Wolf's Bane

Thief

"We should tell Sebastian what's happening," Desiree said. "He has a right to know."

"We'll tell him once we know something," Andrew promised.

They waited by the phone for most of the day, expecting Peter to call, but he didn't.

"Is it possible he doesn't have the ring?" Desiree asked.

"It's possible, but not likely and I don't have any other leads," Andrew replied. "For now, I think we should assume he has it and is working on his plan. The fact that the person who stole it was able to guess my code makes me suspect him more."

"He knows your code?"

"No, but he knows me," Andrew explained. "I should have chosen random numbers, but I didn't. I made the code Eleanor's birthday. I didn't think anyone would remember that besides me, but Peter's the type who might. I shouldn't have underestimated him."

Eventually, it got to be too late and they both had to go to bed. However, Desiree sought Andrew out as soon as she woke up the next day. They sat together in his office, staring at the phone.

It was early evening when he finally called and said, "I found your thief. You'll be happy to know it wasn't Poppy. I guess she ran off for other reasons. Anyway, I took care of your thief and will be happy to return your ring, but I expect a reward for it."

"Are you trying to sell my own ring back to me?"

"I'm selling my services in locating it," Peter replied. "I'll hold it as collateral until you pay."

"Alright. How much do you want?"

"Oh, come now. You know what I want."

Desiree met Andrew's gaze, biting her tongue to keep herself quiet.

"If you mean my vampire, that's unreasonable," Andrew told him.

"Is he more valuable than your ring?" Peter wondered. "If so, perhaps I should keep it. It's not really my style, but I could melt it down and make something better."

"He can't do that!"

"That would be stealing," Andrew pointed out. "The ring isn't yours."

"It is if I have it. I found it and you now owe me a debt. If you refuse to pay that debt, I have the right to do with the ring as I see fit."

Andrew was silent for several seconds. "I'll think about it."

"Don't think too long," Peter warned. "Come by my house with Sebastian when you're ready and we'll make a trade. I'll be happy to show the thief to you then, as well. I think you'll be quite surprised by who it was."

Andrew furrowed his brow. "Who was it?"

"You'll see when you get here," Peter said. "Oh and bring your bride along. I'd like to surprise her, too."

He hung up before they could ask what he meant.

"How would he surprise me?" Desiree wondered.

"I don't know, but I have no intention of bringing you."

"Do you intend to go?" she asked. "You can't take Sebastian."

"I'm trying to figure out a plan," he told her. "I can't give him Sebastian, but I can't not get the ring back. What am I supposed to do?"

"Talk to Sebastian," Eleanor suggested. "It involves him, right?"

"We need to include Sebastian," Desiree agreed. "He's the one most in danger here."