BloodPledge

by Tima Maria Lacoba

  Occasionally, he went too far.

  ‘My people were right. You are in love with her.’ A wide grin split his face.

  ‘That’s right, so no more hand kissing.’

  He laughed and raised his hand, palm out. ‘That’s a promise, but it had the desired effect – I wanted to see for myself. If you weren’t in love with the girl, I doubt you would have growled at me.’

  Karl didn’t know I was descended from the Pict witch, Eithne, who had uttered the curse against Marcus Antonius and his men eighteen-hundred years ago. So far, apart from Luc and Marcus and our trusted circle, no one else knew, nor that Laura was the prophesied Child of Light and Darkness.

  That was the last thing I wanted any of my kind to guess.

  ‘Is that what you came here to find out?’ Jake asked. ‘I thought it was to take the Pledge.’

  ‘That too,’ Karl answered. ‘I’m just curious. No law against that.’ He blew a ring of smoke into the air.

  ‘If you don’t mind, I’d rather my furniture didn’t stink of cigarette smoke,’ Luc said.

  ‘Oh, so it’s not concern for my health?’

  Jake huffed.

  Karl chuckled and stubbed out the cigarette, leaned forward in his armchair and looked straight at Luc. ‘You’ve got trouble coming.’

  ‘Oh?’ Luc leaned back against his desk, arms folded across his chest.

  I joined Jake, near one of the bookcases lining the walls.

  ‘First of all, I don’t know what Milena told you, but her territory’s in no danger from me. I missed the Ritual to keep an eye on her and keep Timur’s mongrels off her borders. Timur’s got ambitions, and they don’t just involve Milena’s territories. I let her think he and I were in league to keep his trust. Stay in the circle, you know. But I think he suspects. At our last meeting he was cagey with names and details – waited till I’d gone.’

  He reached into his coat pocket again, pulled out a leather glove and slid it on before extracting a small, dark object. ‘Speaking of my health, recognise that?’

  I certainly did. A fragment of a white-oak bullet. Lately I’d seen many of them. I’d retrieved six from Sommers’s pocket the night Laura had been taken by force, and we found one in Russell’s remains. He’d been shot in the back by Jean-Philippe, and within a minute, his body had disintegrated into crystalline dust. White-oak was the only substance fatal for our kind and, in the past, had been a favourite weapon of vampire hunters. But it appeared our own kind were now in possession of this deadly element, despite it being outlawed by the Eldership centuries ago when any Brethren found with it faced immediate execution. But guns were useless as the bullets travelled so slowly that any vampire could easily dodge them. One had to be taken by surprise – shot in the back – or physically restrained while the bullet entered the body.

  I pulled a handkerchief from my jeans pocket and used it to lift the bullet fragment from Karl’s hand.

  ‘We were shot at while getting into the limo at the airport tonight.’ He pointed to the object in my hand. ‘That just missed me. Came straight through the window.’

  I passed it to Luc, who swore under his breath and sniffed it. ‘Don’t recognise the scent.’

  ‘Never thought I’d see one of those again,’ Karl said.

  Luc examined it closely. ‘Unfortunately, I can’t say the same.’

  ‘Why’s that?’ Karl whipped out the gold case from inside his leather coat, took out another cigarette and lit it. As Luc frowned he added, ‘I’ll pay for a cleaner, if you’re that particular.’

  Luc dismissed the offer with a wave of his hand and briefed him about recent events and the circumstances surrounding Jean-Philippe’s death. He omitted the details of their relationship, especially the fact that Laura – and current Ingenii – was his daughter. The time for that would come soon enough and, although he tried to retain an officious tone, I heard the sadness in his voice. Too late, he’d learned that Jean-Philippe had been his only son and that he’d developed an unnatural affection for his half-sister, Laura. Then had tried to rape and kill her when he realised she could never be his.

  Karl shook his head. ‘I’m so sorry, Luc. Hell, Jean of all people.’ He looked at me. ‘You had no choice, Alec. I would’ve done the same.’

  I nodded. Jean-Philippe had been our brother, yet no one knew the madness that had been brewing and poisoning his soul. Jake later told me that Luc had brought Jean-Philippe’s body back here and reverently carried it to a secluded part of the lower garden, where the morning sun reduced it to ash.

  For a while no one spoke. It had hit everyone hard.

  ‘Well,’ Karl brought our thoughts back to the present situation, ‘I have an idea who that belongs to.’ He indicated the bullet casing in Luc’s hand.

  Luc’s eyes narrowed. ‘Who?’

  Karl drew on his cigarette and exhaled. ‘Timur and his mad sidekick, Rasputin,’ he spat out, ‘control most of the bad shit going on; sex trade, drugs ... you name it. They control Gregorovich, head of the Russian mafia.’ He huffed. ‘Rasputin doesn’t hide the fact that that stinking piece of humanity’s his supplier. Gets him the young ones – boys and girls. Says their blood is purer. Bastard! I’d love to kill Timur simply for turning him.’

  Karl stubbed out the cigarette and placed the butt in his gold case. ‘He’s encroaching on our territories. Fucker’s even bought up land to build another hotel in Karlovy Vary. Directly opposite mine.’ He paused. ‘I reckon it’s a front for the blood-slave racket.’

  ‘You sure of that?’ I asked. If Karl was right, then Timur was committing a crime against Brethren Laws. It was forbidden to force humans into giving blood, especially the under-aged, since there were enough willing donors who provided their services when necessary. There was only one penalty for those caught dealing in blood-slavery – execution.

  ‘They don’t let me in on everything, but I’ve noticed their donsangs bringing in young humans. And they don’t come out again. They were drugged – could smell it in their blood,’ Karl said.

  My fists clenched, and I turned to Jake. ‘Go find Terens. Brief him, and then get back here with a couple of Kevlar vests.’

  Jake nodded and left.

  ‘What have you got in mind?’ Luc asked me.

  ‘What if we send a couple of the men to escort Timur and Rasputin here for the Pledging – surprise them.’

  Karl shook his head. ‘Might be too late.’ He pointed to the shell casing. ‘That wasn’t just a warning.’

  ‘Still, they won’t be expecting one of us to show up there,’ I said.

  The last time any of our men had been overpowered it took nearly six of the Brethren to achieve it. I doubted Timur and Rasputin had that many around them as bodyguards. They were more likely to have human underlings who were no match for even one of our kind.

  ‘Especially me.’ Marcus Antonius strode in and closed the door behind him. He inclined his head to Luc and myself.

  Karl rose from the Chesterfield and fell on one knee before him. ‘My lord Marcus. This is an honour.’

  Marcus indicated for him to sit. ‘I heard what you said. Time I paid the European Prefects a visit, while my presence still carries some clout. Find out where they’re getting hold of those damned things’ —he pointed to the wooden bullet in Luc’s hand— ‘and put a stop to his blood-slave business.’

  ‘As long as the Principate remains, your name will be respected and your presence feared, my lord,’ Karl replied.

  ‘Let’s hope.’

  Luc’s eyebrows shot up at Marcus’s unprecedented pronouncement. Soon after being cursed by the witch, Marcus had established the Principate, then handed over his command to his son, Lucius, who now went by the Gallic version of his name, Lucien.

  Not long after, Marcus went into a semi-reclusive existence, seeking redemption through penance, performing acts of goodwill. Only later he joined a monastery when the empire declared its official religion to be Christianity.

  The monk
s knew what he was, but rather than treat him as the devil in their midst, they showed him mercy and kindness. In return, he adopted their faith. It was all recorded in his chronicle. Currently he resided in a monastery in France, still doing penance.

  ‘If the Principate is in danger I won’t stand by and see it destroyed, especially if there’s something I can do. Besides, I have a vested interest.’ He gave Luc a knowing look.

  Luc nodded. ‘My jet’s on standby.’

  ‘No,’ Karl interjected. ‘They’re here. I flew out right after them. And they’re not alone; got a whole fucking entourage!’ He turned to look at Marcus. ‘They’ve no intention of taking the Pledge, my lord. They’re here to lead a rebellion. Have they presented themselves before you?’ Karl’s face roamed between Marcus, Luc and myself.

  ‘No.’ I answered.

  ‘Well, there you are,’ he replied.

  Marcus’s face darkened, and he and Luc exchanged a glance.

  It was customary for visiting Brethren to present themselves before the prefect of any territory they were visiting and ask permission to enter. That was the most efficient way to maintain control of the number of Brethren in any area otherwise the human population could be placed at risk.

  ‘Are you absolutely sure about a rebellion?’ Marcus asked.

  ‘Much as I can be, my lord. They spoke of taking “the girl”, and making sure they had the numbers for a “takeover.”’ He shook his head. ‘Timur sure wasn’t on about some business deal. I’d stake my life on it.’

  ‘We need definite evidence, Karl,’ I said. ‘What you’ve told us isn’t enough.’

  ‘Which is why I brought this.’ From another pocket he produced a mobile phone, pressed a few buttons and handed it to me. ‘Took it from one of his gang. All the proof you need, I’d say.’

  I scrolled through a series of texts between Timur and the ex-owner of the mobile then tossed it to Luc. ‘Son-of-a-bitch is planning to take Laura.’ A red haze seeped into my vision, and my fists were clenched so tight, my bones began to crunch. ‘Bastards want to go back to the old ways – hunt and kill. For that, they need to be rid of us, but not the power the Ingenii’s blood provides.’

  Luc perused the messages and passed it to Marcus. He closed his eyes for an instant and when he opened them again, they’d turned a shade lighter. ‘They’ll do anything to prevent the curse ending.’ He turned to Karl. ‘Where are you staying?’

  ‘One of the safe houses, in Woollahra.’

  ‘I’d rather you stay here. We’ve enough guest rooms. No need to risk collecting another one of these.’ He held up the fragment and handed it to Marcus who turned it over in his palm.

  ‘Yeah. See what you mean.’

  ‘They might not just be aiming for you, but anyone who supports the Principate. Take us out one by one,’ Luc said.

  Karl’s eyes widened. He obviously hadn’t thought of that possibility. Assassinate the prefects who support the Principate faction and replace them with those from the Rebel cause. A nasty civil war could be averted as the rest of the Brethren could be cowed into submission. But that would take a lot of killing, as the majority of prefects were pro-Principate. No, I didn’t want to believe that could happen, yet ...

  ‘They mustn’t know you’re still alive,’ I said. ‘I’ll send out a general message to the Brethren sadly informing them of your demise. We’ll tell them the car arrived with your crystalline remains in the back seat. Blame it on vampire hunters.’

  The door opened. Jake, Terens and Cal walked in, each holding a Kevlar vest. Their faces split into wide grins on seeing Marcus.

  ‘Commander,’ they said in unison and greeted him in the traditional Roman manner – hands clasping each other’s forearms.

  ‘Put those vests on,’ Luc told them. ‘You’re going rat catching.’

  ‘We’re on a mission, boys,’ Marcus said.

  ‘Like old times.’ Terens’s grin widened.

  ‘Before you head off, there’s something else you need to know,’ Karl said. ‘This is just rumour, understand, but my informants are reliable.’ He paused. ‘The word is ... your little Ingenii’s blood is deadly to our kind.’

  Luc’s hands gripped the edge of the desk, his knuckles white beneath the glare of the overhead lights. The stone surface cracked beneath his crushing fingers.

  Marcus sucked in a breath.

  ‘Questions are being asked,’ Karl went on. ‘Such as, since when have any of the Bloodgifted had poisonous blood? Answer? Never. So, the rumour goes, she must have vampire blood. And since she’s the image of you,’ he looked at Luc, ‘but with Judith’s colouring, well ... it doesn’t take long to put two and two together, as they say.’ He raised his eyebrows suggestively.

  ‘How did this rumour begin?’ I asked, hoping my voice didn’t reflect the shock that went through me.

  ‘Seems one of those involved in the recent rebellion had a mobile phone on him. Took pictures, even sent a tweet before, ah ... losing his head.’

  Damn! The tension in the room rose a notch. We all exchanged glances while I figured what our next step should be.

  Karl’s gaze locked on Luc. ‘From your silence, I assume the rumour’s right.’

  Luc nodded – there wasn’t any point denying it.

  ‘The infant you buried fifty years ago?’ Karl asked.

  ‘Judy’s niece – she died in her sleep. The babes were swapped, and Laura was raised by her brother and his wife.’

  Karl whistled long and low. ‘Holy shit!’ When no one spoke, he asked, ‘Does she know?’ Luc nodded again. ‘How many others know about this?’ Karl’s gaze swept the room.

  ‘You’re looking at them,’ Luc replied.

  ‘Well ... hell.’ He slumped back in the Chesterfield.

  Laura had only learned the truth about her parentage several days ago, after the Ritual had taken place. It had come as a terrible shock to her, yet she had accepted it with grace, and Luc couldn’t have been more proud. But that knowledge was best kept hidden, and from what I’d read on the stolen mobile Karl had brought, we had trouble coming all right. ‘If that gets out, then what Maris planned could still happen.’

  Collective curses and snarls came from the throats of every man in the room.

  Karl’s gaze sped from one face to the next. ‘Can someone enlighten me?’

  ‘They’d planned to mate Laura with a human – one of their minions, I expect. The idea was to use her to bear the next Ingenii for their personal use,’ I said.

  His eyes widened. ‘Sacra!’

  Luc swore as well. ‘Laura’s not to leave the house tonight, and during the day she’s not to be left alone if she ventures out.’ He nodded towards the door. Luc’s teeth were gritted so hard his jaw muscles were almost protruding through the skin.

  ‘Then the sooner we surprise those rats in their nest, the better,’ Marcus said and flicked the bullet fragment into the bin next to Luc’s desk.

  ‘Bring them to me,’ Luc said to him.

  Marcus placed his hand on Luc’s shoulder, gave him a brief nod then turned and strode from the room with Jake and Terens hard on his heels.

  ‘Cal, scour the city; see what you can find out. Someone may have a loose tongue,’ I said.

  Cal nodded, and he too was gone.

  I turned to Sam. ‘Surveillance?’

  ‘Up-to-date. And the area down by the water’s been secured.’

  ‘Good.’

  Luc escorted Karl to one of the spare guest rooms, and I decided to drive to my apartment to collect my copy of the blood-vault key. I’d told Laura her father had been collecting Ingenii blood through the centuries; most of it was stored in the family chateau in the Rhone. Luc continued that practise when the Dantonvilles moved here in the 1850s and stored the precious vials in the cellars beneath the house.

  Although the blood vault couldn’t be opened with only one key, should mine be lost or stolen, it wasn’t worth the risk, so I kept it hidden in my apartment. Although I’d
been there with Laura a few days ago, I hadn’t deemed it necessary to bring it back, but now I realised my mistake.

  ‘Luc, I’m going to fetch the blood-vault key. Be back soon.’

  I raced down the stairs and out the front door with two things uppermost in my mind – the Pledge and Laura’s safety. And then there was the delicate task of ending the curse before any move could be made against us.

  Time was running out.

  Chapter 5 – The Last Secret

  LAURA

  I lay in the scented bath for nearly thirty minutes. The bruises Jean-Philippe inflicted had just about dissipated.

  As I climbed out of the tub, my churning emotions resurfaced and threatened to overtake me, but I refused to give in. With an angry shake of my head, I crawled into bed and pulled the sheet over me. Unfortunately, my thoughts wouldn’t let me rest. I tossed and turned until I could stand it no longer. What I needed was a major distraction – perhaps a nice romance novel to help my mind switch off. I had heard mention of a library on this level, and I guessed it would be near Luc’s study, at the other end of the hallway.

  I hopped out of bed, wrapped a short satin robe around me then opened the door and peered out. The corridor was empty.

  Leaving the door ajar, I stepped out, made my way to the end of the hall and headed for the closed door adjacent to Luc’s study, hoping my guess had been right. Only one way to find out. My hand gripped the handle, gave a twist, and it opened.

  I stepped into the darkened room. At the far end, a solitary spotlight shone on an ancient soldier’s regalia – chain mail, leg greaves, helmet and sword.

  It took my breath away.

  Directly beneath stood a lectern of dark wood – mahogany perhaps? – supporting a magnificent golden platform in the shape of an eagle with outstretched wings. Flanking it on either side were four tall, narrow leadlight windows. The coloured panes were dim in the darkness, yet that didn’t detract from their role as silent sentinels standing guard over a sacred relic.