan out of here. She checked a delicate gold watch. Not much time before sunrise. This is going to be close.

Papa Breck could still say no, I pointed out, wrapping my arms around my knees. He and Ethan were different sups, but equally stubborn.

But Lindsey shook her head. Not if hes smart. Arresting a vampire for a bullshit reason isnt far from arresting a shifter for a bullshit reason. If Papa Breck doesnt take a stand now, hell put the Pack at risk. But if he does take a stand? She clucked her tongue. Then he wins, double or nothing. Well owe him a favor, and hell have stood up to Kowalcyzk. That reinforces his power, and its just

Before she could finish, the office door opened.

Luc and Malik emerged, Ethan behind them. All three were tall and bore the toughened shoulders of men in charge, but the physical similarities ended there.

Luc had tousled blond-brown hair and preferred snug jeans and well-worn boots to Ethans and Maliks exquisite suits. Since Ethans welfare fell under his jurisdiction, Lucs ruggedly hand- some features were tight with concern.

Malik had cocoa skin, closely cropped hair, and pale green eyes that thoughtfully took in the hallway of vampires. Malik was reserved, careful, and unquestionably respected by the House. But like Luc, he also didnt look thrilled with the circumstances.

And then there was Ethan.

He was built like an athletelong and lean, with taut muscles and a body that fit perfectly into his trim black suit. His hair was straight, shoulder length, and golden, framing a face so gorgeous it might have been sculpted by a master artist. Straight nose, honed cheekbones, lush mouth, and eyes as sharp and green as flawless emeralds. Ethan was as alpha as they came, protective and pretentious, intelligent and strategic, and stubborn enough to match me well.

Wed had our false starts, but wed finally found a clear path to each other. That might have been the biggest miracle of all.

Ethans forehead was pinched in concern, but his eyes gave away nothing. He was the Master of our House; he didnt have the luxury of self-doubt.

A dozen vampires jumped to their feet.

Ill be traveling to the Breckenridge estate, Ethan announced. Cadogan vampires do not run. We do not hide. We do not scurry into the dark. We face our problemshead-on. But this House has been through much of late. I have been asked, for the sake of the House, to consider making myself scarce. I have agreed to do soas a temporary measure.

The tension in my chest eased, but not by much. He clearly wasnt thrilled with the plan.

In the meantime, well try to put this ugly business to bed. The Houses lawyers will address the warrant. Malik has a friend in the governors office, and hell reach out to determine if the governor can encourage Mayor Kowalcyzk to act reasonably.

That was news to me, but then again, Malik was the quiet sort. And I didnt think he was the type to call in a political favor unless absolutely necessary.

Youll take Merit to the Brecks? Lindsey asked.

Assuming she can fit it into her schedule, he said.

Drama or not, there was always time for snark in Cadogan House.

Ill manage, I assured him, although I hate to leave my grandfather here.

My grandfather was Chicagos former supernatural liaisonemphasis on the formerbut he and his employees, Catcher Bell and Jeff Christopher, still helped the CPD with supernatural issues. Because hed helped us investigate the riots, McKetrick had targeted him. Grandpas house had been firebombed, and hed been caught in the explosion. He was recovering, but he was still in the hospital. Hed been more of a father to me than my actual father, and although he had people to protect him, I felt guilty leaving while he was out of service.