by Lexi Ostrow
She heard the chains tug on the wall as he lunged for her. “I’ll kill you, bitch. Before this is all over.”
Her laughter rang out in the small cell, and she couldn’t seem to stop. “You have brave words for a man, who moments before was lapping at my blood as if it was the best tonic you’d ever tasted.”
Kellan’s deep growl filled the cell.
“You do that far too oft, hunter. I never found it intimidating, but now I simply find it dull.”
Seraphina flashed to her chambers and tugged her dress off, letting it drop to the floor. Neal was already there, as he should be. Her favorite play toy was naked, and his prick was beautifully erect as he lay stretched on her bed.
Izazal never failed to remember orders, and she’d ordered that Neal, or any other with his prowess, be there every time she saw Kellan. Blood sharing was sensual, and now that she knew the bit of mystical in the hunter’s blood intensified it, she felt infinitely better for craving touch after it.
“My Queen, you are as beautiful as ever.”
Seraphina looked around the room, searching for her own private demon, for Demetrious. Demetrious’ specter had been missing since she’d begun feeding Kellan her blood, but she knew, thanks to Lucius, the nightmare would always be there.
“You have no reason to flatter me, Neal. Your body services me, and I have no intention of ending this affair tonight in any way beside our mutual screams of pleasure.”
His grin was enticing, and she felt a liquid heat growing within her. Any thought of Kellan vanished as she looked over the sculpted form of the naked ice demon. In an instant, she flashed from the door to the bed and wasted no time impaling herself on him, doing whatever she could with their bodies to make her forget the Irish little of Kellan’s voice.
Jacob strolled leisurely through the courtyard. Summer wasn’t the most pleasant time in London, but he far preferred it to the nastiness of winter and the dreariness of fall. Humidity settled around him with every step he took, but he didn’t care. Being one in a long line of bastards to the king came with plenty of perks to outweigh the negative of it all.
He had scrumptious foods, a roof over his head when he chose to frequent court, fashionable clothing and plenty of pleasantries to pass the time. There was never a want of women. They weren’t the highest born, but they were good in bed, and he wasn’t interested in settling down with a good woman, anyway. He wanted one with a spirit of her own and that rarely existed amongst the ton—except where the woman of the Alliance of Silver and Steam were concerned.
The Alliance of Silver and Steam had been born out of a need to protect the city after a Royal had been caught in an attack by none other than a demon. Most of the court had no clue about the demons lurking in the shadows and masquerading as humans. Those at the heart of the royal family did, which, despite being a bastard, included him. Jacob, as the council representative for the Royals, was the only member of the court who dealt directly with the Alliance.
He’d never minded doing the dirty work the other in-the-know Royals hadn’t wished to do. Jacob knew where he stood in line for the throne, and a long line of legitimate heirs had to perish, as well as two other bastard sons. Which made him expendable and was how he had been saddled with council duty. He would never admit it aloud, but he knew, as dangerous as it was, being involved with the Alliance of Silver and Steam was a far cry more exciting than anything else he could be doing.
As much as Jacob had, he had very little. His siblings were spread across the globe, such was the price to pay as a bastard. He was lucky he was allowed to reside in court. His mother had passed on; a fever had taken her a few summer seasons back. There was no true job for him in court because Alliance matters could arise quickly. He’d not been suitably schooled in any one discipline, and it was only in moments like those, walking in silence, that he wondered if his life was better or worse than the common men in the city.
A bead of sweat dripped from his angular nose and slid down his chin. “This weather might as well be Hell,” he muttered as he withdrew a kerchief from his pocket and wiped at his brow.
Hell existed. Demons existed, and he was practically frolicking in a garden like a babe. It was utterly humiliating, knowing and doing nothing to really help. Turning from the green vines he was looking at, Jacob saw two figures walk into a lender’s office just beyond the courtyard wall. Quick as a fox, he was jogging back to the castle—one of the men had been his father, King of England. His footfalls echoed as he pushed past a servant and skidded to a stop in front of a closed door.
“They will be doing something dangerous aboard my ship. I want someone on board. Someone with leadership skills and the militaristic background you possess, Mikal.”
Jacob stopped dead in his tracks. He knew that voice anywhere, his father. Slowly, he tilted his head to the side to listen to the conversation behind the closed door. The king rarely tarried in the smaller chambers of court, and Jacob had a gut feeling the conversation he’d stumbled onto quite accidentally was too important to miss out on.
“I appreciate your recommendation, Your Majesty. I do not feel I am the proper representative of court. I know the Alliance of Silver and Steam works for the good of our protection, and I will admit I am indeed at home on a vessel. However, I have no wish to tarry with demons and be tied up with that lot. There is a danger in that lifestyle that even captaining a king’s ship does not come with.”
Anger coiled in Jacob’s gut as he overheard the words. He did not have much in life, despite his mother having been the only recognized mistress, he was granted little. The Alliance position was his, and there was no reason that someone else should be gaining an assignment with them. He was the one who had learned to shoot with their technology should the need arise, albeit his aim was poor. He was the one who went to council meetings. He was the one who suffered through the only demon attack inside Alliance walls when Lucius was on trial. Jacob was not going to have it taken away from him, no matter who the king had chosen.
Mikal, his older, bastard brother, ran three trade ships for the country, and Jacob found him to be rather likable overall. Which made his next move rather embarrassing, but it happened before he could stop himself.
“Why would you assign someone else what is rightfully mine?” Jacob demanded as he literally shouldered the door open and burst into the room.
“What is the meaning of this?” his father’s voice boomed. “Close the bloody door!”
That was the first inkling Jacob had that he’d sincerely just burst into a closed-door meeting with the king. It was too late to back down, though. Jacob took a deep breath and steeled his nerves as best as he could.
Casually, he pulled the large door shut behind him and spoke. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I had been walking in the courtyard when I heard the Alliance’s name mentioned. I am the representative for the Royals. It is my place to attend whatever needs to be attended.” Jacob’s fist clenched into balls, and he tried to even out his tone, so as not to yell at the king.
His father sat back down and laced his fingers together above the desk. “I see. I had chosen this room specifically so no one would think to look for me here. However, you have, and I am sorry, Jacob, this is not your place. You cannot assist on a seafaring mission. You have not once stepped foot onto a sailing vessel.” His eyes drifted to Mikal’s before continuing. “Your brother is a captain. He is most suited for such a dangerous task.”
There was no little voice telling Jacob to back down and let his brother face the danger. Jacob had never been in a true conflict and had never sailed to foreign lands either. He could not even swim, should the need arise. However, he had no interest in the one title that was not bastard, being taken from him.
“With all due respect, it is I who know their skills, their technology. I have relationships that are much akin to friendship with the hunter, Philippe. Mistress Cosgrove respects me, and Greyston’s own wife has complimented me on my combat skills when we have traine
d out of boredom waiting for a council meeting to stop.” Felicia had done no such thing, but his father wouldn’t know that. “I am not a brave hero, I am an ordinary, privileged man. I want the mission, though. It is my right.”
“You do not even know what I have asked of Mikal.” The tiny crow’s feet around his father’s eyes were tight as if the skin was pinched in annoyance.
“Then tell me. My answer will not change, but if you think it holds some power, then I wish to hear it.”
“If you weren’t my son, there would be consequences for speaking to me with that tone. They are traveling into Hell itself. As you know, they lost a colleague. They are ready to go after him, or rather preparing to be to ready.”
The news wasn’t shocking to Jacob. Three months before, upon a small group’s return, they had lost their Guildmaster and a hunter named Kellan. A good enough bloke for an Irishman. Odette had spoken of undertaking another trip into Hell save him, and they had hashed out many of the details with an Angel—a bloody Angel. Then, all talk had ceased. All council meetings had vanished, and life had returned to the ridiculous normalcy for the group that was hunting demons.
“You are not surprised. Why?” Mikal finally chimed in.
“I am a member of the council. I knew there was a plan in motion. I had thought they’d abandoned it, but if it is back, then there is no one else that should be on this journey. Kellan is hardly younger than I am. There is nothing to indicate I cannot handle this trip myself.”
“There is the matter of you not being a seafaring man, Jacob.” His father released a deep and weary-sounding sigh as their eyes met. “I raised you as much as I could, I know that look in your eyes. Whilst you aren’t stubborn, you are resourceful, and I have no wish to see you sneaking onto the blasted ship. If you wish to be the one to go, I will not stand in your way. Mikal’s ship is being used, it is up to him if he will attend as well.”
Jacob felt some of his anger slip away. There was no valid explanation for why he’d become so riled so quickly. It was about more than what he was owed, he was certain. Perhaps, he truly had developed a care for the men and women of the Alliance those past five years at their side in political matters.
“I mean no disrespect to Your Majesty’s wishes, but I am happy to let Jacob do this on his own. I have a family and a fleet to look out for. My men are all strong at the helm, and the journey itself will be easy. Will my crew know the danger they are in?” Mikal asked.
Jacob almost missed the response.
“I am sorry, Mikal, they cannot. It is why I wished you would join the journey. I know Jacob means well by interfering, but he will have no sway over your crew.”
“Matters can be seen too. They will listen to him, but Brother,” Mikal’s eyes narrowed, “bring them home safely. Many of them have families as well.”
“I promise. Their mission was too small in number and too secretive this past spring. They damned themselves. I will act as liaison as I always have. We will not lose anyone, and we will come home, possibly with the Demon Queen’s head in a bag.” Jacob’s tone was gravely serious.
“Do not grow ambitious, Jacob. You will not go into Hell with them if it can be avoided. I do not know of their plan. I have no wish too. I have funded them for many years, and they have never failed to protect this country when it truly needed it. I trust in their methods, and regardless of trying to step around you, I trust you.”
Jacob had never heard those last three words before. From anyone. For a split second, he beamed with pride before stamping it out and returning to the business façade he knew his father appreciated when dealing with court and country matters.
“I will not fail. I will see to it that the secret of the Alliance of Silver and Steam is not revealed and that your ship remains intact to go on many other trade journeys after returning home.”
“Very well. The decision is made. Jacob, there will be a council meeting this evening. I know they are not ready to depart yet, but this time, you are to stay with them when it is done. You will live there, with them. I want you fully trained, not the half-arsed trials you and Mrs. Greyston have run in the past. You will come home to me when this is all done and living amongst them until the journey ends will see to it.”
Jacob nodded. He had no genuine desire to give up his lavish quarters for the small, oft shared, berthing areas of guild life. However, he followed orders given by his king, even if he’d just played a dangerous game by demanding his place.
“Understood. I ask your forgiveness for my hasty entry. I apologize to you both.” Jacob bowed his head first to his father, and then to Mikal.
“You are forgiven. It brings me pleasure to know I’ve raised a man and not a boy. Go now, get your things ready, and I will see you again before you leave.”
Jacob nodded yet again as he turned and walked back out the door. He had a date with the Alliance, something that was never dull.
Three
McKenna’s heart pounded in her chest. If this is how I handle fear, it’s not a wonder they haven’t let me hunt, she thought bitterly as she stopped in front of the council chamber doors. If she opened them, she was truly going to become a member of the Alliance, and a part of her wondered if she was ready. They kept so many secrets, even from the members. McKenna had never questioned the Alliance, but when Odette had refused to divulge information the previous evening, it had been all she could focus on. She’d questioned everything through morning meal and afternoon tea. Now, she could push the door open and stop questioning or run away and not accept the assignment.
“Miss, if you’re not going to open that door, might you move from in front of it? I have to be in there,” a refined voice said from behind her, slight annoyance lacing the words.
She turned, wondering whom else could possibly be invited to a council meeting and her breath caught in her throat. Jacob Tresay stood almost nose to nose with her. His blond hair was perfectly styled, and she rather liked the short cut of it. His pale blue eyes were narrowed in annoyance with her, and his sensual lips were boarding on being pursed.
And he didn’t recognize her at all.
“Miss, might you please move?” he asked again, definitely annoyed.
McKenna’s mouth opened to speak, but she closed it rather quickly. She had known Jacob since she was not much more than a child. He was the Royal she had served when she had been taken in by the crown. He had also been her very first almost tryst. Sure, she had hardly a feminine curve to her at the time, and he had been knackered, but after three years of washing his clothes and bringing him his meals, the lack of recognition stung.
He reached around her and put his hand on the door. She’d been in close quarters with men, especially during training, but the sensation of his arm brushing up against her was unlike anything she’d felt since they had kissed so many years ago. His warmth spread from his body to hers, and she rather liked the comfort she found in it. McKenna bit her lip to stop the slight shiver traveling through her body from the sensation, and shifted to the left, accidentally pushed herself more into his arm.
“Sorry. I am going in there, though,” McKenna half whispered the statement.
His arm pulled back off the door, and the connection betwixt their bodies broke. “My apologies,” he retorted sarcastically.
Effortlessly, he tugged open the normal-sized door that had been too terrifying for her to open on her own. A blast of strange light rushed out, and she saw crystals sitting on top of poles—glowing. Jacob stepped carefully passed her and walked inside the relatively empty room. With one final deep inhalation, she followed him in and tugged the door closed behind her.
The council room was on the top floor of the Guild—three levels above the main hall—and it was unlike any chamber she’d ever seen. McKenna had heard rumors of the judiciary setup in the palace, and she knew this mirrored it perfectly. There was a lifted section, much like the throne, in the center of the back wall, and Odette sat regally upon it. Lowered and off to Odette�
��s side sat Philippe, Felicia, Greyston, Lucius, and Eliza. To the other end sat the physician and two other Guildheads that were aware of the Alliance. Iron rails formed a circle in the center of the room and a small, boxed area where it appeared a prisoner could sit.
Jacob turned back to look at her, and the smile on his lips was charming. He reeked of money and class from his white teeth to the lush, dark colors of his velvet waistcoat. She had no business looking at him, and he certainly had no reason to offer his elbow to escort her in.
Tentatively, she took it, and they walked towards a set of seats.
“I take it this is your first time. Don’t worry, this meeting will not result in harm to anyone,” Jacob whispered quietly into her ear.
McKenna nodded, and a hot flush crept up her cheeks as he offered her a chair. He had never been one to ignore people below him, but he likely thought her more well off than she was. There was no other explanation for his attentions. Even if she wished there was.
“Thank you for joining us. We are alone this evening, but I fear Layel will make a visit. If you’d all please have your goggles at the ready, it will facilitate any strangeness should he drop in,” Odette said calmly.
McKenna had no clue what was going on and not being on the street meant she had no goggles. As she was about to open her mouth, Lucius tossed a pair at her with a wink. She shook her head at his antics but smiled back. She didn’t know the demon well, but she knew he liked to tease.
Odette noticed her as McKenna caught the goggles. “Welcome, Miss Caffry. I am so pleased you decided to join us.” Odette looked around the room as if seeing if anyone had questions, and then continued, “We will begin then.”
