with a lone door at its end. The enhanced sight granted by his vampire blood showed him the details clearly, especially since he knew the door, and the room beyond, were there. Most would have dismissed it as nothing more than a supply closet, if they’d found it at all. And even then, they would have been unable to open the door, since the well-concealed biometric lock was keyed only to him and the two others who knew of tonight’s mission.
Chuy and Joaquim stood when he slipped inside and closed the door behind him. He waved them down and took a chair for himself, grateful that one of them—probably Chuy—had thought to bring a thermos of warm blood wine. He didn’t need the blood after what he’d taken from Layla, but he took the glass anyway, when Chuy poured and handed it to him.
Taking a long sip, Xavier leaned back to face the others. “The raid on the rogue vampire nest? Did it turn up anything useful?”
Joaquim frowned. “Our people discovered six vampires living in what was supposed to be an empty building, not far from the docks. They were all questioned and executed, but had no knowledge of Sakal. They were renegades from Poland. They mistook the relative scarcity of vampires in downtown Barcelona as an indicator of lax oversight on your part.”
“You’re certain of their story?”
“Yes, my lord. I questioned them myself.”
Xavier scowled. “That’s disappointing, though not entirely surprising. Sakal is much too weak to control any vampires on his own. His followers will be human, just like those we’ve already uncovered.” He sipped his wine before continuing. “Are we all set for tonight, then?”
“We are,” Joaquim confirmed. “Though I’m still not convinced it’s wise for you to go alone.”
“I’m not going alone. Chuy will be with me.”
“And if Chuy”—he glanced at the lieutenant and said, “No offense, my friend,” before continuing—“is out of the picture for one of a million reasons that could pull him away during a mission like this, you’ll be alone. And we still have no idea of who’s really inside the damn sorcerer’s lair. He could have an entire army of vampires in there with him.”
It was much the same scenario that Layla had posed, but Xavier’s response was very different. “I appreciate your concern, but as I said, Sakal simply doesn’t have the juice to control an army of vampires. He’s not even strong enough to be a member of my personal guard, much less to command the equivalent of one.”
“And what of his sorcery?”
“It doesn’t work on me. You know that. And while I hesitate to remind you of the obvious, I am a vampire lord, and a more than ordinarily powerful one. If Sakal has somehow used sorcery to corral an army of vampires under his command, there is no question that I could seize control and turn them against him.”
“All true, Sire. But why not take both of us, as insurance.”
“Because I need you here to give the appearance that this is an ordinary night in the Fortalesa. It’s not at all unusual for me not to be seen for hours after sunset, and Chuy is frequently out pursuing some task or other on my behalf. But you, my friend, are on the wall, in the armory, the hospital, and always available if called to the gate. You’re visible and would be missed. Plus, I need you to verify Sakal’s arrival at and departure from the compound. Another vampire could do that, but he would have questions and might even have to be told about the mission. And every new person adds a new layer of danger.”
Joaquim sighed gustily. He was still unhappy, Xavier knew. But he’d resigned himself to the reality. It was critical that this mission be carried out with the utmost secrecy. He trusted his people—vampire and human—most of whom had been living in the Fortalesa for years, if not generations. They could still betray him. It did happen. Their lives would be forfeit, and the remainder of it brutally painful once he found them. Which he would, since the only way they could escape was to secure the protection of a stronger vampire lord. And there were none stronger than Xavier in Europe. Lachlan was possibly his equal, and Quinn was not only powerful, but had a truly fearful offensive ability. But they seemed to be content on their islands, and anyway, he couldn’t see either of them taking on a vampire who’d