He skittered back. “Your boys? Since when do you run in a pack?” Another male, with fangs fully shown, reached into his pocket and pulled out a sharp, polished wooden stake. “You’re not a Dorvo vamp, Alexis.” Remy didn’t expect this one, who looked like a punk reject, to throw the sharp object at his chest. Like a spear, it traveled through the air and he caught it before the keen edge met his skin. He spun it around in his grip.
Besides his Deamhan speed, he had another weapon at his disposal; but before he could attempt to use it, he felt a hard object connect with the back of his head, sending him to the ground. The stake broke loose from his grip and it slid along the dance floor, toward his attackers. He attempted to stand to his feet but something else—a strong force, pushed him back to the floor.
“Stop or I’ll kill you myself,” Alexis spoke.
It didn’t take long for him to put two and two together. She now joined with the Dorvo vampires, which meant that Lambert had also switched sides. The Dorvo vamp who held him down to the floor increased his pressure, making Remy snarl.
Alexis approached him. “I’ve waited a long time to see you get your ass kicked.” She picked up the stake.
The confrontation came to a complete standstill when a female voice, not belonging to Alexis, spoke out into the air.
“No one harm him. He’s mine.”
The voice brought back a slew of memories from days long gone; a time of betrayal, lust, excitement, and the worries he once had after his sire blessed him with immortality. The voice reminded him of his days in France long before he crossed the Atlantic to come to America. Lambert did mention a dark-haired beauty with different colored eyes meeting with The Brotherhood. It was then that Remy suspected she—Ruby—had come back into his life. It didn’t give him cause to worry...yet.
The Dorvo vamp removed his foot and Remy sat up. There, standing in the middle of the dance floor, she stood like a glowing statue. She had the same flowery scent, which attracted him years ago. Her skin still resembled her fabulous and flawless appearance. And her different colored eyes...what better way for him to fall in love with her all over again by becoming trapped within them?
Ruby placed her hands on her luxurious, full figured hips, and when she smiled, Remy felt obligated to return the gesture. “You still look delicious.” He stood to his feet. “As always.”
“And you, my dear bourgeoisie,” she said. “You look rather well.”
He brushed off the remnants of the altercation from his clothing. “My precious gemstone. How have you been?”
“Good.” As she walked, her hips moved sexually from side to side. “I heard you were living in this city, but I didn’t believe the rumors. You’re more of an on-the-run type of Deamhan.” She now stood inches from him. “But I had to come see with my very own eyes. And here you are. In the flesh. Still beautiful and dangerous as ever.”
“Oh, so you remember that.”
“How could I forget?” She placed her hands on his chest. “After all, you did try to kill me at one point.”
“Don’t tell me you’re still bitter about that, love?”
She moved her hands down to his waist and back up to his chest. “Just a little.”
“How about you ditch your minions and let’s have a chat,” he said. “Just you and me.”
“You know I can’t do that, so why ask?”
“It was worth the shot.” He stepped back. “So, what now? You’re just gonna’ stand there and feel me up all night?” He looked to his right and to his left at the Dorvo vampires who remained tuned into their conversation. “Since when did you start to prefer an audience?”
“Yep, still the same old bourgeoisie.”
He grinned at her reply. He wanted to keep the conversation going and hoped that she wouldn’t return the favor he committed against her over a century ago. There was a reason why he had abandoned her and kept the memories of their time together locked within his mind, away from his current thoughts. She was a Dorvo vamp, he thought. Simple as that.
But it wasn’t so simple. It wasn’t that easy. The history he had with her would make any Deamhan curl in disgust. At one point in his immortal life, he loved a sworn enemy who held a high status. Ruby wasn’t like Doll, the first woman he fell in love with when human, and in no way in hell was she like Veronica. She was different—more dangerous and better suited for his wild side.
He gave her the name, Ruby, based on her appearance and how he felt she should be treated. She was a precious jewel who he pampered on a nightly basis. While ignoring his Deamhan instincts, he gave her everything she wanted and desired. He knew that she wanted nothing more than to see all Deamhan perish, and that never bothered him. He did nothing while she killed many of his kind. He knew how she felt about Deamhan and that made her more intriguing to him. When he learned that she and her vampire companion at the time, Boyd, planned on killing Deamhan connected to the Pure Ones, he didn’t give a damn. It still wasn’t enough to make him ignore his desire for her. No Deamhan tarried with that coven, but he did. No Deamhan in their right mind would kill their own on an order from an enemy, but he did.
His affection didn’t sit well with other Deamhan during those days, including his sire. It didn’t sit well with her coven either. But after all this time, she never forgot him and she kept the nickname. She kept it! That must have meant something.
“I planned on killing you, but now,” —she folded her arms and continued to eye him like a piece of meat— “I’m not so sure.”
He decided to change the topic to keep her mind off her indecisiveness. When it came to personal matters of the heart, or in her case, lust, she could never make up her mind. “Where’s the other one you always hung around with? Boyd?”
“Dead.”
Well, that didn’t work. “My condolences.”
“Thank you for your attempt at sympathy.” She turned and walked back to the chair in the middle of the floor. “You and I both know that you never liked him anyway.” She lowered herself into the seat.
“But I knew how much he liked you.”
“I have a new lover now.” She flicked her wrist.
Remy felt the air tighten around him when Alexis nodded.
“Her?!” He couldn’t help but to laugh. “I don’t think Lambert will be happy about that.” With his past business out in the open, Alexis gave him a stare that he had never witnessed or seen before. It was ice cold, filled with confusion with just a sprinkle of anger.
“Not her. Another Deamhan,” Ruby replied. “He’s loyal, beautiful, and a beast in bed.”
From behind, he felt the Dorvo vampires homing in close. He took one quick glance over his shoulder. “I’m assuming that you aren’t here to get back together, then?”
“No, I’m looking for something—someone,” she replied. “Maris.”
“Oh, her? I thought you were looking for Anastasia. Didn’t she kill your maker?” He tapped his chin. “Wait. You squashed your differences with her, right? I could never get those details straight.”
“We came to an agreement, yes. Still I’m surprised she’s protecting her offspring. She’s not the same Deamhan I had the pleasure of tracking all those years ago.”
“Don’t you now feel a little betrayed?”
“Hardly. So, where is Maris?”
“I have no clue. I’m not her sire and I’m not her keeper.”
“I know she’s not at that awful place you call a sanctuary. What’s the name again?” She looked at Alexis for an answer
“Blind Bluff Manor.”
“Thank you.” Ruby’s beautiful eyes jumped back to Remy. “Alexis has been really helpful. She told me that a sickly old human, a scared Metusba, Anastasia,” —her eyes narrowed— “and you lived there.”
“Sounds about right.” He turned his body toward Lambert’s consort. “So what else has your new vampire loyalist told you?”
“You shouldn’t be angry with her or her sire. I didn’t give them a choice in the
matter. I told them about the consequences of ignoring a demand from the Dorvo Coven.” She folded her legs. “This city is renowned for Deamhan attacks. I couldn’t believe how many unsolved murders there are here. It’s beyond me how the nightlife functions; how humans are not tuned into what’s happening around them. I gave Lambert my word that his business would run as usual. That I and my coven would bring calm to the city. All he has to do is cooperate.”
“So you think by being here, you’ll be able to magically solve all the violence and the scared humans will have their perfect Utopian city?” By now the group had crowded around him and, feeling smothered, Remy reacted by allowing his eyes to take shape.
Seeing this, Ruby waved her hand and they took a step back. “Where’s Maris?”
“I told you. I don’t know.”
She uncrossed her legs and placed her hands on the chair’s armrests. “So how is it?”
“How’s what?”
“Living with a human? Does it remind you of living with me?”
He flinched. “I don’t know why you’d think that.”
She stood up. “I’m sure it has its ups and downs. For one, they sleep all night. And I can’t imagine how hard it is for someone like you to hold back your hunger.” She strutted over to him.
“He does look rather tasty from time to time.” The smile withered from his face and his body tensed. If he didn’t tell her what she wanted to know, she’d soon switch to the menacing ‘jewel’ he knew her to be.
When she stood close to him, she lifted her right hand and placed it underneath his chin. “You were never a great liar.” She squeezed and he felt her fingernails digging into his skin.
The fluctuating pain didn’t sway him from his stance. It was easier and smarter to tell her exactly what she wanted to know but at the same time, he loved the leverage he had. He tried to turn his head but her grip kept his upper body locked.
“Where is she, Remy? Don’t make me ask again.”
“Why don’t you ask Anastasia? I’m sure you both have a lot to catch up on.”
“In time.” She lifted her left hand toward his face. “Hmmmm, those full, dark eyes. I miss them.” She moderately began to push her forefinger toward his left eye. Remy attempted to pull back, but he felt cold hands grab onto his shoulders, holding him still.
Ruby continued to apply more pressure toward his eye and the pain elevated, making him bite his lower lip. His eye popped and he bellowed.
She stopped her attack. “Don’t worry. I have plenty of time to reminisce with Anastasia.” She studied her forefinger, which dripped with his dark, thick blood.
Her companions pushed Remy to his knees. He held his head low while the pain steadily continued. Anger rushed into him.
“Why so chafed?” she asked.
He clenched his teeth, careful to not show his pain. “I loved that eye.”
“That was to remind you of what you lost and why you shouldn’t fool yourself any longer.” She turned around. “Don’t worry. You’ll heal.”
From the corner of his right eye he saw Alexis’ face fill with excitement. “I know what this is.”
“Excuse me?” Ruby faced him again.
“You think I have a thing for her.” Remy nodded his head in Alexis’ direction. “But don’t worry, baby. There’s only one vampire bitch that’s ever had my heart.”
“That wasn’t about her. It was about that Veronica human.”
“She isn’t the first woman who has replaced you.”
Ruby leaned over him. “Maybe I should have taken your tongue instead.”
“Then what tool would I have to please you with?”
“The other tool you were born with.” She slapped her hand on his chest and slowly lowered it to his groin. At any other time, he would have welcomed her gesture but as her hand slid, he feared she’d discover the amulet in his pocket.
“Oh, I forgot about that.” In an attempt to stop her, he jerked his body forward. He moved too late.
“What is this?” She reached her hand into his pocket and pulled out the amulet. She glared at its smooth surface and then brought it up to her nose, sniffing it.
“Consider it a gift from me to you.” He wanted the object to work its magic like it did on Kei and turn her into a pile of blood and bones. From what he still knew about it, the amulet only killed Deamhan.
“This must be important to you.” When she pushed it toward him, he crouched back, afraid of its magical touch. She took notice. “Or dangerous.” She stood up straight. “I’ll find out what it is sooner or later.” She twirled the amulet in the air by its chain. “But for now, give me one good reason why I shouldn’t stake you.”
“Easy. You still love me.”
“Not as much as I love seeing your kind wither off and die.” She turned and walked back to her chair. “Revelation is very important to Deamhan, but it stops us from doing what should have been done centuries ago.” She paused in her step. “Do you know why that is, Remy?”
“Nope.”
“Do you have any idea what Revelation is?”
“Nope.”
She ceased her playful activity with the amulet. “Of course not. There’s a lot that you don’t know. Some Deamhan who are the oldest of your kind—the first generation after the Pure Ones—have fought ceaselessly to bring forth this apocalyptic event. It’s a series of steps that will release the Pure Ones from Limbo and restore them to their rightful place on the top of the supernatural food chain.”
“Sounds like fun.”
“In order to do so, the Deamhan currently living will have to be eradicated. Now, I’m all for eradication but not for releasing unstoppable beasts from their dens. Of course there are some Deamhan who don’t want this, like Kyra for example. She likes the Deamhan world the way it is. And there are others, like Lucius, who wanted to see Revelation fulfilled.”
“And let me take a guess,” he said, interrupting her. “You and your coven who want to release the Pure Ones in order to kill them, which would kill all Deamhan.”
She nodded. “We’re going to release them first. We’re going to kill them. We’re going to end your demonic presence on the face of this planet.” She pointed to him. “Either way, Remy. You and every Deamhan you know will die. Now, does that sound like your type of fun?”
He felt his left eye beginning to heal. “It won’t work. We’ll fight against anything you try to do in order to survive.”
“Well, thanks your species, there aren’t that many Deamhan left, especially in this city. You’ve been killing each other, depleting your ranks until the point that you demonic animals no longer have the muscle to fight what’s coming. That’s what your kind does. You fight, you dismember, you kill, and you do it indiscriminately. That type of mentality is what’s going to harm you all in the end.” She dropped her hand. “Deamhan were never meant to exist. You and your filth were created from dark magic—forces that should have never been molded and placed inside human bodies. What’s inside you has no conscious. All it does is influence the body to do dreadful things. As long as it survives. That’s all that matters.”
“We were made in the vampires’ image,” he said. “So what does that tell you?”
She lifted her head slightly and her average-size lips went taut. “Kyra stole the information from Maris before we were able to get to her. Then Lucius stole that information from Kyra and used it in the ritual.”
“And he’s dead. So, I guess you won’t get your ‘Revelation’.”
“Yes, he and his whore offspring are dead and there isn’t anyone who knows the incantations...except for the witnesses at the ritual.”
He tilted his head slightly. Suddenly it hit him and he now understood why she hadn’t killed him yet. Along with Anastasia, he believed that the Dark Curse had finally been dealt with. There wasn’t anyone around who could decipher the cuneiform. The only piece important to the entire fiasco was Maris and she wasn’t having any of it. Both he and Anastasia observe
d the entire thing. According to Ruby’s crackbrained mind, they now had the information.
“You’ve got to be shitting me,” he said out of exhaustion. “Really, Ruby? You honestly think I can somehow read cuneiform because I sat through that shit? C’mon, babe, you need to try harder than that.”
“The ritual also calls for sacrifices.” An amused expression appeared on her face.
“And here I thought you wanted to keep me alive because you still had something for me.”
“I do, my dear bourgeoisie.” She tapped the side of his head. “It’s all in there, inside that brain, and I’m going to find it.”
1
DECEPTION. DEAMHAN CHRONCILES #3
CHAPTER fourteen
Before heading to the city, Anastasia had to convince Hallie that no harm would come to Enlai. Amenirdis’ blood still raged inside her and even Nathan joined Hallie in her suspicions. Anastasia didn’t know what to say to ease their worries. They had to trust her, but how could they when even she didn’t know how to react if the orphaned Deamhan rejected her proposal? After half an hour, she left the manor.
She decided to use her hunting and tracking skills, perfected through the four hundred plus years she lived as a Deamhan, to find Enlai—who she assumed lived at this unknown sanctuary. She traveled fast through the wind on her crooked path with only a three-hour window until sunrise. She had no plan on how to approach them in a less threatening way. Throughout her existence she avoided Deamhan-filled sanctuaries. She never got along with the occupants. The more she mingled around her own, the more likely she thought about burning their safe houses to the ground.
Deamhan created sanctuaries with one main goal in mind. Protection. Some also created sanctuaries out of pure loneliness and a need to be around others like themselves and others just because they could. These sanctuaries proved easier to invade and burn from the inside out, like the ones Lucius destroyed in Minneapolis.
Deception (Deamhan Chronicles Book 3) Page 13
