I could taste it though, and I reveled in it. Oh, there was hatred too, but I had spent most of my life feeling that hatred. I understood it now, which meant I could manipulate them. Brom had devised a plan which would cast the stones of fate into the ocean of politics. Tonight, the Syndicates would know they must change or burn.
I had to make sure I controlled my powers or risk their immediate attack.
“Ready?” Hei-Sook asked from where she stood at my side.
I searched the crowd once more, knowing Brom, Romulus, and Merlin were out there waiting. Unable to help it, I looked for Madam Jupiter and my stepsisters, but when I had asked after them earlier, Hei-Sook had shaken her head. They hadn’t accepted the invitation, not that I had truly expected them to. It was a clear message, though, that we did not part on cordial terms. Many of the people below were her allies, and I only had three. I felt a feral smile form. But what powerful allies I had.
I nodded to the fox spirit, who spoke into her headset. The string quartet ended their set with a flourish and began packing up. Their services would no longer be needed as tonight would be unlike any other presentation celebration the Syndicates had seen in generations.
I stepped out of the shadows and into view, every gaze turned upwards towards me as if pulled by my gravity. I was silent as I looked down over the crowd.
People in that crowd had schemed for my mother’s death. Already they watched me, observing me, calculating how best to strike me and rid them of the threat I posed.
It would be so easy to hold out my hands and burn them where they stood, corralled in my own dominion. I could sow the earth with their ashes and grow a new world. A better world.
“Good evening,” I called out just as people began to shift nervously. “I am Eleanora Bediver, the rightful heir of Thaddius Bediver and the Bediver Legacy. I have claimed that legacy and the responsibilities which that entails.”
I let them absorb my words for a moment, making a point to move my gaze over the room. I found Brom’s eyes. My heartbeat sounded fiercely in my chest. The smallest hint of a smirk tilted his lips and he bowed his head ever so slightly. I held all the strength to defeat those against me in this room, but with the men at my side—my courage could never falter.
“Many of those in this room tonight wish me dead,” I stated plainly, and the ripple of shock in the crowd was nearly visible. Brom had spoken of the slight moves, the loaded whispers, the dealings in shadows. I would shine light on it all. “You believe me a phoenix. The one cursed to destroy your world. To destroy you.” I paused, taking a breath to steady myself. On my exhale, flames erupted along my bare arms, and I spread them wide until it looked as if I were an avenging angel. But I would not tell them to fear not.
“I am the phoenix,” I declared. “And you cannot extinguish me.”
The fire raced through me, my anger growing as I watched their eyes fill with fear and hatred. The flames grew, extending out over the crowd as they clutched at one another, terrified. I felt the hum of magic rise below me and my gaze shot towards the warlock preparing to strike, the flames circling towards him.
No.
I wrestled the flames back within me, my skin barely pink from their heat. The silence was near deafening.
As Brom had predicted, the crowd had drawn back away from me, leaving a clear space perfect for his goal. Movement caught my eye and I watched the three men make their way towards me.
“Let it be known that I am not the meek, helpless child that Madam Jupiter had convinced you. I know what power she holds over many of you, and to you I say this: She fears me. She. Fears. Me.” I tilted my head and gentled my voice. “But I have no desire for death, nor destruction. Fire can bring light, clarity. It can help life grow. It is only when you get too close that it burns. Respect the phoenix, respect me, and this world can flourish.”
The crowd parted and my men now stood side by side below me, their faces turned upward. Every person in this room knew who they were, knew what positions they held. They were the future of the Syndicates. They wondered if the men would strike me, or if they would denounce me.
They could not see the love which shone in their eyes as they looked at me.
And as they took a knee, bowing their heads in respect, the magical underworld had their answer. The heirs of their world were loyal to me.
For all of that bravado, I was exhausted. My lovers had risen as one and climbed the staircase to the balcony and stood at my side while the people below us had spoken frantically at the implications of their support. I wanted to wilt back against them, to draw their strength into me.
But I did not have that time, as Merlin reminded me.
“The Oracle is in the study,” he said, his hand coming to rest gently on my elbow.
I steeled myself. I knew this was a meeting that needed to be had. “Thank you,” I said, leaning forward to press a kiss against Merlin’s cheek.
“Proud of you, luv,” he said quietly as we walked towards the back staircase that would let me seek out the Oracle in private. I could hear the heavy beat of the music thrum through the house as the DJ we’d hired started up. If my declaration hadn’t scared away most of the upright members of society, the music certainly would. I started as I meant to go on, subverting their sensibilities and expectations.
Brom and Romulus walked ahead of us, and were flanking the door to the study like devastatingly handsome guardians.
Merlin let his hand fall away from me and I wished, just for a moment, that I could let myself be weak and ask them to join me. I knew they would if I asked, and that would have to be enough. I met Brom’s dark eyes and saw the multitude of questions in their depths. I nodded, a slight movement, and he opened the door for me. I raised my head high, and stepped through, Romulus reaching out to brush his fingers against my hand in support. They may not be at my side, but they were within me. Forever and always.
The door shut behind me, cocooning the room in silence. Not even the low bass of the music down the hall reverberated within the room.
I looked towards the person sitting behind my father’s grand desk, my mother’s rowan box the only thing on it.
They watched me, a soft smile tilting their lips as I observed them. I began to fully understand how they were neither male nor female, something of this world but also . . . not. They were more than this world. For all of that, they looked incredibly ordinary. Dark hair cropped closely to their skull, skin the color of burnished sand, their eyes the color of tiger’s eye gemstone. Their vermilion and gold tunic hung loose around them, giving them an appearance of being hidden from the world even as each movement made it seem as if they moved through a different layer of reality. It was as if they were the opposite of a black hole, shining light and pushing the world away from them.
“Many others have contemplated my existence without comprehension,” they spoke. Their voice reminded me of the sound of the wooden wind chimes Beatrice had grown fond of for a time.
“Merlin tried to explain,” I replied, staying where I was. “I thought I was prepared.”
They smiled, their teeth bright against their dark lips. They gestured to my mother’s box. “Have you not tried to open it?”
I cocked my head. I wanted to reply that there were no hinges nor seams. But instinct told me the Oracle expected a more considerate answer.
“It tingles when I touch it,” I answered at length. “I have not tried to use my magic on it.”
They nodded, their gaze arresting me, holding my body captive with just a look. They folded their hands together and rested their chin on their knuckles.
“You are a phoenix,” they observed. “You could simply burn the box.”
“And destroy what is inside?” I challenged.
“You cannot control your own fire?”
I inhaled at their sharp retort. Their question pierced me with the accuracy of a laser sight on a sniper’s rifle. That was the crux of my fear. That I would unleash a fire that would burn ou
t of my control until it consumed me and the entire world.
The Oracle looked down at the box once more, their eyes returning to mine with a clear instruction.
Slowly, I approached the desk and held my hand above the rowan box. I looked at the Oracle, who watched me with a steady gaze, and focused on conjuring a small flame in my palm. I gritted my teeth as I held back the rush of fire I felt building inside of me, only allowing drips of flames to fall against the box.
Instead of burning, however, the box absorbed each drop until, at last, a small pop came from the box. I pulled my hand back, the fire disappearing with a disgruntled sigh, and felt my eyes go wide as the box now looked different.
Charred runes ran around the side of the box, inscriptions which meant nothing to me but certainly meant something to the Oracle based on the interest in their eyes.
“Well?” they asked me.
I reached forward and picked it up, the tingling sensation no longer present. Inside, nestled carefully in very old black velvet was a deck of cards. I tilted the box towards the Oracle.
“May I?” they asked and reached for the cards when I nodded. They flipped through the deck, the soft smile returning to their face. “These are very old, Ms. Bediver. I have not seen this set for some time. Tell me”—they looked up at me, their head tilted in interest—“Have you ever had your cards read?”
“These are tarot cards?” I asked, though really it made sense. I shook my head. “No, I’ve never had anyone offer. And I’m not sure how much stock I’d put in them.”
They laughed quietly as they split the deck and fanned each half into an arc before them. They spoke as they studied the facedown cards. “You, who holds the power of fire, lover of a lycan, warlock, and a vampire, question the validity of foresight?”
“I question the validity of predestined lives,” I countered. Still, I watched aptly as they began to select cards and arrange them carefully before them.
“I live outside of time,” they continued. “I have seen what has, what is, and what may be. The thing about destiny is that it happens, no matter what the person tries to do to circumvent fate. No one ever really knows their true destiny. They may have an idea, or be convinced of their calling. But the universe will have its plan, and it is never the one that a person expects.”
I crossed my arms, uncertain if I was uncomfortable with the topic or impatient. “So, what’s your destiny?”
“Why should I tell you?” they countered. “Why not ask after your own, or your lovers?”
That made me look away. I let my gaze roam over my father’s books, his presence here stronger than anywhere else in the house—even his room. They let me brood in silence, the cards drawn and their hands folded patiently in their lap.
“I’m afraid,” I answered honestly.
“Then you are wise,” they replied with the same quiet tone. “Everyone who comes before me may ask a question. Our time grows close to its end.” They gestured to the cards. “Pick a card.”
I reached forward, and their hand closed tightly around my wrist, preventing me from grabbing the closest one.
“Carefully, my fire-filled one,” they warned me. “This is not something to be done rashly.”
They released me and I hesitated. I looked at the cards, not sure of what I was doing. They were the color of shadows, with no clear design on the back, but . . . if I squinted, I could just make out figures in their darkness. These shadows held secrets just as the flames within me held answers.
I looked back to the Oracle. “Here is my question: What would you tell me?”
The Oracle smiled with pride and satisfaction.
“I would offer you this: Nec mortem effugere quisquam nec amorem potest.”
I frowned. “What does it mean?”
But the Oracle shook their head and I snorted. Right. I had asked my question. I looked back down to the cards, thinking. They had pulled six cards from the double arc, one for each point of the compass, and two in the middle—one perpendicular to the one beneath it. I reached for the card which would have been the northern point and flipped it over.
Death.
Chapter 14
Eleanora
I nursed the glass of champagne as I reclined in my seat set on a raised dais above the crowd. The music had done exactly what we had expected—drove away everyone adhering to the old ways. I idly wondered what Bonnie and the rest of the staff thought of my escape from convention, but tonight gave me the freedom I needed.
If I could get the meeting with the Oracle out of my thoughts.
Brom stood at the edge of the dais, looking out over the tumbling and dancing crowd like a king inspecting his lands. I had one leg thrown casually over Romulus’s knee and Merlin leaned against the wall behind me. They had been surprisingly silent since my return. I was almost thankful for the loud music and the distracting lights from the DJ in the middle of the ballroom.
Hei-Sook stood a few feet away, attentive but still far enough to grant us the illusion of privacy. It really had been a brilliant idea to bring her into the household.
“Aren’t you going to ask what happened?” My patience finally snapped, looking at Romulus, then over my shoulder at Merlin.
The warlock shrugged and came around to rest on the arm of the chair. He’d shucked his suit’s jacket in some corner, obstinately refusing to let Hei-Sook hang it up.
“Meeting with the Oracle is a pretty private thing,” he said, his gaze going unfocused. “I don’t even remember my last meeting, I drank so heavily afterwards.”
I placed my hand on his thigh, concerned. What could have driven him to such excess? Merlin was powerful, incredibly so, but in that moment I saw a fracture inside of him. It was hidden deep within, but it was there—and I swore that I would protect him with everything I had.
“Do you want us to ask?” Romulus’s voice was low as he stroked my calf. It was a touch meant to be reassuring, but any touch of his had the habit of turning me on and this was no different. I nodded and he smiled, squeezing my leg. “What did they say to you?”
“I have no idea,” I answered with a humorless laugh. “I don’t speak Latin, and I’m certain that’s what they spoke.”
“Try us,” Brom said as he spun to face us.
I was stunned for a moment at how incredibly powerful he looked in that moment. Brom had always looked delectable in his tailored suits, but this . . . was an entirely new level. His fitted suit was sleek, black as ink, and sharp enough to be intimidating. Even with the jacket unbuttoned, the white shirt a stark contrast to the rest of him, it did nothing to soften the image he presented. He was dangerous, at the height of his power, and I swallowed hard as I was reminded that Brom was a predator masquerading as a gentleman.
I tried to gather my wits together enough to repeat what the Oracle had told me. I must have gotten it close enough as Brom tilted his head, his eyes shuttered.
“Huh,” Merlin grunted and I poked him in the chest.
“Care to share with the class?” They didn’t need to draw it out.
“None may flee from death or love,” Brom answered.
I thought of the tarot card I’d drawn. Death. I sucked in a breath, and Romulus reached for my hand, seeking to comfort me. I drained the rest of my champagne quickly. Hei-Sook came over and took the glass from me.
“Remember the Mortus Lux?” I asked the fox spirit. She raised an elegant black eyebrow and nodded.
“I’ll be back with four.”
I looked back to the vampire, who still seemed to be thinking hard, given the ruthless calculating look in his eyes.
“Brom? Are you all right?” I asked, uncertain if I should be concerned for him or whomever he was plotting against.
“It seems our paths were always meant to be, little bird,” he answered, stepping forward to run his fingertips over my lips before holding my chin firmly. He bent down and kissed me with a harsh hunger, his fangs nipping my lower lip and making me heavy with want. He pulle
d back and his eyes were nearly black, and I shuddered. “The world will be beautiful covered in your fire.”
He pulled back and looked between Merlin and Romulus. “It seems it is my time to ascend, gentlemen.”
“Don’t fuck around, Brom,” Romulus growled. “Why now?”
“Listen to the wolf,” Merlin said, his face marred with a frown. “You don’t need to clean house.”
Brom grinned, and this time I knew the shiver was a primal instinct of fear, thousands of years of survival instinct telling me to run from this predator or be devoured.
“Too long our world has been plagued with corruption and shallow desires. Our families move for power over a small piece of the world. They’ve spent generations perfecting their squabbles. We must become more than what we are now.” Brom spun on his heel and took two long strides before leaping up onto a pulsating speaker with the grace of a panther.
I scrambled to my feet, Romulus a moment behind me, and the three of us watched as Brom stalked towards the stage. The DJ noticed his presence and the music lowered even as the vampire was handed something small by the musician.
“Oh, for a voice like thunder.” Brom’s voice rumbled out from the speakers. The dancers slowed, their gaze being pulled towards Brom. Where the Oracle had pushed their light into the world, Brom was the king of darkness. He had the gravity of a black hole, inherently dangerous and demanding. No one was able to resist his pull as he commanded the room. “And a tongue to drown the throat of war! When the senses are shaken, and the soul is driven to madness, who can stand?”
The hair on my arms began to stand as Brom’s power washed over us. This was a vampire at his height—he was not beguiling a single person but hundreds.
“When the souls of the oppressed fight in the troubled air that rages, who can stand? When the whirlwind of fury comes from the Throne of God, when the frowns of his countenance drive the nations together, who can stand?”
Beautiful Secrets: The Complete Trilogy Page 22
