Key to Redemption

by Talia Gryphon

  If Tanis’s consciousness wavered or if the process of reconversion was faulty, his instinct would take over and Aleksei could find himself on the business end of a very lethal pair of survival-oriented teeth, powered by two hundred pounds of steel-corded muscles and no higher brain activity. Things like that could ruin even a Vampire Lord’s night. As Tanis’s blood level dropped rapidly, he began to buck against Aleksei’s grip.

  Trocar sat up at that. He was there to intervene if necessary and prevent them from shredding each other if things went awry. Things were looking like they might be going wrong as Aleksei struggled to hold Tanis in place and complete the exchange. The younger Vampire’s face was taut with agony as the cells in his body literally began to shrivel from lack of nourishment.

  He didn’t know that Aleksei felt his brother’s instinctive panic beginning and had merged his mind fully with his sibling. Swiftly, he decided it was enough and closed the wounds in Tanis’s throat with his healing saliva, then in one motion tore his own wrist open and shoved it into Tanis’s mouth, swearing in Romanian as his brother fought him. The Grael stepped forward to trace an archaic symbol on Tanis’s forehead.

  Aleksei looked up at him questioningly, but Trocar inclined his head toward Tanis, whose face had been etched with strain. Tanis’s face relaxed, and though he was incapable of rational thought at the moment, he bit into Aleksei’s wrist, taking his brother’s rich and powerful blood back into his starving cells. The shift was obvious as Aleksei’s face took on a more relaxed visage to mirror his brother’s. He felt the change in his mind too. Whatever the Dark Elf had done had calmed Tanis from the panic he had been in and allowed him to feed without a fight.

  “I am your Liege and Lord, Tanis Rachlav. With my blood, flesh and magic, I bring you safely into my House. If either has need, the other will answer, crossing land or sea to perform the obligation. In unity, family and honor, you are mine.” Aleksei spoke the ritual words to bind another Vampire to him, modified slightly for his own Line. The last was whispered as Tanis was rapidly draining him and had not yet opened his eyes. Soon he’d be too weak to free himself. If he died, Tanis might too if the reconversion was successful.

  “Enough!” Trocar snapped, sensing the danger and pulling Aleksei’s arm from his brother’s mouth. Aleksei gamely joined in the tug-of-war, but Tanis had a Reborn grip on him and he was weak from the exchange.

  “Speak to him in his mind, Vampire,” Trocar ordered, linking his fingers together in a double fist and swinging at Tanis’s jaw. The force of the impact tore his mouth free, then Aleksei took his mind, holding him and ordering him to awaken.

  Dark lashes fluttered a moment then opened with a blaze of golden fire behind them. Trocar dragged Aleksei back and away, positioning himself between the two, just in case. Tanis rolled on his side then got to his feet like a stalking tiger; slowly and inexorably. Trocar reached behind his cloak and brought out a small crossbow with an wooden bolt loaded and cocked. He drew down on Tanis, the one Vampire he could claim as a friend.

  “Do not.”

  It wasn’t a request.

  Tanis wavered for a moment then seemed to find his voice as reason bled back into his eyes. “I am sound and sane, Elf. Thank you for your intervention. I fear I might have harmed my brother.” The gold eyes shifted to Aleksei. “Thank you as well. I hope that we are successful, but we will know that we tried, no matter what the outcome.”

  Aleksei was getting to his feet while Trocar put his archery equipment away. No small trick for someone who had just donated most of his blood volume. Being the Head of a Line or House allowed him to regenerate faster than another Vampire. “I am glad you are well, Tanis. Only three more nights like this one and you’ll be able to be right next to our dark enemy and not be affected.”

  “Go feed, Aleksei,” Tanis said gruffly, leaning against the sarcophagus as a support. “I will make sure all is well around the grounds with the Grael’s perceptive help.”

  “We cannot be sure this is working, what effects it will have on you in the interim before full conversion or even that it will work,” Aleksei reminded him.

  “Then we will have to ‘stack the deck,’ as it were, before we get the numbers up,” Tanis shot back, leaning forward, seemingly to ward off dizziness.

  “I can provide some assistance, Vampire,” Trocar said to Aleksei. “There are spells my people use to ensure certain . . . outcomes, shall we say. I will think on it and be ready tomorrow evening.”

  On his way out the door he paused. “Go feed, Vampire Lord, so that you do not disconcert the fair Gillyflower. I shall think poorly of you if she is distressed.” He vanished into the near dawn light.

  “Do you have time to feed before the sun is fully up?” Tanis asked. Aleksei nodded and gained his feet as well.

  Together they hurried out into the breaking dawn to feed Aleksei and settle Tanis in the healing earth until the next night.

  CHAPTER 9

  GRAY, Oscar Gray. Why should I know that name? Gillian crawled up out of layers of sleep with a name and a question in her mind. She lay alone in the enormous bed. Since she had announced that she was taking a break from Aleksei, he would leave her alone; that she was sure of.

  Glancing at the clock, she noticed that it was after 5 P.M. Still keeping Vampire Standard Time, even without the Vampire, oh well. None of her other clients were much for sunlight either.

  Still, “Oscar Gray” remained a puzzle that she felt would go better with cream, sugar and French Roast. After a hurried shower and starting to dress in her usual khakis, she remembered she had to see Perrin and changed into a slinky black velvet and lace shirt with buttery soft leggings, both of which hugged her curves; flat, calf-high, black velvet boots; and a matching ribbon woven through the braid that hung down her back. Looking at her reflection in the full-length mirror, she thought something was missing. Makeup. Sighing, she relented, slapping some mascara and blush on for good measure. She hated lipstick so didn’t bother with it.

  There. She looked . . . argh . . . cute. A pint-size musketeer. Shit, she’d been going for sultry. Oh well. She shrugged and gave her clothes a final pat. Fussing about her appearance wasn’t like her. Surrounded by all the ethereal, metaphysical beauty that were the Paramortals, Gill opted for being just who and what she was: Human. Love it or lump it. It made things much easier on the ego.

  Fortified with a cup of lovely New Orleans-style coffee and half a bagel, she was on her second refill when her synapses all came on line at once. “Gray” . . . Something Tanis had told her when they’d come back from England.

  “Tanis!” she yelled, barreling out the kitchen door, knowing that if the Vampire was in the castle, he’d hear her. On the way, she nearly collided with Luis and Oscar, who were coming in from feeding presumably.

  “Hi, Captain,” Luis said, then seeing her rushing, asked, “Everything all right, Gillian?”

  “Not really, but I need to find Tanis. I’ll be right back.”

  She could have lied to Luis, he wasn’t a Master Vampire so he might not pick up on it, but Oscar was and would certainly notice. Oscar nodded his head and smiled toward her as she breezed by. If she was right in her recollection of something Tanis had told her, Oscar was potentially a huge problem.

  Mentally she reached out to Aleksei. She didn’t want to, but Tanis might be with him, and instantly she felt his reassuring touch. “We will be there momentarily, piccola. Meet us in the courtyard.”

  Aleksei could feel her agitation and her reluctance to have contacted him directly. That bothered him more than anything. He wanted her to allow him into her life and thoughts more, but since their argument she had remained closed off and edgy around him.

  “Gillian needs you,” he said aloud to Tanis, who was strolling up to the castle with Jenna on his arm.

  “Indeed? Why?”

  “I do not know, but let us meet her by the castle.”

  “Are you all right, babe?” Jenna had gone out to meet Tanis in a
pattern they had established since their return from France. There was something wrong; she could sense it but couldn’t pinpoint what it was. He turned to meet her eyes, still breathtakingly lovely, enormously strong, but he felt “off” to her for some reason.

  “I am fine, cara mia. Even Vampires do not sleep well sometimes.” His smile took her breath away and dropped her IQ by several points.

  “All right, you just feel different is all. I’m being jumpy, I guess.” Jenna sighed and leaned into him as he tucked her under his shoulder and pressed her against him.

  “I am different,” Tanis agreed, kissing the top of her head. “I am happy.”

  She rewarded him with a brilliant smile. He felt a twinge of guilt. Nothing he had said was a lie, but he was skirting so far around the truth that he was nearly out of the country. Truth was, he felt like hell. Aleksei’s blood was fighting with Dracula’s strain in his system, and he wasn’t looking forward to the next three nights of exchanges. He felt weaker than he had since leaving England but didn’t want to alarm Jenna.

  Gillian was walking down to meet them, Kimber and Pavel, whom she’d run into in the main foyer, beside her. Aleksei could tell by the aggressiveness in her stride that she wasn’t happy about something. As if on cue, Trocar strode out of the woods by the guesthouse and gave a curt wave at them as they converged on each other. She waved at him and motioned him to come over. Good grief, this looked like a family reunion or something. All she really needed were Tanis, Jenna and Kimber, but Aleksei needed to know too, as did Pavel. Trocar, well, she just liked the Grael around these days.

  The Dark Elf moved like liquid over the uneven ground, clothed in his predictable black leather from shoulders to boots. Reaching their group, he unobtrusively moved to stand between Gillian and Aleksei, effectively cutting the Vampire off from being near her even for the time being. He was still not in a forgiving mode and wanted to emphasize that his former Captain did not belong to the handsome Count. Aleksei wasn’t sure that it was deliberate so he said nothing. Gillian wasn’t paying attention, as she conveyed her question to Tanis.

  “Tanis, where were you and Luis held in London? Did the estate have a name?”

  “I believe it was called Windmere. Why do you ask?”

  “Shit, well, that doesn’t make sense. I keep remembering the name Gray-something, like Grayline, Graybridge. Hell, I’m probably thinking of Graystoke, like Tarzan’s family name,” Gillian groused. “I’m sorry I called you over; it was just a thought. I was concerned with Luis’s new friend.”

  “Luis is here?” Kimber yelled, taking Gillian by the shoulders. “Why the hell didn’t you say something?”

  Jenna tried to speak, but Gillian interrupted her.

  “Hey, it was like four in the morning when I went to bed, and I ran into Luis and his pompous friend Oscar. I couldn’t shake the feeling—”

  “Gillian!” Tanis exclaimed. “Oscar? Oscar Gray?”

  “Uh-oh, why do I have the feeling that I am not going to like what you’re about to tell me.”

  “I am about to tell you that you were right.” Tanis smiled. “I did not understand why you were referencing the estate’s name and the color gray. But you say that Oscar Gray is here with your friend Luis?”

  “Yes, they were inside just a few moments ago. I talked to both of them last night when I had them sign a confidentiality agreement.”

  Tanis turned to Aleksei. “Oscar was the Vampire who owned the estate where Luis and I were held.”

  “Then he is in league with the Dark Prince and we need to confine him or destroy him,” Aleksei said emphatically.

  “Dammit, I hate being right all the time.” That was from Gillian, who was starting to pace, then had a thought.

  “Aleksei, why would you and Tanis not notice a Master in your own home? Because I’ve stood next to Oscar and I felt his power. Do you think someone has reinstated those nullification spells?”

  “The dampening fields are down, Gillian, but Tanis and I slept away from the castle last night. We have only just returned,” Aleksei said gently.

  “Well, for crissakes, Aleksei, don’t you people have a bad-Vampire distant early warning system? Or some kind of a force field?” Gillian stood with arms folded across her chest. “Come to think of it, how the hell did they get in the castle last night anyway? Doesn’t that ‘by invitation only’ rule still work?”

  “Oops.”

  They all turned to stare at Jenna, who was blushing. “I may have fucked up, guys.”

  “You issued an invitation to enter to an unknown Vampire?” Trocar tried to keep the “Oh my god, what a dumbass” out of his voice.

  “I’m sorry. Shit, I mean it was Luis for fuck’s sake! What was I supposed to say? You can come in, but your friend can’t?” Jenna was upset. “Besides, no one was around to ask!”

  Tanis pulled her closer and turned her to look at him. “You did nothing wrong, cara. Luis is your friend and someone you trust. It would not have occurred to you to question his visit or who his friend was.”

  “I’m really sorry, Aleksei . . . Gillian . . . I’ll throw them out myself since I fucked up.” Jenna tried to pull away from Tanis, but he wouldn’t let her, pulling her into his embrace and stroking her hair, murmuring softly to her in Romanian.

  “Jen, it’s all right.” Gillian and Kimber moved together to their friend. “Look, we’re all in this together. No one knew Luis was coming back and no one thought to tell you, or hell, tell anyone what the rules are.”

  “Mainly because no one knows what the hell the rules are.” That was from Kimber, who said it as an aside comment, but everyone in the group with superior hearing understood her just fine.

  Pavel spoke up suddenly. “But was your friend not with the Greek Lord?”

  Now everyone turned to stare at Pavel as if he’d just done something fascinating. “Yes, he was. Why?” Gillian asked.

  “Did he not contact Aleksei before to say that Luis was healed or well, or that he was coming to you?” Smart Werewolf.

  “No, he did not,” Aleksei said, then closed his eyes, reaching out to his friend and ally. “Dionysus, have you sent Luis back to us?”

  From across the miles the Greek Lord’s voice came to him. “Yes, my friend. I was able to stop the spread of Dracula’s infection. Luis is whole and well. Quite himself, in fact. If he has reached you, then I am glad.”

  “He has, but he may have gone to England before coming here. He is of your Line, Dionysus, can you determine what his true intentions are?”

  There was a warm chuckle from the Greek Vampire. “Of course, but you are Head of your own Line, my friend. You have the power to do this without me.”

  “As long as we have the time to observe propriety among ourselves, I will do so. It would be impolite otherwise,” Aleksei assured him.

  Head of his Line or not, he still wasn’t comfortable exercising his own rights just yet. He had been a Master Vampire for longer than he’d been a Vampire Lord.

  There was silence for a few moments, then Dionysus came back on line in Aleksei’s thoughts. “Luis has great concern for what is happening. He is with this Vampire . . . shall we say his interests are truly personal? I can find no duplicity in my offspring, Aleksei. I cannot read the other one fully without drawing attention. He is Dracula’s spawn and a Master. This I know. Be cautious, my friend. Maeti and I will come to you, if you have need.” Dionysus cut the mental link abruptly. He was wild and unpredictable, but at least he was on their side.

  Aleksei opened eyes that glowed silver from the powerful contact between the minds of two Vampire Lords. He was glowing faintly all over, Gillian noticed. Breathtaking even. Stop it, she told herself. “Well?” She was impatient. So sue her.

  Smiling at her irritation, Aleksei answered, “Yes, Luis is healed and is safe for us. However, the other is Dracula’s. We need to attend to this immediately. Tanis?”

  Tanis leaned down and kissed Jenna. “Do not be troubled, cara, all will be well
, then we will spend time together.”

  Jenna had rallied. Her friends were supporting her, but she still felt bad about letting a potential Big Bad Vampire into the castle. “Oh no, hotshot, I’m coming with you. I’ll get Flicker and be with you in a minute.” She hurried off to the side entrance of the castle, Tanis rushing to catch up.

  “Flicker?” Aleksei said, puzzled.

  “It’s the name of her flame thrower.” At his still perplexed look, Gillian explained, “It’s a Marine thing. You name your weapon.”

  Seeing the handsome Werewolf standing by Kimber, lightly caressing her arm with his fingertips, she thought she should say something. “Pavel, you don’t need to be in the thick of anything that might happen tonight. Kimber, Trocar and I will be there to back Jenna up. Aleksei and Tanis can handle this. We’re just there for a show of strength.”

  Aleksei moved deliberately in front of Trocar to take Gillian’s arm. “You have a job to do already, piccola. Pavel may accompany Kimber and me if he wishes.”

  “What?” Gillian stared at him in surprise, then realization dawned. Perrin. Well, she was needed elsewhere, he would have to wait. “I can cancel, Aleksei. Everyone’s collective safety is more important, and until we find out what the hell Oscar Gray is doing here, we can’t be sure of that.”

  Trocar noticed Aleksei’s assertion and was pleased. Perhaps they would salvage this and Gillian would be less stressed and reactionary. “Gillyflower, what the fanged one means is that you rant about being pulled into soldier mode when you would rather heal the mind, yet you continually step forward and volunteer your services when they are better used elsewhere.”

  “I know you are not telling me to stay somewhere safe when my people are walking into a potentially bad situation.” Gillian stared at him.

  “You have a patient and they are no longer ‘your people’ since you have officially retired . . . again. A patient, I might add, that you were willing to sacrifice our relationship for, because it was so important to you to help him.”