The Wolves of London Book 2: The House of Striker

(Chapter song ‘Minefield’ by Prodigy)

ZEN

“WHY DON’T I HAVE A NECROMANCER ON THE END OF MY SWORD?!”

“Good morning, council. How are you today? Just peachy, Zan. So wonderful for you to ask. How’s your day going so far? ‘Just fine. I’m walking around, yelling and doing king stuff’…”

Zander stands in front of his throne and fumes as Dorian sits beside him and mocks the king for his loud entry into the room. “I will slice your neck.”

Dorian pulls out his phone. “Oh, OK. Can I pencil that in between the other times you’ve threaten to behead me and never followed through?”

Zander turns. “GUARDS!!”

Dorian lips shrink. “Of course, I was joking.” He slips his phone back in his pocket.

I lean on the arm of my chair and giggle with Quaid. Our lovely sorcerer representative. He’s a sweetie and helped me a lot when I dealt with Avery. He’s a thin man that always wears a long red coat with two rows of gold buttons and has spiked black hair.

The House of Mordon is a very interesting place. I think Quaid said once his ancestry came from Morgana, lover of the great Merlin who turned enemy for reasons unknown. Honestly, witches aren’t really to be trusted. I’m glad Quaid turned out to a be sorcerer. They have their screw ups, but you'll never find a better group of people. They’re also the closest thing to human, though some are diverse through the supernatural world. Which I don’t have a big problem with. They’re still cool with me and the Cleaners.

As far as the High King goes, he’s a little pissed. He found his father. He found out a bunch of other stuff, too. Zayden was taken from his grave by a group of, what we suspect, wolves who are also necromancers called The Forsaken.

The Forsaken is technically Cora’s pack run by her uncle, Cain Marin. This twisted fuck has been terrorizing the East Coast, United States, trying to stick it to Zander’s cousin, Titus Marin.

Generally, most of Cora’s pack is survivable. They have respect and don’t fall on our radar. But Cain? He’s crafty and sick. We've tried to hunt him down several times, but failed due to him switching up his damn powers. We don’t know where he’s getting the skill, but when I find out, I’m cutting Cain off and going for the throat. This guy has killed more people than most of the baddies I’ve taken out.

Some say he’s the first Necro, but I have another suspect in mind.

But to get back to Zayden. We found out Zayden’s grave was robbed and his body stolen. Ricky did some tests and found out he was a dumping ground for the DNA of every creature we've ever dealt with. The guy is a melting pot of evil. He has everything. Magic, mimicry, teleportation, mind manipulation... Just to name a few. He’s also strong, fast and completely destroyed mentally.

Who did this? I suspect Miranda, but I want to confirm it first before I do anything else. She may fund us and I may get her monsters to study for weaknesses, but if Zayden is her doing, I didn’t sign up for that. I’m sure my father didn’t either.

Now that we’re all caught up. Back to Zander’s anger…

Zander narrows his eyes, then turns to the council. “Where are we in my father’s kidnapping?”

“I have some information that may shed some light into your father’s confusion.” Cora pipes up beside me and I turn to her. “But I don’t want to tell you here. It’s very important.”

I give her a confused look and her dark eyes flick to mine.

Zander looks annoyed and he drapes himself back on his throne and holds his temple against his fingertips. “Yes, Cora. As you said. I don’t think it’s an issue.”

"Zander. If I may." She sits up. “I really do believe you won’t want this shared here.”

“Cora. Just spill it.” Demetri groans.

Her hooded friend leans down and whispers in her ear.

"Yes. I have to do this. Now please..." Cora scowls and waves the concubine back.

The hood guy avoids my eyes and Cora shifts in her spot. Those two are acting very strange, and I'm starting to question them.

Zander drops his arm. "Tell us what's so pressing."

"I'd much rather tell you in private." She says.

Zander sighs. "Cora. Tell me before I change my mind."

"As you wish." She looks around the council. "Your father isn't looking for your mother."

Right. When we caught Zayden he was on a rampage looking for Zanders mother, who’s been dead for years. We suggested telling Zayden that, and Zander did, but Zayden flipped out to the point they had to tranquilize his ass and lock him up in the High Council prison. But is Cora's suggesting he didn’t flip out because of that now?

He cinches his brow. "He's not. Who is he looking for?"

The council all turns to her as her pale cheeks turn a slight pink. "I will remind you I wanted this discreet." She eyes him. "Zayden Maximus is not looking for Queen Adele. He's looking for... Lenora Klouse."

The room fell silent and all eyes turned to the vampire in the room.

Demetri huffs a chuckle. "My mother? Preposterous." He says smugly as he adjusts his coat.

All eyes turn to Cora.

"I'm afraid it's true, Emperor. Years ago, before any of this. Zayden fell in love with Lenora. That love was stolen by Victor Conti.” Cora turns her eyes to the Lycan King.

"Now, I know it's lies! A lycan and vampire! Disgusting!" Giovanni sneers.

Demetri turns. "A vampire would never stoop so low as to associate herself with a lycan. It's... gross." He looks Giovanni over in disgust.

Giovanni turns. "The unclean filth of a vampire would never be allowed. My father wrote the law himself!! As the longest living lycan in history, he would never stoop so low."

"Please. The dignity of an Empress would be tainted beyond belief. It never happened." Demetri scowls, rights himself in his throne and looks away in anger.

"I'm afraid it did, your majesties. I have it from a good source. The spirit of a maiden who worked in Zayden’s castle. She saw the whole thing."

Giovanni and Demetri whip their heads to each other. "IT'S YOUR FAULT!" They both yell at the same time.

They start arguing, and I'm just sitting here wondering where the tea is.

“ENOUGH! CORA! EXPLAIN YOURSELF!” Zander stands with a face full of anger as the Vampire and Lycan shut up. He looks just as insulted at the other two.

Cora scowls and lifts her chin. “Your father fell in love with a vampire. She rejected him and as retaliation, he sentenced the lycans and vampires to the laws that stand today…”

“What?!” Demetri sits forward.

“Oh, damn!” Krestin says from his seat between Cora and Darius, the bear King.

Dorian leans over to Krestin. “Someone’s getting beat.”

“Front row tickets, buddy.” They hand slap each other over Darius.

I groan and roll my eyes.

“Will you two stop!” Cora scolds. She stands. “Please. I believe we can amicably solve this with a little respectful discuss…”

“I DEMAND JUSTICE!” Demetri roars.

“YOU DEMAND…NOTHING!” Zander bellows back.

The two kings leave their thrones and meet in the middle of the floor.

“100 says the Vampire wipes the floor with him.” Krestin says out the side of his mouth.

“You’re on.” Dorian claps his hand in agreement.

“Really, you two. Do you ever change?!” Cora scowls.

They both look at her. “No. Why change perfection?” Krestin grins.

“Boorish.” Quaid scoffs. He raises a hand. “Gentlemen. We don’t need the quarrel. I’m sure Zander is reasonable…”

“I want the wolf brought here and his head on a stake! I want you to rot in the ground with him!!” Demetri threatens.

“Uh…Ok…” Quaid sighs and looks to me.

I meet his eyes. “Don’t look at me. I have my own problems.”

Zander gets up in Demetri’s face. “Until you sit in that seat you have no business in my family affairs!” He glares into the vampires eyes.

“If it wasn’t for your family, my people wouldn’t be suffering.” Demetri challenges.

“Nor mine.” Giovanni adds.

Zander pushes on him more. “My father’s crimes died with him.” He clenches.

“BULLSHIT! WE WANT BLOOD!” Demetri yells in his face.

Zanders blood starts to boil. “You know very well why he did what he did.”

“Yeah. He wanted to bone the undead hottie.” Krestin says behind his hand.

Cora delivers a quick slap to his arm.

“OW! Violent much?!” He flinches away and scowls.

“Find your manners.” Cora warns.

“Yes, mom.” Krestin sits up and adjust his jacket.

“Before anything happens, I refuse to have this council taken by rumor.” Zander spins around, walks to his throne and dramatically sits.

Demetri follows with angered steps. “You heard Cora.” He points our way.

“Lies.” Zander says smugly.

“The dead don’t lie, king.” Cora says coldly.

Zander gives her a look that seems threatening.

Her concubine leans to her. “I’m aware! Stop!” She pushes him away.

Demetri turns and walks into the middle of the floor. “Exactly. Given that...” He stops, looks us over and turns. “I declare a vote of no confidence!” He proclaims loudly.

“Oh, snap.” My eyes widen as I glance at Quaid.

“This isn’t good.” He whispers.

I smirk. “Are you kidding? This is a long time coming.”

“Zen.” Cora quietly barks.

“What?” I hold out my hands.

Zander stands and meets Demetri in the middle of the floor. “You can’t do that.” He growls.

“I just did… King.” Demetri says smartly.

“And I second.” Giovani stands and lifts his chin.

Zander narrows his eyes and looks to the men.

Dorian leans to Krestin. “200 says Zan kicks both their asses.”

Krestin points to him. “Double or nothing.”

“Done.” Dorian claps his hand and they turn back to show.

“Unbelievable.” I shake my head.

Krestin points to me. “You want in?”

“Damn right.” I grin.

“Zen!” Cora says with offense.

Darius floats his eyes around us in confusion. “What’s going on?”

Dorian waves him off. “Tell you later.” He sits forward.

Cora sits forward, too. “Please, gentleman. Let’s not be rash...”

Krestin waves her down. “No. No… Let’s let this play out.” He stares at the three men intently.

“You have got to be kidding?” Cora growls. “Am I the only rational one left?!”

“Yes. Now, hush!” He grits low, then turns to the drama unfolding.

Zander balls his fists. “I won’t allow it.”

“Me! I got third!” Krestin jumps up.

“KRESTIN!” Cora snaps.

“Count me in!” Dorian stands.

“The kid, too.” Krestin grabs Darius by the shirt collar and lifts him up out of his seat.

“What?! No…I don’t…” Darius stammers and looks around wildly.

“Shush." Krestin interrupts. “We'll explain it to him later. Count the vote.”

I stand. “Me, too.”

“Esmerelda. Sit down now.” Quaid demands.

“Are you kidding? Hundreds of years we've waited for this. Hell no, man.” I smirk.

Demetri looks around. “6 to 2, king. Majority rules.”

Zander shoots daggers into the Vampire eyes. He glances around at all of us and I stand with my hands in my back pockets.

Without saying a word, Zander growls loud, pounds a solid fist into Demetri’s face and the vampire slams into the floor.

“DAMN!!” Krestin, Darius and Dorian all cringe at the same time.

As Demetri groans on the floor, the Zeta heaves breathes. He spins around and storms out of the council room.

“Well, that went better than expected.” I mutter and glance at Quaid who ticks his head in agreement.

Demetri stands up and checks his lip.

We all gather in the middle of the floor with the exception of Cora and Quaid.

“How is this supposed to work?” I ask.

“We hold a vote, I guess.” Krestin shrugs.

“That won’t work.” Demetri says stoically. “We'd only vote for ourselves.

“That’s the truth.” Dorian agrees.

I flick my eyes around the circle. “So… What do we do?”

Giovanni raises a brow. “This is easy. Let the king decide.”

“The future of the High council in the hands of Zander Maximus.” I reply.

“What could go wrong?” Krestin shrugs with a smirk.