"I was going to call a meeting, but as everyone was together already, it was easier to merely join in," Wlodek announced. Well, I'd heard that politics and other things were often discussed in the Roman baths. This probably wasn't anything new to Gavin and René.
Gavin took my hand under the water, lacing his fingers with mine. I leaned my cheek against his arm and watched Wlodek, curious as to why he wanted to hold a meeting. "I have received several messages from the new Director of the Joint NSA/Homeland Security Department," Wlodek began. "He wants to continue working with us to capture Alif and take down Xenides. I returned his call earlier in the evening and spoke with him at length about this." Wlodek's countenance was inscrutable, as usual.
"Merrill was with me while I placed this call, as was René, as this will involve him and his newest child," Wlodek continued. "I informed Mr. Jennings that Anthony was made vampire when he was found dying in the bombed hotel. Mr. Jennings was quite relieved and asked immediately to work with him on this matter that concerns both our races." Wlodek's gaze touched on Gavin and me as he paused for a moment.
"René has agreed to this as Anthony's sire, on the condition that he be allowed to go along and continue teaching his child as time permits. I am also requesting that you and Gavin join them, Lissa. Xenides has been seen in the U.S. in the past two days, according to Director Jennings. We believe he is making his way toward the central portion of the country, and as yet have not determined whether he is traveling to Oklahoma or Texas."
"Crap," I muttered. "He really does want to find some of my friends or relatives, doesn't he?"
"We are afraid this may be true," Wlodek agreed.
"When will we leave?" Gavin asked.
"You will leave in two nights," Wlodek replied. "Merrill will remain here for now, in case any of Xenides' spawn are instructed to cause trouble in Europe or in the event that Xenides returns without your knowledge. You will meet with Director Jennings in Dallas and travel from there as Xenides' movements dictate."
I glanced across the hot tub at Tony, who was grinning. He winked at me slightly. I stuck my tongue out just as slightly. His grin widened. He was back in the game, looked like, only as a vampire this time. Settle down, I sent to him.
We're going to get him this time, I know it, Tony returned.
"Will anyone else be joining us?" Gavin asked.
"Dalroy and Rhett will be available, should assistance be needed," Wlodek replied. "I have already spoken with them, and Weldon Harper and William Winkler have offered to provide help. If we have support from the werewolf community, it may work out well in this respect; Rahim Alif is still human and likely has other humans at his beck and call. Werewolves will certainly be helpful in guarding you during the day."
"Was Rahim seen with Xenides?" I asked.
"Not yet, but that does not mean he is not nearby," Wlodek informed me. "Alif has not been seen since the bombing in Paris."
"What about Thaddeus and Lorenzo?" I asked. I hadn't seen them since they'd come back with us from the Council meeting.
"They are with Russell and Radomir," Wlodek replied. "They are searching for their sibling, Dominic, and are questioning humans and others where he was last seen."
I thought Dominic might be in the U.S. with Xenides and ventured to say so. "Honored One, Xenides has mindspeech. Might he not have taken Dominic with him, just for that reason alone?"
"Xenides has mindspeech?" Wlodek quirked an eyebrow. Yeah, I was probably in trouble, but wasn't I always?
"He was sending out a blanket message when I killed the vampire holding the First Lady," I said. "But so many other things happened that it slipped my mind."
Wlodek gave a sigh of exasperation, something that I hadn't seen from him before. "Lissa, come over here," he demanded. I shrank down in the hot tub instead, the hot water nearly to my nose. It was as far down as I could comfortably go.
"Lissa, the Honored One has issued a command," Gavin hissed.
"Lissa, come," even Merrill was telling me to go. I wanted to whimper and mist away. Gavin pulled me up and set me on my feet and I had to force myself to take three steps to the other side of the hot tub. Merrill, who was sitting two feet away from Wlodek, grabbed my arm and pulled me down to sit between him and the Head of the Council. Yeah, I was shaking. I was wishing for my one-piece suit right then; it covered more of me than the bikini did.
"Lissa, you must tell me things like this," Wlodek gripped my face in his hand. I was so terrified my teeth were chattering and I could barely nod at his words. Everybody in the hot tub was holding their breath, I think. I was still blinking, my gazed locked with Wlodek's dark eyes. "You must tell me," he went on, "no matter when you remember it. It could be very important, as I may have information you do not possess. Do you understand?" I couldn't help it; a half sob came, though I desperately tried to hold it back. "Moro mou." I was crushed against Wlodek so fast I didn't know what was happening, and he was crooning to me in Greek, begging me to stop shaking. I couldn't help it, my entire body was trembling, I was so scared.
"He will not harm you," Kifirin was there suddenly, standing before Wlodek in the hot tub, stroking hair back from my forehead. "Avilepha, relax or I will be forced to place you in a healing sleep." Kifirin sat down on Wlodek's other side. "Tell her," he said to Wlodek. Wlodek nodded. I had no idea what they were talking about and I was desperately trying to control my shaking.
"I performed the second turning to bring you back after you tried to give yourself to the sun," Wlodek whispered. "You have my blood and are now listed as my half-child in the records, Lissa. Half-children are rare; they generally do not survive their bout with the sun. Nevertheless, there are a few and their new sire is listed along with their old one. If both sires live, they share custody. I chose not to reveal this to you before, as there was too much between us and you were not in a charitable mood toward me. That is my fault; I should have asked for better records."
Well, as shocks go, that was a big one. What did this mean? Was Radomir my brother, now, along with Flavio and Merrill? Was Charles my nephew? That was really weird. Those absurd thoughts skittered across my brain as I attempted to keep my hands from shaking and the rest of me from shivering in Wlodek's embrace. He pulled my head against his chest and placed a kiss on top of my head. Kifirin was chuckling.