Blood Relic

by Lucretia Stanhope

  “I do need to meet with you. As soon as the treaty is signed, I will return.” Matthias rubbed his fingers together. “Enjoy the dancing.”

  Alice watched them walk away. What mission of hers could Matthias want to talk about? She played over all the last missions, trying to recall anything she could have done wrong to warrant a private chat with the head ambassador. Before the mission, he’d said. Something new?

  She walked back to the selection area and put his egg and card back together. He’d been there for business. His real dance partner could pick later. She glanced back at Amarok’s egg a second before her mind drifted to the dark elves.

  “Alice.” Amarok pulled her into his arms and scanned the room. “I smell it. Where the hell is that monster? Did he tell you about the mission?”

  “Mission? No. We danced. This is a festival.” The energy coming from Amarok sent a wave of nausea over Alice. “Your beast is angry. What’s happening?”

  He kissed her between the eyes. “Sorry. You look, perfect. You danced with him? Really? You gave him the first dance? He is pushing his damn luck with me.”

  “Mission?”

  His jaw twitched. “So now I get to be the jerk who ruins your dance and he…”

  “Dance and talk, you brute.” Alice shoved him toward the dancers, feeling comfort being in his arms. It was different to the sensations she felt with Matthias. You can’t have either. “The mission?”

  “The negotiations for us and what we are, have been decided. You are working with him.” Amarok pulled his foot back. “I see you are extra graceful tonight.”

  Alice stopped dancing. Her eyes grew wide and her mouth dropped opened. They didn’t reassign partners. Not ever. “But I’m yours.”

  “Damn right you are.” He hugged her close. “Come on. I’ll explain and we can eat.”

  “You are unhappy. It’s bad?” She tucked herself against him as they walked.

  “It’s not best, but I fought for us to stay together. So, there’s that.”

  “But, I’m working with him, with Matthias? Maxwell won the war to keep us as ambassadors and we aren’t going to be weapons?” That was something to celebrate. The military leaders had been petitioning for their reassignment.

  “Sort of. This time.” He kissed her head. “Cute crown. Let’s get pizza and a pitcher of beer. I have a few hours before I have to report.”

  “Sort of?” Her arm wrapped tighter around his waist. “I hate them still. Are they going to have enough beer to make this okay?”

  “Nope.”

  Chapter Two

  “I GUESS MAXWELL didn’t fight very hard for us after all.” Alice paced the briefing room, making circles around the long, gray table, and stopped for a second at the planning board. The file with her new mission details remained unopened in front of her chair.

  Amarok ran a hand through his hair. “We haven’t technically been assigned to the military branch.”

  “That’s what you just said.” She rubbed between her eyes.

  “No, what I said was we are still Maxwell’s, but we are going to be used on level one through seven military assignments as needed. It was a compromise. They wanted us one hundred percent on top level assassinations. Maxwell stopped that.” He crossed to her and stood in her space. “We’ve both been fighting for us all evening. Maxwell knows how you feel about killing.”

  “Did he stop it, or did you?” She pressed closer to Amarok, his familiar scent and strong embrace made the new assignment feel far away. Illusions. Everything about her place there was a farce. They have you now. “Don’t you realize that any step closer to them is just the start?”

  He ran his hands down her side. “It’s not like that. You will not be asked to take part in any intentionally violent assignments.”

  “It is like that. Mark my words. As soon as we settle into being whatever we are now, they will push us closer, and eventually we will be the assassins they want, or what?” She looked up, seeing uncertainty in his eyes. “Or what? What if I say no? Can I say no?”

  “Don’t ask that. We don’t say no. Whatever we face, sweetheart, we do it together. That was part of what I agreed to.” He backed up a few steps, still holding her. “Let me brief you.”

  “You agreed?” She shoved against his chest and pushed out of his arms. “You agreed for us?”

  He closed his eyes a long beat. “Yes.”

  “All I get is the watered-down version. Why wasn’t I at the meetings?” She picked up her folder and threw it at him. “Don’t answer that. It’s because of what I am. I don’t get options. No one answers for you, certainly not me. Did they offer you to stay here without me?”

  “That’s not relevant.” His aura bristled with aggression.

  “That’s exactly what happened. They want me, the elf who can stop bullets and make creatures bend to her will.” She put up a hand to stop his protests. “They want me because they already have you, Amarok. It doesn’t matter what wing you live on, you belong to the military branch. Now they have me.” Tears stung at the edge of her eyes, but she didn’t cry. “Will you get to come with me when they test and experiment with me like they did to you?”

  “I would never leave you. We are partners forever.” His shoulders slumped. “I won’t let them hurt you. I promise you that. No one will experiment on you.”

  She put both hands on his face, staring into his eyes. “I don’t want to kill. Promise. Don’t let them make me into a monster.”

  Amarok wobbled, put one arm around her and the other on the table. “I promise.”

  Her stomach knotted with guilt. This was reminding him of his past and his fears. “I believe you. I can face anything with you at my side. What are we now, tell me honestly.”

  “We are stuck together. Poor thing. It’s amazing you can concentrate with all this sexy so close.” The aggression and unease lessened in the air. “Can we work now?” He shook his head. “And you say I have a temper.”

  “Yep. The mission?” She waited for him to pull out her chair. As with doors, it was easier to let him do it his way, even if she didn’t see the harm in pulling out her own chair.

  “This mission, as much as I hate it, it’s not a strike mission. We won’t be doing that.” He sat in the chair across from her. “Level seven is targeting.”

  “Carry on.” Targeting? So that killers can strike. She swallowed back a lump that was rising in her throat.

  “The creatures we target are to be arrested, not killed. Their violations are jailable or if they are punishable by death, it is after trials and not at our hands.” His yellow eyes softened. “I smell your apprehension. These are bad creatures.”

  “And this mission.” She hesitated. Matthias wasn’t connected to the military wing. “Why did it involve Matthias, if it is military?”

  Amarok clenched his fists. “That’s a good damn question and one he has to answer before you go anywhere with him.”

  “Easy. I’m just curious what this new mixed role of ours is. Half peace ambassador, half killer.” Was there more to their hate for each other than just alpha rivalry?

  “Whatever it means, it doesn’t include you and Matthias being partners.” He opened his folder and broke the clasp as he yanked out a paper.

  “You are sounding like my keeper again.” She arched her brow. “He’s a trusted ambassador.”

  “He’s a blood-sucker.” He flicked the broken fastener across the table.

  “It’s Matthias.”

  “Exactly.” He gestured toward her still closed packet. “Open your file. See what Mr. Harmless Matthias has signed you up for. I know he had a hand in this somehow or his name wouldn’t be on it.”

  Alice fiddled with the clasp on her packet. “He signed me up, or you assume he did?”

  A low growl escaped between Amarok’s tight lips. “He did something or else he wouldn’t be involved. He’s not military in any way shape or form.”

  She opened the file and scanned the pages. Cold dread h
ung on her like a lead weight. “What is a blood den?” Her mouth went dry as she kept reading. “There are dead witches.” She gripped the table. “Vampires are killing witches? I’m being sent to where vampires are killing witches?”

  Matthias knocked twice and opened the door. “Pardon the delay. There were never-ending final details.”

  “Details? Look at her. She’s reasonably upset about this assignment.” Amarok stood, positioning himself between Alice and Matthias. Claws pushed their way past his fingertips. “What did you have to do with this? Do you realize how hard we fought to keep her out of military hands? If you recommended her for this, just so you could get your damn fangs in her neck, I’ll tear you to unrecognizable shreds.”

  Matthias blinked a few times. “It was my recommendation you and Alice not be used for this mission or any military assignments.”

  “Bullshit.” Amarok swung.

  Matthias caught his hand. His pupils grew larger. “You are going to sit and behave like a civilized creature.”

  “That’s enough.” Alice stood, knocking her chair over.

  The light popped off. Both men turned toward Alice as the air grew charged with static power.

  “Why the hell are you two aware of discussions about my position? Why am I not involved in what I do? How is it that my partner gets a say in what we do and I don’t?” She turned to Matthias. Her lip quivered as she held in the hurt. Not only had he toyed with her at the dance, he’d been planning her future with Maxwell. “And you. Why are you making recommendations to anyone about me? Did you ask me? No. You are both as bad as Maxwell. I trusted you.”

  “Alice, it’s not that simple.” Amarok looked away from Matthias.

  She put up her hands and snapped her fingers. The light came on.

  Amarok reached for her. “Relax.”

  “No, don’t touch me. You stop attacking Matthias.” Her gaze locked on Matthias. “And you, stop manipulating Amarok. Sit down and tell me what it is you two have agreed I will do.”

  “Start with why you are involved at all.” Amarok picked up Alice’s chair and helped her sit before he slid into a seat at the table beside her.

  “When I looked over the mission assignments, I had to involve myself.” Matthias sat down the folders he’d been carrying. “For Alice.”

  “Because you couldn’t think of a better place for her than a vampire den of iniquity in your lap?” Amarok scooted his chair closer to Alice.

  “No, because I couldn’t think of a worse place for her than a blood den in the lap of Reginald, who was originally assigned as her vampire bait.” Matthias turned his head toward Alice. “Make no mistake, that is a vicious killer.”

  “That prick?” Amarok snarled. “She can’t be alone with him.”

  “Precisely.” A tight smile appeared for a second on Matthias’ face and then vanished. “Did you want someone like that, someone who is restless from bagged blood, someone who looks down on humans and hybrids, to take Alice into a den and feed on her?”

  “I’m right here. Don’t talk as if I wasn’t.” Alice glanced through a few more pages. No mention of any other vampires. “Who is Reginald?”

  “He’s a military vampire. A happy assassin who uses his assignments to feed.” Amarok closed his eyes. “Matthias is right. Once. I’d rather you be with him than that monster. Do you have to bite her?”

  “Me? Bite me?” Alice shivered. “I do not agree.”

  Matthias glanced her way. “Dearling…” He turned to the door.

  The door opened without a knock.

  Alice jumped. “No. No one is biting me.”

  A lizard man, like all of the guards Alice dealt with at military checkpoints, entered the room. His scales deepened to a dark shade of green as he closed the door.

  Alice cringed. They were the coldest of any supernatural creatures she’d run into. “Did you hear that, lizard? No is my answer.”

  The lizard flicked his gaze over them all before he blinked with his sideways lids. “You may call me Sarg El, as my warm-blooded men do.” He glanced from Alice to Amarok. “I am to you for military missions as Maxwell is for civilian assignments. You have not been asked for any opinions. I will not tolerate challenges.”

  Amarok shook his hand. “Good to see you again, Sarg El.”

  Alice remained seated and silent.

  “You will only be working with me once, Matthias. That is best for you. I don’t appreciate your circumvention of my chosen assignment for General Reginald. Going over my head is your first strike. I trust we will not have another for the course of this assignment.” He handed them all more papers.

  “If my ambassadors are not put in undue danger, we will not have further issues.” Matthias remained standing as he read over his.

  Several clicking sounds came from Sarg El and his long pink tongue snaked out for a second. “These are your individual imperatives, deadlines, and contact protocols. You are temporary.” He glared at Matthias. “The two of you will use these on all missions you work with me.”

  Alice scanned the sheet. “Are you who…”

  “Save questions until the end of the briefing. Matthias, you are to train Alice fully on what to expect at the den. Prepare her to be bitten. Feed from her. Train her to withstand your manipulation as I have been assured she can. Report to me immediately if this will present a problem.” He paced while he talked. “I expect all of this by the deadline on your paperwork or you will be replaced by General Reginald, who I have no doubt can accomplish the task.”

  “Bite and feed from?” Alice looked from Sarg El to Matthias.

  Amarok reached under the table and squeezed her hand.

  Sarg El clicked again. “After we are certain you are both ready, Matthias will be inserted. You are to visit the den every night. Spend big. Go away unsatisfied. Buy a new one each night.”

  Alice swallowed. Buy a new one?

  “Alice, while he is away, you will continue to study the history of dens and the covens that form around them. Blood relic spells will be made available. I understand that if you are in a position where you have to perform the spell, you are likely to survive. This is impressive if accurate, but I caution against taking such risks.”

  Amarok stiffened. “We will be there before it comes to that. You give us the target as soon as you have them.”

  Sarg El blinked at Amarok.

  “Excuse me, sir.” Amarok’s thumb rubbed against Alice’s palm.

  “If you need help with the spell, one of our witches will be available. If you have vampire questions, General Reginald will aid you. At insertion, spend your time at the designated location until they recruit you. Once at the den, your nights with Matthias will draw out the relic profiteers. Every person who recruits, or behaves in a suspect manner is to be tagged and reported immediately. That goes for both of you. No loose ends.”

  “Yes, sure.” Alice glanced toward Matthias.

  His eyes held hers as he mouthed, you’ll be fine.

  “Under no circumstances are either of you to reveal yourselves or attempt any arrests. We want you as deep as possible. I want the coven and den who are at the top of this, no matter how many dens you have to work in or how long it takes you to get to them.”

  Alice rubbed her eyes. “I assume the hundred questions I have will be answered at some point before I am inserted?”

  Sarg El blinked rapidly. “You and Matthias are dismissed to begin training. Report any issues as soon as they arise. Amarok you will come with me and meet your squad. Your briefing will happen there.”

  Alice tightened her hand in his. “What is he doing? He can’t blend in with witches and vampires.”

  Amarok closed his eyes. “Sarg El, sir, she has no military training. She is so new to the PPK.”

  “Are you apologizing for me? I’m not sorry.” She dropped his hand and stared at the lizard. “Amarok is my partner. It is my understanding that part of us belonging to you is that we remain partners. I know you understand the
bond between your brothers in arms, or whatever you call them. If you want my cooperation, do not play us one against the other. What will my partner be doing?”

  Matthias arched a brow, while a smile crept up his face. A glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes as he stared at Alice.

  “Amarok will be on the squad that makes the targeted arrests and the final raid. If you get yourselves in trouble, he will rescue you. Does that answer your question, hybrid?” Sarg El stepped into her space. “You will be working with me for a very long time. The first mission is not the time to start racking up strikes. Do you understand me, HYB95364?”

  “It’s Alice.” She moved closer and talked into his face. “That I am a hybrid is why you wanted me. Our first mission together is not the time for you to…”

  “Alice. Don’t.” Amarok tugged her back. “Go with Matthias. Matthias, if you do anything right, please explain to her how this works.”

  “Explain to me? He’s going to bite me!” Alice glared at Amarok, finding he stared back with love and tenderness. “Don’t you dare agree to anything else for us without asking me. I’ll forgive you this, once. Be careful.”

  He rested his head on hers. His eyes said he had no choice. “You be careful too. When I get dismissed, I’ll be back.” He let her go and stared at Matthias. “Don’t you hurt her.”

  After Amarok and Sarg El walked out, Alice drew in a deep breath. One. Two. Three. Nope, still angry. “How the hell could you dare insert yourself in… wait a minute. You’ve only been back hours. How long have you been arranging this? Were you going to tell me? No, clearly not. Who the hell do you think you are?”

  “You are rightfully upset. If I may attempt to answer you? Or did you have more you wished to yell at me about?” Matthias reached to put his hand on her back. “Let’s talk somewhere more comfortable.”

  “I reserve the right to yell at you at any point. This is out of line. How could you approve me for a military mission? I thought we were friends, or something. You, I told you, you are the only one who knows what I did and how it makes me feel. I don’t want to kill again.” Her fingers balled into a fist. “I confided in you. I trusted you. Amarok was right. You are a monster.”