Blood Games (Chicagoland Vampires 10)

“What a mess,” Malik said, rubbing his forehead.

“I may be able to assist,” Victor said. “I have a team. Men who take care of . . . special problems that may crop up from time to time.” He cleared his throat. “In anticipation of trouble, I sent them to Chicago at sunset.”

Ethan’s brows lifted with obvious interest. “Oh?”

“He was only in New York for thirty-six hours. In the event you had to act, I wanted to help you act quickly. I apologize for not advising you of their presence. I hoped they’d prove unnecessary, that I was worrying without cause. But I find myself glad that I arranged it.

“I’m not suggesting that I support your challenge, or the overthrow of my king.” Victor’s voice was careful, his words obviously measured. “But this cannot stand. Darius cannot take our funds for his own personal use, presuming that’s what’s happening here. And if these actions are not his own, a wrong is being done to him, and I cannot support that.”

Ethan leaned toward the phone, as if he was speaking directly to Victor. “I have no doubt of your loyalty to the GP or to Darius, Victor. Nor would I feel the need to advise anyone of your participation, unless you wish it.”

“I thank you,” Victor said, with obvious relief. “They’re standing by, and near the House in the event you need them. I’d hoped they’d prove unnecessary, but as it is . . .”

“We’d appreciate their expertise,” Ethan said. “I presume they’ll understand the need for covertness? And for keeping civilians safe?”

“Of course,” Victor said. “But a reminder never hurts, and I’ll do so. Be careful, Ethan. Your issues with the GP and Darius notwithstanding, take care not to make things worse than they already are.”

“This is no longer about the challenge, Victor. This is about Darius. And as far as I’m concerned, it’s now a rescue mission.”

“We should tell the other GP members,” Victor said. “I’m not particular about who—if you believe Darius has a particular ally. But a division between the American and European Houses has already opened, and I do not wish to exacerbate the situation.”

I can handle that, I silently told Ethan. Jonah and Lakshmi were friends of a sort; she had a crush on him, and he wasn’t interested. But they’d communicated, and she’d reached out to me before through that relationship. I could do so again now. So while Victor, Ethan, and the others discussed plans, I pulled out my phone, sent Lakshmi a message.

DARIUS IN CHICAGO. REMOVING MONEY FROM HOUSE ACCOUNTS, POSSIBLY IN DANGER. OP IMMINENT.

It took only seconds for her to respond. NO TRANSFERS AUTHORIZED. I’LL ARRANGE TRAVEL. PROCEED WITH CAUTION.

It was, for our purposes, as good as permission. I passed the phone to Ethan.

“Lakshmi has been apprised,” Ethan said, glancing at the screen and handing the phone back to me. “And, more importantly, she has not objected.”

Malik, Lindsey, and Luc stared at me, at the phone, undoubtedly surprised I could make that kind of contact.

“That will have to do for now,” Victor said.

They said their good-byes, and Ethan pressed a button on the phone to end the call. Then he sat back in his chair, ran his fingers through his hair. “It appears we’ll soon be storming the Portman Grand. Lucas, find out Darius’s room, get plans. Get plans for the entire building, if you can find them. I’ll go, with Merit, Lindsey, Luc, and the Cabot team. Malik, you’ll have the House.”

Malik nodded. “Do you have any concern about Victor’s people? That this is part of some larger charade?”

“I wouldn’t be Master if I didn’t have doubts,” Ethan grimly said. “But I believe Victor’s solid. He supports the GP, but he’s direct. If he had issues with me or the House, he’d let me know about them.”

He looked at me. “You might call your grandfather. Considering we’ll be in a public building, and the risk of trouble, it would be good to give him a heads-up.”

I nodded, pulled out my phone, and stepped into the sitting area to have a little bit of privacy.

“Baby girl,” he said. “I’m glad you called. I’ve got some news for you.”

“Oh?”

“There’s been a break in the Jacobs case. Jonah told us about the Magic Shoppe, and Detective Stowe stopped by. They recognized the tsubas. They were purchased by a Magic Shoppe employee named Mitzy Burrows. Arthur confirmed she and Brett dated briefly. Stowe went to interview her, but her house was empty. It looked like someone left in a hurry.”

“She fled.”

“That’s what they believe. They talked to neighbors, who said they heard yelling. Possibly her breakup with Jacobs was unpleasant. The CPD’s looking for her.

“Additionally, the ME found drugs in Jacobs’s system. A pretty good dose of Rohypnol. More than enough to knock him out.”

“That explains the lack of defensive wounds.”

“It does,” my grandfather agreed. “We’ll keep looking on our end, let you know if we find anything else.”

“I appreciate it. Unfortunately, I called about something else. Darius is in trouble, and we have to run an op. We’ll be downtown at the Portman Grand. We wanted you to know just in case . . .”

My grandfather sighed. “I don’t suppose there’s any point in asking you to wait for CPD support? Or for a SWAT team?”

“I think not. This is a vampire matter, and the vampires want to handle it. And there may be magic involved; we don’t know how that might affect humans. We’ll do everything we can to stay inconspicuous and to keep the humans safe. We just wanted you to know.”

“I appreciate it,” he said, then paused. “How dangerous is this likely to get?”

“They have muscle,” I said. “But I understand we’re basically getting an advance team from a New York House. Ethan made it clear civilian injuries are not an option.”

“Good,” my grandfather said, murmuring the way he did when he considered and planned.

“I’m going to send the van,” he said. “We’ll stay a couple of blocks away, but I want to be nearby if anything goes wrong.”

Relief surged through me. I didn’t want my grandfather in the middle of this war, but I was glad to know he’d be close. “Thanks, Grandpa. We’ll keep you posted.”