“I belong to you twice as much now,” Tanda smiled, holding her neck where I had marked her.
“How do y’all know I don’t smell like Martin anymore?”
“You smell like a mass of your kind and no longer just one, Renee,” Fala answered from the foyer. “I do not believe any night creature would be able to decipher your count when you are only one.”
“Wouldn’t that be a giveaway itself? Surely there isn’t a lot of breeders walking around with a load of their follower’s blood hangin’ around in their body.”
“And the slang begins,” Jacob said with one side of his mouth raised in an evil grin. “That is a true statement, my young Renee. However…every old breeder there will be bloated with the blood of slave and normals alike. The more show of power they have, the better to secure their years trade around London.”
“Will these older breeders be bringing some of this trade to the gala?” Derek asked.
“They bring their trade no matter where they go. But, none are allowed to bring them into the homes of the higher land owners of London without a personal invitation. That only happens if the gifts they offer are up to standards of the mistress or master of the manor,” Cates explained, taking Tammy into his arms.
“Okay, then another question. Will these breeders know that the blood in me is the ones walking with me? And before you say it Jacob, I already know it’s just another stupid question.”
“I was going to say that your questions are starting to have a great deal of meaning, right up until you added the last. And to answer it, no, they will not know unless the older breeders have tasted us on a more recent visit. To my knowledge, they have not.”
“We need to be there before midnight to see all who are going in. I want to make sure to see how many we stand against in the event that things do not go as we plan,” Cates added, then kissed Tammy’s hand before joining Jacob and myself.
“Does everyone have their weapons?”
“I should go have Martin show me where he keeps his weapons room,” Jacob said, glancing over at me, then down at the floor.
“Go ahead if you think we’ll need them, I can’t go with you right now.”
It was one of the many times that Jacob gave me his disappointed stares as he walked past me and up the staircase to find out where our gracious host had gone. He had a small study on the second floor in one of the bedrooms where he stayed for hours throughout the night while we were out. A few moments later Jacob came back down with Martin close behind. They both went into the sitting room across from where we all stood in the study and closed the double doors.
“I guess your maker doesn’t care to share his secrets with the rest of us,” Sydney verbally observed.
“He can keep them, for now. And yes, I love him, but that was a sneaky move.” I fumed as I grabbed Brandon’s blade that Derek had given me and did my best to slide it down in the pocket that Tanda had sewn into my dress. “This is never gonna work.”
“There’s a small opening at the bottom of your pocket to slip the end of the blade through, Renee. It will rest comfortably on your leg as you walk. I will bind the sheath to your leg if you will calm down enough to get the blade into the opening,” Tanda smiled as she touched my elbow.
“I am calm, I’m just extremely pissed right now,” I winked, then found the hole and slid the sheath of my blade through with ease. “Wow, once you get that tied in place this will work perfect.”
“I am a good seamstress, when I have the proper things that one needs to mend with.”
“I’m not so bad myself,” Sydney said, getting everyone’s attention. “What? Men can sew too, ya know. I was born and practically raised on the boat, so my mom was the only teacher I had when I wasn’t helping my dad with running the boat.”
“You were born on the open water?” I asked.
“Yep, right outside of Sydney, Australia. That’s why my name is spelled the way it is.”
“And how does one spell your name, young Sydney?” Cates asked with a look of confusion on his face.
“With a ‘Y’ instead of an ‘I’ like some would say a girl’s name is spelled. Believe me, I got made fun of plenty when I did go to school in the states.”
“Normals are a weird group of creatures indeed. Breeders would never put so much thought into a person’s name. If your maker chose to name you after the name of a place then so be it. Who has the right to say otherwise?” Cates said as he slid his black blade down the inside of the top of the back of his vest.
“The farmers have arrived,” Fala announced from the front door.
“You’ve already paid them?” I asked, looking at Cates.
“Before Jacob and I dressed…” he paused gesturing at himself, “in this. We made our way to their stay and paid for the delivery of what we discussed. Why, did you also want to be involved in that?”
“Don’t you go getting all pissy with me too, Cates. I get enough of that with those two hiding in the other room. And why do you think they had to go in there alone anyway?”
“You are the mistress of all but the one who has marked you. Why do you not just storm in the room and find out for yourself.” I spun and glared at the closed doors as if my thoughts could burst them open all on their own. But nothing happened so I spun back on Cates. “Hey, it was just a thought.”
“The less you know, the better,” Garvin interrupted.
“What do you mean?” Derek stood taking Tanda by the hand.
“What he means is, if we were to be taken by those we mean to take down,” Cates lowered his eyes then looked over at me, “the torture to his valuable’s whereabouts would be the first they would want information on. Your pain would be secondary.”
Our conversation came to a halt when a knock sounded on the front door. Fala looked in at Cates, and then he and Garvin walked over, while Fala stepped back into the study with us. We all stood in silence as Cates explained that we were on our way out to a party at one of the gatherings in the London Square somewhere downtown. I was finding out quickly that Cates was a man of many talents, and could turn a tale better than Pa around a campfire any day of the week. It brought a soft, warm glow to my very dark heart. Once they had stepped out into what Martin called the ‘courtyard’ he and Jacob opened the doors to the room across from the study.
Ours eyes met and Martin was the first to look away. He spoke to Jacob then went up the staircase without so much as another glance my way. I think that made my blood boil more than him tricking me into drinking his blood for strength. Even if I knew deep down why he had done it, he shouldn’t have done it, no matter what. I watched as Jacob left through the front door to join Cates and Garvin and everything in my body wanted to rush up the stairs and confront my maker.
“Renee, will you join us please?” Jacob called from the open door and changed my mind for me.
“Sure,” I replied, but could not control my head from turning and looking up the way that Martin had gone. I think I may have made a guttural sound when I didn’t see him there looking back down at me. Now I knew what being in love was all about. I wanted to be near him whether I was happy or mad at him. My greatest wish was that my maker would join us when he was ready but until then, at least give us his blessing to kill those who laid harm to the innocent and set them free. The only thing he worried about was keeping me safe and that was unacceptable.
Chapter Twenty Six
My people had their fill of the largest of the pigs that the farmers had brought. I was so full; that just seeing them drink the warm red nectar was making me ill. We were an hour from the time when we had to leave. Martin and Jacob had laid out a number of weapons for us to choose from. As everyone was making their pick, I called Cates and Jacob over to me. I had the weapons that I wanted and now I needed them to do something that I knew they would be against.
“I want the two of you to take Alex and Martin down into the dungeon and make sure they can’t get out until we get back.”
“
You want us to force the owner of his own home into the underground levels? Why?” Jacob asked.
I stormed up to Jacob, pressing my chest into his, putting my nose as close to his as I could. “How dare you question me after harping down my throat this whole time about me needing to take control! You belong to me and you will damn well do as you are told or I will…”
“Forgive me, My Lady?” Jacob went down on one knee.
“No, wait,” I was shocked at my own words and his reaction. “I didn’t mean it. I mean, I meant I want them in the lower level, but I didn’t mean to sound like that.”
Jacob stayed down on one knee. I turned around and saw Cates mirroring his actions. That’s when I started to cry. The confusion was overwhelming. I had been a complete cow before and they had just stood up to me, but now they were different and I didn’t like it. “Was this from taking your blood into me?” I backed into the bottom steps of the staircase and went down on my backside. Both Jacob and Cates were in front of me within seconds.
“It is, but it is a very good thing, My...Renee,” Jacob said. “All who we stand against this night will see your power. And that you rule your people with a powerful hand.”
“I take it all back. I don’t ever want to see what I just saw out of my friends again. Can I order you guy’s to not ever do that again,” I sniffed and smeared my red tears through the white make-up that was now plastered on my face.
“Miss Tanda will not be happy with you,” Cates laughed. “And yes, you can now, as before, order us to do whatever you wish.”
Jacob dropped his head and shook it. “I wish you had not told her that. Life will be dick to pay now, without doubt.” With that, I burst out laughing through my tears.
***
We all stood in the foyer, weapons well hidden, as Cates came down with Alex in chains. Martin followed with Jacob at his back and all looked at us with eyes filled with uncertainty. Alex’s eyes, of course, were glazed with the fear of his impending death as well. Martin showed no other emotion, it was as if he understood that he was being locked up for his own safety. Tanda knew she was going into the lower levels also, not only watch over Martin and to make sure Alex stayed put but to keep herself out of harm’s way if others came into our domain.
“Do not bother looking for this man you seek who makes the dead walk, all who ran from those you have already touched would not seek sanctuary in this country. The things you have crossed have been here for a very long time. If you wish to find him you have come to the wrong place.” Martin never looked at me; he only spoke as he turned to go down the hall.
“Is that why you think we…I came all this way, Martin?” He stopped. “I only mentioned those notes we found in that place because I was hoping you might know something that would help my brother. But that has nothing to do with why I came to London.” I saw his lead lower. “I thought my maker would be proud of what I was doing, proud that I came looking for him. I guess I was wrong.” That’s when I turned my back and started walking toward the rest my people.
“Renee!”
“What?” I stopped but didn’t turn around to see if he was now looking at me.
“May I please have a moment with you? I cannot bear the thought of this being our last words if you do not come back.”
I let out a harsh breath, knowing that I had everyone’s attention in the house. I nodded once and without turning, walked into the study and waited for Martin to join me. I stayed where I was until I heard the double doors close, then I walked over and stood in front of the fireplace. A few seconds later I felt Martin’s hands grip my shoulders lightly. “My Love, what am I to do with you?”
“I don’t even know what to do with me, Martin. I just know what I have to do.”
“Yes, and I, too, know what you must do. Even why you feel the need to lock me in my own dungeon.”
“I can’t have them taking you again, or Tanda, if this is a trap. I know you can get out, it’s your place after all.”
“It is and I can,” he chuckled. “But, I must admit I was very glad when Master Jacob told me he had no intention of chaining me.”
“Oh he did, did he,” I turned and smiled.
“It is good to see you smile. I am sorry that I tried to fool you with my blood. Your little ones love you very much and follow your mission fully. I did not think that they would give you notice to what I had done so freely. My hope was that they would have gone with what I was doing to keep you safe. One would never have guessed that those who were not marked would do so much for another out of free will alone.”
“Well, they’re marked now, thanks to you.”
“And for that I am even more sorry.”
“Why’s that?” I pulled away walked over and leaned on the desk, pushing the hoop down on the dress before Martin could see it flipping up.
“Because, it gave you more power over your people and it made you less weak to my call.”
“So the real truth comes out. What you’re saying is, now either my love is the real deal or there’s no love at all, right?”
“Correct,” he snorted. “Without my bond being so strong, you may or may not love me as you once did. And yes, my fear is huge.” He looked over at me and my heart sank. Nothing had changed inside of me, it may have grown, but I couldn’t tell him that.
“I do feel different, but there’s no time to talk about it right now. I’m not sorry that you helped me become closer to my family, Martin. I wish I had done it sooner. So, thank you,” I swallowed, walking up to him. I reached up and touched his cheek. “May I have a kiss for good luck?”
“Will you promise to come back to me?”
“I can say the words but I can’t control what will happen.”
“That will be good enough I suppose.” He didn’t say another word. He just wrapped his arms around my body and picked me up, locking his mouth to mine. He pressed his lips so hard to mine that I could taste mingled blood. I opened to him and our tongues danced until a light tap sounded on the door. I pulled back with a certain blush on my face, licking my lips just as Martin was. “You will be the death of me, Renee.”
“I hope not.”
“Forgiven then?”
“There was never anything to forgive. I’m just an old cow who gets pissed at the drop of a hat. Blame that on the ancient,” I smiled.
“I think I remember you being very stubborn well before…”
“Don’t finish that statement if you know what’s good for you.” I walked to the door with him, getting one more kiss before we opened it.
***
Tanda and Martin were made comfortable in the first room off of the area by the larger room with the desk in it in Martin’s secret hidden dungeon. He knew where all of the switches were so there was no prying to find a way in or out. He assured us that we had killed all of the remaining spiders; something else we would one day have to talk about. Alex, however, was chained to one of the beds by the giant, dead spiders and told if he made any sounds what-so-ever that the remaining spiders would make him their next meal. His whispering pleas could be heard as the last of my boys exited the tunnel to his entrapment.
“Watch Inara, it is well known by those who she has pulled into her web that she is, in some ways, stronger in power than her sister. Bernard has been taking from Angelica and Inara, in turn, takes from him. In time, a breeder can gain power if that breeder takes in enough for a long enough time. Angelica has no idea or she would never allow another’s servant to share. Inara’s power may hold stronger in the mind than blood, but either way, she is not to be trusted.”
“Then why does she? I mean Angelica, let Bernard go back. If she allows him to take a sip, wouldn’t she think her sister would?” Derek asked.
“Her power has gone to her head many years ago, my young one, and her cravings far outweighed her thoughts before she allowed her power to rule. Either way, do not put so much trust in her twin.”
“Why do you think Renee put you down here?” Sydney a
dded.
“Sydney? That’s not like you to speak up for me.” I think my heart was smiling as big as my mouth.
“Wow, that was weird, wasn’t it?” he smiled back, then looked over at Garvin who didn’t smile back. “All I was meaning was, you were taking a stand in your own power.”
“What?” I looked around the room to see most looking back at Garvin, then glancing away.
“Our young Sydney no longer belongs to our young Garvin the way that he once did,” Cates explained.
“Oh Garvin, I’m so sorry,” I said and rushed to where he was kicking at a stone.
“It felt good to have a son, for a while.”
“Why didn’t you say something? I didn’t have to mark Sydney.”
“Yes, you did,” Garvin finally looked at me. “There was nothing more important than that. We must be a whole, Renee, not broken because of my love for my child. My one and only creation.”
“Well, don’t say it like that. You’re just breaking my heart. Can’t you just remark him or something?”
“If only it were that easy,” Jacob interjected. “Garvin can take from him as you did your maker, but you have a power that overrides most in this room. One more ancient and you will override all in this room. Garvin is but a fledgling to you, Renee.”
“Even Martin?”
“See, her first ancient craves more power even with Renee at the helm.” Martin’s words were shocking.
“If we had more time, we would talk about that remark, Martin. But, we don’t.” I looked at my fancy dressed little ones. “Don’t we have a shindig to get to?”
Bloodbreeders: Lies Beneath London Page 25
