For some reason, Michel's Light matched mine. I was betting his Dark did too.
I checked to make sure he was alone and then let my body sink into the void completely. I came to quickly, stake in hand and spun around in a 360 to make sure I wasn't going to be trapped. I was already halfway sunk back into the void to retreat if needed. But, only Michel was there.
He was sitting in an armchair reading a book. His eyes shot up to mine immediately. He shouldn't have been able to see me or sense me. He had been able to see my aura before he had died, but now without the Bond, he should be like any other vampire. Unable to know I was there until I spoke or struck my stake through his heart.
But, I knew immediately that he could see me. Just like Amicus had been able to, whilst wearing the taufr. The taufr was a fey amulet, a Life Charm. Michel wasn't wearing a fey amulet, so how could he see me now?
“You should not have come, ma douce,” he said, already standing and gliding towards me. “They have warded this room, they will know you are here.”
I had expected that. Or at least considered that this was what the Champion was after. Trapping me as I Dream Walked.
“Then I better make this quick,” I said as his arms wrapped around me and his face buried in my neck. “Nataliya is being held by the Keeper. He wants to exchange her for me. I have 48 hours to comply before he will harm her. Jett believes you can persuade the Champion to get him to back down.”
Michel pulled back and looked at me. I waited for him to speak, but instead he leaned in and kissed me on the lips. I was so taken by surprise I did nothing, but just let him deepen the kiss further. His tongue forced its way inside my mouth as his arms pulled me hard against him and then a hand went up into my hair. Trapping me.
“Michel, did you hear me?” I managed when he shifted his lips to my jaw and then neck.
“Yes, I am thinking.” He continued to lay kisses on me.
“This doesn't feel like thinking,” I countered, starting to get a little frustrated.
“You'd be surprised how good I am at multitasking, ma douce.” His lips returned to my mouth and his tongue made a quick delve inside before I could protest.
Then he pulled back abruptly and said, “I do not think I would be able to persuade her. It would be futile and a waste of time that would be better spent on freeing Nataliya yourself. The Champion wants you. Or at least your power. I have made progress with her and believe I will be free soon, but to act on this now could cause her to renege on the position she has again agreed for me to fill. I cannot risk losing that position by attempting to persuade her not to let the Keeper go after you.”
Wow, that was unexpected. I had thought Michel would move Heaven and Earth to help me out. It almost sounded selfish, as though his desire to have the position outweighed my concern for Nataliya's health.
“Ma douce, it is not that at all. But, if I am to keep the portals open and prevent Sofiq from calling you back to Álfheimr I must take this job. Without it all will be lost. I cannot lose you to the Dökkálfa. I cannot.”
He looked distraught at that notion and I realised that he wasn't thinking of himself at all. But, as usual, of me. I was glad he'd heard my thoughts and saved me the time I would have spent on being angry with his answer.
“OK,” I said, relaxing into his hold. “I'll have to think of something this end then.” I felt Michel relax against me too, then he started kissing my neck all over again.
“There's more Michel.” I decided I'd better get it all out before he got too carried away. Or I did. “Jett is having trouble keeping the vampires in Auckland in check. He hasn't taken your line under his own. He says he can hold off any opposition for one more week, but if you aren't back to claim your line by then, he will have to take them.”
Michel paused at that, his lips still pressed against my neck. When he spoke his hot breath sent an uncontrolled shiver down my body. “I had not realised they were still free.” His voice was slightly thick, an emotion of some sort making it hard for him to talk.
My hand came up and started stroking through his silky hair. He pulled me closer to him again and I felt the prick of his fangs against my neck. I wasn't sure if the emotion of thinking his line was still unclaimed had made them come down, or if he was just taking advantage of the situation. Me in his arms after several days apart.
“I will do my best to get things sorted here in time, ma douce. Thank Jett for me. He did not have to let me know.” He kissed above my pulse point, then gently started sucking on my skin.
“How long have we got before someone comes?” I asked, already feeling the stirrings of lust build quickly inside.
Michel growled softly. “Not long enough.” He pulled back and brushed a strand of my hair aside, then ran his thumb over my kiss-swollen lips. “Go,” he whispered, fangs still obviously down. “They are here.”
I heard the faint sound of a lock clicking, but didn't stick around to hear anything else. I let Michel see the love I held for him in my eyes and fell back down through the nothingness to my body lying still in the bed.
“Crap,” I said soundly, as I opened my eyes to Sergei's room. This estrangement from Michel was taking its toll. My body ached for him. My heart ached for him. My soul ached for him.
“Is everything all right, Mistress?” Sergei asked from his seat.
I sat up and looked the Russian vampire in the eyes. There was nothing for it. I'd need him if I was going to get Nataliya back. But, that didn't make what I was about to do any easier. I sighed and went to run a hand through my hair, only to find it clasped tightly about my stake. I placed the stake down on the bed beside me and took a deep breath in.
“Sergei, we have a problem.”
Chapter 29
The Hunt
He didn't take it well.
Twenty minutes later and Sergei was still pacing and ranting and raving. He blamed the entire episode on Aliath. If Aliath hadn't have distracted him when he came back upstairs in our house in St. Helier's Bay, then he would have realised sooner that Nataliya was in danger. And would have started searching for her before the sun rose. Now of course, he was trapped in the confines of Sensations waiting out the day, until darkness fell.
I let him get most of it out of system. It would be better if he got it all off his chest. I needed him near me if we went after the Keeper. I couldn’t chance Lutin taking advantage of the moment should I attempt a rescue on my own. Sergei's Tego Texi Tectum abilities were too valuable right now to forgo.
So, I waited him out. Trying to think up a plan as he paced. I had tried to seek Nataliya out using my Sanguis Vitam Cupitor powers. I should have been able to recognise her signature as easily as I recognised Sergei's. Her Light, was my Light. But no matter what I did, I couldn't find her. She simply didn't exist on my internal map. I bit my bottom lip and considered the ramifications of that.
If she didn't exist on my Prophesied radar, then why? Was she dead? I didn't think so. Even though I can't communicate with my line directly like Michel had been able to with his, I had thought I would at least know when they were in trouble. Or gone. But although I couldn't sense any problem, I could still feel a vague awareness of her, like I do Sergei and Samson. But my abilities as their mistress, head of their line, went no further than that.
I could never talk to them, mind to mind. Nor could I locate them down any connection we may have had. Although Samson had been able to locate me in the past, by following that awareness we shared. A little like a game of Hot or Cold, the closer to that awareness he felt, the closer he was to me. It was a slow process, but at least possible to follow with patience. I wasn't so sure that I could follow the awareness to Nataliya though. It was simply a vague concept of her mood, not strong enough to follow.
I did like being aware of my vampires' moods though. I didn't need to see Sergei pacing furiously in front of me to know he was mad and worried. Or think of where Samson was, sitting next to Gigi as he waited for her to rise, to know he was s
ad and heart broken. And I didn't need to be near Nataliya to know she was calm. The calm of sleep.
Or maybe unconsciousness. I've never tested it, so I can't be sure. But her calmness felt false. Somehow, if she was cognitive, I was certain there would be more to her emotions than just calm. Especially as she was being held by a member of the Iunctio Council.
I had met the Keeper before. He is impressive, like all members of the Council are. More than five hundred years old, powerful and cunning. He appeared handsome, in a nondescript way and young looking, despite his vast age. His attire modern and sophisticated. But, his eyes; a deep blueberry blue and his hair; a strange combination of light brown with actual stripes of blonde, were the stand-out features when first we met. I pictured him now easily, the memory of our first meeting branded on my mind.
He hadn't appeared to dislike me then, but the Council are all consummate actors when needed. Perhaps he had kept his disdain hidden better than others. Or maybe, because he is no doubt working on the Champion's orders now, he has no choice, but to do as she commands. And that was to get me at all costs.
So, if he wanted to exchange Nataliya for me, where the hell were they? I couldn't locate the Keeper using my Sanguis Vitam Cupitor powers, I couldn't remember his signature. So, for now I was at a loss on how to act. Jett had been the one contacted to advise of Nataliya's capture and the Keeper's demands. I had to hope that Jett would know how to get back in touch and arrange a meeting.
Because, as much as I didn't want to face a powerful Iunctio Council member, I knew I had no choice.
Finally, Sergei collapsed onto the couch in defeat.
“It's useless, isn't it? There's no way out of this.” And then maybe he considered I would refuse to rescue his sister, because his eyes shot up and bore into me. “You will try to get her back, won't you, Mistress?”
I didn't hesitate. “Absolutely. I will do whatever is necessary to keep Nataliya safe.”
His shoulders relaxed for a moment and then he straightened himself up and took a deep breath in before he spoke.
“Nataliya would not want you to be exchanged for her. She would consider her death a fair payment for your survival.”
Not being a vampire myself, I doubted that, but I knew what he was saying. A vampire would do anything to protect their master or mistress. Anything at all. I hoped it wouldn't come to that, because I have had people I care about die to protect me in the past. I don't ever want that to occur again.
“Here's hoping it won't be an exchange, but more of a rescue.”
He nodded and looked a little more settled. I lay back down on the bed and yawned, it was still only mid-morning, there would be little we could do before dark. I needed rest and then food, before I faced the night ahead. I wasn't sure I could sleep, but I had to try.
“We'll get some rest, then go find Jett and plan our attack,” I said through another yawn. I was sure Sergei wanted to start planning now, but he didn't argue. He just reached over and switched the lamp off beside the couch, basking the room in black.
I slept soundly. Unhindered by dreams, visited or otherwise. And surprisingly deeply, considering my worry and fear. By the time I woke, the clock beside the bed read four in the afternoon. I'd managed six hours, more than I had hoped.
I stumbled out of bed, noticing that Sergei had managed at some point to get some sleep. His still form lying on the couch, half on and off. One leg and arm dangling down the side as his chest rose and fell softly with each breath. He didn't need to breathe, but being an older vampire with significant Sanguis Vitam, breathing in his sleep would be an easy ask.
I had a quick shower and freshened up, coming out of the bathroom dressed with my jacket on and stakes and knife in place. Sergei had woken and was ready to head out in search of Jett when I walked back in the room.
The Master of the City was waiting for us in Michel's office when we arrived. He looked refreshed and at ease. Marcus and Matthias wandered in on cue behind us, with the best gift they could have brought me. Frothy coffee and an orange and date scone. Bliss.
We'd all found perches and were about to start when Aliath appeared at the door. I had completely forgotten the Grey Lord. His presence made the mood in the room plummet even further. Sergei stiffened and I momentarily thought he would pounce. Part of me hoped Aliath hadn't noticed our natural response to his arrival. For some reason now, I didn't feel the same as the vampires when it came to the Grey Lord.
Nobody had brought Aliath anything to eat and I suddenly felt guilty nibbling on my scone and sipping on my coffee. Not wanting to appear like I was giving the fairy any favouritism, I just nodded to acknowledge his presence and went back to my coffee and scone.
“Did you get in touch with Michel, Luce?” Jett asked, starting the conversation off by getting right to the point.
I put my finished coffee mug down on the desk and dusted off the remnants of my breakfast from my lap. Crumbs on the Master of the City's office floor, for some reason that made me smile.
“Yeah. There's nothing he can do,” I replied, schooling my features into a more serous mask.
Jett stared at me for a moment, but it was Sergei who spoke. “Did he even try?”
I turned slowly to my vampire and gave him what I hoped was a stern look. I understood Sergei's position, I truly did. But even I knew how important it was to head a line with a firm hand. I may talk of us being a family and I believe we are, but even in families there needs to be someone in charge. In our family that is me. And Sergei's tone sounded like he doubted what I was saying. That I had allowed Michel the room to not act on Nataliya's behalf.
I didn't say anything, I would give him some leeway, but my glare was received with a slight cringe. I turned back to Jett.
“He is unable to take that risk,” I added. Then to get the focus off Michel and why he couldn't take that risk, I went on. “I can't locate Nataliya with my Sanguis Vitam Cupitor powers. Her signature is gone. Perhaps masked, I don't know. But, I can't find her. Can you?”
“I can locate the level two masters in the city,” Jett answered in his low voice, “or at least I can give you a fair approximation of where they are. But I wouldn't be able to tell you if they were her. The Keeper, as an Iunctio Council member, can mask his signature from me. So looking for a level two and level one together is a waste of time.” He leant forward and pulled a pad closer to himself on the desk, picked up a pen and began writing a list of locations down. When he finished he half stood to lean over the desk and hand it to me. “That's where they currently are, if they move I'll text it through to Sergei's phone. It's the best I can offer.”
“Thanks,” I said looking at the list of six different locations. He hadn't included those level two masters at Sensations, nor those level two masters he knew were of Michel's line. Having spread them all out around the city, he knew exactly where each one currently was and had purposely omitted them from the list. It made my job easier, but not simple. What was on the list was spread out all over the VC, or Vampire Central area, and beyond. A big enough task on its own. “Now I guess we hunt.”
There was still half an hour before the sun would set, so we returned to the recreation room to wait the last of the sun's rays out. Everyone was subdued, but focused. Determined to find Nataliya tonight.
I considered phoning Samson again and getting an update, but there was little point. Gigi wouldn't rise until the end of the night and by then I hoped to be back at his side. I wanted to be there when the new vampire rose. I wasn't sure exactly how it would go, what with her Nosferatin side to contend with too. Samson hadn't mentioned picking up on the fact that she was half Nosferatu and half Nosferatin, and I hadn't told him yet. I was guessing he didn't know at all. Which would mean she would be able to hide her hunter side from most vampires. That was perhaps a good thing, but would it also be hidden from her?
I had no idea how her rising would go, but part of me felt an impending doom. Silly, so much crap floating around right now, do
om was practically a given. But, it still didn't make me feel any happier about what Nut had done. And the responsibility she had laid at my feet.
Marcus and Matthias poured themselves a drink from the bar, while Sergei paced. A now familiar sight. Aliath stood in the corner of the room and watched it all without comment. I sat down on the couch and stared off into space trying to clear my mind of all the clutter.
Gigi and Samson. File it away for now. Lutin still at large. Push it to the side. The Champion still holding Michel. Sweep it under a metaphorical rug. And then there was the rest. Avery, maybe alive, maybe dead. Who knew? I squashed that and threw it in the corner of my mind. Jett in Michel's office, taking over the Durand line. That one, for some reason, was hard to hide from. To me Michel was the Master of Auckland City, seeing Jett in that role, in Michel's office, doing what Michel should be doing, was almost too much to bare. I kept telling myself it could be worse. It was worse at one stage, when Michel had been thought dead. But no matter what I thought, I still couldn't hide from the fact that my world had changed. And then there were the fairies, roaming the mortal realm and feeding off innocents. I shook my head and glanced over at the Dökkálfa Lord. His eyes met mine, back to a human looking green. He held my gaze for a while, but I was the one to look away.
The world seemed a lot Darker, there were a lot more shadows at play. I felt like a juggler at a circus, one false move and the pins would tumble to the floor. But it was more than that. It felt like my trials were not over, despite Michel being alive and back in this realm. Despite that small amount of Light blinding us in the Dark, chasing away the shadows, it felt like I still had challenges ahead. And for the life of me, I wasn't sure if I would survive them. Or make matters worse.
Shadow's Light Page 33
