by Lexi Blake
To my eyes it looked like he was running above the crowd. He leapt from tabletop to tabletop, landing only briefly on one leg to push off again as he avoided the crowd and moved toward the stage.
Everything stopped as Daniel danced his way toward his target. He pushed off the final table, and the sword sang through the air, moving like an extension of Daniel’s arm. He wielded the weapon with flawless precision. He seemed to hang in the air for a moment. No one breathed or moved a muscle, even Daniel’s victim, who seemed to be a deer caught in the headlights.
With no hesitation, he brought the sword down on Paul’s neck, neatly separating his head from his body. The other vampire had no chance to run, no chance to fight. The moment Daniel had decided to kill him, his long life had been over.
I caught my breath because while it had been brutal, there was a beautiful grace to it.
“He is magnificent,” Marcus swore. “I have lived almost two thousand years and not seen his like.”
Daniel landed in a crouch but was up quickly enough to catch the head before it hit the floor. He tossed it at Adam, who had managed to get back up on the stage. “You are satisfied with the judgment of the Council?”
Adam was shaking as he held the head of his rival. He took a step back but managed to agree that he was, indeed, satisfied. Even as he held it, the head turned to ash in his hands, covering the stage with dust.
“The Council is satisfied with their Nex Apparatus?” The words sounded deeply formal coming out of Daniel’s mouth, holding the weight of long years of custom.
“As always, Mr. Donovan,” Niko said, speaking for the Council.
Daniel surveyed the crowd, his sword still in hand. “If the Council is satisfied, then I beg permission to take my companion and quit these proceedings.” Daniel looked at the men in the crowd. “I assume the rest of you will behave.”
I could practically hear the collective gulp go through the room.
“You have leave, Mr. Donovan,” Niko offered. “Take the rest of the evening off. Enjoy your companion.”
Daniel leapt from the stage and was given a very wide berth by the vampires on the floor. They moved away from him as though his very touch could bring them death. Daniel walked to me and tossed the sword my way. I caught it and placed it back in its sheath. At that moment, all eyes were on me, and I saw the minute they started to think of me as something more than Daniel’s plaything.
“She’s seen enough,” Daniel said to Marcus as he picked me up and started to carry me out of the club.
As we left, I watched over Daniel’s shoulder as Adam pulled his new purchase into his arms and bit down for that first taste.
* * * *
When we arrived in the room ten minutes later, Daniel sank onto the couch, and I fell down beside him. We didn’t speak, just let the events of the evening sink in. We sat there in the cool quiet of the suite for the longest time with that strange sword between us. We watched the lights of the strip as the clock turned ever closer to morning. Finally the door to the suite opened, and Dev walked in. His clothes were wrinkled, and he smelled like cigarettes and vodka.
“You two look like I feel,” he muttered as he sank down beside me. I have to admit, I liked the fact that I was between them. I could almost pretend it was normal. “Nice sword. What the hell happened to you, Daniel? You have blood on your coat.”
“Execution,” Daniel answered.
“I had to witness a young girl get sold and raped in front of an adoring crowd.” I put my two crappy cents in.
“I lost a hundred grand,” Dev admitted.
So it had been a shitty night all around. “This town sucks.”
Both men looked at me, not amused by my pun.
“Well, it does,” I grumbled because at least tonight it really did.
Chapter Twenty
“So what happens to her now?” I asked Kimberly the next day.
We were sitting in one of the hotel’s restaurants. Kim had been patiently answering my questions for the last thirty minutes as we enjoyed lunch. Our version of lunch occurred as most people were enjoying dinner. We were a nocturnal lot.
“They call it the honeymoon period.” Kim seemed to be treating this conversation as an intellectual lecture. There was very little emotion in her voice. “For the next month, she’ll be held in her rooms, first here until the meetings are completed, and then in London where Adam lives. She’ll be under his persuasion and will feed him daily. She’ll take his blood and do all the other things that go along with it.”
Sex. It was a part of the bonding process. For Daniel and me, it had been an extension of our previous relationship. We’d made love when we were both human, and he certainly hadn’t needed persuasion to get me into bed. What must it have been like for Kim, who’d never met Henri before she’d been forcibly married to him? “I know this is painful, and I apologize. I just don’t understand the process.”
Kim’s brown eyes slid away from me. “I can’t imagine what it was like for you. I’m sure the Council’s Nex Apparatus was brutal to say the least. I joke about how hot he is, but he scares every one of us. I heard he killed Paul last night.”
Damn straight he had. “Paul was an ass. Paul deserved killing. Daniel isn’t brutal.”
“I think Paul would disagree. You haven’t been in society. Do you know what he’s done? He killed twelve vampires on his own with his bare hands in the arena. They kept sending them in, and he kept killing them. The Council was finally forced to concede the battle to a fledgling. It was the most horrific thing I’ve ever seen.”
“Should he have let them kill him?” I asked, getting a little annoyed. “Whatever Danny has done it was to survive. He might be brutal in a fight, but he has to be to survive and protect the ones he loves. He has never hurt me. He would never lock me up to train me or force me to comply.”
Kim sat back and looked at me seriously. “I’m sorry if I offended you, but you have to understand the way the majority of vampire society feels about your husband. If you want me to explain how things work, you have to be willing to hear things that won’t make you happy.”
That was fair. I had to respect her for stating it in plain terms I could understand. “I love Daniel. It’s hard to hear how people view him. Please continue.”
I looked over at the bar where Neil sat with some fruity drink. He was talking to the bartender, who was naturally a hottie, but I knew all I had to do was whisper and he would be at my side. Neil had been a very good bodyguard/shopping buddy. He’d even kept his promise to Dev, forcing me to buy some of the filthiest lingerie I’d ever seen. I just wondered if I was ever going to get a chance to use it.
“It’s been almost a thousand years since anyone saw that sword Daniel carries,” Kim explained. “Henri practically shakes when he sees it. It’s the official weapon of the Council’s Death Machine. Henri wasn’t around for the last Nex Apparatus, but the way he talks about it, it’s a little like the vampire version of the boogeyman.”
That gibed with what I saw around the group. Everyone, even the oldest of the vampires, looked on Daniel with a deep suspicion.
Kim looked around as though trying to figure out who might be listening in. She leaned over. “Before they presented the sword to Daniel, there was talk about changing the Council. Some vampires had formed the opinion that the Council is corrupt and dangerous. The more modern of the men wanted a say in the way the Council is run. That all shut down with the arrival of your husband.”
Daniel explained this during one of his conversations with Dev—one of the conversations I’d managed to stay awake during. There was discontent among the vampires at the way the Council controlled every aspect of their lives. Before they could organize, Daniel was designated as the official executioner. He was scary enough to have quelled that probably destined to fail rebellion.
“It must be strange for everyone to be so afraid of a fledgling.” I kept my mouth shut about Daniel’s plans. Like I said before, I tended to sle
ep during the lecture portions of my time with Daniel, so I wasn’t about to play politics.
Kim laughed at that. “He isn’t considered a fledgling anymore. The arena test put that term out of everyone’s mind. Daniel is a king. It’s the term they use for a vampire whose talents exceed what a vampire should have. As far as I know, Daniel is the first king in a thousand years, since the last time that sword was seen. Of course, the last king actually took power and the crown. Daniel seems content to use his gifts in other ways.”
“What happened to the last king?”
“Ask Marcus Vorenus,” Kim said mysteriously. “From what I understand, he is the one who dealt that king the killing blow.”
Marcus and I were going to have to have a long talk.
Kim shook off her serious face and smiled a little. “It’s my turn for questions. Please tell me if I’m being far too personal. Henri says I have no discretion, but then I don’t remember Victorian England. The rumor is Daniel brought a lover. Is that true? He seemed so into you last night.”
I smiled slowly because this was the part of our ruse I was going to have the most fun with. “His name is Devinshea Quinn. He owns Descent, the club we were in last night. He also owns a club where we all live. He’s half Fae.”
Kim looked flummoxed. “I just wouldn’t have guessed. My gaydar was perfectly silent around Daniel. God, that just kills a whole bunch of my fantasies.”
I laughed long and hard. “Let me give you new fantasies, Kim. Daniel isn’t gay. Daniel likes to watch.”
Kim’s mouth just about hit the table. “He shares you?”
I shrugged, and then grinned because, speak of the devil, Dev walked into the dining room. He was dressed to kill in a designer suit that I was sure had never seen a rack. It was custom fit to his body and showed off his lean grace to its best advantage. He was even wearing a tie. I’d never seen Dev in a tie. He always was the picture of decadence, but now he was professional and it looked good on him. Even his hair was under ruthless control. It should have lessened his sex appeal, but it just made me anxious to mess up that perfection. I watched as Kim’s eyes widened when she caught sight of him.
“Wow,” she sighed. “That’s just wrong. I think I’ve just seen god’s actual gift to women.”
“He thinks so,” I replied as he spoke briefly to Neil and then zeroed in on me. “Kim, you’re about to meet Dev.”
“Daniel shares you with him?” Kim’s voice probably got louder than she had intended, and I watched Dev’s lips quirk briefly.
“Mrs. Donovan.” Dev acknowledged me formally with a slight bow. “Mrs. Jacobs. I can see Mrs. Donovan has already informed you of who I am. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
“And you, Mr. Quinn.” Kim managed to breathe, but only barely.
Dev glanced around the room, his voice going low. “Mr. Donovan was actually hoping to speak to your husband. He will look for him at tomorrow night’s ball. Please let Henri know Daniel would appreciate a few moments of his time.”
Kim went a little pale. “Did Henri do something wrong?”
Dev gave her a smooth smile. “Not at all. Daniel has some business he would like to discuss, and he would greatly appreciate Henri’s input. Your husband is renowned for his business sense. I believe Daniel is going to suggest that the two of you might enjoy visiting us in Dallas in the near future. We were thinking of having a few friends out. I believe you will find that Hugo Wells and Brendan Ford have already accepted invitations.”
Kim stilled. Those names meant something to her. “Yes, I think that would be something we are very interested in, Mr. Quinn. It seems Mr. Donovan has more layers than any of us thought.”
“Excellent. I look forward to speaking with you further. Now, I am afraid Mrs. Donovan is needed. Daniel is awake and craves his wife’s attention. I’ve settled the bill, but if you need anything else, Mrs. Jacobs, please feel free. The maître d’ will charge it to our account.” Dev held out his hand and helped me from my seat.
I said good-bye to my new friend and waved at Neil, who told me he was off to enjoy the strip now that his babysitting shift was over. Dev picked up a package at the bar and then hustled me out.
“Why did she know those names?” I asked when we were safely in the private elevator.
Dev pulled a bottle of Scotch out of the package and inspected it as the elevator shot up. “Brendan and Hugo were part of an earlier group that had discussed the possibility of overthrowing the Council. Nothing could be proven, and after Daniel ascended to his current post, the group quickly disbanded. It isn’t surprising they never got past the talking stage since they didn’t have a strong leader.”
Dev pushed the button for the elevator, and we began to rise toward the penthouse. I couldn’t help but think about how lonely I’d been the last couple of days. “I suppose you and Daniel are going out this evening after we’re done. I guess I’ll watch TV or something.”
“Zoey, I hate this, too.” Dev stared out the glass, looking down.
Dev had slept in one of the smaller bedrooms the night before, completely surprising me.
“I just thought we could be normal when we’re alone.” I’d been left to sleep with Neil, who I loved, but didn’t bring me the comfort Dev did. Both my loves were behind closed doors, unavailable to me.
Dev stood across from me in the elevator, the distance between us clear. “We’re never alone here, Zoey. If I get into that bed with you, how long will it be before my hands are on you? How long until you moan and wail because you are anything but quiet, lover. Do you want Daniel to lie in his bed knowing what we do? Do you want to hurt him in this fashion? If you do, we might as well just fuck on the couch where he can see us.”
“That’s not fair, Dev.” I didn’t like the guilt the image brought up. I also didn’t like his sudden prudishness. “You haven’t cared about Daniel’s feelings up to this point.”
“It’s not about Daniel,” Dev admitted, and he looked so tired. “I didn’t love you before, Zoey. It was fun, and there is this big part of me that liked the fact I was sending the entire vampire world a big old fuck you. It’s serious now. Our relationship, it deserves respect. I would want Daniel to do the same for me. If this thing is going to work, Daniel and I can’t be at each other’s throats twenty-four seven.”
“I don’t like this, Dev.” I went with emotion because I couldn’t argue with his logic. I wasn’t used to using logic and Dev in the same sentence.
Dev rolled his eyes. “You think I like the fact that I have spent the last few days of my life delving into vampire politics when I promised myself I was leaving that life behind? Do you think I liked watching you walk away with him last night after promising I would behave myself? I don’t like to behave, Zoey. I want to take you on the strip and spend fuckloads of cash and drink and get stupid. I want to bring you back here and just blow your mind. But we can’t do that anymore even if you wanted to because I have learned something over the last few days. Daniel is right. His cause is more than just. It’s imperative. It might have been fine before to just laugh with you and fuck you and send you on your way later. I can’t do that anymore. If they get their way, you get hurt. Everything we love comes under their mercy if they succeed.”
The door to the elevator opened, and I nodded because I understood but I didn’t have to like it. Dev groaned, pulling me out of the elevator. He moved us out of sight of the lobby.
“Zoey, don’t make me feel like I’m failing you when I’m trying so damn hard to avoid that,” he pleaded, holding my face in his hands.
I softened immediately. “I’m sorry. It’s just been a long night, and I was looking forward to being with you.”
He leaned down and kissed me, a gentle touch of his lips against mine. “I know, sweetheart. I love you. It will be better when we get home. We have much more freedom there. People are used to seeing us together. As long as we include Daniel in some of our public outings, we can protect his reputation. Just hang on a few more
days.”
I didn’t have much choice. Hopefully we would all still be alive in a few days. I forced myself out of that mode of thinking.
“Who is the Scotch for?” I asked because Dev was a vodka boy. It was one of the reasons I loved him.
He shook his head as he led me down the hallway. It was quiet on this floor. “The Scotch is for me. Well, not really for me, but I have to drink it. If I have to drink it, I think you should, too. Daniel is ready for us, and I thought we could prepare for the evening together.”
I grinned, totally letting go of my previous sorrow. Tonight was the night both Daniel and Dev had been dreading since we decided on this course of action. Our explanation for bringing Dev along was that he shared a bed with Daniel and me. You don’t share a bed with a vampire without baring his mark. Companions might get away with it, but Dev couldn’t. Tonight, Dev got to feed Daniel.
I, for one, was looking forward to some very awkward fun. It had already been agreed that I had to be there to bring some much needed femininity to what Daniel called a horrible “sausage fest”.
Dev slid his card into the door that led to our suite. He held it open for me, and there was Danny, nervously pacing the floor. I couldn’t help giggling. “Are you nervous about your date?”
“Zoey!” both men said in a perfect symmetry that should have scared me, but I was still laughing.
“Look.” I pointed at Dev. “Dev got all dressed up and everything.”
Daniel groaned and shook his head. Dev popped the top off the Scotch bottle and took a long swig. He passed the bottle to me, and I obediently took a shot.
“She’s never going to let us live this down.” Daniel frowned.
“I could leave the two of you alone,” I offered as Dev took a swig that lasted a really long time. “I could find Neil, and we could just use our imaginations.”
“Neil already offered to tape the whole thing.” Dev shuddered. “This stuff tastes like shit.”
