Cyn sighed unhappily. “We never got that vacation, you know.”
He tightened his arms around her. “We will.”
She was quiet for a few minutes, completely relaxed in his arms. “I really didn’t think you’d kill her,” she murmured.
“Yes, you did. But I forgive you. You were only thinking of her, not yourself.”
“What do I have to do with it?”
“Because, my Cyn, killing her would hurt you. And I’d never do that.”
“Well, shit. Now I feel like total ass.” She stretched up to kiss the side of his mouth. “I’m sorry.” He turned his head and kissed her more thoroughly, her body going soft around him as she gave a low moan. “That’s so unfair, and you know it.”
He grinned, and she pushed off his lap to sit on the edge of the desk instead. “Okay, back to business, fang boy. Who’s at the gate? You said Nick wouldn’t be here yet.”
“He’s not. It’s one of his warriors, I imagine. Probably the local one, Kato Amadi, but let’s wait and see what Juro has to say first.”
The gate ring sounded again. Cyn leaned over and pressed the key.
“Juro,” Raphael said.
“My lord, the son of the Dark Witch would like to see Gabriel. Grace Van Allen is with him.”
Raphael heard someone cursing in the background and knew the man hadn’t offered up the truth of his identity. Cyn jerked at the title and gave him a questioning look, but Raphael held up a hand for her to wait. “Bring him to the conference room. Kill him at the first sign of aggression.” He disconnected.
“Son of the Dark Witch?” Cyn repeated in alarm. “What the hell does that mean?”
“Kato was the only son of a witch so powerful that she no longer had a name. She was simply the Dark Witch. She had many daughters, none of whom matched her power. But she had only one son, and his conception was not entirely natural. She used magic to make certain he was male, and thus, in the traditions of her society, not eligible to rule, though he was far more powerful than his sisters. He was never even taught to read, much less use magic. His only purpose was as a reservoir of power for his mother to draw upon.”
“But why dark? Was she evil?”
He shook his head. “That’s a common misconception, especially in this time and place, when magic is scarce. But dark doesn’t mean evil any more than light means good. They’re simply different paths to power. Dark magic is so called because of the price its practitioners pay to use it. It demands pain, but it gives them a great deal more power in return. As a result, however, dark witches tend to be more powerful, since they can create as much pain as they need or want. There are myriad ways of causing pain. Light magic, on the other hand, derives its power from nature. Its practitioners can only draw on whatever occurs naturally.”
“Nick must know about Kato’s history.”
“Yes, and if you value his life, you won’t engage him in a conversation about that or anything else.”
She gave a disgusted noise. “I don’t get you guys.”
“It’s quite simple. You’re mine. If he speaks to you, he dies. If he touches you, he dies screaming.”
“Good grief. I think the two of you should skip the in-person meet and just talk on the phone. Gabriel can—”
“I don’t trust him with Gabriel. He nearly killed him once—”
“Even you admit that he didn’t mean to hurt him back then.”
“Probably not, but this isn’t then. If he tried it now, he would hurt him, and I won’t permit that. Gabriel is a vampire. He belongs with his own people.” He tipped his head slightly. “He’s on his way up.”
“Kato?”
“No. Gabriel.”
“Should I get Hana?”
“Not yet. Let me talk to Gabriel first, make sure he wants to see Kato, and if he wants Hana there.”
She gave him a doubtful look but came to her feet as the door opened and Jared entered with Gabriel.
GABRIEL FORCED himself to walk slowly into Raphael’s office, taking his cue from Jared, who, for all his long service to the vampire lord, still treated him with great formality and respect. He reminded himself of his friend and mentor Himura, who had always greeted him with the gravest formality, even though Gabriel had been nothing but a spark of life inside a stone statue.
It was an effort to contain his enthusiasm, though. He was feeling a thousand times better than any day since he’d awakened, better than he could remember feeling going back the millennia of his previous existence. He was not only filled with energy, but he was optimistic about the future. For the first time since he’d been forcibly made a vampire, he’d awakened eager to face the night in this new world. And to see Hana.
As Raphael came around the desk to greet him, Gabriel walked forward and dropped to his knees. “My lord.” He tried to put everything he was feeling into those two words. Respect, gratitude, joy.
Raphael reached down and gripped his shoulders, pulling him to his feet. Gabriel’s eyes flared briefly at the strength in that grip. He’d lost some weight since his awakening, but he was still a very big man. And while he and the vampire lord were of a height, Gabriel was bulkier by at least fifty pounds. He almost immediately chastised himself for such trivial thoughts. Raphael wasn’t an ordinary man; he had power. Gabriel had lived with Nico, had fought in wars where magic was so thick on the battlefield that a man could choke on it. He knew power when he felt it.
“That’s not necessary,” Raphael said, giving his shoulders a last reassuring squeeze before releasing him. “You’re feeling better.”
It was a statement, not a question, but Gabriel responded anyway. “Yes, my lord. Thanks to you.”
“And Hana,” Raphael added. “She did the right thing in bringing you here.”
Gabriel did a quick scan of the office. “Where is Hana? Is she well?”
“Of course. She’s in the gym with Elke, one of my vampires. And I’m told she and my Cyn cleaned out the mall, shopping this afternoon,” he added, shooting an affectionate glance at his mate, who smiled and took a few steps closer.
“He exaggerates,” she said cheerfully. “But we did do some shopping. Hana bought stuff for you, too, since we both thought you were in desperate need. Although that,” she said, waving her hand to indicate the clothes he was wearing, “is certainly better than what you had on last night.”
Gabriel cast a rueful glance downward. “Hana tried, but in Japan, my size was unusual enough that she couldn’t find clothes for me without drawing attention. Which we certainly didn’t want. Here, however—” He smiled. “Men are bigger.”
She grinned. “Especially among Raphael’s security staff, huh?” She glanced at Raphael. “Why don’t I go find Hana? I’m sure Elke’s beaten her into submission by now—” She waved a hand when Gabriel shot her an alarmed look. “Joking. I’m sure Hana can hold her own. Besides, I’ve been working with Elke for years, and I’m still alive. She’s good about holding her punches for us mere humans.”
“My Hana is tougher than she looks.”
Raphael’s mate gave him a bemused look, but all she said was, “I bet.” She ran a hand down the vampire lord’s arm and touched his fingers briefly. “I’ll check back with you.”
Raphael waited until she’d closed the door behind her, his gaze full of fierce possession as he watched her cross the room. Gabriel recognized that emotion. He felt the same toward Hana, even though he had no right.
The minute the door clicked shut, Raphael waved at the chairs and started around his desk. “Sit. Jared, you too. We have things to discuss. Foremost among them . . . you have a visitor, Gabriel.”
Gabriel frowned. “A visitor? But no one should know we’re here,” he said, alarm flaring all over again with concern for Hana’s safety. “Our enemies—” He would have come to his f
eet, but Jared’s hand on his arm urged calm, at the same time that Raphael held up a hand in a similar gesture.
“Not an enemy. At least I don’t think so. But rest assured, Gabriel, my people are more than capable of defending this estate. Many have tried to breach our defenses. None has succeeded.”
“Not an enemy,” Gabriel repeated, his heart still thundering with fear. Not for himself, but for Hana. “Then who?”
“The son of the Dark Witch himself. Kato Amadi.”
Gabriel hadn’t thought he could experience a joy greater than he had when he’d wakened that evening, feeling whole and strong and free. And knowing Hana was nearby and safe. But this. . . . It didn’t matter what he’d done in the past, the brutish existence his Sire had forced on him, or the monster he’d become. His fellow warriors had been his brothers. They’d fought side by side, saved each other’s lives many times over, and loved each other like family. And when the curse had hit, they’d fallen and suffered together, too. “Kato?” he said, almost breathless with a hopeful disbelief. “How is that possible?”
“The last year has been . . . significant in the world of sorcery. Events are moving quickly, and though it’s not clear to me where they’re going, I imagine the uncertainty is at least partly responsible for the timing of your enemy’s decision to kidnap Hana. Two of your fellow warriors have been freed already, which greatly enhances Nicodemus’s position. Amadi is one, but I’m not sure who the other is. It happened thousands of miles from here, in another’s territory.”
“Kato is here?” Gabriel said, suddenly uneasy.
Raphael nodded. “He arrived without warning, simply presented himself at the gate and asked to see you.” He tilted his head curiously. “You don’t have to see him if you don’t want to.”
Gabriel gritted his jaw and forced himself to meet that penetrating stare. He’d done many things he wasn’t proud of, but he’d never been a coward. “Kato. None of them. They never knew me as . . .”
“A vampire,” Raphael supplied. “No, I imagine not. Are you ashamed?”
“No, my lord,” Gabriel insisted immediately, his head coming up to meet Raphael’s black gaze. “I was forced to be what others wanted my entire life. My father, my filthy vampire Sire, even Nico, for all that his intentions were good. Now here, for the first time, I am only me. It feels right. It feels good. And I would be honored to serve you.”
“And I would be honored to have you,” Raphael said gently. “But that is not a vow to be undertaken rashly. Once you’ve sworn to me, you are mine, body and soul. Your loyalty will belong to me alone, and I do not tolerate betrayal.”
“I understand. I would still—”
“Wait. Talk to your friend, talk to Hana. Events are moving quickly, but not so quickly that you cannot take a few hours to consider such a momentous decision.”
“Yes, my lord. Where . . . ?”
“We’ll move to the conference room down the hall. It’s big enough for all of us. You understand that I can’t allow Kato the freedom of my estate. My people will remain close. But if you require privacy, they can wait outside the room.”
“That won’t be necessary, my lord. I have nothing to hide, and I believe Kato will understand better once he meets you.”
Raphael stood. “Let’s go, then. Juro and Ken’ichi are bringing him up. If you change your mind about wanting privacy, the offer stands.”
GABRIEL STOOD AT the big window on the far wall of the conference room, staring at the endless expanse of water below the cliff. He knew oceans existed. Hell, he and Hana had crossed this very one to get here. But he’d never seen it like this. The massive body of water was in constant motion, like a huge beast stirring restlessly against its chains. It was black and impenetrable except for slender threads of moonlight that hinted at hidden peaks and valleys.
He smiled slightly. He must be truly nervous if his head was filled with such poetic thoughts at a time like this. He knew in his gut that Kato was his brother in everything but blood. That the other warrior loved him and meant him no harm. He’d told Raphael he was worried about his brother seeing him as a true vampire for the first time. And he hadn’t lied. He was worried about that. But it had been so long, and so much had happened since they’d been cursed. He’d changed for the better, he thought. No. He knew. He no longer felt the simmering rage of a berserker lying just below the surface of his skin, no longer had to spend every moment fighting himself simply to remain calm. Raphael had done that for him. He’d given Gabriel’s self back to him.
But would Kato understand? Or would he feel betrayed by Gabriel’s new allegiance to his fellow vampires? And to Raphael?
He turned as the door opened behind him. Juro entered first. . . . No, that wasn’t Juro. It was his twin brother, Ken’ichi. The two vampires were very much alike, but only on the surface. All thoughts of vampire twins vanished when he caught sight of Kato. His brother was dressed differently than the last time he’d seen him, but other than that, he appeared much the same. His hair was still long, his dark eyes still filled with joy, for all that life under his bitch of a mother had been brutal. Gabriel couldn’t see the blade his brother always wore on his back, but he knew it was there. He could tell by the way Kato moved.
Kato’s grin was huge when he saw Gabriel. “Brother!” he said and tried unsuccessfully to maneuver around Ken’ichi, who didn’t move until he’d glanced at Raphael and received a subtle nod of approval. He stepped aside, and Kato surged forward, arms outstretched. Gabriel met him halfway, and they slammed together, pounding each other’s backs in the way of warriors. They held each other tightly for a long moment, conveying without words something only they could understand—the simple gratitude that their nightmarish existence was finally at an end.
“Brother,” Gabriel said finally. “It is so good to see you well.”
Kato pulled back. “And you, Gabriel. You look . . . different. Freedom agrees with you.”
He winced. “More than you know. Kato, this is Lord Raphael,” he said, turning to gesture at the vampire lord who sat on the opposite side of the table, observing silently.
Kato dipped his head in Raphael’s direction. It was a respectful greeting—this was Raphael’s estate, after all. But it wasn’t friendly. Instead, he turned to the woman behind him and pulled her forward. “And this is Grace Van Allen, my girlfriend.” He smiled slightly at the modern word.
Grace came forward and offered her hand. She was a quiet beauty, the same height as Hana, more or less, but with long, blond hair and light-colored eyes. “I’m so happy to meet you, Gabriel. Kato has told me so much about you and all the others. I’m so sorry for all you’ve been through.”
Gabriel shook her hand carefully. It was soft, with delicate bones. This wasn’t a warrior like his Hana or Raphael’s mate, Cynthia. “Grace,” he said simply, then looked over and caught the look on Kato’s face as he regarded the woman. Oh ho, he thought, with a slight smile. His brother was well and truly besotted with this one. He wondered if he looked the same way when he stared at Hana. He hoped not.
“Why doesn’t everyone sit?” Raphael suggested. His eyes were careful when they studied Kato, but he didn’t seem worried at all. Juro and Ken’ichi, on the other hand, were fully alert and prepared to defend. Juro had taken a position to the right and just behind Raphael, while Ken’ichi was manning the door.
Gabriel dragged one of the heavy chairs away from the table and sat with an expectant look for Kato. While Kato gave Raphael another one of those respectfully unfriendly glances, he pulled out two chairs, waited until Grace was seated, then sat in the one closest to Gabriel.
“Talk to me, brother. What of the others?” Gabriel asked.
“Damian is also free, and on his way here. His curse was the first one lifted. Nico believes Damian’s release created a cascade of sorts, weakening the curse on all of us.”
Gabriel snorted. “He’ll never let us forget that, if it’s true. Arrogant ass.”
Kato laughed. “He is exactly as he always was. The weapons in this world, brother . . . Damian is in heaven.”
Gabriel nodded. “I was fortunate in the last century of my imprisonment. The son of the man who liberated me from the endless darkness of a cave was touched with enough magic to sense my existence within the stone. He read to me almost daily, and when he died, his son and granddaughter took up the task in turn. They kept me sane and in touch with the changing world.” He thought to describe how he’d seen those weapons in action, seen how bullets could rip through a man’s flesh, destroy his heart. But he held his tongue. He didn’t know yet how much Raphael wanted him to share about their enemy and Hana’s unique magical ability.
“Dragan?” he asked instead, changing the subject to the fourth of their number.
“Nothing yet,” Kato replied, shaking his head. “But then, he always did like to make an entrance.” He shared a smile with Gabriel before continuing. “Nico believes Dragan’s freedom will come very soon. It isn’t a coincidence that the three of us have been released so close together. He’s on his way, too, by the way. Nico, I mean. We’ll all get together. In fact—” He broke off and spun around, his hand going automatically to the hilt of his blade when the conference room door opened.
HANA HURRIED through the door ahead of Cyn, sliding around Ken’ichi’s bulk without a glance, her eyes only for Gabriel, who seemed gratifyingly happy to see her.
“Hana,” he said, standing up and holding out a hand as she rushed over to him.
“Gabriel!” Her arms went around his waist in a hard hug, while his dropped to circle her shoulders. He seemed hesitant at first, but then she felt his arms tighten into a warm embrace, felt his lips touch the top of her head. She indulged herself in the sensation, soaking in the heat and strength of him, and giving hers in return.
“Hana,” he said softly. “You’re well?”
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