“Cadence has more than Vescali to worry about,” Logan said. “So does your rescue team. They better take Holy Water, wooden stakes, and silver bullets. Pevensey Castle is crawling with vamps and werewolves. And not the friendly kind.”
Thor stepped out of the bathroom. “Good to know.”
Logan frowned. “You could have sprayed before coming out.”
“I wanted you to remember me after I’m gone.”
Rising to shut the bathroom door, Logan returned to the computer and continued reading Mallory’s reports. The odds for Cadence returning were not good. Even if Thor sent a rescue team after her, Logan did not expect any of them to return. As he scanned Mallory’s files, he came across one that struck him as odd. The captain had written about the Roman fort called Anderida located near Pevensey Castle and the Spear of Destiny guarded within. Mallory wrote ‘the spear is the only weapon that can kill demon of nobility.’ Logan caught his breathe. The spear that had pierced Christ’s body existed. The spear was real, and it was beneath the Roman outpost. If Cadence was as clever as he believed, she would get her hands on the spear. Though it was tempting to volunteer for the rescue mission, the stakes were too high and survival rate low.
Those were odds he didn’t like.
* * * * *
Chapter Fifteen
A flurry fell on the roof of the Crystal Palace as Raven knelt before the altar. Her groom was shorter still. A priest in a black frock presided over the ceremony. Everyone wore black, including the best man and matron-of-honor, Bechtel and Salustra. Luna was on a leash held by Salustra, her snow-white fur contrasting with the black figures. Lord Salvatore D’Aquilla sat on the front row along with the American vampire lords. The Shadowguard lined the sides of the chamber, silent as statues.
Raven heard the Kaiser say ‘I do’ in a loud, commanding voice. Raven muttered the words when it came her turn to speak, but she was ready when her husband turned to kiss her. The Kaiser’s eyes gleamed bright yellow, matching her own. Raven tasted blood in the kiss. Drawing back, she noticed a drop of blood on the Kaiser’s lips. Fangs extended, he licked it away before taking her by the hands. He lifted her up, turned to the crowd and declared, “Behold, my beautiful bride!”
Applause shook the palace as the vampires beheld the newlyweds with glowing eyes and protruding teeth. The vampire lords were quick to congratulate them, as did the vampires closest to their path. Raven paid little attention as they strode along a sidewalk flanked by torch-bearing Shadowguard. Escorted to a white limo, the couple waited for Salustra to bring Luna. Bechtel climbed in, armed with an automatic rifle, and they were ready to depart.
“This calls for a celebration,” the Kaiser said, smiling wide.
Bechtel popped a bottle of champagne. As soon as he and Salustra had served everyone a glass of the delightful bubbly, they toasted and drank.
“Salvatore offered you his villa in Rome. Of course, Italy is best in spring. Will you accept his offer or postpone your honeymoon?” asked Salustra, pulling her cape around her shoulders.
“Perhaps we’ll fly there in April.” The Kaiser’s voice was tired. “The lab must be rebuilt and Leopold requires new assistants. Trotsky was the sole survivor of the explosion.” He patted Raven on the hand. “But I have a surprise for my dear wife. Queen Cinder has prepared a reception for us at Miramont Castle. We will stay the night in the bridal suite and return home tomorrow evening. I am looking forward to this night.”
Raven drained her glass and gestured to Bechtel for a refill. “I’d love to visit Egypt. I want to see the pyramids.”
Raven stroked Luna’s head and smiled when she purred in response. “Of course you will go with us, dear Luna.” The puma’s mouth spread wide, revealing her fangs. “Won’t she, darling? Do reassure Luna, Balan. I know you won’t mind.”
The Kaiser began to twitch and convulse. Raven screamed as her husband shook from his seat, and fell to the floor. Bechtel threw himself onto his master in an attempt to restrict the thrashing. Raven’s screams grew louder. Salustra removed her shoe and lodged the heel between the Kaiser’s teeth, holding his tongue down. As the chaos ensued, the back window of the limo cracked and the champagne glasses shattered.
Salustra’s eyes grew wide. “It’s a seizure.”
Raven was silent. Luna still growled, the fur on her back standing on end. Bechtel put his arm across the Kaiser’s chest, pressing hard.
“All great leaders suffer from it. It’s nothing to be afraid of. It will pass,” Salustra kept the heel between his teeth and cringed when the Kaiser crushed it. She attempted to jam her other shoe in his drooling, snapping mouth, but it was no use.
“You’ve seen this before,” Bechtel said, grunting from the effort.
“Not in the Kaiser. But I know the disease. My brother suffered from it his entire life. There’s a medicine to help. Let’s get him up on the seat and cover him.”
Raven embraced Luna, not daring to touch the Kaiser. His eyes had rolled back, and he was snarling. The werepuma pushed her aside, placed her paws on the Kaiser’s shoulders and helped Bechtel restrain him.
“We should go home,” Raven said. “Let’s not go to the party. My husband needs rest, that’s all.”
Salustra shook her head. “That’s not what he’ll want. This is the Kaiser’s moment of triumph. He’s searched his lifetime for someone like you, Raven. To send him home would enrage him. Move aside, Luna. He’s growing calm. Help me, Bechtel. We must lift him into the seat. Raven, come here and sit next to him. It will help if you hold him.”
Reluctant, Raven positioned herself to hold him as Salustra and Bechtel lifted the Kaiser beside her. He stopped thrashing, his head was hanging and his clothes were wet with drool.
Salustra tidied the Kaiser as Bechtel found a blanket to cover him. Luna moved to the far side of the limo and watched the Kaiser, exhaling a soft growl.
“This isn’t right. If this is a seizure, how do you explain this?” Bechtel asked, holding up the broken bottle of champagne.
Salustra paled.
“You said something caused this,” Bechtel accused. “What did you say to him, Raven? This is your fault. Both of you are scheming against him.”
“Don’t be stupid. Raven said nothing. It broke in the ruckus. However, my shoes are ruined now and I must go to the party in my bare feet. Go sit, Bechtel. Your bad breath is enough to cause anyone to convulse.”
Left alone with her husband, Raven smoothed the Kaiser’s hair from his brow. She wondered what she said to upset him. Confused and frightened, she wrapped her fingers around his and pressed his head against her shoulder. He began to stir.
“What happened?” asked the Kaiser. He wiped his hand across his mouth and shuddered head to toe. “My head aches and there’s pain in my spine. Perhaps I’m getting too old for weddings; the price for marrying someone so young is too high.”
“Better, darling?”
The Kaiser nodded and sat up straight. “You asked if Luna could travel with us, and the answer is yes. Whatever you wish for the asking, Raven. Ask for the moon and I’ll give it to you. This time I’ve found my true soul mate. Of all my wives, only you can make me feel this way.”
“Don’t speak of other women. I will not share you with any other.” Raven pushed his graying hair back from his forehead. “You are mine. No one else matters but me.”
The Kaiser beamed. “Protective and jealous. I chose wisely.”
At Miramont Castle, a crowd greeted the couple as they climbed out of the limo together. Shadowguard dotted the porch like decorations, pushed aside as guests hurried through the front door.
“It will be a night to remember,” the Kaiser said, as he led Raven inside. Queen Cinder and Lord Cerberus waited. The Kaiser removed his overcoat and tossed it at Cerberus. “I hope you prepared everything as specified, Cerberus. You know how I am about details.”
“Everything is ready, my lord.” The boyish vampire handed the coat to a servant and bowed to kiss Raven
’s hand. “My lady, welcome back to our home. Your friends await in the parlor. Tonight’s banquet will far outshine your previous experience.”
Raven took it all in. The decorations, loud voices, music, and the odor of cinnamon and vanilla swirled in her senses. Friends kissed her cheek, and Raven’s eyes found the pretty, wrapped gifts that covered the expanse of a table and trailed across the floor. Raven joined her husband on a red velvet couch near the fireplace. She was grateful when Salustra appeared with Luna. The werepuma was without her leash and trotted to Stephen, the werewolf. The two touched noses.
“Luna likes Stephen,” Raven said. “I said I didn’t want any more pets, but I want a werewolf puppy as a playmate for Luna. She gets lonesome and needs a companion.”
“We will see,” the Kaiser said, tolerant of her request. He gazed toward the entryway as D’Aquilla entered the room, dressed in gray and accompanied by two alluring women. “I must greet our guests, my dear. I won’t be long.” He kissed her cheek and walked over to welcome the Italian as more vampires entered.
D’Aquilla spotted Raven seated alone and joined her. He kissed her hand and recited something in Italian. Raven’s fangs extended.
“Congratulations, my dear. I have a gift just for you.” He reached into his pocket and produced a slender, velvet box and opened it exposing a breathtaking ruby bracelet. “This once belonged to the infamous seductress and murderess, Lucrezia Borgia.”
Bedazzled, Raven held out her left arm and watched as D’Aquilla placed it around her wrist. Once fastened, the Italian kissed the back of her wrist and slid his fingers the length of her arm, causing her to tremble.
“It’s lovely,” she said, breathless.
“Had I met you first, I would have made you my wife and given you a castle of your own. Colorado Springs is no place for someone as enchanting as you.”
She caught a whiff of D’Aquilla’s cologne and leaned closer, smiling. “I want a castle of my own. Tell me of the Old Ones. Are they as vicious as the legends say? If only one fought in the Death Games, it would be so exciting.”
“Stephan is tame compared to that ancient breed,” D’Aquilla said, as he crossed his legs and leaned against her. “Old Ones age slower and many have been alive for a thousand years, but you can always tell them apart from younger werewolves.” He smiled, revealing bleached-white teeth. “I think it’s something about their gray hair.”
Raven reached to pet Luna’s head aware that D’Aquilla watched. “I purchased your fighter, Loki, because I knew him once. My real interest is the story of his battle against an Old One. Is it true? Did you really pit an Old One against Loki?”
The vampire lord nodded as he stopped a server and reached for two glasses of champagne. He handed a glass to Raven. D’Aquilla was the most handsome man present, and from Salustra’s glances, Raven knew they were intimate in the past.
“That’s when the problem started,” D’Aquilla said. “Loki defeated one of the most vicious Old Ones that had ever fought in the European Death Games. The werewolf’s name was Titan, and he came from the Black Forest. It was an exciting fight between the pair. Had it not been for Loki’s superior speed, Titan would have defeated him. The scar on Loki’s face is a reminder that the Old Ones are the most dangerous creatures on the planet. You can find them in the ancient forests of Europe and in abandoned cities occasionally.”
“I’d like to visit Italy one day and watch the games.”
D’Aquilla laughed and let his fingers glide across Raven’s neck. “You are unaware of the bleak conditions in the Old World. Zombies rule the land. Most of my days are spent at my castle on Lake Garda, which you would enjoy.”
“Stop filling her head,” Salustra said, scolding. The dark-haired woman squeezed between D’Aquilla and Raven. She sat on their laps before they separated and made room. “Be careful, Raven. This man is a cobra, and he bites. He’s also an impossible flirt, so take nothing he says to heart.”
“I always say what I mean.” D’Aquilla reached into Salustra’s lap and lifted up a shrunken head with stringy, black hair. “Is this a Christmas ornament, my dear?”
Salustra laughed. “It’s a gift from Queen Cinder. The child thinks every woman needs an Amazonian shrunken head. You are more than welcome to hang it on the tree.”
Raven took the shrunken head from D’Aquilla and examined it. Two large rubies filled the eye sockets. She walked to the lobby, and instead of placing it on the Christmas tree, she dropped it in her evening bag. The rubies were exquisite, and she wanted them for herself.
Dinner was announced. Raven found her nametag at the far end of the table. Queen Cinder and Salustra sat on either side. The Kaiser sat at the opposite end and was flanked by Lord Cerberus and Big Mike, a vampire lord from Wyoming who wore a cowboy hat. D’Aquilla and the other vampire lords sat spaced between women on both sides of the table. The atmosphere was festive, yet Raven found little taste in the courses. Luna and Stephen curled up near Raven’s chair, both content with their beef soup and bone.
“It’s unfortunate the lab was destroyed, Madam Monique,” D’Aquilla said, addressing a woman with flowing red hair seated next to Jean-Luc. “But it’s my understanding the culprit was caught and dealt with. I doubt anyone planted a bomb under this table, but if you care to look, I’ll join you.”
“You make fun, Salvatore, but it was sabotage,” Madam Monique said. Diamonds sparkled on her neck and ears. “Just go to the Graveyard club for all the exciting gossip. I heard Rose and the Dark Angels are to blame. Wasn’t Rose a close friend of yours, Jean-Luc?”
Jean-Luc forced a smile. “I wouldn’t say that. Nor would I credit Rose with planning the prisoners’ escape. It had to be Rafe.”
“Is our society nothing more than rogue juveniles and malcontents?” Madam Monique asked, licking her spoon. “I think they should be captured and executed.”
Raven listened with intent to D’Aquilla, Madam Monique, and Jean-Luc. Their conversation was far more interesting than Salustra and Cinder chatting about tribes in the Amazon. Everyone was eager to blame Pallaton for failing to capture Highbrow, and Rose or Rafe for masterminding the escape of Dragon and the other fighters. She sensed Jean-Luc was nervous. He reeked of fear, dabbing his forehead with a napkin, each time dotting it with more blood.
“What’s important is that the Christmas games aren’t cancelled,” D’Aquilla said. “Aries of Athens is my finest fighter. Without Dragon to fight in the arena, the only ones who stand a fighting chance against him are Loki, now owned by Raven, or two of my own. Monkey is a bloody-thirsty superhuman and must be kept sedated when she’s not in the arena. Skye is my vicious little werepuma. I should like to show them to you before Friday’s fight if you care to see them, Madam.”
“You own a Chameleon?” asked Monique. “I came all the way here from New York to see Dragon fight. However, if you’re willing to have your own fighters face each other, then I’m sure Friday night will be quite the exciting event. Though, I’d love to see this Cadence in the arena.”
Jean-Luc lowered his champagne glass. “Our host has hired bounty hunters to track Cadence. Human bounty hunters.”
“Shall we make a wager?” asked Madam Monique. “Something light and unpretentious.” The vampire lords looked at her. “I wager fifty humans that by Christmas Eve the Kaiser will have captured Cadence.”
“I’d prefer to have your broach, my dear. It belonged to Queen Elizabeth I, did it not?” D’Aquilla pointed at a large diamond that Monique was wearing. She gave a subtle nod. “In return, I will wager my private jet that Cadence will not be found. What can bounty hunters do that Pallaton could not? They’ll have no better results, I can assure you. They are human.”
A horrible scream came from the kitchen, and the sounds of a scuffle ensued. Lord Cerberus moved with invisible speed, tipping over his chair as he swept through the room. Cerberus returned a few seconds later dragging a girl by the hair.
The child was only ten years old, her l
ittle hands covered with blood as she was forced to her knees at the Kaiser’s chair.
“If you will not freely sacrifice your blood for the feast, Dolly, then it shall be taken by force,” Cerberus said. Producing a small knife, he slit the girl’s throat from ear to ear and caught her spouting blood in a goblet. Relying on his speed, the vampire filled several glasses before tossing the girl to a female guest who fed upon her. Goblets were handed to the Kaiser, D’Aquilla, Cinder, Salustra, and to Raven.
“A diet of chocolate made her blood rich and savory,” Cerberus said, a note of pride in his voice. “I apologize there isn’t more to offer everyone else.”
Raven stared at the bloody goblet. A drop of blood spilled over the goblet’s rim and she watched as a stain spread across the white tablecloth.
“A toast to the bride and groom,” D’Aquilla said, in a loud voice. “Long may they enjoy love’s passions and each other’s fidelity.”
Goblets of blood or champagne were raised. The Kaiser, Cinder, and Salustra drank the child’s blood, but D’Aquilla passed his goblet of blood to Madam Monique and lifted a glass of champagne instead. Raven felt everyone turn and stare at her. She regarded the guests and her husband with a cold gaze. She made no effort to pick up the goblet, but instead passed hers to Jean-Luc.
“It’s delicious,” Jean-Luc said.
“You look nervous, Jean-Luc. Why?” Raven stared at the gray-haired vampire. “Is it because some people claim you are a Dark Angel? Someone helped Rafe escape. Cinder and Cerberus wouldn’t help him, but I think you did. Are you a traitor, Jean-Luc?”
“What’s this?” asked the Kaiser, surprised. “Jean-Luc, explain yourself. Why does Raven think you are a Dark Angel? Did you help Rafe escape from the castle? Is this true? Speak up!”
Raven stood. “When I was here last, Jean-Luc made it clear he’s a Dark Angel. He’s been lying to you, my love. I know when people are lying. I want this traitor executed.”
Dead Hearts (Book 3): Vengeful Hearts Page 17