rogue shifter 06 - torn apart

by Gayle Parness

  I whispered in his ear. "Eyes on my face."

  "I'm just admiring my masterpiece."

  The names of the couple in front of us were being announced loudly by a shorter demon wearing a fire engine red surcoat. Then it was our turn to step forward. "We begin, Salina." Just like that, he'd opened a mental link between us, breaking through my shields without even asking. "Lovers, remember?" He'd noticed my anger. "You have my permission to scold me later."

  I rolled my eyes. "Like I need your permission." I heard a soft growl, so I smiled at my annoying boss, playing along as best I could and trying not to push my luck past the point of no return.

  The brightly-clad demon nodded deeply toward Isaiah and ignored me completely. Isaiah spoke to him in Rux, mentioning my fake name and then handing him a gold coin. The announcer turned to the crowd. "Isaiah, second spawn of the Archedemon, the Bassilissa Naberia, and his guest, Salina Hernandez."

  "Thank you, Jolefex." He pulled another gold coin out of his pocket and placed it in the speaker's outstretched hand.

  As we walked down the steps to make room for the four demons behind us, I whispered, "Why did you pay him?"

  "If I didn't pay him a fair amount, which is normally one gold piece, he might mess up our names on purpose and I would lose face. It wouldn't be good for my reputation. I gave him two, so he'd spread the word among the servants that a royal who pays well is attending the gathering. We'll get better service all around."

  A servant was walking by with what looked like wine. I reached for a glass, but Isaiah pulled my hand back, clutching it tightly and turning my body toward his. "No matter how much gold I pay, there are only a few servants that I trust and he isn't one of them." He glanced around the room and signaled to another goblin. Isaiah handed him two gold pieces and asked for wine for both of us.

  "Are you afraid they'll spill it on you?" I joked.

  He lifted my long red hair away from my left ear and leaned it to whisper. "No. But I'd rather they don't poison us. Now smile as if I'm telling you something you really like."

  I smiled, running my hand down his arm and trying to look flirty. I glanced past him at two males who were arguing about something, definitely not in the party mood. I laughed out loud, drawing the attention of some of the other guests, then sent, "What is this place?"

  "I told you. It's a celebration. A typical party where demons try to maneuver themselves into better positions on the political or social hierarchy using any means possible, even poison. For instance, tonight I've arrived with the most beautiful woman in the room. That ups my status."

  "Glad I can help." I grumbled, noticing that many of the other females in the room were frowning at me. "But you're a royal. Doesn't that mean your status is always high up?"

  "As far as magical power and wealth, yes. But there are so many other level markers. For instance, whoever currently has the archdemon's favor, is high on the pyramid."

  "Not me, that's for sure." I scowled.

  He laughed, then spoke out loud. "I hope those boots are comfortable because I intend to dance with you all night." He gave my cheek a kiss. "I don't often get the chance to have fun."

  I reverted to mindspeak again. "I thought touching me gave you the creeps."

  "Not when you're using demon magic."

  "Am I?"

  "It's natural for you now. Like breathing."

  "Isaiah." A male walked over, holding two goblets. He spoke a few short sentences in Rux.

  "I prefer to converse in English this evening, Kobe. I'm entertaining my newest acquisition and she only speaks English. Salina, this is Kobe." The stranger touched behind his ear and nodded. Being a wolf, it wouldn't have been proper for me to nod back in the demon way.

  I smiled vacantly, trying to look harmless. "Hello."

  "Isaiah, haven't you offered this lovely female a drink? You are a very poor escort." The male was tall, like Isaiah, and quite good looking, with dark blue eyes and blonde hair. His gaze was intense as he offered me the goblet. "Punch, Salina?"

  "I looked down at the steaming orange liquid, and then shyly back at the handsome demon. "No, thank you, sir. I'll only drink what my lord provides for me."

  Just as Kobe opened his mouth to protest, the bribed servant returned with our wine. Isaiah took the goblets off the tray and handed me mine, sending. "Deliciously submissive, little wolf." I blew him a teasing kiss. To Kobe it looked flirty, but Isaiah knew I was flipping him off.

  To Kobe he said, "I ordered a special vintage." He rattled something off in Rux and Kobe's eyebrows shot up. "I'd never allow her to drink that generic blend." He pointed to the ugly brew.

  Kobe scowled and put his two drinks on the empty tray held by the servant. He then took hold of my free hand, squeezing just a little bit too firmly. "Is he treating you well, because I'm sure I can please you more." He raised my palm and kissed, then licked it. Isaiah had warned me about this kind of behavior, but it was still tough to keep my cool and not make a disgusted face. My insulting him could be seen as an attack by Isaiah, since I was his property and he was therefore responsible for all of my actions. I gulped down some of the delicious wine in the hopes that it would help me to keep my cool.

  "Take it slow. That wine is potent, and we know what happens when you drink too much."

  When Kobe straightened again, I smoothly dislodged my hand and gave Isaiah a seductive smile, sidling over next to him. "I'm very well satisfied, Kobe." Isaiah played along and crushed me against him in a possessive show. He was smirking, probably amused by my answer, so I took the opportunity to slide my wet hand behind Isaiah's back and wipe it on his jacket.

  "Ew."

  "Go find your own female, Kobe, this one's taken." A crowd had begun to gather. Kobe must be high up on the "Pyramid of Power".

  "I'll purchase her from you." He spoke loudly, his eyes having turned bright orange in challenge.

  "Sorry. I've just begun to enjoy my wild little wolf. It would break my heart to part with her." Isaiah's eyes matched Kobe's color as he pulled me even closer.

  "Jeez. I want to keep those ribs."

  "How's this?" He shifted position.

  "Get your hand off my butt or I'll have you hauled in for workplace misconduct."

  "That's your back."

  "That's definitely not my back."

  "Lovers, remember?"

  Kobe interrupted our private mental exchange. "I'll give you two favors for one week with her." Several people in the crowd gasped. Apparently favors from Kobe were a big deal.

  "Hmmm, let me think." He dug his fingers into my hair, tilting my head to the perfect angle, and then kissed me.

  It didn't last too long, probably because he didn't want to take his eyes off of Kobe, but it was deep. I'd done my best to play along by threading my fingers in his hair and making soft whimpering noises. He winked at me when we pulled apart. "No, I think not. My wolf is just too delicious. Sorry to disappoint you." To me he sent, "Great sound effects. I think you're getting the hang of this. Now let's leave this asshole and have some fun."

  Isaiah started to unbutton the front of his tunic, making a show of the procedure. When he'd finished, he folded back the edges revealing a red brocade vest with fancy jeweled buttons. Incredibly, the tunic looked more like an old fashioned cutaway jacket, managing to enhance his already fine figure with Mr. Darcy style.

  "Quite the fashion freak."

  "You're next." With a gesture, I was dressed in a rich red gown, corseted and low cut, made of a fabric that would move elegantly on the dance floor even if I didn't.

  I looked down at myself. "At least you didn't make me strip in front of everyone." I was amused to see that the hem was higher in the front and then angled down, becoming longer in the back. He'd left me in the sexy boots and oddly, the sheathed blade. There was an element of steam punk here that I was kind of enjoying.

  He noticed my amusement and grinned, then took me in his arms. "Always entertaining, little wolf." At his command, music magica
lly filled the room and we began to move, most of the rest of the guests only watching us. Some looked jealous, others shocked, some only curious. As we passed various couples, I noticed that many of them nodded deeply in the demon way. Isaiah didn't return the gesture, never taking his eyes from mine.

  "Are you top dog around here, Sir Second Spawn?"

  His eyes glinted with mischief. "Pretty much." Isaiah spun me around way too fast for my skill level and I almost lost my footing in the process. Luckily he saved me with a smooth move before I could embarrass myself. Of course, the move left him with both hands on my ass.

  "Ahem." I pretended to cough and he moved to a more gentlemanly dance position. "You are improving." I stepped on his foot the next time we turned. "Slowly. Perhaps I'll give you lessons."

  "You'll have to get in line behind Ethan."He frowned. "So where are all the other spawn?"

  "Dead, except for number three, and he never attends parties. He's a scholar and not at all interested in anything to do with politics or power."

  "Unlike Number Two."

  He gifted me with a wry smile. "Contrary to popular opinion, I too consider myself a scholar."

  I made a derogatory sound and he punished me by dancing at a dizzying speed. "Okay, you're a scholar, but I'm gonna vomit all over your nice outfit if you don't stop."

  When he'd slowed down and I'd caught my breath, I asked, "Did they all die in battle?"

  His expression turned more serious."Mother likes to rid herself of competition."

  "Oh." I shuddered. "Even her own children?" He pulled me in closer and whispered against my hair.

  "I'm safe. We're safe." I guess I had to take him at his word.

  As we danced, I looked around. It seemed that of those not dancing, only the males were engaged in what looked like serious discussions. "I thought females were equal to males in the DR."

  "Powerful females have their own parties where they bring their trophy males or females. Neither would be caught dead at the other's affairs except when mandated by the archdemon. All such events are nothing more than political suck-up sessions, so I only attend when I think they might be amusing. Because this one is in honor of Bridgett's promotion, I figured you'd want to come."

  "Maybe she won't show up."

  "Oh, she'll be here. I'm just curious to see if the rumors are true."

  "What rumors?"

  He ignored me and stopped dancing, pulling me toward the back of the room. "Let's eat."

  The buffet was elaborate and smelled great. I was relieved to see that some of the food was stuff I actually recognized. Isaiah picked out what I should and should not put in my mouth and I didn't argue with him. I wouldn't get much spying done if I was sick in the restroom all night.

  We were sitting quietly at a table in a far corner, picking at our food, when I decided to ask him about what Farrell had told me.

  "So who's keeping the compound going while you're here?" He arched an eyebrow, but didn't answer. "Farrell told me that everything here is magical, the same as in Faerie, and that someone has to keep it going constantly, otherwise it disappears."

  "My perimeter security is intact and keeping everyone off the property."

  "And the palace?"

  He laughed. "The palace isn't needed at the moment."

  "But your servants..."

  "The goblins are with their king for the evening. Stan is there, in his quarters near the kitchen. I also keep the pool up and running. He likes to swim."

  "He must be pretty fast with all those legs and arms. So when you're there by yourself, just you and your staff, you still...?"

  "No. Only the staff quarters, the kitchen, pool, and gym. And some of my personal space upstairs. of course. The compound layout is completely different when I'm alone." He was grinning. "When I have visitors I enlarge it."

  I frowned. "You mean that all those stupid rooms you made me walk through and memorize like the formal dining room and the ballroom and the music room...they aren't usually there at all?"

  "Why waste the energy? Would you?"

  "What about the mountains and the lake and the ocean..."

  "Mother sees to those. It comes with the crown."

  "Farrell told me that much of their magic is communal."

  He laughed out loud. "Absolutely nothing is communal in the DR. We're all selfish beasts who don't share well with others."

  "Brutally honest." I giggled. "Can you build a mountain?" I teased, thinking it was a ridiculous question.

  "I can build you a mountain range taller than the Himalayas, then give you wings to fly above them." My shocked response was interrupted by a loud announcement made by Jolefex, the front door attendant.

  "The guest of honor, Bridgett Brownlow Carlyle, granddaughter of the Bassilissa Naberia, Commander of the Bassilissa's Forces and her lifemate, William Carlyle."

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  I dropped my fork on the floor and stood up, almost knocking my chair over. Isaiah grunted angrily and pulled me roughly back into my seat. Fortunately for us, many people had stood and were walking toward the entrance, supposedly to greet the new commander. None of them seemed to have noticed my shocked expression.

  Isaiah was all business. "Focus. Now's the perfect time to get information. Walk near the groups speaking Fae or English. You can pretend that you're looking for me, or perhaps just curious about the new commander. I'll leave the link open. If you need me, I'll be back in a flash."

  I didn't answer, so he turned me toward him and spoke softly. "He is but a shade, like Marie. Bridgett holds him in solid form with the help of my mother, but it tires her." I nodded, trying to control my trembling, but not completely succeeding. He stroked my hair like a father would to comfort an upset daughter. "Seeing him hurts you."

  My voice was a harsh whisper. "He turned to ashes and blew away. The queen..."

  "He was brought back with a dark spell, using the blood of murdered innocents."

  "Did you know Will would be here?" I asked accusingly.

  "There have been rumors, but I wasn't certain until just now. Come, this changes nothing. We have work."

  We stood and moved toward the crowd, switching to mental speech for privacy. "A word of warning. The shade may recognize you. If that happens, force your dual magicks to work together to control him. You must be subtle so Bridgett doesn't suspect anything. If you think you can't pull it off, then wipe his memories, and we'll get out fast."

  "I can't wipe his memories."

  "With a shade, you simply remove the pictures. Like deleting photos on a camera. I'll keep Bridgett busy."

  Could it really be that simple to remove a piece of someone's mind? I shuddered as Isaiah moved away, speaking to people he knew and then being introduced to those he didn't. All of them nodded deeply in deference to his exalted status. I shook my head. He'd be impossible to live with after this.

  I sucked in a breath and began to move into the crowd, smiling vacantly at males and females who looked my way. Trying to appear harmless, I stopped by a group and pretended to adjust my belt. They were speaking in Fae.

  The tallest male said something like, "Naberia will not wait long. The half-fae child is already being trained."

  Another male responded. "I disagree. She would be unwise to rush. The puny cheetah's title has yet to be earned. Bridgett will have few followers until she proves herself."

  "I did not expect to see Isaiah here. Rumors have it that he is at odds with his mother." The one female had spoken.

  "Isaiah is always at odds with someone. She should have put him down centuries ago, like she did so many of her children."

  "He amuses her," the tallest one said. "I understand the appeal. The centuries can grow boring."

  The female laughed huskily. "I wish he would amuse me for a decade or so. He's outrageously sexy. Did you see the whore he brought with him?"

  "Are you talking about the one who's directly behind you, Myall?"

  She spun and hissed, "Why are you
standing there, whore?"

  Nothing sweet about this demon. I gave her a huge smile, hoping she'd believe me when I said, "Hello. I'm Salina. Were you speaking to me? I'm sorry, but I only speak English."

  She spit on the floor at my feet, barely missing my boot, then turned around to glare at her laughing comrades. Uch, what a bitch. My smart mouth was armed and ready when I felt a tap on my shoulder.

  "Hello, Jackie." His voice was hoarse, as if he didn't use it often. Fortunately, the group of demons had moved away, uncomfortable by his presence, so I was pretty sure they hadn't heard what he'd called me.

  Not wasting a moment, I took hold of William's arm. "I'm Salina." Ice radiated through the fabric of his shirt, his body much colder than average for a shade. Without allowing myself to think about the morality of what I was doing, I forced myself into his mind, then opened a link.

  His eyes widened. "Salina." He'd drawn it out, tasting the word.

  "William." Keeping my mental touch gentle, I wrinkled my forehead in concentration and sent him a picture of my disguise, so that if he had to describe me to Bridgett, he wouldn't be describing my true self. Then I delved further, looking for information that might keep Charlie safe.

  When his outer shield went down emotions flew at me, each one mirrored in his sad blue eyes. Distress, confusion, sorrow, anger; all of them jumbled together. I took in a shocked gulp of air, my healer reaching out automatically to ease his pain. William had been a member of Garrett's nest, a vampire who'd been tortured on a regular basis on Eleanor's orders. When Garrett had killed Eleanor and taken over the nest, William had regained his physical strength. Friendship and finally the love of my sister had healed him emotionally. Then just when his life was beginning again, the Queen of Faerie killed him in a vicious attack for no reason other than to flex her muscles. In his honor I'd added his name to Charley's, Charles Liam William Cuvier. We all still grieved his loss.

  I sensed a presence behind me and pulled back from his mind, still holding Will in stasis.

  Isaiah placed a hand on my shoulder, probably so he could attach to Will's mind along with mine. "You must be subtle. Bridgett cannot know what you've done. She also has access to his mind."