Key to Justice

by Talia Gryphon

  “I do love you,” she whispered in his ear.

  “I know.” He hugged her tightly.

  Later, when Daed returned, and after he did his predictable blowing up over the suggestion that two pregnant women tangle with a very public Fangland figure who happened to hate Gillian’s guts, they got a commitment from him to use his media connections to instigate their own public relations blitz and contradict Father Daily’s claims and statements. He was still swearing in a unique mixture of Southern anecdotes and Greek when he shooed them out and barricaded himself in the library for a video conference with the IPPA to discuss what to do.

  While checking in with their Egyptian allies, Osiris let Aleksei know that Vlad was still catatonic but safely guarded. Unless Daily had a Lord’s power or extremely adept allies, there was no way anyone was getting near the former Dark Prince during his current convalescence.

  The Marine and Elf presence was immediately doubled in the province and around Sacele. Cezar’s pack spent more and more time in Wolf form, patrolling the area surrounding the castle. Aleksei’s lieutenant, Teo, had arranged for some local public service announcements about Aleksei’s ongoing campaign to keep Romania safe, as a whole. One of the recent responders was a clan of Lynxes in Northern Romania who expressed interest in being associated with Aleksei’s retinue. Another was Odin.

  CHAPTER 15

  ODIN arrived at the castle somewhat unceremoniously that night, setting off a flurry of aggression from the pack and the Elves who patrolled the grounds. The fur-and-arrow police had no idea they were expecting visitors, nor did anyone else at the Institute.

  The Norse Lord had vanished after Akabat, as had Elizabeta, Erzsébet and Sweeney. Aleksei and Gillian were looking forward to Odin’s arrival. Privately, Aleksei was concerned about where the hell Elizabeta was and why he couldn’t seem to locate her, despite an elaborate network of informants and his own personal abilities. Gill was moderately worried about what had happened to Erzsébet and Sweeney, but not enough to mention it to Aleksei.

  Pavel and Trocar interceded during the commotion of Odin’s arrival, managing to prevent any accidental deaths or dismemberment. Odin and his company were shown into the library by Trocar and one of the Wolves, an Irish girl named Ariel.

  “Lord Aleksei, Lord Odin is here to see you.” Ariel waved at Trocar with a twinkle in her eye, then scampered off.

  Gillian’s eyebrows rose. She cocked an eyebrow at Trocar. “Really?”

  Trocar smiled enigmatically, then went back to deliberately sharpening one of his runed knives. Gillian rolled her eyes at him, turning back in time for Aleksei’s reintroduction of Odin. There was no point in pondering Trocar’s love life. He was as secretive in matters of love as he was in the rest of his life. She hoped he wasn’t working his way through the pack. Aisling Crosswind, the Wood Elf he’d been keeping company with, might decide she wanted a Wolf pelt coat threaded with Grael hair.

  “Nice to see you again, Odin.” She smiled at the blond giant and took his proffered hand in a firm grip.

  “And you as well, little sister.” Odin’s pale blue eyes were guileless and inviting.

  Like most Vampires, the Norse Lord was breathtakingly lovely. He had apparently been older when he was Turned. There were laugh lines at the corners of his eyes, and silvery threads among the shimmering blond in his long hair.

  “May I introduce my company. This is Freya, Thor and Baldr. My Wolves, Garm and Sigundr. My Bears, Bodvar and Helgi.”

  Freya was tall, with strawberry blonde hair, freckles and penetrating eyes of a frosty blue. She smiled with an easy warmth before settling herself near the fireplace.

  Thor and Baldr bowed to Aleksei, then Gillian, and shadowed Freya on opposite sides of the hearth. Thor’s hair was a darker gold than his Lord’s, and was braided back against his head on either side, resembling an Elf warrior’s braid. His eyes were a piercing robin’s-egg blue, darker than either Freya’s or Odin’s.

  Baldr was extraordinary. His hair was unexpectedly dark brown. It curled over his broad shoulders and down his back in loose waves. His eyes were a crystal-clear violet that made his expression at once vulnerable and poignant. God of light and beauty indeed.

  The Wolves were a mated pair. Garm was massive in height, build and sheer presence. His thick blond hair was wind tossed and tousled. It fell in heavy locks around his bulky neck and shoulders. He simply looked dangerous, even standing casually behind Odin. There was something in those green eyes that made even Gillian shiver, though she could detect no animosity from him.

  Sigundr, the female, was as tall as her mate but nowhere near as massively built. Her own hair was darker blonde and her blue eyes were more friendly.

  Bodvar was an impressively sized redhead. He was tall and thickly muscled, and sported a goatee that matched his flame-colored locks. No freckles on this one. His skin was sun darkened, making his sapphire eyes blaze.

  Helgi was smaller, more delicately built. Her pale blonde hair was in two thick braids down her back. Loose tendrils of her hair framed a pixie face with very blue eyes.

  There was a different feel to the Norse group than Gillian had experienced before. Odin’s power seemed almost on a level with Osiris’s. The Bears’ Shifter aura was denser, heavier than what she normally felt from the local group of Bears who patrolled the province.

  Two of the Brownies scurried in at that point, chattering excitedly. “There are more visitors! We let them in. They say they are friends of the Viking.”

  Everyone except Odin and his group tensed for a second, not knowing what or whom to expect.

  Odin turned back to the door with a smile. “May I also present my longtime comrade, Thane Hreidmar of the Dwarven lands, and his Lady Kelda.”

  Like the Dwarves of legend, a short, stocky, compact, perfectly proportioned man with a long, flowing red beard, braided and beaded to match his long, flowing red braided and beaded hair, strode into the room holding hands with an equally stocky, compact, perfectly proportioned woman. Both were wearing intricately etched metal-and-leather breastplates. Her hair was just as red, just as flowing, but with no braids or golden beads, and she had no beard on her pretty face.

  Trocar swore in some obscure Elven dialect, staring at Kelda. “By the Gods, you are certainly not ugly nor are you bearded.” He circled the pair, looking them both up and down. “You are real.”

  Kelda giggled. “Indeed I am, Elf. Or are you given to believing those old Fairy stories?”

  Trocar blushed, if it was possible. “I . . . I . . . Forgive me. I am just astonished that in all my years I have never seen a female of your species. Moreover, that those legends and stories are quite wrong.”

  Gillian was flabbergasted first of all by the crack in Trocar’s unshakeable demeanor, and second because she’d heard the legends too. No one in any recorded history had ever laid eyes on a female Dwarf. They were supposed to be ugly and hairy and kept underground. Kelda was the antithesis of that description.

  She was small, yes, but obviously muscular, quite pretty, and if the twin daggers at her sides were any indication, she didn’t need to be locked away and protected by anybody. Hreidmar had a heavy, disproportionately large axe on his own hip; his hands were calloused and scarred. He didn’t look like he needing protecting either.

  Hreidmar guffawed and everyone jumped. The little man literally held his belly and chortled heartily. “Kelda was my bodyguard, Elf. She is now my lady and my mate, lucky bastard that I am. One day I will tell you the story of why our women are so reclusive, but not tonight. Tonight is for forming alliances and making new friends.”

  “Welcome, then, Thane Hreidmar.” Aleksei had no composure to recover and stepped forward to shake hands with the Dwarven King.

  “Just ‘Hreidmar,’ my friend. My title is only valid among my own people. I am here because your reputation and your own lady’s status demand it.”

  “What do you mean?” Gillian was taken aback.

  “You truly d
o not know?” Hreidmar frowned at her.

  “Know what?” Gillian frowned back.

  “My dear girl, you and your intended have caused quite an upheaval amongst magical folk. We all heard your words before, witnessed your actions. There were those who rushed to ally themselves with anyone who opposed the Dark Prince, and those of us who preferred to wait.”

  “Why did you wait?” Gillian interrupted, her frown deepening. “If you were against Dracula from the beginning, why not come forward then? Or were you waiting to ally yourself to the victorious side?”

  “I can assure you, Hreidmar is of the highest integrity.” Odin moved to his friend’s side. The look he gave Gillian was less friendly than before.

  “Quite all right, Odin. She had a right to ask and I would have been disappointed if she did not. She is a soldier, after all.” Hreidmar chuckled. Gillian didn’t find it funny.

  She couldn’t feel anything duplicitous about the Dwarf; his timing was just a bit odd, but so was Odin’s. Her mind whirled. Being pregnant was evidently slowing down her synapses. She should have noticed something was off right away. Maybe she just needed food. When had she eaten last? She shook herself mentally. Focus, Gillian. Ascertain the situation. Brownie goodies later.

  She cleared her throat and reached down for a little sandwich off the tray the Brownies had thoughtfully brought in. “In fact, why are you all here? Odin, you showed up at Akabat and now are here with your little friends in tow. Next we hear from a group of Lynxes who have been in Romania all along and now want to make nice. What’s going on?” She fixed each of them with a chilly look.

  “Cara, what are you doing?” Aleksei was following her reasoning and understood her questions, but was puzzled by her forthright manner when greeting potential allies.

  “I am finding out why every one is picking now to appear when we could have used the help long before Akabat and possibly avoided that whole situation with Dracula.” Gillian’s empathy was warring with itself. She could feel nothing that would normally arouse any concern, but her tactical mind was demanding answers. “This whole state of affairs is too convenient.” Gillian paused to take a bite out of the sandwich and grab a glass of soda off the tray.

  To their credit, Odin, his company and both Dwarves blushed, appearing rather uncomfortable. “You are correct, Gillian. It is not as innocent as it appears,” Odin acquiesced.

  “Then explain it, please,” Gillian said around a mouthful of sandwich.

  “We were not, as you believe, waiting for the clear victor to emerge in the conflict. We have no love for Dracula and his like. We believed that no matter who emerged as the winner, our lives would not truly change.”

  “And now?” she pressed him.

  “Since Akabat and Dracula’s defeat, despite that Father Daily creature’s vitriolic speeches, we have seen the difference in our own acceptance among Humans. In my own lands the atmosphere has shifted. My people . . . the Humans who live there . . . they have come to me, offering treaties, allegiance . . . a pact.” Odin’s eyes sparkled with humility and unshed tears.

  “In my prior arrogance, I assumed they kept our secrets and kept us safe out of love, when it was actually for fear of reprisal. That is a shame I shall have to learn to live down. Since witnessing the events at Akabat, they realize that the true goal of yourself, Osiris, Gillian and the others who had already joined you was to unite us all, to give true laws and a true relationship between our species.

  “We are here to offer our friendship and our alliance, Aleksei. We existed on the foundation of legend which has proved to be brittle. Now we want to forge a relationship that will last through suspicion, doubt and turmoil, as you have done with your own people. We want to be part of everything you have tried to build.”

  “What do you want in return?” Gillian asked. She didn’t realize she had moved closer to Aleksei during Odin’s dialogue. He noticed, bringing a hand up to softly massage her shoulder.

  “Nothing, little sister. We want only to learn.” Odin smiled down at her. “Aleksei is truly an enviable man to command such loyalty from such a woman.”

  Aleksei echoed Odin’s smile to Gillian. “I thank you, Odin. While I know you intended a compliment, I command nothing from her. She is here out of choice, not obligation.”

  “Then I am even more impressed.” Odin bowed slightly to Aleksei and to Gillian.

  “Let me offer my praise as well,” Hreidmar said. “My people have been content to live apart from most Beings. We are not ignorant of the world, simply removed from it. Prince Everwood travels far and wide in our lands. It was from him that I first heard of a Human commander who had earned his respect. Odin and I have long been acquainted, and consequently, when he heard of your Institute, your accomplishments and your agenda, he discussed his thoughts with me.

  “Kelda and I talked with our people. The consensus is that we can be of help to you, if you will allow us into your coalition and let us also learn from your people. So, my dear Lord Aleksei and Gillian, we are yours in word and deed, if you will have us as your friends and partners.”

  Aleksei was surprised. This was not at all what he expected. It was his turn to blush. Gillian felt his discomfort and squeezed his hand unobtrusively. When he could trust his voice, he spoke to all of them.

  “I will ask Gillian to send thanks to Prince Everwood for gaining us such allies. I am flattered but I believe you misunderstand. I am not the Lord of anyone except those who have expressed their loyalty in my own lands. You owe me no allegiance.

  “We are a compact; a unit. We work together, but if that is impossible, we at least do not work against each other. There will always be Father Dailys and Draculas in the world. We cannot silence them, nor do we have a right to, lest we become what we hate. All who are with us want only long-term, peaceful coexistence. That is the single goal.” Aleksei’s voice grew stronger as he spoke. His personal feelings were very clear. He believed in his cause. That in itself was enough for all of them.

  “Every movement needs a leader, Aleksei.” Odin grinned. “We are willing to follow you.”

  “As are we,” Hreidmar agreed.

  For the second time since she’d known him, Gillian felt the powerful surge of humility and astonishment as Aleksei realized the level of loyalty they were offering. The first time had been when the village of Sacele had come to him, offering their literal life’s blood in support of him and Tanis. That had been a long time ago, but she still remembered the pride she had felt in him then.

  “I . . . I . . . do not know what to say,” Aleksei stammered.

  “Say yes. That’s what they want you to do.” Gillian dropped his hand and slid her arm around his waist.

  He stared down at her. She poked him in the ribs. “Yes. It’s a simple, three-letter word.”

  “Yes?” He didn’t mean it to come out as a question.

  “He will do it?” Odin asked.

  “He’ll do it,” Gillian confirmed.

  “Let us celebrate!” Hreidmar bellowed. “Where is the beer?” The Brownies had been listening at the door, as usual, and scurried off to find refreshment for the group.

  Later, after the Rachlav Institute staff, personnel and occupants had been introduced to their guests, Gillian insisted the focus turn to a more serious subject: finding Jenna. It took Gillian less than fifteen minutes to organize a team, a route, transportation, supplies and additional muscle. Through Daed’s frenzied, exhaustive search, they had a fairly good idea of where Father Daily might be holed up. Wherever Daily was, Jenna was bound to be. Destination: Prague, Czech Republic.

  Aleksei was in awe of her ability to orchestrate a rescue. He insisted on going with them, over her objections. In her eyes, he was a great and powerful Vampire; however, he was still green in the field and in direct combat if it came to that. She didn’t want him getting hurt.

  Finally they came to a consensus. Gillian, Kimber, Aleksei, Pavel, Trocar, Daed, Odin and his group, plus Hreidmar and Kelda, would go.
Helmut, Cassiopeia, Cezar, Teo, the Brownies and the Marine platoon would stay. It was a given that the Sluagh, the Sidhe and most of the Elves who had settled in to the area would remain. Tanis wanted to go, owing to his former relationship with Jenna, but Aleksei wanted him at the castle to oversee things while he was doing what he could to keep Gillian out of harm’s way. Tanis didn’t like it, but finally relented.

  Trocar did come to Gillian with three Elf volunteers who wanted to come along. Gunner and Aisling Crosswind, she knew. The brother and sister Wood Elves had been a wonderful addition during the incidents with Perrin and Dracula. Aisling had become good friends with Gill and Kimber, plus she was Trocar’s off-and-on date of the moment. Gunner was simply a good, steady, loyal friend. The third Elf was one Gillian hadn’t met personally before.

  He was tall, as heartrendingly lovely as his fellows with almost blindingly golden hair and starlit blue eyes. He introduced himself as Dagr Hawthorne and explained that he was the Captain of Mirrin Everwood’s personal guard. Then he dropped a bombshell on their little party by informing Gillian that Mirrin himself and his lady would be joining them on their adventure.

  Gillian was very surprised. Mirrin was a titled Prince who normally didn’t leave his beloved homeland for any reason. Seeing him at Akabat had been a welcome shock; having him accompany them to find Jenna was an appreciated gesture.

  On cue, Mirrin strode in, hand in hand with a tall, auburn-haired, gray-eyed woman. At first glance she appeared Human, but her sheer beauty and lightly pointed ears were testament to her mixed heritage.

  Mirrin spoke first. “My friends, may I present my Lady, Dorian Leganth.”

  “Welcome, Mirrin and Dorian. Thank you both for coming, but I am a bit surprised that you’re here.” Gillian greeted them both warrior to warrior: clasping forearms with each of them in turn.

  “Once a Marine, always a Marine.” Mirrin grinned at her. “We leave no one behind. Elves do not either.”