There was a knock at the door, and I called for Cain to come in. He did a double take as he looked at me, his eyebrows raised.
“Not bad,” he said, sounding surprised. I snorted. My brother never noticed how I was looking, so I'd done something right. He frowned and walked closer, looking at the delicate pattern on the dress.
“Playing with fire?” he said with a grin.
I smiled back at him and turned to my reflection. The dress was floor length, tantalising in its close fit with a slit that exposed one leg, almost to my hip bone. The back and cleavage plunged low and sequined flames curved up over my bust and behind, framing my shoulders and back. The whole dress was bright, shimmering gold, and it glittered in the light, a live thing, like it was really on fire. I loved it, and it felt appropriate attire for Apollo's daughter to wear. Gold and diamond suns dangled from my ears and circled my neck and I didn't give a shit right now if Ambrogio figured it out or not, in fact I was counting on it. He hated me anyway, and he wanted me dead, so what was the difference? There was one final thing to add. I went to my jewellery box and found what I was looking for. I held the very first gift that Corvus had given me, almost two thousand years ago, an ouroboros, the symbol for eternity.
The bracelet was in the form of a snake eating its own tail, the cycle of life and death, a continuous circle that Corvus and I seemed doomed to keep repeating. I had known when he had given it to me just how bad things were going to get. I had tried to warn him. But he had made his choice, and we had stepped onto the winding path that the fates had woven, leading to this moment. I slipped it on, watching as the snake's ruby eyes glinted at me. “Bring me luck,” I whispered.
“So beautiful, Jéhenne.”
I looked up to see Kai looking at me with big eyes. He had wrapped his arms around himself, and he gave a heavy sigh. “You shine like the sun,” he added.
“Thank you,” I said, moving over to hug him. I had asked him not to attend tonight. I had a bad feeling, and I didn't want him to get hurt. He would stay in his room, but I had told him to get out and go to Inés' cottage at the first sign of trouble. He'd given me a mutinous look, but I'd made him promise. I hoped he kept to it.
“I'll see you later, OK?” I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. He scowled at me and huffed but walked to the door.
“Take care, Jéhenne,” he said, his eyes full of worry. “You too,” he added, looking at Cain before slipping through the door and closing it quietly behind him.
“I wonder how Lucas is fairing,” Cain mused, sitting on the edge of my bed.
“We're about to find out,” I said, hearing footsteps heading our way. A few moments later the door opened and Lucas came in with Rodney hot on his heels.
Lucas' face was grave, but he stopped for a moment to look at me. “Gods, Jéhenne,” he said in quiet reverence, and I could feel how badly he wanted to move towards me, to hold me, but he stood still, shoving his hands in his pockets.
“Bleedin 'ell, luv.” Rodney gave a low wolf whistle and I smiled at him despite the fact I just wanted to grab some pyjamas and hide under the bedclothes.
“It's done then,” Lucas said. “I told him you'd leave with no fuss if he let you alone. I negotiated two weeks for you to put things in order and leave. There will be a contract here shortly for you to sign.”
“You don't mean it, though, right?” Rodney clarified. I hadn't had time to talk to him face to face, and I had commanded the vampires not to discuss our plans to avoid any possible slip ups, so he didn't yet know the whole story. “I mean ... you're not really leaving?” he demanded.
I raised one eyebrow. “What do you think?”
Rodney let out a breath. “Bugger me, you 'ad me goin' for a minute there. But what about this contract, you gonna sign it?”
I nodded. “Damn right I am.”
Cain huffed. I knew he thought I should just stake Ambrogio while he slept, but while it was tempting, it would just cause more problems. This way I was covering my back. I ignored Cain and turned back to Rodney. “Hypothetically, how likely do you think it is that Ambrogio will stick to this contract if I really push my luck and wind him up?”
Rodney looked anxious, and scratched the short stubbly sides of his shaved head in agitation. “Knowing your ability to push people's buttons? Probably not great, luv, but why?”
“Slim to none, more like,” Cain added, frowning at me.
Rodney gaped at us. “What am I missin'?”
Cain sat back and watched me, consideration in his eyes which turned to admiration as he figured it out. “Well damn,” he said softly. “I don't think I've ever been prouder.”
I snorted, ridiculously pleased despite everything. I rarely impressed him, so this was a moment to savour. “I learned from a master.”
He nodded, agreeing with me. Modesty had never been an issue. “Yes. You did.”
“Will someone please explain!” Rodney yelled.
I squeezed his arm to reassure him before he gave himself a coronary. “Once I sign the agreement to leave, Ambrogio is bound by law to stick to it. But he doesn't yet know, or believe at least, that Apollo - the man who cursed him - was my father. He has no idea of everything I am, of what I can do. If I can goad him into attacking me, I have the right to defend myself. If he dies during that attempt …” I shrugged. “As long as it's me that kills him, the law will be on my side as he broke the agreement I signed.”
Rodney blinked and then swore, soft and low. “I'm bloody glad you're on our side, lovely.”
I chuckled. “Always.”
“Jéhenne.” I turned to Lucas who was looking more than a little stressed. “Ambrogio can command us, he might ... He could turn us against you. All of us.”
I felt my stomach turn over, but this wasn't news to me. I knew this was not only a risk, it was almost a certainty.
“You'll fight the command?”
For a moment the heat of his anger seared my skin. “What the fuck do you think?”
I grabbed his hand. “Of course,” I said hurriedly. “Blame my nerves, OK?”
He nodded and gave me a bleak smile. “I know.”
Cain's green eyes glittered with anticipation. “What if he doesn't take the bait?” he demanded, but he already knew what I was going to say. It wasn't like there was a choice here.
“Then ... the law can go to hell. I guess I'll kill him anyway.”
My brother nodded, approving. “I'll be right beside you.”
Lucas sighed and we looked at him as he shook his head. “Ambrogio made a condition, and I couldn't get him to reconsider.”
“What?” I demanded, a cold feeling growing in the pit of my stomach.
“He wants anyone who isn't family out of the Château.”
“Shit!” Rodney cursed as I felt flames flicker to life at my wrists. The bastard. The slippery, fucking bastard. The urge to just go and burn Ambrogio to a crisp there and then was so strong it took every ounce of self control to keep myself still.
“Out.” I looked up to see Cain speaking to Lucas. “Get out,” he repeated, his voice cold as Lucas just stood, glaring at him.
I cursed inwardly, wishing that Cain could be a little more diplomatic just once as I realised that he didn't trust Lucas anymore. As much as it broke my heart, I knew he was right. We couldn't completely trust any of the vampires. Not now. Ambrogio could command them to tell him everything, to act against us, to kill us. I'd protected Lucas for the duration of his interview with Ambrogio with a combination of a direct command and a spell that bound him to me, but I couldn't bespell the whole family, and Ambrogio would find a way around it given time in any case. I didn't intend to give him the chance.
“It's OK, Lucas,” I said, trying to smooth out my brother's typically confrontational approach. “You'd best leave, just for the moment.”
His face fell, but he knew as well as I did what the risks were. “I don't want ...” he started and then paused as the emotion was too clear in his v
oice. “Ambrogio,” he began again. “I don't want him to ...” He stopped and covered his eyes with his hand, unable to form the words. I walked over to him and pulled his hand away, kissing his cheek. “I know you would never hurt me, Lucas. I know none of you would ever betray me. Whatever happens, I will never blame you or any of the family. I know who is doing this. I know exactly who is responsible, don't ever forget that.”
He reached out and touched his finger to my lips. “Take care, Jéhenne.”
“I will.”
He hesitated, glancing at Rodney and Cain and then turning back to me, his expression fierce. “I love you,” he said and then left without looking back. I felt a jolt of shock that he had said it in front of everyone.
“Bugger me,” Rodney said quietly. “That's gonna put the cat among the pigeons.”
I sighed and shook my head. “One problem at a time, eh, Rodney?”
“Right you are then, luv.”
I turned to Cain, feeling fear creep up my spine at the idea I had to face Ambrogio without him, but he shook his head, his eyes cold with fury and determination.
“I'll be here, Nina. I'll be beside you.”
I had no idea how he was going to manage it, but I didn't doubt him. Not for a moment.
Chapter 47
I stood on the doorstep to the Château as everyone who wasn't vampire gathered together. Inés had come, with Aradia naturally, to pick up Dragon and Kai. I'd been surprised that Cain had agreed with me when I allowed Dragon to stay on, but his actions during the fight with Dis Pater seemed to have cemented Cain's respect for him and overrode any concerns about his enemies. It certainly had for me. Inés had told him he could go back to Heloïse's, but he said he didn't feel right about it.
Inés had quietly slipped me a written note which assured me they had found and would take care of the vampires laying low outside the Château grounds as soon as they got the signal from us. Whatever reinforcements Ambrogio was counting on would not be arriving.
Rodney was taking his car. He didn't actually live at the Château permanently in any case and had said, purposefully loud, that Cain could come with him. Dimitri stood next to me watching the departure, his massive arms folded and a mutinous expression on his face. To say he had taken the news of his eviction badly was something of an understatement. I patted his arm, and he looked down at me, his smooth black skin flickering with bronze tones under the magical sun that still burned over the Château.
“Bastard will pay for this,” he muttered. “Is bastard vampire, I not forget this. Nu.” He shook his head, thumping his chest with a meaty fist. “Dimitri forget nothing. He treat you like nothing and you ... a goddess!” he said, sounding awestruck.
I glared at him, and he went big-eyed and opened his mouth to apologise, but I shook my head. “Dimitri not forget,” he muttered.
I reached up to him, and he ducked his head so that I could kiss his cheek. His lip trembled, and he gave a violent sniff but managed to hold it together.
“It will be alright, Dimitri, I promise.”
He looked back at me, the red rim around the iris of his chocolate brown eyes blazing like fire as he enveloped me in a hug that took me off my feet. “I believe you,” he said with ferocity. He set me down with care and hauled a big hankie out of his pocket, wiping his eyes as he walked off to get in Rodney's car.
I waved at Inés, who left with Dragon and Kai. Kai's big eyes lingered on me anxiously as the car pulled away. I smiled at him and he nodded. They all knew what to do.
“Right then, luv,” Rodney said, his voice soft. I turned to see Amelia beside him wiping her eyes, and she came over and squeezed my hand hard.
“Don't worry, Rodney, I'll look after her,” Amelia said, smiling wanly at him.
Rodney forced a smile in return and kissed her. “Know you will, Mills,” he said, sounding choked. “Look after each other, right, cause ...” He swallowed hard and pulled us both into a hug. “My two best girls, eh?”
“Stop it!” I wailed, blinking back tears. “I spent ages on this make-up, and now you're going to make me cry.” We all laughed, half hysterical, and Rodney smiled at us and reluctantly walked away to his car. Cain waited for him and our eyes met. He didn't say anything; Cain didn't do emotional goodbyes. He just nodded at me and got in. I watched them drive away with a crawling feeling over my skin. I was alone in the Château with only the vampires for company. I prayed I could rely on Mary-Grace if Ambrogio succeeded in turning them against me, but she was very young and very scared, and it was the two of us against hundreds of vampires. I took a breath and reminded myself of exactly who I was. Closing my eyes for a moment, I remembered, remembered the feel of sand under my feet, a Mediterranean sea lapping at my toes and the power of a goddess at my fingertips. I was powerful, I ruled the Underworld, and I was Master of this family.
I opened my eyes and stood tall to find Amelia looking at me.
“You've got this, Jéhenne,” she said with a smile. “I know you do.”
I nodded at her and we headed back inside. We walked to the great hall where the thud of music vibrated through the ancient walls of the building. I climbed the staircase to the balcony that overlooked the hall so that I could look down over the gathering, at everyone dancing and moving to the music. I had stood here before when Lucas challenged Corvus for his freedom. I'd thought him arrogant and ungrateful. I hadn't known he was desperate to get away from me, because he had fallen for the woman his Master had loved for an eternity and could no longer hide his feelings. I forced the memory back. I had enough problems without dwelling on the past.
I'd told them to put on a show, to look at ease, carefree, as though they were unaware of what was coming. If he investigated, Ambrogio would discover the truth, but for the moment he had no real reason to suspect me of having an ulterior motive. He didn't know me well enough to understand I wasn't a quitter. He thought I was just another feeble woman, not a true vampire. He thought I had given up in the face of the father of the race, cowed by his obvious power over what was rightfully his. I would show him his mistake. I would fight until the end. He would believe I'd kept the family in ignorance to avoid the shame of having to face them, but I would disabuse him of that idea when the moment suited me.
I could feel the murmur of their thoughts in my mind, everyone in the family sending me their support, their strength, their love. It was almost overwhelming, that rush of feeling, the positive energy as they gave themselves wholeheartedly to me, and I could do nothing but return it. Every face I met was solemn but full of the desire to back me up, no matter the cost. Every face but one.
Cyd was standing on the balcony. She wore thigh high leather boots with killer heels over skin-tight black leggings with a corset top. Her red hair was as spiky as the look she gave me, mascaraed eyes casting over me with contempt.
“Cyd,” I greeted her, determined to be civil, despite the fact she was making no effort to disguise her animosity. Her gaze focused behind me, and I felt Lucas' presence at my back.
“And here's the perfect couple,” she sneered, looking us over. “Pity about the skeleton in the cupboard. Everything would be perfect then.” She gave Lucas a cold look, one eyebrow quirked. “Wouldn't it?”
“Don't you dare,” I said, keeping the words in our minds. I couldn't risk Ambrogio or his cronies overhearing us if there was going to be a fight. “You have no right, Cyd. I've done everything, everything I can. It's up to him now.”
She snorted. “He was so fucking powerful, but he crumbled for you, forever running after you, begging for your attention, waiting for you to deign to open your legs to him.”
I slapped her. Hard. My hand burned with the force of it, and I wanted nothing more than to do it again, but I kept myself still. I shouldn't have done that much. I needed a united front tonight. “Get out. Go back upstairs. Get out of my sight and stay out of it.”
“Yes, mistress,” she spat, smirking at me before turning her back and stalking away.
Lucas grabbed my arm. “What did she say to you?”
I shrugged. “It doesn't matter.”
He shook his head. “She was always bitchy but she liked you, respected you ... She's changed so much.”
I shrugged, for some strange reason needing to defend her, perhaps because we shared the same blood now. “She loved him, idolised him.” I took a breath and tried to ease some of the tension singing through my body. “We've all changed.” I leaned on the balcony and looked down. Mary-Grace was there, pressed into the far corner and looking like a mouse trapped in a cattery. She looked up at me, big brown eyes full of fear. I raised my hand and gave her an encouraging smile. She just looked back, her arms clutched around her body as she tried to sink further into the shadows.
There was a hush despite the steady thump of the music as Ambrogio and his entourage entered the room. They walked with purpose as the crowd parted unwillingly before them. I frowned. At the other end of the great hall was a raised dais. On it was a huge throne-like chair. It was vast and ancient, carved with crows. It was where Corvus had sat to deliberate family matters, where the wraiths would come to plead for his mercy, to join his family or to meet their end at his hand. It was his, made for him when he became Master. No one but him had ever sat there. Not even me. It hadn't felt right. I looked back to see Ambrogio heading towards it with an amused gleam in his eyes. I could feel the tremor of fury sweep over the family as they saw what he intended.
No. Fucking. Way.
“Lucas!” I clutched at his arm and didn't need to explain further. He swept me up, and a moment later we were standing by the throne. I stood in front of it, staring Ambrogio right in the eyes as I slowly and deliberately lowered myself onto it. I made a show of it, crossing my legs with care as the dress fell open, and I leaned back, making sure I looked at ease. I glanced at Decimus who returned a bare second later with a glass of Champagne which I raised to the crowd and drank. The roar of the family rose to the high rafters as they yelled their approval. I grinned and returned my attention to Ambrogio whose eyes were on me, utterly cold. I lifted the glass again in a private toast to him and smiled as I drained the Champagne. Game on.
The Fires of Tartarus Page 38
