Authors: Dixie Lynn Dwyer
“But then if someone with a desire to cause trouble and gain control as leader wanted to, he could infiltrate the council, fill it with other elders who believe in his teachings and beliefs, and eventually take control as a single leader. That doesn’t make any sense. We need to remain as the royal family. We’ve always done what is right and just. Who dares to challenge our bloodline?” Maximus asked, sounding perturbed at the accusations.
“We shouldn’t jump to conclusions. We extended an invitation to the owner of Caliber for the party here at the mansion next week,” Luther announced.
“You what?” Celeste asked, standing from the chair.
“I’d like to meet in person the individual who thinks they can come in here and take over our entire corporation. V-Con and Venificus have been head of security for centuries,” Luther countered.
“I think Brutas should be made aware of this. As a head of the Council, either he or another representative should also attend. Precautions must be taken, Maximus. For all you know, this owner could be the one responsible for the attacks on our friends as well as the individual spreading thoughts of a takeover.”
“Let them try to take over my royal position. We will fight for this family’s deserved royalty and power. I will call Brutas myself. I would like more information about Caliber, and perhaps he has some insight.” Maximus walked toward the desk.
“Maximus, Luther, and Dante, please handle this carefully. I have had an uneasy feeling for weeks now, and I fear there is trouble ahead for the Venificus family.” All three men instantly felt their mother’s fear and concern. She had a gift of foretelling certain events. Silently they acknowledged it as Maximus made the call.
Chapter 2
Charity sat behind her desk in her private home office. She had just finished finalizing the security for a high ranking lycan in Europe when a call came in from the main office line.
“Hello, Val, what can I do for you?” Charity asked as she placed the documents back into the blue folder and filed them in her desk drawer.
“I just received word that there was an attack on Rhonan’s pack out in New Mexico.”
“Oh my, was anyone seriously injured? What happened?”
“Only Rhonan and three others survived.”
Charity gasped in shock. Caliber was not responsible for providing constant security for Rhonan’s pack, only on special occasions and upon his request. She wondered what had led to the attack and who was responsible.
“I sent out a team immediately. They should be arriving momentarily. Initial interviews with Rhonan and the three other weres claim that an unknown group of werewolves and lycans are responsible. They were larger than normal werewolves and unstoppable, from what Rhonan stated.”
“We don’t know who this group is or why they chose Rhonan’s pack?”
“Our investigators are leaning toward a renegade group who have been slowly gaining recognition as anarchists against the council. They want their own rules and to do away with the council.”
“That’s ludicrous. The council is what has kept all were races alive for centuries. What about the FBI? Any of our guys in there have more information?”
Val was silent a moment, and Charity became concerned.
“What is it, Val?”
“They have received some information from undercover agents about a pack of wolves, lions, and other magical beasts organizing a rebellion. They seem to have their eye on Venificus.”
Charity nearly lost her breath. It was Venificus that she ultimately was protecting. All the were packs throughout the US and Europe were nearly completely under either Caliber’s protection or V-Con’s. She couldn’t help but wonder who was in charge of the takeover and if it could be Devlon.
“Do they know who the leader is?”
“No, Charity. Other packs are catching wind of this attack, and I haven’t confirmed it yet, but it appears there was a similar one in New Jersey just a few weeks ago.”
“Is the same group responsible?”
“It appears so. At least that is what our agents in the FBI are stating. There were two wolves identified as members of Storm’s pack.”
“Storm, huh? I wonder who he’s working for now, considering his last attempt at a takeover sent him into fey confinement. How the hell did he escape, anyway?”
“There are renegades even in other realms, Charity. It could have been anyone.”
“You know as well as I do, Val, that some sort of magic had to have assisted in his escape. I don’t like the feeling I’m getting.”
Things had been so calm for the last six years since her escape from Devlon. Her mission was clear once her training was complete. As the Chosen One she needed to protect the packs and ensure that Venificus remained ruler of all.
“Um…there’s something else.” Val interrupted Charity’s thoughts.
“What is it Val?”
“An invitation arrived by courier today. It was addressed to the owner-operator of Caliber.”
“So?” Charity couldn’t understand why the man sounded so hesitant. It wasn’t as if they’d never received such mail before.
“It is from Venificus. They are having a large party at the Venificus mansion and have asked your attendance for the week. They would like to also set up a meeting for the day after the party to talk business. Our sources say that the Venificus are concerned that Caliber is trying to pursue a takeover.”
Charity sat back in her chair and thought for a moment.
“What are you going to do?”
“I’m thinking, Val. I trust that the Gods know more than all of us. If it is a sign to receive this letter after the news of attacks on the were packs I am to protect, then I would say we need to attend the event.”
“How are you going to pull that off?”
“I’ll give you more details as I work it out. In the interim, plan on attending with me and have Ferin keep an eye on things while we are gone.”
“You have kept your identity hidden for so long, Princess. Why would you reveal yourself now?”
“Who said anything about revealing myself? And you’d better get out of the habit of calling me princess. When we are there, I am your assistant and
you
, Val, are the owner-operator of Caliber.”
“Oh…I don’t like the sound of this.”
Val was silent, and Charity knew exactly what he was thinking. She imagined him nibbling on his fingernails as he over thought the situation. He was an average-size man. He was handsome and quite diplomatic with business. He dressed like a typical human accountant would, but he had were blood and no one would know it unless they were were. He was scared out of his mind. The Venificus were quite intimidating from what she had heard and had learned over the years. The three men were notorious creatures. They were very wealthy and surrounded themselves with luxury and women. Charity learned through intel that the three wolves enjoyed martial arts and sword fighting for fun. Most people who met the Venificus brothers found them to be extraordinarily handsome and strong. The Gods were determined to keep them in charge.
Hanging up the phone, she prepared to make her plans.
Ferin would need some help maintaining and operating Caliber while she and Val were at the Venificus mansion. She thought of just the right magical creatures for the job and called upon them. She had an uneasy feeling about the attacks. She would initiate an investigation of her own, but it appeared that the Fey Gods wanted her to see only certain things. This wasn’t sitting well with her.
* * * *
Next would be packing for the week. She hadn’t a clue about current trends and styles appropriate for an affair at the invitation of royalty. Before she could imagine the right person to help, Bethany appeared before her.
A soft, glowing light and the lovely goddess appeared beside Charity with an expression of joy and excitement.
“You were about to call me, were you not?” Bethany asked as she placed a strand of her long red hair behind her ear.
“Yes, Bethany, I was going to ask for your assistance.”
Bethany snapped her fingers in front of herself, and immediately her attire changed from gorgeous gown to a pair of jeans and a pink T-shirt. She smiled wide and took Charity’s hand.
“Shall we go shopping?”
Charity chuckled.
“Slow down there, fairy Godmother. There’s no rush, and it’s not like I will turn into a pumpkin at the end of the week. You’ve been reading too many fairy-tale stories.
Bethany released Charity’s hand, placed her hands on her hips, and gave her a cocky grin.
“Honey, I am the fairy tale. And you, my dear, are a princess.”
“Not for this trip I’m not. I am an assistant to Val who will pretend that he is the owner of Caliber.”
Bethany chuckled.
“Like you would pass for that? Oh, just forget it, and let’s go shopping. You’ll need a dress for the dinner, some casual clothing…” Bethany carried on as she took Charity’s hand, squeezed it tight, and walked her out of the office.
* * * *
Charity laughed as she and Bethany shopped for clothing and dresses. An hour into the ordeal and Charity was exhausted but excited. She had been so bogged down with the security business and keeping her identity hidden that she really wasn’t up to par with today’s fashions.
Charity was far from the scared young woman of six years ago in the forest. Between her training, and experimentation with her amazing abilities, as well as her strength, she had turned into quite the confident warrior. Relying on the guidance and signs from the fates had come naturally. She couldn’t help but feel that this upcoming trip to Venificus was significant. Still, she needed to be very careful and trust no one. The Goddess would keep Charity safe. Although Bethany’s lag in communication lately indicated trouble, Charity stood confident for whatever was thrown her way. How interesting that Bethany showed up today to go shopping. If Charity didn’t know any better, she would think that Bethany was up to something. The sneaky Fey Goddess enjoyed mischief, as most fey did. She smiled to herself but promised herself to be cautious. After all, there had been numerous attacks on innocents lately.
It made her feel a tad uneasy, knowing that others in this realm were being persecuted, attacked, or killed. Yet with all her powers and abilities, the Gods did not have her intervene. It was frustrating to be left in the dark. Sometimes, in an instant vision, she would have to appear in another realm or a different area altogether to help save the life of someone of importance.
Could it be that the war she had been told about as a young child was approaching?
Charity thought of her spirit sisters, Lexi and Antoinette. Although the two women didn’t realize their connection to Charity and had never actually met her, their connection was significant. Many questions entered her mind, but Charity knew only time could give her the answers. She instead prepared for the trip and some rules for Val to follow. He was to appear as her boss and the owner of Caliber at all times. He was to refrain from calling her “princess.” No matter how forceful the Venificus brothers acted, Val had to remain confident and in control. Then she looked over the protection list and the names on the list of those individuals who booked protection during the time period that she would be gone.
Chapter 3
“Have they arrived yet?” Dante heard Luther ask as he stood in front of the office desk, holding the phone to one ear and shaking his head “no” to his brothers.
“Please inform us the second they arrive.”
“They didn’t show up today. Perhaps they aren’t coming?” Dante stated as he straightened out the bow tie to his tuxedo. Glancing at himself in the mirror one last time, he gazed at his brothers.
Both were wearing their tuxedoes, black with white shirts except Maximus, who wore a black shirt under his tux.
“The assistant replied and said they would both be coming.”
“Let’s head downstairs and greet our other guests.” Maximus stood and headed toward the doorway. Upon opening it, the sound of music and conversation echoed through the hallways. As they approached the stairs leading to the front entranceway, they noticed the familiar and friendly faces of their fellow pack leaders and members. Despite the information about several more attacks, the were appeared to be in good spirits.
“Good evening, Lord Venificus.” Dante and his brothers heard the soft voice of Shelly, a Beta in his pack. She was quite attractive with her long blonde hair and crystal-blue eyes.
His focus was on getting downstairs so when the owner of Caliber arrived, he could be the first to get a good look. Giving Shelly a nod of his head, he continued on his way.
* * * *
Charity straightened her slim-fitting black gown as the doorman winked at her. She looked at him strangely before hearing Val chuckle.
Leaning closer to her, he whispered in her ear.
“Princess, there is no way you can hide your appealing beauty. You stand out, and I am certain you will be approached by every single and non-single male.”
“Quit it, Val. I am not a princess this week. I am your assistant.” She looped her arm through the arm Val offered then entered the front door with the other guests.