“All of them?” Nathan questioned.
“Yes, all of them.” She turned to Remy. “Unlike some Deamhan, I follow the set rules of Ancients.”
Knowing Remy’s distaste for authority, Anastasia expected him to make a sly remark. Instead he slicked back his short brown hair. His muscles underneath his shirt twitched slightly and Anastasia saw how Veronica reacted to it by staring at his lean upper mass. He wasn’t an eyesore to gaze at. In fact Remy, the only Lamia in Blind Bluff Manor, was highly attractive. Even with his sexual attributes, Anastasia didn’t understand why Veronica was so tolerant of his childish behavior.
“Sounds like it.” Remy rubbed the dust from the mantle between his index finger and his thumb. His tongue glazed over his bottom lip and his brown eyes continued their stare at Veronica as he continued questioning Anastasia. “From what I’ve heard, you’ve been making somewhat of a mess in the city. Can we say ‘genocide much’?”
“Only those who supported Kei,” Anastasia replied.
“Ahh yes, those bad, bad, bad Kei supporters.” He pulled back the curtain slightly, allowing just a sliver of sunlight to travel into the room. He smiled. “You’re a big girl, aren’t you Ana? Lucius’ Sergeant at Arms.” He shielded his eyes from the sunlight and he chuckled.
“What I do in my spare time is none of your business.” She eyed Veronica and Nathan. “And it’s not human related.”
“Yes, I agree,” Nathan said. “We don’t have a say in the matter.” He readjusted himself on the couch. “But thinking about the number of sanctuaries in the city...there are a lot of them, Anastasia.”
Veronica grabbed her cup of coffee and without warning, she left the study and headed up the stairs.
“I don’t think Veronica liked your response.” Remy continued to watch Veronica until she disappeared.
“She wants to do more,” Nathan said. “She blames her mother’s death on the very organization her father is part of. And of course, she blames all the Deamhan. I’ve been trying to help her cope with her loss and to redirect her energy on positive things.”
“She wants revenge. You should let her have it.” Remy smiled.
Nathan exhaled. “Revenge would be the worst thing for her, Remy.”
“Perhaps, but it’s a fun road.” He clasped his hands together as he walked out of the room and headed upstairs after Veronica.
Nathan turned his attention toward Anastasia. “I will admit, I’m a little apprehensive that Lucius has remained so distant from you and me.”
“Kei did a lot of damage to the Deamhan in Minneapolis. Lucius needs to fix it; make it right.”
Nathan began to cough and he covered his mouth, turning away.
Anastasia tilted her head to the side. The air emanating from Nathan’s cough smelled thick and tart. It was the smell of sickness. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Just a cold.” Nathan cleared his throat.
“Are you sure? It smells like more than just a cold.”
“I’m fine.” He turned back to her.
The telephone rang and Anastasia watched Nathan pick up the phone receiver. His hand began to shake and again the putrid air from his cough circled in her nose.
She stepped out of his study and into the hallway. Like her, Nathan was keeping a secret. She couldn’t place the smell and there wasn’t any other clue related to his health that she could pinpoint. Whatever it was felt like more than a common cold or flu and she hoped that wasn’t the case.
1
DARK CURSE. DEAMHAN CHRONICLES #2
CHAPTER FOUR
Remy watched Veronica lean back in her chair and look up at the ceiling of her bedroom from the hallway. It wasn’t the first time he’d stalked her. After she came back from Kei’s Gathering where Lucius slaughtered any and all Deamhan there, she walked slowly to her room where she stayed for two days. During those two days he stood outside her door, listening to her breathe erratically, sob hysterically, and tell herself that everything was going to be alright.
During that frantic time, he wanted nothing but to walk in and comfort her in his arms and at the same time gently seduce her, only to take just a little of her life force to sustain him through the day.
Now she searched her notes savagely, setting a few pieces of paper aside while crumpling others and tossing them in the corner with her other unwanted notes. The pile grew in size with each crumpled paper. He felt sure that she was looking for something or anything that could convince her that her mother wasn’t dead.
He watched the beads of sweat trickle down the sides of her face and she wiped them with the back of her hand. She sipped her coffee. One document she held up to the dim light in her room, read a few lines, then proceeded to toss it in her ‘wanted’ pile. Her actions slightly turned him on and his mind went unbridled with what he could do to her.
What she needed was to be protected and Remy felt he was the only one who could offer her that chance. Lucius’ promise to Veronica’s mother fell through and Anastasia became preoccupied with her mission to rid the city of any remaining Deamhan who supported Kei.
Veronica reminded him so much of Doll, the servant girl his human parents hired before Remy became a Deamhan. Those days of his human existence seemed like a long time ago. What he did remember, he kept close, writing down those thoughts he felt he’d forget forever. He’d admired Doll and loved her secretly. It was unthinkable for someone in his class of wealthy bourgeoisie to have any desire to copulate with a servant girl. But no one knew him like she did and he kept their relationship hidden from his parents and from his younger sister, Marie.
That all changed when his parents were murdered during the 1848 French Revolution. When the people of France rose in insurrection, his father, a lawyer, and his mother, a housewife, became two of the multiple casualties in the uprising. All their servants left to join the protestors except for Doll. The time felt right to Remy and he promised to take Doll and his sister Marie away from the turmoil, to land his parents owned outside of Paris. Before their trip Remy left their home in search of workers to help him pack for his trip. Instead of finding workers he ran into Julian, his sire.
He never knew what happened to his sister and to Doll. As a new Deamhan, any thoughts regarding the well-being of a human became nonexistent. Yet now here he was, standing outside the door, watching Veronica wallow in her confusion.
The thought of siring Veronica crossed his mind. Siring a Deamhan wasn’t like siring a vampire. It didn’t take a night, it took several nights, depending and even then, there was a high chance that the human wouldn’t survive. He questioned taking that chance.
Veronica stacked the papers that remained and she placed them in the top drawer of her desk. Remy sensed her thoughts of being frustrated and the fact that she felt uncomfortable in Blind Bluff Manor ate at her. She questioned why she remained there, among Deamhan who she partially blamed for her mother’s death. She longed to know what happened to her best friend, Sean, who was taken back to San Diego by orders from her father, President of the Midwest Division of The Brotherhood.
Remy quietly knocked on her bedroom door and Veronica quickly stood up from her seat.
“What do you want Remy?” She breathed in heavy and she placed her hands on her tiny waist.
To rip you open. Remy closed his eyes then reopened them. “Just thought you needed company.”
“Well I don’t.”
“Everyone needs company once in a while, even a Deamhan.” He walked in slowly.
“I don’t need your company. I’m perfectly fine alone.”
“That’s not what your thoughts tell me,” he replied and sat on the edge of her bed.
She exhaled and returned to her stack of papers. “You know, sometimes I wish you were a vampire so I can take back my invitation and kick you out of my room.”
“Doesn’t work like that.” He tapped the side of his forehead in thought. “Actually, I don’t know how that works.” He watched her walk over to the stac
k of crumpled papers and began to gather them.
He stood up and approached her. She slightly jumped at his presence and stood back while he began to clean her corner quickly, placing the balls of paper in her trash.
“Why are you doing this?”
Ignoring her question, Remy glanced back at her. “You’re going to need another trash bag.”
Veronica held up her hands. “Just stop! Stop it! Right now!”
Remy stood up.
“I want you out of here.”
“I’m helping you tidy up your space. That’s it.”
“No, you’re up to something.”
Remy sensed emptiness emanating from her as she raised her voice. He didn’t understand why she strained to come to the realization that he only wanted to help her. “I scare you.”
Confused, Veronica paused. “What?”
“I’m sorry if I’m scaring you, Veronica. I just want to help.”
“You can help by leaving my room.”
“You just remind me of someone I used to know.”
“One of your many victims?” Veronica rolled her eyes.
“No, someone I knew when I was human. A woman I was madly in love with.”
Veronica’s eyes narrowed in on him. “You were in love with someone?” Her researcher side began to show. He knew that besides searching for her mother, she also looked into the backgrounds of himself and Anastasia. At one point, she looked into Hallie’s history, trying to help her find whoever sired her.
“I don’t know how to approach you and make you feel not scared of me,” he said. “I don’t know what I can do to make you feel safe around me.”
“You’re a Deamhan,” she replied. “I’ll never feel safe around you.”
“But you don’t have to be.”
Veronica huffed. “What have you done that wouldn’t make me scared of you? Think about it.”
He paused. He couldn’t come up with one solid explanation. “I could kill you right now if I wanted,” he replied. “But I’m not because I don’t want to.”
Veronica shook her head in disgust. “There are a lot of things you’ll never understand.”
“I get it, I get it.” His eyes lit up. “You think that I won’t ever be able to act human. That I will never ever know passion, desire, and love because I’m a Deamhan.”
“Damn right.”
In Deamhan speed he quickly ran over to her bed. He saw in her eyes that their speed astonished her. It always astonished humans because it looked like a blur to them followed by a slight gust of wind.
“I’m not playing a game, Veronica.” He paused and he hummed. “Unless you want me to.” He sat on the edge of the bed and he laid back.
“See, this is exactly why I won’t ever trust you, Remy. You’re disgusting.” She walked over to the bed. “If you won’t leave my room then I will.”
He moved quickly and he grasped her in his arms. She stared back into his brown eyes and she quickly looked away. “Am I hurting you?”
Veronica attempted to push herself away but Remy increased his grip. He liked it when they fought back. “I could hurt you but again, I don’t want to.”
She struggled again and he moved in closer, sniffing her neck. His eyes rolled back in pleasure. “I’m being serious. I want to help you.”
At that moment he wanted her. Not all of her, but just a taste—enough to satisfy his craving for human.
He heard footsteps outside of her room and before he could react, he saw Anastasia standing in the doorway. When their eyes met, he slowly released his grip and Veronica quickly moved away from him.
He loathed Anastasia. Somehow she always knew when to crash on his parade and show her dominance, being the oldest Deamhan in the Manor. He pretended to take her threats lightly, knowing that she could easily kill him. But he wasn’t afraid of anyone or anything. Plus her recent behavior changed after Lucius’ release and he started to notice her doubts when it came to destroying sanctuaries.
“Come to crash my party?”
Anastasia moved quickly and she stood face to face with Remy. She spoke with clenched teeth. “Veronica is still protected.”
“By who? You?” Remy waved her off. “If she doesn’t want my help, all she needs to say is ‘no’.”
“No,” Veronica said. “I don’t need your help.”
He caught his breath in thought. He knew the only thing Veronica wanted more was her mother who was dead. What better way to fuel Veronica’s frustration by offering the next best thing.
“Even if I told you I could help you get revenge on The Brotherhood and your father for the death of your mother?”
Anastasia quickly pushed Remy aside with force and he slammed against the wall, falling to the floor.
He quickly stood to his feet and wiped himself off. “I guess that is a no after all.”
Anastasia grabbed Remy by his shirt and she slammed him against the wall again.
“A bit over reacting now, aren’t we?” He grabbed her by her wrists and he yanked himself free from her. With one swoop he pushed her back.
“All I’m saying is ‘what if’.” He watched her body tense up. “Anastasia, I know you’re doing this for Lucius because you guys are like, close or something, and you follow all his commands, even if they’re wrong.”
Her eyes slowly changed from brown to a stark black and her Ramanga fangs dropped from her gums signaling she was preparing herself to attack. Knowing that if he fought her back, she would possibly maim or kill him, Remy headed for the door. “I’m not going to fight you, Ana.” He looked over his shoulder at Veronica. “Like humans say, revenge is a dish best served cold. Think it over, Veronica. Your choice.” Before he walked out of the room, Anastasia spoke.
“Nathan wants you to come down to the study.”
Remy turned around. “For what?”
She looked back at Veronica. “And you as well.”
“Must be important.” Remy rubbed his hands together. “Guess we should be going then.”
Anastasia moved past him and walked down the hallway. “You’re very annoying, Remy.”
“I could say the same for you,” he replied. “But something tells me, you don’t care.”
“You’re right. I don’t.”
In Deamhan speed he caught up to her. “Well that’s a damn shame. I thought you were learning to care.”
Anastasia walked forward and pushed him aside. “Move out of my way.”
“Or what?” Remy laughed. “You’re going to manhandle me like you did back there? The all and mighty powerful Anastasia versus the annoying Lamia.” He continued to watch as she disappeared down the stairs, and to the foyer. She stopped just shy of the study, watching Nathan standing near the fireplace mantel in deep conversation.
Veronica caught up to Remy and before descending down the stairs he whispered slowly, “The Brotherhood is a vast organization, Veronica, but I’m sure you know that.”
“I don’t need your help,” she whispered back.
“You sure about that?”
“There’s nothing you can do to bring down The Brotherhood.”
“Bringing down an organization like that is quite easy, really.” He stood on the stairs. “You just need to know the right buttons to push.” He leaned over the balcony and watched Anastasia below. “Eventually Ana’s going to realize that her big sister routine is running out of steam and even she can’t protect you.”
Veronica headed down the stairs and toward the foyer when Remy spoke up again. “I personally think you have every right to go after The Brotherhood for what they did to your mother. Everyone has the right to seek revenge. Ana decimates sanctuaries just for kicks. Lucius is hunting down Kei to the ends of the earth. Why can’t you have your fun?”
“That’s different.”
“No, not really.” His response left her stirring in her own thought. He slowly descended down the stairs, catching up with her. “Killing is killing.”
“You have no idea wh
at’s truly going on Remy,” Anastasia scoffed.
“Maybe not everything but I think I know what’s going on with you,” he replied. “You can’t fool me. You’re changing. You’re starting to actually care.” He continued on his barrage. “I have to admit, it’s a little awkward for me to watch the old blood thirsty Ana slipping away.”
“The only thing you care about is drama,” Anastasia replied quietly.
“True. But I hope you know that I really do miss the old Ana. I found her rather sexy.” He now stood only inches from her and grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. The Anastasia he heard about in his past was nothing like the Anastasia now. Maniacal, heartless—all Deamhan feared her and her sire. She killed anyone in her path; Deamhan, humans, researchers, and vampires. She betrayed the Deamhan she sired and she never thought twice about killing anyone or anything.
“I wish I had a reputation like you.” He moved her hand toward his right breast then over to his left. They glazed over his pierced nipples and he finally moved her hand toward his belly button. He looked to Veronica who stood just a few feet from them. “You know, Veronica, none of those researchers who have ever followed me got it right. What they wrote in those crappy books about me...it made me look like a saint compared to Ana. What they wrote about your current housemate was absolute perfection.”
“Release me.”
He watched as Anastasia’s eyes grew dark and void. “I remembered my sire telling me about the scary Ramanga.” He placed his hand underneath her chin and pulled her in close. “He said if I ever crossed her to run the other way. He feared her as much as any other Deamhan did.” He moved in a little closer, expecting Anastasia to throw him off, possibly breaking a few of his bones in the process. Instead she didn’t resist. Remy scoured her thoughts and found them empty. He placed his lips over her mouth and at that moment, he took advantage.
He sucked, feeling her essence entering his mouth. He didn’t prefer the taste of a Deamhan to a human—it made him cringe and if he decided to drain her completely, he too would fall victim. However, Anastasia’s essence had a sweet yet tart taste that he found to be addictive. He felt her energy traveling through his system. It jolted him at full attention and he wanted more until the energy suddenly changed. It felt weak and heavy and its taste turned wretched.
Dark Curse (Deamhan Chronicles Book 2) Page 4
