by Cara Lake
During her last visit, Tani had walked those streets, and seen that hate, greed and brutality were the main forces governing the conditions of existence. She had the power within her to improve those conditions for the impoverished. If she could bond with Hate there would be more chances for kindness, more caring and more love. It all circled back to duty. The pressure weighed on her heart. It all relied on one man and his reaction to her. She straightened her spine, steeling her nerves to face the unknown, hearing a knock that heralded the start of the countdown to her destiny.
The door opened and Tani swiveled around as Morana entered. She was a vision in gold and red as she slid gracefully into the room, carrying a green dress. “This is for you,” she said with a smile. “Serpens society expects the best and although your clothes are decent, this will be much more noticeable.”
“I don’t intend to be high profile,” Tani said. “I’m here to find someone, not to be found myself.”
“Yes but it is sometimes easier to find what you’re looking for if you’re more visible. Besides, I think you’ll look amazing in it.”
Morana laid the dress on the bed. As she bent to smooth down the skirt, Tani noticed what looked like fresh puncture marks on Morana’s neck. It seemed that Morana had a sanguini lover who drank from her. A wealthy sanguini in her position would allow that type of contact only from a person with whom they were very intimate. She wondered if the lover was male or female and where they resided in the house. Morana had spent the day at home, preparing for the party, and there had been no visitors. Tani thought it strange that Morana hadn’t introduced her to this mysterious lover. She hoped to Gaia it wasn’t because she was still hoping for an opportunity with Tani.
Aware of Morana’s penetrating gaze, Tani focused her attention on the dress. She had to admit it was an exquisite gown with a layered skirt of jade green, the shimmering iridescent fabric floating beneath a beaded corset. If nothing else, Morana had excellent taste. It was impossible for Tani to refuse.
Sometimes Tanith felt as if she had a split personality. Her warrior training had given her the strength and ability to challenge the most competitive testosterone-fueled male warriors and win. It was something she thrived on and she wasn’t afraid to get sweaty and dirty in the process. But there was the alternate side of her psyche that adored dressing in beautiful clothes, being admired and feeling desirable.
Tani was by no means vain about her looks. Too many men had told her she was attractive but she was more athletic and toned than many of her friends, lacking the soft curves that males seemed to lust after. When it came down to it, her capable attitude didn’t inspire the kind of devotion Tani witnessed amongst couples she knew. Men didn’t open doors for her as they did for her friend Irina, the Esseni of Peace, or treat her as if she were fragile or a precious object to be treasured.
Irina had actually complained that her partner duality, Tyr, the Esseni of War, was so obsessed with keeping her safe that he would probably prefer it if she were dressed in Kevlar and layers of bubble wrap. How would it feel to inspire that kind of devotion? If anyone treated her like that she would probably kick their butt for it, although it would be nice to know someone cared that much, even if it was annoying.
The dress fit perfectly. Morana stood watching as Tani smoothed down the skirt, a satisfied expression on her face. “How could anyone resist you in that dress?” she purred.
“You’d be surprised,” said Tani.
“Oh, I don’t think you’ll have any problems attracting Lorcan Rodach’s attention. I know for a fact that he likes redheads.”
For some reason that thought was depressing to Tani. She didn’t want to be just one of many. She was meant to be special to her partner Esseni. The way Irina had described the bond made it sound magickal. Irina had sworn that Tanith would experience an indescribable connection with her partner, something so strong and powerful that it would be almost impossible to resist.
Brushing these confusing thoughts aside, Tani stood facing the mirror and assessed her appearance. Her long dark-red hair, perhaps her most startling feature other than the deep unusual amethyst of her eyes, had been swept up onto her head into an arrangement that to her looked fairly ridiculous. But it was the Ophiuchi style and Morana had insisted. The effect was startling, accentuating the warm gold of her skin, emphasizing the flawless bone structure she was lucky to have been born with. She did not look like herself, which was somehow a good thing, as Tani had realized that in order to survive on Ophiuchus she was going to have to put on one hell of an act. Inhaling a deep breath, she turned to face Morana.
“I guess I’m ready.”
“I would say you are more than ready,” agreed Morana, a strange light in her eyes. “I can’t wait to see how Serpens society reacts to you.”
Tani frowned at that. Morana sounded as if she had another agenda and again Borealis’s warning flashed through her brain. Her hostess’s motivations were unknown, just like Hate’s and Tani was going to have to watch her back.
Adrenaline overtook her when she entered Phenex’s palace. Tani’s every sense heightened, alert to the sights and sounds of pleasure wafting raucously through the richly decorated great hall. Serpens’s higher echelons had gathered in full force to pay homage to their overlord. An ocean of glittering jewels bedecked the necks, heads, arms and hands of the society beauties and shimmered with iridescence so bright the light was almost blinding.
Although cutthroat and barbaric in their savagery, Ophiuchi warlords like Phenex maintained the façade of civility and reveled in their wealth through the power of materialism. Their blatant flaunting of opulence was a message to the masses. We are your superiors—keep in line or you will be crushed.
Their society was rigid in its hierarchy—warlords, nobility, advisors, workers, and slaves. Movement from one level to another was rare. The guests here understood the message and all of them echoed their superiors’ actions, treating their own subordinates with similar disdain and cruelty.
You could not be wealthy on Ophiuchus and be kind. Tani had to remember that. These people were some of the most ruthless in the universe. If they knew what she was, her life would be forfeit, sold to the highest bidder. The Esseni potential she sought was also one of them. A knot of fear wound around her gut at the thought of the unknown.
Squelching her sudden anxiety, she followed Morana through the assembled throng, admiring the way her hostess cut a path through the crowd with ease.
Morana radiated a presence that demanded attention and the sidelong glances cast in her direction were tinged not only with respect and admiration but also with more than a little fear. Tani wondered what actions by Morana had engendered that reaction.
They drew level with the glitterati assembled on the high platform, smug and sure in their position of superiority. Two enormous shedu guards in their Earthani form pulled back as the two ladies approached, letting Morana pass without question.
“She’s with me.” Morana spoke without looking back, just as the shedu were about to block Tani’s path. They withdrew immediately.
“Ah, Lady Morana, as lovely as ever.” Phenex was unmistakably the overlord of all here. A huge beast of a male, long dirty blond hair braided down his back, dressed in fur and leather, he appeared like a Viking warlord of old as he sat on his throne surveying the worshipping throng.
Morana made an elegant curtsey, her long multicolored hair glinting with coppery-blonde highlights as the lights flickered and sparkled around her. The red of her dress was a vivid echo of the charisma she held. All eyes were drawn to her, and Tani could not deny that she was the most striking woman here. The woman seated beside Phenex curled her lip in disdain. No love lost there. Another puzzle in the mystery that was Morana.
Morana rose and gestured Tani forward. “May I present Tanith Laska, my Lord Phenex, a dear old friend come to visit.”
Phenex rose, a lazy grin on his face as his hard eyes raked lasciviously over Tani’s body, lingering o
vertly on her breasts and hips. He held out his hand, cold fingers locking over hers as he pressed a serpent’s kiss to her knuckles. “To what do we owe the pleasure?” he murmured, his hot breath fouling the air around them. She bent a knee as Morana had taught her, skin crawling to escape from his grasp. A layer of evil hung over Phenex, a slick coat of cruelty and ruthlessness that she really did not want to touch.
Her instinct for acting kicked in as she gritted her teeth. “I haven’t seen Morana in an age, Lord Phenex, and it seemed like a good excuse to sample the delights of your fair city,” Tani answered, fluttering her lashes a little, but she hoped not so much that he would think she was interested.
“She is looking for a man, my lord,” cut in Morana. “Her father has decided that it is time she settles down and marries.”
Tani glared at Morana. Her visit was meant to be low-key. She had not wanted to draw too much attention to herself, but now all of Serpens would be alerted to her presence, particularly if they thought her a wealthy heiress.
Phenex stared at her more intently now. “Really?” he drawled, his attention caught. “We must ensure that you do not leave us disappointed.”
On his right, the dark-haired woman who sat by his side rose and moved near, touching Phenex on the arm, her indigo eyes cold as a polar storm. “My lord, we mustn’t divert the Lady Tanith from her quest. I’m sure Morana has lined up many eligible young men for her to meet. Morana knows everybody, Lady Tanith, she is intimately acquainted with any number of males, although,” she turned to Morana smiling sweetly, “there may be some you wouldn’t want to introduce her to. Her father might not thank you for it.”
“Oh, I don’t know,” Morana gushed back at her. “You could give me a run for the money on that score, Lady Sitri. I know some of the pleasures you like to dabble in.”
Cold indigo eyes narrowed in anger. Her step forward was prevented by Phenex’s hand. “Lady Tanith, I hope we will meet again. Meanwhile I will let you escape and give you over to Morana to introduce you to the eligible males.” He bent his head toward her, hot breath in her ear. “I am hoping that none will be to your liking,” he whispered. Louder. “I trust she will also ensure you are able to sample all the delights of our fair city, Lady Tanith. Farewell.”
Phenex inclined his head finally, letting go of her hand. Tani was relieved the ordeal with Phenex was nearly over. There was something so brutal in his bearing. The lady with the indigo eyes obviously had some claim on him or thought she did and was hurling mental daggers at Tani’s chest as Phenex’s gaze remained on her. If looks could kill. Not interested, bitch.
Morana led Tani away and as they rejoined the main crowd, turned to face her, hands on hips. “Could be you just made life very difficult for yourself,” she said, smiling.
“What do you mean?”
“Phenex is interested in you, and the blue-eyed bitch,” Morana jerked a thumb, “she is not only Phenex’s mistress, she is also your potential Esseni’s mother.”
Oh dear Lord. Shoot me now. “You could have warned me!” Tani chewed her lip in frustration. This was not a good start.
“Could have, but didn’t.” Morana winked teasingly at her.
“Guess that shows how much I can trust you. Are you deliberately trying to make my life difficult?”
“It’s just so much more fun this way,” laughed Morana. “Besides I can never pass on an opportunity to rile Sitri. She is such a bitch. It gives me the greatest pleasure.”
“Is she an ex-lover of yours by any chance?”
Morana rolled her eyes. “I have much better taste than that.”
“Oh yeah?” Tani pushed, not forgiving her for the unwanted attention. “And who or what is to your taste?”
Morana smiled in a way that made Tani even more curious about her. “You’d be surprised.”
I bet.
“Let me take you to your man,” said Morana, changing the subject as she walked away. Her words made Tani pause. Your man. Did Morana know more about Tani’s mission than she was supposed to? That was a concern but one she pushed to the back of her mind with the realization that the moment she had been waiting for had finally arrived. Tani’s heart sped up. Her nervous anticipation was at boiling point. The encounter with Phenex and Sitri had only served to intensify the bubbling sensation in the pit of her stomach. She had to admit, his mother was attractive although she seemed to have the personality of a snake. If her son possessed her dark hair, indigo eyes and even half her looks, it would be a nice bonus but only if he hadn’t inherited her character.
She followed, heart fluttering wildly in her chest as Morana wound her way through the throng toward a group of four men conversing away from the main crowd. They were dressed as all the assembled glitterati were in formal costumes of stiff brocade, the pervading fashion in Serpens, a mixture of Earth renaissance and Venetian swagger.
Turning as Morana approached, they eyed her with some admiration, tinged with the respect Tani had sensed earlier. The group comprised a dark-haired man, two blonds and a brunette. Tani waited for the thunderbolt. It didn’t materialize. The dark-haired male was appraising her with obvious curiosity. “Who is this lovely lady, Morana?” His voice was deep and low.
Morana’s smile was wide and knowing. “This, Lorcan Rodach, is your destiny,” she proclaimed. Tani noted his eyes flaring wide in surprise. They were gray and surprisingly serious. She rolled her eyes at Morana’s dramatics and extended her hand to him at the same time, shaking off a slight pang of concern at the words Morana had used, which hinted that she might know more than she was meant to.
Tani gave the dark-haired man her full attention. “Good evening, Lorcan Rodach.” She smiled. “My name is Tanith Laska.”
He brought her hand to his lips. “I am very pleased to meet you, Tanith Laska,” he replied, “particularly if you are my destiny.”
Tanith laughed. “I should imagine that it is a question for the fates to decide,” she countered. He gave her a dazzling smile. “Well, perhaps you will honor me with a dance and we can discuss the dreaded fates.”
“I would be delighted,” she replied and took the hand he extended, following him onto the floor. Lorcan Rodach took her by the waist and spun her into the center of the whirling throng.
Chapter Four
Lust
Having refused Morana’s offers of an escort, Tani wandered through the bazaar, grappling with her tangled thoughts and the confusion of the night before. Lorcan Rodach was not what she had expected. Her expectation had been of extremes; that she would either love him or hate him. Surprisingly, she had felt neither emotion and consequently was left unsure as to whether she should feel disappointed or relieved. Perhaps it didn’t always happen as Irina had described. Her bonding with Tyr had been a magnetic compulsion that neither could deny. But perhaps that was not always the case. Perhaps instead it was a bond that could be nurtured into existence.
Her first impression of Lorcan was of a very handsome man, polite and refined, his gray eyes calm and serene. After Morana had made the introductions, he had treated her with respect, danced with her twice and seemed to enjoy her company. He had not tried to kiss her but held her as if she were a fragile flower. And that disappointed her?
She should be relieved that the Esseni of Hate was so balanced and gentlemanly, not complaining that he wasn’t a murdering cutthroat bastard! But where is the passion? Maybe Lorcan was not the Esseni potential she was searching for after all. The only way to truly know was for her to kiss him. She might just have to make the first move.
The turmoil in her head increased, sparked by sudden shock as the object of her thoughts appeared ahead in the bazaar, as if by thinking of him, she had conjured him into being. He was standing at a fruit stall, casually tossing an apple and laughing with the vendor. He was wearing clothing less formal than the night before, black combat pants, black T-shirt and boots, and there was something suddenly so visceral about him that Tani’s heart gave a lurch.
&n
bsp; She swallowed as her eyes alighted on the corded muscles that had been hidden under the stiff formalwear of last night, bronze skin accentuating the hard strength evident in the ripped biceps of his arms. His dark hair a loose wave tumbling onto his shoulders, slightly curling as it caressed his neck. Spasms in her gut unfurled warmth that heated her blood. She felt her cheeks glow.
Oh dear Gaia! Is this it? Maybe this was the reality of him and she hadn’t seen it before, hidden as he had been last night beneath the civilized veneer of society manners. But there he was. Primal. Feral. More untamed beast than refined gentleman. And that made her tingle?
The tingle sent a sweep of hot flushes bubbling through her veins, skin stretched tight as her hands fisted imagining how his hard body would feel beneath her palms. A wave of pure desire swept through her, exploding outward, a cascading spiral of hunger that pulsed toward the object of her lust. She watched, fascinated as Lorcan’s head jerked up and swung in her direction as if seeking her out, as if he could sense her arousal.
Tani ducked behind the nearest market stall, heart pounding loudly in her ears. She wanted to observe him from a distance, see the truth of him. There was an intensity about him today that had her senses reeling, a different face he was projecting to the world. And if he had more than one face, she needed to know.
Her breathing ragged, she cautiously peered out from behind the stall. He was still focused on her direction but she stayed where she was hidden in the shadows, resisting the urge to go to him. Tani could not believe how gorgeously handsome he appeared today. So much more so than the previous night. Eyes that had appeared so serious and even, honesty forced her to admit, dull, were now scanning the bazaar, vibrant and alert. He barked out a laugh at something the vendor said, his gruff guttural chuckle causing an ache in her gut where the sound vibrated, its resonance seeping into her bones, spreading a warmth that infused her soul with its rich tone.
