CravingLadyStarr

by Ruth D. Kerce

  “Yes.” Aleron stepped forward, facing him eye to eye. “I require that you release us!”

  The soldiers once more raised their swords but halted at Démon’s swift hand command. “Give us a moment.” After a stern look from their leader, they returned to the hall, though they stayed close to the door.

  “You do not listen well, Aleron. You want freedom? Fine. I am not without understanding. Sign over the château to me and it will be done. You will be freed immediately,” Démon explained in a calm voice, standing his ground and returning Aleron’s glare.

  “What if I simply break your neck instead?”

  “My guards will kill you both.” He took a step back. “Be reasonable, Lord Aleron.”

  “Reasonable—”

  “Why this property, cousin?” Starr asked, drawing their attention. As she pushed off the bed, she wobbled slightly but quickly found her balance, waving away both men when they stepped forward to help her. Her whole body ached but she could not think about her discomfort right now. “Choose another area in France. Certainly something suitable exists.”

  Despite waving him away, Démon stepped up to her. He cupped her cheeks and stared directly into her eyes.

  Immediate revulsion shook her body.

  Aleron moved protectively closer. She quickly motioned him back, not wanting to antagonize Démon further.

  Her gaze never wavered from her cousin, though her heart pounded in fear. She knew what he was capable of and how merciless he could be. She hoped he could not feel her reaction to his nearness and touch.

  “As naïve as blooded, female L’Night kindred often are, it is unconvincing in this case. Surely you know why this place is of importance to me.”

  The female members of the L’Night vampire family line were far from naïve and the insult irked her. “Indulge me.” Her voice sounded much stronger than she felt. She was determined not to appear intimidated in his eyes.

  All she knew about Château de la Lune was generalities, which did not explain Démon’s obsession with this place. And Aleron seemed equally confused. If they found out the truth, they might be able to come up with some way to change this situation before anyone got hurt again…or worse.

  With a sound of irritation, Démon dropped his hands to his sides and stepped back.

  She breathed a sigh of relief. Aleron stepped closer to her and touched her hand. Immediately she felt stronger. Together they would get out of this. She knew they would.

  Démon followed the gesture with narrowed eyes. When he raised his gaze, he smiled slightly before his expression sobered and he responded. “This land belongs to Les Loups. Our ancestors, our leaders. Those who first attained the power of the wolf are buried in the soil.” He gestured widely with his arm. “Here on this land, their spirits roam. Only when Of the Bane are in possession of the property again can our ancestors truly rest and pass on their powers to us, their descendants.”

  Powers? She wondered about his meaning, but did not interrupt to ask. Certainly he was not alluding to the rumored powers of the Ancient Ones.

  “Of the Bane are buried here? Where?” Aleron questioned. “I have explored every acre of this land and no bane burial ground exists. I would know.”

  “It is hidden. Protected.”

  Aleron’s eyes narrowed. “You lie. You lie, thinking to sway me with some sad, ancestral story. If true, you would not have waited so long to claim what you say is yours.”

  “I needed to build the strength of Les Loups first so we would be taken seriously. Up to now, all Of the Bane packs have been small and unorganized. I have grown Les Loups and we are now powerful and well known. The other European packs have already pledged their aid and allegiance to us.”

  “I am not impressed, lord,” Aleron responded. “Even given your size and reputation, you are insignificant—a pack of ruffians out to get your way. I do not recognize your authority here and demand that you give me a full report on the state of my people.”

  As a growl rumbled up from Démon’s throat, Starr’s breath caught.

  “You are in no position to demand anything,” her cousin responded in a low voice. “We do not fear you as so many others do. In our true bane forms, we are faster and stronger. And now, with prisoners, we have leverage.”

  Another physical fight between these two seemed inevitable. But not tonight. She stepped between them. “Leverage? Exactly what do you hope to accomplish by keeping us prisoner here, Démon? Not Aleron’s acquiescence. And I certainly serve no purpose. Release me.”

  “So you can run crying to Viper?” Démon grabbed the back of her neck. “I think not. I have other plans, my dear.”

  Starr gasped but did not move, knowing that struggling would simply escalate the situation. His words made no sense. Certainly Viper already knew what was afoot anyway. Her disappearance would not go unnoticed.

  “Release her!” Aleron grabbed Démon’s arm with one hand and threw a punch with the other. His fist connected with Démon’s chin, snapping his head back.

  “Wait!” Starr’s heart clenched as alarm for Aleron’s safety filled her.

  The guards rushed into the room.

  Seemingly unharmed, Démon turned his head toward Aleron. His eyes shifted, becoming blood red.

  She and Aleron froze, as did the bane soldiers. No! She never would have believed it if she had not seen it herself. He actually did possess the power of the ancients! How? It was but a fable told to children. Or so she had always believed. Maybe he had indeed spoken the truth and being on this land allowed him to channel the ways of his ancestors. If so, it would explain his need for the property.

  When Démon finally addressed them, his voice almost seemed to echo in the room. “Do not push me beyond my patience. I grow weary of being accommodating.”

  Aleron, still holding Démon’s arm, dropped his hand. As soon as he did, Démon released her and the guards stepped back. The red of Démon’s eyes faded and the color returned to their normal black hue.

  The tension in Démon’s body eased. “This land means nothing to you, Aleron. For me, it is my birthplace. My heritage and so my right.”

  Starr gasped. “Your birthplace? I did not know, cousin.”

  He studied her with narrowed eyes. “I think perhaps you do speak the truth after all, my lady. However, it changes nothing. I do not want to start a war between Underworlders but will do so if it is the only way. It would be more desirous for Of the Bane to become extinct fighting over what is ours than to die out because of our cowardice to try.”

  “Die out? That is an exaggeration,” Aleron responded. “Of the Bane packs have declined in the last few decades but are in no danger of dying out.”

  “Not in our view. This is our last chance to regain the ancient powers of our kind and become strong once more. If necessary, I will summon all the packs in Europe for this war.”

  Historically, Of the Bane alphas had not cooperated well with one another. Over the years, that disorganization had given the Of the Blood factions a distinct advantage over their wolf cousins. However, if Démon was able to lead all the Of the Bane factions in Europe in one combined army, then Starr feared he was right. War would be inevitable.

  “We are through talking.” Démon dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “As I said, food will be provided to you.” He turned to leave but then turned back. “Do you require anything else, my lady…within reason?” He cut his eyes toward Aleron.

  After a moment, she sighed. “I could use a bath, if it is not too much trouble.” She fussed over a spot on her dress.

  “I will see to it.” Démon looked both her and Aleron up and down. “For both of you. And a change of clothing. I am not as savage as you would no doubt label me.”

  Aleron grunted but said nothing.

  Démon turned on his heel and stalked from the room. The guards followed. A personal guard from the hall stepped forward to slam and lock the door, leaving them alone once more.

  Aleron turned toward Starr
. “Did he hurt you?” Controlling his actions, words and emotions when Démon had put his hands on her had been impossible.

  “No. I am fine. He meant to intimidate, not harm.” She sat on the edge of the bed and appeared deep in thought.

  Neither of them mentioned what had happened. Perhaps his attempt to best Démon with guards present had been foolish. But he could not stand by and do nothing. If he had been able to get Démon imprisoned within his grasp then he and Starr would have been the ones with the leverage.

  Aleron had never known the eyes of any Underworlder to turn red, despite ancient rumors of the ability. Worry consumed him for their safety as well as the safety of his people. Démon had seemed unhurt and almost even unfazed by the punch to his jaw. He might indeed be too powerful to defeat.

  His gaze turned toward the door. Was only Démon so empowered or his entire pack? Was fighting for this land worth the lives that would be lost? On a personal level, he thought not, but he could not back down. Démon could not be allowed to take anything he wanted by brute force and without consequences.

  “You have caused this, you know.”

  At Starr’s words, Aleron’s head snapped toward her. “What? Me?”

  “What he has told us is most likely true. This property used to belong to a L’Night relation. It could very well have been Of the Bane. If he truly was born here then this land is a part of his soul and never should have been taken away. Territory belonging to Of the Bane packs means so much more to them than just property, as it is to those of us Of the Blood. It would explain his actions.”

  “So I should just sign it over? The High Council made the decision to pass this land to Toussaint years ago. They must have known its origins. It had to have been a punishment. A judgment against Of the Bane. If you seek blame, you are looking in the wrong place. Démon is looking in the wrong place.”

  “Just because the High Council made the decision does not mean it was the correct decision. If it was a punishment, it was too severe.”

  “You make that judgment without even knowing the crime. Do you really want Of the Bane packs to possess that much power, if what he said is true? I am thinking that I have misjudged you, my lady. But blood is thick, they say, even if that blood comes from a bane heritage.” Something inside him twisted at his words. Perhaps the part of him that felt and understood Démon’s desperation. Perhaps because Of the Bane blood ran through his own veins.

  “Do not get defensive and misinterpret my words.”

  “Then say what you mean so there is no room for misinterpretation. And do not sound so aggravated with me, when I did not cause any of this, regardless of your feelings to the contrary. I do not like it.”

  “Do not lecture me or tell me how I should feel. I am simply looking at both sides. Perhaps it is time that Bane and Blood are equal again.”

  “You cannot be serious. We have ruled for centuries. I will not be blamed for what has happened here or for allowing those Underworlders to replace us in status.”

  “I said ‘equal’. Not superior. And I only said that you are to blame because you are the reason I am here. The reason we both are here like this. If not for our encounter, Les Loups would not have been able to capture us and penetrate the château so easily. That is what I meant. And I have a right to be aggravated.”

  “You came with me of your own free will and voiced no complaints while I was licking your cunt. If you—”

  “Stop!” She shot up from the bed. The outrage on her flushed face faded as she visibly struggled for control. “This bickering serves no purpose. We should not be going at one another.” She smiled slightly. “Please.”

  He calmed immediately and sighed. She was right. “I apologize.” He returned her small smile. “I think we both spoke too hastily perhaps.”

  She nodded then continued in a low but determined voice. “We have a problem to solve. Let us concentrate on that.”

  “I will think of some solution.”

  “To me, the solution seems obvious. We cannot overpower him. Therefore, a serious discussion between you and Démon should take place immediately, before this escalates any further. It would be more productive than the man-puffing you two are currently engaged in. Request another meeting.”

  “Man-puffing? What are you talking about?”

  “Man-puffing—trying to outdo one another—to prove who is the stronger, the smarter, the one with the bigger cock.”

  He arched an eyebrow.

  “Women would sit down, talk it out, and come to a solution that worked for all. A give and take. That is what you should do.”

  “With a man who thinks he has a right to take what he wants, without giving anything in return? You make no sense. And neither does your reasoning. A woman would slit another fem’s throat and toss the body in the river.”

  “That is a man’s style, not a woman’s.”

  “Men are much more logical and able to work out their problems when both parties are willing. We are not nearly as vicious as women are. We will fight, yes. But we accept the victor of a battle.”

  “So do that now. Work it out or step down to prevent war.”

  “Why should I step down? I am not in the wrong here, Starr.”

  “You are overly stubborn.”

  “I am not being stubborn.”

  “If that is so, then why not negotiate a trade? This land for peace. It means so much more to him than it does to you. It is the right thing to do.”

  “I disagree. And you are making an assumption.”

  “But a correct one. Yes?”

  “I will not give up my home simply because he wants it. My cousin, Dominique, would never agree to such. We cannot cave to pressure that would make us appear weak. Our blooded enemies would think us vulnerable to attack and descend upon Castle Toussaint in the hopes of increasing their own coffers with captives and our land. Too many would needlessly die.”

  “You do not know that.”

  “It is the way of our world. Castle Toussaint must maintain strength and power at all costs.”

  “Is power always the ultimate goal?”

  “Power. Respect. Honor. These things are what make a man. And what maintains a thriving nest. Démon and I both understand that, as I am sure Viper does too. A woman does not understand such things.”

  “Humph. Yet, you serve a woman. Your cousin, Dominique.”

  Aleron bristled. “Dominique is different. She was trained by a Blood Master. She is a soldier. However, should she ever appear to weaken, to be leading our nest down a path of destruction, I would not hesitate to step up and assume the leadership position.”

  “Even against her?”

  This discussion had taken a turn he did not like. He paced toward the windows.

  Dominique was strong, intelligent and determined. A good leader. He had little desire to rule their territories. When not in self-imposed isolation, he gathered information that was of use for growing and strengthening their nest and, when needed, trained their Blood Neophytes in the ways of war. He liked the freedom of his position.

  “Aleron?”

  “We have strayed from the problem. I need to think. Leave me to my thoughts.” He had allowed her enough freedom of expression, indulged her too much. If one of his nest questioned him and his actions as she had, the dissident would be in the dungeon. The only reason he had allowed her words was that he truly cared what Starr thought.

  Unbeknownst to Démon and Starr, he did not actually hold the rights to this land. His cousin did. She had never formally signed over the title to him. So ultimately, the decision would not be his as to what happened with this property. Dominique would decide.

  He intended to keep that bit of information to himself. If Démon thought he and Starr were useless to him, the prince might decide to kill them. And Aleron could not allow that to happen.

  Chapter Three

  Démon curled his fingers around the edge of the heavy drapery as he stared out a long, narrow window into the darkne
ss. Now that he had secured this land, the mountain seemed almost too quiet, as if the elements were holding their breath to see what would happen next.

  He and his pack needed rest to face whatever battle was sure to come. His stomach growled, and for a brief moment, he contemplated feeding but he had no stomach for the Of the Blood fare he had sniffed earlier in the château’s kitchen. Later he would hunt more appetizing prey.

  He surveyed the grounds below. His bane eyesight easily detected shapes and movement in the dark. His wolves moved as ordered, in a crisscross pattern, patrolling the area. So far, no blooded relations had appeared. But soon. Of that he was certain.

  From his vantage point, he could see the part of the property that had brought him and his pack back to France. The forest. He had located the bane burial grounds years ago, shortly before he and his pack had relocated to Germany. The most coveted area was at the far end of the property, covered with heavy growth.

  Simply by being here, he had already attained a certain amount of strength from those entombed below the forested ground. And the longer he remained, the stronger he would become.

  He was surprised the ancients had allowed this land to be taken over by someone Of the Blood without bestowing the Curse of Pain and Pestilence upon the residents. Aleron must have some Of the Bane blood in him. Enough to protect him and his nest but not enough for him to channel any power.

  Regardless of the truth, Démon knew in his heart that Aleron was not aligned with the wolf packs or his Of the Bane cousins, if any existed, and therefore not worthy to rule this place.

  He released the drapery as he contemplated his future. He turned and sank into a plush chair beside the window. He had taken up residence in Aleron’s personal chambers for they were the nicest and most comfortable rooms at the château.

  Aleron’s rooms were nestled in the back of the structure down a narrow corridor. There was only one way into this private domain that he had readily seen. But he would bet that more than one hidden way existed to get out.