She would have died if Krieger hadn’t found her and given her his blood. Healed her wounds and formed the blood bond they now shared. “There is nothing to forgive.” When she’d met his father, the Elder, there was the same static electricity in the atmosphere, like the force of gravity had lessened with his nearness.
“Do you know why our visions have ceased?” Grigori asked, and stroked his pale green tie as the Elder had done with his long white hair, like a treasured pet.
So he thought of those brief moments of seeing the other as visions also. She shook her head, afraid to move too much that he might disappear.
“Well.” Grigori tilted his head to the side. “In a way we are still connected.”
Krieger had his arm resting on the mantle, looking relaxed and almost unconcerned about the conversation she was having with Grigori.
“We are?” she asked.
“You have recently lost your father.”
“Oh, yes, of course. It must be hard for you losing both of your parents.”
His face hardened slightly. “They are with me.”
Did he mean literally or in memory? In another setting they might have sat and talked for hours, but right now she felt uncomfortable, like a thorn was embedded in her side.
“Your beauty and wellbeing are not the only reason I asked to see you” –he glanced at Krieger– “in private.” Grigori tilted his chin skyward and closed his eyes. “You’ve felt him, as I have; his awakening is not to be feared.”
Krieger moved between her blinks and stood next to and a little in front of her. He wasn’t feigning disinterest any longer, nor was he threatening, more readying himself.
Her mind was reeling with what Grigori had said. Yes, she had felt something awake, a being whose presence rippled just below the surface of her thoughts. “Who is he?”
There was no answer from Grigori.
“If you know something of value then you should speak it.” Krieger’s patience was waning.
“I have said all I know.”
Was Grigori speaking the truth? She couldn’t tell and feared Krieger might try to force the information from him. “I have something of yours,” was all she could manage. She hated how small her voice sounded.
He straightened his shoulders and placed a hand on his chest. “You have something of mine?”
His eyes changed color from a warm brown to a vibrant green, the color of new leaves hit by the sun on a spring day. His head tilted just slightly to the side like he was straining to hear faint music, and again she felt the need to confirm that he was corporeal but all she could manage was to look over at the journal lying on the side table. Grigori’s eyes followed hers and his expression went from docile to wary, and finally hardened to stone. When he looked back at her his eye color had changed yet again to dual pits of infinite darkness.
“I see that you do. It was my father’s.”
Krieger handed the leather bound journal to Grigori.
“You should have told me,” Grigori addressed Krieger. With one hand he clutched the journal tight against his chest while the other stroked the leather cover. “That you were the destroyer.”
“He didn’t…” She loathed the word destroyer. “It wasn’t like that. They saved the archives from destruction.”
Grigori’s eyes narrowed into cold hard pieces of amber. He stepped back.
Krieger moved closer to Grigori. “Without my intervention all the archives would have been lost.”
It was Lily’s turn to stare at Krieger in disbelief. “There were more?”
“We retrieved everything we could,” Krieger said, never taking his eyes off Grigori. “Mathers was unable to access the lowest portions.”
“The vaults,” Grigori said softly.
“Is that why they are so afraid to speak,” Lily said, equally soft.
“You have the gift.” Grigori glared at her. She thought he was going to say something else, but instead he dropped his gaze to the floor, turned his back on her and walked toward the door.
“Wait.” She bumped into the chair in her haste to stop him. “Wait, please.” Grigori stopped. “Read it,” she said, looking at the journal. “Please, it explains what happened. It wasn’t Krieger who killed your mother.” She reached out to him but he sidestepped. “Please believe me.”
Grigori’s only response was to leave.
Lily turned on Krieger. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Lucien worked with Mathers to clear everything out.” His eyes focused on the wall behind her. “The explosion was not set by us. When Lucien realized…he didn’t have enough time…”
“To get everything,” Lily finished. Krieger nodded and met her gaze. “I don’t think Grigori believes you.”
“Not now. After he thinks things through he will see I have been honest with him.”
Lily wasn’t so sure of that. “He has the same feel as the Elder.”
“Yes.”
“What if he comes for the archives?”
Krieger was beside her in a blink of the eye. “It is you they speak to. Even Grigori acknowledged you possess the gift.” He slipped his hand down to the small of her back. “Do you feel what he referred to?”
“Not consciously.” How do you explain the unfathomable?
“The truth of things,” he said, reminding her of the promise they’d made to each other.
“I’m not keeping anything from you.” Her hand reached for his.
He gave hers a squeeze. “Then we should join the others downstairs.”
Before they reached the door a thought struck her. “I should be with Hunter and Meirta in London.”
“Nothing survived the blast.”
Lily admired his steel gray eyes. Kiss me. “There might be something left at the Legacy Foundation.” She wanted to nestle against his chest and feel his arms around her. “I need to know for sure.”
He continued to gaze at her, not saying anything, but communicating his regard for her with his eyes, looking at her like he had the first night they’d met. When Walter had escorted her down the staircase of Waverly and Krieger had been waiting for her at the bottom. How he watched her descent, as he moved not a muscle, in that unnatural way that only a vampire can achieve. Now she felt the same fascination, that feeling of being caught in his gaze, unable to look away, like he was trancing her, though that was impossible since she shared his blood. Her flesh was kissed by the delicious warmth emanating from where his hand held hers and spreading out to the tips of her extremities.
“Perhaps it is for the best. I have a task to perform before I return home.” Krieger leaned down and kissed the side of her neck, on the exact spot where his mark lay. “Lucien will travel with you.”
Grab me, carry me to bed, please… Her thoughts reeled. Make me submit.
She heard his fangs extend and moaned.
“A small taste.” Krieger scraped them gently against her neck.
Was he asking or warning? It didn’t matter because she leaned into him. She would have given him anything at this moment. The room and her worries swirled away as the razor sharp tips pierced her skin and his arms had to hold her against him or else she would have fallen.
“No, don’t stop.” She grabbed his jacket when he started to retract his fangs. “Ahhhh…” He pressed them deeper into her and his lips sucked hard on her neck. A shudder ran through her.
“Apryini.” Krieger kissed and healed the wound.
It felt like years since she’d heard him call her by the nickname he’d given her. A dam of emotion burst inside her washing away her doubts and inhibitions. “Take me… Make me burn… Please,” she begged.
She felt the vibration of his growl on her chest.
“Why do you ask now? When we cannot.” Krieger placed his hands on either side of her face. “Look at me.”
Lily didn’t want to open her eyes, but did and saw the raw need in his. It had been months since she’d tasted his blood. With his vein near she kissed along hi
s inner wrist. “Please,” she breathed, “your blood.”
Before she’d uttered the last syllable he’d crumpled with her in his arms to the floor, cradling her against him as his hand gently held her head to a gash he’d torn in his neck. “Ahhh,” escaped his lips as she drank from him.
She’d dreamt of drinking his blood again… and other things. Like a woman dying from thirst, she was greedy and savored every drop. When he stopped the flow of blood she didn’t bother to lick her lips when she lifted her head to silently question why. His eyes laden with lust stoked her own ravenous sexual need that she’d fought too long to contain.
“I feel your siren call.” He let his head fall back against the wall.
“Answer it,” she whispered, placing kisses along his neck, relishing every shudder she caused to ripple through his body.
“No.” His hands dug into her shoulders too roughly. “Not here. You understand that?” He searched her eyes for understanding but she was not truly listening to his words.
She was breathless and wanton and reckless in her persistence. “No, I want you.” She’d never felt anything so powerful, so overwhelming, as she did in his arms right now and reached her hands up to bring his lips back to hers.
He tossed his head back growling in frustration. “When we make love it won’t be on the stone floors of Thaddon Hall. It will be in my bed where I can take my time with you.”
She felt heat pool between her thighs as his smoldering grey eyes ran over her body.
“We must wait.” He rose and lifted her with him. “Unless you want everyone within the castle walls to hear us.” He kissed away the blood on her lips. “Soon, I promise you.”
The thought that anyone could have heard them extinguished her burning passions. “Oh God,” she said. What was happening to her?
Krieger looked equally emotionally ragged. He steadied her and took a step back, raking his hand through his hair and straightening his jacket. His fangs were still fully extended, their sharp tips grazing his bottom lip. She fought back the urge to run her hand behind his head and bend him to her will, to place her lips on his mouth and wrap her tongue around each edge.
“Shall we?” Krieger extended his arm to her.
He didn’t need to say anything. She knew him well enough to know what he was thinking. It was his duty to remain at the council meeting for two more nights, then he would return to Stoke, and so would she. Lily placed her hand on his forearm. All her inhibitions flooded to the forefront of her mind. What have I done?
By the time they reached the great room Lily hoped she’d regained her composure enough to not look like the collision of opposing emotions she was. She’d met Grigori and tried to seduce Krieger. She couldn’t say which surprised her the most, but she was relieved to have other thoughts to occupy her mind, such as seeing the vampire royalty she’d heard so much about.
Cherie had told her about King Carlos and he was an easy one for her to recognize. He leaned heavily on a cane and had a misshapen head. His tongue was so swollen he used a lace handkerchief to wipe the drool from his lips. The two women standing on either side of him had his undiminished interest. The woman on his right was a warm honey blond who had an easy smile for everyone. Though her face was the same and anyone could see they were identical twins, the woman on his left was redheaded and had a hard, wary look about her.
“They’re his milkmaids,” Lucien whispered in her ear. He was standing behind and to her right. For tonight he would be her constant companion while Krieger carried on with business. She was glad Krieger was on the other side of the room talking with King Beline.
Lily turned her head enough to mouth, “What do you mean, milkmaids?”
Lucien was clearly amused by her confusion. “Their blood tastes sweeter.”
“What?” She wanted to poke him in the ribs but smiled instead.
“Retribution is the redhead. Mercy is the blonde. They are ouleds.”
Yes, Cherie had told her about the sisters who’d been given to King Carlos when they were young. She couldn’t turn away as King Carlos licked the side of Retribution’s neck. The woman seemed to sense Lily’s eyes on her and flashed a defiant look in her direction.
Lily followed Lucien’s slight head movement to the far wall. She could feel his breath against her ear as he whispered, “That is Eva, King Beline’s woman.”
Is that how everyone saw her, as Krieger’s woman, Krieger’s possession? Before she could spiral into too much indignation she saw that Eva was heavily pregnant. So much so that Lily wondered if it was wise for her to be here. Eva was talking with a short stocky man at her side, like Lucien was with her, which meant he was a guard. The more Lily looked at the man, the more familiar he was to her. When he turned to meet her gaze she knew why. He was an Ancient. Merlin had told her there were only two known to be awake. Varek and the Ancient with Eva. It was said there were more alive though they’d chosen to sleep through the ages after living so long.
They seemed to be having a discreet conversation about the milkmaids. Suddenly Lily understood about the twins. She whispered to Lucien, “'I’ve a feeling we aren’t in Kansas anymore.’”
Lucien’s finger grazed her shoulder. “Kansas?”
“Nothing.” He’d obviously never seen The Wizard of Oz. “Just a little human joke.”
Eva slowly moved across the room and reached out her hand. “You must be Lily.”
Lily reluctantly reached out her own, feeling trapped into the physical contact, and was thankful that the handshake was quick. She wished she understood why being touched by Krieger or Lucien felt natural while the touch of a human was something she’d always avoided. If Eva felt her discomfort she didn’t show it, and Lily instantly warmed to her.
“It’s nice to have another like soul here.” Eva had a beautiful Scottish accent which made ordinary words sound extraordinary. “We’re a bit outnumbered,” she said with a laugh. “So, how did you two meet?”
My father gave me to Krieger. “He was a friend of the family,” Lily said.
“I tracked my Belie down.” King Beline gave her a loving look at the sound of what must be her pet name for him. “I was researching my dissertation on early European studies and a friend of a friend of a friend suggested I speak with this amazing man, and that’s how we met.” Eva leaned in toward Lily. “The poor man never had a chance.”
Lily thought King Beline looked like a warrior Santa. He was barreled chested with a visible paunch, held up by thick legs that looked just this side of too short. His hair was a sandy brown with streaks of grey running through it. If she had to guess, she’d say he was turned in his forties, maybe late thirties, depending on the time period.
“Did you finish it?” Lily asked. “The thesis.”
“No.” Eva winced and her hands went to her belly.
“Sit,” said the Ancient, who had retrieved a chair and placed it next to her within seconds. “I am Hadar,” he said to Lily and Lucien.
Would it be polite to ask him if he’d met her Ancient sometime since the dawn of time?
“It’s nothing.” Eva’s protest was halfhearted. “I get tired so easily now. Once the baby is born you should come and visit us.”
“When are you due?” Lily asked.
“Two weeks. Can you imagine Belie changing diapers?”
Lily had to smile at that image. Hadar and Lucien did not. She could feel the intensity of Hadar’s concern for Eva, and the penetrating curiosity of Lucien’s gaze. Lily wanted to know so many things about her pregnancy, but knew now was not the time. She was saved from more small talk by the entrance of King Grigori with a vampire on either side of him.
“Queen Merneith and Queen Pao,” Lucien whispered.
Grigori briefly glanced at Eva, but did not acknowledge Lily. The two vampire queens kept their eyes straight ahead like the humans were not important enough to acknowledge. Behind them strode a ruddy man with hair sun bleached almost white and bright blue eyes which scanned th
e room and came to rest on Lily. Queen Merneith, encased neck to toe in a crimson dyed leather gown that reminded Lily of armor, briefly turned back to him, gave a slight nod of her head, and moved on, leaving the man in her wake.
“Malach, Queen Merneith’s man,” Lucien explained and inched closer to her.
“Ladies.” Malach joined them and nodded to all. “Nice to have some human company.”
He had the air of an adventurer, like he’d walked out of an Isak Dinesen novel. His off-white shirt, casually cut though clearly an expensive fabric, was unbuttoned enough to give a glimpse of red chest hair. Black trousers hung perfectly off his hips. His skin had that sun damaged quality to it that fair haired people acquired after years in the harsh sun. The lines surrounding his eyes deepened as he smiled. “These affairs are always so staid.”
“I didn’t want to come,” Eva piped up, “but Belie wouldn’t allow me to stay home.”
“He is a wise man to keep his heart close.” Malach turned his attention to Lily. “And you, were you deemed too precious to leave behind?”
She caught Krieger’s concerned look, but he needn’t have been worried. “It is a rare thing, a council meeting, something very few are permitted to witness,” Lucien answered for her.
“Very true, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend two conclaves but none as exciting as this one.”
“I know; a new king, and such a handsome king.” Eva seemed completely oblivious to the scowl Beline directed at her. She leaned forward causing them all to do the same. “How did you meet your queen? Is she as ferocious as they say?”
Lily inwardly groaned and Hadar inched closer to Eva. Martha would call her a firecracker. Malach turned and received a fanged smile from his queen. Yes, definitely fierce looking.
“During the Boer Wars,” Malach explained, “Over a hundred years ago now.” He whistled lightly. “Where do the years go?”
How was that possible? He didn’t look a day over thirty-five. There was a hawkish quality about him as he registered Lily’s reaction.
The Last Guardian Rises (The Last Keeper's Daughter) Page 11