by Benson, SF
“My father is waiting for you,” says a trim guy of average height. The shine from his slicked back hair is enough to blind someone. This must be the son of the Najex, Colt. He shoves his hands in his jeans pocket and pivots on his heel.
“Go on,” Luc prompts. “I’ll wait here.”
Colt throws over his shoulder, “No. He wants to speak with you as well.”
We follow him down a narrow hall and into a large side room on the left. An oversized fireplace takes up one wall. The same ghoulish figures dance in the flames. What appears to be a man sits in the darkness behind a desk that takes up one end of the space. The moon, shining in the sharply arched window at his back, outlines his body. From this distance, there’s nothing intimidating about this being. There must be more to him than what can be seen.
A younger being, an incubus with longish hair and a trimmed beard, stands to the Najex’s right. Words, unfamiliar to me, are exchanged between the two, and the incubus comes around the desk.
“Colt,” says the incubus with a hint of a grin on his face.
“Tiberius.” The son of the Najex glares at the stranger. “It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, it has, cousin. Let’s catch up once Uncle is done with this,” he offers and leaves us alone with Colt and the Najex.
“Come closer,” the voice behind the desk booms.
I step forward and get a good look at the demon the supernaturals in this town fear the most. His close-cropped hair stands out around his head like black fringe. Although incubi don’t age past thirty-five, his face didn’t get the message—deep lines cross his forehead and bags lie beneath eyes so dark light doesn’t reflect in them. I guess pure evil trumps youthfulness.
“I am not pleased with the events detailed to me by my son. Which of you will explain what happened?” the Najex demands and steeples his fingers over his chest.
Luc clears his throat from behind me. “Sir, if anyone is to blame, it should be me. I failed to clarify—”
“You failed on infinite levels. I shall deal with you in a moment,” the Najex states.
His eyes sweep over me. I clench my jaw.
“What I want to know is why did you,” he points to me, “defile my future daughter-in-law?”
I push my shoulders back and stand as tall as possible. This demon enjoys tormenting. He intimidates Luc, but he won’t get to me so easily. “With all due respect, I didn’t know the succubus was promised to your son when we met. Had I known, I would not have asked her out a second time.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Am I to believe that she never told you?”
“She did on the second date. I chose not to believe her.”
The Najex opens his mouth.
I raise my hand. “Permit me to continue?”
He nods.
“It was one kiss and one unfortunate bite. My maker nor his told me about the ramifications of my actions. I thought it would go unnoticed. I had no idea of a curse and the consequences of that curse. I accept full responsibility, however.”
His eyes narrow. “Is this true, Luc?”
“Yes, sir,” he mutters.
The Najex drops his hands and places his forearms on the desk. “I should end your protégé, Luc. His blatant defiance should not go unpunished.”
I hold my chin high. “You do what you must, but I stand by my actions. I followed my heart. Nothing you do to me will change what has happened.”
A raucous noise, akin to laughter, comes from deep within the Najex. “Don’t worry. I will not end your existence. This time.”
Luc drops his head. “Thank you, sir.”
“As for you,” the Najex interjects, “I expected more from the so-called leader of Council.”
I hear gagging behind me. I turn and see Luc on his knees with his hands wrapped around his own throat. His eyes protrude, and his face reddens. I look back and see the Najex’s glowing red eyes.
“Stop it! This is not his fault,” I yell.
The Najex’s eyes fade back to their inky blackness. Luc’s body collapses on the floor. “You stand up for your maker even when he failed to do his duty?”
“Killing him will not change the facts.”
He cocks his head to the side. “What are those facts?”
“The succubus has become some sort of hybrid. We’re not sure what kind yet. She drinks blood and has fangs. I doubt if they will ever be of any use to her, though. Time will tell.”
The Najex rubs his chin. “Interesting. Luc advise Council that we have met on the matter. I will allow this relationship.”
“Thank you,” I say.
“Don’t be so quick to thank me. I’m only permitting it so that I can study your relationship. I want to see how you manage her Lilin tendencies should they remain. Also, I will be seeking a way to break the curse.”
“That’s generous.”
“Not really. If I break the curse, the succubus will still owe my son his heir. You can keep the vessel after the debt has been paid.”
I clench my fists so tight I feel the blood drip down my fingers. This beast has no regard for life. I wonder if his son thinks of Kelsie so casually.
“Be grateful that is all I’m asking from you. Luc, I’m giving you one more opportunity. Screw this one up, and I’ll be adding your mate to my stable on a permanent basis.”
The more I hear from this demon, the less I like him. He’s a despicable creature who probably gets off on inflicting pain upon others. “Najex, tell me why you’re not the head of Council. It’s obvious you’re the one wielding power.”
A cynical smile twists his thin lips. “I don’t need a title to be powerful like some in this room. Besides, those who lead have to answer to their followers. I answer to no one.”
Luc bumps my shoulder as he comes up beside me. “Forgive his questioning, sir. He doesn’t know his place.”
The Najex’s eyes dart between my maker and me. “I suggest you say no more, Luc. Your protégé is quickly losing his respect for you. Now, I have more pressing matters to attend to.” He waves his hand in the air. “Be gone.”
We turn to leave, but Colt blocks our path.
“What do you want?” I ask.
“I’m just delivering my own warning.”
“Which is?”
“Harm Kelsie in any way, and I’ll be sure you spend your eternity in Hell,” he says.
So, she means something to him. Doesn’t matter. I’ve had enough threats for one night. “Cross my path again, and you’ll join me there.”
Luc urges, “Let’s go, Victor.”
All I can do is glare at the being who created me. The Najex was right about one thing this evening.
It’s a silent drive back to the mansion, and I’m grateful for it. Both of us keep our thoughts locked up tight. After the display at the lair of the Najex, I have no desire to be in Luc’s company, and I retreat to my room as soon as we enter the house. Before I can close the door, however, Beaumont comes in.
“What do you want?”
“It’s the girl. She returned to her house.”
I whirl around and snap, “You allowed her to leave?”
“It wasn’t up to me. Your mother had a word with her.”
I grab a duffle from beneath the bed. I start pulling clothes from a drawer and stuffing them inside.
“Running away has never solved anything, Master Victor.”
“I’m not running away,” I snarl and continue packing. “I need time to think, that’s all.”
“How did the meeting go with the Najex?”
“Would have been nice to know that Luc was such a coward.”
Beaumont goes into the adjoining bathroom and returns with a bag of my toiletries. “He isn’t a coward. Everyone has a healthy fear of the Najex.”
“I get it that he’s a demon, but—”
“He’s a powerful demon. For once, listen to me. Don’t do anything to anger him. Your
being here proves that he has the capacity to forgive. It doesn’t happen often.”
My fingers grip the edge of the dresser, and I stare at the floor. “He won’t punish us. He’s even allowing Council to approve our relationship.”
“That’s good. You’re getting what you want.”
“There’s still a price.”
“Which is?”
“The Najex is going to find a way to break the curse. If he’s successful, Kelsie will have to give his son an heir.”
“Oh.” Beaumont glides over to the bed and sits down. “Your anger is understood. But you should know that the curse is centuries old. Unless Morcana left the spell with an ancestor, I don’t believe it can be undone.”
“Who’s Morcana?”
“The sorceress who cast the spell. She had a vampire lover who fell in love with a succubus.”
“The reason for the curse.” I zip up my bag. “I’m taking Kelsie to my place.”
“Probably a good idea. I’ll contact you when the meeting date has been set.”
I sling my bag over my shoulder and walk out.
When life gives humans lemons, they make lemonade. Supernaturals take those same lemons and tear them apart. In my case, I call in someone else to get the job done. Aunt Lilith.
No one would believe the tall, amber-colored woman sitting beside me is my aunt. She bears no resemblance to my mother, thanks to different sires. Dark hair and smoky gray eyes accent Mom’s golden complexion while Aunt Lilith has hair the color of honey and large eyes reminiscent of cognac. Aunt Lilith has always been the voice of reason in my life when I needed to discuss heavy issues.
“Let me make sure I understand what you’re saying.” Aunt Lilith sips her cup of tea. “You got involved with a vampire. He bit you, and now you’re part vampire?”
“Close. He bit me and resurrected some ancient curse that made him crave my blood. The only way to make his hunger stop was to either kill me or turn me.”
“So, he turned you?”
“Yes. It wasn’t supposed to happen, according to the reaper.”
Aunt Lilith’s head rocks up. “You involved an assassin? What were you thinking?”
“I guess we weren’t.”
“That’s for sure. His actions won’t go unnoticed by his employer.” She sets her cup down on the coffee table. “What do you need from me?”
I sigh. “I don’t know what I need from anyone right now. Everything is screwed up. Mom’s with the Najex, Cash doesn’t—”
“Cyrena is with the Najex? Again?”
“Apparently"—I run my hands through my hair—“I’m the only one who doesn’t know about their arrangement.”
“She never wanted you to know.” Aunt Lilith pats my shoulder. “Don’t worry about her. My sister knows how to deal with him. As long as she keeps him satisfied, nothing bad happens to her. Cash is welcome to stay with me if he doesn’t want to be home alone. You’re welcome too, if your vampire will allow it.”
“It’s not his permission that I need.”
Aunt Lilith frowns. “Which vamp is giving you trouble?”
“His mother. She hates me, and so does that ancient vampire that lives with them.”
“What did he say to you?”
“He called me a spoiled brat.”
My aunt stifles a laugh.
“What’s so funny?”
“Forgive me, niece, but he told the truth.”
“What?”
“My sister and my nephew have done an excellent job of coddling you. If they hadn’t been so busy protecting you, you might have control of your powers by now. It was my hope that sending you to school with humans would make you stronger. Instead, you’re a sniffling little brat envious of things that only humans can have, like love.”
The doorbell rings before I can give my reply.
“I’ll get it,” Aunt Lilith offers.
She opens the door, and I hear an exchange between her and Victor. Aunt Lilith closes the door and leads him into the living room.
“Kelsie, I’m going to find Cash. Send me a text and let me know where you’ll be. If needed, I can come pick you up.”
“Thanks.” I watch her go out the front door. “What’s up, Victor?”
“Why did you come back here?”
“I’d had enough of your Coven for one night.”
“Beaumont said Ma had a word with you.”
“Understatement.” I lean against the sofa.
“I’m sorry. She overstepped her boundaries. But you won’t have to face her anytime soon. We’re not going back there.”
I look up at him. “I guess you could stay here since Mom is with the Najex.”
He shakes his head. “Go pack a bag. I’m taking you some place else.”
“Victor?”
“Just do it. Please.”
I huff and push myself off the sofa.
Night has descended upon Falls Creek. Victor navigates his car through the winding roads leading into the hills. The landscape changes—modest homes with small yards give way to large properties. He pulls onto a quiet street with a few scattered houses. We stop in front of a red brick Victorian with two porches, one of them on the side of the house.
“Where are we?” I ask.
Victor cuts the motor. “I bought this place right after the Coven settled here. Luc and my mother don’t know about it.”
“Why would you keep a house a secret?”
“I like creating music, always have. When I was human, I wanted to be a songwriter. Ma hated the idea back then, and she still does. So, I told Beaumont I wanted a private place to create. He helped me find this house.”
Victor closes a Dutch mahogany door behind us. To our left is a staircase with a carved, antique banister and railing. Polished hardwood floors stretch out before us and to the right.
“What do you think?” he asks. “I did most of the restoration myself.”
Oh, this is too much. A vampire who does home repairs?
He laughs. “I know. Totally unheard of, right?”
I shrug. “I guess we all need hobbies.”
We step through a doorway into a living room with a comfortable-looking black leather sofa. The only other piece of furniture is a black baby grand piano and a bench in front of the bay windows.
“Not much on decorating, huh?”
“I have all I need.” He runs his fingers across the ivory keys. “Do you play?”
“Not since I was a kid. Mom made me take lessons for a long time. I stopped when I turned twelve.”
Victor sits on the bench and starts playing an unfamiliar tune.
“Why are we here?”
“We meet with Council in a few days. Although the Najex gave his approval, the leaders could decide otherwise.”
“How do we convince them to rule with the Najex?” I ask and sit beside him.
“By convincing them that we’re a couple. They have to believe you wanted me to turn you.”
“So, your mother was right.”
“Huh?”
“She said the same thing to me.”
Victor places an arm around my shoulder. “Hey, we can do this. We take the next few days to get to know each other better. First things first, I need to teach you how to shield your thoughts.”
“That’s something else your mother said.”
“Ma’s a wise vampire. She’s always looking out for those she cares about.”
Understatement.
He raises a hand and strokes my cheek. “I’m sorry Ma and Beaumont hurt your feelings. They shouldn’t have been so blunt with you.”
My eyes meet his. “You believe the same thing, though. Why would you want to be with someone who’s selfish and spoiled?”
“Sweetheart, you’re young. It sort of goes with the territory. And since you’re thinking it, Luc turned me when I was eighteen. Twenty years ago.”
“Twenty? But that wo
uld make you—”
Victor places a finger over my mouth. “A vampire doesn’t like to discuss his or her age. Besides, it’s just a number. Physically, the number is accurate. But I died at eighteen. I’m no different than any other eighteen-year-old male.”
I put a little distance between us. “Why not find someone who would be age appropriate?”
“Where would I find a thirty-something creature who looks to be in high school?”
“Another vampire?”
“I don’t want another vampire,” Victor’s voice becomes husky and subdued. “I want you, Kelsie, and I’m willing to wait for you. As long as it takes. I’ll wait until you’re ready for me.”
I rise off the bench and go to the window. “I’m sorry. It’s going to take me a minute to get used to the age difference.”
“It didn’t bother you when you didn’t know.” Disappointment colors his words.
True. I accepted him for what he was, no doubts whatsoever. I turn from the window. “But I do know now. Hey, let’s talk about something else. Like your visit with the Najex.”
“I told you he gave us permission.”
“He said more, and you’re keeping me from knowing it. What gives?”
“He gave us permission because he wants to study us.”
“Well, that sounds creepy. What else did he say?”
“The Najex wants to find a way to break the curse.”
“I would say that’s a good thing, but I have a feeling I’d be wrong. What’s the catch?”
Victor starts toying with the piano keys again. “If he finds a way, you have to honor your debt to his son. He expects you to give Colt an heir and leave it with them to raise.”
Crap! They’d use the unfit clause against me, like Reggie’s mother. “Can the curse be undone?”
“Beaumont doesn’t think so. I’m not worried about it.”
“Liar. I can sense your concern.”
Victor’s eyes lift to mine, and his lips curl up. “How about now?”