Kindling Flames: Burning Nights (The Ancient Fire Series Book 6)

by Julie Wetzel

  Darien gave her a concerned look. “Are you sure?”

  Nodding, Vicky returned her gaze to Shuri. The other woman was watching Darien intently. “I’m sure.” She glanced back up to Darien. “It would be rude to leave Shuri by herself.”

  He glanced between the two women, curious to know what they had been talking about. “All right,” he said, standing up. “But call me if you need something.”

  “Of course.” She reassured him and watched as he stood up to join Kusanagi. When the pair reached the man standing by the edge of the deck, she turned back to find Shuri still watching Darien.

  “How did you catch the son of a feathered servant of Kami?” she asked before Vicky could speak.

  Vicky’s brow furrowed in confusion “A what?”

  “He hides it well. I almost thought him the vampire he pretends to be.”

  “Darien is a vampire.” Vicky insisted. “He’s been one for nine hundred years.”

  Shuri stared at her in disbelief before turning back to study Darien. “Interesting. I didn’t know that was possible. But then again, he is a kupua.”

  “Wait,” Vicky said as her head spun. “What’s a kupua?”

  As Shuri turned to answer, another woman came up and set a tray filled with food in front of Vicky. “Your meal, my lady.”

  Vicky nodded her thanks and turned her attention back to Shuri.

  “Kupua is the Hawaiian word for a demi-god,” Shuri explained. “It’s often used for those birthed from the union of mortal and divine.”

  “Are you saying Darien’s a god?”

  “Not a god. The son of a servant of God.” Shuri said before turning to watch the vampires move off to the next group. “It’s subtle, but I can feel it there.”

  “But that can’t be. Darien grew up in a monastery. He’s human… Or he was.”

  Shuri turned back at Vicky. “A monastery?” she said confused. “Who were his parents?”

  “I don’t know.” Vick turned to watch Darien. “He said they died in a fire when he was very young.”

  Making a thoughtful noise in her throat, Shuri joined Vicky in watching Darien. “Then his lineage is unknown.” She paused as she thought. “Interesting.” She turned back to Vicky before going on. “It is rare for a halfling to make it to maturity. They’re usually destroyed as soon as they’re discovered.”

  Vicky sat up straighter in shock. “Is someone trying to kill Darien?” Her mind raced over all the troubles they’d had since they met.

  Shuri laughed. “I doubt it,” she said when her mirth subsided. “He is very old already. Besides, if he is truly a vampire as you say, then the chances of him siring young are nonexistent. He should live out the rest of his days unhindered.”

  “Young!” Vicky squeaked as she moved her hand to cover her abdomen and the children it contained. “But what if he could?”

  Surprise filled Shuri’s eyes as she took in Vicky’s shock. “Then there could be trouble. The powers of light do not like when the forbidden breed.”

  Fear raced through Vicky’s mind as she tried to work out what she’d discovered. “Could you be wrong?” she asked, rubbing her stomach.

  “No,” Shuri said, shaking her head. “Now that I see it, it is clear. We are two sides of the same coin.”

  “You’re a child of a god?” Vicky asked, trying to wrap her mind around things.

  Shurishook her head again. “No. I am fullyōkai, whereas he is only half.”

  “Yōkai?” Vicky asked. “What’s that?”

  “You may know us better as daemons.” Shuri face darkened as she spoke.

  Vicky gave her a stunned look.

  Shuri’s look lightened. “But that’s not quite true either. We’re spirits of nature. Some of us more divine than others.” She looked to where Darien was talking to another of the Council members.

  “Wow.” Vicky breathed the word as she absorbed everything. She looked down at the tray of food in front of her. It was a beautifully presented spread of sliced meats, cheeses, and fruits, but it wasn’t something she would have expected from a luau. Shaking her head, she ignored the food and reached for the coconut. With a stick of fruit, a paper umbrella, and two straws, she was sure it was probably alcoholic, but she really needed something to drink. The whole conversation had left her mouth slightly dry. Besides, it would give her a moment to reorder her world. It was hard to imagine that Darien could possibly be more than a vampire.

  Picking up the coconut cup, she took a tentative sip of the frozen concoction. It was fruity with a strong bite of alcohol and a sharp, bitter finish. It should have been good, but it wasn’t. Vicky made an unhappy noise at the taste and set the cup down. The inside of her mouth burned from the alcohol so she turned to ask Shuri where she could get some water. Vicky opened her mouth to talk, but nothing came out. Fear raced through her as her vision wavered and she gasped for breath. “Darien!” she screeched in her mind as darkness ate at the edges of her vision.

  Unable to breath, she felt Shuri’s hands catch her when she slumped forwards. Vicky felt the vibrations as the other woman screamed, but she didn’t hear it. Thoughts of Darien and her unborn children drove a tear to her eye as the world slipped away from her.

  ***

  Standing up, Darien went to join Kusanagi at the edge of the deck. The younger vampire stood with the man that had been watching Darien earlier. He ran his eyes over the stranger. The man was shorter that Kusanagi by a full foot, but there was a tension in the man’s spine that showed he was ready for action. His dark hair, dark eyes, and the cool tones in his skin spoke of an Asian descent, but Darien wasn’t sure exactly which area he’d come from. The strange hostility Darien had felt earlier was gone.

  “Master Darien,” Kusanagi said breaking into Darien’s evaluation. “Let me introduce you to Kuo. He’s the oldest of my fledglings.”

  “Master Kou,” Darien said, nodding his head in greeting.

  Kuo grunted and nodded back, but did not say anything

  Darien raised an eyebrow and turned to Kusanagi.

  Kusanagi waved his hand, dismissing Kuo’s odd behavior. “Kou doesn’t speak. I picked him up in China shortly after my exile from Japan.” He turned away from the man and started across the sand.

  Darien hurried to join him with Kuo taking up a position behind them.

  “I never found out why they cut out his tongue, but I saved him from death, and he has served me faithfully ever since.”

  Glancing back at the silent man, Darien considered him before turning his attention back to Kusanagi. “That was very thoughtful of you.”

  “It was necessary.” Kusanagi corrected. “Having been thrust into a world I was unfamiliar with, I needed someone to help me along the way. Kuo saw me through some of the hardest years of my life.” He gave Darien a sharp sideways glance. “But the Great Council would have known about that if they bothered to check on me after forcing me from my home.”

  Surprised by the venom in those words, Darien recoiled slightly from the younger vampire. “You will need to take that up with the Great Council,” Darien explained. “I’d already retired and was working on my own life when the Council called for my help in Japan.”

  “I see,” Kusanagi said softly. “I hear you run your own business now.”

  The change in Kusanagi’s voice worried Darien. He went on cautiously. “Yes. I run a small shipping company.”

  Kusanagi nodded. “And outside of work?”

  “Besides Victoria, I have a few fledglings.”

  Another nod came from the younger vampire. “How do you have time for it all?”

  Darien shrugged. “How does anyone find the time to balance work and home?”

  Kusanagi gave him an expectant glance that spurred Darien on.

  “My second helps with my kiss and I have a board of directors that do a fair job of running my business.” Darien paused and though about it for a moment. “Honestly, I’m thinking about stepping down as CEO and letting them han
dle the lion’s share of the work. I like to stay active, but things have gotten a little too hectic in my life recently.”

  “Hence the vacation,” Kusanagi added.

  “Exactly,” Darien agreed. “Just a few days rest and relaxation to unwind from a hectic month. Then it’s back to business as usual.”

  Kusanagi made another noise in this throat, but did not say anything.

  Darien let out a soft breath and turned his attention to the men they were approaching. He had done his best to reassure the younger vampire that he wasn’t a threat, now it was up to Kusanagi to make the next move.

  “Makani.” Kusanagi called out breaking into the men’s conversation.

  The heavier set man of the two turned to look at him.

  Kusanagi held his hand out towards Darien. “I’d like you to meet our Master Darien.”

  Makani gave Darien an evaluating look before holding his hand out to him. “Aloha, Master Darien.”

  “Aloha, Master Makani.” Darien answered as he clasped the man’s hand and took his measure. Makani was stout, but solidly build. His hair was dark and his skin was golden despite the fact that he was a vampire. Black tribal tattoos wrapped around his shoulder and down his arm. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  “The pleasure is mine,” Makani said as he released Darien’s hand. “I do hope you’re enjoying your stay on our islands.”

  “I haven’t had much of a chance since I’ve only just arrived, but what I have seen has been lovely,” Darien said with an easy smile.

  Makani smiled back. “Then you’re in for a treat tonight. Polunu, Mano, and I have a fire dance planned for you.” He held his hand out to the other man standing with him. “I know you’ve already met Mano, but this is my second, Polunu.”

  Darien gave the man a quick glance. He was smaller than Makani but bore a similar tribal tattoo on his arm and shoulder. Both men wore colorful material wrapped around their waist, leather cords with claws around their necks, and grass bands around their legs. “It’s a pleasure,” Darien said, holding out his hand.

  Polunu recoiled from Darien’s outstretched hand before turning to Makani. “I have to go see to things.” He glared at both Darien and Kusanagi. “Much goes into a show and we were given little time to prepare.” The smaller man turned away from Darien and stormed off.

  Darien dropped his hand down to his side, shocked at the open hostility. He’d expected some animosity simply due to the fact that he was an outsider who hadn’t properly notified the Council he was coming, but nothing like this.

  “Forgive him.” Makani started to apologize, but Darien missed the rest of his words as his mind rang with Vicky’s screams.

  Cringing in pain, he turned away from the man just in time to hear Shuri scream for her master.

  “Victoria!” Darien cried, racing back to the low decking with Kusanagi, Kuo, and Makani hot on his tail. Leaping up onto the wood, he skidded to a halt just before crashing into Vicky’s tray.

  “She’s not breathing!” Shuri said as she held Vicky to her.

  Shoving the scorpion chair out of the way, Darien dropped to the cushions and pulled Vicky from Shuri’s arms. Her face was flushed and tremors ran through her body. Opening himself up, Darien pressed his mouth over hers to blow air and magic into her. A bitter flavor burned his mouth and anger rolled through him. Her life flickered under his touch as he forced her cells to accept the oxygen they so desperately needed.

  He held her for a few more minutes, moving air in and out of her lungs until he was certain she would remain breathing on her own. Slowly he pulled back and pinned Shuri with a look that was heated with anger. “What did she eat?”

  Stunned, Shuri pointed at the tray. “The drink.”

  Darien glanced at the tray to see the coconut cup. Turning his attention back to Vicky, he shifted her out of his arms and rested her on the pillows. Carefully, he brushed a stray curl from her face as he checked her again. Her skin was pale as moonlight with just a slight hint of pink on her cheeks. It was a good color for her. He brushed his hand over her stomach checking the life of her children. Twin sparks beat against his power, reassuring him that they were unharmed. There was still much he had to do to heal her, but for the moment, she was stable.

  Shifting away from her, he reached for the cup. He considered the fruit and the paper umbrella before pulling them out and inspecting the contents of the cup. The whitish concoction smelled of coconut, pineapple, and rum. There was a hint of something else there, but the sharp tang of the alcohol made it unidentifiable. Grabbing the straw, Darien took a tentative sip of the drink. He rolled the liquid around confirming what he had suspected. His eyes lifted from the drink and glared at Kusanagi who’d stopped several feet back. Pinning him place, Darien stood up and held the drink out. “Explain this!” he demanded.

  Kusanagi stared at him and shook his head.

  “Don’t give me that!” Darien bellowed. Slowly he stalked towards the Hawaiian vampires. “I came to Hawaii with no intention of bothering the Council. I just wanted a few quiet days alone with my wife for our honeymoon. But I came here on your request because it was the proper thing to do.” He stopped and glared at Kusanagi. “I’ve suffered through your thinly veiled insults and outright disrespect so I could get back to enjoying my vacation, and this is how you repay me. By poisoning my wife!” He threw the coconut down at Kusanagi’s feet hard enough for it to split in two.

  Kusanagi staggered back, but the colada splashed all over his pants. He stared down at the spilled drink. “Poisoned?” He looked back up at Darien. “Are you sure?”

  Rage flowed through Darien. “In the millennium I’ve walked this earth, I’ve lost count of the number of times people have tried to kill me. Stakes, swords, sun, fire, guns, and poisons. Hemlock, belladonna, arsenic, tomatoes, but there is no mistaking the acrid burn of potassium cyanide!” Turning on his heels, he stormed back over and scooped Vicky from the cushions. He gave Kusanagi a sidelong look filled with anger. “Find out who did this. And I want them alive.” He started towards the edge of the deck, eyes pointed straight forwards. “And if you can’t, I’ll find someone who can.”

  Silence fell over the gathered crowd as Darien’s strides took him across the sand to the pathway leading out.

  Running footsteps sounded on the path behind Darien and he glanced back just long enough to recognize Mano racing towards him. The man’s neat suit was gone. He was now dressed in the same cloth wrap and grass leis as Makani and Polunu had been.

  Mano slipped past him and arrived at the door to the building a few steps ahead of Darien “My lord,” he said as he pulled it open and held it for the vampire.

  The man’s consideration didn’t make the situation any better, but it helped to take the sharp edge from Darien’s rage. “Thank you,” he said as he stepped through.

  “Give me a moment, and I’ll get the keys.” Mano said, following them into the house.

  Darien nodded as Mano passed him, ran along the side of the pool, and turned down the hall. Darien crossed to the other side of the room. He clutched Vicky to him, tracking the poison as it coursed through her veins. His power raced behind it, repairing the damage, but it would take him a while before he could clear it completely from her system.

  Tilting his head down, he nuzzled the side of her hair “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’ll fix this and we’ll go home.” Their vacation was essentially ruined anyway. Even with his power’s help, Vicky would need a few days’ rest to recover fully. Potassium cyanide was truly nasty stuff. Even as a vampire, he felt its effects. He rubbed his tongue along the roof of his mouth tasting the burn it had left. As it was, he was going to need the rest of that bottle of mead to bolster both his personal healing abilities and his powers. Either that or fresh blood, and he really didn’t feel like hunting or asking for it. He’d had enough of the Hawaiian Council’s hospitality for one night. He just wanted to get Vicky back to the hotel safely. Thankfully, Mano didn’t take long to re
trieve the keys to the car.

  “Forgive me,” Mano said as he pulled the car door open and held it for Darien.

  “Thank you,” Darien said. He spared a glance at the man before loading Vicky into the car. Mano was still dressed in the loincloth, but he’d pulled the grass leis off and slipped into some dark loafers. A tribal tattoo sprawled across his chest and shoulder. It was similar in design as Makani and Polunu but less elaborate.

  Taking the door from Mano’s hand, Darien shut it. “Please take us back to the hotel,” he said as he walked around the car to get in on the other side.

  “Yes, my lord,” Mana said, hopping in the front and starting the car.

  Darien sighed and slipped in the back with Vicky. He turned so his back was against the door and pulled her into his lap. Resting her back against him, he cradled her as they started the long drive back to the hotel.

  After a few quiet minutes, Mano broke the silence. “Will she be okay?”

  Darien met the man’s eyes in the rearview mirror. There was genuine concern there. “Yes,” he answered, dropping his gaze back to the woman in his lap. “She’s fay touched,” he explained, knowing it was probably the reason she hadn’t succumbed to the poison before he’d gotten to her. That touch of magic was, without a doubt, what was keeping their children safe. Like it or not, he owed Lady Aine a debt of gratitude. Putting that out of his mind for now, he went on. “She’ll need to rest for a few days, but she’ll suffer no lasting effects from this.”

  “From being fay touched?” Mano asked in awe.

  Darien chuckled. “I’m somewhat of a skilled healer, too.”

  Mano nodded and turned his attention back to the road. After a few more miles, he broke the comfortable silence that had settled into the car. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  Another heavy breath slipped from Darien. “Thank you. An apology always helps, although I don’t hold you responsible for what happened. That is, unless you did it.” He gave Mano a critical glare.

  “No,” Mano said nervously.