Dark Liaison (An Ema Marx Novel Book 2)

by J. D. Brown

  “Okay.” I nodded while taking this all in. “So he has the weapons, with those snake-changing-zombie-Sumerian vampyres. Now he’s about to get the numbers too, and we have… we have…” I was about to say something relatively close to ‘a big bowl of caca’ when another sharp rap against the door sent me leaping into the air. I really needed to get a grip on my nerves before I developed an ulcer.

  “What now?” I marched to the door and swung it open. Rudo stood with a military rigidness to his posture and moved only his marble-black eyes to glance at me. The ashen tinge in his skin still made me a bit uneasy.

  “His Majesty requests a word with you,” Rudo announced. Then, after glancing past my shoulder, he added, “A private word. Please follow me to the Lord’s study.”

  I glanced at Jesu, but he was busy staring at his lap. I sighed and faced Rudo, nodding to indicate that I was ready. He led me down the winding tower stairs to the second landing in the foyer. Then we descended the side steps to ground level. From there, we ducked into one of the arch-shaped halls under the balcony. The small frame gave way to a ballroom. My breath hitched at the sight as my steps clicked against baby blue and gold marble. The swirls made me think of a lazy lake in the summer time, the gold pieces like sunlight glittering off a low tide. Mosaics made of tiny glittering greens and browns transformed the walls into a mural of a forest scene. Children and bear cubs played together among the trees. A wolf and lynx pressed their noses together as though kissing. Men and women enjoyed a meal of roasted pig. I realized with a start that I recognized most of the people, and the animals too, from the portraits hanging in the stairway that led to the dining room.

  I rushed to keep up with Rudo, taking in stride the three chandeliers hanging from the open wooden beams of the ceiling, the two large thrones atop a platform at the back of the room, and a tapestry of the black and gray fighting wolves draped over the wall behind the large chairs. Past the tapestry, the room teed off like a theater stage. Rudo veered down a shallow passage to a large door. He rapped his knuckles against the wood.

  “Come in,” Nikolas called. Rudo opened the door and swept his free hand through the air in an after you gesture. I swallowed hard and then stepped past the threshold. The room was narrow, but very long. Stuffed fowl hung from the ceiling. Jungle cats and gazelle heads mounted the walls. Different furs and skins cushioned every inch of the floor.

  It’s official. These vampyres don’t just shift into animals; they have an obsession with them.

  Nikolas glanced up from behind a wide desk and flicked his fingers, gesturing for me to come forth. “Close the door, Rudo.”

  Rudo did as he was told and then stood to the side with his hands behind his back. I approached Nikolas’ desk, which came up to my chest. I supposed a normal sized office desk would have been uncomfortable for someone of his height.

  “Don’t forget you are wearing those.” He pointed to the metal bands on my wrists.

  Tsk, tsk, threatening me already.

  “It’s quite a walk from the guest rooms to your office,” I said. “Do Alpan vampyres have to stop to rest often since they can’t phase?”

  Nikolas narrowed his gaze and grinned—or maybe he was flashing his very large fangs. “You have spirit for such a small thing, I admire that. I wonder if you can bite too.”

  I didn’t know what he meant by that so I kept my mouth shut.

  His smile curled further at my silence. “Please, have a seat.”

  Since phasing wasn’t an option, and the door was being guarded—part of me wondered if I could take Rudo down—I complied and got comfortable in a plush leather chair. I wondered what type of animal the leather came from, cow or something more exotic? I remembered what Bridget said about the Gévaudan werewolf stories, and Sara’s comment about keeping human blood on stock. Was it possible to make leather out of human skin? I shuddered at the thought.

  “Prince Jesu takes a curiously high interest in your well-being. He goes out of his way to ensure you are not involved in our politics.”

  Tell me about it. I halted the urge to sigh.

  “He insists that you are an innocent victim not directly involved in the matter at hand, but I believe he is lying to protect you.” He leaned back in his rotating chair and steepled his fingers. “Of course, I have no proof since Stefán did not mention you in the slightest. I realize the three of you could be in cahoots, but I am a just king and will hear all sides fairly. So here is your chance, Miss Ema, to explain to me how you are involved in all of this.”

  Well this wasn’t exactly the tea party I hoped for. My fingernails picked at the threads that made up my jeans as I stared at my lap and tried to think of a plan. There was so much to consider; the premonition, my family history and genetic link, the warrant Jalmari ordered, the promise Jesu made, my involvement in Apollyon being alive. Nikolas had a personal vendetta against Apollyon. I needed him on my side, but what if Jesu was right? What if Nikolas tried to use me prematurely for his own agenda?

  “Miss Ema…”

  “Why didn’t you send some of your men to Scandinavia to help Stefán find Apollyon?”

  He leaned forward and scowled. “I don’t see how that is any of your business.”

  “Half of the Neo-Draugrian Council is already dead. Even if they find him, they won’t have the numbers or the strength to defeat him and you know it.”

  His gaze narrowed further and a low growl carried on his voice. “Tell me why this matters to you. How are you connected to Apollyon?”

  I bit my lip and looked to the side.

  A drawer slid open. Nikolas removed an item from his desk that crinkled like plastic under his touch. From the corner of my vision, I watched as he held up a medical bag of blood.

  “Please don’t,” I groaned.

  He cocked a brow. “Still feeling ill from breakfast? You know, I haven’t seen a vampire react to blood the way you do since the last time I visited the Upioran clan.”

  My breath caught and I wheezed. Was it possible he figured me out, or was he just making an observation?

  “That’s not a problem, is it? Prince Jesu said you were a Korento. So, shall we drink?”

  No, it definitely wasn’t just an observation. He was too brazen. He reached for the cap. Panic began to seep under my skin. I couldn’t allow myself to do this under the influence of temptation.

  “That’s not necessary. I’ll tell you what you want to know.”

  “Very well.” He dropped the bag back inside the desk drawer and then closed it.

  I sucked in a deep breath, relieved that I had the courage to resist the blood. I rubbed my face with my palms before letting them drop back onto my lap. “The truth is my being here, in your home, is a coincidence. I didn’t know anyone saw me phase… at least not anyone that would know to alert you or the R.E.D., but being here now is pretty convenient for me. At least I hope it will be, because I need your help. I need your protection.” I paused and dared a glance to gauge his reaction.

  “Go on,” he said.

  “I wanted to go to you from the beginning, but Jesu convinced me not to. He can’t help it if he lies. He was ordered by his sire to protect me.”

  Something flashed across Nikolas’ expression; a shift in his line of thought, a realization. In a voice so low I almost mistook both words for a growl, he said simply, “The premonition.”

  I tossed both hands in the air and rolled my eyes. How did he know about the premonition? Did Jesu tell everyone about it? “There’s just one problem. I suck at using my powers, and I don’t know how to fight. Okay, that’s two problems. My point is, if you put me up against Apollyon, I’m certain I’ll lose.”

  Nikolas shook the glazed look from his eyes. “How can you be the prophesized one if you can’t fight?”

  “That’s why I need your help. I need to buy some time until I learn to fight, or until I figure out some other way to send Apollyon back to hell.”

  He stroked his chin in thought. “Very well… y
ou and Jesu may continue to stay here under my protection. In return, you will pledge your allegiance to me.”

  “Hold on a second… pledge my allegiance? What does that mean exactly?”

  “It means you will ally yourself with the Alpan clan. You will fight for the Alpan royal family whenever I require it.”

  “For how long?”

  “Life.”

  I choked on the air in my own lungs and coughed. “Seriously?”

  “I’ll have all the details finalized in a written contract.”

  “Hold on. Can’t we just agree to be allies until Apollyon is dead?”

  “No.” Nikolas shook his head. “You are asking me to risk my life, my family, my entire clan, and my best resources to protect you from my greatest enemy. In return, I want your life-long service to the Alpan crown. I must ensure that once you are a skilled warrior, you will remain loyal to us.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and slumped in my seat. “Then will you send your men to help Stefán?”

  Nikolas shook his head. “Stefán doesn’t need my men.”

  “But—”

  “I doubt Apollyon is still in Neo-Draugrian territory. If he’s looking for you, and his men keep going back empty-handed, chances are he’ll come for you himself. I bet he’s already in Germany.”

  “Perfect,” I grumbled. “I’m being used as bait.” This can’t get any worse.

  The office door swung open, nearly knocking poor Rudo off his feet. Cecelia’s bulbous figure filled the doorway. She regarded her toppled servant for moment.

  “Oh Rudo, dearest, are you all right?”

  “Wife, whatever is the matter?” Nikolas demanded.

  Cecelia looked to her husband. “Bridget du Loup is here. She has urgent news.”

  I was wrong. Evidently, this could get worse.

  Nikolas sighed then excused himself. Husband and wife left without a second glance at me or Rudo. Darn, I was just about to ask if I could get these handcuffs removed as part of our agreement.

  Chapter 15

  I caught up to Nikolas and Cecelia in the foyer, but stopped cold a few feet behind them. Bridget sat in one of the leather arm chairs, her expression tight. Tancred stood to the left, his arms crossed. What made me hesitate, though, was Jesu. He sat next to Bridget, his hand on her forearm. When he noticed me, his hand fell away and he stood. I sucked in a deep breath before going farther into the room, but stayed outside the cluster of people gathered around Bridget.

  “Come,” said Nikolas. “Let’s take this conversation into the parlor.”

  “I’ll fetch refreshments,” Cecelia offered.

  “Wife, why don’t you call on our son instead? I need to speak with him after this.”

  Cecelia nodded and then took to the stairs while the rest of us entered a mid-sized room—or at least it was mid-sized compared to the other rooms I’d seen. A bench upholstered in soft leather lined the four walls with a low polished table in the center. Maroon brocade padded the walls, matching the redwood floor panels.

  Tancred shuffled to the right of the table as Bridget went left. They each sat at the end of their respective benches. Nikolas sat next to Tancred and Jesu opted to sit next to Bridget. I stood near the door, debating who was the lesser of the two evils. I decided I needed to show Nikolas that I was considering his offer. Considering… not definite yet. So I scooted in next to the giant king. All four of them looked at me like I was a worm crawling over an apple.

  “What?” I asked.

  Nikolas cleared his throat and then addressed Bridget. “Why don’t you tell us what you came to say?”

  The vixen tore her rust-gold gaze away from me and nodded. “I was looking for Prince Jesu, Your Highness. His cellphone must not receive service zis far out into zee country.” She narrowed her eyes at Jesu. He glanced to the side, but didn’t say anything.

  “Whatever you wanted to say to Jesu requires my presence?” Nikolas asked.

  “Actually,” Jesu spoke up. “I felt that it did. Bridget tells me Naamah came to the hotel in Berlin looking for Ema and me early last night.”

  My attention perked. “He did? Is he okay?”

  The room ignored me.

  “You spoke with him?” Tancred asked.

  Bridget shook her head. “He spoke to zee receptionist, Heidi. She contacted me after he left.”

  “Is this information in the system?” Nikolas inquired.

  “No,” said Bridget. “Zat’s zee strange part. He asked Heidi not to record his visit.”

  Nikolas sighed. “It’s not as strange as you might think. Did he say anything else?”

  “He said he’d come back tonight. He didn’t leave any information other than that.”

  “Tancred, gather a few men and try to intersect Naamah before he gets to the hotel. Use force if you must, but do not make a scene.”

  “Right away, sir.” Tancred did something then that made me squeal like a child. He shifted into a jaguar. I smacked my hands over my mouth and leaned against Nikolas as Tancred’s lethal body leaped over the table. The door opened as Brinnon and his mother stepped inside and the jungle cat dashed out.

  I tried to regain control of my thudding heart as I faced Nikolas. “F-force? On Naamah? But—”

  The glare he shot me halted my sentence. “You have until dusk tomorrow to decide on my offer, but if I were you, Miss Ema, I’d not wait that long.”

  He stood and waited impatiently for me to move aside. I scrambled out of my seat and watched as he marched to the door, gesturing for Brinnon and Cecelia to follow. From the corner of my eye, I notice Jesu shift his weight to face Bridget. His commanding tone was a harsh whisper.

  “Stay for breakfast,” he told her. “We need to talk.”

  I jacked one of the candles from the small catacombs in the tower and then dashed the rest of the way to my room. Once inside, I yanked open the remaining nightstand drawer and then shoved the screwdriver and book of matches into my pants pocket. With everyone preoccupied, the halls were completely empty. I jogged down the stairwell and retraced my steps back to the dusty school room.

  I lit the candle and set it on the front desk before crossing to the bookshelves in the back. Nikolas’ voice echoed through the hallowed walls. A small grin lifted my lips as I crouched near the vent and worked the screws loose. While working, I listened carefully to Nikolas’ conversation with his family. Not that I could understand a single word they said. They all spoke in German, but the rise in tone clued me into the argument. Nikolas’ family didn’t fully agree with whatever he was saying.

  One by one, the screws came undone and fell to the floor. Holding my breath, I carefully dislodged the metal frame from the square hole and set it aside. Leaving the screws and screwdriver behind, I lay flat on my belly and then crawled through the space. To my surprise, the wall was completely hollow and I could stand comfortably. The space opened in a narrow tunnel—a secret passage. Why had I never thought to check the vents in Jalmari’s castle?

  I phased a few fingertips, feeling the direction of the sound waves as they rippled through my molecules. Then, hovering half an inch off the ground as to not make any noise, I followed the direction of their voices.

  The still air smelled of mold. Candlelight spilled in from the school room, but didn’t go very far. The space quickly grew dark. I raised my fingers in front of me so I wouldn’t bump into a wall. Pitch black coated the narrow tunnel for a long stretch before another small light brightened the space. Nikolas’ voice grew louder until it sounded as though I was in the same room with him. The light filtered in from a small rectangle near the ceiling, covered by a metal frame like the one I had removed five minutes ago. I levitated a few feet higher and peered through the thin bars.

  On the other side, Nikolas, Cecelia, Brinnon, and Sara sat around a large table. Nikolas’ back faced me and I saw the top of his head for the first time. No bald spots for him. Cecelia’s plump fingers and half of Brinnon’s face and torso were all that pee
ked out from behind Nikolas as they sat directly across from him. Sara sat on the right, her profile fully visible. Her golden-yellow eyes glanced in my direction. I lowered below the vent, hoping she didn’t detect the movement.

  Unable to understand their conversation, I ventured back the way I came, deciding it was best not to linger long enough for them to sense me. No point in making them aware of my new hiding spot and vantage point.

  Once I was back in the school room, I leaned the vent frame over the hole just in case someone passed through, but I left the screws off for easier access. Of course, once Nikolas decided to remove the shock collars from my wrists, I would be happy to put the screws back in and just phase in and out. For now, I gathered them together, along with the candle, book of matches, and screwdriver, and hid them between a couple of books on the bookshelf.

  A smug smile stretched across my face as I went back to my room, proud of my little hiding place and short-cut to Nikolas’ secret meeting room. Try and exclude me now, Jesu.

  In the bathroom, I paused to listen, but no sound came from Jesu’s room. I took a quick shower, dressed, and then hightailed out of there. I may have been avoiding him and Bridget. I didn’t want to think too closely about Naamah or why he was looking for Jesu and me. I just hoped it was good news and it meant he and Maria somehow managed to get out from under Apollyon. Maybe he didn’t need them anymore?

  Then there was Nikolas’ offer to consider. Every bone in my body said not to sign that contract. My lifetime now meant eternity, and how well did I know Nikolas really? Not well at all. Who knew what else he had in store for me? If there was one thing I learned from Jesu and Leena’s example, it was that freedom was a gift in the vampire world. I was lucky to be a vampyre, to have my free will and not be bound by a sire. Agreeing to serve Nikolas would tie me to him, but I needed someone on my side. Apollyon already had an army lined up. All I had was Jesu, whose attention was on someone else at the moment.

  I found myself drifting into the ballroom. My gaze rose to admire the mosaic mural. Art went hand-in-hand with history. One could tell a great deal about any given generation by studying what they chose to paint or decorate with, from simple clay pottery to the architecture of the Louvre Pyramid.