Fi snorted out a breath. “I can’t do it! You’re way taller than me. You can’t expect me to hoist you over like that.”
“It doesn’t have anything to do with height. It’s all about leverage, which is really important when you’re fighting an opponent who’s bigger than you.” Chrysabelle pursed her mouth, trying to think of how better to explain it. “Do you want to wait until Damian’s back? He and Amylia should be home soon, and then he and I can demonstrate. Or maybe Amylia could help. She’s closer to your size.” Damian and the new comarré had left with Velimai to get groceries just as Fi had arrived that morning. The excursion was Damian’s idea, part of his effort to learn to live on his own and help Amylia come to terms with the new life that had been thrust on her. Chrysabelle understood all that, but the idea that Damian might move away from her after she’d just found him only added to her stress.
Fi sighed and fussed with the belt of her gi. “Maybe I should just get a gun.”
“Unless the bullets are silver, it’s not going to do much good against a vampire or a varcolai.”
Fi frowned. “But at least I’ll have the satisfaction of tearing holes in something.”
Chrysabelle lifted a brow. “You’re in a fun mood today. How about we reschedule?”
“No, sorry.” Fi sat cross-legged on the floor, then lounged back on her hands. “We had one of those super-boring formal dinners last night to introduce Heaven’s brother Remo to everyone as the new council member.”
Chrysabelle sat beside her. “I take it you didn’t have a good time.”
She made an impolite noise. “Other than getting to know the police chief, it wasn’t exactly a laugh-fest. Having Remo there just made it worse.” She shuddered. “I do not like that guy. He gives me the creeps.” She came off her hands to lean forward. “He looks at me like he wants to skin me. Or eat me. Or both.” She grimaced. “I know he blames me for his sister’s death, but what can I do?”
Chrysabelle sat back. “If he bothers you that much, say something to Doc.”
Fi shook her head. “I don’t want to add to his stress.”
“Do you think Remo would actually hurt you? Does he have a history of violence?”
“No clue.”
Chrysabelle dipped her head to stare directly at Fi. “You’re the wife of the pride leader. You said you got to know the police chief. Do you think he could help you out? Get a little background on this guy?”
Fi’s jaw popped to one side and her eyes took on the distance of thought. “He did give me his card.”
Chrysabelle straightened the hem of her tunic. “Is Remo why you want to learn to fight? Because you think he’s going to try to get revenge for his sister’s death?”
“No. Maybe a little.” She sighed. “At first, I felt awful about what happened. That fight wasn’t supposed to end in anyone’s death. But Doc and his council guys kept telling me not to feel guilty, that challenges and fights are part of life in a pride, and as I healed up, I realized that what happened was perfectly within pride laws—which I didn’t break—and by winning that challenge, I showed everyone what I was capable of. I was kind of proud of myself.” Her fingers went to her neck and a slim leather cord that disappeared beneath her gi.
Chrysabelle nodded. “I get that. And you should be proud. In your human form, you went up against a varcolai. A creature stronger and faster than any human could ever be, and you came out the winner.” She reached over and squeezed Fi’s leg. “Even I would have been scared in that situation.”
Fi perked up a little. “You would have?”
“Absolutely.”
Fi smiled and dug under her gi to pull out something dangling off the long, black cord. “I made this to remind myself of what I’d accomplished.” She held a little glass vial in her hand. Something shimmered inside it.
“What is it?”
“It’s sand from the arena. It was in my boots. Every time I get intimidated by my position as the pride leader’s wife, this reminds me that I’ve already proved myself worthy.”
Chrysabelle held the vial, turning it under the light. “It’s actually really pretty. I’ve never seen sand that looked so sparkly.” She let go of it. “I think it’s a great idea. It’s like your talisman.”
“Thanks.” Fi tucked it back into her training uniform. “I haven’t shown it to Doc. I’m afraid he’ll think it’s silly, that I should just automatically have confidence like he does.” She propped her elbows on her knees. “I think he forgets that I was just a regular old human college student when I was killed. I didn’t grow up on the streets like he did. I don’t know how to handle myself in a lot of these situations that seem to come so naturally to him. He was raised in the pride. It’s been his life except for the years Sinjin threw him out.” She leaned her head into her hand. “I’m rambling. I’m sorry. You have enough problems without me adding mine.”
Chrysabelle smiled, but the smile wasn’t wholehearted. “We all have problems.”
“What are you going to do about Mal?”
“Nothing. I have to move forward.” While she waited and watched and prayed she didn’t have to kill him.
“There’s always something you can do. Don’t you love him? He needs you.”
“I told you I did, but Fi, I don’t think you understand what happened.”
“I do. The fae sucked out all his love for you. I promise, I get it. Now answer the question. Do you love him? Not did you, do you.”
Chrysabelle struggled to keep her mind off the child she carried. “Yes. That’s the hardest part of moving forward.”
Fi’s eyes narrowed. “You don’t just stop being in love with someone.”
“I don’t see what choice I have.” Chrysabelle stood, ready to get back to work. As she came to her feet, the floor twisted beneath her. The world had suddenly gone off balance. She put her hand out, but found nothing to grab onto. She stumbled, going down on one knee. Her stomach revolted and her mouth watered. She doubled over and pointed to the corner of the room. “Trash can.”
“What?”
“Trash. Can.” She swallowed, trying to hold herself together. “Now.”
Fi scurried to get it, sliding back to Chrysabelle’s side just as her control left. She vomited into the metal bin. Relief settled in immediately. Fi stuck her hand on Chrysabelle’s forehead. “Are you sick? You don’t feel warm.”
“No, I’m fine, just something I ate, I’m sure.”
Fi’s brows arched in disbelief. “Really? Because when I got here, Damian told me there were plenty of leftovers since you’d skipped breakfast.” Suddenly, her eyes widened. “Holy crap. You’re pregnant. Are you pregnant? You’re pregnant!”
Chrysabelle was about to deny it when her stomach heaved again. She sighed and wiped her mouth on her sleeve as she lay down on the gym mats. She crooked her elbow over her eyes, wishing she could block out the reality of what was happening just as easily as that.
Fi didn’t get the hint and kept talking. “Whom did you sleep with? Not that it’s any of my business, but that’s never stopped me before.”
Chrysabelle lifted her arm long enough to shoot Fi a look. “Mal. Who else would I sleep with?”
Fi’s jaw dropped open and for a few brief but glorious moments, she was speechless. Anticipating the questions, Chrysabelle dropped her head back down and explained. “He drank my blood during… our time together, which brought his body to life. That’s how.”
“Does Damian know? Holy crap, is he going to go all big brother and go after Mal? Defend your honor and all that?”
Chrysabelle kept her head down. The cool mat felt good against her neck. “No, he doesn’t know and my honor doesn’t need defending. The only people who know are Vel, Mortalis, maybe Nyssa, and now you. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
“Mum’s the word. Or not, seeing as how mum means—”
“I get it.” Chrysabelle felt Fi lay down beside her.
“You should at least tell Damian. He’
s family. And he’s about to be an uncle to a half-vampire kid. You should give him a little time to prepare for that.”
Chrysabelle sighed into the air. “I know. I’m just worried about how he’ll react.”
Fi was quiet for a long second. “You know this means you have to find a way to fix things between you and Mal.”
Chrysabelle turned her head enough to see Fi. “It doesn’t mean that at all. My being pregnant doesn’t make the impossible any more possible.”
“Really? Because your getting knocked up by a vampire seems like the definition of that.” Fi frowned. “Look. Mal’s daughter was killed by a vampire. You can’t take this child away from him too.”
“He’s not the Mal he was a few weeks ago, Fi. He’s the Mal who killed you. The Mal the nobility wanted to erase. He’s become a monster again. He was here last night, watching me. If Mortalis hadn’t intervened…” She sat up a little, causing her insides to slosh unpleasantly. “The house next door was broken into and the alarm was set off. When the police came, they found one of those white-tailed deer dead on the property. Its neck was slashed open and it had been drained of blood. Do you understand what I’m saying? That would have been me.” She lay back down. “The best I can do right now is pacify him, something I’m going to see Dominic about this evening.”
Fi grunted. “I’ve never known you to be a quitter.”
“I’m not quitting. I’m—”
“You want to be safe? You want this child to be safe?”
“Of course I do.” Anger skipped along Chrysabelle’s nerves. She blew out a breath and forced herself to remember Fi was only trying to help. She pushed to her elbows and met Fi’s gaze. “Look, if there was a way to fix Mal, I would do it. Whatever it was, short of sacrificing the life of this child, I would make it happen.”
Fi’s eyes glittered with determination. “Then we have to figure out what that is.”
Chapter Seven
Things were oddly quiet in Paradise City. Lola tapped her fingers on her desk, knowing it wouldn’t last. In fact, it would probably end the moment she announced she’d been turned into a vampire at this evening’s press conference, but the citizens needed to know how far she’d gone to bridge the gap between the othernaturals and the humans. Word was starting to spread. Better they heard it from her own lips.
They would see how much she was willing to sacrifice for them. And how things were going to change for the better because of it.
For one, she couldn’t keep traditional office hours and it was becoming more obvious that the city needed to be open twenty-four hours to service the needs of all its citizens. And some of those citizens of the othernatural variety were perfectly suited to nocturnal time schedules. Not only would employing a second shift of othernatural workers for city hall fulfill their needs, but it would bring more jobs to the city and show how hard they were all working to create a place where everyone could live in harmony.
Paradise City would set an example for the rest of the country. She leaned back in her chair and put her feet up on the desk. The big networks would want to interview her. Maybe she’d even write a book.
“Mayor?” Valerie, her administrative assistant, pushed the office door open.
She dropped her feet back to the floor. “Yes?”
“There’s someone here to see you.”
The way Valerie stressed the “someone,” Lola knew that person wasn’t human. She inhaled and immediately scented another vampire. Preacher? Hopefully not. After giving him that letter, she’d assumed that situation was resolved. “Give me two minutes.”
Valerie nodded and pulled the door shut.
Lola closed her eyes and focused on what she was feeling. Immediately, she realized she could detect the new presence. Luciano had told her she’d be able to but that it would take time to develop her senses. She really needed to visit with him again. He’d been so helpful. Odd that he hadn’t contacted her in the last few days.
Valerie knocked again.
“Come in.”
She entered with a handsome, well-dressed vampire behind her. Definitely not Preacher. Valerie looked a little uneasy. She had no issue with varcolai so maybe it was just that he was a vampire? She’d have to get used to the othernaturals eventually, just as the othernaturals would come to accept their human counterparts. That balance was necessary for peace to continue.
Lola stayed seated as Valerie introduced him. “This is Octavian Petrescu.”
“Mr. Petrescu, how can I help you?”
“Call me Octavian, please.” He smiled and glanced at Valerie. “May we speak privately?”
Lola nodded to her assistant. “Thank you, Valerie. That will be all.”
She seemed relieved to be dismissed.
Once the door closed, he gestured toward the chairs in front of her desk. “May I sit?”
“Of course. Now, what brings you to my office?”
He eased into the seat, small lines of tension bracketing his mouth. “I am new to your city. As you have no doubt noticed, I am also a vampire, but my understanding is that this city is not exactly… friendly to my kind.”
She nodded. “You’re referring to the curfew incident. I assure you that is well behind us and not to be repeated. I was under the influence of a very dangerous man.” She smiled, hoping to reassure him. “Perhaps you didn’t realize, but I am vampire also, having recently been sired.” She let her eyes silver. It was a skill she’d mastered almost instantly, although keeping her human face in place without a regular feeding schedule remained difficult. Fortunately, Hector, her comar, was always willing and on hand when she needed him.
“I had heard a rumor, but there is nothing about you that indicates such.” His body language relaxed and he leaned forward. “You are House of Paole, then?”
“Yes. I guess it takes another noble to understand something like that.”
“Indeed.” He splayed his fingers against his chest. “I am House of Tepes, not so long ago sired either, but I have been in the company of nobles all my life.” He dropped his hand to rest on the chair’s arm. “Perhaps this is a bold statement, but I have come here to make a new life for myself and I feel like fate has brought us together. I believe you and I could help each other.”
“Mr. Petrescu—”
“Octavian, please.”
She nodded. “Octavian. I am extraordinarily busy. I have a city to run.” And a granddaughter to find. “A city that is tenuously holding on to a modicum of peace between its othernatural and human citizens.” Some of his enthusiasm left his face. “However, what you’re suggesting appeals to me. I have no other real vampire acquaintances and as I am young, I know you could be valuable to me.” She sighed. This was an opportunity she did not want to pass up, but she could not ignore the needs of her city. “I have several pressing matters to address before I can allow myself any personal time. Until then…”
“May I ask what kinds of pressing matters?”
How much should she reveal? He was one of her own, after all, and her plans would soon be obvious. “I am trying to turn Paradise City into an example of how humans and othernaturals can live in harmony. A big part of that plan is making sure the city is open and operating around the clock so that the needs of all its citizens can be met. That means hiring a second shift of workers to keep city hall running. My administrative assistant, Valerie, is going to be difficult to duplicate. I need an othernatural who is organized, knowledgeable of both sides, and capable of getting things done. Plus, they must be compatible with me as we’ll be working very closely together since I’ll be taking that second shift and letting the city council handle matters during daylight hours.” She studied him, wondering what he thought of such ambition. “As you can see, my plate is full.”
“This is fate indeed.” He smiled broadly. “I was the assistant to a very powerful, very old vampire in my city. For years before I was sired, I ran her vast estate, managed the extensive staff and her schedule. I know how to work with
mortals and othernaturals alike.” His face went very serious. “I can do this job. It may very well be the reason I felt compelled to come here. Please, give me a chance.”
She sat back, taking in everything he’d said and mulling it over. The wheels in her head began to spin. “How old and how powerful?”
“She was in direct connection with the most ancient of our kind.”
She tried not to react to his statement, but it was as if he’d known what she wanted to hear. She played it off, fussing with some papers on her desk as if his words meant nothing to her. “If you were so good at what you did, why aren’t you still working for this vampire anymore?”
Sorrow tarnished his eyes. “The burden of eternity became too much for her to bear. She lost someone dear to her and, in her grief, walked into the dawn.” He swallowed and looked away for a moment. “Forgive me. I still miss her.”
Lola understood what it meant to lose someone so close to you. She nodded in sympathy. “I’m sorry for your loss. I would be happy to offer you the job. Maybe the work will be good for you. Give you something else to focus on.”
He smiled gently, his eyes still liquid and yet happy. “Thank you. I will not let you down.”
Exactly how powerful and connected was the vampire across from her? She needed to know what he was capable of, because what she really wanted from him wasn’t for him to become her nighttime assistant.
What she wanted from him was the knowledge of how to access those ancients he spoke of. The ancients she knew were holding her grandchild.
“Mariela,” Preacher whispered, letting the breeze take her name like a prayer. His military and religious training had taught him enough about lies and confession to know that Creek was telling the truth and the mayor was not, but even without that, he knew in his heart that his daughter was alive. He could feel that the bond between them remained unbroken.
The wind whistled past, barely registering. He stood high in the church’s belfry, the bells long ago stolen by hoods looking for a few quick bucks off the scrap metal. The view from here made the church impossible to sneak up on. When Mariela was first born, he’d spent every night up here, coming down only to eliminate the bands of fringe who came nosing around, sniffing after the scent of newborn.
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