“Rowan, what I meant–” His head snapped toward the door. “Someone’s here.” He stood, his strength resonating through his shoulders. “Stay here. I need to go to Nadia.” Devon strode to the door and opened it with a strange smile on his lips. “President Romaric, how good of you to join us.”
Carson and I froze where we were. What the hell was the president doing here?
“What brings you through the undergrounds on a day like this?” Devon’s voice carried into our room as the door shut behind him.
Voices murmured from the great room, and Carson and I stayed still, trying not to shuffle our feet or give any undue notice to Romaric’s preternatural hearing.
The world turned as Devon’s worry soaked into my skin and flooded me with adrenaline that wasn’t mine. That, and the too little sleep of late, churned in my gut.
What’s happened, Devon? I probed.
Nothing.
How could Romaric have found out about our failed diplomatic night out so fast? I’d heard rumors of his vampiric prowess and network, but not even he could be that all-knowing.
Easing my legs over the side of the bed, I tried to move and stretch, preparing for anything. I needed to find my feet fast, if only the world would decide to stop having a strobe party with my vision. Glancing at Carson, he stood stock still and blinked fast. He was as scared as I was. Romaric would smell the fear unless we put a lid on it quickly.
Trying to decide on the best way to distract Carson without making a sound, I jumped out of my skin when Rob Zombie started playing from my pocket. My phone! Desperately, I tore it out and tried to turn it off, but my shaking fingers forgot how to work properly.
Noting the number was work, I turned it off as fast as my fingers could move.
Shit, I mouthed to Carson.
The double doors to the great room flew open. I stepped back, bracing myself for the angry snarl of President Romaric, but no one stood on the other side.
“I see your scions are getting as involved with each other as you two appear to be,” his voice called from the other room. “Perhaps I should have put you on foreign relations years ago, Devon. Join us, scions.” He beckoned us, his voice brooking no argument.
I could feel the tug of his power, even though vampires were not supposed to be able to thrall another’s scion. Together, Carson and I marched into the next room in near lock-step.
Rumors of Romaric black-bagging anyone who stood in his way–or worse–had been common before my birth. Were we about to be black-bagged?
I held my head high, trying to concentrate on the moment. Not of the past, not of what could happen in the future. Those things could scare the crap out of anyone. I’d focus on just this moment. Take in everything I could. Sometimes, if you pretend you’re not afraid of the lion in the room, he forgets he’s supposed to eat you.
The lights were low, but I could see the three vampires with the help of the power Devon was starting to let trickle into me again. Selvig Romaric, the leader of the world, stood before us. The assurance in his stance and the pull of his power let me understand how he’d brought the other Preternaturals kicking and screaming out of their safe shadows, conscripting them into the fight to annihilate the threat to their food supply. Physically, he wasn’t much, though. He was a tall but willowy pale man of either sixty or one thousand sixty, depending on the stories you believed.
Standing proudly at his side was his scion, Alicia Danvers, the first scion known in the world. She was a lanky blonde with sculpted legs reaching out from under her pleated suit skirt. Any businessman’s dream secretary. I figured that if Romaric had picked her as his scion, her brain would probably be her most impressive attribute.
“Come closer,” he spoke to Carson and me. “I simply want to have a little chat.”
Romaric’s words were laced with an accent that had been practiced before so many audiences; it could have been from just about anywhere and nowhere. He stood with his feet just shoulder-width apart, an odd posture for the tailored suit he wore. Still, his demeanor demanded everyone’s attention. Even the light in the room seemed to center on him, leaving everyone else in his shadow. Whether this was by placement, or one of the omnipotent powers everyone believed he had, I couldn’t tell.
On the far divan, Devon sat with a svelte Nadia draped over his lap, arched around him to idly stroke the dark hair she’d pulled from his band. They were playing at being far more familiar than they were, and I realized Devon was using his own body to try to protect Nadia from direct attack or being pulled from the room. Both of them were beautiful and graceful as always, but the early morning lethargy was kicking in. Their fatigue marred their features. Romaric, on the other hand, stood straight and tall. Maybe he’d napped before coming over.
Carson and I halted before the group, like scolded school children standing before their principal. Thinking about how weak I appeared to them helped keep me from unraveling in fear. Anger and indignation drove away the nerves; left me with something stronger. I straightened my spine as much as I could and cocked a hip toward the leader of the free world.
Carson stared at me with panicked eyes. He took a quarter-step into my personal space, forcing me to sidestep just enough to give him room. With a quick, perfunctory bow, he addressed Romaric. “Is there anything you require, sir?”
Romaric dismissed Carson’s request as if it had never happened. I watched the pain of that dismissal play across Carson’s clenched jaw. Did he have to bow to everyone?
Romaric turned his head toward me with a smile that–on some planet, I was sure–was supposed to be charming. It made my skin crawl.
“Do you make it a habit, Ms. Brady, to ignore your responsibilities?” he chided.
The words hit me as such nonsense, I had trouble understanding them at all.
“I always take care of my responsibilities, sir.” I all but spat the last word in his direction.
I could feel Carson’s shock without looking at him, but Devon barely hid his amusement. He might not be so pleased if I landed us in a sun tube execution, but I’d go down swinging. I was not going to beg for mercy for something I hadn’t done.
The Master Vampire’s only outward response to my tone was a slight tightening of his hands, but he soon relaxed and continued. “Then explain to me and your Maestro why you are ignoring important calls from your work at the DEC?”
I froze. How the hell could he know about that? Was this man really as omniscient as they claimed?
“Hey, I just woke up and…” I knew I was rambling and stammering at the same time, but I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.
“I’m afraid, General, that my vanities have consumed too much of her attention this evening,” Nadia purred from the lounge, affecting a great deal of boredom in her tone. “I am quite done with them, however.” Turning a lazy head to Devon, she added, “Darling, please don’t let me keep your scion from her appointed duties.”
Carson moved casually to the decanters, his face calm, miles from the panic he’d shown moments ago. He poured two drinks. Handing one to Romaric in deference, he took his finger of scotch and leaned against the bookcase, dangling it from his hand. I took in the tableau playing out before me and fought the urge to roll my eyes. I enjoyed a good show, but if they started breaking out in song, I was out of here.
The president stared at me for a full five seconds, making every cell in my body scream. He was the most dangerous animal in the room, and he was focused on me. Devon’s amusement shifted to fear and leaked through our bond. His fear quelled my tongue more than anything. The man staring at me had rallied the troops–human, vampire, and shifter alike–and led them to victory, destroying twenty-three countries’ inhabitants in the matter of months. That spoke volumes to the kind of fear, if not respect, I should give to him. I fidgeted with my posture under his gaze, and he smiled just a little at my discomfort. The bastard.
I narrowed my eyes back at his intent gaze. It was stupid, but anger made me do stupid
things, and the more he stared, the angrier I got.
In a flash, his cool veneer broke into an equally angry sneer. “Devon, I don’t know how your patience hasn’t broken this one yet. You need to get her in hand, or someone else is going to have to.”
The shift in Romaric’s aura made the room feel ten degrees colder. The threat in his words forced me to retreat a step back before I caught myself. Carson made a motion behind Romaric to bow my head. Like hell. I wasn’t about to start bowing now.
I squared my shoulders to Romaric again.
Cherie, leave it.
“No,” I answered Devon aloud though I was still staring at Romaric. “We work just fine, sir, as we are. If you bothered to check my record, you’d see that. No breaking necessary.”
Romaric broke the crystal lowball in his hand. Its red contents dripped from his fingers to the carpet.
Oh gods, what had I done? This was bad, but I couldn’t let any of them walk all over me, or I’d be crawling and bowing like Carson and the other scions before I knew it.
“Cut her off.” His words were like ice, and the power of them waved across the room.
“Sir—” Devon started.
“Cut her off. Now.”
Devon wilted where he stood beside Nadia’s chair. I am sorry.
I clinched my jaw and locked my knees as they threatened to give way. Why? What does he mean, “cut me off?”
Pain raced through my body as every bruise and injury I’d sustained in the last twenty-four hours seemed to hit me at once. My legs buckled, and my knees screamed in agony as they hit the floor. I managed to get my arms below me in time to keep my head from smacking the ground with too much force, but keeping it up was suddenly too much work. Even the air seemed to rake my now raw skin. I ground my teeth as tears burned my eyes. It was like I had the worst sunburn of my life, and everything and nothing irritated it. I fought to keep conscious. My breath came in wheezing gasps. All my training meant nothing if I didn’t have the strength to pick up my hand.
I had nothing from Devon. Less than nothing–he had taken everything. After all this time, how could he do this to me? He took care of me and Will. Gave me a job when I had nothing… From his conversation with Carson, I knew I embarrassed him, but did he really hate me this much? He didn’t even try to fight for me!
I lay helpless before the gathered peanut gallery as they stared at me. My breaths came ragged in and out of my lungs. Do not cry, Rowan, I scolded myself. I’d be damned if I’d give them that satisfaction. When I lifted my eyes, the looks of pity on Devon, Nadia, and Carson’s faces ripped a hole in my chest. Why couldn’t they all just go and leave me and my shame alone? My heart in my throat, I tucked my head and eyes down, so I didn’t have to see them anymore.
Romaric stepped in front of me, a leer covering his face. His feet were just inches from my nose. I bit my tongue to keep from spitting on his shoes. I hated him, loathed him–no, there wasn’t a word strong enough for what I felt toward him. If he fell back into the fiery pits of hell that had spewed him into our world, I would rejoice.
Thankfully, the sanctimonious self-righteous asshole of a president gave me a chiding smile.
The moment Romaric turned away, the pain eased back to a manageable level. The relief on my body only enhanced the hurt inside. Devon had done this to me; this small bone he was throwing me didn’t mean squat. Everyone else had just watched, silently witnessing my disgrace as the presidential bastard stood over me. No one had tried to help. I wasn’t even sure if anyone had breathed. I wiped the wetness from my eyes, praying that the tears wouldn’t fall and further my humiliation.
“I am sure your scions can work together without you for a time. The two of you will come with me through the underground for a private rendezvous at my estate.” Romaric’s words had regained their charmed political cadence, but I’d seen the real him. I wouldn’t forget it.
And I’d make him pay for it.
Romaric turned and exited the hotel room without another word. He was so sure everyone would just listen. Tears of degradation continued to burn my eyes and threatened to fall. I laid my head on my arms to hid my face in case I lost my battle against them.
In my miserable darkness, I heard Devon and Nadia stand and put on their coats.
This is not my fault, Rowan, Devon said.
I thought about just ignoring him, but I’d never been good at the silent game. Screw you. Even the voice in my head sounded lifeless.
I had to obey. Why couldn’t you just keep quiet?
Why couldn’t you just have a pair of balls? I thought we were supposed to work together.
He didn’t answer.
Trying to move, I managed only to slide one sore leg out from its twisted position under me. Swallowing a lump in my throat, I fought the urge to whimper.
I won’t forget this. My voice seethed with venom. I had no idea he could make me this useless. He’d taken not only what he gave me, but much, much more. The only part of me left was an empty shell of worthlessness and weakness, and now everyone saw it.
Devon’s internal sigh was loud in my head. I will try and give you warning if things turn… ugly.
Who gave a shit? Shifting my head, the room came into view through one eye. My body hurt from all the fighting, even with some of my healing back. There was no way in hell I was going to ask Devon for anything.
Nadia stepped across the room to Carson, her eyes narrow in her apologetic squint.
“Good man,” she cooed, laying a hand on his cheek, petting him. “I’m reminded how lucky I am to have you at my side.”
I couldn’t help the internal eye-roll. Devon would be missing fingers if he tried any of the pet crap.
Carson put a hand against hers, glancing at me out the corner of his eye. He was pale, and the glass in his other hand was drained.
That’s right, buddy boy. You should be scared. Just wait ‘til you don’t perform well, then your ass will be down here.
Nadia, unaware of my thoughts, smiled at me. A single tear fell from her eye. She stared at me with purpose, but the words never found their way out. She cleared her throat and gave Carson a hug, discreetly wiping the tear on his shirt before turning to Devon. “Devon, my dear, I believe we have been summoned.”
They moved quickly out the doors.
Once they were out of sight, and the door was closed, the flow from Devon grew stronger. The feel of it sliding through me, taking over every cell, nauseated me, making me semi-drunk on the power and granting me the strength to sit up on my own. I groaned. Even this small boon was granted to me. Was there anything of just me left?
Carson kept his mouth shut as I got to my feet. Smart guy. I might have ripped him a new one if he tried to “understand” me right then. Once the soreness and weakness receded, I grabbed my phone from my bag and punched its touch screen with my thumb until I called up the last number.
Lyle answered on the first ring. “Where the hell have you been?” All of his usual charm and innuendo, which hid his actual brain, had been pushed aside.
Glancing at Carson, I tried to put more strength in my tone than I felt. “It’s been a shitty night, day… whatever. What’s going on?”
“We’ve been called to a crime scene.”
Great. More work. “Theft or attempted?”
“Murder.”
I froze. Romaric had scolded me for not answering my phone. Had he known about this already? “But we’re not homicide.”
“No, but we were requested specifically to consult on this one–from the Basement.”
I shifted a nervous eye to Carson. When did the Basement get involved with grunt work? They were the highest level of Romaric’s shadow government, running the show from deep underneath the DEC building–hence the name. Rousing themselves only when the happy semblance of civilization was threatened, they ID’ed those who needed to be black-bagged or worse. Somehow, they knew of events when no one else did, and they were all vampires. No wonder Romaric knew. They o
nly answered to him.
I swallowed hard against my dry throat. What I wouldn’t give for a long soak in the tub and my own bed. “Okay, I’m on my way. What’s the address? I have to change, but I’ll be there in thirty.”
“I’ll text it to you. You have a bit of time, though. They won’t let us in until forensics have swept.”
“Good. It’s been a while since I went through Crime Scene Protocol.”
“And Rowan… they said to bring that Canadian buck. You still babysitting him?”
I narrowed my eyes at Carson, who dropped his glance and moved away. “Sure am.”
“Ro, this is messed up.”
I tried to stretch out the last tingles of weakness from my arms. “Tell me about it.” I hung up the phone and stared at Carson.
“I take it you can’t be rid of me?” Carson asked, attempting a smirk.
“I’m not that lucky.” I reviewed the text info scrolling across my screen. “We have under an hour to change and be across town.”
“Rowan…” The man couldn’t look more awkward as he rocked slightly on his feet tapping his hand on his thigh. He was searching for something to say. Some old wise man crap that would make everything that just happened better.
It didn’t exist.
“Get changed, Carson, so I can too.”
stopped mid-pace when Carson ambled back in. His clean face and fresh clothes made me feel even grimier, inside and out. I caught myself trying to hide the tear in my shirt from last night’s excursions under my hand and turned it into rubbing my bicep. How could he still be so collected and polished? I was ready to scream with frustration.
I took a quick peek into Devon’s mind. He was going through the undergrounds, making idle chit-chat with his arm still slung around Nadia. How long would they have to keep this up? Devon’s hyped up nerves were doing nothing for my own.
“Ready?” I asked Carson, my thoughts back in reality. “We can take my car. I have to swing by home first.”
“Lead on.” Carson keyed the hotel doors locked with his thumbprint as we exited the penthouse suite.
Of Scions and Men Page 8
