The Varik clan was assembled by the time they arrived. The only ones missing were Jullien, Ryder, and Gideon. Apparently, Rafe had sent them out to try to lean on some contacts who might know where Fox had been taken or where Damon was holding court within Hartford.
Sofia, leader of the Montgomery clan, was also present with her werewolf mate, David.
And surprisingly, Zelda was there as well.
Winter knew he should feel reassured that so many had gathered together to help fight Damon, but his brain kept screaming at him that he’d failed Fox. He’d promised to keep the man safe, to protect him from Damon.
Fuck, he should have taken Fox to Marcus’s house, or even Rafe’s, prior to meeting with Aiden. How could he be so cocky as to believe that his home wouldn’t be discovered eventually?
“Winter!” Aiden said sharply. The youngest Varik’s head popped up and he looked at Aiden’s stern expression. “You need to stop. These thoughts aren’t helping get Fox back.”
“Damon’s men were careful to take him. They wanted him alive,” Marcus added.
“The bastard isn’t going to do anything to him until you’re there to witness it.” Rafe leaned forward where he was sitting, his eyes narrowing on Winter. “And we’re going to rip his fucking guts out before he realizes he’s even under attack. We’ll get your Fox.”
Clenching his teeth, Winter managed a small nod while swallowing against the lump that had formed in his throat. His brothers’ words helped. Knowing they were with him, ready to fight, Winter could breathe a little easier.
“Did Damon give you any hints to what madness he has in mind?” Sofia asked. She was seated in a delicate plush chair with her massive mate standing just behind her shoulder. The vampire looked like such a diminutive thing, but Winter didn’t doubt that she was a fierce creature if she managed to become the leader of one of the largest clans in the Americas.
Aiden recapped the meeting at The Gallery, which really came down to kneel or die. Oh, and hand Winter over as collateral.
Considering the timing of the attack on Winter’s loft, Damon had known Aiden would reject his terms. Or maybe Damon wanted Fox in hand at the same time to make sure he had a weapon against the Variks, assuming he still believed in the stupid prophecy.
“We need to take the fight to Damon as quickly as possible, before he has a chance to fortify his position,” Wyatt said. He paused and looked around the room. “Unless you think he’s already returned to his mansion in Virginia.”
“He wouldn’t have time unless he had a chartered jet waiting for him already,” Winter murmured.
“He’s still here,” David announced with confidence.
Winter’s head popped up and he stared at Wyatt’s brother. “How do you know?”
“I have spies at all the airports big enough to handle a private jet. I was in contact with them while on our way here. No vampires have taken off from the Hartford area.”
Wyatt smirked at his brother. “You’re keeping an eye on the airborne vampires?”
David grinned in return. “Vampires are very…particular about their takeoff and landing times.”
“Mmm…yeah, that whole silly sunlight issue,” Lola snarked from the other side of the library, where she was leaning on the bookcase with her slender arms folded over her chest.
“Damon is still in Hartford or the immediate area,” Marcus said, moving the conversation forward. “Do we have any idea of where he would go to ground? Who his allies are in the region?”
Silence dominated the room for several seconds before Zelda huffed irritably. Some part of Winter cringed. He didn’t know why, but he had a feeling he wasn’t going to like what came out of her mouth.
“You’ve gotta take off the ring, Winter,” Zelda said firmly.
Winter automatically fisted his left hand and then covered it with his right as if he expected someone to march over and steal it from him. He knew she meant that he needed to talk to the ghosts, use them to track down Damon, but Winter didn’t want to take off the ring. It held the tiniest drop of Fox’s blood and it was his only tie to the witch at that moment. Just the idea of slipping the metal from his finger left him wanting to vomit.
“What ring?” Bel asked.
“Yes, Winter. Did you marry your witch and not invite your family to the ceremony?” Rafe prodded, but it didn’t have his usual bite.
“Fuck you, Zelda,” Winter snarled under his breath. She could have said something where the others couldn’t hear. There was no getting around it without telling everyone his darkest secret.
“Fox wants you to tell them,” Zelda replied gently.
“He’s not here now, is he?” Winter shouted at her. He was a bundle of ragged, raw nerves and he didn’t give a shit who he lashed out at. He wanted his Fox. Needed him.