Blue Moon III: Call of the Alpha (7 page)

“Piss you off?” Call said, quickly stepping closer to him.

“See, that’s what I’m talking about, John. Right there. You go from zero to ninety. What’s going on?” Alpha asked quietly.

Call ran his hands through his hair, turning to compose himself because Alpha was right. He was frustrated and stressed. Unsure about leaving their home, unsure what he was going to do with the rest of his life. He wasn’t old and decrepit, he was a virile, healthy man, but who’d want someone around that they were afraid to look at. On top of everything else, now they had a killer coming to ask Alpha for help with god knew what. The strong arms that wrapped around his waist were so comforting. He needed to trust that Alpha was his equal and knew what he was doing.

“Hey.”

“Hey,” Call said roughly.

“You have to talk to me, beloved. I’m smart, but I can’t read your mind.” His lover’s voice was soothing to his irritation.

His lip quirked up in the corner. “You’re too smart. I know you know what you’re doing with this man coming here, but I have a bad feeling.”

“It’s those instincts of yours that have kept you and an entire team of men alive through three wars, John. Don’t think that I’m not taking your counsel into consideration. But I have a master and other brothers back home. If something is wrong, then I have to make it right.” Alpha turned Call so they were able to look at each other. He reached up and caught his chin, pulling him down to his soft mouth. “You understand, don’t you?”

Call closed his eyes and released his own sigh. “Yes, I got it.” He stepped back and assessed Alpha’s look. “Why are you covered?”

“He’s not allowed to see me. None of us know what the others look like.”

“What? How will you know it’s him?”

“He should have a lion tattooed on the inside of his left wrist.” Alpha held up his own hand. “The same as my identifier on mine.”

Call was very familiar with the Greek letter for Alpha tattooed on his tan skin but he didn’t know that it was their method of identification. Anyone could tattoo something on their skin and misrepresent who they were.

“I know what you’re thinking, John.” Alpha pulled his hood lower, walking over to stand by the large window that looked out over the vast expanse of wilderness. “I’ll know it’s him. I studied with him, helped train him. He wouldn’t travel all this way to harm me… or you.”

Call took his dark fleece from the closet, throwing it over his head and leaving it untucked over his jeans. A pair of combat boots and his 9 mm tucked in his waistband completed the outfit. He sat on the sofa, waiting for the unknown while Alpha stood still as a statue.

ἈΙ

He could feel Call’s tension from across the room. He was on edge, and rightfully so. A highly trained assassin was coming to their home, and from what he could tell it wasn’t with good news. There was corruption in the Order for the first time in its over five hundred year existence. If Lion had come all the way to the States for Alpha’s guidance, then it must be bad.

The slight knock at the door didn’t startle him. He had always been able to sense his brother’s presence. Alpha made sure his hood was low enough to only reveal the lower half of his face. Call stood behind him, not protectively, he knew Alpha could take care of himself. He stood close by him as his companion.

When he opened the door, Alpha had to immediately check his first reaction. Lion was huge, substantially bigger than the young man he’d left in Iran. That man had been muscular under his black cloak, but not this giant that stood a few inches taller than his own six feet. He looked like the modern day killer. Black slacks, and a black, silk dress shirt that was buttoned up over a broad chest. His scarf was black and gold, very similar to Alpha’s own but made of Persian silk. Omega stood behind him and the way Lion kept his head slightly tilted told Alpha the man was well aware of the killer at his six.

“Brother,” Lion greeted him in Persian. His accent was thick, his full lips just visible under his hood.

Alpha extended the arm with his mark. They each gripped the other’s wrist over their identification and turned their hands simultaneously, both of them verifying the other was who they presented to be. Even Lion’s wrist was thick and strong, his forearms heavily corded. The tattoo, a medium-sized face of a lion with a full mane, was just as intimidating as the man himself. Alpha’s own mark was just as overwhelming for the newcomer. When he pulled his arm back, Lion tucked them both behind his back, waiting to be invited in. Until he was, he wouldn’t move, it was tradition and a sign of respect.

Alpha returned his greeting in their native tongue and made a gesture for Lion and his brother to enter.

“English or French from here on, if you don’t mind,” Call insisted, and Alpha nodded his head in agreement. Call didn’t speak Persian well enough to hold an entire conversation and he wouldn’t disrespect him by leaving him out.

“You dare tell me how to speak.” Lion’s voice was strong and authoritative, but when Alpha spoke, his tone was low and lethal.

“Choose your words very carefully Lion. Your next may be your last if you insult my cherished.”

Lion stepped back and lowered his head, his words measured when he spoke again in perfect Queen’s English. “I meant no disrespect, Alpha. I didn’t know who he was.”

“Who’d you think I was? The damn butler?” Call said snidely.

“John. Respect goes both ways,” Alpha replied calmly, trying to tamp down some of the bravado hanging heavily around them like musty cologne. “Lion. This is John Marion. Retired United States Navy Special Forces. SEAL name, Call. You can address him by either.”

“I’ve heard stories of your bravery, Call. Let’s cool our tempers, shall we? We are both men of honor.” Lion held out his hand again and shook Call’s like any man in the States would. Lion had to be just as well traveled as him. Some countries they kissed on the cheeks as greeting, in some Asian lands it was customary to bow when introductions were made. It was clear that Lion was well studied in their customs and had obviously done work in the States.

Omega stood beside Alpha while Lion walked into the large living area and sat on the edge of the sofa cushion. His movements eerily silent from someone so huge. Call sat in his chair facing him, his eyes trained on the little bit of Lion he could see. 

The big assassin turned his attention to Alpha. “I have important concerns regarding the Order, Alpha and I’ve come to you seeking advice and if need be… assistance.”

“Is this necessary?” Call interjected rudely, waiving his hand around his head. “The cloak and dagger shit. I have a difficult time trusting a man who’s hidden behind a hood.”

Alpha never really understood why people rolled their eyes, but what Call just said gave him a little more clarity. It wasn’t the time to say that. Most importantly, Call was partnered with an assassin, had worked for a man who was a ghost, a top-secret classified operative, who’d called himself Backhander and no one knew what he’d looked, or even sounded like. How his partner could not know the reason for concealed identity was beyond Alpha. His lover was simply being difficult. “John.”

Lion stood slowly and Call rose up as well, poised to fight. Lion’s large hands went up to his hood and Alpha spoke, stopping him mid-gesture. It was extremely disrespectful to insist that one of them be required to remove their hood. Not even a master would demand it. It was like asking a Muslim woman to remove her
hijab
in public. Call was being rude. “That’s not necessary,” Alpha said sternly, looking back at Call.

“I have nothing to hide and I need your trust. All of you. If he says this is the only way, then I will honor your cherished one with this act.” Lion slowly pulled his hood back. Inch by inch he revealed a gorgeous face for all of them to see. Features that were so unlike any Persian Alpha had ever seen. Long, golden-blond hair was pulled from beneath the hood, it reached to the center of his back and was full, not even one strand of gray could be found. Fair-tanned skin and high cheekbones like a European, not the traditional Iranian features they were used to seeing. Omega had slate gray eyes which were an anomaly, but never had Alpha seen eyes that were so hazel they were almost radiant. It was possible Lion didn’t get his name from his build or strong presence, but from his features. All eyes turned when Omega's audible gulp shattered the silence.

“I’ve never seen a Persian quite like you,” Call said, his skepticism obvious.

“Correct. I’m Romanian and Pakistani. My father sold me to a Turkish rebel when I was but a boy. The Order took him down before I could perform any type of servitude. Elder Esfahani left me alive; brought me to the school and – how you say, here – the rest is history. I’ve asked him many times why he spared my life. I couldn’t have been assassin material. I was scrawny and terrified. But he said one day I’d know exactly why he choose me.” Lion looked Call in his eyes. “I believe that day has come.”

“Not all of us are full-blooded Persian. I’m certainly not. As far as I know, Alpha is the only one of pure, royal blood. Over many years the Order has become quite diversified,” Omega finally spoke.

“It’s why we stay concealed. To prevent superiority rebellion. We are all the same. All hooded and destined to protect and serve the Order. But I fear, honorable one, that some of our brothers have put together a small-scale system of espionage. Funds have gone unaccounted for, millions, a few of our safe houses were raided, and several missions have been sabotaged. Brothers have been killed.” Lion spoke directly to Alpha.

Alpha sat slowly. He couldn’t believe it.
Espionage, traitors, mutiny
. Words that were acrid and pungent on his tongue had him clearing his throat. He unwrapped his scarf and pulled his hood back, Omega quickly did the same. Alpha was deep in thought and no one spoke to interrupt him. When he looked up, he saw Lion and his brother in an interesting, heated stare-off. Alpha’s brow creased only a second before he schooled his features. “Do you suspect who it might be?”

“I do.” Lion nodded once.

“Does anyone know you’re here?” Alpha asked.

“It’s believed I’m on a surveillance mission in New York. Only the Elders and the Master of the High Council knows where I am. They sent me.”

Alpha believed Lion. He turned to Call. His lover’s smoldering eyes were on him. He already knew Alpha was going back to make things right. Alpha had family there, beloved masters and teachers. Young men still being groomed. It was their duty to defend, retired or not.

“I have to go back.”

“I know,” Call answered. “I’m going with you.”

“I know,” Alpha affirmed.

“I’m gonna need a couple of my men.” Call stood.

“As usual. We’re of one accord, my cherished.”

Call

The drive from their home to the heavily wooded area in Winchester, Virginia was a little over eight hours. They didn’t want to draw attention, so they stayed clear of airports, trains and any other mass transit. The long hours spent in a van together were – not surprisingly – quiet. Assassins just weren’t a chatty bunch. It was doubtful any of them was being watched, but it was always better to be cautious.

Call didn’t need to phone and announce their arrival. Hawk already knew they were coming. Last time he’d seen his old comrade was at Shot and Fox’s wedding a year ago. They still emailed and called occasionally but they were both immensely enjoying the less complicated life with their partners. It went without saying that if one of them was in need, then they could always count on one another. If they were going to go up against a league of rebel assassins, then he’d need Hawk’s advanced visual capabilities, Pierce’s analytical skills and of course, he needed Viper, a man who’d yet to meet a system that he couldn’t hack.

They had to abandon their car two miles away from Hawk and Pierce’s secured residence since there was no road leading to their elevated home nestled comfortably in the dense woods of Frederick County. The rough terrain was hard enough to trek by foot, only an ATV or bike could make it. As soon as the trees opened up into a large clearing, Call looked up and saw Hawk watching them from his balcony. Even from the distance, Call could see the vibrant hue of colors swirling in Hawk’s eyes. Visions no doubt flashing before him as they approached. Call hoped that Hawk saw them all coming out of this alive.