The Black Rose Chronicles, Deceit and Lies: Book 1 in this suspenseful, action filled, and sizzling paranormal romance.

by A K Michaels

  “What?” Brendan looked confused as he stared at his friend.

  “I know it sounds unreal but that’s what he’s saying. I’ve noticed a load of new guards arriving and the area around his hotel is locked down tight. If he’s telling the truth then this may be the start of something huge.”

  “Are you insane?” Brendan snarled. “He’s a fucking Vampire with his own little empire and agenda. He doesn’t care about Witches. I don’t know what his game is but I’m not letting you walk in there. We can try and break in and bring Rose out . . .”

  “Don’t be an idiot.” Seth shook his head, exasperation clear in his face. “He has an army, Brendan, a huge fucking army. We are not breaking in there and staying alive.”

  “Excuse me,” Kuan interrupted, his voice soft and calm.

  “What?” Both Seth and Brendan whirled toward Kuan.

  “I’m the one that needs to go inside.”

  Brendan stalked over to where Kuan sat on the edge of an old armchair. “What are you talking about? If it’s Rose and she’s hurt she needs to be healed and what makes you think you can get in and out of there in one piece?”

  “Brendan,” Kuan’s voice was decidedly calm as he looked up at the angry Wolf. “I am the only one of us that can do this. I can heal her and I can also meet Cassius Allarde and ascertain if his intentions are as noble as they appear.”

  “Are you a Witch?” Seth frowned. “I can’t sense what you are but I don’t know you so why would I put Rose’s life in your hands?”

  “I am not a Witch but I can heal her.” Kuan smiled benignly as he looked over at Seth. “You cannot sense what I am because I am, well, unique is the word I’d use. However, the main point is both of you trusting me to do this so how do we resolve that issue?”

  “I’ve no fucking clue,” Seth said looking at Brendan. “You’ve travelled here with him, Brendan. I don’t have a clue who he is or why you’d bring him. So, my friend, tell me why we let him go to help Rose?”

  Brendan paced back and forth, ending up at the window again, his back to the two men. “I can’t explain it but I do trust him, sort of. I also know he has powers but again, I don’t know exactly what. What we do know is if you go in there and it’s a trap then I’ll lose you, Seth. I can’t let that happen. Rose needs you so I guess we let him go and see what happens. If he doesn’t return we’ll know he hasn’t succeeded and we’ll have to go to plan B. If we come up with a plan B that is.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Seth pressed as his eyes stayed glued to Kuan.

  “No.,” Brendan admitted. “I’m not sure of anything about this but I have a feeling. Something inside. Telling me this is what we need to do.”

  “Shit,” Seth swore as he looked between Kuan and Brendan. “Kuan, or whatever your name is, I’m telling you here and now, if you harm her I’ll find you. I’ll find you and you will not like the reunion one bit.”

  “I have no intention of harming her. She is extremely important to the continuation of all species. She is far more important than either of you could understand.”

  “Riddles.” Brendan’s stare locked on Kuan. “He talks in riddles. A lot. Kinda drives me nuts.”

  “If he can help then that’s all I care about.” Seth glowered at Kuan. “You can help, can’t you?”

  “Yes,” Kuan said as he stood. “I need to get on my way now. Rose needs me.”

  “Now?” Seth asked as Kuan almost glided to the door.

  “Yes, now. She grows weaker as we speak so I have to go.”

  “I’ll take you.” Seth stood but Kuan stopped him.

  “That’s okay, I’ll get there on my own and far quicker than if you took me.”

  “How?” Brendan asked.

  “Like this.” Kuan smiled and promptly disappeared.

  “What the fuck?” Seth ran over to where the man had stood, turning to Brendan. “What just happened?”

  “I’ve no idea,” Brendan muttered. “But if I’d known he could do that I wouldn’t be so shit-faced tired as I am now.”

  Seth looked uneasy as he stared at his friend. “Why is he here and who the fuck is he?”

  Brendan sighed, collapsing onto the sofa. “I’ve got some stuff to tell you. Hope you’re ready to be blown away.”

  Seth gaped as his friend started to relay what Kuan had told him. Rising to pace around before going into the small kitchen to grab two glasses and a bottle of bourbon. “I need a drink.”

  Pouring two large measures he handed one to Brendan. “That’s some story. Do you believe it? Him?”

  “I think I do.” Brendan gulped the amber liquid down, relishing the burn as the liquor slipped down his throat. “I don’t know why but I think he’s the real deal with his ‘prophecy.’ Our Rose is far more important than we ever thought possible.”

  “If this is true she’s not going to be ‘our’ Rose for much longer.” Seth’s voice couldn’t hide his sadness. “I knew she wasn’t mine, Brendan. I prayed she was but deep down I knew.”

  “I’m sorry.” Brendan shook his head. “I wished that too. I can think of no man I’d rather have as her soul-mate, Seth, and I know this must hurt you deeply.”

  “I’ve known all along.” Seth finished his drink, quickly filling the glass again and knocking it back. “She’s too good for me.”

  “Don’t say that!” Brendan almost shouted. “You’re a good man, Seth. One of the best I’ve come across in this shit-awful world. You’ve kept my baby safe for most of her life and I owe you a debt I can never repay. You’re more worthy of her than anyone I know.”

  “I’m not her mate, Brendan. I’ve known it all along and it’s going to be hard letting her go but I knew it was coming. Things have been . . .” Seth almost groaned in pain. “different. Things have been different between us for some time and I knew this was coming. I just don’t know if she knows it.”

  “We’ll find out soon enough.” Brendan yawned, his exhaustion catching up with him.

  “There’s a bed through there.” Seth pointed. “Go rest and I’ll wake you if that little guy comes back in one piece.”

  “I’ve a feeling he will and I truly am sorry, Seth.” Brendan murmured as he made his way through to a bedroom, sinking down onto the mattress and allowing his body the rest it desperately craved.

  “So am I.” He heard Seth mumble as he drifted off to sleep.

  “My name is Kuan. Seth sent me to help the person that is injured.”

  “Get Valentine.” The guard on the door yelled as the very small Chinese man walked up the stairs towards them. “Stop.”

  Kuan halted and patiently waited, his eyes seeing the disbelief in the guard’s eyes at his sudden appearance on the sidewalk. A few moments passed before a tall blond man rushed out. His cold eyes taking in everything about Kuan.

  “Seth sent you?”

  “Yes. I understand you require someone to be healed and I can help you.”

  Valentine cocked his head to the side. “You’re no Witch.”

  “No,” Kuan agreed. “I’m not. However, I can help, so please take me to the person that is in need of my assistance.”

  Valentine waved two further guards out from their position just inside the large door. “Guard him. Don’t take your eyes off him or you’ll answer to me.”

  “Sir,” The guards said at the same time before taking up position on either side of Kuan.

  “Follow me.” Valentine about turned and strode inside quickly. His long legs eating up the marble floor as he led Kuan to the elevator.

  “What are you?” Valentine asked as they got in and he pressed the button for the top floor.

  Kuan shrugged. “I’m just someone that wishes to help and has the means to do so. I do not wish ill will to anyone here.”

  “You better not,” Valentine snarled. “If you do I’ll be the one to take you down and I won’t be gentle.”

  “Valentine, so much anger inside you.” Kuan looked up into the Vampire’s face. “You need to
let it go. It was not your fault that she died.”

  Valentine lurched forward, pushing Kuan up against the back of the elevator, his hand around his throat as he spat out. “What? What did you say?”

  Kuan raised an eyebrow but said nothing so Valentine shook him hard. “I asked you a question. What did you say?”

  “Please release me.” Kuan reached up and gently removed Valentine’s hand. “You need to release the anger you have inside you.”

  Valentine stepped back as the guards studiously ignored the commotion happening in front of them. “We’ll finish this conversation later.”

  “Certainly.” Kuan’s face remained calm and impassive as the elevator doors opened.

  “This way.” Valentine took hold of Kuan’s shoulder to usher him into Cassius’ apartment.

  “Boss, he’s here,” Valentine announced and a moment later Cassius rushed through from the bedroom where he’d been spending more and more time over the past week.

  Cassius gazed intently at Kuan. “You’re Seth?”

  “No.” Kuan stepped forward. “My name is Kuan but Seth sent me and I can help whoever it is that needs healing.”

  “Why should we trust you?” Cassius walked around the much smaller man, taking everything about him in and processing the information quickly. “What are you?”

  “I’ve been asked that many times but all you need to know is that I can help.” Kuan looked up into Cassius’ face. “That’s if you still need it?”

  “Yes,” Cassius said tight-lipped. “However, you must understand my reluctance to let you inside a room where someone lies incapacitated when I have no idea what you are.”

  “I think you need to trust me.” Kuan nodded toward the bedroom door. “I can feel her and she is fading fast, Cassius. Do you wish her to die while we debate whether I am here to help? Or, do we go inside and I save her life?”

  Cassius looked out the door of his apartment, motioning the guards inside. “Stay near and if it looks as if he’s going to do harm then kill him. Quickly. Understand?”

  The guards nodded as Valentine whispered, “With pleasure.”

  Cassius marched towards the bedroom as Kuan, Valentine and the guards followed. As soon as they entered, Cassius could see that Marie was indeed fading fast. “Help her,” he ordered, his heart thudding in his chest at the mere thought of her dying.

  “I will.” Kuan stepped forward, stopping next to the bed and looked down at Rose. “She is very weak and the damage has grown. Were you aware of this?”

  Cassius growled, barely restraining his anger. “Yes.”

  Kuan looked over his shoulder as Cassius tried to hide his concern. “I’ll do my best,” Kuan said as he turned back to face Rose.

  “Your best had better be her full recovery,” Cassius snapped harshly.

  Kuan closed his eyes, placing his hands over Rose’s head and started to chant quietly. A second later his hands started to glow and Cassius gasped as Valentine swore. Kuan didn’t appear to have heard as he didn’t even flinch. The glow growing and lighting the dark room to almost daylight. A slight purple entered the yellowish color that now covered Kuan’s hands, lower arms and Rose’s head.

  “What the fuck is he?” Valentine cursed again as he stepped forward.

  “Don’t care,” Cassius whispered. “If he can save her, I don’t give a shit what he is.”

  As the light completely encased Rose’s head they all saw her hands twitch, then a foot, and finally she gasped as her eyes flew open. As the glowing light disappeared Kuan smiled down at her. “I’m glad you are better, my dear.”

  “Who the hell are you?” she asked as she sat up quickly, her hand flying to her head as dizziness overcame her.

  “Please,” Kuan murmured softly. “You still need to rest and you need sustenance. I feel you have not had food for many days. That needs rectifying. You should be fine in a couple of days once you’ve rested and eaten. If you wait a moment I’ll heal your arm.”

  Again the man held his hands out, this time over the cast on Rose’s arm. Another glowing light appeared and seemed to seep inside the cast for a brief moment before dissipating. “There. All healed.” Kuan smiled at her.

  Cassius pushed Kuan out of the way, sitting on the edge of the bed and taking hold of a hand. “How do you feel?”

  Rose looked around, seeing Valentine and two of his guards standing at the end of the bed. “Hmm, a little awkward. Why are they here?”

  “Go,” Cassius ordered quickly.

  Valentine went over to Kuan and was in the process of leading him out of the room when Cassius stopped him. “Keep him in the other room. I wish to speak to him once I’m done here. Also, can you find Sue to get some food sent up, please?”

  Val grunted. “Okay, boss.” Before leading Kuan and his guards out of the room.

  “Now, how are you feeling? Do you still have the pain in your head?”

  Rose shook her head and was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t feel pain or nausea. “No, I feel fine. Tired and hungry but otherwise I feel okay. Who is he?”

  Cassius beamed at her and her heart sped up. His face changing into one of the most handsome she’d come across with that smile playing on his lips. “I’m not sure who he is but he said Seth sent him. You remember I said a man called Seth was coming? Or, maybe you don’t, you were a little out of it at the time. Anyway, this man, Kuan, arrived and told us Seth sent him and he could heal you. I must admit I was a tad dubious but looks like he’s done what he said he could.”

  Rose kept her face impassive as Cassius spoke, hiding her discomfort at the mention of Seth. To say she was curious about the man that healed her was putting it mildly. If he came here with Seth then she needed to speak to him and possibly get a message out. “I’d like to thank him.”

  “I’m going to go and talk to him. I have a few questions I’d like answered but when you’ve eaten and I’m finished with him, I’ll let you see him.”

  “Thank you, oh, could you get this removed?” Rose shook the arm encased in the cast.

  “Sure, I’ll get Sue to do it when she brings the food.”

  Rose then looked around the room. “Hmm, maybe you want me to move out of here now? This is your room and I’ve kinda hijacked it for a while.”

  “No.” Cassius shook his head. “You’re staying here until I know for sure you’re one hundred percent okay. I’ll have the doctor return in a day or two to check you over. Just to be on the safe side.”

  Rose looked into his deep, dark eyes and swore she could see concern for her. That was nonsense though. This was her target. A bad person. Someone that was capable of terrible atrocities. She shouldn’t be thinking his eyes were like dark pools of chocolate. No. She definitely shouldn’t be having those thoughts.

  Cassius patted her hand as he got up. “I’ll be back to check on you soon. Try and rest and eat whatever it is Sue brings you.”

  “Okay,” she mumbled as he left. Her mind in turmoil as she realized Basilius would’ve been expecting updates, information, and news of her mission. Shit. A week had passed and she’d done nothing except lie in her target’s bed. And who the hell was the man that’d healed her? If he knew Seth then she had to talk to him to get a message to Seth.

  This mission was going from bad to worse and she began to think that this man, Allarde, wasn’t quite what Basilius had portrayed. She’d be in deep trouble if she welched on the assignment. Pissing off the new Head of the Council was bad enough but doing so to a powerful Demon was almost suicide.

  Fuck! She shook her head, trying to clear her mind and think. “Okay, I’ll get to work and see if I can find anything that supports the Demon’s information. If not then I’ll talk with Seth and we can take things from there,” she thought quickly, going over everything she’d seen and heard so far. Nothing pointed to Cassius being this fiend that wanted to enslave everyone for the good of Vampires.

  No. If anything he appeared to be someone that wanted peace and was willing to
do what was required to gain it. The fact that her stomach lurched when he looked at her had nothing to do with her decision to check him out more thoroughly.

  She could hear him talking to Kuan in the next room and was just about to tune into the conversation when Sue pushed open the door. The woman held a tray laden with food and she was smiling brightly as she came in.

  “I’m so glad to see you awake.” She came over to place the tray on the chest of drawers beside the bed. “We’ve been so worried. I don’t think I’ve seen Mr. Allarde so concerned before.”

  “Really?” Rose asked as her mouth watered at the smell of freshly cooked bacon.

  “Yes.” Sue picked up a pair of deadly looking metal shears, pointing to her arm. “I know they look scary but I’ve used them too many times to count. Here, give me your arm and I’ll have this cast off you in no time.”

  Rose gingerly held her arm over and watched as Sue went to work. The woman made quick work of cutting along the hard cast, bending it open and removing it. Sue placed it on the floor before motioning to the tray. “Anything you fancy?”

  “Bacon and coffee.” Rose almost jumped out of bed to grab the food, only just restraining herself and letting Sue fix a plate for her. “And eggs and that toast looks good too.”

  Sue laughed as she filled up a plate. “Here you go. Sounds like you’re hungry.”

  “Starving,” Rose admitted as she started to tuck in. “Hmm, so he was worried? I must’ve been hurt real bad?”

  “Yes.” Sue sat in the armchair that’d been moved to the side of the bed. “I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him so concerned before. I guess he’s not used to having beings that can’t heal themselves. He was ready to rip someone’s head off. Not literally, of course, he would never do that.”

  Rose swallowed the mouthful of food and moaned at the glorious taste. “Wouldn’t he? I’d heard he kills without mercy. Isn’t that true?”