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“I stopped at a coffee shop after that, then the market. When I came out, it was just after sunset. I was waiting at a bus stop to return here when they appeared, out from the alleyway. Before I knew what was happening, they grabbed me and dragged me into the shadows. My packages were on the ground, and they pressed me up against the wall. One of them turned to look at me, and that’s when I realized they were vampires. I tried to look away, but…”
Vampires could mesmerize with their gazes, and Luna, as magical as she was, couldn’t possibly hope to stand up against them.
“They both fed on me. ” Her voice was thick, and she blushed. “I liked it. They made me like it. I feel…dirty. Used. ”
“Yeah, they do that. ” I flashed a look at Kaylin that said, Don’t say a word, and then knelt beside her. “Did they do anything…else to you?”
She shook her head. “They dragged me into a limo. And then…we were here. I thought they were going to kill me, but the one—the bigger one—just told me that I was lucky this time. Then he grinned and said that next time, he’d finish me himself. He said my blood was sweet. ” Another shudder, another look of horror. “That’s right when you came in. ”
“Kaylin, take her back to the Barrow and make sure she’s okay. ”
Kaylin said nothing but wrapped his arms around her shoulders and, once again, helped her stand. It was obvious she was weak. Luna was short, plump, and pretty. The demon within Kaylin’s soul had given him extra strength and speed, though, and he picked her up as if she were light as a feather and carried her out the door, calling to one of the guards to accompany him.
As they left, I turned to Grieve and Rhiannon. “Want to make a bet this has something to do with our meeting with Regina?”
“You need to take guards with you, since I am specifically not invited. ” Grieve glowered. He hated it when I went into Lannan’s territory without him, but there wasn’t much we could do. Having them in the same room together was pretty much like holding a lit rag to a can of gasoline.
I bit my lip. “Twenty minutes ago, I would have said no. Now? Not so much. But they can’t ride in the car. The iron would hurt them. ” I pulled out my cell phone and dialed Regina’s private number.
Within seconds, the Emissary for the Crimson Court answered, her voice slick like honey and oil.
“Regina, Geoffrey and Leo just delivered a bloody message to us. I need to bring guards with us tonight. You will allow them through the gate, right?”
Silence for a count of one…two…three. Then she answered, in a voice that wavered only in the slightest. But that faint quiver told me there was cause for concern. “Of course. I’ll tell my guards to be ready for them. How many are you bringing?”
“Five should do it. And Regina, thank you. ” Without waiting for an answer, I punched the End Talk button. I knew Regina well enough to know that she wasn’t going to say anything more over the phone. I notified the guards of the sudden change in plans, and they took off, heading for Lannan and Regina’s mansion.
As Rhiannon and I prepared to leave, I held out my arms. Grieve, my Fae Prince, slid willingly into my embrace. “I wish you could go with me, but so not a good idea. ” Softly, I kissed his lips, and he growled a little, causing the wolf tattoo on my stomach to respond. “I’ll be careful, I promise. ”
“See that you are. ” His dark eyes were as black as those of the vampires, but their onyx cores were filled with gleaming stars. Platinum hair cascaded down his shoulders, and he reached up, solemnly, to stroke my face, smelling of cinnamon and apples. “You are my everything. You are my Queen. Do not let the darkness swallow you, my love. ”
Nodding, I turned to Rhiannon, who followed me out the door. The guards were already off and running toward Regina and Lannan’s mansion. They would meet us there.
As we hurried to my beloved Pontiac GTO, several armed guards waited beside it, making sure we were safely tucked inside. I turned the ignition, dreading what the rest of the night held. Because I knew in my heart the news was only going to get worse.
“They’re never going to give up until they get even, are they?” Rhia leaned her head against the window, watching as the evening dusk grew deeper.
I shook my head. “No. I don’t think so. I wish I could say yes and mean it, but Leo and Geoffrey are dangerous. Not as dangerous as Myst, but we can’t underestimate them. Regina sounded almost…afraid. ”
Rhia jerked around. “Afraid? Regina?”
“Yeah, I know—an oxymoron. But she sounded…cautious. ”
My stomach fluttered, a knot rising, but I pushed it away, focusing on the icy street as I navigated through the silent neighborhoods. So many people had fled New Forest, and though some were trickling back, the town seemed unnaturally quiet and subdued.
“We’ll know what she knows soon enough. ” I turned onto the street that led toward Lannan’s mansion. The estate had belonged to Geoffrey until he’d defied the Crimson Court and been ousted from his position of Regent. Now, Lannan Altos, the golden boy of the vampire nation, and my personal nemesis, had taken over the job.
The brilliant mansion lit up the night as we approached. Gleaming white with gold trim, the behemoth rose three stories high, with who knew how many stories below-ground. Columns lined the wraparound porch, and urns sported rosebushes now nestled beneath the snow. The tableau suggested a Grecian temple more than a mansion belonging to New Forest.
The entire estate sprawled across two acres, fully gated and surrounded by snow-covered gardens and security guards in dark suits. Vampires they might be, but they also carried guns and stakes and whatever else they might need to defend against enemies. With their obsidian eyes cloaked behind dark glasses, and dressed in black suits, the vamps had an old-time gangster look going on. But there was no mistake—they were vampires, far deadlier than the yummanii mobsters.
As we eased into the driveway, one of the guards hurried up to open my door. They knew my car by now and gave us only a cursory pat-down. I politely turned over my silver dagger—which they were cautious to avoid touching. I slipped it into the weapons case one of them carried. I’d pick it up on the way back.
Beside them stood our guards. I saluted to them and they bowed, which felt weird as hell, but considering I was in line to become the Queen of Winter, and Rhiannon the Queen of Summer, we’d have to get used to it.
I handed my keys to the valet. As we started up the steps, he carefully eased Favonis out of the way.
Rhia and I glanced at each other.
“After what happened to Luna, I hate going in without backup,” she said.
“I know, but Regina will keep us safe. Even though she’s the Emissary to the Crimson Court, I trust her. She has to be diplomatic, and she knows that the Cambyra nation would come stake her royal ass if either of us were hurt. ”
As soon as I rang the bell, the door swung open. The maid who answered was a bloodwhore, but with perfect makeup, her hair in a chignon, and a stiffly pressed uniform and heels, she had to belong to the Emissary’s stable.
“We’re here to see Regina. ”
The woman curtseyed, then led us through the spacious foyer, past the office that had once been Geoffrey’s. But we didn’t stop there. Instead, she led us to the next door down the hallway, where she tapped discreetly. After a moment, she opened the door, peeked inside, and whispered something. Then, standing back, she ushered us in.
As we entered the room, I was surprised to see that it was yet another office, but this was oh-so-official, with what I assumed was a print of the royal seal hanging over the cherrywood desk. The polished desk was a monster, filling a good one-third of the room. The top was clear except for an appointment book, a pen on a blotter, and a bronze statue that at first looked to be a woman kissing a man. As I drew closer, I saw that it was actually a vampire holding her victim.
Regina, behind the desk, stood as we entered. Blond, like
her brother, she wore her hair in an intricate updo that must have taken an hour to fix. A black linen pencil skirt hugged her hips, and a red corset boosted her cleavage in an impressive display.
A large ruby teardrop flanked by two diamond baguettes hung around her neck from a gold chain. I knew they were ruby and diamond because Regina would never stoop to wearing costume jewelry. Matching earrings dangled from her ears, and her face was flawlessly made up.
Regina’s eyes glowed with the soft, unbroken obsidian of all true vampires. She wore a neutral eye shadow, with thin, precise liner and heavy mascara that glittered with gold flecks. Her lips were crimson, moist and alluring, and her alabaster skin was like fine porcelain. When she smiled, the tips of her fangs showing, and motioned for us to sit, I felt a brief rush of hunger.
“Cicely, Rhiannon…please make yourselves comfortable. ” She waited until we were seated on the dusky mauve divan opposite her desk, then motioned for the maid to leave and close the door behind her. Sitting back, she studied us carefully, as if she were gauging what to say. Or, perhaps, how to say it.
I leaned back against the velvet of the divan. I’d learned never to rush a vampire. The more you pushed, the more they pushed back. So, we waited. Rhiannon nervously knotted her sweater sleeve in her hand, but after a moment, she let out a long breath and finally leaned back beside me.
Regina stepped from behind her desk, crossing to the front, where she leaned her butt against the edge, her long legs stretched out in front, ending in five-inch stilettos. She glanced at the door.
“Lannan will be joining us shortly. ” She held up her hand as I shifted uncomfortably. “I know you’d prefer to deal with just me, but the fact is that Lannan’s input on this is vital. Trust me, the news isn’t pleasant. ”
“I have a feeling your news is going to be just about as good as what just happened to us. ”
On that cheery note, we went back to staring at each other. Even though she didn’t try to pull glamour on me, her gaze unnerved me. I licked my lips and yawned, quickly trying to cover my mouth. Were Queens even supposed to yawn in public? Flustered, I glanced up at the gorgeous vampire, and to my surprise, Regina flashed me a little smile—probably as genuine as she could manage.
“There are so many things changing. The old ways no longer serve your people, nor mine. We must learn to adapt. I think that our two nations have much to explore over the coming decades, don’t you agree? Hmm?” Her voice was smooth, silk against skin, and I ducked my head, feeling oddly shy.
Before I could think of an answer, she straightened up. “I’m being remiss in my duties as hostess. Would you care for something to drink? Some wine, or sparkling water, or a café au lait?”
I was about to say no when Rhiannon surprised me. “Some sparkling water would be nice, with ice if you have it. ” She cleared her throat and straightened her shoulders.
“And the girl of light and summer can actually speak. ” Regina’s laugh was throaty and rich. I could never tell if she was making fun of us or truly found us amusing. Either way, she rang a small bell and a different maid immediately entered the room.
“Sparkling water for the Queen of Summer. Cicely—what will you have?” Regina expected an answer, and so I blurted out the first thing that came to mind.
“Mocha, please, with extra chocolate. ” A jolt of caffeine would do me some good.
“Mocha, for the Queen of Winter. Extra chocolate and—I think—an extra shot of espresso would be in order for what we have to discuss this night. ” Regina dismissed her with the flick of a finger, and the woman scurried out of the room.
It was still hard for me to sit by and watch the vampires treat their servants like chattel, but even more disturbing was the realization that I was growing used to it.
After another awkward silence, the woman returned with our drinks. Directly on her heels was Lannan Altos, who swept over to Regina and kissed her hand and then her lips, his tongue playing over them. After the maid had given us our drinks, Lannan turned to face us.
Lannan Altos, Regina’s brother and her lover. Originally from Sumer, they were two of the older vampires around. Lannan Altos, my bane.
Lannan of the golden hair that flowed down his back and the sleek, tight build. Lannan, the hedonist, whose obsession for me had become a dangerous game. Lannan, who had taken me down and made me grovel willingly at his feet. Lannan, who enjoyed games of humiliation at others’ expense.
But Lannan—pervert though he was—had helped us when we needed it, though whether it was due to his own twisted agenda or not, I wasn’t sure. And that meant I had to walk softly and try to keep out of his clutches and stay on his good side. He could do far more damage to me and our cause against Myst than I could do against him. Yet.
Rhiannon and I stood, giving him a cursory bow. As Regent, his position demanded it.
He moved in close, looming over me, and I was keenly aware of his presence. My body responded to him, remembering him in a way I didn’t want it to.
“This matter was brought to our attention just this evening, so I apologize for my tardiness. You will forgive me, won’t you? Cicely?” And he fastened his gaze on me, holding me entranced with those eternally black eyes.
I cleared my throat, mulling over the best response. After our last interaction—the day I’d left the mansion—I wanted nothing more than to kick him in the balls, but diplomacy won out.
“Of course. ” I turned to Regina. “But first, let me tell you what happened tonight. ” I told them about Luna and the vamps, and the message from Geoffrey. “We have to find them. We have to stop them. ”
Regina pressed her lips together before answering. Her voice was tight and brusque. “I have been in communication with the Crimson Queen. The situation is far more dire than you think. ”