The Seven: Four tales of passion, danger and love (10 page)

"It will fuel the fire of the people who are afraid if we go along with it and slap them in the face with it. Not good for your people. Trust me on this. Those who want to hate you will use it. They'll turn me into some "entranced" fool of a woman under the control of a Vampire and they'll make you out to be a monster."

"They'll do that anyway."

"Maybe, but they'll do it without me."

"Where will you go?"

"Home."

"And where is that, sweetheart?"

"Texas. Sanctuary."

Augustus crossed the room to her and stopped her from zipping her luggage by taking her hands. "What about your family, Layla? Your home and your career?"

"I can write anywhere and I'll hire someone to check on my house. It'll be fine for the time being."

"And your family?"

"You mean my brother and my sister? That's all the family I have left. Well, there are some cousins but my parents have been gone a long time. My grandmother raised me and she died three years ago."

"And your brother and sister?"

"I haven’t seen my brother in years – ever since he got involved with a motorcycle club. And my sister is a doctor in DC, married to a lobbyist and I'm more of an embarrassment to her than anything else. I get a card from her on my birthday and a call on Christmas."

She could feel sympathy for her swell inside him and it embarrassed her, which naturally made her defensive. "Stop. I don't need you to feel sorry for me. I made peace with all that a long time ago. It is what it is and I'm not crying about it."

"You are a remarkable woman, Layla Storm."

"My name isn't Storm. That's just my pen name."

His eyebrows rose and she laughed. "You mean you didn't know? That surprises me."

"Then what is your real name?"

"Layla Anne Summerfield."

Augustus smiled at her. "I love you, Layla Anne Summerfield."

"And I love you so would you please take me home?"

"That I will. I'll call and have the plane readied."

She nodded as he pulled out his phone to make the arrangements and turned her attention back to checking to make sure she hadn't forgotten anything.

"We take off in three hours. The car will be here in two."

Layla sat down on the bed. "Okay, so what do we do until then?"

The look that came on his face had a delicious shiver of anticipation dancing over her skin. "Oh, I think we can keep ourselves entertained, don't you honey?"

Layla couldn't help but wonder if she was losing her grip on reality because with all that was happening, his question turned her mind to only one thing.

She reached for him and at that moment, his phone rang. His reaction had her dropping her hands as he hurriedly answered. "Thurinus."

Layla watched his expression change. Was that concern she was seeing?

"Yes, of course." He ended the call. "We need to leave."

"Now?"

"Yes."

"Oh, okay." Layla didn’t question the sudden change. She was happy to leave.

Less than five minutes later, they were getting into the back seat of a long limo. Augustus removed his hat, leaned back, and stared out of the window.

"Everything okay?"

"It will be fine, sweetheart."

Something about his words rang false, which was a first and that concerned her. But with all that had happened, she thought this might be one of those times when she should keep quiet. Let him work things out in his head.

The truth was, she had some things to work out herself. She couldn't let Sheila use what had happened at the studio as a promotion gimmick. That would just be wrong. And if she stuck to her guns on that, what did it mean for her career? Would her publisher pull her contract?

She was so caught up in trying to figure out what to do that she didn't realize where they were. Suddenly it dawned on her that she was seeing trees instead of buildings.

"August?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going? I don't think this is the way to the airport."

"We're not going to the airport."

"Then where are we going?"

"I've been summoned to appear before the Head of the Council and your presence was requested."

"The—oh my god, the
Council
Council? As in the leaders of your people, Council?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"My guess that the incident this afternoon has garnered attention."

"So are they mad?"

"I don't know."

She fell silent for a few minutes, staring out of the window at the passing scenery. "Are you scared?"

"Pardon?"

"Are you scared?" She turned to look at him.

"Why would I be afraid?"

Layla shrugged. "I don't know. I figure it's kind of like the President demanding that I appear before him or something."

Augustus took her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "Don't worry."

Oh oh.
One thing Layla had learned in life was that the phrase "don't worry" was most often used when there actually a cause for worry.

With a sense of dread, she clutched his hand. The decision to leave Texas now seemed like a really bad one.

Chapter Twelve

Right now, I'm kind of glad my folks and my Grannie aren't around to see what happened. Thanks to the perks of wealth, Augustus and I have been able to watch newscasts and online podcasts and videos of what happened at the television interview while we are on our way to his appearance before the Council.

I can't say I felt very proud when I watched myself slug that woman who was coming after Augustus. I'd like to say I was only trying to protect him but that would be a lie I couldn't even convince myself of.

The truth is, I was jealous because she wanted him and wasn't about to let her get her hands on him. It wasn't exactly one of my finest moments. Okay, none of it was if I'm honest. I was gloating over my success and my super-fine man. I had a smug expression on my face, sitting there on that couch with his arm around my shoulders.

How embarrassing. How did I become THAT person? Sometimes I wish Grannie was around to kick my ass. She'd always tell me when I was "getting too big for my britches" as she liked to say.

I don't want to be that person – that "oh look at me" woman. So why was I? Is that what success and fame does to you? Does it twist who you are into some warped version of yourself? Does it blind you to your own bad behavior and give you a screwed up sense of entitlement and elevation over others?

If that's what it does then maybe I wished for all the wrong things. I love to write and I'll never forget the excitement of seeing the sales of my self-published book roll in. I guess I sold out. God that sounds horrible but like Grannie said, you have to be honest with yourself or you can't be honest with anyone else. And the truth is, I did sell out. I could have just kept that book right where it was and let it ride – see what it would do.

But no, I had to latch onto that golden carrot that was dangled in front of my face. I could be a "big" name, a writer with a multi-million dollar deal. All I had to do was sign my name and all that fame and fortune could be mine.

Fuck. Sorry Grannie, but sometimes you just have to drop the F—bomb. It's part of that being honest thing. And honestly, I don't know where I'm supposed to go from here.

Maybe this is one of those times when you have to go with Dad's philosophy. "Go with the flow."

Well, I am kinda doing that. And oh my god, I know where we are!

It was almost impossible to put a lid on her excitement and curiosity when Layla discovered where they were going. She'd read about, seen photos and naturally, watched shows on television about the lavish estates in The Hamptons but she never dreamed she'd actually visit.

Already wheels were turning in her head on how she could use the setting in a book. It was difficult to write about something you'd never seen. She stopped gawking at the scenery long enough to look at Augustus.

"So, the Council's headquarters are here?"

"No, we’re going to the home of Asha Amar Iltani, the head of the Council and Queen of Vampires."

"Oh yes. The one we saw on television. She's beautiful. But what makes her a queen? Was she born into royalty?"

"Yes."

"When? Where?"

"From one of the first recorded civilizations."

"Say what?"

"She is from what we now call Sumeria."

"Oh damn, are you serious? She's been alive since … okay, math are not me. So what's she like?"

Augustus' brows drew together in the slightest of frowns. "She is … complicated."

"So, you've known her a long time?"

"Since birth."

That intrigued Layla even more. "Really? So were your parents friends with her or were they – what, servants, slaves, nobles? Oh and are your parents still alive?"

Augustus' frown vanished, to be replaced with a smile and then a chuckle.

"What?"

"Your curiosity delights me."

Layla rolled her eyes. "Great, but that's not an answer."

"Here we are."

That diverted her attention. The car turned onto a wide road and stopped at the enormous metal gate. Massive stone columns supported the gate and a guard building stood on either side of the columns with two men positioned outside each.

Tall heavy metal fencing stretched out from either side of the stone columns as far as she could see in either direction, broken periodically by additional columns of stone.

The driver nodded to the guards on his side of the car and a few moments later the massive gates slid open to allow them entrance.

Layla had never seen anything like it in her life. They must have traveled a good mile through landscaped grounds. Every now and then, in the distance she could see structures.

When they rounded a large turn and the house came into view she gasped. "Holy shit."

Augustus chuckled. "It is an impressive home."

"That's not a home it's a – a resort or hotel or – good god how big is that thing?"

"The house itself is one hundred thousand square feet and one of the largest residential compounds in the United States. It has twenty-nine bedroom rooms, thirty—nine bathrooms, a squash, and tennis and basketball court along with a bowling alley.

"The estate is beachfront property, sixty three acres."

"Holy shit. I'd hate to have to clean that monster."

Augustus laughed. "I can assure you that Asha does not clean."

"No kidding. Damn, she must be rich as Midas."

"And then some."

Layla could scarcely believe her eyes. This was one of those looks inside the life of someone obscenely rich.

The driver stopped and got out to open the door for them. Augustus got out and offered his hand to Layla. She accepted and hung onto it as he led her to the towering double doors at the front entrance.

The doors opened before they even reached them to reveal a woman standing just inside the house.

Layla's legs completely stopped working. Her death grip on Augustus' hand caused him to jerk to a stop.

"Layla?"

She couldn't speak. There were thousands of drop dead beautiful women in the world but she'd never set eyes on anyone whose presence was so immense.

The woman was incredibly beautiful with long flowing hair the color of a raven's wing and the most unusual pale green eyes. Her skin was bronzed like the tone of someone from the Middle East, which seemed an odd combination with those pale eyes.

Her figure was slim but full breasted and she was tall, easily five foot ten.

But it was more than her looks. She had presence with a big fat capital P in huge font size.

As Layla stood there dumbfounded, the woman started toward them. When she reached them, she placed her hands on Augustus' shoulders and leaned in to place a kiss on either side of his face.

"Hello, Octavius."

"Hello, Mother."

Mother! Mother? What the holy fuck? Did he just call her mother?
Layla wished that inner voice of hers would be quiet. It was hard enough to digest the revelation without all that screaming in her head.

"Your mother?"

Augustus looked at her and tugged her forward a few steps. "Mother, allow me to introduce Layla Anne Summerfield. Layla, this is my mother, Asha Amar Iltani, Head of the Council of Seven and Queen to all Vampire."

Asha smiled at Layla. "I've been quite curious to meet you. You have, after all, caused quite the stir."

"I have?"

Asha cut her eyes at Augustus. "In a manner of speaking. Come, I will have you shown to your room while I speak privately with my son."

Layla wasn't sure she wanted to be parted from Augustus but she didn't think it wise to argue so after casting one pleading look his way she followed Asha. Inside the house, a young woman in the garb of a house servant waited.

"Alyssa, please show Miss Summerfield to the lilac room in the east wing."

"I'd prefer she stay with me," Augustus said.

Asha's gaze seemed a bit sharp to Layla's eyes, but she nodded her assent. "Very well, show Miss Summerfield to Octavius' quarters and have refreshments brought to her."

"Yes, ma'am. Miss Summerfield, if you'll follow me?"

Layla gave Augustus one more look and he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss on the cheek. "I'll join you shortly."

She nodded and followed Alyssa, casting one last look over her shoulder. Somehow, she got the impression that Asha was not pleased with her being there. She hoped it wasn't going to cause problems for Augustus.

And why the heck did Asha call him Octavius?

"Excuse me, Alyssa? Can I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Alyssa gestured toward the curved staircase ahead of them.

"Why does Ms. Iltani call him Octavius?"

"That is his name, Miss."

"No, it's Augustus Thurinus."

Alyssa seemed to miss a beat in her step and Layla wondered why. "That is a matter you should discuss with him, Miss."

Oh oh, here we go. So much for the big "I don't lie" thing.

This time Layla agreed with her inner voice. If Augustus had not told her his real name, then what else had he lied about?

All of a sudden, the enormity of it hit her and she wished she had stayed in New York, or gone home to North Carolina – anywhere but here. She was in a mansion with not one but two Vampires, with armed guards and servants that treated Augustus and Asha as if they were …

Oh damn, there were treated them exactly the way you'd expect. Queen of the Vampires and her son.

Augustus wasn't just a Vampire. He was the freaking Prince of Vampires.

*****

Augustus took a seat on the terrace across the table from his mother. She waited while a servant poured them each a class of what was sure to be the purest blood available, bowed his head and departed.

Having spent the last hundred years on the ranch in Texas, Augustus had grown unaccustomed to being waited on in this manner. He eyed the glass but refrained from sampling its contents.

That did not go unnoticed. "Is there an issue?"

"No."

"Then why do you not drink?"

"Not in the mood."

"Oh?"

"Why did you summon me, Mother?"

"You know why. This … human."

"She has a name. Layla."

"Yes, Layla, the human for which you'd put all our people at risk."

"That's something of an exaggeration."

"Is it?"

"Yes."

"I disagree."

"Your prerogative."

"Might I remind you that aside from being your mother, I am also your Queen?"

If there was one thing that rankled him, and had done so for more than two-thousand years, it was that supercilious tone with which she reminded him of her superior status. Were he driven by ego, he would have pointed out it was he who had united the different species of their race of beings. That it was his voice that held sway over the Council; for it was by his word and deed that their respect had been earned.

Were his ego in need of such a boost, he would have pointed out that she was head of The Council only because she was the deadliest and wealthiest among them. Few loved her. Her philosophy on how to rule was based upon intimidation and fear. Their views on how to effectively rule were in diametric opposition to one another.

He believed in being fair and just, in putting the welfare of the many before the welfare of the few.

"Yes, always the altruistic leader, aren't you, Octavius?"

"I strive to be so."

"Adherence to that ideology has certainly not been demonstrated of late."

"You're right."

"Pardon?"

He smiled, knowing she'd expected an argument. Nevertheless, the truth was, he had veered from his canon of ethics of late. Yes, he'd seen benefits in having Layla with them and how her hidden talents could be put to use, but his decision to take her had been far more self-centered than altruistic.

He'd wanted her. From the moment he first set eyes on her something about her had called to him and it was a call he could no more deny than he could the call of blood.

"I took her for me. Period."

Asha shook her head. "I fail to understand. She is far from the most beautiful among human females, or the smartest. She may have begun to achieve a modicum of success with her juvenile romantic tomes, but she is as far beneath you as the earth is beneath the sun."

"She is beautiful to me, and we both know that I care little for more wealth. Should I go on a spending spree this moment I could not spend all I've amassed in several hundred years."

"I am not inclined to discuss your attraction for this human any further."

"I'm pleased to hear that."

"However, I am inclined to discuss what happens going forward."

"Your tone leads me to believe that you have a plan, Mother."