“The fact that Gershom can pass himself off as Seth.”
Uneasy glances slid Seth’s way.
Seth sighed. “I don’t know how to combat that.”
David eyed those present. “You should all spend your days and downtime here until we sort this out. Ami has no difficulty telling Seth from Gershom. She doesn’t even have to be in the same room with Gershom to know he’s present. So she can set your minds at ease while you’re here.”
“And when we’re not here?” Aidan asked, wanting to avoid a repeat of his battle with Gershom and the confusion that had thrown him.
Seth shook his head. “I don’t know how to assure you I’m me when I see you. Or how to ensure Gershom won’t fool you into believing he is me.”
A thoughtful hush descended.
“What about a password?” Melanie suggested. “Something we would know ahead of time that you’ll say to prove you’re you. Like a PIN.”
Seth shook his head. “Gershom could pluck it from your thoughts.”
She frowned. “I keep forgetting that.”
Chris straightened. “Wait a minute. A password may not work, but you may be on to something with the PIN.”
Aidan glanced around. What the hell was a PIN?
“Let me consult my tech guys. They may be able to come up with something electronic Seth can carry on him that can identify him as the real deal. Something you can scan from a distance.”
Seth tilted his head to one side. “Couldn’t Gershom steal a duplicate from the network or compel one of your tech guys to make a duplicate?”
“Not without us knowing,” Chris said. “And not if I keep my tech guys on site. If I lock down the network, no immortals can teleport in or out and no humans can enter or leave without triggering the alarm.”
Seth shared a look with David. “Sounds good. Have your tech crew work as swiftly as they can.”
“I’ll let you know as soon as we have something.”
“Thank you.”
Krysta glanced around the table. “Are we hunting tonight?”
“Yes, you may hunt tonight,” Seth said with obvious reluctance. “But do as David said and hunt in groups. I want a telepath in every group.”
David eyed the gathering. “I shall remain here and hold down the fort, so to speak.”
And protect Ami and Adira, Aidan thought. No doubt Marcus would remain behind as well, wanting to ensure Gershom didn’t get his hands on his wife and daughter.
“Bastien and Melanie,” Seth directed, “I want you to stay at the network and keep an eye on things there. As usual, if trouble arises and you need reinforcements, let the vampires out to play until the cavalry can arrive.”
The couple nodded.
Seth studied those around the table. “If I show up unexpectedly while you’re away from David’s place, I want the telepaths to summon me immediately. And I want the rest of you to speed dial me on your cell phones. Just to be sure it’s me.” Though Seth spoke in even tones, he radiated anger that such action was necessary. “Anything else?”
No one spoke.
“Very well. Be safe.”
Chairs scuffed the bamboo floor as those gathered around the table scooted them back and rose.
Seth stood and wove his way through the others to reach Aidan and Dana as they rose. “I heard what you wanted to ask,” he told Dana.
Aidan glanced down at Dana. “You wanted to ask something?”
She nodded but seemed reluctant to speak.
Seth took one of her hands and held it between his. “If Aidan transforms you tonight, you will be very ill and weakened for three days or more and he will be distracted. I’m very happy you’ve decided to join the immortals’ ranks, but I believe it would be best if you waited.”
Dana had wanted Aidan to transform her tonight?
Though she appeared disappointed, Dana again nodded. “Okay.”
Giving her hand a pat, Seth headed over to David.
Aidan saw the logic of it but would’ve felt a hell of a lot better going up against Gershom if Dana were immortal.
Bastien stepped around Brodie and Ed. “Aidan. Any chance I could talk you into teleporting Melanie and me back to the network? I’d like to check on Cliff.”
Guilt struck. Yet again, Aidan had failed to take Cliff into sunlight this afternoon. “How’s he doing? I wasn’t able to take him into the sun today.”
“Not good. He’s been very agitated since the fight with Gershom. Melanie has been giving him watered-down doses of the sedative to try to keep things in check.”
Aidan nodded. “We can go now then.” He looked around. “Ethan? Heather?”
“Yeah?” Ethan said as the couple joined them.
“I want to stop off at the network before we begin the night’s hunt.”
“Okay,” they both agreed.
Aidan slid an arm around Dana’s waist. “Everyone grab a shoulder.”
Heather rested a hand on Dana’s shoulder. Ethan and Bastien both gripped Aidan’s. Melanie leaned into Bastien and wrapped an arm around his waist.
“Aidan!” Chris called over the conversations rumbling through the room. Shouldering his way through the crowd, he stopped beside Bastien. “Can I hitch a ride back to the network?”
Aidan nodded. “Grab a shoulder.”
Clutching his briefcase with one hand, Chris drew out his cell phone and dialed. “John. Chris Reordon. Aidan is about to teleport me and five others into the network. Turn the alarm off.” He rested the hand holding the phone on Bastien’s shoulder, then nodded.
David’s dining room darkened and disappeared, replaced by the lab Dana had visited once before at the network.
Chris returned the phone to his ear. “Okay. We’re here. Turn it back on.”
“Dana?”
Dana glanced at the pretty brunette who stood beside Bastien. Unlike the other immortals present, Melanie wore faded blue jeans, a Tar Heels T-shirt, and sneakers.
“Yes?”
Melanie smiled. “I don’t think we’ve been introduced yet. I’m Melanie. I believe you’ve met my husband, Bastien?”
Returning her smile, Dana shook the hand she offered. “Yes. It’s nice to meet you.”
“Nice to meet you, too.” Melanie drew her aside. “I know the past few days have been very trying. And I’m sorry you’ve had such a violent and terrifying entrance into our world, but I’d like to ask your help with something.”
“Okay,” Dana said, not knowing how else to respond. “What can I do for you?”
Looping her arm through Dana’s, Melanie began to slowly steer her toward an area that resembled an exam room in a doctor’s office. “My colleagues at the network who have been studying the virus with me have been puzzling over an anomaly we can’t explain, and I think you could help us solve the mystery.”
Dana glanced over her shoulder.