Chapter 11: Offer

Chapter 11: Offer

Tracking their target had been tedious, frustrating, but incredibly satisfying when theyd finally tagged him. Lucy had gotten a snapshot of the vehicle in question, a motorhome, but no picture of the man coming and going. Still, knowing it was a motorhome drastically cut down on potential places that he could stop, especially given the limited capacity of the tanks.

The bulk of the real tedious work had been tracking him to other places than the gold exchange, which required a lot of running around in beast form, and finding which direction the motorhome had gone. That wasnt his work, but Lucy pulling traffic camera images from each of the major exits. Eventually, though, theyd found he was going south, and Roy had generated a list of probable stops. It would have been faster if theyd had access to GARs teleportation network, but they did well enough on their own, visiting a dozen campsites and taking turns sleeping as they drove from place to place.

When theyd picked him up again, it took a lot more time in beast form to track his scent to a second used bookstore. Roy took a flying leap and decided to check other stores on the southward track, and they got more hits than misses. Neither of them had any idea what their target was looking for, but the pattern was undeniable. Stopping only for gas and snacks, mostly in the form of jerky, they tried to get ahead of him.

Alpha Chester had made it clear that directly approaching him was not likely to go well. He didnt know that anyone was tracking him and had vanished for a good reason, so showing up out of nowhere was likely to be dangerous. At the very least, it would obliterate the only actual lead they had on him, one theyd been exceedingly lucky to find in the first place.

At one of the used bookstores they actually got a good description of their target, having missed him by only a few minutes according to the scent trail, though it didnt match what John and Roy had seen in the caf basement. Which didnt surprise them, but it was very useful in giving instructions to local shifters on the Alphas behalf.

They got a description of one Denver Brown, and instructions to not approach or ask him anything, but ensure that the owners of used book stores along his path would phone in if they saw him. And that theyd include one of Alpha Chesters cards.

It wasnt exactly a long shot, but it was more indirect than he liked. Even if Brown got a card in with his books, it wasnt guaranteed hed even see it anytime soon. Or if he did, that hed call the number. So when he finally got a text that Brown had been spotted, and that one of Alpha Chesters cards was included with his receipt, John and Roy physically crossed their fingers and waited for a message from the Alpha.

Even if hed told them not to engage, they really hated not being able to bring in a target for Alpha Chester.

***

Callum spent a good few minutes panicking and not doing anything in particular other than picking up the card, looking at it, and dropping it again. He was suddenly possessed of an urge to drink, or smoke, or something, but he didnt keep any of those vices in his motorhome so the best he could do was pop a soda and somehow cut himself on the aluminum tab.

He grumbled to himself and wrapped a tissue around it, taking a few sips before heading up front and driving off. There was no way that he could avoid calling that number, but he wasnt going to do it in the town theyd obviously tracked him to. Even if Alpha Chester wasnt exactly the GAR authorities, Callum didnt trust that he was safe to interact with. In fact, Callum would probably have to ditch the magical phone hed gotten after the call, just so it couldnt be traced back to him specifically. Which was irritating, because those were a lot harder to get than a regular burner.

Fortunately, there was always plenty of empty space outside of any city proper, small back roads and wooded lanes that were miles away from anyone. He navigated to a point essentially at random, making sure there was nobody nearby with his spatial sense as he pulled off into a small gravel lane. Putting the motorhome into park, Callum teleported the card into his hand and took out the phone. When he dialed the number it didnt ring more than once.

This is Alpha Chester, a deep voice said. Thank you for calling, Mister Brown. Or should I call you Mister Hall?

Brown, Callum said decisively. Better to stick with his current identity, whatever it happened to be. He didnt even think of denying it; that would just be stupid. How did you find me?

I can assure you, Mister Brown, I intend you no ill will. If you will hear me out I will tell you exactly how we tracked you down. The why will become obvious soon enough. Callum had to admit the man had presence, even over the phone. His voice was perfectly calm without being condescending or threatening in the slightest.

Very well, Callum said. Im listening.

While I am aware you wish no credit for it, I owe you for what you accomplished in Winut. Clara is my grand-niece and if she had come to harm, things might have gone poorly. What you may not know is that Winut is not the only place within my territory the vampires have been trying to expand.This chapter is updated by nov(e)(l)biin.com

So you want me to take out other nests. Callum chewed his lip. I dont have any desire to become a mercenary.

I dont blame you, Alpha Chester said. But the only talent I know you have is that of delivering death, and you have a willingness to do so outside of GARs accords. If I knew more of your capabilities I might have other ways to employ you, but you strike me as a man who prefers his secrets, so I wont ask.

I appreciate that, Callum said dryly. Considering Im not even certain Ill agree to this job.

Let me begin by assuring you that I will not, under any circumstances, tell GAR about you. Im assuming that sooner or later you will change your identity again, so doing so would only get me your ire, and I do not want that. Alpha Chesters rumble remained steady and calm, and Callum had to wonder if hed rehearsed his speech. I know a potential asset when I see one, and I could offer you quite a bit in exchange for your help, all completely off the record, of course.

I see. Callum put the phone on speaker so he could rest it on the dash, since his cheek and ear felt like they were almost burning from the combined heat of the phone and stress. Money isnt really an issue for me, but I could use information. Lots of information, especially about mages, the way their magic works and their society.

Part of him hated admitting that much, but he was already compromised with Chester, so it wasnt really that much of a risk. As Chester had said, if things went badly hed simply vanish again, though if he had to do that money might well become an issue. It turned out to be surprisingly easy to burn through cash when he had to abandon everything hed purchased.

I can certainly offer that, Chester said thoughtfully, not even asking why he needed it. I have access to an expert in mages who also does not officially exist. While he is generally reclusive, he owes me enough that I can set up a meeting with him. By phone, I would assume.

Possibly, Callum admitted. He was sorely tempted. Not that he liked the idea of going around killing more people, but when it came to vampires there werent any real moral objections. What was more, it wasnt likely that anyone would be able to link him to them other than Alpha Chester. So really he wouldnt be more exposed there.

Tell me about what you need done, he said at last.

There are four shifter towns that the vampires have targeted, Alpha Chester began. Down from five, after what happened in Winut.

But why? If vampires have to prey on humans to survive they do, right? Callum asked, and got an affirmative from Chester.

Its a political move. The way representation is handled within GAR is complicated, but they are effectively abusing rules and a lack of enforcement to establish nests where they should not and ultimately reduce my influence.

Which means that theres probably all kinds of places with no protections at all against vampire predation, Callum said. There was a brief silence, as if Chester was actually startled by that particular conclusion, before the Alpha spoke again.

Yes, though they generally tend to stick to the cities, and GAR places limitations on their immigration numbers. Callum wasnt impressed by that. Not that he was going to go even further vigilante, but it seemed to be madness to him to allow any predators of humanity into the world if they could avoid it.

Not that he was much surprised. People were stupid and would ally with the devil himself if he promised them power. While he didnt know the full truth of vampires, it was obvious they were powerful. Enormous amounts of guns, gold, and goons didnt come from nowhere.

So you want me to take care of the other four? Callum made a face. That was quite the ask and he wasnt sure he was quite ready for that level of massacre. Or that he had the tools for it. There was no guarantee that he could approach the others the same way as the last one.

In fact, hed gone over his actions in Winut again and again, partly to just reconcile being able to commit such violence, and partly to recriminate himself over being so careless. Luck had played a major role, since there were a dozen ways things could have gone badly, both with the vampires and the shifters. Even with all that luck on his side, hed been found by GAR solely because he was still in the vicinity and absolutely couldnt stand up to close scrutiny.

In short, yes. I understand there is a risk of the Vampire Council itself becoming interested, but considering your circumstances you dont have anything to fear from them. Chester sounded amused at the thought.

Wait, shit. That was him? She sat upright, looking more interested. Office betting pool says hes a rogue black agent. Five to one odds on fae assassin.

Dont waste your money, Chester said, shaking his head at her. John said he smells human. Its not conclusive, but hes got the best nose I know of.

Well, he cant be mundane. Nobodys that good, she said, and Chester didnt ask her exactly how much she knew. The precise details of what happened were not written down anywhere, but that didnt mean that Lucy was ignorant of how it had been done in under five minutes. But what kind of mage uses guns?

I dont know, and we dont need to ask, Chester said firmly. Not to his face, anyway. He wanted to know more about Mister Brown for the simple sake of understanding who he was dealing with, but only knowledge he could get without disturbing Browns aplomb. Or incurring his wrath.

You run a background check on him? Lucy asked, and then held up her hands at Chesters look. Stupid question, I know.

The only IDs we have are obviously fake, and completely mundane. Chester shrugged. Weve only seen one example of his work so far. When we see more, well know more, and maybe figure out who he is.

Yeah, Lucy said, sagging back on the couch and reaching for another candy. If you dont know who he is, are you sure its a good idea to let him talk to Jasper?

You arent supposed to know what Jasper is, Chester said with a warning growl. Lucy shrugged unrepentantly. Since she was just human, no shifter, the pack magic didnt work on her and she had grown immune to shifter stares by dint of long experience.

Its not my job to not know things, she told him. Chester rolled his eyes.

Thats one youd better keep deep under your hat, he told her.

My black hat, she agreed, and he groaned.

Go take your mouth and find a room that can fit it, he told her, and she laughed and grabbed her laptop before flouncing out. Chester sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. Lucy had showed she was trustworthy, but that didnt mean she couldnt be a pest.

Chester stood up and padded to the door, not having to duck to fit his nine-foot frame through the opening since the entire pack compound had been modified for war form shifters. And beast form shifters, for that matter. There were still doors to private rooms, but everything else was open plan and tough enough to withstand shifter claws and the occasional bit of roughhousing with superhuman strength.

Jasper had his own quarters, a sort of all-in-one apartment off the main complex. What he was supposedly employed for was his prowess as a chef, which was fantastic, but Chester could have hired one of dozens of qualified individuals for that, including some fae. What made Jasper special was his former life as a mage.

Chester rapped on the door to Jaspers abode, which wasnt something he tended to do with his own people. The relations within a shifter pack were decidedly nonhuman in places, and sometimes shifters had issues interacting with both mundanes and shifters at the same time. Though as Alpha, it was expected he could do both.

Oh? Jasper blinked up at Chester, ducking his head to the alpha. He was a perpetually tired-looking, middle-aged man with pure Swiss blood and the features to match. What do you need, Alpha?

Your knowledge, as ever. Chester padded through into Jaspers apartment, letting the ex-mage shut the door behind him. I managed to get into contact with someone operating outside of GAR. Possibly a mage, but doesnt act like one.

Thats dangerous, Jasper said mildly, dropping bonelessly into his armchair. Nobody works outside of GAR. Not for long, anyway.

Yes, well. Id like to get value out of this one while he lasts.

And youd like me to check his bona fides? Jasper eyed Chester warily. You know I can barely even sense mana.

Not at all. Chester shook his head. He wanted knowledge about mages and the way mages do magic. Considering that hes been hitting mage libraries, its not just idle curiosity.

And you volunteered me? Jasper asked incredulously. When he gets caught Im going to be next on the chopping block.

Im not stupid, Jasper, Chester growled. It was far more effective on Jasper than on Lucy. No face-to-face meeting, just through the phone or possibly online. Either way, Ill have Lucy provide a voice changer and maybe even a movement rig. Hes just as interested in preserving his privacy as you.

Right, Jasper said with a sigh, running his hands through long blonde hair. So hes a mage outside GAR looking for information on human magic? If hes newly awakened he cant be more than what, sixteen or seventeen?

Thats the most interesting thing. Chester smiled. He seems to be somewhere between thirty and sixty, and whatever he is, I dont think hes new. He destroyed a vampire nest in less than a minute. In broad daylight. With no bystanders any the wiser.

Oh. A gleam came and went in Jaspers tired eyes. A black agent then?

Something. He agreed to take out four more nests. Chester shrugged. It would cause him trouble, but it was less important than keeping his people safe. Besides, the political ramifications of letting the vampires seize the area were far more dire than the trouble of sneaking around the GAR requirements. I want you to drag out all your grimoires, everything. I already owe the man and I dont think he realizes how important his work is. GAR would just execute him offhand at this point so hes never going to have any legitimate source of knowledge.

Ugh, and we all know how closely mages hold advanced magic to their chests. Jasper brooded for a moment. Hed never elaborated on what exactly had led to him being magically crippled, though Chester knew anyway. As an Alpha it was his job to know everything about his people. Which was why Mister Brown was not going to be one of his people yet, and probably never.

Indeed. I still havent put the puzzle pieces together on this man, but I would ask that you at least try to be polite and not to pry. Hes been incredibly paranoid so far. Chester chuckled softly, which rattled the glass on the coffee table. He managed to evade a DAI team. They still think hes an involved mundane.

Oh, to be there when they find out otherwise. Jasper said dreamily.

They wont. He already abandoned that identity. They probably already have him listed as deceased. Chester waved it away. I just wanted to warn you what the circumstances are so you knew the difference between questions asked in earnest and attempts to find out who you are.

Now, that is paranoid, Jasper said, raising his brows at Chester.

Things just dont add up. I think they dont add up in our favor, but until this man starts making sense I want him treated with all due caution.

Even if youre exposing your most sensitive asset. Jasper said dryly.

If anyone asks, youre my chef.