Witches Be Burned: A Magic & Mayhem Novel (12 page)

Nexi soon caught her breath and the twinkle of shock in her expression fizzled out. Kyden turned to the vampires, noticing their fear and wide-eyed stare at what their Mistress had just done. Thalia was making a point to her subjects: Betray her and die, no matter your gender.

Thalia dropped the woman’s head in front of the other male vampires, blood dripping off her hands. Both men quivered, saying nothing.

A long silence settled in, until Nexi finally grunted. “Okay, that didn’t work.” She stepped in closer to Thalia, which was a complete mortal move. Showing no fear of the Mistress, Nexi garnered respect from the crowd.

She said to Thalia, “Does the whole vampire-implanting-new-memories, glamour thing work on other vamps like it does on humans?”

“I have vowed to never glamour my vampires.” Thalia narrowed her eyes on Nexi, blood continuing to drip off her fingers. “And I will not resort to those cowardly measures.”

“Well…” Nexi nibbled her lip. “Maybe you could reconsider.”

Kyden bit back his laughter at the gasps from the crowd and at Thalia’s raised eyebrows. Nexi might not understand the statement she was making now, but Kyden did. And he hoped word spread that the supernatural of mixed heritage had questioned a Mistress Vampire. The reason he allowed this was because he knew Thalia well, and because he loved Nexi he knew Thalia would never touch her. That was their friendship—that was the respect between them.

Nexi continued, “It’s kind of a win-win. We need this information.” She pointed to the vampires. “They have it. I mean, they never came forward because they were scared you’d kill them. And, well, you just proved that’s exactly what you will do.” She hesitated, then shrugged. “So you could implant a new memory to be good vampires, forget about their fledglings who have betrayed you, and follow your rules. This offers them a way out.”

Kyden folded his arms, impressed. More and more Nexi was strategizing like a guardian, yet he also wondered how Thalia would respond. To allow a vampire who went against his Mistress to live went against every rule she’d established.

Thalia scoffed. “Are you suggesting that I spare their lives?”

“I know it’s not ideal.” Nexi gave another easy shrug. “But you already killed one of them and that didn’t get them talking.” Her expression tightened, as did her voice when she turned to the vampires at her feet. “If Thalia promised to spare your lives, would you share what you know?”

Both vampires lifted their heads, mouths agape. The crowd was unmoving. Maddox looked bored. Thalia regarded Nexi with a long look.

Finally, the dark-haired vampire that Kyden had taken down nodded. “I would.”

“Not me,” the other vampire sneered.

In less time than it took Kyden to draw in a breath, Maddox had yanked a dagger from his boot and the vampire’s head was in his hands. A second thereafter, he dropped the head next to the woman’s on the floor.

Nexi’s heavy sigh sped through the room. “Great. That takes us down to one.” Glancing to Thalia, she added, with frustration edging her voice, “As I was saying, it’s a win-win, and the only one left is agreeable. Shall we try?”

Kyden smiled. Nexi had a heart that warmed him. She’d understood when killing was necessary, but she also realized when it was more beneficial to keep your enemy alive, and he couldn’t stop himself from sliding his fingers down her arm in approval. She still hung on to a little humanity that made her think in terms of a mortal more than in terms of a supernatural.

He liked that.

Nexi had changed, but not so much that he still didn’t see the human side to her that he’d fallen in love with. While he wanted her to act more like a supernatural to protect herself and to be smart about the dangerous worlds she now lived in, he never wanted her heart to grow cold.

Thalia narrowed her eyes, studying Nexi intently. “He has broken my laws. I do not need to spare his life. And I do not glamour my vampires into telling me the truth. It is unnecessary.”

Nexi tensed under Thalia’s hard stare, but then she glanced at the dead bodies at her feet. “Sorry to break it to you, but it seems necessary, since those vampires don’t have heads on their bodies to talk.” She lifted her chin in classic Nexi style. “Besides, I realize that you
could
kill this one, too. I also agree that normally he should be punished, but without this knowledge we have no idea why the fledglings killed our guardians.” She peered at the blond vampire, who watched Nexi with gratitude. “He’s our last hope—our only lead.”

Kyden stepped next to Nexi and gave his support. She was right. They needed the information this vampire had. “If you want to help the Otherworld in this matter, this is the way to do it. The Council will be grateful for your assistance.”

“I also believe this is the correct path to take, my Mistress,” Maddox interjected, returning the dagger to his boot. “It is in our best interest as well to ensure everything is resolved.”

Thalia and Maddox exchanged a look—clearly talking telepathically—before she glanced at the crowd. “Tonight I shall offer this vampire a second chance. Do you all realize my reasons behind it?” At nods of agreement from the crowd, she added, “I won’t make this exception again. Anyone involved in this, no matter to what extent, will be killed without explanation. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Mistress,” the crowd responded in unison.

Kyden blinked in surprise, and he watched Thalia carefully, unsure if he liked that she had agreed so easily. Never had he seen a Mistress bend on her rules; her conviction was what kept her vampires loyal.

Thalia’s gaze cut to Kyden, dark and stormy. “Question Donovan.”

He regarded her, taken aback by her directive. In the time he spent with her, she never directed her authority to him. Although she was willing to make this exception, she was not pleased.

Kyden stepped in front of Donovan, glancing down to the vampire. “You’re lucky that we’re in desperate need of understanding what your fledging has gotten involved in.” At the vampire’s slow nod, Kyden added, “Do you know why they are killing guardians?”

Donovan shook his head, frustration evident with his answer. “Haven’t a clue. Nor did I know that he had destroyed someone from the Council’s Guard until Thalia said it tonight.”

“Then why were you afraid to come forward?” Maddox demanded.

Donovan bowed his head, lacing his fingers in his lap. “The last time I talked to my fledging he told me that he was leaving Thalia’s territory. I knew then that something was wrong, but I hoped he’d stay clear of trouble.”

Nexi snorted. “You obviously thought wrong.”

“Clearly,” Donovan agreed.

Kyden rubbed the back of his neck, pondering his next steps. Donovan didn’t know the
why
behind his fledgling’s actions, but that didn’t leave them completely at a dead end. “Have you been in contact at all with your fledgling?”

“Not for weeks now,” Donovan answered. “I’ve tried to make contact, but have been unable to reach him.”

“Have you called him to you?” Thalia asked.

Kyden had seen many times the tight bond between a sire and his fledging, and that a vampire couldn’t refuse to come to his sire if he requested it, which was a lot like the bond that Thalia had over her vampires. She knew they’d come because it was an order that could not be refused—the pull was magnetic.

Donovan bobbed his head. “I’ve called twice. He’s never come.”

Only one thing could come between a vampire and his sire. “It must be because of Astoria,” Kyden stated.

Nexi turned to him with eyebrows furrowed. “Could she do that?”

“Yes. Dark magic can break ties.” Then Kyden asked Donovan, “Where was your vampire the last time you talked to him?”

Donovan clasped his hands on his knees, his knuckles white. “He was in the Midwest Territory—North Dakota, I believe.”

That made sense, because that was where Trefan had been murdered. Kyden continued, “Did your vampire tell you anything else that could help us?”

Donovan’s eyes appeared distant, lost in a memory. “He told me that it was the last time he’d talk to me. That he was leaving with vampires from Mistress Ellery’s territory and returning to the Southwest.”

Kyden bristled as that statement registered. “He said
returning,
as if they’d been to the Southwest before?”

Donovan gave a slow nod. “I got the impression that he’d been there before, yes.”

Kyden had suspected Astoria’s involvement at the scene with the young kid consumed by bloodlust in Salt Lake City. Now he had a theory. “Did your vamp mention anything about any friends not accepting the transformation?”

Nexi nudged Kyden’s side. “That kid…”

Kyden nodded to her in agreement. That was why Astoria had left him. He was of no use to her. Even more plausible was that he had woken alone and Astoria was too late in finding him. Hence the reason the vampire became lost in his bloodlust.

Donovan’s eyes darkened. “Not exactly, but he had told me that he’d become a sire.”

Kyden didn’t know if Donovan’s vampire was the sire of that kid, but he also believed a bigger plan was in the works—of that he was sure. But the question remained: Why was Astoria using vampires to birth other vampires? What purpose could it serve her?

Kyden despised questions that didn’t have answers.

Thalia asked, “Has your fledging joined Mistress Ellery’s ranks?”

“I asked him that same question,” Donovan replied. “I never got an answer. He hung up, and that’s the last time I’ve talked to him.”

Possibly Astoria was jumping territories to keep the fact that she was ordering the rebirthing of new vampires under the radar from the Mistress Vampires. Though that logically made sense, Kyden couldn’t understand what she was after.

Nexi glanced up at Kyden with a dour expression. “Where does that leave us? Donovan hasn’t really told us anything useful in finding the vamps.”

Kyden pinched the bridge of his nose, understanding her frustration. He’d hoped Donovan would know more. Right now they still knew nothing. This wouldn’t be over tonight. “We need to go to Mistress Ellery. Perhaps her vampires know more.”

Thalia stepped in next to Kyden and asked in a sweet voice, “Are you finished questioning Donovan?”

Kyden inclined his head.

“Very well.” Thalia moved in front of Donovan. “Your honesty is appreciated.” She caressed his face like a mother would, giving him a tender look. Then her other hand came to his cheek and her eyes darkened with compulsion.

Kyden zeroed in on the gentle look on her face, his brows pulling together. His stomach tightened as his instincts flared. Before he could act on them, a loud
crack
echoed in the room, followed by a rush of blood splattering the floor.

Donovan’s head dropped to the marble slab.

“What in the hell was that?” Nexi exclaimed.

Thalia frowned, taking the cloth from Maddox and cleaning her hands. She raised her brows over her sweet smile. “What was what?”

“That.”
Nexi pointed to the third headless vampire on the stage. “You said you were going to spare his life.”

Thalia glanced down at her painted cherry-red nails and cleaned beneath the tips with the cloth. “Yes, I agreed that it was a great plan—quite smart of you—to make him believe that I would grant such a wish.” She lifted her head to Nexi, her expression blank, bored. “My rules are not to be questioned. He deserved death.”

“I wasn’t bullshitting.” Nexi inched her way closer to Kyden. “I seriously thought you were going to give him a second chance.”

“He did get a second chance to talk.” Thalia grinned, sliding into her ever-so-sweet demeanor that was so Thalia. She glanced out to the crowd, who all laughed when she added, “I didn’t like what he said.” Then the amusement vanished from her face as she looked to Nexi. “I suggest you let it go; your humanity will likely get you killed someday.”

Kyden took Nexi’s hand, proud of her, as he assumed were the vampires present—they would likely respect her efforts. “Nexi’s humanity got us the answers we needed.”

Nexi closed the distance between them, smiling up at him. “I love you.”

Embracing the closeness of her, not caring who heard or saw them, he dropped a soft kiss on her forehead. “As I do you,
Álainn.
”

Three quarters of an hour later, Nexi stood on the grounds of a mansion that made Thalia’s look small in comparison. She inhaled the dry, warm air, with a hint of the garden fertilizer, no doubt. Spotlights beamed, illuminating the mansion’s dark gray brick grandness with the starry sky behind.

As Kyden began striding with his mouthwatering, powerful gait up the cobblestone driveway, passing by a huge fountain, Nexi turned to Zia. “Do you plan on telling me why you were so insistent on joining us to meet Ellery? What don’t I know?” The instant Kyden updated the Council on the discoveries at Thalia’s, Zia was on her way through the portal.

Zia sighed. It sounded somewhat disgruntled as she started walking up the driveway. “To put it simply, Mistress Ellery…she can be…”

A bitch?
Nexi offered in her mind, keeping the conversation private, since vampires would be close by. While older vampires held the ability to talk telepathically, they could not hear a conversation that wasn’t meant for them to hear.

Zia’s smile was tight as she tucked her hair behind her ear.
That’s an accurate description of her. Ellery may be more willing to discuss this matter if there is the Council’s presence.
She hesitated, and as they reached Kyden at the front door she added,
Mistress Ellery believes in the old world, even if she follows the rules of the treaty. She prefers not to interact with the Otherworld.

But isn’t that just part of the deal?

Sadly, no. Ellery won’t stop us from killing one of her vampires, but she also provides no help, either. The Otherworld only deals with vampires who take a mortal’s life. Ellery treats her humans that feed her and her guard with impeccable gratitude.

Oh, really? It was hard to believe being a blood bank would be something to be grateful for. Do tell?

She takes homeless people off the street and she pays them for their service to her.

Nexi scrunched her nose.
But I thought mortals aren’t supposed to know about supernaturals?

When they live at her house she glamours their mind so they can’t leave. When they do leave, she deposits large amounts of money into their bank accounts and wipes their mind of their time with her. Seeing that she’s, in fact, helping mortals who likely would have lived a hard life, there isn’t much we can do.

Ah, so she’s found a loophole to live as she once did and feed off the living instead of bagged blood.

Zia nodded.
Precisely.

Nexi considered that, unable to stop herself from wondering,
Is it a coincidence that all Mistress Vampires are female?

No.
Zia stopped on the front steps of the house and folded her arms.
Back in the seventeen hundreds when the treaty came into force, all of the old and powerful male vampires, except for Zade and the other past Master of Vampires were killed. The reason Zade and the other vampire survived was because they belonged to the Otherworld.

The female vampires killed them, I take it?

Correct. They banded together to secure that the new world leaders—and the most powerful vampires in existence—would be women. And from what I hear, any male vampire who threatens their position in the world dies.

God, they are a bunch of crazy bitches, aren’t they?

Not all, but definitely most of them are.
Her eyes literally danced.
Believe me when I say Ellery falls into that category.

The clearing of a throat had Nexi glancing at Kyden. He leaned against the stone pillar, staring at them with a slight arch to his mouth. “Some might find it rude to converse when others can’t hear you.” One sleek brow rose. “Are you two done talking?”

Nexi laughed, as did Zia.

Sometimes she forgot how weird that must look to others, yet it also spoke to the importance of her gift with Zia. With vampires’ impeccable hearing, the ability often came in handy. “Yep, I’m done.”

Kyden’s mouth twitched, then he turned to the door and knocked.

Before his hand could lower, the door flung open to a glaring female vampire. Nexi noticed the vampire’s black swing dress, something right out of a 1950s blockbuster movie. Her blond hair was straight except for the slight wave cradling her face, and her black eyes were surrounded by thick eyeliner.

“Good evening, Mistress Ellery,” Zia said, offering a totally believable friendly smile. “I appreciate you allowing us to visit tonight.”

“Just because I agreed to allow it,” the Mistress replied in a voice as sharp as Nexi’s sword, “doesn’t mean I will assist you in any manner.”

Kyden crossed his arms in his typical relaxed you-don’t-threaten-me stance. “We have an urgent matter to discuss.”

Ellery looked from Kyden to Zia, and then her glare landed on Nexi. Her eyes widened fast, making Nexi wonder if she’d imagined it before Ellery’s expression slid back into indifference. “You, come here.”

“Me?” Nexi pointed to herself.

Ellery didn’t even blink. “Does it look like I’m talking to anyone else? Is there a ghost I’m not seeing, or are you just stupid?”

Nexi’s eyes narrowed, yet Kyden nudged her side, discreetly shaking his head.
Bitch
might have been an understatement. Nexi tapped down her annoyance, realizing they
needed
to speak with Ellery, so there was no need to piss her off. Without her, they had no leads, and that was not an option. Already irritated by the Mistress Vampire, she brushed past Zia, settling in front of Ellery. Her over-the-top perfume was suffocating, tickling Nexi’s nostrils and forcing her to hold back a sneeze.

Clearly not impressed by Nexi, Ellery swept her dark stare over Nexi from head to toe, as if Nexi were a piece of garbage dirtying her front lawn. “You’re nothing special.”

Remember why you are here,
Zia gently reminded Nexi,
for Trefan and Radek.

Nexi bit her lip, restraining the good ol’
go fuck yourself
lingering so close on her tongue.

Either unknowing or uncaring of Nexi’s building wrath, Ellery added, “All this talk of you and you’re so…
plain.
”

Mistress Vampire or not, this
bitch
had crossed a line. Nexi replied in her sweetest voice, “Well, I hate to break it to you, but you don’t look so special, either.” She returned the long, disgusted look, scanning Ellery’s face. “If you haven’t noticed, we’re living in the twentieth century and that hairstyle is ancient.”

Kyden barked a laugh.

Zia sighed.
Can you not just stay silent?

Nexi didn’t reply, holding Ellery’s stare. She would
not
cower in fear of this vampire. Besides, she knew Ellery wouldn’t touch her. Kyden had said as much at Thalia’s—if a vampire killed someone on the Council’s Guard, it was the same as declaring war against the Otherworld. And Nexi suspected Ellery was wicked smart—you couldn’t live for centuries without having street smarts—and she knew Ellery wouldn’t risk her life for something Nexi had said.

A deadly arch curved the side of Ellery’s mouth. “What needs to be discussed?”

The question had been aimed at Nexi, and she lifted her chin, unafraid and equally pissed off. “Two guardians were killed, and it appears
your
vampires are involved.”

“Is that so?” A wicked glint flashed in Ellery’s eyes, sending caution through Nexi, as Ellery added, “I don’t want all of you in my home. It will draw suspicion to my guard and word will spread of this. If this talk is important, I will have it with Nexi alone in my soundproof room.”

Cold unease made its way right down to Nexi’s toes.
Now why would she want that?
she silently asked Zia.

She’s either up to something or she respects you,
Zia replied.

Figures!
Bitches respected others when they all but verbally bitch-slapped them back.
Am I in danger with her?

No,
was Zia’s hard reply.

Ellery flicked her hand dismissively. “Go and wait by the fountain until Nexi and I are finished.”

“That. Will. Not. Happen.” Kyden said each word slow and deadly.

“This is my request,” Ellery replied breezily, as if she didn’t much care either way if the conversation happened. “You don’t like it, then you won’t get my help.”

Nexi glanced from Kyden to Ellery, understanding his objection. Ellery clearly had ulterior motives. Why else would she want Nexi alone? But all the same, what choice did they have?

The sheer wrath vibrating off Kyden ignited Nexi’s grimace. She placed a hand on his flexed forearm. “It’s just a talk. You’ll be right outside. There’s nothing to worry about.” She leaned in to him and whispered, “Trust me.”

His chin dipped, bringing his blazing eyes directly in line with hers. “You never go anywhere without me. That I never agreed to.” His voice lowered as his expression became dead serious. “And that is nonnegotiable, Nexi.”

She cringed at his insistence. Yet they needed these answers, and while she trusted Ellery as much as she trusted a rabid vampire, she had her magic sizzling right inside her chest that would protect her. Knowing that Kyden would never agree, she took a step forward. When he blocked her way, she said, “I can’t believe you are going to make me say it
again.
” She sighed, exasperated. “You are not going to stop me, because you trust me and support me. I will be fine.”

Kyden clenched his fists at his sides, and his corded neck was a telling sign he was a second away from throwing Nexi over his shoulder and locking her in a bedroom forever.

While that idea wasn’t necessarily a horrible thought, she also knew it wasn’t appropriate. She moved around him, approaching Ellery at the doorway, all the while seriously hating that she had to use the you-are-supporting-me card, but sadly, that play worked.

When Nexi stepped into the house, Kyden growled, “If I have no say in this, then I will wait here for you.”

Ellery spun around, narrowing her eyes. “You will
not.
You will go to the fountain as I’ve ordered.”

Kyden’s sharp intake of breath reflected deep control. “I’m entrusting that you will keep Nexi safe in your home, but it’s my right to wait for her, and I
will
do so
.
”

Ellery stared at him for so long Nexi thought she would refuse him, but she eventually grumbled, “Guardians’ possessiveness never changes.” She pointed at him as though her finger was a dagger ready to slit his throat. “You alone can wait here. As for you, Zia”—she flicked her hand—“go away.”

Zia’s smile was bitter, her voice ice cold. “Always a pleasure to see you again, Ellery.”

The Mistress Vampire didn’t even give Zia a second look as Zia turned, striding down the driveway. While Ellery was nasty in every sense of the word, Nexi had to give the Mistress props for having such gall. Most bowed to the Council, and Ellery didn’t seem at all put off by their power, telling Nexi she was either as powerful as or maybe even more powerful than the Council.

That non-settling thought weighed on Nexi’s mind as she followed Ellery into the house and through her ridiculously lavish foyer with a staircase that appeared to be made of gold. Feeling a bit winded by it all, Nexi strode beneath a huge diamond chandelier and then entered a library that seemed so out of place in the modern house.

Books lined the shelves all the way up to the ten-foot ceilings, with a rolling ladder idling in the middle. Two red chaises rested in the center of the room, and Ellery ran her hand over one, gesturing for Nexi to sit.

Once Nexi obliged her, she kept a close eye on the Mistress, as Ellery lowered onto the other chaise. She leaned toward the table and opened a wooden box on top, taking out a long cigarette, offering one to Nexi.

“No, thanks,” Nexi replied.

Ellery lit the cigarette and then asked, “Tell me, why are you here tonight?”

Nexi shifted against her seat, finding a more comfortable position in an entirely uncomfortable moment. “We have some news for you. I don’t really know how to put this—”

“You want to discuss the vampires that have betrayed me?” Ellery offered.

Nexi blinked in surprise. “You know about what happened?”

Ellery took another long draw on her cigarette, nodding. “Yes, I had learned of the incident a few hours ago.” She dabbed her cigarette in the ashtray and added, “What do you want me to do about it?”

“What do
you
want to do about it?” Nexi retorted, shocked that Ellery was so informed.

The Mistress Vampire chuckled, sounding sweet. Nexi wasn’t fooled. “I assume you’re here to have me help in some manner. I’m merely extending the invitation for you to ask.”

Her directness spun Nexi’s mind, since she had expected Ellery to be cold and difficult; Zia had prepared her for that. “Basically, it’s like this. Your vampires killed two guardians. That, in itself, would allow for the Council to hunt them. But it seems they have a black witch, Astoria, alongside them as well. We can assume they’re up to something even more nefarious. So we need your help to locate these vampires.”

“Now we are getting somewhere.” Ellery grinned. “What do you wish me to do: help you destroy them, or tell you their location?”

“Tell me their location.” Finn needed their kill on his hands to avenge his brother.

A waft of smoke came Nexi’s way as Ellery asked, “What would
you
give for this help?”

“What will
I
give you isn’t the right question,” Nexi retorted. “What can
you
do for us?”

Ellery’s eyes searched Nexi’s. “I suppose I could order their sires to summon them.” Placing her cigarette in the ashtray, she lifted her chin. “But that might be a problem.”

This didn’t sound good. “And why would that be?”

“I’ve already destroyed their sires,” Ellery replied, with complete indifference.

Nexi heaved a sigh, knowing their one lead just went
poof.
“Can I ask why you did that?”

Ellery’s fierce glare pinned Nexi to her seat. “Are you questioning the way I do things?”

“Of course not.” Nexi fought against going into flight mode, shifting uncomfortably against the chaise. “I’m asking why would you kill them before you called the others to you?” Since Nexi valued her life, she added, “It’s not meant to disrespect you, more out of curiosity.”