debut party for my first turned.”
Daciana’s eyes lit up like silver sparklers. The woman was far too emotional in Tatiana’s estimation, but if she could scatter, she’d be perfect. “Are you saying…” She squeezed Laurent’s arm.
Laurent bowed his head but failed to hide the pride on his face. When he lifted his eyes to Tatiana’s, he had regained his composure. “I am honored.”
She leaned back in her chair and shrugged. “It is your right. You are eldest in the house.”
“Even so, I know exceptions have been made.” He straightened. “I understand that I will not truly be Elder until the council proclaims you Dominus, but I will strive to fulfill that position to the best of my abilities regardless.”
Tatiana held back a grimace. Gah. The pair of them were like eager little puppies. “Wonderful. It just so happens that there is a matter I need attended to.”
“Of course.” Laurent nodded, already agreeing to Tatiana’s request. Excellent. Well-trained puppies made the best lapdogs. “Whatever I can do, just name it.”
Tatiana swirled the wine in her glass before sipping it. She savored the dark tannic red as it eddied past her fangs and tongue. At last she swallowed. “Are you capable of the job of Elder? Of the ruthlessness sometimes necessary? Can you dispatch justice when need be?”
Laurent puffed out his chest, his eyes going half silver. “I am Tepes born. I am completely capable.”
“Good.” Tatiana set her glass down. “Can both of you scatter?”
“Of course,” Laurent answered before Daciana could say anything.
Tatiana leaned forward. “What do you scatter into, Daciana?”
“Wasps, my lady.”
The plan was complete, then. Tatiana sat back. “I need you to go to New Florida and retrieve something for me.”
“I would be honored,” Laurent said.
“As would I,” Daciana added softly.
“Wonderful.” Except that Daciana was a little too meek for Tatiana’s liking. It was what it was. With that morsel of information tucked away, she set out her plan, knowing full well that before this pair set foot on Southern Union soil, Tatiana was going to get to know Laurent’s bride a great deal better.
So much better, no one would be able to tell them apart.
Chapter Six
Mayor.” Creek got off the couch to stand as Mayor Diaz-White entered the living room of her home. The tan suit she’d worn at the crime scene was gone, replaced by jeans and a tank top with a loose V-neck sweater over it. Her pretty face was scrubbed clean, her eyes red-rimmed from crying, but her expression seemed calm. As calm as could be, given the circumstances.
She extended her hand. “Thank you for coming.” She exchanged a look with Havoc, who stood near the exit. “I understand it wasn’t your choice.”
“I intended to meet with you tomorrow morning as we’d discussed, but your goon decided otherwise. I don’t like being strong-armed.”
“I understand and I apologize. It’s not Mr. Havoc’s fault. After we spoke, I realized I couldn’t wait until morning to have things explained. It’s not in my nature to be so impatient, but this is my daughter. My city. So I sent him after you.” She sat on the couch across from him, a marble and bronze coffee table separating them. “I know you’re upset, but I also know his arrival saved your life.”
Creek tilted his head toward the wolf shifter. “Can we talk in private?”
“Of course. John, thank you for your work tonight. I’ll see you in the morning.”
Havoc grunted. “You want to be alone with this guy?” He shook his head. “If it’s all the same to you, I’ll wait in the front room and escort him out when you’re through.”
“If you wish.” One hand strayed behind her back to tug at her sweater. “But I’ll be fine.”
Was she carrying? It wouldn’t surprise Creek if the mayor of this screwed-up city kept a gun or five. He sat back down. His clothes, borrowed from Havoc—jeans, a T-shirt, and a pair of flip-flops—fit okay, but since getting out of the pen, wearing anything he hadn’t personally bought grated on him. “He didn’t save my life. I was hurt, but I would have been fine.”
Her sculpted brows arched as her gaze scanned his upper body. “Havoc said your shoulder was torn open. Some kind of animal attack.” Her hands clenched, then relaxed. “I’ve been receiving reports of some sightings in the city lately. Large cats. A wolf or two. Even… well, it’s ridiculous, but someone saw an enormous flying lizard-bird thing a few weeks ago.”
Argent needed to be more careful. “Most likely it