by Sadie Jacks
Tavis snickered and ushered me inside. “House of Death. Koehn has a wicked sense of humor.”
“King Koehn awaits you in the grand throne room,” the stuffy man said as he tipped his nose to the ceiling. “Follow me.”
Stepping into the mansion was almost like stepping back into the castle at home. Towering ceilings, marble floors polished to a high shine, and enough heavy red fabric to remind me of a brothel I’d killed someone in once.
I wrinkled my nose and thought I understood why Koehn had a separate residence. This place, while beautiful, was ostentatious and stifling. It also gave me the strange desire to skulk around the giant pillars that dotted the room.
With a quick glance at Mr. Stuffy, I slinked to the side and hid behind the nearest pillar. “Tavis,” I whispered to the other man.
He turned towards me. Stopped in mid-motion when he didn’t find me. “Vari?” he called out softly.
I raised my hand out from behind the pillar. Waved him over to me. As I watched from my shadowed position, I saw him skim a glance over at our guide before he leapt towards me.
“Why are we hiding?”
I shrugged. “This place reminds me of home. And I never did what I was supposed to there.” I looked up at him. “Do you know where the throne room is?”
He nodded, an odd smile on his face.
“What? Why are you smiling at me like that?”
He shook his head, waved my comment away. “Yes, I know where the throne room is. This way.” So saying, he grabbed my hand and pulled me off towards the back of the room. The staircase was so grand it made the one my father used at parties look like a drab serviceman’s entrance.
I shuddered. This place was awful.
Tugging me behind him, Tavis led us down a different corridor. One that was more modernly furnished. The rug was a deep blue and muffled our steps. The walls were a creamy white that didn’t make me want to smear blood all over them.
Vari, what the hell are you doing? Koehn asked.
I snickered. Tavis and I are hiding from your doorman.
Koehn’s mental sigh could have pushed me off my feet. Just hurry up and get here. We are discussing important things, you know.
On our way, King Koehn.
Don’t call me that, he snapped at me.
“Koehn really doesn’t like being called king, huh?” I asked Tavis.
The giant man snorted. “Nay, he doesn’t.” He came to a stop in front of the tallest set of doors I’d ever seen. “We’re here.”
I pushed open the doors, having to put some muscle into it. “Are they lined in steel and weighted with gold or something?”
“Aye.”
I rolled my eyes as the room opened before me. The first thing I saw was a door on the far side standing open. Across the room, Mr. Stuffy glared at me. His lips moved, but from this distance I couldn’t make out what he said. Which was a good thing for him.
I shot him a little finger wave. Turning to the rest of the room, I blinked at the gathered group of men. At least two hundred guys were sitting in an arch that sprang out from the middle of the room where Koehn, Ambrose, Gideon, and Hector sat on a raised platform. Five women were sitting on the floor at their feet.
Dirty and smelly, even from across the room.
Michael’s women. Shite. I rushed across the room using my enhanced speed. Rocked to a stop in front of the nearest woman.
Brushing her hair back from her face, a seething anger wrenched through me. That arsehole had done this. For his own pleasure. For his own whims.
I wanted to kill him all over again. And make it infinitely more painful.
I can help with that, one of my creatures said. Shasi had a distinct way of dealing with men. But we couldn’t afford the mess her tactics brought. Especially in a room full of vampires.
I’ll keep that in mind, Shasi. But not right now. I blew out a breath and looked up at Koehn. “Where were they?”
The assembled men behind me sucked in a collective breath.
I looked over my shoulder at them. “What?”
Koehn chuckled. I’ll tell you about the women later. The coven is shocked because, technically, you’re supposed to ask for permission to speak to me.
Snorting, I looked back at him. “That’s not gonna happen.”
He smiled. “Nor would I want you to.” He rose from his seat and held out a hand for me. Pulling me up to the stage next to him, tucked me under his arm. “This is Vari. She is mine.”
I ground my heel into his instep, smiled prettily when he sucked in a noisy gasp. Giving the group of men a small wave, I removed myself from Koehn’s body. “Actually, he’s mine. So don’t get any ideas.”
You’d think I’d just offered to strip for the whole group. One face in the sea of shocked expressions held more anger than anything else. I was a little insulted. Did he not want to see me strip? I mean, come on. It would have been gratuitous.
Was I actually arguing with myself about some stranger not wanting to watch me get naked? Get your mind back on the room, V. Serious things are afoot.
What’s with the angry chicken in the back row? I asked the man who stood at my back, probably with a sulky expression on his face. He’d more than likely appreciate the strip show.
I felt Koehn’s energy shift from me out into the room like a flood. I don’t know. But I’ll keep an eye on him.
Shoving it all aside, I turned to Ambrose, Hector, and Gideon. “I’m glad she was able to help.”
All three men nodded at me but said nothing. Hector did smile, though, so that was nice. And I was pretty sure Ambrose’s pale blue eyes twinkled for a moment.
Koehn put his arm back around my shoulders. “You all notice that Michael is not here with us. He was killed earlier tonight.”
I waved again. “By me.”
The temperature in the room dropped like I’d walked into the perpetual winter section of Old Faery. A low, vibrating growl rose through the room.
It made heat slide through my veins at the threat. Shaking my hands, I had my daggers in my palms before another sound was uttered.
“The kill was justified. These women are evidence and the rest of the Council served as witnesses.” Koehn’s power pushed out in a cool wave. “But we have a bigger issue at hand.”
I waited to hear the news. Had a feeling it was going to be a blow to the men in this room. Whatever it was, it had Koehn almost shaking with emotion beside me. The waves of his anger, disgust, and annoyance were crashing against me as if I were the beach to his high tide.
“Michael was able to go about his business…in full view of the humans. He kidnapped and kept these women hostage for no fewer than three weeks. In the middle of downtown.” Koehn’s voice dripped with fury.
Everyone jerked back, shock and contempt on their faces. “How is that possible?” one man asked from the back.
I scanned the faces at the news. Saw nothing out of the ordinary.
Koehn shook his head. “I’m looking into it. But let this serve as a warning to all of you. Innocents are not toys or playthings. If you drink from a willing host, make sure you wipe their memories, unless you are bonded. We thrive in the darkness. We survive by being the stuff of legend and myth.” He paused, the weight of his authority like a heavy blanket. “Dismissed.”
The group of men rose as a single unit. Bowed their heads and dispersed. I didn’t hear a single sound as they moved out of the room. Not a single scuffle of shoe or rustle of fabric. It was like they were ghosts.
Once the last door shut, Koehn grabbed my arm and pulled me around. With a single hand around my throat, he brought my face to his. Captured my mouth. An animalistic growl rumbled through his chest and into mine.
Deep inside, some part of me claimed him. Even when I wanted to bash the man in the face, I wanted him.
I bit his lip as he changed the angle of the kiss. Swiped up the bead of blood on my tongue. Don’t get sassy with me, Koehn. I own you. Not the other way around.
I shoved my hands between our bodies. Shoved him away. “I don’t need your protection. How many times do I have to tell you that?”
His chest heaved as he stared at me with black eyes. “Until I stop drawing breath into these useless lungs, Vari. I don’t care if you’re the strongest being in this or any other universe. I protect what’s mine.” He shoved into my face again. Rubbed his nose against mine softly. “And you are mine.” His next kiss was lighter than a butterfly’s wings.
The part of me that claimed him melted. But the rest of me fought back the urge to beat him senseless. None of my creatures were impressed with him. And with the barriers between us so thin, I couldn’t afford to let my control slip any more than it already had.
Saying nothing, I backed up until I felt Tavis next to me. His familiar Fae magic was a comfy shelter as I tried to figure out what was going on inside me. I even grabbed one of his hands and pulled it around my throat like a scarf. I glared at Koehn but said nothing.
Koehn’s face tightened down as he shifted his black gaze to the man behind me. “Do not think to take from me, old friend.”
I snarled low in my throat. “Not that it matters, but I don’t see Tavis that way. So back the feck up, Koehn. I’m done playing your power games.”
Tavis’ chuckle shook my smaller frame. “And she’s more the annoying sister than a potential bed mate, King Koehn.” The name and title had a particular bite to them.
Koehn flinched, backed down. Rubbed a hand down his face. “Sweet feck, what the hell is wrong with me?”
Ambrose and Hector chuckled.
“You’ve bonded to a strong woman who won’t settle for being placed on a pedestal.” Ambrose rose from his chair and clapped Koehn on the shoulder. “Just don’t piss her off. She’ll probably kill you.”
“Damn straight, I will.” I smiled at Ambrose. Turned, and glared at Koehn. “Take the advice of your elder, Koehn.”
He rolled his eyes. “We do have something else to discuss. And we need your help.” He took a deep breath. “We have a situation, and someone needs to die.”
Chapter 28 – Koehn
Trying to keep my focus on her and not the fact that my best friend had her wrapped in his arms, I told her how we’d found the women. I also told her our suppositions that Michael had an accomplice.
Vari nodded. “Michael didn’t seem the kind to hold off on anything he wanted, so I can accept the fact that someone else was helping him. I’m a little confused as to what you think I can do to help you in this though.” She looked at the Vampire Council. “That is what you’re wanting, right?”
Hector chuckled. “Strong and brilliant, my king.” He got up from his chair and came over and stood before her. “Yes, Mistress Vari. We would like your help in ferreting out any who had a hand in helping Michael.”
“We also need to consider the idea that he—rather, they—have done this before. It was too well done and hidden for this to have been the first time,” Gideon offered.
Shite. I hadn’t thought of that. And I should have. It was my responsibility to keep this family under control and properly protected. The fact that at least two of my flock were kidnappers, and possibly murderers, set my gut to roiling with fury. I gritted my teeth. “Yes. Gideon, see if any of your contacts at the police station can give you any hints.”
Gideon nodded. “How long of a time span do you want me to look for?”
Feck.
“All of the time that Michael has been here,” Vari said. “I would also check his former home. See if any people went missing there.”
All of us stared at her.
She rolled her eyes. “What? I’ve hunted my fair share of arseholes. I know what to do and how to conduct an investigation.” She grabbed Tavis’ wrists as if she were locking herself to him.
Her lips moved slightly. But even with my vampire hearing, I didn’t understand any of what she said. When Tavis’ shoulders started bouncing slightly in laughter, I had a feeling I didn’t want to know what she’d said.
I turned back to Gideon. “Do what she suggested.”
Gideon got up from his chair and left the room on silent feet. Only the soft sigh of the door closing behind him gave away his movement.
“Mistress Vari, do any of your creatures or essences have abilities that could aid us?” Hector asked.
She shrugged. “I guess that depends on what you want me to do. Did any of you notice any familiar scents where the women were held?” She looked down at the still docile women. Her pretty face fell into lines of sympathy as she studied them.
Hector cleared his throat. “I hadn’t been paying attention. But I’m sure we could go back and do a more thorough search.”
I turned to look at him. Nodded. “You and Ambrose go do that. Catalog any scents you find.”
The two ancients dipped their chins and moved off in the same direction Gideon had taken.
I waited for them to leave before I beckoned Tavis and Vari closer. “Can you reach them while they’re still under our compulsion?” I asked both Fae.
Tavis shook his head immediately. “That’s not a skill I possess.”
I looked at Vari.
She shook her head. “I’ve never had a need to do so. I don’t really know and I refuse to attempt it on these traumatized women.”
Blowing out a breath, I nodded. It had been a longshot, but I’d had to ask. “We have Hayes coming in to do exams. He should be here any moment.” He should have been here a long time ago. The fact that our coven doctor was missing was not a good sign.
Both Tavis and Vari nodded. “What do we do while we wait, then?” Tavis asked.
Vari pulled away from him slightly, looked up into his face. “You were waiting at Koehn’s. Why don’t you tell us what Magda needs from us? Or needs to tell us.”
Looking at Tavis, I saw that whatever issue he’d had earlier in the day had either been put to rest or he was actively not thinking about it. Either way, I was glad he wasn’t being a dick to Vari any longer.
Tavis cleared his throat. “Aye. She popped back home after she left Trick’s place. She’s been in a tizzy ever since. Throwing tomes and scrolls this way and that. Her family called me.”
Curious, that. Why would her family even bother Tavis with it at all? The man was a portal guardian, not a soul calmer. Right?
Tavis went quiet as he seemed to be stuck in his head. His expression was grave as he watched something only he could see in his mind. After a few weighty moments, he came back to himself. Gave me a lopsided smile. “She was ranting about Vari being our savior.”
Vari jolted slightly and pulled herself from his arms totally.
Something inside me loosened in relief as she put distance between them. My fingers and palms itched to pull her to me, but I didn’t fancy losing a hand at that moment. Especially in my own throne room.
“She said something like that before she disappeared from the kitchen. I didn’t understand it then, and I certainly don’t understand it now.”
Tavis shrugged. “She needs to discuss it with both of ye. I don’t want to say there’s a prophecy, but…” His smile was bitter.
“But you think there’s a prophecy.” Shite. Could this fecking day get any worse?
Tavis shrugged again. “I’ll not be sharing anything else. Ye can talk to her yerselves.” This time, he crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head. Added a glare to it for good measure.
I turned to Vari. “What do you think it could mean?”
She shrugged as well. “No idea. If there are any prophecies anywhere about the Vast, I would have heard about them. I’ve been searching for answers for the last one hundred years.” Her head tipped to the side as her eyes went a little unfocused. Coming back to herself, she nodded. “Yeah, right at about a hundred years now.”
“What prompted the search for answers?” I asked her.
“What are you planning to do with the women? I mean, after your doctor friend is able to look them over.” She turned slightly and studied the women again.
I gritted my teeth at her non-answer. This woman was infuriating. Once we were out of this immediate situation, I was going to tie her up and not let her go until I got some damned answers.
“We’ll return them to their families,” I said after a moment of reining in my temper.
Tavis snorted softly.
I glared at him. He could keep his nose out of my business. And my bed.
He jumped his eyebrows up and down a couple times before Vari turned back around to look at us. His face was nothing but angelic when she was watching.
“How will that work?” Vari asked. “They’ve been traumatized. Even if you could steal only the pertinent parts of their memories, they’re bodies are still in poor condition.”
I nodded. “I’ll feed each of them some blood. Heal any injuries they might have incurred at Michael’s hands. Then I’ll ask some trusted human females to help clean them up. We’ll deliver them back to the families as if nothing had happened.”
“Three weeks, Koehn. You can’t just remove three weeks of their time and assume nothing will go wrong. Or that they will never miss the time.” She propped her fists on her hips, glared up at me.
“Then what do you suggest we do, woman? I refuse to keep them and subject them to even more trauma. They have been wounded by my kind more than enough.”
She narrowed her eyes at me before her whole face opened in surprise. She lifted a hand, tapped a finger to her chin. “I might have an idea.” With that, she moved across the room and took one of the throne seats as if she owned the whole building.
Tavis’ chuckle brought me back around to face him. “Admit it, Trick. She’s yer match.”
The corner of my mouth ticked up. “Aye, she is. But I’ll never tell her.”
“I heard that,” the woman in question said. “And I’ll remember it for eternity.”
I rolled my eyes as Tavis laughed once more. “Bloody woman.”
“Stupid man,” Vari said just as softly.
