“The master wanted you protected while you Dream Walked to him.” His smile broadened into a cheeky grin.
“So, did you join the club?” Marcus asked, not stopping his knife flipping at all.
“What club?” I asked as I pushed past, trying to ignore where this conversation was heading.
“You know, the mile...”
“Don't even go there, Marcus!” I cut in, piercing him with my best Nosferatin glare.
“Ah, come on, Luce!” Matthias, coming to his partner's aid. “You can't blame us, we've been standing here for well over an hour now and the tone of Michel's voice in our head, well... you know, it wasn't hard to put one and one together.”
“And come up with mile high club,” Marcus finished for him, Matthias still grinning in the background.
“Michel's voice has a tone when in your head?” I said, purposely ignoring Marcus's words.
“Well yeah, but this tone is only when he's talking about you and otherwise distracted by you,” Matthias offered.
“And you recognise this how?” I asked, stopping in my tracks towards the bar and having both vampires come to an abrupt halt behind me.
“You don't wanna know,” Matthias said, looking away and turning a slight shade of pink.
I stood there for a moment and took that all in. Michel had a tone when communicating telepathically with his line, one they recognised as being because of me distracting him. No, I decided. I really didn't want to know how they knew that. I shook my head and pushed through the door to the club, scanning for Jett.
Jett is Michel's second in command and although he wasn't turned by Michel, but joined the Durand line via blood bond when his previous master was killed in a fight helping us, he is still the most trusted of Michel's servants. I wondered if he had been subject to Michel's recent trust issues and I also wondered how he had handled it. Michel would no doubt deal with a few of the concerns regarding his absence on his return, but there was no time like the present in making a statement and letting those of his line, who might be considering a coup, know they were now shit out of luck. Michel's kindred was back.
I spotted his big bulk over in the corner finishing up a meeting with a minor vamp of the line, I made a beeline for him, ignoring the obvious glances from the rest of the line scattered throughout the club. I hadn't been seen here for a while, last night was my first visit to the premises in over two weeks. I knew they were curious, but I kept getting a feeling they were looking at something else. It wasn't until I slipped into the seat opposite Jett, uninvited, that I realised what all the fuss was about.
Jett's black eyes focused on my neck, a grin creasing his handsome face, making the slightly crooked nose not as noticeable. He cocked his head and his mass of black curly hair fell over one broad shoulder. The eyes, however, never left Michel's newest mark. I resisted the urge to run my fingers over it, but it was hard. Now he'd spotted them and called my attention back to the two minute fang scars that represented Michel's unique signature, I felt them tingle and buzz beneath my skin, calling to me, whispering to me, teasing me. I shifted in my chair to suppress the feelings and he just chuckled.
“Good to see you, Lucinda,” he offered, pulling his eyes away from his master's latest conquest and piercing me with his gaze.
Jett is a level two Sanguis Vitam Master and although I felt quite comfortable and safe in his presence, his Sanguis Vitam was now very much alive. The Sigillum on my neck had a direct effect on Michel's vampires. Jett wasn't the only one, I could feel the power level in the room escalating as more and more vampires were apprised of their master's latest possessive mark. If only they knew where Michel was wearing mine.
I shrugged in response, not only to his comment, but to the obviously unsaid acknowledgement of Michel's mark. Never show fear. Never give an inch. Always stay on guard. A Bacardi and Coke appeared in front of me and I picked it up to take a fortifying sip, never losing eye contact with Jett. He could glaze me if he wanted, he's strong enough to maybe get away with it, but I could also glaze him too, and he knew it. It was a pissing contest we seemed to have, who'd look away first. I had a hell of a lot of ground to make up with my recent absence, there was no way I was giving in before him.
“So, how stable is the line?” No need to beat around the bush, he'd known the instant I sat down opposite him what I was here about. He's not a fool.
He took a slow sip of his own drink, something dark and sparkly, keeping eye contact and said, “There have been some rumblings, but I have dealt with them. For now, the line is stable.”
“But not for much longer,” I surmised.
“No. How is Michel?”
“Strong enough to kick anyone's ass who thinks they have a chance,” I replied with as much conviction as I could muster. “And if they want to jump the gun before he gets back,” - I slipped my hand in my jacket and pulled out my stake, slamming it down in the table, making it stand on end, tip a few centimetres into wood, silver glinting around the room - “they'll have to get through me.”
I felt the buzz go through the room, then Jett looked over my shoulder and nodded to someone, probably giving them the signal to go glaze the Norms. I knew what I was doing was bold, but it needed to be.
“Good,” he said simply, glancing down at the stake and then returning his eyes to mine. “How long will he be gone?”
I hadn't expected that. I had at least thought Michel would have confided in Jett his itinerary. This was a little worse than I had feared. Michel, you idiot, what the fuck? I couldn't mentally ask him if he trusted Jett, that would just cause no end of problems, Michel may be on his way back, but he still required handling with kid gloves. I'd just have to make a judgement call of my own.
“Could be as short as three days, maybe as long as a week. It depends how long business with the Iunctio takes.” I let that sink in, registering the flash of concern in Jett's eyes, then powered on, leaning forward slightly to make my point. “If the Iunctio is using this as an opportunity to weaken us, separating Michel from me, then we need to be prepared.”
He nodded. “I'll increase your guard and also bring in more of the line to the city. I'll send my best coverts over to Paris to watch from afar. If Michel needs them, they'll at least be within helping distance.”
I nodded in return, I'd expected the increase in guards, I didn't want it, but I'd come a long way from those days where I could pretend I was unbeatable, invincible. These were the big guns, they knew what they were doing and they outnumbered and could out manoeuvre me in an instant. I was no longer naïve.
Now to send the message home.
“If someone were to plan a move on Michel's leadership, taking advantage of the Iunctio's distraction, now would be the ideal time to accomplish it. I want you to make it clear to the line that that would be extremely unwise. I am the Sanguis Vitam Cupitor, the Prohibitum Bibere and the Lux Lucis Tribuo.” I let my Light begin to accumulate around me, casting an eerie glow about the table and booth we were sitting in, I could feel Michel's vamps frantically glazing, working hard to keep this supernatural occurrence from the Norm's eyes, but I could also feel the underlying fear. “And if they need further reminding I have already taken on the Champion's Challenger, the Tempest and destroyed the Pandora as well. I have it in me to annihilate every one of the vampires in this city and so help me, if one of them tries a move on my kindred I will gladly show them how.”
Jett held my gaze for a moment longer, showing no fear, just an intent appraisal, then finally gave one short nod.
“Consider it done.”
Well, that was fun. Not. But, it had to be said, Michel had placed himself in a dangerous position, he had told me exactly how precarious he was on the plane. We did manage to have a decent conversation after joining the mile high club and he knew what my intention had been on returning to the bar. I sent him a silent thought to advise it had been done and sat back in the booth waiting for the hammer blow.
Jett stiffened a second la
ter and then a small smile tipped the edges of his mouth.
“The master has reminded us how precious you are to him and commanded us to protect you against harm at all cost.” I knew Michel would be doing that, sending a resounding signal home that he backed me and he expected his line to as well. It was probably the first command in a while and a powerful one. It not only told them he was back, but he was back with a powerful sidekick. Me.
I may have been a little slow in answering the challenge, but when I did finally make it, I sure as hell did it with style. I pulled my stake out of the table top and replaced it in my jacket, a signal that my job here was done. I was suddenly feeling bloody tired. I looked back over at Jett, trying to decide if he could be trusted. This latest mess would have provided him an ideal opportunity to take command. He had respect from the line, he practically ran it when Michel was unable to, like now, he would have been the obvious choice as next Master of the City. And although only a level two Sanguis Vitam Master, his power was begging for that next rise and I knew without a doubt he was capable of taking that next step. So, why not?
Jett must have been able to read my mind from what emotions were playing over my face. I was tired, it had been a hard three weeks and an even harder 24 hours, I was getting a bit slack at keeping a neutral mask on my face. I wanted my bed and I wanted it now.
“Luce,” he said, voice whisper quiet, so only I would hear. “Michel has my undying loyalty and allegiance. I swear this to you.”
“Why?” I asked, crossing my arms and letting him know I wasn't entirely convinced.
“I owe him.”
“Because he took you in when your previous master met the final death?” I just didn't see it.
“No. Because he let me kill her.”
It took me a split second to work out who he was talking about. Erika. She had been his girlfriend, possibly even his mate, I'm not sure, but in any case he had trusted her enough to sleep with her and she had attempted to have them all killed. Him included, not just Michel, his master. He felt guilty as well as hurt.
I didn't get a chance to say anything before he went on.
“He had her by the throat, he was ready to end it, but he trusted me enough to get the job done when I asked to be the one to kill her. He trusted me, even though she was mine.”
He didn't need to say anything else, I understood. And now, he was returning that trust when Michel needed it. I thought, maybe, I could just about trust Jett too. I nodded and slid out of the booth, stretching my muscles in my shoulders. I'd obviously been a little tense, a massage wouldn't have gone astray. Michel, get back here pronto bud, I need a back rub!
I am working on it, ma douce, came the sardonic reply in my head, making me jump slightly at the thought that he could read my mind from across the other side of the planet. Bloody hell, this connection was strong.
“Well, I'm off,” I said, going to turn back towards the garage door.
“I think Doug would like a word, mistress,” Jett replied, loud enough for others to hear. An intentional move to show me respect in front of the line.
I glanced over at the bartender, he nodded in acknowledgement and went on serving the customer in front of him. For Doug, I could spare a few minutes, I considered him a friend. I walked over and slid into a vacant stool at the bar, within seconds another Bacardi and Coke appeared in front of me and the smiling face of the world's fastest and quietest vampire barman. Doug's a vamp of little words. His hand went through his short goatie beard as he leaned against the counter top.
“Luce. Good to see you.” I believed him when he said it.
“What can I do for you, Doug?” I asked, giving him a genuine smile.
His eyes scanned Michel's newest mark on my neck briefly, but he didn't show any outward signs of excitement or otherwise at it, just flicked his gaze casually back to me.
“It's what you can do for me.” Oh this should be good. “I need someone I can trust to run the bar from opening at 5pm until about nine, when I come on board. We usually rely on humans, but I think right now we need to tighten security a bit.”
Understatement, but why me? He looked at me searching for a reaction, I was doing my best just to keep a simple smile on my face and nothing more.
“Heard you gave your day job away,” he said, picking up a glass and starting to clean it with a white cloth. “How about it?”
Well, this was a coincidence. Hadn't Amisi said I should work at Sensations? Somehow though, I couldn't imagine Michel would be impressed with his kindred being a bartender. So, of course I wanted to do it. And as far as hours went, it would work. No rogues would be feeding that early in the day, so the need to hunt locally would be minimal if non-existent and any Dream Walking hunts could be managed around those hours. Exactly what I needed, but...
“I've never worked behind a bar before, Doug. I count coins or stake the evil undead. It's not much of a resume, but it's all I got.”
He chuckled. “Just about perfect then, at least I know you'd provide the right change, the rest I can teach you.” He reached under the bar and tossed me a cocktail recipe book. “Learn this, be here at 4pm tomorrow and I'll teach you rest before opening. It's not rocket science, you'll get it in ten minutes flat. Wear black and keep your stakes on you at all times, oh and the pay will be better than good. Just call it danger money.” He winked and then simply turned away to serve an impatient customer.
I'd just been hired and I hadn't even said yes. Damn, you gotta love the over-confidence of vamps.
I shook my head with a rueful smile and slid off the stool. Marcus and Matthias slipped in beside me as I headed across the dance floor and out the back. In the garage two other vamps were waiting. Tall, bulky, dressed in commando fatigues and armed to the hilt. Both dark haired, dark skinned, both impressive on the Sanguis Vitam scale. I knew them by sight, but not name. Michel's line had got really big recently, it was hard to keep up. I stopped in front of them, some five feet away.
Matthias did the introductions. “This is Antonio and Ricardo. They'll be tailing you from a distance. You shouldn't see them, but you'd no doubt feel them, so we thought an intro would be best.”
I took in their Sanguis Vitam signature and let myself seek out their Dark, recording it all for future reference. I nodded to them both and they simply evaporated into the shadows. I couldn't even get a handle on their Sanguis Vitam anymore, they had just disappeared.
“Impressive,” I said with a little unbridled awe.
“Only the best for the master's kindred Nosferatin,” Marcus offered with a straight face.
I rolled my eyes at him and suppressed a yawn. Matthias saw it though.
“Want me to drive? Marcus can follow in the Rover.”
I wouldn't normally, but I was starting to get that beyond tired feeling and driving whilst like that was never a good thing. I chucked him the keys and went around the passenger side. I was asleep before we had even left the CBD.
I woke up to the phone beside my bed ringing and groaned as I realised I didn't remember making it home, let alone being put to bed by one of my guards and a quick glance at the clock beside me told me I'd been asleep practically all day. It was three in the afternoon. Shit! Just enough time to get dressed and to my new job.
I sat up straight and picked up the phone.
“Yep,” I said down the line.
“Yep? That's no way to answer the telephone, Lucinda, hasn't your mother taught you good manners?”
“Don't bring my mother into it Angel of Light,” I answered, settling back into the pillows and emphasising Amisi's new nick-name.
“Arghh! Don't you start. Half the bloody vampires in this city know all about that now. Anyway, that's not why I rang. Soooo, how'd it go? Has Michel been suitably reminded?”
Ah, and of course the real reason behind the phone call, she was checking up on me.
“You could say that,” I replied, hedging.
“Oh, you'll have to do better than that, give. W
hat happened and I want details.”
“Are you sure about that?” Amisi had always been the first to vacate the room when Michel started getting overly amorous.
“That good huh? I knew you'd reel him in, what with that dress he didn't stand a chance.”
“Well, let's just say he's been suitably punished. He now wears my Sigillum in the shape of my hand on his arse.”
Amisi choked back a sound, but in the background I heard the unmistakable deep manly chuckle of a certain Master of the City.
“Amisi! Is Gregor there with you?” Shit, now Gregor knew, I'd never live this down. Hell, Michel would probably never live this down, which would mean he would be extremely irate with me for letting this slip and there would be hell to pay when he found out. Great.
Amisi chortled and choked and then finally between great heaving sobs of laughter managed to stammer, “He was concerned for you, he wanted to know how it went. He's having an Apple Tea with me.”
Mm. Apple Tea. Yum. But, never give an inch. “Apple Tea huh? Is that what they call it now days?”
“Lucinda! I am not that kind of girl.”
Yeah, that's what has got Gregor so hooked. A challenge. “If you say so.”
“Oh really, you are incorrigible. So, getting back to Michel, it's all good? Really?” Her voice had softened at the end, she really did care.
I sighed. “Yeah, I think so.” I paused letting that sink in, I think more for me than her. “Hey! I got a job. Took your advice and I am now the bartender from five 'til nine at Sensations. Which reminds me,” I said looking at the clock. “Gotta run, the boss wants to show me the ropes before opening hours begins, I gotta dash.”
I was already standing up and heading for the bathroom.
“Great. We can compare notes.” Her voice lowered conspiratorially. “I'll give you a tip, if you really want to make an impression, work the top shelf liquors, steer clear of the beer taps, leave that to someone else. The tips are better down by the Scotch.”
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