Knights of Black Swan, Books 7-9 (Knights of Black Swan Box Set Book 3)

by Victoria Danann

  Great Paddy, I hope she did no’ fall for that.

  No. It was worse. She crossed the room and sat down in the chair across from him, breakin’ every single rule we’d come up with and more. The sight of my mate in such a vulnerable position as sittin’ down four feet away from him? I guess I went a little crazy, but you have to agree that ‘twas entirely justifiable. I mean, like every vampire hunter, I’m no stranger to feelin’s of fear, but the fright I felt seein’ Elora so close to the old leech was on a whole new level.

  Apparently I tried to open the vault without knowledge of how it worked and screamed at everybody in the room to get her out. I can no’ say what happened after that. They tell me I was hyperventilatin’, which was why I found myself sittin’ on a counter with a paper bag over my mouth and nose.

  When she was safely back on the right side of the vault, I was relieved enough that I could cry, but I was also so mad at her I could spit fire. So mad I could no’ even look at her.

  “What’s the matter with him?” Elora asked my teammates.

  “He’s scared to death! That’s what’s the matter! Every one of us could just…” Storm clenched and unclenched his hands in the air pantomimin’ a right proper stranglin’.

  With a suddenness I was no’ expectin’, he turned on me, pointin’ toward my chest. “For every time I have ever called you reckless or psycho or accused you of having a death wish, I take it all back. She makes you look downright timid.”

  I could no’ believe I was takin’ up for her in any way, but I heard myself say, “Lay off. ‘Tis done.”

  “Are you okay?” She looked at me. I just went back to breathing through the paper bag and let my eyes do the talkin’. “Wow. It looks like there was some serious drama on this side of the mirror.”

  “Oh! Sweet. Do you care about us at all?”

  Elora’s mouth fell open. “What do you mean? Of course.”

  “Ms. Laiken,” Kay began, “emotions were running a little high because of fear. For you. And from this side of the glass, it seemed like you were sort of asking for it.”

  “It? Asking for it as in getting bit?”

  Kay nodded.

  Elora looked around the room. "So it's Ms. Laiken now is it?" When she saw that every single one of us were mad as hornets, she said,” “Okay. I’m sorry if I gave you cause for concern. But I was the one in the situation and I had to follow my own instincts.”

  “Cause for concern?” Storm was no’ the sort to indulge in fits of temper and, I must say, it looked a little off kilter on him. He turned toward the wall and yelled out loud before resumin’ the upbraidin’. “Inoculations can’t save you if your jugular is sliced in two.” He had a good point there. He held his hand in front of her face, thumb and first finger twitchin’ together. “And you were this close. Even you wouldn’t recover from that.”

  The woman had the nerve to look like she was gettin’ angry in response. “That’s just it, Storm. I wasn’t in any danger. I’m sorry you were needlessly worried, but you’re going to have to learn to trust me.” He hissed out his aggravation then dropped his hands to his sides as if to say he was givin’ up. “What if I had told you I was going to rehabilitate Blackie? We both know you would have forbidden me to go near him. Blackie would have been sentenced to live out his life being tormented by that sadist.”

  “Please tell me you are no’ comparing that thing,” he pointed to the creature behind the glass, "to an abused dog! If you’re saying you have plans to domesticate Istvan Baka, then you need to double down on your therapy sessions.”

  Elora pulled back like she’d been slapped and, as irate as I was, my protective instincts proved stronger. I jumped down from the counter, got in front of Storm and said, “That’s enough!” I held his gaze long enough for him to know I was no’ jokin’ around. I looked down at the paper bag in my hand then threw it down. Great Paddy. Hyperventilatin’? What would be next?

  A nice long descent down an ancient spiral staircase might be just what I was needin’ to help clear my head. I let the door slam shut behind me and tried to keep my mind on countin’ steps, tellin’ myself over and over that the thing that was important was that she was no’ just alive, but unscathed.

  As much as I tried to convince myself that ‘twas over, I was chilled to the marrow seein’ that my mate had such little regard for her own safety. I believe ‘twas at that point that a deep abidin’ fear settled into my solar plexus, that she could no’ be trusted to keep herself safe. And I knew, without needin’ to be told, that death or separation from her would result in my own demise.

  Half an hour later I answered a knock at my door. ‘Twas Kay.

  “Get your stuff. Got a break in weather. Whister’s waiting for us.”

  I was the last one on board. I guessed Storm must still be royally pissed because Elora was in back by herself and he was sittin’ next to the pilot. I hoped he was stupid enough to hold onto his pout forever.

  My heart melted when I saw her look up to see what I’d do, her face a mask of honest vulnerability. I moved to the back, reached out and shoved a wisp of her whister-blown hair back into place, and slid into the seat next to her. She might as well find out now that nothin’ she might do would ever make me want to sit anywhere but by her side. I did no’ miss the look of gratitude though. And right after we took off, she leaned over and said, “I’m sorry.” I managed a little smile in acknowledgement. Then she said, “Do you have a history of hyperventilation?”

  Great. Paddy. “Certainly no’.”

  “No offense intended. I just wondered if it was an unusual reaction for you.”

  I twisted my body so I could face her and was about to tell her that I’m no’ usually so, um, excitable, but when her tongue peeked out to wet her lips I got lost in lookin’ at her mouth and longin’ to be bathed in kisses. I thought about kissin’ her. O’ course that was my inclination, but I did no’ want her to accept me from gratitude. As if she was followin’ my line of thinkin’, she said, “Do you think there will be a debriefing?”

  I managed to shift my attention upward to her eyes. Seemed she wanted to lighten the moment. That was okay with me. I would play along. So I said, “Would like that, but I’m no’ wearin' briefs. I wear boxers,” I leaned in close, “as you know.”

  She treated me to a laugh, which made Storm turn around and glare at both of us for a couple of seconds.

  We were in Bucharest in minutes. It seemed so strange that a trip that had taken hours in a car on narrow windin’ roads was reduced to so little time.

  I saw Kay havin’ a little talk with the hangar manager. When he walked over to us he said, “We’re makin’ a stop in Edinburgh to pick up folks headed for the Americas.”

  A couple of people I did no’ recognize were already on board waitin’ for us. Elora sat down on one of the bench seats next to one of them and was sayin’ hello while I was left settlin’ myself across the aisle. At least I could keep an eye on her.

  Storm went all the way to the recliners in the back. Good.

  I got Benson, the flight attendant, to bring me a laptop. I needed to do some research on romance. It was also a sneaky way to watch what was goin’ on between Elora and the bloke chattin’ her up without starin’. Blatantly. I could glance over the top of the screen now and again with no one bein’ the wiser.

  After snacks, I watched Elora rise and walk to the rear. She’d had what was apparently a heart to heart resolution with Storm and had decided to stay in the back for a nap. I watched her drag a pillow and blanket out of the overhead compartment, recline the seat to sleeper position, turn her body toward the window and pull down the screen.

  I did no’ want to resent Storm. Paddy. He was as close to me as a family member. No. That’s no’ true. In many ways he was closer because of our shared near-death experiences and the times we’d saved each other from bein’ vampirekabobs. I could never bring myself to hate Storm no matter what, but he was gettin’ on my nerves like a twinge that woul
d no’ stop. I could no’ cause a shift of his attention toward Elora. The only way that was goin’ to happen was for Elora to tell him that she’d chosen me.

  So I turned my attention back to the search for romance. One thing was clear. I needed to drastically step up my game.

  The first search result was Masspedia. It said, “make plans for romance with romantic ideas for date nights, anniversaries, romantic travel, and romantic getaways”. Seemed like a good place to start. At least they made liberal use of the word ‘romantic’.

  I catalogued each one of those suggestions in my head and started through the other results, noticin’ a lot of musical references. I realized that a lot of the ‘romantic’ music sounded like music Elora would like, music with sweet lyrics and relaxed melodies. It hit me that I had made fun of this music and said only borin’ people would find it worthwhile.

  I really was makin’ a mess of my own courtship. I’d as much as told her that romance is for losers. Great Paddy, dunk me and hang me out to dry.

  CHAPTER 19

  Ram

  We watched the playback of Elora’s “audience” with Baka in the conference room adjacent to Sol’s offices. ‘Twas difficult to watch, but curiously I was able to see things I had no’ seen when I was terrified for Elora’s life. Baka’s fascination with Elora clearly went beyond hittin’ on her, although I could no’ say if he was interested in blood, sex, or both. Baka was lookin’ at her like she was the end game. And I did no’ like it.

  I had the stray thought that Sol might no’ have considered what would happen if a vampire ingested Elora’s blood. He might absorb some of her density and, therefore, enhanced abilities. And then where would we be? Paddy.

  I heard Sol talkin’ and realized the playback had ended.

  “…fulfilled your part of the bargain. You are, therefore, free to come and go on probationary status, but you are bound by your vows of secrecy same as any other Black Swan employee.”

  “I understand.” She smiled, clearly delighted at the prospect of bein’ out on her own. At the same time, the idea of that made me shudder.

  “We should go into the city for a celebration dinner,” Storm said, smilin’ at Elora. I wanted to punch him in the mouth and watch it swell up so that his smile would look as ridiculous to Elora as it did to me.

  “The rest of this meeting concerns plans going forward so you are free to leave, Ms. Laiken.”

  “I’ll stay,” she said simply, as if she could no’ take the hint. I could no’ help but smile because I knew she was adept at nuance.

  Sol looked surprised. His brow creased slightly with displeasure, but he decided to allow it. “Very well. He’ll be arriving tomorrow to coordinate strategy.” Sol pointed a remote at the screen and a map of a section of Manhattan came up. I recognized it because ‘twas a frequent focus for patrol. “Monq’s team has concluded that the abductions seem to be clustering in this area.” He pointed the pin light to the corner of 39th and Broadway. “It’s a club called Notte Fuoco.”

  A street view photo of the club came up.

  “It’s all the rage,” he said flatly with dispassionate distaste. “A restaurant and two floors of depravity.”

  I suppressed a snort at Sol’s puritanism. I doubted he was personally acquainted with what the word ‘depraved’ truly meant, but he’d been a young knight once. If he’d written an autobiography, I had no’ read it. So who was I to judge?

  “The restaurant is on street level.” Street view was replaced with an interior shot taken when no one was there. “The second story is deejay dance.” That photo revealed a crowded, dimly lit room with dancers in bird-cage contraptions suspended from the ceilin’ and wave lightin’, oscillatin’ from purple to red to white to blue.

  Elora leaned over and whispered. “Somebody should have told them that nobody looks good in colored lights.”

  I snickered quietly, but no’ so quietly that Sol did no’ hear it.

  “Something funny about this, Hawking?”

  “No’ at all, Sovereign. Something caught in my throat.”

  He gave me a sour look, but that was hardly something new.

  “Then there’s the basement space they call The Underground,” he continued with a photo of tables, dance floor, and stage. “Live music with themed nights. Folk music. Street music. Acoustic. Fifties. Eighties. Its popularity has surprised a lot of people who bet against its success. Or so I’m told.

  “This is where Baka comes in. I gather he’s been using his time alone to pursue various interests including musical skills. His experience with stringed instruments can be tapped for this effort. The former house bass player was delighted to accept an all-expenses paid vacation until further notice so that Baka can take his place.”

  I glanced at Kay. His ears were turnin’ red. No’ a good sign. Believe me.

  Storm got to his feet as if he couldn’t keep himself sittin’ in the chair.

  “You are not seriously considering loosing that wily old vampire on New York City!” Storm more or less spoke for all of us.

  Challengin’ the sovereign was no’ unheard of, but ‘twas something saved for, shall we say, special occasions.

  “No. We’re not considering it.” Sol nodded at the chair. “Have a seat,” he said evenly. When Storm was reseated, Sol said, “It’s not under consideration. This is what we’re doing.”

  “Son of a…” Storm began.

  “Stop right there, Sir Storm. I’ll thank you to remember where you are and to whom you are speaking.”

  Storm pressed his lips together, but remained silent, looking around the room like he wanted to bolt. Or hit something.

  “For the record,” Kay said. “I agree with my partner.”

  “Make that three,” I said.

  “So. Noted,” Sol said. “Istvan Baka will be free while performing the duties outlined in his contract. That is, of course, conditional on his strict adherence to the synthetic blood diet he’s been on since his incarceration and reporting to me once a day. When he’s recalled, he will give himself up. If he doesn’t, B Team will run him down and either capture or kill him.”

  Kay raised his hands and then dropped them in a gesture meanin’, ‘I give up.’

  Sol ignored Kay. “Regarding the celebration dinner you proposed, Sir Storm, if you’re going, you might as well make it a working evening. Take Kay and Ram with you and scout Notte Fuoco.”

  Storm’s face fell in an almost comic way, but I’m proud to say that I managed to suppress an outright laugh.

  Sol said, “That is all.” And left. Simple and to the point. I have to give him that.

  When just the four of us remained in the room, Elora revealed her excitement. “When can we go? Tonight? Let’s go tonight!”

  Kay shook his head. “Clubs are usually closed on Mondays.”

  “Tomorrow?” she asked hopefully. The three of us looked at each other and shrugged which meant that none of us objected. I could tell Elora wanted to jump up and down. “What time?”

  “Leave at eight?” I said.

  “Yes! What should I wear?” she asked, then hurriedly added. “Never mind. I’ll ask Elsbeth.”

  I knocked at exactly eight. After waitin’ for a bit, I knocked again. When she did no’ answer, I was thinkin’ about pullin’ out my phone to call, but then the door opened. I sucked in a breath. The everyday Elora was enough to knock me on my ass. The glamorous Elora robbed me of breath in my lungs and thoughts in my head.

  After a few seconds I was clearheaded enough to speak and tried to make light of havin’ been temporarily paralyzed. “Excuse me. I’m lookin’ for Elora Laiken?”

  Her shoulders slumped like she was disappointed. “Okay, so I’m out of my element. Elsbeth did a club night make-over. It’s all wrong, isn’t it?”

  My eyes wandered down to where the ends of her curls fell between her breasts. Before my brain could get control of my hand, I had reached out and taken a lock of silky hair between my fingers. If I did no’
have elf ears, I might no’ have heard the little catch in her breath that made her lips part slightly and I could no’ help a smile. My eyes jerked up to her mouth and I stepped inches closer, herdin’ her back into her apartment. “Let’s stay in tonight and let me show you just how very no’ wrong you look.”

  She put her hands on my chest to stop my forward progress and shut down what could have been a very promisin’ night in. “So. Really. This is okay?”

  I leaned against the doorway. “Perfect. Let’s go.”

  My teammates were on whister level waitin’ when we arrived. I watched them both do their share of starin’. Storm said nothin’, but Kay said, “Like the come-and-bite-me outfit.”

  He smirked at the look of warnin’ I gave him. I did no’ want anything spoilin’ her night out.

  Seein’ the skyline comin’ up through Elora’s eyes was, well, eye-openin’. We had made the run so many times that the scenery was commonplace. We might as well have been on the subway goin’ to work. ‘Twas refreshin’ to be reminded that the city had beauty as well as an underbelly known intimately well by vampire hunters.

  The walk to Notte Fuoco was pleasant. ‘Twas a balmy night for that time of year. Comfortable enough for lightweight jackets. Elora slowed at displays in windows to satisfy her curiosity. I had to repeatedly clear my throat to remind Storm and Kay that we were no’ workin’, but there for her.

  Kay talked to the hostess about a table, then walked over to where we stood. “An hour. She says we’re welcome to stop in at one of the other levels for a look around while we wait.”

  We went up to the second level first. B Team was in the habit of lookin’ for vampire when in Manhattan. So we found ourselves doin’ exactly that. I glanced over at Elora and saw that her face was somewhere between pink and red, close to matchin’ her hair. I followed her line of sight and realized she was embarrassed about the gropin’ and grindin’ takin’ place on the dance floor.