Levia Kedar drove through traffic, doing her best to keep her distance from the small convoy as they headed into Dals. Thankfully there was plenty of traffic that she could more easily blend into the background, she didn't want any accidents to happen on this assignment. Levia had been surprised when she had been contacted by Lady Bell and given the assignment to watch over the new Pureblood from afar, her instincts were to get close and stay close to her ward.

  At least she was linked into House Aldbridge and O'Toole's security lines, which was why she knew that the young lord was on the move. Where he was going, was unknown at the moment but she had a theory based on the direction they were going and who had assets in this part of the city.

  Levia already knew about the meeting that had been arranged tonight, something that was dangerous enough as is but why would his protectors allow him to go here? Her investigation into the various Matriarchs and Patriarchs had come to two conclusive suspects in the attack, one of them owed several properties in this part of the city and his reputation was less than scrupulous.

  As the trio of SUVs headed for the exit, Levia cursed and followed several cars back as they descended to ground level, she followed for a few blocks and made the turn-off before the convoy did. They continued forward while Levia headed for a warehouse she had chosen during her research on the flight and the day before.

  It took her less than five minutes to park and get to the roof of the building as she scrambled to get set up. The rifle case was banged up, but the rifle within was well maintained despite outward appearances. Thirty seconds ter, she was sighting down the scope and studying the front of the bar that was empty at the moment, except for the three SUVs pulling up to the curb.

  The Silver Bullet was the headquarters and home of Samuel Williams, Patriarch of House Williams. It was considered a popur dive bar by the locals and was packed during the weekends and fairly active during the week. The activity covered a small distribution center for arms and drugs, nothing was ever stored here but deals were brokered constantly if the intel was correct.

  Levia settled into her position and checked the infrared scope; unlike the normal scope, it gave her a look inside the bar, and what she saw surprised her. Then she noted her ward freeze as he stood in front of the door, whatever had happened within the bar had gotten his attention. What happened next caused the rest of the security team to pour out of the vehicles and towards the bar as Levia settled in to watch the show.

  I drummed my fingers on the armrest, "Rex!" Adriana called out from the front.

  I grimaced, "I am fine, I just want this meeting over, it and the one tonight are crucial to the stability between Houses and my continued existence." I told her.

  Adriana looked back at me and reached around to pay my knee, "It will be fine, you are openly approaching Samuel, he won't strike back at you when every House in the city knows where you are going and why you are talking to Samuel." I grunted in response.

  I grimaced and checked to see the knives were still in their sheaths under my jacket, while I could pull them from my Inventory with a thought it would just slow me down and a second to pull them out may be the difference between life and death. I stared out at the window as we neared the bar, it wasn't in the best part of town, but Samuel kept the peace and there had been no bloodshed in or around the bar since it had been opened.

  That didn't mean it wasn't linked to several illegal enterprises, just that no one could get any evidence of such an endeavor thus neither the cops nor Marcus had been able to shut it down. If the information Marcus had was correct, several groups used the bar to negotiate deals for illicit magical drugs and bck-market gear, Samuel was the middleman and ensured the peace was kept and both parties fulfilled their ends of the bargain.

  I focused on the building, the Siver Bullet took up the bottom floor of the three-story structure, and the top two were apartments and storage for House Williams. The parking lot was across the street, and the few vehicles there were owned by the House and its members. No customers were present as it wouldn't open up until five in the afternoon.

  "Wait!" Adriana called out before I could open the door.

  I grunted, the attack on Marcus was due to the predictability, we hadn't announced this visit until about an hour ago, so no one except Marcus would have been able to get someone in position in time to unch another attack. I doubted he wanted me dead, "Done?" I asked as I opened the door, much to Adriana's annoyance.

  I smiled at her and headed for the door, I heard the Brazillian muttering low enough I couldn't catch what she was saying. I chuckled as I neared the door, as I put my hand on the handle to open it up, the smell hit me. I froze in surprise, the stench hit me like a brick and I stepped back as I drew my knives, "What?" Adriana demanded.

  I sniffed one more time as I set myself, "Blood, a lot of blood!" I told her.

  "STOP!" Adriana called out as I heard her barking orders into her mike, but I triggered Blood Surge as I kicked out.

  The door resisted slightly, but the hinges gave way and flew off revealing the interior I rushed inside as I cancelled the Skill immediately before I could drain my meager Mana pool. I scanned my surroundings as I stayed low, but aside from four bodies, broken chairs, tables, and a few shattered bottles, I didn't spot any movement.

  I held up my hand before the security forces could flood into the structure as I closed my eyes and focused on my hearing. I breathed in slowly, and let it out as I listened, but aside from my heartbeat and that of my escort, I didn't pick up anything. "There is no one alive on the first floor, take it slow and secure the building," I told Adriana as I stepped out of the way.

  The Tiger-Kin started barking orders, breaking the six-man team into groups of two to clear the building while I stayed near the doorway. While I wanted to investigate, I had never done something like it, and nor had I been trained for it, so I left it to the security team to give me an initial finding. "I want to know if Samuel Williams or Jerome Daniels is present and their current status," I told Adriana.

  The Tiger-Kin quickly reyed my request, "Your eyes are bck." she absently commented.

  I grimaced and shook my head, "I am not hungry, I am pissed." I told her as I tapped my pocket to make sure my phone was there. I had to call and inform Marcus what was going on, "I will call Marcus, once your guys clear the building and give us the 'all clear'. Have the drivers keep a sharp eye out in case anyone is watching this pce or us." I told her as I moved to put the door back in pce but stopped as Adriana grabbed my arm.

  "Don't leave it be, we are going to leave enough of an imprint as is that the cops will be pissed off." the Brazilian informed me.

  I frowned, "Do we have to call them in?" hoping we could keep this an internal thing considering we dodged a bullet with the assassination attempt.

  Adriana shook her head and pointed to two bodies, "Humans, not part of the Guilds, and while they may be Bleeders or employees of House Williams, they are not part of the House and thus fall under the local w enforcement jurisdiction." I grimaced and pulled out my wallet, thankfully the detectives had given us their cards so at least I had someone to directly contact.

  I sighed, "Do we have a specific person to call or can I contact the detectives that were at the pza investigation?" I asked Adriana.

  She opened her mouth then shut it as she listened to the wick in her ear, whatever Adriana heard caused her to grimace, "They cleared the first floor, looks like both men died in the office tearing each other apart.' she reyed to me, 'Take pictures of the bodies, if the heads are not intact, get blood samples as well. Have teams two and three start on the second floor." Adriana quickly commanded.

  I tried not to look at the bodies of the two women who had been killed, but I kept looking back at them. "Get out of here, call Marcus, and inform him of what happened here and that we believe that Samuel Williams is dead as is his second. Then call those detectives in ten minutes, it will give our guys time to clear the building and make sure it's secure." I nodded my head.

  I thanked her and left the building; I could only imagine the look on my face but knew it probably wouldn't be the st time. I took out my phone and made the call, Marcus picked up on the second ring. "Everything all right Victor?" the man promptly responded.

  I shook my head absently, "No it's not, it's a blood bath over here. The security teams that came with me are still clearing the building, but the initial report isn't good. Samuel Williams is dead, and we have two normal humans dead as well." I told him.

  Marcus was quiet for a few moments before he began to curse, loudly and vehemently. "Do you want me to contact Dals PD? Do you want me to contact my wyers?" I shook my head.

  While I wish the man could wave his hand and make it all go away, we couldn't, "No, I will call Detective Shultz in a few minutes to give them a heads up about what happened here. I will contact my wyers and get things rolling there to cover me, but I won't be able to cover everyone else here since they are not clients of that firm as far as I am aware." I told Marcus as I scanned the buildings around us.

  "I will call mine and get someone out there to represent my people, just make sure everyone keeps their mouths shut until the wyers get there." I nodded as I hung up and dialed the number, I had received but never thought I would need again so soon.

  She picked up after two rings, "Alice Cooper's office, how can I help you?" she still sounded too young, but I didn't care as long as she did her job.

  "Hello Alice, it's Victor Bck. There was an incident at a pce called the Silver Bullet. I am going to have to notify the police as two normal humans were killed in the events, I will need representation sooner rather than ter. Can you send someone down here?" I asked the wyer.

  She was quiet for a few moments, "Ok, don't do anything to disturb the scene, I will send someone who is a criminal defense wyer down there. I will give them your number, is that ok?" I nodded my head and rattled off the address and the fact I hadn't actually committed any crime involved. Alice chuckled, "You are there and there are bodies, Mr. Bck, the police will be very interested in you. Good luck and I hope you don't have to contact me again any time soon." with that she disconnected the call.

  I waited patiently for a few minutes as I leaned against the SUV for the security teams to emerge, eventually, they did. "We got thirty bodies total, twenty-five were from House Williams so we have three members in the wind," Adriana reported.

  I grimaced, "Contact Marcus, let him know. Legal representation is on the way, for your people and me. I need to call the cops, and make sure the security teams don't do anything stupid; I am sure they and the officers will be tense as is." I told her as I opened the door and sat down as I dialed the number on the card.

  It rang four times before anyone picked up, "This is Shultz?!?!" the man barked.

  I sat back and did my best to rex, "Detective, it's Victor Bck, do you remember me?" I asked, sure that he did but I wanted to make sure before I ruined his day.