Entwined With the Dark (21 page)

"Nataliya is packing your bag," Sergei informed me, as he took a seat to my side. I nodded, but didn't say anything.

Matthias replaced Christopher at the bar and began to pour himself a Scotch, while Kathleen and Matthew entered the room and took up seats by the fire. All eyes on me. Marcus stood lost in the middle of the room. Finally he decided to speak.

"I'm really sorry, Luce." I held up my hand for him to stop.

I hadn't realised I was so angry until I spoke, in a low, soft voice. "Did you stop to consider that your master was still not healed?" He blanched at my words. "Did it even cross your mind that he would have been using what strength he had to keep an eye on me?" I took a sip of my drink in an effort to control my rising temper. It didn't work. "While you were exerting your vampiric right to dominate a less powerful vampire, one who happens to afford my protection, in front of me, your master witnessed it all." He fell to his knees and lowered his head again.

I felt a little sick, but adrenaline and anger and fear were mixing a dangerous cocktail in my veins. My hands were shaking slightly, I knew everyone was aware. But no one said a word, Sergei didn't even reach for me to offer support. I knew it was because I was acting as Michel's kindred, they expected this from me. They even needed it when he was absent or weak. But I wasn't his kindred, not anymore. And after everything we had been through, everything we had faced and had yet to face, this seemed to be the last straw.

"I am so angry with you right now, Marcus." His head shot up and all I could see was pain in his eyes. I refused to let it get to me. "Get out of my sight. I can't be in the same room as you right now."

Matthias shifted, uncomfortably. Even Sergei looked like he wanted to say something. Kathleen just looked sad and disappointed. Matthew hid his face behind a well placed, casual looking hand. And Christopher had simply disappeared. Finally Marcus stood to full height and left on silent feet. The room was immobile, not a sound to be heard or breath to be drawn. Even the humans were holding theirs, I think.

"I don't want to talk about this," I said standing to my own feet. "We need to be in Paris before sun-up."

I went to walk from the room. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Matthias look pointedly at Sergei, but I didn't wait to see what response he received. I only registered my vampire's presence as I approached my bedroom door. He'd followed me so quietly I hadn't even been aware.

I crossed the threshold and found Nataliya finishing packing my bag.

"I think I have everything you'll need." She turned and spotted Sergei at my shoulder, her body tensed. "What is it? What's happened now?"

I couldn't face an inquisition, so took off to the bathroom, but I heard Sergei's low voice from behind me as I went. "The mistress has just reprimanded Marcus. We are all hoping the punishment will cease before we leave for Paris."

I shut the door behind me, aware this was Sergei's way of letting me know how they all felt, without actually confronting me. I smiled to myself, despite the riot of emotions within. I kind of liked his tactics, it was the sort of thing I'd attempt.

Oh Michel. I wish you were here. I wish you were coming with me. I wish you were OK and could fight my battles and keep me safe and stop me being an ogre to my friends.

I heard his chuckle in my mind before I realised he was there. I sank down onto the toilet seat in utter body-numbing relief.

You are beauty personified when in a rage, ma douce.
Words I had heard from his lips before. I smiled, feeling a little more like myself than moments ago.
You know how I feel about his actions and about yours. You did what was expected, what was needed. He was out of line. Although, I do wish you had talked up my abilities somewhat. I
am
capable of healing and watching you at the same time.
His chastisement was gentle, a tease meant to make me laugh. But I knew any reference to weakness on his part, would actually not have been liked at all. Still, I could live with that, knowing he was well enough to communicate again.

Can you travel yet?
I asked, getting up and splashing my face with water, then brushing my teeth. I could do two things at once too.

Not yet, ma belle. But I will be whole again by tomorrow eve and on my way to you.

What do I tell the Champion about Lutin's threat?
There was a lengthy pause in my mind, enough to make me stop cleaning my teeth.

You must warn her. To hide this, or delay advisement, would not be suffered well. They need to prepare, but be careful. She will not take kindly to the news. She will, no doubt, blame you.
I could hear the worry in his voice. He was anxious for me. So was I, but I had little choice.

I had known avoiding this, pretending it hadn't happened at all, was not really an option. But confronting her, when I was already
persona non grata
, was not a pleasant thought. I was walking into the lion's den, and the lioness was already mad.

We said heartfelt good-byes to each other and I walked from the room refreshed, reconnected and not just a little scared of what lay ahead. My bag had disappeared, no doubt Sergei had taken it to the car, so I just carried on out to the landing and walked down the stairs.

On the next landing I stopped and said in a quiet voice I knew he would still hear, "I hope you're packed, Marcus. We're about to leave."

He appeared at my side, contrition written all over his face. I smiled a lopsided grin at him and pulled him into a hug. He hesitated, before placing his beefy arms around me.

"I'm still angry with you," I whispered and he nodded against my hair.

We let go of each other and walked down the stairs. At the bottom Kathleen, Matthew and Christopher were waiting with the others to see us off. Kathleen smiled proudly at me and gave me a nod. I'd redeemed myself for now.

But I couldn't help thinking how many more times I would disappoint in the days ahead. How much of the Dark I would accept in my life. How much I would let it destroy me and those I loved. I took a deep breath in and squared my shoulders, then walked out of Michel's depressingly decorated house with only one thought in my head.

I sure as hell hope I see this place again.

We took the family jet. Which made me wonder why it wasn't standing-by, near wherever Michel was, ready to take him when he could travel again. I pushed the realisation that he was obviously not
ready
to travel yet aside and focused on what was ahead of us tonight. We'd arrive at
Lutetia
, or the
Île de la Cité
, where the
Iunctio's Palais
was located, before sunrise. Although it would probably be a close thing. Not that the timing would stop the Champion greeting us. Or eating us, as the case may be.

I couldn't be sure that she didn't already know that the
Ljósálfar
had declared war, but what I did know was enough now to be occupied with. She was aware that the power gained through my joining to Avery was diminishing and as far as she was concerned, it was all my fault. It wouldn't matter that I have no control over these things. In her eyes my power was meant to have been enough to close the portals. She wasn't aware that Michel had arranged for that not to occur, no matter what my power provided the
Iunctio
in the end. The evidence was now irrefutable, as my power slowly left their coffers and they became weaker as a consequence of
my
refusal
to give her what she desired.

Even if I did have an issue with a powerful, Dark, supernatural organisation
using
my power, I didn't have a choice in the matter. To survive, to live, a Nosferatin must join with a Nosferatu. The sharing of power was a by-product of that alliance. It was simply out of my hands. The
Iunctio
had received my power once before, when I joined with Michel - they were aware of how strong my Light was. When they lost it at the time of Lutin reversing the joining, they pined for that loss. I had no defence when the Champion insisted I join again. And it wasn't the act of joining that angered me.

It was the choice of who she decided I should join with, that did.

Now, her choice had proven a mistake, one she would attempt to place at my feet. But, I decided, the only argument I could offer, was to throw that choice back in her face. I might be well and truly on the side of the Champion due to her ability to take Michel from my life, but that didn't mean I wouldn't stand up to her. She'd chosen Avery as my kindred to join with,
she
would accept that blame, not me.

I used the short time of the flight to change into more suitable clothing. Although I was quite happy to appear before the leader of the
Iunctio
in my short, short mini skirt and tight fitting tee, I needed the illusion of composure that Michel's hunting dress and jacket provided. I needed to present an air of sophistication and wealthy disposition. If those on the Council saw me as well-put-together and chic, then they would believe it. Perception was the name of the game. Or politics, either description worked here, because both were a falsity to me.

My dancing dragon necklace lay in pride of place on the centre of my chest, my stakes and Svante sword were all hidden from sight, but within easy reach. It was my right to be armed in front of the Council, but not necessarily a given. The Champion was not playing by the rules. Even if I still had to.

We touched down at
Charles de Gaulle
Airport
at 6.15 am. The sun was kissing the horizon, but there was enough time to get to the
Palais
before it would really start to take effect on my security team. A long, dark and sleek
Iunctio
limousine awaited with one vampire standing casually against its side. I knew immediately who it was and felt my nerves settle a little at the sight of a familiar and friendly face.

We disembarked onto the flood-lit tarmac and I crossed the short distance to be wrapped up in Gregor Morel's arms. He hugged me close and whispered in my ear.

"I thought you could do with a friendly welcoming committee,
ma cherie
. Unfortunately, it comprises of only me."

I pulled back and took in his handsome face, the scar he wore on his cheek, by his right eye, was hidden by the beauty of my
Sigillum
around both eyes. "Amisi not with you?" I asked as I let him lead me to the waiting vehicle.

"No," he answered succinctly, settling into the seat at my side. My vampire guards all managed to climb aboard, room enough to spare in the luxury stretched car. "I could not allow her to attend, even though she insisted she should." He hesitated and then flashed me a disarming smile. "She is mine to..."

"Protect," I finished for him and he inclined his head in agreement.

"Dangerous times,
ma petite chasseuse.
Dangerous times."

For the Enforcer to say those words did not sit well. Gregor courted danger on a regular basis, I think he needed it to feel alive. But if he was wary of what awaited me, then it could not be a good thing at all.

We sat in silence for a moment, as the car left the confines of the airport and started towards the centre of Paris in a smooth glide. I let my vision wander over all the delicately designed architecture, beautifully paved streets and even at this hour, elegantly and stylishly fashionable population that wandered the City of Light.

A part of me always felt welcomed in Paris, maybe it was the fact that it all began here. Nosferatu and Nosferatin. Paris was our original ancestral home, Paris was the place we were meant to be. Even though it housed the
Iunctio
, something I despised, the city itself called to me. Lit up like a Christmas Tree, shining and bright. I always felt a frisson on excitement when I wandered these streets. If only the reason for being here wasn't marred by my imminent death.

"
Ma cherie
," Gregor gently chastised, having heard my wayward thoughts. His hand slipped familiarly into mine. A gesture that he hadn't offered in quite some time, but compared to back then, when he wanted more than I could give, it was offered now in friendship only. I squeezed his hand in return.

"How is Michel?" he asked, changing the topic - not necessarily to one that calmed my rapidly beating heart.

"He'll be fine," I answered, and even with Gregor, someone I trusted, I refused to give too much away.

He nodded and silence descended again. I caught Nataliya's eye. She smiled supportively, but worry etched fine lines about her face. Ageing her, making her solid features a little haggard, instead of the usual regal warrior she appeared to be.

"She is angry, Lucinda," Gregor said quietly to my side. "I don't think I have ever seen the Champion riled so." It didn't surprise me, but hearing it said aloud only made the realisation of the menace ahead more real. "She killed a contingency of personal guards this morning, because they failed to announce a dignitary's arrival and she felt compromised because of it."

"Is she unstable?" I asked and heard his small intake of breath. He leaned forward and pressed a button on the side of the vehicle, a thick opaque wall ascended between us and the human driver of the car.

"She has always been quick to temper, but she does appear a little unhinged right now."

"Who does she confide in, who offers her support?" She had a mate once, the Tempest. I had killed him defending her life. I had no idea if she had another confidant as yet.

"The Keeper, mainly, but he only fuels the flame. He is obsessed with your diminishing power and the effect it has on the
Iunctio
as a whole. He doesn't have an answer to the problem, he only adds more problems to the mess." He turned to look at me. "I hope, for your sake Lucinda, you have an adequate answer to the problems."

I raised an eyebrow at him. Like this was all my fault? I sighed. "I'm at a loss at what to suggest."

Gregor closed his eyes briefly, when they opened again silver and platinum flashed in their dark grey depths. "Then God help you, her rage will be unfathomable."

"Some support person you are," I muttered under my breath. He didn't answer, his eyes were closed again.

We crossed
Pont Neuf
not long after, the solid masonry structure causing the tires of the car to rumble loudly. As soon as the vehicle left the arched and ancient bridge, they quietened to match the mood inside the car. Within seconds the austere walls of the
Iunctio
Palais
loomed over us, making me feel even smaller than I had, with thoughts of what was about to occur.

The first time I had ever visited the
Palais
the Champion had been angry. Her chosen method of punishment at the time had been to make Michel drink my blood dry. That was when Nut, my Goddess, had intervened, saving my life and placing a connection between the leader of the
Iunctio
and me. She couldn't come straight out and kill me, but do me bodily harm? Yeah, that would definitely be on the agenda.

Gregor abruptly broke into my morbid thoughts. "She has organised accommodation with your kindred."

"She's what?" I asked incredulously. Placing Avery and me in the same rooms was not a good idea. Gregor just shrugged elegantly.

"It is standard procedure to house kindred together. She is within the parameters of a good host to have arranged this for you."

"She knows neither Avery nor I would want it."

"Of course," he answered coolly. "She is not without intelligent thought."

I frowned at his words, but what could I do? Michel and I, when we had been joined, had always been given rooms to share. Even when the Champion had been angry at us. I should have expected this from her. Which made me realise I needed to fortify my mental guards. The Champion may have been unstable or unhinged right now, but she was at the top of her game.

We pulled up at the front entrance to the
Palais
, two guards heavily armed stood at the foot of the wide stairs, two more at the top beside the hideously carved front doors. I determined not to glance in the direction of the carving. Vampires depicted at brutal war was not for me.

"Is Avery already here?" I asked, getting ready to face the music as a guard opened the side door.

"Yes," Gregor answered and then threw me a charming smile. Leaning forward to assist me out of the vehicle, he whispered against my ear, "Show time."

No matter what I'd been thinking, I wasn't prepared. The Champion scared me at the best of times, but evidence of her rage was apparent the moment we entered the walls. She didn't bespell me, like she had done in the past. I felt no compulsion to shake, or desire to do a thing without my consent. But an oppressive heaviness met my entrance, the eyes of several vampires turning to look directly at me. None of them were friendly. They had picked up on the Champion's vibe. It had obviously been designed to activate the moment I arrived, letting everyone know who was responsible for her foul mood this night.

I wrapped my Light around me, both to protect from any mental or metaphysical assault, and also to offer myself some fortification against my own vivid and imaginative mind. Just what was she going to do to me?

We were met in the austere entrance foyer by a vampire primly dressed in the Champion's livery. Royal blue with gold trim, an older style jacket that reminded me of Civil War uniforms. Long line, high collar, with big round gold buttons down either side of the chest, a gold brocade belt around the middle, and gold tassels draped over both shoulders. A small smile twitched the edges of my lips as I imagined what dress the Champion would be wearing today. A Southern Belle maybe? Her choices always changed with her moods.

We were told to follow, in a lilting French accent and dutifully chased after the speedy vamp. Obviously the Champion had no desire to wait. I was kind of relieved that this would happen quickly. I preferred the idea of getting the initial tongue lashing out of the way. Even if the lashing ended up being physical, it was better this way. She needed to vent some of this anger that hung oppressively in the air. Bottling it up any longer seemed like a recipe of nuclear proportions.

Finally we made it to large ornate double doors, Gregor strode past us without a glance in my
direction at all, and the doors opened for him to enter. We followed at the nod of our Civil War guide and I watched as my friend - perhaps the only one in the room right now - bowed briefly in front of the Champion and took his seat on one of the Council chairs to her side.

Twelve stood sentinel on top of a small stage, the Champion's chair vacant as she was standing on the ground to one side. The only other chair empty was Michel's. The Council was present in full force. I walked stiffly, but purposefully forward until we came to the middle of the room and then bowed in greeting to the Champion, my entourage following suit. I waited for her to allow us to stand.

She took her time, but I had been prepared for that. A small show of power was nothing in light of the
Sanguis Vitam
she continued to smash into my shields. My Light held, but my vampires were suffering and there was nothing I could do for that. If I used my Light to protect them, it would be considered an attack. I kept my Light close and hoped she'd bore of the game soon.