Come Hell or High Water (Hellcat Series Book 5)

by Sharon Hannaford

  He tried a smile, but it was clearly forced. “So I feel like I owe you an apology. I do feel a certain…kinship to you and Gabi. Something I haven’t felt for a long time. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate your friendship.”

  Julius was amazed in too many ways to count. Benedict’s revelations were confusing. For the hundredth time that night he wished Gabi was at his side. Being separated from her had made him realise just how much he relied on her intuition and judgment. If nothing else, she viewed the world with different eyes; in some cases more world-weary and judgmental than himself, but in others more accepting and appreciative of the gift horses that were presented. He had no choice but to tread warily.

  “You must believe me that if I’d had any idea about the evidence, I would’ve found a way to warn you. They were clever and very circumspect, bringing it up at the end of the trial. None of us knew it was coming.” Benedict’s fists were white-knuckled balls at his sides, and his eyes flashed anger. “I’m assuming, like everyone else, that the evidence will condemn her?” His eyes flicked to the bedroom door, where Benedict could obviously hear Kimberley’s steady heartbeat. “Julius?” Benedict pressed when he didn’t immediately reply.

  Julius closed his eyes, weighing up just how far he could trust Benedict, how much he dared to give away.

  “I swear I will do everything I can to help protect her. I swear it.” Benedict was right in front of Julius suddenly, his baby blue eyes boring into Julius’s.

  Julius double-checked his wards around the room.

  “It will more than likely be hers,” he conceded, holding Benedict’s gaze, assessing the impact of his words.

  The other man nodded, not breaking eye contact, but looking pained by the admission. “Then either we have to get her out of here, in which case she may as well hang a guilty sign around her neck, or we need to find a way to destroy…or even better, change the genetic makeup of that evidence.” His gaze went distant, no longer seeing Julius. “I think if I can get close enough to it, I might be able to do something to it. I’ve never tried it with such precise purpose before, but, if nothing else, I can probably degrade it beyond use. Are you willing to let me try?”

  Julius allowed a slow smile to light his face. “None of that will be necessary,” he informed Benedict mildly. “She’ll appear before court and allow them to test her DNA against the evidence in question if the Princeps require it.”

  Benedict’s eyes narrowed and he searched Julius’s face. “You knew this might happen,” he said slowly. “You’ve planned ahead, you sneaky bastard.” The smile that creased his face told Julius all he needed to know. “Never a dull day with you and Hellcat around, is there? Do I even want to know?”

  “Just trust me,” Julius replied. “I’ll reveal all in time, but not just yet. I wouldn’t want you to compromise yourself, or us, before it’s done.”

  “Well, good luck in the prelim,” the other Vampire said, looking far more relaxed than when he’d arrived. “Know you have friends around you and that we’ll help in any way we can if things turn bad.”

  Julius extended a hand and Benedict shook it firmly.

  CHAPTER 11

  The heavy pull of daysleep dragged at Julius. He’d delayed resting the previous day, and even though he had given in for a few hours, it hadn’t been nearly enough. He’d called for a Feeder after Benedict left. Guest Master Vampires could be fairly specific about their preferences in a Feeder here at Court; there was a large complement of Feeders on call. Julius had made no specifications, blood was blood, and he didn’t require the sexual element that many other Vampires enjoyed with a feeding.

  The Feeder that arrived was a pretty, young woman with auburn hair, though a chemical scent gave it away as a hasty dye job. It seemed the staff were trying to please him, another sharp contrast to his previous visit. He wondered, if Gabi had been here, whether she would’ve sent the girl on her way or just laughed it off. Regardless, he needed to feed. He led the girl to a chair near the fire and sat her down, taking her wrist in his much larger hand. She looked up at him with large, confident eyes and a teasing smile. He held her gaze, threading a tiny wisp of power around her as he bent his head to her wrist.

  The pulse of blood just under her delicate skin called to him, his mouth already filling with nerve-numbing saliva, his fangs aching as they filled his mouth. He closed his eyes as he sank his canines into the vein, the gush of blood filling not just his mouth but his senses too. The girl’s blood was a little weak, she was low on iron, she must be a popular choice. If he stayed long enough to need another Feeder, he would be sure to be more specific about his requirements and make sure his men did the same.

  The girl giggled and swayed a little as he escorted her back to the door, and tried to give him a kiss, but he captured her chin before she touched him and handed her over to the male Werewolf who had waited to take her back to her quarters. The wolf seemed surprised by the briefness of her visit, but he was well-trained enough not to comment.

  Julius returned to the sitting room, now with enough energy to once more raise the ward that would seal the room from prying ears or scrying minds. That thought left him wondering what the Princeps would do now that they couldn’t employ the services of Gemini when they needed something magical performed. He knew there were probably other Dark Magi in the world they could call on, but Gemini had been at the top of the pile, as long as you could find a way to control them, of course. His computer flared to life at the touch of a button, and he checked the time in the City as he opened the VoIP programme. It was nearing midnight, but Gabi would still be up. He’d sent a brief text message earlier, letting them know he would only be able to catch up later. He wasn’t prepared to share anything over a mobile network that may well be monitored. He trusted Trish to work her particular brand of magic and secure the line for the Skype conversation, but even she couldn’t guarantee mobile phone security.

  Gabi’s face appeared on the screen almost before it had time to ring. Neither of them spoke for a moment; no words were needed, each was reading the other, just checking they were alive and in one piece.

  “No more bullet wounds?” he asked at last, though he could see she was looking better than she had the night before. Her colour was healthier and her eyes were clear and focused, the angry, red rims were gone, and she wasn’t sniffing like she had the flu. Her arm was still strapped to her chest, and Razor once again huddled close to her side on the chair.

  “Not tonight,” she replied, “but no promises for tomorrow night.”

  Julius frowned and she grinned mischievously.

  “Julius.” Alexander pushed Gabi’s chair aside a little so that his face showed on the screen as well. Julius could make out the unmistakable physique of Fergus in the background. “You have us all in suspense.”

  Julius drew in a deep breath, replaying the events of the night in his mind. Where to start? “The trial we were required to witness is done. The Vampire in question was clearly guilty; he had committed some atrocities in his attempts to recreate Gabi. By the testimony from some of his Clan members, he’d been trying for decades, though; it wasn’t something new to him. He only just managed to pass his Master test, and he hadn’t gained any more power in over a century, so he was becoming desperate; he barely had enough power to keep his Clan under control, so he felt he had no other choice. It was a sad and desperate man grasping at straws, and in my opinion a failure on the part of the Princeps, who allowed him to continue as a Master. But that was not the point of the trial. He was sentenced to death and the act was carried out immediately; they didn’t even afford him the respect of Cassandra’s touch.” He rubbed a hand over his eyes. “It was necessary, of course. The Princeps needed someone to make an example of as a deterrent to others, and he was the perfect sacrificial lion.”

  Gabi fidgeted in her seat. “No one is suspicious of Kimberley?” she asked. “She’s doing all right?”

  “She’s doing brilliantly,” Julius said. “
Even Benedict is none the wiser. It’s true that she hasn’t been truly tested yet, though that may come tonight. I have the jet on emergency standby, but I’m hopeful it won’t be needed.”

  “What’s happening tonight?” Alexander looked concerned.

  “Santiago’s Clan stepped up after the trial to make their claim against Gabrielle.” He’d filled Alexander and Fergus in on the threat before he left the City. He hadn’t wanted them to be caught off guard. “The Princeps agreed to a preliminary hearing, though they weren’t unanimous in the decision. Those on our side managed to delay the presentation of the evidence until tonight instead of immediately. I guess they were wanting to give us time to flee or prepare in some other way. I’m sure we surprised them by agreeing to submit to a scientific DNA analysis should it be required to clear Gabrielle. The Princeps are arranging the equipment and expertise to do the testing here in the presence of all concerned, but before that, those bringing the charges will have to provide some kind of proof of where they found the hair. They will present their proof in front of Faruq, and he will determine the authenticity of the evidence. We are going to assume they did indeed find the hair there, but will be calling on all of the members to find out if one of them planted it without the knowledge of the others. If we can avoid the DNA test, we will; we don’t really want Kimberley’s DNA to be studied.”

  Gabi nodded, looking apprehensive, and he ached to just reach into the screen and run his hand down her cheek, wishing he could send a little thread of reassurance through their mental link. It would soothe him as much as it would her.

  “There’s more,” he continued, and he told them of the Princeps’ proposal and how Benedict had had a hand in keeping him off the Princeps’ Council. It left them all with much to ponder. After signing off from Gabi, and praying to whichever God might be listening to keep her safe, he called Jonathon.

  Satisfied that Gabi wasn’t in any immediate physical danger, the bullet wound was healing well, and as usual she showed no signs of infection, Julius contemplated turning in for the day. Before he could make it to his room, Kimberley wandered out of the room, wearing her own face and a towelling robe; she didn’t look as though she’d slept enough, but a distinctive rumble from the middle of her torso told Julius she needed food more than sleep. She gave him a sleepy nod of greeting before heading for the bathroom. While she was gone, Julius made a call to the kitchens for food. During their previous visit, Gabi and the other food-eaters had had to go to the dining hall for meals, but now that they were here as guests rather than potential convicts, he could get away with making a few more demands.

  The knock at the door came just as Kimberley exited the bathroom, her hair damp and the floral scent of her body wash pungent in the air.

  “Room service,” Julius warned her with a look.

  She gave a quick nod and retreated to the main bedroom, quietly closing the door behind her.

  Julius opened the outer door and waved in a stout, older woman pushing a food trolley. Julius had seen her before but knew only that she was in charge of the kitchens, which catered to all the non-Vampire staff and visitors to the castle.

  “Good morning to ya, Master Julius,” she greeted politely. She had a heavy English accent, not upper-crust British, but from the country, perhaps the east, though accents had changed profoundly since he last set foot in England. “It is a treat to hav ya and yer lovely Consort back wiv us.” She pushed the trolley over to the dining area and began unloading covered plates of food onto the table.

  “Thank you, uh…” Julius didn’t often deal with the human staff at Court, he wasn’t sure how to address them.

  “Sally,” the woman supplied helpfully. “And tis no trouble at all.” She finished placing the food and glasses on the table and looked around. “Is yer lovely Consort around?” she asked then. “I would luv to see her again. Xavier told me this was the best time to catch up wiv her.” She gave Julius a meaningful look and glanced around the room.

  He stilled; he knew that people inside the castle had helped Gabi pull off her assassination of Santiago, was Sally one of those involved? Or was she fishing for something else?

  “She’s resting still,” he hedged. “She’ll probably be up soon. Perhaps I can tell her to stop by and see you later?”

  Sally’s face set in a stern line, and Julius caught himself wanting to take a step backward; she reminded him disturbingly of a nanny he’d had as a boy; she’d been one who didn’t suffer fools, or little boys, gladly.

  “Where’s that cat o’ hers? He’ll okay me,” she said.

  That made Julius reassess the old girl. Razor didn’t like just anyone, he barely tolerated most people. Either she already knew he hadn’t come on the trip or she was on the level. Before he could make up his mind, the bedroom door opened and Gabi stood there, fully dressed with damp hair and a polite smile.

  “Sally,” Kimberley said with just the right hint of enthusiasm, “it’s good to see you again. Hmm, the food smells great.”

  “My lady,” Sally said, with a genuinely pleased smile that quickly turned sad. “I…” She broke off, her fingers twisting inside the large front pocket of her navy apron. “I really wanted to apologise for letting ye down.”

  “What?” Kimberley was understandably confused, but tried to tone it down. “What for?” she asked.

  “Ye know.” Sally looked a little desperate as though she wanted Kimberley to understand without saying the words aloud. “Is there a way te, ye know…” she swirled her hands around the room, “keep things quiet?”

  Julius realised what she was asking. He was tired, but the woman was obviously upset and had something to tell them. He forced his power outward again and sealed the area around the three of them instead of the entire room this time.

  “It’s safe to speak now, just don’t move too far,” he told her.

  The sternness suddenly left the woman’s body and she crumpled in on herself a little, her rigid shoulders slumping downward. “I feel just awful,” she said. “’Tis my fault, I don’t know ’ow I missed it, but I want to ’elp, if ye’ll trust me again.”

  “What’s your fault?” Kimberley asked, glancing desperately at Julius for a cue, but he couldn’t help her.

  Sally suddenly looked around the room again, guilt fading to something else. “Where’s that dastardly cat?” she asked. “I even brought ’im a treat.”

  “I felt it was too dangerous to bring him back here,” Kimberley said, “and the plane trip took too much out of him last time. He’ll be sorry he missed your treats.” She smiled at the other woman, but the other woman wasn’t smiling back.

  “You…you…” She raised a hand, pointing at Kimberley. “You’re not Gabi.” She said it slowly, as though the revelation was becoming truer as she said the words.

  Julius sent a spike of power flying outward and the door clicked as it locked tight. How could this woman know Kimberley wasn’t Gabi when a hall full of Vampires hadn’t been able to tell?

  “Wait, wait, wait,” Sally cried out, holding placating hands up towards Julius as he turned warning eyes on her. “I won’t say anyfing, I swear it.” She tugged a cotton handkerchief from the pocket of her apron to dab at her forehead, her heart was racing, but she was taking deep calming breaths. “Oh, sweet muver of God, I’m getting too old for excitement like this.”

  “Why don’t you have a seat, Sally,” Julius said, pulling a chair away from the table. The woman’s blood pressure had spiked alarmingly. “You, eat.” He pointed to the seat on the opposite side of the table with a commanding glance at Kimberley. He remained standing; the woman was human, and an older one, but he wasn’t taking any chances.

  Sally was staring with open-mouthed amazement at Kimberley, who was already buttering a warm muffin. “’Ow on God’s green earf did you find one to look exactly like ’er?” And then her open mouth curved into a wry smile, and she shook her head in wonder. “A Doppelganger,” she breathed. “Neva in all my years did I fink to s
ee one. And one so gifted. You got some interesting cards up yor sleeve, Master Julius, that you hav’.” The woman’s reactions were consistent with the signals her body was giving off; unless she was a world-class actress, she was on the level. She was genuinely pleased, relieved and amazed. “I was so worried about that fekking hair. You know, I swear I cleaned that place from top to bottom, and everyone that ’elped was there because they themselves would’ve done the deed if they knew they ’ad even the tiniest chance of pullin’ it off.” She turned her gaze up to Julius. “That lady of yors, she’s a true gem, she is. The kind that restores my faith in this world. I ’ope you neva forget ’ow special she is.”

  “Don’t worry,” Julius assured her, “she reminds me on a regular basis.”

  Sally threw her head back and let out a raucous laugh.

  “Now tell me how you knew this wasn’t Gabi.”

  Sally sobered. “I’m good at noticing details, you know.” She looked over at Kimberley. “Your Doppelganger has the looks down exactly right, but I’m guessing she didn’t spend very much time wiv yor lady. It was mostly a collection of small fings, you see—the cat not bein’ ’ere; how easily you ’ad agreed to the testing of the hair, even though Xavier is sure it’s genuine—but two fings really gave it away. First was the way you looked at ’er when she came out the room. A man in luv wiv a lady has a certain look in ’is eye when he sees ’er; eiva you weren’t in luv with Lady ’Ellcat, or that wasn’t Lady ’Ellcat. And second, you can’t fake sass, a girl eiva ’as it or she doesn’t. This one ’as a good go, but she ain’t got nuffin’ on yor lady.”