Queen of Darkness

by Patti Larsen

“If you send me away, I will die.” Oh, the guilt and drama.

  “I'll break the bond to save your life,” I said. “Whether you like it or not.”

  “No,” she said. Whispered. Breathed. “If you do so, I will die.”

  So not drama. “You mean, it will actually kill you?” What the hell kind of screwed up magic was this?

  She bobbed her head, hugging herself as she shuffled her feet over the fresh carpet, replacing the one she'd totaled. “When we served the Russian royal family, it was our duty to do so for life. We were assigned our very own life to protect. Since you are a Princess, and a leader, I had to bond myself to you.” She shrugged, like this wasn't some huge news she was dropping on me. “I'm tied to you for as long as you live. For as long as I do.” Her human eyes pleaded with me to understand even as my heart sank. “It's not just about protecting you, now that we are connected. Your power feeds me, keeps me safe. Protects me as I protect you.”

  “You siphon power from me?” I was on my feet now. “Like a leech?”

  I couldn't believe I just called Charlotte a blood-sucking parasite, but I wasn't exactly a happy camper at the moment.

  She winced but nodded. “It's how the bond works. As a reward for keeping you safe,” she said. “That's how the кодекс честi is able to function. In order for me to protect you, I have to link to your magic. And, as a reward, I receive the benefits of our association for as long as I keep you alive.”

  “Like what?” Okay, okay. I was wrapping my head around it. And it wasn’t like she was taking power, not really. At least, I'd never felt weakened. In fact, I'd only grown stronger since she and I met.

  “Longevity.” She dropped her arms, shrugged. “Your immortality is mine, too.”

  Interesting. And one more person I'd have around. Though the thought of having my bodywere with me until the end of time kind of gave me the heebie jeebies when I thought about it for a second.

  “This is a mess.” I turned away from her, shaking my head. “I suppose there's no way around it?”

  I glanced back to see her shivering. Miserable again, just lovely.

  “I'm sorry,” she said. “I should have told you.”

  “I guess you should have before you decided to create the bond in the first place.” I went to her then, hugged her gently and, after a moment, she hugged me back. “We'll deal with it,” I said. “And we'll find a way to free you.”

  Charlotte tried to protest. “I don't want to be free.”

  “Forget it,” I said. “No way I'm staying tied at the hip to you for ever and ever.” I winked. “We'd end up killing each other.”

  Charlotte's shy smile answered me. “It is my honor to serve.”

  “And your right to have a life.” I pulled away. “We'll talk about it when this is over.”

  She didn't answer, but she didn't have to. Probably thought I'd just forget about it.

  Not this time, wolf girl.

  “Just do what you can to keep your temper, okay?” I turned away from her, heading for the door. Charlotte caught me just before I reached it.

  “Where are you going?” The wolf was back.

  “Out,” I said. “Without you.”

  She snarled and shuddered. “Among the vampires.”

  “I refuse to hide in here,” I said, “while Mom argues and the Queens bitch and Margaret finally decides if it’s worth it to cross the vampires.” I shook out the heavy skirt of my dress, bits of wolf fur shaking free. “The little show we gave them earlier should hold them off. And at this point all I've done is freak out or look weak. I’m going to have a nice, long look around until it’s time to show them who they're messing with.”

  Charlotte was right beside me when I jerked the door open. Sigh. Fine. “Temper,” I snapped.

  She bobbed a nod. Well, at least she'd be with me and I could keep an eye on her.

  The two vampires guarding my door actually shrank back from me as I swept my way out and down the corridor. They followed, but kept their distance as I spent the next several hours climbing staircases and looking at paintings and tapestries, trying to keep myself occupied while scaring the pants off anyone who looked at me the wrong way.

  Most of the vampires vanished the moment they spotted me, though a few did their best to flee with dignity.

  “This is the Wilhelm seat,” Charlotte said, pointing to a floor to ceiling portrait of a stunningly beautiful woman with the deepest shade of red hair I'd ever seen and piercing green eyes that seemed to leap from the canvas. “Yvette,” she whispered, as though the dead vampire Queen could still hear her.

  “I'm surprised Batsheva hasn't taken it down yet,” I said.

  Charlotte turned from it, face hard. “Perhaps she's pandering to the vampires in her clan. Yvette was a horrible soul, but her vampires adored her. Feared her. But were loyal to a fault.”

  All but Sunny. She'd broken out of the clan years ago, I seemed to recall. But why?

  I turned to move into the next corridor only to see Celeste hovering at the corner, watching me. My vampire whispered in my head, telling me to bide my time, hold my temper, while the vision of a burning house, the fire magicked to devour despite our attempts to put it out, hovered in my mind. The screams of the dying inside. The final whispered words sent to me by Martin and Louisa Vega, killed because they knew too much.

  By Celeste. Who stood before me, undead and unhappy.

  “You owe me three lives,” I said.

  She jerked on a lock of her long hair, the old habit still with her. “Their losses were of no consequence,” she said. “Sandra Crossman was dead weight in the coven and the Vegas... well, witches who poke their noses in where they aren't welcome are bound to meet a nasty end sooner or later.”

  The thought crossed my mind, cogs spinning, things falling into place even as I spoke the words aloud. “The Brotherhood,” I said. “How long have you been working for them?”

  She laughed at me then, tugging motion turned to stroking as though her hair was some beloved animal. “They accepted my help the day after your grandmother killed my leader.”

  The Purity battle? That long ago? Celeste would have only been a teenager.

  “Is that how you met Batsheva?” I knew she left our coven when she and Mom were young.

  “Through the Brotherhood,” she said. “They've been watching you for a very long time, Sydlynn. You and your little family.” A snicker. “Who do you think sent the Chosen of the Light to Wilding Springs?”

  Demetrius. Speaking of nuts...

  “Nice of them to saddle you with a narcissistic psychopath.” I smiled sweetly. “You must be having so much fun handling Batsheva these days.”

  Celeste flashed her fangs. “You've never been a fraction as clever as you believed, girl,” she said. “There is so much going on, you have no idea.”

  “Such as?” Wouldn't be that easy. Not with Celeste.

  She just smirked and went back to her petting. “You'll find out,” she said. “When it's too late.”

  My magic hovered, so close. This. Freaking. Close. I was ready and, to my surprise, so was my vampire.

  Damn, I hated interruptions.

  Demetrius scuttled to Celeste's side, blue eyes flickering to me and back to her again.

  “They are done,” he said, singing his words. “Done, all done now.” He pointed at me. “They want her.”

  Celeste paused, glared. I stood there and glared back. And just when I thought I'd get what I wanted, for her to make the first move, she laughed again, tossing her long hair aside before striding off, brown dress rustling.

  Coward.

  ***

  Chapter Eighteen

  Though Celeste made a retreat, Demetrius still hung close, eyes watching her as she rounded the corner at the end of the hall before he did a happy dance, spinning in place.

  “So, good news?” I started to follow Celeste, Charlotte behind me and he quickly kept pace.

  “Very, very,” he said. Danced aga
in. Clapped his hands before covering his mouth with them, eyes huge. “Quietly,” he whispered.

  Right. He scampered off before I could comment I wasn't the loud one in our little conversation. I decided to take it slow, even though I wanted to run to the throne room and thank the Queens for their questionable hospitality before blowing this place.

  Despite—or maybe because of—Demetrius's enthusiasm, my gut told me it wouldn't be so easy.

  If I had real doubts, they were answered by the look on Mom's face the moment I entered the throne room and began my parade down the center carpet. From Sebastian's grim expression to Sunny's tight-lipped anger, Uncle Frank's crossed arms and even Margaret's frustration, everything screamed bad news for Syd. But the happy, even cheerful smile Batsheva fixed on me was the worst of all.

  At least Pannera didn't look cheery either. I had that to keep me warm.

  “All right,” Margaret said in her bracing voice. “About time.” She tapped one foot on the stone, hands on hips until I came to a stop in front of her. “We've come to a consensus.”

  “We have not,” Mom said.

  “We have.” Margaret let her arms drop. “You, Sydlynn Hayle, have possession of vampire property. And while I agree with you said vampire property is, in fact, a personality, a life of its own,” my vampire sniffed at “its”, “and the right to choose, both clan leaders demand the return of this power.” She held up both hands to silence me, though I didn't move or try to speak. “Since this power can't be forcibly removed from you, as that would break treaty law,” Batsheva's smile slipped a little, “it has been decided you will remain here, in the custody of the vampire clans, until a time the personality or power or whatever you want to call it can be safely removed or chooses to leave you.” She puffed to a halt, cheeks red while a bubbling mass of burning began in the very bottom of my feet and slowly rose to the back of my throat. “You will choose a clan to join so, through your connection to the vampires, the essence you carry will be part of all of them.”

  “I swear to you,” Mom said, power crackling in her voice, “the High Council I command will not stand for this ruling.”

  Margaret spun on her. “What do you want me to do, Miriam?”

  “I want you to do your damned job,” Mom shot back. “Defend a witch in your territory.”

  “I've done so.” Margaret's face pinched into petulance. “To the best of my ability.”

  “You've caved to the prattling of spoiled children,” Mom said. “You do understand you're forcing me to take matters further.”

  Margaret paled, two pinpoints of red on her cheeks, looking like a flaky old woman who'd seen her day. “You wouldn't.”

  “I will.” Mom straightened to her full height. “I will declare war over this.”

  As much as I loved my mother for throwing it all in over me, the look of triumph Celeste let slip at Mom's pronouncement told me everything I needed to know.

  This was exactly what the Brotherhood was counting on. So I had to stay.

  But I couldn't stay. Trapped in a vampire clan when I wasn't really a vampire?

  “If that's your decision.” Margaret cooled to all new levels. “But I've fulfilled my obligations.”

  “Obligations.” Mom snorted. Mom never snorted. “Run back to your soft life in London, Margaret, and bar your doors and your delusions from the truth. But if you are too weak and afraid of what might happen if you actually took action, I'll do it for you.”

  “My territory,” Margaret said. “My final word.”

  “We'll see.” Mom gestured to Pender, his grim face dark even as he stepped forward instantly. “Alert the others we're leaving to raise the Council.”

  He nodded once, backed away again, face distant as Mom continued.

  “You had better hope none of your people find themselves in need of help in my territory,” she said. “I promise you, it will not go well for them.”

  “Don't threaten me unless you're ready to act on it, Miriam.” Margaret gestured herself, Elliot coming to her side, though I could tell by his posture and the sad look on his face he was less eager to do her bidding.

  “Oh, I'm absolutely ready,” Mom said as Pender came back to us and nodded to her. “And so is my Council.”

  Sydlynn. The vampire inside me whispered my name. This cannot be.

  I know. I drew a breath, tried to look empty and bored. I'm on it.

  “Thank you for your careful consideration of my case,” I said. The two witches’ heads snapped around, Mom and Margaret both staring at me like they'd forgotten where and why they were. Pannera's eyes showed some interest while Batsheva sat back with her usual smirk. Elliot's eyes met mine, his need for this to end well almost as bad as Margaret's.

  Mom was right. They were weak, both of them. Complacent. How long had they ruled without having to act, to do anything aside from playing their parts? I almost felt sorry for them and hoped there were strong leaders who could take over for them when things went downhill.

  And they would go downhill. Fast and hard.

  I pushed on. “I accept your terms, but need a few moments to consider my options.”

  Mom's mouth dropped open even as Margaret grunted and looked away. I refused to meet my mother's eyes, instead staring Pannera down.

  “Of course.” Elliot stepped forward, motioned for two Enforcers, his, to come to my side. He turned to Batsheva then. “A room nearby where the coven leader might retreat?”

  Nice choice of words, but I let it go. Batsheva waved with nonchalance while Piotr bowed, mocking me with his smile, his eyes. He'd recovered from our little teleportation trip. Looked like I let him off too easy.

  Pity. I'd have to rectify that.

  ***

  Chapter Nineteen

  I imagined all the horrible things I could do to Piotr as I followed him, faithful Charlotte at my side, wishing for my demon and her very creative imagination. She always made plans for destruction so much more delightful.

  And bloody.

  The antechamber was plush, soft chairs and a deep sofa, a low table full of decanters and trays of food. Vampires ate, with gusto, if seeing Uncle Frank devour a burger was any indication, and wine was a favorite. But it wasn't likely this food was here for me. Probably for the two Queens.

  Knowing that made me lose my appetite.

  Mom didn't leave me alone for long, barging into the room, slamming the door closed on a very angry Margaret.

  “You can't possibly be considering this,” she said.

  “Mom.” I hugged her. “You have to let me go.”

  Her instant argument hung between us without her even saying a word, but I shook my head and released her.

  “No, Mom,” I said. “Don't you see? The Brotherhood isn't just after a war between vampire clans.”

  Mom shuddered a little. “I know,” she whispered, covering her mouth with one hand, a hand that trembled, cold and white as any vampire. “I can't believe I let the argument with Margaret go that far.”

  I grasped her hand, pulled it down, held it, warmed it between my own. “I have a plan, okay? I promise. But you have to go. Before something happens we'll all regret and the Brotherhood will love.”

  “I can't just abandon you.” Mom pulled away from me, bunching the sides of her cloak in her fingers. “I just can't, Syd.”

  “I won't be alone,” I said. “I have Sebastian. Uncle Frank and Sunny.” I turned and smiled at the weregirl beside me. “And I have Charlotte.”

  I count as well, I believe, my vampire sent.

  You totally do.

  Mom nodded and resisted all at the same time.

  “You remember the trial?” I sank to one of the cushions, eyeing the food though there was no way my stomach would welcome any of it at the moment. “I wanted you to run, to defy the Council and witch law and get the hell out of there. You asked me to trust you. And I did, Mom. Even though I thought you were going to die. All I'm asking is for you to do the same.”

  She smiled
at me, blinking moisture. “That was different,” she said. “It was our law, witch law. You're facing something we have no experience with or control over.” A single tear escaped her eye. “And you're my daughter.”

  I took her hand again, touched her vampire magic. Felt Gram and Sassafras latch onto me in a sudden rush of emotion. Mom had clearly been filling them in.

  You get your ass back here. Gram's mind vibrated with fury. Right. Now.

  I'm with Ethpeal. I could almost see Sassy's tail thrashing. We'll deal with the fallout when it happens but, for now, just cut and run.

  Since when did a Hayle run from anything? I didn't mean to be cruel or harsh or for my words to cut, but I was just as frustrated as they were with one difference. I was the one who had to deal with the mess. I'm not going anywhere and the three of you had better just suck it up.

  Mom quivered beside me. What are you going to do?

  It doesn't matter. Better that she didn't know. But you all have a job to do yourselves, so you'd better get cracking.

  Cleaning house. Gram grunted.

  Damned right. I hugged her then Sassy with my mind, the vampire power doing its best to connect with them. I don't want even a sniff of the Brotherhood anywhere near our coven by the time I get home. I glared at Mom. And that includes all covens.

  Mom nodded, brusque, tears gone, though her fingers clung to mine with a desperation I was beginning to feel. Agreed.

  I don't know how this is going to play out. I hated to load them with more, but I had certain things that needed saying and I refused to do it when it was too late. I love you all so much. No crying. No. Crying. I promise I won't do anything stupid. Yeah, right. But I have to see this through.

  Gram's goodbye was quick, abrupt even, as she cut me off. Sassafras was a little slower, but not much. When my aching heart tried to force me to sob like a child over their rejection, Mom hugged me.

  “Neither of them knows how to say goodbye,” she said. “For that matter, I don't either.” Mom stiffened, threw her shoulders back, put on her Council Leader face. “Sydlynn Hayle,” she said, “as your superior, I order you to come home safely.”