“I do.” He shook his head. “That is why I asked you to come. To talk, I just got lost in the moment.”
“So talk and keep your lips on your side of the room, please.” She smiled, but the expression didn’t soften the blow of her rejection. Graham’s face twisted with her words.
“Damn, was it that bad? Look, okay, I get it.” He held up his hands. “Keeping my hands, and my lips to myself.”
“I’m sorry, but we’re friends. That’s it. I—” Nitara felt the stab of guilt, she hadn’t meant to be so cold towards the man. His actions had caught her off guard.
“Yeah, I know, you’ve only got eyes for Jinn.”
“How do you know about him?” She bristled. Graham knew a lot more than he was letting on. It made her wonder just how much he wasn’t telling her.
“You’re kidding, right? Everyone knows, but no one talks about it, at least not in front of you. There are literally bets going on about how long it will take for you to drop this shit with Tyrellis and go back to him.” Graham was perhaps one of the few people who wasn’t rooting for a happy reunion. Of course, he was the only vampire who wanted the djinn to stick around despite her aiding Tyrellis in his takeover.
“I honestly hadn’t considered it. No one ever mentioned it, so I assumed Daegal did something to erase the memory of us.” She paused and frowned at the idea that everyone around her knew just how miserable she really was. They all knew that she wanted to be away from there, with the love she’d been longing for. Did they pity her? Did they joke about her pain? Apparently, it was a thing of amusement considering there were bets being placed. “Graham, I’m sorry. I just can’t go down this road with you, or anyone else for that matter. Not even Jinn.”
“No, don’t worry about it.” Graham had to find a way to save face, turn the conversation around. He hated the look in her eyes—it was pity. Great, the first woman he’d tried to approach in years and she only felt sorry for him. “Look, I know you want to be free of this place, and for whatever reason, one you refuse to share with me, you can’t leave. I just want you to know that I’m on your side, Nitara.”
“This conversation feels way too familiar.” There it was, the understanding. She knew exactly where his sudden interest in saving her was coming from. “Fucking Ardyn! He got to you, didn’t he?”
“You called?” Ardyn appeared in the corner in a flare. Once he got a look at their drab surroundings, he frowned. “Where the hell are we?”
“You told him?” Nitara questioned in a huff. “How could you? You know, you have such a big mouth!”
“Look, I didn’t tell him anything. I simply requested his assistance in helping me rid you of a little problem, that is all.” He crossed the room to stand by a shamed Graham’s side. “Anything outside of that, if he knows anything at all, he got that without my help. I know better than to go blabbing your secrets to the world!”
“You expect me to believe that he agreed to help you without knowing why?” She looked at Graham. “Why would you do that?” Even if he had an infatuation with her, there had to be more to the story.
“Because, if we succeed, and we will, our pal Graham here will become the new vampire ruler,” Ardyn answered her question and slapped the vampire on the shoulder, but quickly pulled his hand away when Graham sneered. They were cool, but apparently not cool enough for physical contact. “He’s the oldest, and baddest vampire around here. It only makes sense.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me!” Nitara paced the floor. “How could you involve me in this? Do you know what risk you put not only me, but the two of you in? What do you think Tyrellis will do when he finds out about this? Hell, if Graham is as strong as you say, he's already on the radar. And you're supposed to be staying hidden. Why would you take this risk?”
“Look, I told you, I’m taking care of it.” Ardyn narrowed his eyes on Graham. “You weren’t supposed to tell her anything.”
“I didn’t tell her anything, you did. I’m smarter than you want to give me credit for.”
“You didn’t think this little conversation was going to be enough for her to put two and two together?”
“Look, I—” Graham frowned as Ardyn cut him off.
“You just wanted to take your shot, I get it, but you’ve kinda screwed us. Nitara was to be left in the dark so she could honestly deny anything if questioned about it.”
“Shit.” Graham looked at Nitara who rolled her eyes. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think about that.
“Yeah, that much is obvious.” Ardyn punched him in the arm and then popped to the opposite side of the room to escape any retaliating blow.
“Look, I’m just going to leave now. Technically, all I know is that the two of you are fucking idiots, and that’s not new information.” Nitara rolled her eyes and vanished from the room.
“Seriously, what were you thinking?” Ardyn dropped his joking manner. With Nitara out of the room, they could have a serious discussion about what happened. “Did you think you could convince her to stay here with you?”
“I don’t know what I thought.” Graham kicked the chair that Nitara had conjured, and sent it flying across the room. “I don’t want her to go. Hell, she’s been one of the few people I could talk to and rely on, through this entire mess. Even if she didn’t know it, I counted on seeing her. That time when she was away, doing god knows what, I missed her like crazy. And now, I’m just supposed to let her walk out of my life without even trying to prevent it?”
“You know you two can’t be together.” Ardyn couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He’d known that Graham cared about Nitara, but he didn’t know his feelings were that deep.
“Yeah, I know. Fuck.” Staring at the empty seat where he’d kissed her lips, Graham sighed. It was the first and last time he would do that, but dammit if it wasn’t good for him. If only she’d enjoyed it too.
“Sorry, man. But hey, once you’re the boss, you’ll have all of the bloodsucking babes throwing themselves at you.” Ardyn snapped his fingers and in front of them hanging in the air, appeared the display of a fictional future. They watched the image of a smiling Graham, sitting in Tyrellis’ throne with a busty vampire in his lap. “So much that you won’t even be able to remember who Nitara is.”
“Oh, I could get used to that.” They both knew Ardyn was a liar, but dammit if the image he created wasn’t a good one.
As she walked around the complex, Nitara kept a close eye on the vampires in Tyrellis’ keep. It didn’t take a genius to see that most of them weren’t to be trusted. They were only there because of the protection Nitara gave them. While she was away, more than half of the bastards had defected. They left the compound in order to get away from attacks they were sure were going to happen. In the short time that she had been back, they were there again. Snuggling up under the safety net. Tyrellis was a joke, and if nothing else made that clear, the company he kept did. Like a moron, he let them all right back in with little to no consequences for their lack of loyalty to him. That alone weakened his position more than he knew.
The vampires who hung around were the weakest she’d seen. Cast and his guys would have had no problem taking them down on an even playing field. As long as she was in the picture, that would never be the case. She hadn’t seen or heard from her immortal vessel since their last conversation. Perhaps he was in hiding, fearing that she would tell someone his dirty secret. Even though he held the power to control what she did, including the information she relayed to others, he still worried that she would find a way to betray him. If there was a magical loophole to her situation, she hadn’t found it yet.
As she moved, she was careful to make note of everything in her surroundings. She calculated the world around her, compiling the factors in hopes to figure out one thing. How long would it be until it all went up in smoke? Even those who hung around seemed restless, anxious for something unknown. She’d been back for nearly a week, and yet, no one had bothered her with their usual requests. She wasn�
��t asked to conjure endless rivers of blood or to make the sun magically disappear from the sky, which was a fan favorite. She’d been prepared for the eternal nonsense to kick right back into gear, but still had yet to see much of it. She wasn’t complaining about the lack of being pestered, but it raised some serious red flags for her.
“Sarah,” Nitara addressed the vampire who stood on the quiet balcony overlooking Tyrellis’ courtyard. “Have you seen him?”
“No, I haven’t, not for a few days now, but that isn’t exactly unusual. Is there something wrong?” Sarah was a leggy blonde with fair skin and green eyes. In most instances she was quiet, demure, but Nitara had seen the darker side of Tyrellis’ wife quite a few times. Despite her ability to scare the living hell out of those around her, Sarah was the only thing about the man that made him tolerable. Where he lacked sensibility, she was the very definition of it. Nothing in excess, nothing that wasn’t necessary for her survival. Yes, she enjoyed her position. But unlike her husband, she didn't let it go to her head. Nitara wondered what the hell she saw in the man, besides his power, but Sarah had been with him long before he’d made his bargain with Daegal. Regardless of the reckless decisions he made, she remained by his side.
“No, not at all.” Nitara leaned against the banister and gazed out upon the empty grounds below. The air was chilled; the grips of another winter was tightening around the land. “It’s just unlike him. Usually I get constant mental updates, wishes, or whatever. The last few days have been quiet.”
“I’d think you’d enjoy the peace.” Sarah laughed. “It can’t be pleasant, having his incessant chatter in your mind.”
“Oh, I have.” She thought about the sound of his voice that often interrupted her usual thoughts to leave the ramblings of a vampire in her head. It was weaker, more juvenile, which caused her to believe that Tyrellis intentionally added base to his voice whenever he spoke. “Best sleep I’ve gotten in quite some time.”
“But I guess it is unusual for him to leave you unbothered.” Turning away from the view in front of her, Sarah watched Nitara closely. It was the first time they’d been alone together since the woman had returned. “To be honest, I’ve been rather preoccupied myself. There is much to be done.”
“Why is that, if you don’t mind my asking.”
“Oh, no, I don’t mind. I never do. Not with you.” Sarah lifted her hand to secure a loose strand of hair. The woman wasn’t one to ever be seen in a state of unkempt. When the blonde strand was returned to its place, she continued. “Things are changing, Nitara, and I need to find my place in the newly forming world.”
“What do you mean?” It wasn’t the first time she’d heard that kind of talk, but it was the first time she heard it from Sarah. Usually the woman was so confident. Apparently, something had happened to alter her position on the matter. “You’re at the lead, why would you ever want to change that?”
“Nitara, while you were away,” she paused, considering her words carefully, “let’s just say, I did things that I never thought I would. All for the sake of keeping Tyrellis safe, but I fear those things may come back to haunt me.”
“Is that right?” Nitara wondered what Sarah had gotten involved in. What could she have done?
“Yes, but after such a long time on this interesting planet, I’ve learned that not one thing in life will remain the same forever. That is the only thing that is absolutely guaranteed in life, things will always transform with time. We must adapt, change with the times, or be swept away with the debris.”
“What did you do?” Nitara knew it was a long shot. If Sarah had done something that she felt could jeopardize her position, she wouldn’t be eager to shout it out to the world. Nitara was a direct line to Tyrellis, someone she’d want to keep her dirty little secret from more than anyone else.
“That isn’t important now.” She avoided the question as was expected. “I really like you, Nitara. I always have. You know that, right?”
“Yes, and I like you as well, Sarah.” Yeah, Nitara liked Sarah, the woman was a badass and hard not to like, but her little confession of guilt made Nitara question if she should be trusted. After all, nothing about their relationship made sense. Sarah was stronger than he was, and yet she ran behind him like a pet. Perhaps she saw his potential or somehow knew about his coming deal with Daegal. Whatever it was, Nitara could see it wasn’t genuine affection. She was good at making Tyrellis feel good, and that was all the moron cared about.
“Good. That really makes me happy to know.” She looked to the sky, to where they both spotted the wings of a phoenix taking flight. Sarah raised a brow at Nitara who shrugged; that sighting was surely an oddity for Reverie.
Nitara could see the sorrow behind Sarah’s eyes. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m perfectly fine, just a bit lost in thought.” Sarah’s hand brushed across Nitara’s shoulder as she turned to leave. “I must go, sun will be up soon.”
“Of course.” Watching her leave, Nitara wondered about the ominous meaning behind her words.
“No one must ever know.” She paced the floor of the simple apartment, careful to stay clear of the windows. If anyone caught even a glimpse of her there, it would ruin everything for her. “I need to be sure that this will stay between the two of us.”
“So you said, and I already promised you before that I would keep your secret. Why the reiteration now?” She was more nervous than he’d ever witnessed her. Her entire body was stiff, rigid with anxiety.
“Yes, but …” She faced him as her mind raced and turned over the events that took place as she continued to speculate. She tried desperately to find the flaw, the thing that she’d overlooked. There had to be something or else the gnawing pain in her stomach would have subsided. Intuition was working overtime and it told her she was royally screwed.
“But what? Do you regret telling me? I would think you’d be satisfied … it saved your husband’s life, didn’t it? I would think you would be pleased.” He stood from the chair, tired of watching her pace, and opted to get himself a drink. Pulling one bottle of blood from the small refrigerator, he offered her one, but she declined.
“When will you do it?” She spoke the question she’d come to ask. Against her better judgement, she had revealed her husband’s greatest weakness, and to the enemy. How long would it be before he used that information for his own gains?
“What is it that you think I’m planning to do?” Graham straightened as he looked on a woman who was paler than her usual shade of powder white. She truly feared the man. He couldn’t blame her. She’d put not only herself, but Tyrellis in a terrible predicament. The secret of his bond with Nitara had been well kept for many years, but out of fear, she’d given it up.
Sarah had received word that Cast was making his move on the leader. Nitara was missing in action and as time went on, the belief was that she would never return. Of course, those who would have Tyrellis removed from his position saw this as their time to strike. Out of nothing more than desperation, Sarah appeared in Graham’s home. She had seen his affection for Nitara and hoped that her revelation would work to motivate him to prevent Cast from attacking. It did just that.
Instead of taking Tyrellis’ life, Cast chose his own survival. There was no way he would go head-to-head with Graham and survive. His token of cooperation was the bike that Nitara had repossessed when she returned.
“I know you’ve been with Nitara. Twice now I’ve heard of you two together since her return.” She squared her shoulders. “You must be plotting something, conspiring against Tyrellis.”
“What exactly would we be plotting?” Nothing had changed about the bond between the vampire and the djinn. If Tyrellis fell, so would she, and Graham would never sign up for that.
“Just tell me what I can do.” Sarah was suddenly softened; the rigid energy had drained from her body in the blink of an eye as she decided that she would approach the situation in a different manner. Frantic steps became liquid moveme
nts of seduction as she sauntered across the room and over to him. Placing her hand on his chest, she leaned in close to him until her lips were less than an inch away from his ear. “Anything at all, I’ll do it for you.” Crimson painted lips lowered to the bare flesh of his neck. They brushed against his skin as she whispered, “Just say the word.”
“Sarah,” Graham grabbed the hand that had been on a journey south, and pushed her away, “you are a very beautiful woman, but I’m going to have to decline the offer.”
“You will need someone by your side.” She pouted and he lost all respect for her. Yeah, she’d made some bad decisions, especially when it came to confiding in him, but he had respected her. She did what she thought was right. It was the wrong thing to do, but she made that choice with good intention. To use her body to try to entice him, despite her proclamation of love for Tyrellis, it was an all-time low that he never thought he would witness from her.
“Yes, but it won’t be you. You who so easily gave up Tyrellis’ most precious secret, the thing that could end him.” He placed his drink down and headed for the door. It was time for her to leave. “Why the hell would I want you by my side?”
“I did that to save him!” She spoke in hushed anger. Still aware of her vulnerability, she wanted no one to know that she was there. She followed him closely.
“Did you? Perhaps you tell yourself that to help you sleep, but is that the truth? And what about now.” He turned, grabbed her, and pulled her close to him. His waist thrusted against hers and she purred, ready to comply with whatever he demanded of her. “Are you still trying to save him?”
Shocked, Sarah was pushed away and through the open door which slammed in her face. Her mouth hung open for a moment as the surprise wore off. The sound of movement coming from the far end of the hall snapped her out of it. She kicked the door and grunted. She left in a flash using her heightened speed before anyone could see her.
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