"On-screen," Bear ordered. Might as well get this over with. Nick Veis, the second-in-command of the demon nation, took shape first. He'd tied his blond hair back at the nape, and it looked like he'd already changed into combat gear. Next to him, Simone appeared, her hair a wild mass around her shoulders, her eyes glittering. "Hi, Sis," Bear said.
Simone stilled and looked him over. "You okay?"
"Fine. Just watching my mate and your mother try to blackmail each other," he said.
Nessa glared at him. Then she turned toward Simone. "Councilwoman Brightston and Lieutenant Veis. Nice to see you."
Nick lifted a dark eyebrow but didn't speak, letting his mate take the lead.
Simone stepped closer to the camera. Her red silk shirt covered a barely there baby bump. "Did you say mate?"
"Yep," Bear said. "Bitten and branded. Of course, that all happened before the Guard decided to drop helicopters and soldiers on my land."
Purple fire flitted up Simone's arms and then was snuffed out. Nick sighed and patted out a flame on his arm, leaving a round burn in the dark cotton.
Bear's chin dropped. "Was that purple? Purple fire? Really?"
Simone sighed. "Yes. Pregnancy hormones mess with the hue." Then she straightened. "Nessa. Seriously? My mother just texted me with the news. You're the Commissioner for the Guard?" Her eyes widened, and she shook her head.
"Aye," Nessa said quietly.
Bear coughed. What in the world? "You didn't know?" he asked his sister.
"Of course not," she shot back, her contemplative gaze on Nessa.
"Wait a minute." He held up a hand. "How could you not know? You've been a member of the Council of the Coven Nine for a century."
Simone looked at him like he'd lost his mind. "Nobody knows who the Guard Commissioner is. Well, except for the head of the Coven Nine, so Mother knows. Interesting."
"Why the hell not?" His voice rose. Their police leader was a secret? Seriously?
Simone sighed. "A couple of reasons. One, secrecy protects the commissioner from assassination. Two, secrecy allows the commissioner the freedom to move among agencies to investigate. Such as Nessa taking a turn on the Council when things got so bad."
"So she couldn't even tell her mate," Bear muttered.
Simone focused on him. "Not without committing treason and breaking a blood oath." She smiled. "So you're the one who has brought the Guard into the current century lately. Computerizing everything and diverting funds to scientific pursuits. It's been you."
Nessa smiled. "Aye."
So the woman was impressive. Bear sighed.
Simone looked back at him. "Let's talk about this mating."
"Let's not," Bear retorted. Nessa should have told him everything. There were more important issues than countries and oaths. Mating superseded all that. He settled back in his seat. "Veis? Why you all geared up to fight, and where is Kyllwood?" Zane Kyllwood led the demon nation.
Nick slid a comforting hand down his mate's arm. "Zane is at Realm headquarters planning an attack on the Guard in order to defend the shifter nation. You might want to call the king next."
"I am coming to Seattle," Simone said, taking Nick's hand.
"No." Bear softened his tone so he didn't hurt her feelings. "We're right in the middle of an Apollo epidemic, and witches were attacked yesterday outside of Seattle." He still hadn't read the intel on that. "Somebody is trying to kill your good ole commissioner, also known as my mate, and this is not a place a pregnant witch needs to be. Even a badass witch like you, Simone." He turned his focus to Nick. "Keep your mate there."
Simone's instant frown of irritation matched Nessa's.
Nessa sat straight. "Lieutenant Veis, on behalf of the Guard-"
Nick raised a hand. "Is the grizzly nation declaring war on the witch nation or asking for assistance from the demon nation?"
"No," Bear said shortly. He'd handle the Guard himself.
"Good enough. Check in with the Realm, and I'll let you know if we'll be visiting." Tugging Simone into his side, Nick leaned forward and disengaged the call. The screen went black.
"Well," Nessa huffed.
"Sorry he didn't try to blackmail you with something the demon nation wants from the witch nation?" Bear asked dryly.
She lifted a shoulder. "A little bit."
Amusement-very unwanted-wandered through him. Damn witches. Though she could certainly handle her own, now couldn't she? He didn't want to be impressed by that side of her-not at all. But hell. She'd fooled him. Easily.