Seducing Death

by Cassandra Lawson

  “She’s not supposed to die,” Kyleigh said, still trying to figure out Arawn’s game.

  “If that was true, you wouldn’t have been summoned to release her soul,” Arawn said.

  “The summons came, but then it was gone,” she admitted, leaving out the part about how it came and went several times.

  Obviously, her words were enough to send Arawn into a rage. “You’re lying!” Arawn growled, gripping her arm painfully tight as he dragged her further into the woods.

  Thankfully, the fight had escalated and Ian wasn’t paying attention to her. Otherwise, he would have seen her being dragged away and tried to intervene.

  “I’m telling the truth,” Kyleigh insisted, trying hard to mask her fear about being in close proximity to Arawn.

  “She’s telling the truth,” Oriel said, suddenly blocking Arawn’s path.

  “You have no right to interfere,” Arawn said as he released Kyleigh’s arm and shoved her away. Kyleigh barely managed to regain her balance and avoid falling to her knees.

  Oriel raised an eyebrow. “Need I remind you that I am in charge of this area? That soul would be released to my realm, not yours.”

  “The vampire’s soul was mine, yet you had no problem interfering,” Arawn said matter of fact. His mood changes never ceased to amaze Kyleigh.

  Arawn and Oriel always found immense joy bickering with each other. On the surface, it occasionally seemed like they were at war, and in some ways they were. Perhaps they simply enjoyed the challenge, and few were their equals.

  “We’ve already been over this,” Oriel said with a long-suffering sigh. “Kyleigh chose the vampire as her mate, which is her right.”

  “Is it her right to meddle in the affairs of the living?” Arawn asked.

  “As near as I can tell, she hasn’t done that,” Oriel said.

  “She is preventing a death,” Arawn insisted.

  “As we both already know, you were planning to stop that death,” Oriel said, pinning Arawn with an accusing stare.

  Arawn’s smile was more of an evil twist of his lips. “It wouldn’t be the first time we’ve had fun with a human.” A conspiratorial wink followed that statement.

  “We certainly have had our share of fun,” Oriel agreed with a chuckle, reminding Kyleigh that there were no good Fae.

  “Let me have my fun,” Arawn said. “Have Kyleigh release the soul.”

  Kyleigh was annoyed to see Oriel seriously considering the idea.

  “Don’t you think it’s strange that Arawn wants to turn this particular woman into a mindless puppet?” Kyleigh finally asked.

  “This doesn’t concern you,” Arawn snapped.

  “She makes a good point,” Oriel said. “I’ve no problem with you having a little fun, but this particular female has been a key player in the attempts to destroy the people close to Kyleigh’s mate.”

  Arawn shrugged. “What difference does it make?”

  “I can’t help but wonder if you’re somehow plotting against Kyleigh,” Oriel said. “That wouldn’t be acceptable.”

  Arawn laughed. “How can I plot against Kyleigh when she has no ties to the living?”

  “Her mate does,” Oriel reminded him.

  “Her mate is no longer part of this world,” Arawn said, and his gaze fixed on Kyleigh. “In fact, shouldn’t he be in your realm?”

  “There are no rules regarding his presence in this realm,” Oriel said.

  “It’s unnatural,” Arawn said softly.

  “You’re right,” Kyleigh agreed. “We’re not planning to stay here.”

  “It’s inevitable that the vampire will run into people from his life,” Oriel said. “Suggesting he never leave Kyleigh’s realm isn’t reasonable. Her mate is her helper.”

  Kyleigh held her breath. There was still the risk of her being reassigned. They could be sent somewhere else immediately, and Ian wouldn’t even be able to say goodbye to his son. Reassignment meant less risk of Arawn finding a rule she’d broken. Logically, that was the best solution, but it was also the one which would hurt Ian most. Yes, they couldn’t stay at his settlement much longer, and they might not be able to return, but it would be so much harder if he knew he would never see his son again. At least, if they remained in this area, Ian would have hope.

  Arawn shrugged. “Yes, of course he’ll have to leave her realm. Now, about the soul?”

  “Kyleigh is not releasing the soul,” Oriel said with a chuckle. “Honestly, you are tenacious in your desire to punish the vampire for being Kyleigh’s mate.”

  “I have no idea what you’re talking about,” Arawn said with a hint of anger in his voice.

  Oriel’s face sobered. “I know more than you think regarding your recent activities.”

  That caused Arawn to let out a full bellied laugh.

  Kyleigh glared at him, wondering what Oriel knew about Arawn’s activities. They definitely sounded like bad news for her and Ian.

  “Fine,” Arawn said, “leave the soul intact. Who knows? They might end up succeeding and kill the female.”

  “Not likely,” Oriel said before turning to Kyleigh. “You can leave. Your mate and his friends have dealt with the threat, and there will be no more danger to them today.”

  Kyleigh nodded hesitantly before flashing out of the area. Back in Ian’s home, she changed into her workout clothes. She was already late meeting Layla, and really needed to relieve some tension after her run in with Oriel and Arawn.

  Whatever Arawn was up to couldn’t be good, and she was torn on whether she even wanted to know. It was probably best if she didn’t so she wouldn’t be tempted to interfere more with Ian’s old life.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  Roger was no longer suffering the ill-effects of his grief. It was a pity Arawn had to back off from this situation. While messing with Kyleigh’s vampire still held great appeal, it was going to create more problems than it was worth.

  “What news do you have?” Roger asked when the bedraggled vampires entered the room.

  “We spotted a jeep transporting Claire earlier today,” one of them said.

  “Were you successful in killing her?” Roger asked.

  One of them shook his head while studying his feet. “The vampires guarding her were real protective.”

  Roger stared at the man with only a hint of irritation. “Claire’s death is very important,” he said calmly. “While I appreciate her contribution, she’s been compromised, and the blood whores may use her to get the vampire council to rescind their protection for our settlement. Do you have any idea what the consequences will be if the blood whores are allowed to attack us now?”

  “Maybe we should move,” one of the vampires in the group suggested nervously.

  “Move?” Roger asked as he approached the man. Arawn smiled, knowing what was coming long before the foolish vampire did.

  Roger may have been weak as a human, but becoming a vampire had changed all that. One of Roger’s hands shot out and caught the vampire by the throat, lifting him from the ground. The vampire’s legs dangled in a comical way as he clawed at Roger’s hand in a desperate attempt to free himself. “I’m done scurrying into the cracks like a rat,” Roger hissed before tossing the other vampire across the room as if he weighed nothing.

  “Maybe Claire’s not compromised,” the one who’d originally spoken suggested. “She had one of those collar things on. Looked like she wasn’t there willingly.”

  That gave Roger pause. His head cocked to the side as he considered the possibilities. It was hard not to admire Roger’s calculating nature. “This could work to our advantage,” Roger mused.

  Arawn smiled, knowing where Roger was heading with this, knowing he was on the right track.

  Roger’s eyes landed on the vampire who’d argued in Claire’s defense. “You went with Claire when she spoke to the vampire council, right?”

  The vampire nodded. “They really like her.”

  “Perfect,” Roger said with a bright smile
. “Get the others who traveled with you and tell them to prepare to leave immediately. You are to appeal to the vampire council on poor Claire’s behalf. Let them know she’s a prisoner being subjected to unknown atrocities.”

  One of the other vampires fidgeted. “She seemed fine,” he muttered.

  Roger glared at the idiot who’d spoken. “Did I ask for an assessment of her health?”

  The vampire shook his head.

  “Then keep your fucking mouth shut,” Roger snapped. “In fact, get the hell out of here before I give in to the temptation to kill you.”

  That was enough to make the vampire scurry from the room. The one Roger had tossed was right behind him, leaving Roger alone with his guards and the vampire who would speak to the council.

  “Now that the idiots are out of the room, let’s discuss what you’ll tell the council,” Roger said to the remaining vampire from the patrol.

  Arawn saw why Roger had selected this one to meet with the council. The vampire looked harmless, with his short black hair, narrow shoulders, and almost feminine features.

  “Claire did seem in good health,” the vampire said quietly.

  “Yet you’re sure she wasn’t there willingly?” Roger asked.

  The vampire nodded. “That collar was a dead giveaway. I heard Claire argue with the vampires around her, telling them not to hurt us cuz we were there to rescue her.”

  “I’m still not convinced Claire’s loyalties aren’t compromised, but she might still be on our side,” Roger said. “You’ll need to leave today with the others who met with the council before. How many of you know how to drive a jeep?”

  The vampire thought for a moment. “The other two do, but I don’t.”

  “You’ll do the talking with the council. Rest up for the trip and have the others trade off on driving. Only stop for blood. I expect you to get there by tomorrow morning. Meet with the council, and return as soon as possible. Make sure they understand that the blood whores abducted Claire and reacted with violence when we attempted to negotiate her release.”

  The vampire nodded. “Should I mention the collar?”

  “Yes,” Roger said, rolling his eyes. “We need them to know she is in no uncertain terms a prisoner.”

  “Is there anything else?” the vampire asked.

  “Stress our fear for the safety of those in our settlement in light of this escalated violence on the part of the blood whores,” Roger said. “Gather the others and make sure you’re all clean and dressed appropriately. We don’t want to offend the council.”

  The vampire nodded and hurried out of the room.

  Arawn hated missing out on all the fun. At least he could rest easy knowing he’d set things in motion for the destruction of those who mattered to Kyleigh’s mate. With any luck, Kyleigh’s mate would end up a casualty. That thought brought a smile to Arawn’s face. He wondered what Kyleigh would be willing to give him to save her mate. Considering all she’d risked for the vampire up to this point, Arawn suspected it would be quite a bit.

  Hopefully, Roger wouldn’t screw up Arawn’s perfect plan.

  Chapter Forty-Three

  Ian was grateful this had been an uneventful day on patrol. There’d been more than enough excitement over the last few days. He was also looking forward to spending the evening with Mitchell. Kyleigh hadn’t mentioned leaving in a couple of days, but he knew she’d bring it up eventually. The conversation had come up briefly after the failed attempt on Claire’s life. Ian had no idea what had happened with Kyleigh that day, but something had spooked her. Luckily, she’d only mentioned the need to leave briefly, so he hadn’t been forced to discuss it in depth.

  The domestic scene Ian walked in on came as a surprise. Kyleigh was on the sofa with her legs tucked under her, sewing of all things. Ian had no idea where the woman had found a needle and thread.

  Mitchell was sitting in an armchair, with a computer propped up on a pillow as he read to Kyleigh. Both looked up from what they were doing and smiled.

  “Hey, Dad,” Mitchell said in a distracted voice. “Kyleigh was giving her opinion on my paper.”

  “I haven’t given it yet,” Kyleigh said, “but I am impressed.”

  Kyleigh hadn’t once stopped poking the needle and thread through the fabric of his pants while she looked at him.

  “What are you doing?” he asked her.

  “Layla stopped by earlier and showed me how to use your machines for cleaning and drying clothing,” she explained. “When I was washing your things, I noticed some of them needed mending.”

  Ian chuckled. “We don’t really mend our clothing anymore,” he explained. “When it gets worn out, we just wash it and turn it in to be recycled. Where did you get a needle and thread?”

  “Raven got me several types of thread and a few needles,” Kyleigh explained. “I have no idea where she got them.”

  “You don’t have to do my laundry,” he said.

  Kyleigh gave him a look that suggested he was an idiot. “The smell from that room was getting more than a little offensive. Plus, those new machines are kind of fun. The clothes spin around and around behind the window.”

  Ian chuckled. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone get excited about laundry,” he admitted. He’d always done his own laundry. During his time with Kate, he’d done all the laundry because Kate wasn’t much into cleaning. Actually, she’d been one to leave things all over the house.

  “Layla still gets a little excited about laundry,” Mitchell said. “When you’ve had to hand wash clothing, the machines are kind of cool.”

  “How do you clean your clothing?” Ian asked Kyleigh. He’d never seen her do a load of laundry in her realm.

  Kyleigh flashed him a sly smile. “Magic,” she said. “While I can’t use my powers to make my own clothing, I can use them to clean the clothing I have.”

  Mitchell’s alarm went off, meaning it was time for blood. “I’m going to grab a bag for myself, so I’ll bring you one,” Ian offered on his way to the kitchen.

  Ian poured two bags of blood in glasses, smiling at the image of Kyleigh sewing. That was something he’d rather never do again, but it looked like it was kind of relaxing for Kyleigh. Then he frowned at how cozy she looked with his son. It felt like she belonged in his living room, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

  Ian forced his mind away from those thoughts because he no longer belonged here, which was something he preferred to avoid thinking about.

  “It just seems strange,” Mitchell was saying to Kyleigh.

  Kyleigh had finished sewing the pants, and they now sat folded neatly on the coffee table. “Intolerance has always existed in one form or another.”

  “What’s your paper about?” Ian asked.

  “Discrimination throughout history,” Mitchell explained. “We had to pick a social issue and discuss how it’s changed over time. It’s kind of vague, but I think the instructor wants us to think about things we deal with now, compared to what people dealt with before the Moon virus.”

  “I was explaining to Mitchell that I was considered a bastard because my mother was unwed,” Kyleigh added. “He’d never heard the term used as it was originally intended.”

  Ian nodded. “Yeah, marriage isn’t quite as important to everyone now. Some people go through it because they like the ceremony.”

  “Is that why you got married?” Mitchell asked.

  Ian saw Kyleigh flinch and knew she was worried the question would bring up painful memories. “Kate’s mother was Catholic, and even though she’d died years before we met, Kate still felt like she had to get married to make her mom happy. I didn’t care so much about the title.”

  Mitchell nodded and turned his attention back to Kyleigh. “So, you had to get married if you wanted to have kids back then?”

  “People weren’t even supposed to have sex if they weren’t married,” Kyleigh explained.

  “That seems crazy,” Mitchell said.

  “Only because
of your environment,” Kyleigh said. “That’s not even the worst of the intolerance when I was alive.”

  “I’ve heard some things about people not wanting people with different shades of skin together,” Mitchell said thoughtfully.

  “Shelby and Carla couldn’t have been together,” Ian added.

  “So, it seems we’ve traded one set of prejudices for another,” Mitchell said sadly.

  “Pretty much,” Ian agreed. “Drink your blood.”

  Mitchell nodded and downed the glass.

  “Layla invited us all over for dinner,” Mitchell said.

  Ian laughed. “We just had blood, and neither of us eats solid food.” Ian had been tempted when Simon started, but since Mitchell couldn’t digest solids, he’d decided against it.

  “Layla’s worried about Kyleigh spending too much time alone,” Mitchell explained. “She says we need to include her, make her feel like she’s one of us instead of an outsider.”

  Alarm briefly flashed across Kyleigh’s face, but she quickly masked it and forced a laugh. “That’s ridiculous. I’ve just spent the last hour with you, and I visited with Layla when she showed me how to use the laundry machines.” While her tone was light, Ian got the impression something was bothering Kyleigh.

  “Layla’s baking chocolate cake,” Mitchell said. “Danny and Mark are also coming over.”

  “I don’t want to intrude on the time Ian has with you and his friends,” Kyleigh finally said. She stood and then leaned down to kiss Mitchell on the cheek. “I need to check the laundry. Go have fun. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  Ian frowned. “I’ll be right back,” he said to Mitchell before following Kyleigh out of the room.

  When she reached for the door to the laundry room, Ian caught her arm. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m a little overwhelmed,” she admitted.

  “You know you can talk to me, right?” Ian said and gave in to the temptation to lean closer and nuzzle her neck.

  Kyleigh shivered. “Not while you’re doing that, I can’t,” she said.

  Ian chuckled. “If Mitchell weren’t here, I’d test that theory, just to make sure you’re right. Now, tell me what’s really bothering you.”