Fallen Embers

by P. G. Forte

  Chapter Fifteen

  Repubblica di Firenze

  Early Sixteenth Century

  “I still don’t understand what I’m doing here,” Christian whispered, shifting restlessly from foot to foot. The sotto voce delivery was probably meant to disguise the nervous tremor in his voice; it failed to do so.

  “Quiet,” Georgia whispered back. “Not now.” It wasn’t that she didn’t understand his nervousness. Indeed, she would have thought him a fool if he hadn’t felt some worry as they waited in this very uninviting foyer in hopes that Conrad would grant them an audience. Her old friend had grown very powerful over the years. Even Georgia felt daunted. For someone like Christian, still human although she had every hope that she might soon be in a position to change that, being this close to so much naked power must be unnerving.

  She reached for his hand and gave it a quick squeeze. “It will be all right.” However angry Conrad might still be with her, she did not truly believe he would do her harm. But the odds were even more in favor of that being the case if there were others present—especially humans.

  That was not the only reason she had brought Christian with her. She had come to ask her old friend for a favor—a rather large favor, life changing, in fact. Under those circumstances, it had not seemed wise to arrive empty-handed. She was willing to offer anything in trade for his help. But what did she have that he could want? Rumor had it his current lover was a man, so perhaps he might look upon Georgia as a change of pace. But, if not, it was possible Christian would be more to his liking.

  The thought caused her only the slightest of qualms. Despite the bad blood that had come between them, she still trusted Conrad. She was certain Christian would be safe with him.

  “Georgia?” Conrad’s face was a study of curiosity as he strode toward her, wariness and disbelief, mixed with just a tiny tinge of pleasure. Or was she only imagining that last part?

  At the sight of him—so solid and steadfast and strong—her heart began to race. Mindful of the presence of his servant, who had followed his master back out into the hallway, Georgia smiled politely and extended her hand with genteel calm. “Buona sera, signore.”

  “What’s this all about?” Conrad asked as he bent low to kiss her hand. “Why are you here?”

  So much for gentility. “I’ve come to beg a favor of you.”

  “I see.” Conrad eyed her coldly. “Well, one cannot accuse you of lacking in directness. Tell me, is this favor something you are asking for yourself? Or are you once again under orders?”

  “This is strictly personal. But first—” she gestured at Christian, “—allow me to introduce my friend to you.”

  Christian bobbed his head in a decidedly grudging manner as he murmured a half-hearted, “Good evening.” He didn’t bother to use the local dialect, or make any effort to show respect.

  Georgia found herself biting back a sigh of annoyance—mostly at herself. She’d been hoping Christian would display a little more charm. But why had she thought that he would? It was this very arrogance, this same stubborn refusal to bow to life’s limitations that she’d found so attractive when they’d first met. In a way, she realized now, Christian had probably reminded her of Conrad.

  “As it happens,” Conrad said, “I was just on my way out. But if you stop back here tomorrow, I will give you a few minutes to plead your case.”

  “Please,” Georgia begged. “It’s a matter of some urgency. Will you not hear me now? I promise it will not take long.”

  Conrad gazed thoughtfully at them both for a moment. Eventually he nodded. “Very well, if you insist. But remember, though I promise to listen, I cannot guarantee you will find me amenable.”

  “I am surprised to see you so far from home,” Conrad said once they were seated.

  Georgia shook her head. “Alas, home is wherever my sire determines it should be. Perhaps you had not heard that Rupert has relocated his House here to Florence?”

  Conrad’s brows drew together. “No. I had not heard. And I am very sorry to learn of it.” His gaze flicked to Christian and back. “Is he importing all his food now as well?”

  “I mislike your tone, sir,” Christian snapped. “And the implication.”

  “Christian!” Georgia glared at him until he had once again subsided. Then she turned once more to Conrad. “Rupert has no idea Christian is here—indeed, he does not even know he exists. And it is imperative that he not find out.”

  Conrad scowled. “He’ll not learn it from me. But why is this young man here? It’s not like you to be so foolish.”

  Georgia sighed. “As you might imagine, it was not my idea. Christian and I knew each other before. In England. Against my advice, he followed me here in hopes of continuing our association.”

  “Let me guess. You were lovers who were untimely parted, now you find yourself thrown together yet again. It seems I’ve heard this story once before.”

  Georgia sighed. “You find it amusing, do you?”

  “Not at all. But why come to me? Are you asking for advice? That’s easily done. You must send your young man home. At once. I’m surprised you have not done so already. You cannot hope to hide him forever. And you know what will happen were Rupert to learn of this. Is that truly what you want?”

  Christian sprang to his feet. “I will not be ‘sent’ anywhere.” He held out a hand to Georgia. “Come, darling, let us go. This is a waste of time, as I told you it would be. We will find another way.”

  Georgia shook her head. “Christian, please. Sit back down now and do be quiet. There is no other way.

  “I apologize,” she said, addressing her next remarks to Conrad. “Christian is young and impetuous. I pray you will not hold that against him.”

  Conrad leaned back in his chair. He gazed thoughtfully at Christian, a grim smile slowly forming on his face. Georgia felt her throat tighten. On Rupert, such a look would suggest he was contemplating entertainment of the cruelest kind. Could she have been so wrong about Conrad? Could he possibly be doing the same?

  Then he turned to her, and his smile was wry and warm—nothing like Rupert’s. “As it happens, I too have had some dealings with impetuous, young men. You have my condolences. But let us speak plainly. Tell me what this is all about, for I still do not see how I can assist you.”

  Georgia returned his smile, though her own felt shaky. “Oh, my friend. You have accused me of being too direct and yet you would force me to come to the point so quickly? I would have much preferred to have explained all of this once you were in a more willing frame of mind.” It was clear from the smile on Conrad’s face, the warm glow in his eyes when he spoke of “impetuous, young men”, that he had indeed moved on. She had no right to feel anything but happiness for him, no reason to be anything but relieved. Yet jealousy stabbed at her heart all the same. She shook her head in mock sorrow. “I am even more reluctant now than ever to broach the subject with you, for I fear I have very little with which to entice you anymore.”

  At that, Conrad laughed. “Is that so? Well then you have changed far too much for my liking. The girl I once knew considered a torch to be a proper tool for enticing men into doing her bidding.” He leaned forward then and grasped her hand. “Now, come. Tell me what you need from me. I am forever in your debt, as well you know, so unless your request is for something heinous or impossible, I am already inclined to grant it.” He shrugged. “And even the impossible is not beyond consideration.”

  “Thank you for that.” Georgia sighed in relief. Though the matter was far from settled, Conrad’s words had given her the courage she needed to continue. She slipped her hand from his and then got to her feet. “As you can see,” she said, as she started to pace, “I have little hope of convincing Christian to return to England.”

  “You have none,” Christian injected, looking sulky once again. “Unless you are willing to return there with me.”r />
  “And, if I’m to be honest,” Georgia continued, “I find I do not wish to be parted from him either.”

  “But, if he stays…”

  She nodded. “Yes, yes, I know. You need not remind me. I have already considered all the very many ways that things could go wrong. While it’s true I can offer him some small protection from others of our kind, against Rupert, I am powerless. Nor can I ever risk turning him.”

  “You’re not asking me to do so, I hope?”

  “No, no,” she replied quickly. “While that would eliminate one worry, I would only be exchanging one set of problems for another. No, there is only one solution I can think of.” She swallowed hard before she continued. “Rupert must die. It’s the only way I can be free. I must end his life and take over the rulership of his House. Only then might I hope to live life on my own terms—even as you do.”

  “Impossible.” Now it was Conrad who sprang to his feet. He took hold of her shoulders and shook her gently. “Are you so eager to throw your life away? I have some experience with what it is to kill one’s sire. It is not something you plan. One is either compelled to do so—by forces far stronger than even the hatred you harbor toward him—or one is not. Without compulsion, it is not even conceivable to think of it.”

  “And yet, as you see, I have thought of it.”

  “Then I misspoke. It is not conceivable that you should act upon those thoughts. Don’t play games with me. This is far too serious. Or is there more you haven’t told me? Is Rupert so weak that you believe you can best him?”

  “He is as strong as ever he was, or nearly so. The depredations of the past century, disease and war and persecution, may have taken a toll. We have suffered losses—hence the move here—and he may be feeling that more than he shows. But perhaps you know naught of these things? Your strength has clearly not diminished. Indeed, I believe you have grown stronger since last we met. I can see these perilous times have not affected you adversely.”

  Conrad released her. “I know of these troubles of which you speak.” He shook his head wearily. “And what I know of them only makes me question Rupert’s motives all the more. Out of all the places he could have gone, why come here? Does he not know that this is where the blood plague is most rampant—here, and in the surrounding area? In the past few years, rarely a month has gone by without someone coming to seek my aid. Most have been frantic, fearing they, or their sire, or someone else close to them, has contracted the disease. Do you know how many have begged me to kill them, or to kill someone else who’s been infected—including the sires of some of the smaller Houses—before they had the chance to go mad and start slaughtering their own people? So, yes, my strength has grown, but such was not my intention.”

  Georgia shook her head. “I did not mean to suggest it was.”

  “No. But I wonder if, perhaps, that isn’t Rupert’s motive. Is he here to prey on the weak and the desperate? Does he seek to increase his strength in this same manner?”

  “It is very possible. Though I am not privy to his thoughts, it would not surprise me at all. But is that not yet another reason why I should move forward with my plan?”

  Conrad scowled. “Oh, indeed. And if your wish is to die, then by all means try and attack him. Though I dare say there are easier ways to arrange one’s own death. But, again, why come here? Why tell me of your plan? Are you seeking assurance that someone shall remember you, once you are gone? That someone will grieve over your death? If so, I thank you for the opportunity to serve you in this capacity yet again. You may now die happy.”

  Georgia took a deep breath. “I do not wish to die. That is why…” She broke off, her courage failing her once again.

  “Yes?” Conrad glared at her. “Yes? Out with it!”

  “Someone…you, if you’re willing…must fight Rupert for me. He must be weakened to the point where I can attack him and hope to survive.”

  “Ah, at last.” Conrad sighed. “Now we understand one other.”

  “And?”

  “And while there is little that would give me greater pleasure than to contribute to Rupert’s demise, there is yet the small matter of my own life to take into account. Shall I remind you of your words to me, when last we met? How you counseled me not to benefit Rupert by throwing my life away? How you considered love to be an insufficient reason for so great a risk? Strange, is it not, how that shoe fits differently when it’s upon someone else’s foot?”

  Georgia swallowed hard. “I would never ask you to throw your life away.”

  “No? Well, unless Rupert is now in the habit of going about unprotected, I do not see how any other outcome is possible. I may be stronger than before, but I am not yet so strong that I can hope to take on his entire nest by myself!”

  “Yes, yes, I know. I have considered all of that.”

  “Have you also considered that I am still unwilling to sacrifice those who rely upon me? Were I to die at Rupert’s hand it is not just my own life that would be forfeit. I would be leaving every member of my House at Rupert’s mercy. That will not happen.”

  “I understand. But just consider. If you were to provoke him, if you were to make him angry enough so that he were to lose control of his temper, then might he not attack you without forethought, without thinking to call anyone to his aid? I promise you, unless he orders it, no one in his House shall come to his defense. Would that not change things?”

  Conrad hesitated. “It might work. I see your logic, but I don’t know how much I trust such tactics. Would it not be simpler to arrange for me to approach him at some point when he is alone?”

  Georgia shook her head. “Listen to me, Conrad. It is more complicated than that. It’s not just a matter of fighting each other one-on-one. He is far older than you, with all the wisdom and experience that comes naturally with that state. Strength alone is not enough. Impressive though it is, your strength will be useless if he can trick you into making careless errors. You need an advantage.”

  “I doubt he has more experience fighting,” Conrad pointed out. “From what I’ve seen, he prefers to let others dirty their hands than to do the work himself. Surely that is an advantage, is it not?”

  “Not enough to risk your life on. But if his mind is clouded by anger, on the other hand, it will be much easier for you to keep him off-guard—you can wound him sufficiently without going too far, or without causing injury to yourself. If you are both enraged, you lose that advantage. Please. Will you not heed my words? It would grieve me exceedingly were I to be the cause of your death.”

  “Aye!” Conrad laughed, though it was not a happy sound. “So you’ve said before. And I think I must believe it, for no doubt it would end in your own death, as well.”

  Hurt, Georgia glanced away. “Believe what you will. If I could have thought of another way to do this—one that did not involve you, or put anyone else at risk—I tell you now that I would not be here tonight. You are not the only one who suffered through the loss of someone they cared deeply for, who gave up on a dream, only to learn too late that her lover still lived.”

  “Ah, ciccia, I am sorry.” Conrad wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. “I should not have said that.”

  For a moment, Georgia let herself luxuriate in the feeling of being protected and cared for—even if it were no more than illusion. After tomorrow, however it turned out, she doubted she’d ever know such a feeling again.

  “You must excuse me my ill temper,” Conrad whispered against her ear, in tones meant only for her. “I confess I am a little jealous, seeing you here with your new man, knowing that someone else has made you happier than I ever could.”

  Georgia turned her head to stare at him. Surely he did not mean it? But the look on his face was rueful and seemingly sincere. She shook her head and settled back against him, murmuring in response. “Indeed I must forgive you. For I have heard tell of your new love
—and felt the same.”

  Conrad chuckled. “Ah, what a pair we make. So when are we to attempt this madness?”

  “Tomorrow night.” Georgia could hear the angry gnashing of Christian’s teeth. She knew she should step away, knew she should remove herself from Conrad’s embrace. But she couldn’t bear to do so. She was risking her life for Christian—and Conrad was risking his, for her sake. Surely Christian could indulge them a little while longer. “If you time your arrival for shortly after nightfall it will be best. There is rarely anyone else around at that time, other than Rupert, a few of his guards and the handful of fledglings who are not yet allowed to hunt on their own. Most of us are out feeding at that time, so that we may attend our lord later in the evening. I will try and time my arrival so that I may get there just as he starts to weaken.”

  “You’ll not arrive too soon, I hope,” Conrad said dryly. “Otherwise, you might find yourself forced to defend your sire by attacking me!”

  “Yes.” Georgia winced at the thought. “That would not do at all.” This was the one part of her plan to which she had not given sufficient thought. It was not something her people talked about. In fact Conrad was the only person she knew who had succeeded in murdering his sire. Perhaps she should ask him what to expect…or would knowing too much ahead of time leave her too terrified to act?

  Before she could decide, or put words to the questions in her mind, the door to Conrad’s sitting room was thrust open and a very elegantly dressed vampire appeared in the doorway.

  “There you are!” he said, his gaze finding Conrad at once. “Why are you still here? You were supposed to meet me an hour ago!” His eyes widened as he caught sight of Georgia, still nestled in Conrad’s embrace. “Conrad? What is going on?”

  “You overstate the case as usual, Damian,” Conrad responded with a casual manner that fooled Georgia not a whit, for she had felt the joyous leaping of his heart. “I am certain I am no more than half an hour late. If that.”