by Sue Wilder
Phillipe turned to look at him. “Why do you believe he wants her more than he has to this point?”
“I saw into his mind, Phillipe.” Lexi’s voice trembled. She no longer held the glass of wine—it was sitting on the wet bar and she was looking for something. Christan realized she was cold when a shiver moved across her shoulders. He walked to a closet and drew out a thick blanket. When he handed it to her, she avoided his fingers.
Christan remembered a purple mohair throw with bands of white, how she’d been sitting on the porch in the dark and had ordered him inside so she could cook for him. How she said she wanted to be happy. The contrast made him turn away before the need to hit something overtook him.
“Please tell me about Gaia.” Lexi curled on the end of the couch, looking at Phillipe, no one else.
“Why?”
“I don’t remember enough. Three said it started with Gaia and it would end with her. When Six slipped and lost control, he let me into his thoughts and I saw the same thing.”
“What did you see?”
“Triumph, that he finally found what he wanted, after so many girls died. Kace is going to dig the memories out with knives while he stands there watching. He was enjoying it, Phillipe, he was heating up with excitement and I felt him touching me.”
Christan made an abrupt move before Arsen laid a hand on his arm.
“What do you remember about Gaia?” Phillipe asked.
“She was a girl who tended her father’s goats and dreamed useless dreams.”
The immortal tipped his head to one side. He was silent for so long, Christan wondered if he was arguing with Three telepathically or just unable to find her.
“I have permission to tell you what I know,” the academic said. “Three and Two were the Calata members who understood the alchemy. Each held half of the information to protect the secret. Warriors were created in reaction to the death of Four, and we’ve always suspected Six’s involvement in the murder. He made accusations against Three, and she has allowed the suspicion to remain for her own reasons, which I will not share since they bear no relevance to this discussion.”
Arsen took over the interrogation. “What does Six want?”
“You’ve heard the rumors about Two.”
“That she recorded her half of the secrets?”
Phillipe nodded. “Three believes the possibility exists.”
“Why would Two have taken such a risk?” Christan asked.
“She was obsessed.”
“That is not sufficient as an answer, Phillipe,” the enforcer said, and the immortal seemed to be controlling himself as he glanced around the reinforced room.
“Two vowed retribution for Four’s murder. Everything she did was to achieve such an end.” Phillipe glanced at Lexi. “I will give you a brief history of the village where you lived. Cyrene lies on the north-eastern coast of Libya. It’s said Apollo sent a message to the people of Santorini to leave and resettle in Africa. They did, and Cyrene prospered because of a rare plant called silphium. Both the Minoans and the Egyptians had a specific glyph for it—they believed it granted long life, wishful thinking, but it was also an effective form of contraception and that was far more valuable. Two studied the alchemical properties of plants, and she was known to frequent the area, up to and including the 4th century of the common era when Gaia lived in the ruined remains of the settlement.”
Christan had straightened. “You’re saying Two knew Gaia?”
“Two had the gift of foresight, and it’s likely she went looking for Gaia. She understood the girl’s destiny. Gaia had an affinity with the earth, a trait that carried through every lifetime, and Three now suspects Two may have hidden the knowledge in a way that only Gaia—or one of her reincarnations—could interpret.”
Lexi shook her head. “I have no memory of Two.”
Phillipe’s tone softened. “Perhaps you didn’t know her as a powerful immortal Calata member.”
“I still have no memories,” Lexi said, “and knives won’t dig them out.”
She tugged on a loose thread at the edge of the blanket. Her hair glinted gold in the light and tumbled around her shoulders, having come free from the knot she’d fastened earlier. Christan studied the haunting beauty in the planes of her face. She was beautiful to him in every lifetime, but now she was striking. The immortal changes were emerging. They were inevitable, an extension of a cardinal enforcer twisted by a one word for vengeance and transferred through the blood bond. Nothing could do more damage to her than such power, not while she was too vulnerable to recognize what it was and fight against it. He was trying every way possible to keep her safe. It felt like walking through quicksand.
Lexi was pressing her fingers hard above her right eye. She looked in pain. “I can’t do this, Phillipe. I’m not Gaia.”
Christan took an involuntary step toward her but it was Phillipe who placed his hand on top of her head. A soft pulse of energy filtered through the room until she sighed and fell asleep. The immortal stared at her sleeping form.
“You still haven’t discussed the blood bond with her.”
Christan didn’t answer.
When Phillipe turned, his expression was angry. “I recognized your power, and she had no idea it was influencing her.”
“Then why didn’t you stop her?”
“I tried. The magic shielded her.”
“Six was trying to kill her.”
“He was trying to teleport her. The blood bond kept him from breaking through, just as it prevented me from controlling her.”
“I won’t risk her like that again,” Christan said with a softness known to be deadly.
“She’ll always be in danger, Enforcer,” Phillipe answered with intimidation until the air between them vibrated. “You know that.”
Christan turned his back, walked to the wet bar and poured a glass of something amber and potent and stared down at the shimmering liquid that reminded him of her eyes.
“I’ve told her there’s no future for us, that she should ask Three to protect her.”
“No.” Arsen couldn’t hide his shock. “Christan—”
“It’s done,” Christan interrupted. “She’d be on her way to Seattle by now if the guards hadn’t stopped her.”
“Then you’re a fool,” said Phillipe as he turned away. “You’re the only one who can protect her. You did protect her tonight—are you such an idiot you don’t see that?”
Christan lifted the whiskey to his lips and tried to swallow. “I can’t shield her from a compulsion I can’t control.”
Phillipe stiffened, and for a moment the air was thick with silence. Christan turned to face the immortal. Part of him felt like the idiot Phillipe had accused him of being, while the other part reminded him that Lexi had to remain safe no matter what it took.
“I will say this once, Enforcer. You are in control of that one word as long as she is at your side. She goes, you have nothing. You will be the sorry ass you think you are and I won’t lift a finger to help you. You are part of each other now. That’s why you could reach her tonight, surround her with energy when I couldn’t. You exist inside her shields, and she is the only one who can help you control the vengeance. Knowing Six wants her should frighten you beyond reason, because without her you will be that man in the jungle, and she will be helpless against you. Is that what you want?”
“No.” The glass crashed against the wall. Christan wasn’t sure if he had thrown it or if Phillipe had whipped it away on a surge or power. Or if Arsen had—there was so much aggressive energy swirling in the room it was hard to tell. “What does Six know?”
“He calls her Gaia, so he’s aware of her life in Cyrene. He knows she’s no longer mortal—the energy was too distinct during the confrontation, and from what Lexi saw in his mind, he won’t stop.”
“Did Three manipulate this?” Christan realized he was starting to shift. His hands turned monstrous, the fingers elongating into thick paws with wicked black claws.
The stretching in his spine burned.
“Calm, Christan. It will do no good to demolish another building.”
“Did. She.”
“No. I don’t believe she did. Three was… it’s not usual for her to express emotion. She was concerned.”
“Concerned.”
“You can’t fight,” Phillipe cautioned, “if that’s the choice you are about to make. This building is impregnable, built with immortal power to withstand any warrior assault. One and Six are not the only Calata members in residence. Five has arrived. Three is in route. When she arrives, the Calata will be evenly split, so I would advise you to stand down if you were inclined to listen.”
“And if I choose not to listen?”
“Then think of what will happen to Lexi if you’re killed, because even as blood mates they can still kill you.”
Arsen walked toward him. “Christan, it’s possible this inquiry is retribution for embarrassing Six. We don’t know what he’s put together. Lexi was in Rock Cove for months unprotected. He could have sent Kace after her but he didn’t.”
“Kace was incapacitated.”
“All we have to go on is what she read in his mind. She might have misinterpreted it.”
“Did you listen to her? Hear her voice? There’s too much at risk.”
“We still have time,” Phillipe counseled.
Did they? Some moving pieces had fallen into place while others were beyond Christan’s grasp. Lexi remained curled on the couch, the exhausted tension eased from her face. The faint glow of immortal life warmed her skin. Squatting down, Christan stroked her cheek and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. He thought about the centuries, dying inside until she offered him a chance at living, and he’d been afraid to accept it, afraid of what the blood bond was doing to this woman he loved more than life. He kept pushing her away until here he was, a broken and bitter man staring at the wreckage of his life.
There was a hard rap on the door to the suite. Christan jerked to his feet and turned to face the threat.
Darius stood in the opening. “The inquiry is convening in five minutes,” he said without emotion. “Six refused to wait until tomorrow. He is demanding that you submit or yield.”
CHAPTER 13
The ballroom remained unchanged other than the audience. Potted palms still lined the walls and carved lattice screens hid secret windows, but voices were urgent and excited as if another spectacle was about to take place. At one point, the bite of lust was so sharp Lexi shook her head, struggling to orient herself. Exhaustion was slow to dissipate. Her body ached and the pressure from immortal speculation was intense. Uneasily, Lexi asked Luca why immortals were clustered in groups and warriors lined up against the wall. That was when she realized Luca was standing tense and on full alert.
Luca pointed out the screen behind the dais, draped in a royal blue cloth with red stripes that slashed on the diagonal—One’s flag, the symbol of her authority. Five chairs were arranged on the raised dais, three filled, one empty, and the chair in the center turned backward. Luca explained how seven chairs were readied under normal circumstances, but the Calata member known as Seven was lost somewhere in Australia, disinterested in Calata affairs, while Two had been absent for centuries. The chair turned backward represented Four, who had been murdered. It also marked the political divide between the Calata, those who were aggressive, and those who were not.
Lexi could see Six, sitting on the right side of the dais. He was leaning over to speak to a big man wearing combat fatigues. The man was the Calata member known as Five, an ally to Six, with territory that began with the Carpathian Mountains and ended somewhere beyond Russia. Black hair hung around his face. A scar disfigured his cheek. Lexi knew enough about immortals to realize appearance reflected personality. Six preferred civilized dark suits to hide his intent. In contrast, Five’s hostility was clear.
One sat in the chair at the far left. Her hair was loose, and the casual attire of black slacks and a pink blouse looked as if the Calata member hadn’t been given enough time to change into more formal clothes. The empty chair beside One belonged to Three, and while Lexi stared at the dais, Luca explained why the inquiry had been called in the middle of the night.
“Six is taking a huge risk. He wants a majority vote of the Calata members present, and enough powerful immortals as witnesses so there can be no dispute. First there will be the accusations against Christan, then against Arsen and Darius, but they aren’t his immediate target. Phillipe will defend Christan’s actions until Three arrives. When she does, the Calata will be at an impasse and this will end.”
Lexi scanned the room, finding Christan, with Arsen and Darius. The accused were dressed again in the ceremonial black pants but without the weapons. Their arms were behind their backs and feet braced in an unrepentant stance, surrounded by armed guards wearing One’s household colors of blue and red.
“Where’s Phillipe?” Lexi asked, switching to telepathy; Luca took the ability in stride.
“He’s standing by that group of immortals, arguing his case, reminding them of their loyalty to Three.”
“Where is she?”
“I’m sure Phillipe has told her of the urgency and she must not delay.”
The warrior touched Lexi’s arm and guided her closer to the wall. Then he positioned his big body in front of her, not to the side. He always did that when he was concerned.
“Luca,” she said, needing a distraction, “you never talk about yourself. I should have asked you earlier.”
“There was no need.” The warrior kept his attention on the crowd. “You’ve had other matters on your mind.”
“You’re being kind. This is baby-sitting and I thank you for not complaining.”
His laugh was pure Italian, but his gaze remained focused. “What do you wish to know?”
“Do you have family?”
“I’m a warrior. My men are my family.”
“A mate, then?”
“No, I was never that lucky.”
“There’s always a chance, Luca. Don’t you believe love will find you?”
“Forse non.”
A new contingent of warriors entered. They belonged to Luca, and when they formed a protective circle around her, Lexi wasn’t sure if it was a good sign or not. Christan looked stoic and at peace with what was about to happen. As if he understood something Lexi did not, something known to everyone else in the room. Luca bent his head.
“It begins,” he said flatly as Six rose to his feet. “This is an Italian court. I will translate so you understand.”
Six spoke while gesturing to the assembled crowd. He walked back and forth across the dais with the charisma of a practiced politician, his voice rich with indignation, then softening in persuasive empathy. He understood, he said. Could see how immortals resisted passing judgement on an enforcer of Christan’s repute. Loyalty was paramount, honorable, but some sad facts needed to be faced. Luca moved closer to Lexi’s side, speaking without emotion as the arguments progressed.
“Six is demanding his right to call this inquiry. He is the aggrieved party. Now One is protesting. She says it’s almost nine at night and Three has yet to arrive, the inquiry was scheduled for the morning with no urgent need to demand it now. There are other immortals agreeing with her but Six won’t relent.”
“Why is he doing this?”
“He wants Christan to submit or yield and he wants to force it before Three can get here to intervene.”
“What does that mean—submit or yield?”
There was a tense silence before Luca answered.
“Christan doesn’t want you here.”
“I know that.”
“He had no choice. Six demanded it and I will do what I can to protect you—you will not see it when it happens.”
Phillipe was gesturing now but Lexi wasn’t listening to the academic’s words. She was gripping Luca’s arm hard enough to draw blood.
“What won’t I see?”
Luca turned his head and stared across the ballroom. “The Calata has an ancient code that includes lex talionis, the law of retribution. With grievances, if a Calata member brings charges and a majority on the Calata agree, a warrior must either submit to punishment or yield up someone close to him as hostage. Because Christan is a cardinal enforcer, his reputation is irrefutable. Six needs more than the Calata. Influential immortals must support his demand.”
“I’m not ignorant, Luca. What will Six demand?”
“Christan will be forced to fight as many warriors as necessary, one after the other and to the death—until the death is his. If he does not agree, he must yield up his mate as collateral. It will be legal and out in the open.”
“Oh my god.”
“Six is detailing the accusations. He claims Christan destroyed his building in Zurich without provocation.”
“Liar,” Lexi hissed.
“He murdered several of Six’s warriors, again without provocation.”
“And what of the caretakers at Christan’s villa?”
“He went on an unsanctioned and uncontrolled rampage and Arsen and Darius were with him. Six is reminding them of the immortal from One’s court who was murdered in the Piedmont. He says if enforcers are attacking immortals without cause, no one is safe.”
Luca paused, a muscle jerking in his jaw. Six continued to rant, striding back and forth across the dais in agitation, and when Luca continued, his tone was neutral as if he couldn’t stand to say the words.
“They all remember the madness in the jungle. The alchemy is out of control and Christan should have been put down then, but Three called in her blood debts. Immortals relented out of fear or loyalty to what they must now admit is a lost cause. They have no other choice but to support Six.”
Lexi struggled to breathe while tears strangled her throat.
“He wonders where Three is, argues that her absence proves she’s turned her back on her own enforcer. Six demands retribution. Five is supportive while One is protesting, and they argue around in the same circle.”
“Where the hell is Three? This can’t be happening.”
