“Why in the hell would I want to help you?” Still sour about the events that led to her permanent exile to Reverie, Inda saw a grudge and was eager to grab ahold of it.
“Yeah, and why would you suspect that I would want to help you for that matter?” Graham turned the focus back to him.
“Inda, I honestly can’t say that you have any reason to help us. I hope you’ll do it from the kindness of your heart, which I can tell is a caring one, despite the sour look you’re giving me at the moment.” Ardyn cleared his throat. “And Graham, I’d think that for you it would be obvious. If this does work out, it means Tyrellis will be without his djinn, and unable to keep you from taking your rightful place as the head of this den. That is why you hang around, isn’t it? You’re the oldest, strongest vampire around. That much I can tell by how you waltz in and out of there without so much as a scratch. Those vampires respect you. When Tyrellis is down, there will be a move for the throne. Who better to take his place, than you? That is, unless you’re ready to live under Cast’s rule.”
“What is it that you would need from me?” Graham had heard enough to consider what the man was offering. It hadn’t been lost on him, the chance to take over. Ardyn had hit the nail on the head, even if it was unintentional. Tyrellis was a child in comparison to the older vampire, Castius not much better than that. If it hadn’t been for Daegal striking a deal with the current leader, it would be Graham at the head.
Markus, the former leader of the vampires, had just announced his plans to go to ground. It was what vampires did when they grew tired of the world. Some would set a timeframe, an ending to their slumber. Markus, however, had made it perfectly clear that he no longer wished to be awakened. He preferred the slumber to the realities of what the world had become. Because Markus was stepping down, there was no fight for the opportunity to replace him, he was to name a predecessor.
All of Reverie murmured with the rumors that Graham was that person. He was the strongest, bravest, and hell, Markus loved him. Tyrellis, however, was a nobody. Before that night, most of the vampires had never even heard of him. Yet, he waltzed into the room with a djinn by his side and Markus announced him as the new leader of Reverie. There was nothing that could be done, not then, and not since. Not as long as he had her. Overnight, Reverie turned into his playground and those who opposed simply headed for the outskirts.
Yes, there were attempts made on his life, but none that succeeded. Once they realized that Nitara would do whatever the vampire commanded, they had all but given up hope. Graham took a different approach to the issue—instead of running, he stayed. He kept a low profile, but in time found himself getting to know Nitara, who showed that she wanted nothing more to do with Tyrellis than the people she forced to follow him.
“I take it that means you will help?” Ardyn waited for the confirming nod from Graham before he clapped his hand and turned to Inda. His hope was that she would follow the lead of the old vampire.
“I need you to get a message to Jinn, and without anyone knowing about it. This was a task I was going to take on, but if you join our little endeavor, it means I can stay here and move ahead with the rest of the plan.” It would also mean fewer questions for Ardyn to have to answer about who and what he was. Jinn and everyone else in fairy land already knew Inda. She was best friends with the queen, so odds were she’d be able to fly in and out with no problems. Ardyn, on the other hand, would set off all sorts of magical alarms the moment he left Reverie
“What’s the rest of the plan?” Graham questioned while Inda thought over the new request.
“Now, you know I can’t tell you everything up front.” Ardyn laughed. “All in due time, my friend. What I need now is an understanding that you will help, and you’ll benefit from this as well.”
“Then we’re back at the question of why I should help you. Hell, I can just wait until you succeed, or fail, and make my move then.”
“Yes, you could do that, but I happen to know your secret.”
“Yeah, what’s that?” Graham bristled at what sounded like a threat.
Ardyn held his hands up. “Hold on, buddy, it’s nothing like that.” When Graham relaxed, he continued. “You love her, Nitara, and you want to make sure that she is okay, just as I do.”
“Love her?” Graham laughed. “You’re off your rocker.”
“I doubt that. I’ve been watching you. The entire time she was away, you didn’t set one foot in that bar. And yet, the moment she returned, there you were again with your witty banter and elusive ways.” He paused, considering his next words carefully. If he was wrong, it would mean spilling Nitara’s secret. He trusted Graham, though, and if he wasn’t convincing enough, the man would never help them. “Not only that, but I suspect you know a bit more about her secret than you care to let on. You know what it is that I plan to avoid in doing all this.”
“I don’t know what the hell you’re talking about.”
“I’d believe that, but you’ve never acted against him. The entire time she was away, you could have made your move on Tyrellis, ended his life, but you knew that it would mean ending hers as well.” There it was, the truth, written all over Graham’s face. He had known it even if it was never confirmed, even if he could never get her to say it aloud. “In fact, a little birdy told me that you saved Tyrellis, the night Nitara’s bike was stolen. Cast was there to take his life, and instead he walked away with a bike as his consolation prize. I suspect you threw your age around. Perhaps you made the younger vampire think that you were making your move when in fact you were not.”
“You seem to know a lot about that which you should know nothing.” Graham tightened his jaw.
“Yes, I know a lot more than most.” Ardyn took another step back. “I also know that Nitara means a lot to both of us. We can’t let her suffer like this.”
“So, what if I do care for her? I care for a lot of people; doesn’t mean I would lay my life on the line for them.”
“See, I doubt that you care for that many people. How could you when you barely let anyone get close to you? Which tells me the fact that you allow that closeness to exist with her, most definitely means you’re going to help me save her. Even though if we succeed, you’ll likely never see her again. She will leave here, and never return to you.” That much wasn’t in question. If they were able to save Nitara, she would go back to Jinn, back to where she really wanted to be.
“Okay, so he saves the girl he apparently cares so much for, you save a friend, what’s in it for me?” Inda spoke up. She’d been debating her position. For her, there was no valuable stake in the game. If Ardyn was expecting her to operate strictly from the kindness of her heart, he had a rude awakening coming. If not for an untimely spotting of Graham, she wouldn’t have even been in on the conversation.
“Not sure, but what else do you have going on right now?” Ardyn shrugged—as far as he could tell, she wasn’t exactly a social butterfly. He hadn’t caught her on his radar which meant she’d been inactive. “Besides, Jinn and Jax have become pretty close. Perhaps while you’re there, you could speak to your ex.”
“That’s not exactly going to convince her to make the journey.” Graham laughed as Inda’s face turned red. It was all the bird could do not to go up in flames.
“What do you mean?”
“He means, I’m in no rush to see my ex again.” Laughing, she shook her head. “It’s hard to believe you hadn’t caught on to that.”
“Well, that seems like an odd lie to tell.” Ardyn frowned.
“Excuse me?” The bird was heating up and if he didn’t find a way to calm her down, she could cause major problems for them.
“Look, I meant no harm, but I can hear the change in your heartbeat at the mention of his name, and I can see in your eyes that you aren’t as over him as you would have the world believe. I’m sure Graham here can tell the same, yet perhaps he is wiser than I, and has kept his mouth closed about such matters.”
“Well, it may b
e a good idea for you to follow suit,” she huffed.
“Look, you’re here, and we could really use your help, so what do you say?”
Inda looked to Graham who seemed to agree. If not for the pathetic expression on the vampire’s mug, she would have told both of them to kiss her ass. “Fine, whatever, what’s the message?” It’d been a while since she’d been to the area, perhaps she could pay her friend, Briar, a visit and thank her for inviting new drama into her life.
“Graham, again we meet, and so soon.” Nitara took her usual spot on the bar stool next to the somber looking vampire. “You look a little more down than usual. Is there something bothering you?”
“Yes, it seems we can’t get enough of each other.” He removed the hat from his head. “And, yes, there is always quite a bit running through this old mind of mine. You’d think after so long on this planet, I would have gone through every thought possible.”
“Perhaps it’s just that you can't get enough of what's on tap here.” She laughed as she pointed to the glass in his hand. “How many of those have you had tonight?”
“What can I say, they have the good stuff.” The truth was, there were plenty of places that had higher quality product to offer, but she didn’t frequent those spots, so neither did he.
“I suppose. So, how have things been around here? Quiet?” Nitara hadn’t been back to the bar since her interaction with the ring leader of the local outlaws. Instead, her rounds took her to local businesses, and functions where Tyrellis should have been in attendance. He’d sent her in his place, to make a statement … the wrong statement, but who was she to question his decision making?
“Well, after your last display, I’m surprised there are still customers at all.” He laughed as she noted the grunt from the bartender who clearly agreed with his assessment. Of course, profits would suffer momentarily, but the drunkards always returned.
“I had a point to prove.”
“That you did.” Lifting his drink, he called attention to the fact that she didn’t have one. “Care to join me for a drink? I promise not to pry this time.”
“What the hell, I could use a break.” Her day had been spent watching over the new vampire pups. Every year a few were turned—not enough to harm the human to vampire ratio, but enough to keep things interesting, as the idiot who pulled her strings often found it necessary to make examples out of the younger vampires.
“A hard-working woman such as yourself deserves one more than anyone else in this place.”
“When you’re right, you’re right.” She drank from the glass that appeared in her hand. The dark liquid warmed her as it invaded her body. Winter was quickly approaching, and she was no fan. How she wished she could be on a beach somewhere with an umbrella drink in her hand.
“Tell me something, are you planning on hanging around for good now?”
“Did you miss me that much while I was away?” She batted her eyes and teased him.
“Well, considering you’re the only one who talks to me when I’m here, yes, I did.” He pointed to the bartender who pretended not to be listening. “Even this guy, barely a word spoken no matter how many drinks I order.”
“It would seem that you’re in luck. I doubt I’ll be going anywhere for quite some time.” Of course, that wasn’t her choice by any means.
“It doesn’t seem like you’re all that happy about it.” He stated the obvious.
“Would you be?” She rolled her eyes.
“Nitara—”
“Graham, you said no prying. Remember?” She nudged him in the arm. “It was just a few minutes ago. I can’t believe you’ve forgotten already!”
“Look, if something was wrong, you’d tell me, right?” He lowered his voice to barely a whisper. “If you were in trouble, and needed help, I hope you know that you could count on me.”
“What makes you think something is wrong? Where is this coming from, Graham?”
“I know we aren’t that close, not that you’re all that close with anyone around these parts, but I’d like to think we are friends. Despite your obvious aversion to my kind.” Again, he quieted himself. “Just know that if you need anything, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Graham. I’m glad to know that you’d be there, but I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.” The conversation felt far too familiar. Graham had always been nosey, but this was on another level entirely. “What brought on this topic?”
“What do you mean?” He tapped the bar, requesting a refill. “I’m just as curious about you as I’ve always been. There’s no difference today.”
“No, this is different. Usually you’re concerned with the reason behind why I’m here, as if trying to solve some mystery. This is different, though. Suddenly, you’re trying to help me. I’m left wondering what brought on the idea that I would be in need of your help.”
The eyes of the bartender, glued to his forehead, stopped Graham from speaking. Nitara certainly wasn’t the only person who acted as messenger for Tyrellis. Realizing that they weren’t in what would be considered a safe space, he opted to cut their conversation short. “I don’t know what you mean. Look, I have to go.” He stood, but as he walked by her toward the exit, he pulled her hand into his, and slipped her a little note which disappeared with her magic before anyone could see.
Nitara stayed behind, nursing her drink after he left her. She couldn't be too quick to leave. Not with the overly intrigued bartender watching her. Every now and then, she would see his eyes dart to her as his mind speculated about the relationship between her and the vampire who’d already made his exit. A few others also watched her; she could hear their whispers, all of course assuming the wrong thing, the predictable thing, that she and Graham were more than just friends. She was sure that was his intention with the way he delivered his hidden message to her. The way his fingers lingered at her wrist and caressed the skin there for a moment; there was so much that could be taken from such a small gesture. They would all see it and assume it was a sign of his affection for her. The man was smart, she had to give him that much.
Once free of watchful eyes, the note reappeared, still intact. She sat on her hill looking out at the city as she pulled it from her pocket. What could he have to say to her that was so important he thought it worth the risk of rousing the suspicion of those he knew would be running back to Tyrellis? Was that what he wanted to happen? Did he want to use her as a way to get to the king? If nothing else, it would cause a definite bout of paranoia for the young vampire who already feared his life and position was at stake.
As she assumed, the note held a simple request, one that he’d been able to get to her before in far less conspicuous ways. Graham was playing a game, and Nitara didn’t appreciate being an unwilling pawn. Still, she decided to follow through and give him what he asked for. Emptying her lungs and watching the exasperated air dance in the chill of the night, she drew him to her mind and let his essence pull her to his location.
“What is this about?” Nitara appeared inside of a building that smelled as if it hadn’t been occupied for years. The air was stale, and every corner was covered in dust and cobwebs.
“There are too many ears at the bar, and I needed to speak with you.” Graham stood in the center of an empty room. The expression on his face was more serious than she’d ever seen before.
“You’re playing a really dangerous game here.” Nitara refused to sit on anything in the decaying structure. Most of the broken-down furniture looked like it couldn’t hold the weight of a flea. Instead, she waved her hand, and in the middle of the room appeared one plush chair. She walked over to it and sat down.
“Really?” Graham laughed at her. “I think Tyrellis is rubbing off on you.”
“Oh, shut up! I’m tired.” She waved her hand again and a small wooden stool appeared in front of him. “There, happy now?”
“Very funny.” Graham kicked the stool meant for a child away from him.
“Yes, I thought so.” She laughed, but the
y had more important things to discuss. “You know, if I didn’t know better, I’d think you wanted to make a point with that little show.”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
“Sure you don’t.” With another flick of her hand, an actual chair appeared directly across from her. This time Graham accepted the offered seat. The two watched each other for a moment after he sat. “So, are you going to tell me what you want?”
“I know that things are not as they seem. I just wanted to help.”
“Help?” She straightened. “Why do you suddenly think I need help? Where is this coming from?”
“Never mind.” He trained his eyes on her figure. “I need to know something.”
“What’s that?”
Graham stood from his seat, crossed the small space, and lingered in front of her. When she didn’t move, he lowered himself and his hands braced his weight on the armrests at her side. Nitara didn’t flinch. He searched her eyes, but she couldn’t tell what he was looking for. When she thought to speak, to question his intention, it was too late. His lips pressed against her with a urgent sadness that had no explanation.
Nitara allowed the kiss to linger for a moment before she pulled away. “What was that about?”
“Sorry, I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time.” He dropped his head and stepped away. The expression on her face confirmed it; she had no feelings for the man in front of her.
“Look, I’m not interested in any hook up here.” Standing, Nitara moved away from Graham just enough to prove her point. “I only came because I thought you wanted to talk.”
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