I nodded at him. “He caught me by surprise, it won't happen again.”
Sergei went down on one knee in front of me at those words, his fist across his chest and head bowed low.
“We have failed you when you needed us most, Mistress. I apologise on behalf of my sister and myself.”
I reached out instinctively and placed a hand on his shoulder. “Don't, Sergei,” I whispered. “I need friends just as much as I need guards. But I need sycophants even less. We work together and if one of us falls behind occasionally, the rest pick up the slack. We look out for each other, but we don't chastise or judge. Nataliya needed a break and I was sound asleep when she left me. I will not have her punished for my lack of care in this room.”
He looked up at me, eyes brimmed with tears. “You are not like others,” he murmured.
“No, I'm not. Don't you forget it.” I tapped him playfully under the chin with my fist and walked from the room.
Samson had his head in his hands, sitting hunched forward on a chair beside Gigi's bed when I peered in his room. He hadn't sensed or heard me approach. I stood at the doorway and watched for a minute. He looked so worried, so deep in thought. Gigi looked serene, at peace and quite dead. Well, vampire dead. I still couldn't get over the fact that she was more than just a vampire. To look at her you wouldn't even suspect there was more than a Nosferatu under that skin. But, the part of me that is Nosferatin, recognised her as kin.
I'm not very good at reading auras. All beings have them. Nosferatin auras are distinct. If I try hard enough I can get a slight shimmering around the body, but it's hardly conclusive. Amisi can read them without even breaking a sweat, but not me. Despite that however, I know instinctively when I am face to face with a vampire hunter. A Nosferatin. And as I looked at the very vampire façade of Gigi lying on that bed, I also saw a Nosferatin. How the hell this was going to work, I had no idea.
How exactly does a half vampire and half vampire hunter co-exist in the one body? What had Nut been thinking?
I shook my head and took a step into the room, the movement announcing my arrival to Samson. He glanced up at me, tiredness etching his features into something unfamiliar. Red rimmed his sad eyes. I bit my bottom lip and went to stand beside him, my hand resting on his shoulder. His own hand came up and covered mine. He didn't remove it, just let his larger hand engulf my smaller one on his shoulder.
“When will she wake up?” I asked.
“Tomorrow night.” He replied, tension filling his voice. I nodded, taking in his strung-out but exhausted frame.
“Have you rested, Samson? Have you fed?” I was worried about him, but I knew the chances of him leaving Gigi's side were slim. But, be that as it may, vampires don't do well if they miss a meal.
He shook his head, but didn't remove his eyes from the girl on the bed. I watched him for a while longer then sighed, removed my hand from his shoulder and sat down on the arm of his chair.
“Feed from me,” I offered, placing my bare wrist in front of his body.
He looked at me then, hunger and indecision warring on his face.
“You are my mistress, I cannot feed from you.” His eyes returned to Gigi.
“Don't be ridiculous. What's the use of having a human mistress if she can't offer the occasional vein when you need it?” I asked gently, pushing my wrist in front of his face. “You need to feed and I'm betting you won't move from here to do it.”
I watched as Samson's fangs lengthened behind his lips. He hadn't pulled them back yet, but the altering shape of his incisors was obvious behind his skin. The temptation was there, but feeding to a vampire is intimate. If they feed from a stranger it can be perfunctory, but from someone they know and love, it has a whole different meaning. And Samson had more than just sisterly feelings for me in the past.
“Samson,” I said with a sigh when he still didn't make a move to feed. “Don't make me command you.” As his mistress, just like a vampire at the head of a line, it would take little for me to lace my request with power. Making it impossible for the vampire to refuse. A command has to be obeyed, but I rarely chose to deliver my requests that way. Having your choice, your ability to think for yourself, removed, was just wrong. Then again, he needed to feed and I would use force if necessary.
I waited another thirty seconds then gathered my Light, not trying to hide it from him, but letting it permeate the dimness of the room. It was enough to make him take action. He didn't want me to have to command either. His cool hands came up and grabbed hold of my arm, on either side of my wrist. His eyes, still rimmed with a hungry red, met mine and his lips peeled back to reveal long fangs. Slowly he lowered his mouth above my wrist and bit. It hurt, it always does, but only for a second, then the vampire can chose to replace that pain with something else. Samson chose gratitude, love and respect. It was pure and so different from emotions I had received from him in the past.
His eyes left mine as he pulled on my vein and returned to the girl lying motionless on the bed. A smattering of what he felt for her filtered through the bond we shared while he fed. I sucked in a breath at the intensity of his emotions. Love, concern, need, longing and a desire so strong it was hard not to be affected by it.
He fed for about half a minute, a usual amount of time for a decent feed. My blood is stronger than a Norms, so what he received would feel luxurious. It would satiate him, envelope him in warmth and Light. He'd possibly be a little drunk on its effects. Samson hadn't fed from me before, possibly hadn't fed from a Nosferatin at all. He'd be feeling pretty fine when this was all over with.
He sealed the puncture wounds and pulled back to look at me. “Lucinda, I'm so grateful,” he said with the emotion showing on his face.
“Don't worry about it. You needed to feed. Just look after your girl.” I didn't wait for his reply, but turned and walked from the room, leaving him to his vigil. The only thought was to get to my bed, to be alone and relax. To switch off from responsibilities for a while. Maybe if I could fall asleep somehow, Michel could visit me in my dreams and I could experience some of that lust-filled desire with my kindred, that I'd just seen in Samson for Gigi.
It was Michel I was thinking of, arms wrapped around my body, head low looking at the floor, when I ran straight into a hard, brick-like wall.
I bounced back off that solid mass, aware it wasn't a wall at all, but a warm, strong body and was caught by two firm hands preventing me from landing on my butt on the ground.
I stood there dazed for a second and then realised who had a hold of me.
“No,” I whispered and started to fight to free myself. All thoughts of desire suddenly gone.
He just held on firmer, pulled me tight against his chest. One hand sweeping round my waist, the other brushing my hair back with care. The smell of peaches wafted in the air.
“Elska,” Lutin purred in my ear. “Don't make me hurt you.”
Who said anything about me being hurt? I pulled back my head and threw myself forward with force. My forehead connected with his nose, his hands automatically came free and I ran as fast as I could manage in the other direction, shouting for my guards and the Grey Lord with all of my might.
Fairies just aren't that good at street fighting. Thank the Goddess that I am.
Chapter 27
Playing The Game
Aliath was the first to arrive, stepping through space to appear on the landing in front of Lutin. I skidded to a halt as I heard the first sounds of battle and felt the prickle of fey magic in the air. Chimes started playing discordant notes on a non-existent breeze, holding me captive. Making it impossible to move.
Then just as suddenly as my prison had formed with those wonderful, beautiful notes, I was freed as Sergei rounded the corner, wrapping me up in his arms. He didn't pause, but was already pulling me away from the scene as Aliath's words reached us from the storm that was now obliterating my house.
“Get away from here, I need my magic to contain him.”
I turned i
n Sergei's arms and noticed that neither Lutin nor Aliath were using their magic. It was all just flesh to flesh. Both fairies quite capable of throwing punches and kicking with positive effect. Both fairies cut off from their fey powers by the vampire still trying to pull me from the scene. Not only had Sergei's Tego Texi Tectum abilities released me from the prison one of the fairies had encased me in, but he had also denied them their powers against each other. The nullifying effect of his shield, causing both to become nothing more than angry men.
I wanted to stay and watch. I wanted to make sure Lutin didn't escape, but Sergei needed to get away from Aliath so the Grey Lord could imprison the Ljósálfar Prince. And there was no way Sergei was going to let go of me. So, I stopped resisting and let the vampire half drag, half pull me from the scene.
We scrambled down the stairs and out the front door into the weakening glow of a rising sun.
“Fuck,” Sergei said under his breath, obviously not realising how close to sunrise it actually was.
The garage door opened and the Land Rover came flying out in reverse down the drive. Marcus and Matthias in the front seats. It skidded to a halt in front of us and Sergei pushed me in through the opened back door. No sooner had we fallen inside, than Marcus gunned the gas and shot us out of there.
“What about Nataliya? And Samson and Gigi?” I cried out in alarm as the house started disappearing in the rear window of the car.
“Nataliya didn't come home,” Matthias said in a low, even voice. I was guessing not to surprise the already stiffening vampire at my side. “And Samson wouldn't leave the newbie. He barricaded them in the room. He will protect her. He will be all right.” I was sure Matthias was just saying that to make me feel better. It wasn't working. Even this far away I could feel the Fey magic in the air.
Maybe I was getting more in tune with it, maybe it was the fact that it was Lutin's magic and I had felt an undeniable connection to him as soon as he appeared in that hall. A connection I refused to acknowledge, despite the evidence that it existed. But, even as the distance increased and with Sergei, my shield, at my side, I still felt that magic. And it called to me, like a familiar and well loved friend.
My thoughts went to Samson and I sent a silent prayer up to Nut. Hoping she would protect him and Gigi. At least Samson had fed, he was at full strength.
Marcus broke every speed record there was and before the sun had fully risen, we were parking the car beneath Sensations. Jett stood waiting by the internal door of the garage. His face grim and hard, but softening slightly when his eyes met mine. A brief flash of relief washed over him, then his mask went firmly back into place. I was surprised he'd allow me to see it. It was weakness to show he cared.
He ushered us into his office. Michel's office. And sat himself behind the large wooden partners desk.
I collapsed in a seat in front of him, Marcus and Matthias took the couch to the side and Sergei paced.
“Have you seen Nataliya?” Sergei demanded.
Jett just cocked his head to the side and studied the vampire for a moment. When he didn't say anything Sergei's pacing stopped and he glared at the Master of the City. I felt the tension in the room ratchet up a few notches and I frowned in confusion. Now was not the time to piss Jett off, and really, couldn't Nataliya take one friggin' night off? Just because we hadn't heard from her tonight, didn't mean anything was wrong.
“I have no idea where your sister is,” Jett supplied unemotionally.
Sergei held Jett's gaze for a moment and then nodded and resumed his pacing, pulling a cellphone from his pocket and dialling. No doubt he'd been dialling that number all night. Jett's dark eyes returned to me. I refused to squirm under his heavy gaze.
“Always an adventure with you, Nosferatin.” He didn't seem upset. Actually, if I didn't know any better, I'd have said he was amused.
I shrugged, going for nonchalant. “Hopefully, Aliath will have Lutin contained and we can head back home.”
“It is a bright day, you will not be travelling anywhere. Accommodation can be made in the line's quarters.” I noticed he didn't offer me Michel's chamber. I was guessing it was his now. I wasn't sure how I felt about that.
“The fairy will come here once it is completed,” Jett added, leaning back in his chair and steepling his fingers together in front of him. His eyes were still on me.
“You seem confident Aliath will win?” I asked.
“He is a Grey Lord. Granted Lutin is a Ljósálfar Prince, in essence their powers are of a similar level. But, there is something more to the Dökkálfa Lord than meets the eye.”
“How do you know this?” Why would Jett know anything about the fairies, they had been out of our world for centuries and the Dökkálfa out of our world for millennia.
“I have been around,” was all he said and I didn't think he would elaborate further. Jett had not been turned by Michel, he had a whole past we didn't really know. I studied him now and wondered, for not the first time, if Michel had placed his faith in the right man. It wasn't a pleasant thought and I think I failed to keep the doubt and fear off my face. Jett noticed.
“Leave us and make yourselves comfortable in the quarters.” His eyes hadn't left me, but it was obvious the command was for the vampires in the room. Sergei stopped pacing.
“I will not leave my mistress unattended,” he stated firmly, stepping up to stand at my back.
Jett's eyes left mine for a moment and pierced the vampire with a glare.
“I will attend your mistress. Have no fear of that. But, if you counteract my directives again, vampire, I will remind you of your place.”
It was the first time I had heard Jett speak with the full force of Master of the City behind him. Jett had been strong and powerful, sure. But, he had also been kind and accommodating. This Jett was altogether different.
I felt like a deer in headlights when his gaze returned to me. I felt like I didn't know him at all. I didn't want Sergei or M&M to leave, but what could I do? Jett was the Master of the City. None of us could fight his commands.
I'd met a few Masters of Cities before. They are not all the same. Michel had been flirtatious from the beginning. Trying his damnedest to appear human in my eyes. But, I had known what he was capable of. He had just chosen to never let me see it first hand. Gregor, as Master of Wellington City, was powerful too. But, our relationship had always been based on fun. He bantered and joked with me, hiding his true face behind a jester's guise.
Nafrini, the former Master of Cairo City and kindred to my old friend and former trainer, Nero, had been scary. Beautiful, but scary. Nero loved her like a sister and swore she was benevolent. But, she hadn't fooled me.
Not all Masters of the Cities are alike, I was guessing Jett had been hiding his true face as well. Was what I was seeing here the real him?
My vampires did not move until I flicked my gaze at them and nodded. Giving them the signal to obey Jett's command. I noticed his lips twitch in mild amusement. Even when throwing his weight around, I still had the last word.
After a few more seconds, Jett and I were alone. He stood up and went to the door, shutting it quietly and signifying just how alone we were. I glanced around the room and a flood of memories came rushing back in. Visits with Michel when I barely knew him. When he would summon me for a conversation, purely because he could. More intimate moments. Beautiful memories. Mixed up with clashes of tempers and butting of heads. It had not always been easy being involved with Michel, but every one of those memories, so clear in my head as I sat in that room, were all precious to me now.
Jett came and stood before me, then leant his bulk against the desk at his back. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited. I kept my gaze off his face and just stared at Michel's desk.
“You realise it's all an act, don't you?” His voice was quiet, only a little gruff.
I looked up at him then and the old Jett was back.
“Talk of Michel returning is causing unease in the ranks. If I had taken t
hem all under my wing, started my own line, I would have more control. I don't have vampires of my own, Luce. I was always just a second-in-command. Strong enough to start my own line, but never allowed the freedom to branch out and do it. Michel was no different. He kept a tight leash on those who potentially had enough power to challenge his hold.”
I was surprised at that. It's not like I didn't know that being in charge of a line was a constant battle. To show your strength, but govern with a fair hand. Michel had often said he didn't want me to be worried by the politics of it all. I had allowed him that, thinking he just didn't want to share. Now I wished I'd pushed for more. More trust. More information. More honesty.
“I'm not complaining,” Jett laughed slightly at those words. “Well, maybe a little. I certainly had no desires to branch out on my own. Michel was a fair master. He was also one of the strongest, most powerful vampires in the world. I am attracted, like most vampires are, to power. Michel had it all. I was happy to serve as his second. But, without a line I am considered weak in this role. I have had to take a stronger stand, which has meant a tougher façade. The sooner Michel returns, the sooner life can go back to normal.”
Now I was gob smacked. What the hell? Jett wanted to hand the reins back to Michel? That wasn't possible, as far as I knew. Jett would have to be killed to step down from the Master of the City role now. So what did he want? Michel to take over the line again so someone had control of them at least? I wasn't sure it was as easy as that and I wasn't even sure if Michel was going to be able to return to Auckland at all. If he took this job on with the Iunctio I couldn't imagine the Champion would settle for the lengthy commute.
I wanted to trust that Jett had pure intentions, but two things stood in my way. One, he is a vampire. And vampires will do anything, anything at all, to survive. And two, power corrupts. I didn't think Jett would be immune to its siren call.
“Why are you telling me all this?” I asked.
Jett shrugged, an elegant roll of his shoulders. “I don't want you to think I do not care. I must not show any weakness in front of vampires, but you... you are different. I am hoping we will work closely together. I am in charge of the city and you are the city's Nosferatin. Our relationship is..." - he paused again, as he had before, as though he was trying to find the right words to speak - “important to me.”
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