The Suck Stops Here

by Kristen Painter

Donna searched her memory banks for the young man’s name. It had been a while since she’d seen him. It came to her a second later. “Marcus, so kind of you to greet us.”

  He almost smiled, his slight nod acknowledging her greeting. He was in a charcoal suit, a black armband around one bicep. “Madam Governor. We are honored by your presence. Please come in. I trust your drive was not too strenuous? Travel can be exhausting.”

  “It was fine. Thank you for asking. I’m sure by tomorrow we’ll all be well rested.” She wasn’t about to tell him she was jonesing for a nap right now.

  They all filed into the foyer, an impressive two-story space with a set of twin curved staircases leading to a bridge balcony above. Natural stone and wood were everywhere, giving the place a high-end, lodge feel that matched the exterior.

  There was a sense of the feminine about it, too, however, through the use of silk fabrics, exuberantly colorful artwork, and plush rugs. Sculptures and pottery from ancient civilizations seemed to be nods to Artemis’s past.

  “The queen’s home is lovely,” Donna said. “I only wish our visit here was under different circumstances.” She held out the blade. “Her sword.”

  “Thank you,” Marcus said as he took the weapon from her. He held it for a moment without saying anything, then lifted his head. “She would appreciate that you came.” He glanced at Donna’s staff, then out toward the vehicles. “You brought quite a few with you, I understand?”

  Donna nodded. “Yes. There are twelve of us altogether, drivers included.” She hoped she hadn’t violated some kind of rule by bringing people with her, but Charlie would have known about that.

  Marcus didn’t seem bothered, however. “We’ve made the guesthouse available for you, but there is an RV hookup in that driveway, as well as several more near the main garage. Rest assured that the entire property is ironclad against fae intrusion, so you’ll have no worries there.”

  “That’s a wonderful reassurance, but you’re giving us the guesthouse?” Donna hadn’t expected that.

  He nodded. “It was the queen’s wish.” A hint of emotion showed in his eyes, vanishing as quickly as it had appeared. “She left behind extensive instructions. She had clearly anticipated the battle’s outcome and made sure we knew what needed to be done if she did not return to us.”

  To Donna’s mind, that was further proof that Artemis had purposely made herself a martyr. She shook her head. “I can’t imagine your grief. I am so sorry for your loss.”

  “Thank you. We are…coping.” He lifted himself up a bit, spine straightening, sword clutched tightly in his hands. “There is a memorial gathering this evening in the great hall. Anyone who wants to attend is welcome. It’s very casual, just beverages and light hors d’oeuvres.”

  Donna felt for him. He was clearly grieving, but doing his best not to show it while carrying on with what needed to be done. “We’d be honored to come. What time?”

  “Eleven.”

  “We’ll be here. Thank you.”

  “Of course.” Marcus nodded. “The guesthouse is unlocked and waiting on you. I’m sure you’re eager to get settled, so I will let you go in just a moment. First, there are a few things I need to tell you.”

  Donna waited, unable to imagine what they could be.

  Marcus cleared his throat softly. “According to Artemis’s wishes, the reading of her will is to follow the funeral services, which will be held on the great hall’s terrace. All those in attendance have been asked to stay for the reading.”

  Donna glanced at Charlie, who shrugged. She definitely hadn’t been expecting that.

  Marcus frowned. “The other bit of news is rather less pleasant. And I don’t feel as though I’m overstepping to say that if Artemis were still alive, this wouldn’t be happening. Although a great many things wouldn’t be happening if she were still with us.”

  “Oh?” That threw Donna a little. She braced herself. “What is it?”

  Marcus sighed. “It’s highly unorthodox, but the council has decided to hold hearings on the charges filed by you and by Governor Fitzhugh the evening following the funeral, right here on the property, since all parties concerned will be available. While it is not required of you to attend, it is advised. They have asked me to act as proctor in Artemis’s stead.”

  That was much sooner than Donna had expected, but there wasn’t anything she could do about it. “Okay.”

  His chest rose and fell as he exhaled. “Additionally, the queen’s staff have been informed that, now that you’re here, we are not to let you or Mr. Harrison leave the estate until their verdict is decided.”

  The guesthouse was decorated largely in the same fashion as the main house, but it could have been done in polka dots and stripes for all that Donna paid attention to it.

  She, Temo, Charlie, Cammie, and Pierce were in the living room. Harper had gone to check out the bedrooms to see just how many the house would comfortably sleep. Temo had done a quick sweep of the house to look for any hidden cameras or microphones before joining them.

  One never knew.

  “I feel blindsided,” Donna said. She and Cammie were on one of the two big couches that made up the sitting area. There were also two leather chairs, one of which Temo had taken, and a love seat that Charlie had claimed.

  “Because you were. We both were.” Pierce leaned on the large mantel, glaring into the air. “We should have seen this coming. Should have anticipated it. We were too worried about Fitzhugh and trying to get him to back off, and as a result, we ignored the fact that the council might convene at any time.”

  Temo nodded, looking equally disgusted. “You’re right. We should have guessed they’d hold the hearings here. Makes sense since we’re here and so is Fitzhugh.”

  Charlie shook her head. “I didn’t expect it. There’s no reason to do the hearings here. Like Marcus said, it’s highly unorthodox. Traditionally, there’s a period of universal mourning for the vampire nation when a significant vampire dies. It starts the day of the funeral, and during that time, business, including that of the council’s, is put on hold. At the very least, that period would be three days. For the queen? I would expect a week. Minimum.”

  “Really?” Donna hadn’t known that.

  “Yes,” Charlie said. “The council certainly isn’t standing by that. Not even three days! It’s completely disrespectful. I won’t be the only one who thinks that either. I mean, the evening after the queen’s funeral? It’s just wrong.”

  Donna frowned. “Try telling the council that.”

  “I just might,” Charlie said. “At least I have a mind to send a note to the governors’ loop to state my feelings.” She blew out a long breath. “I won’t. But I’d like to.”

  “Fitzhugh’s behind this,” Pierce said. “Mark my words. I don’t know how exactly, but I’d bet good money he pushed for this.”

  Donna thought about that. “If you’re right, he should be pretty happy with himself. Might even make him a little boastful. Could be just the thing we need to catch him saying something to incriminate himself.”

  “I hate that this is happening to both of you and I can’t do anything about it.” Cammie’s steely expression made her look like an approaching storm cloud. “Maybe I should find a way to get the Venari after him for real.”

  “If only we had a real reason. His constant persecution isn’t really enough for that kind of action.” Donna looked at Temo. “Did Neo have any luck finding the recording equipment I asked for?”

  “She did,” he answered. “There’s a security company half an hour away that has everything. She emailed her order last night, and they responded that they’d have it all ready for pickup by this afternoon. Won’t be cheap.”

  “I don’t care. Whatever it costs, it’s worth it to expose that devious idiot.”

  Harper joined them but didn’t come too far into the room.

  Donna glanced up at her and saw that the woman obviously wasn’t sure if she should interrupt. Donna didn’t want he
r to feel uneasy, so she did her best to smooth some of the anger from her face. “How’s the bedroom situation?”

  “Lots of them. Some with kings, some with queens, and a few with twins. This place was definitely set up to house lots of guests. It could easily sleep fifteen or sixteen, with some room-sharing. Which some of us might have to do.”

  “I’m sure we’ll figure it out. Cammie, are you willing to share with me?”

  “Sure.” Cammie nodded.

  Donna looked at Temo. “And you and Neo are a given for sharing, right?”

  Temo nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Harper stuck her hands in her pockets. “My dad and I can share one of the bedrooms with twin beds, if necessary.” Her eyes were full of worry that clearly had nothing to do with the sleeping arrangements. “Something’s gone wrong, hasn’t it? The whole vibe has changed since you guys came back from the house.”

  Harper had been exploring the rooms when Donna had explained the situation in brief to Cammie.

  “Nothing you need to worry about.” Then Donna realized that wasn’t true. “Well, actually…you might have to worry about it. The Immortus Concilio has decided to hold their hearings on the charges against Pierce and me the evening after the funeral. The outcome of those hearings could change our return trip.” She swallowed. “Or at least who returns home.”

  “It makes me so mad I could scream,” Charlie said. She held up her hands. “I won’t. A banshee’s scream can be deadly.”

  “Thanks for that,” Donna said, finally smiling. “Look, we can’t sit and mope. We have to prepare for whatever outcome we might get. And we have to hope Fitzhugh arrives soon so I can work on my plan of getting him to talk.”

  Pierce left the fireplace to sit near her. “What’s your approach going to be?”

  “Wear something low-cut and hope for the best?”

  He snorted softly. “Probably right on target. Appeal to his sense of self. Make him feel like he’s won and that you’re at his mercy.”

  “Yep. Let him think he’s bested me.”

  A scowl bent his mouth. “That should do it. Although I can’t stand the thought of him feeling like he’s beaten you.”

  Donna tipped her head back to stare at the wood-beamed ceiling. Her lack of sleep was catching up with her. Even the press of daylight was starting to feel like a strain. “Try to focus on how he’s going to feel when he realizes he’s been had.”

  Harper took a few steps forward. “I could help with that. Cast a spell of vulnerability over you. It’s more of a glamour, really. Not the kind vampires do, but like a mask.”

  “Explain,” Donna said.

  Harper sat on the other couch. “You know how beautiful witches in fairy tales are always appearing as old women to find out the truth about someone or trick some unsuspecting person?”

  Donna nodded. “The old poison-apple ruse.”

  “Right,” Harper said. “That’s a kind of vulnerability spell. It doesn’t affect the subject of the spell. It only affects those who view the subject. Except I wouldn’t be changing you into anything, just making Fitzhugh see you as worn down and beaten by his superior game play. And I’m not saying I don’t think you could pull it off on your own; I totally do. But in the case that he really aggravates you and a little genuine anger slips through… With the spell, he’d never notice it.”

  Temo inched forward on his seat. “It’s like an extra layer of protection.”

  “Yes,” Harper said. “An insurance policy.”

  “I’m in,” Donna said. “Anything to make this plan as foolproof as possible. Are you sure he won’t detect it?”

  “Not my magic, no.” Harper smiled. “I am very good at what I do. And a vulnerability spell is very subtle.”

  Donna didn’t doubt Harper’s skill. All of the Ferris women were extraordinarily skilled. Their thriving business was testimony to that. “What do you need to make this spell happen?”

  “Nothing.” Harper tapped the side of her head. “It’s all up here.”

  Temo rubbed his hands together. “This is going to work. Neo will get everything set up to record, and then we show everyone who he really is.” He glanced at his watch. “I should call an Uber and go pick up her order.” He grimaced. “You don’t think the queen’s staff will try to stop me, do you?”

  Donna shook her head. “No. I think it’s only Pierce and me who can’t leave. You should be fine. If anyone questions you, tell them you’re going out to get some groceries. But maybe take Charlie with you. If you don’t mind, Charlie?”

  “Not at all. But I’m going to change first, which means I need to go out to the RV.” Charlie got up. “And Governor, I don’t want to nag you, but you should really get some sleep. Especially with that memorial service tonight.”

  “I know,” Donna said. “Which means I need to pick a bedroom. We all do. How about we handle that, then you two go to the security store? We all pretty much unpacked into the RV, so carrying everything in is going to be a big job.”

  “We’ll need to bring in the coffee-making supplies too. Maybe some breakfast items. Definitely the blood supply.” Pierce looked toward the driveway. “It’s going to take some doing. But why don’t we work on that later? As in, you should sleep first, then worry about your stuff.”

  Donna sighed. “That’s fine. I’m sorry staying in this house is making extra work for everyone, but we can’t turn down such a generous offer. Artemis herself wanted us here.”

  Charlie waved her hand like there was no extra work at all. “There’s a lot of us. We’ll knock it out in no time. It’s not a problem.”

  “Thanks,” Donna said. “Okay, rooms first. Then sleep for me. Then bringing stuff in later.”

  Temo clasped the arms of his chair and pushed himself up. “Let’s do it.”

  As they explored the first floor, Cammie nudged Donna. “You realize Fitzhugh is going to hate that you’re in the guesthouse.”

  “No doubt,” Donna said, smiling. “That’s part of why we have to stay here.”

  Cammie laughed. “I love you.”

  “You’d better. You might be sleeping with me.”

  Besides the living room, kitchen, and dining area, the first floor had three bedrooms, three and a half bathrooms, and an exercise room. The upstairs had five bedrooms, five bathrooms, and an open sitting room that was centrally located. Besides a wraparound couch, it had a big-screen TV and a small morning kitchen sufficient for late-night snacks or hot and cold beverages.

  On the first floor, Donna and Cammie picked the king bedroom, while Charlie opted for the smallest room with a queen bed. Pierce took the middle room.

  Upstairs, Harper claimed one of the twin bedrooms for her and her dad. Temo picked the king bedroom, which took care of Neo as well, and that left the three remaining bedrooms on the other end for Kace, Bunni, and Francine.

  Donna stared at the twin beds in the last room. “I’m not sure Kace is going to fit in that bed. Or how he and Hector are going to feel about sharing a room.”

  “Kace might not fit in that bed, but I don’t think he’ll care about sharing with Hector. Better than sharing with Bunni.” Temo laughed. “He and Hector have been getting along pretty well. And Kace is easygoing enough.”

  Pierce leaned in. “Hector may stay on the bus. He told me the other night that he usually does even when the band stays in a hotel.”

  “Huh.” Donna shrugged. “It’s up to him, but I want everyone to be comfortable.”

  “Well,” Pierce said, “there are two other options. Francine and Bunni could share this room.”

  Donna shook her head. “Not sure that’s fair to Francine. Bunni is a lot to deal with.”

  “Okay,” Pierce said. “Option two is I could stay up here with Hector if he doesn’t stay on the bus, and Kace could have the other king bed next to your bedroom.”

  “This is good,” Donna said, giving him a wink. But the truth was, having Pierce in the room next to her might be more of a temptation
than if Kace were there. Not that the gargoyle shifter wasn’t enticing as well, but her feelings for Pierce had definitely intensified lately.

  Although the late queen’s guesthouse was not where she was about to start something with either one of them. Especially not while sharing a room with her sister the former nun.

  No, this trip was all about business. If she survived it, she might have time to think about pleasure once they got home.

  Or sooner, if she had that dream about Pierce again. Which wasn’t going to help her sleep.

  As everyone went their separate ways, Donna went to the bedroom she and Cammie had picked out. Just looking at the bed made her yawn. But she didn’t have anything to sleep in, and with a house full of people, she wasn’t about to go au naturel.

  She went out to the RV.

  Pierce was taking some of his clothes out of the closet. He grinned when he saw her. “Aren’t you supposed to be in bed?”

  “I will be as soon as I have something to sleep in, I promise.” She grabbed her smallest bag, threw her robe and pajamas into it, then her toiletries and cosmetics, jeans, and a sweater, and finally added the contents of her underwear drawer.

  If anyone decided to help her by bringing her things into the house while she slept, at least they wouldn’t have to deal with her unmentionables.

  She took her tablet and chargers, too, then hoisted the bag over her shoulder and went back to the house. She passed Cammie on the way.

  “Hey, will it bother you if I make some food in a little bit?”

  Donna shook her head. “No, I’ll shut the bedroom door. What are you going to make?”

  Cammie smiled. “Spaghetti and meatballs. I asked Charlie to get all the ingredients before she went shopping, and she told me she did, so I’m going to cook. We need some comfort food. Not to mention, if you’re going to that memorial this evening, there will be drinking, and while I know you can tolerate a lot of alcohol, it would still be better if you went with something in your stomach.”

  “Very true to all of that,” Donna said. “Thank you for taking care of us. Now I will have sweet dreams knowing I have a carbapalooza to look forward to.”