“She and I go way back. If you like, I can arrange something with you as well for the exchange of a favor in return.”
“NO!” Cas screamed. All eyes turned to him. His shoulders stretched tight, he countered backward with, “I don’t want her in my court. She will not be one of us.”
Drac watched us both carefully before saying, “Very well. But let the lady decide. After all, she is no longer tied to you.”
Cas nodded with a bow to Drac and withdrew back to where he stood before. Quinn didn’t gain any expression since last seeing him other than the fact that he was a Hunter in Vamp clothing. I had my guesses long ago of the subject of Drac’s relationship to Cas and now it was confirmed. Drac holds power over the Vampire lord himself.
“Yes, this is true. Though I am tied to no one. I bore of your games. Will he or will he not be returned to his faction home?”
The almighty Drac laughed just as the three deadly silent Vampires gasped loud enough to gain his attention. “She is a tiger. I see now why my Nara could be her only rival.”
My insides were dancing with knives envisioned down his throat and piercing through his heart.
“Now, now my pet. No point hating on me. I’m the one who saved you, you see. If not for me, you wouldn’t be with us now. For I am the one who stopped my Nara from taking your precious head off, but only once will I do this. I will keep my end of the bargain…as long as he keeps his.” Drac motioned to Cas.
He is lying. My mother saved me.
Calum, whom I’d neglected royally, strong armed my wrist from behind me. I was glad for it, for it would not have been a pretty sight to attack Lord Drac at the given moment. At the confirmation that Cas had in fact struck a deal to save me, I was at a loss. But not a total one.
“When?” I demanded.
“Tomorrow. The doctor’s final transfusion will be tomorrow and Thorn can resume his reign.”
“Alone,” I added.
Drac’s eyes narrowed to slits. “Perhaps.”
At this point, I didn’t know what else I could do. Wasting my time convincing him was well…a waste of time. It was time for me to find out what place he has in the Vampire world and how he has so much power.
I turned to go when he cleared his throat. I half turned to cock my head sideways at him and waited.
“Will you comply with orders your Vampire lord sanctions?”
I smiled knowing then I could win this. “Perhaps.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
…but a wise man knows himself to be a fool.
When we were in the car and away, my heart hurt in a thousand ways. I saw Cas, but it wasn’t my Cas. The silence in the car was killing me beyond even the fact that Calum had said nothing. I hadn’t expected him too, but the hurt was there nonetheless.
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
He shifted in his seat to hide his injured pride. He wasn't sorry, just mad I was upset with him. “Would it have helped?”
Sometimes he was so in tune with what I needed, and other times he was focused elsewhere. Like when he fights. His Hunter mind takes over the battle scene and unlike Cord or Cas, he fights. He doesn’t defend.
I twisted sideways, “No! But it sure as heck might have prepared me for what that man is. If you can call him a man. What the heck is he in the Vampire world if he can force feed the lord?”
“It is my understanding that he sired all of them. He is, as of recent, the oldest Vampire in the world.”
“And that makes him able to be an asshole?”
“Apparently.” Calum stared into the black hole of darkness that kept me from reading his face. The car was dark and only lit with the green dashboard for seeing him.
“When did you know where Cas was?” I asked wanting to grasp the chain of who is telling who in a world where much is kept from me.
“A text came through to us all the second before Nara was to kill you. Thorn made a deal with Drac that he would give you up if he would spare you. Where one deal is done, another forms. He was made to turn Quinn to keep from offering marriage to Nara.”
While that was a relief and made me feel good, I worried why Drac wanted Quinn within the Vampire walls. And how the mother could have finagled any of it to save me. She had skills I didn't.
“Why does Drac want Quinn so bad?”
“Oh, that is a good one. I might as well tell you all of it. You’ll pluck it out of one of us anyway.”
I hate protecting men now. It was too much. “Shut up and tell me.”
For the first time tonight, Calum smiled. Radiant like the sun he chuckled, “Which is it? Shut up or tell you. I can’t do both as I don’t have telepathy like some I know.” He touched his temple with his index finger.
Err!
“Alright. Alright. If Drac issues Quinn within the walls of the Vampire court, he officially has access to three of the faction courts. Like the nephew, he was born and bred to be a spy. For Drac, its possibilities mean he controls the factions from the inside out. He isn’t one to sit on a throne but rather run things from the dregs of society as you saw.”
“And what about Quinn?” He didn’t look like he was being forced.
“He is the oldest family friend my father has ever known. They grew up together, graduated together, and were in each other’s weddings. He wants revenge.”
“On who?” I couldn't stop the despondency lingering in my tone. It wouldn't be a happy tale if something drove him to this.
“Those who took his family?”
“And who took his family?”
Calum rubbed his chin and fiddled with the radio station that was gaining static. With one hand still on the wheel, the other went back to rest on the gear shift.
“He blames our people.”
I shot upward, “What? Why?”
“He held animosity towards my father for naming him over Borgon for a teaching position. Borgon was determined to get his own revenge aside from the feat of getting to you. He took Quinn's family when he refused to turn you over. The Elves did the actual killing, but it was our people who told where they were. When the life of the one you would do anything for is compromised, you lose your own compassion for life itself. Nothing seems unreasonable. You’d give your life for them to have them back even for the single moment before their dying.”
I know where he was heading with this and ignore the implications.
Calum suggested that I move to the school for safety and appearances. I knew his motives. I told him I would go to my father’s court, but another solution presented itself.
“Well?” Cord met me at the door to the Cross Manor. “You thought you needed to force us into exile or something because of your curiosity?”
“What the hell, Stace?” Szar shook me like a ragdoll.
Calum pulled him off me and suddenly all three were yelling profanities at each other. The battle for who was manlier was on. I watched them for close to a minute before sneaking to the kitchen. I wanted a piece of the chocolate cake before I had to leave here.
At the second bite, they all came parading into the room scaring Claire out of her wits. They apologized to her and proceeded to watch me eat. I let them.
“Not so heartbroken about your prince-y boy there are you?” Cord snorted.
I ignored him and ate another bite.
Calum grunted, “She is coming with me.”
Szar looked calmly down at me, “What is up that nonexistent sleeve of yours, sis?”
Oh, does my brother know me well. I didn’t have to force the mirthless smile that crept up across my lips. I licked the spoon clean and shoved the empty plate aside.
“Do you have a plan?” Calum raised the famous brow.
“Perhaps.” I had a new word.
I convinced Cord, without much coercion, to let me stay at the Were court. I had it in my head to gain the same knowledge that Drac so desired by knowing all the factions—inside and out. I would have to stay one up on all of them from now on. Being away from Cas
has shown me how wrapped up in him I’d become. I was for sure of one thing. I loved Cassius Cross and would do anything to save him as he is doing for me, but I also have a duty to the factions to save them from their own plunder. And for now, I’d word on the “knowledge is power” take to winning against Drac or Borgon or whoever else might step in the way.
I asked the guys how Drac might know about the Godslayer or possibly knew my mother in any type of way, but they were clueless. Nara was the only connection. I called Lee and got very different results. He told me, after much convincing, that he found out about Drac all the way back to the day we rescued my brother from the warehouse where Borgon held him hostage. The hoax kidnapping, it turns out, was more to Borgon than just a favor to a couple of factions. He was not just a double agent, but also working with Drac. Under the cover of night, Drac orchestrated a heavily plotted plan to get as many against the factions as possible. It explained all the turncoats for the most part.
Over the last year, Drac’s name had become a daily dealing. Lee spent as much time in his presence as he had Borgon. I couldn’t understand how Lee Dyer was still alive.
Drac knew my mother biblically it seems. She used him to find out where the Godslayer was located. Created by the Elves, the sword was forged magically and held but one purpose. To end a god. And their offspring. My mother has spent that last two centuries trying to get it back.
That was all Lee knew.
What baffles me is how a goddess can’t just take it. There is a part of the story missing and I intend to find out what that is.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Some are born great, some achieve greatness…
“Oh, I won’t miss,” Cord’s determined all-knowing voice purred. His hair was messy again. I made the mistake of saying I liked it and now he rarely spiked it. When I called it the "just woke up" look, his eyes glassed over and he called it something else. Apparently, "bedroom hair" came from acts in the bedroom and not just sleep. He didn't quite phrase it that way.
It was then that I realized I’d memorized Cord’s unique way of initiating a move. The too smooth tone of his voice of sarcasm turned darker seconds before he would strike.
Cord’s abilities with any long or short club-like weapon was worth the show it produced and he knew it well. This particular moment, he held a Japanese Sai with the long pointed end and two extended handles for grip. His fluidity of grace just didn’t match his gruff act. He was smooth and forming like a snake charmer with his own basket of hypnotism. And he was right, he never missed.
Calum called me last night before I settled completely into the Were court. We talked about Cas’ return the next day and what to expect. Not one of them would acknowledge that Cas was playing a game except Calum. For that, I listened to his advice about not staying with Cord. But he didn’t know my plan. For now, only I would.
The next day came and went. I heard nothing from Cas or Calum. Cord didn’t leave my side, nor his two closest bodyguards. I already knew them by name, so the day was not so bad. I managed to ignore the phone…mostly.
Calum wouldn’t return my calls or texts. Szar and Cord were playing dumb so I decided by nightfall to text Cas. Thinking carefully how I should ask, I typed out the words I decided upon.
Calum missing. Will U help?
I didn’t put the word can as to not seem too personal. I didn’t ask if he knew where so he wouldn’t be able to say no. If he answers me, he will give me a simple yes or no, but it will be a request for finding someone, nothing personal.
He finally answered at about ten o’clock, four hours after I sent my text.
NO
I was on my own. I hid in my room and cried that night. I’d hid it from the guys and even my friends. If it was an act, is was being done well and I hated that he might be that good at it. My plan to show Drac how easy it was to win anyway wasn't working. I couldn't concentrate on winning over the factions if Cas wasn't safe. He was part of this.
The whole of us was falling apart.
The next two days passed in a blur. My brother called regularly and Cord was an ever present attachment. I grew accustomed to his overly exerted points of interest. I giggled once in the morning at his attempt to cheer me with making me breakfast. He asked what it was for, but I never told him what I was really thinking. Instead, I asked him a question in lieu of my line of thought.
“Have you ever had a steady girlfriend?”
He stopped scrambling eggs long enough to look at me, “What kind of question is that to ask a guy who is currently kissing your royal ass to cheer you up from your boyfriend breaking up with you.”
Instantly defensive I jumped from the cold, black bar stool I had lounged on for over half an hour in watch. “That is a lie.”
Cord dropped the oven mitt and darted around the kitchen island. The entire Were court kitchen was completely obsidian black with little spotlights in every nook and cranny. It was too dark for most. “I didn’t mean it that way. I, uh, shit. I am sorry, Stace. No.”
Cord bumped his arm on the side of the island trying to get to me and now held his own elbow. I know he didn’t mean it, but it hurt to hear. It wasn’t the idea that Cas “broke up with me” but rather the idea that he was made too. I just couldn’t believe he stopped having feelings for me.
“No what?” I asked.
“No, I have never had a girlfriend. Many girls. None worthy of more.”
I arched a brow. “Why not?”
He tucked my hair behind my ear and cleared his throat. After staring a moment longer, he walked back around to his burning eggs. “Is that really something you want to know right now?”
“Now is as good a time as any.”
The eggs were removed and plated. The toast popped up. “Let’s eat first.”
We did. I asked him to tell me when he was done eating.
“I was told years ago you were mine without a choice on either of our parts. For a while, I refused. And then I started to watch you. As old fashioned and human sounding as it was, I wanted you. You were a goddess in my eyes, Stace. Perfection. I was the envy of every male in the Valkyire court.”
“How did I not know?”
“You were the only one. I thought you knew. They told me you were aware of the arranged marriage.”
“Then why didn’t they tell me or let me see you?”
We cleaned up the remnants of breakfast as he told me, “Your father told me when I was sixteen that you were to stay pure. If I were to know you personally, other things might be compromised.”
The blush on his cheeks was so cute. For him, that wasn’t hard.
“Why was my virginity such a prize?” It didn’t sound the same in my head when I thought it. After it was out there, I realized I sounded lame.
Looking away he said to the kitchen wall of art that was far from what I would have picked off Cord but knew was most likely here before him. “It means everything to a man.”
That made me hot. “Then why do men spend so much time taking it from others."
Pale now from the weird conversation he said with a hardness in his tone, “Stace. We’re creatures of procreation. It isn’t saintamonious, but it is what it is.”
“What about the fact that each girl you defile has her gift taken away for her future husband?”
You could tell he couldn’t find how the conversation had moved to this. He stared at the painting of a winter night with a couple walking hand in hand leaving only their footsteps behind.
“As I said. We are not perfect. I think guys in general, as I can’t say we sit around discussing this type of thing, don’t think with their brains till a certain age. It isn’t until then that the sacredness of a woman’s body becomes important.”
Sexist beyond belief, but true honesty. I couldn’t fault him for it and I sure wouldn’t make him feel bad for sharing it.
“Alright. I can accept it. I am thankful for still having the one thing that keeps me who I am. All other innocence seems to fly away
with the sun.”
He sighed and looked at me for the first time since the uncomfortable conversation started. “I am too. And for the record…so is Thorn.” Cord took both my hands in his. “Don’t give up on him, Anastacia. He is having a hard time of it right now too.”
The divulged information was a way to tell me he knew something I don’t. I deeply wanted to ask, but could tell Cord’s eyes were begging me not too. Instead, I hugged him. He pulled away at first, but then settled lower in the sofa we’d sat on to talk. His private rooms were lush and lavish so comfort was not a concern. We’d neglected to share any space together until now. I felt certain for the first time that Cord Ryan was my friend.
“Stace. Please let me go before I do something I shouldn’t. You touching me does not make me think straight.”
Almost my friend.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
…and some have greatness thrust upon them.
Another day passed and Calum returned...hardened. Like an injured soldier focused only on the battle and ignoring any happiness that he could savor due to his animosities, he kept a solid stoic gaze like an unwavering soldier attempting to hide his true feelings.
He came to the Were court dressed in all black fatigues and every weapon available. I asked him for answers and got none. After several manly exchanges between the two men, I blew.
“If you don’t tell me right now Calum Green what I want to know, I’m going straight over to Cas and ask him myself?” My screaming fit got results.
Four hands gently pulled me down to the same sofa that Cord spilled his guts on the day before. They held me down long enough for Cord to basically sit on me. Lodged into a prison of man thighs, I pushed and shoved to free myself to no avail.
“You will listen until I am done Stace or sit like this till you do,” Calum decreed.
Cord squeaked out when I punched up in the only area I could reach with my one free hand. “Not funny, man. She has sterilizing powers. If you want her still, you sit on her. If you can handle it.”
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