by Patti Larsen
Piers sighed. “I don’t know,” he said. “But if anyone has a chance it’s a former initiate. And Apollo is clever enough, streetwise enough, to take care of himself.”
Even Piers seemed to know the Zornov brother better than I did.
“Now,” Gram sent, “tell us what’s happening with Femke.”
I grimaced. “Yeah,” I said. “That.” And filled her in on what went down with Danilo. Piers remained quiet while Gram’s expression darkened, blue eyes black as sorcery crawled through the irises.
“She’s playing a dangerous game,” Gram said.
“No game,” I said. “She has to act.”
Gram nodded, brusque and abrupt. “I realize that,” she said. “But if even one of the paranormal races—if even one of their leaders, sub leaders, anyone of authority—speaks up against Danilo’s removal, the WPC could have a war on its hands.”
I hadn’t thought of that. “We’ll just have to make sure that doesn’t happen,” I said.
Gram’s grim expression didn’t help much. “You’re planning to beat submission into the opposition, are you, girl?”
That was uncalled for. “I just meant Femke has to have her ducks in a row,” I said.
“And you as her bully on the side.” Gram shook her head, waving me off as I protested. “Don’t think I miss seeing where this could go,” she said. “And how easy it would be for Femke to use you to her own ends. Just, be careful, girl. Promise me.” Her blue eyes stilled.
Like that was going to happen. To this point, Femke had basically told me to stay the hell out of things. So Gram’s fears were unfounded and more than a little paranoid. Still, I nodded and looked away, unwilling to argue with her.
Gram stood and came to my side, kissed my cheek before doing the same to Sass, then Piers. “I’m going to go check on Demetrius,” she said. “You two look like crap. Get some sleep.” I watched her go, not sure if I should be offended or amused, while Piers grinned at her with a weary expression.
“Always a delight, Ethpeal,” he said as she closed the door firmly behind her. When he turned his tired smile to me, I smiled back.
“Ain’t that the truth,” I said.
We chuckled together while Sassafras kneaded my arm with both paws and purred.
“There’s a spare bed upstairs if you want to crash,” I said, barely able to speak past the sudden, jaw cracking yawn that seized me.
Piers yawned in turn before laughing. “Might take you up on that,” he said.
I was halfway to my feet, picturing a hot shower and a collapse into bed, when magic grasped for me and Femke’s voice broke through my weariness.
Syd, she sent, firm but worried, the massive power of the WPC washing over me. I’m sorry to trouble you, but I need some backup.
I’m there, I sent, all tiredness vanishing. Piers surged to his feet beside me, his own face dark with worry as I let him into the conversation. Just tell me what you need.
The image she shared made me gasp. Werewolves fought vampires on a mountain peak, Enforcers attempting to come between them. It wasn’t until I jerked open the veil, Piers at my side and Sassafras held firmly in my grip, I realized Gram’s warning might have merit after all. But I couldn’t say no, not when so much was at stake.
***
Chapter Seventeen
The air tasted purer, if thin, as I lurched out of the veil and onto a narrow dirt path edged in scrub brush. Sunlight poured down from the crystal blue sky over the towering, square edged castle carved into the side of the mountain. For a moment I felt the disorientation of confusion as I looked past the struggle before me and around at the barren peak, the surrounding mountain range of gray stone. But no, this wasn’t the Empress’s palace in Nepal, but another of a different shape and bulk. Its design felt Aztec to me, though the knowledge vampires seemed to enjoy hiding away on mountain peaks was reinforced by the sight.
The surge of Enforcer magic, encasing the entire mountain top in power, pushed me forward and into the fray. I formed my own magic into a wedge shaped shield, shoving with sheer force toward the center of the strife. Werewolves spun from their focused attempt to break through the front line of vampire defense, leaping toward me, only to rebound from my wards. High pitched yelps of pain echoed from the rock as they crashed into stone and bounced away. The small human contingent—vampire protectors, clearly—had formed a small knot near the temple-like structure’s entrance. Black haired and muscular under their brown skin, the tiny human army seemed even more fearful as I approached the dozen or so Enforcers who circled Femke and formed a seal against the attacking werewolves who threw themselves—and their focused magic—at the barrier between them and entry into the castle.
From the torn and bloody bodies scattered before her, Femke had arrived too late to save all of the human servants, though her magic now refused the werewolves further entry.
I have this, she sent. But there are too many and most of my Enforcers are elsewhere collecting the Council Leaders. Her mental voice was grim, if wound up with adrenaline. A little help with the werewolves would be excellent right about now.
You got it. I could have played nice, asked them to stop. There were over a hundred of them, all in full wolf form, snarling and pacing around me, looking for an opening. I loved Charlotte and Sage and a few other weres I knew and respected. But this crew seemed bent on making my life miserable. Not exactly fearless, but unrelenting and unwilling to back down.
Screw it. Diplomacy was never my strong suit anyway. With a frustrated scowl, I called up my maji power and smothered their magic like a candle being snuffed out.
As a group they collapsed, writhing, bodies shifting from wolf shape to human. Most appeared of the same nationality as the human servants, but a handful were of definite European descent, even a few familiar faces.
Damn it, Danilo. As if I didn’t already know he was behind this, he had to supply me proof by sending his own personal wereguards as backup.
Femke dropped her shielding, the human servants near collapse as she did. I crossed to her, stepping over a fallen werewolf who groaned as he rolled over onto his back. I blushed, averting my eyes from his nakedness, and focused on Femke. Her Enforcers surged forward, their power containing the fallen weres as I joined my friend, silent Piers at my side, Sass perched in my hands.
I’d almost forgotten they were there but only until my sorcerer friend joined the ranks of Femke’s Enforcers, his magic draining the last of the fight from the werewolves while her forces mopped up the mess.
“Thank you for the assistance,” she said formally while her mind touched mine. Syd, this is a disaster.
I didn’t get to respond, not when a large woman in a tight, blue pantsuit joined us. She felt human, if augmented slightly, her dark eyes almost black, hair falling in straight, shining silk to her knees.
“Our thanks,” she said, voice gruff, full lips pursed as she glared at the werewolves being gathered up into a large group of mostly unconscious, naked bodies. “Our queen will deal with these when she wakes.” Her accent told me she was educated in the States, though from her dark skin and Hispanic features she was likely a native of wherever we’d found ourselves. Somewhere in South America I was guessing from the height of the sun in the sky.
“They are our responsibility now,” Femke said, smooth but insistent. “Your queen can bring her grievance directly to the World Paranormal Council.” The Enforcers began to vanish one at a time while the woman glared, taking werewolves with them. When the human servant tried to protest, Femke stepped between her and the disappearing attackers. “We deeply regret any loss you have endured and would like you to reassure your queen this matter will be dealt with the utmost care and severity to the guilty parties. I can assume this attack was unprovoked?”
Of course she was going to agree. Silly question, even if it wasn’t true. But the woman surprised me with her answer.
“There have been tensions growing between our people for many days,” she
said. “And atrocities on both sides. But this attack was unexpected.” Owning up to it? Good for her. My respect leaped about a million times as she went on. “We are most grateful you answered our call personally, Leader Svennson.”
“It is my responsibility to ensure the safety and preservation of all paranormals,” Femke said, with so much poise and self-deprecation I was again reassured I’d pushed the right person into the job. “You must trust me now to continue to do so.”
The woman bowed at last, though from the unhappy look on her face she was thinking ahead to how she would explain her actions to her vampire master. “The moment she wakes, my queen will contact you,” she said, before spinning to return to the rest of her people.
Femke exhaled, though her face remained composed. “That was close,” she said. “We can’t afford a challenge right now.”
True that.
I’m going with the Enforcers to contain these weres. Piers waved at me and Femke from where he stood with one of the last groups. We watched him go as my husband made an appearance out of a flash of blue fire. He settled on the ground next to Femke before speaking.
“All rounded up,” he said, brown eyes meeting mine. Shining with something that looked like… what? Joy? Was he having fun, the jerk? Then again, I felt my fair share of adrenaline and excitement at the most inopportune of times so I could hardly blame him. We were made for this kind of work, weren’t we? Or we wouldn’t have survived this long.
“Excellently done, Leader Hayle,” she said. “Efficient as always.”
Quaid’s tiny smile was all the response she got. But I knew that look, how self-satisfied he felt just from that simple expression. And had a thought.
“I’m borrowing your Enforcer Leader,” I said, offering him my free hand, Sass still curled against my side. I passed the furious cat off to Femke with a soft touch to his mind. He relented, eyes sparking as he glared at me. Quaid took my fingers in his after a quick glance at Femke who nodded. He really needed her permission, did he?
Knock it off, Syd. Jealousy doesn’t become you.
“You have a plan?” Femke’s pale blue eyes held a question.
“Just figured one of us should head to Nepal and put out fires,” I said. “And considering you get all the boring paperwork stuff and I’m the action hero,” I flashed her a grin to show her I was kidding, “I figure I’d borrow your boytoy and trot off to make sure the Empress doesn’t get her knickers in a knot.”
Femke’s snort made it through her attempt to remain serious, blue eyes sparkling as Quaid scowled at my irreverence. “Permission granted,” she said. “Proceed.”
I saluted with fake enthusiasm before taking Quaid’s hand again. “Keep a line open,” I said as I tore at the veil. “Just in case we need a rescue.”
Femke laughed. “You mean just in case you start a war and I have to save you from yourself?”
My grin was wicked. “More like mop up the mess I leave behind. You might want to be on standby, just in case.” I arched my eyebrow at my husband who sighed and rolled his eyes. “Ready for a train wreck?”
Quaid didn’t comment.
Smart man.
***
Chapter Eighteen
Maybe I should have gone the diplomatic route and appeared out of the veil on the mountain side of the gates to the Empress’s palace. Perhaps it would have been prudent to knock, to ask for an invite inside, or, at the very least, to make my presence known in some way before barging in on the most powerful vampire on our plane.
But that just wouldn’t have been me, now would it?
And, in all honesty, part of me worried if I did try to be nice and apologetic and crap she’d make me fight my way in. Considering the fact I was already tired and more than a little cranky all over again, thinking of doing a werepalace on her ass wasn’t an idea I was willing to entertain. Instead, to cut to the meat of the matter, I tore open the veil in the Empress’s personal bedchamber and dropped Quaid and myself into the thick of things.
Shielded, naturally, while his power prodded mine in irritation.
One of these days, he sent in a tight and angry burst as all eyes in the dark chamber fixed on us, you are going to get someone killed. Since you’re immortal, it won’t be you.
Whatever, I sent. I have your back.
Quaid’s blue Enforcer fire licked out beneath us, feeding my shields. His magic usually felt all warm and bubbly, with the same chocolaty overtones as the heat in his eyes. But even my demon—his most staunch ally—seemed put off by the harshness of his contact.
You were right not to take the leadership role of one of the Councils, he said before cutting off my thoughts in return and speaking.
“Empress,” he said, bowing at the waist while I fumed in his general direction. “I am Enforcer Leader Quaid Tinder of the World Paranormal Council.” He was who? Last I knew he was a Hayle witch. Since when did he start using his parent’s old surname?
Empress Moa didn’t seem to give a crap who he was or that my anger toward him was suddenly more important than Danilo and the near disaster I’d left behind in South America. Quaid had barely finished speaking when the scrawny, ancient vampire threw herself at us. With supernatural speed and motion, she stopped just shy of my shielding, landing at a crouch, wasted body dressed in a simple, white shift, leaving her yellowed skin exposed at knees and elbows. When she snarled it was aimed at me, teeth elongating, beaded black eyes flaring with pinpoints of white fire, back hunching as the spirit power inside her pushed her seemingly frail body into a primeval shape.
“Sydlynn Hayle.” Her normally youthful voice hissed my name. “You have one heartbeat before you die.”
My vampire essence reacted before I could, even with my temper burning hot. She lashed out through the shield, slamming Moa into the stone floor of her chamber. I spotted her slim, black clad servant, Jiao, circling and watching with a dark, blank expression, and knew she was likely as dangerous as the Empress. But Quaid would have to deal with her if it came to a physical attack. My vampire was far too focused on Moa to allow me to do anything else but hold the writhing old undead woman still.
“Moa,” my vampire said in her cold voice, through my lips, “you will be still. Or I will retrieve the heart of spirit I gave you, the power that sustains your life, and I will let you die at long last.”
She stopped moving, though her eyes glared with hate. “Release me.” Calm, the edge gone from her tone, the oddly young sound of her voice more level than the fury in her face.
“You have brought this on yourself,” my vampire said. “Your duplicity and plotting has created a monster in Danilo Moreau. And you alone are responsible for what happens next.”
I wasn’t sure that was exactly true—blaming Moa for everything felt off. But when the Empress didn’t argue, I sighed inwardly.
She plays a dangerous game, my vampire sent, sadness whirling with anger and a hint of pride. In a way, I understood. Moa was sort of like a daughter to the essence living inside me, the first vampire. Would I feel the same about Ethie if my daughter’s soul became twisted? Probably. She has been powerful and unchallenged for far too long. And though I don’t wish to humiliate her, or create an enemy of her, Moa must understand her actions cannot be allowed to alter the fate of this plane.
“You’re behind Piotr Wilhelm’s attack on the werewolves,” my vampire went on. Damn her. Moa didn’t answer, though she did stand as my vampire released her. She waved off her minions who hovered behind her, their fear clear on their faces to a vampire, to a human servant. They might be afraid of their mistress, but it was likely they’d never seen anyone subdue her before.
She’ll never forgive me for that, my vampire whispered.
A problem for later. I prodded Moa with power as Jiao joined her Empress, standing just behind her, dark eyes locked on me. She was the only one of Moa’s people who showed zero fear of me. I caught a whiff of magic from the young woman as I dropped my shields completely.
Are you out of your mind? Quaid tried to rebuild, but I squashed him.
They have to see we’re not afraid of them, I shot back. And this is how I do things. If you don’t like it… be still or go back to Femke.
“You have no proof,” the Empress said, snapping her fingers, not meeting my eyes. One of her servants hurried forward, a slim boy holding out a thick, black furred robe. When it engulfed her, it just made Moa look all the more miniscule, though her massive power was in clear evidence as she probed and pushed against me.
I shrugged, letting her feel my irritation through my magic. “Femke and the Council need proof, Moa,” I said. Leaned on her with power until she flinched ever so slightly. “I don’t.”
Quaid sighed in my head. You’re a disaster, he snapped.
I was seriously regretting bringing him along.
“The werewolf king has attacked my people for the last time.” Moa’s beady eyes watched Quaid for a moment and I realized she sensed our division. Clever old creature. “No matter the source of his insanity, he must be stopped.” Her magic stroked Quaid’s flames, spirit power enticing. “We will deal with this matter ourselves.”
“No,” he said, shoving her aside, shocking me with his strength. I almost cheered, so surprised by his ability to avoid her thrall I grudgingly let go of my anger toward him. “You will wait for the WPC to deliberate and then announce their decision on the matter.” He crossed his muscular arms over his chest, black robe rippling, blue fire flashing around him. “Until then, you are forbidden from approaching Danilo Moreau and any of your vampires caught engaging in battle with werewolves will be arrested.”
She writhed in place, fury flaring, sparks of white cascading from her as her temper flashed. “YOU DARE!” Her power hit him full in the chest and, for a moment, I stood rock still, heart pounding, too slow as the spirit magic began to devour him.