Kiss of the Dragon (13 page)

"Wh..what?" I spluttered, quite irate now. I'm sure Michel had started to block my emotions some time ago. I wasn't holding anything back. "That's ludicrous!"

"It is what it is," he replied reasonably, making my temper soar even higher.

"Michel," I started, his name falling off my tongue harshly.

"Calm yourself, my dear," he commanded. My mouth hung open in shock, momentarily stunned into silence. He sighed again, and I could just picture him running a frustrated hand through his dark hair. "This is exactly why changes need to be made,
ma douce
," he said softly, somehow switching from angry Master Vampire to caring Kindred Nosferatu in a split second.

I relaxed a little into my seat and ran a hand through my own hair to calm down further.

"Yeah," I agreed.

"It is what I am working tirelessly on right now," Michel added. "Some Councillors, like the Ambrosia, are in agreement with me, but that does not guarantee his assistance tonight. He may not wish to show his hand so soon. Things are precarious in the
Palais
right now,
ma douce
. We all must play our cards close to our chests."

Aw, crap. He was right. And politics sucked the big one.

"OK," I said softly, curling in on myself in the chair.

"I will do my best,
ma douce
. Five minutes." Then he disconnected the call.

The vampires in the room remained silent, having heard the conversation - both sides - quite clearly, and also picking up on the moods of their masters. Michel and me. Sophie was the only one to move around, and not because she was unaware. I was sure the young Nosferatin was very astute, but she'd also been busy. She walked into the room with a tray of snacks; a French bread stick, Camembert cheese, an assortment of pickles and fresh fruit, and a glass of white wine.

I wasn't sure if I could stomach the wine. Besides, drinking before a major confrontation was not wise. But being French, I could imagine she drank wine with every meal of the day, regardless of the situation. I thanked her for the food and nibbled on the bread, cheese and fruit, ignoring the wine altogether.

Five minutes later on the dot, my cellphone rang. I pushed the last of the food aside, glad I'd refuelled some, but clearly not in the mood for a huge meal. The cellphone display read
Michel calling
, so I didn't delay in answering.

"Hey," I said softly. My voice not its usual bravado, somehow the argument had taken the wind out of my sails. I'd have to work on refortifying myself before I faced off against Amun.

"
Ma douce
," Michel said sadly, picking up on my tone or my emotions, either would have let him know I was not myself. "Please do not be upset," he added.

"I'm fine, Michel. What did the Ambrosia say?" I couldn't address my reaction to our arguing
right now, I needed to start shoring up the walls and battening down the hatches. If he pushed me, I might just start crying.

What the hell was wrong with me?

Michel sighed. It made me smile... just a little. He didn't normally sigh so much. I liked the sound, even if I didn't like the reason why he felt he had to do it.

"I am sorry,
ma petite lumiere
," he said carefully. "The Ambrosia wishes to have nothing to do with your efforts this evening. I tried,
ma douce
, but he was most adamant that this was a Nosferatin affair."

I was stunned. Although Michel had warned me, part of me had expected more from the kind old vampire than this. The Ambrosia had always been on my side.

But like he had once said, it's not about picking sides. It's about whether the risk was worth it or not.

The Ambrosia was just like every other vampire I had met, out for only themselves.

"Lucinda," Michel chastised softly obviously hearing my thoughts. No one likes to have their race stereotyped, and I was clearly doing just that right now.

"I know," I said, a little exasperatedly. "Precarious times and all that."

Michel was silent for several seconds. I let the lack of conversation stretch. I was suddenly feeling quite tired. Tired of vampire politics. Tired of constantly being on guard. Of never showing fear. I'd been doing this for a while and although I'd had times where I'd battled to accept what my life had become, I had come a long way since then.

I
did
love my life, especially the part of it that involved Michel,
my
vampires and our home. I may not have grown completely attached to the
Château
yet, but wherever Michel was, I felt like I was home. So, this tiredness, although familiar, was not the same as any disgruntlement I'd had in the past. I couldn't adequately explain it, but all of a sudden, the task ahead this evening seemed insurmountable.

My life was constantly dangerous. I lived on the edge of a very sharp knife. Rogue vampires calling me to them. My Prophesied powers luring the Dark. The responsibility my talents and position created. It was all perilous. But also, very thrilling. I really don't think I could go back to being a bank teller now. But that didn't mean I found my life easy. More often than not it was the exact opposite, in fact.

So, I shouldn't have been surprised that I was so tired tonight. Sooner or later it would catch up with me. Tonight just happened to be
that
night. Unfortunately.

"You will be careful,
ma douce
?" Michel finally broke the silence by asking. Maybe sensing my tiredness forced him to remind me to take care. Instead of feeling cherished, I felt annoyed.

"When am I not?" I shot back abruptly.

I may not be able to feel Michel's emotions, as he can feel mine, but I swear, at that moment, I could feel his concern. It was palpable. A physical presence down the line. It caused me to take stock of myself. To question my actions and words. I don't often waste time on regrets. Often my choices are made on the spot, under extenuating circumstances. I am constantly under pressure to do the right thing. But, even
I
had to admit, I was working with a very short fuse this evening.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, leaning forward and pulling my long hair around my face to offer some privacy. The vampires in the room would still have been able to hear everything I said, but they would have respected my need to be unobserved. I wasn't sure, but they may have affected that preternatural stillness they do, in an effort to appear not really there. I
was
aware that Sophie had left the room though. She couldn't turn statue still like a vampire, but she could take a hint.

"I am worried about you,
ma douce
," Michel admitted. "You do not seem to be yourself."

"I'm just tired, Michel," I replied, deciding honesty was the best course for now. "And annoyed that yet another problem needs to be resolved in next to no time."

"It is frustrating that the Nosferatins are in such danger," Michel agreed. "However, maybe this can be used as an opportunity. You needed to confront Amun, now you have a legitimate reason to visit him. In fact, this is a perfect opening for a path I have been wanting to pursue."

I had no idea what he was talking about, but his conviction was apparent in his tone.

Still, I had to ask. "What are you talking about, Michel?" It didn't fail to register with me that I was already feeling more like myself. The blues - or whatever the hell I had been feeling - were dissipating, being replaced by curiosity and, if I wasn't mistaken, a sense of anticipation. Something I usually felt when about to go on a hunt. Goddess knows what Michel was planning, but somehow he'd brought me back out of myself with his calm and focused demeanour.

"You are aware we have a seat vacant on the Council?" he asked out of nowhere.

"Ah, yeah. Your old position of the Emissary," I replied automatically.

"That title was specific to my role, not the position. The seat can go to whomever is most appropriate for it. Upon a vote of the remaining Councillors, of course."

"Of course," I agreed. Nothing could be decided without a ballot of some description. Politics at its level best. Michel may be the Champion and hold a hell of a lot of sway. His word is often the final one. But there must be an agreement of sorts, within the Council, for major issues, such as filling an empty Council seat.

I still didn't understand where he was going with this though.

"I have been championing the notion," he started, "that there needs to be Nosferatin representation on the Council. It is early days, there is much opposition."

I knew this was a private goal of Michel's. I understood why. He had a kindred Nosferatin, he'd be favourable to that belief. But I also knew he was the only Councillor to currently have a kindred. The rest were too egotistical to consider compromising themselves so. Of course, with a kindred, the Nosferatu doubles their power. If it was greed alone that ruled a vampire's decision, they'd all be joined. But joining with a Nosferatin has its downside. The fact that should the Nosferatin be killed, the vampire would die as well.

I couldn't see an
Iunctio
Council member compromising their immortality in that fashion. So opposition was a given, but if there is anything to say about Michel Durand; he can be very determined when his mind is made up.

"Yes," I encouraged, as he'd gone silent for a second. Maybe expecting me to join the dots, but I was still at a loss with his thought process on this.

"You shall be acting as my envoy this evening," he announced with finality. I sat bolt upright in my chair.

"What?" Eloquent, I was not. He'd already tasked me with this mission - for want of a better word. He needed to know what was happening in London, to find out if the rumours were true and an army was being amassed to go against the
Iunctio
. He'd already sent me here to do that, so what was he saying now?

"This will send a message to all vampyre," he said, breaking into my thoughts, "that the Champion of the
Iunctio
is in support of the Nosferatin. It will serve a dual purpose. Planting the seed with the masses, that the
Iunctio
is changing its view on Nosferatu and Nosferatin relations. But also, signifying my intent to those on the Council. I am the Champion now,
ma douce
. I must act as one."

I wasn't sure if he was saying that for his benefit or mine. And I was still having trouble comprehending just
what
he was saying. I understood that politics was all a game of smoke and mirrors, and maybe that was what was going on here. Show the Council one thing, while achieving another.

I shook my head in doubt. Michel had said himself this evening, that the
Iunctio
liked to avoid entanglement in Nosferatin problems. And here he was doing the exact opposite.

"You're not making any sense, Michel," I pointed out.

"It makes perfect sense to me,
ma belle
." I let a huff of air out on a half-incredulous, half-amused laugh. "You sound happier," he whispered, a note of relief in his voice.

"Yeah, you talking politics always lifts my spirits," I joked.

He chuckled at the return of my sense of humour.

"Good,
ma douce
." A pause, then, "It is time for you to leave, yes?"

I glanced at the clock on my cellphone screen. He was right, we needed to get a move on if we planned to meet Sebastian and his men on time.

"Yes, you're right. Time flies when you're having fun." Or being confused by your beloved's conversation.

"Very well then. You are acting as my official envoy tonight, Lucinda," he said in a formal tone. I licked my lips nervously. Somehow him saying the words like that meant more than just heading off to do something on his behalf. And then I realised what it was that made me feel a little uncomfortable. I'd accepted the task of finding out what was happening in London from Michel easily back at the
Château
, but now he'd put the weight of Nosferatu words behind the request. A request that involved rescuing Nosferatins as well. Words mean so much more to a vampire than they do humans.

I was no longer simply looking into something for my kindred. I was acting as an ambassador to the Champion on a mission that involved Nosferatins.

Goddess, that changed things. My actions would reflect directly on him. I could ruin his political standing.

"Or strengthen it," he said in a soft voice.

"How can you be so sure?" I asked, well used to him answering my unspoken thoughts aloud by now.

"If you pull this off, I will have formal evidence that a Nosferatin on the Council would be beneficial to the
Iunctio
. It would be difficult to dispute my request for a Nosferatin Councillor at the next meeting."

I let his words digest inside my mind for a moment. Then asked the one question that was blaring inside my head.

"Who exactly did you have in mind for this position, Michel?"

He started laughing, a deep rumble straight from the depths of his chest that reverberated down the cellphone line and right into me. I closed my eyes slowly and savoured the sensation, letting his laughter wash over my skin and sink into my heart.

"
Ma douce
," he said between chuckles. "Isn't it obvious?"

I was beginning to think it was. But how he planned to convince the other Councillors that
his
kindred Nosferatin was the best choice for the position was beyond me. And how he planned to convince me was a mystery as well. He knew I hated politics.

"You were born to it, my dear. You do not realise how much of your actions are perfect for the political arena. You are a natural. Besides, Lucinda, you are the Prophesied. You already have a title."

I let a breath of air out in a huff. He had it all planned. Probably had it planned from the moment he became Champion. Or perhaps even from the moment he returned to the
Iunctio
Council as the Emissary under the former Champion. Who knows, with Michel, he may have had this planned the moment he met me; over three years ago. Michel was a master politician, a consummate tactician. Nothing would surprise me.

"Be well,
ma douce
. And enjoy your first official undertaking as the Champion's envoy."

"You're loving this aren't you?" I said, standing and stretching in preparation for the coming events of the night. Politics it may well be, but I was certain there would also be a fair amount of fighting. My heart rate increased and my palms itched to hold my Svante.

I did so love a good battle.

Michel laughed again, the sound so delightful, that for a moment it caught my breath.

"Have fun,
ma belle.
And don't cause too much mayhem."

Mayhem. Jeesh. What did he think I would do now that I was the
official
ambassador to the Champion this evening?

The last thing I heard as the phone rang off was Michel’s laughter. I may have loved a good battle, but this is what made Michel tick. The art of arranging pieces on a political chessboard in order to take the King.

I slipped my cellphone into my jacket pocket as it lay across the back of the sofa and then reached for my Svante sword where Nataliya had propped it against the couch at some stage. I glanced up at my vampires as I positioned the holster across my shoulders and back, checking the clasps and making sure the sword slid out unhindered. Sophie was back in the room, watching my every move with undisclosed interest. I'd never hunted with this Nosferatin before, but I trusted Yves' judgement. If he said she was experienced, despite the fact she was still unjoined, then I'd believe him. She'd already proven how sharp mentally she was, I was sure she'd be just as sharp with a dagger or stake in her hand as well.

"OK then," I said, once the sword was in place and my jacket was back on over the top. "I guess you all heard that conversation." At least the part about me being on official business tonight. The vampires nodded in unison, then fisted their hands over their chests and bowed low.

I paused in straightening my jacket collar and accepted the act for what it was; a show of respect. I nodded my thanks as they all came upright and rolled my head on my shoulders to loosen my frame.

"So, the plan is to negotiate first with Amun, then if need be, make a show of force. But one way or the other, we
will
be leaving with the Nosferatins this night. I will settle for nothing less."

"So be it," the vampires said, again in unison. It was a bit creepy, but they'd clearly picked up on the importance of Michel's words. I was indeed working for the
Iunctio
tonight and even though I was the most powerful Nosferatin in the world and therefore already a worthy mistress to these vampires. Now, I was so much more.