Raven Mask

by Winter Pennington

  “We will do what we can to find your daughter,” I told her. “If there’s anything else you need to tell us, here’s my cell.” I handed her my business card. Lyall Investigations was written in plain black font. The simple white card contained my last name, title, office number, and my cell-phone number.

  Gwen took it, nodding. “I will. If she comes home I’ll call you. Why are you looking for her?”

  “I’m working on a missing persons case.” I told the partial truth. “I don’t think Alyssa is alone. A boy of her age has gone missing, as well. Do you know if Alyssa was friends with a boy named Timothy?”

  “Off the top of my head, no. Lyssie doesn’t share much with me.”

  “What about any friends or relatives she may have gone to?”

  Slowly, she shook her head. Sadness clearly haunted her. “No, Denny doesn’t let her have anyone over so I never get to meet her friends from school. We don’t have any immediate family here, other than Denny’s folks, and Alyssa’s not close to them.” As if she felt the need to explain, she said, “Denny’s problem runs in his family.”

  I nodded, sharply. “Thank you, Mrs. Cunningham.”

  Heading for the car I stepped over the splinters in the doorway. Gwen would have to call someone to come fix the door. Arthur had spoken briefly about it with her, and she’d assured him she would be fine for the night. Eris did the best she could, picking it up and leaning it against the opening. The hinges were shot, jutting out from the door frame. I was pretty sure Gwen could call someone to replace a door at ten in the evening. At least I hoped so. After all, I had asked a vampire to rip it off its hinges.

  Chapter Twenty

  Arthur agreed to call me after he took Dennis Cunningham into custody and let me know if they got anything out of questioning him. I doubted they would, but it wouldn’t hurt to try. I was a little shocked that Arthur and I had talked Gwen Cunningham into pressing charges. People that accept abuse generally have very low self-esteem and an even lower sense of self-worth.

  I really hoped she didn’t let him treat her like shit again. If she went back to Dennis, that’s exactly what she’d be doing. I hated to see it happen, amongst heterosexuals and homosexuals, but it wasn’t my decision to make. It sounded cold, but that was the truth.

  When I asked Eris if she wanted me to take her back to the club she declined. I pulled up to the speaker box in front of the black iron gate blocking the driveway that led to the house. Iron fencing circled the entire property. I punched in the key code on the little metal keypad and the gate creaked, sliding open on its tracks.

  I parked outside the front door since I didn’t have a garage opener. Rosalin opened the door when we stepped onto the porch and held it for us. I unbuttoned my coat and draped it on the black wooden coat rack just inside the doorway.

  Rosalin and Eris followed me into the hallway, which was lined with statues.

  I glanced at Eris as we approached the basement. At the Cunninghams’ I had been able to ignore the tug of attraction that she caused, but now that we were in a hallway and I could smell the subtle scent that was hers alone, it flared up again, suffusing my body with warmth.

  I asked her, “Did you choose the name?”

  “Yes. Why?”

  “Eris. Goddess of Discord?”

  “Out of chaos comes order. Occasionally,” she practically cooed, “chaos can be quite fun.”

  I shook my head. “And to think I considered women weird. Vampire women just get weirder and weirder.”

  At that, Rosalin laughed. “Touché.”

  Eris put her hand on the wall in front of me, blocking my way. “And is weird such a bad thing, Kassandra Lyall?”

  “That depends.” I forced myself to keep eye contact with her. “On how weird.”

  “Weird is just another word for something strange. Strange is the unknown. Would a thing be so weird if you were to become familiar with it?”

  “No.”

  Eris took a step back, no longer blocking my way. A spill of light flooded the hallway, making my vision shift from black and white to bright white around the edges.

  I pivoted to find Lenorre standing in the doorway. “I take it things went well?”

  “No,” I said. “They went the opposite of well.”

  “Ah.” She looked behind me. “Eris.” She dipped her head slightly.

  They stared at one another for a few seconds before Eris greeted her. “Countess.” She inclined her head as Lenorre had. I didn’t understand the stiffness to the set of her shoulders so I gave Rosalin a questioning look.

  She shrugged, as if to say, “Don’t ask me. I have no idea.”

  “What happened?” Lenorre asked, sitting next to me on the couch.

  I touched her. I couldn’t sit close to her and not want to do that. The silky night pants she wore were incredibly soft. “It’s a long story.” I dropped my gaze to the pale triangle of flesh peeking out from between the folds of the midnight blue silk shirt. The shirt was long-sleeved, with the collar neatly folded, flowing into a wide V at the base of her neck. It looked good on her, distractingly good, like a plate of brownies in front of you when you’re PMSing. “The girl is missing. The husband is abusive. Arthur has him in police custody. The mother is a wreck. I have no idea how we’ll find the girl.”

  Lenorre pulled me against her, distracting me even more. “I am sure we will figure something out.”

  I sighed. “I certainly hope so.” I rested my cheek against her shoulder, wrapping my arm around her sleek frame. The soap she’d used was seductive and warm. Beyond that intriguing smell was the airy scent of vampire no perfume maker or soap manufacturer could do justice.

  Eris cleared her throat. “I hate to interrupt, but I need to feed.”

  Lenorre looked at her. “By all means, go ahead. I am sure you are more than capable of finding willing food.”

  “If you want,” Rosalin said, “I don’t mind opening a vein.”

  “My apologies, wolf, but you are not the one I wish to taste.” She looked at Lenorre. “You said you’d grant me a boon if I went with Kassandra tonight. I am within my rights to ask what I am about to, as well you know.”

  Lenorre’s gaze hardened. “Tread lightly. What you seek is not mine to give.”

  “Is it not?” Eris mused.

  “You had to bribe her?” I asked.

  “In a sense,” Lenorre said. “’Twas not necessarily a bribe so much as it was an offer of payment in return for her services.”

  “What did you offer her?” I asked warily.

  “She offered a choice amongst her people, so long as the donor was willing,” Eris explained.

  “Eris is a Prime. She is within her rights to ask for something.”

  “What exactly is she asking for?”

  “You.”

  It took a moment to sink in. What was I supposed to say? Thanks, but no thanks?

  Eris laughed, almost purring. “Kassandra, I ask only for a taste of your blood.” She grinned. “You can close your mouth now.”

  “Do I look like the poster woman for a blood drive?”

  Her grin faltered slightly. “No...”

  “I told you it was not a wise idea to ask her,” Lenorre said.

  Eris looked thoughtful as she stared at me. “You would refuse when I at least have the courtesy to ask?”

  “I haven’t said yes or no.”

  I tried to relax against Lenorre’s body, but I was tense. After Eris and I had stepped out of the car the sexual tension had been minimal. Now, it skyrocketed again between us. The thought of her mouth against my neck tightened my stomach and sent a wave of something close to anticipation through me. Lenorre had only bitten me twice, once when I was wolf-ridden and the second time during sex. The reminder of that mingling sensation of pleasure and pain was exciting.

  “If it alleviates your discomfort, a wrist will suffice.”

  I shook my head, summoning my will. “No.”

  “Might I ask why?”


  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  She looked at Lenorre. “Is she always this willful?”

  Lenorre touched my hair. “Yes.”

  “Do you dislike me?” Eris asked.

  “It’s not that I dislike you, Eris. I don’t know you, and from my experience being nibbled on by a vampire is—”

  “Erotic.” The word made my stomach dive.

  Sweet Goddess, make her go away.

  I looked at Lenorre. If I accepted, how would she take it? Eris was right, for me there was something erotic about sharing blood with a vampire. I couldn’t share my blood with Eris and disconnect the two sensations. The fact she was attractive also made things worse. Not that I would have preferred to be food for an ugly vampire. I didn’t want to be food, period.

  “I should take her up on her offer,” I whispered against Lenorre’s hair. “You didn’t stop Zaphara from pouncing on me.” My remark was a little spiteful, but I was still upset about the whole Zaphara thing.

  “Sharing blood with Eris will not make me jealous. Nor will it upset me. Do I seem jealous thus far?”

  “No. Why? You’d seriously let her sink fangs in me?”

  “It is Eris. If it were any other vampire, one I did not trust, I would not have allowed the request to have been made in the first place.”

  “I wouldn’t be as calm as you if someone was asking to sink fangs in you.”

  “You are young,” Lenorre stroked up my side, “and though I can be just as possessive, there are those I trust.”

  “You trust her not to mind-fuck me?”

  “Kassandra, if I was going to...” Eris stopped when Lenorre raised a hand.

  “If I were you and wanted a taste of Kassandra’s blood I wouldn’t finish that sentence. Yes, I trust her not to use her wiles on you or to breach the boundary of politeness.” She touched my cheek. “I trust you.”

  “Then trust me when I say no.”

  “As you wish,” Eris said. “I would not have asked had I known you were so loyal to Lenorre.”

  “When did you get the impression I wasn’t?” A bit of anger clouded my tone.

  She held my gaze a little too intensely for comfort. “Do you want the truth or would you prefer I leave some words unspoken between us?”

  “Oh, no. Pray tell, what gave you the impression I’m not loyal?”

  “The way you look at me.” Her words hit like a fist, stealing the breath from my lungs for one harsh moment.

  “Just because I find you attractive doesn’t mean I’d do anything about it.”

  “Mayhap. I was hoping you would.”

  “No reaction?” I asked Lenorre, who was as calm and reserved as a statue.

  “Kassandra, you expect me to react like a human. I am not human. I do not think or feel like one. Neither, my dear, are you.”

  “Wolves mate for life,” Rosalin said. “We’re pretty monogamous and possessive. Well, most of us. I could think of a few exceptions.”

  “Is that what it is?” I asked Rosalin. “If I was in Lenorre’s position I’d be freaking the hell out.”

  “It is nothing more than a sharing of blood,” Eris said.

  “No, it’s not. It might be for you, but for me it wouldn’t be. It would feel too much like cheating.”

  “How can it be cheating if your lover is giving you permission? We’re not going to bed together.”

  I tried for honesty. “I’ve seen the way you look at me. You’ve seen the way I look at you. Why should we risk crossing the line?”

  Eris offered a pleased smile. “You fear you would want to cross the line with me? Would it be so simple as one bite and you would want to crawl into my bed?”

  I was growing increasingly uncomfortable. It was a weird situation to begin with. Lenorre’s palm played idly against my side. She squeezed my hip, making me look at her.

  “I don’t know, but I can tell you one thing. Even if I was tempted to cross that line with you, Eris, I wouldn’t let myself.”

  “Then,” Eris said, “I misread you and offer my apologies. I will find other food this night. There may come a day when you are not so afraid of me, Kassandra.”

  “Don’t get your hopes up, Eris. I’m not afraid of you. I just don’t share my blood casually.”

  “Your depth only makes you more intriguing.”

  “If it matters at all,” Rosalin said, gracefully interrupting the tension, “I’ll still open a vein.”

  “Then,” Lenorre spoke quietly, “go. Kassandra and I shall retire for the evening.”

  She gave me a smoky look and my stomach started flipping all over again.

  Retire, my ass.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  By the time I finished brushing my teeth and emerged from the bathroom, the bed looked like a really good place to sleep.

  Lenorre sat propped against the pillows, still wearing her silky pajamas.

  “You look comfy,” I casually noted.

  She sank lower, arms reaching above her head as her fingers laced around the wooden beam that connected the bedposts. The gesture reminded me of her bound wrists and I stifled a shudder of pleasure.

  Lenorre stretched, lifting her body slightly off the mattress. The last few buttons on the midnight blue shirt were left undone, falling open as she teased me with a glimpse of her pale, flat stomach. “Oh, I am,” she purred, twisting her hips slightly in the stretch, showing off her hourglass figure, “very, very comfortable.” Her voice was breathy. The look she gave me managed to convey more desire than her words.

  I was wearing The Two Points shirt she’d given me, which was long enough to cover my black bikini-cut underwear. “Guess what I forgot?” I put a sway in my walk.

  Lenorre held a hand out and I took it. “I am glad you forgot them.”

  “You would be.” I laughed as she pulled me into the circle of her arms. Burying my face in the bend of her neck, I inhaled the scent of her.

  “You are tired?” she mumbled against my hair.

  “Mmm-hmm,” I breathed. “I got up early to go to work. Not all of us spontaneously combust in sunlight.”

  She laughed and swatted my thigh, gently. When I jumped, expecting more than a playful swat, she laughed again. “Do you plan to work tomorrow?”

  “I told Rit to call me if she needed me. There’s no point. I don’t intend to juggle any more cases until I’ve figured out what happened to Timothy and where Alyssa is.” Lenorre nodded, then twined her silk-clad leg around mine.

  “If you wish to go to sleep,” Lenorre drew the tips of her fingernails lightly across my exposed thigh, “I shall understand.”

  “I don’t mind touching right now, but I don’t think I’d survive a repeat of last night. I might not spontaneously combust but I might spontaneously pass out again.”

  Lenorre stopped moving. “Ah, yes. You did spontaneously pass out.” She grinned. “I do not think the bed would survive a repeat.”

  I laughed. “No, I don’t think so.” I snaked my arm around her back and played my fingers over the dip the position had created at the base of her spine.

  Lenorre kissed me and I returned the kiss, exploring her mouth until my head reeled and I was dizzy with desire.

  “How did I ever say no to you?”

  Her accent sent a shiver of pleasure through me. “You were scared and being quite stubborn.”

  “True enough.” I brushed my lips across her cheek. “So were you.”

  “I was reasonably determined.”

  “Oh, really? Is that what they call it?”

  “Yes.”

  I had to fight not to shudder when her breath tickled my neck.

  “Why did you tell Eris if I gave my permission, you’d let her sink her fangs into me?”

  Lenorre nipped my neck. I jumped, letting out a sound that was uncomfortably close to a girlish yip.

  “Oh, Kassandra, you have been too long in your hiding amongst the humans.”

  I frowned. “Rosalin told me
biting isn’t always erotic for a vampire.”

  “She is correct. At times feeding is just that.” She propped herself up on one elbow, gazing at me with those silvery eyes. I traced her jaw with the tips of my fingers.

  “If my attraction was so obvious to Eris, I imagine it was obvious to you?”

  Her head lowered and her lips brushed my palm. “It was.”

  “And that doesn’t make you jealous?”

  “You are not the type of woman that likes to feel guilty,” she said. “You struggle with your desires, between those of wolf and human. Now there is a new addition to your personality.”

  “The raven.”

  “Yes, the raven. As well as the mark The Morrigan placed on your soul.”

  I agreed, again. I’d pretty much known the second bit of information from the moment I found my spiritual path and The Morrigan. I also knew she wasn’t an easy Goddess to walk with. So far, I’d been right. The words “difficult to fathom” came to mind.

  “I don’t think the raven has actually shown any personality changes,” I said. “Not like when I was infected with lycanthropy.”

  “The raven is very different from the lycanthropy virus.”

  “What does all of this have to do with Eris?”

  “You are going through a transition. You are adapting to our relationship, overcoming your fears, as well as dealing with outside influences,” she said. “I know you well enough by now to be certain you will not do anything to betray me, but you in turn need to know I give you that same amount of devotion. You have the freedom to make your decisions as you see fit, and I will not judge you harshly for them.”

  “You were jealous when Rosalin and I slept together,” I mentioned mildly.

  “There is friendship between you and Rosalin. I did not want that friendship growing into something more intimate and for you to lose your heart to her. That is why I was initially upset. Do you remember when I told you if you lost your heart to another, it would divert all of my plans?”