Breach (The Blood Bargain) (20 page)

At my front door I politely said my goodnights.  No kiss.  No invite in.  Just a see you tomorrow big guy.  I never went inside, just stood on the porch listening to the chirp of crickets, waiting for his form to disappear around the corner towards his home.

Out of sight, out of mind.

  I hadn’t intended to run.  I hadn’t started out running either, but after I had slowly passed by a house my pace increased.  With the second driveway behind me I was speed walking, running by the third.  My feet were flying despite the uncomfortable heels I was wearing.  I wasn’t running to my destination, in fact I was dreading
whatever nonsense Caius had in store for me.  I was just running...because I wanted to.   To feel the air on my skin and the freedom in my form.  I left behind all of my worries about Candice.  Was it possible that I was so damaged by the events that had occurred that I would go to the length of dreaming up a best friend?  I’ve heard of such things, Hollywood had made enough damned movies about it.  That big plot twist at the end when the star was really just talking to themselves.

Screw that.  Not me. No way.  Something had happened to her.  Breathing hard in the cold spring air my mind processed what could be the only possible conclusion just as my feet came to rest at the end of the street.  To my right was the big inviting porch that led up to the front door of a once-farmhouse.

What lurked beyond that door was capable of mind alterations.  Capable of all sorts of tricks and traits that men would call witchcraft.  Which I suppose was accurate in a way.

The soft
amber glow from beyond the lattice paned windows told me what lurked within was awake.

I did not go charging in this time, I waited in the cold darkness watching my breath leave my body in little puffs of smoke.
  Waiting in the darkness I spread my hair out over my shoulders, a poor substitute for a coat.  The wind chill was probably close to zero and I was far from the warm bonfires of the celebration.  Clenching my jaw I refused to let it rattle or wrap my arms around my frigid shoulders.  Caius would know I was out here, he could feel me.  Why he kept me waiting was beyond-

The door opened lazily by an unseen hand.  Straightening my spine I marched up the stairs.  The warmth of the fire within wrapping me in its embrace, my fingers tingling by the time I closed the front door behind me.  I wondered briefly if the fire was for my benefit
, I knew from my time with Dimitri that vampires didn’t need temperature regulation. 

There were indeed candles burning inside, large traditional candelabras that flickered about giving the country styled home a gothic flare.  Caius was seated in the living room, his eyes fixed on the roaring fire beneath the mantel.  Dressed head to toe in black, he was as terrifying as he was beautiful.  Adam was sitting across from him on the other white sofa, his traditional jeans and flannel replaced with a high collared deep red tunic and flowing slacks in the same shade.  His posture had improved, sitting with his back straight in all that red he was not the lanky watchdog he had once been, but an heir to a great dynasty.

“Hello?”

He did not answer me nor move.

“Adam, what is-” Was all I got out of my mouth before Caius cut me off.

“I pondered our earlier conversation at great length.  I am inclined to concede that you are correct in your observations regarding our situation.” Uncrossing his legs he stood, his long black tunic cascading in a wave of creaseless silk over his form.  With a clean view the garment was heavily embroidered in gold thread.  Had he worn that at the party?  I frowned, trying to remember.

“As such I have decided to allow you to go north to Lake City, procure a doctor, learn the fate of my son, gather your supplies and re-establish trade.”  He stopped in front of me, a thin smile stretching his thin lips.

“Your escort will ensure the excursion is a success.”  Caius announced, crossing his arms in a way that made him look like an emperor of a long forgotten city.

“You’re letting Adam go?”  My eyes flipped to my friend.  He didn’t look happy in the slightest; his gaze on his dark dress shoes, jaw clenched.

“No.”

“Then-”

The distinct sound of heels, the clack of heel toe on the wood floor resonated from the kitchen.  Terror
resonated through my being; skin sweating, heart pounded in my chest. There was one person-only one person-who had been female in this house who sported skyscrapers. One horrid demonic undead wench who wished for nothing but my death. Had he not killed her? Had it all been some ruse?  The thuds of my heart in my ears mixed with the tap of those shoes created a symphony of flight or fight, removing any logic from the situation.

The girl who came into the light was indeed a blonde
vampiric vixen in sky high heels.

But it was not Antonia.

“Allow me to present to you my dearest daughter, the lady Alyssa Lambros.”

She tipped her head with a smile, flashing a row of perfectly white sharp teeth.  Blonde waves that seemed to shine fell over her shoulders, cascading down the form fitting pink dress that clung to her every perfect curve.   A dress I had sewn for her.

“Hi Livvy.”

“Well,” I took a deep breath, “now I know why you missed the party.”  Feeling lightheaded, my arm shot out to the side, bracing myself on the molding in the hallway.

“She will be accompanying you on your journey north.  Even though Alyssa is young, her strength and skill far exceeds what is needed for your trip.”

Candice walked forward, hips swaying and hooked an arm around Caius.  Together they were a pair of opposites; she vibrantly colored and radiant, he brooding and cold.  Although, his monotone clothing and long raven hair appeared less intimidating surrounded by her sunshine
aura.  A beauty taming the beast.

No. No way.

“How could you?”  I snapped at Caius.  “She has a family, people who love and miss her.”

Adam immediately decided to try and settle me down; I saw the mediation expression as his mouth opened.

“It was my choice.”  Candice spoke up, clear and loud, cutting off whatever peacekeeping efforts had been underway.  Her back straightening with conviction.

“What?  No.”  I couldn’t believe it.

“Really it was.”  Her eyes drifted up to her dark ‘father’s’ face.  “Caius came to me, said he had been watching me for a while. Offered me immortality and the ability to protect my sister and my precious nephews.  How could I refuse?”

“But Zoe thinks you're dead...”

“Necessary deflection so my dear Alyssa can begin anew.”  Caius chimed in, running his forefinger lovely down Candice’s cheek while she blushed and smiled, eating up the attention. 

“I…ah…” I felt lightheaded all of a sudden. 

Candice whispered to Caius. “Can we talk for a bit?  You know, some lady time in the drawing room.”  Then while I stood there gaping she actually shooed Caius toward the stairs.  Adam, who’d been uncharacteristically quiet, did not follow him. Instead he turned toward the kitchen, walking away slowly.   He shot me a long faced apologetic look over his shoulder, his innocence in this whole ordeal clear as day.

That kitchen; the first place D had taken me when I came here.  Mere months that felt like a life time ago.  I’d been so nervous, so certain I would lose a piece of myself within these walls.  Guess in a way I had.  My torn soul lost somewhere in the reaches of the north.

“Come on Liv...”  Taking advantage of my sorted state; Candice wrapped an arm around my shoulder-as she had a hundred times before at the Garage-and dragged me into the living room towards the crisp white couches.  I made a mental note on some level that Adam’s trademark mess had been picked up.

With a small pressure on my shoulder she sat me down on the couch, and took a seat next to me. 
A small amount of selfish pride swelled in my chest. How lovely she looked in her new gown, her legs crossed at the knee showing off her vinyl stilettos complete with little pink bows at the heel.  I had worked so hard on that piece for my friend.

My friend the vampire.  They’re all vampires…why are they all vampires.  Am I going to be a vampire?  Would I even want to?

No. No no no.

Something
luke warm touched my hand. “Liv, are you alright?”

After a moment of awkward silence she patted my hand gently, like she was afraid I was in shock or something.

I was.

Exhaling slowly, I
tucked my hair behind my ears.

“I’m not going to call you Alyssa, you know that right?”

She chuckled.  “Yeah.”

“This isn’t a drawing room either.”  It was a living room in a farmhouse in Iowa, this was not a manner by any means.

“It sounded cool.”

I snorted.  “You watched too much
Downton Abbey back in the day.”

“Well being a vampire you know, I got to act all sophisticated and worldly.”

At that we both cracked up laughing.  Although I wasn’t chuckling from her horribly placed joke attempt, but from the sheer madness of the situation.  My best friend was now one of them.  Adam made sense, Adam was a live or die situation in which Dimitri granted him renewed existence rather than slouching and moaning.  But this...this...her life was fine.  There was no reason, no need to take this girl and turn her to the everlasting blood drinkers.  She said she went willingly but I knew Caius and his influence.  If he wanted to convert her he could damned well make her think the whole thing was her idea. Hell, he’d make her proud to have it be her idea.

It was sheer madness.  Complete and total madness.

“How are you feeling?”  I couldn’t think of anything else to ask her.

“A little weird, to be honest.  I’m not quite sure of my own feet yet.  Caius has been very...helpful to my transition though.”
She smiled, that little secret smile when she came home early in the morning after a night out.

“You did not!”  I gaped at her.

“Oh boy you better believe I did.  Didn’t you?”

“Nu uh.  No freaking way.”  Blood rushed to my face, she thought I would actually sleep with Caius.  Nope.  Not on my life.

“Ah I figured,” she shrugged, “he gets this weird look in his eye when your name comes up.  Haven’t decided yet though if it’s a pleasant or upset one.”

“Probably the latter.”

“There you go again undervaluing yourself.  You know it really is a bad characteristic to have.  A girl needs self-confidence to make it in this world.”

“Thank you Marilyn for all the advice, I’ll be sure to be confident the next time an undead creep comes to feed on me.”  I’m sure that sounded far more snarky than I meant.  I would have apologized, or prepared for a tiff if this had been anyone else.  Candice, however
vampiric she may be, appeared to have gone through the process with her dark sense of humor intact. Her sing song voice let out an angelic chuckle, a slender hand tossing her blond locks over her shoulder in a dramatic fashion.

“Hey now, women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.”  I smirked at her quoting the heart throb.

“Fair enough.”

Candice stared at her hands, folding and unfolding them.  “Adam said on his last few cleaning runs he found evidence of...well someone culling the dead.  Animal bones, human bones in trails leading toward us.  Areas he had cleaned
infected at a rate faster than those things can actually move.  Caius thinks you’re right, although he’ll never flat out say it.  But this was an attack.”

She looked up at me, those wide eyes filled with a sort of determination I hadn’t seen before.  “We can do this, you and I.  Adam told me.  He told me what happened with
Dimitri, what you’re feeling, what he’s feeling…I want to help.”

“We’re
gonna need some back up.”  I drawled.  She clapped with an excited squeal.

“Daddy’s already way head of you!”

“Alright,” I cursed, “just don’t freaking call him that.”

Caius gave me the mission details on a piece of rolled parchment before I left their home.  Written in ink well pen, the scroll had even been sealed with a wax emblem in the shape of an L decorated in ivy and arrows.  My job had been to deliver this scroll straight out of Robin Hood’s era to a slightly intoxicated Papa Graham who clearly was not expecting me on his front porch in the middle of the night.  Still he managed to theatrically unfurl the missive before reading it quickly.  When he had finished he placed it back in my palm and told me to collect my father for a special emergency session of the council.

Walking quickly in the chilly night back to my place I squinted at the dark ink in the moonlight.

Caius of the house Lamboros, lord of the twilfel tide vampyr, defender of locale bestowed Junction.  To all people whom forth presents shall come, greeting.

At all times for ever hereafter, to discover, search, find out, and view such remote, heathen and barbarous lands of the north, countries, and territories, not actually possessed of any recognized
twifel prince, nor inhabited by twifel people, as to him, his heirs and assignees, and to every or any of them shall seem good, and the same to have, hold, occupy & enjoy to him, his heirs and assignees for ever, with all prerogatives, commodities, jurisdictions, royalties, privileges, franchises and preeminence’s, thereto or thereabouts both by sea and land, whatsoever we by our letters patents may grant, and as we or any of our noble progenitors have heretofore granted to any person or persons, bodies polities or corporate: and the said Jonathan Graham et council, heirs and assignees, and all such as from time to time, by license of us, our heirs and successors, shall go or travail thither to parlay, the statutes of Lamboros made against Lake City, or against such as shall depart, remain or continue out of our Junction without license, or any other statute, act, law, or any ordinance whatsoever to the contrary in any wise notwithstanding.

      And we do likewise by these presents, of our especial grace, mere motion, and certain knowledge for us, our heirs and successors, give and grant full authority, liberty and power to the said Evelyn Younger, shall and may at all and every time and times hereafter, have, take, and lead in the voyage, and
travail thitherward, or inhabit there with her or them, and every or any of them, such, and so many of our subjects as shall willingly accompany her or them, and every or any of them: and to whom also we do by these presents, give full liberty and authority in that behalf, and also to have, take and employ, and use sufficient resources for the transportations, and Navigations in that behalf, so that none of the same persons or any of them be such as hereafter shall be restrained by us, our heirs or successors.  Further said Evelyn Younger shall and may at all time and times hereafter be given full license to obtain, procure, obtain possession of medical resources for the protectorates within twifel with the assistance of the vampyr borne Alyssa of House Lambros, sixthe daughter, lady of the ashes. Witness ourselves, in the eleventh year of the unrested.

We gathered in the city halls that very night in a closed door session by candlelight, Graham read the missive again aloud to all.  In his antiquated English, Caius flowery described a simplistic mission; Go North, re-establish trade, get a doctor.

Oh and you get a
vampiric plus one for your party.

The council as a whole was pleased.  My father was not.  After all, I was named as a ‘must travel’.

“There’s no way we can accommodate his demands.  My daughter has been through so much already, to have her out in the wilds again, there’s no way I can support that.”  My Dad started in, just as Alex Shive was enthusiastically agreeing with both Zack and Papa Graham.

“It’s important that I go Dad.”  I argued, irritated he still continued to speak for me when I was a grown woman on the council.  For a brief moment I applauded my decision to go home and change before this meeting, I had a feeling my case would have been harder to argue in a party dress and heels.

“Like hell.”  He snapped back.

“My previous interactions with the vamps are crucial to the success of the mission.”  I looked over at big papa Graham.  “Can the colony really afford
a wide spread viral outbreak?  Or how about a rash of complex pregnancies?”

The look on his face was a definite no.

“Your daughter is right Steve.”  Graham spoke slowly, careful of my father’s temper.

“She’s grown now and looking out for all of us.  Should make you proud.  Not to mention Mr.
Everen will be along as well as the vampire, that’s about as bubble wrapped as one can be these days out in the wilds.”  I watched my Dad’s face tense. Graham’s logic, however misplaced in its intentions, was irrefutable.  If Dad continued to press the issue he would start to give the appearance of favoritism and possibly weakness to his peers.   I hated putting him in that position, I really did.