“You will always have to fight the urges of the ancients, Renee. But, to be honest, I was very proud of your leadership.” Garvin’s words made me feel better about what I had just done.
“Yeah, I bet she thinks twice about giving you an ultimatum,” Sydney added, leaning on the door as Tanda came closer.
“Pretty little thing, wonder how much she looks like her sister?” Tammy said, stepping back into the foyer.
“Well, that’s one more thing to ask dear old Alex after she leaves,” I snickered, hearing the ill tone of my own voice. “Sorry, that just slipped.”
“I can barely imagine what runs through her thoughts at seeing you dressed in that gown, along with the rest of us,” Jacob smiled, walking into the room, “hearing you were a demon and all.”
“She tastes weak. I can’t feel any power in her blood, not like I did when…” I let my words trail off.
“It was Angelica that took the power of London, Renee. Her sister gained status by name alone. And as to your question about their appearance, they are identical.”
“How we gonna tell them apart at this gala thing?” Derek asked.
“Does it matter?” Tammy replied.
“One will be watching for us, the other will be entertaining the crowd,” Jacob explained, sitting down on the other edge of the desk. “I am more than sure that Inara will make sure we know the difference, thinking that she would be mistaken could be disastrous for her campaign.”
“Like I said…does it really matter?” Tammy raised one brow looking back into the room at us, then turned and went into the family room across the hall.
“Her pain shows deeply,” Jacob said in a low voice.
“You should have seen what we saw. I can understand why she hates these breeders so much and knowing women are behind it makes it even worse,” I cringed at the thought of Tammy lying face down in a puddle of her own blood. “I’m glad she’s on our side.”
Cates had Inara’s elbow up at shoulder level, as she gripped the banister as they came back down the stairs; the look on her face was not too happy. He brought her into the study and sat her down in a chair that Jacob had slid in front of my desk. He and the others stepped a few feet behind her. “How dare your servant treat me so poorly! I merely wanted to hug my son.”
“And how rude of you to allow my maker to suffer like an animal. He would have joined us but his feet are bothering him somewhat,” I replied, adding a snap to the ‘somewhat’, and watched her face pale under the powder. “Would you like to see Martin as well, Inara?”
“No, that will not be necessary,” she laced her hands in her lap, looked down, gathered herself, then looked back up at me. “What can I do to help you?”
“First, never take for granted that I will not do exactly what I say. Second, never, and I mean the word never…step in my home and think that you are better than anyone in here. I’m no mistress to those behind you. I am their friend and they have free will, not like those who are beat down at your feet. If you do not swear to change your ways of leadership, Inara, we will cut you down just like we’re going to cut down your sister. Do I make myself clear?” She nodded once. “We will need entrance to your sister’s castle the night of the gala, but we won’t be coming through the tunnels. We'll be coming through the front door.”
“That’s impossible. She’ll kill me if she knows I had anything to do with your arrival.”
“And I will kill you if you don’t,” I replied, never blinking an eye.
“How do you expect me to get you through her guard? They check everyone and have since before your rage began.”
“I suggest you think of something or Alex will come home looking like Martin, or worse. I keep my word to the very end, Inara,” I responded by leaning up on the desk with my elbows and smiling down at her.
“You’re as crazy as she is,” she said, turning her head to the side. “She doesn’t pay heed to all who pass under the threshold, not if they are peasant to her. I suppose a name could be given as a guest of long past, if you keep yourselves covered.” Then she straightened, proud of her attempt, and looked back at me with her chin snobbishly in the air.
“See, now that wasn’t too hard, and it didn’t take too long. Jacob is the main leader of our ranks and the one who knows this land best. He and Cates will accompany you home, followed by my other men, of course. You are to give them the count of Angelica’s guard, as well as Lord Cheree’s. Send back the information that we will need the night of the gala, and please do not provide anything that will hinder us. I would hate to see your son pay for your stupidity.” I stood, offering her my hand. She got to her feet and daintily placed her hand in mine. “A woman’s word is her bond, Inara. Don't make me regret taking yours.”
“I will do my best not to fail you, Lady…”
“My name is Renee, Renee Lebrun. Martin is not only my maker, he is my husband,” I replied, squeezing her hand just enough to show her that I noticed the widening of her eyes.
“A pleasure, Lady Lebrun. I hope that all will end on a pleasant note and you will see that I am not my sister and can run London with a firmer hand, as you see fit.” She did a small curtsy and turned with Cates taking her arm. “I believe I know the way to the door.”
“My boys are gentlemen, Inara. Like I said, they’ll be escorting you home.”
She didn’t turn around, just lifted her cloak over her head and nodded once before leaving the house with Jacob and Cates on each side of her, and Garvin, Derek, and Sydney right behind them. Both Sydney and Derek in their old clothes, having changed sometime in between her being upstairs and in the study with me. Fala closed the door and slid the lock in place, then stood by the door. I told him he didn’t have to stay there, but he said that Master Jacob told him to guard the entrance on the chance that the woman was followed and they saw them leave. It wasn’t planned that they go, the idea was to have her let those she had waiting the hour for her return to be told she would be staying longer, but my temperament was just too unstable around her. Taking a chance of her setting up a plan with her sister to trap us once we entered the castle was too big to take because of my big mouth. So we told her what we wanted and kept our key plan to ourselves.
Inara had agreed to help us get through the front door, believing she would inherit her sister’s seat of power, doing what we asked of her in keeping order. It meant nothing to me because there would be no order in their slave-trading world. All breeders would know after the gala, that London would not be a place that one could stop to change their goods of the two legged kind. That is, if we succeeded in our plans. My country was already on the run and all breeders that had an established slave-trading ring were closing down shop, thinking they would be next. As for the ones west of the east coast, they were either moving across the ocean or going further northeast to out run us, due to the fact that the word was spreading in the direction we were moving toward, if the word hadn’t already reached every trader out there.
***
No words were said as Inara was taken back to her castle-like home. Jacob would glance back to make sure the three younger boys, who all refused to ride inside, were still holding on to the back of the coach. Inara’s men were made to ride on the front seat of the coach with the driver so that they could be watched at all times. Cates made sure to keep his eyes on the surrounding landscape so that he would know the direction they were being taken, in the event that they were given false information and we needed to come back the same way.
“We are to the gates, Mistress,” the driver announced.
“Stop here. I will be walking and you will be taking our guests back home.”
“Have your men leave the coach and wait for you inside the gate. I do not care for them to hear what you have to tell us. No need to have one of them run to your sister, now is there?”
“I can assure you that none of my people would turn their backs on me,” Inara replied. “But I will do as you have asked.”
Cat
es cleared his throat, and chuckled. “I do not wish to sound so harsh, My Lady…but me thinks you might look at the boots under your own bed before you jump to making such claims.”
“Speak your mind and leave the riddles, big one.”
“How do you think we found out so much about your sister?” Jacob asked.
“He is correct. You can see by the marks, that it was not your son who gave up the information at the order of our lady’s punishment. Nor did he tell us that you wished your sister dead. If Bernard could speak to us so freely over a simple slap here and there…” Cates paused.
“What more would he tell a woman who allowed him to help in that same torture,” Jacob continued. “And then allow him to have his way with her? Something I gather he is not privy to with you, my sweet lady?”
“He is most certainly not. I have no use for a man. No offence.” Inara dusted off her skirt as if it was dirty.
Jacob looked over at Cates with one brow lifted. “All we are saying, Lady Inara, is that you may want to test the water before you lay your complete trust in your son’s whipping boy. As the head of many strategic battles, I personally would never want to place the words of my plans onto the ears of those who would make haste to share it with my enemy.”
“I thank you for your concern, but I can tend to my own. See to it that you send my driver back safely. I am more than sure that you have plenty of coaches that belong to the one you follow,” Inara spoke as she stepped out of the closed in, black, leather covered coach. “You shall hear from one of my men before this night ends. You will have what you need.” She then turned and walked off into the darkness of the opening of the gate to her property.
“Even in the face of adversity, she still believes she is in control,” Cates shook his head.
Derek and Sydney got in with Jacob and Cates, but Garvin chose to ride on the back of the coach to keep a watch just in case they were followed back to Martin’s estate. Cates continued watching the opposite side of the landscape as the driver brought them back and Jacob filled the boys in on what they had talked to Inara about.
Chapter Twenty Three
It was getting close to dawn and we needed to find a few nights worth of food to fill our barn, and Tanda was back to working on our outfits. The only thing she had left to do was make sure we all had tights that fit. Our wigs fit perfectly. The boy’s shirts and pants looked as if they were made for each of them and the shoes were no more than one size off and could be worn without too much discomfort. Derek had already torn one pair of leggings, as the boys liked to call them, and Sydney two. But, Tanda found a few more and made sure to show them how to put them on properly.
“Now put your pants on and whatever you do, do not pull up on those tights!” Tanda scolded as she handed Sydney his pants.
“Okay mom,” he snickered.
“You too Derek, and for Renee’s Pete’s Sake…turn around if you are going to fiddle with your man bits.”
Tammy burst out laughing, “Yeah Derek, no one wants to watch you play with your man bits.”
“I hope everyone in here heard them. They said man bits. Not boy, but man,” he laughed as he turned around.
The whole room erupted into a volcano of laughter that we all needed. It was wonderful to see a small part of our old Derek shine through and I was hoping there would be more to come. Maybe we were all healing, somewhat, or it could be that we knew we were going into an ordeal where we realized that death was only a breath away. After the sounds of joy died down, Tanda finally announced that other than our make-up, we were as ready as we were going to be. We undressed as fast as we could and with bloodbreeder speed redressed in our black clothes and ran for the back door.
***
We now had less than one hour to find a few pigs or goats to bring back to Martin’s overly large barn; which, to me, looked more like a smaller version of his home. It was twice the size of our barn back in Texas and there is no comparison to the look. My whole family and our livestock could have made a fine home out of what Martin called his stables; with its iron gate stalls and stone walls. It had floors that resembled brick roads and large rooms with solid doors on brass hinges that held bags of feed. It was built far better than our home but I couldn’t even imagine it holding the love that the Crocker barn held.
“You okay?” Derek asked, bumping my arm with his.
“Yeah, just thinking about home.”
“Come on, let’s go find some supper. I’m starving and I know Sydney is too; he was sucking on the end of his club.” I heard him snort out a little laugh.
“I know what you mean, I saw Tammy gnawing on Cates’ nub.”
“Excuse me?” Tammy cleared her throat from behind me. “I have never gnawed on Cates’ nub.”
Derek and I both started laughing and without knowing our full conversation, Tammy joined in. We took off toward the back left side of the property the way the others had gone. Cates was waiting on us at the far corner of the wall where wood had been stacked halfway up.
“Wow, this looks like it will be much easier to go over,” I smiled as Cates pushed himself off of the wall.
“Oh, but our Master Jacob has figured out another way.” Cates reached down and grabbed the wood pile and pushed it forward and revealed an oval shaped hole.
“Thank the stars,” Tammy looked up, then walked over and hugged Cates. “I could just chew on your nub, sweetie.”
“My lovely lady, you can chew on anything of mine that you would like,” Cates wiggled his brows and lifted Tammy with his good arm and kissed her full out.
“Look what you got started,” Derek shook his head and hurried through the hole in the wall.
“How is that my fault?” I asked as I followed him.
“I wonder where Garvin and Jacob went?”
“Really, how was them two kissing my fault?”
“You started with the gnawing,” he winked at me.
“And I ran with it,” Cates laughed.
“The big brute did and I love it,” Tammy slapped him on the backside then came and stood by me.”
“They will return shortly. Jacob knows of a small farm not far from here.”
“Isn’t it a little too dangerous for them to be out there alone, Cates?” Derek asked.
“Two can go through the trees and brush much more quietly than six.”
“I wonder what Tanda is doing to poor Sydney? I bet she has him trying on the shirts she’s sewing up,” I guessed, just making small talk as we waited.
“Sydney is a good sport. He didn’t seem to mind helping even when it came to putting the rollers into the wigs that you and Tammy will be wearing.”
“Cates!” Tammy lightly swatted him in the stomach.
“It is true.”
“It is. I was watching him hand Tanda the pins when she was hemming Tammy’s dress. I think he may have helped his mom or something?” Derek added.
I would have told them that all of my brothers, but Johnny, could do almost anything that I could, from cooking to mending their own things. But Garvin came running around a group of trees as fast as he could move. “They have him,” he yelled with what little air he had.
“Who has him?” Cates asked as he grabbed Garvin under the arm.
“Angelica’s people?” I asked.
“No, worse,” Garvin replied, leaning heavily on Cates.
“Worse?” Derek looked back at me.
“Normals… normals have Jacob at gun point and the sun will rise very soon.”
“We must hurry. Find your feet and show us the way,” Cates pushed Garvin upright and gave him a sharp nod.
With that said we moved with a solid purpose; to find Jacob and get back home before the sun came up. I saw the top of the farm house before we ran around the last of the trees and out into a plowed field. Two men stood in the opening of a barn that looked very much like the old one where I came from. A pale light came from inside where I was guessing that Jacob was. The closer we got it was easy t
o tell that one of the men had a shotgun and he had it pointed at the open barn door.
“Hello!” I called out.
“Renee,” Cates scolded much like Jacob always did.
Both of the men looked our way and you could see their fear as the shotgun swung our way. “Don’t take another step or I will pull this trigger.”
“Yes sir, I have no doubt about that. We just came for our friend. I think that you must have thought he was trying to steal your livestock.” I had both hands in the air as I spoke.
“Neither of the two that came here…not the one in me traps, or the one that stands at your back, are right. They be dead walkers of the night and they come to take our very souls.”
“That’s down-right hogwash. They’re both my kin and may be a bit ill, but they sure ain’t no whatever you just called them, and damn sure didn’t come to take anyone’s soul. Only God can do that, so if I were you, I would be holdin’ off on that trigger. You kill an innocent person and He’ll be coming for your soul for sure.”
“Then what are they doing in me stalls?”
“I was needin’ some goods for me…my stalls, and I had them out lookin’ for someone who might sell to me,” I lied as I slowly walked closer.
The man turned back to the barn door and waved the gun and Jacob walked out with his hands in the air much like mine. He walked by me and stood where I had left the other. I gather he was leaving this ordeal up to me. “Well, would ya mind selling me a bit of your livestock? I could sure use a few good hogs, a few goats for the lawn, and maybe a young bull. I can pay top dollar.”
“I gather ya got your own chickens?”
“No sir, I just didn’t wanna push the issue,” I winked, stopping on the edge of the barn’s shadow.
“Old Tink here has more hens then he’ll ever be needin’ and plenty a hogs as well. I can sell ya two, maybe three, of me best goats and a milk cow. Got to keep me bull.”
“If you find yourself in need of the hens, I can fetch ya ten and at least four wee hogs. Unless you’d rather have the bigger ones? Makes a better bacon but a tougher butt,” Tink explained.
Bloodbreeders: Lies Beneath London Page 23