The Blood Covenant: Book One of The Medici Warrior Series

by Emily Bex

  “Luca, what is all this stuff?”

  “Weapons for the bunker, my lady.”

  “Weapons? All of this? Are you kidding me? There are enough crates here to outfit an army! Did you order all this stuff?”

  “Yes, my lady, I ordered what master requested.”

  “What he requested? I don’t understand. Why would anyone need all this stuff?”

  Luca looks at her quizzically. Does she have no understanding of who he is?

  “My lady, master is a warrior, not just any warrior, the Warrior’s warrior, the Medici.”

  Kate holds the same questioning expression on her face. “Was that supposed to answer my question?”

  Luca can feel the energy shift and knows Shade is teleporting in. Perfect timing! He’ll let Shade explain all this.

  “I think that is a question for master.”

  ***

  Luca breaks open the crates and starts unloading firearms, swords, blades, bows, and other items Kate can’t even recognize just as Shade teleports into the space.

  Shade lands softly in the corridor, having received Luca’s message earlier that the weapons had arrived for the bunker. He grabs up bel and gives her a kiss.

  “And how is my sweet bel rosso this morning?”

  “I am confused by the weapons. We need all of these weapons?”

  “Bel, do not concern yourself with such. They will be stored in the bunker, si?”

  ***

  He grabs a crate in each hand and starts down the stairs and through the wine cellar to the hidden bunker. Kate follows him and sees Luca has already started mounting some of the weapons on the wall. There are panels that push open to reveal large storage spaces behind the wall that hold even more weapons. The room has been furnished with a large conference table and surrounded by chairs. The same security monitor that is mounted in his office is mounted on the wall here, along with the console that controls all the cameras. Shade is walking slowly around the room, admiring the weapons that have been mounted, as well as those behind locked glass cases.

  “So, what do you think, bel?”

  Kate looks around the bunker. “It looks, well, scary actually. You told me once you didn’t want me down here, and I don't think you will have to worry about finding me here, lover. I know you wanted me to learn weapons, but some of these things… I can't even imagine what they would do to a person. Do we need all this stuff here?”

  “I want you to be cautious. It keeps you aware, on your guard, and makes you learn to use your newly honed senses, si? But you have no need to come here. If you need me, and I am down here, you call to me telepathically. You have that gift, there is a reason for it.”

  “I understand. If you are here, you expect privacy. But there are enough weapons here for an army. And this large table… It is just you and Luca. I don’t understand.”

  ***

  Shade chooses his words carefully. He doesn’t want to alarm or scare her.

  “Bel, I command an army. Did you not see my warriors in Florence? I am working with Alec’s mercenaries, but if they cannot get up to speed, I will bring in my own. I may be having meetings here, and my warriors will be in and out. Bel, come here.”

  She walks into his arms and he holds her tight. “Listen to me. This is not about requesting privacy. This is about my job, and what I do. The less you know sometimes, the better, si? If I am to protect you, and our house, this is a necessity. And if you are not familiar with how these things work, you need not be down here, it is dangerous for you. These weapons are loaded and ready for use. Leave this to me and Luca.”

  Shade resumes unpacking the crates, laying out weapons on the large table, as Luca carries in more boxes.

  Kate looks at the display of weapons. “Are we in danger?”

  Shade and Luca exchange a glance. Shade sighs, “Kate, I am a master, and a warrior. There will always be those who will challenge me. This is just a precaution, si?”

  Kate picks up a weapon from the table that she has heard Shade call a shuriken, a large star-shaped wheel containing five razor-sharp finger-like blades.

  “This looks like Freddie Kruger....”

  “Who, bel? Is he a warrior?”

  “Freddie Kruger. He is a scary, evil man in a horror movie. He comes into your dreams and kills you. His hands look like this.”

  “A dream-walker? They make movies about them now? Fucker sounds right up my alley. Wonder where he hangs out? Might be able to recruit him.” He grins as he teases her.

  “I never thought of it in that way, but yes, he is like a dream-walker. Only, when he kills you in your dream, it is not a dream, he can actually kill you. You can't kill people in their dreams, can you?”

  Cazzo, she had to ask me that. “Well, I am warrior. My gift is dream-walking. What do you think?”

  ***

  Kate stands still and processes this information. He sends her such beautiful dreams. The thought that he could send bad dreams, scary dreams, never occurred to her. The thought that he could enter into someone’s dreams and do them harm never entered her mind, ever. He is so protective of her, shields her from so much, and sometimes, what he reveals is unexpected.

  “I... I never thought about you sending bad dreams, lover. But yes, why would a warrior need a skill to only send pleasant dreams.”

  Shivers run up her spine at the realization he could turn someone’s life into a living nightmare, and a skill that brings her only love and comfort could mean death for someone else.

  ***

  Shade feels her fear and sees her physically shiver. He knows she is now scared, knowing the scope of his skills, something he has hidden from her, but if she is to be his mate for eternity, she must know these things, the feats of evil he deals out on a daily basis.

  “Bel, I am vampire. I am warrior. I cannot hide all that is within me from you forever, but I will admit I have shielded you. I am a dealer of death, but also of peace and protection, as is Luca. Does that make you frightened of me? Please bel, you need to assure me this does not change how you see me, I will not be able to handle you being afraid of me.”

  She goes to him and slips her arms around his waist. “I am never afraid of you, Shade, never. I know you shield me. I have always been aware of that, and there is even a part of me that chooses to be shielded. But I know who you are, and I know what you do. I watched you destroy Sabine in front of me, so trust me when I say, I am aware of the power you possess. I am in love with your warrior spirit, even when I sometimes turn a blind eye to what is going on. It was the warrior and the darkness that drew me to you in the first place. So never concern yourself that I will pull away from you. That will never happen.”

  Relaxing as he hears her words, he knows she is still his sweet bel without fear of him or his beast.

  “I love you. I love how you love me, and my beast.”

  “Yes, and how come you aren't jealous of the beast? He loves me, you know.”

  Smiling, he lays his head on top of hers and loves the contrast of his black hair as it flows together with her red.

  “I am the beast, he is the darkness that I hide from you, and I like that you lure him, bring him forth, love him, tame him, calm him…because that lets me come back to you, always.”

  “Lover, I have known that from the beginning. That is why I never had a fear of him. We have an understanding, this beast and I.”

  He chuckles softly at her. “You know something that fascinates me, makes me so proud of you?”

  “What do you find fascinating about me? I have often wondered what you find interesting in this very ordinary mortal girl.”

  “You are far from ordinary, Kate. You have never backed away from me, nor took fear of my beast, you faced him head on. Do you know I have known immortal women who ran from my beast for fear of him? But not my bel rosso!”

  “Well, then, I have only one thing to say about that. Those women did not love you. They did not see inside your soul the way I do. They did not see your
loneliness. They did not see your poet's heart. They did not see your capacity for gentleness, and yes, even the beast has a capacity for gentleness, in his own way, through his restraint. There is more to you than your warrior spirit, and I see all of you. I see you.”

  He pulls her into an embrace, crushing her to his chest as she clings to him.

  “You see me like no other. Now go, let Luca and I get this wrapped up and I will join you upstairs. I can already feel the pull of my death slumber. Wait for me in our bed.”

  She turns to leave him, casting one last look over her shoulder as he and Luca focus on unloading this cache of weapons and she is already wrapping herself in denial about this room and its contents.

  52

  Yesterday, Kate was eating everything is sight, and today, she feels like she has no appetite at all. She wonders if she is coming down with a flu bug. She is feeling a little tired, but she chalks that up to the fact she did not sleep very well. Shade will be in the Dead House again tonight, so she thinks this would be a good time to check on the progress of the California house. The designers have informed her that almost all the deliveries have been made, and they have started furniture placement.

  She heads for Luca’s suite and taps lightly on his door.

  Luca puts down his pallet and paint brush and opens the door to her.

  “In the mood for a trip?”

  “What do you have in mind, my lady?”

  She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. The whole ’my lady’ thing is getting old real fast. “I was thinking you could take me to the California house, so I can check on things there.”

  “Of course, my lady. Give me a few minutes to change, and to get the coordinates from master.”

  “The coordinates?”

  “It is like directions. It will allow me to teleport there directly. I have not been to the California house before.”

  Kate shrugs, “Okay, well, do whatever it is you do. I’m going to get my notebook and grab a jacket. I’ll meet you back here.”

  She heads back up the stairs when a momentary wave of dizziness hits her. She pauses briefly, steadies herself on the railing and then continues up the stairs, sending Shade a message about her plans.

  “Lover, I’m going to have Luca take me to the California house. The designers are almost finished, so I need to check on their progress.”

  “Si, mi amore. I am sending Luca coordinates now. Be careful, bel rosso! This is the first time you have traveled without me, ti amo.”

  Kate grabs her notebook and the file that holds the photos of the furniture pieces as well as the fabric and paint swatches, pulls on a heavy jacket and returns downstairs to find Luca waiting.

  “Just hold on around my shoulders, my lady. And close your eyes. If you are not used to teleporting, closing your eyes will help with the dizziness.”

  Great, she was already feeling dizzy. She makes a mental note to drink lots of water when they get to California. She is probably just dehydrated. She steps up to Luca and holds on as he slips one arm around her waist, and before she can even process her next thought, they are in transit. The rush of cold air feels good, clearing her head. Within a matter of minutes, Luca lands them softly in the living room of the California house and releases her. As she steps back from him, she staggers slightly, and he reaches out to steady her.

  “That is normal, my lady. Most mortals feel dizzy after teleporting. It will pass.”

  She looks around the living room. The spacious room looks even larger furnished than it did when it was empty. The room is decorated in neutral ivory. The tall floor to ceiling windows open the space, and the added mirrors and lighting only seem to open it even more. It is a beautiful room, but very formal as dictated by the room’s architecture. She likes what she sees, it surpasses her imagination, but she still prefers the less formal space in Virginia.

  Kate heads through the formal dining room and into the well-appointed, thoroughly modern kitchen. She opens the fridge, taking out bottled water and chugs it down, tossing the bottle in the re-cycle bin, and grabbing another bottle from the fridge to sip on as they tour the house.

  Luciano appears from nowhere, and he and Luca exchange greetings.

  “My lady, is everything all right? I was not notified of your plans to travel here.”

  “Everything is fine, Luciano. I hope I’m not upsetting your schedule, but this was a spur of the moment decision. Shade was going to be busy all night, and the designers said the house was almost done. Please, don’t let me interrupt. I’m fine here, and I have Luca.”

  Luciano nods, “Then if you require nothing further, my lady, I’ll take my leave.”

  Kate completes her inspection of the formal dining room, the library, and the less formal family room, before heading into the space that had been designed for Luca.

  “These are your California digs. What do you think, Luca?”

  Luca looks stunned. “My digs? These are my rooms?”

  “Yes, well, I wasn’t sure how much we would use this house, how often we would come here, so I went ahead and furnished these rooms for you.”

  ***

  The rooms have the same masculine feel as the Virginia house, but the space is larger, and she included a fully equipped art studio. Luca feels overwhelmed. He never had his own private space before, and now he has two.

  “My lady, I love the rooms, but this was not necessary. I can stay anywhere.”

  “Luca, Shade told me to spend money, so I’m spending money. Enjoy it. Now come on, let’s go upstairs and check all the bedrooms we will never use.”

  Luca chuckles as he follows her up the wide curved staircase. She pauses midway up, and he notices her clutching the banister rail.

  “My lady, are you all right?”

  Kate puts her hand to her forehead and takes a few deep breaths before continuing up the stairs. “It’s nothing. Just a wave of dizziness, I’m fine.”

  “Did you eat today, my lady? Reynaldo said you did not stop by the kitchen this evening.”

  “No, I didn’t. I’m sure that’s it. We should only be here another hour or so, and I can get something when we can get home.”

  ***

  Kate completes the inspection of all the upstairs bedrooms, each with a fireplace, sitting room, and private bath, saving the massive master suite for last. She has made a few notes of things she wants changed, and a few pieces she wants added, including some art installations, and then she lets Luca know she is ready to return. Luca notices she looks paler than when they started this tour of the house and he will be glad to get her back home.

  “My lady, if you do not object, I am going to carry you for the teleport home.” He does not wait for her response but scoops her up and takes them both back to Virginia, sitting her down in the hallway at the foot of the stairs.

  “Thank you, Luca, I was feeling really tired. I think I’m going to go upstairs and rest.”

  “My lady… you did not eat.”

  “Maybe later, Luca.” Kate starts up the stairs to the bedroom when he notices her unsteadiness again and picks her up to carry her to her bed.

  “Luca, this is so unnecessary. I am fine!”

  “Clearly, you are not fine, my lady. I will have Theresa bring you something to eat, and I am letting master know you are not well.”

  “Master, we are back from California, but I fear my lady is not well.”

  “Oh, for Pete’s sake, Luca! I am perfectly capable of walking.”

  Luca lays her down on the bed as Theresa enters with a tray of hot tea, juice, and toast. Kate is wondering how Theresa got the water to boil that fast for tea, when Shade appears in their bedroom.

  “Kate!” Shade sits on the side of the bed, brushing the hair back from her face. “What’s wrong? I could feel you were tired. Are you okay?”

  Well, it didn’t take long to turn this into a three-ring circus! “Nothing is wrong. I was feeling a little dizzy. I had not eaten, and then we teleported to California. I
feel tired. Maybe I am coming down with the flu or something, but nothing to justify all this concern and attention.”

  ***

  Shade sends Luca and Theresa away and then returns his attention to Kate. “Eat and drink what is on the tray and I will get your gown for you, bel.”

  Kate sighs as she props herself up against the massive headboard and sips at the hot tea, watching Shade as he opens and closes drawer after drawer, searching for her nightgowns.

  “Bottom drawer, lover.”

  “Ah, si, mi amore.” He removes a long, soft white nightgown and carries it back to her bed, sitting down next to her.

  “Now tell me what happened, bel. What caused Luca such concern to notify me? I think you brush this off too lightly. Vampires do not get ‘the flu’.”

  “But I am not vampire.”

  “Si, not yet vampire, but you feed from me, and because of that, you have certain immunities from mortal illness. Talk to me.”

  “Shade, there is nothing much to share. Yesterday, I was starving. I think I ate everything in the kitchen. I’m sure Reynaldo had to go shopping after I finished. Then, today, I wanted nothing, so I did not eat. I didn’t sleep well, and I felt tired and a little dizzy. I probably should not have gone to California. I probably just overextended myself. That is all.”

  Shade is watching her closely as she speaks. Her lily-white skin is even paler than usual. He makes sure she finishes the juice and the toast then clears away the tray, helping her undress and pulling the soft gown over her head. He pulls back the covers and tucks her in, kissing her cheek.

  “Sleep, bel rosso. I will be here the rest of the night if you need anything. You are not to get up, understood?”

  ***

  Kate would argue that he is being over-protective, that they are all overreacting, but she feels a tiredness that is bone deep, and the pillow beneath her head, the soft blankets he tucks around her shoulders are already drawing her into a deep sleep. She feels his tender kiss just as she drifts into sleep.

  ***

  Shade remains seated by her side until he is sure she is sleeping, not sure what to make of her illness. He will keep a close eye on her over the next few days.