Eli, pacing, stops and walks directly to me. He grasps my shoulders. “Well?” he asks. “Are you okay?”
Giving him an assuring smile, I lean up and kiss him. “Oui, Monsieur Dupré.” I blink. The French rolls off my tongue as though it’s my first language. Intrigued, I decide to give it another try. “Est-ce-que vous avez été examiner pour la rage récemment?” I wait expectantly for praise.
A moment of silence hangs in the air before laughter breaks out in the Arcos great hall.
Eli’s lips purse tightly together, and he covers his mouth with his hand before shaking his head.
“What’d I say?” I ask. I look at Gilles. He’s still chuckling.
“Damn, girl,” Noah says, wiping his eyes. “You just asked Eli if he’d been checked for rabies recently.”
“Oops,” I say. “Guess I need to work on that, huh?”
Eli pulls me into a hug. “Non,” he whispers against my ear. “I like you just the way you are.”
I fall easily into his embrace. How simple it is for me to take comfort there. Much easier now that I’ve admitted to myself, and to Eli, how much I truly love him.
From the corner of my eye, I notice Victorian hanging back somewhat from the group. And for a moment, my heart aches.
He smiles at me. No, love. Do not ache for me. As I said, I will wait for you. And I shall also enter your thoughts routinely. You’ll grow weary of hearing me, no doubt.
I do nothing more than smile back at him.
“We must prepare for departure,” Gilles announces, drawing everyone’s attention. “Luc has called several times. The situation is growing, and it’s no longer safe to leave the entire city and our loved ones solely in the hands of my children and wife.” He faces Eli. “Valerian has been in hiding, commanding his newlings. They’ve converged now. A large clan descends upon Savannah. We must leave at once.”
Jake Andorra moves to Eli. “My team and I will accompany you.”
Eli nods and grasps his shoulder. “Merci. We can use all the help we can get. Merci.”
“I will help as well,” Victorian adds, standing tall, erect, and meeting Eli’s hard gaze without flinching. “’Tis my duty to bring my brother home.”
Eli looks first at me, then back to Victorian. “Only because Riley trusts you so much will I allow this.”
Victorian simply nods and leaves the hall.
“Well,” Noah says, clapping his hands together and rubbing them vigorously. His smile is lethal, predatory. “Time to make like a tree and get the fuck out of here.”
I shake my head. Noah’s mercury gaze lights on me and I can’t help but grin at him. Sick fool.
Within an hour, we’d packed up and, thanks to Julian Arcos, boarded two helicopters bound for Bucharest. Apparently I’d been so out of it on the journey that I’d missed the flight to Castell Arcos. But even I have to admit that the sight of the massive, ancient castle rising out of the misty rocks of the Carpathians is one I’ll not soon forget. Turrets and towers—foreboding, all of it. Yet…enticing. I guess that’s the whole vampire lure. To me, though, it is sheer beauty.
At the airport, we board the Arcoses’ private jet—a Gulfstream, no less, manufactured directly in my hometown of sultry Savannah, Georgia. The jet is immaculately decorated and lavishly furnished; I admit that it is pretty kick-ass to roll in so much luxury. Not sure I’d ever buy one myself, but it damn sure beats sitting all cramped in coach, with someone kicking the back of your seat or, worse, falling asleep on you. Had that happen to me once. Some weird dude who looked like Satan, complete with pointed goatee and all, fell right over on me. Tried to snuggle. No, thank you.
As we take off from Bucharest, the sun is setting, and the sky we fly into is various shades of orange, red, yellow, and purple. The Carpathians rise in the distance, and for a solid second, I feel sad that I’m leaving. It’s weird—I’ve never had the first little desire to go to Romania, yet I have some sort of connection to it. I now have the urge to return. Someday.
It’s not weird, love. The connection to my home is inside of you now, just as my blood, my brother’s, and my father’s circulate with each pump of your heart. It’s natural to feel this. Mayhap one day you’ll come back?
My eyes shoot over to Victorian’s, and he’s of course watching me. I smile and shrug, then turn back to the window and watch Bucharest fade away. Maybe I will. One day.
I settle down next to Eli and take notice of my traveling companions. Five vampires, two werewolves, two ancient Pict Druthan warriors, and one mortal-turned-very-important-immortal. And me.
I have to wonder what exactly the pilot is.
“Well,” Jake Andorra says, addressing everyone. “Since we had to hurry and leave in such haste I suggest we take this time to acquaint Ms. Poe with WUP”—he slides me a glance—“and what would be expected of her.” His gaze lights on everyone. “Agreed?”
The plane fills with various forms of agreement: ayes and yeses and ouis.
Jake nods. “Good.” He’s sitting in the seat across from me, so he leans forward, clasps his hands together, and meets my gaze. “As you can see, my WUP team is made up of…rather unique beings.” He nods to the various occupants of the plane. “Werewolves. Vampires. Immortals.” He smiles. “And you, Riley Poe.”
“What am I?” I ask.
Jake shrugs. “That, I haven’t figured out yet, but trust me when I say, you’ll fit right in with the rest of the team. You see, we take on cases too dangerous and powerful for mere mortals to handle. This case is probably our most dangerous thus far.”
I keep my gaze trained on Jake.
“You see, there’s really only one thing more lethal than a vampire,” he says. “A Black Fallen.”
“What’s that again?” I ask, not sure I got the full scoop earlier.
“’Tis a fallen angel, engulfed in the blackest of magic. And three of the Fallen have descended upon Edinburgh, Scotland, with a vengeance.”
“Why?” I ask.
Jake glances at another. “Gabriel?”
The big guy, Gabriel, meets my eyes. “The Black Fallen seek two things: one, a soul. No’ just any old soul. A pure one.”
“And the second?” I ask.
“’Tis an aged tome—the Seiagh—a dark, ancient book of the most potent spells, stolen from the Fallen’s possession centuries before.” His unusual eyes bore into mine. “They’ll stop at nothing to get both.”
“Aye, and it’ll take all of our powers combined to stop them,” Jake says.
“Ms. Maspeth,” Gabriel continues, “was chosen at birth to be the only one capable of reading the ancient script of the Seiagh.” He nods at Sydney. “The Fallen want her as badly as they want the bloody book.”
Across several rows, my eyes meet Sydney’s. Neither of us says a word. We don’t have to. I’ve been inside her body, linked to her soul. I’ve seen what happens in Edinburgh with the Fallen. I’ve been witness to the…things the Fallen have created to help seek out a pure soul to steal. They’re vicious, horrible creatures that are hideously gross when killed. What a frickin’ mess. And Sydney has kicked some major monster ass.
I move my gaze back to Jake. “And what about Ginger and Lucien’s deal?”
“It’s…complicated,” Jake begins. “But it’s a war brewing between two werewolf clans. Major treaties are being broken, and innocents are getting killed.”
I glance at Ginger. No lie, innocents are getting killed. I saw that while in her body, too.
I think for a moment, and raise my gaze to meet Eli’s. We look wordlessly at each other. For several long seconds. Then I glance at Jake.
“I’ll consider joining the team, Andorra,” I say. “If you consider taking my brother on, as well. I’m not leaving him behind, and he’s a damn good fighter.”
Jake grins and nods. “I know that to be true. Done, Riley.”
“I said I’d consider it,” I repeat. “I haven’t signed a contract yet.”
Jake merely gr
ins again. “Ah, but you will. And I’ll be ever so grateful for it. Besides, you owe me a new jet. You all but tore the other one to shreds.”
“Sorry ’bout that,” I answer, and Jake continues grinning at me. Prick.
Ginger, her head against Lucien’s shoulder, looks at me. “Your powers, your energy, they’re fantastic,” she says. “So many innocents can benefit from them, Riley. Join us, please?”
My gaze moves to Sydney, who echoes Ginger. “Please?”
I simply shake my head and sigh. “I will…heavily consider it.”
“You won’t regret it,” Ginger says.
Glancing out the plane’s window, I stare at the weightless, empty air. I’m in an airplane with two werewolves, several vampires, a couple of immortals, and whatever you want to call me.
How life has certainly changed.
When I think back on me as a kid, doing such stupid, stupid things like drugs, drinking, and quitting school, and then when I think of my life now? It’s impossible to even fathom. Absently, my fingers move to the black wings inked at the corner of my left eye. Damn, I’ve done some idiotic things in my life. I hate worse than anything that my mom had to suffer through them. She didn’t deserve all that I gave her. And she damn sure didn’t deserve to die the way she did.
I can’t help but wonder what she’d be like now. What she’d think of Seth and me now. Would any of this even have happened? To be perfectly honest I’m surprised I didn’t die young. All the shit I got into as a preteen? How it must’ve killed her inside, to see her baby become such a…loser. I know that I might not be who I am now had it not been for those poor choices, but it’s hard not to hate myself for putting my mom through it all. My heart still hurts, still longs for her. Sometimes I can even feel her close to me. Sometimes, I swear to God, I can smell her. I get a whiff of someone wearing some perfume that reminds me of her and—whack! Heartbreak all over again. I really miss her. At times, I wish she could see, just for a second, that I didn’t stay a loser.
Eli’s hand finds mine, and he laces his fingers through mine. He looks at me with those enigmatic eyes, and I immediately feel calm. He smiles, and it almost makes my heart seize.
I lay my head against Eli’s shoulder. My eyes grow heavy, and I close them. After tucking a pillow under my head, since Eli’s bicep isn’t the softest of things, I drift off to sleep.
“Riley, wake up,” Eli’s voice whispers against the shell of my ear. “We’re home.”
My eyes flutter open, and the moment my brain registers my whereabouts, I sense newlings. I look at Eli. “We’ve got to hurry.”
The urgency in his face makes me know my words ring more than true.
We race from the airport in three cars, through Industrial Park and up Bay Street. I’d slept so hard on the flight home, I don’t even remember landing twice for fuel. Well, I’m full of energy and ready to fight. I’m sick and tired of our lives being disrupted. It has to end. Now.
We drive straight to Monterey Square and to the House of Dupré. It’s now four p.m. Seth meets me at the door and grabs me into a fierce hug. My feet literally leave the ground.
“Ri!” he says into my hair, hugging me so tight I can’t breathe. His arms are like bands of steel around me. He looks at me, those green eyes revealing every single emotion he possesses. “I was going crazy here, worrying about you,” he says. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, of course, squirt,” I reply, having to almost look up to answer him. I smile at him. “You’ve grown.”
Seth blushes. “Yeah, a little.” He kisses my cheek. “I’m glad you’re home, Ri. This time for good, right?”
I drape an arm over his shoulder. “Damn right.”
We walk in together.
The crowd behind me files in, and the moment Elise spies Gilles, she hurries to her husband and flings herself into his arms. They embrace for a long time.
“Riley!”
In the next second, Nyxinnia Foster throws herself at me, almost impales my eye with a pigtail, and hugs me tightly. “I’ve missed you!” she says. “Luc wanted me to stay here. Things are bad, Riley. I’m glad you’re home.”
“Yeah, looks like you brought the whole country back with you,” Luc says, walking up and pulling me against him. “Nice of you to come back mostly normal, Ri.”
“She’s never been normal,” Phin says, and he, too, pulls me into a hug.
“Whatever,” I answer. “And Nyx must be rubbing off on you guys. All this hugging.”
Phin says something to Luc in French. She might not be normal, but she’s still hot as hell.
“Yeah, I’m hot as hell all right,” I say. Then smile.
“Damn,” Luc says. “What happened?”
“All right,” Gilles says, and walks to the center of the room. “We’ve guests and introductions.” He looks around the room and his gaze lands on me. “Then we’ve business to discuss.”
“Where’s Preacher and Estelle?” I ask Phin.
“On Da Island,” he answers. “They’re there with Josie, Zetty, and Riggs.”
Gilles makes fast introductions, then inclines his head. “Philippe will show you to your chambers,” he says. “You may settle in and meet in my study in thirty minutes. There is much to discuss.”
Eli now stands on one side of me, Seth on the other, and Phin and Luc fill in the spaces. “You brought back a pair of wolves, bro?” Luc asks. “Sick.” He glances around. “Arcos is staying here, too?”
“Yes,” I answer. “And don’t be an ass, Luc. He’s here to help.”
Luc glares at me.
“I want to hear more about what’s happening in Edinburgh,” Phin says. “How old is Darius, anyway?”
I shrug as I watch the ancient Pict climb the Dupré staircase behind Gabriel and Sydney. “Old as dirt, I think,” I answer. “Pretty cool guys, though.”
“And they’re here to help, too,” Eli adds. “So be nice.”
Luc shrugs. “Cool by me.” He leans toward me. “That whole vampire versus wolf thing? It’s all Hollywood. No bad blood between us.”
“Good thing,” I say. “Because Ginger looks like she can kick your ass.”
Luc rubs his chin. “You’re probably right.”
“All right,” Eli says. “Let’s get ready. We’ve got to get a plan together. Tonight.”
Thirty minutes later we all meet in Gilles’s study. Philippe passes me as he brings in a loaded tray of food. One gray eyebrow lifts, as does the corner of his mouth. “Mademoiselle,” he says. “So nice of you to return…as yourself. Mostly.”
“Oh, I’m anything but myself, Phil,” I say. His other eyebrow lifts and he continues on. Damn, no telling what I did before Romania. It must’ve been pretty bad, though.
Gilles is front and center, and the others line the walls in chairs. “I’ve spoken to Preacher,” he says. “And to Garr in Carolina. The newlings are being led. They’re merging. And they’re coming here.”
“Led by Valerian,” I say.
“Oui,” Gilles answers. “And it’s you, Riley, that he wants.”
I sigh. “Figured as much,” I mumble. “So what now?”
Eli’s hand grasps mine.
“We lure him out,” Gilles says.
“You mean Riley lures him out?” Eli answers. “No, Papa.”
I roll my eyes. “Okay, Eligius,” I say, and turn to him. “Seriously. After all this, after all we’ve been through, after all I’ve endured, you’ve seen what I’m capable of. Now’s not the time to be overprotective.”
That little speech wins me a frown from Eli.
“It won’t be as easy as you think,” Victorian adds. “My brother is cunning. He suspects something is up.”
“Have you told him anything?” Luc says.
“No,” Victorian answers, and looks at me. “I wouldn’t.”
Gilles nods in satisfaction. “There is an old woman. Gullah. She’s been…in hiding for many years. Preacher says she’s back and knows something that will he
lp us.” He looks toward me and Eli. “I want you two to go and speak with her.”
Eli nods. “Done. When?”
“Tonight.”
“You others will span the city,” Gilles continues. “Nyx, love, you will stay here, with me and Elise.”
“Okay,” Nyx says.
“Garr believes the research facility off the coast has been taken over by Valerian and his clan,” Gilles says. “Drummond Research. The Gullah have watched them for years, but to my knowledge, they’ve been one hundred percent scientific in their research.”
“We’ll check it out,” Eli says. “After our visit.”
“Bon,” Gilles says. “Her name is Darling. You’ll find her in LaFayette Square after nine p.m., so says Preacher.”
“I want no less than four visiting the research island,” Gilles said. “If Valerian has taken over, it will not be easy to maneuver.”
“Will do,” Eli says.
Gilles glances around, then nods. “Eat. Rest. And be careful.”
“You better hit the platters of food before the wolves do,” Luc whispers in my ear. He grins.
I shake my head and head for the spread. He may be right about that.
By eight forty-five p.m., we are all ready to head out. I’ve showered and changed into a pair of green cargos, a black tank, and a black, long-sleeved tee over the tank. Plus my Vans. Every holster I own sits against my body, filled with silver blades.
I’m ready.
We all exit the Dupré House at the same time. We all head in different directions. Wolves. Vamps. Immortals. Humans with Tendencies.
As I step out into the chilly October air, a new scent invades my senses. It surrounds me, invades me, and I draw it in and taste it on my tongue.
It’s a fight. A big fight.
And it’s close.…
Part Eight
FERAL
Damn, it’s almost funny to watch Eli with Riley these days. She has changed, yet…not. It’s almost like she was born to belong to Eli, born to become what she is now. Like it was her destiny or something. She was sick before. Now? It’s hard not to stare when she does…anything. It blows my mind to think there’s anything human left in her, but there is. And that’s why Eli won’t budge from her side. I don’t blame him. If she belonged to me, I’d do the same. And yeah—she hates when we say she belongs to him. Cracks my ass up, though. The one thing I don’t understand about her is her liking for Victorian Arcos. It’s fucking bizarre. I guess she has so much of his DNA inside of her? Who knows. What I do know is, you don’t fuck with Victorian. Not that he can’t handle himself. For such a pretty boy, he is tough as shit. But he has it bad for Riley, and if he doesn’t watch himself Eli will be all over him. Damn, that would be a fight worth taking bets on.