“Sorry.”
Smart man, Mira thought. She picked up the fallen sword and inspected it. Her own blade. The same one she had always chosen in the stables. The familiar weight of it brought her comfort, but she couldn’t understand why. That weapon had been one of her bondage. For that reason alone it should have made her cringe, but like an old friend, it brought warmth and lessened her stress level.
“What now?” Stryker asked.
“Bring the Magistrate. We still need him.”
Stryker nodded and lifted the unconscious man.
The battle dying down, it was truly time for them to get out of the city. Mira rounded up the vampires, and they commandeered as many transports as they could find. Though for the moment they were victorious, Mira felt as if they had probably made things worse. Only time would tell, though, and they were running out of it. Sunrise would come soon, and they still had to make it to a safe place.
Chapter 12
Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, they rendezvoused with the rest of the Otherkin in a surprisingly close location. Mira had assumed they’d all be traveling back to Caldera to deal with the Magistrate, but when Jay, their messenger bird met them at the city gates, she led them only a few miles west.
A small city of tents lay before them in a small valley with a river. Mira had not thought it possible, but by all appearances, the Otherkin had amassed an army, and in only a few days’ time. Clearly the Otherkin Council was preparing for war. She wondered if they had pulled every able body from the city.
Mira remained skeptical, though. These Otherkin might have numbers and shiny new weapons, but their people were not battle-ready. Her crew were tough warriors – vampire gladiators, all of them. She hoped they’d still be willing to take up the cause now that they had fulfilled their first agreement to her. But if they did not, these Otherkin would be massacred.
The Council knew they were coming; most had assembled in front of the tent city to welcome them. They pulled their transports up in front of the largest tent, and Mira and Stryker exited first, holding the Magistrate as a gift to the awaiting council members.
Against the odds, Alec looked pleased to see them, though his smile did not much improve the look of his face.
“The vampires are free,” Mira proclaimed. “And the city is leaderless.”
Stryker set down the Magistrate at Alec’s feet and kicked him just enough to wake him. The Magistrate grumbled and groaned, then reality lit his eyes with fear.
“What... where have you taken me?” He scrambled to get up, tripping over his purple robes and sending dust flying up in the air.
“Silence,” Mira commanded. “You will speak when spoken to.”
Pure waves of hatred flowed from Magistrate’s eyes, but he held his tongue and sat on the ground at her feet.
Alec’s smile turned wicked. “This offering pleases us.”
Not sure what exactly he meant by that, Mira had no immediate response.
Michael came out of the large tent to greet Mira. “The warrior returns victorious.” All congeniality aside, she could see the astonishment in his eyes. Perhaps he hadn’t expected her to live, and even more shockingly, she’d returned with a living breathing Magistrate.
Troublesome as the Magistrate was, Mira was as good as her word. She’d brought him alive from the city to face judgment. The Magistrate’s fate, however, would now rest with the very hungry-looking vampire Council member. “Well done. Well done.” Michael eyed the overstuffed human cowering on the ground. “Bring him to us.”
Mira grabbed the Magistrate’s arm and hauled him up to his feet. “What is to happen now?”
“Our deal has been completed. You and your three human friends will be allowed permanent residency in Caldera Grove.”
Mira cast a quick glance to Lucian who was exiting his transport vehicle. A sigh of relief escaped her involuntarily. He, as well as Curtis and Sarah, would be safe. She’d done all that had been requested of her. She’d jumped through so many hoops to get to this point. As much as she wanted to wash her hands of all the bloodshed and violence, she knew there was still so much more she had to do before sanctuary could well and truly be hers.
“What of my people?” Mira asked with a little apprehension. No one had agreed to anything beyond escaping the prison. They were free to do as they wished, and Mira knew that more than a few of them would rather not be under the thumb of a new leader.
“The vampires?” Michael waved a hand dismissively. “They are all our kind. They will be granted access to Sanctuary as well. Of course, that’s assuming they are willing to join our cause.”
She’d expected as much. Nothing was ever simple. “They have their own will. I cannot speak for them all, but” – she turned back and met Tegan’s anticipatory glare – “I have a feeling the prospect of more bloodshed would sit well with most.”
“War is bloody.” Michael smiled, and his fangs glistened in the waning moonlight. “I’m sure your friends will want to savor the spoils.”
More fighting. Mira was sick of the constant battle. She hadn’t stopped fighting since the day she’d been tossed into the arena. When will it all be over?
“Before anyone agrees to any new fights, we need our rest.” Mira nodded to the sky growing ever lighter above them.
“Of course. We have a tent waiting for you all. If you’ll just hand him over...” Michael reached out and gripped the Magistrate’s meaty arm.
At first, Mira hesitated, but she’d rather not have to babysit the murderous human all day; she needed her rest too. And the Council was now in charge of his pathetic existence. She’d done her part.
“Take him.” She let go of the Magistrate and wiped his sweat off her hands.
Though she was happy to be rid of him, the Magistrate suddenly looked like a frightened child. Being manhandled by a strange vampire, she almost felt sorry... almost. He wasn’t worth her pity no matter how sad his puffy eyes got.
The sun was rising fast. Already in the gray light of early morning, Mira could feel the sting. “Time to find that tent,” she urged.
Michael smiled, eyeing his prey hungrily, and led the way down a long row of tents. “We will all talk of what is to come after a well-deserved rest.”
Chapter 13
Despite a mind swarming with “what if’s,” Mira fell into a deep sleep, waking hours after the sun had set. When she finally made her way outside, she found the encampment alive with music and raucous voices. A few of her own vampire kin strolled by, laughing and patting each other on the back.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Celebration time. The Council has thrown us a welcome party.” The vampire sounded, if at all possible, drunk.
“And the refreshments...?”
“They have donors.”
“Otherkin?”
“Yeah... but they take this special herb first and you feel...”
“Drunk.” Mira shook her head. There was more to these Otherkin than she knew. But Lucian’s remark about them being tricksters stuck in her mind.
“Just be careful.”
“We’re good.” The vampire stumbled away, still chuckling with his friend.
Mira wandered through the tents, listening to the drunken conversations and atta boys going on all around. She was glad to see everyone getting on so well, but couldn’t find that lightness of spirit yet herself.
“You should be celebrating.” Stryker found her standing alone outside of the command tent. He strolled up casually, drink in hand. Mira caught a slight tang of alcohol on his breath. He must have been celebrating with the others.
She should have been celebrating. “I will. Just collecting my thoughts.”
“You seem troubled.”
“What exactly will happen to the Magistrate?”
“Getting soft on him, are you?”
“No. Nothing like that. Just... I want to be sure we’re doing the right thing. We need peace. Not more aggression. Can we t
rust that the elders here will work towards peace, or...”
“Will they exact revenge?” Stryker asked.
“Yeah. Took the words right out of my mouth. I think they just want a bloody show and have no desire to end the aggression. What do you think?”
“Dunno. I’m not privy to all the decisions being made about our future, but I would like to think they’ll do what’s best for our people. They didn’t earn their place as high elders by making poor decisions.”
“Oh. I didn’t mean to make it sound like that.”
“I know.”
“I just...”
“Don’t trust anyone.”
“Exactly.”
“You’re going to have to learn to,” Stryker said and offered his hand. “Starting with me.” He pulled her in close. Closer than she was comfortable with. The hardness of his body pressed tight against her own as his arms wrapped around her. It was a little too much to handle. She’d never been claustrophobic before, but even out in the open air, she was beginning to feel as if the walls were closing in on her. Stryker looked down, finding her eyes. “I like you, Mira, but you have to let your guard down.”
His lips, so close she could feel the warmth of his breath washing down on her. How had she never stopped to admire them? And those sunny amber eyes, warm and inviting, practically begging to delve deep into her soul. He was more than a temptation. A perfect specimen of a man, but too much to handle at that moment.
Mira pushed against the hard wall of his chest. “I need air.”
“Why?”
“You’re too close.”
“It’s okay. No one’s going to hurt you. Especially not me... You’d wipe the floor with me if I tried.”
“True.” She laughed, and some of the tension faded. “I’m just not used to people being so close, unless I’m about to kill them.”
“I’m aware of that. But you have to learn to let down your guard. Let people get close. You’re free now; you’re safe.”
“Free, yes. Safe, debatable. We’re on the brink of war. No matter what’s been said, we can’t just walk away and go sit in the safety of Caldera. We’re here. They’re planning something. We have to stay and fight or whatever...”
“Yes, we’ll probably be called into fight. But you don’t have to fight me. That’s what I’m saying.” He closed in again, that hard body of his colliding with hers in a way that sent a shiver down her spine. Deep down, feelings stirred. Feelings she’d not let surface in far too long. She could see a future with him. Immortal, like her. Free, like her. Handsome, capable, strong, and a gentleman too. But with those feelings came anxiety. Letting someone in just led to more pain. The sharp sting of Theo’s death had left a scar deep within her heart that she feared might never heal. She never wanted to feel that pain ever again. No, this had to stop.
“Let me in. Let me be close to you. Let us enjoy this night,” he practically purred in her ear. The warmth of his voice was so tempting. The heat radiating off his body too delicious.
She wanted to be able to do all of that and more, but the anxiety was there, eating away at all of the pleasurable sensations. “Enough, Stryker.”
Despite her warning, he refused to back down. His hand came up and caressed her cheek. “Tomorrow will come, and it will bring its problems, but tonight, we are free to enjoy ourselves.”
She cringed at his touch, anxiety boiling over to the surface. This had to stop. In the space of a heartbeat she snatched his hand, spun him around, and pulled his wrist hard up behind his back. “I like you, but I said enough. Understand?”
“Don’t break it... I might need that hand to fight later.” With all the dignity of an alpha, he relaxed in her grip but did not verbally acknowledge defeat. Mira let him go, and when he turned back to meet her eyes, she saw admiration more than annoyance there. He held both hands up in surrender. “Another time, perhaps.”
The sound of Lucian behind her clearing his throat startled Mira. Though there was no reason to, she suddenly felt shame for letting Stryker get so close. Why? Neither man had any claim to her, and yet, the feeling was there. She turned slowly, hoping to find his expression neutral, but there was pain behind his mossy eyes.
Stryker nodded at Lucian as he passed him, but neither man said a word. Awkward, but civil, thankfully.
“Have any news?” Mira kept her tone even, addressing the confused look on Lucian’s face.
“No. Did you expect I would? Without you by my side, I’m a ghost to these people.” Hurt was behind his words, but not for the snub of the Otherkin.
Why did men need to be so testy? Emotions were annoying things. Her own raw feelings were a testament to that. Best to bury them down deep where they couldn’t be a bother.
Fighting her own awkward feelings, she tried to meet Lucian’s eyes and pretend everything was normal. “They’ll warm up to you eventually.”
“Sure. Right after they’re done slaughtering my people.”
Mira shrugged. Her people had been slowly slaughtered for years. “We’re at war. Be glad you’re on the right side.”
“I doubt either side has it right.”
That piqued her curiosity. “What do you mean?”
“You value peace, as do I. We were both raised incorrectly. We both want for the best. But do you honestly think that the war the Council is trying to wage is the right approach?”
“No. Of course not, but that is what must come to pass to create change.”
“Spoken like a warrior.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing. It’s what your people made me.”
“And that is a bad thing. I know you’re are more than just a warrior. I know deep down you have no taste for all this bloodshed and violence. All you’ve truly fought for since I met you has been peace.” He might call it peace, but all she really desired was to stop having to fight. If that meant everyone was at peace, great.
“Even if you were right, there’s nothing else I can do. I have no authority among these people. I’m a pawn in their game.”
“And yet you’ve forced your hand with them already, securing a home for me, Curtis, and his wife.”
Mira looked down, not deserving of such high praise. She kicked at the dirt with her sandal-clad foot. “I wouldn’t call that deal a complete win for me. We’re lucky to be alive after that suicide mission.”
He reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. “What I’m saying is this. You have more power than you think.”
Mira had to fight the urge to jerk from his grip. Just as with Stryker touching her, Lucian’s friendly gesture brought up feelings she did not have the capability of dealing with at the moment. Lucian must have recognized her discomfort; the hand vanished from her shoulder as he continued. “You know an all-out war is not going to bode well for either side. Speak your thoughts to the Council. Make them see reason, and maybe another option can be found.”
There was truth behind his words. Mira wasn’t a warmonger. She despised the thought of more fighting, but doubted she could get the Council to listen to her. She’d already overplayed her hand. But, as she looked up and met Lucian’s hopeful eyes, she found strength. If nothing else, she could at least question the Council on their plans and maybe nudge them toward a solution that involved less bloodshed.
“Why do you have to be so damn good-natured? You’re an Elite, for gods’ sake.”
Amused laughter brightened Lucian’s face. “You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“In my line of work, it is.”
“I was privileged, yes, but not without schooling. Not all of my class used what they were taught, but that doesn’t mean I am boorish. Just as you’re not the savage you were trained to be.”
“Such an unlikely pair.” She hadn’t meant to imply anything by it, but the light in Lucian’s eyes said he took their unintentional link personally.
“We do make quite the odd couple. Now, should I escort you to the Council’s command tent?” He held his arm bent to
escort her.
Chapter 14
Two Otherkin were standing guard outside of the command tent. Mira sized them up as she approached with Lucian. Not particularly intimidating, they were both tall and thin, and looked like a good gust of wind would blow them over, but she wasn’t going to let that fool her. Knowing now that they all possessed unique abilities put her on alert.
“Step aside; I am going inside,” she commanded as she approached.
Her jaw almost hit the ground when they stood to the side and waved her to the open flap on the tent. “They’ve been waiting on you.”
Mira wanted to throw a snippy comment their way, but she wasn’t given the option. For once, they were doing exactly what she wanted. Something was wrong.
Eyeing them narrowly as she entered the tent, Mira wondered exactly was going on. Not as lavish as their conference room back in Caldera, the command tent looked quite comfy. All of the Council members sat on large cushions in a circle.
“...the dam is under our control.” Alec was speaking, and seemed overly pleased with himself. “The shifters are on patrol, and we’ve shut down all water and power to the city.”
“Well, that’s one way to kick a hornets’ nest.” Mira spoke loudly enough to grab the attention of everyone in the room.
Alec, sitting closest to the entrance, turned his eyes on her. His lips stretched wide into a smile that made him look more troll than man. She wondered if trolls were part of the Otherkin, or just some pretend creature. “Mira... Just the vampire we were waiting on. When can your troops be ready to fight?”
She looked away, focusing on the canvas walls of the tent, remembering his handy little gift for meddling with people’s minds. “You’ll have to ask them. They are not my troops. They are free vampires.”
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