by Nix, Imogene
Her scream of delight faded, as he held her against his thumping heart.
“I will never let you go now. You are mine. Body and soul.” His wordless vow to her, one he had never given before. He held the most precious bundle in his arms. This woman, so beautiful and giving, was now his.
Their skin started to cool and he released her enough to slide down his body to the floor. She smiled, and his heart thumped once more. He reached for the shower and ushered her in.
* * * *
Dear God. I have become the most wanton female ever. What was I thinking in the bathroom? Not that she was embarrassed—far from it. Perhaps now, knowing she was a vampire had removed the restrictions of her upbringing, allowing her to finally express who and what she was. She shook her head. No. She allowed herself the honesty she swore by. It was all Xavier.
Yes, she wanted him, but there was more. Her hunger for him was fuelled by the wish he would never leave. But she reminded herself he had never promised her love. She pulled on the black pants she found in the bottom of her bag, and teamed it with a red bustier top. She usually wore it under a shirt with the top buttons undone, but his naked approval of her outfit made her rethink the shirt. It was still warm, though the nights were cooling. He threw her a leather jacket and nodded when she held up the long black boots. A weakness her mother had always detested, but, she reminded herself, one that she could take or leave.
Hope fastened her hair in a loose knot at the top of her head, while watching Xavier choose his own clothing including an open-necked white shirt and black shoes. She raked her gaze over his rugged form and she had to close her eyes.
“Keep up those lecherous thoughts and we will never get down to Cressida. Then we will have a problem when she comes up here to check on you.” The thought was filled with mirth and she laughed out loud.
“All right, I’m ready now. Take me to your leader.” She giggled again, and realised she didn’t do that very often.
“No, you don’t. I love the sound.” He smiled, and she saw his eyes crinkle as he held a hand out to her. She took it and together they left the room, moved along the hallway and down the wide stairs. She knew they were on the first floor. They descended together, and she could see Cressida, immaculate as always, in a pale cream suit watching them. A broad smile wreathed her face.
“My darling Hope and Xavier. I am so pleased both of you are well. Now, Hope, has Xavier explained about the change?” Her eyes sparkled and for an instant Hope was amazed. This strong woman was excited that she had changed?
“Umm. Sort of.” How else could she answer? She glanced over at Xavier who was watching.
“I have explained what happened, how she turned. I haven’t explained the hierarchy, though. I thought you may wish to do that.” He bowed slightly and Hope goggled. She imagined him as a courtier, and was shocked at the reminder of how little she knew of his past. That was something she would remedy. Soon, she promised herself, giving her full attention to Cressida.
“Yes, we should start with the hierarchy. Come and sit down while we work through this. It will take some time.” Cressida indicated a love seat and she quietly took one side, arching an eyebrow as Xavier took the other. She looked back at Cressida, and saw the approval in her eyes. Cressida always had a kind word or smile for her, Hope realised. What else had she missed?
“There are layers in our world. You know a little of the Council. We have one Overlord on each continent, and the head of the Council acts as an adviser to the Overlord. Our Overlord is Caridad. You will likely meet her at some point, but not yet. Unless this goes badly, that is.” She wondered at the distraction in Cressida’s words, but kept her counsel. After all, she could ask Xavier later. “The Council is made up of fifteen vampires, each representing a group of nests. We are elected by our peers and hold the title until death, or in some circumstances we can step down.”
“I formed an alliance with Philippe, as you know, and on his death, Cyrus assumed his position on the Council.”
Hope sat up straight at that. “No. I never understood why you left or how Cyrus ended up Master. Only that in the last six months he ascended to the Council.” Hope watched as Cressida harrumphed angrily.
“Fine, briefly, once you were taken, we had no formal alliance. There are some important facts you need to learn, but because we lost so many of the vampire members of the nest, there was no protection once I came for you. So we tied ourselves to that nest. We formed an alliance, which became the basis of all our current alliances with other nests, making us stronger.”
Hope sat still, fingers twined with Xavier’s as she listened.
“As you know, once we take the death drop or the final drop from a body, it can bring the feral and primitive aspect of our nature to the forefront. That is the reason I had to leave. I wasn’t safe around humans, because I took so many that night. Cyrus joined the nest, bringing some of his nest mates with him to bring in and train new guards. But always ensuring your safety at all times.” Cressida paused.
“But it was only a temporary option, as he was always meant to be the next Councillor. Once Councillor Philippe chose to die, Cyrus had to accept the call to ascend. Xavier was the next best trained for the role, which is how he became Master of your nest. It was a sad loss to our community, yet Philippe was lost doing what he believed was the right and honourable thing. So the nests had to make the necessary changes once again.” Cressida placed a trembling hand to her lips and Hope waited, understanding that it was still hard for her to discuss her own losses, after having been friends for so long.
“But back to our hierarchy. Each nest has a Master or Mistress to whom all other vampires are either placed as guards or staff, dependent on their skills, abilities and training.”
Cressida stopped, watching Hope and for a moment she felt like she was under a microscope. “Other than that, any other vampires are considered rogues and untrustworthy. Each and every vampire makes oaths at the time of changing, and then they assume positions. Hope, I must formally ask you to declare your oaths to Xavier as your Master, to me as Council member and to Caridad as Overlord.” Each word now carried a magic and she felt the words as physical bindings, wrapping around her, unseen but tangible.
Her chest tightened.
“Can you and will you uphold our hierarchy, our way of life and our commitment to the common goal of a peaceful existence? Will you give your future service to those who would guide and protect you? Will you give your life for your brother and sister vampires, and for the protection of the nest you are assigned to?” The air filled with electricity, streaking around them as lights sparked here and there.
A choice. She must make a choice. But in the end, what choice was there? “What happens if I refuse?” The words filled the silence, and for a moment the crashing of lights blinded her.
“A good question, Hope. We either declare you rogue, turning you out and upon the mercy of others who will likely kill you or use you for their own ends, or we work to educate you. Quickly.” Cressida’s eyes were clouded and tired, and for the first time Hope appreciated the enormity of the task this vampire had accepted.
Xavier squeezed her hand. She turned to him, knowing what must be in his mind already. She could sense his concern and worry. She smiled and he carefully smiled back, but his eyes remained grave. “I accept the oath.” She whispered the words and felt the tension rush from Xavier’s body. The air around them skittered once more. She smelt a vanilla essence on the air and closed her eyes, inhaling.
“You have chosen to abide by our oaths. It has been accepted and I welcome you to our world.” Cressida moved forward and quickly hugged Hope, whose hand was still in the grip of Xavier’s. She got the impression of genuine delight, which filled her with warmth all the way through her body. “Now Xavier has requested you be entrusted to his nest, and I cannot see any reason to decide differently. I believe, Xavier, you have a further request?”
Hope swivelled to look at Xavier, who was loo
king very uncomfortable.
He cleared his throat, and Hope was surprised to see a blush creeping up his face. “Cressida. She isn’t ready yet.” He glared at Cressida who seemed amused.
“I believe you may be surprised by her answer.” She reached a hand over Xavier and Hope’s joined hands. “I believe you will make an excellent life partner for Xavier. I could declare it by decree, but that wouldn’t be fair. To either of you.” She grinned, and, letting go, sat back upon her seat, her eyes on Xavier.
“Hope, I know it is early, but when this is over, I would be so proud if you would consider becoming my life mate.” His chest heaved as he spoke the words rapidly.
Something inside her bloomed, like a flower.
Xavier wanted her? As a life mate? Did that mean he loved her? But she was unsure—it had only been weeks. Sure, he had been kind and caring, good-natured and the world’s most fabulous lover, but that didn’t necessarily mean love.
“Xavier, I will consider it, but really…” She floundered for the words that would give her time to think. She blinked rapidly as she cleared the burning sensation that filled her eyes. Xavier wanted her! She needed time, to find out what he thought and how he felt. “We need time. So, I will think about it.” She smiled weakly. He looked at her and the crimson tide remained, but some of the wariness that had flashed into his eyes during the short speech had disappeared.
Cressida stood up, obviously satisfied with the conversational direction. “Xavier, you and Hope have some serious work to do, and I have a Council meeting to convene. So I have cleared you to use the salon. Xavier, dear, you know where it is. I must go.”
Xavier and Hope stood. Cressida turned to leave, but as she reached just beyond the seating area, she turned. “I really am pleased you joined us, Hope.” Then she left the area, unhurried, and Hope listened to the tapping of her heels and the opening and closing of the door. Then it was quiet again.
* * * *
It had been a long session, talking over the last dream, which now seemed like a faraway nightmare. Each time she replayed it, she saw something new. The way Estersham talked, the stones beneath the feet of both Javed and Xavier, but, somehow, something seemed just out of reach. There was a detail or facet that eluded her.
For hours they to and froed over the details. And now, the exhaustion pulled ruthlessly at her.
“It’s time to call it a day.” His amused voice sounded behind her, and she sagged against the chair, head hurting once more. “Are you all right, Hope?”
She simply shrugged. She was tired, but surely this was normal? It was probably nothing to get concerned about.
“Yeah, just a bit tired.” Her voice must have given away the depth of her exhaustion, though. He moved around the sofa to pick her up.
“Hey, what are you doing?” She moved in his arms, hoping he would let her down.
“It’s almost sunrise and you are dead on your feet. Come on, time for bed, my princess.” He hefted her, and she swung her arms around him, holding on for dear life. He moved towards the heavy door and beyond it, across the empty foyer and up the stairs. To the room she thought of as theirs.
Tiredness played at the edges of her mind, and she let herself rest against him, thinking over the dreams they had discussed. Something had definitely changed and she could almost see the answer, dancing just beyond sight. She sighed and snuggled closer, floating in a haze of well-being.
Xavier carefully placed her on the bed, his touch gentle as he brushed her hair from her face. The fog invaded her mind, though she could have sworn the last words she heard before dropping into the arms of Morpheus were, “I love you, Hope.”
Then there was darkness.
Chapter Ten
After a goblet of blood-infused wine in the early hours of the morning, well before dawn, she stretched. The first exercises and self-defence classes had her muscles tightly bunched, and Hope knew that, no matter how hard she tried, Xavier knew of her discomfort. His eyes shone with concern for her.
“We can do this tomorrow night.” In his hands was a sheaf of papers and she knew it was the addresses of the real estate holdings.
“No. We need to get it done tonight. I have a feeling we are running out of time.” She placed the goblet down and leaned both elbows on the table, placing her chin in her hands. “We need to try to work out the property, so we can take adequate measures to safeguard the people who are within.” Her stomach knotted at the thought of what she saw each night. Bile burned in her throat as it did each time she considered the situation and the scenes from her dreams continued to revolve in her mind.
She was tired, just as she always seemed to be at this time of night. It had been the same since her turning, but she had to keep going. Too much time elapsed, and a sense of urgency gripped her. Seven nights had passed and she didn’t know realistically how much time they had left. Each night the dream grew more vivid and detailed.
Xavier laid the first sheets in front of her, and opened up a laptop. “These are the properties the Council owns and controls.” She looked down the list. Blood banks, hospices, residential units and shops, and she started. The list was extensive, detailed and long.
Addresses were written next to each holding. She pulled the laptop closer, peering at the screen. Methodically, Hope started working through the list, checking each location and searching for a corresponding image on the Internet. It was time-consuming and mind-numbing, and before she knew it, she was reliving the dream from the night before.
The darkness gathered as the booming sound echoed across the street. She, Javed and Xavier were running as fast as they could towards the building, her heart thudding in her chest, threatening to choke her. The building, stark white before, was now lit up from within. There was a crash of thunder, or it could even have been an earthquake, and the ground around them shuddered from the force.
Lights or fire flashed from the windows and people screamed, filling the air with blood-curdling sounds of agony and despair. Black clouds billowed from windowless openings, and rolling creaks and metallic groans emanated from the building as it shuddered in its death throes. Some people made it out, and the smell of blood filled the air with a copper tang that threatened her with a hunger, fierce in intensity. She pushed it aside. People, their clothes and bodies blackened by smoke, spilled out of the building. Others screamed from within, rending the air.
A wicked blade slashed in front of them and an army of vampires appeared, smiling broadly amidst the chaos. Xavier pulled a UV gun from the holster he wore, but was too slow and took the first hit on his arm. Hope battled another, the whip in her hand slashing through the air, the crack lost in the cacophony around them. She slashed again, and hit one in the face. He went down screaming. She pulled a UV gun and shot him. It hit him in the centre of his chest and his body stilled, turned grey and disintegrated in front of her.
She felt a slash across her back and a white-hot burst of pain seared her. She heard Xavier call and turned. One vampire stood behind him, his sword raised, and she called a warning. He turned and the blow from a sword connected with his chest. She screamed when he fell, saw him raise his gun as he went down and let loose another round. Yet another vampire was there and he rolled. A blond vampire came forward, and with one tremendous thrust found Xavier’s throat. Hope screamed, over and again, high-pitched sounds of anguish. Beyond Xavier, Javed lay still. His blood spilled on the dirty concrete.
This couldn’t be. It wasn’t right.
She had woken screaming. The tears ran down her face. Xavier’s arms were around her. His words of comfort were drowned by the sound of her sobs. The door had flung open and Cressida herself had rushed in.
Hope had been only dimly aware, though, while she shuddered and shivered. The screams that hurt her throat slowly died down to sobs that racked her body. She shivered not from the cold so much as from the reaction to the hideous sounds and sights, but her body had instinctively curled into the warmth of Xavier.
He rocked her back and forth, holding her close until exhaustion brought with it a dubious calm. She lay in his arms, unable to move away for fear the dream would come back. She refused to shut her eyes.
“Hope, it’s okay. I’m here. No one will hurt you.” His words had finally penetrated the cloud of misery and despair gripping her and she vaguely remembered clutching at him with nerveless fingers, a mess with eyes swollen and achy with the after-effects of the onslaught. She’d heard murmurings, and the door had closed while she had huddled pitifully in his arms, waiting for the shudders that racked her body to stop.
She knew from the drag of sleep that it was daytime, but she fought off her exhaustion, knowing she had to tell him everything.
“I saw it all. The explosion, the fight. I saw how you died and Javed too.” The words croaked into the room.
“It’s a dream, Hope. We are getting closer. Each time you see more.” She had known then that the nightmares were telling on Xavier too. “We are getting closer each time. I hate what you go through, but we are so much closer. We will crack this in the next few days. We just have to hold on.” The words were brave, but she could discern the broken quality in them.
Hope pulled her mind back to her work, requesting a highlighter pen, and began circling the more likely properties as she went. Each that was circled felt wrong, but she kept working through the list. The chill of early morning was in the air, and the house started to settle around them, growing quiet. She knew sunrise wasn’t far away, pulling at her, demanding that she rest her body.
“Come on, Hope, you’ve been at this now for hours. It will be sunrise in under an hour. Call it a day and we can start again tonight.” His voice was seductive, and how she wanted to stop.
“Just let me finish this page.” The words were dogged, but she didn’t have a lot of energy left to use.