by Eve Newton
The house is empty when I go downstairs, followed closely by Lincoln. I can’t even remember the last time I had this much time to myself. It’s nice. I decide to do a bit of work. I hardly have anything to do anymore, even with this Queen thing. Jess is superb and deals with everything and she always goes to the delegates first before coming to me, if there is something she can’t sort out. There is, however, nothing for me to do. All taken care of. Wow, do I even really need to be here? Seems the Underworld can be run quite nicely by a weeks-old teenage Vampire and a handful of well-respected and well-chosen Ambassadors. Jess wasn’t kidding when she said she could do this. Harvard’s loss is my gain.
I decide then to read in the library and flop down on the sofa with my feet up and Lincoln’s head on my lap. I get all of two pages into my book when I feel a presence. Lincoln lifts his head and growls, stepping in front of me protectively. I pat him absently, more irritated than afraid.
I glare into the corner. “Remiel, what a shocker. What do you want?” I ask rudely. “Come to fling me around the room a bit more?”
He sits in the chair a few feet away from me and sighs dramatically. “I’m bored,” he says, his clipped British accent even more posh than my own.
“So, you thought bothering me would light up your day?”
“I thought killing you would light up my day,” he crosses his legs and folds his hands in his lap, his bright blue eyes showing some trace of amusement.
“You know, as much as I would love to help you with that, it’s not going to happen.”
“I knew engaging in conversation with you would be a mistake. You harbor no fear of me anymore,” he sulks.
“Can’t say I had much to start with,” I lie, and he chuckles, catching me in it.
“Liar,” he says easily. “But I am loathed to admit, as much as I prefer flinging you around the room, I also like talking with you. You are blunt and your questions are intelligent. It has been so very dull these last centuries with no witty banter or insult trading.”
“The crossed-over spirits not a chatty bunch, then?” I ask with a wry twist to my lips.
He lets out a loud guffaw, which startles me as much as it does Lincoln, who starts howling and turning in a circle. He is clearly confused, as I am relaxed and at ease sharing a joke with this creature who wants nothing more than to kill me. Or does he? It’s hard to tell anymore.
“Not particularly, no. Can I stay here for a while? This room is pleasant.” He stands up to browse my impressive collection of books.
“You want to stay and visit with me? I thought that next time I was ‘in for it’?” I ask.
“Well, the room more than you, but seeing as you are in it, I suppose you may stay. Yes, I have had a change of heart. You are stronger than I gave you credit for and I see a bigger picture now.” He pokes through my books while I just gape at him.
“A change of heart?” I ask, adding, “What bigger picture?”
He nods absently as if he is not really listening to me. He picks up a book and starts flicking through it.
“Can I get you a cup of tea to go with that?” I ask sarcastically, not in the least surprised that he ignored my question.
“Oh, if it’s no bother,” he says offhandedly and nods decisively and returns to his seat with my book. My very precious, first edition Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland book that is worth a small fortune and more.
“Be careful with that,” I snap at him as he opens it to read it. I haven’t even read it, choosing to preserve it as much as possible.
“Yes, your favorite, isn’t it? They didn’t have storybooks such as these back in my day. In fact, they didn’t have storybooks.”
“How did you know it was my favorite?” I ask, keeping my eyes firmly on my prized possession.
“How do I learn anything, my dear? By picking it up out of your head. You said something about tea?” he reminds me with an imperious look that I have seen before, oh yes, he is definitely closely related to Tiamat.
I stand up and humor him, although I have no idea why, pouring one for myself in the process. I hand it to him, but it bounces off the force field he still has up and in a flash of Vampire speed, I catch the delicate China cup before it crashes to the floor, the tea still inside.
“Impressive,” he says. “Do you do children’s parties as well? You can just put it on the table.”
“Why don’t you drop the barrier, hmm?” I ask him, putting the cup and saucer down with more force than I intended.
“Oh no,” he says with a chuckle. “I have seen what you can do with that sword.” He leans forward and grabs the tea quickly, pulling it through the barrier with ease. “Your Wolf friend has me intrigued,” he says, indicating Lincoln with his cup before taking a savoring sip.
“Leave him out of it,” I say.
“Oh, I mean him no harm, not unless I have to, of course. What I mean is, I am surprised he hasn’t Shifted back to human form to guard you from me.”
“He can sense that I am not afraid of you,” I say. “He is the one that trusts me the most and my capability to defend myself should the need arise.”
“You should be afraid, but yes, he does think you are capable. You do have a special bond with him. I can see it. It is like a silver ribbon,” he turns back to his tea and the book on his lap.
I look at Lincoln, who looks back at me. He can see it? As in, see it with his eyes? Huh, neat.
“So, you are really just going to sit there and read my book and drink my tea?” I ask him.
He looks up at me. “Indeed. I haven’t tasted tea quite like this in a while.”
“That brings me back to what I said the other day. You are clearly corporeal, you can handle objects and sit on things, taste tea, etc. How are you not able to just be alive?”
“Because I am dead. I told you it doesn’t work that way.” He frowns unpleasantly.
“Why not?” I ask in genuine confusion.
“All of this that you see takes an immense quantity of energy. There aren’t enough dead creatures on the planet to pull this off full time.”
Oh. I gulp at that revelation.
“So, to what do I owe the honor of your bodily presence then?”
“I told you, I’m bored,” he dismisses me and goes back to reading. I cross my arms and stare at him long and hard over the sofa where I am standing. He looks normal enough, now that he is in his natural guise. Black hair, blue eyes, a black suit that looks quite fetching on him. He has the poise and grace that only royalty brings and enough Power to blow us all to Hell and back, so, why doesn’t he? What is this bigger picture he spoke of?
Lincoln whines and it distracts my attention away from my guest. I turn to the door and Sebastian walks in. “Interesting pose,” he says, indicating my defensive stance.
I look back to the chair and Remiel has gone. And taken my book with him! The exasperating beast. He had better bring it back or I will…err…what exactly will I do? Can’t say a lot, really. I still can’t get around his barrier and he refuses to drop it.
I uncross my arms and huff. “Hello, to you too.”
He chuckles. “My, my touchy today, aren’t you, little one. But all alone for a change.” He crosses over to me and peers down at me, tilting my chin up to look at him.
“Didn’t notice the big, black Wolf over by the chair?” I ask him to his surprise. He glances over to where Lincoln has taken up residence in Remiel’s spot.
“Ah, no I did not,” he says, stepping back. “How come I can’t sense him?”
“Beats me.” I shrug and turn from him. “Where is CK?”
“Geneva, he had something to sort out.”
“Geneva? You had better tell me he flew there and didn’t Teleport.”
“He flew, Christ, keep your knickers on,” he says with a slight leer.
“You are too interested in my knickers,” I scold and flop back down on the sofa. “What something?”
“I don’t know. I am not his secreta
ry. Something to do with the bank, I suppose. Have company?” He points to the cup that Remiel left. I’d rather he took the tea than my book.
“No, it’s Lincoln’s,” I say with a pointed look at him and he growls.
“Okay, don’t tell me,” Sebastian grouses and sits next to me on the sofa.
“I’m going for a swim,” I say and stand up.
“I’ll come with you,” he says standing as well.
“Suit yourself,” I mutter and head towards the indoor swimming pool. I change out of my casual sweats and into a tiny black bikini, and dive in. I swim a couple of laps but then notice I am alone in the pool. “You not swimming?” I ask Sebastian, who is sitting on the edge watching me.
“You are a good swimmer,” he says instead.
“Thanks,” I say, eyeing him weirdly. “Are you coming in?”
“No, not today,” he says in an odd tone.
“Do you not know how to swim?” I ask, although judging by the insulted look on his face, he does.
“Of course I do. I would just rather not, right now.” He puts his hand over his shoulder and taps his back idly.
Ah, the penny drops. He doesn’t want Lincoln to see his markings. I nod and drop it and swim a few more laps.
“So, will you be turning into a Wolf tonight?” he asks me, now lying on his back and trailing his hand in the water.
“Yes,” I say.
“Is it something you have to do, or want to do?”
“Want to do. Why the questions?” I hoist myself out of the water and sit next to him, dripping wet.
“I don’t know much about your other parts. Just trying to be informed. You have many, many parts,” he says with a wicked glint.
“That I do.”
“By the way, have you been talking to Devon?” I demand, catching him by surprise with my random question.
He frowns at me. “Devon? No, why?”
I stare at him, looking for signs of deception, but it’s like trying to see deception in a marble statue. He is our sire’s charge, without a doubt.
“If you are lying to me…”
“I have nothing to say to him, Queenie. Why the interrogation?”
I debate on whether to tell him of my suspicions. It might give me a glimmer if I do. “He has had a turnaround regarding Jess. I wanted to know if you had a hand in it.” I challenge him, with my arms crossed.
His eyebrows shoot up and he does look surprised, I can’t deny that. “Are you serious?” he scoffs at me. “For what possible purpose would I have to want him to do that? He is no threat to me.”
“Humph,” I say rudely. But what else can I say? I have no proof. Maybe I am just being paranoid. I just find it difficult to believe that Devon has come to this decision all by himself. We were in a good place. I was even hoping to talk to Cole in letting him spend even more time with us. My attention wanders over to Lincoln pacing by the French doors. I stand and walk over to him. “What’s up?” I say to him, kneeling in front of him. He nods towards the doors and I get that he wants out. I open the doors and, telling him I’ll join him in a bit, he races off to the woods, leaving me all alone with Sebastian. Not exactly a genius plan there, Linc. Thanks a bunch. I sense Sebastian behind me and turn with a dismissive smile, but he doesn’t buy it and presses me up against the windows. “How about a little preview before tomorrow,” he murmurs close to my ear.
“Uh, no,” I say, pushing on his chest.
“Why not? It’s not like we haven’t played before.”
“Under a different arrangement that is now null and void,” I say tightly.
“Please,” he says, his lips now dangerously close to mine. “I want to see you pleasure yourself. It will make it even more exciting when I get to touch you myself.” He slowly takes my hand and moves it in between us and places it where he wants it. His eyes are blazing into mine, almost hypnotic, and a warning goes off in the back of my head. I try to clear my thoughts, but they are being swarmed now, consumed by a fog that I try to fight off but can’t and then there is nothing except the sound of his melodic voice, almost singing to me. He is speaking in a language I don’t understand, so all I follow is the cadence. I see his sad, sweet smile before he kisses me and I close my eyes, breathing heavily as he breaks the kiss. I open my eyes and blink at him.
“Liv?” he asks me, full of concern. “Are you okay? We don’t have to do this if you don’t want to. I just thought it might be fun.”
“I…I’m…” I pause. “I’m fine. I just think I need to feed.”
“I can help you with that,” he says and takes my hands.
“You don’t mind? So soon after yesterday?”
“I told you, I don’t mind doing this. And time doesn’t mean anything. I am stronger than you know. Take what you need.”
I smile my thanks and squeeze his hands, feeling the fog lifting slightly as I take his energy and then I am all better. “You should be careful, a girl could get used to that,” I say shyly, and he grins.
“That’s what I’m counting on,” he says, and I can’t gauge if he is joking or serious. But it matters not, as our sire finds us now. I light up and run to him, throwing my arms around his neck to his surprise. He recovers quickly and twirls me in a circle and places me gently down as I pull his head to mine and kiss him deeply. “You’re back. I missed you. I would have come with you,” I pout, and he rubs my bottom lip with his thumb.
“It was business, you would have been bored, my sweet.”
“Never with you. I just want to spend time with you and be with you.” I gaze up at him adoringly and he gazes back at me in confusion. He glances at Sebastian who walks past us and slaps CK on the shoulder. A look passes between them that I can’t place. CK relaxes instantly and smiles his made-just-for-me smile at me, and nothing else matters.
“I like this mood you are in,” he says to me, wrapping his arms around me. “It makes me want to take you home with me right now.”
“I want to go home with you. To our home. Take me home,” I say and a part of me has no idea where these words are coming from.
“I’m not sure your husband would be very happy about that,” Devon says as he joins us, to my annoyance. “How about you step away and leave it until tomorrow,” he adds to CK, who looks at him in amusement and doesn’t move.
“Husband?” I whisper almost to myself. “What are you talking about?”
Devon’s sharp eyes focus intently on mine. “Lizzie? Are you okay?” he asks, stepping forward.
“She’s fine,” CK says, turning to face Devon and cutting him off from me. I stare at the back of his really expensive suit and frown. What is going on?
“I’d like to hear that from my sire if you don’t mind,” Devon says, stepping closer.
I loop my hand through CK’s arm and step to his side. “It’s okay, my love,” I say up at him with a beam, all mushy inside over his defense of me. “Devon, I’m fine. Just a little tired and nervous about later.”
“What’s happening later?” he asks. “Oh, never mind,” he adds as he remembers.
“In fact, I should probably…” I jut my thumb out towards the French doors.
“Sure,” he says and pulls me away from CK quite roughly. “Just be safe, find Lincoln quickly and don’t leave him,” he whispers in my ear as he hugs me tightly. “Then come back here and be with Cole, your husband,” he says pointedly, and I smile up at him, wondering what he is talking about. Cole is my charge, not my husband. CK is my husband, isn’t he? My brain tries to scramble my errant thoughts together, but I just get more confused. No, not my husband, my soon-to-be-husband?
What?
I blink at him as he peers closely at me, his grip getting tighter on my arms. I nod at him “Yes, Cole. I should find Lincoln.” My disjointed words do nothing to reassure him and I pull myself out of his iron grip and turn back to CK, who is looking at me like I just fell from the moon. I grab him by his suit lapels and plant a whopping big kiss on him that he takes gre
at delight in returning, before I scamper off, shedding my bikini before I Shift, mid-run, into my Wolf form.
I find Lincoln quickly, in the same clearing as before. He is facing off with another She-Wolf who is slighter larger than me but the same color and with bright blue eyes. I sense Lincoln’s annoyance rather than anything else, but I growl at her, nonetheless. She tilts her head at me in question and then sniffs the air cautiously. She looks back to Lincoln who bobs his head once. I can only assume that he is confirming me as his Alpha. I still have no clue how they communicate properly. I mean, I have my thoughts and I can sense Lincoln and his feelings but not his thoughts. Am I supposed to, like I do in Dragon form?
“Yes!” he yells in my head suddenly as he turns his head slightly and bares his teeth. “Just like we do in human form. Finally. I was beginning to think I was on my own here.”
“All right!” I snap. “Keep your fur on. Who is this?” I ask, gesturing to her with my head and stepping up closer to him, showing a united front. “She does know this is private property, right?”
“I don’t think she cares about that right now. Her Alpha mate was killed, and she’s come looking for another one,” he sighs dramatically, and I chuckle.
“You? Ah no, my love. You are all mine.”
“Just what a Wolf wants to hear,” he says with a smile in his tone.
“Am I going to have to fight her for you?” I ask, only mildly worried.
“Before you go all feral on me, you may want to hear how her Alpha was killed.”
“How?” I ask, now curious, as he wouldn’t mention it unless it was something that falls into the weird-arse-things-that-just-find-me category.
“Connect with her in your head. You can do it. Might take a bit more effort than with me, but you should be able to reach her.”
I stare at her and concentrate. She just stares back at me impatiently and then I have her. I can hear her grumbling about wasting time.
“First things,” I say to her and she starts as she clearly wasn’t expecting me there so quickly, “stay the fuck away from my Alpha.”