Sunset (Pact Arcanum)

by Arshad Ahsanuddin

  Jeremy growled at her. “So were you.”

  Anaba stopped smiling. “Touché.”

  Jeremy turned back to the documents on the screen. “I can’t shake the feeling there’s something going on here that I’m missing.”

  “Why didn’t you just read their minds?”

  “I don’t do that anymore.” He frowned as he continued to examine the documents. “I’m trying to be a decent, ethical person these days.”

  “It’s your Gift. What good is it if you don’t use it?” Switching back to professional mode, Ana glanced over the records again. “Anyway, do you think it’s actionable? We can always set up a surveillance detail on them if you’re worried they’re up to something.”

  Jeremy chewed his lip thoughtfully. “No, I’m probably just being paranoid.” He cleared the documents from the screen and shut down his workstation. “All right, I’m out of here. See you tomorrow.”

  Ana grinned. “Going home to play some of your boy’s albums?”

  Jeremy froze.

  Her eyes widened. “Jeremy, you’ve been a spy, a terrorist, a diplomat, and now you’re a cop. You have more life experience in twenty-five years than most people get in a lifetime. Don’t tell me you actually listen to a poser band like the Journeymen just because your boyfriend is in it.”

  “Fuck you, Ana,” he growled, grabbing his briefcase from beside the desk.

  Her high-pitched laughter followed him all the way back to the teleport gateway.

  Armistice Embassy, Washington, D.C.; One hour later

  “How are we coming along with the preparations for the Armistice Day celebration?” asked Nick, leaning back in his chair.

  Scott tapped a few controls on the conference table to bring up the relevant files. “We’re still knocking out walls on the upper level here and at the embassy in Mexico City so they can serve as banquet halls. The embassy in Ottawa already has a reasonably sized ballroom that will do, so we don’t need to do too much there other than wire up the hologrid. All renovations should be complete in a couple of months. Our fixed defenses here have been upgraded with a quantum dispersion field to meet level IV security protocols, although I don’t know why we bother; Armistice Security has the only access to gravity pulse weaponry on the planet, and we’re certainly not going to drop a black hole on the city.”

  Nick shrugged. “We’ve had gravity manipulation for more than a decade. It’s not unreasonable to think the Court may have stolen that information from us or reverse engineered the technology after we proved it could be done. From there, it’s only a short hop to weapons of mass destruction. Also, this will be the first time the Triumvirate will all be together publicly in a location away from the defenses of the Hidden Cities since the Burning. I don’t want to risk their lives on the presumption that our technology is unique.”

  “I suppose you’re right,” Scott sighed. “In any case, the fixed defenses are more than adequate to repel any conventional attack while the Triumvirate is present. Other than that, it’s just a matter of putting the guest list together.”

  “Yeah, that’s all.” Nick rolled his eyes. “It’s just the twentieth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice Declaration—everyone is going to want an invitation,” he said. “Winnowing it down to a manageable number will be a nightmare.”

  Scott smiled. “Pity that’s a civilian task, not a security matter, so it’s not my problem.”

  “This will be the only one of the regional celebrations the Triumvirate will be attending. I’ve already been swamped with requests, even from outside the Armistice Zone.” Nick put his head down on the table and sighed. “The AIs and Armistice Security can handle the background checks, but I’m still going to have to make the final decisions. Anyone I say no to is going to be royally pissed. How did I get stuck with this job again?”

  “Just lucky, I guess.” Scott grinned widely. “I feel your pain.”

  “Right,” Nick snorted.

  “Have you decided yet whether you’re going to invite a human delegation?”

  “No, I haven’t.” Nick wandered to the window. “It would be a risk letting them come,” he admitted, looking down over the streets of Georgetown. “They might see things we’d rather they didn’t. But it’s the best chance we have to show them we’re real people. Our monthly press briefings have only been answering the questions they can think of. We haven’t shown them a window into who we really are since the day I killed Brion.”

  “That isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” said Scott. “We’re a scary bunch. They might not like what they see.”

  “They have to learn sometime. We’re not going away. If we’re going to coexist, we have to find a balance.”

  “I suppose. If you truly want to let them see, maybe we should invite the press to the party as well.”

  Nick turned around and folded his arms. “Hmm. That might be a good idea. We could pick a reporter to accompany the human delegation and answer questions as they arise, just to head off any misinterpretation. Do you think you can make up a short list of candidates you would trust to give a reasoned portrayal?”

  “Sure. I can put together a set of parameters for the AIs to do a search. It shouldn’t take long.”

  “Thanks.”

  A soft tone interrupted them. “Agent Jeremy Harkness is requesting entry.”

  “Let him in,” said Nick, his face lighting up as the door opened. Jeremy stepped inside, wearing the gray uniform of Armistice Security.

  “Hey, Jer. Happy Valentine’s Day.”

  Jeremy laughed, walking over to Nick and kissing him. “Will you be my Valentine?”

  “Damn straight.” Nick grinned, draping his arm around his lover. “But you’re not usually this sappy.”

  “Valentine’s has never been one of my favorite days. This’ll be the first time I won’t be spending the day alone and bitter.”

  “Well, tonight’s going to be special.” Nick leaned back, inhaling the Sentinel’s familiar scent before giving him a more thorough kiss. “You better get used to it.”

  Scott’s mock gagging interrupted them. “If the two of you start tearing each other’s clothes off, I’m out of here.”

  Nick flipped him off without diverting his attention from Jeremy. “Seriously, Jer. What brings you to Washington today? I thought we were going to meet at the Citadel once I got off work.”

  Jeremy’s face fell slightly. “I wanted to talk to you about something.” He turned to the other Sentinel. “Scott, I’m sorry to barge in on your meeting, but could you excuse us for a couple of minutes? It’s kind of private.”

  “I can do that.” Gathering the papers they had been going over, Scott said, “Just let me know when you’re done.” Then he stepped outside and locked the door behind him.

  * * *

  “What’s going on?” Nick’s forehead wrinkled in concern.

  Pulling out a chair, Jeremy took a deep breath as he sat down at the table. “Nick, I love every second of being with you. The past two months have been the best Christmas present I’ve ever had. I’ve never been happier. I know what this day means to most people, so I don’t want to spoil it for you, but there’s something I think we need to settle before I can enjoy it the way you want me to, something we need to talk about.”

  “What is it, Jer?” Nick took a seat next to him and gave his knee a reassuring squeeze.

  “When you brought me to Anchorpoint that first day, I asked you what the price would be. You said you wanted me to force you to confront the things you needed to see.”

  “And you have. You’ve kept me honest when all I wanted to do was lie to myself.”

  Jeremy swallowed. “I didn’t tell you about Lorcan.”

  Nick regarded him soberly. “No, you didn’t. No one did.”

  “Would you have wanted to know?”

  Drumming his fingers on the table in front of him, Nick considered the question. “Yes, I suppose. It would have given us a chance to be up front with each other b
efore Brion could use him as a weapon against me. Why do you ask?”

  “I’m one of the most powerful telepaths in history,” Jeremy told him. “No one on Earth can hide anything from me if I go looking for answers. When I first came here, a year ago, I wasn’t the most ethical person in the world. All I cared about was you, and I was fairly rabid about protecting you. I regularly scanned the minds of everyone you came in contact with, looking for threats.” He met Nick’s shocked gaze. “I know better now. Since then, I’ve made more friends and come to respect the people they are. I honestly regret it, but I can’t forget the things I found out.”

  “Why are you telling me this?”

  Jeremy stared down at his hands. “Because truth is important to me. I asked you never to lie to me, but I never made you the same promise in return.”

  Nick’s eyes narrowed. “Did you lie to me about something, Jer?”

  “No, but I haven’t told you everything, and I let you go on believing a lie.”

  Nick said nothing, just waited.

  Jeremy sighed and finally met Nick’s gaze. “How do you feel about Rory?”

  “He’s my best friend. I’m closest to Scott, but that friendship started under the influence of the Gift. Rory is the only important person in my life I consciously chose to get close to. Until I met you, that is.”

  “Nick, I love you, but I’m worried maybe there’s someone out there who would be better for you than me.”

  Nick flushed as he made the connection. “That’s ridiculous, Jer. Besides, Rory doesn’t feel that way about me.”

  Jeremy swallowed his uncertainty. This was the bargain. Magic requires sacrifice. “Yes, he does.”

  Shocked, Nick stared at him for a long moment and then growled. “Bullshit.” His eyes turned a menacing scarlet beneath his arched brows.

  “I never touched his mind—I swear to God—but it was right there in the front of Takeshi’s thoughts whenever he saw the two of you together. I confirmed it with a deep read on Anaba. She had several conversations with Take urging him to dump Rory because of it.”

  Nick’s eyes faded to blue as he sat numbly in his chair, staring at Jeremy.

  “I’d understand if you don’t want to see me tonight after all.” Jeremy stood. “I’ll be at my apartment if you need me.”

  CHAPTER 26

  Anchorpoint City, Grand Mesa, Colorado; One hour later

  Rory was toweling off his hair when the door of his quarters chimed. “Nicholas Magister Luscian is requesting entry.”

  Dropping the towel over a chair, he slipped a T-shirt on over his sweatpants and said, “Let him in.” Then he walked into the living room as Nick stepped inside. “Hey, Nick. What’s up?”

  “I know you’re busy getting ready for your trip, but do you have a few minutes?”

  Rory grinned. “For you, always.” He glanced at the clock over the fireplace. “I have to head up to the Citadel in about an hour, though, to meet the captain of the ship I’ll be traveling on.” He sat on the couch and motioned for Nick to sit across from him. “What’s on your mind?”

  “Is Take here?”

  “No, he went to Europe to inspect the Armistice Security garrison at Castle Night. He’s going to join me in San Francisco for dinner before my flight leaves in the morning.”

  Nick laced his fingers together in front of him. “Rory, do you love me?”

  Rory’s train of thought screeched to a halt. “What?”

  “Do you love me?” Nick asked again, intently.

  Rory stared at him, feeling himself falling into those blue eyes with all their naked sincerity, just as he always did. His whole world collapsed in an instant. “Yes.”

  Nick reached out for Rory’s hand. “Tell me what you mean. I need to know.”

  “You already know,” he whispered, looking down at their clasped hands. “You know exactly what I mean.”

  “I need to hear you say it.” Nick let go of Rory’s hands and turned the Nightwalker’s head to face him. “I want to understand.”

  “You understand perfectly.” Rory reached up and trapped Nick’s hand against his cheek. “We’re a lot alike, you and I. We both fell in love with the man who completed us, and the best friend who was always out of reach.”

  Nick sighed heavily. “I never knew.”

  “I didn’t want you to know,” Rory confessed. “I’m not mortal. I could hide what I was feeling from you, and I did. I never meant for you to find out, not for as long as Take was still alive.” As he spoke, Rory unshielded his emotions, allowing the Daywalker to read them.

  “How long have you felt like this?”

  “I was moving toward it since that first night when I decided to let you seduce me. I just didn’t let myself acknowledge what it meant. Not until you walked out on me, after the Burning.”

  “Oh, Rory,” said Nick. “If I had known—”

  “If you had known, we would never have stayed friends,” Rory said shrewdly. “You would have had your fun then tossed me aside, just like all of your other conquests.”

  Nick winced and looked away. “You’re probably right.” He pulled his hands away and folded them in front of him. He stood and wandered around the apartment aimlessly, trying to order his thoughts, while Rory watched. “Rory,” he asked finally, gazing at a framed image of the two of them during the concert tour where they met, “if Luscian hadn’t turned me, and you hadn’t found your way to Take, what would have happened between us? I was a latent Sentinel and you’re a Nightwalker. We could never have been together.”

  “I would have been your friend, Nicholas,” Rory said softly. “I would have been there for you every step of the way until the day you trusted me enough to let me turn you myself.”

  Nick turned to face him, disbelieving. “You always swore you would never let yourself create a scion.”

  Rory stood and walked to Nick’s side, looking at the photograph of the two of them together. “I would have made an exception.”

  “I don’t want to cause you pain.” Nick took another deep breath. “Of all the people I care about, you’re the last person I would want to hurt.” He stroked Rory’s cheekbone. “Scott may be my sun, and Jeremy is the moon, but you are all the stars in my sky.”

  Rory’s eyes shone with emotion. “Nick, I love you. I’m just sorry I was too much of a coward to tell you before.”

  “How can you say that?” asked Nick. “I know you love Take.”

  “I do, but he won’t live forever.”

  “Is that what you want?” whispered Nick. “Forever? With me?”

  “Maybe.” Rory smiled at him again. “Can you honestly tell me you’re certain we’ll never be together someday, Nicholas?”

  Nick looked deeply into his friend’s eyes, allowing all of his emotions to become visible. “No.”

  Rory leaned in closely. “That’s all I need.” Lifting Nick’s chin, he kissed him gently.

  Nick returned the kiss, sliding his hands around Rory’s neck and pulling him closer. After a long moment, Rory pulled back.

  “Will you do something for me, Nick?”

  “Anything.”

  “The double bridge,” Rory said firmly.

  Nick’s jaw dropped, his expectations blown away in an instant. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes. I want to know you the way Lorcan and Jeremy do.”

  “Rory,” Nick said, swallowing in fear, “it may not work out the way you planned. Nothing is ever the same afterward.” He drew the Nightwalker to him, wrapping his arms around him. “Lorcan said never to try it with anyone you don’t truly love,” he whispered. “Because, when it’s over, you either walk away from them or never let them go. There’s nothing in between. We could lose each other. We might not even be friends on the other side.”

  Rory leaned into him, inhaling his scent. “Please, Nick. Let me have this much.”

  Nick pulled away slightly, his fangs extending. “Tell me you’re sure.”

  “I’m sure,” Rory whisper
ed.

  Nick took a deep breath and kissed the other vampire gently, then tilted Rory’s head. The warmth of Rory’s skin thrilled Nick as he bit down directly into his jugular vein. As the bridge opened up between them, Rory felt Nick’s memories of their first meeting, before the Journeymen existed, when Nick’s old band opened for Rory’s band Nightfall. Then Rory bit down on Nick’s neck and fed until the blood magic expanded, binding their thoughts and dreams together.

  Both vampires were submerged in the memories of their friendship—seeing it from both sides, tasting their feelings for each other as their relationship evolved. Nothing was hidden. Not Rory’s love for Take nor the regrets Nick felt over Scott and Lorcan. They both watched Rory’s long vigil over Nick’s heart, and felt the pain of his endless wait for Nick to recognize his feelings. Nick withdrew from the bridge first, healing the wounds in Rory’s neck as he pulled away. When Rory followed suit, the two of them sat silently in each other’s arms.

  “I love you,” whispered Rory, his eyes closed against his threatening tears.

  Nick held him tight and said nothing.

  Central Intelligence Agency, Langley, Virginia

  Director Cochrane tapped the control tablet lying on the desk in front of him. A holographic map of the North America was projected in the air. “Have you been able to precisely locate any of the major cities?”

  Kensington touched his fingers to a point in the southwestern United States. The outline of the state of Colorado lit up in red. “We’ve determined that Anchorpoint is somewhere in western Colorado, but we don’t have an exact location yet. Our agents have only been allowed inside using the Armistice teleport gateway system, rather than being given teleport coordinates for the city itself. We’re in the process of smuggling locator beacons into Anchorpoint and Icehaven piece by piece, just in case Armistice Security is able to detect the presence of foreign technology. We don’t know if they can, but we’re trying not to take anything for granted.