“Olivia’s story is nearly identical,” Miane said in that cool voice that was almost Psy but for the icy anger Judd could sense in her words. “She fell away from her peer group around the same time and made it clear she wanted no contact.”
“She even ignored her siblings’ messages and attempts to find her.” Malachai paused, and only when Miane nodded slightly did he add, “She had a mate, and a child who would now be two. The mate’s body was found six months ago—it was almost all bone and we know his identity only because of DNA. The child remains missing. Her name is Persephone.”
The BlackSea lieutenant’s words made Judd’s gut tighten. He saw the same concern and anger on the faces around him. If sea changelings mated like the wolves or the leopards, then it was for life. The death of a mate could shatter the one who remained and, in this case, perhaps lead her to make dangerous and unstable decisions.
Malachai’s next words, however, seemed to point to a far more sinister truth.
“You were right to assume these events are connected to the disappearances that led us to seek an alliance with you,” the BlackSea lieutenant said into the tense quiet. “Jim and Olivia were two of those who vanished—we didn’t know their location until you sent us the data.”
Judd had been briefed by Riaz on why the sea changelings had decided to change their isolationist policy. Part of it had to do with the changing political climate, but the most important driver was that a number of their pack—such as it was—had vanished without a trace. Because of BlackSea’s unusual structure, it had taken time for Miane to realize what was happening. BlackSea wasn’t anywhere near the biggest pack in the world, but it was the only one that had members worldwide; those members were scattered across great bodies of water, including lakes and the largest rivers in the world.
Also affecting the record was the fact that many of the sea-based changelings swam alone, only meeting up with others of their kind once a year. In some cases, as with Olivia and her mate, couples had disappeared, meaning the one person who might have reported the disappearance had also been taken. At last count, at least twenty-seven members had been confirmed as missing.
“Given what you now know of Jim’s and Olivia’s actions,” Hawke said, “is it possible your missing went voluntarily?” His voice held the undertone of a growl, but it wasn’t a threat, simply an indication his wolf was very much present and listening.
Miane’s changeling eyes didn’t reflect light like those of terrestrial changelings, instead seemed to suck it in. “No,” she said immediately. “The missing are all solitary by nature but they have intense ties to others despite the fact that they may only have met up once or twice a year. One confirmed missing member was half of a pair, would have never left his mate haunting the sea, searching for him.”
Judd tried to imagine being away from Brenna for so long, only seeing her after long stretches, couldn’t. It made him understand why the water-based changelings had stayed separate and alone for so long—it must be frustrating to not be understood, to have outsiders constantly finding fault with a life most simply could not comprehend.
“We want a chance to talk to both Jim and Olivia,” Miane said. “They will not be able to lie to me.”
Hawke glanced at Judd.
He stepped forward. “The squad wants to keep them under surveillance, as they may lead the Arrows to a bigger player—and, I’m guessing, to the people behind these vanishings.”
Miane Levèque’s cold black eyes held his. “We’ll be patient. But they are my people.”
Judd wasn’t about to be intimidated, but he could understand her response. “The squad has little interest in them beyond the contacts either might make.” His phone vibrated at that instant, in the pattern he’d assigned Aden. “Excuse me. I have to take this.”
Aware of the others continuing to talk as he put the phone to his ear, he listened to what Aden had to say, felt his blood ice. “I’ll pass on the news. BlackSea will want to come to Venice.”
“Vasic is happy to complete a ’port if requested.”
Hanging up without further words, Judd returned to the meeting. When he caught Hawke’s eye, the alpha leaned closer. Dropping his voice to the subvocal level that he couldn’t actually hear himself, Judd passed on the news. Hawke’s features grew hard. “Miane,” he said, interrupting the other alpha midsentence, “your man is dead.”
The BlackSea alpha went eerily motionless. “The Arrows?”
“No,” Judd responded. “Jim jumped off his balcony onto the street. The Arrows on watch went immediately to his assistance, but his neck was broken.” Since the balcony wasn’t that high off the street, the working conclusion was that the other man had either landed wrong or been dead when he was thrown over the edge. At this point, however—“There’s no evidence of outside involvement, though the squad will be performing an autopsy to check for signs of psychic coercion.”
“Tell your friends to treat him with respect.”
“Aden has offered a teleport should you request it.”
“No. We’ll make our own way there.” Returning her attention to Lucas and Hawke, she said, “I must leave. We’ll talk further after I discover why a bright young man is dead and another member of my pack is suspected of a terrorist act while her daughter remains among the missing.”
The three sea changelings disappeared into the water seconds later, no bubbles coming up to betray their presence as they swam their way out.