Crimson Ties

by V L Moon

  Vampires and wolves mingled in the hallways. Laughter rang. Darklon stalked through all of it with barely controlled disdain. The stench of the wolves soured his stomach, but he searched every face, intent on finding one. He’d warned Roman, and the youngster hadn’t listened. Chamberlin was going to pay for Roman’s disobedience.

  In the main foyer, a small knot of people gathered near the office doors. Tobias, Jorn, Kimberly and Saul stood with their heads together, whispering furiously. Noticeably absent were Roman and Malachi. Interest piqued, Darklon found a spot along the wall and settled in to watch them.

  “They’ve been there for about fifteen minutes.” The voice startled him, and he barely controlled the flinch. He whipped his head around to glare at the intruder. A smug smile met his eyes. “I’m Khurn. I watched you yesterday during that farce they called a treaty.” The wolf’s gaze slid back to the quartet across the larger foyer. Darklon’s eyes narrowed.

  “And why should I care who you are?” The question was rude as intended and conveyed all of his contempt for the treaty and the wolf. Khurn appeared unaffected by the snub.

  “Because, we have the same agenda,” Khurn maintained his surveillance of the group across the way.

  “I doubt that, wolf. You have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of,” he sneered.

  “Darklon De Sangue, the ranking Elder of the Vampire Council, second only in title to Malachi Denali.” Khurn turned back to give Darklon a challenging look. “That must rankle considering you were an Elder when he was but a babe at his mother’s teat.”

  The buzzing in his mind exploded. He rounded on the Alpha and plunged into his mind, locking his muscles. He crowded close with fangs on full display. Khurn struggled. Darklon felt the powerful muscles vibrating against his hold and relished the defiance in the wolf’s eyes.

  “You dare much, wolf. I could end you here and now by stopping your heart with just a thought. You are less than nothing to me. Your race is as fragile as the human cattle that roam the streets when faced with my kind.” Blood leaked from Khurn’s nose. The buzzing escalated, the voices sang for blood.

  “I smell your fear, pup. So, you’ll have to forgive me if I find it hard to believe you signed a peace treaty with the vampires with the intention of imprisoning or murdering the male who postures as the king?” Darklon allowed the predatory smile to curve his lips. “But, you’ve piqued my interest.” He eased back and leaned nonchalantly against the wall. “Just how did you intend to carry out this plan?”

  If Khurn was surprised at his words, the Alpha didn’t show it. The violence in his eyes sharpened and was then masked. Khurn straightened his clothes, cleared his throat and appeared to consider his words. “I held no illusions of getting close to your king.”

  “He is not my king,” Darklon snapped.

  A smirk tilted the corners of Khurn’s thin lips. “And so, I did read you correctly.” At Darklon’s shrug, he continued. “I got the distinct impression you have about as much respect for Denali as i do for Jorn Chamberlin. Perhaps, we could join forces and insure that one or both of them are taken out of the equation.” The wolf tapped his chin thoughtfully, and his eyes narrowed. “I don’t think I’m reaching when I say you fancy that throne for your own ass?”

  “No more so than you want the Summus title.” Darklon agreed.

  “Touché, vampire,” Khurn drawled. His gaze shifted back to the four across the hall. “I had hoped to arrange an accident while we were here, a fatal one for Chamberlin, but he’s never far from Roman, Denali, or the Captain of the Guard.” Roman’s name sparked a bone deep hatred in Darklon. The betrayal by the younger Elder festered in his gut. His own heated stare fell on Tobias Chamberlin. An idea germinated.

  “If I agree to include you in my plans, you will follow my direction without question?” Darklon said. “I brook no disobedience.” Or betrayal. “And, if you have objections to the Nephilim, all contact is severed now.”

  Khurn’s gaze snapped to his face. A question screamed into Darklon’s mind. He laughed and shook his head. “As a matter of fact, I did not send the Nephilim to attack the packs. Their queen made that decision all on her own.” Without turning his head, he noticed the stares they were garnering from vampires and wolves alike. He inclined his head. “I think we’ve drawn enough interest for now. We’ll talk later. I’ll find you by your stench. When do you leave to tend to your litter back home?”

  Khurn’s eyes shuttered at the insult, but he maintained an amicable smile for any onlookers. “Don’t worry yourself about my pack. I left my bitch to entertain them in my absence. I think she may actually learn her lesson this time. If servicing a dozen randy, former Alphas doesn’t break her willful streak, I may have to investigate other possibilities. They’ll enjoy the extra time with her I’m sure.”

  Darklon’s estimation of the male rose a few notches. “I don’t think I have to tell you to shield your thoughts. There are ones among us who can read you as easily as I did, and Denali is one of them.” Darklon admitted the last grudgingly, but the wolf needed to know the capabilities of his adversary.

  “And for fuck’s sake, if you happen to be in the room with Laziel, you better be a sheet of blank paper and get the fuck away from him. As much as I hate the bastard, his power is absolute. If he reads what I did, you will not draw your next breath, and you will never fucking see it coming. He is death personified when Denali is threatened.”

  At Khurn’s dubious look, Darklon poked him in the chest with a long index finger. “I’ve warned you. If you don’t heed that warning, it’s your pelt that will decorate his wall. Laziel is not Fallen; he maintains all of Heaven’s power. Don’t you think I would have taken Denali down before now if he wasn’t protected so viciously? Heed my words, Khurn. Don’t fuck with the angel.”

  The powwow across the way broke up, drawing their attention. Kimberly and Tobias entered Roman’s office while Jorn and Saul headed for the section of the enclave reserved for the wolves.

  “Where’s Denali?” Khurn asked. “No one has seen him since the party last night?”

  “Most likely returned to Rome,” Darklon answered, working hard to keep his voice level. And reunited with his whore; all thanks to Roman. The whispers hissed in his ears. Paranoia skated along his flesh. The newly awakened lust stretched. Darklon inclined his head. “Guard yourself, wolf. We shall talk later.” With a thought, he ported out of the enclave and took form once again in the mountains.

  ~*~*~*~

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  ~*~*~*~

  Italy

  Light poured through the stained glass window, filling the small room with a rainbow of warmth. No one would find them there. Arial smirked at Gregori’s earlier affirmation. The holy pontiff obviously didn’t know Malachi as well as he thought. But then, who did? Other than Laziel, Malachi rebuked any form of affection, classing it as a weakness. But whose weakness was it? Theirs or his own?

  After their clash within Laziel’s chapel, Arial wasn’t so sure any more. The pain in Malachi’s eyes was clear evidence the bastard felt something, even if he did try to hide it behind the same old mask of fury he always wore.

  “Stubborn fucking mule,” Arial ground out as he stretched his legs along the bare wooden floor and let his head fall back. A sharp stab of pain radiated from his throat, causing him to visibly wince. “Shit!” he cursed when his fingers touched the oozing wound.

  Why hadn’t it healed? He’d never been bitten before, and in all likelihood, he wouldn’t be ever again. If Malachi tried that shit for a second time, Arial wouldn’t be so fucking soft next time around. He’d put the fucker down before he ripped out his throat.

  “Try it, and see how far you get with that motherfucker.” Laziel’s deep resonating voice filled the room. “You’ll be wearing your balls as earmuffs for the foreseeable future.”

  “I like my balls where they are thank you very much. And, stop doing that.” Arial scowled. “Fuck, it’s so weird to see you in fem
ale form and hear that voice.” Arial responded with a curt, clipped reply.

  “That damn vamp of yours needs to calm his shit down. The fucker’s losing it big time. He needs you, Laziel. I’ve never seen him like this. There’s no reasoning with him. He’s dangerous, and sooner or later someone’s going to get hurt. I just hope for your sake it’s not your vamp. You’re under enough stress right now without him acting like the proverbial spoiled child.” Arial huffed and moved to lean against the chaise lounge where Lorenza’s petite form reclined.

  “How did it happen, and no, I don’t mean the obvious. I’m well aware of what goes on between you and your King. What I’m confused about and somewhat pissed about is how after all of the years of allegiance to you both, I never knew?” Arial shook his head.

  “I could have damned well killed your vampire, and he was innocent of wrong doing. I thought he’d found another, denied your love. I wanted to hurt him, make him pay for refuting the love burning inside of Laziel—inside of you.” Arial’s throat refused to swallow the lump growing there when he turned his head to stare at Loz. Delicately, he placed his huge calloused palm on Loz’s swollen abdomen. Tears stung his eyes when a very feminine hand came to rest over his own and squeezed.

  “Look after him for me brother. Please. I know he can be a little hard to handle but he’s mine. He’s a part of me, of us. I love him. Keep him alive; keep him safe, so he’ll have the chance to meet his young.” Laziel’s voice cracked, and Arial lifted Loz’s sobbing form off of the chair and settled her against his chest.

  A surge of raw celestial emotion swamped the dowdy hiding place and bathed the room in its unearthly scent. Arial’s eyes misted as he lost the fight against the well of black tears. They streamed down his face and pooled on the floor. “There is nothing I wouldn’t do for you, both of you. You’re the only family I have.” Arial replied hoarsely.

  Loz’s hand pressed against his face, forcing Arial to meet her gaze. It was strange seeing the familiar, ever-changing eyes of his Seraphim friend in a feminine face; yet, there was no mistaking Laziel’s presence. A warm honey colored glow danced in the depths. Arial had long since recognized the shift in color went with Laziel’s mood and smiled at the sense of brotherly love that made their friendship so unique.

  “Might as well get used to the idea of wearing earmuffs then, huh? Whether it’s you or Malachi, looks like my balls are going on a permanent vacay until you get home; which is where you should be now.” He arched a brow at the stubborn female. “At least there, you’d have that crazy assed vamp and the guards to help keep you safe until this little one makes itself known.” He virtually pleaded with them and pressed his lips against Loz’s open palm.

  “Don’t you see? That’s exactly why I can’t go back. I’ve never been capable of knowing my own destiny. Other people, yes, I see them to some degree. I instinctively know how fate needs to be played out. But my own destiny, it’s a blur. I have no idea what hand it’s dealing me. If I did, I wouldn’t be here. Darklon would be dead and Lachi…he….” Emotion clogged Laziel’s voice. Arial clearly saw just how desperately the Seraphim pined for the touch of his male.

  He watched, feeling useless while Lorenza tried to pull herself together. Arial averted his gaze to afford her a bit of privacy and spied the picture he’d shown Malachi earlier. Surreptitiously, he attempted to hide the picture of Vischeral Bourne lying on the bare wooden floor.

  Malachi’s harsh words stoked Arial’s curiosity. He knew Loz saw the picture when her pained words fought back another round of tears. “Lachi would have had his wish; his dream. But, I was selfish. I loved him too much to let him go. I still do; yet, Vischeral’s destiny was always to be crossed with Lachi’s.” She swiped at the tears, sending rubies dancing across the floor.

  “I couldn’t bear it, even though there was nothing I could do to stop it. Seeing them together took something from me. It was only a single kiss, but I felt the desire and longing running through them. I felt cheated. Lachi was mine, but Vischeral gave him the one thing I hadn’t. He gave Lachi happiness and friendship, a friendship that if left alone could have grown into something more.”

  Lorenza drew a shuddering breath. “I should have walked away that night and left Lachi for good as he found solace in Vischeral’s arms. However, destiny saw fit to rear its ugly head and fill my heart with such rage. I wanted to kill him; I wanted to rip Vischeral’s soul apart and send it to Hell. If Lachi hadn’t stopped me, I would have. Vischeral nearly died by my hand. I would have become Fallen that night if not for Lachi. He saved Vischeral and he saved me. But even as I healed him, I took the memory of that night and the kiss they shared. I plucked it from Vischeral’s mind like a thief.”

  In his lap, Loz curled into a protective ball around her distended belly. “If I’d just left them, walked away and ascended back to my Creator’s side, Lachi would have had his happiness and Vischeral would have been a force to be reckoned with at Lachi’s side. So you see, Arial, my vampire’s right. Those words he said, the ones you’re trying so hard to shield, they’re right.” Her soft voice wobbled.

  “Vischeral is my hang up; he is also my burden to bear.” Shocked at the whispered words, Arial tilted Lorenza’s head up and met her solemn grey gaze.

  “Brother…Loz, whatever. Fuck! Laz, you know that’s not entirely right. You didn’t know what hand fate was dealing you. You said it yourself. Where your own destiny is concerned, you’re virtually blind. And, forgive me for saying so, but this Vischeral Bourne has to be as much a part of your destiny as he is Malachi’s, otherwise you would have foreseen Darklon’s treachery.”

  Arial shoved a hand through his dreads. “After everything that’s happened since the night you stole the memory of their kiss, it should convince you that where we are today, is the right path. How can you say Vischeral is your burden? If anything, he is the reason you’re here today; Like this, a celestial entity, the last of your kind. Or, you were the last. Until now. Laziel, come on brother, you need to go home. Tell Malachi; let him see the outcome of the love you share.” Arial pleaded though he could tell he was banging his head against a proverbial brick wall. Still, he had to try and make Laziel see sense.

  “You don’t get it do you? This persona was the guise that kept the Elders at bay. While Lachi wined and dined me in this form, the Elders believed Lachi would produce an heir. Neither of us saw this coming.” Loz stroked over the rounded swell of her stomach and sighed.

  “As strange as this may seem, the ability to choose gender was never an issue before. When I took the Creator’s side, I stayed in the male form to guard and protect our Heavenly Father and the underling angels. The strength that came with my chosen form barely registered the feminine persona of Loz. The weakness of this form and the emotional sentimentality that made up what you now see before you was virtually vanquished by masculine dominance.

  She glanced up at him, such an oddity with her beautiful feminine face and Laz’s deep voice. “I never knew it was possible for my kind to bear young. To my knowledge, I’m the only Seraphim that had the ability to change gender. This,” Loz waved feminine hands over her female physique. “This is not what Lachi wants. To him, this part of me is flawed, an ugly abomination. Its only use is to fool the Elders. Lachi abhors this form, detests the genteel nature of Loz and the emotional weakness that being in her form represents.”

  As he spoke the harsh truths, Laziel’s voice trembled. “I have no idea what ailment caused the balance within me to shift and all but drown me in a soup of female pheromones. It overpowered me that night, and aided Loz in overstaying her welcome. But I know Lachi, and I know that vampire will never accept it, never accept Loz on a permanent basis.”

  The deep voice changed to feminine softness. “Even at the height of passion, I pleaded for Lachi to love this form. It was Laziel’s name he called out, Laziel’s touch and heat he yearned for, not this. I would be punishing him by going back now. Knowing that Laziel was there but unable to take
form would be too cruel an act to bestow upon him, on us. As Loz, I am but a vessel, one that for both our sakes must stay away until the day when Laziel can return.”

  Her gaze dropped back to her stomach. “It’s not that I think Lachi can’t protect us. Of that, I am sure…no, positive about. I trained him; I know he can protect us. I just can’t bear to see the accusation on his face every time he looks at me, knowing he’s craving the one part of me he cannot have.”

  Arial grasped those small hands in his own. His head tipped forward until their joined hands pressed against his deeply furrowed brow. He understood far more than he thought Laziel or Loz would ever realize. For centuries, he’d been hiding, living in denial of how he really felt about the circumstances surrounding his Fallen status. Who the fuck was he to look upon Laziel’s situation and lay scorn at his brethren angel’s feet?

  He knew Laziel was scared, and it wasn’t the sort of fear that came with the onset of war where you feared for your kin or those you’d promised to protect. This was something new. Laziel was scared of Malachi’s possible rejection of Loz and their young if Laziel could no longer assume the vampire king’s preferred masculine form. The scent of his fear coated the back of Arial’s throat. He drank it down memorizing the bouquet.

  Arial knew without a doubt there was more to the legendary tale of Laziel and the vampire king, including how Malachi’s creation was allowed to come about. Only one other knew the terrifying truth linked with Laziel’s love for the vampire and what would happen if Malachi rebuked the celestial’s love. The Creator had taken a great risk by allowing the last of the mighty Seraphim to walk the Earth and forge a union with a soul he’d created. Indeed, the seriousness of the dilemma they faced could tip the balance between good and evil. Worse, it could destroy the barriers between Heaven and Hell and spew forth all kinds of unmentionable evil upon the human realm.