G.H.O.S.T. Teams (Book 2) Shifters (16 page)

Kara and Erika returned a short time later and we distributed the hearing shells to one guard at each of the eight stairs down. Their normal communication gear would work fine on the surface, so they didn’t need an additional means to talk to each other, just a way to reach us. We gave instructions on regular check-ins and I reminded them that if anyone had to leave the door for any reason, two guards should always remain and one of them had to have the hearing shell. As soon as everything was as safe and secure as we could make it, we got word that the wolves had arrived. I wanted to head over and make sure they made it down all right, but there were some formalities that each party was supposed to adhere to. One of them was that no one would meet or talk until we were all downstairs. So, finding our dwarven guide we headed back down into the basement.

All of Kara’s motion censors were placed and secured at each of the stair openings and we gathered Freddy and Danny back up. Then we all started back down the northern stairs towards The Circle. This time I have to admit that we were all moving faster. What can I say, we like comfy chairs.

We were the first ones down, so Freddy got to watch his light show once again. Moving into the room brought forth the same calming sensations as before. I led the team over towards the table, but we didn’t sit. Observing another formality, we waiting until all parties had arrived before we were seated. And yes, I remember back in the library where I said that I wasn’t going to sit down so that I could keep an eye on things. But, between the rooms calming effect and the slithering vine security system, I was willing to let the room handle things. Or maybe that was just the excuse I gave myself so that I could sit in those comfy chairs again.

A couple minutes later, Kara let us know that her sensor on the east stairs was tripped and the first group of three was heading down. A few moments later the west stairs were tripped and our final guests were in route. Out of habit, I kept my eyes scanning the room searching for trouble, but most of my attention was jumping back and forth between the stairs. I didn’t know which pack was which or what any of the Alphas looked like, so I guessed all of the party guests were going to be a surprise. We heard soft footfalls from the east stairs a moment before they stepped into the room.

The first person through the door was a woman of Amazonian stature. Somewhere in her mid-twenties, she was easily six foot six, her black hair trimmed short and spiky on her head. Her skin was the color of rich mocha and her eyes were black as coal. She had a long face, a thick nose, and thin lips. Her sharp jawline flowed down a long neck into wide shoulders. A large yellow sports bra held sizable breasts in place and showed off her well-defined arms and abs. She was in amazing shape, but not overly muscular like a professional body builder. Tight yellow biker shorts covered half of her thick thighs and showed off her large calves. Her leather sandals had straps curving around her shins almost to her knee and reminded me of shoes from ancient Greece. She grimaced our way, sniffed the air a few times, and settled her gaze upon the west stairs.

Coming up behind her was a woman who had to be her twin sister. Long black hair braded into a ponytail and a slightly smaller nose were the only differences I noticed, other than wardrobe. She was wearing a short, tunic-like white shirt that barely dropped low enough to cover her lady parts. Golden trim accented the sleeves, a deep neckline, and the bottom of the shirt. A golden cord was tied at the waist, giving her strong hips some shape. Her sandals were of a similar fashion to her sister, but they were done in the color of gold. After giving us the briefest of glances, she moved forward to stand next to her twin.

The last person to come through the entrance was much shorter than the ladies who preceded him. He was about Danny’s height, maybe five foot eight, with silver grey hair. Deep dark eyes, a thick crooked nose, and a large mouth and chin defined his face. His tan skin was a bit leathered and tough and it gave him the appearance of one who had lived through many rough years. He looked to be in his late fifties, although it was clear that he was in phenomenal shape. He wore a golden sleeveless tunic, open at the sides, and reminding me a bit of a poncho. Two large black leather bracers sat on his wrists and complimented the thick leather belt that held his shirt together. Golden pants were shiny and loose and looked to be made of silk. His feet were bare and he walked up in between the ladies and stood just in front of them. The Amazon with the longer hair placed a hand upon his shoulder in a subservient fashion. Their attention was completely focused on the western stairs as our next guests arrived.

The first guy through the west entrance was tall, about six six, the same height as the Amazons. He was maybe thirty years old, with slicked-back blond hair, pale skin, and a very square face. His brow was prominent and it made his eyes feel a bit sunken in. His sharp nose sat above thin lips and a jutting jaw. He actually reminded me a little bit of Dolph Lundgren. He wore a blue tank top tucked into tan military style pants tucked into large black combat boots. His arms were huge and well defined and he wore an oversized watch on his left wrist. Aside from making me think he was right handed, I didn’t believe an electronic watch like that would be good for much more than show down here in manna central. He stopped and crossed his arms, turning his body at an angle so he could watch us and the other lycans.

The next two came through the door together, arm in arm. Both of them were young, early to mid twenties. She was maybe five foot five, although six-inch heels brought her height closer to six feet at the moment. Her skin was a light brown and her hair the color of dark chocolate. She had it pulled back into a multistage ponytail, four sections in all, swaying behind her as she walked. Her face was soft and round, big eyes and a button nose. Her lips were full and when she smiled she showed teeth. Tiny ears and round cheeks completed a face that was anything but wolf-like. Her expression and the look in her eyes however told a different story. Contrary to her sweet girl-next-door face, it was clear that she was a predator. As she stalked forward, the sound of her heels striking the stone brought my attention to her attire.

A black strapless leather bustier showed her midriff and seemed to be fighting to keep her large breasts from jumping out of its top. Her arms were covered in black silk gloves that reached up to her biceps. I could see multiple piercings in her belly button, the gems of which danced in the light as she moved. Her black leather skirt was so small that it barely covered her underwear… that is assuming that she was wearing any underwear. Honestly, she didn’t seem like the type. Fancy fishnet stockings were held up with visible garter straps, leaving the tops of her legs uncovered. The six-inch stilettos were also black with a few straps around her ankles to keep them secured. The gentleman by her side looked to be cut from a similar piece of Goth leather.

He stood as tall as she did in her heels, putting his height around six feet. His short, shaved black hair was almost lost against his dark skin. Big eyes seemed bright in comparison, staring intently at the lycans in front of him. His face was narrow as was his nose. Thin lips and a pointed jaw finished his head. His jacket was tight black leather, with a high closed collar covering his neck. He wore fingerless gloves with silver studs across the knuckles. Shiny black leather pants were tucked into knee high biker boots, laced all the way up to the top. He guided his lady to a spot just in front of their blond enforcer and glanced our way before putting his full attention back on the other wolves. I had no idea what the protocol was or who was supposed to start, so I decided to play icebreaker.

“I’m sure it goes without saying that the GHOST appreciate your willingness to put your difference aside and meet in this manner. Why don’t we all take a seat?”

Then I stepped forward and plopped myself down in the chair in front of me. The seating was quite interesting. As before, the vine had built enough chairs for everyone in the room. There were twelve total, and they were positioned in three clear groups. Two sets of three chairs were on the east and west sides of the table while six chairs were at the north end. The chair I had chosen was the right center seat of our six, putting me at about equal distance from either side should I have to act. Freddy sat to my left, in the other center seat and the rest of the team dropped down around us. Kara took the chair next to Freddy, with Danny on her left. Erika took the seat to my right, with Vector sitting next to her. The Alpha males each took their center seats with their mates sitting in the chairs closest to us. The Betas sat on the outside and since everyone was settled, it seemed like the time to begin. Freddy started us off.

“The Circle welcomes us all. It is our hope that we may find a peaceful resolution to the conflict facing your packs. As per the by-laws of the council and the rules set forth in the Treaties of the Moon, the first to arrive may speak first,” he said.

“Let the Creek start,” snarled the old man on the right.

I learned two things right there. The first was that the Potomac Pack had arrived via the east stairs and the Rock Creek Pack by the west. The second thing was a bit frightening. Judging from the scowls on their faces and the sharpness of the old wolf’s response, tension was still high. I could still feel the calming power of The Circle washing over me, so there was only one logical conclusion. This was as calm as the wolves got. A frightening thought. I looked over at the leather-covered Creek to see how they would react.

The Creek Alpha male, whom I’d decided to call Leather, was leaning forward on his elbows, the tips of his fingers pressed together in front of his face, and his eyes staring with a scary intensity. To his right, Bustier, his girlfriend, was draped over his arm, pressed against him, her chest moments away from bursting out of her top. I had a feeling that I was going to witness my first werewolf wardrobe malfunction. Let’s hope the vine doesn’t work for the censors. Leather tilted his head from one side to the other before replying.

“We have started nothing. But, if the attacks against my pack continue, we will finish it,” he stated.

Bustier growled through a smile as a point of emphasis while Dolph just sat there, his arms crossed, his attention on the lycan across the table. Oldie, the Potomac Alpha, didn’t seem impressed. In fact, I caught the hints of a smile that made me think he had very little respect for these younger wolves. Twintail sat calm and relaxed next to her man, she had her hands folded in her lap and didn’t seem even a little worried. Her sister, Spikey, was mimicking her pose. The twins were perfectly calm and relaxed, which could mean a few things. It was possible that the room was having an effect on them and holding their anger in check. But I worried that it was something else. In my experience, the calmest person in a situation like this is often the most dangerous. Feel free to let you mind wander on how scary Oldie must have been to have gained their loyalty.

“Your empty threat aside, do you truly take no responsibility in these attacks?” Oldie asked.

“My threats are far from empty, old one. Your reign is coming to an end,” Leather smiled.

Oldie smiled wide and relaxed back into his chair a bit. “Until it does, I suggest you speak to me with a bit more respect.”

Leather started to cackle and his lady joined in. Dolph didn’t react and kept his attention on the Potomacs. I was waiting for Oldie or the twins to react in some way, but they all just sat there, smiling and content with themselves. It took a little bit of time before Leather’s cackling died down. Watching them I realized something that should have struck me the first moment they walked into the room: they were crazy. I don’t mean like they go skinny-dipping or have wild parties, I mean they were nuts. An aura of insanity was oozing off of them. I don’t know how else to explain it. Once the laughter died down Leather responded.

“My predecessor was a fool to even extend you that courtesy,” he said.

“The Macs are weak, while strength lies with the Creek,” Bustier said.

As if I needed more proof, her voice and tone screamed crazy. There was no doubt in my mind that this lady wasn’t playing with a full deck. I leaned over towards Erika and kept my voice low.

“Under new management?”

“About a year ago,” she whispered.

I nodded and continued to watch the display.

Oldie continued to smile and responded softly, “I was wondering when the bitch would speak up.”

I tensed a bit and shifted my eyes rapidly back and forth between the two parties. If there was a first domino to knock down, that felt like it. But neither of the packs seemed at all insulted. From the matter of fact nature of the statement to the smiley face on crazy Bustier, I questioned whether it was an insult at all. I guess at the end of the day, the term does mean female dog, or wolf in this case. Leather reached over and started petting Bustier gently on the head. She closed her eyes and made playful bites in the air, clearly enjoying it. It was almost uncomfortable to be around, as if they were alone in the room.

“When I speak, she speaks, for we are one,” Leather said.

“Together for the Creek, do we both speak,” Bustier moaned.

Oldie smiled even wider. It was clear he considered the pair of crazies a liability to the Creek Pack. I wondered if he was just confident or reacting from experience. I’ve often found that crazy makes people unpredictable. Now, that can work to their advantage or be an instrument of their downfall. I guess time would tell. Although, considering Oldie’s age, I didn’t know how much longer he might be around to find out. It was then that the temperature in the room actually went up a bit.

“Enough games. What have you done with our people?” Oldie demanded.

“It is you who has taken from us,” Leather spit back.

“We do not use such cowardly tactics,” Oldie stated.

“Perhaps your pack is pulling strings behind your back,” Bustier said.

“Never,” Oldie growled.

It was starting to look like we found the heart of the problem. Members of each pack seemed to be missing and they both believed the other responsible. I wondered if the Reds could be responsible. Although they had only arrived in town a few days ago, I guess it was possible that they started something in motion before. Maybe they were behind the rise in wolf anger as of late. I watched the packs growl back and forth a bit before I felt like I should speak up.