by Patti Larsen
Dragging the new girl out to kill her, were they?
As my mind worked over a few ideas on how to deal with the problem, I happened to glance to my left through a doorway, surprised to find I was in the same section Charlotte and I explored earlier, the one with all the portraits. But the woman staring back at me from a giant canvas wasn't Yvette this time.
Nope. But now, from a distance and with shock filling my mind, I saw the family resemblance.
Holy.
No time to act on what I'd just learned or even think about the repercussions. Not when I was forced to halt in the middle of the corridor because the two vampires ahead of me had turned and were grinning at me with their fangs hanging out.
“Far enough,” one of them said. Did I know him? Irrelevant. Been threatened and attacked by one crazy vamp, been threatened and attacked by them all.
“This is for Nicholas,” another snarled behind me.
I laughed. Didn't mean to. “You'd better talk to Sebastian about that,” I said. “Looks like you bunch were handed some inaccurate information.” Batsheva and her lies. Tiresome.
That actually made them pause. “You killed him,” the first vampire said.
“No,” I spoke slowly, keeping it casual though my heartbeat sped up in preparation for the inevitable. “Sunny did. Because Sebastian couldn't bring himself to put down his own mad brother.”
“It's true.” Sebastian melted from the darkness, Sunny on one side, Anastasia on the other. “Sydlynn had nothing to do with Nicholas's death.”
I was still expecting a fight. But nothing happened. My vampire guides looked first angry, then sad, turning as a group, vanishing into shadow.
I wanted to say something, an apology for calling Nicholas crazy, even though he was. But Sebastian didn't give me a chance. Instead, he held out one hand to me.
“Come,” he said. “Our Queen would like a word with you.”
***
Chapter Twenty Four
“You need to be wary.” Sebastian's voice was soft, low, but came through clear enough. “As much as I have trusted my Queen in the past, I'm not as certain of her intentions anymore.”
Sad. I reached out and linked my arm through his, the two blonde vampires swaying in their ball gowns ahead of us. “I'm sorry,” I said, really meaning it.
Family. Who else could hurt him so much?
His hand settled over mine, pressing my fingers into his arm. “This entire situation could get out of control very quickly,” he went on. “Neither of our clans is meant to be in such close proximity for such an extended period.”
A bomb waiting to go off, in other words. Well, at least if they were fighting each other, they might forget about me.
“Batsheva is up to her old tricks,” I said. “Not like she'd shift tactics now anyway, since her mind's gone bye-bye. She's lying to her vampires.”
Sebastian shrugged. “There's nothing we can do to stop her,” he said. “She is Queen.”
Well, wasn't she special?
We didn't have far to go, the door to Pannera's quarters flanked by half a dozen undead, Uncle Frank among them, though he looked pretty unhappy about it. I reached out and squeezed his hand on the way by as Sebastian guided me through the hastily opened door and presented me to his Queen.
“Your Majesty.” He swept into a deep bow, leaving me behind as he went to her, bending on one knee to kiss the back of her offered hand. She reclined on a well-stuffed divan, leaning forward to greet him as he pressed his mouth to her skin.
Naughty thoughts. Naughty. And envy. Oh yeah.
“Sebastian.” She freed her hand from his grasp and ran her fingers through his black hair. “We've missed you.” Her accent made her seem so exotic. And she was stunning. No wonder he looked at her with adoration.
Hey. Jealousy? Yeah, you. Take a flying leap off a high cliff already.
Besides, she owned his ass. For all I knew, she was influencing him through their bond.
Sure, Syd. That was it. Um-hum.
It didn't take Pannera long to shift her attention to me and, for a moment, I was actually furious at her for her lack of caring and horribly disappointed for Sebastian as she pushed him aside and gestured for me to move forward. She didn't care about him, about anyone.
Time to get my bitch on.
I didn't move, held my ground, though Pannera's small smile of welcome faded. Tough patooties. She could chew on my particular brand of stubborn and see how she liked the taste.
“Very well then.” Pannera sat back, eyes shuttered, face cold all over again. “I can see you won't react to kindness. Let me instead warn you what a great mistake you've made.” She paused. “And that I'm ready to correct that mistake.”
Sure she was. “For a price,” I said. “I'm not paying it. Anything else?”
Was that frustration? Wicked.
“We both share the same desire.” Pannera sat as still as a statue, rather creepy with just her lips moving. “To destroy Batsheva. I understand why you joined her clan, your reasoning. But if you had trusted me, I could have helped you dethrone the usurper.” One perfect eyebrow arched. “Now, thanks to your choice, you've left yourself defenseless in a family who will destroy you for what you carry.”
Like she wouldn't if it meant getting what she wanted.
“Thanks for your concern,” I said. Didn't roll my eyes. Mostly.
Pannera surged to her feet, her anger showing at last, vampire appearing for a brief nightmare moment before she settled, poised and flawless again. “Yvette and I may not have had lost love between us,” she said, “but I despise the vile Batsheva and will never consider her an equal.” Pannera licked her lips slowly. Way to creep me out. “You are a fool for trying to kill her alone. You will never defeat Batsheva, not with all of the power of your clan behind her.”
Okay, this time I did roll my eyes as I felt my own fear fading into disdain. “You have no idea how old that is,” I said. “You think I haven't heard the big scary crap before? Do you have one sweet clue what I've been through, what asses I've kicked in the last three years?” Not to sound pompous, but she was sounding more pathetic by the moment with her empty threats.
Pannera hissed while Sebastian kept his eyes locked on the floor, though his wide shoulders twitched. “She owns you now, fool,” she said.
“For the moment,” I said. “But I'm not just the vampire who lives inside me.” Why did everyone just assume I was alone in this? “I'll be ready for her. But will she be ready to take on a coven leader, demon royalty, a Sidhe Princess and a vampire born of the maji?”
Pannera's anger vanished, brows pulling together. “Your power was supposed to be blocked.”
“Yeah, best laid plans. Worked really well, didn't it?” Time to show off a little. I opened up as wide as I could, knowing I'd better make it good with what little I had. Shaylee did her best, driving as much earth magic as she had access to into the floor under my feet, the whole room vibrating a moment before my demon shot forward, squeezing through the gap, my vision tinted amber for a few seconds before she fell back, panting.
The ropes of family magic answering my call did the best, coiling around my feet and legs, rising to twine around my outstretched arm as I held it up like a pet snake before letting it go.
Pannera watched the whole show with her mask of stone firmly in place, but, when I was done, she nodded. “Everyone out.”
Interesting. They obeyed her instantly, her fawning vampires fleeing as though she'd cracked them with a whip. Pannera reached out as Sebastian moved to leave and held him back. “Stay,” she said. But the rest, Sunny and Anastasia included, vanished behind the closing door until it was only the three of us.
The vampire Queen sank to the divan, frown returned. “You will repeat this to no one.” She glared at me, but this was a step in the trust direction. She had no way of compelling me. So I nodded and took the olive branch, just hoping there wasn't a scorpion hiding in the leaves. “I have been... concerned,”
translate: afraid, “in the past few months. Vampires have gone missing, no warning, no return of their power. But they are dead. Their bodies have been found.”
“Return of their power?” What did that mean?
“When a vampire expires, their magic comes home to their Queen,” she said.
Like coven magic. Okay then.
“So you think Batsheva is behind it?” Possible. Wouldn't put it past her.
“Thinning our ranks,” Pannera hissed. “Preparing to attack.”
Kay, she took paranoia to a whole new level.
“You have proof?” Not likely.
“Of course not,” she snapped. “If I did, I would have attacked her long ago.”
More Brotherhood meddling? So it made sense it was Batsheva. Or Celeste. This whole war thing was wearing on the vibrating thread of my one remaining nerve.
“It is her usual practice,” I said. Filled her in on the last two times Batsheva and I butted heads. It was the cheater notes version, but she got the point.
“Then you understand how important it is she not come into possession of the vampire creation magic.” Pannera suddenly warmed, coming toward me, her eyes drawing me in as though she somehow thought she could coerce me like one of her vampires. Or a mere mortal.
I had more than enough protections with all the power inside me I was able to brush away the compulsion and scowl.
“You bet,” I said. “Just as important as keeping her,” I pointed to my chest, “away from you, too.”
Pannera snarled and spun, dress rustling as she paced away from me. “How can I get through to you, foolish child!”
Um, first off, drop the "foolish child" stuff. “What do you want, Pannera? That I'm willing to give?”
“Work for me.” She stopped moving again, focus as sharp as the predator she was. “Keep me informed on your Queen's activities.”
“And what do I get out of this little arrangement?” I could tell Sebastian wasn't happy, not even a little, but he held his place, head still down, frowning.
“I'll allow you to destroy her,” the Queen said.
“Yeah, sorry,” I said. “Already in the plan. Anything else to offer?”
A chair disintegrated under her furious hands into a pile of very tiny kindling before she settled again, hair undisturbed, dress perfect. “Hear me, Sydlynn Hayle,” she said, beginning her little melodramatic show all over again. “If you take Batsheva's life and the source of her clan's power, I will do everything I can to destroy you.”
Is that what she was worried about?
“I don't want that power,” I said. “Or the clan. Okay? Seriously, what is wrong with you people? How many times do I have to tell you I have bigger and better things to do than huddle in a drafty castle in the back ass of Europe and play dress up?”
Pannera snapped, coming for me, but I was ready and so was my demon.
Just enough fire. Vampires hate fire. I think I singed her.
Most awesome.
“I will kill you,” she snarled.
“You want my life?” I shook my head. “Better be sure. It sucks most of the time. No pun intended.”
Pannera managed to pull herself back under control. “You think I don't pay attention,” she said, pacing back and forth in front of me like a caged lion wishing she could eat me. “You think I'm blind to the goings on in the world. I am not so foolish.” She jabbed one index finger at me, really in a froth now. “I know well what it is you are becoming, and how close you are to completing your evolution.”
“Then you have to know I have no desire to rule a clan.” I glanced at Sebastian who finally looked up, face blank. No help there, but I knew his hands were tied. “I have the Brotherhood to deal with. You want my job?” I paused as she calmed, shook her head. “Unless you're working for them too,” I said. “In that case, rules or no rules, I'll kill you right now and be done with it.”
I thought she was mad before. “Blasphemy!” She didn't seem shocked at the mention of the Brotherhood, so someone must have told her about Batsheva. Sunny? Or maybe the overly observant Queen already knew. Pannera's vampirishness lingered for a long time. Hollywood had nothing on the real thing. I'd have bad dreams for weeks filled with images of the stunning Queen mingled with the hideous monster. “Never!”
“Good to know. If I can trust you.” I met Sebastian's eyes. Was concerned he looked suddenly troubled.
“I will never work for the Brotherhood.” Pannera's disgust was so real I had to believe her. “Yet another reason to kill Batsheva before she taints too many with her evil.”
Agreed there.
“You've made yourself clear,” I said, hoping this standoff would hold. “I won't take the throne and you won't interfere. I can handle Batsheva myself.”
“You find a way to kill her and not become Queen,” Pannera said, “and I will allow you to walk away with our creation magic.” “For now” hung in her words, but she didn't say it out loud so I took it as a victory.
Mind you, the whole “let” thing was just going to have to go.
“Done,” I said.
***
Chapter Twenty Five
Pannera sent me on my way with Sebastian at my side once more. Only now, when he walked beside me I wondered why he was with me—for me, or because she ordered him to watch me and report back to her?
I hated thinking about him like that. Sebastian was my friend and, if the kiss he offered me was genuine, maybe had the potential to be more. I couldn't bear to live with the idea that everything he did was suspect.
“I have my people placed carefully,” he said as we walked, breaking my sad silence. “They will alert me if anything happens, but I can't do much more than that, especially after the sun rises.” He slowed his pace a little, bending over me. “I'm sorry, Sydlynn. I should never have allowed you to risk your life to save me when I was host to the essence.”
“Water under the bridge,” I said. “I just hope you know I'm not angry or anything. About you following orders.” The memory of the pain my battle caused was enough to make me wince. “I'm just a little hurt knowing I can't really trust you now.”
He stopped me, at my door, turned me to face him while two of Batsheva's vampires watched and waited. “You can always trust me,” he said, voice thick with emotion, eyes full of intensity I couldn't identify. Or wouldn't.
This time when he kissed me his arms engulfed me, sweeping me up from my feet as his mouth warmed against mine. Though he had no heartbeat, I shared mine with him as my arms wound around his neck without my permission, the pulse of his blood keeping time with the thrum of each pounding beat.
And then he was gone, the two vampires long vanished, a pair of lunky mortal men coming toward me. One glance at the window showed me the rising sun and I knew, if our timing hadn't been off, it was possible things might have gone much further than I planned.
No way could I make room for another potential boyfriend. Not now anyway.
I went inside, sat down on the first chair I came across and forced myself to breathe. Kissing Quaid was all heat and passion, burning with my demon panting for more. Liam, on the other hand, was gentle but powerful, the deep and endless hum of the earth running through him.
Sebastian was another thing entirely. The sparking spirit magic was a game changer, as though his undead body took on the properties of my living one, creating very close to a perfect match to the vibration of my soul. Yes, I was aware the core of vampirism probably had something to do with it, but she wasn't talking and, as the sun rose and bathed my face in the first rays of morning, I didn't care.
Wow, that man could kiss.
“Was he really so delicious?”
Damn it, damn it! How did I let her get the drop on me like that? Stupid, idiotic—
I lurched to my feet, eyes sweeping the room, finding Ameline reclining in a corner, black cloak set aside, looking odd in blue jeans and a black leather jacket surrounded by the old world. I was so used to formal attir
e by now, seeing her in casuals added to my disorientation.
“What do you want?” I had my power back, yes. But was it enough to take on Ameline? She'd almost killed me more than once and I wasn't about to trust her as far as I could pitch her out the nearest window.
“You know what I want.” Ameline's cold smile reminded me of Pannera. “But I needed to wait until daylight, so we could talk uninterrupted.” She stood slowly, stretched, tall, slim body more beefed up than the last time I'd run into her. I saw well-defined biceps as she slid her jacket off, tank top revealing her cut and muscular shoulders. “How have you been, Syd?”
Small talk? She was up to something. “You can't have the essence any more than those vampire Queens,” I said. “So get the hell out before I find out what your insides look like scattered on the floor.”
She laughed, posed, like some kind of action hero from the big screen, all dark and dangerous. “We both know your power is diminished,” she said. “Poor Syd.”
Demetrius lunged from the bedroom, snarling and spitting at her, before darting around the furniture and coming to crouch at my feet. She frowned at last, though the expression vanished after a brief moment.
“I see you've traded one dog for another,” she said.
“Don't trust her, don't, not ever.” He clung to my leg, blue eyes huge and full of anxiety, body quivering with it.
“Not to worry,” I said. “Never going to happen.”
Ameline shrugged artfully, hands on her hips. “I have no illusions of friendship,” she said. “Nor do you, I imagine. But I, too, oppose the Brotherhood. And that should count for something.”
Not much. “You're trying to become maji,” I said.
“I won't deny it.” Ameline brushed back her long, black hair from her shoulder. “Whoever wins the race to evolution will rule everything. You must know that by now.”
