It didn't take long for the Founding Family heads to arrive. Javier and Simon were all smiles until they saw the grim expressions around the room. Javier paled. "Magnus?"
Gavriel shook his head. "He is the same. No, this is regarding something else, please have a seat."
The three couples sat down looking worried. Gavriel eyed each one in an appearance to be neutral. "I will ask a single question and require an immediate answer." They nodded, and he continued. "Do you have any knowledge regarding Ivan DeLaFontaine distributing the virus around the city?"
The BelleRose and Géroux couples answered immediate. "No, sire."
Jervasius Régis turned a deathly shade of gray. His mate shook her head and meekly whispered. "No, sire."
Gavriel walked over until he stood in front of the Régis Founding Family head. "Well Jervasius?"
Jervasius shook his head and covered his mouth with a trembling hand. "No, sire."
Gavriel looked over to Meryn, she was watching the distraught man closely. Finally, she gave a firm shake of her head. "He's a complete asshole, but he's not lying." She turned and looked at his mate. "She needs help though. I think she lied when she told Kari that she was with her mate willingly."
The woman looked up sharply, fear in her eyes. "No, I am."
Meryn in an uncharacteristic show of empathy, walked over and took her hand. Using all her weight, she pulled the woman to the other side of the room and sat her down in an empty love seat. "No, you're not. But that's okay. You're safe now."
Jervasius went to stand and Gavriel simply pushed him back into his seat. "You stay there until I tell you otherwise." Gavriel told him his voice devoid of emotion. The man began to shake when faced with the prince's anger.
Gavriel walked over and knelt in front of the woman who had buried her face in her hands. "Bree is it not?" he asked gently. She nodded without looking up. "Bree, do you know who I am?" Bree lowered her hands slowly and looked at him before shaking her head. "My name is Prince Gavriel. I am in charge of the city until Magnus is feeling better." Bree covered her mouth with both hands and swayed in her seat. "Now, I need you to answer me truthfully. Are you mated to Jervasius against your will?" When her eyes cut to the mate in question, Gavriel very lightly turned her head until she was facing him. "You need not fear any reprisals. If you wish to leave him you will be protected, no harm will come to you for speaking the truth."
Tears began to spill down her cheeks. "Will you protect my mate as well?"
Gavriel frowned. "Jervasius?"
She shook her head causing her shiny curls to bounce around. "No, my real mate."
"He is not your mate! I am!" Jerv
asius screamed.
Gavriel stood and turned so that Bree did not see his anger. His eyes were blood-red and his fangs extended past his chin. "You kept her against her will knowing she had a mate?" he asked in a low growl.
"Sire, we have been mated for centuries. We have three fine sons together." Jervasius protested.
"No, we do not," Bree said softly.
"Quiet woman!" Jervasius hissed. "Sire, she is very weak minded. She does not know what she says."
Bree stared down at her hands. "I may have been forced to endure your attentions over the centuries, but I was not the only one you lay with. Each time I declared I was pregnant you left me alone for months at a time, and you were never there for the birth of the child. Each one of your sons was born by a different woman. Their silence bought their child a life of ease as a legitimate son of a Founding Family head." When she looked up, there was a spark of defiance in her eyes. "They are your sons, not mine."
Jervasius flew out of his seat toward his mate only to be brought up short by Gavriel. The prince simply cold clocked him, sending him to the floor. Gavriel looked around. "We seem to be running out of escorts to the detention cells."
Declan rubbed his knuckles. "Oh, please. Let me," he begged.
Rex stood and cracked his neck. "This could be great for brotherly bonding. Plus, I can make sure DeLaFontaine is settling in."
Gavriel mockingly gave a half bow. "He is all yours gentlemen."
Declan walked over and kicked the man in the stomach before pulling him up by the back of his collar effectively choking the man. "Let's take the long way around, shall we?" Declan slammed the man into every wall as they walked toward the exit. Sebastian opened the door for them as Declan was describing exactly how long it would take them to reach the detention cells. Rex was laughing as he followed. Sebastian closed the door behind them.
Gavriel had to take a few calming breaths before he turned back to Bree. "Now, about your mate. If you tell us his name, we will call him down here for you."
Bree looked around shocked. "Just like that, it is over?"
Beth sat next to her and wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "Just like that. My mate does not tolerate bullies."