CARESSED BY ICE

Almond-shaped brown eyes looked into his, cool and certainly calculating. “As it appears we need to discuss certain discreet matters, it was the logical choice. Your offices aren’t as closely watched as mine.”


He had no need to ask for further explanation. The DarkRiver cats and their allies, the SnowDancer wolves, hadn’t been shy about the fact that they were keeping tabs on Nikita. She was the only Councilor within easy reach of their territories since Tatiana’s move to Australia two months ago. “Perhaps that will no longer be a problem in the near future.” The Council had taken steps to eliminate the changeling issue.

Nikita shifted her head slightly and the light from the ceiling fixture bounced off the glossy black of her hair. “We will see. I’m not as convinced as the rest of the membership about the infallibility of the plan. Our data collection on the changelings has been allowed to lapse to a disgraceful level. We’re making decisions based on outdated information.”

Kaleb made a mental note to check her assertion. “The DarkRiver Project is still bearing good returns, I trust?” He was referring to the groundbreaking real estate deal between the Duncan Group and the leopard pack that controlled San Francisco and its surrounding areas.

“Yes,” she confirmed. “Despite the annoyance the cats present in terms of Council business, they’re good for my economic interests.”

“A sharp distinction.”

“Precisely. My profit margin will sustain major damage should the Council’s plan succeed. But I’m sure you’re well aware of that. It’s why you asked me to meet you.”

He gave a small nod. “I thought we might have a number of interests in common.”

Nikita walked past him to the window, her composed business persona hiding a core of pure poison. “I thought you would ally with Shoshanna. She was responsible for your entry into the Council.”

He came to stand beside her, hands in the pockets of his tailored suit. “On the contrary, Nikita. I alone was responsible for my ascension to the Council.” He’d set his eye on the goal at age seven and never blinked. No one had been allowed to stand in his way. But then, all the Councilors had blood on their hands.

Nikita didn’t dispute his claim. “Your jockeying for leadership is why Marshall has begun to back Shoshanna and Henry.”

He watched pale winter light crawl over the square and saw in it another future, one he’d shape. “You’re mistaken. I have no desire for the leadership. Leaders are the biggest targets and I haven’t made it this far by courting visibility.”

“Then you should tone down your aggressiveness during Council sessions, let Marshall know his position isn’t in jeopardy.”

“If he believes that, he’s a fool.” He gave her a skeptical look. “Henry and Shoshanna want to lead. Marshall would do better to ally himself with us.”

“That still leaves Tatiana and Ming.”

“From what I can see, Tatiana is the swing vote.” The other Councilor had made no alliances he’d been able to unearth. “However, we may have a situation with Ming.”

“I’m listening.”

He told her what Silver had discovered. “As the Councilor in charge of the Implant Protocol, he has to have full knowledge of the unsanctioned trials.”

“This is unacceptable.” Ice dripped off Nikita’s every word. “You have proof?”

“Yes.” Illegally obtained but legal now that it was in his hands. After all, he was a Councilor entitled to the information. “Several data files.”

“It’s much too early for live trials,” Nikita continued. “The saboteurs will have their work done for them if the populace, and more importantly, the major families, refuse to support the Protocol because it appears dangerous.”

He concurred. To succeed, Protocol I had to be proven safe—in terms of both Psy minds and their psychic abilities. “There has already been one fatality. If the news gets out . . .”

Nikita placed her arms behind her back. “It’ll jeopardize the future of the entire operation. I assume you’re working to track the ten involved?”

Kaleb nodded. “It’s no use confronting Ming before we have more. We can’t risk alienating him. If the Scotts seize majority control of the Council, it’ll compromise a number of our interests.”

“Agreed.”

“There is another possibility,” he said. “That the Scotts have inserted their influence into Ming’s project without his knowledge—they’ve already shown a willingness to act without majority authorization.”

“That would shift Ming’s allegiance, or at least limit his support for their motions.” Nikita seemed to come to a decision. “We’ll discuss our next step when we have more data, unless you see a cogent reason for not waiting.”

“There’s no need to rush.”

“I see a lot of changelings down there.” She nodded at the square. “How’s the racial situation in your town?”