Blood Life Seeker (17 page)

Finally, I did what I had been avoiding all along, I looked at Gregor. He was standing by the fireplace, which wasn't lit. Auckland is warm almost year round. Now in Spring, it was extremely pleasant, a fireplace is a luxury most houses don't have this far North in the country. I'd prepared myself, with that little warm-up of sussing out his flunkies, so I didn't catch my breath or feel my heartbeat rise, I simply entered that place you go to when you shut down a little. The vampires do their preternatural calm, we humans do that blank void. Steel ourselves, our minds away and face the bogeyman.

This bogeyman though was gorgeous. I may not have have let myself respond on a basic level to the sexual attraction, or
Sigillum
induced attraction that I had to him, but I did allow myself a small shake of the head and a slight smile on my lips. He'd dressed to impress. His black hair was neatly pulled back making the curve of his lips and the high cheek bones on his his face more prominent. His scar standing out against the pale of his skin, not ugly, just part of him and his silver grey eyes in stark relief against his dark suit. I'm betting Armani too, these vamps tend to follow trend. He had a silver grey shirt on, that did make him appear slightly more modern than Michel's white, it also did wonders for his eyes. No tie, but then the collar on the shirt seemed to not warrant one, it was a statement all on its own. Simple, but closed, higher on the neckline than a normal shirt would be, almost a Chinese collar, but not quite.

My gaze went back to his eyes and my
Sigillum
, even I can't resist that pull indefinitely. I briefly flashed on the thought that Michel would know now what form my
Sigillum
takes, but didn't dare glance at him and give away my thoughts. He's a big boy, he could handle it. My mark was even more obvious in person. When I'd seen it Dream Walking it had been breath taking, beautiful in a subtle shining way, now it almost seemed blinding. I wondered if that was because I was nearby and it noticed my presence.

Tension built in the air for a moment. Not too long had passed since we had walked in, but enough for there to now be a small edge of awkwardness to the room. Who would speak first?

I'm a sucker for silence. Tension doesn't get me, but silence, that's the killer every time.

“So, you managed to get the stake out?” I asked casually.

I felt his
Sanguis Vitam
come out and wrap around me, pulling me towards him, stroking my arms, touching my cheek, his mark, grabbing my hand. I even lifted my foot to take a step towards him, then clamped down my shields with a resounding clang in my head. The clang was probably more for my benefit than any one else's, I'd be the only one to hear it. I shook my head and frowned at him.

“Ah, ah Gregor. Play nice.”

Michel obviously hadn't sensed Gregor's power floating across the room to me, because I felt rather than saw him stiffen slightly and turn his head towards me questioningly. He didn't bother to send me a thought, he probably knew I was battling something he couldn't see and needed my concentration.

“You can't blame me, little Hunter. You are a sight for sore eyes. Any man would find it hard to resist your allure.” His eyes held hints of mischief and a whole lot of desire. The bastard wasn't even trying to hide it.

Of course his voice coated me in warmth, swirled around my stomach making butterflies dance across my skin. I shuddered, I hadn't meant to, but it was either that or cover my body with my arms and start rubbing against my skin. I thought the shudder was the less of two evils.

Michel decided he'd had enough of the show and stepped forward. Not in front of me, but enough to make Gregor's gaze shift to him. Michel was the Master of the City, Gregor should have acknowledged him as soon as he entered the room. Tut tut.

“Gregor,
mon ami
, it has been a long time. Welcome to my city.” So, Michel was going for the
old friend
line, I silently wished him luck on that one.

Gregor smiled slowly at Michel, a languid smile, one I would have thought he'd reserve for a more intimate setting. Maybe he was trying to play at Michel's heartstrings, I was quite sure he'd fail. Well, fairly sure.

He said something in French I didn't understand. Michel answered, something along the lines of
you had your chance
but I couldn't be sure. My French is rudimentary and theirs was fast and fluent. I was going to have to practise more.

“English boys. Don't you know it's rude to carry a conversation in a language others don't comprehend?”

Both sets of eyes turned towards me, their combined intensity was almost enough to make me stagger. I stood firm and met their gazes, cocked my head slightly and raised an eyebrow.

It was Gregor who spoke first.

“Did you think you would keep her all to yourself, Michel?”

“I was never one to share, Gregor, you know that.”

“Then it must be very disappointing that she came to me.”

OK. I
so
did not come to him, but I'd let this conversation play out a little more before I truly lost my rag. The night was still young after all.

“You have made your point, now what do you want?” Michel's tone was flat, but demanding.

Oh, so Michel wasn't playing patient then, just me. Good to know.

“I thought that was obvious when I marked her.”

All right, so I was starting to get a little pissed off with all this talking as though I wasn't even here, but I didn't get a chance to enter the fray, Michel was winding up.

“She is my kindred Nosferatin, we are joined and Bonded, do you really think you even have a chance?”

Gregor just laughed at that, a rich, deep full bodied laugh that did make me wrap my arms around myself and rub my sides. His eyes fell on me and he pulled the laugh back slightly, only allowing a slight warmth to wrap me up and stroke my cheek. I resisted the urge to push my cheek further into that warmth.

“You have already lost her, Michel. Be a man and let her go.” His voice was soft, sure, confident.

Who the hell did he think he was?

“You have underestimated her, Gregor. It is a surprisingly common fault, one that usually ends disastrously for those who are not prepared.”

Gregor hadn't bothered to look at Michel as he spoke, his eyes were all for me. I tried not to squirm under his hot stare, but I did shift slightly. He noticed of course, they always do. A small smile curved his lower lips. I couldn't let this go on, it had to stop now.

“You're wasting your time, Gregor, you might as well pack up and head back to Rome, there's nothing for you here.”

I thought I sounded pretty convincing, I mean I really meant it. I was joined to Michel and we had Bonded. Not just your average Bond either, but an intense early Bonding that reflected the physical and emotional relationship we shared. We were meant to be together.
No one could pull us apart. Our Bond would not allow it.

“Are you so sure, little Hunter? Being Bonded does not mean exclusivity. You are still free to roam. It is merely a choice you can make. I would be happy to help you make the right one.”

I think I had stopped breathing then. Michel had never indicated that that was the case. Even Nero had acted like it was a foregone conclusion and I was no longer available. When he had found out I was Bonded to Michel, Nero had seemed momentarily disappointed and since then, if I look back on it now, he had toned down his flirting and always tried to keep things professional between us. Sure, occasionally he got carried away, but that was just proximity and heightened emotions when battling side by side. I was sure the Bond was final, I'd only been fighting it because that's the kind of girl I am. I do not like being backed into a corner. But a part of me had accepted it as a
fait accompli
, I just hadn't let the rest of me catch up yet.

I turned slowly to look at Michel. I don't know what I thought I'd see on his face. Defiance? Anger? A shake of his head to disagree?

What I saw left me reeling, set adrift on an iceberg at sea.

Pain. The pain of someone who had been caught out hiding the truth and knew that this would have ever lasting consequences.

Michel?

Now he shook his head.

Too late.

Gregor didn't laugh, like I expected him to. I think he realised I was shaken to the core, that any joke he made of the situation would hurt me, alienate me, push me from him. I hated him for his diplomacy. I wanted someone to rage against and I wanted it to be him. He had brought this out into the open, he had upset my apple cart. Oh I know, I should have been angry at Michel and I was, don't get me wrong, I was furious with Michel, but I didn't want Gregor. I didn't want to want him and giving in to that fury at Michel would only throw me towards Gregor.

I took a step away from both of them, which brought me closer to the other two vampires in the room. Not a wise move, but right then I didn't care. I already had my hand resting on the stake inside my jacket. A comfort measure, to ground me and stop me floating away for real. If it came down to it, I'd slay the whole fucking lot of them. I was so sick of all this shit.

Michel could sense my emotions and by the look on his face it was crushing him. Bruno had even taken a step closer to his master, a movement so protective that I shot him a look. He gazed back blankly at me. He was about the only vampire in the room managing to maintain that blank mask of nothingness they prized so much.

Old Snow White and Pipi Longstockings were watching avidly, devouring every feature on my face. I think they relished the idea of their master winning the prize. And Gregor, well he just looked patient and confident, don't forget the confidence, he was swimming in it.

I took a deep breath in, if no one else was going to end this nightmare, I'd have to take charge myself. Familiar territory.

“Why has the
Iunctio
chosen to visit our lands?” I directed the question at Gregor, lifting my chin and glaring at him in the process.

A brief flash of surprise crossed his features, followed by respect, then quickly reschooled into a pleasant mask.

“We are interested to see how the newest joined vampire is progressing. Michel's increase in power has not gone unnoticed, we would like to ensure it is remaining in check and not compromising our kind.”

Michel didn't seem capable of comment, he was still staring at me with a slight look of pain on his face. He needed to suck it up and get on with this.

“Do you see him as a threat?” I asked, returning my attention to the main threat in the room.

“Define threat, Hunter.”

“Something that would do you, the
Iunctio
, damage?”

“Define damage.”

I sighed. “Are you always this difficult or just tonight?”

He smiled. “Only when negotiating with a worthy opponent.” I think he was trying to compliment me, it didn't work.

I stared at him for a moment, no one else was offering up anything. Michel's face was back to its normal mask, but for some reason he did not wish to participate. I was beginning to worry that the fight may have been extinguished in him. That was way scarier than it sounds.

“Are you afraid? And don't tell me to define afraid, you know damn well what afraid means.”

His smile broadened. “The
Iunctio
is afraid of nothing and no one, my little Hunter. It merely wishes to determine Michel's control of his powers, to ensure our kind's safety. Is that succinct enough for you?”

I nodded. Short and sweet.

“How do you plan to
determine
Michel's power then?”

“By observation, the occasional task or challenge.”

OK, so now we were getting somewhere,
the occasional task or challenge.
I didn't like the sound of that.

“What sort of task or challenge?” My voice had gone a little quieter, I mentally chided myself for giving away too much.

“Now that would ruin the surprise, would it not? And only those challenges with the element of surprise are truly worth their salt.”

“And if Michel fails the tasks or challenges?”

“Are you
afraid
he will?”

“
I didn't say that, Gregor. I'd just like to know where the
Iunctio
is going with all of this.”

Michel stiffened slightly, oh great, he
was
paying attention, but why the reaction?

Gregor took a few steps closer, still some distance from me, but the movement alone was a threat, exactly as he had intended it to be. “No one questions the
Iunctio,
Lucinda, not even you.”

I sighed, not the reaction he was looking for I'm guessing, by the slow blink of those glowing silver and platinum eyes. The funny thing is, Gregor represented the
Iunctio
, the big bad powerful vampires that controlled all of them. I should have been afraid, but for whatever reason Gregor didn't scare me any more.

Huh. Strange, but true.

“I intend the
Iunctio
no offence. You are their Enforcer, you're here to enforce. What does that entail, Gregor, or is that meant to be part of the surprise too?”

He studied me for a moment, as though he would be able to answer all of life's most difficult questions merely by looking into my eyes.

“You're not scared of me. You should be. I
am
the
Iunctio
here. I could end it all for you and your kindred vampire. One judgement from me and you would be sentenced to the final death. Does that not warrant your fear, Hunter?”

Michel began to say something, finally entering into the fray, but he was silenced by one flick of Gregor's hand. No power came with the motion, but a movement and look that said it all. “Let her answer Michel, it is the Hunter who has garnered my response.”

Fantastic. Now I'd pissed him off.

“I didn't mean to ruffle your feathers, Gregor. You do run a little hot and cold, don't you?”

He was in front of me in an instant. Not touching, but looming over me, threatening in his stance. What the hell?

“
You need to remember, Lucinda, that my official business here is not to be confused with my personal pursuits. As the
Iunctio's
representative, there are certain formalities to be obeyed, even you are subject to them. We are discussing
Iunctio
business, therefore you address me as Enforcer and you show some respect.”

The last,
show some respect
, was said very slowly, clearly, precisely. If he was looking for another apology or a whimper or even a cower he was sorely mistaken. I'd long ago realised that the only thing to do in the presence of a threatening vampire was to
show no fear.

I stood straight in front of him, didn't move away, didn't cringe, just met his gaze and held it for a good few long seconds.

“Is the lesson over?” Yeah, that's me, all mouth no brains sometimes.

He slowly shook his head. “How do you put up with her?” The question was for Michel, but his eyes hadn't left me.

“Lucinda is not familiar with
all
of our rules Enforcer. She is a young Nosferatin.”

Oh well done Michel, if I was furious with you before, now I was just livid.

Gregor smiled then, he must have seen something flash in my eyes, he
was
studying me rather closely.

“I shall take great delight in teaching her then.”

Super. You do that. Just warn me about the mood swings next time.

He let a little laugh out, just a huff, but he was smiling a little more, his shoulders now relaxed. The light dancing around his eyes, calling to me. Sometimes reading my mind could come in handy, at least the tension in the room had dissipated. On to more pressing matters.

“How long do you intend on staying?”

“That depends on you.”

“On me?” I couldn't keep the sarcasm out of my voice.

He flashed me a sparkling grin, no fang, just teeth and a whole lot of attitude. We'd definitely switched back to his alter ego, the one he uses when
not
enforcing.

“On how long you resist my advances.”

And there goes the voice again. He'd been reining it in, taking the questions as they were meant, a professional conversation, even while he lost his temper earlier. But now he let me feel the full force of his desire, his need, his intentions and I couldn't stop the gasp from slipping through my lips.

Michel was in front of me, blocking Gregor in an instant, a low growl escaping his lips. I couldn't see his face, but I saw the look of amusement on Gregor's. He looked passed Michel to me and said, “I'm picking the
Iunctio
will have their answer before I have mine. They wont object however, if I stay on a little longer to pursue my own interests.”

He was goading Michel and I had to unfortunately concede, succeeding. Michel had for some reason been thrown off his game tonight. This was not the evenly tempered and tightly controlled vampire I was used to. He was acting like a school boy, reacting to a territorial threat display. He was bigger than this, older than this. He was the consummate politician. What the hell was happening to him?

I wanted to reach out and touch his shoulder, but I also didn't want to lend weight to the obvious lack of control he was displaying. The only thing I could think of doing to end this abysmal evening, was to get us out of here.

“OK. Well if we're all finished here then, welcome, enjoy the sights. If you need anything just send us a message. I'm sure old Snow White and Pipi Longstockings here could make a good message delivery service when needed.”

Bruno stifled a snigger, not altogether successfully and both Snow White and Pipi took menacing steps forward, eyes glowing red, fangs on display and
Sanguis Vitam
pouring off in waves of pure evil. Oh goody a reason to draw my stake.

I didn't pull it right out, just enough to reflect the light in the room and to get the vampires' attention..

“Boys, please. Stand down if you know what's good for you.”

Gregor was laughing quietly, taking the scene all in. His voice was soft but firm. “
Lasciare il comando.
” The two vampires immediately pulled back at his command and reschooled their features into just menace with a hint of evil.

“
I'm guessing Gregor, sorry
Enforcer
, I don't need to tell you the rules. But I will any way, it's just the kind of hunter I am. If any of your vampires let that evil that their holding onto out on my people while they're here in my city, I
will
hunt them down and stake them.”

“Evil,
ma cherie
?”

“They're leaking it all over the place. Evil. Darkness. Call it what you will, but it's strong and rotting right through to their innards.”

“You paint such a pretty picture, my dear. They will of course behave themselves while they are here. You have my word.”

I wasn't entirely sure if his word was good enough, but I'd pushed my luck too far this evening and really, I just wanted out of here. Michel and I had a lot of talking to do.

I nodded and turned to leave, Michel falling into step beside me, Bruno coming up the rear. We hadn't made it more than couple of steps when Gregor's voice reached out and ran a finger down my spine.

“There is one more thing.”

Oh boy.

“Part of the challenges I must set are for you, Nosferatin. Your challenge will begin tomorrow.”

I turned slowly, making sure my face was a pleasant mask. I wanted to say
bring it on
, but I held my tongue and just looked blankly at him, expecting him to elaborate further.

“I will call for you at sunset,
ma petite chasseuse
. All will be revealed then.” He smiled wickedly at me and then turned his attention to Michel. “And for you,
mon ami
, so you do not feel left out tomorrow evening when I am
occupying
your kindred, I have a gift.”

Oh, I did not like where this was going. I think we had all taken a short sharp breath in and were holding it.

From behind Gregor, through a door to another room that had been well concealed, swayed the sultry steps of a long legged female. Dressed in a tight fitting blood red satin floor length dress, with a split up the side showing her leg right up to her hip. Alessandra's blonde curls bounced around her pretty little face lighting up the room as she curled her arms around Gregor's shoulders and looked hungrily at Michel.

Oh damn. I knew there was something I had forgotten to tell my kindred Nosferatu.