Maverick sat back, sighing. Not only had Christian called him here for this meeting, but he had also called Zeus, the alpha of the eastern grey wolf pack. He had also assembled Panahasi, the leader of the demon warriors, Ahm, the leader of the shadow elves, Nazaryth, the leader of the winged beasts, and Dante, the leader of the Northern coven of vampires.
“So, you want the seven of us to form some sort of council?” Ahm asked.
“For too long we have all operated independently, respecting each other’s territories and lending a hand when needed. But with human vampire hunters, the rogue population getting out of control, a paranormal drug sweeping through the communities,”—Christian stood, walking around his desk—“and now Maverick tells me that humans have begun to hunt in his very territory. We need to implement some sort of plan for damage control and to stop any person considering the dark side of our races.”
Gods, Maverick did not want to be a part of this. He stretched his legs out in front of him, seeing the looks on some of the other leaders’ faces and knowing they felt the same way. But deep down he knew that Christian was right. Something needed to be done about their ever-growing problem.
He and his warriors had combed the woods when Malcolm called him to report that human hunters had held shotguns to Chance and Seth’s heads. Malcolm was spitting nails over having his son and son-in-law threatened.
It seemed Maverick’s hunting signs weren’t doing the trick. And he couldn’t dismiss Christian’s problem with human vampire hunters. Sooner or later, those vampire hunters would learn about shifters and come after not only his pack, but all shifters in general. Zeus had a pack of his own to look over, and a town full of people as well. Ahm and his people were pretty safe, for now. They lived in some godforsaken watery marshland, but the wood elves were vulnerable.
Panahasi and his demons may be safe from hunters because the demons lived in the demon realm, but Maverick wouldn’t put it past the humans to find a way into the demon realm.
Nazaryth and his motley crew of winged beasts lived high up in a castle that was built into the side of a mountain, but one could get in if determined.
Their very world was being threatened, and Maverick knew that something had to be done about that threat. It was long overdue, but Maverick had hoped it wouldn’t come to this.
“Are we going to be called the council or have a cool name?” Maverick asked. Fuck it, if they had to become the Avengers, they might as well have cool names.
Christian chuckled, a twinkle sparkling in the depths of his black eyes. “Ultionem.”
“Nice.” Dante chuckled.
“Which means?” Maverick asked, admitting to himself that it did sound pretty damn cool. But if he was going to be a part of this evil plot to take over the world, Brain had to tell Pinky what the word meant. He also noticed how Panahasi kept looking at Christian, covertly, of course. Maverick wasn’t sure why the demon leader was so interested in the prince of vampires, but if Panahasi wanted to eat Christian, it wasn’t his business.
“Revenge,” Dante supplied, a smile tugging at his lips.
Maverick grinned when his phone began to play “Bad to the Bone.”
“Really?” Panahasi’s eyebrows shot up. “That’s your ringtone?”
Maverick shrugged. “Cecil programmed it for me. Who am I to argue with my mate?”
Christian’s phone began to ring as well, and then Ahm cocked his head.
“The bears are calling me,” the shadow elven said.
Ahm shimmered out as Maverick answered his phone. “What’s up?”
“There is a planned attack by vampire rogues on the wood elf village tonight,” Malcolm said from the other end. “Me and my boys are headed over there.”
Maverick shot forward the same time Christian quickly stood. He must have gotten the same call. Christian cursed as he grabbed Maverick, Dante grabbing Zeus at the same time. Panahasi walked backward into a shadow, as if the demon already knew what was happening, while Nazaryth walked from Christian’s office, probably taking flight right outside.
“Time to inform the paranormal world that the leaders are done sitting on their asses,” Christian said as he reached up and grabbed a sword above the mantel. “It’s laced with silver.” A determined look entered his eyes as they disappeared from the prince’s office.
* * * *
Riley was relieved that Terrik had survived the hellhound bite, but it would be pretty fucked-up if he died from being drained by a vampire. Riley wasn’t sure how accurate Ross’s warning was, or even if they were being set up, but he couldn’t leave the wood elves to a slaughter.