The reporters surged forward as one, all yelling questions and jockeying for key positions at the front of the pack.
Cody looked at them with surprise.
“Long story, mate,” Raven said.
“PLEASE, please,” Oberon shouted above the howling reporters. “One question at a time.”
The Incubus leaned forward, absorbing the emotions flying around. Agent Roberts’s face turned a fuming beet red as he melted into the background and away from the limelight he’d readily sought moments before.
Oberon held up both of his hands to call for silence. “The killer was a felian who started with murdering a member of his own Pride twenty years ago.”
“CAN YOU TELL US THIS KILLER’S NAME?” a reporter yelled out.
“The killer is . . . or rather was . . . Leon of the Jordan Pride.” Oberon’s gaze flicked to her and then back to the reporters.
“Okay, then,” Cody said, moving quickly. “Let’s get you around the back before they realize who you are.”
“Sounds like a great idea,” Raven said and swept Kitt up in his arms with a smile. “Lead the way, dude.”
Kitt took another sip of wine and smiled. It was the first time she’d seen Antoinette and Bianca in over a week. They’d stopped by to check on her, see how she was recovering.
“And Tones ran after Marvella like a regular Venator,” the Aeternus said with a touch of pride. “Unfortunately, the bitch gave him the slip. With J.J. dead, she’ll have to find a new stooge to do her dirty work. Tones thinks she’ll go to ground to lick her wounds for a while.”
Seph was sitting on the floor, staring up at the Aeternus with the beginnings of hero worship. Kitt hid her smile behind another sip and glanced over the rim at Bianca, who winked. She was glad when the witch had come. It was a good opportunity to get to know her a little better now that Kitt officially agreed to be part of the team.
A knock at the apartment door interrupted the laughter.
“I’ll get it,” Cal said, starting to her feet.
“No, I’m closer,” Kitt said, a little tired of feeling like an invalid.
Tyrone stood on the threshold, dressed in an expensive Italian suit and appearing every inch the Alpha of a prominent felian Pride. He looked her up and down, then smiled his usual tight polite smile. “We’re returning to the Pridelands.”
Kitt nodded and turned to look at the twins laughing with Antoinette. He dropped his voice so only she could hear him. “The council has agreed to release them from the Pride.” He straightened to clasp his hands behind his back. “And I would ask a favor.” He moved to one side. “I have a lot to do, and would like to leave something here for you to look after until I get back.”
Serena stepped into the doorway holding a tiny baby and Rainbow came up beside her. Tears blurred Kitt’s eyes. Her mother smiled through her own tears as she stepped into her arms. It felt so good to hold her again.
“I’ll be back in about an hour,” Tyrone said, his eyes looking suspiciously misty. “But this business looks like it will turn into a regular event—at least once a month.”
“Thank you,” Kitt said, and she moved to peck Tyrone on the cheek. He looked away quickly.
Jericho stepped forward to hand the other tiny infant over to Rainbow. Kitt caught the soft look in his eyes as he looked at the female and saw the way his fingers lingered a little too long on the back of her hand as she took the babe. Then Rainbow smiled. It took Kitt back to the time they were children and Rainbow’s crush on Dylan. It was that same smile.
Jericho nodded at Kitt and stepped away.
“I’ll be back a little later.” Tyrone’s voice cracked a little as he turned quickly and left. Rainbow and Serena joined the others to much oohing and aahing. The tiny babies passed from one clucking female to the next with much delight. The twins smiled and laughed along with the rest and a lump in Kitt’s chest shifted. She’d missed so much of their growing up, so much of watching them grow from children to the young women they’d become. She wished she could go back and change it all, but it was too late. The only thing now was to move forward.
Cal leapt to her feet. “Can I get you anything? Coffee, wine, soda?”
“Sure, soda would be great, thanks,” Serena said.
Kitt patted the girl’s shoulder as Cal headed for the kitchen. “Rainbow, did I detect a little something between you and Jericho?” she asked as she reached for her glass.
The felian female blushed. “They’ve both been really sweet since Leon died. Helping to take care of the babies and . . .”
“Both of them?” Seph asked.
“I don’t think that’s what she meant,” Kitt said with a laugh.
“Well, actually . . .” Rainbow’s blush deepened. “It’s just . . . they’re used to sharing things and I couldn’t decide between them . . .”
“You go, girl,” Antoinette said, impressed.
Serena patted the embarrassed female’s knee. “Actually in centuries past, it wasn’t unusual to take on more than one mate, especially when war thinned our numbers. But it’s something that’s fallen out of practice these days.”
“Well, good luck to you,” Antoinette said. “I have enough trouble keeping track of one man.”
The laughter filled the room. Her apartment, once cold and gray, now sparkled with new life. A fresh batch of tears threatened to spill, but this time full of joy and happiness instead of grief and sadness. Kitt just wished Dylan could be here to share it with her.
Their time was over almost before it’d begun. Kitt stood at the window and watched as her father ushered her mother and Rainbow into the limousine on the street far below. Just before he got in after them, he stopped and glanced back over his shoulder. Could he see her standing at the window? Probably not, but she liked to think he could and waved.
She turned away from the window at the sound of someone rapping on the front door. This time Cal beat her to it.
“Looks like you lovely ladies had quite a party,” Tones said as he surveyed the wineglasses, soda bottles, and snack plates covering the coffee table.
It had turned into a bit of an impromptu celebration.
“You’re such the sweet-talker, Tones,” Antoinette said. “But what are you doing here?”
“Oberon told me where to find you. I thought maybe we could all go for a drink at Buddy’s. I’m in the mood for a little dancing.”
“Hey, yeah,” Cal said. “Great idea. I love that place. Come on, Seph, let’s go.”
“Not a bad idea,” Antoinette agreed. “You want to check it out, Bianca?”
“I’ve heard lots about this place,” Bianca said. “But are you sure you want to go back there after last time?”
“Hell, yes,” Cal said with a grin. “Seph’s been pissed she missed that bar fight.”
“There’ll be no brawling tonight, thank you very much.” The words, sounding so much like her mother’s, were out of Kitt’s mouth before she could stop them. “Besides, I am a little tired. What I’d really love is a hot shower and bed.”
Seph’s face fell.
“That’s probably a good idea,” Tones said. “But we’ll take good care of the girls.”
“Maybe we should stay in too,” Cal said, sounding disappointed.
Kitt shook her head. Actually it would be nice to have some alone time. “There’s no reason for you girls to stay in. You’ve been babysitting me all week. Go—have some fun.”
“But . . .” Cal started.
“But nothing,” Kitt said. “I’m only going to bed anyway.”
Tones choked and tried to cover it with a cough. What’s wrong with him?
“Only if you’re sure,” Seph said, the concern on her face was genuine.
She smiled. “I’m sure—now go. And stay away from fruity, alcoholic drinks, especially ones with umbrellas.”
Cal laughed and jumped up and kissed Kitt’s cheek. “We will and sleep tight.”
Antoinette hugged her as well. “We�
��ll take good care of them.”
After they’d gone, the apartment grew silent. But it was a comforting silence, a warm silence, not like before. Her cold apartment was now a home again.
Happy, Kitt walked into her room. Without turning on the light, she opened the closet door, unzipped her skirt, and let it fall to her feet before slipping out of her top. As she reached for the robe hanging on a hook behind the door, she stopped and smiled. “I really wish you’d use the front door. That’s why I gave you a key.”
A chuckle floated from the chair in the far corner of the dark room. “Where would be the fun in that? I wouldn’t get to see you take your clothes off like that.”
She pulled on her robe and tied the sash before turning toward his voice. “You always did have voyeuristic tendencies.”
“Only when it came to you.” He leaned forward into the light streaming in from the window and grinned in the way that sped up her pulse and sent goose bumps skittering across her skin. He stood and moved closer, wearing nothing more than a pair of black jeans, not even any shoes.
He closed in, silent and deadly like a predator—and she was his prey. Her heart pounded in anticipation as he hooked his finger through her sash and pulled her closer.
“How long have you been in here?” she asked.
“A while.” Raven bent and placed a kiss on the side of her throat. “I had to call for backup.”
“What do you mean backup?”
“I thought they were never going to leave.” He sat down on the edge of the bed, dragging her closer until she stood between his knees and he could snuggle his face against her chest. “So I called Tones for help.”
“What if I’d gone with them?” she said, finding it a little difficult to concentrate with his hand massaging her thigh just beneath her right butt cheek.
“Then I would’ve had to think of something else.” He pulled aside her robe and kissed between her breasts.
She closed her eyes. “We should probably get a bigger place, though I’d really hate to leave this apartment.” The feel of his lips against her skin sent shivers to her toes. “But the girls will need their own space.”
“That’s why I’ve put in an offer on the apartment next door.” He muttered between kisses.
“You what?” She lifted his face to look at her.
“I thought the girls could share that apartment. Maybe we could put in a connecting door through the living room.”
She smoothed back his hair. “I see you’ve thought of everything.”
He chuckled. “Not really. The girls overheard the woman who owns the apartment talking about moving to Florida. They came up with the idea and talked me into it.” He pulled the sash undone. “But let’s concentrate on more pressing issues.”
“And what would they be?” she said with a smile, pulling the robe closed again.
“Hmm, you look tired—maybe you should hop in bed,” he suggested.
She pushed away. “Actually, I was thinking a shower would be nice.”
He grinned. “Even better,” he said, taking her hand and planting a kiss on her open palm, sending delicious tickles to her center.
She cupped his cheek. “Then later . . .” She bent to kiss him. “Much, much later . . .” She kissed him longer. “You tell me what you and Oberon are planning for the Draconis Nocti and our daughters.”
He looked up surprised. “You are a clever little minx.” Then he smiled and stood up tossing her over his shoulder.
“Hey,” she protested, kicking her legs. “What are you doing?”
He slapped her ass playfully. “Taking you for a shower, as you requested. Then I am going to make love to you several times before the girls come home.”
Kitt stopped kicking and smiled.
Home. Our home.
Glossary of Terms
Abeolite: Worn by Animalians and Facimorphs, especially in urban areas. The material has been scientifically formulated to expand and stretch to great extremes to accommodate the changing shape. There are mesh segments to allow fur to grow through and there is an overlapping split in the rear to cater to a growing tail. Abeolite is usually worn like underwear under clothes in case the need for transformation comes up.
Abomination: A child who is born to a woman embraced late in her pregnancy. Unlike a child born to Aeternus parents, who will awaken after twenty-five years, an Abomination will awaken after its first year, appearing to age only one year for every fifteen that pass. Most do not reach the age of one.
Aeternus: A race of vampiric people who must ingest human blood to live, although not the “living dead” of legend. The Aeternus have created a symbiotic existence with the humans that feed them. They are either born of Aeternus parents or created when a human is embraced (see embrace below). Those born to Aeternus parents live as humans until their twenty-fifth year, when they may or may not awaken to become an Aeternus. Those who do not awaken are known as Latents.
Alpha: The male leader of a Bestiabeo Family. He is responsible for taking care of the day-to-day running of the group and enforcing the laws, but he answers to the Council of Elders.
Animalians: Intrinsically, they are part man and part animal, but differ from shape-shifters. There are three main genera in the Animalians: ursians—man-bears; felians—man-cats; and canians—man-canines. Each genus is made up of several subgenera: that is, the felians have mixed families of tiger, panther, lion, cougar, etc. There is much infighting between the genera. Humans cannot be turned into an Animalian—they must be born. But it is possible for a human to mate with an Animalian, whereby the child has a fifty-fifty chance of awakening to their Animalian heritage. It is the same between the genera—the child of two different genera will not know its genus until it awakens.
Family: A clan or family group of ursians.
Pack: A clan or family group of canians.
Pride: A clan or family group of felians.
Atropa wine: Despite the name, Atropa wine is actually a distilled spirit, not a wine, made from the plant known as belladonna, a deadly nightshade. While toxic to humans, especially the illegally distilled version known as belladonna moonshine, Atropa wine is one of the few substances to act as an intoxicant to Animalians.
Awaken: A parahuman coming of age, which results in the activation of parahuman abilities. This occurs at different ages depending on the race.
Bestiabeo: The traditional name for what are more commonly referred to as Animalians.
Blood-sucker: A term usually used for a dreniac, but can be used as an insult to an Aeternus.
Blood-thrall: An extreme state of sexual arousal. In humans it’s brought on by a small amount of Aeternus blood entering the bloodstream either by direct entry through a vein or cut, or a few drops into an eye. Latents are more susceptible to its influence. If a human is in the throes of blood-thrall, the Aeternus responsible may also succumb to the effects. Once a certain point in the Aeternus’s arousal is reached, they must see it through to the conclusion.
Cubii: The collective term for the race of the male Incubus and the female equivalent Succubus. In centuries past, they’d been used as sex slaves, agents of espionage, and sometimes even as assassins. When the CHaPR Treaty came into existence over a century ago, the race was freed from the enforced slavery they had suffered at the hands of humans and parahumans alike. Fearing their freedom would not last, they went into hiding.
Dark Sleep: A long dreamless state that can last up to one hundred years. An Aeternus can slip into Dark Sleep if feeding and resting cease for a period of more than a week. Only time and copious amounts of blood can wake the Dark Sleeper.
Death-high: The state of intoxication Necrodreniacs enter when they have drained a human to the last drop.
Donor: A human who voluntarily donates blood through a donor agency to feed the Aeternus. A blood donation can be collected and bottled, or a live donation can be given with the Aeternus feeding directly from a donor vein. Donors are regarded highly, unlike fang-whores w
ho are indiscriminate and little more than prostitutes.
Dreniac: See Necrodrenia.
Dúbabeo: Thought to be a myth, Dúbabeo are usually identical twins in the Bestiabeo world and have the ability to transform into both parents’ animal forms instead of one or the other. In ancient legends, the Dúbabeo were there to serve the Bestiabeo and were little more than prisoners in a guilded cage.
Elder: The oldest and wisest of a race. The Council of Aeternus Elders makes decisions regarding the Aeternus within the edicts of CHaPR. Positions are honorary, as the council’s authority was superseded with the formation of the CHaPR. The majority of the Council of Elders now serve CHaPR.
Embrace: To change a human into an Aeternus or Necrodreniac through the eternal-kiss. A dangerous process often resulting in the death of the recipient human, with only one in ten embraced humans achieving successful transition. A human embraced by a Necrodreniac will become a Necrodreniac, complete with an addiction to death-highs. It is rare for Necrodreniacs to exert the self-control necessary to embrace humans. Humans who’ve survived the eternal-kiss are known as the embraced.
Eternal-kiss: A mix of Aeternus or Necrodreniac blood and saliva transferred from the mouth of the embracer to the mouth of the embraced. For an Aeternus to administer the eternal-kiss, permission must be given by the recipient, unless it is a life-and-death situation. Necrodreniacs usually don’t ask—they just take.
Faciabeo or Facimorph: Also known as shape-shifters or shifters, they have the ability to bend their form to mimic other shapes through the use of magic. Once changed, they retain their own consciousness and only take on limited physical characteristics of the form they are mimicking—for example, flight when shifting into the form of a bird. Shifters do not become the animal they mimic unlike Animalians who are part human and part animal.
Facimorphic test: A standard test in most government departments and private industry, especially high-profile ones, to guard against infiltration of a shape-shifter masquerading as an employee. The test checks for specific shifting markers in the DNA of the test recipient.
Death’s Sweet Embrace Page 31
