“Hello. I need to speak to you.”
“Hm, hello doc,” Zephyr chuckled. “Slumming?” The bar behind her wasn’t the upper side of anywhere.
Once again, Cady took a big whiff of Zephyr’s perfume and frowned. “What are you?”
Zephyr bristled at the abrupt question. “What in hell does that mean?”
“That means you aren’t human or vampire. What are you?”
Zephyr smirked. Catarina wanted to tear her eyes out because of the smug, self-assured manner of her response.
“What am I? I’m insulted, that’s what. Get out of my face and move on. If you won’t, I will scream bloody murder.”
Cady paused only a moment before she did move on, but the smell of Zephyr’s perfume would stay with her no matter what she had to do to cover it.
DESTIN ENTERED THE old mansion with a sense of longing. He missed the familiar scent of wood polish and lemon. The new house also had polish but not centuries of it rubbed deep into the wood grain as it did here. His footsteps tossed echoes into the cavernous rooms.
“I was beginning to think you weren’t coming, son,” chided a flat voice.
“I had to wait to be sure no one followed me. Is there anything I can get you, grandfather?”
“Come and sit next to me. I have something for you.”
Destin entered the room that used to be the old library. There were few physical memories except for an old mantle clock and the two stuffed wing chairs by the fire. He took the unoccupied chair and tried to relax though it was difficult when in the presence of the Duke.
“I will officially visit the family in a few days. But I wanted to give you a present. Something you can give to your mother. A peace offering,” he proposed.
“My mother? I thought you said she was a blight on our family and that she had no use for me. I do not understand.” Destin’s mouth formed a thin, obstinate line.
“The phoenix has polluted our family blood, but she did give birth to you. For this, I am grateful. To show my gratitude, I scoured the world to find just the right gift.” He nodded to a box on the side table. “Open that and tell me what it is.”
Destin opened the box and didn’t know what to expect, but not what he found.
“A rock. A rock?”
His Grace, Edward Selwyn, Duke of Normandy, chuckled at Destin. Some surprises proved well worth the price of ignorance.
“Indeed it is a rock. An ancient and expensive one. That, my boy, is a Dragon Bloodstone. It is for your mother’s heart. It will enhance her. That rock, as you say, is nearly as old as your mother. And how old do you think that is?”
“Er, I forget.” Destin shrugged.
“You should know these things. The phoenix is over twelve thousand years old. That rock is about eleven thousand. She might even feel the strength of it.” He smiled slowly. “I had it polished and put on a chain. You give it to your mother, and you tell her you love her.”
“That’s it? I give her a rock and tell her I love her? That’s not going to fix her or us.”
The Duke leaned forward and slapped the boy.
“Do as I instruct you and leave the rest to me. Simply give her the gift and tell her you are sorry. If she asks how you knew about it, tell her you read about it in National Geographic. And remember, you and I have not met. When we do, I promise you that the taint of our family will go away forever.”
Destin looked down and rubbed his stinging cheek. Angry fires flamed in his chest and his eyes. “Yes, grandfather.”
He stood, pocketed the stone necklace, bowed and left without another word.
DOWNTOWN AT CLUB Malachite, Halloween plans proceeded ahead of schedule, promising a macabre and spooky event. Posters promised a special appearance of the Voodoo King who planned to rise from the middle of the club’s very own graveyard. Seth, Steel, and Tye-dye had their hands full with building sets and arranging the magic show, not to mention hiring extra wait staff. Thankfully, boss lady planned for the big night on October 25, the Saturday before Halloween and that freed them up for the big gala. However, that meant Malachite’s party was just days away. The guys scrambled to get things ready before Drahomira’s promised return.
On the other hand, the bower decorations were opposite the club’s. There were no spider webs or tombstones. Instead, the mansion evolved into a secret woodland portal leading to a lush and delicate landscape. Thick green carpets lined the hall, dining room, ballroom, and the wrap around porch. For those who arrived barefoot, the feeling was akin to soft grass. Willow, birch, elm, and oak trees filled the mansion and created the illusion that the house grew around the forest.
The contractors developed recessed lighting using chandeliers in decorative willow and oak trees. Branches hung low over the ballroom floor, and the effect was strikingly delicate and dreamlike. A string orchestra would play in a “tree” dripping with Spanish moss, but they would be on an elevated platform camouflaged in a thicket. At the far corner of the ballroom, a raised dais with two thrones waited for the arrival of the bower’s royalty.
Large pillows lined the ballroom floor, placed next to short tree trunks, a most unusual table seating for the non-dancing guests. The center of the ballroom offered a bubbling fountain of sparkling blue designed to send rainbow prisms across the walls. A shadow light twirled around the room, illuminating fairy silhouettes dancing across the ceiling. The entire effect was a hedonist’s dream, with silk seating, velvety “grass” floors, cool air rustling through trees and waterfalls in every room.
The dining room was another feat of imagination. Garlands of fresh flowers twined around artificial greenery hung over the doorway, adding to the wonder of a secret woodland hideaway. Wood planks, bark, gourds, and huge pumpkins took over as serving platters, plates, and cups. Cooke designed sweet treats on multicolored leaves. Of course, she added a chocolate dipping fountain, a temptation for even the most hardened human (especially for those who knew not to eat the fairy food).
The bower’s residents couldn’t stop gushing over the magical atmosphere.
“Cooke, everything is unbelievably delicate and gorgeous. I cannot believe we have less than a week to go,” Rhea said and then swayed dizzily. With deliberate calm, she slid into a kitchen chair.
“Lass, you look so pale and wan. This pregnancy isn’t going well.” Cooke poured her a cup of strong tea.
“I have not been feeling myself, and I am always cold. I had no idea pregnancy was this taxing. At least the morning sickness phase is over.”
Cady joined them soon after, barefoot and wrapped in a purple robe. She poured herself a glass of milk and grabbed a banana, before sliding into a chair next to Rhea.
“What can I fix you, Cady girl?” Cooke wiped her hands and waited.
“Nothing for me, thank you. The milk and fruit are fine.” She chewed and studied Rhea. “Rhea, your eyes are odd. Have you noticed? They are, well, yellow. No, gold. What’s wrong?”
Rhea frowned, touching her face. “I have not noticed. Is it jaundice?”
“No, this isn’t that shade of yellow.” Cady shook her head and leaned in to study her. “It is just your iris. Unusual for you. I don’t recall seeing anything like this. Your regular flames are more gold than orange, too.”
“I noticed it but didn’t know what to say. You know this must be part of your pregnancy,” Cooke decreed and refreshed her tea. “Eat something, stay hydrated and stop pushing yourself so hard. You should be about 21 weeks now and must take extra care.”
Cady agreed and encouraged Rhea to steal a nap when the phone rang. Rhea beat Franklin to the phone and felt warmed by the welcome voice. As usual, the conversation was abrupt and to the point.
“Little birdy, I’m glad I caught you. I’ve found a new bar manager. It’s the guy I told you about. He will be a great help for the bower. Besides being a bartender, and a jack-of-all-trades, he’s also an assassin. What’s not to like? How ‘bout it? Come up and make the invite? I’ll do the rest.”
“Dra, you know we are less than a week from Halloween. In fact, your club’s party is in two days. And I am not sure I should leave right now.”
Cooke raised an eyebrow, and Cady suddenly whispered, “You could have a checkup at the hospital if you are going back north.”
Rhea considered Cady’s words while Dra pleaded her case.
“You do this, and I’ll come right home.”
Music to Rhea’s ears. “Done. Be there on the next flight.”
Cady offered to accompany her, but Rhea declined. “Unless I need you with me, I should do this alone. Dra is mercurial, and this is a favor for her. Cooke, I think we are gaining a new resident, and you should prepare one of the general guest rooms. Nothing fancy for now. Dra’s found a club manager who may join us until he gets his feet on the ground. If he stays, we can move him to a suite.”
“He? That will set the girls back. Perhaps he will be company for Destin.”
Rhea’s dark look gave her less hope on that score.
Franklin made the flight arrangements, and an unhappy Amor-el agreed to chauffeur again. Cooke packed a small carry-on bag in case of delays, light but necessary.
Rhea dressed with care as always, but this time, she added the Aglyre around her neck. She augmented the chain with a black and white pearl pin and hoped to avoid any pointed questions. After all, keys were a fashion jewelry trend. Perhaps no one would notice her odd jewelry choice.
The final addition to her suit was a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of gloves. The look was elegant but professional. The gloves reminded her she had one last thing to do before she left.
First, she rounded everyone up and asked them to join her in the upstairs library.
“I am going to set The Great Book and lock it in the case. I promised you that you could see it, though you will be unable to read it. The book only opens for me, and I have decided to leave it unopened. For now.”
Sondra, Victoria, Keta, and Cady stood close, excited to get a glimpse of the mysterious tome older than Rhea. Am stood at her side, and Franklin hovered by the door. Cooke remained down in the kitchen because, as she put it, “I’ve seen the filthy thing a dozen times.” Destin watched from the back of the room, curious and thoughtful.
Rhea removed the heavy glass case and set her hand upon a large wooden box. Immediately the “wood” shimmered, the glamour fell away, and the box became an overlarge book. The girls gaped, and Am’s open wonder made Rhea smile. She explained about the dragon skin and Keta’s “ew” digressed into nervous giggles.
“Dra said the same thing, Keta,” Rhea shared as the memories flooded back.
Destin moved closer, anxious.
The noise among the others was loud and distracting enough that everyone save for Am failed to hear Rhea’s whispered incantation. When she waved fire over the book, the girls moved back in surprise and all Destin saw was his mother press her flame along the book’s spine.
When the flame died, the book opened with an audible sigh.
“Does it talk?” Sondra whispered behind Rhea.
“No, that is an effect of ancient memories pressed into these old pages. In this case, the plethora of recorded history is so monumental that the book lets out a sigh of relief when opened. Like being able to take a breath.”
While the gathering watched, Rhea turned several pages that showed off the achingly beautiful designs and drawings. There was no end to the marvels and resulting questions. Rhea tried to answer everything as simply as possible. She showed them the section on mermaids and on birds that died with Atlantis. Star maps pulled out and displayed star systems only recently discovered by modern man. She pointed out a map of her home, and everyone looked at a lost and unknown world.
“Incredible,” Keta exhaled. “I never imagined, I mean I imagined but who knew it was so real? I mean—”
Rhea slipped her arm around her. “I know exactly what you mean, my dear. My lives there were so long ago that even I feel it was a dream and I imagined it.”
“But it was real. You had dragons and mermaids,” Victoria said awed.
“We did. One of my best friends was a dragon mother of over fifty dragonets. You know dragons can only have one egg at a time, despite what you see and hear in the movies.”
Cooke huffed and puffed her way up the stairs then interrupted the group. She shook her head when she saw the open book. “Time to go, lass.”
Rhea nodded and slowly closed the book. There was disappointment among the group. Pages came together and seemed to bond, like hands locking fingers. When the book shimmered, Rhea returned it to the case, then locked the glass top. She promised more stories on her return. Destin listened, but again, the chatter kept him from hearing what his mother said.
“You aren’t going to replace the glamour, Madam?” Franklin inquired.
“No need, my friend. I am going to display it. No one can come up here, and the book will not open for anyone else. I think it will be safe, but the alarm is set by the key, just in case. If anyone should get inside, there is no way to lift it without assistance.”
“Ah, too heavy,” Keta nodded.
Rhea’s lips lifted slightly. “Something like that.”
Goodbyes followed. This trip promised to be quick and end with Drahomira’s return. Keta could barely keep it together and proclaimed she wouldn’t be able to sleep. A couple of hours later, Victoria found her asleep the ballroom.
When Am returned home, he planned on a hunt with Destin. Unfortunately, his son had disappeared again, but this time, Am guessed where he went. Whatever Destin thought he was doing, it was time to put an end to the charade.
Am asked Franklin to join him, and they walked over to the old house. The place was dark and appeared as Am left it. Only when they went inside did the truth smack them. On the far side of the house and out of view, a table sat by a cold fireplace. Stacks of books rested on the table and under Franklin’s flashlight, they read titles about mythology, gemology, and runes. But there were books on French history, genealogy and a picture of the ducal coat of arms of Normandy. Also on the table, and torn to pieces, was a picture of Rhea, Am, and Destin taken when his son was days old.
“What do you think it means, sir?” Franklin asked as they searched the rooms for more clues.
“It means we are too late. It appears my sire is already here. What’s more, Destin knows it. And him.”
They searched the rest of the house, but there was nothing else amiss and no one around. Am frowned, unable to understand the purpose of the books. They were from the new house. Was Destin studying or were the books provided for another? Amor-el figured on the latter. But why now and why with Destin and not Am?
“We’d better get back sir. If Master Destin should return, you should not be here.”
Am nodded, and they left, but he wanted to be sure that someone realized the secret was out. With a calculated slyness, he took the stack of history books back to the new house. Whoever studied them would most likely miss them.
Destin was in the kitchen with Cooke when they returned. Franklin disappeared with the books. Am joined his son who tonight feasted on one of Cooke’s popovers and a cup of coffee. Their exchange was stilted but pleasant. Destin did not indicate that he went anywhere else.
“When does mamma return?”
“She will be back tomorrow afternoon. Dra will be back late tomorrow.”
“I missed Dra. It’ll be good to see her again. I think Reaper felt forgotten.”
“Did he? Well thank goodness we know that isn’t true. Like you, we love Reaper.”
“Mm-hmm,” Destin chewed in thoughtful silence and then decided to read in his room. Am caught him as he reached the stairs.
“What are you reading these days, Des?”
“Graphic novels, seinen manga mostly.”
“Japanese comic books?” He tried not to sound too surprised.
“Jeez no, Father. Manga is an art and story. It’s comics but not like what you are thinking. These a
ren’t like the Stan Lee people.” Feeling encouraged, Destin added, “I drew some of my own. I’ll show you sometime if you want.”
“I would like that, son.”
Destin exhaled and smiled at his dad, the first time in weeks.
THE HOUSE SLEPT except for Amor-el who settled into the downstairs library with a new book on shipwrecks in the Caribbean. A mantle of quiet fell over the house. Even Reaper, who often wandered the halls at night, took time to rest with Am.
Just before dawn, Destin tiptoed into the upstairs library. He stood very still and listened to the house sounds. His vampire senses could feel his father downstairs and even Reaper. There was no movement upstairs with him. Feeling secure, he walked over thick carpet to The Great Book. He’d seen where his mother put the key and he used it now. For a long moment, Destin stared at the book bound tightly in black dragon skin. He could not resist running his fingers over the binding and was surprised to discover how soft the skin felt. Like velvet.
There was no time for sentiment. His sore cheek pulsed. If he could remove the book, he might be able to redeem himself. Destin recalled how his mother activated the book and he lifted his hand, willing a tendril of fire into his palm. The flame started as a small flicker and then became a dancing flare. Carefully he reached into the case and set the fire on the spine.
The book screamed. Or no, wait, was it the alarm?
Whatever it was, he jerked, withdrew the fire, and dropped the top on the case. The glass cracked, and a side panel broke under the sudden pressure. When he turned to go, he looked into the face of a furious vampire. Reaper waited in the hall, watchful but silent.
Lights came on in every room. Scared people ran into the upstairs hall.
“Father, I…I just wanted…I didn’t mean to,” Destin stammered and finally looked away.
Amor-el made reassurances to the house but he never moved, and his eyes never blinked away. “Everything is well. Sorry to wake you. We had a small glitch in the case. Go back to bed.”
Victoria found the two vampires standing immobile by the case and ushered everyone away. She managed to coax Reaper out too. Whatever happened in the library, Victoria didn’t feel comfortable watching. She closed the door quietly behind her.
Love and Blood (Evening Bower Book 2) Page 23
