Prima

by Annie Nicholas

  A knot developed in her stomach as her gaze landed on where he kicked. “I’m aware.” She regarded him in silence for a moment. “How did you decide to cross over?”

  “I never had to. The choice was made for me. At the time, the Nosferatu clan’s numbers had been decimated by internal wars.” He curled his arm and flexed his large biceps. “I was big and strong for the time, so I was taken. Daedalus was made not long after. We trained together.”

  She took a large swig of wine to ease the sudden dryness in her throat. Daedalus’s past was a mystery. He hinted at being ashamed of his actions, once saying only recent centuries could he consider himself a good person. She wouldn’t hold history against him though. All she wanted was to have an idea of what shaped him as a person.

  Pallas offered her a glimpse of the knowledge she craved. “Did you change?” She continued staring at her cane, unable to meet his piercing stare. He appeared curious about her. It only seemed courteous that they make a small exchange of information.

  “Of course I changed. I wasn’t born bald.”

  “That’s not what I meant and you know it.” She peeked at him from under her eyelashes.

  He steepled his fingers under his chin as he regarded her with intense interest. “Is this what you fear? That becoming a vampire would change you?”

  “As a person. Yes. The others tell me I worry for nothing, but I’ve witnessed it in my sister. She’s not the same person I grew up with.” She took a deep breath as if starved for air, not realizing she’d been breathing shallow during their conversation. “She’s more…feral.”

  “It suits her.” A small smile appeared on his lips. “Do you love her less for it?”

  She sat straighter in her chair. “No.” But she feared her sister more. “I don’t want to change.”

  “Ah.” He rested his chin on his fingertips. “That’s boring.”

  She blinked. “What do you mean?”

  “Everything must change, otherwise it becomes stagnant, like pond water. Maybe you are a minnow lost in the murk?” A fang glinted in the dim light as he grinned. “From your expression, Sugar, I’d say I was right.”

  She schooled the shock on her face to something more pleasant. Pallas had summarized her life after knowing her for one day, and the truth stung. The balm to her bruised ego lay asleep in his bed. Was it true? Had her depression been the symptom of her refusal to change? If she’d accepted Daedalus’s offer sooner, she wouldn’t have been this injured.

  Shaking her head, she cleared her mind of those thoughts. They’d drive her nuts. “Enough.” She rose onto shaky legs. “Thank you for lunch, but I should retire if I’m to stay awake tonight.” She hobbled toward the exit.

  “Yes, the evening should prove to be amusing.” Pallas chuckled.

  Chapter Eight

  The Vasi returned with less information than Daedalus had expected. They gathered around the long kitchen table, faces haggard, except Stephen, who busied himself with cooking at the stove.

  Daedalus had never spent time in his own kitchen before. Why would he? The rest of his home lacked the comfy ambiance this area provided. Pale, butter-yellow walls surrounded the industrial-sized steel appliances. Fresh herbs hung on the wall by the stove with a rope of garlic, making the air heavy with their scents. Nicks in the solid wooden table showed that it was used for preparing food as well as eating.

  His chest rang hollow. He’d never once sat with any of his staff during a meal. Not like he did with the Vasi. He might not be capable of consuming food, but a glass of wine was possible. The tradition of sharing a meal, especially among shifters, represented more than consumption. It was a time of bonding. He’d never formed such strong ties with his mortal staff. This would change, and he hoped Sugar would stay to help him improve things. He’d like this place to become a home.

  With a flick of his finger, he flipped through pictures on his tablet to memorize the faces of those he hunted.

  Robert, being the computer whiz, had gained access to the security systems and obtained access codes for each house. Daedalus didn’t ask how. The explanation would take all night, and he’d understand ten percent of it.

  Sam and Esther had taken these digital pictures of the houses. The windows were sealed, so they couldn’t get any pictures of the present occupants. Each home consisted of a vampire nest, protection in numbers. How many each held depended on how insecure the master felt. He’d have to rely on the pictures they had taken the last time they’d been here.

  “Stephen, have you heard anything new of my nest?” He’d sent them away not long after Esther had tried to kill him. In her human life, she had been a slayer. Some people just couldn’t forgive vampires for their pasts and continued murdering his kind for money. Daedalus had reconciled with Esther when she had joined the pack. He couldn’t protect his people from illegally hired slayers when he lived in Chicago.

  “Sure.” Stephen set plates of steak and chicken in the center of the table. “Mostly they ask about you. They’re worried.”

  The Vasi advanced on dinner. The food never had a chance. He grinned at the carnage as the shifters devoured the meal. Fascinated, Pallas watched as well from across the table. A primal aura always surrounded the shifters when meat was involved.

  Clementine sat next to Daedalus. She hadn’t seen the older photos before, and she pointed at the screen of the tablet. “That’s Marcus. He’s one of the new hires I told you about.” She scrolled to the next picture. “This is Phillip. He still secretly supports you.”

  “How do you know?” He examined the face and recalled the vampire working a few minor missions for Pal Robi Inc.

  “He helped me gain the information you asked me for.” She continued to scroll through the older photos naming the vampires she recognized and their allegiances.

  “Stop.” He held up his hand. “They’re all blurring. What I do see are the five who started this trouble. That’s all that matters.” Those vampires had overthrown the ones he’d left in control of Pal Robi Inc. He shook his head. They had killed his generals before coming after him by hiring Esther. The cowards.

  A few months ago Clementine had risked her life to discover who was behind his assassination attempt. She’d brought him the list of names connected to the e-mail offering a substantial reward for his death, then some of the Vasi had accompanied him on a mission to gather the information needed to take Pal Robi Inc. back. Robert and Esther had been among them.

  His plans to regain control of Pal Robi Inc. were placed on hold when the traitors had tried to kill Sugar. They had almost succeeded, if not for Sam and Clementine. He could have lost everything dear to him that night.

  Now he’d get a chance to exact his revenge.

  Unlike Pallas, Daedalus didn’t flaunt his mental powers, so his vampires didn’t know the extent of what a Nosferatu could do or how easy it was for him to rifle through their thoughts and discover the proof of their guilt. The vampire council didn’t give a shit about concrete evidence like human courts. His word was enough.

  He was Prime of this territory by their decree. He was judge, jury, and executioner.

  “What are your thoughts?” Daedalus glanced at the two shifters who’d been with him.

  “I don’t think they know you’re here.” Esther showed him today’s pictures. “See, no signs of preparing for an attack or of fleeing. The human security detail is just going about their routine.”

  “Hmm…” He needed to maintain the element of surprise. “We’ll strike tonight, or they might learn of my presence and run.”

  “That’s a risky move.” Pallas leaned across the table. “You’re racing against the sunrise. It’s already past sunset, and you haven’t even left the house.”

  He sighed. “I know, and I don’t have the resources for anything grand scale. Not until I have Pal Robi Inc. back in my control.”

  “About that.” Sam settled a possessive arm around Clementine. “How are we going to kill five powerful vampires and th
eir armies with only the seven of us?”

  “Vampires always flock to the strongest. It’s instinct,” Clementine answered. “Daedalus has to prove he’s the strongest, and the weaker ones will fall into place.”

  “I have to kill the leaders then their followers will concede to me. Those who don’t will die. Those who survive will never have a trusted position again. Which brings me to another question.” He faced Clementine. “How do I have supporters in these homes?”

  “They infiltrated after the five tried to have you slayed.” She rubbed her chin. “I assume more were hired after the open attack on Sugar when I ran to Chicago. Sam killed many of their foot soldiers when they attacked us.” She stroked her mate’s back.

  “True…but what are they waiting for?” If they looked to him as their leader, why allow these traitors to stay in power?

  Clementine cocked her head to the side, her mouth flat with displeasure. “They’re waiting for you, Master.” She said his title with the same inflection as dummy. “Many didn’t believe you’d come back.”

  A familiar weight settled on his shoulders. Responsibility. He wished he could shrug it off, but he’d had his short time of fun. His people needed him. “You’ll need to come with me. I can’t memorize all these faces. There’s a good chance I’ll kill a supporter.”

  Pallas snorted. “Your supporters should be the ones not attacking you.”

  “Good point, but it’s a risk I’m not willing to take.” Traitors could pretend just as well as those who followed him. He didn’t want to absorb any into his fold if he didn’t have to.

  “Clementine will get in the way. Kill them all.”

  Daedalus glared at his brother. “Stop being an ass. It’s distracting.”

  Sam leaned around Clementine to catch his attention. “You’re not taking my mate into battle without me.”

  “Who will stay with Sugar then?” The Sigma took his role as Sugar’s protector seriously, but being mated conflicted him. Daedalus rubbed his temples and mentally counted off who was left. “I need Robert to get past the security systems. That leaves either Esther or Pallas.”

  His brother raised an eyebrow. “I’m the better warrior.”

  Daedalus nodded. They’d trained together for decades. Pallas had even beaten Daedalus a few times. Not many could boast that. “Very well, you stay with Sugar.” He turned toward the shifters. “Get what rest you can. I want to leave at midnight.” That should give the shifters time for a quick nap while he gathered and prepared weapons.

  A few groaned at his declaration, but they were half-hearted noises that he ignored as he strode from the room toward his weapons store.

  Pallas followed on his heels. “You truly mean to leave me behind?”

  Daedalus tossed him an annoyed look over his shoulder. “Yes.”

  “That’s insane. You’ll be slaughtered with just those pups guarding your back. Using shifters to gain control is a mistake.”

  “I’ve trained them myself. They’ll do fine and stay out of sight. I need Robert and Esther to gain access to the houses, Clementine to point out the good guys, and Sam to keep her alive. My main concern is keeping Sugar safe.”

  “She's a weakness.”

  Daedalus spun to face his brother, fingers itching to be around his throat. “Which is why I need my best warrior here. Think about it.”

  “They don’t know she’s here. They don’t know you’ve returned.”

  “Maybe,” he whispered, since his throat had gone dry. “But Chicago is a large city with many eyes and ears. If they’ve been watching me, then they know about Sugar.”

  “And that she’d come with you.” Pallas shook his head. “You should have left her in Chicago.”

  “Don't you think I know that? If anyone here is weak, it's me.” He couldn’t stand the accusation in Pallas's eyes. “Let an old vampire have his Achilles' heel. Either way she would have been in danger. At least here I have more control.” He gripped Pallas’s upper arm. “You’ll keep her safe?”

  Pallas’s hard stare softened. “My life for hers.” The old oath of protection given to a brother’s Prima. He hadn’t heard it in centuries. Not many of his clan ever married. That Pallas would give it without Sugar truly being his wife was an honor.

  Daedalus bowed his head and tightened his grip. “Thank you.”

  “Strike them without mercy. You can’t afford to leave any enemies alive. She’ll be the first thing they’ll hunt.”

  Their gazes locked. “I'll make them burn before they lay a finger on her.” The thought left his mind faster than his lips would move.

  Pallas grinned and slapped him on the cheek. “Good, some of the Daedalus I knew still remains in there.”

  The click of a cane striking the hard wood of his floors became audible. He straightened and faced the core of his anguish.

  Sugar rounded the corner. “What devilry are you up to?” She eyed them both with a sharp assessment. His sweet librarian kept becoming bolder. He liked it. She would not be happy when she learned Pallas was staying instead of Sam, but it made tactical sense. If he could, he’d leave everyone here to guard her.

  Pallas gave her a stiff bow. “I have my own preparations to attend to.” Then he retreated.

  The coward.

  “We were making plans for the assault.” Daedalus strolled around her, allowing his gaze to travel along the tight curves of her jeans. Thank any gods paying attention that they’d waited until the twentieth century to invent such apparel or he wouldn’t have ever crawled out of his debauchery phase.

  The seams would tear easily or cut away with a sharp knife. She used to trust him enough to play with such toys in the bedroom. Maybe she still did.

  “Without me?” Her angry tone snapped his head back to face her serious expression.

  “When did you take an interest in making battle plans? You abhor violence.”

  “Your safety always concerns me. Who is going with you?” She placed both her hands on the handle of the cane, using it to support her weight. The weak leg must be bothering her more than usual tonight.

  With his fingertip, he traced the worry lines on her forehead. She had abandoned safety and family to stay at his side. Only a few days ago she’d refused any of his attention. Last evening marked the start of a new adventure for them. She finally seemed ready to start living again. “All the Vasi will accompany me as you’d hoped.” He grinned at her satisfied nod. “But Pallas will stay at your side.”

  She grimaced. “Stephen should be enough.”

  “Stephen is a gardener, not a warrior. He’ll provide you with meals and, uh, better company than Pallas.” Enveloping her in his arms, he absorbed her warmth and softness.

  Her green eyes sparkled as she lifted her face to his. “Kiss me.”

  “I’m yours to command.” He caught her mouth against his in a clash of lips and teeth. She was so frail, yet her presence overpowered him.

  The cane clattered to the floor, and delicate fingers clung to the back of his head as she opened her mouth, inviting him to possess her.

  He sandwiched her body between his and the wall, then thrust his tongue to meet hers, suddenly desperate to be inside her. Gripping the empty belt loops of her jeans, he supported her hips and ground his hard cock against her core.

  Her soft moans drove him mad. Passion burned in his veins so hot he feared singeing her tender flesh.

  Pulling away took the determination of a thousand souls. Short of breath, he stared at her swollen lips. “I have a few hours before we leave.”

  “Don’t you have to prepare?” She grasped the collar of his T-shirt, tugging him closer.

  “No.” He groaned and closed his eyes. “Yes.”

  “Get company back so we can return to living our lives.” She kissed the tip of his nose. “I’ll be waiting for you when you’re done.”

  Chapter Nine

  Daedalus chose a careful path to the wall. Sam and Clementine followed him into the shadows.

&
nbsp; Using a small laptop, Robert hacked into the first house’s security system and opened the gates. With the microphone connected to his earpiece, he communicated any information they required from the car, with Esther to guard his back.

  Daedalus stopped by the stone wall of the house. “From here we climb and enter through the window.” On their intel trip they had confirmed that the vampire leader of this nest had her office right above them. He touched Pallas’s mind. “How is Sugar?”

  “Really? Am I to play pass-the-message between the two of you this evening?” Even via telepathy he sounded gruff.

  Daedalus sent him a mental ping.

  “Ouch. She’s fine. Stephen is making her something to eat. Have you at least reached the first target?”

  “Yes, invading the home now.” He gripped the rough stone and climbed.

  “Then leave me be and kill the bitch.” Pallas broke contact. Daedalus hated leaving Sugar alone with the old bastard. Daedalus’s only consolation was Stephen would keep an eye on things for him and call with any problems.

  Maybe he should have left Esther with her.

  He perched under the windowsill and leaned to the side. Sam had changed to his beast form, and Clementine rode on his back.

  That was another mistake. He shouldn’t have dragged her into this. She didn’t have any training and would make an easy target, but he needed her knowledge. Killing innocent vampires or his possible supporters wouldn’t go over well with anyone. Clementine could prevent that.

  Their quarry was in the room above him. He could sense her thoughts like a low hum of putrid hate. Some beings couldn’t deal with longevity without rotting.

  Not bothering to wait for his companions to reach his position, he flexed his arms and dove through the window.

  The vampire female froze at her desk. “You!”

  He withdrew the wooden stake attached to his forearm, and with his mind took over her body. She couldn’t run.