by Sophia North
Releasing him, Gabriel moved to the large table in the suite's dining room. He pulled out a chair and went to sit on the opposite side. "Now, either sit and agree to follow my leadership or leave. The choice is yours, but know this: if you interfere in my business as Consul Militaris again, your new wife will be widowed before your seed can take root."
Vlad rubbed his throat. The vamp had a point. His behaviour would have cost any other vampyre his life. Gabriel may be a cunt, but he as Commander Cunt of all vamp forces. And human or not, Vlad was still a Watcher at heart.
Joining Gabe at the table, Vlad met him eye-to-eye. "I accept your terms."
"Excellent. Alessio, shall we start? Your message stressed the meeting was urgent."
Vlad sat but hadn't quite finished saying all he wanted. "As for your concern regarding my seed's future, be assured it has firmly taken root. So if I get a bit tetchy, know it's not completely due to my gobby cunt-like winning personality. I'm scared shitless twenty-four seven about Penny and the baby."
"Penny's pregnant? Well done, man," Alessio congratulated. "'Nerve-wracking business fatherhood. If only you were vampyre, then there would be even more reason to celebrate. There has yet to be a confirmed vamp pregnancy and the natives are starting to get restless."
There was method to Vlad's madness in revealing Penny's pregnancy. It was a dangerous plan, but circumstances being as they were, he had little choice anymore. His temperamental wife, and her Dragon ways, were not coping well with being cooped up at Simone's. And even if Vlad hired an army of highly trained mercenaries, they were no match for supernatural beings hell bent on harming his family.
He needed vamp protection and there was only one way he was going to get it. Lie.
"Then pop the champagne for the deed was done while I was still my old self. Penny's doctor confirmed the conception time-window today. It's a vamp."
The news took a bit of digesting, but had the desired effect.
"This is wonderful news!" Alessio replied enthusiastically, whereas Gabriel said nothing.
Vlad held back a self-satisfied smile. He always liked to lead with the truth before telling the lie. And this one was big.
He'd never revealed the truth to Alessio about Penny's true identity as a Dragon. Granted he felt completely justified in the decision. He and the Grand Elder had water under their bridge after Alessio had cast the deciding guilty vote in Vlad's trial for High Treason. Being sentenced to death by someone you trusted to have your back was not exactly a pleasant experience, nor did it instil much confidence in the relationship.
Now for the lie...well, half-truth if one was being generous.
"Yes, we are thrilled naturally. However, I have reason to fear the Serpent Brotherhood may have plans if it was known," Vlad provided, starting to lay the track he hoped would lead to the conclusion he sought.
It didn't take long for Alessio to lumber down the rail. "Of course. We will assign guards to protect her immediately. She is now the most precious human in existence. Gabriel, do you have any Praetors to spare?" Alessio asked without hesitation.
"She's not the Virgin Mary," Gabe pragmatically answered, "and lives in an impenetrable bunker with your daughter-in-law. Call me crazy but I think she's fairly safe. Besides, why would the Brotherhood seek to harm her? She will not be the only woman to bear a vamp child now the breeding ban has been lifted."
Vlad anticipated that possible response and had an answer at the ready. "True, but my wife is tiring of her gilded cage. Simone worries keeping her cooped up for much longer may result in some very unpleasant moods. I dare not surface back into the real world with her unless I can be assured of her safety. I fear the Brotherhood would see her dead, if only to make an example of their strength by showing they will decide who will bear the future vamp race."
Gabe considered the argument. It wasn't totally without merit, but suspected Vlad was not telling them the whole story. Hannah's unguarded thoughts about researching a Dragon Curse had yet to be laid on the table. And he was getting the distinct impression that bit of information was not something Vlad was prepared to share. Question was: why?
The answer may take some manoeuvring, so Gabe decided to play Vlad's game whilst he worked it out.
"I will provide daytime escorts upon request to prevent any sun-walking allies of the Serpents harming Penny. However, Praetors are too valuable to be permanently assigned. There will be a team of Watchers stationed around her at night. If you have any preferences, give Brutus their names and they will be yours to command."
The words were like music in his ears.
"Cheers, mate. Much appreciated."
"Right, now that we've taken care of that. Alessio, how may I be of service to you?"
"It's Godfrey. He's escaped and I suspect Mariam used her fae powers to do it. Did I mention Mariam is half-Fae?"
Gabriel closed his eyes. No, Alessio had not mentioned it. This Mariam bird was really starting to piss him off. Stealing away their arch enemy without a trace, eluding his best tracker and now springing mute vamp conspirators from captivity. What did Wilhalf's sister plan to do next? Reveal herself as the real leader of the Serpent Brotherhood and Haan's beloved? Because the way things were going, nothing would surprise him.
"Walk me through it, my liege. And please. Be thorough this time."
A Consul cunt's work was never done.
Chapter Sixteen
TUCKED IN A FAR CORNER of the boisterous upscale Kensington coffee house, Hannah sat with Penny, who was watching her drink a cup of java with undisguised envy.
"It smells heavenly," she breathed dreamily. "And the people, look at all the beautiful people. Contact with other life forms, who knew I could miss it so."
Penny had been granted day release thanks to Vlad's negotiations for protection. And there was no keeping her under lock and key anymore. She needed fresh air, sunshine...human existence.
"You're not wishing Simone could be here too?" Hannah teased.
"She'll be with me in spirit from now on. Vlad finally agreed to move into her flat. It's been empty for over a year. I hate the blasted place - it's soulless glass and steel. But it comes with 24/7 security and is so close to the City Vlad can be home within minutes from his offices should the need arise. Personally, I would like to be at our house in Buckinghamshire. But according to his High Holiness, it is not permitted for his Praetors to leave London."
Penny's love affair with Gabriel had gone south rather quickly. Those dreamy, green eyes of his were no longer working their magic on her. Hence her cheeky nickname for him
"I'm still rather impressed with Vlad's cunning. To secure you full-time protection without divulging the real reason is no small feat. His High Holiness, does not strike me as being easily duped," Hannah added, agreeing with Penny's new name for Gabriel. "His whole mind-reading trick bothers me more than I can say. I wish there was a way to block him."
"Ha! I think Simone may have cracked it,” Penny exclaimed with a glint in her eye. “When locked away in a bunker one has a lot of time on one's hands and she's read every damn book there is in Dante's library - ten times. But as luck would have it, she came across one on the properties of crystals and their affects on various supernatural creatures. Onyx is purported to have the ability to block a vampyre from both reading and controlling one's thoughts.”
This news captured Hannah’s interest.
“Vlad ordered a suit of armour to be made from the stone,” Penny continued. “I tried to explain onyx was not a metal but he was having none of it. Kept telling me there were ways to do such things. I think baby brain has struck early."
"Have you tested the theory?" Hannah asked anxiously. "We could all benefit from keeping our thoughts to ourselves."
"More like, lest you slip up and Gabriel discovers how much you want to know about his Praetor capabilities...in bed. Here, put this bracelet on before you freak out. I neglected to mention we are not alone. My Praetor detail are sitting over there."
> Hannah eagerly slipped it on, admiring how the beautifully cut onyx stones set in platinum seemed to draw in the light. Penny's quip about her wanton thoughts were unsettling, mainly because they were true. She'd love to know more about his sexual prowess after their library adventure.
"And in answer to your question: of course we've tested it," Penny continued, "Simone couldn't read a thing I was thinking the other day...which proved useful as we’d just had a spat about what film to watch. I should confess there were some very unpleasant thoughts going on in my head at the time,” she admitted conspiratorially. “I mean seriously, who doesn't love Jerry McGuire?"
Hannah wasn't one of them. She too had a secret love of the film. What woman didn't want to find the man who completed her?
"But does it work on Ultimate vampyres?" Hannah asked pointedly. "Because that is what we are dealing with!"
"Goodness, you and Simone appear all prim and proper when it suits. But watch out when your long fuses are finally reached. Then boom! Nuclear meltdown," Penny teased. "What do you think I've been doing with my Praetors, Rufus and Dufus, over there? They haven't heard a blessed word I've silently muttered about them. And they're not clever enough to hide the truth. Only his High Holiness would play that game."
"Then please ask Vlad to order me a suit as well."
"Are you certain a chastity belt wouldn't be more fitting?" Penny laughed heartily at her own joke. Hannah was not amused. "How goes the research?" Penny asked, sensing Hannah would not countenance any more teasing about Gabe. "Anything?"
Hannah sighed. She was still turning up blanks. "Nothing concrete yet. I must be losing my touch. By now I've usually unearthed some sort of a credible lead. But the truth is there's a lot more information on the subject than one would imagine. Dragon lore involving sea-faring tribes cuts across multiple cultures. An entire lifetime of study could be devoted to that aspect of the legends alone."
Penny suddenly became very serious. "May I ask you a personal question?"
Good lord, when had Penny not? "Of course, I have nothing to hide. At least, I don't think I do. You know more of my secrets than my own family. They haven't a clue about my work for the OO."
"It has to do with them...the OO, that is. Simone says people tapped to join usually possess special gifts...and that you are more than what you appear to be. What does she mean?"
Hannah swallowed a large gulp of coffee. "I can see things."
"Like visions? Dante has visions, there is nothing to hide about seeing visions with us lot," Penny said encouragingly.
"It's different than how Simone explained Dante’s gift. My visions happen when I touch something. And usually involve a glimpse into either the past or the future. But not everything I see is the absolute truth, which makes trusting them difficult."
"Here," Penny said, holding out her hand. "Touch me, maybe you'll see something about my past that can help us. Or even the future. Anything would be better than this never ending haze of confusion."
"I don't know how to control it. It just happens when it wants. The most I've been able to do is use its guidance in my research. It's how I link the un-linkable."
Penny's sea-blue eyes pleaded with Hannah. "Try...see if anything comes."
She was starting to sound like Melinda, her OO mentor. Melinda was constantly encouraging Hannah to practice by focusing on objects in order to improve her control. Let the record show, she was not exactly the ideal student.
Determined to try her best, Hannah grasped Penny's hand. Concentrate, Hannah...clear your mind. Release any thoughts, allow the images to flow...the sounds...the conversations. Slowly, blurred visions began to form in her mind.
Babies crying...two babies...fire and ice...Esmeralda and Astrid. Twins. Penny was carrying twins!
"You are having two babies," she whispered aloud in surprise.
Penny snatched her hand away. "Shhh, you mustn't tell a soul. I only found out yesterday at my doctor's appointment and Vlad's already a mess as it is and Simone will only start worrying months ahead of schedule. I cannot burden her yet with the news."
"Why would having twins be so upsetting? 'Tis a double blessing," Hannah asked, confused by Penny's fears.
"The Dragon Curse we are trying to break was cast by my twin aunts...I worry history is repeating and that the only way the spell can be broken is either by my daughters' magic or their deaths."
"It's going to be fine, Pen. I swear, we'll find another way to break the curse," Hannah soothed, taking her hand again to comfort her. Upon contact, another vision flashed in her head.
A bowl?...no smaller. Four hands entwined...around a rim. A cup...no, a chalice. Gem stones decorated the exquisite craftsmanship.
Hannah pulled back from Penny.
"What? Did you see something else?" she asked anxiously.
A slow smile worked its way across Hannah's full lips.
"A clue, Penny, a genuine lead," she whispered gleefully. "Things are really starting to fire on all cylinders. New starts for both of us..."
"Hold on, reverse course. What do you mean by new starts?" Penny asked, clearly confused by what Hannah had said.
"You and Vlad are moving into a new flat and I bought a house! And I have you and Simone to thank for my bold new direction. It's high time I started to live a life true to myself."
Penny beamed at her. "It's about time, Bookworm. So, when's the house warming party? Do you need any help? Little known fact: I love planning parties, and after being kept on a tight leash for months, a party project might just be the thing to distract me."
"Good lord, you are as bad as my assistant, Lawrence. Between his insistence on helping me decorate...he worries I'm going to fill the place with naff granny paraphernalia...and planning the best party ever, it feels like I'm no more in control of my life than before."
Wrinkling her nose at the idea of some random assistant overseeing Hannah's launch into independence, Penny pressed on. "When will you be moving in?"
"We exchange July 1st."
Penny reached into her bag and pulled out her mobile. "A Monday, perfect. On a scale from one to ten, how resourceful is your assistant?"
Hannah paused. Peculiar question.
"I'd say a solid 8. He once managed to secure access to a couple of the Vatican's more 'off-limits' vaults for me - no easy feat, let me tell you. A woman can have issues accessing the general collection as it is...but the good stuff...it seemed a nigh on impossible task."
Penny's earlier distrust evaporated. Lawrence sounded like the ideal partner in crime. But if things got a little tight, there was always Alfred to save the day, but he had been avoiding Penny lately. Singe a man's tail feathers and he can get so snippy about it. She'd done worse.
"He will do. Estate agent?"
"Yes, I have one." Hannah replied.
"No, no, no. Who?"
Penny's twenty questions were starting to make her nervous for some reason. "Wilhelmina Hartshod."
"Good name, she sounds eccentric."
Yes, eccentric did indeed suit the woman's character.
"Okay, that about covers it. Now, Bookworm, what are you going to do about this Pierce fellow?"
"I'm going to end it tomorrow night at dinner. I would have done it sooner but he's entertaining a friend from back home for a few days," Hannah explained. "Is Vlad aware of Pierce's intention to merge with Charrington's? With all of the drama of the past week, I haven't thought to mention it."
"Vlad rarely talks shop with me. I tend to zone out over the more detailed nuances of monetary management, as my former bank manager would attest to most emphatically. Thank the goddess, I married a financial genius, otherwise we'd be in a terrible mess."
"Well, in thanks for his help tell him Pierce is trying to take over his hedge fund. I'd hate for him to have to battle a merger with everything on his plate."
"I will, the first chance I get. He and his High Holiness have been running all over town tracking down Brotherhood leads. The other nigh
t, I could have sworn Vlad smelled like cheap perfume, so who knows what depths of depravity they've been trawling. My husband's connections in London are notorious and I hate that he is unable to protect himself the way he once could."
"I'm sure Gabriel will not let anything happen to him under his watch," Hannah offered in reassurance, genuinely believing her words. Gabe may be an arrogant mind-reading bastard, but she sensed in him a genuine sense of duty for those he watched over.
"I'll smote his ass if he doesn't," Penny declared boldly before softening. "How are you feeling about ending it with Pierce?"
Hannah looked down at her lap. She didn't want to come across as heartless, but truth be told she felt like a massive weight had been lifted. She was free!
"Relief...and a heavy dose of guilt. I worry I've held him back when he could have been with someone who wants the same things as he does."
"You mustn't feel guilty, I know it's easy enough. But Pierce chose to stay in the relationship too...he's not a victim. And you haven't done anything wrong," Penny said supportively. "Oh my, I've spent far too much time in Simone’s company. I'm now starting to sound like her."
"Oh dear, you really do need your own place. One Simone is enough," Hannah teased. "After one session with her I've ended up buying a house and am about to break up with Pierce. Lord only knows what I'll do next."
Chapter Seventeen
THE TABLES AT EBONY's were packed with men deep in their cups and lighter in pocket. The once men exclusive gambling tradition in London had long ended, but there were still some establishments who held fast to the ‘good old days’. They were naturally clever enough to ensure all the necessary pretext of modernity were adhered to in the strictest sense. Women were welcomed, as they had always been. But they were required to be of a certain character, as they had also always have been.
It helped that the House hadn't changed hands since the mid-century...of the 1800s that is. The current proprietor was an old friend of Vlad's. And she had always been an excellent source of information.
