Key to Justice

by Talia Gryphon

  Slipping down the stairs was the easy part. Getting out the front door or any other exit was next to impossible. There were just too damn many people around. The Brownies insisted on packing her a snack to take with her. They were tickled to pieces about being part of the extended family and were determined to be the best little caregivers in their Paramortal Paradise. Their tiny voices and scurrying feet brought Aleksei to the hallway. Without asking Gillian, he sent a wordless command to Cezar, who summoned a few of his Wolves and the Marines who were hanging out with them.

  Gill was greeted with a group of twenty-five heavily armed individuals who stood parade style on either side of the hall leading to the door. Her eyes narrowed as she turned back toward the sounds of Aleksei’s booted feet on the flagstones.

  “What the hell is this?”

  “They are simply going with you, cara. I want someone with you at all times outside of the castle.”

  “No.”

  “Gillian . . .”

  “You heard me. I said no.”

  “I am afraid this is not optional.” Aleksei tried staring her down. “I will not compromise your safety.”

  Gillian stared right back, her bright green eyes hardened into shards of glass, the fingers of her gun hand twitching.

  “Aleksei, I am not going to have this goddamn conversation every time I want to go outside for a walk or a drive. I am not—repeat, not—going to tolerate a bazillion people following me around to the bathroom, outside or down to the village. I’m pregnant, not an invalid.”

  “Piccola, I am not going to allow anything to happen to you or our baby.” Aleksei’s eyes were just as cold, just as hard.

  “If you persist in this and continue to piss me off, I am going to start shooting members of your ‘escort.’ Then see how many volunteers you get to tag along after me,” she snapped in response.

  The small army of Marines and various Paramortals standing behind her at the castle doors collectively moved back and away from her.

  “Then I will accompany you myself.”

  “No, you will not. I want to be alone for a few minutes. There are at least a hundred Shifters, Elves, Brownies, Fairies, Ghosts and Sluagh patrolling the boundaries of the castle, the village, the county and the province. I couldn’t be safer if I were in Fort Knox. Now, I am going to go outside. I am going to go alone. If I see one Being, just one, I swear by all the Gods I will shoot it. That includes you.”

  She stepped forward and poked him in the chest with her finger. “I am telling you for the last time, stop all this bullshit, treat me the way you normally do, remember that I am capable of taking care of myself and we’ll get along just fine.”

  He looked a bit stricken by her vehement declaration. “I mean it, Aleksei. I know you love me and I appreciate you wanting to keep me safe, but if you drive me crazy, I will take you with me.”

  She reached up and slid a hand under his hair and behind his neck and pulled him down to her. A brief kiss across his mouth and she was headed for the door.

  “Don’t even think about following me,” she announced to the group as she breezed past. The door slammed and she was gone.

  “Kimber said as much to me a few minutes ago.” Pavel stepped up from the hallway behind Aleksei with a heavy sigh.

  The Vampire Lord looked down at the young Wolf. “I suppose we are going to have to accept it, Pavel. We are completely in over our heads with these two.”

  “They are just so different from ordinary women.” Pavel looked wistfully out the window to watch Kimber as she strolled the grounds, stopping to stretch.

  “That is true.” Aleksei smiled. “They are the most extraordinary women.”

  Later that night, their quarrel forgotten, Gillian was typing her notes on her latest session with Chester. He was proving a little less difficult since Daed had been playing chemist with the pharmacy in Brasov. He and the pharmacist there had concocted a new medication that kept his proverbial dark side from experiencing serious impulse control issues, while allowing for expression of thought.

  Gill was able to listen to both sides of her conflicted patient and make determinations and suggestions based on their collective needs. If the drug continued to work, then Daed would see to it that it was tested as a legitimate aid for Beings with Chester’s extreme variation of Paramortal dissociative disorder.

  Chester would never be a completely free man again. Nobody could come to a consensus that he was 100 percent responsible for his actions since taking the potion. His “good” side was forever arguing and attempting to thwart the intentions and actions of the “bad” side, so in a manner of speaking, he was being responsible. However, the “good” side had to sleep sometime, and that was generally when the Hyde portion of their collective Being pushed forward and did naughty things.

  Since there was no other option or governing body to make the decision, Scotland Yard poked its head in and said they’d help Interpol and Special Agent Upchurch with permanent quarters and supervision. Chester was legally a British citizen, so that made the most sense. Gillian was perversely hoping that her old pal Inspector Brant McNeil got stuck with “Chester Watch,” then realized his ever-patient partner, Claire Jardin, whom she genuinely liked, would be pulled into the mess as well, and dismissed her thoughts. Water under the bridge, she reminded herself.

  Nobody had heard from Jenna Blake, Gill and Kimber’s airheaded lieutenant and friend. The last anyone had contact with Gillian’s bubbly pyromaniac friend was when Tanis and she had parted company in Egypt. Gill, Kimber and Trocar were a bit surprised she hadn’t appeared during the fiasco with Vlad and Akabat. While it was characteristic of her to disappear for periods of time, it wasn’t typical for her to miss a giant multi-Being free-for-all. Especially if it involved her friends’ safety. Daed put out feelers of his own, hoping the military channels would provide some clue as to her whereabouts.

  Their question was answered one evening some weeks later when the Brownies were watching CNN. A special report came on about a growing movement of protestors who were objecting to the Osiris Doctrine, among other things. The Brownies began shrieking and pointing at the television, bringing everyone to the library.

  As the reporter talked, the camera panned over a crowd of people facing a stage with a podium and royal purple velvet curtains. The two figures on the platform were recognizable: Jenna and, next to her with his arm draped around her shoulders, Father Bartholomew Daily, who wasn’t stopping in his attempts to discredit Gillian after the Akabat incident.

  “He seems to be hell-bent on casting a dim light on our fair heroine . . . almost a religious determination,” Trocar quipped to no one in particular.

  “Oh, ha-ha,” Gillian bit back. “What disturbs me is seeing Jenna there with him.”

  Kimber was peering at the television screen, her green gold eyes narrowing as she stared at their friend. “She doesn’t look like herself, Gill. Look at her eyes.”

  Gillian leaned in to examine Jenna’s face as closely as she could. “You’re right. She looks . . . It’s not drugged . . . That’s not pharmacological . . . That’s something else.”

  “She is enthralled.” Leave it to Aleksei. Damned Vampire vision.

  “Enthralled? Like hypnotized?” Gill asked.

  “More like bespelled,” Trocar informed them.

  “Agreed.” Aleksei moved closer to the television. “Very much like a spell. That is how a Vampire who is powerful enough can make a slave.”

  Gill poked him in the arm. “Slave? Like Renfield?”

  “Not so melodramatic, but yes. The concept of Renfield is most likely something which Bram Stoker witnessed to a degree between a Vampire and servant, then added to the drama of Dracula’s pseudohistory for his book.”

  “Care to explain further?”

  Aleksei smiled down at her. She had the cutest crinkle over the bridge of her nose when she frowned.

  “Aleksei, I’m getting old here.” Now her eyes were truly sparkling.

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nbsp; “Apparently not only Vampires can bespell people, but pregnant Human females as well.” Trocar draped himself artistically across the couch and out of Gillian’s reach before she could elbow him in the sternum.

  “My apologies, cara, but you do look most adorable when you are trying to delve into the mysteries of Vampire magic.”

  “I am pregnant, nicotine deprived and getting pissed off. Are you going to answer the question or not?”

  To her irritation, he hugged her tightly and kissed the end of her nose. “Of course, my dear. I will schedule my admiration for a later time.”

  She shoved him away. “Dammit, Aleksei!”

  Chuckling, he answered her. “Remember long ago when we discussed what it took to make a servant? The blood exchanges?”

  “I do.”

  “Those exchanges are generally reserved for a willing partner, one whom the Vampire is literally eternally committed to. It can also happen covertly or by coercion.”

  “So he could have lied to her or forced her?”

  “Precisely. It is not in exact parlance a rape, but it is very close.” His expression darkened. “It is most certainly forbidden by our Laws, and is punishable by death.”

  Gillian turned back to the television. Father Daily was still talking and Jenna was still gazing at him with those empty, adoring eyes.

  “We have to get her away from him.”

  “Gill, we don’t know what the circumstances are. She might be with him voluntarily,” Kimber said as gently as she could.

  “Jenna has never, ever consented to being just arm candy for anyone, and she sure as hell wouldn’t consent to being a mindless drone,” Gillian argued.

  “She is not necessarily a mindless drone,” Aleksei pointed out. “As Kimber suggests, she may have initially been with him of her own accord, and has subsequently been seduced into believing what he is advocating.”

  “I don’t care which one it is; she has a right to make her own decisions with her own mind,” Gill insisted.

  “I am not arguing that point, piccola. I am simply pointing out that your friend may not appreciate you interfering with her personal life if she did indeed at least begin their relationship by her own volition.”

  Gillian scowled at him, then at the television. “I do see your point. All I want to know is that she’s not being forced to be with him or to stay with him.”

  In an eerie echo to her statement, Father Daily pulled Jenna closer to him at the microphone.

  “Gillian Key was Jenna’s friend. They served together, had many adventures together, fought side by side together. Gillian Key was her commanding officer, confidant and sister in arms.” Father Daily’s eyes were piercing, while Jenna’s eyes remained vacant and glassy.

  “I have helped her see her life clearly,” Daily continued. “She now understands that her lifestyle as directed by Gillian Key was detrimental to her well-being and to her very soul. She has repented and come into the presence of my light.”

  “I’m going to knock that shithead out,” Kimber snarled.

  “Listen first; knock out later,” Gillian shushed her friend.

  “Jenna was trapped in a lie. She believed the lies Gillian told her. She believed that Vampires and Paramortals can live peaceably with Humans. She believed the lies in the Osiris Doctrine; that there would be justice for those who broke the Laws. When we met, she was reluctant at first to hear the truth. Now Jenna is redeemed. She understands that she was a victim all along. A victim of lies and deception brought about by Gillian’s lover, Vlad Dracula. The same lies and deception that have been told to all of you.

  “I have a plan. A plan that will allow Vampire and Humans to coexist. A plan that will truly bring the freedom that the Osiris Doctrine promises but does not deliver. A plan that begins with the lawfully ordered death of Vlad Dracula, and brings justice to Gillian Key and her half-breed bastard child!”

  There was a collective gasp around the room. Helmut, Daed, Cassiopeia and Pavel had joined the group as Daily’s speech continued.

  “Now I’m gonna knock him out.” Kimber slapped the television off.

  “How the hell did he find out I was pregnant, and what the hell did I do to piss him off like that?” Gillian was pale. Her hand reflexively went to her abdomen. “I don’t know this guy! The first I heard of him was when Daed mentioned him in Akabat.”

  “You did nothing, cara mia.” Aleksei drew her close. “He is clearly delusional, but with very powerful spies and friends. This is not your fault.”

  “I know, Aleksei, but . . . damn.” She pulled away from him and went to sit in one of the large, overstuffed wing-back chairs.

  Her eyes shifted upward to see Kimber glaring at her. “What?”

  “Since when do you give a shit about what anyone else thinks? Now you’re all worried about what some raggedyass, used-to-be-priest is conniving? What’s wrong with you?” Kimber kicked Gill’s foot off the arm of the chair.

  Gillian glared at her and readjusted her legs, tucking her feet up next to her. “I don’t care. I’m worried about him stirring up shit about the baby.”

  “Calling bullshit on that one, Captain.” Kimber poked her in the shoulder with a single finger. “You are upset that after all we’ve been through on this, he might really be damaging everything we’ve worked for.”

  “Okay, fine. You’re right . . . sort of,” Gillian admitted. “It’s not about me, Kimmy. I don’t give a shit what anyone thinks about me. This is my life and I’ll live it the way I choose. I don’t like the fact that he is using a seemingly personal vendetta with me to orchestrate this ‘rage machine’ against Paramortals in general. That’s what worries me. We’ve got to figure out a way to rescue Jenna and do some really stellar damage control, fast.”

  “Gillian, this is beyond damage control now,” Helmut pointed out. “It’s true that the opinion of one disgruntled Vampire is irrelevant, as are the opinions of most bullies. However, this is reaching beyond opinion. Underneath all that venom, he’s specifically targeting you and your baby.”

  “Helmut’s right. That was an express threat to the safety of you and your baby.” Daed’s usually smiling face was grim. “Not to mention a direct threat on Vlad’s life. We need to contact Osiris. He needs to know that some of these zealots who are following Daily may know of Vlad’s whereabouts. Particularly if news of Gillian’s pregnancy has already been leaked somehow.”

  “I will contact Osiris,” Aleksei said. “Cezar, Teo and the others will step up security around the castle, the grounds and the village.”

  “I’ll take care of the military aspect. This province will be locked up tighter than a mouse’s ass within five minutes. Also I’ll put out feelers to see where the hell this asshole is hiding. If we’re going to attempt a rescue, we need to know where we’re headed.” Daed was already headed for the door and dialing his cell.

  “We’ve got to get Jenna out of there.” Gill looked to Kimber and Trocar. “I don’t believe for a minute that she is with him voluntarily, especially after that speech.”

  “I do not believe it either,” Trocar agreed.

  “Jenna didn’t even know we were knocked up.” Kimber was pacing back and forth. “None of us has talked to her; she hasn’t even spoken to Tanis that I know of. I wanted to tell her myself and watch her shriek.”

  Gillian ignored that and was tapping her front teeth with her fingernail. “He’s attractive, charismatic . . . Jenna might have approached him or allowed him to flirt with her initially, but she isn’t any more prepared than any other Human to resist a Master-level Vampire. He has to be holding her against her will, or would be if she knew she was being held.”

  Aleksei was frowning at her. “Gillian . . . I do not wish to appear insensitive but you cannot be thinking of rescuing Jenna yourself.”

  Twin green orbs snapped up to pin him with her glare. “Aleksei, I am not going to argue this point with you or anyone else. We leave no one behind. I am going to investigate this and, if nee
d be, I am going to get her away from that phony priest, at least long enough for her to either punch me in the nose for interfering or to thank me for getting her the hell out of there. I am not going to deliberately put myself or the baby in danger, but I am completely capable of doing what I need to do. Don’t make this an issue between us.”

  He stared at her a long time. The silence was overwhelming as two iron wills locked eyes.

  “All right, cara. I know better than to fight you over something when you have made up your mind. However, understand this: I will be with you every step of the way this time.” He shook his head and held up his hand when she opened her mouth.

  “No, I will not argue this point with you. You may be the superior soldier, but I am the man who loves you. You will not take on this situation alone. I do not care how many Marines you bring with you. There will be a specific Vampire at your side at all times: me.”

  Her frown slowly melted into a smile. He was so honorable and earnest. He didn’t like it, but he wasn’t going to go all Victorian chauvinist on her either. In fact, he was willing to risk his life for her and her friend. She knew then more than at any other time why she loved him.

  “All right. You’ve got a deal.” She rose and went to hug him.

  “Hear that, Pavel? You’re either in or you’re out, but we’re going on another Jenna rescue.” Kimber poked the handsome Shifter in his ribs.

  “I hear you. I am at your side as always.” Pavel hugged her to him.

  “Do I have anything to say about this?” Trocar smirked.

  “No!” Gill, Aleksei, Pavel and Kimber chorused.

  “But you can help us talk Daed into it when he gets back.” Gill grinned at him over Aleksei’s arm.

  “Gladly.” The Dark Elf was loyal to the core. No questions, no discussions, just there if he was needed.

  “Gillian . . . Schatzi . . . this really is not a reasonable idea,” Helmut tut-tutted.

  “My fiancée has never been particularly reasonable, Helmut, but whatever she needs, we will support her.” Aleksei chuckled at Helmut and was rewarded by an enthusiastic kiss from Gillian.