Feeling like a child interrupting grown up talk, I stepped up to Daederich's side, arms crossed tight in an unconsciously defensive stance. "Let me ask you something."
The man turned to face me and nodded for me to go on. "Why the hell should we trust you? How do we know you're not trying to get us to follow you back to him? You said yourself that there's a price on our heads."
Giving me a patronizing smile, the man reached out and patted my cheek. "I did.
But you seem to forget, my dear, only Daederich's price requires a body attached to the head."
I smirked. "I'd like to see you get him to go anywhere willingly if you killed me."
Daederich put his hand on my shoulder and pulled me back, seeming to realize that, now, I was the expendable one. The tension that had wavered grew taut once again.
The man looked impressed. Apparently, he hadn't even thought about the possibility of his motives seeming so underhanded. It made me feel better about him, but I didn't let it show. I let him try to reassure me now that he didn't see me as an inconsequential tag along.
"Very astute, Lydia. And you're right. Keeping you around long enough to make Daederich manageable is exactly what an intelligent bounty hunter would do. I suppose a belated assurance that your skills would prove useful as well will do little to pacify you?"
Daederich let out a rough laugh. I could feel his muscles relax even as he smiled down at me. "There's little you can do to pacify her regardless. Lydia strives in conflict."
I frowned at him. "Thanks a lot. It's not my fault that you're so anxious to play you can't think straight."
Daederich dropped his hand to his side and lifted his shoulders dismissively. "At least I can admit I want to play." His lips curled derisively. "If you're scared, Lydia, just say so."
My frown deepened. I considered that Daederich was just falling into the "one of the boys" routine, but with the vast array of vampire powers that we still knew too little about, his easy acceptance worried me.
My next move was a combination of amateur errors. Eyes fixed on the man, I went for the gun at my belt. I might as well have shouted out my intentions. An angry sound of frustration worked out through gritted teeth as I found myself disarmed and held tight against the man's chest, his arm barred over my ribs to hold me still.
Chin on my shoulder, he breathed in, as though taking in the scent of me.
"Bravery is admirable, Lydia, but now it's foolishly misplaced. Skilled as you both are, I think you know, as fledglings, you are still outclassed. You should be a little more careful with the life Daederich returned to you."
I'd stopped struggling when I felt his lips move close to my throat. Suddenly, very aware of him, I glanced over to Daederich, expecting him to step in. He wasn't looking at me. Instead, he had locked eyes with the man over my shoulder.
With a sharp nod, he crossed his arms and stepped back.
Licking my lips, I felt panic flood me. "Daederich?"
The man pressed his lips to my throat. Accepting that Daederich wasn't about to save me from him, I began grasping for ways to free myself. His strength made me seem like a slight child in comparison, and going for the blade at his belt only served to get my hand trapped at my side when he caught my wrist.
I decided to try talking my way out of my exceedingly hopeless predicament.
"What have you done to Daederich?"
Nuzzling his face into my hair, the man gave me a little squeeze. "Not a thing, Lydia. His need for revenge is what's made this decision so easy for him. And he's powerful enough to sense the truth of my words."
I ground my teeth. I might not have Daederich's power, but I wasn't stupid. I'd always known Daederich was likely to go after Cyrus. We had never discussed it, but I knew. I hadn't expected it to be this soon, but Daederich was one to use every opportunity offered. What I still didn't understand was why he was tolerating this man being so forward with me. Was his need for revenge so strong that he would hand me over to get it?
Daederich shook his head and stepped forward. "No, Lydia. Don't think for a second that I'm handing you off." His gave me a crooked grin. "I just think you need some convincing."
Body stiff, I jerked out of the man's grasp. He let me go. Now it was only me, facing Daederich. "I told you to stay out of my head."
He looked surprised, and, if I wasn't mistaken, a little contrite. I had a feeling it had nothing to do with invading my mind. "Sorry."
Suddenly, I understood. Only the throbbing of my hand informed me I had reacted without thinking. Daederich's head bowed as he cupped his abused cheek. I couldn't believe I'd slapped him. I wasn't about to apologize. "You were testing me, you son of a bitch!"
Daederich reached for me. "Lydia, I—"
I turned away from him and faced the man who had become his eager tool.
"Before I agree to anything, I need to know two things."
He nodded for me to go on.
"One. You got a name?"
He nodded again, then smiled. "Elah."
I nodded back. "Okay, Elah. What do you get out of this?"
Looking a little exasperated, he glanced from me to Daederich. "As I said, you know the way."
Frowning, I shook my head. "There's more."
His own frown darkened his features. Then he sighed. "Some of my own people use his . . . services. Taking him down could be more difficult than expected. I could use Daederich's skills." He smiled, all charm. "And yours."
It seemed to be an honest answer. Part of me wanted to press. Another part of me remembered his body wrapped around mine. Ignoring both, I simply nodded.
"Fine. So, how soon do we catch a flight? It's in what . . . Germany?" I glanced at Daederich.
He inclined his head.
I nodded curtly and turned back to Elah.
"How soon can you be ready?" He was no-nonsense now; it was clear in his level tone. I was relieved. He'd be easier to deal with like this.
"We can be ready in an hour." I didn't bother consulting Daederich. Petty, but he hadn't consulted me.
Elah merely inclined his head. "Meet us at the airport when you're ready."
Confused, I cocked my head. "Won't we have to check when the next flight's available?"
"Let me worry about that." Elah turned away.
With that, they were gone. It was a blatant show of power. We didn't see them walk away. They had seemingly vanished into thin air.
Daederich took my hand. "Let's go."
I wrenched away and scowled at him. "You wanna stop acting like you own me?"
Tension riding him, along with the burning desire to finally exact vengeance, Daederich obviously wasn't in the mood to placate me. He bared his teeth at me. "Want to stop pretending I don't?"
My hand swung for his face. He caught it before my palm could connect with his cheek. I tried to pull free.
He jerked me close. "Try that again, and I'll snap your fucking wrist. I'm getting pretty fed up with your little temper tantrums."
When he released me, I took a big step back. I shook my head, licked my lips, and, without a word, headed to the door that lead back into the building. Revenge best served cold. I could understand that. So, rather than let him lure me into confrontation, I closed down, blocked him off and let my heart turn to ice. Maybe it would thaw when this was done. Maybe not.
At that moment, I didn't care any more than he did. I craved vengeance, and it made all else weak, dismissible. Love had its place. It had none now.
Chapter Twenty-One
A private jet. The fact that I wasn't surprised was evidence of how strange my life had become. Really, what was an expensive, yet not impossible, mode of transportation in comparison with the fact that most of the blood in my body wasn't my own? If I could accept that my heartbeat served a far simpler purpose now, and that my face and form would never change, I could certainly accept that our newfound friends were rich.
Between our time at Daederich's house and now, I had come to the conclusion that k
illing people was a lucrative business. Good to know, seeing as any other prospects I may have had were slim.
Carrying our own plain, black bags, the larger ones having already been loaded, Daederich and I boarded the plane with no more than a brief nod in response to Elah's quiet greeting. From the look he gave us, I could tell he knew we were at odds, but had the decency not to remark on it. Instead, he simply took my bag and motioned for me to follow.
Unsure what his plan was, I opened my mouth. He apparently saw the objection coming, because he held up his hand and shook his head. "Lydia, for once, just do as you're told."
I arched a brow. "You've told me nothing. I'm not a dog to be brought to heel."
Something in Elah's eyes went sharp, hard. I had a feeling he was used to people being a little more careful when they spoke to him. "It would be wise for you to be a little more accommodating, at least for the time being."
I cocked my head and smirked. "Anyone ever tell you to go fuck yourself, Elah?"
Elah's lips curled back. He grabbed my wrist and bent over me. "You're slipping, Lydia. You're starting to sound like that little bitch whose daddy trained her to kill the very creature she's become. I was impressed with the change. Start acting like that spoiled brat, and I'll toss you out of the fuckin' plane."
I froze. "You knew me . . . before . . . ."
A look passed between Elah and Daederich that made it clear that Daederich had been paying very close attention to our exchange. Elah released me and took a generous step back. "I knew of you. Most of us did. We've all lost people to your father's . . .
'cause'. The plan was to get rid of you both before he made you as efficient as he is." His smile was almost apologetic. "We crave survival as fiercely as any other race. But we do have laws, which is why you weren't both hunted down. Cyrus does not honor our laws. I imagine he was planning to have fun with you, kill you, and then draw your father out so he could get rid of him. I doubt his plans have changed. Your escape is nothing more than an inconvenience."
His skillful turning of the subject, from my past to the purpose for this mission, wasn't lost on me. My lip tilted up as I met his eyes, acknowledging his covert reminder. This wasn't a pleasure trip, and little lovers' quarrels had no place here. The girl I'd been before was gone, and Elah needed to see that before he could trust me with a weapon at his back.
I backed down. "With your help, Elah, I hope I can show him I'm a lot more than an inconvenience."
The ghost of a smile passed over Elah's lips. He nodded and gestured toward the back of the plane once again. This time, I went without question.
The small compartment was plain, but serviceable. Done up in monotone white and gray, the room had one small bed and a cushioned chair in the corner, bolted to the floor. Elah dropped my bag on the bed and motioned to a long black box I hadn't noticed. It rested at the foot of the bed on top of the creaseless gray blanket.
"You have more training with a sword than anything else, although you've been well trained with a dagger as well. The balance should be perfect for you, but if it's not let me know." Elah turned to leave.
Brow furrowed, I called him back. "How do you know which blade would be a perfect balance?"
Badly hidden mirth tugging at the edge of his lips, Elah looked me over slowly.
"With my hands all over you, it was fairly easy to get your measurements." He gave me an amused look. "Did you think I was groping you because I'm desperate, Lydia?"
I didn't answer. Thankfully, he didn't want to carry on teasing me. Leaving me to settle in, he returned shortly after with a small pistol.
"This has a built-in silencer. I know Daederich has been training you how to handle different guns, but this is lighter. Try to get familiar with it. Take it apart; see how it feels in your hands." He watched me tentatively take the gun and gave me a little grin. "You might not need it, we can hope. But just in case."
I nodded, hating how awkward it still felt to handle a gun. I was a fair shot, but nothing felt more right in my hands than a sword. Still, it never hurt to have backup.
"I'll figure it out."
He left me to it. Seconds after the door had closed, I dropped the gun on the bed and opened the sword case.
Resting on red velvet was a long sword, flawless in its silver gleam. The handle was simple, gold bound in leather. It was perfect. Lifting it from the box, I tested the weight, turning my wrist in slow, lazy circles, amazed with how well it was suited to me. For some reason, I'd never really doubted Elah's words. Nevertheless, the proof of them amazed me. He knew his swords, and, after lifting one of the matching daggers from its inlay in the case, I decided there probably wasn't a weapon he didn't know.
Classing Elah was difficult. Strangely enough, neither Daederich nor I had ever considered questioning him about what exactly it was that he did. It seemed fairly obvious yet . . . not. It was clear he was some kind of assassin, but there was much more to it than that.
Pushing aside the musings, without really knowing why I did, I set the dagger and the sword back in the case and shut it. After reverently positioning the box on the floor under the bed, within easy reach, I placed the gun under my pillow. Deciding I could use a bit of rest, I removed my jeans and T-shirt, did a few slow stretches, and climbed into bed.
It was the first time since escaping Cyrus that I was sleeping alone. The bed was comfortable, I couldn't complain, but I missed the warmth of Daederich's embrace.
Suddenly, I felt abandoned. The feeling was irritating. I wasn't ready to face that I needed him, even now.
The door creaked. I stopped breathing. Not out of fear. I wanted nothing distracting my senses.
Someone came into the room and approached the bed. One step, pause. I could tell they weren't breathing either. Another step. Teeth ground lightly together. I tensed, ready.
At the third step, I moved. Rolling off the bed, I had the sword in my hand before my eyes could adjust to the darkness. I swung out before I saw his face. Metal rang out as he blocked my strike with a wicked looking machete.
My eyes went wide. "Daederich?" I shook my head, confused. "Why couldn't I sense you?"
Without waiting for me to draw back my sword, he sheathed the machete. "I made it so you couldn't. I just wanted to make sure."
I turned my back on him and bent down to return the sword to its case. "Yes, and we both know how much I love you testing me."
Hands gripped to my shoulders, he pulled me to my feet and turned me roughly to face him. Anger flowed from him, so poignant it smothered me, stealing the fury that had sparked for a weak breath.
His breath came, fast and cool, like a winter breeze passing over me. He hadn't fed recently. It didn't change the fact that I was very aware of how much stronger than me he was. My awareness didn't make me cautious. I suppose, in my own way, I was testing him, too.
Daederich bowed his head. "Damn it, Lydia, you've got to stop overreacting to everything I do. I've been training you. I wanted to make sure you hadn't become complacent. Cyrus had us both for months. I won't risk you to him again."
I clenched my teeth and forced myself to calm. Tempting as it was to push him, to get in an all-out shouting match, it would ill serve our confidence and that of our temporary allies. It was time to prove I had more control than I'd been displaying of late. Relaxing, though I held myself tall and proud, I looked at him until he met my eyes. "You're right. I'm sorry."
By the way Daederich opened his mouth, I could tell he'd been expecting a fight.
When he closed it, I knew he'd been taken off guard. He blinked at me and smiled. "I knew there were some brains inside that pretty head."
I gave him a dry look. "Gee, thanks. You done?"
Eyes sparkling, he took a step toward me, one arm held out. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting you to be so reasonable."
I stepped out of reached and shook my head. "It happens sometimes." I sighed.
"Look, things are pretty messed up. We're on a plane, heading back to
a place where we were held for months, accompanied by people who were threatening to kill me and drag you back to Cyrus hours ago. Destination vengeance, followed by slaughter."
Daederich nodded and smiled. "And the problem is . . . ?"
Obviously, to him, there was none. Good for him. I couldn't go into this all doe-eyed. "You need to treat me like one of the guys."
"Why the hell would I do that?" I could hear the edge to his tone. He thought it was some kind of rejection. I needed to find a way to prove to him it was anything but.
I thought my words out carefully, rubbing my arms and nibbling my lip.
Realizing I was doing so, I stopped and sighed. "Because I love you, Daederich. I can't set up to kill people with that fresh in my mind, and, if you think about it, neither can you. I need to close down for a little while, and I don't want you taking it the wrong way. I need to trust that you can take care of yourself and focus on staying alive. You need to do the same."
Suddenly Daederich became very serious. He nodded again. "I understand." The corner of his lip tugged up, hardly noticeable, but enough to let me know he was trying to remain serious. "But you have to promise me one thing."
With a weary sigh, I jutted my chin at him and cocked one hip. "What?"
He grinned at me. He knew I was expecting a lecture or at very least some unwelcome advice. Ignoring my peeved expression, he took hold of my elbows and drew me to him, kissing me senseless. With a smile of satisfaction, he watched me try and catch my breath. "When this is done, you've got to promise to make up for lost time."
After stuttering out a few incomprehensible sounds, I shut my mouth and took a swing, hitting him in the arm with much less force than intended. "You jerk! That was exactly what I didn't want you to do!"
"I know." He shrugged, reached out to ruffle my hair, and turned around. "But I trust you, Lydia. You'll be fine. Those bastards won't know what hit them."
After he left, I stood there for a while, then finally returned to bed, hoping nothing else would interrupt my sleep before we landed. Much as he had irritated the hell out of me, what he'd done had been much more effective than completely distancing himself from me. He'd told me he trusted me. And he'd meant it.
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