The Black Rose Chronicles: Deceit and Lies

by Michaels, A K

  “Now, how are you feeling? Do you still have the pain in your head?”

  Rose shook her head and was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t feel pain or nausea.

  “No, I feel fine. Tired and hungry, but otherwise, I feel okay. Who is he?”

  Cassius beamed at her and her heart sped up. His face changed into one of the most handsome she’d come across, with that smile playing on his lips.

  “I’m not sure who he is, but he said Seth sent him. You remember I said a man called Seth was coming? Or maybe you don’t, you were a little out of it at the time. Anyway, this man, Kuan, arrived and told us Seth sent him and he could heal you. I must admit I was a tad dubious, but looks like he’s done what he said he could.”

  Rose kept her face impassive as Cassius spoke, hiding her discomfort at the mention of Seth. To say she was curious about the man who healed her was putting it mildly. If he came here with Seth, then she needed to speak to him and possibly get a message out.

  “I’d like to thank him.”

  “I’m going to go and talk to him. I have a few questions I’d like answered, but when you’ve eaten and I’m finished with him, I’ll let you see him.”

  “Thank you, oh, could you get this removed?” Rose shook the arm encased in the cast.

  “Sure, I’ll get Sue to do it when she brings the food.”

  Rose then looked around the room. “Hmm, maybe you want me to move out of here now? This is your room and I’ve hijacked it for a while.”

  “No.” Cassius shook his head. “You’re staying here until I know for sure you’re one hundred percent okay. I’ll have the doctor return in a day or two to check you over. Just to be on the safe side.”

  Rose looked into his deep, dark eyes and swore she could see concern for her. That was nonsense, though. This was her target. A bad person. Someone who was capable of terrible atrocities. She shouldn’t be thinking his eyes were like dark pools of chocolate. No. She definitely shouldn’t be having those thoughts.

  Cassius patted her hand as he got up. “I’ll be back to check on you soon. Try and rest and eat whatever it is Sue brings you.”

  “Okay,” she mumbled as he left. Her mind in turmoil as she realized Basilius would’ve been expecting updates, information, and news of her mission. Shit. A week had passed and she’d done nothing except lie in her target’s bed. And who the hell was the man who’d healed her? If he knew Seth, then she had to talk to him to get a message to Seth.

  This mission was going from bad to worse and she began to think that this man, Allarde, wasn’t quite what Basilius had portrayed. She’d be in deep trouble if she welched on the assignment. Pissing off the new Head of the Council was bad enough, but doing so to a powerful Demon was almost suicide.

  Fuck. She shook her head, trying to clear her mind and think. Okay, I’ll get to work and see if I can find anything that supports the Demon’s information. If not, then I’ll talk with Seth and we can take things from there, she thought quickly, going over everything she’d seen and heard so far. Nothing pointed to Cassius being this fiend who wanted to enslave everyone for the good of Vampires.

  No. If anything, he appeared to be someone who wanted peace and was willing to do what was required to achieve it. The fact that her stomach lurched when he looked at her had nothing to do with her decision to check him out more thoroughly.

  She could hear him talking to Kuan in the next room and was just about to tune into the conversation when Sue pushed open the door. The woman held a tray laden with food, and she was smiling brightly as she came in.

  “I’m so glad to see you awake.” She came over to place the tray on the chest of drawers beside the bed. “We’ve been so worried. I don’t think I’ve seen Mr. Allarde so concerned before.”

  “Really?” Rose asked as her mouth watered at the smell of freshly cooked bacon.

  “Yes.” Sue picked up a pair of deadly looking metal shears, pointing to her arm. “I know they look scary, but I’ve used them too many times to count. Here, give me your arm and I’ll have this cast off you in no time.”

  Rose gingerly held her arm over and watched as Sue went to work. The woman made quick work of cutting along the hard cast, bending it open and removing it. Sue placed it on the floor before motioning to the tray. “Anything you fancy?”

  “Bacon and coffee.” Rose almost jumped out of bed to grab the food, only just restraining herself and letting Sue fix a plate for her. “And eggs, and that toast looks good, too.”

  Sue laughed as she filled up a plate. “Here you go. Sounds like you’re hungry.”

  “Starving,” Rose admitted as she started to tuck in. “Hmm, so he was worried? I must’ve been hurt real bad?”

  “Yes.” Sue sat in the armchair that’d been moved to the side of the bed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him so concerned before. I guess he’s not used to having beings who can’t heal themselves. He was ready to rip someone’s head off. Not literally, of course, he would never do that.”

  Rose swallowed the mouthful of food and moaned at the glorious taste. “Wouldn’t he? I’d heard he kills without mercy. Isn’t that true?”

  Determined to get as much information from the woman as she could, Rose raised an eyebrow as she popped some eggs into her mouth. Sue frowned and shook her head.

  “No. That is most definitely not true. I’ve worked for him for over two years, and, yes, he’s punished those who do wrong, but I’ve never seen him do anything that could be called remotely wrong. He’s a very honorable man, Marie, and he takes his responsibilities very seriously. He looks after us all, and I know he wants to do great things. There are, however, some out there who don’t want him to succeed. Maybe it’s those people who you’ve been listening to.”

  Sue’s heartfelt speech caused Rose to look away, feeling a little ashamed. “I’m sorry if I’ve offended you, Sue. I don’t know him and it’s just what I’ve heard. I don’t know anyone who’s ever met him, so I guess they are rumors.”

  “Rumors can do so much damage.” Sue shrugged. “Jeez, look at the Witches. Hunted down like dogs all because of some silly rumor. Mr. Allarde doesn’t believe any of that nonsense. In fact, he’s put out a call to everyone to let Witches know that they are safe here. If they come, then he will protect them.”

  Rose almost choked on her toast. Sue quickly handed her a mug of coffee, which she sipped.

  “That’s not something I’ve heard about. Someone willing to help Witches.”

  “No.” Sue looked a little worried. “He’s been getting more guards from close friends in case it causes problems for him. He’ll need their help to keep them safe. That’s if any actually come. The sad thing is they probably won’t. They won’t believe he’s telling the truth.”

  “I can understand a Witch’s reluctance to trust someone. Especially a Vampire.”

  “Marie.” Sue looked over her shoulder to the door, lowering her voice. “He may be a Vampire, and I think he’s about the oldest there is, but he’s a man of honor, and if he says he’ll protect them, then goddamn he will.”

  “You seem rather taken with him.” Rose smiled cheekily as Sue’s face reddened.

  “I care for him,” she admitted. “And let’s be honest, I don’t think any woman in their right mind would kick him outta bed. But I respect him even more. I’ve seen him working hard to build alliances, and he’s also been in contact with those countries that were less affected by the war and are still functioning like normal. Ones that have technology, oil, resources that will help get us back to some form of normality. He’s a good man and I think this country, no, shit, all of us, need him in charge.”

  Rose listened closely. The picture of Cassius Allarde that Sue was painting was definitely not what Basilius had said. Was the woman deluded? Only seeing what she wanted to see? Possible.

  Or, and this seemed increasingly likely, the Demon had lied. What a fucking shock. A Demon who didn’t tell the truth.

  “I look forward to finding out
more about his plans when I finally get to work.” Rose continued eating. She would need every last ounce of her strength for what was to come.

  Either carrying out her mission and killing Allarde, or dealing with the Demon, Basilius.

  “It’s nice to see you awake and looking so much better.” Sue stood. “But I have a lot of work to do, so I better scoot. I’ll come back for the tray in a little while. Eat as much as you can, Marie, you need to build yourself back up. You look as if you’ve lost a ton of weight, and you were a skinny little thing to begin with.”

  Rose’s eyes widened in surprise. “Hey, I wasn’t skinny.”

  Sue laughed. “You still need to eat.”

  “I’m really hungry, so that’s not a problem.” Rose pulled the tray closer, filling her plate with more food. “See you later, Sue, and thanks for this food. It’s delicious.”

  “You’re welcome.” Sue picked up the discarded cast, then left the room. Rose playing their conversation over and over in her head.

  I need to find out the truth, she thought more than once as she scarfed down almost everything Sue had brought.

  Cassius sat opposite the man who had healed Marie. Saying nothing as he used every available sense he had to try and figure out what the man was. He had great power, that was clear, but what powers and what he was still eluded him.

  “You look annoyed.” Kuan’s voice was soft and a little amused as he stared back at Cassius.

  “I am,” Cassius agreed, cocking his head to the side. “I can’t figure out what you are and that most definitely bothers me.”

  “My apologies.” Kuan gave a small smile. “Your name, Cassius, it means vain, does it not?”

  “What’s that got to do with anything?” Cassius was barely keeping his anger under control. This man was getting under his skin and he had no idea why.

  “Oh, nothing, just an observation. So, Mr. Allarde, what is it you’d like to talk to me about?”

  “How did you heal her?” Cassius knew this man was no Witch, but he had healing powers like none he’d witnessed before.

  “I can do a lot of things, healing is one of them. The how is irrelevant. Results are what matter.”

  Cassius only just stopped short of snarling at the vague answer. “That’s not an answer.”

  “I have no other to give.” Kuan shrugged.

  Cassius changed tactics. “Seth, who is he? Is he a Witch? If so, you know he can come here and I’ll keep him safe. I’ve vowed to give Witches a safe haven here.”

  “It is not my place to speak of Seth. If he wishes to come here, then that is his choice, though I will pass on the message.”

  Once again, Cassius managed to stop himself from snarling, but it was getting harder by the second. “You’re quite elusive with your replies, Kuan.”

  “Indeed.” The smaller man shrugged again. “May I ask you a question, Mr. Allarde?”

  Cassius mirrored the old man and shrugged, saying nothing.

  “Tell me, Cassius, are your intentions as pure as they seem? Or are they an illusion for more nefarious purposes?”

  “What?” Cassius’ shock at the impudence of this man caused his heart to speed up, and he wanted nothing more than to grab him by the throat and shake answers from him.

  “You didn’t hear my question?”

  “Yes,” Cassius spoke through gritted teeth. “I was just wondering at the stupidity of someone to ask me that. If it’s the first, then my actions will attest to it. If it’s the second, then the person asking such a question is most likely going to get their throat ripped out. No?”

  Kuan chuckled as Cassius glared at him. “Cassius, you are a very complex man. I see death inside you, but I also see a light that is rare in any being. In a Vampire, it is even more so. I think you may just be the man you say you are.”

  “I don’t have to defend myself or my actions to you.” Cassius calmly crossed his legs, inspecting his fingernails nonchalantly. “You, Kuan, have not given me any answers to my questions, and it is beginning to grate on my nerves.”

  “I’m sorry about that. It’s not my intention to upset you.” Kuan’s eyes seemed to penetrate him and he barely controlled the shiver that threatened to run through his body.

  “What are your intentions?”

  “Firstly, tell me if you are truly going to help Witches, and if so, why?”

  Cassius uncrossed his legs, sitting up and leaning forward. “Yes, I am. Why? Various reasons. I don’t believe they are the threat that’s been bandied about for the motives behind those who hunt them. I feel disgusted at what has happened to them, and one of my best friends was a Witch, and I ache inside when I think of what’s been done to him. All because of a stupid rumor about them bringing death and destruction.”

  Cassius took a deep breath before standing and stomping over to the window, knocking his fist against it. “Look outside, Kuan. Look and see what we’ve done to this world. We’ve brought death and destruction on ourselves. It’s nothing to do with Witches. So, yes, I will offer them protection, but I fear any who are left alive will be too scared to come forward. I fear I’m too late.”

  Kuan speared him with a look, one that appeared to see inside his soul.

  “You are not too late, Cassius. This Witch who so many fear will not bring what’s been said. No, she’ll bring a gift like none can imagine. The thing is, Cassius, can you find her and keep her safe?”

  “What are you talking about?” Cassius’ mind flew in a dozen different directions, assessing this man’s words and the implications held therein.

  “You will come in contact with this person, Cassius, though you may not know it.” Kuan’s stare intensified. “You have a role to play, but are you up to the task? I’m not sure.”

  “You’re speaking in riddles, old man. Tell me who she is and I’ll go myself to find her and keep her safe.”

  “I cannot.” Kuan shook his head. “You need to find each other, and both of you will be required to take a leap of faith that will change history.”

  “For fuck’s sake!” Cassius strode over, anger boiling inside him. “Tell me where to find her. If she needs my protection, then I have to find her first.”

  “You already have.” Kuan looked up into Cassius’ outraged face. “I’ll tell you one thing about me before I leave. My full name is Kuan Ti.”

  Cassius snarled down at the Chinese man. “You’re not going anywhere until I get answers.”

  “We shall meet again.”

  Cassius reached down, ready to shake the answers from the man. His hand grasped nothing as Kuan disappeared.

  “What the fuck?” Cassius looked around him, in case the man had used speed to escape his hold. Seeing the room was empty, he roared, “Valentine! Get in here.”

  Val almost broke the door down as he rushed inside, his eyes covering the entire room for a threat. “What?”

  “He just disappeared. How the fuck did he do that?”

  Val continued to look around the room, as if expecting to see the old man hiding. “Shit. I’ve no clue, boss.”

  “Get guards out looking for him. If they find him, I want him brought back here. He’s got information I need and I need it now. Today.”

  “Done.” Valentine rushed away as Cassius paced around the room.

  “Who the hell is she?” he muttered over and over. “I need to help her.”

  * * *

  Rose heard every word. Her heart speeding up like a fucking freight train as she listened to Kuan. Who the hell was he, and was she the one he meant? If so, then what was it she was supposed to do? Fuck, she needed to speak to Seth, but knew she wouldn’t be able to, not now, not without her sat phone.

  Cassius continued to stomp around. She could hear him, and his breathing gave away his feelings. He was upset and probably angry and she knew exactly how he felt. She was experiencing the same emotions but hid it far better than he.

  Soothing, deep breaths soon had her heart under control as she started to think. First
things first, she needed her phone.

  Waiting for a few minutes to let him calm down, she then shouted, “Excuse me!”

  He was standing before her in less than a heartbeat, his hair mussed up as if he’d been running his hands through it.

  “Yes?”

  “I know you’ve a lot on your plate, but would it be possible for me to get my bag with my belongings? I’d like to shower and I need some of my things.”

  Cassius nodded, his eyes boring into hers. “Of course. I’m afraid you won’t be able to thank Kuan. He’s left.”

  “I didn’t mean to eavesdrop.” Rose gave a lopsided smile. “I may not be full Wolf, but I do have their hearing. Sorry.”

  “No apologies necessary.” Cassius held up a hand. “Hold on, I’ll be right back.”

  She heard him go and instruct someone to find her bag and other things and bring them to her before he returned and sat in the chair Sue had been in earlier. His first words caused her to smile.

  “That was… weird. He just disappeared.”

  “Yeah, I heard. I thought only powerful Demons, or Fallen Angels, could do that zapping around stuff.”

  “Me, too.” Cassius frowned, looking thoughtful for a moment. “He wasn’t either of those. I would know if he was.”

  Rose spoke her thoughts out loud. “I’ve come across a couple of those in my time, too, and I agree. He wasn’t a Demon or an Angel. So, what was he?”

  “No fucking idea.” Cassius shook his head. “I’ll find out. All those cryptic clues are driving me nuts.”

  “I’ll bet.” She nodded. “Hey, you got a laptop around here?”

  “Yes, why?” he asked, already getting up.

  “Go get it for me.” She grinned. “I want to look something up.”

  “Okay.” He moved quickly, his strides long, powerful, and jeez, his dress pants hugged his ass tight as he walked.

  Rose shook her head. “Stop it,” she chastised herself as he reappeared.

  “Stop what?” he asked as he handed over a brand spanking new, top-of-the-range laptop.