Key to Conflict

by Talia Gryphon

  Pulling into the gravel parking lot, she saw Aleksei waiting respectfully outside the building, casually leaning on one of the pillars. Gillian put on what she hoped was her professional face and went to greet him, smiling.

  Aleksei’s eyebrows lifted. She was far too pale. From where he was he could discern physiological differences in her: elevated blood pressure, eyes calm but respiration more rapid than it should have been. Her walk lacked the unconscious power normally displayed. Something had happened. His heart nearly stopped as he caught her scent, which was thick with recent fear. Dracula had announced his presence.

  “Tanis, something’s happened to Gillian.” The thought went out to his brother without hesitation.

  Aleksei desperately wanted to comfort her himself, his arms ached to hold her. He was protective by nature; the centuries had not dimmed any part of the original man. As her client, he was not in a position to offer comfort to her, nor would it be accepted. Since the little doctor needed consoling, through Tanis, Aleksei would see that she got it.

  Powerful arms unexpectedly surrounded her from behind. Gillian would have screamed but for the familiar feeling filtering through her overly heightened empathy. The black velvet voice that accompanied their solid embrace confirmed her gut feeling.

  Tanis. Materializing as he pulled her close.

  “What has happened, piccola?”

  Feeling her body coil, ready to fight, Tanis scooped her up, carried her over to the porch and sat her on it in front of him. It didn’t quite bring her up to the level of his eyes; he was still much taller. His arms walled her in on either side, his hips were against her knees, not crowding her, but she wasn’t going anywhere.

  A chilly glance at Aleksei from Gillian told him she didn’t appreciate his interference. It didn’t take a genius to know that he’d called his brother. His smug smile confirmed it. He knew what she needed as Tanis did and would make sure she got it one way or another.

  Looking up at Tanis’s lovely face, Gillian nearly cracked. It had been a long time, like never, since she’d been able to lean on anyone, and it was nearly impossible for her to open up. Even when the source of comfort was wrapped in a six foot, six inch package that looked like a case study in Vampire virtues.

  “Stop it, dammit!” Gillian’s voice was harsh as she shoved at the immovable chest in front of her.

  “Do not be nice to me right now. I need to handle this. If you start with the tea and sympathy, I will fall apart.” Her voice was thick with emotion and sounded nervous even to her own ears.

  It broke Aleksei’s heart and cut Tanis like a knife. This would not do. Being strong did not mean she could not be in need as well. Time for a little lesson in relationships for both of them.

  Tanis frowned, then pulled her closer against her vehemently uttered protests, wrapping his arms around her, holding her in the shelter of his large frame. She didn’t want comfort but she needed it. That was his only motivation.

  “Let it out, piccola. You are scared to death. I can hear your heart pounding and feel your body trembling. You do not have to speak, Gillian; just let me help you.”

  The gentleness in his amazing voice with the feeling of his arms securely around her made her eyes sting. She bit her lip not to bawl on his shoulder.

  Tanis felt her shaking with unshed tears. “It is all right, Gillian. Aleksei and I will keep you safe.” He brushed his lips over her hair. “Let go, piccola guerriera; let the tears come.”

  A wracking sob tore from her as tears, violent and brief, poured. Tanis pressed her against his chest gently, murmuring to her in Italian and French, letting her hear the steady rhythm of his own heart.

  Aleksei gazed at him in amazement. His younger brother normally had no patience for any overt emotional outbursts. Yet here he was, holding their new little blonde accompaniment almost tenderly, soothing away the terror she felt. Gillian had gotten under his brother’s skin. Aleksei wasn’t sure he was happy about it.

  Tanis just held her, let her cry it out. He was grateful her position on the porch kept her away from his lower body. Her nearness, her scent, her vulnerability…her need called to him and his body was hardening into a painful ache. He was amazed that his Vampiric sexuality was surfacing when all he wanted to do was comfort her. Firmly pushing down his need to join with her and chase all doubts of her safety from his mind, he materialized a handkerchief from somewhere and held it out to her.

  Gillian smiled through the tears. “I told you not to be nice to me, you king-size pain in the ass.”

  She took the handkerchief, wiped her eyes and blew her nose. Her voice was shaky, but Tanis was glad to see her rally. He chuckled and patted her back.

  “You needed to cry, piccola. It was a release of tension, nothing more. Aleksei and I do not think less of you because you were frightened. It is a normal thing to need comfort, Gillian.”

  There was a wealth of reprimand in his voice. He wasn’t pleased that she hadn’t asked for help, but his anger was for whatever had happened to her. He expected an answer, and so did Aleksei. She looked up at him. The golden eyes were warm with budding affection and a little anger.

  “Now,” he continued, “tell us what has happened.”

  Gillian related only the drive home; they didn’t need to know about Dante’s case. They knew she’d been to see a client, but his problem was confidential. When she finished, she could feel Tanis’s great body trembling with fury. Aleksei looked positively murderous.

  “Now what happens?” she asked.

  Aleksei swore eloquently and reached for Tanis through their familiar link. “We have no way to monitor her when she is away. Unless we bind her to us, how can we keep her safe?”

  “I do not know, Aleksei. It must be discussed, but she will not like it.” Tanis countered. Neither of them knew Gillian well, but given her basic personality, it was a good bet she wouldn’t take kindly to the suggestion of a blood bond.

  “No, she will not, but I do not know how else to protect her fully. We need a Daywalker ally to be with her when we cannot. Dracula evidently has spies who can function in full sunlight.”

  “You should broach this topic, Aleksei, as overseer of this realm. If I suggest it, she will choose to believe that I seek to bind her to me, and me alone, for ulterior motives. There is real fear about being in any sort of permanent relationship within her. Her commitment phobia is quite strong.” Tanis’s voice in his mind was amused. Aleksei found it interesting that his brother had developed a sudden interest in psychology.

  “And when did you determine this, Dr. Freud?”

  “I merely took the time to speculate on our good doctor’s personality quirks,” Tanis said smugly. “I did some research.”

  “You really are full of shit. You are trying to ingratiate yourself further with her and we both know it,” Aleksei groused.

  Turning to Gillian before Tanis had a chance to snarl at him, Aleksei introduced the topic. “Gillian, there is a way we may better be able to monitor you when we cannot be at your side. I do not know how to present this in a way that will not offend you, however.”

  Gillian knew they were “talking” about her. She’d watched their silent exchange and could feel the surges of emotion between them in response to whatever the topic was. She was equally sure she wasn’t going to like it.

  Looking into Aleksei’s pale eyes, so silvery in the moonlight that they glowed, Gillian felt a deep shiver go through her, responding to his overwhelming “maleness,” his overt sexuality, and to his need to help her. Tanis’s arms tightened around her instantly, offering reassurance.

  Aleksei continued. “We cannot be with you during the day, that is obvious and a matter which we will try to resolve by providing you with a Daywalker guardian. However, if we had a tie to you, we would have felt the danger to you with the Vampire and perhaps acted before he got so close.”

  “What kind of a tie to me are you referring to?” Gillian’s voice was low and angry. She had an idea what he
was getting at and she didn’t like it one damn bit.

  “Yes, a blood tie,” Aleksei relayed softly, easily reading her thoughts and fears.

  “Hell no,” Gillian said fiercely, shoving at Tanis’s chest. “Absolutely not.”

  Tanis didn’t move, but he lifted his head to stare at her from the intensity of the anger in her voice. She was seething, that he could see. She would refuse the offer out of hand, whether it would keep her alive or not, simply because she wanted no permanent attachment to them or anyone else. So she was stubborn as well as volatile. That irritated him. Personal preferences were one thing; simply refusing because she hadn’t thought of it first was not an option.

  “Gillian…,” he began, a warning note in his voice.

  “Don’t even say it, Tanis. I mean it.” Despite her anger, her voice quavered a little. “I am a soldier, a psychologist. I am capable and competent in what I do. Don’t you think it absolutely scares the hell out of me to know that I am that vulnerable, that a lesser Vampire like that one can have the opportunity to rip my throat out? That if he had been a Master or a Lord, I wouldn’t have even known he was in the car with me before he bled me dry? Don’t you know how it goes against my grain to have to depend on anyone, including you, for protection?”

  Gillian hopped off the porch, successfully divesting herself of Tanis’s embrace and began pacing. “I have led men on the battlefield, faced down sociopaths and murderers. I have dealt with Vampires many times before. I’ve had a whole host of Paramortal clientele over the years, including Werewolves, Ghosts, Sidhe and been in combat situations that would give nightmares to most people.” She paused to take a breath and look at the two of them.

  “But I have never felt so completely and utterly helpless and vulnerable as I did tonight when that Vamp appeared in my car.” Her shoulders slumped in defeat, voice dropping to a softer register. She sounded so vulnerable that both men ached to hold her.

  Aleksei went to her, exchanging a look with Tanis as he moved to lock her between them, embracing her. “The Paramortals, up till now, were your patients or opponents where you had full backup. This is our world. Your training, your knowledge of battle, will assist you, but you will still need us and the protection we can offer. No one doubts your courage, Gillian. It will stand you in good stead, but we will still shield you from what is to come.”

  Gillian struggled a little, then looped her arms around both of them, wondering how many more rules she was breaking. As Tanis had said, needing comfort was natural and right now she could use it. Besides, they were certainly impressive teddy bears. Fanged, enigmatic and dangerous, but sweet nonetheless.

  “I appreciate it, truly I do. I just can’t let you…” Her voice trailed off.

  “I know, Gillian.” Tanis’s voice rumbled in his chest. “We will find another way.”

  “For now.” Aleksei’s statement held a note of finality, and they both looked at him.

  He returned their gazes, all aristocratic and commanding once again. “We will find an alternative for now, but if it becomes necessary, we will have to seriously consider a blood bond.”

  At Gillian’s hardening gaze, he held up a hand and shook his head. “No, we will not argue this point until it becomes necessary. Your agency has given you authority to act as you see fit. It will not penalize you for staying alive, Gillian.”

  They argued into the night about the best way to approach the problem of Gillian’s continued safety. Her clients’ well-being was her first concern and Tanis’s. Aleksei and his brother were conveniently on site, but Dante required a small amount of travel. She was able to summon him during the day, so that wasn’t an issue. They were fighting about Gillian’s need to not have a large, stunningly handsome Vampire on her heels from dusk till dawn. Aleksei angrily called a halt finally, and said he would find someone to shadow her. His dynamic, prevailing personality making an appearance when Gillian tried to protest.

  “There is no argument in this matter, Gillian.” Aleksei’s silvery eyes were positively sparking. “If you neglect your safety, I will contact the IPPA and demand the right to reprimand you professionally for causing me, your client, undue stress.”

  Where no other threat could move her, this one did. Gillian was on her feet and in his face instantly. “You wouldn’t dare!”

  “Try me, piccola guerriera.” Aleksei spoke softly but there was iron in his beautiful voice.

  Gillian was furious. Antiquated son of a bitch… “I am here to take care of you, you overgrown fossil! How dare you threaten me professionally!”

  Aleksei’s eyebrows shot up, then lowered into a scowl. He was beginning to have sympathy for his brother’s initial reaction to her temper. He moved forward so quickly that she didn’t have time to breathe before he was towering over her, eyes blazing.

  “I am your patient, that is true, but you are on my land, at my behest, with your government’s orders. You are now in the middle of the war you were investigating. That makes you my responsibility, will it or no.”

  He reached out a hand, using his fingertips to tip her chin up with exquisite gentleness. “You will do as I tell you in terms of your safety or you will cause me undue stress and potentially degrade the progress I have made in therapy under your skilled care. That is the last I will say on the subject…Doctor.”

  His voice was beautiful, but filled with censure. He swept past her and out the door before she could respond.

  Tanis was staring at her as he leaned casually against the mantelpiece. His look wasn’t friendly when she turned back to him.

  “Do not cross Aleksei, Gillian. He is fond of you, both as a therapist and as a woman.” Tanis didn’t move but she could feel his anger from where she stood.

  “Don’t tell me that, Tanis. I have to keep our relationship professional. If he’s crossing the line, I’ll have to terminate our therapeutic relationship.” She flopped down into a nearby overstuffed chair.

  “Terminate it if you will, but you cannot leave either Sacele or Romania until this is over.”

  Tanis went to her when she averted her eyes from him: tall, masculine, domineering and breathtaking, kneeling in front of her chair and trapping her between his arms. “Do not judge him or me by Human standards, Gillian. Vampires are territorial and protective with those we care for. Aleksei is perfectly capable of keeping you in perspective, for the moment. But do not trigger a protective reaction in him by being foolhardy. I do not want to have to protect you from my brother’s wrath.”

  Gillian looked up at his warm, golden eyes. He was absolutely serious. Frustrated, she dropped her eyes, squirming under his direct gaze and powerful presence. Then her jaw was stroked by a strong, large hand and she looked up to watch his mouth close on hers. She sat passively, allowing the kiss, not wanting to enflame him. His need beat at her as she slowly moved a hand up to cup his head, tangling her fingers in his long, silken hair. Tanis pulled back soon after. She needed comfort, not seduction.

  “Let me stay with you, piccola. You need only comfort tonight and that is what I am offering.”

  Without waiting for her response, he stood and swept her up in his arms, carrying her to the bedroom. There, he lay her gently on the bed, then curled his large frame around hers, just offering comfort and security. Gillian relaxed after a bit when it was clear to her that he really wasn’t trying to seduce her tonight. Lying there with Tanis stroking her hair and whispering softly to her in a mixture of Italian and Romanian, she fell asleep in the Vampire’s arms. Tanis made sure she had no nightmares.

  CHAPTER

  9

  A LEKSEI left the cottage after Tanis made off with Gillian, his emotions in an uproar. Furious with Tanis, furious with Gillian, more furious with himself for allowing his own iron control to slip where she was concerned. He really couldn’t blame either of them; he’d practically thrown them together, but it still hurt more than he cared to acknowledge. Knowing that Gillian would terminate their professional relationship in an instant if
he showed interest in her outside of counseling didn’t help his mood. The truth was, he was becoming more interested in her in many ways.

  Vampire society was complex and multilayered. Any Human who became important or necessary was respected and guarded with a ferocity unmatched in Human society. If Gillian were to have a blood tie to him or Tanis, she would be marked as a friend to Osiris and Dionysus and cement her position as an enemy to Dracula even if she wasn’t already on his hit list. It would give her protection like she’d never known, but at what cost? She wasn’t quite in the enemy category yet, Aleksei thought wryly, but she was certainly a target. For what, he didn’t want to contemplate.

  His blood chilled as he thought of what might have happened to her tonight. The idea of her delicate body being shredded by Dracula’s soldiers nearly stopped his heart; not that it needed to beat constantly, but the pain was still very real. Instinct and need warred with his intellect.

  Finding that he was deeply attracted to Gillian, in more ways than professional ones, was disturbing to say the least. Aleksei ached for answers to his dilemma. He moved blindly, without purpose, striding through the forest in the night, his thoughts chaotic and intense. So intense, he failed to recognize the deft probe into his mind that only a very powerful being with a direct blood tie could generate, until a mocking chuckle stopped him in his tracks.

  “Interesting, Rachlav,” came the voice he had not heard in over three hundred years.

  Aleksei froze, slamming barriers down, his insides feeling as though worms were suddenly crawling through him. His own power overrode Dracula’s probe but not before the Dark Prince made it clear what his intentions were.