“You set us up.”
“I thought you’d end up arresting him and that would be the end of that.” He raised a hand. “I don’t need to bore you with how it backfired and you’re now his lover and not mine. Your obsession with Jadeon is more than evident. I will tell you this though, you seduced Jadeon.”
I shot a look at the tables around us, hoping no one was eavesdropping.
“Jadeon walked away from you in the gallery, remember?” Orpheus gave a nod to confirm. “You pursued him into the next room. You were like a hummingbird flittering before him. You wouldn’t go away. Ingrid, it was you who asked Jadeon out to dinner that night. Evidently, you were very persuasive.”
Conceding there may have been some truth in this, my shoulders slumped in defeat.
“Imagine that,” he said. “Totally out of character. You certainly had me impressed.”
“Jadeon introduced me to the curator—”
“Mr. Teddington.”
The very first night I’d laid eyes on Jadeon had changed my life forever. Had I been told he’d been sculptured out of rare marble by a master craftsman I’d have believed it. Majestic in the way he moved; an unmatched grace in both his physicality and heart. Whatever I thought I knew about vampires this wasn’t it. He was a supernatural God in all his perfection.
That night in the gallery I’d been smitten at first sight. Jadeon walking away and me never seeing him again had stirred an uncommon panic, alighting a dark yearning, a fear this chance would never be repeated. I’d never dared to question it. The meeting had felt so spontaneous, fortuitous even. And now Orpheus was admitting to arranging our rendezvous and fracturing the innocence of that night. It all made sense now.
“Coming back to you?” Orpheus said dryly.
“But Anaïs told me—”
“A bit of truth interwoven with a lie.” He shrugged. “Mostly lies.”
“You were never going to send that footage of me to Scotland Yard?”
“There is no footage of you.”
“Why are you here?”
“For Jadeon.”
“Since when have you ever cared about him?” My words felt scratchy in my throat as I remembered Anaïs telling me they were indeed close. Close enough to continue this manipulation? Drag out this cat and mouse game that was destroying my life?
“Having sired Jadeon, I feel his every emotion,” Orpheus said. “It was fun for a while. Well two-hundred years to be exact, considering that was how long I tortured him. But I’m over it now, and with that in mind I know I have no right to say this but, hell, you deserve the truth.”
“Which is?”
“Jadeon loves you. He always has and always will. I know what the elders have demanded of him. It’s an impossible request considering the magnetic pull between you both. Jadeon’s been working to find a way through their demands so you can be together.”
“He has?”
“Very much so.”
I held my breath. “Are vampires capable of love?”
He looked affronted. “We feel love deeper than any mortal.”
The tang of lemon water tasted bitter, like the bitterness of this ruse.
“Two-hundred years ago, a young lord was turned into a nightwalker, as was his younger brother.” He was talking about Jadeon and Alex, his tone low, bleak. “My hate for Jadeon went so deep that I took from him what he loved the most.” Orpheus lowered his gaze, the intensity burning as his words unfolded. “I kidnapped Jadeon’s childhood sweetheart, Catherine De Mercy. Jadeon pursued her by tracking me. He followed us to every corner around the world, searching us out. As his sire I held the advantage, always knowing where he was at any given moment, and could evade him easily.”
It was impossible to hide my horror.
“Jadeon never gave up, Ingrid. Despite Catherine choosing the church over him long before I took her. Jadeon sacrificed every waking hour to save her. For two centuries. Now if that’s not love, I don’t know what is.”
“Why are you telling me this?” But I knew, and the pain I’d caused Jadeon found its way back to me.
“The reason you’re still mortal is because of Jadeon.”
The blur lifted; memories that had lingered out of reach for so long now cleared perfectly like a fog dissipating from the darkest dawn.
“Catherine still chose the church over him,” Orpheus said. “And even after everything he’d been through Jadeon gave her his blessing.”
“Where is she now?”
“I have no idea. She and I don’t exactly see eye to eye.”
“Do you feel remorse?”
He breathed in a long cleansing breath and his expression changed to unreadable.
“I’m considering the source,” I said. “How can I trust you?”
Orpheus’ focus locked on something across the room and he pushed to his feet. “That’s why he’s here.”
Across the sea of candlelit tables, standing in the entranceway, was another well-dressed guest. An exotic vision of loveliness that was Professor Lucas Azir. He too wore a tux, his dark eyes sweeping the room, searching for someone, searching for us.
My focus snapped back to Orpheus. “How has Jadeon forgiven you?”
“We are brothers. Not of blood and flesh, but of an order that goes beyond your understanding.”
I tried to comprehend his words.
He looked resigned, as though about to share something with me.
I held my breath.
“Ingrid, I was out of control. I was wreaking havoc. Jadeon stopped me in my tracks and all that happened between him and I changed me. Irrevocably. For someone over four-hundred-years-old and stuck in my ways this is a small miracle.”
“Are you trying to tell me I don’t have to be frightened of you anymore?”
“You reminded me of Sunaria. That was why I obsessed over you.”
“So now you have her again I’m safe?”
“It all depends how you define safe.”
“You like playing with me, don’t you?”
Orpheus’ hand squeezed my shoulder. “Jadeon better make you his fast.”
“Why do you say that?”
“If he doesn’t claim you soon, I will.” Orpheus threw a wave to Lucas. “Goodnight, Ingrid.”
Caught in the wake of Orpheus’ presence, the imprint of his body against mine lingering from our dance, my face flushed from the residual burn of those fierce hazel eyes. His saunter was that of a man of prestige, a man of wealth, an easy confidence garnering looks of admiration. Goose bumps rose on my forearms and I felt the full effect of being this close to an interminable force of nature.
He and Lucas were too far away for me to catch what they were saying. After sharing a few words and a shake of hands, Orpheus strolled toward the exit, nodding here and there at the other guests, his authority evident.
Lucas made his way over to me and I rose to greet him.
“This is all very nice.” Lucas gave a smile. “May I?” He gestured to the chair next to mine. The very same one Orpheus had been sitting in moments before.
Despite the joy of seeing Lucas, I still felt wary. Trust was a long way off.
“Wine?” Lucas looked around for a waiter.
“No, thank you.” I glanced back at the pathway Orpheus had taken.
“I’m glad you can see firsthand the good work O is doing.” Lucas motioned to the room. “All of the funds go directly to his charity.”
“O?”
“Term of endearment,” he said. “I forgot myself.”
“I’ll take a rain check on advocating for his sainthood, if you don’t mind.”
“Well, I wouldn’t go that far.”
“Considering there’s a ban on vampires interacting with me, I’m one lucky lady.” I raised my brows in mock indignation.
Lucas went to answer and something caught his eye.
Nadine stood before our table. “Ingrid, I hope I’m not interrupting.”
Lucas rose to his feet to gre
et her.
“Of course not,” I said, standing too.
“We’re off,” she said. “Apparently something has come up that Antony has to attend to back at Scotland Yard.” Her gaze found Lucas. “Ingrid, where are you keeping all these dashing men hidden?”
Lucas took Nadine’s hand and kissed it.
She blushed. “And here I was thinking it was impossible to meet any decent gentleman in London.”
“Thank you for making this evening so lovely,” I said.
“I feel the same way.” She caught her husband’s smile. “Must dash. I’ll get Antony to give you my email if that’s okay?”
“I’d love that.”
“Are you on Facebook?”
I shook my head. “Last thing I need is one more way for criminals to keep track of me.”
“Hadn’t thought of that,” Nadine said. “Take care.” She threw Lucas and I a wave goodbye and rejoined her husband.
Scrutinizing Chief Inspector Brooks’ expression, I wondered what might be so important to pull him away from this event. Maybe this was his way of making a polite extraction.
My attention fell back onto Lucas. “Orpheus asked you here?”
“We’ve all been worried about you,” he said. “Even Orpheus.”
“Well I’m fine.” I rubbed my forehead, mortified with how the last few days had gone and the fact that everyone seemed to know about it.
“Orpheus drags me to these things because he loves to see me squirm,” Lucas said. “He knows I’d much prefer to be digging up bones. Oh dear, what does that say about me?”
“You’re adorable.”
“This Hauville situation has us all shaken up.”
“Apparently Jaden and Orpheus are investigating it,” I said. “Reading minds is an advantage.”
“Undoubtedly. It’s good to see you.” Lucas held my hands in his. “Don’t want to embarrass you in front of your friends,” he let go and took in the room, “colleagues.”
“Never.”
“Good. It’s just that when I heard you’d felt betrayed by us my heart broke. Quite literally. You’ve been nothing but a friend to us.”
“Really?” I sat back. “Then why do I feel I’ve become a burden?”
“Would you like to take a walk?”
With a nod I conceded that a walk would be a nice distraction. After retrieving my purse from my table and saying goodbye to the remaining guests, I headed out arm in arm with Lucas.
Lucas edged me along faster. “Time is of the essence, so please forgive me for my lack of small talk.”
“What’s going on?”
“Understand this,” he whispered. “With Dominion taking his seat of power there came many changes in our constitution. All for the better. But change is never easy and there is always resistance.”
“What are you saying?”
“You’re life is threatened by those who would see the fall of Dominion.”
A cold sweat came over me.
“We’ve all tried to keep you a secret. Protect you. Should your relationship with Dominion become known it would have disastrous consequences.”
“That’s why Jadeon pretended he didn’t know me when I visited the Athenaeum?”
Lucas pulled me toward the elevator. “Don’t go back there.” He summoned the lift with the push of a button.
“Well, you needn’t worry,” I said. “Jadeon and I are over.” I brushed a stray hair out of my face. “Orpheus explained everything, but after what I said to Jadeon he must hate me.”
The elevator opened and Lucas shuffled me in with him.
Assuming we were using the lift for privacy, I relaxed a little and leaned against the glass wall. “Are you staying here?”
“I do sometimes. But not tonight.”
The lift ascended.
“Don’t ever mention the Athenaeum again,” Lucas said. “Ever.”
“What are they keeping in there?”
Fear marred his face. “If they even knew you had an inkling—”
“But that’s just it. I don’t. I only saw a library.”
He placed a plastic keycard into my palm. “God knows how much I love you. I’d hate to see anything bad happen to you.”
“What’s this?”
The lift came to a stop and the doors slid open.
“Your last chance to speak with the only person who can help you.” He nudged me out onto the floor and stepped back in. He punched the button for his descent. “Suite 877.”
The doors closed, the lift taking him away from me.
Standing alone on the eighth floor, I stared at the Waldorf’s keycard.
CHAPTER 19
The indicator flashed green when I swiped the keycard to access room 877.
In the far corner, a golden lampshade threw a soft illumination. The vastness of a penthouse with vintage-styled wallpaper stretched out before me. Persian rugs were scattered here and there and the usual touches of luxury, like the plush sectional sofa with matching armchairs. A dining room table was surrounded by six high-backed chairs. Windows ran along the far wall, all of them rising from the floor to the ceiling, their dramatic green drapes drawn back to reveal London’s shadowy nightscape.
I recognized that distinctive gait. That height, those broad shoulders, and an intensity that even with Jadeon’s back to me sent me reeling. From where he had been staring out of the central window, he turned slowly.
Lowering his gaze, he held mine.
Here was my second chance. An opportunity to explain and mend the damage. Take back those things I’d accused him of. Jadeon’s stare followed mine down the corridor and into the bedroom, the end of a four-poster bed showing. A luxurious burgundy bedspread hung low.
“Orpheus?” Jadeon said, cringing.
“I didn’t know you’d be here,” I said.
Head down, Jadeon strolled past me and went for the door.
“Wait.”
He gripped the door handle. “I had no part in this.”
“I’m sorry—”
“Ingrid, you have every right to be angry with me.” He gave a nod. “I should never have invited you to St. Michaels.”
“Jadeon, please—”
The door closed and I was alone again. The quiet leeched in from the stillness, reaching into my bones.
Running through the suite, my stomach lurching, threatening to spill its meal, I thrust my hand over my mouth, desperately scouring for the bathroom and cursing each wrong room.
I dry heaved into the toilet, retching until my stomach could take no more, then I collapsed beside it, my strength fading. Jadeon’s haunting look of pain was too much to bear. The white marble floor, the white towels folded into perfection, and that enormous sunken bath were so far removed from my world of the ordinary. I struggled to push back feelings of inadequacy. I didn’t belong here.
Curled up on the bathroom floor, my tears wet the tile beneath my face. I lay in a heap staring at nothing. I cursed at my inability to find the words that might have persuaded him to stay.
Love; at times it seemed this was the only thread of commonality that Jadeon and I had. So many times I had questioned why I was unable to let him go, why was it impossible to forget him. His beauty had been an obvious draw, but his kindness, his humor, his intelligence had all be traits I admired. The profoundness of having lived through two centuries, having all those experiences, and his continued willingness to share what he had learned with those in his life. His generosity toward his friends and family, his unending desire to make their lives a little easier, endeared him to me. He was a true leader, a man of the people, and I still believed I could be a part of his new life.
His embrace, his kiss, his enduring affection, how would I learn to live without him? This ache twisting in my heart would never lift.
A knock at the door startled me.
Rising from the floor and wiping away tears, I hoped Jadeon had changed his mind and had come back to me. Hands clenched into fists, I willed
myself not to mess this chance up again. I had to let him see what he meant to me. I refused to live in a world where he played no part in it.
Opening the door and peeking left and right, I saw no one. My heart sunk and that awful ache came back to me. Closing the door, I gave myself a few moments to gather my thoughts, assuming I’d imagined the knock. I needed to hear it.
The room fell dark.
Backing up, I tried to discern what I was looking at on the ceiling. I strained to keep up with movement zigzagging toward me. My heart thundering and my hands shook as I fumbled my way.
I almost tripped on my own feet.
He landed with a thud and flew at me, forming a chokehold with his hands around my throat. This monk-like figure squeezed all air from me. His soulless black eyes stared back with an expressionless face. His breath was stale. My gasps were the only sound, my windpipe disallowing any air. I dug my thumbs into the creature’s eye sockets.
He flung me across the floor and I tumbled backward, losing my balance, crashing onto the coffee table. Pain shot through my skull. Dazed, on my hands and knees, I crawled away, my limbs weak and useless. Blood trickled down my forehead and reached my eyes.
Dragging me toward the window, he slammed me against it with such force it cracked the glass. Another smash. My scream was silenced as he shoved again. He was relentless, and my forehead hit the pane over and over as my hands pressed into its coldness. Tell-tale spider webs fractured the glass, leading to the deadliest fall.
Another shove.
Another sound of someone crashing into the room. Those hands lifted off me, then blackness flooded my senses and stole my consciousness.
I awoke in Jadeon’s arms.
“You’re safe now,” he said, hugging me against his chest.
Looking around us, my throat constricted in terror.
“He’s gone,” Jadeon said.
I caressed my forehead to feel for that cut yet felt nothing.
“Healed,” he said, alluding to bestowing a drop of blood on my wound.
With his help I climbed to my feet, taking in the surrounding mess of scattered glass, a green velvet curtain off its rail, and that coffee table pushed out of place. The thought of the hotel staff finding all this sent a wave of angst.
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