Free Shattered Circle by Linda Robertson Page A

shouted, facing Todd. “The pack will cordially allow the local veterans to continue holding festivities there, some touring exhibits. Some halls will continue to be rentable for parties, weddings, proms, et cetera. It will be a great outreach opportunity.”
    Somehow, the man’s bad eye seemed to continue focusing on Johnny independently of where the other eye looked. It was unsettling, but even so Johnny said, “You don’t know Clevelanders, Jacques. This is bullshit.”
    With that, he sat back and pulled out his phone, which he’d switched to silent for the meeting. There were multiple missed calls from Red, and one voicemail.Aware of the excellent hearing of his companions, he decided not to listen to the message in the limo. He knew she was upset; the meeting had interfered, but it hadn’t taken that long. He texted her: Just out of meeting. @ den in 5. On my way to you then .
    By the time they arrived at the den, she had not responded. That was unusual for her, and it fed his urgency to listen to her message privately. He was the first one out of the limo, not waiting for the driver to open the door for him.
    Aurelia exited on his heels. “John. Wait.”
    “No time. Prior commitment.” She was not going to stall him this time. He pulled his keys from his pocket and remotely unlocked the Maserati’s doors as he neared the driver’s side.
    Aurelia rushed forward and threw her body against the door. “John! We have to talk.”
    He stepped in close, growling low. “Don’t you ever do that again.”
    “Don’t do what?” she asked. “Something drastic to get your attention?” The sass in her tone infuriated him.
    “No. Don’t ever touch my car.” He forcibly moved her away from the driver’s door.
    “You need to learn how to be a king, John. The Zvonul are not going to be happy with me if I don’t teach you some etiquette, and I can’t do that if you don’t give me a chance.”
    “Etiquette? Sounds like you’re trying to puss-ify the Domn Lup.”
    “Hardly. You are a king. Therefore, you don’t open your own doors. Not to houses, buildings, or limos. You have someone to do that for you because you are Sovereign.”
    Irritated, he turned from her and reached for his car door.
    “You also need to move,” she added. “I’ve heard about this farmhouse, where you’ve been rooming in the attic. That is simply unacceptable. You need to live downtown, close to the den, in an exclusive high-rise type of place with some prestige. Now, I’ve got a couple of places in mind already—”
    But Johnny didn’t hear the rest. He was already squealing tires out of the parking garage and headed into the ever-darkening night.
    •  •  •
    “I’m going in alone,” Liyliy said. “Watch for me. I will bring my sisters out.”
    She let her magical senses guide her flawlessly as she reached for the rear door handle of the unmarked white van that had brought her and Giovanni to Cleveland. They had agreed that chartering a private flight would not go unreported to those at the local haven, while a vehicle could travel between states anonymously, and could arrive perfectly timed to make the best use of the night.
    “Wait,” Giovanni said. “Take these.” He handed her three small objects.
    Having used her ability to read a few people of this time period who were savvy with technology, she knew what these items were and how to use them, but . . .
    “Why?” she asked.
    “Mero and Menessos are both intelligent. While they may have imprisoned your sisters, I doubt that would be all they have done to secure them.”
    Liyliy was angrily resistant at first—she’d break them out if she had to—but as seconds ticked by, she realizedhe was right. Her enemies were not to be underestimated.
    “Even if they are not contained,” he added, “perhaps having spies within might be to our tactical advantage.”
    “Spies?” Liyliy questioned.
    With a sordid grin, Giovanni nodded.
    “You said we cannot do