Insidious Whispers (The Hunter Diaries) (5 page)

Chapter 11

“How dare they?” Queen Genevieve stormed across her throne room and flung the nearest candle-holder against the wall. “How dare they take my son?”

The messenger was on his knees trembling.

“I ought to take your head and send it back to them!” She railed. Suddenly, the Queen stopped. “But I won’t.” A small delicate hand went to her chin. “No, I won’t.”  She walked regally over to the young messenger and gazed benevolently at him. “Tell them I accept. Their terms will be met. In three days time, we shall meet at the border of our two lands and Crossings. There we shall make the exchange. But,” her voice lowered to almost a whisper, “if one hair is harmed on my son’s head they will wish they’d just given me the Tome. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Good. Then go, and don’t waste time. If they are but one minute late the deals off.”

The messenger rose quickly and rushed from the room with all haste. Her mocking laughter followed him.

“Salvio! Come here at once!”

The Queen’s head guardsman rushed up to the throne where she stood. “Yes, Your Majesty. How can I be of assistance?”

“I have a mission for you...”

Chapter 12

Ami Sherridon paced around the little shop in Seattle that she owned with her best friend, Beth. The Broom Closet had been dark when she and Lucian arrived. She’d used her key to get in. The shelves in the back towards the lending library were all in disarray, as though there had been a struggle.

“We have to find her Lucian. Something happened, I just know it.”

Lucian regarded her with his usual calm presence. “Did she have any enemies?”

“Are you kidding? Everyone loves Beth. Everyone. What are we going to do?”

“Well, we can contact the local vampire community and see if they have heard or seen anything. This is an unusual shop. I have a feeling they keep an eye on it.”

That was true. The Broom Closet catered to new-age fanatics, and the paranormal. Beth had insisted on having the magic library in the back for up-and-coming witches. Perhaps he had a point.

“Do you know who that is?”

“Of course. We are old friends, Nicholas and I. I hear that he too has married recently. It will be good to meet his new bride.”

A small flash of jealousy passed through Ami. She and Lucian were so new, she still couldn’t believe her good fortune or half the things she’d come to learn were real, less than two weeks prior. Now her best friend was missing and she could be anywhere. Ami tried not to picture Beth face-down in a ditch somewhere. “Call him then, please. I need to know she’s safe.”

“As you wish.” Lucian pulled out his cell, and dialed...

Ami picked up one of the books that had fallen on the floor during the struggle.
Magic for Beginners
. If they only knew. She listened intently to Lucian’s conversation with Nicholas. Evidently, there had been talk of attacks on the local vampire community and not just from the hunters. Nicholas had concerns the attacks now branched out to include other species as well.

“Do you think we should contact the High Council?” Lucian asked, his voice hesitant for the first time since Ami’d known him.

The man’s tone on the other end of the line was distinctive. “I see no way around it. I need to talk with them anyway.”

“Do you have passage?”

Ami wasn’t quite sure what that meant.

“Yes, we have a Ferrier, a Fae that can cross into the Veil to a specific place - for a small price.”

“Good, then we don’t have to waste any time. We are coming with you. My new wife is distraught over the disappearance of her friend.” Lucian’s tone brokered no argument.

“Of course, I would expect nothing less. My own wife knows of this young shopkeeper. She will not be happy to learn that Beth Stark is missing. Expect to leave in about a half hour. We should be at the shop by that time.”

“Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. I know you would do the same.”

Lucian hung up the phone and strode over to Ami. He pulled her into his strong embrace. “We will find your friend.”

“I hope so.”

In less than a half hour, the shop was inundated with Beth’s friends and acquaintances. Nicholas leapt up onto the countertop to get their attention. “I know you are all here because you know and care about Beth Stark and what happened to her. We need to find out where she is, and fast.”

Several people spoke up and agreed to search the nearby community.

“Good. Meet back here in the morning and report your progress. Alexander, Lucian, Ami, Stephanie, and Chloe will come with me. I have another avenue I would like to investigate. With any luck, we will have the little shopkeeper back where she belongs before another day passes.”

The teams split. Nicholas jumped down from the counter and walked over to his team waited. Ami watched as Nicholas looked over the team.

“Our contact should be here any moment. Keep in mind, where we are going is dangerous. If any of you want to stay behind we don’t mind.”

All three women looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. Ami stepped forward.

“She’s my best friend. I’d go to Hell to get her back. Let’s do this.”

At her comment, the little bell above the shop door jingled and a man walked through. He was tall and lean, with bleached-blond hair and electric blue eyes. His skin was pale, and appeared almost translucent.

Nicholas offered him a hand, and smiled in greeting. “Everyone, I would like you to meet Cail. He’s going to be our guide to and from the Other Realm.”

Chapter 13

Beth stretched and her hand hit something solid next to her. She opened her eyes. Phoenix lay by her side. Not a stitch on his sculpted perfect body. She wondered briefly if he’d modelled for one of the marble statues - carved forever in time. Her fingertips traced the lines of his chest muscles memorizing his body. She felt no heartbeat, but then again light streamed through the far window, and she knew he must still be asleep; it would still be mid-afternoon in this realm. With a deep sigh of regret, Beth rose. Today they would have their answer from the Queen. Regardless of the outcome, she couldn’t let the black tome remain here. It was her duty to protect the book.

Her stomach grumbled and demanded food. Vampires might not have to eat, but she certainly did. Tossing on her blouse and skirt, Beth grabbed the bag where she kept the Tome and went in search of food. There had to be some in this monstrosity of a building. She briefly recalled from her youth in the Other Realm that most kitchens in large castles and fortresses were built on the ground floor. The staircase was located next to the great hall. She passed by several guards on her way, and had to stop to ask for directions more than once. As Beth neared the corner she heard distinctive voices -- one of which she recognized all too well.

“Listen buster! My friend is missing; I don’t care if they are busy. The Elders will see us, and now!” Ami’s raised voice echoed down the corridor.

Beth cast a glance at the ceiling for patience. She’d known Ami would come for her eventually. Time passed differently here, and while she’d only been here a week, she knew in reality she’d been there about two. She stepped around the corner ready to be ran over.

“I’m not missing. I’m right here.”

“Beth! Oh, thank God!” Ami ran to Beth and threw her arms around her best friend, “You had me so worried. What happened? You didn’t call, or email, or text – I thought you were dead, or worse. Wait... you’re in the vampire Fortress. You’re not... No –”

“Ami! Breathe.” Beth interrupted her before she went any further. “No, I’m still me. That hasn’t changed.”

“Then what are you doing here?” Ami waited expectantly for an answer.

Beth looked around the hall and took in all the faces there. She recognized them all. In fact, she’d helped most of them at some point or another. She smiled at Stephanie and Chloe. “Nice to see you again.”

“Beth...” There was a warning note in Ami’s voice.

“All right, fine. I’m here because of the black tome.”

Chloe stepped forward. “The black tome. You mean the one that called to me in the shop?”

“Yes. That’s right. It seems that the Queen is after it.”

Ami shook her head, “Wait, the Queen? What Queen?”

“Queen Genevieve, leader of the Fae. She wants the Tome. And not to do nice things with like making flowers dance.”

“So, what’s the plan?” Nicholas stepped forward, and placed his hands on his hips. The man had an intimidating presence as thousand year old vampire and leader of all blood-sucking creatures in the Pacific Northwest.

“Right now we have Prince Arlen in custody. We will exchange his life for that of Her Majesty’s sworn blood oath that she will no longer seek to harm the vampire race.”

“A blood oath?” Chloe cocked her head to the side, “Are you sure she’ll do that?”

“No, this is why I’m still here. The vampires don’t entirely trust that she will. However, I know my people, or – at least I think I do – and she will not let her son come to harm. If it means his life, she will do it.”

“So, what happens once she does agree?” Alexander, Chloe’s husband and Nicholas’s second-in-command spoke up.

“Then I will take the Tome back with me. Regardless of what the Elders think, I will not leave here without it.”

“You may have an argument on your hands there.” Nicholas cast a seriously concerned gaze her way. 

“Maybe you’re right, but I am the Guardian. What happens to the Tome is in my hands, no one else’s.”

The doors to the great hall opened. “Well then young lady, it appears you have a choice to make. Please, come inside. All of you.” Jean-Luc’s gaze took in the whole group gathered in the hall.

Beth suppressed the cold shiver that ran down her spine, but he caught it anyway and gave her a wink.

“Nothing to worry your pretty head about my little Fae.” Jean-Luc turned back into the hall and strode up to the podium where the other Elders waited.

What appeared to be a young teenage boy knelt before the thrones of the elders. He looked frightened, and cast nervous glances towards the group of them.

Jean-Luc sat down on the center throne. “It appears that Her Majesty has agreed to our terms. She does not want to see her son come to harm.”

“So then, I can leave.” Beth smothered a grin. She didn’t want to appear smug.

“Yes, but not until after the deal is struck.”

Beth felt a surge of disappointment. She missed her little shop.

“Where will the meeting take place?” Nicholas stepped to the front of the group.

“It will take place tomorrow night. At Crossings. There, we shall sign the agreement that states as long as Her Majesty no longer seeks to harm the vampire race, then her son shall come to no harm by our hand.”

“We shall accompany you, of course, to make sure all goes as planned. And, once this is over, Beth is free to leave, correct?” Stephanie stood by her husband Nicholas.

“Yes, of course.” He gave Stephanie a petulant smile like one might give to a child.

Beth supposed that was only to be expected. After all, Stephanie was only a few months old, by vampire standards. But, she could tell that Stephanie resented being spoken to like she was three. Even if it was from an ancient vampire. Beth understood, she would hate it if someone spoke to her in such a way.

“Be ready to leave around 9:00 p.m.. We shall venture out at that time for the rendezvous.  We shall see if Her Majesty is true to her word.  You may go.” He dismissed them.

As they left the main hall, Beth’s thoughts wandered to Arlen. While she could understand why he thought they were meant to be together, she didn’t understand why he would force the issue. Goosebumps rose on her flesh when she thought of how he’d tried to touch her.

Chloe stepped close. “Hey, are you all right?”

Beth cast a glance her way. “Of course. It has just been a rough few days.”

“Want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Okay, but I’m here if you need anything. You were good to me when I needed it the most, and I want to return the favor.”

Beth placed a hand on Chloe’s arm. “I’ll be fine. Sometimes things just don’t turn out the way one would expect.”

“Boy, can I vouch for that one. Who knew three months ago that we would all be standing in a vampire fortress in another realm? It’s almost all too unbelievable.” Chloe laughed. “If I told any of my friends other than these guys, they would commit me.”

“I was just headed down to get some food. Do you want to join me?”

“I’m good. We just finished dinner when Nicholas rang us.”

“Okay. I’ll see you later. I need to grab something.”  Beth made her way to the staircase.

“Later.” The group headed in another direction.

They would all meet up for the event in a few hours. If things went well, she would be headed home within moments of the agreement. If not, well, she would deal with that when it happened. Right now, her body demanded food. Ami tracked after her.

“Hey girl, don’t think you can get away without an explanation. What the Hell happened? Why didn’t you call?”

Beth grinned, “I’ll tell you over a sandwich.” There were certain things she’d never filled Ami in on, and it was long past time she was honest with her best friend.