My body automatically swayed towards his. The evidence of his emotional response to my upset made me want fervently to soothe him with a touch. My hand was cupping his cheek before I realised it had moved from my side. He leaned his face into my palm, closing his eyes briefly, denying me their beauty. I missed their purplish-red light.
When his eyelids lifted, they'd toned down to an amethyst colour, equally as compelling as the dragon's magenta, but clearly evidence that Michel was back in control. I heard the helicopters begin their pre-flight wind-up behind us, indicating it was time to pull back. I didn't move. Neither did Michel. Our eyes locked on each other, unable and unwilling to look away.
"This is hard," I said, as the choppers really started to get going. The wind had picked up around us and I'd had to shout to be heard above the rotor blades.
"Yes, it is," Michel replied, a muscle in his jaw twitching, his eyes once again shining a magenta light. Go, ma douce, he whispered in my mind. For once Michel was unable to be the strong one and do the pulling away. He couldn't even say the words aloud. He was struggling and it was so unlike him, that I did exactly what he asked. Hell, he could have asked me anything, right at the moment, and I would have gladly obliged. I would have done whatever was necessary to make this easier on him.
When I climbed aboard the helicopter and settled in my seat, I finally raised my eyes to look outside. Michel hadn't moved from where I'd left him on the grass outside the Château, despite his helicopter being as ready to take off as ours. Magenta still shone in his eyes. His gaze held mine. We didn't break eye contact until our helicopter had risen too high in the night sky to maintain it. I felt like I was leaving a piece of me behind, on the lawn below.
I let a long breath of air out and closed my eyes, suddenly realising they felt dry. I hadn't blinked at all, while watching him get further and further away. It had only been a few seconds, but to my heart and dry eyes, it felt like an eternity.
Someone's hand clasped mine in my lap reassuringly. I turned my head and found Natalyia's face next to mine, her own head resting back on the headrest mirroring me. She squeezed my hand softly, but didn't pull away. We held on to each other until the helicopter began its descent at Grenoble Airport, Michel's Gulfstream G650 waiting under floodlights on the tarmac below.
Somehow exiting the helicopter caused a shift in my emotions. I still felt like a gaping hole was severing my heart, but I could breathe again. Focus again. I rolled my shoulders as I approached Michel's cabin steward, James, at the bottom of the retractable stairs to the jet, and felt my courage and resolve and determination to do my job, settle back into place. It would get easier, I was sure, but it would always hurt, in some degree, to walk away from my kindred.
James fluffed around us once we were settled and the jet had taken off. Offering coffee and for me and Sophie, chocolate biscuits - my favourites, no less. There was a heightened anticipation in all of the vampires on-board. An excitement to finally be doing something again. I wondered what they had been doing while I was in Álfheimr, whether their time had been spent cooped up at the Château or back in London at Michel's dreary Victorian house. Or worse still, at the Palais, near the Iunctio and Michel. Whatever it had been, they seemed to be electrified now, about to embark on a mission for their Champion.
"You all seem keen to be getting on with this," I remarked to Natalyia, who had taken it upon herself to sit close to me again.
"We are happy to be at your service, Mistress," she replied steadily.
"And to fulfil the Champion's request, no doubt," I supplied, sipping my delicious fluffy coffee. Goddess I was a coffee addict and had missed it in Álfheimr. Another, albeit small in the scheme of things, perk of being back in Earth's realm.
"Of course, we are the Champion's servants." I cringed at her choice of words, I had never taken to the notion of servants before, but to the Nosferatu, it was a given. "But, it is because we are again with you, that you sense our emotional wellbeing on the air," Natalyia added, breaking into my thoughts on servitude. "It is you we are happy to serve more."
I frowned slightly at her words. I'd never considered Sergei and Natalyia servants, nor Marcus and Matthias either, for that fact. Friends foremost. Guards as a necessity. But servants? No. Still, it was the way of the Nosferatu. Master and servant. I may well not like it, but I had to accept it. As long as I didn't act like a tyrant and boss them about without a care.
"Well, I'm happy to be back with you too," I said and offered a smile. Nataliya graced me with one of her rare smiles in return.
"How do you plan to approach the Master of London City?" she asked, focusing on the task at hand. Our reunion now dealt with.
"I'll let him know I'm in the city as soon as we arrive at Michel's house." There's no way I was going to overlook advising Amun Nadeem that the most powerful Nosferatin in the world was walking his streets. The last time I delayed confronting the man, I'd paid for it dearly. Amun might have looked like an old friend - his resemblance to Nero, my former Nosferatin trainer, was uncanny - but he certainly didn't act like one. "He'll no doubt summon us to him straight away, he can never resist an opportunity to show off. But I also want to touch base with Arthur and see what he knows of the problems Michel suspects are centred in London. His Nosferatins may well be aware of more than we already know."
"What about the ghouls, Mistress? Will you attempt an information exchange with them?"
My Light pulsed automatically in preparation for a confrontation with London's ghouls. The vampires' Sanguis Vitam in the cabin escalated in response to my lack of control. It wasn't like I thought Geoff, the cut-throat head of the London ghouls, was about to jump out from behind a leather clad couch or anything, it's just that the thought of having to barter information with the tricky ghoul was not comforting at all. The last time I had entered into an info exchange - the only form of payment a ghoul works in - he and his community of fresh flesh eaters almost attacked Michel and myself. Not to mention set us up for a confrontation with a fairy that almost cost Michel his life.
I made a concerted effort to rein my Light back in and watched as the vampires did the same to their Sanguis Vitam. All eyes were on me now, including Sophie's, whose had doubled in size at the threat display I'd so ridiculously started. I rolled my head on my shoulders and took a deep breath in.
"Yes, the ghouls," I said in way of answer to Nataliya. "I think we'll consider them a last resort."
"Fair call," Matthias added, from his seat across the cabin.
"Not exactly my idea of a good night out on the town," Marcus threw in for good measure.
Sergei and Natalyia just frowned, both having not been involved in the exchange with Geoff and his group of blood thirsty London Jinn.
"I will call on them if we need to," I added, wanting them all to be prepared for the worst. "We do need to find out what's happening in London and how it will affect the Iunctio."
"We go willingly where you go, Mistress," Sergei said solemnly, Natalyia nodded in agreement with her brother.
"Well, maybe not willingly," Marcus added in a grumble and received a scowl from Natalyia for his efforts. He just shot her a dazzling smile, which for some reason made her blush. I decided not to dwell on her reaction, if something was still going on between them, I'd rather not know.
"Fine," I said, as we felt the plane begin to make its descent. "First Amun and then Arthur. Then if we have to, the ghouls. I wouldn't mind finding out what Sebastian Cole is up to as well. I don't particularly trust the Nathair-Sgiathach."
"The more information we can gather, the better," Sergei agreed and the others nodded assent. At least we were all on the same page, now we just had to deal with the multitude of egotistical and maniacal personalties that made up the London supernatural community. Not to mention the bloody city itself. Oh, happy times.
It didn't take us long to clear customs and before we knew it we were piled into two Range Rovers and on our way to South Kensington and Michel's London ba
sed home. The thought that the Gothic monstrosity wouldn't even have Christopher to lighten the rooms on this visit didn't make me happy at all. Natalyia would no doubt fall into the role of nurturer and Sophie and I would be eating Borscht and Ukha until it came out of our ears. Not that either was bad, but I could really go a steak and kidney pie round about now. I'd even settle for Bubble and Squeak.
It was just as I had remembered it. Tall pale and impressive from the outside, fitting in with the row of beautifully presented homes on either side. But once the front door was opened, the oppressive and dark interior threatened to overwhelm. Sergei lit a fire in the sitting room immediately, knowing how much I craved the light it gave off. While Natalyia and Marcus took our bags upstairs and showed Sophie where she would be staying.
I didn't delay, but picked up the phone and dialled Amun's number. Not his personal one, but the one manned by his front-line staff. Announcing I was here was imperative. He'd already know, nothing gets past a Master Vampire of his standing, but with the official notification out of the way, I wouldn't have to face his reprisals. I'd get a summons in due course, but first I really needed an update from Arthur.
I tried his land line, but just got voice mail. His cellphone wasn't much better. Neither was Marie's, my former protégée. I went down the list of those on his team and received voice mail after voice mail. Either they were all on a massive coordinated hunt, or they didn't want to be disturbed by the Prophesied Nosferatin who pooh-poohed their city when last here. I left messages where necessary and threw myself into an armchair admitting, for now, defeat. First night here and already I'd come up against a wall.
Thinking of walls, I dialled Sebastian's number before I could think better of it. The first time I met Sebastian he'd acted like an invisible wall when I was on a hunt. I absently rubbed my rear feeling the ghost of a pain landing on my butt had caused me when I repeatedly slammed into his "wall". Fond memories they were not.
"Little Cousin!" came his Scottish-laced reply down the phone. "You arrived safely then, lass."
I didn't let the fact that he knew I was on the way here alarm me. He was still under the employ of the Champion. It would be feasible that Michel had already warned him to be of assistance to me on this visit. But just because Michel trusted the dragon-shifter enough to use him, did not mean that I did too. Michel was a good judge of character, but he was also a consummate businessman. If working with Sebastian served a purpose, he would, despite any misgivings or trust issues. Michel was not above using an asset when needed, and Sebastian was no doubt exactly that.
"Hello, Sebastian," I said a little coolly. My political mask was never as good as Michel's. I resolved to try harder. "Have you been well?" I cringed at that poor attempt.
"You're concerned for my wellbeing now, lass? That is something new."
"We are friends of sorts, Sebastian. Of course I care," I lied with surprising ease.
His deep chuckle was all I could hear down the line for a few moments. Then softly, almost a whisper, "I wish it were so."
It had been so softly spoken, I could have been mistaken. I decided, for the time being and the sake of getting this over and done with, that I would ignore what I thought I had heard.
"I am in need of your assistance," I announced, in what I hoped was a good imitation of what the Champion's kindred Nosferatin should say. I'd been Michel's kindred Nosferatin before, of course, but that was when he was just a Master of a City. Now he was the head honcho, the big wig, the boss. It carried a little more weight.
And I could feel it.
"I live to serve, my Champion's Nosferatin," Sebastian replied with equal pomp. I managed to stop the sigh that threatened to escape. I hated politics with a vengeance.
"Good. When can you get here?" I asked instead of caving and showing how inept at this I still was. You'd think I would have picked up a few tips, what with dealings in Álfheimr and such.
"If you care to look out the front window, you'll see I have already arrived."
A chill washed down my spine and I stiffened. The vampires picked up on the change of atmosphere immediately, all going on high alert. My eyes automatically sought the front bay-window of the house, but from my seated position I couldn't see anything, other than the house's second story windows across the street. I flicked my gaze to Matthias and nodded to the window. I wasn't going to jump up at Sebastian's command.
Matthias sauntered over to the glass, on the same page as me thankfully. No fast movements, everyone at ease. The fact that the dragon-shifter could probably feel the increase of Sanguis Vitam on the air was irrelevant. We needed to show, at least, that we were at ease.
"Two shifters on the footpath outside our gate, Mistress," Matthias announced calmly, and within seconds both Marcus and Nataliya appeared in the room. The fast and cohesive reaction of my security team always made me breathe a little easier. They were good at what they did, I'd give them that.
"Best you show them in, then," I said, slipping my cell phone away and checking my silver dagger was in place. My Svante sword was upstairs with my luggage, but I still wore two silver stakes and the dagger. Even in my own home I was usually armed.
Marcus went to the front door, while Matthias continued to watch from the window. Natalyia came and stood behind my chair, at my back. And Sergei took up a position across the room, so the shifters would be surrounded once they entered.
I wondered, not for the first time, just whose side Sebastian Cole was on. Yes, he worked for Michel, or at least the Champion of the Iunctio. But I couldn't help thinking he played a dangerous game of double sides. His appearance here could be easily put down to his link to the Champion, but my gut was telling me something else. Nero had always warned me to trust my gut instinct. And right now they were telling me Sebastian was up to no good.
But just what that would be I didn't know.
I stood, not wanting to be at a disadvantage when he walked in the room, and waited for Marcus to usher the dragon-shifter in. I didn't bother to tell my vampire guards to rein their Sanguis Vitam in, I felt a show of power was as good a greeting as anything. In fact, I let a little of my own Light out to bolster theirs. Sebastian would have picked up we weren't happy already, I didn't need to pretend things were all hunky-dory right now. I'd rather he saw the obvious, then maybe he'd behave.
He was the first to enter the room, his shifter mate at his back, with Marcus offering guard behind him. Tall, sandy haired, with electric blue eyes, he hadn't changed an iota since I last saw him. Which was when he last saved my life. A small kernel of doubt seeped into my mind. It wasn't the first time Sebastian had come to my aid. That last event had been a true lifesaver in all its guises. I'd been injured and under attack from Viktor Davydov, and Sebastian had gotten me out.
Only to end up delivering me back into Viktor's hands.
I pushed the doubt away and stared impassively at the leader of the local shifter pack.
"You look well, Sebastian," I said evenly.
"As do you, Lucinda," he replied. His voice just as level as mine. The battle lines had been drawn.
"Please, have a seat." I indicated the sofa across from me. The one Marcus would stand behind and Sergei would stand to the side of. Matthias was shifting to offer a buffer opposite my vampire. We were herding Sebastian and his comrade in. I could tell it went against everything in him to comply.
"This is my Second, Leonard." Sebastian indicated the large man on his right as he took a seat. I noticed Leonard did not sit with his boss, but kept a wary eye on my vampires, hovering within protection distance of Sebastian on the couch. His colour was the polar opposite of Sebastian's. Dark hair and complexion, green eyes that already looked too feral in his human body. That usually meant the shifter spent too long in his alternate form. Leo was clearly all dragon. Not much of the man was left behind.
I nodded, but didn't take my eyes off Sebastian. My assessment was made with peripheral vision only. I'd slipped into my Nosferatin hunting skills w
ithout even realising I'd done so.
Just why did I feel so threatened by this man?
I sat and made a show of looking relaxed, crossed my legs at the knee, carefully rested my open palms on the armchair's rests. It was an act I was sure he could see through.
I decided to cut to chase.
"What can you tell me about the rumours of an army being amassed here in London?" No doubt Michel's men had already had the Nathair-Sgiathach questioned about this, but I had a feeling that Sebastian would act differently around me than he would with vampire interrogators. I'm not sure why, but he always seemed to be in the mind to play games, where I was concerned. There was nothing playful about vampire inquisitors.
His deep chuckle in response told me I was right. Sebastian liked to toy with me for some reason, and I was betting I was about to feature in whatever sport he was playing tonight.
"An interesting question, lass. And one that is in need of a reply. But right now I would think you have more immediate issues to contend with than the possibility of a few vampires coming against the might of the Iunctio."
OK, I'll bite. "Such as?"
His rumbling laughter was beginning to grate on my nerves. And if the stiffening of spines around the room was anything to go by, it was grating on my vampires' nerves as well.
"Such as," he began, almost casually, "the imprisonment and impending deaths of the entire London Nosferatin community."
Silence met his statement. I couldn't even form a thought, let alone utter a sound. But that didn't mean I couldn't use my Light. In fact, my Light was bursting out of my body and wrapped around his throat before I even realised what had happened.
Marcus and Sergei had Sebastian's Second in vice-like grips several feet away. Natalyia had come to her feet as soon as I had - and I hadn't even realised that I had - and Matthias was already on his cellphone trying to verify Sebastian’s words.
But I didn't need verification. The fact that I hadn't heard back from any of the messages I'd left my former colleagues was enough. And let's face it, just because we didn't get on, did not mean Arthur would never have my back. He always would, no matter what differences existed between us. He'd always return my calls.
Kiss of the Dragon Page 11