Entwined With the Dark (24 page)

I let a breath of air out in surprise and I admit, a little rejection. I knew I looked like a punching bag that had been attacked with several different large sharp knives, but I hadn't expected him to be unable to look at me and have to walk away. I was just contemplating the arduous task of redressing, when he slipped back in the room. A first aid kit, towels and a bowl of steaming water in his hands. He laid out his collection on the bed beside me and then proceeded to gently wash and treat, then dress each individual wound. The room began to smell like a doctor's surgery, antiseptic and camphor filling the air.

It took more than half an hour and he didn't utter a word throughout that entire time. His face was a mask of anger, yet his touch was as gentle as a mother caring for her child. When he finished and helped me sit up on a mound of pillows, he cleared the equipment away and then sat down on the bed at my side.

"Thanks," I said and immediately wished I hadn't. Pain, guilt, anger flashed over his face. I bit my bottom lip and shook my head. "We knew she wasn't going to be happy." I said in an effort to fill the silence.

"This was too much,
ma douce,
" he said in a low, even voice. "She has broken our covenants. It is enough for me to challenge her and be well within my rights."

"That wouldn't be a good idea," I said softly, reaching for his hand. He had said it himself, with the
Iunctio's
full power behind her, she was untouchable.

"I have enough anger, I believe I could have made a valiant attempt."

"I won't allow it," I said, pulling him closer by the hand. The risk of losing him was too much, I couldn't bear it.

He pulled me into a careful embrace, resting his chin on the top of my head. The only place that wasn't actually aching. "
I
could not bear witnessing what happened today again," he said quietly. "I wanted to rip her throat out when I walked in that room."

I closed my eyes and imagined how that scene would have played out. It wasn't pretty. "I'm glad you didn't," I said and meant it. The Champion was at the top of my To Kill List, but it was more of a wish list than my personal manifesto.

"How are we going to find this fairy?" Michel asked and I realised it was the first time he had appeared unsure of how to proceed. Michel had always had the answers, but right now he was severely off his game.

"Let's go discuss it with the others," I suggested, untangling myself from his arms. He resisted, ever so slightly, then managed to contain his fear of losing me enough to allow me to go.

When I stood gingerly to my feet and turned to pick up my T-shirt from beside the bed, I noticed, for the first time, an enormous black and white framed photograph of me above the bed. It was a good shot, if I say so myself, and I don't remember there ever being a camera there at the time. But I did remember the moment. It was in Taupo, the first time I had visited there. I didn't know Michel well at the time, he was just the Master of the City, a vampire to fear and be in awe of at the same time. But it was on that trip to his holiday home that he told me what I was. This picture had been taken not long afterwards. I had a faraway look to my eye, a little lost girl facing up to the monsters of the night. The lights of Taupo in the distance as I stood at the end of his property and gazed out across the lake towards the town.

I had been thinking it was all dream - a nightmare in fact - but I had been excited, more alive than I had ever felt before, at the prospect of being a part of this man's world. The photographer had caught the fear, but also the courage and determination Michel prized in me so. And even in amongst all of that, you could see the glint in my eye of anticipation of what lay ahead.

"Who took the shot?" I asked, feeling Michel's warmth at my back.

"I did," he replied in a thick voice. "Do you like it?"

"I think so," I said and then when I turned to face him, "Yeah, it's OK."

He let a huff of air out at my understatement and raised a hand to cup my cheek. "I was in love with you already by then, but so scared you would run away if I let it be known."

"Why is it hanging here?" I asked as I leaned into his palm.

"It reminds me, when I return from whatever
Iunctio
business I have had to attend, that there is beauty in this world worth living for. There is something so very precious and pure and mine to resist the Dark for and embrace the Light."

"You've kept it hidden well," I said pulling my T-shirt on over my head, Michel rushed to help me when my arms started to shake with effort.

"It is mine," he said simply, but didn't elaborate further.

After a bit of help from Michel I was dressed again and maybe not prepared as such to face the last of the night, but at least suitably ready. Armed, dressed in my familiar hunting gear. The only thing missing was my sword and I did feel a little naked at that. But pushed the thought aside as we entered the beautiful lounge, the comfort of the couch calling to me instantly. I sat down a little afraid I'd want to fall asleep, but the 48 hours the Champion had given me were already flying by too quickly for that.

Nataliya came back in the room with a steaming mug of frothy coffee and a plate full of sandwiches and biscuits - all looking divine. I hadn't realised how hungry I was, but I guess getting tortured works up an appetite. Michel growled low at my thoughts and I quickly turned them to the caffeine I was about to gratefully consume. He wandered over to the drinks cabinet and poured himself a Scotch, I was sure he would have liked a little blood chaser and, although I had been in contact with Avery and the joining was reinforced enough to allow Michel to feed, I was in no way fit enough physically to offer up a vein.

Michel's growl rattled the glasses in the cabinet and I let out a sigh.

"You need to get out of my head, Michel," I chastised. "I'm not strong enough to temper my thoughts."

The glass in his hand shattered, the vampires in the room going preternaturally still. He turned to look at me, magenta flashing in his eyes. "There is no way in hell I can get out of your head,
ma douce
!" he said forcefully. "Please do not ask."

We held each other's gaze for several seconds and then he ran a hand through his hair. It was still loose and looked fantastic. Right then I wished
I
could run a hand through the strands and calm him a little with my touch. His lips quirked slightly and he let out a long, unneeded breath.

"It has been a demanding night," he stated, turning and filling a new unbroken glass and then coming to sit by my side.

My hand automatically went for his hair and I allowed myself the contact for a moment before saying, "It's not over yet."

"No," he conceded.

"So, what's the plan?" Matthias asked, the only vampire in the room prepared to speak so soon after Michel had lost his cool. I appreciated his courage, we needed to get things back on track and the normal dynamics of our group re-established.

"We need to get in touch with Aliath," I said pulling his yellow gem from its hidden pocket in my jacket.

"Not here," Michel answered reaching to cover my hand. "Bringing a fairy into the
Palais
would not be a sane move."

I smiled crookedly, he was definitely right. "Have we got time to get back to London tonight?"

"No," Sergei answered. "Even using the jet we would be landing mid-morning and risking the sun. The weather report for London is clear, sunny skies."

"Why is it that city rains 364 days of the year, but the one day we need cloud cover it doesn't oblige?" Marcus said sarcastically.

"We don't have time to sit around the
Palais
until tomorrow," Michel said. "But we can leave and find somewhere secure to call him out of prying eyes."

"Do you have anywhere in mind?" Matthias asked, but Michel just shook his head in reply.

"None I could trust," he answered taking a large gulp of his drink.

We all fell into silence trying to think of where to from here. I didn't have any contacts in Paris, but then Arthur Pencarrow did. I pulled my cellphone from my pocket and thumbed through my address book, Michel watched patiently at my side, but didn't say a word.

"Luce," my Nosferatin acquaintance said in his gruff Cockney twang when the call connected. "You're still alive then?"

"Just," I added and felt Michel stiffen at my side. He didn't growl, so we were making headway.

"Are you all right?" Arthur said, his voice softening.

"Yeah," I replied quickly not wanting to dwell, then added, "We're stuck in Paris for the night, but we need a safe and secure location to call Aliath to us."

"On it," Arthur responded without preamble. "I'll text message the details as soon as its arranged."

"Thanks," I said a weight already lifting off my shoulders.

"Don't mention it," he answered and then rang off.

Ten minutes later we had our safe and secure location and were heading out the side door to the
Palais,
only to be met by a contingency of dragons.

Well, three dragon-shifters in their human forms, but that was bad enough.

"Cousin," Sebastian said to Michel as we came to a halt a few feet in front of them.

"I am not your cousin," Michel replied coolly. Sebastian just shrugged.

"All dragons are cousins, even a vampire who possesses the spirit of one."

As interesting as this was, the night was progressing rapidly and I really didn't think we had time to delve into the possibility that Michel's dragon-within was related in a spiritual way to Sebastian's kin. I shifted uneasily at Michel's side, flicking a glance at the watch on his wrist.

"In a hurry, lass?" Sebastian asked. "Perhaps we could give you a lift to wherever you are going?"

"We're fine, shifter," Michel answered for me, just as our car arrived. Michel's Range Rover with Alain behind the wheel.

Sebastian flicked a glance over his shoulder at the vehicle and shrugged again. "As you wish, it was only a suggestion."

The vampires all began piling into the car, Michel pushing me towards the rear passenger door.

"You're going to follow us, aren't you?" I said through gritted teeth to Sebastian. Michel continued to push me firmly towards the open door.

"I have no choice," Sebastian answered, holding my eyes with his, begging me to understand.

I didn't bother replying, just allowed Michel to finally guide me into the car. Alain pulled the vehicle away from the
Iunctio Palais
walls and I watched over my shoulder as the trio began to shift to their dragon form. My mouth hung open in utter shock that they would perform the transformation on a - albeit quiet - urban street. Soothing colours surrounded each shifter, twining together and multiplying as the magic of the change took over. It was so similar to what I had seen my old friend Rick do, when he shifted to Taniwha form. The magic that makes a shape shifter change pulsing through the air behind us. It was beautiful, in an ethereal way, and over way too quickly to fully appreciate and comprehend.

In place of all that colourful magic stood three majestic dragons, each the spitting image of Michel's.

"Holy shit," I muttered. Michel steadfastly refused to look back. Sergei and Nataliya, in the back seat of the car, were spellbound by the sight. Michel's vampires, no doubt under telepathic orders not to watch, were resolutely looking heads forward.

The dragons took off into the air with amazing grace, leathery wings outstretched, their green scales catching the odd flare of light from a street lamp or a
Palais
window. It didn't take long for them to disappear amongst the stars.

"Can you see them?" I asked Alain, hoping he had some way of losing them in the busy Paris streets.

"There's no point trying," he answered in his thick French accent.

Trying to see them or lose them?

"Both," Michel answered the thought at my side, his jaw clenched. We were screwed.

We travelled in silence after that, Alain already aware of where we were heading. He knew the Paris streets well and before too long we made it up the incline of
Monmartre
. In the shadow of the
Sacré-Cœur Basilica
Alain found a place to park and we made the rest of our journey on foot. The streets were narrow here, older looking and paved in well worn cobblestones. The architecture was delightful, the street lamps as ornate as the buildings themselves. It was beautiful and only made me fall in love with the city the more of it I saw. I turned around briefly at the top of a set of steps and took in the panorama of Paris lit up at night.

My God, it was so bright, so wonderfully bright. Unsurprising that it was called the City of Light. The Light. It felt so Light here and although I knew if I
sought
out the vampires in the VC right now, many would be full of Dark. Somehow, the city prevailed. Somehow it clung to the Light and refused to give in. Like a Nosferatin, Paris was touched by Nut.

"I love it here," I said quietly to no one. Michel came to a rest at my side.

"You do?" he asked astonished.

I nodded. "I could live here," I announced, but before he could answer, turned and headed towards our safe haven for the night.

It was an older building, unlike some of the more modernised tall stone structures surrounding the
Sacré-Cœur
, it was made of ancient small bricks in a slightly dirty cream. The windows were all arched, small and covered in bars. But the bars were ornate, twirls and filigree making them seem not so austere. There was no front door on the building itself, but in the stone wall that continued on to the side. An arched wooden structure with a small hanging brass bell for a knocker. I reached up and rang it twice, the delicate clang of the clapper against the rim sounded louder in the still night air than the size should have allowed.

Within seconds the door was opened inward and we were greeted by the friendly and happy face of a Nosferatin man. He wore faded jeans and a white T-shirt with the word
Sorbonne
emblazoned on the front. His skin was smooth and carried a light tan, his hair short and blond, looking a little dishevelled at the moment. Perhaps we had woken him. He reached out two hands and grasped one of mine, his intensely Arctic blue eyes lighting up in recognition. I'd never met this man before, but he knew instantly who I was.

"The
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
," he said in a delightful French accent. "What an absolute pleasure." He didn't let go of my hand but gently pulled me forward and leaned in to place a kiss on each of my cheeks. Michel let out a low warning growl.

The Nosferatin turned to Michel immediately, not releasing my hand, but holding on firmly with one while he fisted the other over his chest and bowed his head to the vampire at my side. "Councillor," he said with deference. "Please, won't you all come in."

Still not releasing me he led us inside the gate which was closed firmly behind us by Alain. The courtyard we were in was magnificent. Beautiful leafy trees and abundantly colourful flowers. A water feature sat pride of place in the centre, but what really stole the show was the view. An uninterrupted outlook over Paris. I could imagine sitting in this garden during the day and soaking up the sun and splendid sight before me for hours. I felt like I had come home.

Michel looked at me with a slight crease in his forehead, his eyes catching mine and an eyebrow raised. I shrugged, unable to explain how I felt. But I felt safe here. Secure and more than anything, at home. The Nosferatin turned to look at me, taking in Michel's questioning look. He finally let go of my hand, but his smile was firmly in place.

"You feel it, don't you?" he asked mysteriously. I turned my attention back to him.

"Why?" I asked, making the vampires around me shift uneasily. Our conversation was sounding a little like Michel's and mine did when we half communicated in our minds. This Nosferatin and I weren't doing that, but there was something here that we both felt and the vampires did not. That made us kindred of a sorts. A shared feeling only for us.

"Can we go inside?" Michel asked stiffly. "There are eyes in the sky this night."

The Nosferatin looked up at the stars, but he wouldn't have been able to spot them I was sure, and then he nodded at Michel, turning and leading the way. Michel grabbed hold of my hand possessively, shooting me a frown that said all he wanted to say aloud or in my head, but didn't dare.

The inside of the building was as ancient looking as the outside. Antique furniture which had no doubt been here since the building was made, well maintained and beautifully presented. The interior had a charm and welcome disposition that immediately settled my nerves. He led us into the front room and offered us all a drink. The vampires all declined as one, so I was forced to just shake my head too. I could have done with a drink right now. I felt like celebrating.

Michel pulled me against his side roughly and whispered in my mind,
what is wrong with you?

I looked up into his eyes, noting there was magenta in amongst the violet hue, but shook my head in confusion. I wasn't sure what it was, but I was happier in this building than I had been for months. Michel looked a little hurt at those thoughts.

"This building is warded," the Nosferatin interrupted our silent staring match. "You cannot be overhead or seen within these walls. This is safest building in Paris. Perhaps in Europe," he said proudly. His eyes settled again on me, the look was friendly and open, but Michel was not having any of it.

"Thank you...?" he said pointedly, to get the Nosferatin's attention away from me.

"I am so sorry, in all the excitement I did not introduce myself. My name is Yves Bertrand. I am in charge of the Nosferatins here. This is our most sacred home."

"Home?" I asked, wanting to know more about this beautiful place and why it called to me.

"Home of the Nosferatin, Lucinda," he said my name as though it was sacred, as much as the building itself. "This building has been our base for centuries. For as long as the Nosferatin have resided in
Paris
." He said Paris as the French do, musical and romantic - beautiful.

Michel cleared his throat loudly, his arm snaking around my shoulders in a predatory and possessive way. I ignored him.

"How long have you been here, Yves?"

His smile widened, his eyes flashing an amazing azure in amongst the Arctic. He was old, only Nosferatin over a certain age had a colour change like the Nosferatu in their eyes.

"A long time, Lucinda. But I have never had such an honour as to welcome a Nosferatin such as you in our home. Welcome," he said with feeling, fisting his hand across his heart and bowing low. Lower and longer than he had bowed to Michel. "Treat this as your home," he added as he came back up to full height. "It has been waiting for your return."

Before I could ask him what he meant, he started for the door. "I am sure you wish for some privacy. You will not be disturbed, you have my word." And then he slipped out of the door, closing it softly behind him.

Silence filled the room, the only sound that of Michel's low, soft and menacing growl. He pulled away from me and walked several steps, then turned and shot me a look. Eyebrow raised and mask in place. His neutral political mask. The one he wears when he doesn't want to give anything away. He was failing miserably. I could almost smell the jealousy and anger rolling off him, an overreaction to be sure.

"An overreaction?" he asked quietly and the vampires went deathly still.

I held his gaze and smiled softly, his mask slipped, anger seeping in. "Michel," I said as though speaking to a child. His mouth opened slightly in disbelief. I started laughing at his reaction, probably not the most thoughtful of responses, but really! What was he thinking? I'd die for this man, I would give my last breath to love him and have him love me back. No strange inexplicable Nosferatin connection would ever stop that now.

I shrugged my shoulders and said quietly as I approached his side. "I don't know why, but I like it here. I feel safe and at home. It comes from deep within. I feel Nut in these rooms." And it wasn't a lie. The longer I was here, the more I believed my Goddess was present. "This is where it all started, Michel. This is where it all began."

He let a slow breath out and glanced around the room, I wasn't sure if he was looking for some sign of Nut, but when his eyes returned to me, the magenta had faded.

"You are mine," he said softly, reaching up and placing a hand behind my neck. His thumb began to trace a pattern in my hair.

"And you are mine," I answered simply.

We stood like that for several seconds, our eyes locked on the other, and it must have finally worked, because he pulled back and gave me one of his young boy smiles and then elegantly shrugged his shoulders.

"You cannot blame me," he murmured. "You came alive tonight as soon as we arrived. It has been weeks since you have done that."

"London," we both said at the same time and then smiled. That damn city just wasn't for me.

"Maybe we should move here," I said without thought, but as soon as I saw Michel's contemplative gaze on me I hesitated. "It's too close to her," I added and he slowly nodded. But I got the impression that it was an idea that had appealed. Before I had mentioned the Champion that is.

"Very well," Michel said softly, returning to the task at hand. "Get your gem out,
ma douce
."

I pulled Aliath's bright yellow stone from my pocket and lifted it to my lips. I hoped like hell we weren't disturbing him. Then quickly whispered his name against the side.

A split in the air appeared several seconds later and Aliath stepped out with Gigi in tow. Marcus hissed, Matthias whacked him on the shoulder and the Nothus bared her fangs.

"Control yourselves," Michel said with authority and both shut their mouths.

Once the initial reaction to their strange arrival had subsided, I got a good look at them both. They were a little grimy, dirt smeared all over their faces and hands. Their clothes ripped in places and shadows under both their eyes. But Gigi looked the worst. Aliath had that tired look of a long fight, but was still in reasonable health. Gigi was hungry, her eyes darting to my neck more than once.