Rogue Darkness by Dianne Duvall

Seth inclined his head. “As you will.”

“There’s one more detail we need to discuss,” she said and sent Sean a wary glance. “If they try to abduct me again before Aidan takes over, I think I should let them take me.”

“What?” he practically bellowed.

Nicole ignored him. “If I do, you’ll be able to track me, thanks to Melanie. And I doubt Sean will stray far, so he’ll be right on their heels.”

“Hell yes, I will,” he snapped.

Chris tapped his pencil on the table, drawing Sean’s attention. “And you won’t stop them unless her life is in danger. We need to reach their hub and find out if we’re only dealing with one buyer or if Gershom told others.”

“Again,” Seth reminded them, “we don’t know that Gershom is behind this. Roubal could’ve told a friend or colleague about it. Chris, have your people find out who his cronies are and investigate anyone he maintained an amicable relationship with.”

“Will do.” More scribbling. “I’ll also keep a special ops presence on campus and have a team member sneak into Becca’s room and do a quick scan for listening devices, just in case.”

Seth arched his brows as he met David’s gaze. “Care to add anything?”

David leaned forward. “Everyone else should hunt in pairs and remain vigilant. We hope their focus will remain on obtaining Nick, but if they grow frustrated with their inability to secure Becca as bait, they may look for other immortals. Text your Seconds at the top of every hour and keep them apprised of your location and activities. If Gershom is involved, the group we’re dealing with may have the sedative.” The only sedative on the planet that could incapacitate an immortal or vampire. “Seconds, track your immortals. If they fail to check in, call me immediately.”

A chorus of Yes, sir filled the room.

Seth caught Aidan’s eye. “Work swiftly.”

“I will.”

Seth turned his attention to Nicole. “If you change your mind—”

“I won’t.”

“Then we’re done here. Good hunting to you all.”

A mass exodus began as everyone headed out to begin their hunts.

Sean seethed while Jared teleported him, Nicole, and Cliff home.

The ancient Other immediately returned to David’s place.

Emma emerged from the kitchen with a smile that faltered when she saw Sean’s expression.

Well, he was too furious to don a poker face.

She sent Cliff an inquiring look. “Everything okay?”

“Yeah.” Cliff closed the distance between them and pressed a kiss to her lips. “Nicole is returning to Duke tonight.”

“Oh.”

Nicole forced a smile. “Sean’s pissed.”

Emma nodded. “So I see.”

Releasing Nicole’s hand, Sean strode up the hallway. “I’m going to pack.”

Low murmurs followed him as Nicole and Cliff caught Emma up on the situation. Sean paid little attention to it as he entered his bedroom. Grabbing a duffle from his closet, he started stuffing it with clothes.

Nicole already had everything she needed at the dorm, so she chatted with Emma as if it were just another night and she didn’t intend to spend the next week risking her damned life.

Well, screw that. Sean was going to stick to her like glue.

“Let them take her, my ass,” he grumbled.

Cliff entered, carrying a second duffle. Judging by the way his biceps bulged, the bag was heavy. “I packed you some weapons.”

“Thanks.”

“Emma’s helping Nicole raid the fridge. Is there anything else I can do?”

Pausing, Sean struggled to calm his chaotic thoughts. “Would you drop by every other day and water Nicole’s plants for her while we’re gone? I’d really appreciate it.” Sean had been taking care of them in her absence.

“Sure. That’s a given. As far as this op goes, though… if something foul goes down and you need me, I’m just a call away.”

He forced a smile. “Emma would tear me limb from limb if you got hurt coming to my rescue.”

“Probably.” Cliff grinned. “Then she’d fuss over me and kiss it to make it better.”

Sean laughed. “No doubt.”

Cliff’s expression turned somber. “Seriously. Remember what Bastien said yesterday. We have your back, Sean. Every one of us.” He smiled. “Even us mere mortals.”

Lucky to have such loyal friends, Sean pulled him into a man-hug and clapped him on the back. “Thank you.”

For some reason, heading to the kitchen and seeing Nicole laughing and talking as if she didn’t have a care in the world resurrected the anger that had faded. Stewing in silence, Sean waited impatiently for Reordon to call and give them the go-ahead. When he did, Reordon said they hadn’t found any listening devices in Becca’s room.

Seth appeared shortly thereafter and teleported them directly to Becca’s dorm room. “The special ops team is in place here on campus, and Tessa will hunt nearby with a partner.”

Nicole smiled. “Okay. Thanks.”

Seth teleported away.

Sean dropped the smile he’d forced.

Silence filled the room, growing heavier with every moment it took Nicole to pack Becca’s mini-fridge with all the food she’d brought from home. As soon as she finished, Nicole spun around and threw up her hands. “What, Sean? What? Why are you so angry? You know this is the smart thing to do. Everyone agreed to it and—”