Cara Mia - Book One of the Immortyl Revolution

by Denise Verrico

  Guilietta stared hard at me. “I knew she’d cause problems.”

  Gaius stared her down. “No one asked your opinion.”

  “You put too much trust in that buffoon over there, so your alphas are turning. Ethan is right. Take his head!”

  The Wolf’s eyes went cold. “You’re dismissed.”

  Guilietta glided past. “Mark me, it won’t end here.”

  Gaius turned to Ethan. “Perhaps it’s best you go now.”

  Twenty minutes later, Gaius’s boat sped back over the bay to our villa with Ethan cradling his crated painting and me huddled on the deck in a robe belonging to Lisette. Pleased with the turn of events, he hummed a little tune, mentally tallying his take while I sat utterly wretched and spent by the night’s events.

  “Cheer up, Madam. You’ll never be troubled by that swine again.”

  “If only I could say the same for you.”

  Ethan’s eyes narrowed. “What exactly did Brovik promise you?”

  Kurt’s face flickered before me, but I was too drained to feel desire, only a deep longing, sadness.

  “You went above and beyond for our glorious cause, my dear.”

  “Don’t you ever know when to shut the fuck up?”

  “You were so gung ho on this. You didn’t agree to be manhandled just to make Brovik happy. We’ll just have to wait and see if he comes through with the goods.”

  Brovik lost no time in calling on us, Philip in tow. He was very pleased with the outcome of the venture and brought me a small golden falcon as a gift.

  “Egyptian. Very old,” Ethan said, appraising it. “Horus.”

  “Had it for centuries— our Bird of Prey should have it. You’re returning to America. I have more work for you there. Philip has your payment in that briefcase; count it if you don’t trust me. Mia, join me on the terrace? I wish to enjoy the view.”

  The night was cool with the crisp, clean smell of ripening grapes. Now and then the moon would break through the clouds and bleach Brovik’s pale hair to silver. His untroubled demeanor gave no clues to his thoughts.

  “You’ve done well, my dear, very well indeed,” he said, finally. “Tell me exactly what you learned in the Wolf’s house.”

  I told him everything, down to the last bruise. He took me into his arms and held me tightly. “Dear child, it grieves me that you endured this. Your courage puts us all to shame. This is valuable information.”

  “What about the little rats? He’ll go on hurting them.”

  “Unfortunately, that is their lot. Kurt will warn them to avoid the Wolf’s dominions.”

  Since Brovik had mentioned Kurt it seemed like a good time to broach the subject of my reward. “How is he?”

  Brovik smiled fondly. “Well.” He slipped a small book of Shelly’s poems into my hand. “He asked me to give you this, a first edition he found in a shop in London.”

  An envelope protruded from the book. I took the envelope out of the book and ran the smooth, heavy paper through my fingers. Closing my eyes, I conjured his face. “I’ve done my part, Brovik. You said you’d arrange things.”

  I opened my eyes. Brovik tilted my chin up, serene smile flowing over his face. It was like Ethan said. He just reached inside and plucked the soul from me.

  “Dear child, did you think I meant right now? There’s far too much to be done first. I need you at Ethan’s side. The two of you work so well together. Ethan’s great talent is courting investors and politicians. You’ll be instrumental in this work.”

  The desperate butterfly panicked as the net dropped down on her yet again. “How long, Brovik?”

  “When we finish this work, you’ll be free to go to Kurt.”

  “When— in thirty years?”

  “This work is more important than your lust.”

  I was angry now. I snapped the book shut. “So, I have no choice, but to be Ethan’s slave?”

  Brovik smiled again. “Thirty years is a mere blink of an eye to us.”

  “It’s a lifetime to me. I’ll kill myself, I swear, if I have to endure another night with Ethan!”

  He took me by the shoulders. “You will go back to America with him, and go on as you are until I have no more need of your service!” An owl hooted overhead. Brovik looked up, spooked. The slightest of tremors passed through him. He softened his tone. “You’re still very young. You and Kurt have centuries ahead of you. Ethan isn’t the harshest master you could endure. Dirk must have taught you that.”

  “It’s easy for you to say!”

  “To lead an Immortyl house is fraught with danger and sorrow as well.” He took my head into his hands, fixing his eyes on mine. “In time what you desire will be yours. Stay with Ethan.”

  I shook my head adamantly, looking away from his strange hypnotic stare. “I won’t cooperate anymore!”

  I broke away, running back into the house, wanting to go upstairs and lock myself in. I tore through the drawing room. Ethan and Philip looked up.

  “What on earth did he say to make her behave so?” Ethan asked.

  Philip blocked my path. “Hold on, little one. Has the old one upset you?”

  “Let me go! I’m sick of all of you!” I jabbed my heel into Philip’s foot and ran upstairs to my room, slamming the door.

  I threw myself face down on the bed, head throbbing. Tears ran down my face. I still held Kurt’s letter clutched in my hand. To my surprise Ethan came in from the balcony. He must have climbed the arbor. I hid the letter, but he saw it and snatched it away, holding it above my head.

  “What’s this? A love letter? Let’s see, from whom?”

  I looked up at him and snapped, “Go on, say something disgusting, it’s the only thing you know how to do.”

  Ethan took it all in good humor. He just enjoyed my pain too much. “How long has this little correspondence been going on?”

  “Ever since Philip first came to see us!”

  Ethan unfolded the sheets and smoothed them out to read. “So that’s the reason for all those packages, to hide his treachery?”

  “Stop being so dramatic! Give it back to me!” I reached out and tried to take it.

  Ethan snatched it away again. “Does Brovik know about these letters?” A malicious grin split Ethan’s face. “You’ve been played for a fool, my dear.” He began to laugh. “Now I know what he promised you! Let’s read what tender phrases Cupid concocted to woo you. Oh my, this is dull. No wonder you’re in tears. Oh, this is promising, ‘How lovely you looked the last time I saw you with the wind in your hair and the moonlight in your eyes… but how sad, so unhappy to be chained to that monster.’ Don’t you see? Brovik put him up to it. The boy turned those big, blue eyes on and you turned to mush covered in molasses. Do you really believe that effeminate creature cares for you?”

  “He’s not effeminate! He’s— something beyond your understanding!”

  Ethan grabbed my arm and pulled me to him. “He’s a killer, Mia, just like the rest of us. Haven’t I taught you anything? Stupid, does he put you in mind of that boy you fell in love with when you were fifteen? Wake up my dear, he’s devoted to only one love, you have the wrong set of equipment.”

  “No. That would be you.”

  Ethan hauled off and slapped me. “I’m putting a stop to this now.”

  He stalked out of the room and went downstairs to confront Brovik. I was momentarily paralyzed. What if all Ethan said was true? I’d been misled once already. Maybe it all was a ploy, and the things Kurt had said to me for years were just lies. I had to find out. I followed Ethan downstairs, where Philip was stirring the fire, and Brovik leafing through a pile of papers Ethan had prepared, our expenses for the trip home.

  Ethan waved the letter in Brovik’s face. “So. You promised her the boy. You put him up to writing her love letters.”

  Brovik was nonplussed and pushed Ethan’s hand away as if shooing a fly. “I only encouraged him. The words and the sentiments are his own.”

  “You manipulated her and d
eceived me.”

  Brovik’s liquid smile flowed once more. “It has worked to our advantage.”

  “Well, now that this is out in the open, we can end this little charade.” Ethan turned to Philip. “You had a part, too.”

  Philip’s face was troubled. “The child was lonely. I thought friendship with one her own age would be good for her. I never meant harm.”

  I appealed to Philip. “Tell me the truth. Was all this all a ploy?”

  “Not on my part. I believe Kurt had no part, either.”

  “The boy had no part,” Brovik said, not looking up from the figures on the paper. “He genuinely cares for her.”

  Ethan was furious. “Isn’t this all so touching? The fact remains that she’s mine and I have no intention of giving her up. She just made me a cool fifty thousand, between my compensation and the painting.”

  “It’s my desire she remain with you,” Brovik replied. “I discussed this with her outside.”

  Philip was perturbed. “Do you even love the girl, Ethan?”

  Ethan’s face gave no clue as he replied to Philip’s question, “Ask Brovik, he knows the answer.”

  Brovik looked bored. “This work is important to us all. You two will work out your difficulties. Philip and I have business in Rome. I can’t stay here and argue over hurt feelings.”

  “You wreak your havoc and move on, just to get what you want.”

  “Remember that Ethan and you’ll have an easier time of it. I didn’t survive a thousand years by worrying about sensibility. I get results anyway I can. We have bigger things to worry about than Mia fancying Kurt.”

  I trembled from head to foot with anger. “You used me. You’re as bad as Gaius!”

  Brovik grew horrifyingly still. “I won’t have either of you getting in the way of our progress. I don’t care if you despise each other. You’ll do as you are ordered. Philip, let’s go.” He abruptly left the room.

  Philip kissed my cheek and whispered into my ear. “Courage, little one— the boy is true.”

  I pulled away from him. “You told me never to trust anyone. I guess you were right.”

  “Philip, come,” Brovik called from the door.

  Philip shook his head, taking one last look at us before he left with Brovik. “Ruthven, old chap, we’ve made a sad mess of things.”

  Ethan looked as if I were an insect he scraped off of the sole of his shoe. “Here I thought it was Brovik, but all along he was pandering his paramour to you.”

  “Well, that should work for you. Brovik’s bed is a bit crowded. Go on, hit me again, leave bruises. They will fade. I found that out with Dirk.”

  “You endured that animal because Brovik promised you an opportunity to rut with Kurt?”

  “No, to be free of you and all your misery!”

  “Misery, madam? I’ve endured your haranguing for over a decade. Perhaps, I long to be free of you!”

  “Go on, throw me out, and lose the best investment you ever made.”

  Ethan grabbed my throat. “Don’t tempt me. I can always make a new and improved version of you. Brovik could care less as long as she does as she’s told. What would become of you then? Maybe little Amor would spirit you away, or maybe he’d just let you lie there until the sun rots the flesh from your bones. You are nothing without me. I took you from that wretched theatre and made you a goddess.”

  “I never asked to be a goddess. I only wanted you to love me. You should have left me to die. Hell, couldn’t be any worse than this!”

  He released me and looked on in grim satisfaction. “Well, well, all grown up at last. Welcome to eternal perdition my dear, with all its empty promises and unending torment. Now you know… ”

  Mia trailed off into silence. Joe observed her pained expression, and thought it best to call it quits. “That’s enough. I still have to go play chess with Kurt.”

  She nodded, saying nothing more, still and depressed.

  “All right?”

  “Just missing him.”

  “I understand. Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  He took a last inquiring look, but she didn’t move a muscle. What had gotten into her lately?

  Joe carried the beautifully carved chess set his father had left him into the other cell. Kurt delighted in the carving of the onyx pieces as Joe unpacked them, turning the slightly transparent stone in his slender fingers. “Exquisite… ”

  “Been in my family for generations— played a lot when I was a kid.”

  “My father taught me when I was very young. We played backstage during my concert tours in the early thirties.”

  Weird. Kurt was older than Joe’s father was when he died, yet he looked so young and smooth. That image made Joe uncomfortable.

  Kurt chuckled. “Doctor, you needn’t be so tense. I only want a game of chess.”

  “Sorry?”

  “Set up the board. You move first.”

  Joe made his first tentative move. Kurt astonished him by beating him in four. They played again and again. Each time Kurt swiftly took him down.

  “You’re murdering me.”

  Kurt sat, arms folded across his chest, face relaxed. “Take time to consider your moves.”

  “You just look where I move and pounce.”

  “I can see exactly what you’re doing. You make it much too easy. See the board in your mind. Anticipate my next move. Set up again.”

  This time Joe was able to hold him off awhile. Kurt was very pleased. “You see— you can do it when you think.” Kurt looked over the board before he moved. “You talked with Mia earlier?”

  “She’s really upset about something.”

  Kurt slid his bishop forward. “You shouldn’t have advanced that knight. Check.”

  Joe made a defensive move, but Kurt boxed him in. “Checkmate. Mia knows every ploy man has used on woman. To maintain her trust you must be completely honest.”

  “Do you trust me?”

  Kurt’s face curved into a smile. “You haven’t tried to manipulate me yet.”

  “You scare the shit out of me.”

  Kurt chuckled, looking the most human in aspect Joe had seen. Was it just because usually Kurt sat in near darkness, cast in long shadows, eyes glittering in his pale face like two blue Christmas lights?

  Joe finally got an inkling of just what attracted Mia to him. Kurt was calm, logical and even serene in manner.

  The vampire sank into the chair opposite, thick lashes drooping over his intense eyes. “You’ve been very decent to us.”

  The vampire’s close proximity and sexual ambiguity made Joe very uneasy. Joe found himself blushing, not able to meet Kurt’s gaze as he packed up the pieces. “It’s just the right thing to do. By the way, Lee Brooks is coming at the end of the month. Lydia believes she’ll want to speak with you then.”

  “Without you we have no lifeline between us. The only thing we have to bargain with is information. Can we play again sometime soon?”

  “Sure, I’ll leave the board here. Goodnight… ” Joe hesitated a moment.

  Kurt’s eyebrows rose slightly. “Doctor?”

  “I saw rune symbols while Mia was reading your first letter.”

  The vampire sighed. “I devised this system of communication just in case we were ever separated.” Kurt’s troubled gaze met Joe’s full on. “One must always anticipate the opponent’s next move.”

  Joe understood. They wouldn’t sacrifice their most valuable piece until they were assured of winning. Little Kurt was very shrewd; he had coached Mia all the way.

  FOURTEEN

  * * * *

  Joe lay in Jean’s bed, tossing and turning. Stress and fatigue had rendered him impotent. He lay empty and aching, staring at the pattern of swirls in the plaster ceiling of the bedroom. Jean was fast asleep beside him, her breathing even. Finally, his swollen eyes grew heavier and heavier, until he couldn’t pry them open.

  He awoke with a start. A heartbeat echoed in the room, fast like a kid’
s. A light wind blew through the open window. Seductive musky scent filled the air, the pheromone. He bolted upright, horrified. Mia? How on earth did she escape and find him here? She appeared at the window, suspended on a current of air, a fallen angel, the moon back-lighting the diaphanous white robe she wore, revealing the lush curves of her body. Dark hair blew away from her face by the warm breeze. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief. It was like some horror flick. Could he really hear music? Chopin maybe, played in a maddening throbbing rhythm. Where was Jean? Why did she leave him in the middle of the night?

  “Youssef, come away…”

  She beckoned to him. He rose from the bed, the maddening scent urging him forward. She held out her arms, murmuring words of love. He embraced her and looked down into her eyes to see his own minute image mirrored ad infinitem in the glittering shards. He screamed.

  Someone had him by the shoulder, shaking him. “Joe, wake up, for God’s sake, you’re all in a sweat, are you all right?”

  His eyes opened on Jean, already dressed for work. Shit, he should have gone home hours ago. Another lie he’d have to tell Rima. The pounding started up in his head. He gathered Jean to him and clung tightly.

  “I had a nightmare.”

  Her body stiffened. She pulled away. “I’m not sure I want to hear. You called out Mia’s name in your sleep. It’s not the first time you’ve done it. I can’t take this anymore. I know you’ll never leave your wife. I came to grips with that a long time ago, but this project has changed you. I don’t know you anymore. Look at you— you’re a mess. They’re sucking the life out of you, even if they never touched a drop. There’s coffee in the kitchen. Just put your key on the table when you go.”

  “What?”

  “Goodbye, Joe, I’m going to work now. I’ll see you there.”

  Later, Joe threw himself down on the chair in his office, head pounding. He glanced at his watch. He had a meeting with Lydia in a few minutes. He’d give himself a shot for the migraine first. His eyes lighted on the drawing of a vampire child Mia had given him. It was exquisitely detailed, if somber.

  He reached into the desk and got out the syringe, reeling from all that had transpired. Tearing open the alcohol wipe, he swabbed his arm. Jean was gone. There was nowhere to retreat to now. He stuck the needle into the vial, filling it with the proper dosage, pushing the air out. A drop of clear liquid glistened on the tip. Cursing, he jabbed his arm, welcoming the keen sudden pain, hoping it would bring him to his senses.