Haven shrugged. “Probably a bit of everything. Guardians are really territorial when it comes to their mates.”
While that gave an excuse for her jealousy, Nexi believed wholeheartedly it was exactly that—an excuse to explain away her jealous nature. “That only works if we were mates, which we’re not.” No bonding ceremony meant no mate.
Vampires had no soul-bonds to their lovers and married much like humans do. Werewolves had a magical soul-bond that connected them at first sight. Guardians and witches went through a ceremony of magic that tied them emotionally together. Nexi still didn’t know the entire gist of it all, but fighting against Lazarus had made simple conversations like that take a backseat.
Like the existence of the freaking Underworld.
“Well, that’s true, you’re not bonded yet,” Haven agreed. “But to make you feel better, I know for a fact that since the very night you came into the Otherworld, Kyden hasn’t been with anyone else. Finn told me that night I first met you he thought Kyden had fallen ass over teakettle for you.”
Nexi whispered in surprise, “That first night we met?”
Haven gave her a sweet smile, and her big, round eyes held the slight sparkle they usually did. “Yes. So no jealousy necessary—that tough, protective, hardheaded guardian is all yours.”
“I’m starting to think it’s good he’s primal at times,” Nexi muttered, considering her behavior, “because, it appears, so am I.”
“Nah, you’re part guardian.” Haven winked. “You all don’t like to share.”
Nexi chuckled, really loving how everyone tried to explain away her bad behavior, when in fact she knew she was a tad flawed. Perhaps she liked that about herself, too. She wasn’t elegant. She wasn’t perfect. While she had changed a lot since coming to the Otherworld, she was still herself.
That felt…good.
On a long sigh, she angled her head back, staring up at the Underworld, wondering about how it all worked there. “I met my first warlock tonight.”
“Did you?”
Nexi nodded, glancing to Haven. “Yeah, he was walking through the garden just before I came down to see you.”
Haven’s brows rose. “That’s strange. It’s not too often warlocks come into the Otherworld. Maybe the Council called him in to discuss Astoria and he was heading back to the gateway.” Heavy exhaustion both sounded in her voice and raced through their bond. “Warlocks tend to live in the Earthworld or there…” She pointed to the Underworld. “But that’s where the bad ones live, of course, and they are never welcome in the Otherworld.”
Nexi pondered, wondering if she had ever seen a demon but just hadn’t known. “Does the Otherworld have trouble with the Underworld?”
“Sometimes, but it’s not often. The thing with dark magic is it’s not necessarily used to kill mortals. Demons need human energy to live, like a succubus feeds off of sexual energy, and usually that doesn’t result in a death.”
“Oh, isn’t that romantic?” Nexi snorted. “Let me have sex with you, but while I do it, I’ll drain you of your life energy.”
Haven chuckled and nodded, and then looked up at the Underworld and finally shrugged. “The Otherworld doesn’t necessarily have a problem with the way they live. It’s only if they take a mortal’s life.” Haven’s expression became flat as she added, “Even if there’s no treaty between the Underworld and Otherworld, there’s an unspoken peace between them that happened with their leader, Magnus, a few centuries ago. Basically, everyone stays out of everyone’s business unless a human is killed.”
“Or they did have a truce until Astoria came back into the Earthworld,” Nexi offered.
Haven heaved a sigh. “Yeah, until now. But who even knows what she wants or why she’s with the vampires.”
“I’ll tell you this. I’m more than happy for them to stay on their world.” Nexi rubbed her arms, still feeling the heat of that warlock’s touch lacing her veins and wanting nothing less than to remove it. “That warlock was…creepy.” And disturbing.
Haven smiled genuinely, lifting her brows. “Any creepier than vampires or werewolves?”
Nexi considered that and then gave a firm nod, relishing Haven’s smile and eased soul. “Yep, definitely.”
Chapter 9
“Radek has died,” Talon said.
The warm air breezing through the arched windows in the Council’s Foyer brushed over Kyden, but couldn’t steal the chill lacing his veins. His hands fisted as he absorbed what his father said. The news of another guardian death was not what he expected to hear when Talon approached him and Nexi at the stroke of midnight. “When?”
“Minutes ago,” Talon said, glancing to Nexi beside Kyden. “I do not need to tell you the gravity of this. These vampires were able to defeat a centuries-old guardian, who, as I’ve been told, fought hard for his life.”
Meaning the vampires had magic fueling their strength.
Nexi echoed Kyden’s thought. “No doubt the help of Astoria,” she offered.
Talon gave a grim nod. “Go to Thalia’s and find out what you can about this revenge they speak of. We cannot sit on this any longer. I have pulled all of the Council’s guardians from the Earthworld, and if any do need to go out and hunt for a murderer, they are going out in groups.”
“Understood.” Kyden hastily took Nexi’s hand, noting the slight tremble in it.
Leaving his father behind, Kyden opened the portal door and stepped through, allowing Thalia’s home to fill his mind so the portal would take them there. Only when his feet hit grass did the squeeze of the vortex vanish, and his thoughts rebounded to Radek. Though Kyden had never been close to Radek, primarily due to their age difference, the Otherworld had lost another great warrior. Kyden didn’t pretend to understand the motives of the vampires, but he intended to get answers tonight.
With his muscles practically vibrating to explode in a fierce fight, he forced himself to stay focused on Trefan’s killers. If they ran with countless leads, things would get complicated. Kyden believed Thalia would get the answers they needed, and they had to exhaust this lead before moving on to the next.
He kept Nexi’s hand tight in his, noticing how quiet she was. Radek was probably in her thoughts, too. As he stepped forward, he noticed Thalia and Maddox waiting at the right side of her house.
“Ready?” he asked, when he reached them.
“Yes, my vampires have gathered.” Thalia turned on her heels, striding toward the large atrium nestled in the forest behind her mansion.
With every step Kyden took, the need to avenge the guardians who’d lost their lives became more pressing and he knew he could not stop until they found their killers. Watching Nexi’s hair flutter in the warm breeze as they walked, he noticed her pretty eyes become wide with shock.
He did not want her here.
Another guardian death…Christ, he wanted her so far away from this danger. But he knew she’d have none of that.
A wrinkle marred her forehead as she looked at Thalia and quietly asked, “Question: How are you so sure that the vampires involved in this will show up? I mean, wouldn’t that just make them…I don’t know…stupid?”
Thalia stopped at the main doors of the atrium and smirked. “There’s no need to speak softly. The atrium is soundproof. Nothing being said inside can be heard outside, and the vampires inside won’t hear us, either.” Maddox grabbed the handle of the door but didn’t open it as Thalia added, “As for how I will be sure? Well, when I call my vampires, they come.”
“Yeah, that’s great and all.” Nexi dropped Kyden’s hand, as the light from the atrium spilled over her. “But what if they aren’t your vampires anymore?”
Kyden thought Nexi posed a good question, for one that belonged in the mortal world. His conjecture was confirmed when Thalia smiled, a tight and deadly grin. “Believe me, they’ll be here.”
Nexi lifted a lazy shoulder, clearly disbelieving, yet said to Kyden, “What’s the plan, then? We’re going in with swords blaz
ing?”
He noticed the worry on her face, and he liked that Nexi never hid herself from him. Sometimes he wished that concern would overwhelm her a little—maybe then she would think more of her safety instead of fighting for her family members who were long gone.
Nexi had something to prove—to others or to herself, he didn’t know.
Kyden thought she’d proven enough.
“Something like that,” he told her before saying to Maddox, “The presence of the Council’s Guard is going to alert them that something is wrong. We can’t let them run.”
Maddox gave a gallant nod. “From Zia’s memories that Thalia had witnessed, she has discovered the sires of the vampires behind the murder. When we first enter, I’ll identify the man and the woman by their clothing, and I will take down the third man. We’ll need to act swiftly.” He slid his glance to Nexi. “You take the woman.”
Kyden chuckled, not surprised that Nexi’s eyes narrowed on Maddox.
She crossed her arms, looking like the mighty warrior as always. “Are you suggesting that I couldn’t handle a man?”
“I’m not suggesting anything.” A slight arch curved Maddox’s mouth. “But if it means I don’t have to hurt a female vampire, then I prefer it.”
She studied him, then unfolded her arms. “All right. You win this one. I got the vamp girl.”
The breeze swept across Kyden again, and he inhaled a long, slow breath, his muscles tightening. For now, he shoved away thoughts of protecting Nexi, knowing that he had to trust she could fight her battles. Yes, he’d seen her strength. Yes, he knew she could kick ass. Yes, he had trained her as a guardian to guarantee she could protect herself. And yes, he had to remind himself of that every damn night.
“We’re ready, then,” Thalia said, more a statement than a question.
Kyden took a quick look at Nexi, spotting her shifting her scabbard across her chest, readying herself. He nodded to Thalia. “Go.”
Maddox whisked the door open. Kyden followed behind Thalia, with Nexi hot on his heels. The rich scent of nature in the room overwhelmed Kyden, as the ground was covered in plush grass. He scanned the area swiftly, noting that the structure was made up of red steel beams, with closed windows starting midway up.
The thousands of vampires looking in their direction weren’t nearly as favorable a sight. Kyden heard the hitch in Nexi’s breath, sensing her stiffen next to him. It took all his strength not to look at her, but with threats in this room, he stayed focused and ready.
Maddox called, “Man. Blond. Tan shirt. Black leather jacket. Woman. Brunette. Red lace top with big breasts.”
Kyden might’ve chuckled, since he heard Nexi snort that the woman’s breast size wasn’t a needed detail, but his gaze locked on the male vampire Maddox had identified. Without a second to lose, Kyden lurched forward, noticing Nexi do the same out of the corner of his eye.
Pushing through the crowd, the vampires gasped around him, moving aside. One vampire reached for him, but Kyden spun out of his grip and kicked out, dropping the vampire to the ground.
“Leave them,” Thalia shouted.
Showing the extent of Thalia’s power over her vampires, they instantly parted, allowing Kyden through the crowd. Even without Maddox pointing out the vampire responsible, Kyden would’ve picked him out easily. Guilt shone heavy in his dark eyes, as it always did when a vampire knew how truly fucked he was. The vamp’s lip drew up in a snarl, fangs exposed.
Behind him, a loud smack followed by a thump indicated that either Maddox or Nexi had their vampire on the ground. A few groans mixed with grunts told him that someone wasn’t going down without a fight. But Kyden understood the confusion within the vampires and why no one ran at first—they had no idea Thalia knew of their betrayal.
The element of surprise would always be the best method to hunt vampires.
Kyden gritted his teeth, hoping that the feminine groan rushing through the atrium didn’t come from Nexi. His sword banged against his back and his fingers itched to grab his blade to end this vamp’s life. The reason he fought that desire was because they needed the vamp’s head attached, so he could talk.
Only a hairsbreadth away from the snarling vampire, Kyden pounced, meeting the vamp halfway. He knocked the vampire with a punishing right hook. The vamp reciprocated by latching on to Kyden’s arm and tossing him a foot away. A low growl roared from Kyden’s chest as he glared at the vamp and then rushed him. When they collided, the vampire delivered a round of solid punches, but Kyden blocked each, countering with all his strength to disable the vampire. Perhaps Kyden had wanted this fight more than he thought, since the sight of Trefan dead on the ground flooded his mind. He fought not only to rid himself of tension but for Trefan and for Radek.
A hard blow to the vamp’s jaw sent him airborne, his arms and legs flailing wildly. When the vampire hit the ground, he sprang with the intent to run, not that Kyden would allow it. Heat rushed through his veins as Kyden planted his stance wide and reached for his sword.
Though Kyden couldn’t match the vamp’s pace, he had an advantage. The vampire’s speed had been hindered as he ran for the exit, due to his injuries from the fight. Kyden didn’t pause—he threw his sword. The magic in the blade always won out. The sword whooshed through the air and hit the vampire in the back of his thigh, exactly where Kyden intended.
The vampire roared, falling to the ground face-first.
With purposeful steps Kyden strode through the parted crowd, each vampire avoiding his gaze. He reached his opponent, grabbing his sword out of the vampire’s leg, the vamp’s screams echoing through the atrium. Kyden tucked his boot under the vamp’s side and flipped him over, digging the tip of his sword into his neck. “Move and you’re dead—it’s that simple.”
The dark-haired vampire stayed still.
Kyden glanced over his shoulder to discover Nexi in a similar position, with her sword resting against the female vamp’s neck. While Nexi had some blood on the side of her lip, she was calm and in control. Clearly, she’d gotten her point across, too. A harsh breath escaped Kyden’s mouth, the tension easing from his chest.
She’s safe.
“Bring them to me.” Thalia stood on a marble-slab stage, elevated by dark stone pillars.
Leaving a bloody trail in his wake from the vamp’s wound, Kyden dragged the vampire along as he spewed a string of colorful curses. The crowd all bowed their heads, careful not to do something that would land them in the same heap of trouble. Not much of a surprise to Kyden, at this point, they didn’t have a clue what had happened.
On the stage, Nexi tossed her vampire in front of Thalia, and Kyden mirrored her move, as did Maddox. All three vamps kneeled, bowing their heads in a show of respect to their queen. Kyden pursed his lips, as it was nothing less than a blatant farce. If they’d been loyal to Thalia, they wouldn’t be in this situation.
“Attempt to run”—Thalia glanced out to the crowd—“and all of you are to stop them.”
Most in attendance were not looking at Thalia, but they nodded in response. While Maddox, next to her, was nearly as impressive, with his tall stature and hard expression, the Mistress Vampire reeked of power. To Kyden, it was palpable, making the room seem to lack oxygen. He couldn’t imagine how that would feel to a vampire.
Kyden sheathed his sword and settled in beside Nexi, brushing up against her arm. She leaned into him with a small smile, giving him a wink. She knew how proud he was of her—that’s how they were, so in tune with each other’s thoughts and feelings—and as he considered this she relaxed into his touch.
“What has happened, my Mistress?” one of the vampires called from the crowd.
“Trouble has been brought into our home,” Thalia replied in a soft voice that did not match the darkness in her eyes. She moved in front of the female vampire and tucked a finger under the vamp’s chin.
The brunette focused on Thalia’s chin, never directly looking at her Mistress’s eyes. Thalia slid a finger over the fema
le vampire’s face as if her nail was a knife cutting her skin. “The fledglings of these three vampires are responsible for killing a guardian.”
“Two guardians,” Kyden corrected.
Thalia stiffened. “I stand corrected, two guardians now.”
The entire crowd gasped in unison.
Thalia dragged her finger ever so gently over the vampire’s cheek. “Yes, very troublesome.” She took a step backward, regarding each of the vampires at her feet. “Look at me.” As if her words had power, the vamps lifted their heads with eyes so fearful they shouldn’t belong to night creatures. “Your fledglings have betrayed me and you have done the same by not coming forward to tell me. Why?”
The vampires exchanged a look before they glanced to Thalia and remained silent. In vampire speed, Thalia slapped the woman across the face. The piercing sound it made echoed in the atrium. In the same calm voice, Thalia added, “Tell me.”
The female vamp remained tight-lipped.
Thalia smiled and slid her hands over the vamp’s face so gently, so lovingly. She looked away for a moment before taking the vamp into a sweet kiss. Then in a speed Kyden’s eyes couldn’t register, they heard a grotesque pop, and the vamp’s body fell to the ground, her head remaining in Thalia’s hands.
Nexi tensed beside Kyden, and he gave her a quick study; her eyes were huge. Another reason why Kyden didn’t want Nexi to be involved in this vampire society—it was not a place for most; it was a very brutal culture. There were no gray shades in this world, it was black or white, and betrayals led to deaths. Something that he was sure Nexi’s human heart would not understand.
She had never seen a Mistress in action, and a centuries-old vampire had unfathomable power. He assumed Nexi had no idea how powerful they were and how easily they could kill.
Only once in the Otherworld’s history had they fought a Mistress Vampire, and the witches were given the task to kill her. A guardian could fight against old and powerful vampires, but why chance it when they killed with a simple touch and hardly any effort? Witches held the power to stop Mistress Vampires in their tracks, which was likely the reason the Mistress Vampires stuck to the treaty. Though Kyden had known from his relationship with Thalia that she was a vampire who believed in the pact, treating humans who provided her with blood with the highest levels of respect. And that was not common practice.
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