“Works for me,” Barb said instantly. “Now, when’s breakfast? I’m starved.”

“Barb!” Flo exclaimed.

Barb turned gentle eyes to her sister and said softly, “Video.”

All the witches suddenly started looking at anything that wasn’t breathing and shuffled their feet.

They’d seen the videos.

This surprised Abel. He cut his eyes to Aurora, who was still glaring up at Yuri, then to Yuri, who was looking at Abel.

“Barb saw it before I could stop her. Aurora has not seen it, nor will she,” he declared.

“Keep that oath, brother,” Abel muttered.

Yuri dipped his chin.

Abel looked to the other witches. “Stay. You’d be fools to go out there. These assholes we’re dealin’ with are cold as ice. Don’t know you and still know you’re a lot better people than they are, seein’ as it would be hard not to be. So it’d suck you not bein’ on this earth.” His looked to Gregor. “That’s it. I said my bit. Now, if you’ll let me know when that potion’s done, I’d appreciate it.”

On that, seeing as he didn’t have time for that shit considering the fact he had to prepare to find out where his brother was, he walked out.

* * * * *

Abel was training as wolf with Callum, Ryon, Calder, and Caleb when he saw Xun heading their way.

He communicated this to his brothers, turned, jogged to his clothes, and jumped to man.

He had his jeans on, the others around him having turned into man and also dressing, when Xun made it to them.

“Patricio took a day-trip this morning,” Xun said as an opener. “Gregor put a human on him. He drove about a hundred miles out, had his meet, they took his head.”

“Jesus Christ,” Abel snarled.

“Guess they’re not taking any chances,” Calder muttered.

“That’s it?” Callum asked.

“The guy we sent after him couldn’t get close enough to hear what they were saying. He just reported the conversation didn’t last long before things got bloody. Figure they weren’t real big on the rest of those concubines gettin’ rescued last night and decided cleanup crews were necessary.”

All the missions had been successful the night before and a further twelve had been rescued utilizing local intel on turncoat vampires.

That still left hundreds in the hands of the enemy, though they’d had no more videos or any other communication, such as threats or ransom demands.

“’Nother bit of news,” Xun went on. “That Gastineau phantom has been in touch.”

“And he said…?” Abel asked.

“Said he’s on it,” Xun answered.

“Nothing more?” Callum pressed.

“Nope, just that he’s on it,” Xun told him.

Abel looked to Callum. “You got any clue what that means?”

“My read, the phantoms don’t like their queen held captive, but they aren’t asking for allies to assist in rescuing her,” Callum replied.