Scion's Avalon [House of Dracul 2] (Siren Publishing Classic)

by J. Annas Walker

  David never let go of her hand. She knew he was curious about the box’s contents but tried to maintain his poker face. Sometimes the bond helped, like now, but at other times, feeling each other’s emotions made keeping secrets or thoughts private difficult.

  Lady Ursula held open her palm, as if to accept the gift in one hand. The box left the High Prince’s hands and floated gently to her. She shifted her hand in presentation to Lady Helena, who accepted it. The lid slowly lifted off. Inside, the box held a pile of ashes and nothing else.

  No one made a sound. Cassy knew this to be all that remained of one of the two men Lady Ursula expelled the previous night. The question was which one. Disgust flowed to her from David.

  Lady Helena nodded in acceptance and handed the box off to a junior member of the council. “Thank you for your offering, but you spoke of one of your servants. Yet, there were two here last night. What of the other one? What was his punishment?” Her tone remained serious.

  “Reid is vhy I am here in person. He vas not vhat he seemed to be, Ladies. Vhen I tried to have him staked in the sun, the oddest thing happened,” Vlad said, taking a seat across from the group.

  “Pray tell,” Lady Ursula encouraged.

  The Romanian sat back, crossed his legs, and picked up a glass of blood. Sipping, he paused for a moment before he spoke. “Nothing. Nothing happened at all. The light did nothing to him. It took hours to find out vhy.” He gave his glass an appraising look and took another sip. His fangs flashed for a brief second.

  “Does this have anything to do with Elisabeta’s disappearance?” David prompted.

  Vlad shifted his appraising look from his glass to David. If it bothered David, he did not show it. Cassy gave his hand an anxious little squeeze.

  “As head of security here, it is a proper question,” Vlad admitted. “The answer is yes. On top of the problems ve have had over the last century, ve have been infiltrated by imposters.”

  “Imposters? What kind of imposters?” David asked.

  “Vell, to be frank, elves and elf-hybrids. Apparently, they knew about your little secret quite some time ago. Reid turned out to be a hybrid spy. His mother was a vampire and his father an elf. Ve had him registered as a three-quarter born vampire. The eyes and fangs vere real. He had also learned a form of compelling similar to ours.” Vlad turned to Lady Ursula and gave a slight bow. “That is vhy he thought he could compel you during your disagreement, Lady. I offer my apology on his behalf.”

  “Accepted,” Ursula said, returning his bow.

  David cleared his throat and brought the conversation back to business. “If he was a spy, why would he risk being caught by attacking Cassy?”

  “It was his only chance to gain access to her. Their plan has not gone off vithout a hitch. Most of the vomen vere lured away from home and then taken. Elisabeta was the only one not to arrive at their final destination. They seem to think she had some help escaping,” Vlad said. He sat his glass down casually and uncrossed his legs. Propping his elbows on knees, he leaned down toward Cassy. “The money left your accounts and was directed to an anonymous Swiss account, including Elisabeta’s.”

  “Why?” Cassy whispered.

  “They money vas to make us think they paid to be smuggled into hiding. The account is one their oldest and has been anonymous from the beginning,” he father replied.

  “Meaning?” David chimed in.

  Cassy felt his need to protect her increase. Whatever answers her father had to give made David’s instincts rise.

  “Meaning it had to be something supernatural and able to pass as human long enough to open such an account. Verevolves have never been that organized. Vitches stopped venturing out into the vorld centuries ago and now own their own bank. The little folks vould never be able to pass as human. The only groups left are vampires and elves,” he finished explaining.

  “Where are the women and why take them? Was it for the money? Like ransom?”

  “Reid did not have answers to all those questions. I compelled him to tell me the money vas accessed by legal means and paid as a fee for promised services. The Hungarian House of Bathory claimed Martina went to an exotic spa. She left a note, but the spa in question does not exist. The Bohemian House of Seinsheim reported both Nadia and Alena missing two days before Elisabeta. They had been shopping together and did not return,” Vlad stated. He rose from his chair and walked to the lit fireplace. With one hand on his hip and one on the mantel he closed his eyes and continued. “Elisabeta had an appointment three days ago. She left home alone, taking only her driver. The driver vas found slumped behind the wheel in the doctor’s parking lot. She never made it to her appointment.”

  “Is it true all of them were pregnant?” Cassy’s voice was barely above a whisper. Guilt washed over her. She blamed herself for their being lost. She was not sure how she could be responsible, but she was sure it somehow tied back to her relationship with David. Until Reid’s outing, David was the only known vampire with an elf heritage.

  “You seem better informed than you should be. Martina ve do not know about. Nadia was unable to recover fully from the quicksilver. Alena was found to be vith child one veek prior to going missing. Elisabeta’s appointment vas to determine if she vas also vith child,” Vlad said, his Romanian accent getting thicker by the end.

  “You have our sympathy, Prince Vlad, but you have not told us what any of this has to do with Cassandra and David. They are our charges for the next ninety-seven years. Anything that threatens them is a threat to us all,” Lady Helena interjected.

  “I agree, Lady. We need all the facts, if we are going to keep Cassy and the coven safe,” David said. He gave Vlad a hard glare. Irritation at the High Prince’s informative, yet evasive, answers came across the bond. Cassy knew David was losing patience.

  “Cassandra’s accounts were used because it was thought nothing would be noticed. No one at court knows the details of our arrangement, not even Max. As far as anyone else is concerned, the two of you have been exiled. You, David, are merely her made vampire consort to the others. Your bond is known only to me and Elisabeta.

  “If Elisabeta has been taken for political reasons, her captors could already know about it. Elves are known to interfere in the political matters of others, vhen it suits their purpose. Reid vas sent to find Elisabeta. Vhere ever the others are, she is not vith them. Ve need to find her and the others. I need your help to do so,” Vlad stated matter-of-factly to Cassy.

  David shifted to place Cassy behind him. The prince gave a smirk at the obvious movement. Lady Helena laid her hand on David’s shoulder as if to restrain him. He relaxed but still blocked Cassy from the prince’s immediate grasp.

  Cawing from the window ledge drew everyone’s attention to the crow. It spread its wings and gave another loud caw, leaning forward in a clumsy bow. It waited until Lady Ursula held her arm and beckoned it to her. Flapping feathers swooshed over Cassy and David’s head.

  The bird landed with more grace than its bow. It leaned its head as close to the elder witch’s face as it could and still remain on her arm. A series of clicks and soft caws added to a set of guttural noises as the bird communicated.

  The witch nodded and pulled a treat from her pocket. “Thank you, Obsidian. That was most informative.” She gave the crow its reward and held her arm up higher. It flapped several times before launching itself into the air. It took laps around the tall ceiling and headed back out the window.

  “It seems, Prince Vlad, we have a common problem. One of our Mothers has been reported missing in New Atlanta, but we have a magical trace,” Lady Ursula said.

  “And vould you be so kind as to tell me vhere the trace led?” Vlad requested.

  “To Avalon,” she replied.

  Chapter 6

  A low growl rumbled from Vlad’s chest, and his snarled expression exposed his fangs. Several of the elders gasped. Lady Ursula’s usual calm evaporated into a serious scowl. Lady Helena closed her eyes tight and drew i
n a slow, deep breath.

  Cassy felt a tear well up and spill over onto her cheek. Only one person spoke.

  “What is…I mean…where is Avalon?” David asked, sounding unsure of his question.

  “Cassy, you have done a poor job explaining our vorld to him,” the prince chided. His snarl had turned to a frown directed at her.

  “Your world, not mine! I thought there would be time to break things to him little by little. I thought I was finally free,” Cassy admitted.

  “Would someone please explain this to me? I need to know what we are up against here,” David said. He shifted his body, no longer blocking Cassy.

  “My dear child,” Lady Helena said with a great deal of patience, “Avalon is a realm between this world and the next. Time holds little meaning there. It is a place of physical spirit. Fairies, elves, gnomes, brownies, leprechauns, and sprites all call Avalon home. Beauty abounds in the mists of Avalon, but do not be fooled. It is a dangerous place with as many horrors as it has treasures.”

  “Why would anyone take vampires there?” Cassy wondered aloud.

  “There is something you should know, Cassandra. Born vampires have a common DNA characteristic with elves. We believe it was why David’s transition did not follow the rules. There may be more to this than political manipulation,” Ursula stated.

  “It could mean they are out of options,” Helena added.

  “Vhat sort of options? Reid did not say anything about a reason for taking them, only that they vere taken. Elisabeta was the exception. I had planned to ask Cassy to act as bait, so that ve could follow her to the others. However, getting to Avalon vould pose a problem, and Elisabeta may not be there. I need to know our options,” Vlad said.

  “Just as we have worked together to maintain a healthy population, the elves have made adjustments to achieve the same goals. They use a different method. Some take human lovers while others use changelings. There are those that still follow the oldest of traditions, exchanging wishes for the firstborn. If they have sent elf-vampire hybrid spies into your houses, there could be a connection. It may be hard to know who to trust, but you must locate as many of them as you can. It is not likely that everyone will be a member of the opposition. I daresay there will be a few surprised vampires unaware of their genetic connection. I suggest you ask Reid more about his heritage,” Helena explained.

  “That vill be most difficult, my good Lady.” The High Prince picked a neatly wrapped box up off the floor. He presented it to Lady Helena.

  She sighed deeply and pointed her forefinger at the foil-bow-covered lid. An upward gesture popped the top off of the box. A heavy plastic liner unfurled to reveal the box’s contents. There were several gasps and a soft scream from behind Lady Helena. The box was placed on the floor at her feet.

  Staring up at Cassy was Reid’s head. A wave of nausea forced her to turn her head. David clutched her close to his chest, placing a hand over face to shield her from the gruesome gift.

  “Are you crazy? Look at what you have done to Cassy!” David’s voice was full of anger. He kissed the top of Cassy’s head.

  “She vill be fine. It is not the first severed head she has ever seen,” Vlad dismissed.

  “Clearly she’s not fine. I could feel her getting sick. Come on, baby, let’s get you back upstairs.” David pulled her up as he stood. He removed his hand. The box and its contents vanished.

  “It’s all right, baby. It’s gone now. Everything is going to be okay,” David whispered into her hair.

  “I’m not finished addressing my daughter. She vill stay,” Vlad demanded.

  David held Cassy under one arm and stared the High Prince in the eye. “She may be your daughter, but she is my wife. I will not let you use her and then discard her when you please. She isn’t going to be anybody’s bait.”

  “She is still my subject and vill do as I say!” Vlad’s voice took on a dangerous tone.

  “We were exiled, remember? We are no one’s subjects. The Council of Crones gave us sanctuary. They are only ones we answer to,” David said through gritted teeth.

  “If you were not—” Vlad started to threaten before he was cut off mid-sentence.

  “Shut up and stop it! Both of you! I have had enough!” Cassy surprised herself at her own boldness. Her father’s face seemed to match. She did not know if anyone had ever told him to shut up. Oh well, she thought, there is a first time for everything.

  It worked. Neither of them spoke. She looked back over her shoulder at the council members. They were filing out of the room one by one. Only Ursula and Helena remained in their seats.

  “Cassy, I believe you have the floor, as they say,” Lady Helena said with a gesture. Cassy understood it to mean she should continue.

  “Father, you gave me my freedom. I would appreciate if you would ask me before committing me to an obligation. I’m worried about Liz, too, and want to see her get home as much as you do,” she said.

  Turning to David, she added, “Thank you for standing up for me. I know you only want what’s best. However, I am still my own person and need to be allowed to make decisions for myself.” She reached up and gave him a peck on the cheek. It left a light-silver glow where her lips touched his skin. She laid her head against his chest and listened for their heartbeat. Lub-dub. Lub-dub. The single rhythm was comforting.

  “I’m sorry. I should have asked you what you wanted. I only meant to protect you,” David apologized. He used a crooked finger under her chin to lift her face up for a quick kiss.

  “Apology accepted,” she said.

  Lady Helena stood and silently drifted toward them. She gave them a warm smile. “I think the two of you should give us a few minutes alone with the High Prince. We will let you know when you are needed,” she said kindly.

  David scooped Cassy into his arms and took off for the front door. He stopped at the top of the Ramp Deux. Sitting on a bench near Diana’s statue, he kept her on his lap. The air was sharp but would not bother them. Vampires naturally resisted extreme temperatures.

  Only in the distance could lights from the other parts of the compound be seen. The main house obscured most of the estate buildings from this vantage point. The massive, light-colored masonry and copper roof with its green patina stood out against the pitch-black night sky.

  The one word Cassy found to describe the sight was home. She had been as happy here over the last three years as she had been since her childhood. She wanted nothing to change. She had the man of her dreams, a rewarding job, friends, and a beautiful and safe place to be herself. What more could she had asked of life?

  “I know. I love it here, too,” David said. He had picked up on her emotions.

  The near-full moon washed the landscape in a silvery glow. Elongated shadows stretched out on the ground. The cold night kept the animals quiet. The two were surrounded by silence in their own little world, a silence neither of them seemed to want broken.

  Sliding his hand up, David cupped one of Cassy’s breasts, using a finger to lightly rub back and forth over her nipple. It tightened into a hard peak. He chuckled quietly and cupped the other breast, as well.

  Cassy sighed and leaned her head back over his shoulder. She exposed her neck. Excitement thrilled through her as he teased her skin with his fangs. Reaching behind her head, she wound her fingers in his hair and encouraged him to apply more pressure.

  The tips of his fangs slowly penetrated her skin. She enjoyed the sensation of them gliding into her flesh. Blood flowed in time to the singular beat of their hearts. Lub-dub. Lub-dub.

  The warm vibrations she had noted earlier had been at a barely noticeable hum. Now it grew stronger. The warmth spread along her skin and began spilling over into David. She knew the moment it had. He made a satisfied moan as he drank her blood. She closed her eyes as she gave in to everything, tuning out the rest of the world.

  David stopped a few seconds before Cassy seriously took notice. She opened her eyes to see an orb emanating a pale, seafoam-gr
een light hovering several yards from them. The light pulsed but never completely faded. A voice echoed from within.

  “Please return to the main house. Your presence has been requested,” it said. With its message delivered, the orb collapsed in on itself, drawing down to a bright pinpoint of light and then twinkling out of existence.

  “And just when it was getting good,” David bemoaned.

  “I know, but let’s get back. If we keep Father waiting, he’s likely to come looking for us. Finding us naked in bed isn’t the same as finding us lost to the throes of passion,” she said. Thoughts of her father worked like a cold shower. The puncture wounds healed quickly.

  David helped Cassy to stand. She took a few steps and turned to face him. A drop of blood trickled from one corner of his mouth. She reached up to wipe it away, but suddenly could not move. Energy had hit her in the back.

  David’s eyes were wide, but he, too, was frozen in place. Cassy was sure whatever was affecting her was also affecting him. She could feel his surprise and fear. Both emotions were colored with anger. She assumed he saw who did this to them.

  Shuffling noises came from behind her. A small hand with stubby fingers ran across her ass and down one thigh. Cassy sickened at the thoughts of being touched by a stranger. She wanted it to stop, for David to make it stop.

  In a flash, a wave of seething anger washed over her from David. A hot flame stoked in her chest. Between Cassy and David, a golden orb of their own formed. It flared into life and grew rapidly. Soon, it encircled them, creating a barrier and pushing the small hand away. With a sudden rush, the bubble surrounding them expanded. Two small yelps were heard a second prior to the two vampires’ release. The magic holding them captive broke.

  Cassy saw David’s expression. His brows furrowed, lips pulled back in a snarl and fangs fully extended. He stared at a place just over Cassy’s shoulder.