* * *
SouthStar—present
"Casimir? I've never met anyone with that name," Kathleen almost giggled as Casimir took her hand and kissed it.
"That has been my name for centuries uncounted," Casimir smiled. "How do you like SouthStar?"
"It's lovely. Adele, Sharon and Lavonna helped me unpack, and they told me all about the gishi fruit and the groves. Cori and Dori brought my breakfast this morning, and then invited me for a tour. Did you know that there's a unicorn and a white wolf who live here? They're shapeshifters. I've always loved unicorns, but I never thought they were real."
"My lady, there are many wondrous things at SouthStar," Casimir said. "Come. Have tea with me and we will discuss some of them."
* * *
Earth—past
Hank's Journal
"I thought you might need help," Kalenegar said stiffly as he appeared with Trajan.
"I didn't mean to upset you," I held up a hand. "I was just surprised, that's all." I'd asked him why he'd come the moment he'd appeared with the werewolf.
"I understand that—up to a point."
"Then we welcome the assistance," I said. "Is Ashe with Kay and Breanne?"
"Yes. He has moved both of them into his suite of rooms and is guarding them while they sleep. He brought his vampire father, plus Amos Thompson, Bear Wright and Salidar DeLuca to help."
I couldn't help smiling when he mentioned Amos Thompson and Bear Wright—the white buffalo and grizzly bear shapeshifters. Who wouldn't be surprised by those two guards? I hoped Breanne got the opportunity to see both.
"Ready?" Griffin asked.
"Ready," I nodded to him. He transported us to Los Angeles, four hours earlier.
* * *
"I don't like those people," Quin offered a beer to Alan. They'd helped themselves to what was inside the refrigerator after tying up James Rome's housekeeper and locking her in the laundry room.
"The job's done, why do they want to come back?" Alan asked. "The money's already in my new account; they don't have access," he added. "So it's not for the obvious reason."
"My ride to Mexico will be here in an hour, so I hope this little visit doesn't interfere with that," Quin sucked on the bottle of beer.
"Yeah—I was offered a place with somebody in Juarez," Alan agreed. "I'll check that out."
"Too bad Rome's dead, we could rub it in his face," Quin laughed.
Alan jumped when the one who'd commanded him to kill James Rome Sr. appeared beside him, accompanied by several others.
He screamed when the room was suddenly filled with many others, and the giant serpent who gulped down his new master made Alan fall to the floor in petrified horror.
* * *
Hank's Journal
Ra'Ak are terrifying when they're angry. Ildevar was angry. It's too bad a Sirenali has no recourse against a Ra'Ak's teeth or appetite. Gavin removed the head of the second Sirenali before he could place an obsession. Like before, I grabbed the chimera and squeezed the life from it, but the lion snake shifter turned humanoid and dropped to his knees, begging for his life.
"No." I tossed the chimera aside and held out my hand to keep Opal from shooting him. "This is Norian Keef's brother, and he was involved in Norian's death. This justice belongs to Queen Lissa."
Since Yaredolak didn't understand English, I spoke to him in Alliance common, telling him he would face justice on Le-Ath Veronis for his part in Norian Keef's death.
"If Lissa does not kill you herself, I will," Ildevar hissed at Yaredolak after coming back to himself.
"Bro, want to clean out the bodies or leave 'em here?" Trajan asked. He and Charles had dispatched the obsessed humans who'd murdered Jayson's father.
"Leave the humans; I'll tell the department they're here for pick up," Dan Kelsey grimaced. One body was headless, the other savaged. "I'll let my people know they ah, resisted."
"Where would you like the others delivered?" Kal asked. "And someone should release the housekeeper who is locked in the closet."
"Take the shifters to the lab in D.C. if possible," Bill said. "Dan, why don't you tell your locals to free the woman after we're gone?"
"Good enough," Dan jerked his cellphone from a pocket to make the call.
"Inform your people the bodies are coming," Kal replied and swept out a hand, causing the chimera and Sirenali bodies to disappear.
"Who wishes to help me deliver this one to Lissa?" Ildevar frowned at Reedy.
"I will come," Kal offered.
* * *
Ashe's Journal
"I had to place a healing sleep," Kevis sighed. "He just kept rambling about how he and his father never really got along."
Sali stood near the door of the adjoining hotel room, where Kevis had taken Jayson Rome. Sali had both Falchani blades strapped to his back as he stood guard; Caylon Black had instructed him the art of the blade more than fifty years earlier, after Trajan and Trace taught him everything they could about hand-to-hand combat. Sali was lethal, and not just as a werewolf.
Sali had likely heard all of Kevis' conversation with Jayson, just as I had. At least Kay and Breanne had slept through it—I had an extra shield around them so their sleep wouldn't be disturbed.
"I heard from Hank—he says they got the others, and managed to take a prisoner—Norian Keef's brother."
"Seriously?" Kevis asked. "Another lion snake shifter?"
"Looks like he was involved somehow in Norian's death. They're taking him to Lissa for judgment," I said.
"Good place for him," Kevis agreed. "Norian wasn't popular by any stretch, but to have his own brother involved in the murder? That's bullshit."
"Kevis, I'm not sure I've ever heard you say bullshit," I grinned at him.
"Dad always says to save those words for when they'll have the most profound effect," Kevis grinned back.
* * *
Le-Ath Veronis—present
Lissa's Journal
"Well, Reedy, I always knew you'd end up causing more trouble," I said.
Ildevar and Kalenegar dumped a quaking Yaredolak before me seconds earlier, and Kalenegar held a shield around the troublesome lion snake shapeshifter so he couldn't get away.
"I just never suspected you'd help somebody kill your own brother," I went on. "You sold him out twice, you filth. You didn't care if he died either time. I'll let Ildevar and the Vampire Council decide your fate this time."
I was glad Reedy didn't offer excuses. He didn't look me in the eye, either, keeping his head down and staring at his bare feet. Perhaps the obsession a Sirenali had laid prevented it. It no longer mattered; he was a dead shifter, I knew that much. Ildevar would make sure of that.
"I will place a shield around his cage in your dungeon," Kalenegar offered. "He will not escape by turning and slithering past the bars."
"Thank you," I nodded at Kal. "Saves me the trouble of doing it myself."
Your sister is fine—she is resting and guarded by the Mighty Hand, Ildevar sent mindspeech after Kalenegar folded us to the dungeon and tossed Reedy into a cell with power. He then placed the appropriate shield; it wouldn't keep me or my guards out—it merely held Reedy in. The Larentii were quite talented in the use of their power.
Is there a problem with Bree? I asked Ildevar. Did something happen?
Too many responsibilities weigh upon her and she is not strong at the moment, Ildevar replied. The Larentii helped a great deal, however.
Tell them to let me know if there is anything I can do, I said. This is my only living sibling. The other two are dead.
I know this, and it matters to me a great deal, as your sister holds my heart. I never thought a M'Fiyah would come to me, and to have it be her, his sending held a great deal of reverence. It also gives me hope in a very dark time, he added.
Let's hope we have enough strength to withstand the dark time, I replied.
* * *
"It is most fortunate we brought a replacement for my brother," V'ili stroked Ja
nine's head in seeming affection.
"Most fortunate that Moxas advised us to do so," Acrimus agreed. "I am greatly incensed that our slaves have been killed and your cousins murdered by the filth who oppose us."
"We will bring others of my kind, and together we will devise a way to destroy our enemy," V'ili hissed. "Slave, bring towels. I wish to swim and think. Let none disturb me in my pool." V'ili stalked away, leaving Janine behind to do his bidding.
* * *
"Moxas, how might I reward you for your foresight?" Calhoun asked. "We lost some, that is true, but we always allow for such losses. It makes our revenge sweeter in the long term."
"We have comfortable quarters and the best of food," Moxas swept out an arm to include his twin and their surroundings. "However, we feel somewhat lonely. Saxom would very much like his love delivered to him."
"I wasn't aware you had a companion," Calhoun turned to Saxom.
"A love for the ages," Saxom nodded.
"Who might that be? I will bring her to you."
"Her name is Kiarra," Saxom smiled malevolently. "She belongs to the race known as Saa Thalarr."
* * *
Earth—past
Breanne's Journal
I remember waking once before to find Charles kneeling at my bedside, his face propped on his hands while he watched me sleep. He was doing it again, only he grinned when I opened my eyes this time and said, "It's about time, sleepyhead."
"Are all hyperactive vampires this insufferable?" I asked. Yes, my grumpy side is always in control when I wake. It's the law of inevitability, sort of like death and taxes.
"I'm insufferable?" He pointed to his chest in mock disbelief.
"No, honey, I'm just teasing," I pulled myself into a sitting position and raked tangled hair away from my face.
"I like it when you call me honey." Charles rose and settled on the side of my bed so he could put an arm around me.
"Yeah." I leaned my head on his shoulder with a contented sigh. "Where's everybody else?"
"Having breakfast. I offered to get you up," he kissed my forehead. "But I wanted to watch you sleep for a few minutes first."
"Sounds like a chore," I muttered.
"No—none of that. It makes me happy. Fills my heart with good feelings," Charles murmured before kissing me again.
"Can the good feelings extend to the bathroom, so I can clean up and brush my teeth?"
"Haven't you discovered you can do that with power yet? The Saa Thalarr do it all the time."
"Really? What do you know about that?" I asked. Yes, he'd know that in the future, but this Charles? That puzzled me.
"I'll have you know that Adam Chessman, our former Chief Enforcer, is Saa Thalarr. Wlodek knows it. Merrill knows it and my sire Flavio knows it. I'm naturally curious. Haven't you figured that out, yet?"
"So you admit you're nosy," I pointed out.
"With an enormous amount of pride," he chuckled. "Now get with it, clean up with power and let's get to breakfast before they eat everything."
"If Trajan orders, that's a real possibility," I said. Charles laughed.
* * *
"We killed four Sirenali, but I'm still concerned that they might bring in more," Hank said during breakfast. I sat across the table from him, squeezed between Charles and Jayson. Jayson looked like anyone might after losing a parent, so I'd sent him Love the moment I took my seat at the table.
He'd perked up a little afterward, so I resolved to send him more Love later. Kevis was seated on Jayson's other side, so I figured somebody had deliberately placed him between the two who might do him the most good.
"They may have already done that," Kal said. "If the Khos'Mirai is operating true to form, he may have advised such."
"That's not good," I said. I knew from reading Lissa how dangerous Saxom's twin could be. "Who knows how many Sirenali he might tell them to bring? How much danger do you think we're in because the Khos'Mirai is interfering?"
"I think it's one of his clones, but the results will be the same." Hank blew an aggravated stream of smoke. "There is no way to tell how many Sirenali were rescued from their destruction in the past by our enemy. With the Khos'Mirai directing the movement of Sirenali, that will be a convenient way for the enemy to trap the unsuspecting and pull them into their forces. If all are eventually obsessed, what might we do to intervene?"
I stared at Hank in alarm. Somehow, I wasn't sure he wanted that information revealed—at least in the way it was. "I understood that the Khos'Mirai's agenda was to cause destruction—for everybody, and not just for the opposition," I said. "That his heritage makes him desire chaos. To think he might be on your side is to court disaster."
"What heritage are you talking about?" Bill leaned in so he could see me from farther down the table.
"He's half Bright Elemaiya and half Dark Elemaiya—just like his twin, Saxom. I worry that since Saxom appears to be back in business, that his obsession with Kiarra may manifest again." I shook my head—how easy would it be to blame Griffin for that? He'd chosen Saxom as a healer long ago. For a time, Saxom had performed his duties and hid his true nature. His obsession with Kiarra finally caused him to reveal himself, and he'd died for it.
Except he was back again, and likely ready to create havoc again. This time, however, he had powerful, rogue gods at his back. I shivered, just thinking about it. Well, there wasn't anything else I could do except send mindspeech to my sister.
Lissa? I'd had to gauge the time difference, but it wasn't difficult.
Bree? Where are you?
Same place, I sent. I just wanted to warn you—with Saxom likely back in the saddle, I worry that he'll ask for help to get to Kiarra. Has she been warned? Are they taking precautions?
Adam and Merrill are keeping her at NorthStar as much as possible, because Ashe has it shielded, in addition to SouthStar and EastStar, Lissa replied. I'll let her know you're concerned, too, in case she feels like escaping for a while.
Yeah, I said. We don't need anybody else captured or killed.
I hear that, Lissa agreed. I'll tell Merrill, Adam and Pheligar, too.
Thanks, I said and ended the conversation.
* * *
NorthStar—present
Adam's Journal
"Sweetheart, it's not just this timeline—what if they come after you back then? It's only us in that timeline where Breanne is, now—you, me and Justin in Fresno. How can we protect you better?"
Kiarra frowned at me. That meant she was irritated and studying the problem at the same time.
"I see you have discovered the difficulty in all this," Pheligar appeared beside us. Kiarra and I stood on the deck outside her suite in the early morning light. A thin fog lay over the gishi trees below us as we considered the problem.
"You and I were doing a difficult dance back then," Kiarra pointed a finger at Pheligar. "You muted the M'Fiyah between us, remember?"
"I recall it perfectly," Pheligar said. "I regret the wasted time."
"I regret more than that, and one of those things I regret is Saxom. Fucking Saxom. Bastard asshat shit-sticky Saxom," Kiarra muttered. She was never one to hold back the profanity; Pheligar had gotten used to that fact long ago. I was still coming to terms with it, especially as she often invented new expressions.
"Shit-sticky?" One of my eyebrows lifted minutely.
"Don't ask," she shuddered.
"I only wanted to make sure I wasn't traveling in the wrong direction."
"Ah, fecal expressions. How little I enjoy them," Pheligar sighed.
"That doesn't solve our problem in the past," Merrill walked onto the deck where Kiarra, Pheligar and I were having our conversation. Pheligar had likely included him in the discussion wherever he was, and he'd chosen to join us now.
"It does not solve the problem," Pheligar agreed. It's surprising how he can express irritation without actually traveling the entire distance to that emotion.
"We can't pull ourselves out of there—can we
?" I asked. "Wouldn't that change too much?"
"It could," Pheligar said. "It is better not to disrupt that time, as any changes could result in catastrophe later. Only the Three might involve themselves and still make things turn out as they should."
"What about placing guards? Ashe and Breanne appear to have their hands full, and we still don't know about Wisdom. He or she could be doing important work elsewhere," Merrill said.
"I can ask for Larentii guards," Pheligar said. "They can be discreet and disguise themselves as humans. Traveling in time will not be an issue for them. Shall I ask Ferrigar?"
"That's the best solution I know," I agreed. "Saxom and any Sirenali pets he has can't get past a Larentii—with power or obsession. If a rogue god shows up, the Larentii can send a message to Ashe or Breanne."
"I will visit Ferrigar now." Pheligar disappeared.
"This is crazy," Kiarra shook her head.
"That much is certain." I pulled her into my arms.
* * *
Earth—past
Breanne's Journal
He needs you. Hank's words were a plea for me to take Jayson back to the room Hank and I shared, only this time, we'd be alone. Hank wouldn't be there, to make me feel safe with Jayson. The thought of being alone with him and his desires frightened me.
Baby, don't be scared. Don't you think he knows not to hurt you? He needs sex, not play time, Hank attempted to reassure me.
"Come on," Jayson grabbed my hand and hauled me toward the elevator. It was obvious he and Hank had already had a conversation, and I'd been excluded until now. We rode up the elevator in silence, but Jayson hadn't let go of my hand. I knew I was shaking. He didn't comment. Maybe that's how he did things—how did I know? I still couldn't read him, and I'd never read Belinda—I was too afraid.
"Take off your clothes," Jayson demanded the moment he shut the hotel room door behind him.
"Jayson," I broke away from him and held up a hand.
"Breanne. My love. My heart. My unexpected. Please take off your clothes. I need your warm body beneath mine. Now."
I blinked at Jayson. He'd never called me anything like that. I stared at him. "And just for right now," he added, "I'd like to be me when we fuck."
I breathed a sigh as I removed his disguise—he now looked like the Jayson Rome I'd met on a cool night in San Rafael. He turned to study himself in the mirror outside the small closet. He was taller. Blond. Handsome, with brown eyes. "Yeah. This is the face I want you to see when I make you come. Take off your clothes, Bree. I want to touch every part of you before we fuck."
Blood Love (God Wars, #4) Page 22
