His arms tightened, and he cupped the back of her head. “That is their loss, because you deserve it.”
She shook her head, whispering, “I don’t know that I believe that, but I’m grateful anyway. You’re doing all of this, while we haven’t even had that talk about whether or not I’ll still be your attendant.”
He drew back to look at her. This close to him, she could see the absolute clarity in the subtle color of his gray-green eyes. “We need to be clear about one thing, Tess. I do not want you back as one of my attendants.”
After feeling a series of emotional doors open, disappointment struck cruelly hard. Even though she tried not to, she felt herself flinch and attempted to mask it by nodding. “I understand,” she said tightly. “I withheld too much dangerous infor—”
Taking hold of her chin in long, cool fingers, he tilted her head and kissed her.
A clean bolt of shock struck her. It felt like mainlining tequila. His lips were firm and astonishingly sensual. As she froze and her mind stuttered, he slanted his mouth to cover hers more completely. He nudged her lips open and delved inside in brief, intimate exploration.
When he pulled back, she forgot to close her mouth. She stared at him.
“I would never kiss one of my attendants,” he told her. “You know that.”
“You never . . . You wouldn’t . . .” She said, “I, um.”
Cupping her face with one hand, he wiped her moistened lips with his thumb. “I have just one question for you right now.”
“Sure,” she murmured faintly. Her mind was still frozen on the moment when his lips had touched hers. “Shoot.”
He kissed her forehead and her cheek. “You’re not still afraid of me, are you?”
“What?” she said. “Pfft, no.”
His gaze gleamed with the most astonishing array of emotion, relief and pleasure foremost among them. With another jolt of surprise, she realized, he really cared what she thought of him.
“Good,” he whispered. “Thank you.”
Her gaze dropped to the refined, sensual lines of his lips. She had been in far too much shock to have really felt his mouth on hers. Hungry to understand what it all meant, to experience it again, she kissed him.
She felt his reaction in the quick shift of his body, and the intake of his breath. But he didn’t need to breathe, she realized. That was all superfluous, all for her. Their mouths fit together as well as if they were made for each other.
If that don’t beat all, she thought with a hazy astonishment. I’m having the sexiest kiss of my life.
With a Vampyre.
But not just any Vampyre.
I’m having the sexiest kiss of my life with the finest man I know.
• • •
Tess’s lips were warm under Xavier’s, so warm, and as soft as silk spun by moonlight. He followed the proud angle of her cheekbone with his fingertips as he gently caressed her tongue with his, and a snatch of ancient text came to him.
Behold, thou art fair, my love. Behold, thou art fair.
He had to breathe. He had to. It was an instinct older than death. He took in a deep, physically unnecessary breath just to smell the fragrance of her hair, and thought, I am in deep trouble.
A ripple of Power drew his attention. It came from the other room, where Julian had disappeared. A moment later, he heard Julian and Soren talking. Their voices grew closer, and he had just enough time to ease Tess back into her seat before the door opened and the other two men walked in.
As he always did, Xavier had to brace himself for the onslaught of Soren’s presence. Born at the beginning of the world, Soren was one of the ancient ones, a first-generation Djinn, and his Power was so intense, he burned against the mind’s eye. The physical form Soren chose to wear was a tall, strongly built male, with a craggy face, white hair and white eyes that shone like stars.
Beside Xavier, Tess straightened her spine. Her gaze was filled with fascination and wariness.
Soren ignored Tess and nodded to Xavier. His voice was deep and commanding. “Del Torro, I’ve heard what Julian has to say and I’ll be blunt—the Djinn will not go to war against Malphas over this issue. If he murdered the senator’s son, there’s no evidence of it, and if humans have gambled enough to accrue debts they cannot pay, they’ve broken a bargain and aren’t entitled to any protections or rights under Djinn law.” He shrugged. “If someone else can bring him to justice in a court of human law for something he’s done, so be it.”
The Djinn and their blasted bargains. While he wasn’t surprised at anything Soren said, still, anger burned hot and bright. He said, “That would be convenient, wouldn’t it, if others dealt with Malphas without involving the Djinn?”
Soren raised his eyebrows. “Of course.”
Before he could say anything in reply, Tess spoke up.
“Excuse me, Mister Soren,” she said. Her eyes glittered with an expression that Xavier was beginning to find all too familiar. “I understand I’m just an unimportant human, and as such, I don’t really warrant a proper introduction or you speaking directly to me. My name is Tess, by the way.”
Soren’s shining, starred eyes fixed on Tess, while at his side, Julian angled his head to stare at Xavier, who sat back and began to smile.
“Do go on,” Soren said coldly.
Tess picked up the pad of paper, tore off a page and folded it. “Do you have any idea what’s written on this page?”
“No,” said the deadly head of the Elder tribunal. “Is there some reason I should?”
Julian said in Xavier’s head, What is she doing?
I don’t have a clue, said Xavier. But I think it will be interesting to find out.
“I didn’t think so,” Tess replied. “Do you know who else doesn’t know what’s on this page? Malphas. In fact, I’m only sure of one thing in all of this mess—he doesn’t know what I know. I mean it only stands to reason, doesn’t it? Otherwise, he would have stopped me from warning Eathan’s father. He would have caught me before I ran away. And he would have found me by now. You get my drift, don’t you?”
“I believe I do,” said Soren. His craggy face was so expressionless, it looked like the mask it truly was.
“Here’s one other thing I noticed,” she said. The fine bones of her face were etched with tension, but the expression in her eyes was hectic, renegade. “Everyone agrees that Malphas won’t necessarily stick to a bargain, unless he believes it benefits him in some way. But not you. If you make a bargain, you’ll stick to it, won’t you?”
“Absolutely.”
“Would you make a bargain with me, Mister Soren?”
The Djinn cocked his head. “Perhaps.”
Tess asked, “Would you make a bargain with me in front of Malphas?”
FIFTEEN
Tess, no,” Xavier said. “No.”
She didn’t look at him or react. All her attention appeared focused on the Djinn in front of her, while the folded paper shook visibly in her clenched hand.
Soren replied, “I believe I would. Provided the terms are acceptable, of course.”
“Goddammit.” Xavier slipped into Spanish, and a stream of expletives poured out of his mouth.
Julian gave him a strange look. He said, “I’m inclined to agree with her, Xavier. She started this. She can finish it—or at least try to.”
The implication in that was obvious to everyone.
“I’d like to be clear about one thing.” Tess’s voice turned tight. “I didn’t start this.”
Julian’s expression cooled, but he said, “Point taken.”
Soren asked, “Shall I summon Malphas here, or do you prefer some other location?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Julian replied, “I’d just as soon have this happen here in my quarters, where we can keep it private.”
“Very well.�
� Soren looked at Tess. “Are you ready?”
“Almost,” Tess said. “I need an envelope.”
“Fine.” Looking exasperated, Julian strode out of the room.
Xavier stood when Tess did, his hands clenched. Ignoring Soren, he said telepathically, Tess, don’t do this.
She shook her head, looking as determined as he’d ever seen her. I have to.
No, you don’t, he growled. Besides, I won’t let you.
She gave him another remarkably beautiful, complex smile. You don’t really have a choice.
He snapped, You haven’t even explained what you intend to do. We haven’t talked over options.
Julian and Soren have made it clear we don’t have any options.
Julian strode back into the room, holding a manila envelope. He handed it to Tess, and she slipped the folded paper inside and sealed it.
Xavier couldn’t stand it. Not caring that Julian and Soren stood nearby and watched, he grabbed her by the shoulders. He demanded, I’m supposed to protect you. Where did that go?
Something happened to me over the last six weeks. Tess laid a hand on his chest. I internalized what you and Raoul have been teaching me, and the conversations in my head really did change. I’m grateful you want to protect me. That means so much to me—much more than you can know. But I’m going to protect myself now. I need to do this, Xavier, and for more than one reason. Malphas needs to know this comes from me.
Taking hold of his wrists, she gently removed his hands from her shoulders. Then she said aloud to Soren, “I’m ready.”
Soren said in a voice filled with Power, “Malphas.”
If Xavier could have torn that name out of the air, he would have. Silence fell in the room, and it took on a listening quality.
A maelstrom arrived, filling open space in the room like a tornado springing from nothing. It coalesced into the shape of a handsome, golden-haired man whose eyes were starred with Power every bit as strong as Soren’s.
The handsome man’s shining gaze swept the room, taking in everyone present and coming to rest on Tess. Fury suffused his expression. He looked so hostile Xavier took an instinctive step forward toward her. She might not want his protection, but by God, she was going to get it.
Snapping out words like he was biting the air, Malphas said, “Well, isn’t this an interesting gathering. Both the Nightkind King and the head of the Elder tribunal—Tess, you’ve been surprisingly efficient at striking up new acquaintances.”
“I’ve worked hard at it,” she said between her teeth.
Malphas clenched and unclenched his fists, and Xavier’s gaze fell to track the movement. “Soren,” Malphas hissed. “What are you doing with my ex-employee?”
“I don’t converse with pariahs.” If Soren’s voice had been cold before, now it was a single spike of deadly ice.
“I find that inconsistent, since you’re the one who summoned me here. Whatever stories this human might have told you, they have nothing to do with Djinn law. But you already know that, or you would have gathered many more Djinn to meet with me.”
Malphas strode forward, his attention turning back to Tess. The veneer of humanity he wore thinned, and details of his appearance grew disconnected. He still had two eyes, a mouth and nose, cheekbones and jawline, but none of the features looked like they comprised an actual face, and sheer raw Power shown out of him like light from a lantern.
“Tell me, Tess,” he said. “How have you enjoyed the dreams I’ve sent you?”
If she had been pale from tension before, now she turned chalk white. She whispered, “They’ve been engrossing.”
“You know they’re just a taste of what I can do if you really cross me. Tell me you haven’t really crossed me, and you can have your old job back. It’s all there waiting for you—the six-figure income, your nice apartment and all your nice things. The bad dreams will stop. All will be forgiven.” Malphas pulled his lips into a smile and opened his eyes wide. “I promise.”
Xavier moved directly between Tess and Malphas, turning to face the Djinn with reddened eyes and fangs fully descended. Every predatory instinct he possessed urged him to attack, and he had to fight to control himself.
“The Vampyre seems to think he might be able to do something to stop me.” Malphas gave Xavier a vicious look. “How terminally misguided of him. Do you think I should let him try something to make him feel manlier, or should I stake him now and be done with it?”
Julian blurred to Xavier’s side. The Nightkind King’s fangs had descended too. “Attacking one of my subjects is an act of war with the entire Nightkind demesne.”
“If you insist,” snapped the Djinn. “I can stake you too.”
“You know what, Malphas?” Tess said suddenly. “I am so done with you. Do you hear me? I am done. I’m done with your snotty attitude, and your petty cruelties and threats, and this persistent belief you have that you’re untouchable. I’m done being afraid of you. I’m done giving you real estate in my head. I’m getting you out of my life, and burying you in the past where you belong.”
She strode to Soren and held out the sealed envelope.
“What is that?” Malphas said. The open viciousness in his face ebbed and a different kind of tension took its place.
Tess ignored him. She said to Soren, “Will you strike a bargain with me?”
After a long glance at Malphas, Soren smiled. “Why yes, human, I believe I will. What kind of bargain did you have in mind?”
“I want you to take this envelope and keep it safe,” Tess said. “As long as Malphas does nothing to harm me or anyone else in the Nightkind demesne, I want you to promise this envelope stays sealed and unread. But if anything happens to me, or to anybody else I’ve ever known or cared about, I want you to send copies of the contents of this envelope to Senator Jackson, the Elder tribunal, the Nightkind King, the governing body for the Djinn, and every gaming commission in the United States.” She cocked her head. “Actually, please make that every gaming commission for every government worldwide. I would also like for you to send it to every Elder Races and human news outlet. Would you be willing to do that?”
“The terms of this bargain are easily met,” Soren said. “I would. What do you offer me in return?”
Tess’s gaze never wavered. She said steadily, “I hadn’t gotten that far in my thinking. Anything you like.”
“No!” Xavier snapped. Making an open-ended bargain like that with a Djinn was incredibly foolhardy. She was effectively throwing away her life, and Soren would own her.
Julian gripped him by the arm, preventing him from lunging forward.
Soren glanced at the Vampyres then at Malphas, who vibrated with impotent rage. Soren turned back to Tess. “For my end of the bargain, as long as Malphas does nothing to harm you or anyone in your life, you will never reveal the contents of what is inside this envelope to anyone.” He paused, lifting one white eyebrow. “Be careful, human. This bargain is binding. You must never speak of it again.”
The rigid tension eased from Tess’s shoulders, and she took a shaking breath, and Xavier could tell that she knew Soren had given her a reprieve. “I agree.”
“We have a deal,” Soren said. He took the envelope, held out his hand and Tess shook it. He said to Julian, “I’m done here.”
“Thank you for coming,” Julian said.
Soren nodded and vanished.
Julian turned his red gaze to Malphas. He growled, “Leave.”
Malphas ignored him and walked over to Tess, who stood her ground. Oddly, the pariah’s fury seemed to have vanished, to be replaced by fascination.
Malphas said, “You always said you weren’t a gambler, but you just gambled everything on Soren keeping his word. What was in the envelope, Tess?”
She said, “I’ll never tell.”
“Whatever it is, you think it’s wor
th sending out to every gaming commission in the world?” His gaze was like twin laser beams.
“Malphas, I know for a fact that if the gaming commissions knew what you were doing, no one would ever let you run a respectable casino again.” She leaned forward. “That might not stop you from gambling somewhere, somehow, but it would severely curtail your activities, wouldn’t it?”
After a long moment, he said, “Fine. I don’t expect to see or hear anything from you again.”
She lifted her chin. “Nor I, you.”
He studied her unblinkingly then gave Xavier and Julian one dismissive glance. Without another word, he vanished.
“So, okay,” she whispered. “That happened.”
Xavier felt his fangs recede, but not his anger. Striding over to Tess, he glared at her and spat, “Estupida.”
She shrugged, her mouth working. That was when he noticed she shook all over. Grabbing her none too gently, he hauled her into his arms. She leaned her forehead on him and let out a shaking breath.
He buried his face in her hair and held her. After a moment, he whispered, “I didn’t know he was sending you dreams. Did you?”
“I thought they were just nightmares.” When she lifted her head again, her eyes were too bright, but overall she seemed calmer. Walking to the couch, she picked up the pad of paper and turned it over, faceup, to show the top page to Xavier and Julian.
Twelve names were written on it, and each name had a note scribbled beside it.
Xavier stared at the paper, then at her. He grabbed the pad and flipped through it. The second page from the top had been ripped out, and a jagged edge showed along the seam. “You put a blank piece of paper in that envelope, didn’t you?”
Her shoulders lifted in a small shrug, while her dark eyes never left his. “Now, you know I can’t reveal what I put in there. I just made a bargain with one of the most Powerful Djinn in the world promising I wouldn’t.”
While he carefully tore off the top sheet, folded it and tucked it in his pocket, Julian walked over to the cabinet and poured himself another drink of bloodwine.
He said in Xavier’s head, I don’t know what the hell you’re going to do with her, but assuming you still want to keep her alive, you can’t send her out on assignment. She’s much too colorful.
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