by Jessica Sims
I bit back my gasp. Why was I surprised? I’d guessed as much myself, though I’d hoped that Guy was acting on his own and not at the behest of their mysterious overlord.
“And when Frederic and William showed their unhappiness, I took them out as well. It is not a task I have relished,” he said, his face unspeakably sad again. “I am a coward. I’ve bought myself time with theirs. And I’d hoped that I could continue to live quietly, away from the Dragon’s schemes. Perhaps, eventually, he would forget me. He has many vassals, after all. What is one more?” His smile twisted. “But Rand’s return put us both on the Dragon’s radar again. And do you know what he wants now?”
“He wants you to kill Rand? Again?”
Guy’s eyes narrowed. Then he smiled brilliantly, which made my skin crawl just a little. “Flattering. You do not know that Rand was a genius on the battlefield, I suppose. There were none that could stand before his sword. Even Frederic, William, and I learned from him. Some men are born with innate talent, and Rand’s is that of war. No, the Dragon has asked me to take care of Rand, but we both know that I will not survive if it comes down to a confrontation, as it must. The Dragon plays me as much as he plays Rand.”
“You know you’re going to die?”
“After so many years? I welcome it. I have outlived or executed all of my friends. Even those I have surrounded myself with are mere sycophants. Even my thoughts are not my own, because they are polluted with the Dragon’s touch. I am ready to die, to see what lies beyond all this.” He gestured at his cozy living room, the fire flickering with warmth. “And Rand will be the one to do it. It’s fitting, I suppose. And then we will all be wiped from this earth.”
“Wait, what? What do you mean?”
Guy smiled, again his expression going sad. “You cannot guess? Rand will no longer wish to live under the control of the Dragon. He will destroy me, and then he will go after the Dragon, since it is he who instigated this. And either way, he is doomed.”
“But you just said yourself that Rand is a great warrior. He might beat the Dragon,” I protested. “He can win.” I looked over at Gemma, and she had a patient look on her face, as if to say, See? Crazy.
Guy shook his head. “He can win, yes, but you do realize the only thing that keeps Rand alive is his blood bond to the Dragon? If he kills me—and he will—all my vassals, my vampires alive by their bond to me, will become no more. I will no longer be there to sustain the link. What do you think will happen to Rand if he destroys the Dragon?”
My entire body felt cold with realization. “This is a suicide mission, then.”
“It is,” Guy agreed. “And Rand knows it. He’s always known it, I imagine. He doesn’t plan on coming out of this alive.”
Sixteen
I hugged my arms as I sat in the chair, waiting. Nearby, Guy paced. Gemma kept picking at her embroidery. No one was speaking.
I’d called Rand’s phone to give the “emergency” signal. Now we were all just waiting for him to appear so something—anything—would happen. I peeked over at Guy. He wasn’t even trying to set up a war of any kind. There were no reinforcements, no bodyguards, nothing. Instead, he clasped his hands behind his back and walked slowly around his room, muttering to himself and gazing at the oil paintings on the walls. Maybe they were the old-fashioned version of a photo album and he was making his peace with his life. I pressed my ankle against one of the stakes in my boot. I wondered if I should attempt it, or if I should wait and let Rand handle things.
Did it even matter if I took Guy down or not? It wouldn’t solve anything. Rand would still continue his mission to kill the Dragon.
And then he would die. Him and the Dragon both.
Probably. Theoretically.
The thought made me sick.
I began to get worried about the late hour when there came a knock at the door. Well, less of a knock and more of a demanding thump.
My head shot up. I looked over at Guy, who had stiffened. Gemma kept sewing. I moved to the edge of my chair, anxious. What now?
I half expected Guy to force me to open the door. Or Gemma. Or to ignore it entirely. After all, a vampire couldn’t cross a threshold without permission. Rand could not get to Guy as long as Guy was on this side of the door. But as I watched, Guy straightened his shoulders, rising to his full height, and approached the door. He threw it open.
Rand was on the other side. His shoulders were hunched, heaving. His hair was a sweaty, filthy mess atop his head. Blood and mud spattered his form, and there were gouges on one cheek. His sword was clenched in his hand. He truly looked like the warlord of the past that he was. I gasped at the sight of him.
“Well, well, well,” Guy said, tilting his head. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise.” His tone was flat, indicating it was anything but.
“Invite me in,” Rand said gruffly. His gaze flicked to me, then back to Guy. “You have what is mine.”
“So polite,” Guy murmured. “After all these years. My, my. Just look at you. You don’t look a day over six hundred.” His mouth curved into a thin smile. “Never thought I’d see you again.”
“Do not toy with me, Guy,” Rand said. His fangs bared in a snarl. “I am in no mood, and you have no vassals left to guard you. I have made certain of that.”
“They were weak,” Guy said with an insouciant roll of his shoulders. “If they cannot beat you by sheer numbers, it is better I have none at all rather than a flock of incompetent fools at my beck and call.”
Rand’s gaze flicked to me again. His jaw clenched as he studied my face. “She is hurt.”
“She is also an incompetent assassin,” Guy said. “But she tastes oh-so-pleasant.” He winked and licked his lips lasciviously, flashing a hint of fang at Rand.
I braced my hands on the arms of my chair, ready to spring forward.
Rand snarled, an inhuman sound, and made for the threshold. He bounced off it, as if repelled by an unseen force.
“Oh, are we sensitive about that?” Guy crossed his arms. “So we’ve found something Rand FitzWulf is willing to fight for? Now, that is interesting to me. Is it because of her blood, or something else?” He tilted his head, looking smug. “Perhaps what lies between her creamy thighs? I haven’t yet had a chance to sample those, but there’s time in the evening yet. Perhaps I shall even leave the door open so you may watch me claim her—”
“Invite. Me. In,” Rand said through gritted teeth. He looked dangerous as hell. I was beginning to be a little frightened of him myself. How could Guy sit there and tease him when Rand looked as if he was about to go apeshit?
“So you can slit my throat?” Guy crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t see that happening. It’s much more fun this way, don’t you think?”
I stood up, careful to not make a sound as I did so. No sooner had I straightened than Guy said, “Do not even think about it, little one. I can rip out your throat with my teeth before you can bat an eye.”
I froze in place. Looked at Rand. His eyes were gleaming with that odd vampire touch that told me he was inches away from losing all control.
I sat. Gemma reached over and grabbed my hand. I wasn’t sure if it was to hold me in place, or for reassurance, but I squeezed her fingers back and remained seated. Whatever played out here would have to be without human help.
His hands on the door frame, Guy leaned forward, practically leaning outward. Now he was just taunting Rand with the fact that he couldn’t get to him. Guy’s back was to us, and I longed to put a stake through him. He was determined to harass Rand. “So, friend, did you like the whores I sent you all those years ago? You must have. You were so engrossed with fucking the one that you never noticed the other come around to stake you. That takes true . . . dedication to the cause.” He chuckled.
“Do not needle me, Guy,” Rand said in a deadly calm voice. “Not if you value your life. Now, let me in.”
“My life is long ago forfeit,” Guy sneered. “We are both the master’s puppets—”
/>
I gasped as something red and shiny sprouted from Guy’s back. A sword point.
“If you will not let me come to you, then you shall come to me,” Rand growled. He gave his sword another vicious shove forward, and Guy burbled something, blood spilling from his mouth. His limbs flailed, and the sword in his back grew longer.
Gemma’s hand clenching mine threatened to cut off my circulation, but neither of us moved.
Rand lifted his sword, and Guy slid further down it. Then Rand stepped backward, and Guy, still spitted on his sword, went with him. Rand dropped Guy in the grass, and as I watched, he pulled his sword free.
Guy lifted an arm, a feeble protest at his treatment.
“Sleep well, brother,” Rand said, and raised his sword again. In the next moment, Guy’s head rolled away.
So . . . that just happened.
My stomach gave a nauseated gurgle. I ignored it, shook off Gemma’s hand, and rose to my feet, approaching the doorway. “R-Rand?” Even though I was shocked at the brutality of things, I wasn’t surprised. Deep inside, I’d known that either Guy or Rand wasn’t coming out of tonight alive, and I was glad that Rand was the winner. In fact, I felt the absurd urge to fling my arms around him. Probably not the best call, considering he looked feral and was spattered with blood and God knew what else. I moved to the doorway, waiting to see what happened. Just like with the two vampires in Rome, a tense minute passed, and then Guy’s body seemed to melt into the grass and flutter away as dust.
It was just like Rand said—a momentary pause for the body to catch up with the brain, then nothing.
Was that going to be Rand’s fate? I felt ill at the thought.
Rand threw his sword onto the grass. He rubbed a hand over his face, staring down at the spot where the body of his friend had been. He staggered in place, then straightened, as if realizing he couldn’t be weak. His gaze went to the doorway, to where I stood. His blue eyes were haunted with emotion. “It is done.”
“It is,” I said softly.
He took a weary step toward me, toward the door. “Invite me in, Lindsey.”
Was this a test? To see if I truly trusted him?
Of course I trusted him. I knew Rand. I knew that no matter how savage and wild he looked right now, he was heartsick at having had to destroy his friend. At being the only one of the four left. So I opened my arms. “Come and join us inside, Rand.”
He went up the stairs slowly, with heavy steps. And as soon as he crossed the threshold, he threw himself into my arms, burying his head against my neck. I stiffened, anticipating a bite, but he was already warm with blood. And as his arms wrapped around me and held me tightly, I realized he simply wanted comfort.
My poor vampire.
I held him in my arms, and my hand went to his hair, stroking it off his face. “I’m sorry,” I told him softly. “I’m sorry it came to this.”
“I had such fear for you,” he murmured against my skin. “I lost my wits when the phone went off. I feared he’d hurt you. That he’d drained you, unable to resist your delicious blood. That he’d deliberately done something to you to get at me . . .” His voice trailed off, his arms holding me tighter.
“Hush,” I murmured. “I’m here, and I’m yours. No one has hurt me. All yours.”
“Am I?” he asked, looking up at me. His face was brutal, all harsh planes and angles. There was nothing modern in this warlord. I’d just seen him run a man through and then behead him. His fangs peeped between his hard lips, and he was covered in blood and cuts from his battle.
“I totally want to kiss you right now,” I breathed, dragging my fingers through his longish hair.
“Then do it,” he murmured, his blue eyes locked to mine.
“I can’t,” I protested. “All that garlic—”
“I care not,” he said. “You are mine.” And then his mouth was on mine, his fangs scraping my lips.
I squeaked, surprised that he was kissing me despite the garlic bomb in my belly. But his mouth possessed mine, and I forgot everything but the feel of him against me. I moaned against his mouth, my arms going around his neck as he licked against my tongue, claiming me for his own.
“Mine,” he murmured again hungrily, and his tongue thrust into my mouth, a blatant reminder of what he’d like to do to me. I whimpered and slid my own tongue along his, only to feel him take it into his mouth and suck lightly on it. A blast of pleasure swept through me, and my skin prickled, my nipples hardening in response. Oooh.
“Should I get you two a room?” Gemma called from off to the side.
Rand slowly pulled his mouth from mine. He brushed my hair back from my face, studying the bruise on my cheek. The look he gave me was tender and full of emotion, and I smiled at him. He smiled back . . . and sagged to the ground.
Damn garlic.
Seventeen
Should we do something about that?” Gemma asked, eyeing the dirty, sprawled vampire at my feet.
“Let’s bring him inside to one of the rooms,” I told her, getting his arms. “We’ll stay here until the sun goes down.”
“Do you think we’ll be safe?” she asked.
“Completely safe. If Guy’s dead, his vampires are, too, remember?”
Once Rand was safely stowed inside, we worked between the two of us to lift him onto one of the beds. When he was in bed, passed out in that weird vampire sleep, I turned to Gemma and put my arms around her. “Can I just say how glad I am to see you?”
She squeezed me close in a hug. “Not half as glad as I am to see you.”
“What happened?” I asked her, sitting on the edge of the bed next to Rand’s feet. “Tell me everything.”
So she did, starting with the man who’d approached her in Venice, asking about the estate. She hadn’t thought anything of it, because why would she? No one in their right mind would think another crew of vampires would be coming after Rand. Vampires weren’t something people normally thought they had to be safe against, so Gemma hadn’t paused to consider it. She’d just invited them in. Once inside the apartment, they’d held Gemma captive and started trashing the place. They’d looked for Rand, and when he wasn’t to be found, they’d hauled her back to Guy.
“And Guy was crazy nuts. Like, the motherfucker didn’t like me cussing or wearing pants. I’m guessing he’s still a century or two behind the women’s movement.” She tilted her head. “Or . . . was.”
I hugged her again. “I’m so glad you’re safe. I was so worried he’d hurt you.” The emotions of the last few days came crashing over me, and I felt tears prick my eyes. “When I saw the apartment wrecked, I thought the worst.” I squeezed her tightly, not wanting to stop hugging her.
“I’m so sorry,” she said, rubbing my arm. “I know you must have been devastated to see all that stuff broken.”
“Gem, they’re just things. They can be replaced. Well, maybe not those things, but you know what I mean. Vases aren’t people. I can’t replace a friend that’s closer to me than a sister. You know that, right?”
“Aw, I know, baby girl. I love you, too. And I’m fine.” She gave me a squeeze. “He didn’t hurt me. Didn’t even drink from me. Lousy fuck, though.”
I pulled back, staring her in the eye. “What?”
“Oh, don’t judge me. I offered.” She shrugged. “I figured as long as he was interested in getting some, I’d stay alive. I’ve fucked worse after a night at the club.” She grimaced. “I’ve fucked way better, but I’ve fucked worse for sure.”
“O-okay.” I’d never get used to how casual Gemma was about something like that.
“Yeah, he was a pretty messed-up guy,” she admitted. “Anxious as hell over stupid shit. Obsessed with Rand. And kept getting instructions from some other guy that was calling him constantly.”
“The Dragon,” I murmured.
Gemma nodded. “I’m thinking he’s pulling the strings.”
“I know he is,” I told her. “He wants Rand. And I’m pretty sure he wants him dead.”<
br />
“Poor Rand,” Gemma said. “He’s got a lot of damn enemies for a six-hundred-year-old man.”
“He does,” I said, looking down at Rand’s sleeping body. “He’s going to want to go after the Dragon next. I know he will.”
“And are you going to tag along?”
I nodded, swallowing the knot in my throat.
“Lindsey, I love you, but this guy is trouble. I don’t know if this is safe. I worry he’s going to get you in over your head.” She gestured at the Swiss chalet. “You know, like all this? Trashing the apartment? Kidnapping people? Beheadings?”
“I know,” I said. “I know all that.”
Her gaze sought mine. “I don’t want you to get hurt. I know you care about Rand. I do, too. But he’s in some deep shit, and I’m not sure you or I can hang with this.”
“I know,” I said again, then bit my lip. “Gemma, I’m going to help him. I feel responsible.”
“Oh, sugar, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”
I gave her a weak smile. “You slept with the enemy. That doesn’t rule out a lot.”
“I mean falling in love. Don’t do that. Love ’em and leave ’em if you must, but don’t get this”—she tapped on my chest over my heart—“involved.”
Funny advice coming from Gemma, I thought with a smile. She fell in love with everyone. Of course, she also fell out of love just as quickly. “I’m afraid for him, Gemma.”
“You should be afraid for us.”
“I am. But Rand is out for vengeance.” I clung to her arms. “He wants the Dragon dead, and if Rand kills him, the connection is severed . . . and Rand will die.” The words choked in my mouth.
“Oh, sweetie.” Gemma hugged me again, then gave me a gentle look. “I know you don’t like the thought of it, but put yourself in his place. The Dragon can track him, right? He’s got a mental connection to the man. Rand is never going to be free of him. He’s also six hundred years out of his own time, and I’m not entirely sure he wants to be here. Maybe death would be kindest.”