Viktoria's Shadow: Jael

by Ysobella Black

  Asim removed his hand, letting Thomax pant and fall forward, catching himself on his palms.

  Satisfied the spider was safe, Asim walked in front of his acolyte and pressed fingertips to the man’s face. Two small white spiders darted onto Thomax.

  He blinked and made a low, agonized sound in his throat as one spider blended in with the white of his eye and a second skittered across his cheek to burrow into his ear.

  A part of Asim’s mind saw himself looking down at Thomax, the sounds of ragged breathing, blood rushing filled his head, and anxiety tingled over his skin.

  Perfect.

  His spider would make sure Thomax did what he was told.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  VIKTORIA

  VIKTORIA STOOD IN THE middle of the gallery — a cavernous, windowless, rectangular space illuminated mostly by lighting focused on the combination of her paintings and Ember’s photographs hung in matched sets on the light grey walls. Next to each two-foot by three-foot picture Ember had taken was an identically sized painting Viktoria had created of the same image. While Ember’s photography made light the primary attraction, Viktoria’s art emphasized shadows.

  Michel, the gallery owner, was going through a ‘bigger is better’ phase and opened the length of the space rather than planning the cozy atmosphere Viktoria and Ember typically had for their showings. Now she knew why he had demanded more of their work. If they’d stayed with their usual ten to fifteen sets, the place would have looked empty.

  “Where do you want us to set up, Viktoria?” Nicole, a short woman with a chestnut-colored pixie cut and a warm smile, catered all of their showings. Although with as pregnant as she was now, she looked like she was the one who should be catered to.

  Viktoria leaned down to kiss Nicole on both cheeks. “I want to set you up with a chair, darling.”

  Nicole smirked and cradled her belly. “The baby isn’t due for another week. Don’t worry. He won’t fall out on one of your patrons.” She waved over a tall, burgundy-haired woman wearing a tank top that showed a sleeve of black tribal tattoos on one arm and an octopus on the other. “This is Leilani. She normally runs a food truck for baked treats, but she’s going to do the heavy lifting for me tonight.”

  Viktoria extended her hands to take Leilani’s. “It’s nice to meet you. Thank you for helping with the showing.”

  “It’s no problem.” Leilani smiled shyly. “Nicole has been kind enough to let me use her kitchen. This is the least I can do.”

  “For tonight, let’s set up all the tables in the middle. There are outlets on the floor if you need to plug something in. Let me know if you need anything else. My partner just arrived.” Viktoria signed off on the finalized invoices, handed them back to Nicole, and left them to their work.

  Ember walked in, set a garment bag down, and went from photo to photo to make sure everything was perfect. Of course, everything was. This wasn’t their first show together, or at this gallery. Michel knew what they liked and expected. With the percentage he took of the prices their work commanded, he was happy to accommodate them. Viktoria smiled. Ember still checked everything every time, like some sort of good luck ritual.

  “Ember.” Viktoria held her arms out as her friend approached. Ember’s red hair was in a messy ponytail. That was to be expected, but a tightness around her green eyes, and her skin a shade paler than it should be, suggested she was stressed about something.

  Ember accepted the hug. “Viktoria.”

  A jolt ran through Viktoria when Ember touched her, and the word ‘Soră!’ sang in her mind. It was in Ember’s voice, but the inflection and accent were different. The word itself was familiar and unfamiliar at the same time — she’d never heard it before, but somehow she knew it meant sister.

  Ember stiffened and pulled back. When her gaze met Viktoria’s, her eyes were full of questions, and maybe hope.

  Keeping her smile in place, Viktoria gave no indication she’d heard or felt anything. When Ember had called to make sure Viktoria received the final photo for their showing — late — her friend sounded distracted and distraught. Ember was always sure of herself, and never late with her photographs, aware Viktoria needed time to paint. And now Ember could touch her with magic and project thoughts into her head?

  As a daughter of Louhi, Goddess of Witchcraft and Death, Viktoria was no stranger to magic, and able to fend for herself, but this was the worst possible time her friend could spring a magic surprise on her. It rarely meant anything good when someone who had no magic before suddenly did.

  What had Ember gotten herself mixed up in? Viktoria never had the feeling Ember was even the slightest bit interested in the ‘other’ world. If anyone, it would be Ember’s twin, Musette, with her ‘feelings’ who might be drawn to it.

  “You look marvelously monochromatic,” Ember said.

  “Thank you, darling.” Viktoria spun in a circle to show off the intricate array of strings and the slits in the side of her dress. “You are looking...” She stopped and peered at her friend. “Horrendously haggard.”

  Ember gave her a wan smile. “You always know just the right thing to say to make me feel better.”

  “What’s wrong? Where’s Musette?” A twinge of anxiety surged through her. Ember’s sister had never missed an event before, and Viktoria would bet the sudden influx of magic and her twin’s disappearance were connected.

  Her friend’s already pale face turned ashen. “Musette... had an accident. She can’t be here tonight. I may have to leave if there’s a change in her condition.”

  An accident? Magic accidentally gone awry, maybe? No wonder Ember looked stressed. “Of course, darling, whatever you need. Is there anything I can do to help?” Viktoria took Ember’s hands, prepared to feel another jolt, but none came. Just a sense of elation that was Ember, but somehow not Ember at the same time. “I can handle things here tonight if you want to go.”

  “No. Musette is in capable hands. It’s a matter of waiting right now, and I could use the distraction.”

  They walked the rest of the show together, their tour ending in front of the photo of the sunrise Ember had been late getting to Viktoria.

  “You’ve outdone yourself, my friend,” Ember said as she looked at the painting.

  Viktoria agreed. The light in the photo had been just right, creating deep, rich shadows for her to work with. “Thank you. Now, let’s see what I can do about you. What did you bring to wear?”

  It was Musette’s job to make Ember presentable, since she cared little about how she looked, but in Musette’s absence, Viktoria would have to take over.

  Ember waved a hand at the garment bag she’d draped over a chair.

  Scooping up the bag, Viktoria took Ember’s hand and led her into the room Michel always set aside for them — a small space he used for extra storage, but always cleared out for them. A small table held a bottle of wine and several glasses in a triangle of three dangerously overstuffed comfortable chairs. Michel knew to always include Musette.

  Her friend stumbled at seeing three of everything, and Viktoria took Ember’s arm. “Strip and put your dress on, including the heels. None of your combat boots hiding underneath tonight. I need to see what you’re wearing before I decide what to do with the rest of you.”

  “This was not my choice.” Grumbling about the things Musette made her do, Ember surrendered her t-shirt, jeans and boots to put on a slinky strapless, asymmetrical gown in shades of sapphire blue to black.

  Viktoria raised an eyebrow. The soft, velvety material clung to Ember’s body, skirt ghosting across the floor on one side, black at the bottom, rising along a steep hem to end high on Ember’s thigh in a dark blue.

  It was nothing like the boring, matronly black dresses Ember normally wore to these events.

  “Darling, tell me what’s happened.” Viktoria swept Ember’s flame-colored hair into an updo and started on eye makeup. “There’s a man at the root of all this. I know it.”

  Ember smiled. “H
is name is Stryx. He’s...”

  “Let me guess.” Viktoria laughed. “Complicated?”

  Ember snorted. “If only it was so simple as complicated. He’s paradoxical and cryptic and bewildering and such an alpha male. I’m told he can learn, but he frustrates me to the point I feel like throwing him through a wall. At the same time, he’s the only man I want. But we’re such opposites. How would it ever work?”

  Viktoria waved a lipstick, indicating the gallery. “Look around. People pay us obscene amounts of money because we show them opposites go together. Light needs shadow as much as shadow needs light.”

  SERVERS WEARING UNIFORMS of black pants, vests and jackets, along with white long-sleeved shirts, brought out platters of food and trays of drinks. One table groaned under its weight of chocolate confections, something Ember always insisted on for Musette, then teased her about when she ate them.

  In addition to chocolate cookies, muffins, fudge and pieces of cake, the offerings included slices of apples, oranges, bananas, and strawberries awaiting dipping in fountains of white, milk, or pink chocolate. Bite-sized squares of dark, milk or white candy, arranged in swirls on a silver platter, sat in front of dishes of peanut butter, caramel, butterscotch, and honey. Serving bowls offered miniature scoops of ice cream for sundaes.

  Tonight, Ember refused to look at the treats.

  Viktoria extended a hand to stop Leilani. A shock, softer than the one Viktoria had experienced with Ember, ran through her. Unsure what Ember had done, or what this new energy was, Viktoria caught and sent the majority of the strange magic into shadow. Until she knew what was happening, she wouldn’t stifle this new magic, but neither would she let it use her to spread. The barest scrap of it wiggled free and rushed toward Leilani, leaping from Viktoria’s fingers.

  Leilani jerked away. She and Viktoria scrambled to keep the stack of plates she carried in her arms from crashing to the floor.

  Not funny, Viktoria chided the magic.

  Soră. The voice wasn’t singing this time. It sounded annoyed and had a growl in it.

  Viktoria glanced around for Ember, but she was on the far side of the room, speaking with one of their guests about a photograph. Ember has some explaining to do.

  I’m not Ember. I am Soră.

  I already have twelve sisters. Viktoria did not need another one.

  I want to have twelve sisters too!

  We’ll have to talk about this later, Soră.

  Soră sighed.

  Leilani rubbed at her arm. “I’m so sorry. It must be this cold, dry air and me dragging my feet on the carpet. Can I help you with something?”

  Viktoria nodded. “Will you see that some of every kind of chocolate dessert is set aside and saved? I’ll take them with me when I leave tonight.”

  “Of course. I’ll do it right now.” Leilani set the stack of plates on the table, took one, and piled it high with treats.

  As their guests arrived, Viktoria kept an eye on Ember, who was still not acting like herself, and noticed the second she tensed. A man with shoulder-length black hair and dark blue eyes had entered the gallery. Well, that explained the dress. He wore a black suit, offset with a tie the exact shade of Ember’s hair.

  This must be the paradoxical alpha male Ember wanted to throw through a wall, no doubt. An entourage of three men followed him in and took positions around the room, scanning the crowd. All four were tall and broad-shouldered. The tallest, pale-skinned and white-haired, put his back against a wall. A blond man offered polite smiles and half bows that flustered the ladies. The third, tall, dark and deadly, moved with the same grace as the Amazon — aware and ready. There was something about him.

  Before she had time to think about it, Stryx crossed the room and seized Ember’s arm in a proprietary grip. Ember yanked away from him, but Stryx took hold of her elbow again.

  “Pardon me, darlings. I must speak with Ember.” Viktoria excused herself from the group of their usual monied patrons, sauntered to Ember, and narrowed her eyes at Stryx. She readied her magic, just in case. Ember might be tempted to shove her complicated alpha male into a wall, but Viktoria could shove him where he’d never see the light of day again.

  Soră giggled. Good, Soră!

  So this new magic knew Ember’s complicated alpha. When tonight is over, you and I are going to have a long talk.

  Soră went quiet at that.

  Viktoria stopped inches from Ember and Stryx. “Get your hands off her.”

  Stryx growled, and his eyes darkened from blue to almost black.

  Really, Ember, a vampire? Do you have any idea what you’ve gotten yourself into?

  Soră laughed. He doesn’t know what he got into.

  Stryx acted as though Viktoria wasn’t there. “I just need a minute of your time,” he said to Ember.

  “Then you’ll leave?” Ember’s tone sounded resigned.

  “I would like to stay.”

  Viktoria stepped closer, forcing Stryx to pay attention to her. “Who is she to you?”

  He only hesitated a moment. “She is my queen.”

  Viktoria laughed. She’d seen this macho behavior with any number of heroes who tried to kidnap her and her sisters. “And who would that make you to her? Let’s see, if she’s the queen, that would make you the overbearing emperor, I suppose.”

  Stryx locked eyes with Ember and went to his knees before her. “I am her servant.” His voice, already deep, deepened even more, to a tone meant for naughty bedroom promises in the dark.

  Every woman within a dozen feet sighed, and Michel, on his way over to them, went dreamy-eyed and diverted his course, fanning himself as he simpered away. Viktoria shook off the magic, but had to admit, the words and actions surprised her. Judging by the startled flush on Ember’s face, she hadn’t expected that response either, or to have him at her feet.

  Viktoria eyed Styx up and down, trying to decide if he meant it. Deciding he did, she raised an eyebrow at Ember. “Maybe he can learn.”

  Stryx rose to his feet and reached for Ember, but this time he extended his hand instead of grabbing her arm. “I have something I want to talk to you about.”

  Ember glared at him. “Talk to me about or order me about?”

  “I think you will be interested in what I have to say, but I want to talk to you alone.” He stepped closer to Ember and lowered his head to her ear. “Please.” He murmured the last word in a cross between a growl and a purr, sending the ladies sighing again.

  Ember smirked and slid her hand into Stryx’s. “I didn’t know you knew that word.”

  Stryx’s posture relaxed as soon as Ember touched him, the alpha vibes he projected reducing in aggression as he shifted to protective rather than dominant. He drew an unprotesting Ember to him and slid his arm around her waist. “Show me around?”

  “Do you need a bodyguard?” Viktoria asked.

  Ember smiled. “No. I’ll be all right.”

  “I meant him, darling.”

  Ember laughed and led her vampire away.

  So, there were vampires in Port Storm, and Ember’s new complication was one of them. Feeling someone watching her, Viktoria turned and made her way back to the group of people she’d just left. She ran her gaze over everyone in the room, nodding or giving flirty winks to those she knew, until her eyes came to rest on tall, dark, and deadly lounging against a wall. No one around him seemed to notice he was there, though they kept their distance from him, like a reverse black hole.

  But Viktoria noticed him. Mystery Man had a swarthy complexion and piercing black eyes. His black hair was long enough to wear tousled, and either he had the tips of wings jutting up on either side of his neck, not likely for a vampire, or he was armed with two swords on his back. Who came to a gallery showing armed with swords? Most Other Worlders used modern weapons to fit in. This vampire seemed stuck in the past.

  That one was dangerous and not because of his swords. Or, not only because of them. Viktoria had a thing for mysterious black-eyed men wit
h swords.

  He studied the crowd, appraising each patron and moving on to the next. If Viktoria hadn’t been watching him as closely as he was watching the others, she would have missed the slight widening of eyes and the surprised expression that flitted across his face when his gaze met hers.

  Amused at his surprise, Viktoria maintained the staring contest. At least, she did until something else appeared in his eyes — something that looked a lot like interest. That would not do.

  Viktoria let herself be diverted by a man who touched her arm. The vampire snarled as she turned to give this new man her full attention. No, that would not do at all. She would involve herself with Ember’s magic if that was a problem, but possessive vampires were not on her to do list.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  JAEL

  SENSES HYPER-AWARE, Jael stood with his back to a wall and scanned the crowd, pleased the gallery was open so the three of them could surveil the same space at the same time. Plenty of room to fight if they needed to, although the tables of food in the middle of everything might take a few hits.

  Melchior lounged and Zeke circulated, each at ease. Their assessment matched his. No threats. No one watched too carefully. Well, other than him. Hearts beat in excitement and happiness — none too fast in anticipation or too slow in predatory behavior.

  Jael couldn’t relax. Even the most powerful strygoi, especially the most powerful strygoi, had fallen during the massacre. He’d failed a thousand years ago. No mage would take a witch on Jael’s watch again.

  He enjoyed teaching mages to fear him. They called him the Scourge because he’d killed thousands of them and their minions, becoming the monster the monsters feared. The last few centuries had been quiet, but with mages showing themselves again, his swords sang with a quiet eagerness to hunt in the back of his mind.

  Their song would grow louder, more insistent, turn into a war chant. They often settled for blood, but the only thing that calmed them was mage magic as they sliced glyphs from skin.