Silence Fallen (Mercy Thompson #10)(99)

“Libor knows I’m bringing him,” said Adam. “Take us on in to him, and your part is done.”

The heart of the building was the kitchen, and that was where the wolf led them. Neither Bonarata, nor Stefan and Marsilia, had needed an invitation—which was why Adam would never make his pack’s home out of a business.

The big room was filled with people, mostly wolves but not all, mixing, rolling, and baking. Huge electric fans in the ceiling sent the warm air on out, but it was still ten degrees warmer in this room than it had been outside.

It might have been full of people, but when the broadly built man stepped out of a storeroom with a fifty-pound bag of flour on his shoulder, there was no question who the Alpha was in here. He felt them, too. He looked at them, set the flour down, and strode toward them, wiping his hands on his apron.

He took the whole of them in at one glance, his eyes lingering a little here and there. When he took his apron off, the work in the kitchen slowed. He hung it up on a hook on the wall and said, gruffly, “Get to work. There are hungry people who will be here in a couple of hours, and they expect us to feed them.” He spoke in English, then switched to another tongue and, presumably, repeated himself. When he finished, his people went back to work, with only a few surreptitious looks at their visitors.

He caught the attention of the wolf who’d been their guide. “Go get Martin and Jitka, eh? Bring them to the garden.”

Then to Adam and his people, Libor said, “Follow me, gentlemen.” He saw Bonarata and grunted. “And you’ll have to let me know how it is that the vampire who was trying to kill your wife is now traveling about with you. Though I know Iacopo Bonarata well enough not to be surprised.”

Harris, Smith, and Larry took up the rear. The goblins liked it best when no one noticed them. Smith evidently felt the same.

The garden was an unexpectedly beautiful spot of nature in the center of the bakery. The Vltava Alpha walked to the end, then turned and faced them.

“I’m Libor of the Vltava,” he said.

“Adam of the Columbia Basin,” Adam responded. Then one by one he introduced his party, though he’d told Libor who would be coming and why. Since there were so many old beings in the courtyard, he began with the women, starting with Honey because she was the closest. Mercy would scold him for being old-fashioned.

“I have heard of you,” Libor told Honey. “Peter was a good man, a good werewolf. The world is a darker place without him in it.”

Honey blinked more rapidly than usual. “Yes,” she said.

“Honey killed Lenka,” Adam told Libor.

Libor looked at Bonarata with yellow eyes as he said, “Good. This is something that should have been done long ago. When I depart this world, not doing something about Lenka will be part of the cross I will bear on the way to Paradise.” He turned, took Honey’s hand in his, and kissed it. “If she could, she would thank you.”

Adam moved the introductions along. Bonarata was on his best behavior—but that might not last.

“You are Bonarata’s Blade,” Libor said, after Adam introduced Marsilia. “I have heard many stories, enough to make me regret that we never met while you were here.”

She nodded gravely. “I’ve heard stories about you, too, Libor. It is probably best that this is our first meeting.”

He smiled. “Undoubtedly true. And still . . .”

When Adam introduced Elizaveta, the other wolf smiled with genuine happiness.

“Your name is well-known,” he told her gravely in Russian. “And those who speak of you do not exaggerate your beauty.”

“I have heard your name, too. And they who speak of you do not exaggerate your skill at flirtation,” Elizaveta responded, but she was pleased.

Adam started on the men, but Libor said, “Iacopo Bonarata and I know each other well. I will have some words for you later about your vampires here in my city, and for this reason, I allow you here in my home.”

“You will find me eager to listen,” said Bonarata.

They exchanged toothy smiles. And Adam continued introductions.

“The Soldier,” said Libor. “I have heard stories about you.”

“Exaggerated, I’m afraid,” said Stefan. “I have heard many things of you also. I would not want you for an enemy.”

Libor smiled. “I would agree that it is good not to be enemies, you and I. Though I don’t know that we will be friends.”

Adam introduced the last three all at the same time.

Libor greeted Harris and Larry and said, “Goblins do not usually interest themselves in the affairs of wolves.”

Larry smiled easily. “Usually you aren’t so entertaining,” he said.

“And I’m getting paid,” said Harris. “When I get paid, I’m always interested.”

“And Smith,” said Libor, his body quiet and his eyes yellow. “Smith and I know each other.” There was an edge in the other Alpha’s voice—a lot of the old wolves had history.

Smith looked at his feet and smiled peacefully. “They needed a copilot who could haul around vampires and werewolves,” he said. “Harris was fine, but he needed me to help out because the rest of his people are either human or they won’t travel with vampires.”

Libor stared at him for a moment longer, closed his eyes, and heaved a sigh. “It has been a long time,” he said.