by Ally Shields
Chapter Twenty-Five
Steffan’s sobering words stayed with Ari after the call ended. A war between the races wouldn’t just destroy Riverdale. In a world of instant news, the panic would spread across the country. The mastermind behind this was taking a terrible risk.
With that thought in mind, she headed for the door. She’d used up the afternoon; dusk had fallen. It was time to find Andreas.
As she reached for the knob, vampiric energy sent her witch blood racing, and the door swung open. Lucien, the vampire council representative, filled the passageway. Ari didn’t like him, knew he didn’t like her, and had no interest in talking with him today.
She scowled. “What do you want?”
As usual Lucien was dressed in a suit that made him look like a banker. Ari had a sudden vision of him as a successful executive, climbing the corporate ladder, until someone changed his career choice and he joined the ranks of the undead. On second thought, Lucien had never been that mainstream. Maybe he’d been an accountant for the mob.
Today the suit was gray, perhaps to match the hair.
“May I come in?” he asked.
She raised a brow. Way too polite for Lucien. “What do you want?” she repeated.
“I have a message for you.”
Lucien was being congenial. Ari wasn’t buying it. Maybe he should have shown a little courtesy at the Council meeting. “Then deliver it.”
“I would prefer more privacy for this conversation. Perhaps I can come in, and we can close the door?”
“I don’t think so.”
Lucien’s eyes dilated. “Andreas said we could trust you.”
“That’s nice, but I don’t trust you. If Andreas has something to say to me, why isn’t he here?”
“The message is not from Andreas.”
Ari frowned, fast losing patience. The only reason she was still listening was because he implied Andreas knew something about this. “We’re not getting very far with this conversation, are we? Either give me the message or leave.” He’d picked a bad day for a chat. She pointed her chin at him and clenched her fists. Lucien clearly didn’t know what to do, faced with conducting his business in a doorway or leaving before he accomplished his task. Part of Ari was amused by his dilemma, but it was wasting time. Her time.
“Oh, fine,” she said, grudgingly ending the stalemate. “You can come in, but the door stays open.”
She backed toward her desk, slipping behind it without taking her eyes off the vampire. Lucien pulled a chair from the conference table. As he sat, he arranged his jacket, checked the creases on his trousers. It was all for show.
Finally he spoke. “I am here on behalf of Prince Daron. He wishes to speak with you this evening.”
“About what?”
Lucien’s pinched face told her he didn’t want to answer that. “We have had an incident.” The creases on his face grew deeper. “One of the prince’s staff was staked in his sleep. Normally we—”
“Who was it?” she interrupted. A heavy pulse beat in her temple. Not again. Too soon. Why wasn’t Andreas the one here talking to her?
Lucien’s frown became a fierce scowl.
“Who was killed?” she repeated.
“Does it matter?” he snapped. He caught himself—he’d obviously been told to play nice. “Frederick.”
Ari’s muscles relaxed, her heart resumed its normal beat.
“As I was saying,” Lucien continued, his voice still heavy with disapproval, “normally we handle our own affairs. In this matter, the prince has decided to consult with you.”
Yeah, right. Ari waited for the punch line. “Go on,” she said.
“That was it. That is the message. I am here to take you to him. The prince wants to speak with you immediately.”
“Consult about what? What exactly does the prince want from me?”
“He will explain when you meet.”
She shook her head. “Not good enough. I’m not putting a foot outside this office with you, Lucien. Especially not to meet with the biggest, baddest vampire in the city. If Prince Daron wants to talk to me, have him come here.” She wasn’t sure she’d be safe even then, but she could arrange for others to meet with them. She’d learned from Sebastian just what the old ones could do. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Lucien stared at her. “I don’t think you understand the situation.”
“Maybe not, but I know how to remedy that little problem.”
She grabbed her cell and dug out the scrap of paper from Ryan. It rang so long she’d almost given up when Andreas finally answered.
“What’s going on?” she demanded. “Lucien is here in my office.”
“What has he said?”
“That Prince Daron wants to see me. He won’t say why, except it has something to do with a dead vampire. This isn’t another accusation of Ari as a vampire hunter, is it?”
“Unfair, Ari. I apologized for that. Frederick was murdered in his sleep. Do you understand what that implies?”
“I think so.” Among other things, it meant the vampires had a problem they couldn’t handle. A daylight killer.
Lucien watched Ari during the conversation with a blank expression, but she saw the angry flicker in his eyes. She was pretty sure this “consult” hadn’t been his idea.
“So, what’s this got to do with me?” she said into the phone. “Come on, Andreas, talk to me.”
She heard a heavy sigh. “I suggest you meet with Prince Daron and find out for yourself. I honestly don’t know what he decided. And I would rather not speculate.” The line was silent for a moment. “What concerns you, Arianna?”
“I don’t know these guys. And no one, including you, is giving me much information. All I know for sure is a really old vamp wants to meet on his own territory. After Sebastian, I have trust issues.”
Andreas chuckled. “Always honest. An invitation from Daron’s court is an honor not frequently offered to outsiders.”
“Yeah, well, it just feels dangerous to me. Why didn’t you deliver the message?”
“The situation has been…complicated, since Frederick’s death. And I didn’t know they intended to approach you so soon. Would it make a difference if I told you I would be there? And guaranteed your safety?”
Ari thought it over, chewed her lower lip. Something had changed between her and Andreas on the night of Yana’s death. She felt safer with him than other vampires, but did she trust him this much? Would he deliberately put her in danger? Probably not, but how could he guarantee her safety? Daron was reputed to be more than 500 years old. As old or older than Sebastian. Could Andreas stand against his prince…or would he even try? Ari didn’t think so. She had to be crazy to consider this.
On the other hand, Daron’s request was unprecedented, a rare chance to see the inner court. It was tempting. Lucien had quit harping about the Second Chance incident, and she couldn’t think of anything else she’d done recently to piss off the vampires.
Besides, Andreas would owe her.
“All right. As long as you’ll be there, I’ll do it,” she said. She’d survived the encounter with Sebastian. Maybe her luck would hold. “But I’m not going anywhere with Lucien,” she added.
“You are the most obstinate witch.” Andreas’s voice was both exasperated and amused. “Club Dintero. Say, forty-five minutes. Now let me talk to Lucien.”
The vampires didn’t talk long. When it was over, Lucien rose to leave. “Don’t be late. Your absurd demands have taken Andreas from more important duties.”
Since she’d won that round, Ari let him have the last word. She didn’t even smirk at Lucien’s back.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Andreas was waiting outside when she approached Club Dintero five minutes ahead of the agreed time. From a block away, she saw him leaning against a lamppost, casual, relaxed, as if he could wait forever. Then he saw her and straightened, his figure suddenly purposeful, a sleeping predator awakening.
�
��Arianna,” he said as she drew near.
She smiled in return, rather uncertain. His dark eyes studied her face, and she finally looked away.
Ari hadn’t seen him or talked with him since the day Yana died. They had forged an unexpected intimacy that evening, and she wasn’t sure what it meant or what she thought about it. This first meeting felt awkward.
Andreas took the lead with a matter-of-fact tone. “We must hurry. I don’t like leaving the prince, even in the capable hands of Lucien and Carmella.”
Ari hurried to keep up with his long strides. “So you do protect the Prince?” She could do business talk. No problem.
“Yes. I am one of Daron’s lieutenants. Lucien is another, and Carmella. Frederick was the fourth.” He gave her a quick look. “I am telling you this because it will be helpful for your meeting with the prince.”
“Can’t you tell me what he wants?”
“We shall all know soon.” He lengthened his stride again.
Resigned to waiting for her audience with the prince, Ari kept further questions to herself. They turned down a dark alley into the warehouse district. The big loaders and trucks had been put away, but their presence lingered in the smell of oil and gasoline. It was quiet without the roaring engines. Their steps were the only discernible sounds, except for the occasional call of a night bird and the distant hum of city traffic. They passed four long rows of buildings before Andreas stopped at the side door of a shabby warehouse.
“Once we enter, be careful what you say. Not all vampires will appreciate your candor and…unique sense of humor.” He pulled a small cloth bag from his pocket. “Your bracelet. It would be an insult to wear it. Weapons?”
“None.” After a long debate with herself, she’d left them at the office rather than cause a fuss. Ari dropped her bracelet in without protest. It wasn’t likely her small protection charms would make a difference where she was going. She was placing a lot of trust in Andreas.
He knocked twice. A vampiress opened the door and beckoned them inside. Her fiery-red hair was cut in a short, manly style; she was dressed in what looked like black fatigues. Her stance said ‘don’t mess with me.’
“Andreas,” she said, her voice low and sexy, belying the no-nonsense attire.
“Carmella,” he acknowledged.
The female lieutenant.
“This is the Guardian?” The faint smirk said she wasn’t impressed.
“Get on with it, Carmella,” Andreas said.
“Very well. This way. The prince is waiting in The Blue Room.”
The Blue Room? Was that kind of like The White House?
Carmella opened a door off the hallway, stepping aside so the others could enter first. It was a blue room all right. Dark blue wainscoting and a multi-shade blue carpet contrasted with white walls. There were five large oak chairs upholstered in midnight-blue tapestry. A table at the end was covered with a blue, white-edged cloth, four bottles of wine, and a grouping of glasses. The only occupants were two vampires, one was Lucien. Ari studied the other.
Prince Daron had never been a handsome man; his bone structure was too heavy, his jaw too square. His cropped, black hair was straight and coarse. But the news photos she had seen failed to convey his incredible presence. Ari felt his magical power the moment they entered the room. He made little attempt to lighten its effect. She knew he could have blocked it; Andreas did it all the time—was doing it now.
The vampires’s supreme leader turned to look at Ari. She braced, remembering Sebastian’s invasion. An invisible force flowed over her, probing, as a wild creature might sniff you out. It was impersonal. Not the evil she recognized in Sebastian, yet it was still a predator, looking for an opening, a weak spot. Goosebumps rose on her arms from the energy dancing along her skin. She stayed immobile, kept her eyes averted, and used every witch trick in her arsenal to strengthen her defenses. The magical assault never came. The power level abruptly dropped, and the prince moved toward them.
His movement wasn’t the beautiful glide that Andreas could do but more like the flowing of an unstoppable wave. He came to a halt four or five steps in front of her. “You are part human,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I have not always found humans to be trustworthy.”
And so the head games begin.
“And I don’t trust vampires. We should get along fine.”
Daron gave her a bland look. “Andreas warned me you would speak your mind.”
Nothing she could say to that.
“You are the descendant of the witch Talaitha. But young to have many skills. What abilities do you possess?”
Not a good start as far as Ari was concerned. She resented the implications. Hadn’t she been through this with Andreas? And what was it with the age thing? Not everybody lived forever. This sounded like a freaking job interview. And Ari hadn’t put in an application.
“Sorry, I didn’t bring my resume. Why don’t you just tell me what you want?”
“Arianna,” Andreas cautioned.
Oh, yeah, Ari thought, he warned me vampires don’t dig candor and humor. Guess that includes sarcasm.
“No, let her speak her mind. Are you not afraid of me, Ms. Calin? Most humans are.” His voice held a note of perplexity and possibly warning. He closed to within an arm’s length, and her witch blood reacted with a tingling in her fingers. She felt Andreas stiffen beside her. Prince Daron noticed the tension and stopped. “Andreas?” He stared at his lieutenant.
“I gave my word she would not be harmed.”
The prince’s head swung back to her. “Are you afraid, Guardian?”
“I would be a fool if I didn’t respect your power. But I suffer from few human fears, your highness. And, I think I’m safe enough for now because you want something from me.”
“No one is irreplaceable.” The vampire studied her face as if trying to decide what to make of her. Then he smiled. It wasn’t a bad smile. “But you are correct, I do want something. In fact, I am interested in your services. So let us relax with some fine wine while we talk. Lucien, would you do the honors?”
Within minutes, Ari found herself doing the unthinkable—sitting in a pretty blue room, deep in the heart of the vampires’ court, sipping wine with the four most powerful vampires in the city. It was surreal, but apparently the games were over. Once they were settled, the prince got down to business.
“What have you been told of Frederick’s death?”
“Only that he was staked in his sleep.”
“That is true. His killer was not a vampire.”
Ari nodded. “Not directly, but someone betrayed him. An insider, probably another vampire.”
“Yes, I am afraid that may also be true,” Prince Daron conceded. “And there have been other disturbing incidents.”
“Besides the attempt on your life? What incidents?”
“My prince, I must protest.” Lucien’s mouth had puckered, as if he’d been sucking on something nasty, the moment Ari entered the room. He couldn’t contain his displeasure any longer. “The woman has no right to question you.” He directed his anger at Ari. “You’ll be told only what you need to know. Nothing more.”
Prince Daron raised a hand to stop the angry flow. “I understand your concerns, Lucien. We may be getting ahead of ourselves, but if we come to an agreement tonight, she will need to know these details. For now,” the prince turned to Ari, “it is enough to know I believe there will be another attempt on my life. And this unknown enemy has the ability to attack during the day. I trust you see the problem.”
“But don’t you have daylight guards? Someone to protect you while you can’t defend yourself?”
Daron’s look passed the question to Andreas.
“Of course we do,” Andreas said. “But since we cannot identify the enemy, we can trust no one on the current staff. As you correctly pointed out, an insider was involved. Someone revealed Frederick’s sleeping quarters to an enemy. Most of our day guards have been with
us for years, but they are not vampires. I would trust them with my life. Not with the life of my prince.”
“So you suspect everyone. No prime suspect?” She continued to look at Andreas.
“That is correct. We have a traitor, but unfortunately, I do not know who.”
“So what’s all this got to do with me?” Ari asked, turning her head to address Prince Daron. She wasn’t sure where the conversation was headed.
“We will find those who betrayed us. Until we do, I need someone who can provide for my protection during the day. Take charge of the daylight guards and prevent the next attack. If the traitor is among the guards, I expect you to identify him.”
“I can’t take on a job like that,” Ari said. “The Guardianship is 24/7. And the vampires aren’t the only ones with problems.” Too restless to sit still, she got abruptly to her feet. The vampires, except the prince, reacted by springing between her and the prince. Lucien crouched, fangs showing; Carmella held a wicked-looking knife. Andreas had his arms out, blocking both sides.
Ari straightened from her own defensive reaction to them. Her witch blood raced. “Sorry about that. Really.” She showed them her hands, palms up. “I didn’t mean to alarm anyone. I think better on my feet. But look at us. If you needed proof your proposal wouldn’t work, here it is. How can I help you when we don’t trust each other?” Her explanation didn’t appear to make Lucien and Carmella much happier, but Carmella put the knife away.
Daron sighed heavily.
Andreas stepped into the breach. “We wouldn’t ask you to do this, except there is no one as qualified. You’re the Guardian, a neutral party with exceptional skills. Our court is requesting assistance from you and the Magic Council. That shows a certain level of trust. Can you afford not to listen?”
“Why didn’t you apply directly to the Council? Why come to me?”
“We chose to limit our public exposure in this matter. If we reach an agreement, Prince Daron will inform the Council President.”