Her Secret

by Tara Fox Hall

  “I gave you everything I had to give. I did everything you asked of me, and more. I listened to you when you needed me to, held you when you wept, covered up what happened between you and Devlin. I cared for our child, when you abandoned him and me to be with Theo. I let you go when you asked me to, and came to you when you asked me to.”

  He shook me furiously, making me cry out in fear. “Stop it!”

  “You knew that I wanted you to swear to me! You knew I’d have done anything to have you promise to be mine! After all the shit you and I have been through, how could you give your Oath to Devlin after being with him only a few days?”

  “Dev didn’t give me much of a choice.” I touched his hands gently, easing them off me. Danial shook with fury under my fingers. “In any case, we needed his help. Everything was falling apart, no matter how you and I were trying to hold things together.” I clasped his hand. “But we have a good chance now. I’m marked, we’re Oathed, and I’m strong enough now to stand with you tomorrow to face the other Rulers without worrying about losing control.”

  Danial hugged me tightly, as if we’d been separated decades instead of days. “I’m sorry I frightened you, Darling. Forgive me.”

  “I’m sorry you found out about everything like you did,” I replied, hugging him back. “And I have more to tell you. Devlin has some plan he is orchestrating. Lash said—”

  “You met Lash?” Danial said in shock. “I thought I scented snake upstairs—”

  “He came here to talk strategy with Devlin. Titus was with him. I didn’t overhear any details. All I know was that Lash succeeded in whatever his mission was.”

  “Interesting. When did Devlin leave?”

  “Dev left early this morning.”

  “This morning?” Danial said, doing a double take.

  “Yes, he was riding his Harley dressed in leather. We went for a ride one night. It was cold.”

  “He knows better than that,” Danial grumbled. “It’s too cold this time of year. We lose heat too quickly.” He held me tight in his arms, stroking my hair. “I’m sorry again for my anger.”

  “Good,” I said approvingly. “As Devlin said, this is a time for celebration.”

  “What of Theo?” Danial said, his eyes searching mine. “Have you spoken to him?”

  “No,” I said, angry instantly. “Elle let slip that he had asked her to come and live with him and Tasha. I think it’s safe to say he hasn’t come back to try to work things out with me.”

  “Over my dead body,” Danial growled. “She is more my daughter than his. She is more your daughter than any other woman’s.” He looked at me. “My question to you is can you handle seeing him if he decides to continue working for me?”

  “That depends on if I have to see his jailbait.”

  “I don’t want to see her either, so don’t worry about it,” Danial said disdainfully. “But we have more important things to talk about. I hadn’t known Theo offered Elle another home. What did she seem to think of his offer?”

  I snuggled against him. “You don’t have to worry. Elle refused. Theo said he would let her stay with you.”

  “That’s good,” Danial said, relieved. “I do not want to fight with Theo if it can be avoided. We have enough problems.”

  “What is the plan, by the way?” I said, kissing him gently on his neck.

  “Terian will pick us up here at eleven. We’ll get to the airport by midnight, and should arrive in Toronto by one or one thirty. We’ll order room service for you and Theoron, while Theo, Terian, and I plan strategy for various scenarios. After, we’ll sleep the day away, showing up promptly at seven for the Gathering.”

  “I’m afraid,” I whispered.

  “So am I,” he said heavily, hugging me tight. “So am I.”

  * * * *

  Close to ten, we got up and began dressing.

  “Do you need me to put on your choker?” Danial asked, buttoning his shirt.

  “I’m not sure,” I answered. “Devlin’s will open for me, but—”

  “I should have suspected, after seeing your hip,” Danial answered. “That was one of the items you hid in my safe, wasn’t it?”

  “Yes,” I admitted. “I knew you’d destroy it if you knew.”

  “My jealousy is over,” Danial assured me, his smile easy.

  “I spoke to Dev about this,” I began hesitantly. “He said he was fine with this arrangement, too. But agreeing to it and living it are two different things.”

  “I’m happy with the arrangement,” Danial assured.

  I put my finger to his lips. “Are you sure? Because for all you and he say that, you both seem to need to possess what it yours utterly. And sharing means recognizing another had a right to what you call your own.”

  “Sar, we are men, and men never willingly share, if they think there is even a chance they will not have to. That said, Dev was good enough to include me, when he could have cut me out. I’ll not cause a rift over including him, especially as you say you love him now.” He fastened the choker about my neck. “I want you to be happy.”

  “I’ll be happy to make it back home alive,” I said with a ghost of a smile. “Even with all of our preparations, I’m worried. My sense of foreboding increases with every passing minute.”

  “No despair,” Danial said sternly. “Come, I hear Terian in the driveway.”

  * * * *

  When we arrived in Canada, Theo was on the macadam waiting. He smiled when he saw me. I gave him one in return before I remembered myself, and looked away.

  The trip to the hotel was a somber affair, Theo relating to Danial the layout of the hotel and Gathering room.

  The hotel itself was gorgeous. As expected, it was grandiose, with a huge waterfall in the open-air lobby and real trees. As Danial checked us in, Theoron wriggled in my arms, eager to explore, his fangs distended in his excitement.

  Danial returned, touching Theoron gently on his head. “I have to feed. I will be up as soon as I do. Ebediah has provided food for all the attendees. Order some room service, and wait there for me.”

  I nodded to him, expecting him to nod back to me. Instead, he grasped the front of my coat, and pulled me in for a rough kiss. Shocked, I kissed him back, figuring he had done it for someone watching.

  “Keep alert,” he said. “Trust no one.”

  “Let’s go,” Theo said roughly, clearly jealous, then strode off. I, Theoron, and Brian followed, Terian heading off with Danial.

  I’d just unpacked in one of the rooms when there was a knock at the door.

  “Sar, can I come in?” Theo asked.

  I wanted to scream at him. I wanted to fall into his arms and admit everything I had done and beg his forgiveness. I wanted to tell him that there was no point being nice to me, because it was over, and he was probably better off without me. “Come in.”

  He came in, shut the door, then faced me. “You look like your old self.”

  “I am,” I said evenly. “You on the other hand are someone I don’t know.”

  “I’m sorry for how I acted,” he said tentatively. “I never meant to hurt you.”

  I sat down on the bed, and burst into tears. Theo sat beside me, then put his arms around me.

  His embrace was too familiar, so much that the act put me from sadness into hysterics. I gasped for breath, tears pouring down my face, furious at myself for not handling this calmly. I’d wanted to denounce him, to tell him to do whatever he wanted with Tasha because he and I were through. Instead, I was going to pieces.

  I bit my lip as hard as I could. The pain let me get a clumsy hold on myself.

  Pulling free of him, I went to the bathroom, wiped my eyes, and washed my face. “After this is over, you’re moving out, right?”

  In the mirror’s reflection, Theo ran his fingers through his hair, but said nothing.

  “Theo, don’t make this harder for me than it is already,” I said angrily. “Just tell me the truth.”

  He met my eyes and lo
oked away.

  I lost it. “Just tell me you love her and not me and you’re leaving!” I shouted at him, my chest heaving. “Just say it!”

  Theo swallowed hard. “I love her. I’m moving out, as soon as this is over.”

  I’d known it, but hearing him say it still hurt. “Get out,” I said, turning from him.

  He crossed the room and grabbed a hold of me. “Sar—”

  “No!” I screamed at him. “I am not going to listen to another word from you. Brian!”

  Theo released me, as Brian opened the door. “I’m here, Sarelle.”

  “I didn’t plan this,” Theo said. “I just went to help her escape. I’m sorry how this worked out—” He grabbed my arm.

  I sank my teeth into the back of his hand. With a growl, Theo released me.

  “Theo, you should leave,” Brian said firmly.

  “Get out,” I said in a raw voice. “I never want to see you again.”

  “You will see me again,” Theo retorted, rubbing his healing hand. “I’m not leaving Elle, and she won’t leave Danial. Tasha and I will be staying at Danial’s in the werecompound until we can find a place of our own. I’ll be working the night shift, so you and I can avoid each other days. But I’m not going to disappear out of Elle’s life. You’re going to have to deal with that.”

  “Fine,” I spat at him. “Just get out.”

  “Sar, I’m sorry—”

  “Fuck you and fuck your being sorry!” I yelled. “And one more thing,” I added, my tone sandpaper. “Don’t ever call me Sar again.”

  Chapter Seventeen

  Theo nodded angrily, then turned and left, slamming the door behind him.

  “I’ll be outside if you should need me,” Brian said formally.

  “We’ll be fine,” Danial said, moving past him into the room. “Don’t disturb us until morning.”

  Brian nodded, then shut the door.

  “I hope you’ve not taught our son a new word in your anger,” Danial said mildly, picking up Theoron.

  “I’m sorry.” I sank down onto the bed. “I just never expected to have him bring her back with him. I’d be handling this a lot better if he wasn’t stuffing her down my throat.”

  “Do you want something to eat tonight?”

  “No,” I said tiredly. “Can you take care of Theoron?”

  “He’s almost asleep already,” Danial said, laying down Theoron beside us. He put his other arm around me. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

  I didn’t answer, my thoughts in turmoil. Sometime later, soothed by his touch, I slept.

  * * * *

  After some calorie-laden room service at noon, I dressed in casual clothes, and played with Theoron. When he tired around four, the both of us took a long nap. Brian woke us close to ten.

  “Danial said for you to start getting ready. He’s not sure what time you’ll be asked to come to the Gathering room.”

  “Is everyone else set to go?” I asked sleepily.

  “Danial is feeding again, with Theo nearby. Terian is outside the door. Danial feared a possible attack, as it’s known you and Theoron are here without him.”

  Unnerved, I grabbed a robe, and got up. “Can you order me some French fries?”

  “Of course,” Brian said. “Anything else?”

  “Steak for Theoron, just a small one.” I stifled another yawn. “I’d like some wine, but it’s better if I don’t.”

  “Yes,” Brian agreed. He closed the door, then opened it.

  I whipped around. “What is it?”

  “Be careful,” he said gravely.

  “I am being careful,” I said, looking steadily at him.

  “You are in over your head, and you don’t even see the water.”

  “I did the best I could under the circumstances,” I said bitingly. “There wasn’t another choice.”

  “Wasn’t there?”

  “You sound like Lash,” I said, liking the way the name made Brian shrink back in fear. “This is no more your business than it is his. Keep your mind on your job, and tell me when the food gets here.”

  Brian nodded, then shut the door.

  * * * *

  I’d no sooner finished showering than Danial returned.

  “Did you eat?”

  “Yes,” I answered, taking out the dress. “God, this thing’s elaborate. You’ll have to zip me up.”

  The dress was deep burgundy with lace trim of old ivory, and so fancy that it was almost a ball gown, pearl beading all over the bodice, down the arms and even on the skirt. There was a poofy skirt to go under it, making me bell shaped. The matching shoes at least were low heels.

  Danial put on a matching colored shirt of burgundy, his black leather pants and his high boots. After buckling on a rapier, he zipped me up.

  “You look lovely,” he said appreciatively. “Please dress Theoron, and come out when you are done.” He gave me a kiss, then left.

  I wound up my wet hair and got to work on Theoron. After dressing him in a tiny replica of Danial’s outfit, complete with leather boots, I put on my fox head earrings, slipped on my shoes, fluffed up my hair with magic, and then slipped on the burgundy headpiece encrusted with pearl beading. After putting on some light makeup, and dousing my hair with hairspray, I glanced in the mirror.

  “Hello, Christmas Extravaganza Barbie. Ugh.”

  I gathered up Theoron and his bag of supplies, and went out the door. Terian was there waiting, glowering.

  “What is your problem?” I said, irritated. “Just say it.”

  “Danial wasn’t the one who made you better, Sar. It was Devlin, wasn’t it?”

  His assumption wasn’t a huge surprise. Dev was the only other vampire who was ever around me. Danial didn’t have any vampire friends, just allies I’d met at parties. “So what if it was?” I said harshly. “I’m glad not to be dead.”

  “How could you let him touch you after what he did to you before?”

  My eyes narrowed, looking into his red ones. “I loved what he did to me, Terian. My only regret was I waited so long to let him have me.”

  “It wasn’t you, Sar, it was just your body needing the virus—”

  “I feel nothing but love and lust for him. It was longing to be back in his arms that showed me I could teleport.”

  Blackness curled out of Terian. “You make me sick. No wonder Theo’s leaving you.”

  “I am who I am,” I retorted. “At least I don’t hide my nature, pretend I’m someone else.”

  “What do you mean?” he said angrily, his eyes bleeding to full red in an instant.

  “I mean enough of the crap about how this job isn’t you and how you hate killing. I’ve seen your face, Terian. You enjoy it as much as Theo does. It’s in your nature, and you might as well accept it.”

  “I’ll never accept it,” he growled low. “I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

  “You do,” I said gleefully. “You can’t help yourself, being what you are. What has taking the high road ever gotten you, Tears? You’re doomed to evil and you might as well face it.”

  “I can’t believe you said that,” Terian replied, hurt. He left the room.

  As soon as he’d gone, I kicked myself for saying what I had. I hadn’t meant it...

  Brian opened the door. “We’re ready when you are, Sarelle.”

  I left the room, joining the group in the hallway and walking downstairs. Danial, Theoron, and I were all in burgundy, with Theo, Terian, and Brian all in black. I didn’t understand the significance of the colors, but didn’t ask.

  When we reached the main floor, we entered the main conference room. The sign said it would seat three hundred, and it appeared at least two hundred people were there already. As we entered, those inside parted like a wave to let us through, watching us with interest.

  “We’re up there,” Danial said, pointing to a raised dais with several luxurious chairs. One was clearly a throne of some kind, and two smaller chairs were beside of it. We ascended the dai
s and sat in the chairs, me holding Theoron. Theo, Terian, and Brian took up positions around us.

  “What are we supposed to do now?” I whispered.

  “Sit here and be looked at, mostly,” Danial said. “Prepare yourself for not only a tiring evening, but a boring one, too.” He flashed one of his fake smiles to the surrounding crowd. “Ebediah should be here soon to take his throne. He is the Vampire Ruler for Canada.”

  “Is he mean?” I whispered.

  “He’s old,” Danial whispered back. “Like Samuel. He’s not mean, but he’s exacting.”

  I was thinking about what that meant when I looked down and saw I was still wearing my wedding rings. Angrily, I took them off and handed them to Danial, who put them in his pocket. I glanced at Theo discreetly, wanting to see if he’d also taken his off. To my surprise, he hadn’t.

  I pondered that for the next half hour, as more people arrived. Though many people mingled in groups on the floor, no one approached us. Whether that was because of our guards or out of respect, I wasn’t sure. The only thing I was sure of was that I was getting tired of being stared at.

  A lone figure approached us. “Sarelle, Danial,” Samuel said politely.

  “Hello,” I said, extending my hand.

  He kissed it. “You look lovely as ever.” He shook Danial’s hand too, but his eyes were all for Theoron. “May I hold him?” he asked eagerly.

  “No one may hold him, save Sarelle, I or Terian,” Danial said politely. “But everyone may look at him, and we will feed him later, so everyone can see his dual nature.”

  “Is it true he can walk in the sun?” Samuel said in a hushed voice.

  “He can’t walk yet,” I said with a smile, “But yes, he can sit in the sun, and we’re working on walking.”

  “He can eat food, other than blood?” Samuel said intently.

  “Yes,” I said, rummaging in Theoron’s bag. “I brought some ice cream with us to feed him. That’s one of his favorites.”

  “This is a miracle.” He took my hand again, and slowly sank to one knee. “My Lady, I don’t have words to say what this means that you have shown us this is possible. Know that no one here wishes you or your child harm.”

  He’d left off Danial, and it hadn’t been a slip. I pulled my hand out of his.