by Silver Milan
“We don’t have cameras in their camps,” Jett said. “You know that.”
Gwendoline snorted. It seemed somehow uncomely on that extremely beautiful face. “I meant, have you checked the nearest feeds, watched for signs of coming ands goings from the pride camps?”
“We have,” Jett said. “Dan hasn’t picked up anything. Either the lions haven’t returned home, or they’ve been very careful to avoid our cameras. They’ve learned how to spot our surveillance over the years”
“Which is why I always argued we should be moving the cameras every few months,” Gwendoline said. “Or resorting to old fashioned patrols.” She paused, folding her arms beneath her breasts as if to fend off a sudden chill. “Their radio silence is troubling.”
“Yes,” Jett said.
“I doubt the vassals are ignoring us on purpose,” Gwendoline continued. “The lions know we’re going to send agents to investigate why they aren’t answering, and to punish whoever did this, if they haven’t already.”
“The lions know this, yes,” Jett said. “Though it will probably come as a surprise when they realize the dragon king himself is taking care of the matter.”
Gwendoline arched an eyebrow in disbelief. “You?”
He nodded. “I plan to visit the lions and find out why they aren’t answering, and then deal with this Logan Kane myself.”
“That is highly unusual,” Gwendoline said. “You’ll do a task ordinarily reserved for underlings? Become a common executioner?”
“She is my charge,” Jett said. “I will see her through to safety. My brother will sit in my absence.”
Gwendoline remained silent for several seconds, apparently stunned. Then she shook her head. “Why you? Why not anyone else? One of your advisers? Or a member of the White Sword?”
“The truth?” Jett said. “I haven’t been on an adventure in ages. It will be good to see the outside world again, even if that world is restricted to the territory immediately beyond the border of our city. It’s been years since I’ve seen the forest through anything other than a video feed...”
“An adventure,” Gwendoline nearly spat the words. “I wouldn’t call it that. More like a distraction.”
“Maybe I want a distraction,” Jett said. “Need one.”
Gwendoline eyed Ariel with appraising contempt. “What if it’s a trap? Some grand design dreamed up by the Orions or vampires to lure you from the safety of our great city? Or perhaps the witches themselves?”
Jett shook his head animatedly. “They couldn’t have known I’d be the one to find her at our borders.”
“Have you considered that it wasn’t exactly you they were hoping to catch?” Gwendoline pressed. “But any dragon? You showing up would simply be the icing on the cake, to borrow a quote from the modern age.”
That’s hardly modern, Ariel thought.
Gwendoline nodded at Ariel. “She’s probably in on it, you know.”
“I’m not in on anything,” Ariel said.
Gwendoline’s face contorted in rage and she raised an arm as if to backhand Ariel, even though there was no way she’d be able to reach her from across the table.
Jett raised a halting palm. “I somehow doubt her involvement. Ariel is the innocent in all of this. The victim. “
“Have you delved her mind with compulsion?” Gwendoline asked.
“A delving would destroy her,” Jett replied. “But there is no need. I believe her. And as for a trap, our security cameras would’ve detected any Orion or vampire intruders along our borders.”
“Would they?” Gwendoline said. “Would they really? You’ve grown confident in this modern technology of yours. Maybe a little too confident. Wired up our whole city to your Dan. And yet, a really good witch can easily get past a simple camera.”
“I’ve already made up my mind,” Jett said. “I’m going.”
Gwendoline opened her mouth as if to continue protesting but then clamped down, biting her lower lip. Finally she said: “You can’t go alone of course.” When Jett didn’t answer, she cocked an eyebrow in astonishment. “You’re going alone?”
“Not alone,” he said. “I’m bringing her.” He nodded toward Ariel.
“It’s too dangerous!” Gwendoline said. “Not to mention it violates every protocol in the book. Listen to me, brother. At least take a few of the White Sword with you. And maybe the witch.”
“No,” Jett said. “Alone is the best way. A larger group will attract attention. But myself and the girl? We’ll pass completely under the radar, especially if any hunters are out there, as you say. We can move faster, and with greater stealth, than a group. Besides, I’m slightly insulted you think it’s dangerous. You really believe someone of my power is in any peril out there?”
“You forget that you will be collared,” Gwendoline said.
“Even collared, I somehow doubt any hunter or lion will be able to best me,” Jett said.
Gwendoline took a deep breath and then exhaled in a loud sigh. “You’re not invincible, brother. No one is.”
Jett softened his voice. “I know this is your way of showing your love for me. I’ll be careful. I promise. But this is something I’ve thought about, and I want to do it. I need to. I’m a king. I need to see my vassals.”
Gwendoline smiled sadly. “It sounds more like some flight of fancy to me. And you do know your father won’t approve of you spending time alone with this… beast.” She glanced at Ariel and scowled.
“Yes, but it’s doubtful he’ll ever hear of it,” Jett said, giving Gwendoline a pointed look.
“Oh he will,” Gwendoline said. “Not from me, of course. But news spreads. Also, have you forgotten our First Rule?”
“You know very well that nothing will happen between myself and the girl,” Jett said.
Gwendoline pursed her lips as if not truly believing it. “Perhaps. But tell that to your father.”
“I’ll accept whatever punishment he inflicts on me,” Jett said.
Gwendoline shrugged. “You might not be too pleased if that punishment involves the girl.”
“It won’t,” Jett said. “My father might have some jurisdiction over me personally, as dictated by the binds of family, but not Midnight, nor the entirety of North America for that matter.”
Gwendoline bowed deferentially, spreading her arms.
“I will leave first thing in the morning,” Jett said. “Dan, inform my brother that he is to take my place here, starting tomorrow. And instruct the members of the White Sword to prepare for his arrival.”
“Gabriel is currently soaring above The Hooded Dale,” the pleasant male voice of the computer system replied from a hidden speaker in the ceiling. “I will inform him as soon as he returns from his flight.”
“Thank you,” Jett said. He glanced at Gwendoline and said with a formality that struck Ariel as a little cold, given that Gwendoline was his sister: “I have affairs to attend to, so unless there is anything else...?”
Gwendoline stood up and curtsied. “Thank you for seeing me.”
The sister left and a moment later Ariel heard the front door open and close.
The atmosphere within the house seemed to relax somewhat, and Ariel exhaled in relief.
But then she glanced at Jett’s eyes. Now that they were alone, the way he was looking at her caused her to feel butterflies in her stomach. There was definitely want there in those eyes. Want and need. A gold ring around his irises seemed to flare with sudden desire.
The tension ratcheted right back up.
5
Ariel swallowed hard. “I thought you had affairs to attend to?” she said, folding her hands in her lap.
“Those affairs involve you,” Jett said. There was a husky timbre to his words.
“Really…” Ariel said. She looked away. She couldn’t hold that gaze, not when he was looking at her like that.
“Yes,” Jett said. “You’re out of your element. You have many questions I’m sure.” His voice sounded like it h
ad gone back to normal.
When Ariel glanced at Jett, the desire had faded, replaced by a serene calm. It was as if the sheer want she’d seen had never existed, and Ariel had to wonder if she’d imagined it.
No, it was real all right.
“Just who are you to these people?” Ariel asked him.
He raised an eyebrow. “I am no one.”
“Don’t tell me that,” Ariel said. “You’re obviously someone important in this place.”
“Import is relative,” Jett said. “Every member of Midnight is important. We all have a role to play.”
“Yes, but yours is the most important role of all, isn’t it?” she said.
He didn’t answer.
“Are you their… Alpha?” she pressed.
“Something like that,” he told her.
“You called the lions your vassals…” Ariel said. “You rule them, too?”
In answer, his eyes burned into hers, his gaze hard, steely. She thought she saw a hint of the previous desire, but it seemed clouded by distrust.
Ariel shifted uncomfortably beneath that penetrating stare, and once again couldn’t hold his gaze and looked away.
“Who are you that enchants me so?” he murmured softly. “Are you truly who you say you are, or someone else? Something else?”
She met his eyes. “I’m real. Always will be. Everything I’ve told you is the truth.”
His eyes continued to stare into hers, and he nodded to himself. “At least you believe it is the truth. I don’t need compulsion to see that much in you.”
She glanced at the empty table and, deciding that a change of subject was in order, told him: “I thought you said there would be a meal? You know, so good old fashioned food? And hopefully no bloody slabs of raw meat this time.”
“Dan?” Jett said.
“The food is coming,” the automated computer system replied.
A moment later a gorgeous tanned man came inside, dressed in a white livery. He wasn’t as hot as Jett, but definitely eye candy like everyone else she’d seen so far. His muscles rippled beneath his livery as he moved. “Is everyone here a model? Even the servants? ‘Welcome to Midnight, hidden city of the beautiful people.’”
“This is Michael,” Jett said. “My butler.”
“Pleasure to make the acquaintance,” Michael replied.
Ariel spotted his teeth as he spoke, and noticed his canines seemed a little longer than normal. “Wait a second, you’re a vampire?”
The tanned servant winked, and then placed a silver tray on the table in front of her and lifted the lid to reveal…
“A pot roast?” Ariel said. “For all the pomp and circumstance I’ve seen so far, I guess I was expecting more.”
“I’ve tailored the meal to suit your inner beast,” Jett said. “I didn’t think your lioness would enjoy rabbit food. But if you want…”
“No, it’s fine.” Ariel eyed the meat. Admittedly, her mouth was watering. “It’s definitely better than rabbit food.”
“May I cut you a piece?” the servant asked her.
“Certainly, my sweet cabana boy,” she replied. She winked at Jett and said: “Can I keep him?”
Jett merely shrugged, and slid his hands behind his nape, an act that made his bicep muscles bulge through his tight dress shirt. She quickly forgot Michael. Jett was good at this game.
The white-liveried man set down two big slices of meat on her plate, drawing Ariel’s attention away from Jett.
“Thank you,” Ariel told the servant.
Michael nodded, and stepped back as she grabbed her cutlery. She cut a small piece and was about to shove it into her mouth when she sensed a presence hovering over her. She glanced askance and saw the vampire hottie still lingering there. While she admired a good looking man as much as the next woman, there was a time for privacy…
She glanced questioningly at Jett. “Does he have to stay there? I can cut more pieces myself.”
“You may leave us Michael,” Jett told the servant.
“Yes, boss.” Michael bowed and left.
Ariel stuffed the meat into her mouth.
“Never thought I’d say this, but vampires are kind of hot,” she said between chews. “Some of them, anyway.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full,” Jett said.
She resisted the urge to roll her eyes and continue talking, and instead swallowed before speaking again. “What, am I in manners school or something here?”
“It’s basic human respect,” Jett said. “You’re a guest at my table. Show some decency.”
“Fine,” she said, feeling a rise of anger. She didn’t like being pushed around, especially by men, but she had to admit when they were as hot as him she didn’t mind quite as much.
Ariel shook her head as she cut herself another piece. “Vampires. Hard to believe, only a few days ago I never imagined vampires ever existed. Or any of this. And then I was so rudely pulled into this whole underworld.”
Those last words caused a strange reaction in him, and his fists clenched so hard she could see the bulge in his forearms through the tight sleeves.
She paused. “Why exactly are you helping me?” When he didn’t answer, she added: “Then again, I’m not really sure I can call what you’re doing help, not yet. So let me rephrase that. What’s your interest in me?”
He hesitated further. When he finally answered, he stared unflinching into her eyes: “You are… you intrigue me.”
She set down her cutlery. “I intrigue you?”
“Yes,” he said. “And I admit, seeing you running from those lions triggered my protective nature.”
“Why?” Ariel said. “Why would you care?”
Jett sighed. “You want the truth? I’m attracted to you.”
“Attracted.” She almost couldn’t believe it. A man like him?
“Yes,” Jett said. “And now that I’ve met you, and I see how strong you are, a part of me wants to tame you.”
She laughed. “Tame me? Good luck. I can’t even tame myself.”
“As long as you stay here, you will never transform again,” Jett said. “You don’t have to come with me, to the lions. You could stay here for the rest of your days if you like.”
“Why would I do that?” Ariel said. “To be your slave?” For some reason that was almost an appealing thought.
She dismissed the notion as soon as it came to her, and yet she found her eyes lingering on his lips; she couldn’t help but wonder what they tasted like….
“You would continue to be a guest,” Jett said. “You could come and go from this house as you pleased, and travel anywhere within the confines of Midnight. You would be under my protection.”
“Yeah, I’m not sure that’d stop those vampires out there from attacking me,” she said, remembering the way some of them had been looking at her when Jett wasn’t watching.
“You’re not weak,” Jett said. “With your strength, you can fend them off.”
“Unless they attack in numbers,” Ariel said. “And what about the other beautiful people? The non-vampires? Would I be able to fend them off, too?” When he lowered his gaze, she sighed. “So no, I’m not staying here. I’m going with you. I don’t belong in this city.”
“But here you can be normal,” Jett said.
“Normal?” Ariel said. “There’s more to living a normal life than simply not changing into an animal. Though it’s a bit part, I admit. But let’s be honest about something: I’ll never fit in here. Didn’t you see the way all your beautiful friends were looking down on me when you brought me here? I can’t stay here, not under that scrutiny. So I’m going with you, and that’s that. Though I do have one question. With your sister you were talking about punishment, and some kind of execution, but it wasn’t clear: are you going to kill Logan Kane?”
Jett nodded. “The law demands it. If Blue Hurricane won’t put him down, then I’ll do it for them. His death will be neither pleasant, nor quick.”
“Why
do I get the sense there’s another reason you want to kill him?” Ariel said.
“Because he did you harm,” Jett admitted instantly.
“I don’t know if that’s sweet or creepy,” Ariel said. “Though I suppose you’re too hot for it to be the latter. By the way, what exactly did you mean when you said you wanted to ‘tame’ me?”
For once Jett was the one who looked away. He seemed uncertain, but then he nodded slowly to himself. “I want to make you mine.”
“Ah,” she said.
He met her gaze. His eyes were filled with sadness. “But that can never happen. It is one of our rules. Our First Rule, actually.”
She shook her head. “First Rule?”
“Yes,” Jett said. “Our kind is not allowed to mate with outsiders. I guess that’s part of your allure. You’re the forbidden fruit I can never have. Who knows if I would desire you as much if I could actually make you mine. We always want that which we can’t have. It’s our nature. Shifters, humans alike feel this way.”
Ariel felt a strange disappointment. She turned her attention to her plate and quickly devoured the last slice of meat. With shaking hands, she cut herself another two thick tranches from the pot roast. She didn’t look at Jett the whole time.
She wolfed down those next two slices and glanced at him.
“You’re not going to eat?” she asked.
“I had a whole cow earlier,” Jett replied.
“A cow?” she said. “A whole friggin’ cow?”
“Uh huh,” Jett said.
Ariel crumpled her nose, grabbing the final piece of meat from the pot. “Why does that sound gross to me?”
Jett shrugged. “My kind has a healthy appetite.”
“There it is,” she said. “‘My kind’ again. You keep saying that. But when exactly are you going to tell me just what your mythical ‘kind’ is? You’re not a vampire, but you keep hinting you’re some kind of shifter. Are you all cave bears or something? Bats, maybe?”
He pursed his lips in amusement. “Finish eating and I’ll answer your question.”
She gobbled down the last piece, set down her cutlery, and pushed her plate away. She chewed for several moments and then swallowed.