by Viola Grace
He extended his hand, and she took it. The power that he exuded was palpable; it went along with the easy attitude of control.
She brushed off the comment and smiled. “These are my... companions. Lima and Coren.”
Zora nodded; a gust of wind whipped her hair around Regick. Surprisingly, he smiled.
Leo blanked her face. “Please, lead the way.”
She wasn’t going to involve herself in their lives, as curious as she was about their relationship. She had never met a dragon shifter before. The final briefing that she had gotten in the yard before she left had told her one thing—mind her own business. Some species didn’t enjoy questions.
She followed her hosts, and her guards followed her. They were basically with her to make sure that she ate regularly and was not molested in a permanent fashion. Apparently, temporary molestation was fine.
They headed down to a living level—a penthouse that was completely astonishing in the views that it afforded of the skyline.
A gargoyle was waiting next to a stack of documents at a wide table, and when she sat down with the dragon, his wife and the gargoyle, she found out what they were willing to pay for the freedom of Octavia.
When she had all of the information, she finished the cup of tea and checked the clock. It was only ten in the evening. She was probably going to faint when the connection to Matthias kicked in and that was going to hurt her position as his representative.
She had two hours to complete this entire process, or at least to introduce herself and start the negotiations.
She tapped the lily and smiled at the scent that shivered out of the flower.
Zora looked from Leo to the gargoyle. “Are you ready?”
Leo nodded. “I am ready. We can leave whenever Leah is ready.”
The gargoyle nodded and smiled. “I am ready. Let’s bring Octavia home.”
Leo got to her feet, picked up her plant and followed the gargoyle out of the building and into an SUV limo. Lima and Coren were with her all the way.
She hadn’t anticipated being kept waiting. The clock ticked by, and it was eleven by the time she was able to introduce herself to the vampire king.
“Greetings, your majesty, from Matthias of Redbird City. I have brought you a gift from Matthias.” She nodded her head and then met his crimson gaze.
Olvadi leaned forward and laughed. “He sends me a flower? I thought that you were the gift.”
She inclined her head. “I have in my hands a lily watered with Matthias’s own blood.”
The laughter died. “You are serious?”
“Delivered to me the moment before I left.”
Olvadi nodded to one of his attendants, and the skittish vampire nearly dropped the lily as she carried it over to her king.
The king took it with reverence, inhaling the fragrance. “It is a princely gift. I will have to offer him something of equal value.”
“I believe you are aware of the reason that I am here.”
He sighed and made a gesture.
A pale, thin vampire called out, “Court is closed.”
Olvadi heaved himself to his feet, and he towered over her. He reached out and touched Leo’s cheek. “Matthias has surprised me.”
“Apparently, he does that a lot.”
He turned and left the room. She followed him with her entourage trailing after. Leah, Coren and Lima stayed close. They walked up some long, low stairs, down some hallways and into a boardroom.
The woman with the shaking hands was at his side, flinching whenever he moved. He sprawled lazily in his chair—the literal king of all he surveyed.
Leah faced him across the table, seated with her wings folded behind her, and Leonora stood next to the table, between them as arbitrator.
“We are here to obtain the possession of the vampire Octavia.”
Olvadi reached out and pulled Octavia against his side. “I do not think so. She has been mine for centuries, and I will not release her any time soon.”
Leonora watched as Octavia’s emotional stability cracked, just for an instant.
This was why she was here. “Your majesty, as you are aware, if a fair offer is made for one of your retainers, you must at least listen to it.”
He looked at her and gave her a slow leer from head to toe. In a moment, he was out of his chair and had grabbed her to pin her against the wall. He slid his hand up her inner thigh. “What will Matthias give me to consider it?”
When his rough fingers caressed the marks that Matthias had left on her, she felt a surge of heat that filled her from her core outward. She grabbed Olvadi’s throat and squeezed. The sensation must have startled him, because he dropped his hand and stepped back.
“I am here to ensure that you listen to the offer, Olvadi. I gave you all the respect due you as king of this city, but you will not lay hands on the apprentice of Matthias again.”
Olvadi’s eyes widened as she backed him up to his chair.
“Resume negotiations and resign yourself that Octavia will be leaving your service.”
He scowled. “I do not wish to part with her.”
“You assaulted a representative of Matthias. Be happy that this is all he demands.” Leo stood silently and watched as the threat she had issued was obeyed. Cool.
Her body was humming with energy, and her mind was calm. A green wash had come over her senses, and she could see the seething red of Olvadi, the cool pearl colour of Leah and the rioting hot pink of Octavia.
Lima and Coren were a shade of pale green, one swirling with grey and one with blue.
She glanced down at herself, and she was bright emerald green, swirling with a soft violet. Huh. Neat.
The connection between her and Matthias hadn’t been too bad after all. It had come a little early. She was going to have to look into that.
She remained on her feet for hours. Checking the two negotiators when they slipped up and got personal was a little strange, but it wasn’t the first time she had seen a negotiation. It was, however, the first time that she had seen a negotiation for a living being.
The territories and buildings that were being offered were impressive, but Olvadi pressed for more. Octavia was being offered for far more than market value.
She was hungry, tired, and she had had enough. Leo slammed her hand down on the table. “Enough.”
It amused her that even Olvadi jumped.
Leo turned. “Olvadi, you are a king, the ruler of a city that has laws guarding the rights of nightsiders and daysiders?”
“Correct.”
“And yet, you reserve the right to torture one of your own people for no crime or offense committed. How is it that you are above your own laws?”
“I am the king.”
She cocked her head. “So, by that logic, I could take your head off and rule over your people simply because I can?”
“It would mean war.” He jutted his chin out, but she could see indecision flickering in his eyes.
Leo tsked. “Not really. A city under my rule would be a fair and just place with the offenders punished.”
“You could not.”
Leo pointed at Olvadi, and he lifted from his chair to be pinned on the ceiling. She felt him scrabbling at her mind, and she smiled as he ran up against the wall of her calm.
“You will agree to the sale price of the two nightclubs, the ninety acres of land outside the city and the tailor shops.”
He thrashed, but she held him to the ceiling. “Agreed.”
“None of those here will speak of the means by which the negotiations concluded.” She lowered him back into his seat.
He cocked his head. “What do you mean I was torturing her?”
“She prefers women. Your attentions were unwanted and unwelcome. That is a type of torture that you should be aware of.”
He blinked. “What do you mean?”
“I have read your dossier. Matthias provided me with all
the information I would need to understand your motivations. You have had a rough existence, but it is up to you to wish more for your followers and offspring.”
He looked confused. “Fine. Take her.”
Octavia looked shocked and stepped forward, but Leo held up her hand. “Not quite yet. Leah, draw it up.”
The signing of the sale was the first part.
“Olvadi, as you have signed, you must now free her.”
He muttered, “I free you.”
Octavia smiled faintly. “Thank you.”
Leo stopped Leah and Octavia from leaving. “Not quite yet. Olvadi, give Octavia your blood.”
He jolted. “How do you know that?”
She sighed. “I am Matthias’s apprentice. Just do it and complete freeing her.”
Octavia looked uncertain, but when Olvadi bit his finger and extended his hand to her, she bowed over his hand and licked the dark-crimson drop.
An electrified expression took Octavia over, and she fainted.
Olvadi scowled. “I trust you will come for a visit before you leave tomorrow.”
“Of course. Now that business is concluded, the social aspect of my visit can commence.” She smiled and inclined her head.
“Excellent. I am throwing a party in your honour, and I hope your wardrobe is up to it.” He smiled tightly.
She nodded to Leah and turned to Lima. “Please carry Octavia. She is going to need some care before she settles into the peculiar situation she is now in.”
The dwarf lifted the unconscious vampire in her arms and carried her out through the halls. Leah followed, Leonora was behind her and Coren protected her back.
Their party was through the door and on the way to Regick’s home in ten minutes. It was the longest walk of her life.
Fifty hungry vampires trying to stare through her skin was enough to unnerve anyone, but she kept her aspect calm and cold. It took all her powers of concentration, but she made it to the vehicle. There would be time to break down later.
Chapter Eleven
Leo went straight to the quarters put aside for her, and she went to bed. She was going to need all of her strength for the evening ahead.
Octavia was still unconscious and going to remain so for a day or two. That was what Matthias’s text had told Leo when she had asked him in the vehicle.
He had also told her not to worry about what Olvadi had in store. No harm would come to her.
His words had done wonders to soothe her.
She crawled into the king-sized bed, and she went to sleep. It wasn’t even weird to sleep as dawn struck. She was getting used to it.
* * * *
Zora had to know. “How did she get him to agree?”
Leah opened her mouth, but nothing came out. “I don’t think I can say.”
“Were you sworn to secrecy?”
“No. I just don’t think I can say. The words won’t come out. I can say that she didn’t do anything untoward. The agreement was come to using law and tradition.” Leah exhaled in relief.
Zora chuckled. “Well, as long as that is what happened and Octavia remains free, I am good with it.”
“Leonora’s vampire said that Octavia would sleep for a few days. She will come to and have her freedom.”
Regick wrapped his arms around Zora. She leaned back against him. “Can we trust Matthias?”
He kissed her temple. “We can. If he says she is free, she is free. Where did Leonora go?”
Leah smiled. “She was tired. She is resting. She still has to attend Olvadi’s official welcome ceremony. She muttered something about needing her strength.”
Zora felt queasy. “She has to go back there?”
“She does. She said that was the scariest part of the whole visit.” Leah shrugged.
Zora understood. Olvadi’s taste in parties tended to be on the bacchanalia side of things. From what she had witnessed, it was not really Leonora’s scene.
* * * *
Leo got up, grabbed a shower and pinned her hair up in a loose bun. She slipped a robe on and went in search of food.
Lima and Coren were sitting in the dining room. Coren’s wings were open and sticking out on either side of the chair back. They had a shining metallic edge and looked a little deadlier than something so transparent and delicate should.
“Good... morning?” Leo winced.
Lima grinned and got to her feet. “Good morning. You just caught it. Five minutes from now it would have been good afternoon.”
Leo headed for the kitchen, but Lima held her hand up. “Sit. You haven’t eaten in quite a while. I will bring something in for you.”
Leo snorted and raised her brows. “Does it involve coffee?”
“Of course.”
“Excellent. I only get tea at the manor house. It is driving me nuts.”
Lima laughed, and Leo turned to join Coren at the table.
Coren was reading a tablet and flicking through yesterday’s news. Leo caught a glimpse of the pictures and stared at the images of herself.
“What does that say?”
Coren grinned. “Basically, the moment we left, Matthias held a press conference that announced you as his new assistant and representative, acting ambassador of Redbird City.”
Leo sat back and grunted. “Well, hell. I can figure out why he chose now to send me to Arbor.”
“Why?”
“Because I would kick his butt if he tried to make me an ambassador and I was close enough to reach him.”
Coren gave her a long look, and then, he laughed. “I think you would.”
Lima brought her a cup of coffee, and she smirked. “And he would let her.”
Leo blinked. “Why would you think that?”
Lima grinned and headed back to the kitchen without saying a word.
The coffee had two creams and two sugars, just the way she liked it.
When Lima reappeared with a plate that contained an omelette and two pieces of toast, Leo asked. “How did you know how I take my coffee?”
Lima hopped up onto her chair again. “I texted your sister. She is a fount of information. Your niece is doing well, by the way. She texted you a few pictures of the baby. They came through on your phone.”
“And my phone is...”
“On the charger.”
Coren continued to read the news on his tablet.
“Where are we, exactly?”
“Three floors below the penthouse housing Zora and Regick.” Coren spoke absently.
“Where is Octavia?”
“She is on the floor above ours.”
“I would like to see her after I eat.” Leo nibbled at her toast.
Coren glanced at her. “Of course. Would you care to get dressed before we go?”
She shrugged and looked down. “Nope. I am good. Since I have to get fancy for this evening’s activities, I prefer to spend the day as comfortable as I can.”
“You will want to keep the robe closed then.” Coren looked at her and smiled.
“Generally, yes. I would pin it, but I don’t have pins.” She bit into the omelette but paused. “This tastes like it does at the manor.”
Lima smiled. “I am your cook. The mayor would not trust anyone else with your safety.”
Leo ate and smiled. “It is still excellent, no matter where we are. I can’t believe I slept as long as I did.”
“Well, your schedule is ahead an hour because we travelled eastward, so you will be hungrier than the time allows.”
Leo paused. “That is why the bonding kicked in so early. Thank goodness. I was wondering about that.”
Coren put the tablet aside. “Is that when Olvadi laid hands on you?”
“Yup. I feel fine now though. It seems that the original surge of energy has worn off.” Leo finished her breakfast, and she lifted the plate up before Lima could help.
She washed her dishes and put them away once she dried them. T
he apartment was all set up for visitors.
A knock at the door had Coren in motion. He flipped out of the chair and was over to the peephole in a blur of wings.
He opened the door, smiling at the guest. “Miss Zora. Good afternoon.”
“Thank you, Coren. Is she awake?”
Leo stepped forward. “If I am she, then yes, she is.”
Zora ran up to her and hugged her. “Thank you so much. Leah can’t say how it happened, but she said that you had to take extreme measures.”
Leo grunted with the impact, but she smiled. “They weren’t that extreme. I just am a little less than enthusiastic about returning there tonight.”
Zora released her and wiped tears from her eyes. “I know that wanting her free was a bit of a silly thing, but it means a lot to have her loose.”
Lima asked, “Would you care for some coffee? I have a pot on.”
Zora smiled. “Please.”
Leo nodded as well with a thumbs-up. “Come on and tell me about her.”
They sat together in the living room, sipping coffee and talking about Octavia.
“When do you think she will wake up, and how hungry will she be?” Zora finally asked the questions that had obviously been on her mind.
“Oh, she will sleep for a few days, and she won’t be hungry for blood. Like other given vampires, she will be able to consume energy from those around her. She will need to be in a crowd at least once a week.”
“She is a taken vampire. She was made centuries ago.” Zora looked confused.
“That is where it gets a little odd. I am only telling you this because you won’t remember the details. No one does. So, Olvadi gave her his blood after he freed her. It undid the bond between them, which left her with a transformed body and no master. Her system is setting itself to not needing blood right now. When she wakes, she will be able to drink it if she chooses, but she won’t need it to survive.”
“Why won’t I remember the details?” Zora looked amused.
Leo shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know you won’t.”
How Matthias’s blood worked in this situation had trickled into her mind along with the power rush. It wasn’t as sharp as it had been, but she knew that the information wouldn’t last. It was not for the taken to know how the given worked.