Wicked Bite (Realm Enforcers #5)(69)

Lucas stood at one end of the room, Jasper at the other. They seemed to be guarding their respective areas, tension pouring from both.

Vivienne Northcutt, the head of the Council of the Coven Nine, was already up on the screen. A stone wall made up her background, giving no clue as to her location. Of course, she was in Dublin. The centuries-old witch wore a smart black business suit, her dark hair pulled back in a bun. Her makeup was muted, her skin clear, and her eyes extremely intelligent. "Commissioner Lansa. I am very glad to hear that the news of your death was greatly exaggerated." The leader smiled politely.



       
         
       
        

Nessa moved into the war room and drew out a seat, somehow taking over the room. "Now we're quoting Mark Twain?" she asked smoothly.

Vivienne's smile widened. "He was a friend. As you know."

Bear's teeth started to ache. He hated diplomatic games. Slamming the door with a bit more force than was necessary, he shoved Nessa's chair to the side and pulled another up to sit next to her at the head of the table.

Northcutt turned her attention to him. "Mr. McDunphy. How lovely to see you again."

Two could play at this game. Bear smiled, letting his canines show. "Hey, Viv. Kidnap anybody lately?" If the woman thought he'd forgive her for having her soldiers fly him across the world without his permission months ago, she hadn't figured him out at all.

"Alas, no," she said smoothly.

Damn witches didn't give a shit about other species. Not really. Most of them, anyway. "How's my sister doing?" he asked.

Vivienne's expression didn't alter. "Simone is at demon headquarters in Idaho, as you know. As my daughter, she's hard at work for the witch nation."

He hid a wince. The next call had better be to Simone, or she'd come charging in to save him from invasion.

"You might want to ring her up," Viv said, as if reading his mind. "For some reason, she's not only fond but rather protective of you."

"I bet that bites your ass," he drawled.

Nessa cut him a look and cleared her throat. "Councilwoman Northcutt, I wanted to let you know that the Guard conducted a foreign training session here outside of Seattle this morning. It has come to our attention that we might have been remiss in informing you of our plans."

"Why yes," Viv said smoothly. "I understand the session went well?"

"Aye," Nessa said evenly. "The troops have been sent back home after a job well done. I appreciate your understanding."

Viv spread her hands out. "Of course. What else would I do? Tell the world that the Guard up and invaded foreign land based on only a rumor? That the troops waged war, completely out of control and with no structured chain of command in place?"

Bear's muscles tightened.

"No," Nessa said agreeably.

Viv smiled. "However, I believe this incident does demonstrate a problem, aye? Our Enforcers and personal guards might have to step up their training, and we need a decent facility. The one just created on the twenty acres outside of Galway would suit our purposes so well. You're not using that for the Guard training, are you?"

"We are," Nessa said.

"Well then. It would still be good form for you to sign that land over, don't you think?" Viv sat back, clasping her hands together. 

Bear remained perfectly still. This was a shakedown? Seriously? The witches even blackmailed each other?

Nessa tapped her nails on the table. "I would like to transfer that land to you and your Enforcers," she said mildly.

Viv's eyes gleamed.

"However," Nessa continued, "after the mess the Council has been in the last year, with members issuing kill orders on other members and with the Enforcers being fired and rehired, the Guard has had to take the reins, so to speak. What would the world think if it discovered that I, the Guard Commissioner, had to go undercover on the Council, just to protect our nation?" She mock shuddered. "You surely understand how badly we need our training facilities in case the Coven Nine screws up again to that degree."

Bear bit back a smile. The entire conversation pissed him off, but Nessa was good. Damn good. Not many people alive could handle Vivienne Northcutt face to face.

Vivienne smoothed back her hair. "You make an excellent point. Perhaps we should move on from here and just write off recent events. To protect the nation."

"Agreed. Have a nice day." Nessa tilted her head, and Lucas cut off the feed.

Lucas winced and tapped an earbud. "The demon nation is yelling at me."