by Olsen, Lisa
I opened my mouth but snapped it shut again as I caught his meaning from the look in his eyes. Had the two of them… with Carys?
It was clear the jab affected Bishop, his jaw clenched, voice tight when he replied. “Have some respect when you talk about Anja. She’s the Elder of the West.”
“Yes, and we all know what a dubious honor that is,” Aubrey drawled. “You can’t really like it out there, do you? Don’t you find you miss hanging out with your equals?”
So much for trying to charm me, or did he still think he was being charismatic? “I’m thinking you believe that’s a short list,” I muttered, my eyes narrowing.
“No one’s on the same rank as Aubrey, he’s a legend in his own mind,” Bishop smiled, easing somewhat as we found ourselves on the same side. “Too bad he doesn’t live up to the hype.”
Aubrey tottered back a few steps, hand falling over his heart. “You wound me, brother.”
“Not as much as I’d like to.” Bishop’s green eyes positively snapped with malice. “Whatever he tells you, you can pretty much count on believing the exact opposite.”
“It was you who always preferred to keep secrets. Especially from…”
“Don’t even say her name,” Bishop growled. “You know damn well what you drove her to with your pack of lies.”
Aubrey’s eyes widened. “You can’t still blame me…”
“Guys…” I interrupted. They were starting to draw some attention from inside the mansion. As much as I wanted to find out more about their complicated past together, I was fairly sure they didn’t want to broadcast it to the rest of the guests. “I don’t think this is the right place for this discussion.”
“He started it,” Aubrey pouted. “All I wanted was a spot of private conversation.”
Bishop wouldn’t let him get any further. “Enough. This is a big house, I’m sure there’s an elsewhere you’d rather be.”
“Oh, no, I like it here fine. Don’t you, sweets?” Aubrey replied glibly, not intimidated by Bishop’s brawn in the least. Even though Aubrey lacked Bishop’s training, I reasoned the brothers were probably pretty equally matched for strength, only being a few years apart. He didn’t seem to really need my validation though, he never took his eyes off of Bishop.
“It wasn’t a request. Move along or I’ll have to move you.”
“You can’t do anything here, brother dear. Sanctuary, remember?” His smile was beatific, but Bishop leaned in, lips curving into a dangerous smirk of his own.
“I make the rules here. Some things might be worth a slap on the wrist.”
“Not that one. It predates you by a millennia or so,” Aubrey declared loftily. “I can see why your brains might have turned to jelly, off rotting in the hinterlands though, so I’ll let it slide this once. He’s just jealous, you know,” he said, turning to me. “But I expect you’d know all about that, wouldn’t you, sweets?”
“Piss off or I’ll remind you,” Bishop snarled, and this time Aubrey did take a step or two backwards, a hint of apprehension in his eyes before he regained his bravado.
“Delightful turn of phrase you’ve picked up from the colonies. But as I’ve no desire to have my insides rearranged or ventilated, I’ll bid you goodnight.” Aubrey clicked his heels together in a mocking bow to Bishop before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “Lovely to have met you, sister dear.”
“Nice to have met you too,” I murmured, not sure what else to say after the crazy turn the conversation had taken once Bishop showed up.
I thought Bishop might take off as well, but he lingered, waiting to speak until Aubrey was well away from the terrace. “Are you alright?”
What did he think Aubrey did to me? “I’m a little bewildered, but of course I’m fine, we were only talking. You know, one of these days you’re going to have to tell me more about the two of you and what happened to Carys.”
“Not today.”
“Fair enough,” I murmured, letting it go rather than risk having him blow his top. We were almost having a real conversation for once and I didn’t want to jinx it. “Maybe I should ask you if you’re alright? You look like you’re wound tighter than a drum. If I touch you you’ll fly apart.” I reached out to touch him and his hand flicked out to catch my wrist. “See?” Bishop let go of my wrist, and I continued my motion, my fingers brushing lightly at the hair over his ear. “Your hair is so short…” It was soft, like a short hair cat’s fur.
“It’s easier to take care of this way.” His head ducked to the side to avoid my touch and I dropped my hand.
“I like it, it’s different. Of course, I liked it before.” I didn’t think it was possible for there to be a bad look on him.
“You look…” His eyes skimmed over the dress and I gave a slow pivot, showing it off.
“Do you like it? It’s one of the perks of the job.”
Compliments forgotten, the furrow returned to his brow. “How in the hell did you end up as Elder?”
“Beats the heck out of me,” I grumbled and the corner of his mouth twitched into an almost smile.
“You always did know how to step into the middle of things.”
“Hey, I only went down there to meet the candidates. I knew Felix was on me to throw my hat into the ring, so I laid into them with a list of demands so nuts I was sure I’d be out of the race. But… here I am.” My hands flopped up and to my sides again.
“I can imagine. That’s the sort of thing those politicos eat right up.”
“Oh sure, I know that now. Too bad there was no one around to give me the heads up at the time.” I gave him a pointed look. There was a time when he’d been the one to give me the needed advice to steer me away from trouble.
Bishop looked away, his gaze resting on the patio doors where Rob and Gunnar looked on. “It seems like you’re surrounded by plenty of handlers.”
“There was always room for you in my life, Bishop.” Not that I expected us to pick up where we left off before, but I didn’t like the uncomfortable estrangement between us either. I have no idea what Bishop felt on the subject though, because he changed it.
“Look, I’m glad we have a few minutes alone, there’s something I wanted to talk to you about.”
“You are? I mean, there is?”
“Yes. I’ve heard some things about they way you’re running the West.”
Here we go… “And it bothers you in some way?”
“You’re damned right it bothers me.” His voice dropped, but felt no less urgent despite the intimacy. “Providing phony documents to people? Giving them Sanctuary in your own home? Are you nuts? Or do you just have a death wish?”
“Believe it or not, I was trying to avoid death.”
“Of all the stupid, misguided…”
“Hey, I don’t have to stand here and be insulted.” I hadn’t expected him to understand, and it’s not like it had never occurred to me how risky it was. But he’d given up the right to tell me what to do, not that I’d ever listened before anyway. I turned to leave, more than happy to end the conversation.
“Look, I’m sorry…” He caught my hand and I let him stop me, giving Rob a tiny shake of the head when I saw him start forward. “It’s just… when I think about the risks you took… What were you thinking?”
Turning back, I could see something behind the frustration in Bishop’s voice. He really did care, no matter how much of an ass he chose to be about it. “I was thinking that people deserve more of a chance than the Order gives, and I did what was needed to help them survive. You and I both know how outdated the Order’s charter has become. Times have completely changed since the Ellri set it up.”
Bishop let go of my hand. “Then it’s true what they’re saying, you’re encouraging people to revolt against the Order’s right to judge them.”
“What? I never told anybody to revolt.” What was he even talking about?
“Oh, sure. What did you say – don’t revolt, wink, wink, nudge, nudge? Don’t pretend you don’t know w
hat’s going on in your own streets.”
“I seriously have no idea what you’re talking about. What’s going on in the streets?”
His head tilted to one side as Bishop studied me carefully. “You really don’t know?”
“I’m starting to think I’d better find out,” I frowned. Was Felix keeping something from me?
“From what Mason told me, it’s open season on the Order out there. It’s getting so they can’t do their jobs without fear of being attacked by an angry mob.”
“Then maybe there’s something wrong with the way they’re doing their jobs, did you ever think of that?”
“So you are in favor of it?” His expression darkened.
“I’m in favor of people standing up for themselves when they’re being unfairly treated. I never told anybody to go after the Order though.” I’d have to talk to Felix and get the real skinny on the situation instead of through Order-colored glasses.
“Maybe you didn’t have to. It’s clear they’re following the example you set for them. Most of them are too young to know the way things were before the Order came into existence and the steps we’ll take to make sure it doesn’t get like that again. Anja, you can’t allow this to continue.”
“A little revolution can be a healthy thing from time to time. Maybe it’s what we need to get a more balanced system in the works.”
“You don’t get it,” he shook his head. “Do you really think the Order is going to let this go for much longer? If I’m hearing out it all the way out here, you can for damn sure bet they’ll hear about it in Rome, if they haven’t already.”
“Well… good. Maybe they need to get the message too.”
“Anja, they’ll retaliate with force, that’s how the Order works. You’ll end up with martial law until things calm down. Is that what you want?”
It had to be an empty threat. There was way too big of a geographic area for them to enforce something like that. “They can’t do that, there are more of us than there are of them.”
“Not if they send in reinforcements. They take this sort of thing pretty seriously. If your people keep on this path, there’s going to be another cleansing.”
That didn’t sound good at all. It didn’t escape me the way he called them my people either. Not too long ago they’d been his people as well. “Then I’ll have to talk to the Order, it’s as simple as that. I’ll go to Rome or wherever and explain that I’m not trying to advocate violence on either side. I just want a repeal of the Order’s right to execute whoever they deem fit.”
He was already shaking his head again before I even stopped talking. “You can’t do that, you have no sway over the Order.”
“Then you can appeal to them for me. Make them see my side of the story. I’m only trying to do what’s best for everybody.”
“I won’t do that.”
“Bishop, please…”
He immediately looked away, eyes scrunching tightly closed. “Don’t…”
“You really think I’d try to compel you over this?” It hurt, but I guess I could understand the kneejerk reaction. Only I’d tried my hardest to make him understand that I never wanted to use my compulsion against him again. “So what I said at the airport… that didn’t affect things for you at all?”
“Nothing’s changed between us.”
“I guess you’re right.” I held onto the sigh of regret; there would be time to mourn the absolute loss of any chance at a relationship with Bishop later. “Well, I guess I should get back to my friends and you should get back to… whatever you’re doing.”
Bishop relaxed when I let it go so easily, but his shoulders were still tense. “I’m surprised you didn’t bring Maggie or Ellie back with you. I hear they’re your regular entourage now.”
“Yes, well, Maggie didn’t have the best memories of this place, you know? And Ellie… she’s gone.”
“She took off on her own? I hope she remembers to keep some things secret.”
“No, I mean she’s gone, gone.” My voice wavered a bit, and I cleared my throat, not wanting to risk tears in this venue. Bishop’s voice softened as my meaning became clear, and I looked away.
“Shit, I’m sorry, Anja.”
“Don’t pretend like you cared about her, you wanted to kill her from the start,” I hissed.
“Only because of the danger she posed to you. I never wanted her dead on a personal note.”
“I have a newsflash for you. Wanting someone dead is a personal note, no matter how you convince yourself it’s not.”
He was silent for a few moments, his voice grave when he spoke. “How did she die?”
“Rob had to… take steps.”
His eyes flicked to where Rob lingered. “And you’re fine with him doing it? Jesus, Anja, what happened to you?”
“What’s that supposed to mean? I’m not fine with it, not even close.” It still bothered me more than I liked that Rob had taken those steps without talking to me about it first, but it was an impossible situation. There was no way to ‘take care of it’ that would’ve made it easier on any of us.
“Then why are you letting him hang all over you?”
“He’s not hanging all over me, he’s looking out for me. There’s a difference.”
Bishop wasn’t having any. “I’ve worked security longer than he has, and there’s no reason to put his hands on you. Or is that the picture now? Is that what that song was about? I thought…”
Was he jealous? I didn’t know if I should try to exploit that to get him to admit he still had feelings for me or not, but in the end I couldn’t. My situation with Rob was none of his business and I wouldn’t use it to trick Bishop into feeling something he was so bound and determined to ignore.
“It’s nothing for you to worry about, Bishop.”
“I guess not. I’ll leave you to his expert care then. Remember what I said and try to stay out of trouble while you’re here. I won’t be able to help you if you get yourself in hot water.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” I scowled at his back, watching him take the long way back into the mansion, I suppose to avoid crossing paths with Rob.
Chapter Twelve
After that fun conversation, I needed a few moments to myself, but I was glad to have Bridget seek me out not too much later.
“Hey, Anya, the party’s inside, not out here.”
“I know. I wanted a few minutes to enjoy the night air.”
“Are you kidding? It’s cold as fuck out here. Not all of us are immune to the temperature, now come on inside.”
“You go on ahead, I’ll just be a minute.” My gaze flicked back to the terrace doors where I could still see Bishop inside, talking to a pretty blonde woman I hadn’t met yet.
“Jesus, An… you have to stop looking at him with those sappy, sad cartoon eyes.”
“I’m not!” I insisted, immediately on the defensive. “I didn’t do or say anything about Bishop. I’m over him.”
“Oh please, you are so not over him,” she snorted.
“I should be. He could care less about being with me.”
“Yeah, right.”
I let out a long breath. “It makes no difference what he does or doesn’t feel when stuff like that comes out of his mouth.”
“Shake it off, girlfriend, it’s time to go back to making the rounds.” Bridget reached inside her bodice and tucked her boobs up to sit a smidge higher. “You ready, Your Grace?”
“Shut up.” She knew I didn’t like it when she called me that.
“Good comeback. I can see why they picked you to rule the world. Who was the dumbass who decided to make you queen of the dead again? Oh yeah, it was you. This is all your own fault, dumbass.”
“Well, double dumbass on you.”
“Even better. I don’t know how you keep coming up with them,” she teased, and I had to smile that time.
“It’s from a movie.”
“I figured. You can tell me all about it later, how Luke make
s out with his sister and then saves the Klingons from the Cylons or whatever shit it is. Right now I have to get back to Felix’s side before I have to cut that bitch that’s hanging all over his arm.”
I looked over in time to see the brunette in question touch Felix’s arm with familiarity, her artificially high laughter floating out to us on the terrace. “You want me to compel her to jump into the lake?”
“No, but a facial with a bunch of razor blades might be a good idea,” she joked. At least I think she was joking. It was hard to tell from the speculative gleam that came into her eyes. She must have seen my expression because she was quick to set me at ease. “Kidding! I’m kidding. Mostly.”
“Ah, Bridget. What would I do without you?”
“Suck more?”
*
The rest of the night didn’t go too badly. There were no formal events scheduled. Mostly it was a bunch of us milling around, introducing ourselves as people arrived and putting out feelers on who wanted to meet with whom. Felix set up with a meeting with the Germans and the East as well as with Corley, but before I could ask him more about what Vetis wanted with us, he closed himself off in the bedroom with Bridget.
I wasn’t quite ready to sleep yet, so I decided to make some notes on the delegates I’d met that night. I dug out my list of houses and made a few additions, my notes sprawled across the bed beside me.
Jennike Vendal – poisonous bitch
Jean Pierre Severine – sad, lost his wife, distrusts Belonoc
Rein Faust – Seems nice, progressive. Reason for caution? Still need to meet Liesa!
Chinese guy – did not get his name. find it out
Felippo Cristobal – dude likes to party. Thing for cowboys
Mac – likes Patsy Cline and tequila
Dante Cipriano – too smooth for his own good. Careful
Hasan Khalid – so gorgeous! Love his accent!
Erik Erlendur – batshit crazy. Talk to Niels instead
Where is Sylvius? What is Corley up to with all the smiles?