Garen

"Not a thing, not one fucking thing," Matt scowled as he threw a file on my desk. "They've dotted every i and crossed every t. It's like they knew I was digging, man. There's got to be a leak here." My head snapped up remembering the visit Sylvia had paid Daniel out of the blue, but was it really? How had she learned about his meltdown? Could she already know about Serenity? "I know that look, Garen. What do you know?"

Rising from my desk, I quickly shut the blinds. "It could be nothing, but it could also be everything." Matt glared at my vague response. "Hang on, we need to bring Daniel in for this," I explained as I sent a quick message to his phone.

A few moments later he walked in, seemingly carefree as he asked, "So what's up with the Rogers merger that couldn't wait?" Matt moved behind him quickly shutting and locking the door. "Well, obviously this isn't about Rogers, so what happened?"

"Nothing, absolutely nothing," I said, handing him the folder. "Matt can't find anything out of line with Caffrey & Dahl, not even a parking fine. Seems a bit unlikely don't you think, given the size of that firm? Hell, we're always having to straighten out some little matter now and then, but not them. They're perfect."

He muttered as he perused the file, "Okay, so I admit it's off, but this can't be the reason you dragged me in here. So what gives?"

"I think there's a mole," Matt blurted. "It was as if they knew where I would look. I mean, even Serenity's portfolio seems to be missing key details from the original."

"Don't you remember what you told me about your mother's visit? You said it was as if she already knew something was happening. What if the mole isn't just hers?" I proposed.

"Wait, are you suggesting that my mother is working with humans?" Daniel scoffed. "She despises them."

"True," I conceded, "but what better way to get information? The old bat can mask herself, and after the way they spoke to Serenity, well... What if she's playing into their fears and promising a way to take down vampires? If they target you, then she has a clear path to the throne. It's what she's always wanted anyway."

I swear the temperature in the room seemed to plummet as Daniel's eyes darkened, his claws piercing through his fingertips. "If she lays a hand on her," he growled menacingly. Matt's eyes were wide as he took a cautious step back, yet I moved forward, gripping his wrists.

"Daniel," I growled, my power seeping forth. "I didn't bring you in to have you lose your shit. I need you to focus. Would you like Matt to get Serenity?"

 "No, she doesn't need to get involved in this; it would just scare her more than she already is," he grumbled, his body beginning to relax a bit. He turned to Matt, "Who do you think is the mole?"

Flustering a bit, he muttered, "I'm not sure. I mean it would have to be someone that could access personnel files, and have access to our calendars."

"We need to work up a list and start interrogations quietly. If your mother gets wind of it, she'll go silent. Matt, make sure you include everyone in HR," I told him as he sputtered. "Yeah, that includes your girlfriend. If nothing else, it will throw everyone off. Just tell her I'm an ass and made you do it, unless you think she might be compromised."

"Not a fucking chance!" he growled. "Not to mention, Susan's all mama bear when it comes to Ren. If she gets wind of what I suspect, she'll go on a one-woman hunt, and trust me, man, there won't be any survivors."

Daniel smiled, "I'm glad to know she has such loyal friends."

"The fact she's going to be our Queen is just an added reason to love her, sir. She's one of a kind," Matt beamed. "Is she going to their stupid board meeting?"

"She has to," Daniel muttered. "She's still their employee, not to mention she says she wants to help us figure it all out."

"Could she wear a wire?" Matt suggested, but I objected before Daniel could answer.

"That's too much risk to put on her, however, what if we had her wear an aura stone? If she kept it inside her blouse, then no one would see it and we could get an idea if there were any supernaturals in the area as well as the intention of the board."

Daniel rubbed his jaw as he considered the idea. "That could work. I think a moonstone would be best for this situation. I think I have one we can use already set in a necklace." He tapped out a message on his phone and in a few short moments Riley came knocking on the door. He handed a small box to Daniel and left without a word.

"Well that was fast," Matt snorted.

"I may have already ordered this for her," Daniel muttered. "Of course, I was just thinking it was a precaution to keep her safe when we went out, but now, well now..."

I clapped him on the back. "Hey, she's going to be okay, man. Matt is driving her to the meeting and waiting for her. She'll have the necklace, and you've already started a solid bond, so you'll know if she's in any trouble."

He nodded hesitantly, his eyes looking at the now open box. The piece was simple yet stunning. A teardrop moonstone set in silver with delicate scrollwork around the edges on a serpentine chain with no clasp. It would easily drape over her neck and rest between her breasts just out of eyesight. I'm not sure if I'm impressed with his forethought or concerned at his level of worry for her safety.  

Author's Notes:  Short but more of a set-up chapter.   Advance chapters are already posted on my Patreon: patreon.com/theEveofChaos