The Suck Stops Here

by Kristen Painter

  She was dressed in a glittering gold gown vaguely reminiscent of Cleopatra. A sleek black dog sat at her feet, and she stared out at the viewer with a Mona Lisa smile. Behind her was a landscape of trees. At the base of the painting, on the fireplace mantel, was a stand bearing the queen’s gold sword.

  For a moment, it seemed to Donna that Artemis was still there, with them. She stared up at the painting, sadness overwhelming her at the queen’s senseless death.

  Maybe to Artemis, it hadn’t been senseless. Maybe she’d accomplished what she’d hoped to. After all, a new fae king had been installed and with great success. But Artemis was still gone. And as selfish as it might have been, Donna felt her world was certainly no better for it.

  “Drink, madam?”

  She pulled her gaze from the painting to glance at the server beside her.

  When she didn’t answer immediately, he offered suggestions. “We have a fully stocked bar. Anything you care for can be poured.”

  “Just a glass of red would be fine.”

  “Blood or wine, madam?”

  “Wine.”

  “Very good.” With a little nod, he disappeared to get her drink.

  She took a look around. Charlie, Pierce, and Will were standing a few feet away, as if to give her a moment of privacy. Bunni, Francine, Neo, and Temo had found seats in the center seating area and were giving their drink orders to another server.

  Several other vampires, guests clearly, were scattered around in groups of two or three. There might have been twenty-five in the room altogether. But the space could easily hold a hundred, maybe more.

  No sign of Fitzhugh. Yet. Even as she was looking around, more people were coming in.

  The server returned with her glass of wine. She took it, thanked him, then went to join Charlie, Pierce, and Will.

  “Amazing room, isn’t it?”

  They all nodded. Will stared at the ceiling. “That woodwork is really something. Real craftsmen did that, for sure.”

  Pierce gave it a glance. “I can see why they call it the great hall. Very fitting space for the queen’s memorial.”

  “Agreed,” Donna said. She would have raised her glass in a toast, but she was the only one with a beverage. “Aren’t any of you drinking?”

  “Not yet,” Charlie answered. “But we should get something to drink too.”

  “Hasn’t the server been over?” Donna asked.

  “No,” she said. “But we can go to the bar.”

  “I’ll go,” Pierce said. “What would you like?”

  “Red,” Charlie answered. “Since we had it at dinner.”

  He looked at Will. “And for you?”

  “Bourbon.”

  “Back in a sec,” Pierce said. He left them, giving Donna a moment to speak to Will without Pierce overhearing.

  She leaned in toward her protégée. “I have a question for you.”

  “Anything.”

  “It’s probably nothing, but I’ve been seeing these weird shadows coming off of Pierce. Almost like wisps of black smoke that have a human shape. I hope that makes sense. It sounds a little crazy as I say it out loud.”

  Will’s eyes narrowed. “I don’t know how that’s possible.”

  Donna glanced at Charlie. “Have you seen anything like that since he’s become a reaper?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing.”

  “Maybe the stress of this job is making me lose my mind.”

  “No,” Will said. “That’s not it at all, I assure you. What you’re seeing is something only other reapers usually see. It’s how we identify each other. It’s commonly known as the shadow of death.”

  “That’s cheery,” Donna said. “Why on earth would I be seeing that? I’m not a reaper.”

  “But,” Charlie said, “you have been exchanging blood with Pierce for a while now.” She looked at Will. “Could that be the reason?”

  He nodded. “Seems as likely as any other. I can ask at my Reapers motorcycle club, see if anyone’s ever heard of such a thing happening.”

  Donna exhaled. “But it’s nothing wrong, then. Just an ordinary reaper thing?”

  “Yes. I can see them coming off of Pierce, just like I’m sure he can see them coming off of me. If Daisy were here, she’d probably be able to see them, too, since her reaper blood has made her a necromancer. I know she can see mine.”

  “Okay, good to know. One more thing I can check off my list.” Donna sipped her wine. It was exceptionally good, which wasn’t surprising.

  Pierce returned with the rest of the drinks, and as he handed them over, he lifted his. “To Artemis, wherever she is. I only hope whoever takes the throne next has her wisdom and grace.”

  They all raised their glasses. “To Artemis.”

  But as they drank, Pierce’s pleasant expression darkened. His gaze shifted to somewhere beyond them. His eyes tapered down and went hard black for a moment.

  Donna followed his line of sight.

  Fitzhugh had arrived.

  Everything in Donna tensed up. It was a natural reaction, she supposed, when your archnemesis entered the same space as you.

  In fact, it seemed the whole mood of her small circle changed.

  “Oh goody,” Charlie muttered.

  He was near the door, Claudette on his arm, and hadn’t seen them yet. Maybe they’d stay on the other side of the room. It was a big space. They could easily avoid each other.

  “I’m not approaching him with many people around,” Donna said softly. “If he wants to talk, let him come to me.” She could reach out to him later, privately, about talking with the goal of getting him to incriminate himself.

  “I’m sure he’ll make his way over,” Pierce said. “He can’t help himself. He’s drawn to you like a moth to a flame.”

  “Do you want me to leave you and Pierce alone?” Will asked. “In case Fitzhugh wants to chat?”

  Donna shook her head. “Absolutely not. In fact, I think we should mingle a bit more. See anyone we should say hello to, Charlie?”

  Charlie took a quick look around. In the short time they’d been standing there, another twenty or so people had arrived. She nodded as she turned back to them. “I see a few. One I should have expected but didn’t. Francesca Salas Carrera. The vampire queen of Mexico.”

  Donna found the woman Charlie had been looking at. “Is that her in the beautiful lace dress?”

  “Yes.”

  Donna was instantly intrigued. The woman’s dress was layers and layers of embroidered lace, all in black, but the embroidery must have been done in silk, because it had a shine to it, making it possible to pick out against the dark fabric.

  Her black hair was done in a tall, elaborate knot and held in place with diamond pins. She wore several heavy-looking, intricate pieces of white-gold filagree as well. Rings, a wide cuff bracelet, earrings, and a hinged belt. All set with diamonds.

  Thick kohl liner accented her eyes, and red lips finished off the look.

  But it was the wisdom in her eyes that drew Donna in a way she couldn’t explain. Maybe she was hoping for a comrade-in-arms. Another woman who would understand the trials and pressures of ruling. Although, clearly, this woman was a queen. Maybe Donna’s position was beneath her.

  “Do you think she’d actually care to meet me? I’m just a governor.”

  Charlie seemed to ponder that even as she nodded. “From what I understand, she’s a lovely woman who has little patience for nonsense and false flattery. I think you’d get along beautifully.”

  Donna took another sip of wine. “I’m game, then.”

  “Come on,” Charlie said.

  They walked over to her. Charlie bowed her head in respect. “Pardon my intrusion, Queen Francesca. I am Charlene Rollins, administrative assistant to Governor Belladonna Barrone of New Jersey. She would dearly like to make your acquaintance.”

  Donna should have asked Charlie if she’d be expected to curtsy or something.

  But Queen Francesca stuck her hand out
. “Governor Barrone. How delightful to meet you. I’ve heard rumblings about you.”

  Donna blinked as she shook the woman’s hand. “You have?”

  Francesca nodded. “My governors are very good at keeping me informed on interesting people they think I should know about here in the States. Your name has come up more than once. I would love to talk to you about your treaty with the fae.”

  “I’d be happy to.”

  She sighed. “They are a constant plague to us. I would love to work something out with them.”

  “I should tell you,” Donna said, “that treaty was really the result of the right people being in the right place at the right time.”

  That seemed to amuse Francesca. She smiled. “Aren’t they all?” She lifted her hand, finger raised, and a handsome man in a black suit appeared beside her.

  “Yes, Your Highness?”

  “A glass of wine, the same as my friend here.”

  “Very good, Your Highness.” He disappeared to get her drink.

  “Let’s sit, shall we?” Francesca said.

  She didn’t wait for an answer, just moved toward the nearest sitting area, which was the one closest to the fireplace.

  Donna glanced at Pierce, who was standing nearby with Charlie. She gave them both a subtle nod to join her. They came over right away. Donna held her hand toward him since Francesca had met Charlie already. “Queen Francesca, this is my personal assistant, Pierce Harrison. I hope you don’t mind if he and some of my staff join us.”

  Francesca looked him up and down, smiling with a little fang showing. “Not at all. And I am never opposed to the company of handsome men.” Her study of him intensified for a moment, then she tipped her head slightly. “You are a son of Santa Muerte, are you not?”

  He frowned. “I’m sorry. I don’t know who that is exactly, but my high school Spanish tells me that means the Saint of Death. Is that right?”

  She nodded. “I mean that you are a reaper.”

  “Yes, Your Highness, I am.”

  Her smile returned. “The Mexican people have a very different relationship with death, as you may know. Please, sit. Death is always welcome. Especially when he looks like you.”

  Her assistant returned with her wine, and she settled in. The rest of Donna’s staff and friends had joined them by now, too, making for an interesting mix of people.

  Francesca looked at Donna. “So tell me about this treaty. How did it happen? What was the right time and place? And who were these right people?”

  Donna spent the next ten minutes explaining everything that had led to the treaty taking place, and at the end of her story, Francesca nodded. “I can see why there is a rumor you will take the throne that has been left vacant.”

  Donna froze, hoping no one else had heard her say that. Then she laughed like Francesca had made a joke. “I don’t know who started that, but I promise, it’s just a rumor. I obviously don’t have the experience necessary.”

  Francesca shrugged. “You seem to have more than enough. I think Artemis would approve.” She looked up at Artemis’s portrait and raised her glass. “May she rest in peace.”

  They all raised their glasses and repeated the same words.

  As they were taking a drink, the moment Donna had been hoping to avoid happened.

  Hawke Fitzhugh and Claudette walked up to their group. “Good evening, Queen Francesca. I’m surprised to see you in such lowly company.”

  Francesca’s eyes narrowed. “What do you mean by that, Governor Fitzhugh?”

  He laughed with self-important amusement. “You do realize Governor Barrone and her assistant both have serious charges pending against them with the council.”

  Francesca’s gaze went icy. “Charges you brought forth, if I’m not mistaken.”

  That erased Fitzhugh’s grin. “Yes, I did. And with good reason. Her assistant assaulted me, and Governor Barrone is responsible for the death of the late, great Queen Artemis. It was my duty to bring that to light.”

  Francesca muttered something in Spanish Donna didn’t understand. “Your concern for my welfare is touching, but I am perfectly capable of choosing who I spend my time with. And who I do not. Good evening, Governor.” She looked at Donna again. “Would you like more wine? I’ll send Benito for a bottle.”

  “I would love some,” Donna said. She didn’t feel much like drinking at the moment, but she was grateful to Francesca for dismissing Fitzhugh.

  He was still standing there, though. And apparently not ready to go.

  “You can’t be serious,” he sputtered. “This woman is an affront to our way of life. Why on earth would you taint your reputation by spending time with her?”

  Francesca’s eyes took on the soft glow of an angry vampire. “You are being very disrespectful. I suggest you think hard before you let another word leave your mouth.”

  Claudette tugged on his arm, pulling him back. Fitzhugh’s face changed like he realized he’d overstepped. Maybe it was Francesca’s admonishment. Maybe it was Claudette’s urging. Maybe it was the sharp stares coming from those around them.

  Donna didn’t care. She was just happy to see him retreat. Of course, the moment he walked away, his haughty expression returned, along with a pointed glare in her direction.

  She stared back without any real feeling. Yes, she was mad, but he’d just made a fool of himself in front of a good number of vampires. That had to be a point for her, didn’t it?

  “He does not like you,” Francesca said. “Why?”

  Donna paid attention to her hostess again. “I wish I could tell you. The only thing I can pinpoint is that right after I became governor, he came to see me with a proposition. He wanted to throw a big party for me, I guess, but at my expense. And in his state. It would have made him look like a big man on my dime. I turned him down.”

  Francesca nodded. Benito returned with a bottle of the wine they’d been drinking. He opened it in front of Francesca, then poured a small glass for her.

  She tasted it, then nodded. He filled her glass, then filled Donna’s. When he was done, he put the bottle on the center table.

  Francesca patted the cushion next to her. “Sit, Benito. Meet my new friend, Governor Belladonna Barrone.”

  He nodded at Donna. “Pleased to meet you.”

  “You, too, Benito.” She put her hand on Charlie’s shoulder. “This is my admin, Charlie, and my assistant”—she touched Pierce’s knee—“Pierce.”

  Francesca smiled. “You have quite a few others with you, though, I understand.”

  The woman was either very observant, or Marcus had said something. Or maybe word of who was in the guesthouse had spread. “I do. My security team is here with me, as well as my fledging and several of my friends. There are some nonvampires with me as well.”

  “Perhaps that is why Fitzhugh despises you.”

  “Because I brought a lot of people?”

  Francesca laughed. “Because you are well liked enough to have an entourage. Adored, even.”

  Pierce drained his bourbon and set the empty glass on the table. “It’s true. She is.”

  “Benito, fetch the reaper another drink.”

  The young man took off toward the bar without hesitation.

  Francesca’s eyes narrowed slightly. “You cannot allow Fitzhugh’s animosity toward you to fester.”

  “I agree with you,” Donna said. “But there doesn’t seem to be anything I can do to stop it. Or change his mind. But it’ll all be over soon enough. The council is holding the hearings to discuss the charges he’s brought in two more nights.”

  Francesca frowned. “You mean to say the night after the funeral?”

  Donna nodded. “Yes, that’s exactly right. Pierce and I are not allowed to leave the estate until that hearing takes place.”

  The glow returned to Francesca’s eyes. “That is outrageous. Where is the respect for the queen? Where is the time of mourning?” She shook her head. “This is unacceptable. How could this happen?”
/>   Charlie cleared her throat softly. “Most likely because Fitzhugh has a friend on the council. I can’t prove that, but it seems like a possibility.”

  Francesca nodded. “Yes, it does.” She reached her hand across the table to Donna.

  Not sure what else to do, Donna took it.

  Francesca held on to her. “Whatever happens, I am your ally. I want you to know that. I will stand with you at the hearing, if you desire.”

  Donna was stunned by the woman’s gesture. “I would be honored to have you on my side. Thank you.”

  Francesca let go of Donna’s hand to pick up her wine again. “You are very welcome. Benito, make sure Charlene has my contact information. But I am also staying here in the main house. Easy enough to find.” Francesca lifted her glass. “To new friends.”

  Donna would drink to that all night. “To new friends.”

  The wine gave Donna a little courage. “I think maybe it’s time I go speak to Fitzhugh, after all. I was going to avoid him, but he’s already made it clear he’s not going to avoid me. It wouldn’t be fair of us to monopolize your time all evening, anyway, Queen Francesca.”

  “Please, just Francesca. You and I are practically peers. And regardless, I am not your ruler. As for my time? Come back when you are done. I would like to introduce you to a few of my other friends, who will no doubt join me shortly.”

  Donna got to her feet. “Thank you. For everything. And please, call me Donna.”

  Francesca smiled. “I would be happy to, Donna. I do hope your talk goes well.”

  Donna found Neo and Temo sitting with Bunni, Francine, and Will. She crouched down to speak quietly to the pair. “I’m going to find Fitzhugh now and see if I can get him alone for a few minutes. Are we good to go?”

  Neo nodded. “Yes. Everything’s been recorded since you got here. If he says something we need, we’ll just find it on the hard drive.”

  “Good. Thank you.” Donna got to her feet again and looked around the room for Fitzhugh. No sign of him, but she found Claudette at the bar, getting two drinks.

  Donna followed her to a far corner, where Fitzhugh was sitting in a large wingback chair, talking to another gentleman with a shiny shaved head and thick moustache. Donna stood there until Fitzhugh looked up as he was taking his drink from Claudette.