"Riot?" Bear asked. "Never heard of them."
"They're a small-time wolf gang. Theft, kidnapping, some robberies." Lucas kept typing. "Last known headquarters north of Seattle. Definitely hired thugs . . . who are known to frequent Slam Bar. And here it all comes together."
"Exactly. Now they've moved on to attempted murder," Bear growled. "You already have an attack plan ready. We go tonight." This time, he clapped Nick on the shoulder. "You up to a mission?"
Nick's eyes darkened. "God, yes."
Chapter 27
Tension grew in Nessa as the day wore on and night began to fall. She'd created a list of people who might want her dead, and the number on the list caught her off guard. How odd. She'd turned the list over to Boondock to start investigating, before sitting down with Simone and going over a list of witches who'd been attacked in the US.
She flipped open a file on the two most recent deaths. "They were young," she murmured, looking at two smiling women in their early twenties-their real early twenties. "Why were they alone in the States?"
"College," Simone said, her fingernails tapping on a legal pad. They had papers and manila files scattered across the conference table, while Lucas worked one computer bank and Boondock the other. Bear, Nick, and the boys had disappeared to plan an attack.
Nessa reached for the remainder of a sandwich somebody had brought in at some point, her gaze on the photos of the dead bodies. The PK mineral harmed witches if it touched them, but the Apollo drug? It was melted PK forced into liquid form, for darts and for distribution. The advantageous side effect for the manufacturer was that humans could take it and get high-if they didn't overdose-so it came with an automatic income stream. For the ultimate purpose of what? Killing all witches? "Who wants to hurt us this badly?"
Simone sat back, her dark eyes thoughtful. "I don't know. Whoever is behind it wanted to fracture the Council of the Coven Nine, and they were successful for a while. So it might be some sort of takeover, but it feels more personal than that. Angry, even."
That was in line with Nessa's analysis. "Has the Council had any luck tracking down Grace Sadler?"
"No, but we're on it full-time." Simone sipped a cup of tea. "Grace and I dated the same man for a while, you know. Decades ago."
"Yes." Nessa knew the entire case. She put the pieces together. "Wait a minute. Didn't he kidnap you, along with Garrett's mum? Put you in a jail cell?"
"Aye," Simone said softly. "Cara went into labor, and I delivered that little vampire pain in the butt."
Nessa laughed. "No wonder Garrett hovers around to be sure you don't trip. Or get shot."
"He is devoted," Simone said, sighing. "You help one kid get born, and he attaches for life. Vampires."
Nessa chuckled and turned back to the matter at hand. "Why didn't the Council keep a closer eye on Grace Sadler when she was defeated and had to leave?"
Simone shrugged. "We were in the middle of a war. Her powers were stripped, and it'll take a century for her to rebuild them. Put simply, we had more important things to worry about."
Aye. "Her sons are both dead now because of this Apollo campaign. If she's behind it, she'll be out for blood."
Simone nodded.
"What about other disgraced council members?" Nessa asked.
"Council contests usually end in death," Simone mused. "Grace is one of the few who was allowed to live. But we're also tracking down anybody else we can think of."
"As is the Guard," Nessa said.
"Aye," Simone said softly, her hand on her belly. "Speaking of which."
Nessa's shoulders slumped. "I know. I need to make it happen either today or tomorrow." The idea of resigning from the Guard hurt a little, but it also opened up possibilities. Maybe it was time to move on and do something else. She'd done a good job, and it was time for new blood in the top position.
"Will you be involved in choosing your successor?" Simone asked.
"No," Nessa said easily, lying through her teeth.
Simone took another sip of tea. "How does it happen? It's all a mystery, even to council members."
Nessa smiled. "That's the point."
Simone laughed. "My brother hates secrecy and intrigue. I mean, really hates it."
"Aye. I've noticed," Nessa said, her gaze on Simone's bump. What would it be like to be pregnant? To have a baby? Bear's baby?