by Lisa Olsen
“He didn’t have to kill him, I already took care of it,” I murmured, watching the remains of the pain in my behind get sucked up with a Dustbuster. Not that I’d shed a tear over the guy, but we’d both been preaching an end to the violence and then Jakob up and does that? What were people supposed to think?
“He’s always been like that,” Bishop said, just as quietly.
“And nobody’s ever stood up to him before?”
“Not to an Ellri, no,” he admitted, turning away from the spectacle as the last of Byrne disappeared. “Dance with me,” he said, catching up my hand and tugging me back toward the dance floor.
“I shouldn’t…” Jakob would be back at any moment, and I’d have to go back to pretending I was fine with his way of handling things.
“Just this one since we were interrupted before.” He kept pulling, walking backwards, his smile worming its way through my defenses. I realized, I’d never experienced Bishop trying to charm me into doing something before. It was a formidable weapon.
“Besides, we’re celebrating,” he pointed out, pulling me close as the next song started up, a legato rendition of Dream On by Aerosmith.
“What are we celebrating?”
Bishop looked to our right, where Corazon danced with Leander, all smiles. “Despite his rough methods, I’d call that a success, mostly because of you. You took quite a risk up there. Not only with Jakob, but with the crowd. You could’ve let Jakob’s edict stand without embellishing on it.”
“It needed saying. I don’t want to be the Elder because a handful of vamps decided I should be. If we have peace now, it’s because they chose it. The only way I can make any lasting change is to have the support of the people, not their fear.”
“You have that, they love you,” he smiled, and I couldn’t help but smile back.
“I sure hope so. Maybe now I can drop some of this ridiculous security detail.”
“You have my love too.”
All of a sudden we were talking about something else completely. “Bishop…”
“No, I know, it’s too late, but there it is. I know you haven’t forgiven me yet and your life is complicated so my timing stinks. But I’m starting to think letting you go was an even bigger mistake.”
We weren’t dancing anymore, just standing amid the sea of swaying bodies. “You’re right, your timing sucks on an epic scale. I can’t do this with you, Bishop. It’s too… I’m not…” I couldn’t have this conversation with him, not in the middle of Jakob’s ball.
Bishop took a half step backwards, accepting the scattered rejection with grace. “It’s alright, I completely understand. But consider this – as someone very wise once said to me – forever is a long time.” With that he kissed the back of my hand, bowed over it, and retreated with a resigned smile.
I barely had time to recover from Bishop’s unexpected declaration when Jakob pulled me into his arms, continuing my abandoned dance. He favored Bishop with a benign smile. “He knows when he’s been beaten,” Jakob said with smug satisfaction.
“Yep, he knows his chances with me are pretty much zilch.” Not a lie. Or was it? I couldn’t deny Bishop still had the power to turn my insides to mush despite my best efforts to harden my heart against him. But I wasn’t about to start something up with him; my heart was engaged elsewhere, as he’d put it before.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Jakob held me close, his breath warm against my ear. “That was an interesting speech, petal. One might say you possessed the tools to resolve the situation at hand without my assistance. One might even wonder if you had an ulterior motive for seeking my help at all.”
Was he implying it was all a scam to get him back? Talk about an ego. “I saw an opportunity, and I took it, that’s all. I never would’ve thought to bring everyone into a dance and hope that settled the matter, and I never would’ve been able to get Byrne here on my own.”
“It’s alright, petal, I accept your pretense. Let us both enjoy the happy fruits of our labor now.” And as I choked back my response to that one, he dragged me to the corner of the room where he had a throne set up. That’s all I could call it, the massive gilt chair was set up on a step, giving him a better height advantage to those who approached on foot. I would’ve preferred to stand by his side like an accessory, but Jakob didn’t give me the choice. He tumbled me into his lap, petting my hair like a trained toy poodle.
“Not that I don’t enjoy the attention, but maybe you could have them find a chair for me to sit beside you,” I murmured from the corner of my mouth, still maintaining the smile as best I could.
“Be still,” Jakob growled, sharp enough to send a ribbon of fear slicing through me. Was he truly so controlling I wasn’t allowed to voice my own preferences anymore? Well, nuh-uh, no way was I going to let him treat me that way in public or in private. He might be the boss of me, but I was still a person, not a pet.
“Jakob, I…”
His hand tightened painfully on my hip, even as he raised my hand to kiss the inside of my wrist. My hand blocking his mouth, he spoke for my ears alone, his blue eyes blazing with intensity. It wasn’t a compulsion, but the threat of it loomed, that much was clear. “I will have your silence now, petal. Do not speak unless you are spoken to.”
Without waiting for my response, he turned away, ignoring me completely as a dark haired woman approached, flanked by two boys, no more than fifteen or sixteen years old from the look of it. The boys were ornately dressed in loose pants of a dark red silk shot with gold threads to give them a slightly shiny appearance. Though their torsos were bare, they each wore elaborate golden jewelry set with smooth, gleaming jewels that covered most of their chests and encircled their wrists and upper arms. Their dark eyes were heavily lined with kohl, hair cropped close in an identical style that gleamed under the lights and had a vaguely Egyptian feel to it.
The woman herself was all grace and beauty encased in a flowing dress of the same deep red the boys wore. Golden cords criss-crossed the bodice, accentuating her voluptuous curves. Her bare arms were similarly adorned with the ancient jewelry and her sleek hair hung down her back in shining waves under a net of finely woven gold that winked with precious stones when her head moved even a fraction. The effect was dazzling and I’d never felt more like a country bumpkin by comparison, even in my pretty party dress. A faint smile played over her perfectly sculpted lips, stained a deep red to match her gown. Approaching the dais, she inclined her head gracefully to Jakob while the pair of boys sank to their knees, eyes downcast.
Jakob maintained his relaxed posture, but I could feel the tension in his muscles as though coiled to strike should the occasion call for it. He waited, allowing the woman to be the first to speak. The ballroom had gone silent except for the music playing, the guests sensing this was no ordinary exchange.
The woman spoke in a smooth, melodious voice, her accent difficult to place. “Greetings, Jakob Thorssen of the Northern Lands. May your tribes prosper under the Sister Moon.”
Inclining his head in kind, he replied just as formally. “Greetings, Amunet of the Desert Lands. May your tribes never know hunger.”
That was something I hadn’t heard before. The Northern Lands? And the Desert?
Amunet broke into a wide smile. “I thank you for granting me an audience on such short notice.”
“I’m pleased to offer the same courtesy you have shown me in the past.”
“It has been a long time, Jakob.” Amunet glided closer, her escort remaining where they were on their knees. “Far too long.” Her gaze slid from Jakob’s face to mine, and I felt the weight of those dark eyes as an almost tangible thing. Trying to sit up straighter under the scrutiny, I wished she’d hurry up already and get to whatever business she had to do with Jakob. The polished woman made my Spidey senses twitch like crazy. Soon enough Amunet returned her focus to Jakob. “Aren’t you going to introduce me to your pet?” she asked, her eyes glittering with avarice.
I immediately bristled at t
he pet remark, having only recently felt like one under Jakob’s hand, and it took all of my self control not to answer the question myself. “Have a care…” Jakob warned, a smile on his lips that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You insult my consort. Appearances are not always what they seem, as well you know. My Anja is not to be trifled with.” His hand stroked my back soothingly, which ironically made me feel all the more like a pet being petted by my owner, but I felt mollified by his words.
Amunet’s eyes narrowed in disbelief, followed by a widening of surprise when she found Jakob’s expression unchanged. “My apologies then, my mistake.” She offered an apologetic smile, though her eyes still studied me closely as if she sought to understand the nature of his infatuation beyond a casual dalliance.
This appeared to satisfy Jakob. “I accept your apology in the name of friendship. Though Anja might feel otherwise.” He winked at me.
Taking that as permission, I offered the lady a saccharine smile. “Don’t give it another thought. I’m sure we all know what happens when we make assumptions,” I couldn’t help but blurt out, refraining from adding it made an ass out of… Could I help it if my mind ran to childish retorts when I felt bullied? Empowered by Jakob’s wink, I asked the question burning on the tip of my tongue. “What brings you to our neck of the woods?”
“I follow my master’s bidding, as usual.” Amunet turned her focus back to Jakob. “I had hoped we might discuss things in a more private setting…”
“Shall we adjourn to my office then? It’s a humble substitute for your own grand salon but we make do with what we have,” Jakob said with a half shrug and Amunet readily agreed.
“Of course,” she offered another radiant smile. Her attendants rose as one from their position on the floor to flank her and I trailed along behind, not sure if I was included in the tete a tete or not. Amunet took notice of Rob for the first time as he materialized by my side. “Hello, Rob,” she smiled, pausing in the hallway. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”
“Highness,” he replied with a respectful inclination of the head.
“You look… well. But then again you always did, didn’t you? One day I shall find out why.”
“Thank you, Highness. You look beautiful as always.”
Her smile widened. “Come now, there is no need for ceremony between old friends. I hope we shall have more time to renew our… friendship before I leave.”
Did she mean what I thought she meant? Ready to hear Rob let her down easy, you could have knocked me over with a feather when I heard his reply. “That would please me, Highness.” Rob continued to use the title, his tone one of reverence rather than friendship.
“No more than it would please me,” Amunet all but purred.
He looked away from my disapproving gaze as Jakob shut the door in my face, cementing my humiliation. “Fine, I didn’t want to join your stupid meeting anyway,” I muttered, taking up a position leaning against the wall, Amunet’s attendants falling to their knees once again outside the door. Must be tough on their pants… “Who the heck is that?” I asked in a low voice.
“Amunet, she’s Bakareh’s right hand.”
I cast my mind back to the list of who’s who in vampire society, remembering I’d dismissed the name since he wasn’t likely to attend the Gathering. Shouldn’t this Amunet be meeting with me if her boss had business in my territory? Or was it truly mine any more with Jakob on the scene? What bothered me more was the easy familiarity between her and Rob, and his promise to renew their friendship.
“And she’s a particular friend of yours?”
Rob said nothing, his eyes staring straight forward as we waited. Cool Beans. So they actually were that kind of friends. I stewed over that as the minutes ticked by until they appeared at the door again, Jakob acting every inch the genial host. “I invite you to hunt in my domain and I offer you sanctuary come the dawn.”
“I accept your kind offer of hospitality and ask of you another boon,” Amunet replied, her eyes falling back to Rob. “Lend me Rob as a guide. It has been many years since I visited your fair city.”
“As you wish…”
“Sadly, I have duties…”
Both men replied, Jakob agreeing and Rob turning her down in the same breath, and I wondered if that was the safest thing for him to do.
“You are released from your duties for the duration of the night.” Jakob waved him on, wrapping an arm around my waist. “I can see to them well enough until the dawn.”
“Thank you.” Rob bowed respectfully before turning to Amunet with a charming smile and offering his arm to escort her from the room. “Highness?”
Amunet’s smile turned up a degree or two in brightness as she took his offered arm. “I’ll return him safe and sound. Thank you again for your kindness and it was lovely to meet you, my dear.”
“Charmed, I’m sure,” I smiled, not liking the way Amunet eyed Rob as something tasty, but he seemed willing enough to go with her. Too willing. “Will he be alright?” I asked the moment they were gone.
“Of course,” Jakob replied instantly, laying a single finger across my lips to stay any more questions as he closed his eyes, listening. Silent while he waited for them to reach minimum safe distance from prying ears, he opened his eyes again when he was satisfied, running that finger over my bottom lip. “He should be perfectly safe with Amunet, she would never risk the insult of killing one of my favored subjects.”
Why didn’t that make me feel any better? “So, what’s going on?” I asked as we walked back to the ballroom. “Anything bad?”
“No, her master is coming for a visit. She wanted to test the waters and make sure I won’t kill him on sight.”
“Should you?” Was that even an option?
“Bakareh can be difficult sometimes, but actually, I encourage his desire to travel and connect with the world again,” he replied easily. “And what did you think of Amunet?”
“What’s the deal with her and Rob?”
“They have had a much more recent association I believe.” His brows drew together with a realization. “You didn’t answer my question.”
I was too busy staring at the tops of their heads as the pair circulated through the room, making their way toward the exit as I got antsier and antsier.
“Anja…” he prompted and I came to a snap decision.
“You know what? That’s a good point. I don’t think I gave her a fair shake. I can’t give you an opinion until I have a chance to talk to her. You’ll excuse me, won’t you? I’ll go have a chat with her. You know, just us girls.”
“That is a good instinct.” Jakob nodded his approval, kissing my temple. “Hurry back to me, älskling.”
“I’ll be back soon, I promise.” Only I didn’t catch up with Amunet in the ballroom, I waited for them to get outside, slipping out behind them, unseen. At least, I thought I was unseen until Bishop stepped up behind me.
“Where do you think you’re going?”
“Not now, Bishop. This is important,” I waved him away, craning my neck to find them on the busy street outside.
“So is your safety. Rob should be by your side.”
“That’s exactly why I’m out here. There they are.” I spotted them waiting for Rob’s car to be brought around, her two servants seemingly unaffected by the cold, despite the fact they were human. “Come on.” I decided to include Bishop, the better to make it look like I was out there for something other than chasing them down.
“Oh, hi there,” I smiled, glancing over as if I’d only just noticed them. “It’s a good night for it, isn’t it?”
“For what?” Amunet’s perfectly sculpted brows drew together in confusion.
“For the hunt. I like to go down by the docks myself. The kiss of the salt in the air, the scent of danger, never knowing what you’ll come up against. It gets the blood pumping again, you know what I mean? So much better than submission.” Of course I was taking a gamble. For all I knew she got off on slaves blithely
kneeling at her feet, but I risked everything on the theory she’d be in the mood for something new. Something that didn’t involve Rob on his knees offering up a vein and more.
“You hunt among the humans?” she blinked. “Here, in the city?”
“Oh sure. Not right out in the open, but there are plenty of places to chase down your quarry without worrying about ending up on the six o’clock news. Places a little wilder than this,” I jerked my head toward Jakob’s building. “Would you like to come with us, maybe?” I asked as if I’d only just thought of it, ignoring Rob’s scowl over her shoulder. Bishop for his part remained silent by my side, which was the only reason why I hadn’t shooed him away yet.
“I could do with a bit of sport,” she considered aloud. “Will I need to change first?”
“Only if you want to be more comfortable. But this is San Francisco, you can pretty much get away with wearing anything you want.”
“That sounds delightful.” She turned and fired off a string of foreign words to her entourage, who nodded and backed away. I was glad they wouldn’t be tagging along, especially since I was making things up as I went along. “And who is this handsome devil?” she gave Bishop an arch smile.
“This is Bishop, he’s a very good friend of mine. Also of Jakob’s line.” I threw in that last, hoping it meant something to her, though I suspect Bishop’s charming smile had more effect than my words. He bent over her hand, raising it to his lips.
“We met once before, in Brussels. You knew me as Ulrik then.” He coughed delicately. “With Carys.”
“So I did,” she smiled warmly.
Good gravy, was there anyone she hadn’t been with before? “Well, the night’s not getting any younger. How about we get this show on the road?” The last thing I wanted to do was have Jakob show up and turn this into an even bigger train wreck.
“We’ll take my car,” Rob offered, pulling open the rear door for us, handing Amunet inside. He shot me a meaningful glance as he did the same for me, but all I could do was shrug. I was improvising.