Who: Peter and Mac What: Peter has some info When: November 11, 1888 - late night (Forward dated) Where: Lionhart Warning: None
Peter had waited until near closing before going into the Lionhart tonight. He had been staying away to some degree, only going in a couple of nights for drinks with friends and other members of the group he was now in charge of. Tonight, however, would not be one for drinking. Tonight he was to meet Mac to give information, to prove that he was going to be loyal to the crown.
He stepped into the near empty pub and looked around, checking the last bit of stragglers, before heading towards the bar where Mac currently was.
“Can we talk?” He asked before taking another look around and rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. He was nervous. What he was doing was a dangerous game and if he wasn’t careful he and others could get hurt.
The werewolf had a poor sense of self preservation with that body language and choice of words. Mac wondered how he’d survived this long, but he had to work with what he’d been given. Hopefully whatever Peter had would be worth the effort.
“Aye.” He quickly cast a veil on him when no one was looking to obscure him from view until the last of the stragglers had left the building and his staff had locked the door. Once that was done he lifted the veil and poured the lad a stiff drink, sliding it over to the werewolf. “Drink up, you look like you need it.”
All of this was awkward for Peter, as well as dangerous. There was no etiquette with him as of late, especially when he was dealing with this. It was quicker to get things done by just getting straight to the point, a quick in and out.
He sat on a bar stool until Mac could speak to him. He knew that the other man had done something to conceal him, only knowing for sure when one drunkard came right up beside him and looked right at him, or rather through him as if he were invisible. The thought of what he could do while obscured from sight was rather funny to him and a brief smile touched his lips. He did nothing, however, but just sit and patiently wait.
“Thanks,” he said as the drink came his way. He gave a bow of his head in his thanks and then took a long drink before setting it down and staring down into the mug. “I’ve been given orders,” he said quietly, his eyes coming up to meet Mac’s. “This time, an attack on a vampire.”
“Have you now?” Mac settled against the bar and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. It was an unexpected development and a curious one. “Which vampire? A high ranking one I'm sure.”
“Cassius Corbet, Earl of Ravensworth,” Peter said. “Something about an upcoming marriage that I don’t think they like and if they can get it to stink like werewolves then a war between the two could evolve,” he gave a small shrug. “I don’t have much, just a name and to get it done. The men I am in charge of are all game for doing what is needed for it to fail, but to look like a good try.” His eyes met Mac’s. “Whatever you need me to do.”
A thousand years earlier Mac might have sworn at such news. Now he merely raised his hand and rubbed his chin. Vampires going after Una’s betrothed was a curious development indeed. Competition between the Covens was nothing new, but to involve pet wolves was different. The rumblings he’d been hearing lately about a renegade faction were suddenly much more plausible with this bit of information.
“Have you been given instructions as to when and where to carry out the attack or are you able to use your own discretion so long as it is done?”
That would inform what he did next.
Peter took a drink before answering Mac’s question. “My own discretion as long as it gets done,” he answered. “Werewolves and vampires have a history of not liking each other. I know you already know that,” he waved a hand. “They want a war. I don’t understand what they are trying to do by making werewolves look bad, but I guess if they can get their war they don’t care,” he gave a shrug. “I still don’t know the endgame, but whatever it is it’s got to be huge.”
“Who was your contact? Where did you meet and what exactly did they say?” Mac pushed off the back of the bar and studied Peter’s face. Having vampires trying to start a war between wolves and vampires seemed more to be a means to an end than an end on their own. What was the goal, besides removing the head of Ravensworth Coven? By itself that would cause temporary chaos, but the Covens were resilient and the chaos wouldn’t last long.
“There must be more than an assassination planned.”
“Jean,” Peter gave the name of his contact. “It’s all I know. He’s well dressed, seems upper crust in some ways, or at least dresses it. His speech seems more…” he frowned and shook his head. “He speaks as if he isn’t as well educated as he looks.” He rolled his shoulders and then moved his head in an angle for his neck to pop.
“We meet in a clearing in the woods,” he continued on. “It’s where I met with Damian before his demise. I don’t know if they feel comfortable there or just think they can’t be touched,” he shrugged. “And he said that I’ve proven my worth, I...ah...had to kill a man recently, a werewolf that would have upended everything, he challenged me,” he sighed. “He said that since I’ve proven my worth he is going to let me play with a little piece of the puzzle,” he looked at Mac. “I am to kill Cassius Corbet, Lord of Ravensworth when I have the chance to do so. He said it won’t be easy, it could possibly be a suicide mission, but the mission is to kill him and if I don’t succeed the consequence will still fall in their favor,” he finished. “I tried to ask questions, to get him to give me any more information, but he refused and walked away. This is all that I know.”
Mac continued to study him in silence for a moment, debating how much to trust the information the werewolf had given. Peter had come to them in a bid to save his neck from the hangman’s noose and his family from ruin. Both were powerful motivators, but Mac couldn’t help but wonder if he and Luce were being played. He shook his head and dismissed the worry. Either way they had no choice but to treat the information as genuine and plan accordingly.
“Then we’ll plan for you to execute the attack at a time and place of our choosing.”
Peter knew he wasn’t trusted and he didn’t blame Mac. He’d done his part to bring down Lucien before finally gaining his wits about him and trying to turn things around. He was telling Mac everything he knew and when he learned more, he would let them in on this as well. He had made a promise and he was going to keep it, unbelievable or not.
“Alright,” he gave the smallest of a head nod. “Just let me know when and where, I’ll do the attack myself so it goes directly as you plan it.”
“I will.” Mac nodded firmly. “That you can count on lad. Give me two days and I’ll have a plan ready to go over with you, we’ll go over it and you can tweak it to how you need to make it work.” He’d need to send word to Una and her betrothed, to warn them of the plot and plan how to respond.
“Great.” Peter said and started to stand up. “I’ll come back in a couple of days then.” He started to turn and then paused before looking back at Mac. “Thank you,” he said with a small nod of his head. “If you need me for anything, you know where to find me.” Then he turned to walk away, relieved that at least that part of the situation was now over.
Mac assumed the wolf meant no offense at the actual thanks and took it in the spirit it was offered. “You’re welcome. Watch your back lad and I’ll see you in two days.”