“I know!”
“Calm down,” Falconer hissed.
A few guards moved into the room, drawn by my anger. I’d become the enemy, when only months ago I’d been their ideal Protector. But months ago I hadn’t known the truth; I’d been blinded by my loyalty.
“I will not calm down,” I seethed. “You said you’d protect her!”
Falconer paused a few steps from me, the guards behind him, just waiting for an order. “Young man, I do not like your tone.”
“An Otherworldly being must have taken her, or at least had a hand in her abduction. We both know that, you just don’t want to admit it.”
“There are many visiting the Consulate at the moment.”
So he thought to place the blame on a fairy or elf? Typical.
“Owen, please,” Pet whispered. “We are your friends.”
“Are you truly that jealous?” I asked, turning my anger on her. “That you’d give the life of another to appease your petty vengeance?” I stepped closer to them both. “Know this…when I find out who was involved, that person will pay with their life.”
********
Emma
When I woke up, I saw steel bars and cement flooring.
To be honest, it wasn’t the first time I’d been in a cell, but this was definitely different. I wouldn’t have any grandmother to bail me out, and I hadn’t been put in prison for trespassing…for the fifth time. No, I’d ended up here when I’d done nothing wrong but trust the Consulate.
I shoved my hands against the moldy mattress I lay upon and managed to somehow get to my feet. The room around me spun, as if I’d been drugged. I gripped the bars for support, waiting for my brain to stop thrumming.
Something had happened…something…
I took in a deep breath, trying to relax my tight lungs, but nothing seemed to work. It only made me dizzier. I’d been in a hall at the castle when someone had grabbed me from behind. Yeah, that sounded right. I’d been running…running because Owen had been kissing Petunia. Oh God, that hadn’t been a dream. I gripped the bars and leaned forward, resting my head against the cold steel.
I wasn’t sure which was more disgusting…the memory of them kissing, or the scent of refuse that surrounded me in my dungeon. This was what I got for trusting a man. I shoved my hands against the bars with an angry growl and stumbled back.
Where the hell was I?
Slowly, I turned. Three walls of stone, one wall of bars. Was I even still in the castle, or had I been carried outside the walls? I squeezed my eyes shut and thought of Owen.
Where are you?
He didn’t respond. He didn’t appear, surprising me. I leaned back against the stone wall. I was really alone. It was almost as if the stone ceiling and walls surrounding my cage insulated me from the outside world, from life. Other than the soft drip of condensation coming from somewhere in those dark shadows, the place was completely silent. I went to the bars and peered down the halls as far as I could. Nothing but more stone. Only a few windows high up on the wall provided weak light.
Frustrated, I paced along the barred wall, looking for a way to escape. There had to be a way out. As soon as I escaped this mess I was headed back to Michigan, back to a life I understood. I sighed, feeling the sting of tears. How had I lost control of my world? I rested my head on the bars. Who was I kidding? I’d never had control. No, I was doing PI work that I didn’t really enjoy, using Lizzie as an excuse not to move on.
I shook the bars. “Damn it!”
If I got out of this mess. I paced the cage, wondering who had abducted me. At this point, I had a long list of enemies. They could have killed me, but they hadn’t. No, I was here for a reason…and I had no doubt that reason was to match. And when they came for me, wanting to use my powers, I would get my chance to escape, my chance to start over. I had to believe that.
“Pretty, pretty bird,” someone said in a singsong voice that sent a shiver over my skin. From the far corner of the room, a dark shadow emerged. “I’ve been watching you.”
A vampire. I could tell the moment he stepped into the light from the windows above. Long, greasy hair, pale face, evil grin…yep. My very own creepy stalker. Lucky me. I had to resist the urge to step back. Where would I go anyway?
“I’ve heard Matchmaker blood tastes ever so yummy.” He rubbed his hands together, his gleeful grin baring yellowed teeth. Who the hell was he? Maybe I wasn’t here to make matches. Unable to help myself, I took a step back, then another and another until my back hit the stone wall.
“Come in here and find out,” I snapped, annoyed with myself for being so afraid.
“Now, now,” someone else called out, the dark shadow moving down the hall. This man was taller, with broad shoulders. I couldn’t quite see him; I needed to see him. “I wouldn’t taunt him. Tipper isn’t exactly…right in the head, as you humans say.”
Tipper cackled again, as if they were speaking of someone else instead of him. Yep, definitely not right in the head. But the man who swept into the light from the window, headed directly toward me, wasn’t anything like the other dirty, nasty vamps I’d met. He wore a dark suit with a long black coat that swirled around polished boots. His pale face was ridiculously gorgeous and his dark hair short and stylish. I felt like I’d just stepped into one of Lizzie’s romance novels. But he was still a blood-sucking vampire, I had to remind myself.
“Just as with humans,” he explained, those pale blue eyes piercing me. “We have some vampires who have more of a conscience than others. Unfortunately, Tipper isn’t one of them.”
Tipper cackled, rubbing his knobby hands together. I resisted the urge to grimace. Psycho, serial killers…both thoughts came to mind when I looked into his dark, soulless eyes. They wanted me, they needed me, so why was I sweating?
“But I admit,” he said, pausing near my cage. “He is right.” He grinned. “Truly, I don’t mean to frighten you, but Matchmaker blood is rather sweet.”
I didn’t respond. He was trying to scare me. It was working, but I sure as heck wouldn’t let him know. “What the hell do you want?”
He bowed low. “Good morning.”
“Is it?” I said. “I wouldn’t know as I’ve been locked in a windowless cage.”
He smiled. “You’ve been treated terribly. I do apologize.” He paced in front of the bars. He must not have been too sorry because he didn’t bother to release me. “You see, Emma, we don’t want you to think of us as your enemy. On the contrary, if you work for us you’ll be handsomely rewarded.”
“Oh, silly me.” I laughed, crossing my arms over my chest. “I didn’t realize I was an honored guest. The moldy mat on the floor, the lack of water and food…your finest? How could I not have noticed?”
Tipper lifted his lips and hissed, apparently not finding my sarcasm amusing.
But the other man merely smiled, that grin so charming I almost fell for it. “As I said, it was a terrible mistake. One I shall rectify immediately.”
He reached for the lock and with a twist, broke it from the bars. My heart leapt into my throat. I had to resist the urge to stumble back. I would not show fear; I refused to give them that pleasure.
“I’m Bay. Now, shall we?” He swung the door wide. Tipper hovered in the shadows, watching, waiting for his chance. Crap, I actually felt safer in that cage. Slowly, I stepped from my barred box and into the hall.
“Tipper, my boy, do run to the kitchens. I’m sure Cook has something lovely for you.”
In a flash, he was gone, so fast he was a mere blur. But one thing struck me hard…Tipper wasn’t running upstairs for a hamburger and fries. No, because vampires drank blood…blood from humans. I swallowed hard, forcing the bile back down. I would survive this; I would not die this way.
He held out his arm, ever the gentleman. I paused, wondering if I should decline, but realized I needed to make friends with this guy, whoever he was. Frankly, I didn’t have any other choice at the moment. And so I slid my arm around his. Th
e smile upon his lips deepened. He knew he’d won…for now.
“If you decide to stay with us, my dear.” We walked side by side up a narrow flight of stone steps and out of the dank and depressing dungeon. “You will find your stay to be quite luxurious.”
Why did I doubt that? He pushed open a door and we moved into a hall, the floors marble and walls a rich burgundy. I could hear people chatting in nearby rooms, laughter, the tinkle of silverware and china from somewhere down the hall, but couldn’t make out their words. The realization that I was in a house full of vampires sent a cold chill down my spine. But I wouldn’t let them know…never let them know you were afraid.
“Hold tight, my dear.”
I stiffened, confused. “What?”
He didn’t answer; he simply wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me.
I shoved my hands against his stone-like chest but he didn’t budge. “Put me down!”
The entire world suddenly flew past me, so fast that I noticed only a blur of colors and objects, and wind so strong it whipped at my hair. Just as suddenly as the tornado started, it stopped, and the wind disappeared. Stunned and confused, I glanced around me. Gone was the marble flooring and in its place were polished wooden floorboards. Everything sparkled, from the floor to the golden sconces that hung on the walls.
“As a vampire, we are gifted with speed.”
Yeah, you could say they were fast in more than one way. “Where are we?”
He settled me down, only to cup my elbow when I started to sway. Our race through space had been too much for my body and mind. “I merely brought you upstairs. It’s to your liking?”
I looked at him, truly looked at him. His ridiculous speed was only a reminder of his supernatural ability, his strength. “Yeah, sure.”
A maid in a short black uniform, complete with white apron, scurried down the hall. “My lord.” She bowed before rushing away.
Lord? Was Bay the leader of the vampires?
“I want you to enjoy your time here.” He led me down the hall.
Although I wanted to jerk away, my legs were still too weak from our roller coaster ride upstairs. Large windows looked down over fields of blood-red poppies that swayed in the breeze. Where the hell were we? How far from the Consulate?
I took in a deep breath and tried to relax, remembering what Owen had told me about keeping my heart rate normal. I could not let him know how nervous he made me. “But if I live here, I’ll have no freedom. Surely you can understand why I might be a bit nervous about being locked inside with blood-sucking vampires?”
We paused outside a door and he took both of my hands in his, pressing them to his hard, cold chest. “And if I can promise no one here will harm you?”
Ha! Right. “How do I know I can trust you?”
“When I give my word, I mean it.”
As if I was going to believe him. Before I could respond, he turned and pushed open the door behind us. It was a large bedchamber with a massive four-poster bed against one wall. A marble fireplace glowed warmly from across the room, the logs already lit as if they’d been expecting me. The warm scent of roasted chicken wafted through the area, drawing my gaze to the side table where a tray rested, covered with a silver dome. My stomach clenched. Heck, I would have agreed to anything at that moment just to get something to eat.
I moved slowly into the room, feigning interest when in reality I wanted to make a mad dash for the door. All in good time. And if I couldn’t find a way to escape, surely the Consulate would be here soon, wouldn’t they?
His hands clasped behind his back, the vampire strolled toward me. “This, my dear, can be yours if you agree to stay and help us.”
I paused by the window, wondering if I could jump and make it out alive. But the second story was high, and the ground below rocky. I turned toward him. “And if I don’t agree?”
He frowned, his brows drawing together as if he were truly perplexed. “You seem to think we are out to harm you. Emma, when we brought you here merely to protect you.”
I resisted the urge to laugh. He was playing me, but that was fine. I’d participate in his game; I had no other choice. “Protect me from what, exactly? Because you’re the only people I know who actually feed on humans.”
“I gave you my word, no one will touch you.” He moved toward the side table that held my lunch. “Now it’s your choice, I suppose. You can work for us, or for them.”
He was giving me a choice? Why didn’t I believe him? “And why would I choose you over the Consulate?”
He lifted the dome off the tray and picked up a chunk of cheese. “Because, my dear, we haven’t been the ones trying to kill you.” He took a bite, chewing slowly while watching me.
“What do you mean?”
Hands clasped behind his back once more, he started toward me. “We have never intended to harm you. That dubious honor belongs to your friends…the Consulate.”
Chapter 19
Owen
The lead in the walls prevented escape by any means, as if they needed to protect themselves from me. They were covered with painted stucco, and I had a small, clean bed and even a side table with a lamp, but there was no doubt it was a prison in the bowels of the castle. I flattened my hands to the white walls. If they had been your typical stucco, I would have been long gone. If only I had suspected Pet from the beginning, but what sane person would abduct another merely because she was jealous? That had been my problem from the beginning…believing Pet was sane.
I shoved away from the wall and paced the small box. The Consulate obviously wanted me contained. But why? Did they fear I would bring to light their many mistakes? My suspicions? Or did Falconer truly believe I was the traitor Pet portrayed me to be?
I’d been a damn idiot for trusting anyone here. Bloody hell, Emma was out there, only the gods knew where, while I was trapped here because of my stupidity. I settled on the small bed. She was lost, unprotected, thinking I had abandoned her.
“Emma,” I whispered, knowing she couldn’t hear me. Couldn’t even bloody sense me.
I’d been so damn excited when I’d first arrived to the Consulate. Hell, I’d been happy to have the basics. But the basics weren’t enough. A person needed freedom, the ability to make their own choices and be respected for it…and lately I hadn’t exactly felt free here.
Why hadn’t I demanded the truth when I had the chance? Why hadn’t I listened to my instincts and fled with Emma when we could? “Damn it!”
I surged to my feet and slammed my fist into the wall, the pain immediate and throbbing. But I needed to feel something, anything other than the bitterly cold fear I felt for Emma.
“Well, that wasn’t very smart,” Seb said dryly from behind me.
Shocked, I spun around. Seb stood on the other side of the lead door, peering through the small window. I’d never been so happy to see him. “How’d you get down here?”
He shrugged, grinning. “I have my ways.”
I started toward the door, vaguely aware of the blood seeping from my abraded knuckles. “The guard was a female?”
“Of course. So easy to manipulate.” His grin deepened, and for once I ignored his sexist remark. “What the hell have you gotten yourself into? I mean, really, I’m gone only a day and you get arrested?”
“No,” I muttered. “They made it quite clear that I haven’t been arrested, I’m merely being kept in seclusion to protect me from myself.”
“You don’t say.” Seb gripped the bars and pulled, but the door didn’t budge. “How kind of them.”
Even if I couldn’t escape, there was still hope. Maybe, just maybe, Seb could find Emma before it was too late. “The walls are lead. I can’t use my powers to transport.”
Seb lifted his hand, a set of keys dangling from his fingertips. “That’s why I’ve got the keys.”
My hope leapt. I could hear the scrape of metal against metal as he unlocked the cell.
“The handy human way.”
Wh
en the door squeaked open, I raced past it to the outside. “Did they find her?”
“No.”
I’d known even before I had asked, but the hope was still there. “Bloody hell. Your weapons?”
“In my chamber.”
I disappeared. Emma had been gone a good twelve hours. The frantic need to find her overwhelmed me. Time was running out. I reappeared inside Seb’s bedroom chamber, Seb appearing next to me. I wasted no time and went to his wardrobe, grabbing a T-shirt and military-style dark green jacket.
“You should know that there’s talk you murdered Emma.”
I didn’t bother to defend myself from that ridiculous comment. Instead, I quickly dressed. “The vampires took her.”
Seb went to the nearest trunk and lifted the lid. “Most likely. Of course, the Consulate is trying to pin the blame on you.”
I pulled a dagger from the trunk, and lifted the leg of my jeans, strapping the knife to my ankle, and doing the same with another dagger to my left leg. I told myself that Emma still lived. She was smart, and they wanted her alive. But as the minutes ticked by, my worry escalated. They could take her anywhere, hide her within any country.
“And why would they do that?” Seb asked. “Try to pin it on you?”
I pressed my finger to the tip of the sword hanging on Seb’s wall, which was crisscrossed with its sheath for decoration. “Because one of them is guilty, obviously.”
Seb stood there watching me warily. I knew what he was thinking even before he said the words. “You don’t have to do this. She’s not your Matchmaker anymore. She’s their issue.”
He only meant to help, but his words still rankled. I pulled the sheath from the wall first and slipped the strap across my chest, letting it fall against my back. “I know.”
Seb took down the sword and handed it to me. “In fact, the Consulate will be rather angry with you. They might even charge you with her disappearance.”
I slid the sword into the sheath strapped between my shoulder blades. I barely paid attention to Seb, was only vaguely aware of what he said. I knew what I had to do. My mind was set; I was determined. This time they would not stop me.