by K. F. Breene
No. Not even Vlad, I don’t think. I wonder if she purposely revealed her hand to me. She has a grasp on politics and survival the likes of which I have never seen. Her experience is clear, and it’s just as clear she is jumping back into the thick of it. She has a plan, but I do not know what that is.
“So two types of circles calling demons?” I asked.
“A lot of different circles, actually,” Emery said, rejoining the conversation. “All power levels, which suggests several different mages, witches, humans—whoever—are doing the calling. Probably at the behest of Vlad. Other than the ancient circles, nothing really distinguishes them. A few of the demons have been called to distract shifters from changing parties, but most of them seem to be…” Emery glanced at me.
“Trying to goad me back into the world of the living?” I finished. “Trying to make me out myself to the demons?”
His nod was so slight that I wondered if he’d meant to nod at all. He knew this was a sticking point with Darius.
Sure enough, I felt a flash of anger through our bond.
Darius and Vlad had always maintained a respectful distance from each other when it came to their professional endeavors. As a courtesy, they did not step on each other’s toes. There were two reasons for that, one being that Vlad had made Darius. There was a connection there, even though vampires who had reached elder status no longer had to offer their maker a percentage of their income or any sort of fealty.
The second reason had to do with the type of vampires they were. Making it to elder status was no small feat. It required a cunning individual who could “play the game” through the ages and adapt with the times. It required a ruthless sort of mind backed by a great team. Vlad and Darius both had this, and they’d always known better than to go up against each other. Until now.
Apparently, I was motivation enough for Vlad to cross the line.
Well, more to the point, my father was motivation enough. Vlad wanted Lucifer’s favor. He wanted him in his corner when he tried to overthrow the elves.
He was absolutely stepping on Darius’s toes, and it had not gone unnoticed. The only thing was that I didn’t know what Darius planned to do about it. I had somehow given him back his humanity, and he was loath to actively go against his maker, a sentiment Vlad didn’t share regarding his child. Darius was between a proverbial rock and a hard place.
I planned to let him sort it out himself. Vampire politics were no fun. The little I knew gave me a headache.
“He has been trying to find where I’ve stashed you.” Darius calmly sipped his drink. “If not for the natural dual-mages’ magical concealment”—he nodded at Emery, giving his thanks—“he would’ve already found us.”
“That must really piss him off.” I pushed up with the intent to get more whiskey.
Darius was up in a flash and reaching for my cup. Emery flinched.
I laughed this time. “Still too slow, bro. So. Some of these demons are being called by Vlad and his minions, others are called by…this other being.” I bit my lip to keep from mentioning Ja’s name. “But you said there are probably human and mage summoners, too. Do you think Vlad and the other ones are controlling them all, or are there more people behind this?”
“It’s likely Vlad,” Emery said, “though we have limited proof. The types of demons are…mostly the same.” I caught his slight pause. “They are being called at inopportune times, though, and for that you need someone who can go out in the sun. Vlad has a lot of people on the payroll—getting someone to do his bidding wouldn’t be a problem. Though a few have been…stronger than the others.”
“How much stronger?” I asked.
“Quite a bit,” he replied. “And seemingly without the agenda of the others. Not inclined to cause mischief, but more to look around, we think.”
“Look around?” I asked.
Emery stared at Penny. Cahal shifted where he stood off to the side.
“Ah,” I said, really good at reading these people at this point. “Daddy is making house calls, only he doesn’t know which house to visit, so he’s sending his minions to search for clues.”
“We don’t know for sure,” Emery admitted. “We’ve had some powerful demons pop up from rudimentary circles. It’s as if they’ve pushed the intended demon out of the way and hitched a ride to the surface. Not even the ancient circles could call demons of this magnitude. Not on purpose. We have no proof, but while the powerful ones have popped up everywhere, there are higher concentrations in Seattle, New Orleans…your old neighborhood…”
I accepted my refilled cup from Darius. “You mean my current neighborhood, with the house that I very much still own and live in? I will go back there.”
“You will have no need of such a—”
I held up a finger for Darius. “Don’t start.”
“If you emerge—”
I swung my hand to stop Cahal. “You either. It is my home, I love it, and I will go back there. End of story.”
Silence fell over us.
Until Penny got out of the pool. “What’d I miss?”
“Nothing.” I waved her away. “Vlad being a pest, demons hitching rides—the usual.”
“Oh yeah.” Penny grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. Emery jumped up and offered her his chair, circling around the pool to pull another one over. She gave him a dopey smile usually reserved for lovesick lambs before sinking into it, her hair in a wet and twisted ponytail. “The latest ones coming up are hard to kill. Emery and I helped take out some of the ones in Seattle. It’s pretty strange. If the shifters don’t have some of their more powerful pack members on the case, or help from another powerful magical creature, like mages or fae, then those suckers just have a look around, mind their business, and bugger off. They act differently than the ones summoned by Vlad’s people and whoever’s responsible for the ancient circles—which is probably Ja, because that vampire seems to have a thing for me. I cannot shake her.”
Darius stiffened. Clearly that was information he hadn’t been given. Emery’s grimace said he would’ve liked to keep it under wraps, probably to use as currency with Darius, but Penny had a habit of messing up everyone’s plans. I liked her more for it.
“They aren’t in the area to fight,” Penny said. “Seems like they’re playing detective or something.”
“Again, we have no proof,” Emery said.
I laughed. “Give it up, Emery. She’s giving away all your secrets. Penny picks up on magical intent, and she can tell those demons are not after violence, like the others. They’re looking for me.”
“But not finding you,” Darius said.
“They won’t find you here unless they capture Emery and me and torture the information out of us.” Penny looked around.
Darius instantly rose. “Forgive me. What would you like to drink?”
“Oh. Just a—”
“Shot of tequila,” I said quickly.
Her dark look made me grin. I hated that she couldn’t stay all the time. She really was a great distraction.
“Sparkling water,” she said to Darius.
“She means Mexican sparkling water. In other words, a shot of tequila. With a worm,” I added.
She leveled a finger at me, but it wasn’t her middle one, sadly. She probably wanted it to be, though. “Number one, that’s not even accurate, and number two, I am not going to get drunk this time, so don’t even try.”
She most definitely was going to get drunk. I loved drunk Penny, mostly because of how worried Emery got that she’d tango with me and do something crazy. The unpredictability was a hoot.
But seriously, what I wouldn’t give for a shifter bar. Drunk Penny and a bunch of meathead shifters trying to throw their weight around, only to end up running for their lives from yours truly. That could cure anyone’s boredom.
“I doubt a demon could capture either of you,” Darius said, and delivered a sparkling water, the traitor, before sitting down again.
“Even if t
hey did, they couldn’t crack me.” Ferocity rang in Emery’s voice.
“Sorry, Reagan, but they might crack me.” Penny’s large blue eyes looked at me sorrowfully. “I’m not as tough as Emery.”
I waved her away. “I wouldn’t expect you to try. If someone grabbed you, including Lucifer, I’d show up myself and rip you free. Don’t worry about it.”
“The time will come when you will tire of hiding—”
“Nope.” I held up a finger to Cahal. “Still on a timeout with all of that. Not now, bub. We’re having a nice time, just now, trying to talk Penny into drinking too much and doing something crazy.”
She shook her head adamantly and clutched her water with both hands.
“If you will excuse me.” Darius rose gracefully, and I watched the play of muscle under his black button-down shirt, his pecs popping and his shoulders straining the fabric. “I will put something on for dinner.”
I smiled devilishly at Emery. “Just watch. He’ll put on something that Penny absolutely loves so that she’ll forget to keep the rest of your secrets.”
Three
“Sorry,” Penny said to Emery. They sat on a love seat in the grand ballroom, next to a little table holding their drinks. Darius spun Reagan around the dance floor, their fluidity and grace effortless, their moves incredible. Reagan’s hips sashayed like they had a mind of their own, and Darius’s shoulders shifted and flexed as he led her in a series of intricate steps. Both were dressed to the nines, Reagan in a low-cut, sparkly dress that accentuated her curves and showed off her muscular legs and butt, and Darius in a pristine, tailored tux showing off his stellar physique. Reagan had even ditched her army boots for small, dainty heels she turned up with various dance steps. They were both knockouts in their own right, and it was hard to tear one’s eyes away from them when they were together, especially with their mastery on the dance floor.
“I cannot believe Reagan learned to dance like this in a couple of months. Like…that’s crazy,” Penny murmured.
“I can’t believe Darius got her to dress up. I almost don’t recognize her,” Emery responded. “Actually, if I didn’t know it was definitely her, I don’t think I would recognize her. She had help with the dancing, though.”
“I know, but even with Darius teaching me, I wouldn’t be able to pick it up that fast. Not even remotely.”
“I mean, she has that perfect recall.” He glanced at Penny. “She’s always been athletic, too. That probably helped.”
She smiled up at him. “Does it almost make you want to bond a vampire?”
“No.”
She laughed and slipped her hand onto his thigh, hoping he didn’t immediately fling it off. It wasn’t like him to do something like that, but still, she deserved it. Darius had made this incredible coq au vin paired perfectly with some sort of red wine she still needed to get the name of—she’d barely been able to think with how delicious it had been. On her best day, she’d never cooked a meal like that.
Then, the wine flowing freely, the delicious flavors exploding in Penny’s mouth, Darius had started peppering innocuous little questions into the conversation. His interest always seemed polite and not obtrusive, but Emery’s hand would suddenly tighten on her knee, and she’d have to rein herself in from spilling mage business. Or her personal business. Or whatever else Emery didn’t think vampires should stick their noses into. She knew Emery always worried that Darius would find a way to strengthen his hold over them, and considering Reagan agreed with him, and had given her that look over dinner, she’d obviously spoken too freely.
“I’m really sorry, Emery,” she said again, softer this time.
He glanced down at her before slinging his big arm around her shoulders and pulling her close. “Were you apologizing to me for something specific a moment ago?” He chuckled and kissed her head. “I thought that was random.”
It was true: she did just randomly apologize for things these days. But honestly, there were so many people around all the time lately, what with the endless training and meetings required to organize and structure the new Mages’ Guild, that it seemed she was always running into someone. So when she bumped into someone—or even a wall or chair at this point—she apologized out of reflex. It was easier than paying attention.
“Why are you apologizing?” he asked. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”
“About dinner. I didn’t realize he was plying me for information, or I would’ve zipped my lips and just refused to talk to him. Sorry if I gave away your plans or anything.”
He shook his head and squeezed her again, looking up as the music changed to a tango. Darius effortlessly altered his bearing, waiting a beat for Reagan to catch on, and then they were strutting, Darius’s legs reaching between hers, and then he was turning, dipping her, his upper body following, their mouths inches apart, their passion swelling to fill the room.
“This feels like a private moment,” Emery murmured, but he didn’t look away.
Emery was right, it did feel like a private moment, and yet, just like him, she could not tear her eyes away. Even as the couple straightened up, Reagan’s legs all but wrapped around Darius’s, their middles pressed close, their gazes eating each other up, Penny found that her eyes were stuck. They were so beautiful, the way they moved together, strong and powerful and sure, perfectly synced even though one was a master and the other a pupil.
“I want to learn how to ballroom dance,” she murmured.
“Yeah. Good call,” Emery replied.
She laughed and snuggled closer. “It might take us a little longer to look that good, though.”
“The fun is in the journey. But seriously, you didn’t give away anything important. Actually, you probably helped us out. I need more information about Ja’s interest in you, and I didn’t want to have to trade information for it. Vlad is basically stalking Charity and her dad because he wants the warrior fae on his side. I assume Ja wants you for the same reasons, but you and I are tied together. You can’t do anything huge without me helping, and the same goes for me in relation to you. So why is she so focused on you while completely ignoring me? There is a game afoot, but damned if I can figure it out. Hopefully Darius will have some ideas.”
“Yeah, she creeps me out. The daily flowers wouldn’t even be nice from you. It’s too much. Stop killing things and then trying to decorate my table with the corpses, you know what I mean?”
His body shook as he chuckled. It was one of those times when he didn’t seem to realize she was being serious. Thankfully, he knew what kinds of gifts she preferred—flowers that could be planted and power stones that seemed like they were living. Those things were much better than cut flowers, in her opinion.
“But Reagan didn’t seem to think Darius should have that information,” Penny said as Reagan and Darius strutted closer, the push and pull of the tango one of Penny’s favorite types of ballroom dancing.
“She would’ve told you to shut it if you were saying something that would negatively affect you, though I’m not totally sure if that rule applies to me.” He paused. “Based on the way he was talking to you, it hasn’t occurred to him that I know you can’t keep secrets, and we wouldn’t have come here if there was something urgent that you couldn’t share. Given his usual insightfulness, I’m guessing he’s incredibly distracted. He basically just clued me in to his anxieties and vulnerabilities. That is valuable info regarding an elder vampire. I can use that to my advantage if I need to.”
“But you won’t.”
“Unless he makes a play to trap you in some way, no. I just like assurances.” His voice softened. “I told you I’d keep you out of vampire hands, Turdswallop. I mean to keep that promise, by any means necessary.”
She fought a smile at the nickname, because even though it was ridiculous and embarrassing, it reminded her of when they’d first met. Of when they first fell in love.
“You’ve gotten really good at politics,” she said. “You’re almost as good as Darius.
”
“Survival is a strong motivator.” He squeezed her again, pensive for a moment. “I think Darius is beside himself freaked out about Reagan. My guess is a lot more work is going into hiding her than we see here. He’s wound pretty tightly. This isn’t just a play for an asset… He actually loves her.”
“You knew that.”
He wobbled his hand. “I heard that, but all this time, I mostly thought he was playing a good game. He’s an elder—that’s their whole life, playing a good game to get what they want. But after seeing all this”—he waved at the dancers—“and our talk at dinner, and…” He shrugged. “Hard not to be a believer. Somehow, Reagan made that vampire more of a man than a beast. It should not be possible.”
“Just because people have always said it isn’t? By that logic, a mage, a natural mage, shouldn’t do magic like a witch.”
He looked down on her, the soft light of the ballroom infusing his beautiful blue eyes and softening his ruggedly handsome face. “Touché.”
“What we should be thinking of is how can we get the other vampires to become real boys. And girls.”
His eyes turned shrewd and drifted back up to Darius as he twirled Reagan, a classical song coming over the built-in speakers and prompting them to change things up. “Hmm.”
“You’re going to try to figure that out and leverage it over the vampires, aren’t you?” Penny said.
“No. We are going to figure it out and leverage it. Remember what I said? Anything huge requires both of us. If we can figure this out, it’s big enough that I might be able to wiggle out of my affiliation with Darius so we can completely stand on our own.”
Penny just shrugged. She wasn’t worried about where she stood with Darius. Not with Reagan in the mix, at any rate. Reagan might enjoy shoving Penny into danger, but she had never thrust her into something she couldn’t handle, not without stepping in if things went pear-shaped. Reagan would never allow Darius to corner Penny, or trap her, or hurt her.