by S J Williams
Catching the edge of his emotions, Lucien gave him a quick nod of understanding before disappearing down the hallway.
Sebastian listened intently as Lucien opened the door. He stiffened when he heard a low, husky laugh.
Lucien reappeared, followed shortly by a statuesque woman with long, curling, smoky brown hair and deep, chocolate brown eyes. Her skin was dusky, her nose proudly aquiline and her lips full and inviting. It was a face that had inspired hundreds of artists over the years since her birth in the first century AD.
She swept the room with languid eyes before finally focusing her attention on Effie and Sebastian. He did not like the gleam that entered those eyes when she saw Effie wrapped in his arms. Like a lioness singling out a young gazelle.
“Sonya.” Nero greeted her warily. “What brings you here?”
Reluctantly, Sonya dragged her gaze away and bestowed a gracious smile on Nero.
“I could ask you the same thing, Nero.” She teased. Her voice was deep and throaty. A promise of sultry nights between the sheets.
Nero wasn’t seduced. “I would have thought my motives were perfectly clear. I have come to help immortals who fall under my jurisdiction.”
Sonya raised two perfectly groomed eyebrows. “Then you won’t object to my presence here, Nero, will you?” She turned back to Sebastian and Effie. “After all, wasn’t it I who offered my protection to our famous fugitive?” Her eyes glittered. Sonya never did like it when someone else drew the spotlight. “You must think us all perfect savages for treating you in such a way.”
Effie cleared her throat. “I understand the circumstances are highly unusual.” She said diplomatically. Sebastian was impressed. He’d had many things in his mind to respond to Sonya’s words and none of them were half as polite. Or as masterfully evasive.
Sonya’s smile widened. “You are too generous, my dear.”
Sebastian noted that Effie stiffened ever so slightly when she heard the endearment. It was a favourite of Bartholomew’s, he knew.
“Forgive my bluntness, Sonya,” he said, wanting to draw at least some of her attention away from Effie, “but to what do we owe your generosity?”
Sonya’s eyes met his and her smile opened up, becoming sincere for the first time since she’d entered the room. If Effie had been stiff in his arms before, she now felt like she’d been turned to stone.
Concerned, Sebastian spread out his energy to taste her emotions. He was met with fury and jealousy but also hurt, pain and panic. He hugged her tighter, wishing they had a mental bond through which he could assure her of his complete indifference to Sonya’s invitation.
“You know I could forgive you anything, my dear old friend.” Sonya said, throwing oil on the fire of Effie’s emotions. “As to my generosity, I find this persecution of Effie misguided. After all, what has she done but opened up a new and wonderful door for us.”
“I didn’t write or publish the book,” Effie burst out, just as Henry walked into the room carrying a tray. He paused at the threshold when he saw Sonya, mentally scanning the room to gauge the mood.
“Henry!” Sonya said, giving him one of her practised warm smiles. “You have always been a sensible fellow. Assure Effie that it was no crime to publish the portraits, but rather an innovation.”
Henry raised his eyebrows at her. Sebastian could almost see the speedy calculation going on behind his eyes.
“Whether it was a crime or an innovation,” he said, placing the tray down on the table, “I have nothing to say to Effie because she did not publish that book.”
Sonya pouted. “Oh, not you too? This will be much harder, you know, if you all insist on denying it until the last possible moment.”
“What will be harder, Sonja?” Sebastian asked, locking down his emotions.
Sonya’s eyes glittered again.
“Why, our collective come-out. We need a standard bearer, you see and Effie is so delightfully lovely, she really is the perfect choice.”
“Sonya, what are you talking about?” Nero’s pale eyebrows slid down in a perfect V. “What benefit can we possibly have to gain from coming out to the humans.”
Something dark flashed in those hooded brown eyes. “Oh, everything. It’s long past time we came out of the shadows. Just think of the power we would have if we could be open with our gifts.”
“Sonya!” Nero choked out a laugh. “That’s the kind of speech I’d expect from a half-crazed vampire, but not from you. Think about it. The humans would overrun us. We’d be controlled by them, not the other way around.”
Sonya waved a hand at him. “The humans are already being controlled by a small elite and all they have in their arsenal is money. We already have that advantage. There is nothing to stop us from rising to the top other than our own fear.”
Nero shook his head, at a loss for words. Sonya took that as a sign she had won the argument. Gracing him with a wide smile, she turned back to Sebastian.
“Now, for the true reason for my visit. I understand you are in a spot of bother. You have a vampire on your tail, am I right?”
Sebastian frowned at her. How had Sonya heard that Bartholomew was following them?
“We do,” he said slowly, watching her through narrowed eyes.
Sonya nodded briskly.
“Yes. Ghastly creatures. You must tell me what he wants. After all, I can’t protect you very well if I don’t know the full facts.”
Sebastian glanced at Nero who shrugged, an unhappy grimace on his face.
“While you are currently in my territory, Sonya has a lot of sway over the council who have taken charge of Paris for the duration of their residency here,” he said, almost apologetically. “Her protection is probably worth more than mine in this instance.”
Sebastian gritted his teeth. If it wasn’t for his need to protect Effie, he would never have dreamed of putting himself in the power of someone like Sonya. A nest of snakes might have been a safer bet.
Effie must have just realised what was going on because her emotions surged. She opened her mouth to protest. Before he could think, Sebastian slipped into her mind, using the conduit of their touch, to stop Effie’s tongue. Immediately, he felt her outrage pivot as she realised what he was doing. More than ever, he wished he could explain. Speaking now would be to walk straight into Sonya’s hands. All she had to do was claim insult and she could have Effie detained.
Unfortunately, Catarina didn’t know Sonya as well as he did, and she was out of his reach to give a subtle warning.
“Why are you so keen to protect them, Sonya?” She demanded.
Sonya turned to her, seeming to grow in stature as she stared down her nose at the other immortal.
“Careful Rogue, it is not your place to question me.” She turned expectant eyes on Sebastian. “Well?” She asked silkily.
Everyone looked at Sebastian. Still controlling Effie, he met Sonya’s eyes. There was already a gleam of triumph in them. She knew he would do anything to protect Effie. She was right. Fighting back his misgivings, he explained about Bartholomew and the medallion.
Sonya’s eyebrows shot up as the story unfolded.
“Well,” she said when he’d finished, “this is a fine little pickle you’ve got yourselves in.” Shaking her head, she smiled. “Never fear, I can already see one way I can help you. Give me the medallion. That way, even if this vampire catches up with you, he won’t be able to get his hands on the recipe.”
Sebastian glanced around at the others. Effie, still seething over being controlled, was refusing to meet his eye but Lucien was watching Sonya with a thoughtful expression. He glanced at Sebastian.
“That might be a good idea,” he said slowly. “I can’t imagine anything worse at this stage than letting Bartholomew get hold of the medallion. Whatever happens, we do not want the terms of our coming out to be dictated by a vampire. So long as he doesn’t have the medallion, he can’t take the next step in his plans.”
Sebastian’s lips twisted. He could see Lucien’s
logic, but was Sonya any better than Bartholomew? He glanced at the others. Catarina was still scowling over Sonya’s put down. Henry shrugged at him helplessly.
“Unless you want to keep that medallion on you forever, mate, you might as well give it to the council for safekeeping. At least, this way, Bartholomew can’t keep on threatening Effie directly.”
Sebastian couldn’t argue with that. Using his free hand, he worked the medallion out from under his shirt and held it up.
All smiles again, Sonya took the medallion from him. “Until Friday, then. Do take care to dress appropriately.” That last shot was aimed at Effie as she swept out of the room. Lucien followed her to make sure she was well and truly gone.
As soon as they had disappeared down the hall, Effie burst out of his arms and fled the room. Her feet thundering on the stairs told him precisely where she was going.
He gave the others one last grim look, then followed her. This was not going to be a peaceful night.
Effie ran into the room she shared with Sebastian and slammed the door behind her, but she wasn't fast enough. Sebastian stopped it with one hand and stalked in, filling the room with his presence. He was as furious as she felt, though he was hiding it better.
“Leave. Now.” She ordered, valiantly controlling the tremor in her voice.
“You have to let me explain.” He said, a warning in his eyes.
Effie stared at him in frustration. If she could, she would have picked him up and physically thrown him from the room. Too bad telekinesis wasn’t her superpower.
“I'm about to cry,” She informed him with absolute honesty. “And I want you to leave before I do. You don't have much time.”
If it was possible, the light in his eyes became even more intense. “Threatening me with tears now?”
“No,” She said, struggling past the lump in her throat. “I'm trying to save my dignity.”
He didn't move. “I've seen you cry before.”
“But you're not going to now. Leave.”
“Effie, there was a reason for what I did.”
Effie went very still. “A reason? You had a reason to control me, did you? You think giving me a reason will make it all right?”
“You think I wanted to be put in that position?” His voice had sunk to a dangerous hiss. “I was trying to stop her from turning you into a political pawn.”
“Oh, so turning me into your actual pawn is just fine, is it?” She’d long since given up fighting back the tears that made the room swim around her. Only his face remained clear and she directed all her anger, all her hurt at it.
“Am I a child in your eyes? Completely incapable of fending for myself? Is that why you wouldn’t let me speak? Is that why you let that bitch look at you with those fuck-me eyes? Have you finally realised I’m not good enough for you—” Tears cut off the rest of her words and she turned away, hugging herself.
She didn’t hear him move but arms wrapped themselves around her and drew her back against his chest. Effie held herself rigid but she couldn’t pull away. She knew he would let her go, but being in his arms felt so good, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
“Will you give me the chance to make things right?” He murmured into her hair. She could feel his lips against her scalp. It was so hard not to turn to him, not to melt her resolve, it hurt.
“Don’t bother making promises you can’t keep.” She said bitterly.
His arms loosened but he didn’t let her go. Gently, he turned her to face him and her treacherous body let him. Long fingers under her chin tilted her head up. It would have been childish to avert her gaze, so she met his eyes, willing her stupid tears away. She’d meet him like an equal and not a tortured heroine.
The fire had died in his eyes. He looked, for want of a better word, broken.
“Please. Will you let me explain? I know what it looked like but there was a good reason for silencing you tonight.”
At least his language was honest. She wasn’t sure what convoluted reasoning he would use to justify his actions but at least he told it like it was.
She debated with herself about whether she wanted to hear his excuses. It was pretty clear to her why he had stopped her definitively refusing Sonya’s interference: he saw her as a child. A child he couldn’t trust to know what was good for her. Unfortunately, Sebastian took her silence for consent.
“I was trying not to fall into her trap.” He explained, earnestness creeping into his voice. “She wanted us to challenge her. She enjoys the fight, Effie. I wanted to stop her from forcing us to promise to anything.”
Effie felt anger harden in her heart and she welcomed it. It started a fire which dried her tears up nicely. “That’s your reason?” Disbelief and scorn were thick on her tongue. “Well, that plan worked brilliantly.”
He shook his head. “There wasn’t a better option. Not against her. She’s worse than the average vulture.”
She shook her head and pulled back. He held her for a moment, then let her go. She walked past him and headed towards the open door. If he wouldn’t leave, then she would. She didn’t want to stay in this house anyway, in the room he’d shared with her.
“What are you doing?” He had locked down his emotions but she could hear the alarm in his voice.
“I need to get out. I need to clear my head before I can look at anyone again.” She dared him to stop her.
“It won’t be safe for you out there. Please be reasonable.”
Oh you arrogant man. “I’ll be reasonable when I’ve had a chance to think. Or have you forgotten I’m not a stupid little child who doesn’t have a mind of my own?”
“For goodness sake!” He was doing nothing to hide his frustration now. “I’m not trying to treat you like a child, no matter how hard you make it.”
Effie felt her spine go rigid.
“I’m so sorry that my bid to make choices about my own life is making things difficult for you.” She shot over her shoulder as she threw the door open.
He caught her arm. “Don’t do this.” His eyes pleaded with her. She ignored the tug on her heart and looked coldly down at her arm.
“Let go.”
Slowly, his fingers uncurled. She swept out of the room, his anguished presence a shadow at her back.
She stormed out of the back door, not wanting to see any of the others. She hadn’t walked to the end of the street, however, when a shout behind her made her pause. Only for an instant, then she was off again, anger straightening her spine and making her movements jerky.
“Effie, hang on.” Henry caught up with her.
“Don’t you dare stop me.” She snapped. “Don’t you dare tell me I need to stay inside like a good little girl.”
“Okay, then. I won’t.” Henry fell into step beside her.
She side-eyed him suspiciously. “If you’re going to start lecturing to me about listening to reason, forget it. I’m not ready to listen.”
“I know. That’s why I made Sebastian stay behind.” He looked at her from the corner of his eye. “He wanted to come after you, you know.”
She snorted. “I know. He’s probably dying to explain why what he did was perfectly right and reasonable and, when I didn’t agree, he’d just control me and make me go back where he can keep me nice and safe.”
Henry grimaced. “Yeah. That sounds about right.”
She snorted again, but more ruefully the second time.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, following the twisting, cobbled streets of Montmartre up towards the basilica of Sacre Cœur.
Finally, Henry said, “I can understand why you’re angry. Apart from the whole controlling thing. Sonya has put us in an impossible position.”
Effie felt her anger spark up again. “And you think I’m just going to go along with it, like a pawn for her to push around as she feels like it?”
Henry didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to. His silence spoke volumes. She growled and sped up, powering up the hill as if she could esc
ape all her problems that way.
“We couldn’t have stopped her.” Henry said at last, his breathing annoyingly even while hers came out in harsh gasps, though from anger or exertion, she wasn’t sure. “She has a lot of sway on the council, you know.”
“I’m sure she’s very popular in bed.” Effie spat.
Henry barked out a laugh before sobering again. “Please don’t blame Sebastian for this.”
“So you listened to our conversation, did you?” Stupid, nosey…
Henry coughed. “We… couldn’t really help it, Effie.”
Effie’s heart stuck in her throat and her feet faltered. Everyone. even Nero, had heard her and Sebastian’s argument.
“We weren’t even shouting.” She moaned, furious with herself now.
“You didn’t have to.” Henry said apologetically.
She scoffed and launched herself forward again. “You didn’t have to listen.” And didn’t that sound petty?
“But, please. It wasn’t Sebastian’s fault.”
“Hah.” She laughed bitterly.
He gave her a sideways look.
“He controlled me when I was about to speak,” she burst out. “It was like I couldn’t move my tongue. He made me feel so stupid, so childish. And that woman was just lapping him up with her eyes. I felt like a doll. A doll he’s just presented to his mistress with a bow tied around her neck.”
“You know he doesn’t see you like that.” Henry grabbed her arm, a touch of impatience in his voice.
“Don’t tell me what I do and don’t know.” She snarled. “Sebastian is perfectly capable of thinking that all the centuries he has on me means that he knows best.”
She wrenched at her arm, trying to get him to let go. He held on.
“He does.” He said quietly.
“I’m sorry?” She asked, momentarily confused.
“He does act all high and mighty sometimes. But he hasn’t been doing so recently. Not with you.”
“What are you talking about?” She scowled at him.
“Before, when you knew him before.” Henry was speaking quickly now, excited by something. “That was how he acted at times. You were working on him, trying to break him of the habit. You would set up these little surprises for him, shake his confidence a little. You turned it into a game.”
