Blood Revolution (God Wars, #3) (18 page)

"If you'll get dressed, I'll drive you into London for a new wardrobe," Charles offered, standing quickly. "After Gavin places compulsion to mind your manners," he added.

"It's really not necessary," I sat up in bed. I'd worn the same shirt Gavin lent me the night before to sleep in—he'd allowed me to use it as a sweater during the plane ride.  

"One should never argue with Gavin or the Honored One," Charles chided. "When you're presentable later, the Honored One wishes to see you."

"Yeah. I suppose he does." I slid legs over the side of the bed and stood. "Do I have time for a shower?"

"If you hurry. I'll grab a bag of blood for you while you clean up. Soap and towels are laid out already," he added.

"Thanks," I said. "Which way?" I asked. I hadn't bothered to find the bathroom the night before; I'd just flopped onto the bed and stared at the ceiling for several hours instead, before getting undressed for sleep.

"Through that door," Charles pointed to the left. The room I'd been given had been used by Lissa—I knew that. It had sky-blue walls and white trim. Only the comforter, pillows and curtains had been updated, because the room was seldom used.

"I'll be out in five," I said.

"That should work," Charles whisked out of the room.

* * *

"I really hate this stuff," I eyed the bag of blood with distaste bordering on revulsion.

"Gavin said you did," Charles studied me as I worked up the courage to drink. "Does it bother you that much?"

"Yeah." I held my breath and drank as quickly as I could. Yes, it would sustain me, but I wanted spaghetti marinara. I think I'd even dreamt about it before waking to find Charles staring at me.

"Only half?" Charles took the unfinished portion from me.

"It's all I can handle," I mumbled, doing my best not to gag. "I have to brush my teeth," I said and fled to the bathroom again.

"Better?" Charles asked when I made my way out again.

"Yeah," I lied.

* * *

Charles likes to drive—fast. I considered (with longing) my TinyCar stuck in a garage in San Francisco, which felt far safer than the one I found myself in while Charles wove through London traffic like a racecar driver. In the dim interior of a very expensive car, I watched as Charles shifted gears almost absent-mindedly. Did I lower my shields to see what he was thinking?

Yes.

Could I read him?

No
.

"Where are we going?" I asked, leaning back in my seat with a troubled sigh.

"We have an arrangement with the management of an exclusive shop in London," Charles replied. He kept his eyes on the road as we swerved around a van driving only a little above the speed limit. "It's vampire-owned," he added. "The other shops are closed, but they're keeping this one open after hours for us, since sunset is so late this time of year."

"It was nice of them to do that," I said, watching traffic blur around us.

"Wlodek ordered it, so there was very little nice involved."

"Oh."

"I read that book."

"You and millions of others." I turned my head to gaze out the window. With one sentence, he'd managed to send me into the land of
I don't care if I die in the next five seconds
.

"Wlodek will give you another name."

"Can he give me new memories, too?"

"Why did she do that?"

I knew whom he meant—Joyce Christian. "She was mentally ill. She chose children whose parents were criminals. She said she was beating the devil out of us." I snorted softly and kept my gaze pointed out the window. I had no desire to see any form of emotion travel across Charles's features.

"They finally found the other two bodies."

"Yeah."

"Did you know them—the ones who died?"

"No. She only took one child at a time. The first one was dead before the second came along, and he was dead before she got her hands on me."

"Why did she choose you? Did you beg her to take you away from that orphanage?"

Memories crowded my mind, then. Memories I'd shoved aside for a very long time. "She didn't choose me," I muttered. "Her twins did. She brought them with her, and they managed to locate me—I'd hidden behind a tree on the grounds."

"You knew to hide from her?"

"I knew something was wrong, so I hid. It didn't do any good, as it turned out." Vampire hearing is extremely sharp. I listened while Charles's fingers gripped the steering wheel tighter and the vehicle sped up.

* * *

The pile of clothing was staggering. There wasn't any way Charles could carry that in his car. The shoes—boxes of them, were stacked nearly to my waist and six deep. The underwear? I was embarrassed that a man helped me pick out underwear. It didn't seem to faze Charles at all, but he did grin now and then.

"It'll be delivered, except for these." Charles indicated a smaller pile of bags and two shoeboxes. "We'll take those with us and you can change when you get home."

I lifted an eyebrow at Charles. He was telling me, subtly, that I wasn't dressed well enough to be presented to Wlodek. I guess the Head of the Vampire Council wasn't into jeans, trainers and T-shirts.

"Come on, we have things to do," Charles reached for the bags destined to travel with us and pulled me toward the door.

* * *

"Miss Hayworth, Honored One." Charles ushered me into Wlodek's office. A huge Monet painting of water lilies graced one wall, and on the opposite hung a David portrait of Napoleon.

Wlodek, with dark hair and nearly-black eyes, expressed no emotion as Charles led me to a seat before Wlodek's desk. Gavin stood nearby, waiting. Charles took a chair next to mine and switched on the tablet he carried, preparing to take notes.

Wlodek's gaze might be described as severe as he studied me for several seconds. "You may keep your first name, but your surname will be changed," he spoke eventually. "Charles will have new identification for you soon."

I nodded at Wlodek's words—I mean, what can you say to someone you've met in the future, who is very different from the vampire who sits before you? This Wlodek wouldn't hesitate to kill me, and could order my death without blinking. The Wlodek in the future would attempt to protect me—as much as he could. It was the difference love might make, and Fox had certainly created a difference in her vampire mate's heart.

"Now," Wlodek continued, "there is the question of your continued education. Gavin says you can recite the vampire laws perfectly, and that you have never killed your donor. Both of those weigh in your favor, young woman. Had things been otherwise, you would be judged before the Council. Regardless, we must assign a surrogate sire to teach you. I believe Casimir might be suitable for this task. Gavin what do you think?" Wlodek turned to Gavin, who'd remained silent.

"I would like to teach her—between assignments, Honored One," Gavin nodded respectfully to Wlodek. My breath caught in my throat at Gavin's words. Why in the name of the Dark Realm would he offer? He didn't want a vampire child in the future. Why would he want one now? Briefly I dropped my shields and read him again. What I saw surprised me—on several levels.

"Anthony is ready to go out on his own—you know this," Gavin added. "He will remain in the house until he finds something for himself, but his teaching is nearly complete."

"But what about the times you go on assignment? Granted, Breanne might go with you at times, as you tell me her talents could enhance any Enforcer or Assassin's abilities to bring down rogues, but there will be times when she remains behind."

"Honored One, please allow me to work with her whenever Gavin is absent," Charles spoke up. "I would like to act as a surrogate sire—in case I wish to become a sire in the future."

"You, Charles?" Wlodek allowed one eyebrow to rise. "You've never expressed this desire to me before."

"But I would like this, Honored One."

"Honored One, I was contemplating what to do about the drinking lesson anyway," Gavin said. "Charles could take from her, then we could both choose her target for the rest of the lesson."

"Charles?" Wlodek turned back to his assistant. "Will this interfere with your work?"

"Not at all, Honored One. With Gavin's help, I think this might turn out very well. Besides, I understand Breanne can keep records and do many of the things I do easily. She can help me get things sorted for you."

"Very well, just make sure she has compulsion laid not to reveal sensitive information."

"I will deal with that," Gavin murmured.

"Very well. Breanne, do you have a preference as to what your surname should be? If you do not, Charles and I will assign one."

I wanted to sigh. I didn't. I had a legitimate last name—one I'd never used. It didn't matter if I chose to use it now. "Arden," I said. "May I use Arden as my last name?"

"I see no problem with that." Wlodek pulled a paper to him and wrote on it with a gold pen. "Charles, prepare the new documents, and have them ready should Breanne be assigned to go with any of my Enforcers or Assassins. Meanwhile, take care of the bite lesson while Gavin is here." He extended the document toward Charles.

"I will, Honored One." Charles rose and took the paper from Wlodek's hand.

"Miss Arden," Wlodek gazed sternly at me, "I am being generous in your treatment, as Gavin has described how obedient and helpful you have been with him. I have read the book and understand your background. That means I will not lock you away or restrain you. However, if you step out of line, I will sign for your termination. Is that clear?"

"Yes, sir," I nodded. What else could I do? I'd read Gavin's death in his face again, and so many things depended upon his survival.

"How shall we explain her existence to the Council?" Gavin asked.

"Do you recall Lawrence Oldham?" Wlodek asked.

"Yes. He was killed three months ago by a rogue," Gavin said.

"Lawrence will be entered as Breanne's sire, and the records will indicate that Breanne's turning occurred two years ago, after a botched suicide attempt on her part. The records will also reflect that her turning was kept secret, due to her notoriety. It is only after Lawrence's death that she was made my ward, and that I have made the decision as to who will take up her instruction. There will be no discussion concerning Miss Arden's legitimacy."

"But what about her presentation to the Aristocracy?" Charles asked.

"Because of Miss Arden's past, I will not entertain unsolicited offers until the five-year training period is over. This is a delicate matter, and they should understand. If they fail to do so, their lack of cooperation will be duly noted and subsequent offers made by them at the appropriate time will not be considered."

"That takes care of those offers, but what about her presentation to the Council?" Charles asked.

"That may be accomplished two nights from now. There are no executions on the schedule," Wlodek checked a tablet on the corner of his desk. "How are you with introductions to strangers, Breanne?" Wlodek's dark eyes leveled on me.

"I've learned to hide any discomfort," I dropped my gaze to my hands.

"Good. Very good. Charles, you will see that she is attired appropriately for the Council meeting, and the introduction will be made after business is concluded. I will also tell them that she has misting and mindspeech abilities, and will be trained to assist the Enforcers and Assassins."

That was Wlodek's dismissal from his presence, so I was ushered out the door quickly by Charles, with Gavin close behind.

"Charles, I will be taking her home with me," Gavin said as we walked down a narrow, back staircase to the lower level.

"Then with your permission, I will move some of my things there, and stay whenever Breanne is in residence. It isn't a long drive, and I can make it easily," Charles said.

"There is more than enough room, and Breanne's suite will be between ours. Anthony has his rooms in the other wing, so there will be no problems."

"Thank you," Charles inclined his head in Gavin's direction. "Shall we do the bite lesson tomorrow, then?"

"Yes."

I held my breath for a moment. I'd never been bitten. I knew what happened with the bite, and it terrified me. At that moment, no matter how angry I was with him, I wanted Hank. I wanted his reassurance and soft words. I wanted to feel safe. I didn't feel safe. My hand shook as I lifted it to my forehead.

"Breanne?" Charles's voice came from far away. Darkness fell, and I fell with it.

* * *

Baby, where are you? Are you okay? Please answer me
.

"Huh?" I mumbled aloud.

"There she is," someone said. Fingers touched my forehead. I jerked and gasped, my eyes flying open.

"Nobody here will hurt you," Charles soothed. My thoughts were scattered at first and I blinked at his face in confusion. I found myself on the bed I'd slept on the night before, with Charles sitting beside me and Gavin standing behind Charles.

"Too much all at once," Gavin snorted. "Breanne, Charles will carry you to my vehicle, and he will follow us quickly. There is not much night left, and I wish to get you home and comfortable."