I stood stunned at the familiarity of the décor, the welcoming feeling of the room - something I had never thought possible when inside the Iunctio's Palais walls. And in utter surprise at the number of photos he had of me, dotted here and there. Before I had a chance to comment, Michel lifted me off the floor and crushed me to his chest. His lips found mine in a hungry kiss and he carried me from the large lounge room, down a hall to the bedroom, without a word of warning to his guards.
As soon as we crossed the threshold of his room, he kicked the door closed and gently lay me down on the bed. The entire movement had been carried out while still kissing me. He climbed on the bed beside me, pain and concern in equal measure on his face. Then he started to undress me.
"Michel," I said, gasping through the aches he awoke with his gentle movements. I was too injured to contemplate making love.
"I need to see you are OK, ma douce," he said in a strained voice. "I need to make sure."
I understood then, what he was doing, and didn't fight his careful removal of my clothes. This was not just the vampire-within, but also the man. Reassuring himself, but I was aware, also putting himself through unnecessary pain. He groaned when he saw the bruises, he cursed aloud when he found each unhealed cut and welt. Tears fell freely down his cheeks by the time he had finished his appraisal. And then he abruptly got off the bed and disappeared.
I let a breath of air out in surprise and I admit, a little rejection. I knew I looked like a punching bag that had been attacked with several different large sharp knives, but I hadn't expected him to be unable to look at me and have to walk away. I was just contemplating the arduous task of redressing, when he slipped back in the room. A first aid kit, towels and a bowl of steaming water in his hands. He laid out his collection on the bed beside me and then proceeded to gently wash and treat, then dress each individual wound. The room began to smell like a doctor's surgery, antiseptic and camphor filling the air.
It took more than half an hour and he didn't utter a word throughout that entire time. His face was a mask of anger, yet his touch was as gentle as a mother caring for her child. When he finished and helped me sit up on a mound of pillows, he cleared the equipment away and then sat down on the bed at my side.
"Thanks," I said and immediately wished I hadn't. Pain, guilt, anger flashed over his face. I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. "We knew she wasn't going to be happy." I said in an effort to fill the silence.
"This was too much, ma douce," he said in a low, even voice. "She has broken our covenants. It is enough for me to challenge her and be well within my rights."
"That wouldn't be a good idea," I said softly, reaching for his hand. He had said it himself, with the Iunctio's full power behind her, she was untouchable.
"I have enough anger, I believe I could have made a valiant attempt."
"I won't allow it," I said, pulling him closer by the hand. The risk of losing him was too much, I couldn't bear it.
He pulled me into a careful embrace, resting his chin on the top of my head. The only place that wasn't actually aching. "I could not bear witnessing what happened today again," he said quietly. "I wanted to rip her throat out when I walked in that room."
I closed my eyes and imagined how that scene would have played out. It wasn't pretty. "I'm glad you didn't," I said and meant it. The Champion was at the top of my To Kill List, but it was more of a wish list than my personal manifesto.
"How are we going to find this fairy?" Michel asked and I realised it was the first time he had appeared unsure of how to proceed. Michel had always had the answers, but right now he was severely off his game.
"Let's go discuss it with the others," I suggested, untangling myself from his arms. He resisted, ever so slightly, then managed to contain his fear of losing me enough to allow me to go.
When I stood gingerly to my feet and turned to pick up my T-shirt from beside the bed, I noticed, for the first time, an enormous black and white framed photograph of me above the bed. It was a good shot, if I say so myself, and I don't remember there ever being a camera there at the time. But I did remember the moment. It was in Taupo, the first time I had visited there. I didn't know Michel well at the time, he was just the Master of the City, a vampire to fear and be in awe of at the same time. But it was on that trip to his holiday home that he told me what I was. This picture had been taken not long afterwards. I had a faraway look to my eye, a little lost girl facing up to the monsters of the night. The lights of Taupo in the distance as I stood at the end of his property and gazed out across the lake towards the town.
I had been thinking it was all dream - a nightmare in fact - but I had been excited, more alive than I had ever felt before, at the prospect of being a part of this man's world. The photographer had caught the fear, but also the courage and determination Michel prized in me so. And even in amongst all of that, you could see the glint in my eye of anticipation of what lay ahead.
"Who took the shot?" I asked, feeling Michel's warmth at my back.
"I did," he replied in a thick voice. "Do you like it?"
"I think so," I said and then when I turned to face him, "Yeah, it's OK."
He let a huff of air out at my understatement and raised a hand to cup my cheek. "I was in love with you already by then, but so scared you would run away if I let it be known."
"Why is it hanging here?" I asked as I leaned into his palm.
"It reminds me, when I return from whatever Iunctio business I have had to attend, that there is beauty in this world worth living for. There is something so very precious and pure and mine to resist the Dark for and embrace the Light."
"You've kept it hidden well," I said pulling my T-shirt on over my head, Michel rushed to help me when my arms started to shake with effort.
"It is mine," he said simply, but didn't elaborate further.
After a bit of help from Michel I was dressed again and maybe not prepared as such to face the last of the night, but at least suitably ready. Armed, dressed in my familiar hunting gear. The only thing missing was my sword and I did feel a little naked at that. But pushed the thought aside as we entered the beautiful lounge, the comfort of the couch calling to me instantly. I sat down a little afraid I'd want to fall asleep, but the 48 hours the Champion had given me were already flying by too quickly for that.
Nataliya came back in the room with a steaming mug of frothy coffee and a plate full of sandwiches and biscuits - all looking divine. I hadn't realised how hungry I was, but I guess getting tortured works up an appetite. Michel growled low at my thoughts and I quickly turned them to the caffeine I was about to gratefully consume. He wandered over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a Scotch, I was sure he would have liked a little blood chaser and, although I had been in contact with Avery and the joining was reinforced enough to allow Michel to feed, I was in no way fit enough physically to offer up a vein.
Michel's growl rattled the glasses in the cabinet and I let out a sigh.
"You need to get out of my head, Michel," I chastised. "I'm not strong enough to temper my thoughts."
The glass in his hand shattered, the vampires in the room going preternaturally still. He turned to look at me, magenta flashing in his eyes. "There is no way in hell I can get out of your head, ma douce!" he said forcefully. "Please do not ask."
We held each other's gaze for several seconds and then he ran a hand through his hair. It was still loose and looked fantastic. Right then I wished I could run a hand through the strands and calm him a little with my touch. His lips quirked slightly and he let out a long, unneeded breath.
"It has been a demanding night," he stated, turning and filling a new unbroken glass and then coming to sit by my side.
My hand automatically went for his hair and I allowed myself the contact for a moment before saying, "It's not over yet."
"No," he conceded.
"So, what's the plan?" Matthias asked, the only vampire in the room prepared to speak so soon after Michel had lost his co
ol. I appreciated his courage, we needed to get things back on track and the normal dynamics of our group re-established.
"We need to get in touch with Aliath," I said pulling his yellow gem from its hidden pocket in my jacket.
"Not here," Michel answered reaching to cover my hand. "Bringing a fairy into the Palais would not be a sane move."
I smiled crookedly, he was definitely right. "Have we got time to get back to London tonight?"
"No," Sergei answered. "Even using the jet we would be landing mid-morning and risking the sun. The weather report for London is clear, sunny skies."
"Why is it that city rains 364 days of the year, but the one day we need cloud cover it doesn't oblige?" Marcus said sarcastically.
"We don't have time to sit around the Palais until tomorrow," Michel said. "But we can leave and find somewhere secure to call him out of prying eyes."
"Do you have anywhere in mind?" Matthias asked, but Michel just shook his head in reply.
"None I could trust," he answered taking a large gulp of his drink.
We all fell into silence trying to think of where to from here. I didn't have any contacts in Paris, but then Arthur Pencarrow did. I pulled my cellphone from my pocket and thumbed through my address book, Michel watched patiently at my side, but didn't say a word.
"Luce," my Nosferatin acquaintance said in his gruff Cockney twang when the call connected. "You're still alive then?"
"Just," I added and felt Michel stiffen at my side. He didn't growl, so we were making headway.
"Are you all right?" Arthur said, his voice softening.
"Yeah," I replied quickly not wanting to dwell, then added, "We're stuck in Paris for the night, but we need a safe and secure location to call Aliath to us."
"On it," Arthur responded without preamble. "I'll text message the details as soon as its arranged."
"Thanks," I said a weight already lifting off my shoulders.
"Don't mention it," he answered and then rang off.
Ten minutes later we had our safe and secure location and were heading out the side door to the Palais, only to be met by a contingency of dragons.
Well, three dragon-shifters in their human forms, but that was bad enough.
Chapter 21
Welcome
"Cousin," Sebastian said to Michel as we came to a halt a few feet in front of them.
"I am not your cousin," Michel replied coolly. Sebastian just shrugged.
"All dragons are cousins, even a vampire who possesses the spirit of one."
As interesting as this was, the night was progressing rapidly and I really didn't think we had time to delve into the possibility that Michel's dragon-within was related in a spiritual way to Sebastian's kin. I shifted uneasily at Michel's side, flicking a glance at the watch on his wrist.
"In a hurry, lass?" Sebastian asked. "Perhaps we could give you a lift to wherever you are going?"
"We're fine, shifter," Michel answered for me, just as our car arrived. Michel's Range Rover with Alain behind the wheel.
Sebastian flicked a glance over his shoulder at the vehicle and shrugged again. "As you wish, it was only a suggestion."
The vampires all began piling into the car, Michel pushing me towards the rear passenger door.
"You're going to follow us, aren't you?" I said through gritted teeth to Sebastian. Michel continued to push me firmly towards the open door.
"I have no choice," Sebastian answered, holding my eyes with his, begging me to understand.
I didn't bother replying, just allowed Michel to finally guide me into the car. Alain pulled the vehicle away from the Iunctio Palais walls and I watched over my shoulder as the trio began to shift to their dragon form. My mouth hung open in utter shock that they would perform the transformation on a - albeit quiet - urban street. Soothing colours surrounded each shifter, twining together and multiplying as the magic of the change took over. It was so similar to what I had seen my old friend Rick do, when he shifted to Taniwha form. The magic that makes a shape shifter change pulsing through the air behind us. It was beautiful, in an ethereal way, and over way too quickly to fully appreciate and comprehend.
In place of all that colourful magic stood three majestic dragons, each the spitting image of Michel's.
"Holy shit," I muttered. Michel steadfastly refused to look back. Sergei and Nataliya, in the back seat of the car, were spellbound by the sight. Michel's vampires, no doubt under telepathic orders not to watch, were resolutely looking heads forward.
The dragons took off into the air with amazing grace, leathery wings outstretched, their green scales catching the odd flare of light from a street lamp or a Palais window. It didn't take long for them to disappear amongst the stars.
"Can you see them?" I asked Alain, hoping he had some way of losing them in the busy Paris streets.
"There's no point trying," he answered in his thick French accent.
Trying to see them or lose them?
"Both," Michel answered the thought at my side, his jaw clenched. We were screwed.
We travelled in silence after that, Alain already aware of where we were heading. He knew the Paris streets well and before too long we made it up the incline of Monmartre. In the shadow of the Sacré-Cœur Basilica Alain found a place to park and we made the rest of our journey on foot. The streets were narrow here, older looking and paved in well worn cobblestones. The architecture was delightful, the street lamps as ornate as the buildings themselves. It was beautiful and only made me fall in love with the city the more of it I saw. I turned around briefly at the top of a set of steps and took in the panorama of Paris lit up at night.
My God, it was so bright, so wonderfully bright. Unsurprising that it was called the City of Light. The Light. It felt so Light here and although I knew if I sought out the vampires in the VC right now, many would be full of Dark. Somehow, the city prevailed. Somehow it clung to the Light and refused to give in. Like a Nosferatin, Paris was touched by Nut.
"I love it here," I said quietly to no one. Michel came to a rest at my side.
"You do?" he asked astonished.
I nodded. "I could live here," I announced, but before he could answer, turned and headed towards our safe haven for the night.
It was an older building, unlike some of the more modernised tall stone structures surrounding the Sacré-Cœur, it was made of ancient small bricks in a slightly dirty cream. The windows were all arched, small and covered in bars. But the bars were ornate, twirls and filigree making them seem not so austere. There was no front door on the building itself, but in the stone wall that continued on to the side. An arched wooden structure with a small hanging brass bell for a knocker. I reached up and rang it twice, the delicate clang of the clapper against the rim sounded louder in the still night air than the size should have allowed.
Within seconds the door was opened inward and we were greeted by the friendly and happy face of a Nosferatin man. He wore faded jeans and a white T-shirt with the word Sorbonne emblazoned on the front. His skin was smooth and carried a light tan, his hair short and blond, looking a little dishevelled at the moment. Perhaps we had woken him. He reached out two hands and grasped one of mine, his intensely Arctic blue eyes lighting up in recognition. I'd never met this man before, but he knew instantly who I was.
"The Sanguis Vitam Cupitor," he said in a delightful French accent. "What an absolute pleasure." He didn't let go of my hand but gently pulled me forward and leaned in to place a kiss on each of my cheeks. Michel let out a low warning growl.
The Nosferatin turned to Michel immediately, not releasing my hand, but holding on firmly with one while he fisted the other over his chest and bowed his head to the vampire at my side. "Councillor," he said with deference. "Please, won't you all come in."
Still not releasing me he led us inside the gate which was closed firmly behind us by Alain. The courtyard we were in was magnificent. Beautiful leafy trees and abundantly colourful flowers. A water feature sat pride of place in
the centre, but what really stole the show was the view. An uninterrupted outlook over Paris. I could imagine sitting in this garden during the day and soaking up the sun and splendid sight before me for hours. I felt like I had come home.
Michel looked at me with a slight crease in his forehead, his eyes catching mine and an eyebrow raised. I shrugged, unable to explain how I felt. But I felt safe here. Secure and more than anything, at home. The Nosferatin turned to look at me, taking in Michel's questioning look. He finally let go of my hand, but his smile was firmly in place.
"You feel it, don't you?" he asked mysteriously. I turned my attention back to him.
"Why?" I asked, making the vampires around me shift uneasily. Our conversation was sounding a little like Michel's and mine did when we half communicated in our minds. This Nosferatin and I weren't doing that, but there was something here that we both felt and the vampires did not. That made us kindred of a sorts. A shared feeling only for us.
"Can we go inside?" Michel asked stiffly. "There are eyes in the sky this night."
The Nosferatin looked up at the stars, but he wouldn't have been able to spot them I was sure, and then he nodded at Michel, turning and leading the way. Michel grabbed hold of my hand possessively, shooting me a frown that said all he wanted to say aloud or in my head, but didn't dare.
The inside of the building was as ancient looking as the outside. Antique furniture which had no doubt been here since the building was made, well maintained and beautifully presented. The interior had a charm and welcome disposition that immediately settled my nerves. He led us into the front room and offered us all a drink. The vampires all declined as one, so I was forced to just shake my head too. I could have done with a drink right now. I felt like celebrating.
Michel pulled me against his side roughly and whispered in my mind, what is wrong with you?
Entwined With the Dark Page 24