more of their race and their abilities than they know and since I did mate to the only royal line my mate can demand they marry into the humans and she can make that order stick. So, it won’t be this year, or next year, or even this decade, but within the next century the race will be so diluted nothing will remain of their powers but parlor tricks.”
“What if you had mated to someone other than a royal?”
“I would have done my best to live through the burning of rejecting the mark. I gave my word to care for her as one of my household before I knew what she was. Had I died the information you needed to know would have been waiting on your arrival and would have beamed to your ship as soon as you reached orbit. One way or another her race would fall. With me at the helm or by your sword.”
“You ask too much.” Dominick told him.
Dacron shrugged. “I know what I ask. Will you stand at my back or at my throat.”
Dominick looked at his other hunters. They stared back with unreadable faces. He turned to face Dacron again. “I can’t answer that question. Not today. Tell me more of this mate of yours and of the one we chase. We will put the answer aside for today.”
“Well enough you will think on it.” Dacron stood up and walked from the room. Before he reached the door, between one step and the next he disappeared.
Dominick grunted. “I have always hated when he did that.” He turned to look at Dracula. “Tell me, can his new mate walk like he does?”
Dracula frowned. “Yeah, you never know when one of them will step out behind you.”
“I am still hungry.” Dominick told him.
“Let’s go to the kitchen. We can find something to eat and I will tell you what we know of Casey.”
Chapter Fourteen
“Yes. We did it.” Casey answered the question her mother hadn’t asked.
Nathanial nodded. “Does your husband, has he said anything?”
“No. He hasn’t mentioned when he will have you executed. I think he waits to see what will happen with the shifters.”
“Casey, do you think your husband would have any problems with me? Don’t get me wrong, I love Italy and this villa is incredible. But this isn’t home to me. I don’t speak the language, I don’t care for much of the food. It is different and as your mother and Nathanial can both attest to, I don’t care much for different.”
Casey had been introduced to the lady sitting at Nathanial’s left but she didn’t know her personally. She had heard talk of her. Miranda had sent her to Italy to take care of Angelica and not in a do you need help sort of way. Miranda had been taken down before she could make the task official and Sadie had been content to stay in Italy while things calmed down. Now though the witch wanted to go home.
“I don’t think you are a blip on his radar. He knows Miranda sent someone to control and contain mom until,” Casey stopped with an arrested look on her face. When she started talking again the others in the room looked at her then at each other and back to Casey.
“Of course, the other line. Dacron said we needed to find the third line. We have the royal line and the warrior line but not the one he calls the peacekeeper line. Even if we didn’t know what we were or what we could do would instinct still guide us?” Casey muttered. Pulling her purse toward her she dug around until she pulled her phone out. A moment later she was talking to Dacron.
“Hey babe, got a situation here. Yes, I see where you sent me a text. No, I haven’t looked at it. Why don’t you tell me what it says.” Casey’s shoulders slumped. “Oh, well I mean we knew they were coming.” She paused to listen. “When do you think they will decide? How do you think they will decide?”
Casey listened for a few moments before giving a start of surprise. “My situation. Oh, well you know how you said we needed to find the third line? The one you said can mediate between the royal line and the warrior line in the event of a stalemate? How would I know if I had one of them in front of me? How would I know one at all?”
Casey turned to stare at