A Council of Betrayal (5 page)

“Who the hell is going to guard you?” Mark
asked.

I was about to answer that I didn’t need a
guard, but Logan interrupted me. “Olie will be attending many of
the same meetings we will. Only the meetings with Garrick will need
to be covered.”

I shook my head, signaling the flight
attendant for another drink. “Garrick has a small army with him.
I’ll be fine.”

He grunted a displeased answer, but I didn’t
care. I was too busy drowning my nerves in alcohol. The Conferences
were always a disaster. I had no doubt this year wouldn’t be any
different. That much power in one hotel was guaranteed to leave a
few dead bodies. Just as long as they weren’t any of mine.

The
flight passed, or rather I passed out on the flight. Apparently,
the high altitude made me a lightweight. I awoke with Logan
stroking my hair, my head nestled on a pillow in his lap.

I sat up quickly, fighting the head rush.

“We’ve arrived,” he announced, his fingers
still trailing through my hair.

I nodded, rubbing sleep from my eyes as
everyone gathered their belongings and headed off.

We were loaded up into a long limo. I leaned
back against the seat, blowing out a breath, gearing up.

“You ready for this?” Logan asked softly.

I smiled, patting his knee. “Don’t worry,
I’ll protect you.”

He huffed his amusement.

I turned to our group. “You’ve probably heard
this speech before, but pay attention. You are not to be alone.
Making that foolish decision puts not only you but our entire
organization in danger. If someone attacks you physically, kill
them. If they verbally assault you, hurt them. We cannot appear too
strong or too confident. Weakness will be preyed upon, so release
you inner asshole. And if you need help with that, you can have
some of mine.”

Grams clapped and said with a laugh, “Well
said, Olie.”

“Questions?” Grams asked, far kinder than
me.

Everyone shook their heads no, while
surreptitiously checking their concealed weapons. Glad I wasn’t the
only one who was packing.

“Grant is handing out your schedules. While
the attacks will undoubtedly come, these meetings are designed as
information sharing sessions. This year we even have a full day of
new tech products.”

I didn’t pay attention to the paper Grant
handed me.

“Logan, you will need to be sure she keeps to
the schedule,” Grant said. “Since you two are a power duo, you will
be attending most of the functions together.”

I grunted, leaning back against the leather
seat.

I was tied to Logan the entire weekend? So
much for having vacation sex with Garrick.

Our limo pulled up in front of the
extravagant hotel, towering above the heart of the Las Vegas Strip.
There is no better way to hide the Supernatural than in plain
sight.

Piling out, I whistled. “I probably don’t
want to know what this costs.”

Grams smoothed down her powder blue suit and
I mentally clicked off my weapons. I had traded in my trademark
leather pants for soft jeans. My steel-toed boots had made the
trip, though, hiding a dagger each.

Under my fitted suede jacket, I had a small
pistol secured against my ribs at my side. The idea was to look
like we didn’t have a care in the world, but be able to handle
whatever these assholes threw at us. Most of them would keep it
clean in hand-to-hand combat, but I wasn’t betting on anyone’s
morals keeping me alive.

The entire lobby was a whirlwind of activity.
Shifters, vampires and witches were the dominant forces, and
everyone turned upon our arrival.

Logan came to stand next to me at the front
of our group.

A hotel clerk moved in front of us, careful
to keep his eyes on his tablet in front of him.

“Welcome to The Bellagio, I’m Luke and I will
be getting you checked in.” Luke had excellent timing. “If I can
get your party’s name and everyone’s fingerprint, please.”

“Fingerprint?” I questioned.

Luke gave a small bow. “Yes, our systems have
been upgraded. We no longer use keys, but fingerprints, to allow
our guests access to their rooms.”

“Huh, that’s slick,” I muttered.

“Didn’t Tommy program your phone to unlock
with your fingerprint?” Logan asked as I swiped my finger where
Luke indicated.

I shrugged, “I suppose it’s possible.”

Once Luke finished checking us in, a bellhop
came to gather our impressive luggage. I kept my weapons bags with
me. He could take the clothing.

Alec also kept the surveillance detection
equipment.

“If you will follow me, please. I will show
you to your private elevators,” Luke announced, scurrying away to
lead us.

“Private elevators?” I muttered.

“Only the best for you, Olie,” Logan muttered
back.

We passed the bank of six black elevators and
continued down the marble hallway to a set of gold elevator
doors.

“To activate the elevator, just press your
finger here.” Luke indicated the pad where a call button usually
was. “If you have any problems or questions, please do not hesitate
to contact the front desk. We welcome you to Las Vegas.”

With that, Luke left, probably to check in
other arriving guests. The poor human.

Resting against the elevator wall, sandwiched
between Logan and Alec, I asked, “Do we have anything scheduled
tonight?

Logan pulled out his phone, checking our
schedule electronically, I assumed.

“We have a mixer that begins in three hours,”
he announced.

“Do we all have said mixer?”

“Yes,” the entire cabin informed me.

“Don’t even think about missing it,” Grams
warned me.

I sighed, “Wouldn’t dream of it.”

Grams, Mercer, Ali, Grant and I were sharing
a three-room suite. It was a good thing they had recently made up,
or maybe they had made up a while ago and I was just behind. Either
way it was beneficial for the arrangement.

Logan, Jerry, Mark and Alec were across the
hall in a suite exactly like ours. I closed the door behind me, and
sunk face first into the soft mattress with a groan.

A knock on the door had me yelling into the
pillow, “It has not been three hours!”

Grams poked her head in, “It’s been two hours
and the makeup artist is here to get you ready.”

I flopped to my back with a groan, staring at
the ceiling. “Go shower,” she instructed with a chuckle.

I huffed and puffed into the shower, keeping
up the annoyance to an audience of no one. I was grateful Grams was
taking care of details like this. I didn’t think twice about my
image.

Once I was out of the shower, it took another
half hour before I was freed from the hair and makeup chair.

I twirled in my new dress again.

“Well? Olivia, the suspense is killing me!”
Jerry cried in the living room.

With a laugh I opened the door, taking a spin
as I stepped forward.

“Wow,” he and Mark said together.

I smiled, running my hands over the black
satin skirt. My midriff was covered by see-through black lace,
climbing upward to the satin triangles that covered the girls,
before tying behind my neck.

“Jerry, it is amazing!” I cried. “Where did
you find it?”

“I had it custom made,” he admitted with a
satisfied smile.

I should have probably taken issue with the
cost, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. I strapped on my
throwing knives around my upper thigh. The slight ruffling of the
dress hid them perfectly.

Grams and Mercer exited their room, equally
dressed up.

“Oh, Olie, you look lovely.” She smiled,
touching my arm before making her way out, her arm linked in
Mercer’s. Jerry and Mark went next and I was last, slipping into my
matching black satin ballerina flats.

I doubted I would ever wear high heels again,
for the simple reason that the last time I wore them, Blake ripped
out my heart.

I was over that. Mainly, mostly.

I sighed, closing the door behind me. The
conversation in the hallway died. My hands instantly went to my
hidden daggers, my body crouching down as I assessed the
threat.

Jerry chuckled, shaking his head. “Darlin’,
conversation stopped for you.”

I narrowed my eyes at him, straightening and
smoothing down the dress.

“Whatever, let’s get this show on the road.
Pay attention everyone, just because we are dressed up does not
mean blood won’t be spilled.”

…

The atmosphere was relaxed in the elevator
ride down. I was actually feeling rested after my drunken nap on
the plane and another few hours here. It was an unusual feeling,
but not unwelcome.

The doors opened at the lobby and I couldn’t
help my smile as we cleared out.

His eyes found mine, and while he might have
been able to repress his smile, his eyes gave his glee away.

“Garrick,” I greeted him, stepping into his
personal space.

“Olivia.” He inclined his head in greeting.
He wasn’t tall, only an inch or so above my own 5’ 8”, with
chestnut hair and coffee-colored eyes. His body was forever etched
in hard lines from his work as a slave before he was accidentally
made into a vampire.

“It has been some time, my lady,” he
whispered, his eyes roving over my outfit.

My smile widened. “Heard you got yourself a
selkie problem.”

The spell was broken and we moved next to
each other, my group in front, his behind, to the restaurant.

“You heard about that?” he asked, taking my
hand and wrapping it around his upper arm.

“I heard you spent three days marooned on an
island while they bargained their terms.” I laughed, noticing Logan
slowing down to walk next to us.

“The little shits. I have to give them credit
for their negotiating tactics, but really, who does that
anymore?”

I laughed, watching his intense gaze rove
over my outfit.

“I’ve heard things about you as well,” he
said. “By the raw desire of the Alpha’s gaze, it seems those rumors
are not unfounded.”

I debated, knowing any answer I gave would be
heard by most here. “You can’t deny the allure of my dress,” I
decided on, nudging him.

Garrick nodded, taking my hand in his and
pressing a gentle kiss to my knuckle. “You are always alluring, no
matter the clothing.” He nodded his leave, but not before warmth
spread upward from my hand.

I flexed my hand, surprised by his comment,
turning to Logan as we felt the flow of Garrick’s party and my own
separating.

“I’m starved. Please tell me they have
vegetarian food here.”

He smiled, resting his hand on my lower back
and guiding me to our table. “I’m sure we can find you a
salad.”

“Gag, how about a pie?”

Grams touched my elbow and I turned to her.
“You are sitting with Logan and the Compass Alphas for dinner,” she
instructed. “Do be sure to socialize with others after dinner.”

I nodded, watching as she moved away with
Mercer, her gold gown flowing exquisitely with her steps.

Logan offered his elbow and I took it, our
bodies gently brushing up against each other.

“Are you still down a Compass Alpha due to
Darren?” I asked softly.

The Compass Alphas each patrolled a compass
point: North, South, East and West, dividing the country and the
packs into four large groups under Logan’s reign.

“I was going to talk to you about that,” he
murmured to me. So many listening ears.

I nodded, understanding it needed to happen
later. I thought Alec would be a good replacement, but Logan might
need him for other duties.

We made our way over the wooden dance floor
to the tables adorned with cream linens and blood red roses as
centerpieces. Logan pulled out the black leather chair for me. I
sat, surprisingly gracefully.

Logan took the seat next to me, and the empty
table suddenly had other shifters sitting down as well. There were
six in addition to Logan and me, each muscular, with eyes darting
constantly around the room.

There was only one other woman at the table
besides me, and she sat regally. “Alpha,” she bowed her head
respectfully. “We are happy to be in your presence.”

Okay, that was a little much, but whatever,
this was Logan’s show, not mine.

“Sage, how are you faring?”

“Well, thank you,” she replied, inclining her
head respectfully. She turned to me. “We haven’t been introduced. I
am Sage, Compass Alpha of the North.”

“It’s a pleasure. I’m Olie, Head Executioner
for the Supernatural Council of the Eastern U.S.” Gah, that was a
mouthful.

“Please let me introduce you to my second,
Nathaniel.” She touched the shoulder of a gentleman in a gray suit
and he also nodded his polite acknowledgement.

A belch from the shifter next to him had all
eyes turning. The belcher shrugged a broad shoulder, his blond hair
mussed and his olive green eyes dancing with mirth. “Sorry, Sage,
but we’re about done with the pleasantries.”

He turned to me with a winning grin that
boasted of trouble.

“Meet my cousin, Hudson,” Logan introduced
us.

I smirked and nodded.

“He takes care of the West, his beta is Andy.
Across form him is Riley. He patrols the South, and his beta is
Henry,” Logan finished.

A waiter set a drink down in front of me.
“Hi, I’m Olie and I like to kill stuff,” I said with a smile,
lifting my glass up in toast.

“To Olie!” Hudson rang out. I laughed. The
tension drained as the others lifted their glasses. I was certain
I’d have to prove myself to these shifters, but hopefully not
before dinner.

Dinner was bland. I made a face at Logan as I
picked at my vegetables.

“Here,” he offered, pushing his plate to me.
“Try the risotto.”

I dug my fork in while he picked at the mush
known as squash.