Haven's King, Haven's Realm 4

Jason rose the instant the sun set, and burst into motion. While donning a new suit, he summoned one of his servants. He didn’t want to waste a single second, not even for hunting. He stood knotting a silk tie in front of the full-length mirror in his bedroom when the door to the outer room opened.

“Jason?”

“Come in, Vincent.”

“I have a surprise for you.” He entered the bedroom, his sapphire eyes sparkling.

“‘Ello, old chum!”

“Devon!” He started to extend a hand, thought better of it, and gave the man a firm embrace and patted his back, his oldest friend following suit with a fond laugh. “When did you come back to the states?”

“Yesterday. I’m heading to California. Time to move on, and all that. You look absolutely smashing!”

“Thanks. You’re sure a sight. If I didn’t know better, I’d say you actually look…older. Ah. Come here, Steph,” Jason said, raising a hand toward the servant standing in the doorway.

“Not going hunting tonight,” Vincent asked.

“Not tonight,” he confirmed, focusing on Stephanie. “I have too much to do.” He gave the young woman a kiss meant to raise her passion. And failed.

“By George,” Devon said with a note of dread. “He’s at it again.”

Vincent groaned. “Not another love hunt.”

“C’mon, Vin. You know Haven’s been too quiet with most of the Council abroad. A little excitement will do us good. Besides, Elena has been gone for longer than a century. My heart is more than ready to move on.”

“Have you informed Bastian?” The concern on Devon’s face spoke volumes. “Surely you remember what happened last time.”

“What happens every time,” Vincent corrected.

“You’re the first to know. And…the Enforcement League has been in exercise mode for too long. Any trouble this stirs will improve morale.” He extracted the pint he needed from Stephanie, kissed her again, and said, “Tell Henry to bring my ‘Cedes around to the front.”

“The blue one?”

“No, the 380SEL.”

“Out to impress, are you,” Devon asked, taking a seat on an ancient chair in the corner.

“The sedan isn’t going to cut it this time.” He pulled a jacket on and fiddled with the buttons. “I think, in this case, something sportier is in order.”

Vincent laughed. “What woman can possibly resist a man driving a Mercedes convertible?”

“Exactly. Especially, for this one, a classic.” He dumped the contents of a manila envelope onto his bed and swapped items in his wallet.

When he pinned an ID badge to the lapel, Devon clucked his tongue. “Going in a little deep this time, aren’t we?”

“That’s the idea.” He grinned suggestively and pocketed the wallet.

Vincent’s eyes nearly did all the laughing for him. “Somehow, I don’t think the two of you are talking about the same thing.”

“Quite so,” Devon agreed, chuckling. “Since when did you become crazy enough to infiltrate the police? You know how inherently suspicious that sort can be.”

“Since I fell in love with a police officer. Don’t worry, I’m not going in unprepared. I have an appointment with Chief Selby in…” He checked the new Rolex strapped to his wrist and winced. “…two hours.”

“An appointment?” Vincent lost his amusement. “You mean they’re expecting you?”

“The best way to allay suspicion is to take an open approach.” He sat on the edge of the bed and toyed with an onyx cufflink. “I paid visits to the state governor and Carrington’s mayor last week. We had nice, long chats.” He smiled at the memory. “They were good sports, all things considered.”

“I’ll bet I know who did most of the talking,” Devon offered with a knowing smile.

“Actually,” he countered, rising, “they did. I needed to learn everything I could about my target before going in.”

“All right, so what’s the plan?”

He retrieved a suitcase and garment bag from the closet and flung them onto the bed. “Same’s always—infiltrate, befriend, seduce. I’ve learned she’s interested in this new special victims unit the governor wants established in Carrington. Parker arranged for some special credentials along with my new identity. I’m presenting myself as a professional consultant, and I come with an anonymous and very generous grant. I won’t be in her chain of command and off limits.”

Henry rapped on the open door before entering. “She’s warming up for you, Jason.”

“Thanks. Put my bags in the trunk, will you?”

“Leaving Haven?” Devon’s disappointment was obvious. “I hoped we’d have time for a lark together before I shove off.”

“I’ll be camping at Gale’s place in Fulcrum for the duration. I have to keep up appearances, after all, and I’ll need a good place to park the ‘Cedes during the day.”

“Makes perfect sense. I’ve played this sort of game myself on occasion. Mind if I ride along? I haven’t seen Doc Carter in years. How’s he getting on?”

“We manage to keep him occupied.” Jason led his friends out of the suite and along the hallway. “You can come along if you want, just stay out of my way. This one’s going to be a little tricky.”

“Now you’re making me nervous,” Vincent complained. “I can’t recall you ever expressing concern over acquiring a target.”

He closed his eyes to brace himself against their reaction. “She’s protected.”

“Bollocks!” Devon’s voice was a growl.

Vincent grabbed his arm and spun him around. “You can’t be serious!”

“I know what I’m up against. I’ll be careful.”

“Jason…” Blue fire flared in his eyes. “What you’re planning is dangerous!”

“This could spark a war,” Devon warned, the angry growl still inhabiting his voice. “We haven’t had any trouble from that sect in six centuries. Not since you established the Community.”

“We established the Community,” he countered with a note of impatience. “I could not have done it without help.”

“It’s too much to risk!”

“Explain that to Cupid.”

Both men displayed open shock, then Vincent whispered, “By the Gods.”

“Exactly.” He backed against the wall and closed his eyes again, then drew a deep breath and expelled it slowly. The act failed to quell the troubling storm in his chest. “I don’t have a choice in this. My path has been set by someone much more powerful than I. He opened the door, and I must enter, but I do intend to tread lightly.”

“How are you going to get past her guardian?”

He kept his eyes closed to silence the sudden stab of anxiety, and then met his friends’ concerned gazes with uncertain resolve. “I’ll have to ask permission.”

They stared at him for the span of several human heartbeats, then voiced nervous laughs. “This is one for the books,” Vincent said. “How do you plan to pull it off?”

“As boldly as I dare. I can only hope the creature is reasonable, and won’t fall back on prejudice. I’ll have to court her the old-fashioned way—promising to play fair may appease him. I couldn’t compel her if I wanted to, even without an angel in the way. She’s a resister, and, somehow, she senses something about me. I’m not sure whether she’s doing it on her own, or if the guardian is whispering in her ear and shielding her mind. There is much I wish to learn before I make my approach.”

“Wait—you don’t know a thing about her, and you’re already that lost?”

“Only Jason of Iolcus can fall so deep at first glance,” Devon said, shaking his head.

“No,” he countered, meeting Vincent’s gaze with empathy. “I’m not the only one.”

— Back to Top —