by K. R. Willis
His normally perfect hair looked tousled, as though he’d just risen, somehow making him more attractive. He locked eyes with me for a brief second, the look on his face one of utter annoyance. What the hell was he annoyed at me for? It wasn’t like I’d gotten caught on purpose. I opened my mouth to ask him what his problem was, but thought better of it when he narrowed his eyes at me.
“How dare you,” the last female council member shrieked. “He is Master!” Her high-pitched voice sounded foreign, from somewhere I didn’t recognize. She’d been quiet this whole time, somehow blending in to the chair she sat on, almost to the point I hadn’t noticed her. Add to that the brick red robe that covered her from head to toe, and the only thing I could tell about her was that she was as dark as a starless night—her exposed hands resting on the chair’s arms the only reason I knew that much.
The head vampire raised his hand to quiet her. “It’s all right, Zarrina.” At his words, she sank back into her chair, but didn’t relax. “Though Léonce has spoken out of turn”—he speared Leo with a look that could have stopped armies—“because he is my progeny, I will allow some leniency.”
His progeny? Holy shit! I glanced at Leo. He bore no resemblance to the guy on the throne, so I guessed the Big Guy to be his sire and not his father. That realization shed a whole new light on the man standing beside me.
“But I must ask, Léonce, why would you interrupt this trial uninvited and risk our wrath for her?” The head vamp remained calm, only his face betraying his irritation, but Dorian and the others had become restless, as though they were ready to attack Leo for his insubordination at any moment.
“Thank you, Lord Loukas, fellow members of the Council.” Leo bowed to Loukas, and then swept his hands out to either side to include the rest of the council members. “I mean no disrespect. I wish only to ensure Miss Blackwater receives fair representation, as well as uphold the honor of the Council.” This seemed to pacify the Council for the time being because they settled back into their chairs.
“As for why I am here,” Leo went on, “Miss Blackwater saved my life, and almost died in the process. My honor dictates this debt be repaid.”
I stared at Leo once again. So he came because he felt honor-bound to help me. He had already watched over me at his home for the three days while I was unconscious and helpless. As far as I was concerned, the debt had already been paid. But on the other hand, Leo knew Council etiquette and vampire law. I knew zero. If feeling honor-bound to help me got us out of here alive, so be it. If he succeeded, I’d absolve him of any further responsibility. We just had to survive first.
Loukas considered Leo’s words. “Though I do not look kindly on you interrupting these proceedings, I understand honor. For that reason, I will allow you to speak on behalf of the accused. Make your words count, for they are few.”
My jaw hurt as I clenched my teeth together to keep from speaking out. The urge to argue and tell them I could speak for myself made my hands itch. Leo didn’t know me well enough to speak for me. What if he got us killed instead of helping us? I started to say something, but Rya interrupted.
Be still, she whispered through my mind. Remember, he came on his own, at great risk to himself. Give him a chance. She moved front and center in my mind, listening and watching everything. Rya flooded my mind with quiet reassurance, and the kind of patience pumas are known for.
I shut my mouth and hoped like hell Leo knew what he was doing.
“This has never happened previously,” Leo said. “What have you found that makes you believe she is the cause of their deaths?”
My chest hurt as the air seemed to get stuck in my lungs. What had they found?
The look that passed between Loukas and Leo spoke volumes. Loukas obviously wasn’t used to having anyone challenge him, but at the same time, he didn’t want to appear without honor, or make it look like the Vampire Council delivered less justice than humans do. Leo treaded a fine line. There was only so far he’d be able to push them before they retaliated in order to keep their positions as the leaders of all vampires. If they appeared weak, others would challenge them.
Loukas seemed to consider all this as well because he didn’t answer right away. The entire room seemed to hold its breath as it waited to see what he would do. Finally, Loukas came to a conclusion and addressed Leo.
“We make it a point to keep track of anything that affects our race. As such, the accused’s blood, and the effects it has on our kind, has been closely studied for years. We discovered a…marker, if you will, that is left behind in those who have taken the cure. This marker was found in all the victims’ bodies.”
What? This was the first I’d ever heard of my blood containing a marker, but I didn’t have time to say anything because the room erupted in chaos.
Hundreds of vampires snarled and hissed. A chorus of “Kill her!” echoed around the chamber from fang-filled mouths. My two escorts, tree trunks one and two, stepped up behind me and latched onto my arms. Dorian smiled and rose from his chair. A sword twice the length of mine materialized in his hand. He glided toward me, his intentions clear. I struggled, but the tree trunk boys’ grips were hard as granite. No way would I be able to get away on my own.
Rya!
I’m here!
Leo struck Dorian. They crashed into one another like a couple of male lions defending their pride. Dorian lost his sword in the initial hit, but it was clear pretty quick that he didn’t need it. They were a whirlwind of fang and claws, their movements almost too fast for me to follow. They punched, sliced, bit, and tore into each other with every advantage their vampire nature afforded them. It lasted mere moments.
In one smooth motion, Leo slammed Dorian to the floor, leapt—or more aptly, flew—several yards to where the sword had landed, then tucked and rolled over the top of the blade. When he came to his feet, the sword gleamed in his hand. Leo spun around and placed the sword at Dorian’s neck when the council member suddenly appeared behind him. It all happened in the blink of an eye.
My mouth dropped. I’d never seen a vampire move that fast before. I didn’t know Dorian from a hole in the wall, but my guess was, as a member of the almighty Vampire Council, he should have been faster than Leo and taken him down easily. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one surprised, because the room had grown deathly quiet.
“Well, now…” Loukas said. He laced his fingers together. “What an interesting development.”
I looked back at Leo. He hadn’t moved. The blade hovered less than an inch from Dorian’s neck. Some emotion crossed his face, but before I could place it, it disappeared.
“Release him,” Loukas ordered. Leo laid the sword on the floor and knelt before Loukas. Dorian would have retaliated, but Loukas said, “Enough, Dorian. Return to your seat.” Dorian bared his fangs and his body trembled, but he obeyed his master’s order.
“Rise,” Loukas told Leo, then to my guards he said, “Let her go.” Vampires grumbled throughout the room, but no one made a move to contradict Loukas. The tree trunks nodded and backed away. Leo rose and returned to my side. His lips were tight, and creases marred his forehead.
Do you wish me to join you? Rya asked.
No, not yet. Something’s happened, let’s wait and see what. She settled down, but remained ready.
Leo and Loukas stared each other down. Leo looked pale, his skin taking on a powdery white color, while Loukas seemed positively gleeful. Something passed between them, something I couldn’t quite put my finger on. I looked from one to the other of them, noting the change in Leo’s posture. It went from strained to rigid, as though something were happening to him.
Then suddenly, Loukas broke eye contact and jumped to his feet. No longer bombarded by whatever Loukas was doing, Leo sagged in relief. He shook, and a few beads of sweat cropped up on his brow. Vampires didn’t excrete bodily fluids except under extreme duress. He had fought Loukas hard…and lost.
I debated whether or not to touch him, to offer comfort, but decid
ed not to when he stood up straight and rolled his shoulders back. He pulled a white handkerchief out of his breast pocket and wiped the pink-tinged sweat away, then placed the soiled fabric back in his pocket. Leo stood board straight and stared at the council members. Status was important to vampires, and he’d just been knocked down a rung or two by Loukas. The last thing he needed was to be comforted by me.
“I have made my decision,” Loukas declared. He addressed the entire gathering of vampires as he spoke, his voice booming around the hall with authority. “The accused will be allowed three days’ safe passage.” Dissonance echoed from several places behind me, but Loukas raised his hand and silence once again reigned. “At which time she will return to this Council and present proof of her innocence.” He glanced down at me. “If she is unable to provide said proof, she will be executed, and Léonce will return to my side.” He turned his gaze on Leo and something akin to rapture encompassed his features. It lasted a mere second, before disappearing. Then he announced, “I have spoken. My words are law.”
“You have spoken, your words are law,” the other council members intoned from behind him.
CHAPTER 22
“What? No,” I blurted. I tried to approach the dais, but I couldn’t move. My feet suddenly felt leaden and glued to the stone floor. Leo glared daggers at me, but I didn’t care.
Loukas strode toward me, ignoring my outburst. “To ensure you obey the parameters of our agreement, you will bear the Lorum so I may find you.”
“A what?” I struggled to back away when Loukas stepped off the dais, but try as I might, I couldn’t move.
“No,” Leo ground out between clenched teeth. His voice sounded strained, as though speaking had taken great effort.
“Enough!” Loukas declared. “You have pushed me too far already, my son. Anyone else would have suffered my wrath.” He whispered the last as he circled Leo once, then came to rest directly behind me.
Rya, can you get free? I didn’t know what the Lorum was, but judging by Leo’s reaction, it couldn’t be good.
Power swelled up inside me and a familiar tingle raced down my right side, but it quickly dwindled and died. No, Rya roared. Whatever magic he’s using is blocking mine. She twisted and pushed against the confines of the tattoo, but nothing happened. Frustrated and not wanting to waste all her energy, she sank down to all fours to watch and wait for her opportunity. I braced myself for whatever Loukas was about to do.
He placed his cool hand on my left shoulder blade. Loukas spoke several words in Latin, the only one I recognized being the Lorum word he’d mentioned earlier. His hand responded to the words, becoming warm, and then near scorching in a matter of seconds.
The skin under his hand started to blister and bubble. I stood there, frozen from my neck to my toes, and screamed. The pain consumed me, wrapping me in a dark cocoon where my vision blurred to little black specks and tears streamed down my cheeks unchecked. Rya screamed, her high-pitched yowl adding to the pressure building in my head. If it didn’t stop soon, I would surely pass out, or die, or something.
As if the Great Spirit himself had heard my plea, the pain lessened and quickly dissipated. Loukas removed his hand, and with that, whatever he’d done to render me immobile disappeared. I collapsed to my knees, not caring about the pain that shot through me with the sudden impact with the floor, and concentrated on breathing.
Leo rushed to my side and knelt before me. “Are you all right?” The stricken look on his face coupled with the fire blazing in the depths of his eyes told me if he could have stopped Loukas from doing what he did, he would have.
“What the hell did he just do to me?” I ground out. Leo wrapped his arm around me and gently helped me to my feet. The spot on my back where Loukas had touched me pulled and pinched with the movement and I grimaced. It still burned, but was otherwise tolerable.
I asked Leo the question, but Loukas answered. “I have given you the Lorum to keep you from disappearing should you not find the proof we require. It ties us together and will allow me to find you no matter where you are.” The triumph in his voice was almost palpable.
“The Lorum,” I spat. “You branded me with a type of supernatural LoJack.” I seethed; the anger welled up and threatened to choke me. I balled my fists and turned on Loukas, ready to launch myself at him, but Leo tightened his arms around my waist.
“Keira.” Leo’s tone sounded light, but it held enough trepidation to make me look at him. His brows pinched together and his eyes were black orbs, serious. “This is not the time. Look around you.”
I took a deep breath, used it to quell some of the anger that demanded payback, and did as Leo suggested. I took a long, slow look around.
Every vampire in the room watched us. Their eyes were alight with fire, all waiting for me to do something stupid. I looked at Loukas and the council members, and saw the same hunger on their faces. Loukas said I had three days, but something told me if I died right now he’d force Leo to uphold the agreement anyway and Leo would belong to Loukas. My feelings for Leo may have been uncertain, but I couldn’t allow him to return to Loukas—whatever that entailed seemed like a bad idea—because I’d let my anger overwhelm my common sense.
Leo is right, Rya agreed. We should leave this place before Loukas changes his mind.
I hated to admit it, but they were both right. If I died now, I couldn’t figure out how the marker in my blood ended up in Tom and Brian. They deserved the truth to be found…and so did Sally.
“I’ll see you in three days then,” I told Loukas. “And when I prove my innocence, you will remove the Lorum, leave me in peace, and release Leo from your agreement.” I didn’t wait for him to respond. I turned to Leo. “Take me home.”
Leo tried to put his arm around my shoulders to help me toward the door, but I shrugged him off. He pulled back, the look on his face was—hurt? Insulted?—but it disappeared quickly and he allowed a couple feet to open up between us. He indicated with a tilt of his head which direction to go.
I hadn’t meant to hurt his feelings or insult him in any way, but with all I’d been through at the hands of Khalid and the Council I was walking out of there on my own two feet, without his help, even if it killed me. I held my head up and strode toward the door he’d indicated.
The last thing I heard as Leo opened the door was Loukas’ laughter and the words, “We shall see.”
***
When we stepped out of an ancient mausoleum into a moonlit cemetery, I reined in my anger long enough to ask Leo where we were. He said we were about an hour and a half south of Great Falls in Helena in a cemetery named Resurrection. The irony wasn’t lost on me given the fact that vampires in a sense were resurrected from the dead. Leo just snorted and said the old ones tended to have a strange sense of humor.
Arnaud waited for us with the limo. He looked much as he had the last time I saw him, but this time lines of worry creased his forehead. “Is everything okay, Sire?”
“Everything is fine,” Leo said tightly. He ducked his head through the open door and slid across the seat.
Arnaud smiled when he saw me, grasped my hand gently and kissed the back of it. “Mademoiselle, how nice to see you again.”
“You as well,” I said, returning his smile. Even though Leo had told me he suffered no ill effects after the battle with the werewolves, it was nice to see for myself. He kept hold of my hand as he helped me into the limo, and then closed the door behind me. Moments later, the cemetery drifted away.
Leo sat across from me with a cut crystal glass full of something red perched on his knee, staring out the window. As soon as he’d entered the limo, he’d taken off his suit jacket, thrown it over the back seat, and unbuttoned the cuff links on his shirt. The calm, slow manner with which he sipped his drink made it seem like nothing was wrong, but the creased lines on his face said he hadn’t enjoyed the encounter with Loukas and the Council any more than I had.
“So…” I started. I squirmed in the seat, trying n
ot to agitate the spot on my back. The stupid thing had already scabbed over and itched like a son of a bitch. If I’d had a back scratcher I probably would have melted into the leather cushion from the pleasure of scratching it.
Stop squirming, Rya scolded me. I’ve almost got this thing healed. She’d been feverishly trying to remove the Lorum since we left the Council chambers, but the only thing she’d managed to do was heal the mark itself. Which was great, but the itching was driving me crazy. I forced myself to sit there like a good little girl and not scratch.
Leo finally turned and faced me with dark hooded eyes. Guilt and anger warred with his features. I didn’t know which emotion was directed at me, but knowing my luck, it was a mixture of both. He set his glass on the bar next to him and waited.
My anger bubbled back to the surface. “Tell me what just happened back there. What happened between you and Loukas, and what the hell is this thing on my back? I want answers.” I tried not to snap at Leo—after all he’d just saved my ass—but I was angry, and he was stuck in a limo with me.
“How much do you know about the origin of vampires, and supernaturals in general?” he asked, voice calm.
“More than I want to,” I grumbled.
He nodded. “A little over seven centuries ago, a great evil swept the land. Loukas was born of this evil. He is the very first of our kind, the oldest and most powerful among us, as well as the Grand Sire of us all. His blood has diluted through the centuries as his children sired children and so forth, but all nightkind carry a portion of him within us. I, on the other hand, was sired by Loukas himself. It was he who found me on the battlefield all those years ago.”
Leo turned and gazed out the moonlit window for several moments as if remembering that night. The moon dipped in and out from behind trees as we passed a section of forest, then reappeared, bathing the open grassland Montana is known for in its glowing splendor.
