I knew immediately Michel had been planning on dropping that little bit of news once he had proved his point. Not only had he just proven how strong and determined he was, he was backing it up with a blatant show of my powers too. Like he had said earlier, to steal a vampire from another was only possible if you had enormous power yourself. By the looks on both their faces, they registered the significance of his words straight away.
Enrique was the first to speak, offering me a small bow. “Congratulations, Lucinda. I never doubted you would discover your Prophesied powers soon.” His eyes, when they came up from the bow, assessed me, taking a leisurely moment to cover my body from head to toe.
Are you mad? I thought. Michel's just threatened to excommunicate you and you're goggling his kindred. Michel just laughed silently beside me and in the next minute I could see why he was so relaxed over Enrique's attention on me. Alessandra rounded on the Spaniard in a fury, grasping his arm and quickly making their excuses while dragging him away from where we stood.
“You knew they'd both do that, didn't you?” I asked in amazement.
“They are like open books. Alessandra may act as though Enrique is nothing more than a convenient lover, but she is besotted. And Enrique has never been able to hide his desire of the female form.”
I just shook my head as he spun me towards him and kissed me firmly on the lips. It took a moment for me to catch my breath once he had pulled back.
“You are amazing, ma douce, truly outstanding. Not only a stunning beauty, a kind heart and a courageous soul, but you are remarkably astute for one so young. I am fortunate beyond measure to have you by my side. You are my soul mate in everything I do.”
His lips met mine again, this time in a slow, soft caress, conveying everything he had just said in those beautiful words that had reached my very soul. I could have drowned in that kiss. I could have lived there for eternity. It filled me up with everything I needed to survive. He gave me life through his lips and I treasured it.
Only to come crashing back down to Earth at a disruption across at the bar.
It took me a few precious seconds to comprehend what I was seeing. The blonde curly hair of Shane Smith in a head lock, his eyes bulging and his arms flailing about him, while he cussed out his captor in a fluid stream of filthy swear words.
And who would his captor be?
Samson.
Oh shit. The joys of heading a line.
Chapter 26
Who Am I?
“What the hell is going on?” I asked, hands on hips as I stared down at the newest member of my family about to crush the windpipe of a vampire I considered a good friend.
Samson straightened up, but didn't release his hold on Shane. Being only slightly taller than the curly haired vampire in his grasp, it wasn't much of an advantage, but Shane had never been a powerful vamp and probably never would. I felt Samson's Sanguis Vitam swirling around them and knew he was using a little power to hold on to the slightly smaller man beneath his hands. It certainly wasn't all physical strength that held Shane where he was.
“This imbecile insulted you mistress,” Samson announced in an even voice.
I could hardly believe that Shane would insult me. One, he lacked the balls and two, he liked me. Or so I thought.
But, I also didn't want to directly dismiss Samson's loyalty. I hardly knew the guy, but I had the feeling that dashing his confidence right off the bat was not going to set us up for any easy get-to-know-you conversations in the near future. If he and I were going to be family, I had to give the guy a chance.
“How did he insult me?”
“He said you lacked the strength to face your kidnapper and his master would do it for you.” He spat the words out as though they were poison and tightened his grip on Shane.
OK. Well, he was kind of right, but what the...?
“Shane, is that true?” I asked and then realised he couldn't form any coherent words at all right now. “Let him go, Samson.”
Samson hesitated, clearly unhappy to be releasing the fiend, but I was his mistress and all, so he gave up on the urge to argue and slowly released his grip. He didn't stand away though, but towered over Shane as he bent double trying to catch his breath. A strange sight, as vampires don't actually need to breathe.
“Shane, you can cut the theatrics, just tell me your side in all of this.” I wasn't in the mood for a show. I was tired, hungry, grumpy and the centre of attention – the whole friggin' bar was watching the little show-down with ill concealed delight – this had better be good.
He straightened, fingering the marks on his neck and shooting a look of disgust at Samson, then looked me in the eyes. “I didn't mean it like that, Luce, ya know I think you're awesome. I just mentioned that Michel was going to America and you were staying here to get strong again.”
I knew Shane hadn't really meant any harm and that he genuinely wasn't trying to insult me, but my pride prickled all the same. It was one thing for me to think of Michel as my rock, even I admit, as my protector sometimes. But, it was a whole other thing for these vampires, even vampires I trusted, to think I wasn't strong. Never show fear. Never give an inch. Always stay on guard.
I didn't want to make a fuss, I wanted to just laugh it off and make Shane and Samson kiss and make up. But, the truth is, I was staying back in New Zealand because of my role in the Prophesy and because I'm not so egotistical to think I am invincible. And getting myself killed chasing after a vendetta was not going to help us win against the Dark. But, I did know - damn straight - that I could take Jonathan if I had to. I knew it deep down inside and my decision to stay behind had absolutely nothing to do with me being weaker than I was before, it was merely strategic. I reluctantly acknowledged however, that most of Michel's vampires had seen or heard how much of a mess I had been this last week, what sort of an effect my month held captive in America had on me.
I needed to prove a point and as much as I hated using Shane as an example of my returned strength and Nosferatin don't-mess-with-me attitude, I had to take advantage of this episode or run the risk of vampires everywhere trying to make a move because of my supposed weakened state. Vampires pride themselves on strength and on attacking opponents who lack it. If they spot a weakness they will pounce. And as much as I trusted Michel's vampires to behave themselves - he holds them on too short a leash not to - word could get out to others. Alessandra's. Enrique's. Hell, even the Queen of Darkness could hear how damn pathetic I had become. It was time to put myself out there again and scare the living daylights out of my fanged friends.
I had my stake against Shane's chest in a split second, pushing him all the way back against the bar. It would have been a blur to even the supernatural eyes surrounding me, I had pulled on my Nosferatin powers and Light to prove a point. I could tell the whole bar was aglow with a luminous shine and the vampires nearby thrumming with anticipation. They do love a good confrontation.
“Never doubt my abilities, Shane,” I said evenly, loud enough for everyone to hear.
I felt a little guilty at the look of outright fear on his face, but even worse at the look of utter shock. He had never expected me to hold a stake to his chest. I almost crumbled, right then and there. Shane had only ever been nice to me. He was the first of Michel's line to welcome me into the family when Michel and I had joined. He had fought alongside Michel against Max, the vampire who had tried to claim me as his own. And against the Taniwhas, when they had tried to kill me. He was not only an ally, but a friend.
I really didn't want to be doing this, but I knew I had to.
“Let me make this perfectly clear.” My voice was very low and very threatening. “I am more than capable of staking any vampire who deserves it. Here or abroad. I do not need to be physically present to slide the stake home. Do not forget who I am. Or what I can do.”
Shane frantically shook his head from side to side, his eyes bulging as much as they had been when Samson wrung his neck. I felt a little sick at scaring my frie
nd, but this was war and I couldn't allow myself the luxury of being weak.
“Anyone else want to question my strength?” I asked the room, not removing my eyes off Shane.
No one said a word, all the vampires now standing stock still, almost vampire still, waiting for me to proceed. Either release Shane or stake him. I had no intention of staking him and although I wanted to make sure they all knew I was back, I also didn't want to lose sight of who I was.
“OK then,” I said, removing the stake from Shane's chest and patting him on the shoulder. “Didn't you tell me you were the liaison for all the new vamps joining Michel's line?”
Shane looked at me as though I was mad. Not hard to imagine why he was going down that path. I just raised my eyebrows at him as I returned my stake to its inside pocket. I think the fact that the silver had disappeared made a bit more of an impression on Shane than my question, he visibly relaxed, but still looked a little freaked.
“Well?” I prompted, picking up a drink Doug had just pushed across the bar behind Shane towards me. Man I needed that drink.
“Um... Yeah. I help them get to know the city and the ropes, you know the rules and stuff.”
“Fantastic,” I said, trying not to cough at the strength of the drink Doug had poured. “Jesus Doug,” I spluttered, tears beginning to stream down my cheeks. “I do like a splash of Coke with my Bacardi.” He just laughed and went on with his next order.
I turned back to Shane who was the epitome of confusion. “So,” I said, managing another small sip without gagging. “Samson here is new to the city and as I am considered a part of Michel's line, therefore Samson is too. You, my friend, have just got yourself a new protégé.”
Shane just gawked at me, mouth open, eyes wide. Samson, at least, had a voice.
“Ah, mistress, is this necessary? I am a level four master, he is nothing.”
OK, so that may be true, power wise, but Shane was not nothing. Not to me. Just because I had eaten him for breakfast right now, did not mean anyone else could.
“Trust me, Samson, it's necessary. Shane will help you assimilate. I trust him to do a good job and make you feel welcome. And I trust you, to take full advantage of this offer.”
I followed that up with a little Nosferatin mojo. I guess he got the message, because he bowed low and nodded his head in agreement. I flicked Shane a look, to make sure he had got my understanding too. He was still considered my friend despite what had happened, but I expected him to look after Samson too. He nodded towards me, face serious, maybe planning how best to guide Samson into the fold.
“Good, all settled, have fun.” I turned and walked away, leaving the two new friends to get to know each other. I was now beyond tired, beyond caring, I'd used up the last of my Nosferatin-hear-me-roar impetus and was sliding down the dangerous slope of exhaustion.
Of course, that was ironic, wasn't it? Having just made sure every vamp and their fangs knew I was still the big bad vampire hunter, I was now threatening to face plant in the centre of the dance floor.
I made it to the private door to Michel's chambers and had just thrown myself prone on his big bed when I felt him come in. I knew he had watched the entire scene, hell everyone had, but he had stayed back and allowed me to find my way. I knew why too, he wanted me to prove not only to the vampires around, but also to myself, that I wasn't weak, that I was capable of holding my own. If he had thought for a moment that I was getting myself into a bad situation he would have stepped in. He's not so hard up for entertainment that he'd watch his kindred make an utter fool of herself, but still, I did kind of wonder if he questioned my methods. Or the result.
I felt the bed dip down next to me as his body lay out beside the length of mine. He propped himself up on his side on one arm and started trailing down my spine with his fingers of the other. Soft little butterfly touches immediately making me relax.
“I think you've made Jett a wealthy man, my dear.”
“Mm?” I managed in reply, unable to muster any more energy to form words.
“He was running a bet on how swiftly and what form you would respond to Shane's transgression. Odds on favourite was for a stake through his heart within thirty seconds.”
“It didn't go through the heart,” I mumbled, as he shifted to start kneading the knots in my shoulders and back with both his hands.
“No. That's why he's rich. He bet you'd flash silver and Light, but would make both Samson and Shane kiss and make up.”
I almost laughed, it's exactly what I had wanted to do, but it sure as hell didn't feel like it.
“I forced them to spend time together. Hardly kiss and make-up. One of them is probably going to die.”
“Yes, but to Jett that was close enough. Everyone else just thought you'd send the stake home.” He'd said the last like he was quoting me, I guess he was. It was certainly a term I had used in the past.
I rolled on to my back, to look at Michel. He'd done a fine job of making my shoulders relax, but I needed to see his face for this.
“Do you think I should have staked him?”
He didn't hesitate in answering. “Not at all. But, had you have staked him, I would have backed you completely.”
“He didn't deserve it, Michel. He barely deserved the reaction I gave.”
“He most certainly deserved the reaction you gave and my line would have expected nothing less. We are not human, ma douce. Humane responses are lost on us. Strength. Power. The ability to manipulate a situation in your favour. These are all things we respect.” His hand came up and brushed my hair from my face. “You walk a fine line, ma belle. Half human, with as much of their sensibilities, but entrenched in our world. You did exactly what you needed to do. I am proud of you.”
I wasn't sure I wanted his pride. I knew I'd had to make a point. I've been wallowing in self-pity and hiding behind what happened in America and everyone knew it. I might want to be a normal human, doing normal things, like working in a bank and going to the cinema and lying in the sun at the beach on a Saturday, but that's not who I am. Not any more. I'm the Sanguis Vitam Cupitor, the Prohibitum Bibere, and the Lux Lucis Tribuo. I'm married to a vampire, I have a vampire in my very own line. I kill, I save. I am not who I was, but I miss her.
Shit. I miss her.
“I think... I think I need to go home and see my parents.”
It's not very often that I surprise Michel. You know, the sort of surprise that leaves him speechless that is. Sure, every now and then he gets a nice little surprise, but it's welcome and he's quick to let me know how much. But this time, he really did look shocked.
He recovered fairly fast though. “Why?” Ah, but the short sentences let me know he wasn't impressed.
“Can't you read my mind? My emotions?”
“Yes. But I do not understand them,” he admitted.
I shuffled up the bed and rested against the headboard to look at him. I wasn't trying to put distance between us, I just needed to get out from under him and meet his gaze on an even level. He'd gone very still though.
“Do you feel threatened, Michel, that I want to go back to the farm?” I couldn't quite put a finger on his expression, but if I had to, it would be anger.
He blinked. And then blinked again. “We are leaving for America tomorrow night, we plan to head out at 5am.” I knew what he saying. One day left together before he faced the might of the American Families and I wanted to go back to mummy and daddy. And leave him here alone.
I ran a hand through my hair and flicked a glance around the room in search of inspiration. I didn't want Michel to leave without knowing how important he was to me. Hell, I didn't want to be apart from him at all. He was my life, my very breath came and went because he existed. The thought of him going to face Jonathan without me crushed my heart. But, I was having a little personalty crisis right now and although I knew I should wait until after he left to go back to my folks, I needed my mum right now.
You know how it is, when the world comes c
rashing down around your ears and you think you've lost your way, you need to go back to your roots, you need to be reminded of who you once were, where you came from. My mum and dad, or in point of fact, my aunt and uncle, would put me right. They could tell me if I was no longer me. They could tell me if who I had become was OK and not some awful mistake I would regret for the rest of my life.
“You plan to tell them everything?” Michel looked a little less angry now, maybe because he'd heard my thoughts, but he was still pretty stiff, sitting there opposite me. Almost a world away already.
I took a deep breath in and let it slowly out. “I don't know who I am anymore, Michel. Sometimes, it's as though I do things that seem so foreign, so not me, but makes sense only because of the Prophesy. Is that all I am now? The Prophesied? What happened to Lucinda Monk? Is she gone forever and is that OK?”
“You know I love you just the way you are, ma douce. A vampyre would have harmed Shane for his poor choice of words this evening, possibly even brought him the final death. Your actions were appropriate, but also lenient. Does that not prove you are still you?”
“Would I have placed a stake against a friend's chest for simply saying something taken out of context in the past? It's a hell of a reason to threaten a person's life. Everything feels like it has... I don't know... much more weighing on its outcome, than it did before. You know what went through my mind when I heard what Shane had said? I thought I couldn't let any vampires see me weak. Never show fear. Never give an inch. Always stay on guard.” I shook my head slowly. “I don't know who I am anymore, Michel and I know the timing sucks, I know you have to go to America and I have to start preparing for the Queen of Darkness who could appear at any moment, but that's why I have to do this now. If I don't figure out who I am before the shit hits the fan, then it might be too late.”
I moved forward on the bed onto my knees to just in front of him, taking both his hands in mine.
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