“Where did she go?” Chevalier asked one of them.
“She didn’t say,” the closest servant said as he changed the sheets on the bassinet.
“Mom went downstairs to get something to eat,” Allen said when he walked up behind Chevalier.
“Of course she did,” Chevalier said, frustrated. “Let’s go find her.”
Allen and Chevalier headed down the stairs. The word of the child heku spread quickly, no matter how hard the Council tried to keep it a secret. Allen went from the spoiled Elder’s son, to someone the heku revered and cherished. Emily worried that he was being treated more like a prince than a little boy, and she fought to keep him grounded. They pulled him out of school because his mind was advancing beyond his years, and it was getting too hard to hide from the mortals that taught him.
“Em?” Chevalier asked, walking into the kitchen.
“Back here,” she said. Chevalier followed her voice and found her at one of the stoves frying something. She had a sling across her chest and Alexis was nestled inside, giving Emily two free hands. The sling also allowed Emily to carry Alexis around without too much pain from her broken ribs.
Chevalier leaned against a stove and watched her, “Don’t suppose we can get you back in bed.”
Emily poured blood from a donor bag into a glass, and handed it over to Allen.
“I’m fine. I just wanted to make my own lunch,” she said, and flipped the grilled cheese over in the pan. In the bright kitchen light, Emily looked paler and weaker than she did in her darkened room. The black circles under her eyes were darker, and she looked tired and drawn.
Emily heard a low hiss from behind her, and she turned suddenly to see Allen and Chevalier crouched, facing each other in a stand-off. Allen narrowed his eyes and stood up slowly.
“Chev! Don’t do that,” Emily said, frowning. She poured another glass for Allen and handed it to him.
“Simple predatory response. His instincts won’t let him attack a larger predator,” Chevalier said, standing up calmly.
“I hate when you talk about him like he’s a wolf.” Emily turned back to her sandwich. She slipped it onto a plate and gave Allen another glass, moments before he hissed at her, which she was slowly getting used to.
Chevalier grinned and followed her into the dining room, “Let me take Alex.”
Emily nodded and let Chevalier slip the baby out of the warm sling. Alexis didn’t like it, and her bottom lip stuck out quickly. Chevalier expertly laid her against his shoulder and patted her back while he rocked slowly, and she soon calmed down. He watched Emily closely. She was running out of energy quickly, and he wanted to make sure she didn’t overdo it.
“Did you feed Damnit and clean out his stall?” Emily asked Allen when he joined them.
“Not yet,” Allen said, sitting down.
Emily frowned when she saw the blood on his shirt, “Allen, do you have to make such a mess when you drink?”
Allen shrugged.
“Go get a clean shirt on and then clean out that stall,” Emily said sternly.
Allen sighed and left the room.
Emily was already feeling tired. She hated not being able to do something as simple as making lunch without needing a nap afterwards, and she knew the heku in the palace were all afraid she was going to die at any moment because of it. She sat down the last half of her sandwich and stood up, wincing at the soreness in her muscles and the sharp pain in her chest from the broken ribs.
“Come on, time for a nap,” Chevalier said as he wrapped an arm around her to help support her as she walked.
Emily nodded, dreading the four flights of stairs. She also hated how the servants all looked at her. Though they knew she was mortal, it wasn’t until the bloody aftermath of the birth that they truly realized that she could die, and how fragile mortals really were. None of them wanted to be anywhere near the Elder when the time came.
By the time she got to the foyer, she felt exhausted and looked up the long flight of stairs. Chevalier chuckled and handed Alexis back to Emily, and then picked her up in a loving cradle and carried her up to her room. Just as he laid her down, she saw him cock his head to the side, characteristic of when he was being called to the council chambers.
“It’s ok, go. I’m just going to feed Alex, and then we’ll both take a nap,” Emily said, and pulled a pillow up for Alexis.
Chevalier nodded and kissed her softly, “I’ll be back.”
Emily was just finishing nursing Alexis when the door to her room burst open. Kyle, Mark, and Damon came in frantically.
“We have to get you out of here,” Kyle said, and disappeared into the nursery.
“What’s going on?” Emily asked in a panic.
Damon looked at her for a moment, and then picked her up with all of her blankets, while Mark took the baby and wrapped her up tightly. Kyle came out of the nursery with a bag, and they headed up to the roof.
“Kyle, what’s going on?” Emily asked again. She didn’t like the way Damon held her tightly.
Allen was already in the new Equites 2 when Damon jumped inside, still holding Emily. Once Mark and Kyle hopped in, Damon ordered the pilot to go as he buckled Emily into a seat.
“Tell me what’s going on,” Emily said angrily.
“It leaked out that Alex is a girl. The covens are mad,” Kyle told her.
“What? Equites covens are causing problems?” Emily asked, frowning.
Kyle nodded, “Yes, they’re trying to stage a mutiny of the Council.”
“No! Take me back,” Emily said, and unbuckled. Damon stopped her as she tried to crawl up to the pilot.
“No, our orders are to make sure you aren’t involved,” Damon told her.
“I can help though! I can ash them,” Emily said as she pulled Damon’s hand from her arm.
“You don’t have the strength yet,” Kyle said softly. “Sit down, we’re following orders from the entire Council.”
“I can help,” she said, pleading.
“No you can’t, not right now. I’m not doubting your abilities, but you have to admit you’re still pretty weak,” Kyle said, and Damon winced.
Emily glared at him and sat back as Damon re-buckled her in and she took the baby from Mark.
“Where are we going?” Emily asked angrily.
“We’re meeting a private jet in New York. That’s all I can say for now,” Damon said as he avoided her fierce glare.
Emily pulled the baby against her shoulder and watched outside as the terrain flew by. By the time they reached New York, she had a plan. If she could get away from the heku for just a few minutes, she could get a rental car and be back at the palace by morning.
“Em, let me have the baby,” Kyle said, holding his hands out.
Emily frowned, “Why?”
“Please” he said, and Emily unbuckled and handed Alexis over reluctantly. The second Kyle had the baby, Damon lunged for her. She dove away from him, but felt his hands on her waist.
“No!” she screamed at him, trying to kick him in the face.
Allen unbuckled and jumped on Damon’s back, “Let go of my Mom!”
Mark gently pulled Allen off of Damon.
Damon flipped Emily over and grabbed her face in his hands.
“Don’t do it!” she screamed at him as he tried to lock her gaze.
“Stop fighting,” Damon growled.
Emily’s knee connected with his groin, but it only made him madder. She struggled to pull out from under his grasp, every trick she knew, he deflected.
“Emily!” he roared, and the brief glance she gave him was all he needed. She felt herself being drawn into his eyes, and before long, her breathing slowed and she stopped fighting.
Kyle and Mark both turned their faces away from them, out of respect for Emily. Damon whispered softly to Emily as the helicopter descended into a small airport outside of New York City. He paused any time he felt Emily starting to pull away from him, and then began again when he was in contro
l.
Emily shut her eyes just as Damon stood up, “I’ve never had that many problems with a gaze.”
“It’s Emily, you’re lucky she’s still too weak to resist it,” Kyle whispered.
“Keep your hands off of my Mom,” Allen said, glaring at Damon.
“I’m sorry, it had to be done,” Damon told the 4-year-old.
The helicopter landed and the pilot cut the engines as the jet pilot started up the airplane. Damon carried Emily into the private jet, and laid her down on a bed in the back. Allen was still scowling at him when he took his seat with the other heku. Kyle was rocking the baby, trying to keep her asleep.
The pilot took off once the flight checks were done, and soon, the only thing visible out of the jet’s windows was the ocean. Alexis started crying almost an hour into the seven-hour trip.
“You’re going to have to go wake her up,” Kyle told Damon.
“Can’t she wait to eat? It’s not going to be fun when Emily wakes up,” Damon said, frowning.
“Oh sure, I’ll just ask her to wait,” Kyle said sarcastically.
“Fine,” Damon said, and disappeared into the back of the plane.
Damon came back quietly, and sat down in the seat by the window, turning to look out. Emily came up and pulled the baby away from Kyle without saying a word, then went to the back of the plane. Allen growled at Damon and followed Emily.
“How far away from the airport is your villa?” Mark asked.
Damon turned to them, “Only about an hour. There will be a limo waiting for us at the airport.”
“Do we… need to… you know,” Mark said, and nodded toward where Emily was.
“I’m not doing that again. If she needs knocked out, one of you can take a turn,” Damon said, his mind far away.
“I doubt we can. That’s why Chevalier asked you to do it, an ‘old one’ would be required,” Kyle explained.
“I’m not doing it again.”
“She’ll forgive you,” Kyle said after a few minutes of silence.
“I’m surprised she didn’t turn me to ash,” Damon said.
“Don’t think I didn’t try,” Emily said, and sat across the aisle from them. Allen sat down beside her. She had a blanket thrown over her shoulder and was still glaring at Damon.
Kyle sighed, “Elder’s orders, Em. They knew you would try to run off between flights.”
Emily ignored him and peeked under the blanket to check on Alexis, then leaned her head back and shut her eyes. The travel wasn’t helping her soreness, or the fact she was always tired. Kyle noticed she lost some of the color in her cheeks, and he was worried about her. They didn’t have a doctor with them, and he knew Emily wasn’t feeling well.
Kyle got up to check in with the pilot and was met in the aisle by a crouched and growling Allen. Kyle met his crouch and narrowed his eyes at the boy. Mark and Damon watched them nervously.
“Sit down,” Kyle hissed.
“Stay away from my Mom,” Allen told him angrily.
“Sit down,” Kyle said again, and Allen slowly complied, though it was obvious he didn’t want to.
Kyle stood up and disappeared into the cockpit, and Allen turned to stare at Damon. Kyle returned a short time later, “We’re right on schedule, only five more hours left. Did we bring anything for Allen?”
Mark nodded, “There’s supposed to be some in the fridge.”
Kyle went back to the fridge and poured four glasses for Allen. He heard Allen come up behind him and hiss slightly, “Hold on, Kid.”
Allen lunged for the glasses and began to drink as soon as Kyle moved to the side. He sat back down, and watched Emily as she rocked the baby. Alexis’ eyes were open and she was sucking on her fingers. Kyle hadn’t realized before how much Alexis looked like the Elder, even her eyes were dark.
Emily felt her pockets and then looked over at the heku, “Where’s my phone?”
They glanced at each other and then Damon spoke, “I have it.”
Emily held out her hand.
“Sorry, Elder’s orders, no contact with the palace,” he explained.
“Give me my phone,” Emily said, gritting her teeth.
“No,” Damon said bluntly.
Emily stared at him, her eyes narrowing.
Damon gasped, “Are you trying to turn me to ash?”
“Damnit,” Emily said, and turned to the window.
Damon turned to Kyle, “She…”
Kyle nodded, “I saw.”
Emily leaned her chair back and soon both she and the baby were asleep. Allen came back from the kitchen and sat between her and the heku, and watched them carefully. He started sleeping less and less lately and was down to only about an hour a day.
When the plane landed on the small landing strip, Kyle stood up to wake Emily, but Allen took a snap at him. Kyle drew his arm back quickly, “Stop it.”
“Don’t touch her,” Allen said angrily.
Kyle grabbed Allen by the collar and slammed him against the wall of the plane, “Listen to me, Boy. You will respect the adults, or I’ll not hesitate to put you over my knee. Do you understand?”
Allen growled and Kyle slammed him against the wall again. Mark and Damon watched them with wide eyes.
“Do you understand? This is going to be a long stay in France if you’re in a cell,” Kyle growled.
Allen nodded unhappily.
Kyle dropped him and woke Emily up. She stood and felt Kyle’s arms on her when she almost fell. She was feeling dizzy and tired. All she wanted was to lie down. Kyle picked her up as she held the baby and carried her off of the plane. He worried more when she didn’t even complain. Once they were all in the limousine, the driver took off for the hour-long trip to the villa.
The driver pulled up to the security gates at the villa, and Damon stepped out to talk to the guards. Emily was slightly surprised that the guards were mortal. Damon stepped back inside, and the iron gates swung open. The villa was set back by itself and was among beautiful, thick trees and plants. It was starting to get dark as they pulled up to the front doors.
Kyle didn’t even let Emily try to walk. He picked her up and carried her inside, following Damon. He led them to a large bedroom, and Kyle laid her down on the bed. She rolled over and laid the baby down, then shut her eyes. The bed felt incredible after the long trip.
“I hate not knowing what’s happening,” Mark said, when Kyle and Damon joined he and Allen in the large living room.
“I know, but they can’t risk tracing our phones,” Kyle told him, and sat down.
Mark nodded, “It’s just… if the current Council is banished, we’ll never know.”
Damon growled slightly.
“From the maps, we can pretty much stay here indefinitely. There aren’t any covens from any factions anywhere near here,” Kyle said.
“That’s why I picked it,” Damon told them.
“Do you know any doctors that might make a house call?” Kyle asked.
Damon frowned, “You think she’s sick?”
“I don’t like her color, and when she couldn’t ash you, not even a burn, it just got me worried,” Kyle explained.
Damon nodded, “I’ll ask the guards, they’ll know someone. There’s a donor list on the counter too, if anyone needs it.”
He disappeared outside and came back a few minutes later, “The doctor will be here in an hour. You know… she’s not going to see him.”
Kyle shrugged, “Maybe we’ll need to make her.”
“Stop taking advantage of her weakened state,” Mark hissed.
“If it’s for her own good…” Kyle said.
Mark nodded, “I know, it just seems wrong.”
“What if I won’t let you?” Allen asked, glaring at them.
“You’re four, and you’ll do as you’re told,” Damon said to him angrily.
Allen stood up as Kyle did, and they turned to face each other, “Back off, Allen.”
“You aren’t going to control my Mom,�
� Allen growled.
Kyle lunged at Allen and pinned him quickly to the floor, his hand around Allen’s throat, “Again, Allen, your life will be easier if you’ll learn who’s in charge.”
Allen’s green eyes narrowed and he stopped fighting Kyle. Kyle blurred into Emily’s room.
Damon glanced at Mark when the doorbell rang. Mark took Allen outside while Damon answered the door.
Damon conversed in French with the doctor, and showed him in to Emily’s room. Emily was lying peacefully on the bed as Kyle sat beside her.
“Laissez-nous, veuillez,” the doctor said, looking concerned at Emily.
“He wants us to step out,” Damon said, and held the door for Kyle. He shut it and waited in the hallway for the doctor.
Kyle paced impatiently, waiting for the doctor to emerge. After an hour, he finally stepped out and shut the door.
Damon talked to the doctor in French as Kyle watched. The doctor began to scream at Damon, pointing his finger, and gesturing wildly. Kyle stepped to Damon’s side and watched the doctor carefully.
Kyle gasped, surprised, as Damon crouched low and lunged at the doctor, sinking his teeth into the doctor’s neck. Kyle frowned as Damon drained the doctor, and dropped his lifeless body to the floor.
“Was that necessary?” Kyle growled.
Damon nodded, “He thought we drained her, and was going to tell the local V.E.S.”
“So you killed him?”
“The V.E.S. is a lot more passionate in Europe. I couldn’t convince him that we weren’t using Emily as an unwilling donor. If he told the V.E.S., there would be an inquiry, and we could be exposed,” Damon said, wiping the blood from his chin.
Kyle nodded, “Did he tell you what’s wrong first?”
“She’s not eating or drinking enough. It’s caused a dangerously low blood volume,” Damon explained. “He wants her admitted.”
“We can’t risk that right now,” Kyle said, mostly to himself.
“I guess we’re going to have to make sure she eats better and drinks more. That should be fun,” Damon said, glancing back at the door.
“Go to the grocery store,” Kyle said, thinking.
“I’ll just hire a chef and he can cook,” Damon said, picking up the phone. He spoke to someone for almost thirty minutes before hanging up.
Equites : Book 4 of the Heku Series Page 21
