until she proved to be stable. A born survivor, she had to test the strength of the cage that
enclosed the suite.
Sitting cross legged on the bed, Alex flexed the connection she had to the Fae, forming in her
mind a wall of fire to consume the oxygen in a sparkling barrier.
The first attempt fizzled like a damp fire cracker.
Squirming into the duvet she held onto the glow of a mid-summer sun, willing the heat to
dissipate cool morning mists. Breathing softly, Alex released the gentle heat in waves from
her skin. Eyes closed, heart beat erratic at the drain on her strength, she peeped through
narrowed lids to witness soft light streaming through a bay window.
Snowflakes had drifted to cover over half the panes.
That she could actually see the window instead of a shimmering barrier of force spoke
volumes at the power she could now wield. If only she had held such power in the dark days
of her childhood. The thought of retribution gripped her heart.
She was now able to seek vengeance, to root out the perpetrators of a slow degradation into
homeless neglect. It would be so easy to hunt them down with her computer skills, to drain
the last drop of blood from beings who preyed on the young and defenceless.
An awakening sympathy for the adolescents who had greedily taken what was offered in the
form of free food stilled Alex’s vengeful thoughts. She had been no better.
She had stolen, had sold her ill-gotten gains to fill an empty belly.
How could she sit in judgement on a group of kids who had been discarded by callous and
uncaring parents, treated as nothing more than an unfortunate end result of indiscriminate
coupling? Contemplating on the outcome of her descent into the dark void of vampirism,
Alex knew she had to save what she could from the near disaster of her own folly.
The boy with a face you could trust to clean out your bank account was a force of malice
that had to be tamed. The rest of the cadre were hangers on, waiting for their leader to
bring back food. Those little innocents Alex could relate to.
On the streets, you took whatever you could, whenever the opportunity arose.
The ruthlessness of a young man who could have come forward and asked for help from
the Queen of the Dark Court made her shiver with revulsion.
With a heart willing to save her attackers, the Angel of Edanholme could not find any
forgiveness for the malignancy filling the heart of their leader.
Seeking out Teague’s aura, she felt his complacence at serving up a meal to delight his
mate. Steak, medium rare with French fries and roasted vine tomatoes piled on a huge
platter wended its way towards her.
With a smile of tenderness Alex replaced the barriers he had set around the suite.
The Bard loved her, but the shock of discovering he could no longer hold her prisoner may
tip the balance in favour of permanent incarceration. The power to break down his spells
may be a fleeting gift. Any revelation could wait until she was secure in the knowledge the
craving for blood was directed only at her mate, not the entire world.
Teague had to fight his way through a phalanx of anxious warriors to seek food. The ribald
jokes accompanying his steps towards the kitchen made him more determined than ever to
build a home for Aingeal, well removed from his boisterous companions.
A slow grin stretched his lips. The Angel of Edanholme belonged to them all. It would cause
her distress if she couldn’t interact easily with her friends. Stretching long arms to wrap around
the shoulders of Turi and Kynthelig, his grin dissolved into husky laughter.
“Aye, you are but jealous of my good fortune in being bitten by a vampire. Come regale me
with the tale of our latest guests, while I prepare a repast for Aingeal, once she has eaten
again…” His chuckle was belly deep at the surprised shock on their faces.
The Bard was a private being, who seldom offered up any information concerning his private
life to anyone but Alex.
“Then we will seek audience with the Queen, I ask that you accompany us.” His request
was two sided. First of all, if Alex showed sign of blood lust the males were strong enough
to overpower her. Secondly he felt in need of the moral support of his brethren.
Carrying a huge tray with ease, Teague returned to the suite to be greeted by a shy smile
on the face of a stunningly beautiful vampire.
The anxiety in glorious eyes battered at his heart. With a frown he pushed the door shut
with the heel of one boot.
“How inconsiderate of you to dress…”
Placing the tray carefully on a small table under the bay window, he heard a hiss from the
bed. Aingeal fought like a demon at the least sign of domination.
Head bent to unload the tray, Teague hid a smile. Inciting an argument would distract her
from the fears afflicting a ravaged soul.
“Excuse me… What did you just say?” The wrath of the Gods reverberated in a question
that was purely rhetorical. Alex had heard every damning word he had dared to utter.
Crossing the room to berate the male who had always been courteous and generous with
his love, Alex glared into violet eyes nearly a foot above her.
“Just because I mate marked you, does not give you the right to expect me to pander to
every sexual fantasy locked in a deluded male brain.” Hands on hips, heart hammering in
her breast, Alex couldn’t believe she was having this argument.
“The ancient lore states that a mated female is subservient to the male of the bonding,
in all ways.” The Bard fought to keep a smile from his lips at the anger building in a petite
firebrand.
Alex could barely speak she was so incensed by his insensitivity. The Bard she loved would
never have spoken to her with such a lack of respect.
“Well sunshine...” The sneer in her voice dripped acid.
“I for one couldn’t give a rat’s ass about your damn lore. If I wanted to become a sex slave,
I’d have joined a brothel. At least then I’d be getting paid to live out the fantasies of a
contemptible male moron.” White flares building in Sapphire eyes Alex held clenched fists
at her side, she wanted to smack the serene face of the man she had given her heart to.
“Do you realise that your fangs have not dropped?” Tilting his head to reveal the crescent
shaped mark on his neck Teague grinned in the face of fury.
“What?” Knuckles whitening, Alex began to fathom his show of male supremacy.
“I know you feel the need release your temper. The Queen would be less than happy if you
destroy the furniture, hit me if you have to.” A grin lifted the corners of a delicious mouth.
Aingeal let fly with a right hook that hit him squarely on the jaw.
“Ow…” Shaking her hand, anger deflating at the look of surprise on the Bard’s face she
couldn’t help but giggle. “It’s your own stupid fault for baiting me.”
Examining the bruises on her knuckles, Alex lifted the covers on the platters, ready to tuck
into real food. She was famished. A little tiff wasn’t going to spoil her appetite.
Rubbing at a sore chin Teague eyed her knuckles with healthy respect for a punishing blow.
“Where did you learn to fight?” Taking a seat next to Alex, he was relieved to note her anger
had disappeared along with half the steak.
Swallow
ing a bite sized chunk of tender meat, she speared a French fry with her fork.
The crispy chip hung halfway to her mouth. “On the streets, protecting my virtue…”
Alex had kept her upbringing hidden away in a compartment of her mind, shielded from
any prying thoughts. “Why make me so angry that I wanted to hit you?”
Musing over the need for Aingeal to learn the art of dirty fighting, Teague hesitated before
he pushed her too far.
“I was compelled to dispel the anxiety in your aura. The Alex I have come to know has never
been subdued to the point of submission. I saw a tragic figure, waiting for doom to come
and claim her. I made you angry, yes…? Did it at any time occur to you to rip out my throat
with your fangs? No… In a fit of temper you hit me on the jaw, proving that you are in
complete control of the demon in your soul.” With a shrug, the Bard made inroads into his
own meal.
Pouring a cup of black coffee, he offered it to a female who regarded him through narrowed
eyes. “Say it Aingeal…”
“You are a complete pillock…” She growled out the epithet.
Raising his eyebrows, he questioned her silently on the meaning of the word.
“It’s a sixteenth century word for a stupid person. Although I may be the product of foster
homes and gutter trash, I am well educated.” Laying knife and fork on an empty plate, Alex
sipped at the steaming coffee.
“When you’ve finished eating, would you be kind enough to tell me what my fate is to be,
oh Lord and Master?” Wincing at her sarcasm, Teague lost any appetite he had.
“That fate is yours to decide, as it always has been.”
Violet eyes implored her to be reasonable.
“Wrong again… The choice was taken from me by force. A cadre of misguided adolescents
stole a life that was governed by free will. My fate is in the hands of my best friend…
If Cat decides I’m too dangerous to live, will you argue against a command of the Queen?
Or will you carry out her wishes?” Alex was a realist. Any hope she had to live a long life lay
in the hands of Iscatya, the ruler of Edanholme and Mistress of the vampire court.
Teague could not deny a masterful summation of her present predicament. He picked up on
the one word that did not suit a description of hybrid vampires, filth who had stolen Aingeal’s
purity of spirit. It was his turn to be angry.
“Misguided…? You call those loathsome creatures misguided?” Slamming a hand on the table
the Bard let his fury at her near death loose with all the ferocity of a caged tiger.
“I would have killed every last one of them had I chance. Your life was more important,
Drusal bid me bring you home.”
Picking up the cup he had knocked over, Alex laid her fingers over a clenched fist.
Twisting his wrist, Teague held onto her hand.
“Aingeal I wished to destroy them for what they did to you.” A tear slid down his cheek.
Easing onto his lap, Alex wrapped her arms around his neck. Head nestled on her shoulder
the Bard let tears of frustration flow.
“Listen to me Teague…” Kissing the tears from his face Alex opened up her past to the
distraught male.
“I have lived a life I’m not proud of. I was abused too often as a child to stay where each day
held more torment. My existence was similar to that of the hybrid children. I stole to feed
myself. I sold favours to the gang leaders, to have the protection of the more influential of
the gutter kids to keep me alive. Cat saved me from that life. I have no idea what she saw
in me to make her take me under her wing. I do know I will be eternally grateful for the
hand of friendship and love held out to me on a fateful day.”
Laying her head on gleaming hair, Alex remembered vividly being led back to a town centre
apartment above an Indian restaurant. It was far from palatial but it was cosy and warm.
Cat was studying to enter University with the single minded intent to study optometry.
Alex became a sounding board for ideas, her mind a sponge, acquiring a burning desire to
prove she could be as useful as her flat mate.
Living on the grants available to students, supplemented by Alex’s wage working at the
local sweet factory, together they formed a bond stronger than friendship. A sisterhood was
born out of necessity and unconditional love. Cat graduated with honours, Alex learned to
use a computer like a fighter pilot uses his weapons. Together they were invincible, all because
Cat had shown compassion to a street urchin. Teague had followed her thoughts when the
words dried up. Lifting his head, violet eyes scanned her face with surprise and pride.
“I had no knowledge of the hardship that you both endured.” Laying a tender kiss on her
mouth Teague gathered his female close.
“We survived because we had each other for support. Had I not followed Cat that day
I would probably be dead from a drug overdose or alcohol poisoning.”
A vast wash of relief lightened the pain of a life she had lost control of.
“If Cat decides I am too dangerous to live, I accept the call. I owe her more than I can
ever repay.” Relaxing into the Bard’s arms Alex gave her life to the will of the Fates.
“I would like to help the hybrid children. They remind me how lucky I have been to enjoy
a carefree life for so long. Their fate was pre-ordained by uncaring parents. Should
innocence be punished because they know no better?” Laying her cheek on his hair Alex
was glad she had unburdened a past that had held her back from a bonding with a male
as refined and elegant as the Bard.
“So now you know all. I am not the pure angel of your imagination, but a common street kid.
As loathsome as the hybrid children you are bent on destroying.”
A wounded cry rocked her mind.
No Aingeal do not denigrate the generosity of a heart that would save the ones who stripped
you of a human life.
“I am the one at fault. I cannot see past the vision of you dead in my arms.” He sent to Alex
an image of the scene encountered in the basement of a derelict building. Every splayed limb,
the stupor of drugged sleep, the scattering of somnolent bodies to reach a lifeless body
crushed beneath a pile of ragged children.
“Why were they asleep?” Alex had been invigorated by blood not enervated.
“Has anyone questioned the lack of animation? Is that normal to vampire nature?”
Pushing free of his arms, Alex slipped to her feet.
“I need to speak to Cat, something happened to put them into a coma. We need to find
the reason for it.” Curiosity, the need to unravel the puzzle of a vampire cadre lay to waste
when danger threatened, impelled the Angel of Edanholme to consult the supreme vampire.
“Please Teague… I will not harm my best friend.”
Holding out his hands palm up the Bard offered her peace.
“This I know my Aingeal... The Queen is at present questioning the children.”
Slapping at his palms Alex was frantic with worry at the fate of a band of young vampires
who had been led astray. “Take me please…” She begged on her knees.
Shaking his head the Bard denied the heartfelt appeal.
“Fine…” Her face showed a fierceness that belonged to the dark court.
“I’ll take myself.” Suffused with the glow of a hot sun, Alex shredded the airy barrier.
Locking onto Cat’s aura, she translocated to the shores of Edanholme’s vast lake.
Teague was a breath behind her, wrapping strong arms around her torso he held Alex
in a cage of protection.
Eyes wide in her face Alex took in the scene, bedraggled waifs were huddled in a group
under the stern gaze of the enforcers. The whole of the settlement were gathered to
witness an impromptu trial. A soft thought entered her mind.
They have been guarded by a wall of Sidhe since you were brought home. The Queen
waited long enough to ascertain you would live before confronting the rabble.
Emerald eyes aflame with vengeance swung towards Alex.
“Aingeal you are well?” Cat made sure everyone heard her.
With a nod, Alex fought free of Teague’s arms. Cat..? She sent out a timid thought.
I hear you Alex, what’s wrong?
Something knocked out the children. They should have been ready to fight the warriors
when they came to save me, instead they were wasted. Please stop for a minute to ask
why? What has the power to lay waste to a cadre of ravenous vampires?
Striding over the grass Cat enfolded her friend in huge hug. “Your blood…?”
Emerald eyes met sapphire ones in a melding of minds. I think so…
Alex hesitated in readying an answer to the questions forming in Cat’s mind.
Is it possible that the purity of light we saw in the truth pool was in fact a sign of grace?
A soft laugh resounded in Alex’s head.
Knocked out by an Angel, I love the Fates, they have an answer for every little glitch.
Being eaten alive is a little glitch? Honestly Cat, sometimes I wonder if you were ever
anything other than a complacent matriarch?
Nose curled in annoyance the Queen nipped her friends arm.
Watch it kid, I still employ you to take care of my realm.
Running an arm round Aingeal’s waist, she led her to face the monsters who had taken
her human life in an orgy of feeding. Alex recognised the youth whose face had been
seared into her brain. Surrounded by twenty, maybe twenty five bedraggled little waifs
he sought anonymity.
He is the ring leader? Cat was incensed at the mongrel’s desire to hide.
Yep… I can’t stay here. I can still hear him calling me dinner.
Eternal Bond (Edanholme Book 2) Page 26
