Burning Both Ends (Guardian Witch #3)

“I didn’t tell you because it wasn’t the right time,” he finished.

“What?” She struggled to moderate her tone. “Why? Don’t you realize it may be related to his disappearance?”

The wizard’s expression never changed. “Are you questioning my judgment, Ms. Calin? If so, I’m not sure I like it.”

Oops. Ari noticed he’d slipped into formal address, putting some psychological distance between them. Perhaps a more subtle approach was in order. “I’m sorry, sir, if I seemed rude. I’m worried about Steffan, and this stranger’s story came as a total surprise. If you can’t tell me about the negotiations, can you at least verify that Horatio Jones is a government representative?”

“No, because I’m not familiar with this man, but I will ask Homeland about his credentials. In case they ask, perhaps you should provide me with a description.”

“Seventy-plus, white hair, brown eyes, stocky build. Dresses like a professor. Carries a cane. He said he worked for the CIA before retiring.” She thought about her conversation with the old gentleman. “He claimed to be my liaison with the federal government and gave me a number to reach him. He’s rather eccentric. Nearly caused a fight on board the plane in order to move to the seat next to me.”

The president looked taken aback. “A colorful character.”

“You could say that. Not very spy-like.”

“Perhaps you should avoid him until I confirm his status. If he checks out, make your own decision how much you want to use him. Your only orders from the Council are to find Steffan. Quickly. Whatever that takes. In furtherance of that goal, I’m prepared to give you any details you want on the negotiations.”

“Thank you, sir. Anything you can share could be helpful.”

When the wizard had finished relating the weeks of meetings, the volatile reactions of some of the wolves, and the every-changing support and opposition, Ari could see what had made Steffan so tense that night at the park. According to the president, Steffan believed a coalition was the best future for the wolves, bringing a united voice to their concerns, decent career opportunities for their youth, and more than lip service to government recognition. He had fought hard to make it a reality. It wasn’t such a leap of imagination to believe someone opposed to the scheme might have wanted Steffan out of the way.

“As for the night he disappeared, I can tell you very little except he was expected at a 3:00 a.m. meeting with four other wolf leaders at a resort north of here. They kept waiting to hear from him, thinking he’d been delayed by something urgent.” The wizard sighed. “I wish they had told someone, but no one said anything until we contacted them after the pack reported him missing.”

“That doesn’t seem right,” Ari said. “Why would they wait so long? Are we sure they’re not involved?”

“Something about a heated argument the day before, and they thought he might be cooling off.”

“That’s bogus.”

The wizard nodded. “In their defense, they don’t know Steffan as well as you or I do. I don’t doubt the argument occurred—they’ve done very little for the past two weeks except argue—but Steffan would never stay away and sulk. If they think so, it might say more about them than him. In any case, I think that is all I know. Except”—his eyes began to twinkle—“it was never my intention to conceal Steffan’s assignment from you. I’d planned to inform you when we met today. When we spoke on the phone I didn’t think it was wise to entrust such sensitive information to the airways.”

Ari nodded, somewhat chastened. “I should have considered that.” She stood, assuming their meeting was over. “I’ll do my best to find him, sir. You can count on it.”

He inclined his head. “Before you leave, update me on the situation in Toronto. Is our friend Andreas in trouble? Is similar trouble likely to come to Riverdale? Toronto’s problems have spilled over onto us before. I don’t welcome a repeat.”

“Andreas has control at the moment, but I assume you’re referring to potential interference from the O-Seven. If the elders try to bring down Daron and Andreas, protecting two courts may place both at risk by stretching our resources too thin. But right now I’m more concerned that Andreas could face a revolt from the local vamps.”

The wizard tapped his desk with a boney finger. “Until I read your latest emailed report, I’d not heard the O-Seven mentioned in many years. It is disturbing to see them taking such an active interest in affairs on this side of the world and to know they were encouraging Sebastian’s activities. I will be talking with some of the other American Magic Councils about this. To have any of the O-Seven’s attention on Riverdale is quite alarming. I expect you to keep me informed of developments in Toronto. If the situation grows worse, perhaps there is some way in which our Council or the Toronto Council can assist. We certainly support his goals for a civilized and cooperative vampire community.”

“I’ll tell him you said so, sir.”

“Do that, but keep in mind my primary concern is for Riverdale’s safety. If trouble is coming here, I want to know about it.”

“Understood.”

Ari took a deep breath when she stepped outside the hall. Although she knew little more than when she arrived, she was reassured the wizard was playing it straight with her. Vampires weren’t the only Otherworlders who could be secretive and a little bit paranoid. After so many centuries of minimizing or hiding their affairs from humans, individuals hadn’t automatically changed their behavior when the McFarland treaties were signed. Ari understood the reticence, but cops couldn’t function without all the facts. Still, it hadn’t been a wasted visit. It looked like Steffan’s disappearance was tied to the summit meeting. It was the obvious place to start.

Lilith was half asleep when Ari opened the car door and climbed in. “About time,” the lioness growled. “I began to think I was going to miss supper. Can we find some place to eat now?”

“Sure thing. Did you talk with Russell?”

“Yep, he’s fine. Everything is pretty much like we left it. A lot of talk going on behind closed doors, whispering, everybody watching one another, but no fighting. What you really want to know is what Andreas said.”

When Lilith stopped talking, Ari looked at her. “So?”

“He’s going to call you.”

“But what did he say?” Ari demanded.

“I don’t know. I don’t think he said much. At least Russell wouldn’t say much. Andreas found your note, asked Russell a couple of questions about the flight and arrival time in Riverdale. He wanted to know if you’d gone alone. That sort of thing. Nothing else, really.”

“No reaction at all?”

Lilith shrugged. “Sorry. When I tried to pin Russell down, he said he couldn’t tell what Andreas was thinking, except he seemed worried. Which would be natural. You’ll just have to wait for his call.”

Ari was confused by his reaction. He didn’t seem angry, but was he thinking she’d chosen Steffan over him? Had she hurt her normally cool, collected vampire? She frowned at the thought and considered calling him now. But if she caught him in a meeting, when he couldn’t talk, that would only make it worse. She blew out an uneasy breath. She’d have to be patient. He’d call; he said he would. She needed to concentrate on solving Steffan’s disappearance. Get this over and fly back to Toronto. Maybe she’d still be in time to help.

The person she should call right now was Ryan, but she hadn’t decided how much she could tell him. He couldn’t help with the wolves, which meant he didn’t need to know private wolf business. And Homeland Security, if that’s really who Jones represented, wouldn’t appreciate interference from the local police officers. Ryan wasn’t exactly the type to sit back and do nothing. Better to wait until there was something he could do.

“Change of plans,” Ari said, making a sudden decision. “I’ll drop you off at your place. You can eat, get some sleep, whatever you want. Be ready when I need you. I’m going to talk with Steffan’s wolf pack, and they won’t want a lioness present. You don’t have to worry, I know most of them. I won’t have any trouble.”

“Makes sense, but can we pick up burgers on the way? I’ll check in with Daron’s staff. See if they know anything we don’t.”

Ari turned the car toward the condo where Russell and Lilith lived. She knew a drive-through on the way, and once she dropped Lilith at home, she’d head to Steffan’s house. She hoped his pack had made some progress in finding their leader or could at least give her the name of his enemies. Maybe they knew who was opposing the coalition. With any luck, those opponents had been vocal about their opinions.

Steffan’s suburban home was lit up like a big party was in progress. As Ari approached the front door, she realized the atmosphere inside was far from celebratory. Raised voices, most of them angry. The argument sounded on the verge of erupting into a physical fight. Ari knocked twice, pounding the second time, before someone answered.

“Guardian.” The large man filling the doorway was second-in-command of Steffan’s home pack.

“Gilbert, isn’t it?” Ari had only met him a time or two, but at least he knew she was a friend of Steffan’s.

“Come on in. You might as well join the fun.”

She figured he was being sarcastic.

Gilbert stepped aside to let her pass. Close to four dozen angry, gesticulating wolves jammed Steffan’s living room. The nearest stopped talking and turned to scowl at her. Silence gradually spread throughout the room. Hostility bristled. Maybe it had been a bad idea to come here without Lilith. Of course, two to forty wasn’t much better than one to forty. There were a lot of angry wolves in this room.

Gilbert spoke quickly. “For anyone who doesn’t know her, this is our Guardian, Ari Calin. She and Steffan are friends.”