Flesh And Blood: House of Comarre: Book Two (House of Comarre 2)

by Painter, Kristen

  Provided Katsumi lived through the resiring.

  Crouched in the crown of a palm on the property opposite Chrysabelle’s, Doc waited until the Mohawked brother had motored out of Chrysabelle’s neighborhood. He didn’t recognize the guy, but maybe Dominic had sent him over to keep an eye on Chrysabelle. The guy looked human, but he might be remnant. Either way, the bike was tight. Someday, when this mess was done with, maybe he’d get a bike like that and take Fi for a ride. Anything was better than thinking about the danger he was about to put a friend in.

  He hesitated. He should find somewhere else to go. But where? His pride wasn’t an option. Although maybe Sinjin would be willing to take him back once he realized what Doc had done to Dominic. But then maybe Dominic would expect that.

  No, he needed a vampire-free zone, and Chrysabelle’s was the only place that fit that description. Reluctantly, he dropped out of the tree and jogged across the street.

  Doc buzzed the intercom at the pedestrian gate leading into Chrysabelle’s estate. He gave the security cam a nod. The gate buzzed. Just like that he was in. One step closer to creating chaos. Resigned, he pushed through and headed for the house. What choice did he have? Fi needed him and Chrysabelle’s was the only vampire-safe place he could think of to hole up in.

  Chrysabelle stood in the open doorway. Her gaze went to the messenger bag slung over his shoulder. ‘Hi. Mal need more blood?’

  If only it were that simple. ‘No, uh, I was hoping you might let me crash here.’ Say no. You really don’t want me here.

  She shrugged. ‘Sure. You and Mal aren’t fighting, are you?’

  Relief and regret twisted his gut into a hard knot. ‘No. It’s a long story you’d be safer not knowing.’ That was the straight truth.

  Her brows lifted slightly. ‘This have anything to do with Fi?’

  ‘Yes.’ Go ahead, ask more questions. Find a reason to turn me away.

  She moved out of the doorway. ‘Come on. There’s plenty of space.’

  ‘Thanks. I probably won’t be here past Halloween.’ Or until Dominic found him. Doc walked into the foyer, admiring the house. If he had to hide out, at least he could do it in style. Yeah, because that justified putting a friend in a bad sitch. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen your joint in the daylight. Nice. Your mother didn’t spare the cash, huh?’

  ‘I guess not.’ She shook her head, her eyes filled with a faraway glimmer. ‘It’s a lot of house for one person and a semisolid wysper.’

  ‘Where is Velimai?’

  ‘She went into the city to run errands, get groceries.’ She smiled at him. ‘If I’d known you were coming, I would have had her stock up on fish.’

  ‘I won’t eat much. I—’ His stomach growled before he finished speaking. ‘I am a little hungry.’

  She laughed and looped her arm through his. ‘I think there are leftovers from last night’s dinner. Let’s get you some. You know, it’ll be nice to have some company.’

  Sure. Until Dominic showed up and she got caught in the middle of this mess. Maybe he should tell her. She’d want to help Fi, wouldn’t she? But he couldn’t bring himself to confess. Not yet. ‘If I can help out around here, I will.’ Not that he was good for much besides making things worse.

  She led him into the kitchen and disconnected from him to reach for the fridge. ‘There is one thing you could do for me.’

  Tell you the truth? ‘Sure. Name it.’

  She took out a large pan of lasagna. Even cold, the aroma of meat filled the air. ‘I could use a sparring partner. I’m tired of training alone.’

  ‘I can do that.’ The way things were going, he could use the practice. As soon as Dominic recovered, he would come looking for Doc, ready to settle their score.

  And the last time a handicapped shifter had bested a noble vampire was never.

  Chapter Twenty-four

  ‘I wondered when you’d get here.’ Creek snapped the Harley’s kickstand into place and nodded at the tarnished green dragon perched on his loft railing. After watching the exchange between the vampire and the comarré on the balcony, Creek’s mood had turned foul. Not even a day’s worth of hunting had erased the image of Mal’s mouth on Chrysabelle’s. Creek had to pull it together fast. The sector chief didn’t need to know about that.

  Argent blinked the inner membrane over his unnerving green eyes and shifted into his half-form. ‘Creek.’

  ‘Sector Chief.’ Despite the overwhelming urge to watch the varcolai’s every move, Creek walked out of Argent’s sight line and into the kitchen. He’d learned the hard way not to show fear in front of the dragon-shifter. He opened the fridge. ‘Beer?’

  ‘No.’ A soft thunk indicated Argent had returned to the first floor. ‘I’ve been waiting for you almost all day. Do you not come home at sunrise?’

  ‘Daylight is the safest time to look for nests.’ Or stand guard over the comarré. Creek had stayed long after dawn had chased Mal away. He glanced over. Argent crouched beside the bike and stroked the transmission, one of the few chromed pieces on the custom V-Rod. The engine was blazing hot, but dragons had a weakness for shine and a high tolerance for heat.

  ‘True. How goes it?’

  ‘Not a social visit, then.’ Like Creek had thought for half a second that’s what this was about. ‘It goes fine.’

  ‘You have the ring?’

  Creek wrenched the cap off the bottle and took a long swallow. ‘It’s not going that fine.’

  Argent straightened and turned to face Creek. ‘The grand masters would like to know how things are proceeding. What should I tell them?’

  He leaned against the workbench that served as his kitchen table. ‘That I’ve found the comarré. She was injured fighting some hellhounds, so things are going slow until she heals.’

  The section chief nodded. ‘Has she mentioned the ring? Does she at least still have it? The grand masters are anxious to recover their property.’

  ‘I’m sure they are. Having such a valuable piece stolen from their archives must really bite the big one.’

  Argent tensed. ‘Answer the question.’

  ‘She’s mentioned it. No idea if she knew her patron Algernon was a KM double agent or not. She doesn’t seem the type to have been working a scheme like that with him.’

  ‘Do you think she’ll give the ring back willingly, then?’

  ‘Can’t answer that. Remind me what the ring does again?’ Not that he’d even been told in the first place.

  ‘That information is need-to-know only.’

  ‘And I still don’t need to know.’ He chugged half the beer.

  ‘No, you do not. Just work your end with the comarré.’

  ‘Like I said, I’m only just getting to know her.’

  Argent’s forked tongue flicked out. The mythical shifters had a hard time staying fully human. ‘She’s been here recently. You must be getting to know her well.’

  ‘Not yet, no.’ And certainly not as well as the vampire. But Creek was patient.

  Argent’s narrow pupils latched onto him. ‘Then work harder.’

  He gave a weak salute. ‘Aye, aye, Section Chief.’

  ‘Don’t blur the line between protector and friend, Creek.’

  He took a pull from his beer and let it cool the temper heating his words. ‘Wouldn’t dream of it.’

  Argent walked back to the V-Rod, strolled around to the other side, and squatted to better see the shiny bits on the engine. ‘Tatiana is here.’

  ‘So are her Nothos. That’s how the comarré was injured.’

  Through spaces in the engine, Creek watched Argent trail his fingers over the chrome parts. ‘You must work harder. Samhain approaches. With their parties and their costumes, humans will unwittingly call up a myriad of creatures that will have to be dealt with. Having that power-hungry vampiress running loose will not help the situation.’

  ‘I understand.’

  Argent stood. ‘Good. Because I would hate for your sister to lose her scholarship.�
�

  ‘So would I.’ Just like he’d hate to serve the rest of his sentence for a brand-new murder. He ground his teeth together to keep from saying something he’d regret.

  ‘Very well.’ Argent slid the cargo door open. The sun hung low in the afternoon sky. ‘I’ll be in touch.’

  ‘I’m sure you will.’ Creek nodded his good-bye, glad to get the shifter out of his space so he could crash for a few and be rested for tonight’s hunt. He’d have to stay away from Chrysabelle’s for a few days, no matter how much he wanted to see her. Long enough for Argent to get bored and move on.

  With a shiver, Argent switched to his dragon form, spread his massive wings, and disappeared into the sky.

  Dominic stared through Katsumi’s helioglazed windows at the dying sun. The time was nearly at hand. He turned to face her. She lay prone on her bed. They’d decided her own apartment was the best place to perform the navitas, lest anything should go wrong. ‘This is your last chance to leave things as they are.’

  ‘No.’ She shook her head and reached for Dominic’s hand. ‘I want this change. I accept that permanent death is a possibility and madness a risk. I am willing.’

  He nodded, coming to her side and taking her hand. ‘Your instinct will be to fight me, especially as death enters your body. You must give in. Die completely. Or there will be no rebirth.’

  ‘I understand.’ She was pale, her face devoid of its usual makeup. Instead of one of her high-necked gowns, she wore a simple robe that bared her throat. The finely drawn petals of a chrysanthemum peeked out from among her myriad of tattoos. She trembled.

  ‘Don’t be afraid, cara mia. I’m here with you.’ He offered her a smile and squeezed her hand.

  Her eyes went liquid as she squeezed them shut and tipped her head back to expose her neck. ‘Please. Now.’

  ‘Patience. I cannot begin until the sun sets.’ He watched the ball of killing light sink. At last, it touched the horizon. Without another word, Dominic shifted his face and plunged his fangs into her neck. She jerked, but made no sound as she held her arms at her sides. He drank, sampling each swallow for the bitter dregs of death. She cried out as her fringe life drew to a close, bowing against the bed, struggling with the nearness of the end. At last the taste of dust and carbon and burned sugar crossed Dominic’s tongue. He pulled away.

  Katsumi lay gray and limp. Working quickly before she went to ash, he scored his wrist and forced it against her mouth, flexing his fist to pump the blood. ‘With this blood, I make you flesh of my flesh.’

  But she didn’t move.

  ‘Drink,’ he urged her. ‘Drink.’

  Still nothing. Why had he done this? Why had he agreed to this foolishness? The gash on his wrist closed. He tore it open again and put it to her mouth. ‘Dai,’ he begged. ‘Live.’

  He opened her mouth farther with his fingers, making sure the blood was getting down her throat. Her skin was cold and powdery to the touch. He cursed himself. He had lost Maris, now he was going to lose Katsumi as well.

  The sun slipped lower, the last of its orange light bronzing her lifeless form. He opened the vein on his wrist a third time and tried to feed her again. If he couldn’t revive her before the sun set completely …

  The apartment door burst open and Ronan barreled through. He looked from Katsumi to Dominic. His hand strayed to the knife secured to his belt. ‘What happened? What have you done to her?’

  ‘Nothing.’ How stupido to think he could perform navitas. He’d never seen it done, only understood it from the texts he’d studied ages ago. Before he’d offered to turn Maris. Why had he been such a fool? He pulled Katsumi into his arms and held her, petting her hair to assuage the distress of what he’d done. Any second now she would disintegrate in his arms. Gone forever.

  Instead, she coughed. A hard shudder wrenched her body as she coughed again. Her eyes opened. They were as bright silver as a new lira. She cried out as her face shifted, her hands coming up to clutch her cheeks.

  Ronan, mouth slightly open, stepped back, shaking his head. ‘Fringe can’t do that. What did you do to her?’

  Katsumi cleared her throat and ran her tongue across her new, longer fangs. She laughed, her eyes sparkling, then kissed Dominic on the mouth. ‘Navitas,’ she whispered to Ronan, kissing Dominic again. ‘I am no longer fringe.’

  The smile on Dominic’s face caused his cheeks to ache. ‘No, cara mia, you are nobility now. House of St. Germain.’ He kissed her back. ‘How do you feel?’

  ‘Like I could devour a small nation.’

  He rose from the bed. ‘Get dressed and we’ll go to the club and you can have your fill of any comar you wish.’

  ‘Wonderful.’ She slid off the bed on the other side and dashed into her closet. A second later she stuck her head out, yelled, ‘Welcome back, Ronan,’ and then ducked back inside.

  The fringe lamely raised his hand, then let it drop to his side. He palmed the crown of his head. ‘I didn’t even know that was possible.’

  Dominic crossed his arms. ‘Don’t ask. I have no intention of ever doing that again.’

  Ronan snorted and lost his blank expression. ‘Don’t worry, I won’t. Nobility is the last thing I want.’

  ‘Is that so?’

  ‘Yeah.’ He jerked his thumb at his chest. ‘I’m the bloody new king of the fringe.’

  Ronan was too brash to lead anything more than a parade. Dominic didn’t like the idea of him in charge of a good portion of his workforce and customer base. He cocked one eyebrow. ‘I wasn’t aware the fringe had a king.’

  Ronan grinned. ‘They do now.’

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Tatiana paced anxiously. Patience was not one of her virtues. Two days was enough time to get to Corvinestri, gather more Nothos, and return. She wanted Nasir back so she could send her new Nothos out, then begin Octavian’s transformation. Her plan was perfection. She’d already set the stage, had all her props in place. The thought of what Octavian might become, of how much better he would be, how endlessly loyal … She laughed at her own cunning.

  But until that happened, she needed the shifter girl alive. Not that Tatiana had any desire to take the guise of Mia upon herself again. Rot it all, but if that were her life, she’d have walked into the sun ages ago. Bartender. How humiliating.

  Outside, a car door slammed. Then another. At last.

  She hurried to the great room and stopped at the sight of the vampire standing there. She bowed to allow herself a moment to cleanse the rage from her expression. This was not part of her plan. ‘Lord Ivan, I did not expect you.’

  ‘Didn’t you?’ A faint bruising marked his left eye and cheek. Only a blow from one of the Castus could mark a vampire of Ivan’s age. ‘How long was I supposed to wait for you to make things right? The ancient ones are not pleased and neither am I.’

  Nasir strolled in behind Ivan. Octavian followed next, his arms laden with bags. He shot her an apologetic look. As if there were something he could have done to keep Lord Ivan from coming. Denying that blighty ratbag could mean death for a kine like Octavian. But that would all change very soon.

  She nodded, but inside, acid boiled in her belly. ‘I am on the verge of setting things right. I just needed a few more Nothos.’

  He stalked closer. ‘How exactly did you go through a dozen of them?’

  ‘I’m not sure. They just never returned.’

  He rolled his eyes. ‘This kind of incompetence is unbecoming, Tatiana.’

  ‘Incompetence?’ Some of the acid erupted. ‘Should I have babysat them? Held their ugly little hands until they got the job done right? We use Nothos because they normally accomplish the tasks they are sent to do without supervision.’

  ‘You forget your place.’ His hand seized her throat and tightened, crushing her larynx. ‘Speak to me that way again and I will cut off your other hand.’

  Octavian’s eyes bulged. Nasir had the bloody gall to look pleased.

  ‘Yes, my lord.’ She dropped her gaz
e, realizing too late that Nasir had been Ivan’s puppet from the beginning, meant to keep tabs on her. How had she not seen that sooner? That weasel would get his. ‘Forgive me. I am as upset at my failure as you are.’

  He released her, brushing his palms against each other as though he’d dirtied himself. ‘What plan do you have to remedy this?’

  To kill every last one that opposed her. ‘I have a scrap of the anathema’s clothing. I will give it to the Nothos and release them. Malkolm will either lead them to the girl, or his capture will draw the girl to us. Either way, success is at hand.’

  Lord Ivan nodded, stroked his chin. ‘Very good. Carry on.’ He snapped his fingers at Octavian. ‘Put my bags in the best room, then give my driver directions into town.’

  With scowling eyes, Octavian clicked his heels together and headed upstairs. She hated Lord Ivan’s treatment of her pet. Octavian was hers to command.

  Lord Ivan turned back to Tatiana. ‘I shall be taking your car and going into the city. They say Americans are the other white meat.’ He laughed wickedly. ‘I intend to find out. I’ll expect progress when I return.’

  ‘Yes, my lord.’ There would be progress, but not the kind he’d expected. Pompous old fool. She happily watched him leave, then gave Nasir the sweetest smile she could manage. No point in tipping him off. ‘I’m so glad you’re back. I missed you terribly.’

  His dark brows lifted. ‘You did?’

  ‘Of course.’ She swatted him playfully on the arm. ‘Let me go deal with the Nothos, then I’ll meet you upstairs and show you just how much.’