“I know. I hope she figures that out.” He sighed before stowing the luggage.
“So, tell me something I don’t know.” Preston pushed his fingers through his hair. “Why us for this mission? Everyone knows that you would be fine to handle this one on your own, but it’s too dangerous for any of our class.”
“Can you keep a secret?” Tremaine asked.
“Of course,” Preston answered with a glare.
“I wanted to prove to the damned Silver Council that Liz isn’t a threat to them, but will likely be one of their best Enforcers if she chooses to stick to this course.”
Preston snorted. “She’s not a threat. She just wants to be left alone.”
He had to give it to the kid, he was right. Tremaine added, “They see what she’s capable of, and they think she’ll go rogue.”
Preston’s brow drew together. “And how do the rest of us factor in?”
“You think Robert would let her go without him?”
He shook his head.
Tremaine nodded. “If I’m trying to make Liz look better, then it doesn’t hurt to make you look better too. Your mixed parentage shouldn’t hold you back. You have your own set of talents. I haven’t met a mage who can track as well as you in ages.”
Preston snorted. “I don’t care what anyone thinks of me.”
“Which is another reason I want to see you do well. We need more people who are going to do the right thing, regardless of what the inner circle thinks.”
“Yeah, well they aren’t ever going to change their minds.”
“That is the wrong attitude. Everything changes in the end. All we can do is try to make it the right change.”
They climbed onto the train, and Tremaine found Liz in the corridor between their rooms. “Liz, I need a moment of your time,” he told her.
She nodded, and gave Robert a reassuring smile before stepping into her room.
“She’ll be right back,” Tremaine promised. He stepped into her room and shut the door.
Liz stared out the window, not looking back. “Are you going to warn me away, or tell me he’s the one?”
“Neither. I’m going to tell you to follow your heart, not your head.”
“I thought you might say that. Did you know what he was planning?”
“No, but I know he puts you first. That right there gives me faith that he means what he says.”
There was a tremor in her voice. “He gave me a promise ring and wrote me a beautiful letter. He loves me, Tremaine, but what happens when he finally realizes I’m not good enough.”
“What makes you think you aren’t?
“You know why. You witnessed it. He would hate me if he ever found out.”
“No, Liz. You’re wrong about that. First, you acted in self-defense. Second, what that monster did was wrong. You fought for your life.”
“I would have died there. I couldn’t have escaped on my own.”
Tremaine closed the distanced and turned her around. When she finally looked up at him, he promised her, “You wouldn’t have. You would have found a way. I’m glad you didn’t have to. You gave my life meaning.”
“You gave me a life worth living.” She wrapped her arms around him and squeezed. He held her. Liz had become a strong young woman, and he hated to see her torn up over something she had overcome.
“You can trust Robert. He won’t judge you, no matter what.”
“How can you be so sure?”
Tremaine chuckled. “You own his heart.”
“He owns mine,” she whispered.
“Good, just don’t forget the talk we had about giving into desires. You, young lady, are not old enough for more than a kiss.”
She shoved him back, a real smile on her face. “Don’t worry about that. I’m more interested in proving this girl can keep up with the boys.”
“That’s my Liz,” he squeezed her shoulders before stepping back. “Trust your heart, and give him a chance. He makes you happy.”
Chapter 7
James walked through the ruins of Sinclair’s estate. There wasn’t much left but charred wood and ash. Nothing had grown over the ruins, even after four long years.
In the blackest part of the wreckage, he could feel Liz’s magic. He breathed deep, pulling it into himself. He felt the breeze stir.
“Your gift is illusion,” Maynard said. “Why don’t you attempt a recounting spell?”
“Isn’t that a little above our ability?” Jarvis asked.
Maynard glared at the near clone of himself. “James can, even if you can’t.”
Jarvis glanced away, kicking a broken beam. He yelped in pain.
Maynard had a point though. He could likely pull the past from the remains and see what had led to the fire.
James walked to what appeared to be a melted bed frame. He stared on the mess before him, spreading his hands as he wove the spell, focusing on the day before the house was found burnt to a husk.
A transparent scene formed around them. An extravagant room, a magnificent bed with silk sheets and fine rope bindings fastened to the posts. His pulse quickened as he took a look around. There was a rack lined with riding crops, whips, floggers and other instruments James did not recognize.
Maynard laughed low, his hands rubbing together. “Keep going. Let’s see what my old friend was up to when this place went up in smoke.”
He let the time flow until his uncle dragged an unconscious Elizandra into the room. She was too thin, but still lovely, even as she was thrown onto the bed.
Sinclair tore her rags from her body before tying her to the bed with her arms and legs outstretched. James watched the scene unfold, wishing he’d been the one take her innocence.
Then she woke up screaming, and all hell broke loose. He learned one important fact though. Liz was the one to kill Sinclair, and Tremaine was the one to free her, taking her from there in nothing but his coat.
James stumbled back as Sinclair’s phantom corpse landed at his feet, his flesh bubbling and melting as the fire spread. He closed his eyes, turning away and the scene faded.
Next he heard Jarvis retching in the grass outside the room. Maynard gasped. “Elizandra was one of Sinclair’s slaves?”
James walked up to Maynard and covered his face. He reached in and took the memory of the scene as he fell into the ash, unconscious.
He turned to Jarvis, the boy who always bent to his will. James knew he didn’t have the guts to defy him. “This stays between you and I, or I can take it from you as well.”
“I’ll not speak a word,” Jarvis sputtered.
No, James didn’t suspect he would.
* * * *
Liz had managed to get the old fashioned maroon gown on but she couldn’t lace the corset. She felt ridiculous. Sighing heavily, she stomped out of her room, and marched to Tremaine’s.
They were staying in another mage’s vacation home. It was a castle, a huge castle in Canada. Tremaine had told her it was the vacationing spot for British royals.
She would have rather gone to Ireland to explore the forests, and old ruins. Instead she was going to a masquerade ball in an old fashioned gown. There were so many layers she wasn’t even sure she got them all on right.
She pounded her hand against the door.
Tremaine opened it and took in her appearance. “I no longer like this plan.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “Just lace it, please. Or let me dress as a young boy. The file says Edmond likes both sexes.”
He let out a laugh. “Yes, well this way we can tell Kathryn you dressed as a proper lady at least once on this trip.”
“Somehow, I doubt it’s going to do much good when she finds out about Robert and me.”
“Turn around, let’s get you laced.”
She did and Tremaine went to work on the corset.
He grunted. “Suck in a breath and hold it, otherwise you won’t have room to breathe.”
“Wha… what?” She stammered.
“Just do it.”
She did and he laced her corset up. Once it was done, he apologized. “Sorry, it’s how they work.”
She could breathe, but barely. Turning back, she grumbled, “Is this really necessary?”
The amusement on his face galled her. “Liz, you fit the role beautifully. Of course the dress is necessary.”
There was an intake of breath. Liz looked over to find Robert standing there with his mouth hanging open. Shaking his head, he managed to say, “Wow, Liz, you’re stunning.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. If she was stunning, he was exquisite in his suit. “Thank you. You look amazing.”
Robert took a few steps closer and took her hand. “I’ve never seen anyone more beautiful than you, Elizandra.” Before she could argue, he placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t. It’s true.”
She sighed and his gaze dropped to her normally small bust, but the dress managed to push her up and out. She heard him gulp.
“This dress is too much,” she whispered.
Closing his eyes, Robert took a deep breath. “It’s not. I hate that other men are going to see you in it, but you are breathtaking.”
Tremaine cleared his throat. “You need your mask.”
Liz had nearly forgotten. She turned to go back into her room. She slipped inside and grabbed the jewel encrusted mask. With a sigh, she put it on, and fastened it in place.
When she came back out, Preston swallowed audibly, “Liz, is that really you?”
Her eyes widened. “I’m changing.”
She spun around, but heard the pop before Robert spun her back around with a smile.
“You will not change. We need to go, and you fit your role perfectly.”
“Too perfectly,” Tremaine muttered. “We don’t want to be late. Let’s go.”
* * * *
Tremaine was beginning to think his brilliant plan was too damned good. Edmond couldn’t tear his eyes from Liz, who had started in Robert’s arms. Preston cut in after several dances.
If Edmond didn’t make his move, it would soon be Tremaine’s turn. If that happened, he would be tempted to drag the three young mages back to the mansion and plan something that didn’t put Liz in direct danger.
That would only offend her. Robert had already suggested another plan, one that was sound, but again, defeated his whole purpose in this mission.
Edmond’s eyes narrowed as he pushed off the wall. He stalked across the room, toward Liz. As usual, Preston had Liz laughing about God knew what.
Edmond moved beside Preston and Liz, apparently cutting in. Preston stepped back with a bow and placed a kiss on Liz’s hand.
Robert slapped his hand on the table. Tremaine looked over with a raised brow.
“Yeah, I know, kid,” Tremaine told him. “I don’t like this much better than you. She needs to do this though. Trust me on that.” Tremaine hoped he could take his own advice.
Edmond wound his arms around Liz, pulling her close as he dipped his head to speak into her ear.
Robert moved to stand.
Tremaine placed a hand on his shoulder. “This is going to work. Give her a chance.”
“If he hurts her…” Robert snarled.
“Edmond won’t survive hurting her.”
“I’ll kill him,” Robert vowed.
“You won’t have to. He won’t survive,” because he knew Liz would finish him. No amount of training had fully tamed her magic. It was wild, and would erupt if anyone harmed her.
Robert sat there, taking deep breaths, as Edmond twirled Liz around the dance floor, his body pressed close, his mouth at her ear.
Preston dropped into a seat. “You okay, my man?”
Robert’s eyes narrowed. “No.”
“Don’t blame you. That guy has sleaze written all over him.”
Tremaine pushed his hand through his hair. “She’ll handle him. I know she will.”
* * * *
“May I have this dance?” The vampire asked in an accent mixed from different parts of the world and lost languages.
Liz looked up, and just shy of his turquoise eyes. She knew that she that a vampire could enthrall anyone they made eye contact with. “You may.”
Preston stepped back. He took her hand and bowed low to place a kiss on her knuckles. She knew it was for show, and fought the temptation to look back at Robert.
Preston disappeared into the crowd and Liz turned to her mark. She smiled back at him.
Edmond looked a little too perfect with his straight nose, sharp cheekbones and mane of dark brown waves that fell to his shoulders. His mouth curved into a perfect cupid’s bow. He would be beautiful if it weren’t for his square jaw. He was only about her height, but he was built broad and thick.
The file said he had been a gladiator who earned his freedom in the Coliseum. She could believe it. His arm snaked around her waist, and he pulled her against his chest which was a wall of solid muscle.
It took all her will not to shove him away. Instead, she took a deep breath and followed his lead. His breath was cool against her face, his temperature cold. It was a sign he hadn’t fed in far too long.
He breathed against her ear. “You’ve been watching me. I want to know why?”
Determined to prove herself, she played along. “A lady can’t be curious about the exotic man watching her every move?”
“You are not a simple human.” His nose trailed up her throat and she fought back the spark of magic that wanted to flare to life.
“Neither are you.” His mouth opened and he lightly trailed his fangs down her jugular. “It’s not me you want. You want something though.”
“I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she whispered, keeping the smile plastered on her face so Robert, Tremaine and even Preston would stay put.
He chuckled, his lips leaving her skin. “What are you after?”
Her gut said he wasn’t the monster the file made him out to be. Tremaine always told her to follow her instincts. Well, she was about to, and she had a feeling Tremaine was going to be angry.
“We need to talk, but not here.”
“Do you have a suggestion?” He whispered.
“Somewhere far enough from here that we won’t be easily tracked, and we need to disappear in the blink of an eye.”
“Do you trust me?” There was a hint of amusement in his voice.
“I trust myself, and I have no problem killing a vampire. Be quick. My friends won’t wait long to find me.”
She was swept into his arms as everything blurred past her. He was through the open doors, and they were falling from the balcony, before everything flew past in a rush.
Moments later, she was set on her feet.
He took a step away and crossed his arms across his chest. “You’re either very stupid, or very confident that you can beat a three thousand year old vampire, maybe even a little of both.”
She lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “I guess we’ll see. I’m Liz, and I already know you’re Edmond.”
One corner of his mouth lifted. “And what is it you want to know?”
“We know you are turning children. Why? Give me one good reason not to kill you for robbing children of their lives.”
“You want a good reason?” He said, taking a step forward.
Her brow arched and she raised her hands. Fire and lightning danced in her palms, warning him that she would light him like kindling if he made one wrong move. Though with his age, he would be harder to kill. “Don’t try me, Edmond. My instinct tells me you have a good reason. I’d like to give you a chance to explain to my satisfaction.”
An amused laugh escaped him. “Why is that?”
She let out a heavy sigh. “You are wasting time.”
“Why don’t you kill me?”
“You could have bitten me, or tried at the ball. You didn’t. You could have killed me on the way here, though that might not have gone as you planned. And you could use your speed to strike now. You still haven’t. Someth
ing tells me you have a valid reason. So prove it, or I can end you now. It’s your choice, but you should hurry. We don’t have much time before Tremaine panics and they come for me.”
“Don’t you mean Robert? The young man who could hardly let you go when your friend swept in?”
She sighed. “You can consider Tremaine my avenging angel. He’s a lot scarier than Robert when you piss him off.”
Edmond chuckled. “Interesting, though I have a feeling the boy would go to the ends of the Earth for you, with the way he nearly came to put a stop to our dance.”
“Well, Preston will be the one leading of them both here. Would you rather meet them? They won’t give you the chance to persuade them. I will. Make your choice.” She shook her hands, the fire dying out.
“Very well.”
There was a pop. She was whisked off her feet, traveling too fast to see. She heard Robert scream, “Elizandra,” but it faded before she could say a word.
* * * *
Tremaine’s hand was still on Robert’s shoulder when the damned vampire lifted Liz off her feet and disappeared. The crowd looked around as they breezed past and out the doors.
Tremaine shot to his feet the same time Robert did. Preston wasn’t far behind with a whispered, “Shit.”
Robert grabbed their shoulders and translocated them outside. Panicked, he turned to his closest friend.
Preston leaned against the wall, his head dropped forward as he held up one finger warning Robert off.
“Where is she,” Robert said through gritted teeth.
Tremaine shoved Robert. “Calm down. I had a feeling Liz might give him a chance to explain. So slow down.”
“He’s a vampire, Trem. He took a sixteen year old girl to God knows where,” Preston snapped. “That is not okay.”
Tremaine spun toward Preston. “I didn’t say it was, but you both need to calm down. We will find her, and she will be fine.” He prayed he was right in his assessment.
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