by Amy Sumida
“And your ex-boyfriend.”
“Not exactly.”
“Past life boyfriend,” he corrected.
“Yeah, okay.”
“Holy shit, you're actually admitting it.” Cerberus slapped his knee.
“Yes, I'm admitting it.” I grimaced. “And since when have you been a knee-slapper? You take a trip to the Appalachians recently? Get yourself a banjo?”
“Ha-ha.” Cerberus made a face.
“Admitting that I have a past with Banning doesn't change the fact that I'm presently with Torin.”
“Maybe not, but it's refreshing to hear you say it out loud.”
“Say what out loud?” My father walked into the living room, looking like he hadn't slept in days. Deep bags weighed down his eyes and his shoulders sagged.
“Nothing, Dad.”
“She called my friend Banning, and he's going to find Kalliope for us,” Cer said.
“What?” My father perked up.
“I remembered that the blooders have a huge network of spies,” I told my father. “So, I called Banning and asked him if they would look for Mom.”
“And he agreed?” My father's eyes widened. “A blooder is helping us find your mother?”
“He loves me,” I whispered.
“Well, wouldn't that just shock the hell out of Kalli? A fucking leech looking for her because he's in love with her daughter.”
“Yeah, it would shock her,” I whispered sadly.
“She's going to be okay, Ellie.” Dad came over and sat beside me. “I know I don't look like I have faith in that, but I do. Your mom is a strong woman who knows how to survive. She will stay alive long enough for us to find–”
My phone rang, cutting him off. I scrambled for it and answered.
“Hello?”
“Elaria,” Banning's voice sounded satisfied; he knew something.
“You found something,” I declared.
“I did,” he confirmed. “I wasn't able to get anything from those names yet, but I researched siren-related tragedies using the blooder network.”
“Siren-related tragedies?” I scowled at the phone.
“People killed by sirens in the last hundred years,” he clarified.
“Vengeance,” I whispered. “Son of a Siren! I should have thought to look into that possibility.”
“Siren-related fatalities?” Cerberus asked. “My team researched it and couldn't find anything substantial.”
“His team doesn't have our resources.” Banning wasn't on speakerphone, but he had excellent hearing. “Just twenty years ago, a woman was killed by a siren.”
“A woman?” Cerberus asked. He also had excellent hearing.
“The call of a siren isn't particular to sex,” I explained to Cer. “Women can succumb as well.”
“Huh”–Cer got a goofy look on his face–“that's kinda hot.”
“Except for the death part.” I shook my head at him.
“Well, yeah, that's a downer.”
“Do you want to hear about this woman or not?” Banning asked.
“Yes!” I said immediately. “Sorry, Banning, go ahead.”
“Her name was Bettina, and she wasn't just a woman,” Banning said, “she was a blooder.”
“Hold on”–I tried to wrap my head around it–“you're saying that a siren killed a blooder? What would that have to do with a witch? We're certain it's a witch behind all of this.”
“It is,” Banning confirmed. “Bettina had a witch lover. I don't know who it was yet, but I'm heading over to her old gura now. I'll find out soon. I just wanted to give you an update.”
“I want to go with you,” I said without thinking.
“Aren't you on Pyrosvesti?” Banning asked.
“I can use my traveling stone,” I explained. “I'll jump over to Tír na nÓg, then travel back to wherever you are.”
“Whoa.”
“So where are you, Banning?”
“Oh! I'm at home, in Kansas; Crouching Lion.”
“I'll be right there.”
“I can't wait to see you, sweetheart,” Banning purred and hung up the phone.
“Oh gods, what am I doing?” I wondered aloud.
“Saving your mother,” my father said firmly. “If you have to use this man's affection to find Kalliope, then, by all means, do it, Elaria. I don't care whose heart gets broken, as long as your mother comes home safe.”
“Yes, Dad.” I kissed his cheek and jumped up to find my purse . . . and my traveling stone.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Seeing Banning was like a shiver in the blood. My body knew him better than I did and reacted without my permission. It didn't make any sense to me. If I really was Fortune reincarnated, I should have the same soul but a different body. Yet, Banning had recognized me because I was identical to Fortune in appearance. I'd seen the painting –and his tattoo– myself. Not that I was an expert on reincarnation, but I'd think that if a soul did return to experience life anew, it would be given a new form.
This cellular recognition I had for him, or whatever it was, was getting harder and harder to handle. I used to have no problem resisting Banning's allure, but lately, my resistance was weakening. Combine that with my growing attraction to Declan, and I was threatening to turn into a fickle, and potentially promiscuous, woman. I wouldn't have had a problem with that, if not for Torin. I fully believe that everyone should have the right to find their pleasure –or love– in any way and with anyone they choose. But I had already found love with Torin, and he didn't want me finding pleasure with anyone else. And vice-versa.
“Banning,” I said to catch his attention.
I had gone to see Torin, to let him know what was happening, then crossed back over, directly into Banning's living-room. Banning's living quarters were on the lowest level of the subterranean floors of Crouching Lion. I'd been there before, and this was clearly where he'd been expecting me to arrive, but Banning was bent over a file of papers and hadn't noticed me. He looked up when I spoke and smiled brightly.
“I was just going over the information again.” He waved the papers at me. “Bettina was a member of an old gura, one which shies away from modern technology. So everything I have on her is from third-party reports.”
“I had wondered why we needed to physically travel to the gura,” I said.
“Yes, they're traditionalists.” He made a face. “Normally, such behavior is a death sentence to blooders, but this gura has managed to survive due to some powerful gheara patrons.”
“So, Bettina was part of an off-the-grid gura, but she still managed to meet and fall in love with a witch?” I asked as I took a seat beside him.
“According to these reports, Bettina left the gura to be with her witch lover.” Banning handed me a paper. “A few years later, she was murdered by a siren.”
“Murdered is a harsh word,” I grumbled. “It's not like they have a choice in the matter. A siren's song sometimes comes forth unbidden. I think the term 'accidental death' is more appropriate.”
“Unless the siren intended to sing to Bettina,” Banning suggested gently.
“You think it really was murder?” I lifted my brows. “Which siren did it?”
“No one knows.” He shrugged. “But there was no doubt that it was the work of a siren.”
“So, where is Bettina's gura located?”
“In Romania.”
“Romania?” I frowned. “That's like the heart of the blooder world, isn't it?”
“Some believe it's where blooders first emerged.” Banning nodded.
“And where you also first emerged, right?”
“Yes,” Banning said quietly. “The Romanian Gura was the first gura formed, which is why it has so many patrons willing to help preserve it. Its fortress is in the hills outside of Suceava. Beautiful country, though I haven't been there in . . . well, centuries.”
“Banning,”–I narrowed my eyes on him–“do you know these blooders?”
“
I used to.”
“This was your gura, wasn't it?”
“For a short time, yes,” he admitted.
“How bad is this going to be for you?”
“I'll be fine.” He waved away my concern. “This is a minor annoyance compared to what you're going through. I will gladly undertake it, if it means finding your mother.”
“Thank you, Ban.” I took his hand.
“Anything you need.” He squeezed my hand and then quickly let go. “Now, I was going to take a plane, but it seems that you have an easier way to travel.”
“My stone?” I asked and he nodded. “I need to be able to visualize the destination, and I've never been to Romania.”
“No, but I have.” Banning smiled. “You said we must travel to Tír na nÓg first?”
“Yeah”–I took his hand again–“I'll direct us there and you can direct us to Suceava.”
“Alright,” he said. “Shall we be taking time in Tír na nÓg to say hello to King Torin?”
“No, I think not.” I grimaced. “I need to give Declan an update anyway. I think we'll head over to Alexandrite instead. That will save me a call through the contact charm.”
“Best not to let your fairy boyfriend know that you're accepting help from a past-life lover? Or does this have something to do with Declan?”
“Shut up, Banning,” I huffed and took us to Tír na nÓg.
Straight to a naked Declan.
Banning and I gaped at Declan's sleeping body. The Alexandrite King was on his side, curled around a pillow. One knee was angled up, covering the naughtiest bits, but what was visible was mouth-watering. Sleek muscles led my eyes on a sexy path along his arms, down to a curving backside, and up his thigh. A light sprinkling of mahogany hair covered his calves and lower arms, turning crimson in the sunlight which angled in from the nearby French doors. Declan's face was peaceful in sleep, sensual lips set into a soft smile. He nuzzled his face into the pillow he was embracing, breathed deeply, and sighed. I realized then that it was my pillow he held; the one I'd used when I had visited Alexandrite.
I'd brought us to the guest room Torin and I had stayed in. It was the one place in the Alexandrite Castle which I could visualize perfectly, and I was fairly certain it would be empty. But it wasn't empty. It's king slept in the exact place I had slept in just days past.
“Um, you could have warned me that you were bringing us into Declan's bedroom,” Banning said.
Declan stirred awake.
“This isn't his bedroom.” I couldn't take my eyes from Declan as he shifted, blinked, fastened his eyes on me, and surged up.
“Elaria!”
“Hey,” I said casually.
“What are you doing here?” Declan stood, completely unconcerned with his nudity. He glanced at Banning. “And with the blooder, no less.”
“We were on our way to Romania,” I explained. “Banning has a lead. We had to cross the Veil to Tír na nÓg first, and I wanted to update you– er, Declan, could you put something on?”
“What?” Declan looked down at himself. “Oh, right.” He picked up a pair of pants from the foot of the bed and slipped them on. “I wasn't expecting visitors,” he said dryly.
“And I wasn't expecting you to be in a room reserved for visitors,” I said pointedly.
“It's very comfortable in here.” He smirked. “This room has a nice ambiance. I particularly love the way it smells.”
“I'm clearly missing something.” Banning grimaced.
“Clearly.” Declan's smirk widened.
“Okay, that's enough of this,” I declared. “We need to get to Romania. I just wanted you to know that I'm not at Coven Cay, in case you were thinking of returning there.”
“I was going to return,” Declan said. “So, thank you for thinking to update me. I'd like to continue to help you in any way I can. Should I travel to Pyrosvesti later and wait for you there? Would that be alright?”
I gave it some thought. “No, wait here,” I suggested. “I'm not sure how long this will take. I'll call you through a contact charm when I'm done.”
“I'll be waiting for your call,” Declan promised.
“Thank you, Dec,” I said sincerely.
“Anything you need, anytime you need it, Elaria.” Declan smiled slowly at me.
Banning cleared his throat.
I took Banning's hand, casting one more amazed look at the rumpled bed, then told Ban to take us to Romania. Declan winked at me as we journeyed away.
Chapter Thirty-Three
“Dear gods,” Banning whispered as he gazed at the bustling city, “what's happened here?”
“You thought it would be the same as when you left?” I asked with a lifted brow.
“Well . . .”
“When exactly did you leave Suceava?”
“1642,” he said, “just a year after my blooding. I couldn't bear to be so close to my human family, and yet not be with them.”
“They believed you were dead?” I asked gently.
“Yes, that's the way it's done”–he shrugged–“and for good reason.”
“Yes, I recall.” I grimaced.
“You recall?” Banning took my hand and focused on me. “You remembered more of Fortune's life?”
“I remembered more of her life with you,” I admitted. “In particular, her father and how you tried to keep her from him.”
“I had to–”
“I know,” I cut him off, “and I even understand. What I'm trying to say is that I also understand why you left Romania. I know how you felt, being able to see your family but not be a part of their lives.”
“Thank you.” Banning swallowed roughly and let go of my hand. “You have no idea how many times I've wondered if Fortune forgave me for that; if she truly believed I was trying to help her, not cut her off from everyone she knew to make her entirely mine.”
“There was nothing to forgive, Banning.” I gave him a soft smile. “You were doing what you thought you needed to do in order to protect her.”
“I really was,” he said as if he were trying to convince me.
“If you still feel guilt over it, it's time to let it go.”
“I love you,” he said suddenly, fervently. “You, Elaria. You are her, but you are also so much more. Grounded, strong, and bloody amazing. I thought I could never love anyone as much as Fortune, but I love you more.”
“This is so bizarre, Ban.” I shook my head.
“I know”–he lifted his hands in surrender–“and I didn't say that to pressure you. I just had this epiphany, and I needed you to share it with me.”
“Okay,” I whispered, “you've shared. Thank you for the compliments. Now, not to ruin this sweet moment we're having, but I'm kinda concerned about my family.”
“Gods, I can be such a fool.” Banning rolled his eyes. “Of course you are. One moment.” He pulled his cell phone out of his jacket and dialed. “We're here. Yes, right in front of Saint John the New. Thank you.”
I glanced back at the church he was referring to. How strange that he had brought us here with the traveling stone. A vampire honing in on a church. There had to be a joke in that. At the very least, it was ironic.
“It was the only landmark I could remember,” Banning said –he was so damn good at reading me. “And I also knew for certain that it was still standing . . . I Googled it.”
“It's beautiful,” I stared up the cathedral. “Very pointy.”
“Yes,” he laughed and took my hand, “very pointy. Like they're threatening God; naughty children trying to get their father's attention. Come on, let's take a closer look while we wait for our ride. It'll take a bit for them to get here.”
“Why didn't you just take us straight to the gura?”
“Frankly, I didn't want them to know that we could come and go so easily.” He winked at me. “Best to keep that information to ourselves, just in case.”
“Just in case?” My face went serious. “I don't like the sound of that.”
“Why do I feel like we have two very different ideas of what 'fine' is?”
Chapter Thirty-Four
A blooder man picked us up in a minivan, twenty minutes later. A vampire in a minivan in Romania; that's got to be the start of a great horror film, and I wasn't sure it was going to be much different in real life. I had defended a gura once, Banning's to be exact, but I hadn't gone inside the gura's compound until after I trusted Banning. I had stood outside the walls and sang, that was it, then I booked it the hell outta Blooder Burg. That's usually the best policy to have when dealing with unknown blooders. Well, even the known ones, actually.
This time, I'd be breaking my own policy and going into their lair, purely on Banning's assurance of my safety. I wasn't too happy about that, but if it meant getting my mother back, I'd walk through Tartarus itself –something else I don't recommend. Actually, I'd take the blooders over Tartarus any day.
We were driven outside the city and into the hills. At least the hills were beautiful, and not at all reminiscent of horror films. All the while we rode, our driver kept glancing at Banning in the way a fan might look at a celebrity they adore –while trying to keep their fandom under wraps. It was kind of weirding me out while reassuring me at the same time. If Banning was popular here, we were relatively safe. I hoped. Blooders could be strange like that. Maybe I was completely misinterpreting the guy's looks, and he was actually staring at Banning like that because he was anticipating bathing in his blood. And now, we're back to the horror films.
We passed a castle on our way out of the city. It was pretty, but when you're more than a couple centuries old and magical, castles become less impressive. Computers impressed me more than castles. You throw a bunch of metal together, add some electricity, and blamo –you get a device that can access all the knowledge of the human world. That's fucking miraculous to me. Anyway, the castle was nice enough, something to stare at as we drove past, but the mansion we pulled up to was breathtaking.
With a backdrop of rolling, green hills that looked soft as velvet, the building stood out like a gem. Wood and stone walls soared up four stories, with turrets (or are they called cupolas when they're on a house?) topping it. Whatever they were called, the gura's home seemed crowned with sharp-looking spires, just like that church we'd seen earlier –threatening God. Who knows which god these blooders were mad at, probably one of the Aztecs, given their nature. As long as they kept me out of it, I didn't care.