A guard slipped into the room and patted Roland down, which did not make him happy. Hell, I would have been perfectly fine if the guard drop-kicked him in the groin as a new pat-down procedure. The guard found nothing, scooped up the holy water, glanced at Haven with a nod, and then departed.
Haven didn’t look angry. He looked… weary. He glanced at me and then turned back to Roland. “You lied to me. Against your own partner’s wishes. Your partner, I might add, is the one responsible for earning this meeting in the first place – based on my trust in her word.”
Roland looked both angry and guilty, the two emotions warring for dominance. An old anger based on decades of habits in dealing with vampires his way. Apologizing to one was anathema. Guilt at seeing his old methods turned against him. And also guilt at betraying my confidence.
I sighed, calculating, wondering what we could do. What Haven would do.
Haven cleared his throat. “A breach such as this should typically be reported to your superiors, the Conclave. And to mine… the Sanguine Council.”
Roland’s face blanched, and my heart stilled. That could cause a war. Very literally.
Haven held up a finger. “As the rules dictate, your life or power will be forfeit. My position as new Master of this city is not strong enough for me to overlook such a slight. It would cause my coven to rebel, and nobody wants that… I cannot brush this under the table. We had a truce, you gave me your word, and then entered my home, conscious of your deceit.” Roland must have assumed that a promise to a vampire was not a real promise at all. He should have known better. Concern with Italy had pushed him over the edge to make such a stupid decision.
Haven’s eyes looked troubled. The next words out of his mouth would change everything, but I could sense his hesitation. He wasn’t telling us everything. I replayed the situation. Haven’s manner had been beyond reproach. I wasn’t sure when he had become aware of Roland’s lie, but he had continued the tour with the utmost sincerity. The perfect host. Then he’d even sat to converse with us over drinks. He had played this well. So why was he hesitating?
His face showed no excitement at the prospect of killing Roland. He liked his position as Master of Kansas City, and likely sensed the shit-storm coming our way. It wouldn’t turn out well for anyone, even though he hadn’t done anything wrong. War rarely harmed only one side.
“I may have another solution…” he said softly, as if the idea had only just come to him.
“What is it?” I asked through gritted teeth. I knew it wouldn’t be appealing, but anything was better than a war. Especially since we would be heading to the Vatican tomorrow for my hearing – to feed them a steaming pile of lies about the Spear that they wouldn’t like one bit. Then we were going to politely pick apart their investigation of Constantine’s murder.
Now this.
Haven tapped his lips, thinking. “I must insist on a walk,” he said cryptically. Almost imperceptibly, his eyes flickered to the corner ceiling. I hid my look by taking a sip of my drink and noticed a camera. I didn’t react. Haven was being watched? Spied on? By whom?
I nodded before Roland could speak. “That sounds wise. Let our heads cool,” I said, standing, and shooting a very dark look at Roland before he could argue. The Shepherd nodded once and then climbed to his feet. Haven called for a vehicle as we made our way to the entrance. Within moments, the Maybach was back, idling before us. Haven spoke softly to the vampire valet – who glared at us with pure hatred before nodding. I noticed that the number of guards around the house had increased. Haven spoke loud enough for all to hear. “They have already made one fatal offense. I am safe with them, because killing me would only make things infinitely worse for them.” No one responded, but I could sense that the guards looked a little less murder-y. It would have to do. Everyone knew about our deceit. Shit. This would spread like wildfire.
I wondered what the hell was going on as I climbed into the front seat of the car, letting Roland climb into the back to think about what he’d done wrong. I was furious. I had set up everything so neatly – and in one fell swoop, his closed-mindedness and emotional instability after the murder in Italy had ruined all of it.
Haven drove in silence, lost in thought. Something about his posture made it very clear that conversation was not welcome, and after seeing the camera in the office, and the way the valet had glared at us, I considered the fact that even the car might not be safe. What kind of operation was this if the Master Vampire wasn’t in full control of his own property and coven?
Haven pulled up to a hill after a few minutes. A weathered statue of an angel overlooked a sprawling field with distant human-shaped targets. I stepped on a few shell casings as I climbed out of the car. This must be where the guards practiced their marksmanship. Either that, or Haven had taken us to his execution block. But studying his profile as he turned his back on us and approached the statue, I sensed no threat or danger. More… wariness and frustration.
He finally turned to find Roland and I before him, waiting.
“Your own people are spying on you…” I said neutrally.
His eyes flashed crimson and he gave me a tight nod.
Chapter 18
Haven sighed, his eyes returning to normal. “I apologize for the subterfuge. With the two previous Masters of the city dying in such a short span of time, the Sanguine Council has decided to keep a close eye on matters. I intend to make that observation short-lived. I don’t like being watched. I am the Master of Kansas City,” he growled territorially, eyes flashing crimson again. He let out a breath, and then stared at us, his crimson irises fading. “You broke your word. You know the potential ramifications of that, correct? My due rights…”
Roland gritted his teeth, nodding. Not angry at Haven, but at himself. This was going to eat him alive. He would rather sacrifice himself quickly than tarnish his name or bear the shame.
“If I don’t kill you for your transgression, the Sanguine Council will go to war with the Shepherds,” Haven continued. “If I do kill you for your transgression, the Shepherds will likely go to war with the Sanguine Council. We both know that a war will very likely destroy us all.”
We nodded in unison.
“What do you propose?” Roland asked in a hoarse growl. Not with fear, but with the look of a man walking to the chopping block. Resolved. “If my death will satisfy your Sanguine Council, I can write a letter to the Conclave, telling them I voluntarily chose my punishment. They won’t be happy, but they won’t go to war over it.”
I grunted. A piece of paper wasn’t exactly bulletproof. It might not be enough to stop a war. I couldn’t make myself look at him. My hands were shaking with anger. If Roland hadn’t been so riled up about events in Italy, he never would have made a mistake like this. He was barely keeping it together, and it had brought him to this moment.
Haven nodded at the gesture. “But life is such a precious thing… What if you could keep it? In a manner of speaking.”
Roland stiffened. I spoke up. “He should probably say thank fucking god, if he has any sense left in him,” I growled, glaring at him. Roland didn’t notice.
Haven smiled – at my words, not at the situation. He waited until Roland met his eyes, confirming he had his full attention. Then he took a breath. “You could become a vampire.”
The Shepherd’s face paled, and then flashed to murder. He even took an instinctive step closer to Haven – the words like a slap to the face. I grabbed his arm, jerking him back to me. He began swearing under his breath, cursing himself, shaking his head, and clenching his fists. “No. No way in hell!” he hissed.
My anger was replaced by sudden sorrow. To see his world crumbling around him. His entire purpose relegated to becoming that which he had hunted for so long.
But…
Other than death, it really was the only way I could think of to save the situation. In fact, the vampires would probably be pleased as all hell to turn a Shepherd to their fold.
But the C
onclave? Oh boy.
And Roland? Trading his life as a man of God, a Shepherd – one of twelve holy warriors that protected the world from… well, vampires, among other supernaturals – to become a vampire. That was an impossible price to pay, and I was pretty sure that this option signaled the end of the discussion, even though I wished I could help him see reason.
I frowned suddenly. “I thought Shepherds were immune to vampire venom?”
Roland didn’t even acknowledge that I had spoken. Haven turned to me. “A Master Vampire may turn a Shepherd.”
I blinked. But since Roland hadn’t commented, I knew I was hearing the truth. Shit.
I knew that becoming a vampire didn’t make one a bad person. I even kind of liked Haven – what little I knew of him. And Nate was friends with a vampire named Alucard. Even though he was a Daywalker now, Nate had become his friend before that. It was possible to be a good vampire. Hard, but possible. But, Roland was old school. He didn’t buy into this new world of grays. It was black and white to him. Vatican good, vampires bad.
Roland would rather die. Period.
He was shaking his head repeatedly. “No. I… cannot.”
Haven nodded, expecting the answer, not a hint of victory on his face. He didn’t like this anymore than we did. He was literally being forced into the situation. Because Roland had been a stupid idiot, bringing a weapon specifically aimed at harming vampires to a truce meeting – after telling the host that he wouldn’t do so.
Haven turned to me, his eyes pleading. I shrugged and then shook my head. “I can’t make him do something he’s spent his entire life fighting. Not a decision like that,” I whispered.
Haven nodded. “Very well.” He was silent for a few moments, staring up at the statue. Then he turned to me, looking uncertain. “I have come across some information that could put me in significant danger with the Sanguine Council. Some information that may be of use to you…”
I frowned. Why would he share that? Roland didn’t appear to be listening, too lost in his own thoughts. Likely making peace with himself, praying to God for forgiveness. He wouldn’t even look at me, his shame was so great. “What is it?” I whispered, not really caring.
“Your wolves in Rome are innocent,” he said in a soft tone. “I saw them in a video.”
Roland’s head whipped up as if he had been punched in the jaw, and he was suddenly holding Haven a pace off the ground by the front of his shirt. Haven let him. Not because he was scared, but because… this was obviously very important to the vampire. I knew Haven could have easily dodged Roland, not shared the information, even killed him outright –because that was already a foregone conclusion. So… he must consider this piece of news very, very important. To him and us. Why? He had said your wolves as if he knew exactly who they really were. Which wasn’t surprising. He had been in the center of the mess with the demon, and knew of the wolves abducting young women. If he had seen them in a video, it would be easy to connect them with the faces that had been plastered on the local news channel for weeks as missing persons.
I felt a surge of excitement. He had a video of the murder. No wonder he was being cagey. Was this an olive branch? Or something else? A negotiation tool… but that wasn’t necessarily a bad thing. “Roland, put him down. Now,” I warned. “The situation is already bad enough.”
Roland was shaking as he lowered him to the ground. He didn’t back away, remaining inches from Haven’s face as he panted, eyes on fire as he waited for Haven to explain. “I’m already a dead man. Speak or I will end you. If your Sanguine Council had anything to do with this, no power will save you from the wrath of God,” he said in a low tone. It sounded suspiciously like Roland was justified in speaking for God on the matter. A Hall Pass from Heaven.
Haven met that glare with a straight face. Not backing down and not scared. Accepting it with the respect of a worthy adversary. I could honestly say that I had never met anyone quite like Haven. He very easily could have taunted us, laughing as he butchered Roland in front of me, and if I didn’t want a war, there wouldn’t have been a thing I could do about it.
“I have various connections overseas, having spent the majority of my life there – over two hundred years, to be precise. These are personal, not official, connections,” he elaborated. We watched, motionless. “One of these private contacts sent me a video. Of a murder in Rome. Two of the missing Kansas City girls from several months ago seemed to be alive and well in Italy.”
“Be very, very careful, vampire,” Roland warned.
I felt like a piece of glass. Roland was seconds from murder. Information was all that kept Haven safe from Roland’s rage, consequences be damned. Haven had connected the dots, but what dots? Was the Sanguine Council involved in the murder?
“Master Vampires receive daily updates from the Sanguine Council regarding current events that may impact our business,” Haven explained. “You could say that news of a murdered Shepherd caught my attention, and you would be right. But what really caught my attention was the fact that I received a video of a murder caught on tape before the Sanguine Council told me about the Shepherd. When I first saw the video, I simply stored it away as an unfortunate turn of luck for the two girls. But after the Sanguine Council made the news public, I did some digging and knew that everyone was wrong. The Sanguine Council informed us to be very careful around the Shepherds in the coming weeks. Because the Shepherds had no evidence other than the two wolves found at the scene.” We blinked at him, incredulous. Haven nodded. “The Sanguine Council doesn’t know about this recording. The Vatican doesn’t know about the recording.” He let out a sigh. “Well, my contact suffered a car accident two days later. His recording equipment was missing from his shop. So, someone knows something.”
I held up a hand, interrupting Roland with a sharp look. He quivered, but backed down. He knew he was too close to this. He practically stood on the balls of his feet, though, ready to intercede if he didn’t like my direction. Someone had taken the surveillance equipment. Shit.
“Why would you share this with us?” I asked, but I was pretty sure I knew.
“I’m not pleased with how the Sanguines have treated me of late…” he said in a cold tone.
I began pacing, forcing my exhausted mind to work. Someone knew, or at least suspected the video. Otherwise, why kill Haven’s contact and steal the equipment? “You’re confident that your own people aren’t behind it?”
Haven shrugged. “I highly doubt it. If they were, they would have told us about it in the briefing – given us a carefully rehearsed script. They’re pretty open about this sort of thing.” He met my eyes. “I believe someone at the Vatican framed your girls. And the Conclave bought it.”
I blinked in disbelief. “Someone at the Vatican framed the wolves for killing a Shepherd? Why would they do that? Was the Shepherd dirty?”
Roland growled at me. “He was as far from bad as one could be. He was the best of us…” He turned back to Haven, absolutely no emotion on his face. “Who. Killed. Constantine?”
Haven frowned. “I don’t know. I swear it. The killer wore a scarf to conceal his face, but the scarf had a cross on it. Someone – or a small group – has infiltrated your Conclave. The highest form of treachery. A Judas Iscariot. It’s the only thing that makes sense.”
Roland grunted, not entirely buying Haven’s answer, but knowing that the two wolves were now in very real danger. Roland had sent them there to learn their powers with people he trusted. And someone had betrayed that trust.
All too quickly, I saw the situation in perfect clarity.
If he wanted to help me save the girls, he would have to become what he hated. Because if I went to Italy by myself, they would slam the door in my face. I was just Roland’s disciple.
“Roland,” I said in a soft tone. He slowed, taking a few seconds to stare at the stone angel before us. Then he turned to face me, as if I was a firing squad. The utter desolation in his eyes shattered my heart. Especially w
ith what I was about to say. “We need to save them, and I can’t do it alone,” I whispered. He nodded stiffly, our eyes locked in a silent conversation.
And there is only one way for me to leave this property… his eyes said.
I nodded, a tear falling down my cheek. It’s the only way to save them. And to make the traitor pay. To bring them to justice. To follow your life’s purpose, you must betray your life’s purpose… I tried to convey with my eyes, my vision now entirely distorted with tears.
Roland turned to Haven who had his hands clasped before him, waiting with a blank face.
“I accept your offer. May God forgive me…” he added the last in a haunted whisper.
Chapter 19
I cleared my throat, trying to wall off my emotions as I wiped the tears from my eyes. Big girls don’t cry. “How would this work? I take it we can’t leave until he’s a vampire?” Haven nodded sadly. “You have to bite him before we leave…”
Haven nodded again. “To prevent a war, yes. I need to bite him in front of three vampire witnesses to verify that the truth gets out to the Sanguine Council. Otherwise, war.”
I knew he was likely overjoyed to know that Roland was going to join his side, but at the same time, part of him didn’t like the method. Then again, I knew Haven was a schemer.
This could all be some elaborate trick. Turn a bad situation into a win. It was his style.
“Don’t take this the wrong way, but I need you to prove your statement. Roland would gladly die for his reputation. The only reason he’s considering otherwise is to prove the wolves’ innocence.” I waited for his nod before continuing. “And if I ever find out that you somehow set this up on purpose, I will gladly risk war to balance the scales,” I warned. “I’m not as pious as Roland.” I didn’t see how it could be possible to be a setup, but the threat needed to be said.
Whispers: Feathers and Fire Book 3 Page 9