by Lisa Olsen
I stared at him, utterly floored by the admission, even if it was only in front of Gunnar and me. “He wasn’t suffering!” I slammed the table with my fist, sending puzzle pieces scattering everywhere. “Why did you do it? He wasn’t getting in your way.”
“Power unused is power lost. I thought you would have learned that by now. I’m the Elder now, not that wreck of a man. Now I can do as I please.”
“Corley did as he pleased for hundreds of years. Why did you have to kill Sylvius?”
“Because it’s my nature,” he bit back, eyes snapping with lost patience. “Don’t stand there and tell me you haven’t done the same. We’ve all heard the tales of what happens to those who block your path. Or is that somehow different?”
“I didn’t…” I closed my eyes, biting back the denial. It wouldn’t do any good to cop to the deception, it wouldn’t bring Sylvius back, and I’d already been caught out in way too many lies so far. “I won’t let you get away with this. I’ll make sure everyone knows what you did to him.”
“Go ahead.” Aubrey tossed back the rest of his drink, the smirk returning to his lips. “Now, if there’s nothing else, I have a party to plan. I’ll be sure to save a dance for you, sweets.” He blew me a kiss, not even bothering to dodge the ornate porcelain box I winged at his head with enough force to shatter it into smithereens when it hit the wall instead.
“Can you believe that guy?” I fumed, but Gunnar gave me an uneasy shrug, looking very, very nervous over the entire situation.
Bishop showed up moments later, taking in the mess when his boots crunched on the porcelain bits. “Hey, everything copacetic down here? Should I be worried Aubrey looks like the cat that ate the canary?”
A wave of relief washed over me as soon as I saw him, and I immediately darted forward to draw him deeper into the room. “Yes, yes you should worry. Bishop, he killed Sylvius. Aubrey killed Sylvius.”
“What?” he blinked, the amusement fading, replaced by shock as he noticed the ash on the ground.
“It’s true, Aubrey shot him up with ACBT and it was too late to help him, and he just… he died right there and I didn’t do anything. Bishop, he died right there…” I dissolved into tears, unable to continue. I couldn’t say why it hit me so hard since I barely knew Sylvius, but no one deserved to die like that. Especially when he’d known it was coming the whole time.
“Hey, it’s okay.” Bishop gathered me into a hug, stroking my back in a soothing manner. “There’s nothing you could have done to save him. You know how the ACBT works. Once you’re hit, you’re a goner.”
“But you didn’t give up on me when I got hit with it,” I sniffed. “You found a way to save me. I just stood there and watched like a dumbhole while he fell apart.”
“That was before the Order weaponized it. Anja, there’s no cure for that.”
I wanted to believe him. I wanted to believe there was nothing I could’ve done differently. Now, more than ever, I needed to avenge Sylvius. “We have to do something about Aubrey. He admitted to killing Sylvius in cold blood. Gunnar heard him, didn’t you? The smug son of a bitch admitted it right to my face.”
Gunnar didn’t say a word, and I could tell from the way Bishop stroked my hair, he wasn’t all for sending the guard after Aubrey. “I’m sorry for his passing, and I’m sorry you’re upset, but I don’t see what I can do about it.”
I pulled back from the false comfort to peer up at him through teary eyes. “What do you mean? We have to bring him to justice.”
“Anja, the strong can take what they want, it’s always been that way.”
He couldn’t be serious. “That’s barbaric.”
“We’re vampires. It’s not like changes in power are preceded by a vote. This is the way it’s always been done.”
“Well, maybe that should change!”
Bishop tried again, choosing his words carefully. “You’re young, in time you’ll get used to it.”
“I don’t want to get used to it.” I pushed away from him, no longer wanting to be coddled. “Then you’re not going to help me? You’re not going to lift a finger against Aubrey?”
“I can’t. I have no jurisdiction over him. There is no Order left in Vetis.”
“But you’re still here.”
“I don’t have jurisdiction over anyone anymore. I’m a civilian, same as you.”
My jaw dropped at the admission. “You quit?”
“I did. I think I’ve given them enough years of my life.”
“I thought you wanted to go back to San Francisco.” Hadn’t he promised to go back with me and help clean things up?
“I do, but not for them, for myself.”
I couldn’t believe it. Bishop without the Order was like the Avengers without Cap. Sure, they could still kick booty, but it was a chaotic mess. “Now you decide to get a life?”
His brows drew together into a single dark line. “Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Holy hell biscuits – had he done it for himself or for me? “No, I’m glad, if that’s what you truly want. But to be honest, I could’ve used the support right now.”
“There wouldn’t be any now even if I wanted to. I had instructions to return to Rome. The Order wouldn’t have taken any interest in Aubrey’s rise to power except to note it.”
That made my point with what was wrong with the Order – break one tiny rule and it’s instant execution, commit out and out murder and it’s fine and dandy with them. There was only one thing left for me to do.
“Fine. I guess it’s up to me then,” I sighed, my mind already racing ahead to what I’d say and what he’d say and how to get around any likely problems.
“What are you going to do?”
“You said the strong can take what they want. I’ll challenge Aubrey then, like I challenged Angel.”
“The hell you will,” Bishop thundered, his eyes snapping with green fire. “Aubrey is over twice as old as Angel. If you get in a jam you won’t be able to compel him.”
“It worked on you. You’re older than him, right? And you’re convinced I’ve been compelling you this whole time. Nothing between us was real, isn’t that what you think?”
His face darkened, but when he spoke, Bishop sounded almost hesitant. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about this. I may have been a little quick to jump to conclusions there.”
Had I slid into a parallel universe? Was Bishop really standing there admitting he was wrong about our relationship? Would the God of thunder appear and hang his mighty hammer up on a coat peg and join us for Pop Tarts next? “Which is it? I’m either facing a vampire much too tough for me, or I’m all powerful, able to keep the big bad Bishop completely under my sway. Only one of those can be true.”
Bishop picked up my hands, looking deeply into my eyes. “I know, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have been so quick to doubt what we had. It’s just that you changed my life in so many ways… it scared me how quickly you turned everything upside down.”
“I didn’t mean to.”
He laughed at that, giving my hands a squeeze. “I know, that’s part of your charm.”
I didn’t know what to say. There was a time when I would’ve given anything to hear him say those words. I’d begged him for it. But now… things with Rob were… Ugh, my head was starting to hurt.
“I’ve made more than my share of mistakes and I’m not about to make another. I won’t let you challenge him.”
And just like that, his Neanderthal ways simpled things up. “It’s not up to you.” I pulled my hands from his. “I got this, I can make him pay.”
“Anja… don’t do anything rash. You can’t go accusing the Elder in his own house.”
“The hell I can’t. I’m not some goober off the street. I’m Anja Gudrun, daughter of Jakob, and I’m the gorram Elder of the West!”
“Only by being a liar and a fraud. Are you absolutely sure you’ll still be Elder when you get back home?”
He had me there. I had no idea how I
’d be received by the friends I’d been lying to for the past months. “Fine, I’ll go talk to Jakob about it.” The more I thought of it, the more I was convinced that was the way to go. He’d take care of Aubrey without thinking twice about it. Look how quickly he’d jumped on the Order’s throat.
Bishop didn’t have a single qualm about my proposed plan. “Actually, that’s a good idea. Go talk to Jakob.”
His ready agreement took some of the wind out of my sails. What did he know that I didn’t? “I will.”
“Good, go then.” He all but shoved me toward the door.
“I am,” I scowled. “Come on, Gunnar, let’s go.”
Gunnar peeled himself away from the wall where he was doing his best impression of a floor lamp, following beside me, while Bishop brought up the rear.
“Where do you think you’re going?” I asked when he stepped into the elevator with us.
“Who me? I’m not gonna miss the show,” he grinned, and I punched him in the shoulder.
“Jerk…”
Chapter Thirteen
We didn’t say another word to each other until we reached the great hall where Jakob reclined on Aubrey’s leather couches, holding court.
“Have you said your goodbyes, petal?” Jakob smiled as we approached.
“Aubrey killed Sylvius,” I blurted out, deciding not to mince words. “He flat out murdered him and all I can offer for proof is my testimony and Gunnar’s.” Jakob took the news in stride, not saying anything right away. The other vampires were also curiously silent, barely a murmur between them, but I saw Rob’s shoulders bunch with tension where he stood. “Did you hear me? I said he killed Sylvius in cold blood.”
“I heard you, beloved. Have a seat by my side.” He patted the space next to him, and I took it, motioning Gunnar to stand nearby. “You know this to be a fact, that Sylvius is gone?”
“I saw him die with my own eyes. All that’s left of him is dust.”
Jakob nodded, his voice ringing out to fill the hall. “Sylvius is no more, long may his memory live on.”
“To Sylvius,” the court responded as one, those with drinks in hand toasting him.
Was that all he was going to do? “What about Aubrey?”
“Aubrey, what have you to say? Did you kill Sylvius?”
My eyes searched the crowd, I hadn’t even spotted him in there, but he came forward at being acknowledged by Jakob. “I did,” he admitted readily, with no trace of remorse. “Sylvius was old and infirmed, no longer capable of holding office. I did what was necessary for Vetis.”
Jakob barely mulled it over before he passed judgment, if you could call it that. “I find nothing objectionable to that. Sylvius’ time was long past. Henceforth, you are the Elder of Vetis, until which time someone else wrests it from you.”
“That’s it? That’s all you’re going to say?” I hissed, floored by how little anyone seemed to care about the murder in our midst.
“What else would you have me say?” Jakob asked mildly, but there was a threat behind his eyes that seemed to say – take care, Anja. I read him loud and clear. I was on my own. Fortunately, that didn’t leave me entirely without power.
I rose to my feet, addressing the room as well as Jakob or Aubrey. “I stand before you, Anja Evans, daughter of Jakob and Elder of the West, and I don’t deal with backstabbing murderers. I hereby cut all formal ties with Vetis, and I break faith with any accords we hold.”
Now there were murmurs aplenty as my declaration rippled through the room.
“I am leaving Vetis until such a time as a new Elder sits as head of this House. If anyone wants to approach me with an accord of their own, you know where to find me.” And with that, I turned on my heel and marched out of there, my head held high, hoping like hell Felix had made the arrangements for the jet to leave soon.
“What did you do?” Rob demanded the moment we stepped out into the hallway.
“I’m tired of being here where I can’t trust anyone as far as I can throw them. I’m going home where I don’t feel spied on every second of every day.”
“That was some show you put on there, boss,” Felix beamed, over the moon with my declaration.
“You’re not mad I broke the treaty with Vetis?”
Felix shook his head. “Aubrey would be out of his tree if he tangled with you right now, especially with Jakob backing you. If you’re sure he’s backing you right now. He didn’t look too pleased when you stood up there like that.”
“You let me worry about Jakob, I know how to handle him,” I replied with more confidence than I felt.
“A sentiment best expressed elsewhere,” Rob reminded me, and I nodded, zipping my lips until we reached the suite.
Luckily, we were all mostly packed and only needed a few last minute things to be on our way. Felix excused himself to call down for a couple of cars and get Bridget rolling and Gunnar left to fetch his meager belongings as well. I could care less if my trunks of elaborate dresses made it back with me or not, I wouldn’t have much use for them back home.
Rob wouldn’t so much as look at me with Bishop present, going through the motions of packing with short, angry movements. I imagined I’d get an earful once we got home, all about the dangers of making powerful political enemies, particularly the ones who’d already shown themselves capable of murder.
“What about you, are you going to read me the riot act too?” I asked Bishop when he lingered, figuring he’d probably disapprove of my rash judgment as well.
“Actually, I think you made the right decision,” he surprised me by saying. “And now we can go back to the States without worrying about what Aubrey does next. Let him have Vetis, it’s all going to hell in a hand basket anyway.”
“What makes you say that?”
“It doesn’t matter.” He waved my question away. “The important thing is, we get you back to the West where you belong.”
We. “Are you still coming? I thought you quit the Order.”
“I did, but I still made my home in San Francisco and I have friends there.”
“And that’s all?”
He let out a short breath. “I’ll be the first to admit I want to be near you if you’ll let me.”
I could practically hear Rob’s teeth grinding from across the room. “Bishop…”
He held his hands up, cutting me off with a faint smile. “Let me save you the diplomatic let down. I know we’re not together like that anymore, but I’d still like to be in your life.”
“You want to be friends?”
“To start with, yeah.” Bishop held up his hands again. “Either way, there’s nothing left for me here anymore, and maybe I can help you wrangle some peace and quiet back home.”
Friends with Bishop. I wasn’t entirely sure it was possible, we’d sort of skipped over the whole friends part and gone right to doomed romance. Still, I had to give him credit for trying to be mature about it. “Okay, first of all, bonus points for the use of the word wrangle,” I smiled. “And second, I’d be glad to have you, if and I mean if, you can remember I’m the Elder of the West. What I say goes, so no more of this I won’t let you business. Agreed?”
“Sure,” he agreed equably. “As long as you don’t do anything that puts you in danger.”
“I have an entire staff of people designed to step in if I put myself in danger, I don’t need you too.”
“Gotcha.” His chin tucked lower, hiding the disappointment my words cost him.
“But… I would like it if you came home with us.” I knew it was the only place where he stood a chance of finding out who he was without the Order pulling the strings. Maybe he could even learn to be happy.
“Great, I’ll go get my bag. I’m all packed up and ready to go.”
I turned to Rob as soon as Bishop left and we were finally alone. “Don’t start with me, okay?”
“Why would I start anything when you’re so good at ending them?”
“I had to do something. You heard what hap
pened, I couldn’t let him get away with killing Sylvius after how nice he was to me.”
Rob dropped his bags by the door, giving me his full attention. “You didn’t have to confront him in public. You could have come to me, and I would’ve taken care of it private like.”
“You mean by killing Aubrey?”
“If that’s what you wanted.”
“I don’t want anyone dead.” Okay, so I wouldn’t have cried my eyes out if Jakob had ordered Aubrey’s head removed, but I hadn’t been after blood when I denounced him. “What I did sends a strong message that his behavior won’t be tolerated in the West and I don’t have to look at his smirky face anymore, win-win. Plus, I don’t have to worry about you getting hurt trying to rub him out for me, so add another win to the pile.”
“Alls I’m saying is, cutting ties with Vetis was rash and potentially dangerous, and all I care is that it don’t come back to bite you in the bum. As for cutting ties with Aubrey, I could care less what that prat thinks. The less we see of him, the better. So we’d best get going before I feel the urge to make him eat that smirky face of his.”
“Then you’re not mad at me?”
“It’s not my place to be mad at you, miss,” he said with a half smile. “I’m only the help.”
“Wait until we get home, I’ll show you help,” I pretended to scowl at him, unable to keep the answering smile from my face.
Our procession grew bigger as we neared the front entrance, picking up Tucker, Felix and Bridget, Gunnar and a few onlookers as we pulled our strategic retreat. Gunnar saw to the loading of the cars and I took a few minutes to say my goodbyes. Most of the delegates kept a safe distance, maybe not wanting my brand of crazy to rub off on them, but Macallister came right up to pay his respects.
“You sure know how to put on a good show,” he grinned, dimples in evidence as he offered his hand.
“I’m glad you enjoyed it, I aim to please,” I smiled back, taking it. “Maybe next time I’ll come and visit you and see what trouble I can stir up.”