“Explain.”
“Father, I only wanted to see. I thought I could read about the prophecy.”
“I suppose you are fluent in Atlantean now? Or know someone, besides your mother, who is? Or no, perhaps you thought you might take the book somewhere else to examine it in private? Perhaps share the book with someone else? Is this to punish your mother? Am I getting closer to the truth?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“So now must I add liar as well as sneak and thief to your accomplishments?”
Destin never before felt the kind of menace radiating from his father nor did he know how close he stood to violence. Only Am’s love for his son kept him from acting on his fury and Destin had no idea how deeply that love pained him. Destin’s apparent betrayal all but destroyed Amor-el. When love lied, it was the cruelest of agonies.
“Son, I love you, and because I love you, you are safe from harm. But you cannot hide behind my sire, and your lies will not serve you with me.”
So, his secret was out. Anger bubbled over. Destin’s eyes flickered with his inner fires. “I have rights. I can wield fire. She is afraid of me. This book is my legacy as much as it is hers. She is keeping me from knowing. I demand to know!” He knew to throw a tantrum helped no one, but his frustrations mounted.
“What do you need to know, boy?” Am was quiet in comparison.
“If I am the one. From the prophecy. The one to lead us into a new beginning. I am the most important creature alive.”
Suddenly Am laughed, loud and mocking. The humor never reached his eyes, and his fangs were evident in the scornful smile he offered his son.
“Us? You are going to lead us to hell, oh most important one.” The laughter died as quickly as it began and Am’s green eyes glittered like wet emeralds. “Get out, Destin.”
“But I demand. No, I deserve—” Destin began. His cheek throbbed again.
“You deserve a thrashing for your arrogance and your deceit. You can explain it all to your mother when she returns. Then we shall find out how afraid of you she is. Get out. Go to bed.”
Destin marched out and slammed the door behind him.
Am whispered in the dark, “Rhea what are we going to do? I’m afraid I’ve lost him.”
Later, the girls examined the mess and helped Franklin clean up the glass. Victoria remembered the tarot cards and worried that everything was happening just as she predicted.
TOBIAS’ RIVERFRONT APARTMENT faced east, and sunrises normally remained cloaked behind blackout curtains. Not this morning. Today’s brilliant pink and yellows flooded past the bedroom window and tickled Zephyr’s cheeks.
“Tye sweetie, we are going to the gala together right?” Zephyr tossed off the sheet and rolled out of bed. Then she made a show of walking to the bathroom. The tattoos on her back rippled and provided an illusion of movement.
“Sure, I said we would,” Tyler admired Z’s floorshow then flinched and tried not to scratch his bandaged arm. “How drunk was I that I agreed to this tattoo?”
Zephyr hurried back and fell across the bed on her stomach. She stuck out her arm. “You said you wanted matching emblems, so we got them. Don’t you remember?” Her fingers teased his ribs.
Tyler moaned and rubbed his head. “My hair hurts. No, I don’t remember. Long as it heals before the party.”
Zephyr almost purred as she pulled herself over him like a cat. “I will forgive you for being Robin Hood and having that other girl as your Marian.”
“Jealous?” Tye grinned under a yawn.
“Not anymore,” she whispered and crawled back under the sheet where his body waited for her.
RHEA ARRIVED HOME the next day before supper, and she brought beautiful silver pins as presents for everyone. There were gold oak leaves for Am, Dra, Destin and Franklin and delicate silver maple leaves for Cooke, Cady, Sondra, Victoria, and Keta. Even Reaper gained a new collar with a dangling gold oak leaf.
“Members of the court must have the right jewelry,” she told them. “Even merry men, witches, and hellhounds deserve love,” she added.
However, finding out about the book hurt. Franklin explained, and Rhea frowned as she examined the shattered case. Destin’s curious but thoughtless actions angered and disappointed her. She had hoped to reason with her son. Her hopes and dreams felt foolish, and something in her broke. Her baby kicked, and she fought a bout of nausea, unsure whether it was her daughter or her son’s betrayal. A few minutes later, she lifted the book from the case.
“Move it to the master suite, would you please, Franklin? I will keep it there until further notice.”
At least with the book in her room, she could worry less. There were already too many issues at play.
Drahomira arrived home later that night. Reaper howled his joy when crimson mists appeared on the lawns. The hound almost broke the front door down getting to her. Everyone followed onto the porch and practically danced as vampire and wolfhound romped together. Dra’s laughter, those echoes of tiny far away bells, floated through the house. The family was back together again.
“New moon is coming,” Victoria nodded to herself as she watched the predators. “We’re going to be okay.”
That night over supper, Am answered questions about the book incident. Destin joined them long enough to apologize to his mother and then fled to his suite. Drahomira stayed to catch up with the news about her club, the party, and the gala. Then promising to come back before dawn, she took Reaper and left for the city.
The rest gathered in the library for coffee and conversation before a sleepy trio of Keta, Sondra and Victoria went upstairs and crashed. Am, Rhea, and Cady lingered. Am urged his rose to take a night off and rest. Happy to oblige, she kicked off her shoes with a relieved sigh and rubbed her stomach. Her anxiety levels threatened to overwhelm her. She forced herself to relax, worried that she upset her baby girl.
“The weatherman says we’re in for rain over the next several days. I’m glad the decorators finished their delivery and set up,” Am said while casually rubbing Rhea’s neck muscles.
“Rhea you need to let me examine you before bed. I’m concerned that you are still so pale and your eyes haven’t lost that unique golden color. Not to mention your body temperature. Are you eating?”
“I eat enough. I feed my cravings for pineapple, apples, and fish. Everything else tastes terrible.”
“I wondered why you stopped eating your favorite steak. I rather enjoyed watching you consume all that nearly rare meat.”
“You just like to lick up the blood,” Rhea winked.
Cady smirked. “At least your cravings aren’t Junior’s cheesecake and pickles.”
“Good god, seriously?” Am’s eyes widened, and the women laughed.
“Tomorrow is Dra’s party,” Rhea rolled her shoulders after Am finished his massage. “We have to make an appearance.”
“No, we don’t. Let the girls and Destin go. We have enough to do here,” he protested.
“I’m with Amor-el on this, Rhea. You need to rest and finalize the gala.”
“Fine. I am way too tired to argue. We will stay at home. But Cady you should go. Dra throws a first-rate party, and most of the city will be in line to get in.”
Cady grinned, “I did plan on it. There is someone I hoped to see again.”
The evening ended with a shared brandy and a good book. Am decided to play one of his lullabies for the baby, just as he used to do when Rhea was pregnant with Destin. His haunting piano music filled the house, and Rhea cried, remembering her initial hopes and dreams for her newborn son. Maybe now that everyone was home and things settled down, the tide might turn in their favor. Love was the one constant she offered, and she prayed Destin would find it enough.
NEW ORLEANS BUZZED with activity. Royale and Bourbon streets filled with residents and tourists. Everywhere you turned, Halloween revelers partied the night away. Tonight was extra special and the line formed around the block for the haunted and the got
hic who waited for entrance into Club Malachite’s Halloween Monster Mash.
Inside, Seth, Steel, Tyler, Keta, Victoria, Cady, and Sondra checked each other’s costumes. Tonight they weren’t fairies and woodland creatures. Instead, they all opted for something dark or creepy. Keta, with the help of a black wig, dressed as Wednesday from the Adams Family. Victoria and Steel wrapped each other in bandages as Mummy and Daddy. Seth opted to keep it simple. He turned himself into a mad scientist, complete with wild spiky hair. Tyler turned himself into a Mucha Lucha zombie wrestler and showed off his prowess by lifting Keta with one arm. Victoria, Sondra, and Catarina agreed to be the three witches from Macbeth, but they looked and acted more like the witches from the Hocus Pocus movie, definitely running amuck. Finally, their boss lady decided to delight the club regulars by becoming the Queen of Night herself, Elvira. She rose from a coffin when the club opened to delighted cheers. At least she didn’t have to wear fake fangs though only Keta seemed to find this particularly hilarious. The one requirement for everyone? Masks.
Around midnight, as advertised, a magician summoned the Voodoo King from the club’s graveyard, and he began a night of zombie line dancing. Drinks turned purple, green, and red as special concoctions kept alcohol down and flavor up. Those who drank too much were promptly led out of the club and to waiting cabs. Those who did drugs did not pass Go but went directly to jail.
Drahomira was serious about her rules and vigilantly enforced them. No drugs. No liquor that you didn’t buy from the club. No sex on the premises unless you’re with her. No favors. No exceptions. No second chances. Period. There were few incidents at Malachite and never any repeat offenders. Dra took care of them. Tyler took care of the rest.
Tonight’s gang of revelers rocked the house, literally. When the Voodoo King took his throne, Elvira stepped gracefully down the stairs and into the crowds of worshippers. She bowed to the Halloween King and slowly floated among the throngs of people. In a rare moment, she expressed her appreciation and received their adoration in kind.
Destin showed around two in the morning. About half the club was normal, and the rest were local supernaturals. Dra knew most of them, but the masked gentleman with Destin grabbed her attention.
Tall, graying temples, he wore an Elizabethan tuxedo, adorned with a bright red sash and large medal surrounding a blood red ruby. The most impressive part of his costume was the large evening cape, shimmering black on the outside and dark red underneath. He glided through the crowd alongside Destin until they stopped at her side.
“Dra, I missed you. Welcome back,” Destin shouted though it barely broke through the reverberating music.
“Hey junior. Crap on toast, you’ve grown. And who are you supposed to be?”
She looked him over. He wore a plain black suit with a white shirt sporting a ruffled collar and cuffs. Destin also donned round, wire-rimmed glasses with purple lenses. Overall, he was very mysterious.
“I’m Lestat.”
Dra blinked. “You’re less what?”
“No, Less-stat. You know, the famous Anne Rice vampire.”
Among the New Orleans covens, Lestat was king.
“Ah, lemme help you.” She ruffled his hair until he looked more unkempt, a la Brat King. Then she tossed his tie and finished the look. “Much better. And who is this with you?” She turned and greeted the guest with a coy smile.
“Your Majesty.” The tall vampire bowed. “I dared not hope that I might see you again. The regent told me you were on your honeymoon. My felicitations on your recent marriage.”
The voice was liquid smooth and caressing. The sound of it raised her hackles, and the words were a threat, whether real or implied. At the mention of Raikas, she stiffened.
Reaper appeared out of nowhere, sensing his mistress’ emotions.
“Thanks, but honey, it would be nice to get a name.”
Suddenly the Voodoo King stood and rammed his walking stick into the floor. The sound jarred the dancers and arrested the crowd’s attention. He spread his arms wide, whooped and proclaimed, “The time is now, my children! It’s the witching hour and time for unmasking. Let us peer into the veil between worlds and show yourselves. I command it!”
Drahomira smirked and removed her disguise, her beautiful face cleared of the lace encumbrance as she watched Destin take his mask off, too.
“And now, you sir,” she began only to stare at the unmasked face smiling at her.
“Perhaps you have forgotten me, Your Royal Highness. It was 1739, and I believe it was the same night you murdered Viktor Tollikov. With so much excitement over your actions, it would be a wonder if you did remember a humble foreigner who visited your country.” The tall vampire bowed deeply over her hand. “Permit me to introduce myself.”
Dra stared at him, but her memories were as vibrant as yesterday.
“No need,” she hissed. “I remember you, sapas.”
The elder vampire laughed and bared his fangs with a hiss just like the snake she titled him. Kids closest to them thought he was playing and hissed back.
Destin beamed when he realized she already knew his guest.
“Oh, this is perfect, Dra. Meet my grandsire, Father’s sire.”
“Really.” She looked the tall vampire in the eyes, and green met green.
Duke Selwyn smirked with the pleasure of his surprise.
“You know him?” Destin asked with some surprise.
“Indeed I do, honey. Welcome to my club, Duke Selwyn.”
Her hand automatically went to her waist where her glickris hung, but he was too quick. His hand covered hers, and he jerked her to him. Suddenly they were on the dance floor. He twirled her around in a show of elegance and implied force. Dracula and Elvira. The crowd went wild.
“Forgive me for surprising you. I honestly did not expect to see you. Are you not a bride to be on her honeymoon? No matter. As you are here, I must ask you to keep my arrival a secret,” Selwyn said in Dra’s ear, moving them sinuously around the other dancers.
“I can’t promise you anything.”
“Yes, you can. If you do not, remember I have Destin with me.”
She stiffened, and his grip around her waist tightened.
“You would harm your blood kin?”
“Harm him? My dear, if I do not get everything I want, Destin will suffer quite magnificently. As will so many others. I hear the phoenix is pregnant again. How she taints our blood. I’m surprised you are not outraged, given how old your blood is. Ah, but I forget, you come from peasant blood. Tsk. No wonder you consort with the rabble.”
Dra stopped dancing but his grip was a vice, and she could not risk making a scene. Instead, she changed tactics, glancing up at Selwyn through lowered lashes.
“I am not powerless.”
“Yes, I know about your blood mists. But, I advise against them. I have impressive powers too.”
“Magic,” she snarled softly. “Of course.”
“Abilities,” he smirked. “I am not Viktor or Nathan, or Wickam for that matter. Don’t test me, princess.”
“Queen.” She delighted in correcting him.
He leaned into her as he gathered her close. To any watching, it was a dance move of two lovers.
“Not much longer.”
The music ended. Selwyn stepped back and bowed with a grand flourish. “I must take leave of you, oh Queen of Darkness.”
The crowd around them clapped as the Duke bowed to the clusters around them. From the bar, Destin had watched their interplay, frowning as he tried to make sense of their tension and Dra’s fury. When she glanced his way, her neon-bright eyes warned him. Without a doubt, he understood the Duke’s visit unleashed something terrible, and he had aided it.
“Come on, Destin. We have other stops to make.”
When they reached the exit, Selwyn turned and let his vampire voice rise dramatically over the entire gathering. “Goodnight, Your Majesty. May this Halloween keep you safe from the demons who wait for you.”
With one final bow, he disappeared outside. People cheered and clapped, impressed with this part of the club’s “show.” Destin shrugged and followed, but disappointment showed in the turn of his mouth.
Drahomira vibrated with unspent fury and locked eyes with Seth who bartended tonight. He had watched the entire incident. Anticipating Dra’s need, he pushed the ornate bar phone her way. She pushed it back.
“Call Rhea. Tell her…” she paused and frowned, one delicate hand curling into a fist.
Seth dialed and then waited before he pushed the last number.
“Tell her to remember blood never lies. Then hang up.”
He nodded and tried to control his shaking hand. “That’s it?”
When he looked up, Drahomira was gone.
“Hello?” said a voice on the other end of the line.
Seth swallowed hard and asked for Rhea. “This is she. Seth is that you? It is loud, and I can barely hear you. Is something wrong?”
He delivered the message and hung up. When he looked across the bar, he noted Zephyr watching him. His next phone call must wait.
RHEA HUNG UP the phone and called to Amor-el who stepped outside for the last breath of night’s sweet air. She followed him onto the porch and passed on Seth’s message.
“What the hell does that mean?”
“When we were in Europe, we used to joke about the leaflets the various religious groups printed during the reign of Elizabeth I. The pamphlets were cruel and threatening. Dra defended the young queen. She said Elizabeth was her father’s daughter, she loved her country more than her life, and love and blood were a queen’s only constants in the world. When I said that love had lied to the queen before, she countered with something like, ‘thank the god’s blood never lies.’ I suppose only a vampire might feel that way.”
Am paced the porch and frowned. “So what is the message?”
Rhea considered for a quiet moment then said softly, “I think I am supposed to remember despite any obstacle truth will win. Family always survives because blood is more powerful than love.”
Love and Blood (Evening Bower Book 2) Page 24