Sucker Punch: A Paranormal Women's Fiction Novel (First Fangs Club Book 3)

by Painter, Kristen

  He took a deep breath. “You don’t miss much, do you, Governor?”

  “I try not to. What else do you want?”

  “I won’t pretend it’s a small request. But I need the dhamfir.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Temo snorted, which was good because Donna was too shocked to react for a moment.

  Finally, she found her voice. “You’ve got to be kidding. I’m not going to turn Rixaline over to you.”

  “You don’t understand,” Ishalan said. He flexed his hands in what appeared to be frustration, looking much less confident than he had a second ago. “I need her to hold the throne.”

  “Right.” Donna looked at Temo. “We should probably go.”

  “Please,” Ishalan said. “Hear me out.”

  She tipped her head. “Talk fast. I could be watching a Golden Girls marathon right now.”

  His face scrunched up. “A what? Never mind. Listen to me. With Rixaline at my side, supporting me, my position as king will be twice as strong. Maybe even stronger.”

  “Why? Because she’s half vampire?” Donna shrugged. “I don’t get it.”

  Ishalan sighed loudly. “Because if she supports me as king, it will quiet the remaining dissenters.”

  Donna leaned in. “I’m still waiting for the reason why.”

  He shook his head, making the chains dangling from his ears ring softly. “She is Dredward’s child. His daughter. My niece.”

  Donna huffed with amusement. “Nice try, but her father was a guard named Rix. That’s how she got her name. Her mother named her after the fae she fell in love with.”

  “All rubbish. That’s just the story Rixaline’s mother told the child to protect her from the truth.”

  “Where’s your proof?” Temo asked.

  “Good question.” Donna waited expectantly. “You can’t drop a bomb like that without showing me the fuse.”

  Ishalan stared at the sky like his answer might be there. Finally, he looked at them again. “I wasn’t banished just for disagreeing with my brother. It was because I fought with him over Rixaline’s mother. He kept her as a pleasure slave, using her for whatever appetite came upon him. She was too drugged to fight back most of the time.”

  A muscle in his jaw twitched. “I know you think very little of me, but I was raised much differently than Dredward. He was groomed to be king. I was trained to be a sacardos. A kind of fae priest. A keeper of ancient texts. A giver of blessings and curses.”

  This was all new to her.

  “One of the first things Dredward did after ascending the throne was to declare all sacardos apostates. I was allowed to remain in the kingdom on the condition that I never put on my robes again and that I denounce the teachings I’d been raised with.”

  “So you did?”

  He nodded reluctantly. “I spoke the words, but I didn’t abandon my beliefs in my heart. When I found out what he was doing with Brielle, the dhamfir’s mother, I couldn’t stay silent any longer.”

  He told a compelling story, but Donna still didn’t know if she believed him. She stared at him, searching her heart and mind for what to do.

  “You doubt me. I don’t blame you.”

  “It’s hard to believe.” And yet…was it? Now that she looked at him, there was a slight similarity between the shape of his eyes and Rixaline’s. “Rixaline told me the guard’s parents—that is, the fae she believes to be her father—that his parents don’t want anything to do with her. That implies that he existed.”

  “He didn’t. That was just something else she was told to keep her from searching them out.”

  “So there was never any fae named Rix? That was just a name her mother pulled out of thin air?”

  “No.” He swallowed, clearing his throat softly. “My middle name is Rix. She named the child after me. I suppose because I’m the one who helped her escape.”

  She glanced at Temo. He raised his brows as if indicating he didn’t know what to think either. It would be quite something to have a dhamfir so close to the fae throne. “I need some time to process this.”

  “She would have a very good life. She’d be made a princess. And my successor, if that’s what she wants. I would never harm her. Never force her to use her skills against her will. You have my word. My blood oath.”

  That gave Donna an idea. “I’ll talk to her. That’s all I can do. I’ll be in touch as soon as she decides what she wants to do, but I have to go now.”

  “Thank you for listening.”

  She nodded. “Congratulations on becoming king.”

  He smiled briefly, then turned, took a few steps, and disappeared.

  She grabbed Temo’s arm. “Back to the penthouse immediately.”

  They hustled to the car, not saying a word until they were inside and on the road.

  Temo spoke first. “You think he’s lying?”

  “I honestly don’t know. What do you think?”

  “I’m inclined to believe him.”

  “Yeah?” She thought about that. “You know, having Rixaline in the stronghold wouldn’t be such a bad thing. She could definitely let us know if something was brewing. Not that I expect her to spy for us, but maybe just the occasional report. Although I can’t imagine she’d want to go back there.”

  “She might, considering how different the circumstances would be. And she’d actually have family. An uncle anyway. Plus, she’d be a princess. That might be hard for a teenager to turn down.”

  “If Ishalan’s claims are true. But yes, I can see how that would be appealing.” Donna shook her head. “Can you imagine? From prisoner to princess. Sounds like a Lifetime made-for-TV movie.”

  He snorted. “Yeah, it does. So what are you going to do?”

  “I’m going to tell her everything Ishalan just told us. It’s her decision ultimately. I’m not her guardian.”

  “Maybe knowing Dredward is gone will help too.”

  “Maybe.” Donna wasn’t convinced of any of it, but she had an idea that might change that. “I need to make a few calls.”

  By the time her calls were made and things were put in motion, they were pulling up to the Wellman Towers. Temo parked, and they walked in together, but he got off the elevator one floor before her. “Let me know if you need me.”

  “Will do.” She went up to the penthouse and straight in. Rixaline wasn’t in the living room, but Donna found her lying on her bed, flipping through a clothing catalog. “Hey.”

  Rixaline sat up. “Hi. How was your meeting?”

  “Very interesting. We need to talk.”

  Rixaline put the catalog aside. “Am I in trouble?”

  Donna laughed. “No, nothing like that.” She came in and sat on the end of the bed. “I have some news for you. News that will require you to make a decision, and that decision is totally up to you, okay?”

  Rixaline’s brows bent. “Okay. This sounds serious.”

  “It is. But again, the decision is yours to make, so don’t feel overwhelmed until you know all the facts. You don’t have to make any decisions right away either.”

  Rixaline nodded, still looking very unsure.

  “Ishalan, the fae that helped us in the raid, has become the new king. He was Dredward’s brother.”

  She pulled her knees up to her chest. “I heard rumors of that when I was in my cell. Not about him by name, but the guards used to talk about the king’s brother like that was a warning not to go against him. How if Dredward would banish his own brother, he’d banish anyone. But they never said his name. Is that true, then? Dredward exiled him?”

  “Yes. Ishalan went against Dredward, and the king forced him out. It seems one of the things they fought over was the treatment of your mother.”

  Rixaline’s eyes went big. “Ishalan knew my mother?”

  “It seems that way.” Donna hesitated. “Seems that his relationship with her went beyond just knowing her. He says her name was Brielle. He claims to have helped her escape.”

  Rixaline w
hispered the name Brielle, then frowned. “That can’t be. My father did that. A fae named Rix. The one I was named after.”

  Donna shook her head. “Ishalan says that was a story made up by your mother to protect you because…Dredward was your father.”

  Rixaline swallowed. “What?” she whispered. “That can’t be—how is that possible?”

  It was hard to look at her and repeat the things Ishalan had said. “He claims Dredward took advantage of your mother. That his treatment of her is what pushed Ishalan to the edge. And that before he was banished, he helped her escape. He said his middle name is Rix.”

  Rixaline stared at the coverlet and went quiet for a few long minutes. Donna let her be. The weight of the new information had to be pressing down on her with suffocating force.

  “Could that be true? Is he really my…uncle?”

  “I don’t know. But I know a way we might find out. If you’re willing.”

  She lifted her head. “How?”

  “We have a sample of Ishalan’s blood. We can compare it to yours.”

  She stuck her arm out. “I want to know the truth.”

  “I’m glad to hear you say that. I’d like to know too.” Donna smiled sympathetically. “There’s more to my conversation with Ishalan.”

  Rixaline put her knees down, crossing them and leaning forward. “What else?”

  “He’d like you to come live at the stronghold. He talked about making you a princess. You’d be his successor to the throne.”

  She laughed. “Me? A princess?”

  “That’s what he said.” She’d reacted the way Donna had expected her to. A little shocked, but also a little giddy at the possibility. “What do you think?”

  She frowned. “I lived at the stronghold once before. It wasn’t good.”

  “No, it wasn’t, but I’d like to believe it would be a very different experience this time. If it wasn’t, I wouldn’t want you to stay there. He said you’d never be forced to use your skills either.”

  “That’s good.” She went silent for a moment. “But I’m half vampire, and the fae kill vampires.”

  “Not anymore. I hope. We’re working on the details of a peace treaty. Sorry for not telling you that right away, but I thought the news about your mother was more important.”

  “Is my going to live with him a condition of the treaty?”

  “I…don’t really know. He would very much like for that to happen. He believes that having you at his side would add legitimacy to his position as king. The support of Dredward’s only child and all that.”

  “I don’t know. I never dreamed I had any family, outside of Rix’s family that isn’t interested in me.”

  “You need to know that Ishalan said the whole story about Rix is completely made up. So there isn’t a family who’s been ignoring you. They simply don’t exist.”

  “But he might be my real uncle.”

  “He might.” Donna couldn’t fault her for being a little bit excited about that. Ever since she’d given Rixaline sanctuary, it was plain the girl felt a bit out of place. And while she might be half vampire, she looked more fae than anything.

  A determined look came over her face. “Let’s test my blood. See if he’s telling the truth. I don’t have to decide anything until that happens, right?”

  “Right. And even then, you can forget we had this conversation if that’s what you want to do.”

  “Really?”

  “Of course. I’m not going to push you to do something you don’t want. But if you do decide to try life at the stronghold, I have an idea.”

  Her brows lifted slightly. “What is it?”

  “I would officially give you the title of vampire-fae liaison. And I would require daily check-ins to know that you’re okay, that you’re being treated well, and that Ishalan is keeping his promises. We could even have a code word that would be your secret way of telling me to come get you if you needed me to.”

  Rixaline smiled. “That would be cool.”

  The doorbell rang.

  Donna tipped her head in that direction. “That’s probably Dr. Fox. I asked him and Jerabeth to come over to do the blood tests.”

  “You knew I’d say yes?”

  “I had a feeling. Come on, let’s see if you really might be a princess.”

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Rixaline’s reaction to the blood test’s confirmation was to take a deep breath, grin, and go off to her room to pack.

  Temo got on the phone with Ishalan to let him know Rixaline was coming for a visit.

  Because that’s all it was right now. A temporary thing. Donna’s idea and one she’d gently suggested so that Rixaline would have an easy way out in case things got uncomfortable for her. Charlie was even supplying her with a burner phone from the stash in the office.

  Temo also explained to Ishalan that there had been no blood-donation agreement yet either. How could there be? There hadn’t been enough time to begin making that happen.

  Donna walked Dr. Fox and Jerabeth to the door. “Thank you both for coming on such short notice and getting these tests done so fast.”

  Jerabeth nodded. “I wouldn’t have missed it. And besides, I had his sample, so you couldn’t have done it without me.”

  “Nope.”

  Dr. Fox pushed his glasses back. “I feel the same. Wouldn’t have missed it. All very interesting. But glad to see you’re nearly healed too.”

  “Thanks.” Donna’s injury was little more than a memory. “I have to admit I had my doubts about Ishalan and Rixaline being related, but now that it’s verified, Rixaline seems pretty happy about it. I’m still cautious and will be for a while.”

  “I would be too,” Dr. Fox said. “But that’s the parent in us.” He gave her a fatherly pat on the shoulder. “Be well, Governor.”

  “I will. Have a good night, both of you.”

  “You too,” Dr. Fox said.

  Jerabeth nodded as she pushed the elevator button. “Night.”

  “Jerabeth, feel free to come in a little later than usual since you’ve just basically worked some overtime.”

  “I should be okay, but I’ll see how I feel in the morning. Thanks.”

  The elevator arrived, and they both got on.

  Donna closed the door and went back to the kitchen. Back to Temo, Charlie, and Pierce. They all had skeptical looks on their faces.

  “What?” No one answered her immediately, but they didn’t have to. “I know you’re concerned about her. I am too. But I am not her parent or her guardian. None of us are. The girl deserves to test these waters if she wants to. And I’m going to put some safeguards in place.”

  “Such as?” Charlie asked.

  “I’m making her the vampire-fae liaison for the New Jersey Governor’s Office. If that requires paperwork or something, fine. But that way, if anything happens to her, it’s more than personal. And I can act in an official capacity.”

  Charlie smiled. “That’s pretty good.”

  “And,” Donna continued, “I’m requiring that she check in with one of us at least once a day. That phone you gave her isn’t just for emergencies.” She lowered her voice in case Rixaline could hear her. “I want a daily proof-of-life kind of thing.”

  “I like that,” Temo said.

  “We’re also going to have a code word. If she uses it with any of us, that’s the signal something’s wrong and we need to get her out.”

  Pierce nodded. “That’s smart. I feel better about this. What’s the word?”

  “I don’t know yet. She’s still deciding.” Donna exhaled. “Charlie, where are we on that other thing I asked you about?”

  Charlie stared at her for a second. “Oh! We can, uh, take care of that tonight. Right now, actually. We’re good to go.”

  “Then let’s do it.” She smiled at Temo and Pierce. “We’ll be back.”

  Pierce looked amused. “What are you two up to?”

  “You’ll know soon enough. If it happens.” She and Charli
e went out to the elevator. She waited until the penthouse door was closed and they were alone in the hall. “You already got the key? Or is the Realtor meeting us?”

  Charlie called the elevator. “Security opened the door for us. The apartment is currently unoccupied, so the real estate agency has a key with them. Also, I asked about connecting that apartment with the current two, and the penthouse elevator can have a stop added at that floor with a simple programing adjustment.”

  “That’s great.”

  The car came, they got on, and about two seconds later, it stopped again.

  As the doors opened, they exited. There were three doors off the small lobby.

  Charlie went straight for the door on the right. “I did a little more digging and found out they could also open an interior stairwell between this floor and the one above. It already exists, actually. It’s just been closed off since this apartment wasn’t purchased as part of the original governor’s package.”

  “I think that would be a good idea. And pretty much necessary.”

  Charlie nodded, her hand on the knob. “Considering the cost of the unit, the expense of that small alteration is rather minor.” She opened the apartment door. “All right, let’s see what you think.”

  Upon entering, Donna saw that the apartment had impressive views. Slightly different from the penthouse because of the lower elevations but gorgeous all the same. The space was smaller but luxuriously appointed. Donna hadn’t expected less.

  They walked through to the big, combined kitchen and dining room. The kitchen had stainless-steel appliances, glossy dove-gray cabinets, and glittering white quartz countertops. Those neutrals carried through the rest of the space with touches of white, black, and brushed nickel.

  “You’re awfully quiet,” Charlie said.

  “Just thinking it’s kind of masculine, but that could be changed with soft furnishings.”

  Charlie nodded. “The right touch would do wonders to add some feminine balance.”

  Donna opened the pantry door. Empty, of course. And very clean. “Who used to live here?”

  “I don’t think anyone was in it for long. It’s currently owned by a supernatural security firm that used it as a safe house.”