“Should we leave?” Perri asked, red-faced.
Helena pulled away and looked at the Royals and Hans. “What happens now?”
They all looked like they had swallowed a sour pill.
Ealdraed spoke first. “We will attempt to undo as much damage as possible and pay for a new Council building. While you two slept, we have arranged for a purchase of a large property in Hatfield where you can rebuild the Council.”
“Why would you want the Council back? Aren’t you mad about Arthemis?” Helena asked, her shoulders tensing.
Laclia cut her older brother off before he could respond. “We all regret that Father had been trapped by the demons. It brings us no joy to know that our existence now is left in the hands of an ex-hunter. But our decision to bring Arthemis back has caused more harm than good. Father had not once considered how we felt or if we wanted to live. He selfishly decided that he wanted to die at the hands of his mother, and none of us could defy his wish.”
“Almost half of the European delegates were murdered here by Arthemis,” Hans injected himself into the conversation, folding his arms behind his back. “The rest may try to kill us for it or forge a separate Council.”
“We will speak with them,” Ealdraed assured him.
“You do not understand. I have met with many of the delegates during Master Vincent’s travels around the continent. Many have dozens of vampires loyal to them. Your presence in this building is the only thing keeping them from slaughtering every last one of us.”
Lucious sat up straighter in bed, and Helena picked up on a tight-lipped groan from him. “The two of us cannot be the European Council, and Kallias is no longer welcome here.”
Ealdraed combed his fingers through his thick dark hair. “I will speak with him and ask him to remove himself from the Council. Cenric and Bion have left together on the night of the fight. Since Father was no longer here, they decided that any further fighting was pointless. I, too, have to leave.”
“Why?” Laclia asked, tugging on his white shirt’s sleeve. “I thought you would stay here longer.”
“It’s Lera… I thought I was imagining things, but Renlock called me yesterday. She has awakened in America,” the Royal replied happily.
“That witch is back?” Laclia crossed her arms. “She will put you in danger again!”
Ealdraed patted his sister on the head. “I love her, Laclia. You know I do. With her awakening, we can return to having a fighting chance against the gods before they destroy us.”
Helena pursed her lips. “Are you going to start another war?”
“This war began nearly a thousand years ago,” Ealdraed responded. “Orion will not stop at summoning the hunter clans to the US. He had begun amassing his army. Do you believe that you will be unaffected if we do nothing? We are all in danger.”
Lucious gave Helena’s shoulder a squeeze, telling her to hold in her comment. He then said, “Do what you must against the gods while we attempt to restore order in Europe.”
“Thank you,” Ealdraed said. “You are now one of the Royal vampires after you became Arthemis’ seventh pillar. Call us if you need our help. We are family, after all.”
“Duly noted.” Lucious got out of bed and shook hands with Ealdraed. At least, he was wearing a modern blue shirt and grey pyjama bottoms unlike her who was stuck with grandma couture.
Helena noticed that he was swaying a little and decided to wrap her arms around his waist from behind.
Lucious patted her hands and said to the others, “If you don’t mind, I would like to be left alone with her.”
Perri and Hans gave Helena a hug. Laclia awkwardly hugged Lucious and shook hands with Helena. And Ealdraed ruffled Helena’s hair before ushering everyone out of the room. The Royals were an odd bunch. In a way, she was happy she met them. Not all of them were bad people.
Lucious turned around and wrapped Helena in an embrace. No words were shared between them. They stood there in silence for a long time, taking in each other’s scent and enjoying the feel of the other’s body.
Eventually, he took hold of her hand and brought her to the sofa that faced the TV. They sat down, and he draped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her into his chest.
In a sweet voice, he said, “I know this is a boring date but would you like to watch a movie?”
She lifted her head and kissed him. “As long as I’m with you, I don’t care.”
“Does that mean you are staying?” he sounded hopeful.
“I made a promise to you before you erased my memory. From now on, I’ll always be with you. And if you try that trick again, I will drive a stake through your heart.”
He chuckled and kissed her with so much longing and passion that her stomach filled with butterflies. The soul-bond shared with her his relief, and she smiled against his lips. No matter what troubles lay ahead of them, as long as they stayed together, she was sure they could overcome anything.
Lucious grabbed the remote and turned on the TV.
She rolled her eyes and playfully punched his chest. She would have preferred to be doing something else, though a bit of relaxation never hurt anyone. When he flicked through the channels, she shouted, “Wait! That one!”
“After everything we have been through, you want to watch Bram Stoker’s Dracula?” he inquired, amused.
She cuddled up to him and rested her head on his chest. “Why not? I think it fits perfectly with our crazy life.”
“A fair point well made, my dear.”
24
THE NEW COUNCIL
HELENA
H elena lay in bed naked next to Lucious. The longer they spent near each other, the faster they recovered. And, before she knew it, they had discarded their clothes—all over the room—and forgot that the building was full of vampires with superhuman hearing. After being in his arms again, she didn’t care if the whole world had heard them making love. She had missed every inch of him, and being held lovingly by him was the best feeling ever.
“Do you think we will get out of bed today?” Helena asked, lifting her head.
“I would prefer to spend an eternity here,” he replied, stroking her hair. “Though I must admit, you have a point. I cannot stay in bed much longer. There are matters I must attend to and complaints I have to listen to.”
She snorted. “You’ve changed.”
“How so?” He gazed into her hazel eyes, and she wondered what he saw when he looked at her with such intensity.
“You’re no longer doing this Councilman gig because your sire told you to.” She propped herself up on her elbow and kissed him on the cheek. “I love this serious side of you.”
Lucious wrapped his arm tighter around her waist and pulled her naked body on top of his, catching her off guard. His expression because playful with his response. “I thought I hid that side of myself well.” He laughed and kissed the tip of her nose. His seriousness quickly returned. “Are you certain you wish to stay by my side? Your family must miss you…”
“I’m here, aren’t I? And I have talked to Richard. He understands.”
“And your mother?”
Helena shrugged one shoulder and climbed off of him. “She doesn’t want to talk to me. She said that if I don’t go back this week, I shouldn’t return at all.”
“That’s even more reason for you to—”
She silenced him by pressing her finger to his lips. “I have thought this thought. They will be safer when I’m away from them. Whether it’s here or over in the US, bad things follow me around.”
He captured her hand and kissed her palm. “I could triple the amount of security you have. As long as I know you are safe, I am happy.”
“Liar.” Helena sat up and pulled on his arm till he joined her. She moved around on the bed, sitting in front of him completely naked. Placing her palm against his chest and the other against her own, she added, “I know you were lonely without me and Anna in your life. My parents have Claire and each other. They will be
fine, especially since Malachi will keep them safe from now on. But you, Lucious, you’re alone. There is no one else here who could listen to your worries and fears.” Her voice wavered, and he pulled her into another hug. She buried her face in the crook of his neck and inhaled his musky scent to soothe the turmoil in her soul. “I can’t leave you alone. I won’t.”
His arms became a powerful chain that held her in place. He kissed her on her shoulder and her neck. “Helena, you are the only one for me. I just wish you did not have to give up the good relations with your family to do that.”
“Their lives will be peaceful without me in the picture.” Her voice was strangled in her throat, and she heaved a sob. “Please tell me my decision was the right one…”
He held the back of her head and kissed her temple. “Don’t give up hope. Your step-father is willing to welcome you back. With your mother, you will have to try and be persistent. I will be there for you if you need me, my dear. I will never leave your side as you are a part of me—the sole precious part of my soul.”
She hugged him back and shivered. “It’s kind of cold being naked. Shall we get dressed?”
Lucious gave her a naughty grin and pulled her back under the covers. “In a little while, my love.”
LUCIOUS
Two weeks had gone by in a blink of an eye since they recovered fully. Kallias left the Council, giving up on his position as Councilman. Hans and Perri went ahead to the newly acquired Council building. They were going to arrange for witches to ward the place and the grounds. The demon, Malachi, who helped them in the fight against Arthemis left for America last week after saying his goodbye to Helena. It annoyed him, seeing another man acting so close with her, but Lucious held his tongue. There did not seem to be any sexual tension between them.
Once Ealdraed finished paying one hundred million pounds for the new property in Hatfield, he flew to the States where the witch he was looking for was located, leaving Laclia behind to help mediate matters between the remaining delegates and the new Council.
After a long talk with Helena, Lucious had thought about inviting Alexander to become one of the Councilmen. He had discussed the idea with Hans who agreed with him. Alexander had many business connections in Europe and Asia that could be useful.
Sitting in the back of the car driven by Grim, with Helena at his side, Lucious dialled his best friend’s number.
“Alexander, I need you to come to the Council building,” Lucious said.
“Why?” Alexander lowered his voice. “What has been going on these past few weeks for the whole Council to go dark? What about the vampire summons?”
“A lot has happened since we last met. Helena, she’s with me right now,” Lucious gave her hand a light squeeze, and she smiled at him.
“She is? What about Lilia?”
“We have dealt with that issue somehow and know who the second fate is. But, at this moment, I need you here. Without the people I can trust on the Council, I can’t continue down this path.”
“Did you say on the Council?”
Lucious sighed. “Helena is right. We must put our differences aside for this, Alexander. I need you here, in a seat of power as the third member of the European Council.”
“That is—” Alexander paused and blew out a breath. “That’s impossible. I will do what I can to help you, but there is someone in my life now. I…want to see where our relationship is going, so I can’t needlessly endanger her by becoming a Councilman.”
Lucious tried to hide his disappointment. He must have let it seep into the soul-bond because Helena leant over and took the phone from him.
“Hi, Alexander,” she said cheerfully. They exchanged pleasantries, something he didn’t expect. Till a few months ago, Alexander preferred to point out her every flaw instead of seeing what her good qualities were.
“Bring her with you. I’m eager to meet her, and I’m sure Lucious is, too,” she said.
Lucious crossed his arms and pouted at her.
She looped her arm through his and rested her head against his shoulder. “We will see you in three days then. Thank you for agreeing to come.” She handed the phone back to Lucious. “Alexander wants to say something.”
Lucious accepted the phone and said, “Yes?”
“I am sorry I couldn’t be there for you this time, Lucious. There are rumours going around that half of the European delegates were murdered by you, Kallias, and Hans for some crazy blood ritual. You should be careful and keep a close eye on Helena. Double her protection if you have to. I think quite a few pissed off vampires are going to challenge you in the near future for your position.”
“Did you hear anything else?” Lucious inquired.
“If I do, I’ll inform you right away. I have to go, Abigail is waiting for me.”
“Abigail?”
Alexander laughed. It had been a long time since Lucious had heard Alexander being genuinely happy. “She’s the woman I’m dating. Before you ask, no, it is not a fling. I am…serious about her.”
“Then I have to agree with Helena. I am dying to meet the woman who has captured your attention and heart.”
“See you soon.”
They ended the call as Grim pulled up to the large metal gates that opened after he identified himself at the intercom. Helena leant forwards in her seat, stretching her seatbelt as she studied the long driveway to the huge twenty-bedroom red-brick manor that had vast trimmed gardens and thick stone walls built in the late sixteenth century.
“This place is gorgeous,” she gushed.
The bad feeling in Lucious’ chest did not fade. He knew that ahead of them lay dark times. With Helena by his side, he would fight to become stronger. He had no choice. Vampires frowned upon witches being involved in their politics, so having a fate by his side would certainly cause a commotion. There were reports of the news reaching countries like Romania and Italy, being spread by the hounds who had resigned or abandoned their posts.
The car stopped, and Grim turned in the driver’s seat. “Master Lucious, we have arrived.”
“Thank you,” Lucious opened the door and got out. He offered Helena his hand, helping her climb out after him.
She remained enthralled by the architecture and the thoughtful garden design. There were four gardens in total on the property. His only guess as to why Laclia and Ealdraed had picked such a lavish location was because old vampires respected power, which was what the new Council lacked. Without the support of the delegates, they were children playing politics. He had to steel himself for the long journey ahead. Failure to do that would endanger the lives of every vampire in Europe and Helena’s. And, as Councilman, Lucious had no choice other than to protect and serve his people.
Such was my sire’s will. No, such is my will.
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Dark Affiliations (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 5)—coming in 2018.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
“Lover of cake, life, and writing.”
May was born in the little Eastern country called Ukraine where winters are harsh and summers are too sunny. Having moved to Ireland at the age of twelve, she learned to appreciate the temperate climate and became addicted to tea, too.
In her spare time, aside from writing, she likes to daydream of character murder (hopefully, it is the bad guys), plotting the next mystery, watching TV series, or simply diving into books.
May is a fan of f
antastical, horror, and a sucker for romance.
You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, or her website for more information!
DEDICATION
To my sister, Julia.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I would like to thank everyone who helped put this book together, especially Lindsey Elaine, Farah Loqman, and Dominica. You guys are awesome and thank you so much for all the effort you put in to make this book shape into something readable!
Fated Origins: An Urban Fantasy Novel (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 4) Page 29
