Betrayal (Blood Haze: Book Three) A Paranormal Romance

by Shuler, Tara

  “Alice, before we go in there,” he said. “Do you want me to talk, or would you prefer to?”

  “You can do it,” I said. “You’re the diplomat.”

  “And what are you?” he asked.

  “The bodyguard, I suppose,” I answered with a shrug.

  “Let’s hope we don’t need you in that role,” Father Jacobs said solemnly. “And let us keep this as amicable as Dmitri will allow.”

  I nodded in agreement.

  “I don’t want an altercation any more than you do,” I agreed. “I made a promise that I would come home safely, and I intend to do everything I can to honor that promise.”

  We were escorted inside by a security detail. We traveled down a long, dimly lit corridor. At the end of the corridor, one of the guards pushed open a huge wooden door. It creaked ominously, and I shivered as a gust of chilly air swept around me.

  “Please… do come in,” a voice I recognized as Dmitri called.

  Father Jacobs and I entered the room. Dmitri was sitting behind a massive wooden desk, and he beckoned with a sweeping motion for us to occupy the two chairs which sat in front of him. We complied.

  “I am surprised to see you here, Alice,” Dmitri drawled. “I never imagined it would be so easy to…”

  “Stop,” I growled quickly. “That’s not why I’m here.”

  “Tell me, then,” Dmitri said. “Why have you come?”

  “I am Father Peter Jacobs,” the priest said. “I have agreed to come as a mediator, in order that we may attempt to find an amicable solution in which no one needs to get hurt.”

  “I see. I assumed you had come to offer Alice to me in appeasement.”

  “Ms. Wright is not an object for bargaining. We understand there is something else you wanted more than her?”

  “What I wanted is no longer possible,” Dmitri said gravely. “I’m afraid your chances of bargaining with anything other than Alice are gone.”

  “Why is it no longer possible?” asked Father Jacobs.

  “When Barnabas died, I would guess he took the secret of what I am seeking to the grave with him.”

  “But you’re the one who killed him!” I shouted, suddenly seething with rage. I jumped to my feet and slammed my fists onto Dmitri’s desk, glaring stormily into his eyes. “It was your wraiths who killed him!”

  I felt Father Jacobs place a soothing hand on mine, and I knew he was trying to get me to stand down. Reluctantly, I lowered myself slowly back into my chair and tried to contain my anger.

  “I never wanted any harm to come to Barnabas,” Dmitri said, shaking his head sadly. “I’m sure you are aware by now that Barnabas was once one of my closest friends.”

  “Yes,” I agreed. “And I also know why you’re no longer friends.”

  Dmitri raised one eyebrow, and then asked, “Then do you know what it is I wanted from him?”

  “Alexi said he believes it’s some talisman,” I admitted.

  “Indeed it is,” Dmitri nodded. “And I need the talisman now more than ever.”

  “Why? Do you have someone else to kidnap or murder?” I growled.

  “Alice,” Father Jacobs warned me gently.

  I gritted my teeth. It was exceedingly difficult to contain my anger, when the murderer of Alexi’s father and grandfather sat directly across the desk from us. I’d asked the priest to do all of the talking, but suddenly I had taken over the role, and I felt powerless to stop.

  “It is no concern of yours,” Dmitri snapped.

  “Look, if you want this thing so badly, then I need to know why,” I told him.

  Dmitri opened his mouth as if he wanted to tell me, but he paused.

  “Just tell me,” I urged.

  Dmitri sighed.

  “It is difficult for me to admit this,” Dmitri conceded. “But things have… gotten out of control.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “The wraiths… are turning on me,” Dmitri admitted, turning his eyes downward in obvious embarrassment.

  “Oh, lovely,” I groaned. “Is that why you’ve done all this? Because you messed around in something you shouldn’t have, and now it’s all backfiring on you?”

  “I have made mistakes,” Dmitri snapped. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

  “What you’ve done got Barnabas killed! And his father, too!” I shouted.

  “Alice,” Father Jacobs said gently, reminded me to stay calm.

  “Don’t you think I know that?” Dmitri snarled. “Barnabas was the best friend I ever had! I never expected things would get out of control so badly.”

  I softened a little when he said that, because I remembered the feelings of darkness I’d had, and how I got out of control when I fed on Blake. Dark magic certainly had a way of taking control of you and making you do things you would never anticipate doing.

  “So what do you want from us?” I asked seriously.

  “I need that talisman,” Dmitri said. “It gets harder every day to control the wraiths. If I don’t get that talisman, they will kill me.”

  “Why should I care if the wraiths turn on you?” I muttered, crossing my arms defiantly in front of me.

  “I don’t expect you to,” Dmitri returned. “But I will do whatever it takes to stay alive. I’m sure you understand this.”

  “Is that a threat?” I asked.

  “I don’t wish to threaten you, but take it any way you like. I can’t just lie down and let the wraiths take my life.”

  I sat in thoughtful silence for a moment. After all Dmitri had done, part of me just wanted to let the wraiths do what they wanted with him. However, my own conscience got the best of me. I hated seeing anyone suffer, and clearly Dmitri already felt compunction over what he’d done to Barnabas.

  “I have an idea,” Father Jacobs interjected.

  “Alright, what it is?” I asked.

  “If we manage to find this talisman, and we help you with your wraith problem, would you agree to come with me to a church in Rome where we might be able to help you?” Father Jacobs asked Dmitri.

  “Help me? What do you mean?” Dmitri asked, his head tilted sideways in curiosity.

  “You’ve seen what dabbling in the dark arts can do,” Father Jacobs said. “We may be able to help push the darkness out of you.”

  “What… you’re asking me to give it all up?” Dmitri gasped.

  “That is precisely what I am asking,” Father Jacobs replied.

  “I don’t believe I can do that, Father,” Dmitri admitted grimly.

  “Anything is possible,” Father Jacobs told him. “I believe we can help you.”

  “I…” Dmitri started to argue.

  “Dmitri,” I interrupted. “Don’t let Barnabas’ death be for nothing.”

  Dmitri closed his mouth and leaned back in his chair. It looked as though the wind had been knocked out of him, and he stared pensively at his desk.

  “Do you know where the talisman is?” Dmitri finally asked.

  “No, but Alexi believes he and Liam may be able to locate it,” I said. “Give us a chance.”

  “Why would you do this?” Dmitri asked. “Why should I trust you to help me?”

  “I can’t answer that,” I told him. “But for what it’s worth, you have my word that we will do everything we can to help you.”

  “But why?” he asked again. “After all I’ve done. I don’t even deserve it.”

  “No, you probably don’t,” I admitted. “But it’s the right thing to do.”

  “If we bring you the talisman and help you regain control of the wraiths, do we have your word you will come to Rome with me?” Father Jacobs asked Dmitri.

  “Yes, you have my word,” Dmitri answered.

  “And you know we must destroy the talisman afterward,” Father Jacobs said.

  Dmitri only nodded solemnly.

  “We will be in contact with you if we are able to locate the talisman,” Father Jacobs told Dmitri. “Do we have your word that you won�
�t make any aggressive moves?”

  “Yes, Father,” Dmitri agreed.

  We both shook his hand to seal the agreement. Dmitri seemed sincere, but I couldn’t help but worry that something dark still loomed beyond his air of sincerity.

  Chapter Twelve – Facing Darkness

  When we got back to the compound, Alexi was waiting by the door. He threw it open before we even reached the front steps. I was so relieved to see him standing there, that I threw myself into his arms, managing to surprise both him and myself.

  “What happened?” Alexi asked, a note of desperation lacing his voice.

  “You won’t believe me when I tell you,” I told him.

  He quickly ushered me into the safety of the house, with Father Jacobs trailing behind us. Kai and Liam both looked immensely relieved to see me, and they followed us into the dining hall, and we all took seats at once of the long tables.

  “Dmitri needs our help,” I said, once everyone was seated.

  “Help? Why would he expect help from us after all he’s done?” Kai asked.

  “Apparently, everything he’s done has been because the wraiths are turning on him,” I explained. “I guess he was scared, and he didn’t know what else to do. He claims if he has the talisman, he can get the wraiths back under control.”

  “He’s also promised to come to Rome with me so we can get him some help,” Father Jacobs interjected.

  “But if we give him the talisman, he will become ten times more powerful than he is now,” Alexi reminded us. “If he is lying, we could empower him to destroy us all.”

  “That’s true,” I said. “But I get the feeling he’s sincere.”

  “Dmitri does not strike me as the type to be afraid of wraiths,” Alexi commented. “It is difficult to believe he is asking for help like this.”

  “I know, but he genuinely seems sorry for everything that’s happened. I don’t know what other choice we have but to believe him and try to help,” I said.

  “I think you’re being naïve,” Liam mumbled.

  “Excuse me?” I asked him to clarify.

  “After all Dmitri has done – he killed our father and our grandfather, and kidnapped you – you believe him so easily. You are naïve.”

  “Okay, maybe you’re right,” I admitted. “But what if you’re not? Do we want a bunch of wraiths running amok and wreaking havoc here in Savannah?”

  “Perhaps if we just let them do their thing, we won’t have to worry about Dmitri, anymore,” Liam said.

  “So you’re proposing we just let him die?” I asked.

  “That is exactly what I’m proposing,” Liam said.

  At that point, I could do little but stare at him with my mouth agape. Liam had never been so heartless, and I was honestly shocked.

  “Look,” I growled. “I understand you have plenty of reasons to feel this way about Dmitri. He’s done horrible things. But he and your father were very good friends long ago. He’s been consumed by darkness, and I know from personal experience how that feels. I have you all to save me from myself, but he has no one. Don’t you think your father would want us to save him if we could?”

  “I hardly think you dabbling in dark magic for a few hours and nearly killing one volunteer qualifies you to speak from personal experience,” Liam snarled.

  “Are you serious right now?” I shouted. “Who do you think you are?”

  “Someone who loves you and doesn’t want to see you being stupid!” Liam yelled back at me.

  I narrowed my eyes at him. I couldn’t believe he was behaving in such a way. He’d always been so lighthearted and fun to be around.

  “I’m not doing this with you right now,” I told him. “If you want to turn this into a personal issue, fine. But I’m not dealing with this now.”

  “Fine!” Liam shouted, shoving himself away from the table.

  He stood up and stormed out of the room, kicking a chair across the room and growling menacingly on his way. The room was eerily silent for a few moments. Alexi cleared his throat.

  “We must decide what to do. Shall we accept Dmitri at his word?” Alexi asked.

  “I don’t believe we have any other choice,” I responded honestly. “Unless you think you could read his mind to find out his true intentions?”

  “I suppose that is possible if he would allow me to try,” Alexi admitted.

  “We could call him and find out if he’d be willing to meet with you,” I suggested.

  “If he is unwilling to meet, then I would assume he is not being forthcoming with the truth,” Alexi said. “If he is willing, then perhaps there is a possibility we could trust him.”

  “Who should call him?” I asked.

  “I would suggest Alice,” Father Jacobs said. “He seemed to trust her.”

  “Are you comfortable calling him, Alice?” Alexi asked me.

  “Sure, I don’t mind.”

  It only took a few moments on the phone. Dmitri was very agreeable, and he claimed he had no problem meeting with Alexi. I was somewhat apprehensive, but I still had the feeling we could trust Dmitri. After all, he hadn’t hurt me when I was captive, nor had he harmed Father Jacobs or me when we visited him on his own turf.

  “He says he has no problem meeting with you, Alexi,” I said. “He seems sincere enough.”

  “If you believe he is being truthful, I trust your judgment,” Alexi told me.

  “I honestly do, Alexi. He said we could come over any time.”

  “Then let us not waste a moment. We shall go at once.”

  Kai was unhappy behind left behind, but I pointed out there was nothing he could do there, anyway. I hadn’t seen Liam since he stormed off, and I thought that might be for the best. I hated that things with Liam had become so complicated, but I didn’t need any more emotional issues in my life at the time.

  Even Father Jacobs decided to stay behind this time. He said he wanted to discuss a few things with Kai and Liam. He was being very secretive, but I trusted him, so I let it go.

  On the way to Dmitri’s compound, Alexi’s leg bounced anxiously. I could tell he was very nervous, so I put my hand gently on his knee.

  “It’s going to be fine, Alexi,” I said.

  “Every time you are in harm’s way, I feel intense anxiety,” he admitted. “That will never change.”

  I turned to look out the window, watching the scenery zooming by, but I left my hand on his knee. In many ways, I needed the comfort of his touch as much as he needed mine. I truly believed Dmitri meant no harm, but somehow, I had a feeling something evil was on the horizon.

  “Alexi?” I asked, my attention still transfixed on the blurred scene outside the window.

  “Yes, Alice?”

  “I feel something.”

  I could feel him tense beside me.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, anxiety lacing his voice.

  “I don’t know how to explain it. It’s like I feel this… evil… looming out there somewhere. Something is coming.”

  “We should turn around, immediately,” Alexi said quickly. “Driver…”

  “No!” I stopped him. “It has nothing to do with Dmitri. At least, not directly. I just get this feeling that something very bad is coming.”

  “Concentrate, Alice,” Alexi urged. “What do you feel?”

  “It’s like… this darkness. It’s not the same thing I feel when the darkness takes over me, like when I nearly killed Blake. It feels like it’s external, and it’s getting closer.”

  “Close your eyes,” he directed me. “Do you see anything?”

  I closed my eyes, and I tried to concentrate directly on the feeling. At first, I saw only darkness. Then, a smoky gray haze began to shift, like a thick morning fog just at the break of day. Within the haze, a shape began to take form far in the distance. It drew closer and closer, walking toward me in slow motion. I couldn’t make out any features, but I could clearly see a dark cloak billowing around the figure, and then I saw, fluttering innocently in the b
reeze, a long, flowing tuft of pure white hair which escaped the cloak’s hood. I gasped aloud, and my concentration was broken.

  “Alice! What did you see?” Alexi implored me to tell him.

  “You,” I whispered.

  Alexi grew stony and silent.

  “Alexi?”

  “I do not understand,” he said, but something told me he had at least a faint idea of what might be happening.

  “Alexi, don’t lie to me. You promised me you never would, and don’t you dare do it to me, now.”

  “You are right, my love. I am sorry. I want to protect you, but I know I cannot. There is something I must tell you.”

  “You can tell me anything. Just be honest with me. Please.”

  “I know where the talisman is hidden,” he admitted.

  “What? How long have you known?”

  “I am sorry I have been lying to you. I do hope you will forgive me. But you must understand I only lied to protect you.”

  “Alexi, what are you talking about? Just tell me!”

  “The talisman is inside me,” he finally admitted, hanging his head in shame.

  A few tendrils of his ghostly white hair escaped his cloak and flowed down his chest, and he almost seemed to be attempting to hide behind them.

  “Inside you… what do you mean?”

  “My father swore me to secrecy,” he explained. “The only place he knew to hide it where Dmitri would never think to look was inside me. It was done with a ritual of dark magic. The talisman was fused inside me, and the only way I know of to get it out is through another ritual.”

  “Your father did that to you?” I gasped.

  “There was no other way.”

  “But, Alexi… you must have been only…”

  “A child, yes,” he stopped me. “But I understood it must be done. My father saw in a vision what would happen if it did not, and I could not allow that to happen.”

  “What did he see?”

  “Please, do not ask me to speak of it. Simply thinking of it is far too painful to bear.”

  “It had something to do with me, didn’t it?”

  He only nodded.