While Tremaine, Mark, and Druciela discussed what they knew of the coven and doppelgangers, Robert motioned for Gina to follow. She patted Mark’s thigh before moving to the kitchen with the mage.
Robert motioned to the table. Once she took a seat, he joined her. “We need to discuss you meeting Kindra, without Mark. We’ll be able to get more information out of her if he’s not there.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Considering what she did, why can’t you just arrest her and be done?”
“Because there were five doppelgangers in their community. They all did similar to what Gerard did to Anders in order to become him. Only the other witches didn’t survive. And the night we went to get Mark, every other witch was gone. By the time we stepped inside, Gerard and Kindra had disappeared, most likely through a portal we had no way to access. That’s why we need to watch and figure out who they took over, and if we can get to them. We need to stop the ones who know and ensure the ones who don’t have a chance to save their town or move them somewhere they can start fresh.”
“Are you sure these witches don’t know what’s going on?” she asked.
“I had spoken to the high priest of the coven shortly after Mark contacted me. He assured me that no one believed him there were several others who were being drained. The problem was, it was too late for them. When we got there, we found four people who had shriveled up to look like what Mark described Gerard as the first time he laid eyes on him.”
“So you couldn’t identify them?”
He shook his head. “No. DNA had been damaged too badly. Becoming a werewolf must have helped Mark bounce back. I also believe he was stronger than most witches. I can think of no other reason he managed to survive as long as he had.”
“That’s good then, right?”
He nodded. “Hopefully. Look, I don’t have all the answers, but we need to know what Kindra knows. And I plan to cheat. Remember how I tried to step into your head to figure out what you knew?”
She nodded slowly.
Robert continued, “I plan to be in that room to moderate. I plan to get into her head, without asking. I don’t do it often, but this is a case where waiting too long to uncover their secrets could be detrimental.”
“You’ll have no complaint from me. But if she really did try to kill Mark, do you really think I’m going to be able to control myself?” she asked coldly. The thought of tearing the woman open appealed to her.
Robert ran his hands down his lapels. “I trust you understand the situation. For now, the woman may be the only clue we have to find them if they try to disappear again. However, I promise that if you manage to keep your claws to yourself, you will have your revenge.”
She blinked as she watched Robert, the one she never imagined would have a violent streak. “You’ll ensure that?”
He nodded. “I guarantee it. I understand wanting to protect what’s yours. I do.”
“Then why wasn’t Mark allowed to come for me?”
“Because I don’t see you as the type who will slaughter every witch in the coven. Mark would not have discriminated against any of the vampires, and if we do this in an isolated place from the other witches, you’re not going to target the innocent.”
She nodded slowly. “Fair enough.” She glanced over her shoulder to find Mark still talking to Tremaine and Druciela.
Robert rubbed at his face. “Hang on a moment. I’ll be back in a second.” He pulled his phone out as he walked away.
Gina turned to watch Mark, who was more animated than usual. He described what the witches who were taken over looked like.
* * * *
Kindra’s phone rang and she hurried outside to take the call. Gerard was still coughing and withering before her eyes. She had always thought he would go back to his original form, and then be able to find a new face. Only now, she knew he would have to find Anders and take his place all over again.
Unless she could find a way to break the cycle and her tie to Gerard. Would she be able to do the same for her son? She knew he had the taint of little people. She sensed it on him.
“Hello, this is Kindra Woeller.”
“I believe I have found the woman you are searching for. However, I will be bringing her to a safe house on the coast. I’ll need you to meet me there, alone.”
“And her mate?”
“He is currently busy, but I will be there to ensure both of you are safe. Don’t bring anyone else.”
She nodded, then shook her head. “Of course. Tell me where and I’ll be there at whatever time you want.”
“Sooner the better. I’ll be there momentarily. In the meantime, I’ll text you the address.”
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Torn, she wondered what she should do. She loved Gerard, but it wasn’t the same way she had loved Anders. And now, Anders was alive and a werewolf. Could she watch him fade away all over again? Or was there a way to save herself and her son from becoming one of the little people?
* * * *
Robert called Preston as soon as he ended the call to Kindra. Preston answered immediately. “Hey, what’s going on?”
“Need your help. Now. Where are you, and I’ll explain when Gina and I get there.”
“The office. In fact, I’m surprised you’re not here yet.”
“I’ll tell you all about it in a moment.” He hung up, came downstairs, and glanced in the living room. They were still busy discussing. He knew this was going to piss off Mark, but he didn’t know what to expect from the wolf where his wife was concerned.
Then again, bringing Gina might not be wise. However, he needed information, and Gina was the way to get it. He met her gaze and she held out her hand. They were in Preston’s office in a second, her sitting in a chair.
Preston looked up. “What the hell is going on?”
Robert gave him a brief rundown of everything he’d learned about Mark’s previous life and everything about the doppelgangers he could remember.
Preston’s eyes widened. “Right, I remember that case. I just don’t remember Mark being Anders, but he was in bad shape, and Tremaine said he’d died.”
Robert sighed and lifted a shoulder. “Mark wanted to start fresh, and let’s face it, I was too much by the book back then. Tremaine did what he could to protect him.”
Preston nodded.
“And I don’t think Mark knew we were there,” Robert answered.
“Probably not. I remember the mess the witch was.” He rubbed at his face. “Hard to see him as that same man now.”
“Right?” Robert half-laughed.
Gina rolled her eyes. “We should get there before Kindra does.”
“Are you going to manage to let her live?” Preston asked, half teasing.
“For now. We need information. And unfortunately, I don’t think Druciela can give us everything we want.”
“Druciela is crafty. If anyone has the capability to get the information and get out safely, it’s her. Let’s hope Dacia doesn’t learn about this yet. She’d try to watch, and she’s very pregnant.” As an air Fae, she could fade into air and watch without anyone knowing. However, he wasn’t sure how that would affect the baby.
“Which doesn’t make her an invalid,” Gina blurted out, but looked surprised by her words.
That gave Robert pause.
Preston’s gaze swung back to Gina. “Was that Badb?”
She lifted a shoulder. “I’m not totally sure. I mean, I think so.”
He nodded slowly. “Interesting.”
Preston shook his head. “Toryn is asking his mother about Badb, and what we should expect, but I haven’t heard back just yet.”
“That’s okay. I don’t imagine we’ll have all the answers right now.”