Courts and Cabals 2 by G.S. D'Moore (warren buffett book recommendations TXT) 📗

a lot of your people needed to feed off humans in some way, you couldn’t always be on the right side of the law. You saw the shit that went down with the MeToo movement and vamps.”

I nodded. It had nearly been a modern-day witch hunt when some prominent vamps got caught up in the MeToo movement. It didn’t necessarily have to do with rape, or even consensual fucking; but people made a big deal out of the ability of some vamps to bespell their victims, and what that meant for consent. I’d just been on the receiving end of that equation, and I could see the point Dani was trying to make. How did vamps do it before the Revelation? The answer; not always legally.

The dwarf saw me draw that conclusion. “Exactly,” she snapped her fingers. “Cabals did what they had to do to survive and keep order, and they operated as much in the gray area of federal and state law as possible. Now, fast forward thirty years. Cabals have been on the receiving end of bad press, and arguably made poor decisions, long before the Revelation. They’re the bad guys to the government’s good guys. It doesn’t matter if its humans or supernaturals. Hoover hassled potential communists in Hollywood, and the FBI still hassles the cabals today. Like anything that’s lived as long as the cabals have, they’ve adapted; thus, the tradecraft.” Dani leaned back as she finished her explanation.

“I guess,” I rubbed the back of my neck. I just didn’t like being on everyone’s shit list.

The convoy hit the outskirts of town and dispersed in a choreographed maneuver that would make the Secret Service jealous. The shifters split into three groups, each surrounding one of the SUVs, and the SUVs went off on different routes to throw off any tails.

I didn’t see what happened to one group, but two ended up at the final destination: Caesars Palace. It was a fitting HQ for the Venetian Cabal. One convoy rolled right up to the front entrance where tourists’ cabs were being unloaded. The arrival triggered the local cop’s trap. Men and women in street clothes, badges, and guns surrounded the car and pulled the occupants out while warning the shifters back with their weapons.

I didn’t know how the shifters replied, but judging from the brief interaction between the leader and Dani, I’d wager they shouted something rude about the cops’ mothers or their ability to perform sexually. Our SUV disappeared into a parking structure at the back of the large hotel, and I was sure the cops would have another ambush waiting. Then we hit something. It felt like someone hit me in the ass with a cattle prod, and I jumped high enough my head smacked into the ceiling. One second the windshield showed nothing but solid concrete, and the next, there was a discrete entrance with a familiar face standing beside it.

“Fern,” I turned to the pixie, “stay in the car. I don’t want there to be any misunderstandings.”

“Yes, Master Cam,” she gave me a small bow and continued to surf the web on her tablet.

Aden smiled as we opened the doors and got out. “Welcome to Vegas,” the dark-skinned imp smiled. He’d saved my ass back at St. Vincent’s, so it only made sense the cabal would want a friendly face to welcome us.

The smile on the incubus’s lips didn’t meet his eyes. Xamira didn’t even close her door before she ran into her father’s embrace. The imp had been strong and silent until now. She sobbed into her father’s blazer without a care in the world, and I didn’t blame her. I felt bad there hadn’t been more time to mourn Xander, but shit had been rolling downhill for the last two days, and I sat squarely at the bottom. Some things might have changed, but I still looked out for number one.

“I’m sorry for your loss,” I gave Aden a sad shake of my head. I didn’t know what to say, and that’s what people always said in these situations.

“Thank you,” he clung to Xamira, who seemed to only come out of his jacket to catch her breath.

“Lilith, mother wants to see you,” he informed, and Lilith nodded. “Dani, she wants Cam to meet with Peter first.”

“Peter,” a cold tingle worked its way up my spine.

No offense if your name is Peter, but I just hate anyone by that name. A kid name Peter had been the biggest sociopathic fucker back at the orphanage. He was at that age no one wanted to adopt him, and several foster families had sent him back for behavioral problems. It was a shitty situation all around, but he ruled over all the kids with an iron fist. That iron fist had given me a black eye more than once. Kid Peter had been great at talking his way out of trouble, and always making it someone else’s fault. My prejudice was nonsensical, biased, and stupid, but I instinctually hated every Peter I met.

“Hey,” Lilith reached out and pulled me into a hug. I don’t know if it was to say goodbye, or if she felt the pang of pain from my mark; but either way, it was the first time I remember her actually hugging me. The time she carried my unconscious, naked body back from Joe’s didn’t count.

It felt so right. I fit perfectly against her curvy frame. I popped some chub, but it was overshadowed by the pure comfort she imparted. I felt my fear melt away, and it left me smiling.

“Thanks,” I didn’t want her to pull away, but she had to meet with her mother. Without the power the head of the cabal could bring to our aid, we were all royally fucked.

Dani waited until Lilith was gone. “Peter’s a dick,” she stated, and the uneasiness flooded back into my muscles.

“Peter