84

Shade had the vials of the new batch of potion in his desk drawer, hidden well inside a velvet-lined box. He’d arranged for the laboratory to produce a fresh batch and had them make several months’ worth. The vials were made of titanium, so no light or moisture could penetrate. He’d sealed the recipe for the formula, and the location and number of the lab, inside the box. Natalia would be able to have it made as needed and sent to her privately. It had been years since anyone had used the formula, and he decided that before giving her the precious liquid, he needed to test it. The scientists at the lab had ensured him it was still effective, but he wanted proof for himself before turning the potion over to Natalia.

He pulled one of the vials from the box and stared at it. This was his daughter’s life of happiness inside, a tasteless liquid that would bring her the ultimate gift of a mate for all eternity. But who among his trusted warriors could he rely on to test it? Walking outside onto the patio, he lit up a smoke, his mind running through his options. He could hear the clatter of swords and muffled shouts that carried on the wind from the camp. He didn’t want to reveal his true purpose for testing the potion. He scrunched his eyebrows as a sound reverberated in his ears, a deep voice that could be heard above the others... Skelk. Skelk was perfect. He wouldn’t run his mouth, and he stayed to himself in camp.

His mind was made up, Skelk it was. He sent Christoph a message telepathically, to send Skelk to the house immediately. He needed him to go to D.C. for a few hours. Shade went back inside and slid the vial inside the top drawer of his desk. As he started to pour a Midnight, he heard Skelk outside on the patio. He looked outside to where he stood and opened the door, giving him an unobstructed view of the warrior. "Skelk, come in. Have a seat."

Shade watched the unshaven warrior take a seat. Skelk was tall and lean, but all muscle, his hair always looking as though it had never seen a brush. He’d never been one to care much about his outward appearance. Shade chuckled to himself as Skelk took a seat across from the desk. He’d never felt comfortable indoors. Even after all these years, he looked like he was about to be sent to the gallows.

"You asked for me, Master."

Shade nodded. "Si. I need your assistance on something. It is no secret we are preparing for battle. Many years ago, the Aries coven swept into D.C. and we had a mess on our hands because we could not detect them."

Skelk sat with his booted foot resting over his knee and his arms crossed over his chest. "I remember. You think they have returned?"

Shade shook his head. "No, we totally wiped that filth from the earth. But perhaps you did not know I acquired the potion that kept their scent hidden."

Skelk grunted. He’d never heard of this before. "Interesting, but I don’t see what this has to do with me, master. I’m not one for small talk. Neither are you. What are you saying?"

Shade grinned. Skelk hated wasting words or time. "I have had a new batch of the potion made. I need a warrior to test it for me. I have never used this in battle, but I will need all the tricks I can pull out of my hat dealing with the Borgia. I want you to test this for me. I need it to be kept quiet, no one to know. It is tasteless and harmless, no side effects, but no one can detect your scent.”

Skelk dropped his booted foot to the floor and leaned forward, his shaggy mop falling over his eyes. He peered up through his hair at his master. "So, you chose me as the guinea pig? Am I supposed to be grateful? I will do it but make sure Theresa is close by in case I get sick from that shit. How do you plan on me doing this?"

Shade laughed as he stood and poured a small amount of Midnight into a glass. "Theresa is inside, and your ass is tougher than any small amount of potion." Pulling out the vile, he held it up to Skelk and handed it to him. Skelk took the vile, opened it, and sniffed. It was clear and had no smell at all, it looked like water. "I sure as fuck hope you ain’t trying to kill me, master. But if you are, I hope it’s painless and kicks my ass instantly."

Shade leaned down and grinned, handing him the glass of Midnight. "Just swallow it and chase it with the Midnight."

Skelk started to do as he was told but paused. "I will do as you ask, but tell me first, what the hell do you plan for me to do once I swallow this hocus pocus?"

Shade sat back in his chair. "We are going to teleport into D.C., then go our separate ways. We are going to play hide and seek. You need to find me. If it does not work, I should smell you coming, but if it does, you will have outwitted the best warrior in the world, si."

Skelk grinned from ear to ear. He swallowed the potion and chased it with the Midnight then slammed the glass down on the desk. "Game on, brother." He teleported out of the open patio doors in an instant as Shade's laughter echoed through the house.

Shade immediately geared up with weapons. He had no intention of hurting Skelk, but he never went out on the streets without weapons. He told Kate and Christoph he was heading to the Dead House and would return later. He felt alive as he teleported out, his blood surging. He was the oldest vampire in this camp, and his skills were far superior to Skelk's. But Skelk was a damn sly warrior, he belonged on the streets.

As he teleported around the metro area, he informed Theo that Skelk was in D.C., and not to forewarn the warriors of his presence. He was testing their skills tonight, as well. Shade crept silently along rooftops, and down seedy alleys of the club scenes, but he never detected or sensed Skelk. Where the fuck is he? He’d been out there for over an hour when he spotted several of his warriors standing around smoking. Apparently, it was a damn slow night. He saw one of them as he picked up his scent, and looked about. They knew he was there as he dropped to the street right behind them.

***

Skelk had kept himself out of sight of his master. He’d detected him not long after he arrived and stalked him for over an hour. Clearly, his master never knew he was there. He’d purposely put himself upwind from Shade, but never once did he notice him. This hocus-pocus works! He watched as his master landed directly behind a group of warriors standing around with their dicks in their hands. Big mistake, warriors. Boss don’t take lightly to fucking off. He crept silently on a rooftop above them, keeping hidden in the shadows, and listened and waited.

***

Shade scolded his warriors. "I don’t pay you to stand around taking smoke breaks. Just because there is no action, does not mean there is no evil lurking."

Three warriors turned to face him, their eyes filled with guilt and surprise, their hands going immediately to their weapons, startled by his sudden appearance. Shade grinned. "Want to take me on, warriors?"

One of them spoke up. "No, master. We were just talking about switching out grids."

Shade chuckled. "Relax, just out here checking the nightlife. Making sure you’re keeping your skills sharp. Give me a damn smoke."

The warriors relaxed and one of them pulled out his pack and pitched it to his master, but it never made it to his hand.

Skelk pulled the arrow from his back and loaded it into the crossbow, waiting for the right moment. He didn’t have to wait long. His aim was precise as he let the arrow fly and it shot through the pack of cigarettes, impaling them on the arrow as it buried itself into a wooden bench.

Shade heard the soft whistle of the arrow coming at them but never moved. He knew who’d shot the arrow, at least he hoped he did because he sure as fuck couldn’t smell him! He stood still as three warriors went into attack mode, pulling weapons and scattering as they scanned the area for the intruder. "You see, you never know when evil lurks around you. This was a test, a very successful one on my end, and your end as well since you are all still alive. I suggest you get to your grids and act like fucking Medici warriors."

Shade teleported high above them and landed on a rooftop across the street. He could see Skelk coming toward him, landing beside him with a grin spread wide across his face. He still couldn’t pick up his scent. The potion still held its magic.

Skelk handed him a smoke. "Hocus-pocus still works."

Shade lit up, a grin on his face as well. "And so, do your fucking crossbow skills."

Skelk grunted. "Think I’ll head out, have some fun while this is still in my system."

Shade nodded his consent. “Let me know how long it lasts.”

Skelk winked. "Sure thing, master. By the way, hide and seek is my favorite."

Shade watched him teleport out and shook his head. He was damn glad that specific warrior was on his side.