“I have to go.” Lucious climbed to his feet, taking a moment to find his balance. The thirst burned the back of his throat. He needed to feed as soon as possible. He wouldn’t get far in the state he was in right now.
Alexander stepped in his way, his eyes full of confusion and disbelief. “Have you gone mad? They will kill you both. Why do you care if she lives or dies?”
“I have no choice!” Lucious yelled. He drew in a calming breath. Alexander didn’t know about their connection, and Lucious didn’t have time to stand there explaining it for hours.
“You do have a choice. Stay here and watch the fireworks.”
“I have to go,” he said firmly, shifting his weight from one leg to another to get across the room.
His friend caught his arm and turned Lucious to face him. “Why are you acting like this?”
Lucious hated feeling helpless or weak. He glared at Alexander with intent to kill. Friend or foe, no one was going to stop him once he made a decision.
Alexander’s eyes widened, but he kept his grip in place.
Cursing under his breath, Lucious knew if it came to a fight Alexander would win because of his present state. He couldn’t even stand on his own two feet without looking like a human drunk.
“Tell me what’s going on, and I will let you go.”
Lucious drew in a laboured breath. “Helena and I are soul-bound.”
Alexander’s dark brows drew together. “What does that mean?”
“It’s a long story. In short, if she dies so do I.”
Deep laughter erupted from Alexander. When his eyes scanned Lucious’ face, the mirth died in his throat. His eyes narrowed. “You crazy bastard. Why on earth did you agree to something like that?”
Why indeed. He had been asking himself that same question since the link became a problem instead of a device to track the saint. Not willing to provide any more information on the matter, he brought his gaze to Alexander’s hand that was restraining him. “If you understand my situation, then let me go.”
Alexander withdrew his hand. “Fine, you can tell me the embarrassing details on the way there.”
“No!” Lucious swung around to face him. “You are not coming. This is my problem, not yours.”
Alexander grinned. “What are friends for?”
Lucious wasn’t certain where this illogical comradery came from. Defying the Council was the same as breaking one of the few laws they had. Alexander was playing a gamble with his life. He shook his head. No wonder he named his favourite club after a game of chance. “Do as you wish.”
“Let us feed first. I have some pretty ladies waiting for me outside.” Alexander hopped over the door frame that lay at their feet.
Lucious’ throat burned with the thirst at the promise of being sated. He fought the urge that was more animal than man. Hatred for vampiric nature overrode his need to feed. It had taken him years to become a master of his thirst, and he was not going to begin giving into it now.
He started after Alexander. At first, he managed to walk at a human pace which his friend pretended not to notice.
Near the front entrance of the warehouse, Lucious grabbed his jacket off the coat hanger. As much as he didn’t want to be seen by the others, he heard footsteps drawing near. He shot Alexander a questioning look, and his friend shrugged and placed a smile on his face as Zafira’s voice grew louder.
She sashayed into the room, clinging to Andrew’s arm. Lucious’ lips tugged into a faint smile. The kid was in for more than he could imagine if he were to give in to her.
“You look like shit, Lucious. Did your partner get too rough with you last night?” Zafira asked.
“Something like that.”
“Where are you going?” Andrew asked.
Lucious had to hand it to the kid. He would make a good informer because of his suspicious nature.
Alexander shrugged on his coat and faced Andrew. “We have some business to attend do. Have you finished with the accounts?”
Andrew gave him a curt nod. “Tanya has them.”
Zafira looked from Alexander to Lucious. A silent second passed, and she pushed Andrew in the direction of the living room.
“I’ll stay here and babysit,” she told them.
Lucious held back an urge to question whether she had seen the outcome of their endeavour and watched her and the kid leave.
Outside the converted warehouse awaited three young brunettes in large fur coats that engulfed most of their bodies. Lucious took in a whiff of the air. November was here as was the thick smell of burned coal, permeating through an overpowering mixture of feminine perfume. The one good thing about being already dead was that the chill no longer bothered him.
“Girls, meet my good friend, Lucious,” Alexander said.
Two girls gave Lucious an appraising look. They draped themselves on his arms, giddy with laughter as if they were in on some kind of joke.
Their young hearts pumped blood beneath their skin, tempting him to sample them. His fangs extended and his hunger fought for control of his body. He glanced at Alexander. Without his approval, it would be rude to indulge in his dinner.
Alexander was already too busy enjoying his meal. The metallic scent of blood reached Lucious, and he took that as permission. He lowered his face to the first girl’s neck.
She brushed her silky hair aside, exposing her soft, milky flesh.
Unable to restrain his instincts any longer, he bit into her—a simple action that summoned a loud moan from the girl.
Manipulating his dinner’s emotions came naturally. He willed her heart to pump quicker, making her pulse rise as if she were kissing a lover she had not seen in years. His energy reached her mind, and he induced warmth and pleasure to course through her while rich, coppery liquid slid down his parched throat. He greedily swallowed it and sucked harder.
The other girl tugged on his arm. “Me too. Don’t forget about me.”
Reluctant, he pulled away from the human’s neck and bit into her friend. This one was a smoker. Her blood tasted slightly sour. He took no more than a mouthful from her and bit into the pad of his thumb. He pressed it to the marks on their necks, smearing his blood on the raw surface of the bite. By the time he finished, their blood had absorbed into his system. He never felt better. The energy from last night had accepted him as its master and was buzzing throughout his body. He grinned. Whether his mirth came from the intoxicating effect of the blood or something else, he wasn’t certain.
“Let’s go, we don’t have much time.” Alexander’s voice brought him back to reality.
Shaking the dazed women off him, the men got in Alexander’s car, which was parked in the driveway.
“What about us?” one of the girls shouted after them.
Alexander lowered the window. “Wait inside until someone comes to pick you up, my darlings.”
Lucious raised a questioning brow. “Since when do you care whether they live or freeze out here?”
Alexander shrugged, easing the car out of the driveway and onto the road. “Since when do you link souls with a human?”
They grinned at one another like two mischievous children.
“Touché, old friend.”
As Alexander sped towards the airport, Lucious stared out the window at the passing cars and, upon occasion, bright lights illuminating the motorway.
I must be insane. Not once in his existence did he imagine he would go to the Council without being dragged there by the neck. But then, never did he think he would share an unbreakable bond with a human or whatever Helena was. Humans were disposable. Or so he kept telling himself since he became a vampire. No. It was since his mother turned away from him after his father’s death.
Alexander broke the silence between them. “I don’t know if I should be saying this, but I don’t think there will be a better time. My acquaintances in Rouen had a look for Pierre. They found his remains in a warehouse a few miles from his home.”
Lucious balled hi
s hands. He and Pierre had their disagreements since Anna’s murder. They could never be in the same room without a fist fight starting. Yet, finding out his blood-brother was dead charged his anger towards Eliza.
“And the others?” Lucious asked through gritted teeth.
“No news. Don’t know if that is a good or a bad thing, though.”
Lucious faced away and stared at the passing lights. Why was it that even with the news of his blood-brother’s death, he could think of nothing other than protecting her?
Changed and seated in Alexander’s jet, Lucious watched him tap away an e-mail on his laptop. A low notification sound escaped from the speakers, and Alexander’s eyes scanned the screen with a deepening frown.
One look at Alexander’s sorry expression was enough for Lucious. “I don’t think I want more news from you.”
“I am not surprised, but this concerns you.”
Lucious grunted. Today was not a good day. “Let me guess, Eliza wants to advance my trial process?”
“She is eager to get her hands on you. The fact we are going to her may as well be the craziest thing you have done.”
Lucious thought about Alexander’s words. “I believe tying my life to Helena’s precedes that.”
“Why do it in the first place? She is an unknown, and I don’t trust her.”
“I did it because the first link told me where she was. I thought, this time, it would be the same.” Lucious shrugged. “Guess I was mistaken.”
“You are taking this far better than I anticipated.”
Lucious was also confused by this calm demeanour. He should be afraid or angry. Any emotion other than calm would fit this situation. Yet, why did the thought of seeing her summon such peace in him?
“I guess I am,” Lucious replied.
Alexander eyed him with suspicion.
“What?”
“I thought I was wrong at first, but I can sense it. When did you get so much raw energy?” Alexander inquired.
“Last night.”
Alexander raised a brow. “And where did it come from?”
Lucious crossed his arms over his chest. The energy was buzzing inside of him, wishing to be used. “From the same person we are trying to rescue.”
“From her?” Alexander’s brows shot up in disbelief. He opened his mouth and closed it again. With a shrug, he said, “For once, I’m speechless.”
A pleasant female voice announced over the intercom that the plane was about to land at Heathrow Airport. They had less than six hours before the night was over.
Lucious rested his head against the headrest and closed his eyes. They were about to break into the Council holding cells, rescue a prisoner, and do what exactly? He did the only thing he could think of. He prayed that luck was on their side.
They stood at Phil’s back alley entrance. His trouble seemed to begin and end with a visit to this information broker.
Lucious cleared his throat and knocked three times on the metal door, shouting, “Phil, open up!”
When nothing happened, Lucious glanced at Alexander who shrugged. “I sent him an e-mail. He’s usually prompt to check them.”
Lucious knocked once more, loud enough so that the stray cat from a box a dozen feet away scrambled for safety. The mechanical sound of the locks on the other side stopped him from continuing the battering on the door. He took a step back when the third lock was being unlocked.
The door creaked open, and Phil stood there in navy pyjamas. He stroked the head of a white Persian cat. “What is it now?”
“It would be nice if you invited us in first,” Alexander said.
Phil glowered at them. “And why should I? You two are insane. I don’t need insanity in my house.”
“We do not have much time,” Lucious said.
Phil shot him a stern look and stepped aside, allowing them to enter. “Don’t expect free blood and whores, Alexander.”
Alexander chuckled. “Why? Do I get them here if I pay? Plus, I believe I have had more than enough of that before our arrival.”
Shaking his head, Lucious closed the door behind them and reached for the first lock when Phil grasped his hand with his bony fingers. “Leave it unlocked. One more person has yet to arrive.”
“And who would that be?” Alexander asked.
Phil set the feline on the ground. “Your way in.”
“The only people who can get us inside are working for Eliza,” Lucious said. “No one would be daft enough to go against her.”
“He is not under her command per se.” Phil waved for them to follow. “He’s more of a freeloader.”
They trooped through the small white door to the right of the office desk and scaled the stairs that seemed too small for one man to fit. Lucious’ shoulders brushed against the wall, leaving white smudges on his jacket.
“It’s hard to imagine someone Eliza doesn’t control,” Alexander muttered behind Lucious.
When they reached the top of the stairs, Phil opened another door, and they filed into a cosy living room. A brownish sofa with frayed cushions, a ceiling-high bookcase overstuffed with folders, and half a dozen stacked wooden chairs in the corner were claiming most of the space.
“Come. Sit,” Phil offered.
Alexander scanned the room with evident distaste. “I think I’ll stand.”
The informant dismissed his comment with a flick of his hand. “I wasn’t asking you.”
“I guess I will sit,” Lucious said. Not like they would all fit if he remained where he was. He crammed into a seat next to Phil. The cat found its way into the room and jumped onto its owner’s lap.
“So, who are we waiting for?” Lucious asked.
“Someone you will not like, I’m certain.”
Alexander snorted as he rested his side against the bookcase. He crossed his arms. “Wouldn’t that be you?”
“Your smart mouth will dig you a grave one day,” Phil retorted.
“I am already dead. What’s there to be scared of?”
Lucious cleared his throat. “Before you two decide it’s wise to exchange blows, I believe our mystery guest has arrived.”
A towering, cloaked figure entered the room. The man had to bend his head to fit in the door frame. Black dreadlocks ran down his broad shoulders, over the wide chest, and touched the tip of his round belly. The power emanating from this being was close to that of a Council member.
Lucious shifted closer to the edge of his seat, ready to spring up in case this was a trap.
Alexander’s laid-back act also seemed to become more strained as he stared at Phil’s guest.
“Welcome, Ghoul Master,” Phil said with a smile.
Lucious jerked into a standing position. Any wish to continue the conversation with this being was soon dismissed once the man’s title rang in his head like an alarm bell.
“Sit down, Lucious. He’s here to help,” Phil said in a low drone.
It was enough to give Lucious a warning not to do anything stupid. He ground his teeth together, and Ghoul Master lowered his hood with bandaged fingers. Rumours in the vampire community said that for every masterless ghoul he tamed, he had to feed it a part of his flesh that never regenerated.
A pair of crimson eyes stared back at him, fuelling Lucious’ urge to get out of the tiny space. The old vampire’s face had many white scars on his olive skin, distorting his original features. The largest scar ran horizontally across his face, from one ear to the next, as if someone was close to cutting his head in half.
“Ah, the infamous Lucious Ellwood, childe of ‘The Demon’,” Ghoul Master said with a deep baritone that bounced off the four walls.
“She had a name!” Lucious snarled.
Ghoul Master tilted his head to one side as if contemplating if Lucious was someone he should take seriously. He looked at Phil who was dwarfed by the height of everyone else.
“It was a mistake resting our hopes in your hands, Phil,” Alexander said.
Phil pointed to the cor
ner of the room. “Be a good lad and get a chair for Master.”
Alexander raised a brow but didn’t say a word. The silence was filled with the creaking of floorboards under Alexander’s weight as he crossed the room and came back.
Lucious kept his eyes on Master. He didn’t trust anyone who worked for the Council without being forced into it, especially someone who had over twenty ghouls at his beck and call.
Dumping the chair next to the elder, Alexander retreated to the bookcase. Lucious noted that he, too, seemed unhappy with the arrangement, yet he wasn’t voicing further objections.
“Sit down, Lucious,” Phil said.
Lucious eyed Ghoul Master and Phil. His mind remained undecided. Seconds ticked by. He bit back a curse and collapsed into his seat.
Master managed to sit down with grace even though the wooden chair creaked under his weight. Out of the corner of his eye, Lucious saw Alexander’s lips curve.
“I hear you want to rescue a damsel from Eliza’s clutches, is this true?” Master asked.
Lucious glared at Phil who absent-mindedly stroked his cat’s fur. “She is someone of no importance.”
Master clicked his tongue. “If she was of no importance to you, we would not be here.”
“Just tell him what you need,” Phil urged.
Lucious rested his elbows on his knees. “I heard Ghoul Master never does a deed out of goodwill.”
“You’ve heard right,” Master replied with a faint smile. “Now speak your terms, and I will name my price.”
“It is never easy with you Council freaks. What happened to comradery?” Alexander grumbled.
“You speak of friendship but, in truth, you—a man of business—would do the same.”
Lucious ran his hand through his hair. There was little time left to find their way into the holding cells without an insider’s help. Who knows how long they had till Eliza decided to take Helena’s head. “Alright. I need to get a human out without anyone noticing. Is that possible?”
Master rested his hands on his belly. “Not a human, I am assured. To take Andreaz’s life in a lover’s embrace is a skill no human possesses.”
Russian Roulette (Helena Hawthorn Series Book 1) Page 33