The king pushed his hair back, his widows peak showing starkly against his golden brown skin. He slaughtered a lesser tonight. Just slaughtered the bastard.
Thats his duty, no?
It wasnt in the field. It was in the house where the slayers had imprisoned the female. The bastard should have been used for interrogation, but John just lit his ass up. Johns a good kid. . but that kind of bonded-male shitstuff. . can be deadly and not in a good way, feel me?
Memories of being on the Other Side, of righting wrongs and fighting, of
The Scribe Virgin appeared through the doorway of Her private quarters, Her black robes floating slightly above the marble floor.
The king rose to his feet and bowed. . and yet somehow didnt appear subservient in the slightest. Another reason to like him. Dearest Virgin Scribe.
Wrath, son of Wrath.
And that was. . it. As you werent supposed to address any questions to the mother of the race, and as Paynes mother remained silent thereafter, there was a whole lot of nothing but air happening.
Yeah, becausefates preserve usyou wouldnt want to tax that female with any inquiries. And it was clear why the interruption had occurred: Her mother didnt want an intersection between Payne and the outside world.
Im going to retire now, Payne said to the king. Because she would not be responsible for what came out of her mouth if her mother dared to dismiss her.
The king put his fist out. Farewell. Tomorrow?
With pleasure. Payne punched her knuckles against his, as he had taught her was customary, and headed for the door that led into the sanctuary.
On the other side of the white panels, the bright green grass was a shock to her eyes and she blinked as she went past the Primale Temple and down to the Chosens quarters. Yellow, pink, and red flowers grew in random bunches now, cheerful tulips mixing with jonquil and iris.
All spring blooms, if she remembered from her brief time on the earth.
It was always spring here. Ever on the verge, never to reach the full magnificence and brash heat of summer. Or least. . what she had read summer was like.
The columned building wherein the Chosen resided was cut into cubelike rooms that offered a modicum of privacy to their tenants. Most of the spaces were empty now, and not only because the Chosen were a dying breed. Ever since the Primale had freed them, the Scribe Virgins private collection of ethereal do-nothings were thinning out thanks to trips to the Other Side.
Surprisingly, none of them had chosen to un- Chosen themselvesbut unlike before, if they went over to the Primales private compound, they were allowed back into the sanctuary.
Payne went directly to the baths and was relieved to find she was alone. She knew her sisters didnt understand what she did with the king and shed just as soon enjoy the calming aftermath of the exercise without the eyes of others.
The communal washing suite was set up in a lofty marble space, the huge pool marked with a waterfall at the far end. As with all things in the sanctuary, the laws of rationality didnt apply: The warm, rushing stream pouring over the lip of white stone was ever clean, ever fresh, even though it had no source and no evident drainage.
Taking off her modified robe, which shed tailored to match Wraths judogi, as he called it, she waded into the pool with her undergarments still upon her. The temperature was always perfect. . and made her long for a bath that was either too hot or too cold.
In the center of the great marble bowl, the water was deep enough to swim through, and her body relished the stretching motion of her weightless strokes.
Yes, indeed this was the best part of the sparring. Save for when she caught Wrath a good one.
When she got to the waterfall, she waded up toward it and unplaited her hair. It was longer than Wraths was, and shed learned to not just braid the stuff, but tuck it up at the base of her neck. Otherwise, it was like handing him a tether to yank her around with.
Under the falling spray, bars of sweet-smelling soap awaited her palm, and she used one all over herself. As she turned around to rinse, she found that she was no longer alone.
But at least the dark-robed figure who had limped in was not her mother.
Greetings, Payne called out.
NoOne bowed, but did not answer, as was her way, and Payne was abruptly sorry that shed just left her robe on the flooring.
I can get that, she said, her voice echoing around the cavern.
NoOne just shook her head and gathered up the cloth. The maid was so lovely and quiet, doing her duties without complaint even though she had some kind of disability.
Although she never spoke, it wasnt hard to guess what her sad story was.
One more reason to despise She who had birthed the race, Payne thought.
The Chosen, like the Black Dagger Brotherhood, had been bred within certain parameters with a desired result intended. Whereas the males were to be thick of blood and stout of back, aggressive and worthy in battle, the females were calculated to be intelligent and resilient, capable of harnessing the males baser tendencies and civilizing the race. Yin and yang. Two parts to a whole, with the requirement of blood feedings ensuring the sexes were tied together forever.
But all wasnt well within the divine scheme. The truth was, inbreeding had led to problems, and though in Wraths case the laws provided that, as son of the king, he was to take the throne with or without impairments, the Chosen were not so lucky. Defects were shunned by the breeding laws. Always had been. And so someone like NoOne, who was handicapped, was relegated to serving her sisters under a cloak. . a hidden, unspoken-of embarrassment that was nonetheless regarded with love.
Or pity was more like it.
Payne knew precisely how the female must feel. Not about a physical defect, but about being relegated to a slot of expectation that one couldnt possibly live up to.
And speaking of expectation. .
Layla, another of the Chosen, entered the bath and removed her robing, handing it over to NoOne with the gentle smile that was her trademark.
The expression was lost as she lowered her eyes and entered the water. Indeed, the female seemed to be tangled in thoughts that were not pleasing.
Greetings, sister, Payne said.
Laylas head whipped up and her brows rose. Oh. . verily, I knew not you were herein. Greetings, sister.
After the Chosen bowed deeply, she sat on one of the submerged marble benches, and although Payne wasnt a conversationalist, something about the dense quiet around the other female drew her.
Finishing her rinse-off, she swam over and settled beside Layla, who was sluicing puncture wounds on her wrist.
Whom did you feed? Payne asked.
John Matthew.
Ah, yes, the male to whom the king referred, perhaps. Did it go as it should?
Indeed. It did indeed.
Payne leaned her head back against the edge of the pool and stared at the Chosens blond beauty. After a moment, she murmured to the female, May I inquire something of you?
But of course.
Wherefore the sadness. Always with you. . you return in sorrow. Even though she knew. For a female to be forced into sex and feeding just because it was tradition was an unconscionable violation.
Layla regarded the puncture marks on her vein with a kind of dispassionate absorption, as if she were puzzling over the wounds of another. And then she shook her head. I shall not bemoan the glory I have been given.
Glory? Verily, you appear to have been given something else entirely. A curse was more apt.
Oh, no, tis a glory to be of service
For truth, do not hide behind such words when your visage belies your heart. And as always, if you carry criticism of the Scribe Virgin upon your lips, come sit around my fire. As a pair of shocked pale green eyes flipped up, Payne shrugged. Ive made no secret of how I feel. Ever.
No. . indeed you have not. It just seems so. .
Unladylike? Inappropriate? Payne cracked her knuckles. What a pity.
Layla exhaled long and slow. I have been properly trained, you know. As an ehros.
And that is what you dont like
Not at all. That is what I dont know, but wish to.
Payne frowned hard. You are not used?
Verily, I was denied by John Matthew on the evening of his transition after I saw him safely through the change. And when I go to feed the Brothers, I am ever untouched.
I beg your. . Was she hearing that right? You want to have sex. With one of them.
Laylas tone turned shrewd. Surely you of all my sisters understand what it is like to be naught but a potential.
Well. . hadnt she gotten the scenario all wrong. With all due respect, I cant fathom why you would want. . that. . with one of those males.
Why would I not? The Brothers and those three younger males are beautiful, phearsome creatures of strength. And with the Primale leaving us all unserved. . Layla shook her head. To have been well taught and had it described and read about the act. . I want to experience it for myself. Even if it is but once.
For truth, I cannot summon even the slightest inclination. Never have, dont think I ever will. Id rather fight.
Then I envy you.
Oh?
Laylas eyes seemed ancient. Far better to be uninterested than unfulfilled. One is a relief. The other an emptiness with heavy weight.
As NoOne appeared with a tray of cut fruit and fresh juice, Payne said, NoOne, wont you join us?
Layla smiled up at the maid. Indeed. Please do.
With a shake of her head and a bow, NoOne just left them the repast she had so thoughtfully prepared and went about her business, limping through the archway and out of the baths.
Paynes frown stayed in place as she and the Chosen Layla fell into silence. Mulling over what had been exchanged, it was hard to understand how they could have opinions of such total opposite regardand both be in the right.
For Laylas sake, Payne wished she herself was wrong; what a disappointment it would be to pine for something that was far, far less than expectation bore it to be.
NINETEEN
A female. . The Omegas soft, echoing voice carried farther than its volume would have suggested, the two words suffusing every corner of the smooth stone room that formed his private chamber.
Lash did his best to appear unconcerned as he lounged against one of the black walls. I need her to service me for blood.
Do you.
Its biology.
In his white robing, the Omega cut a stunning figure as he circulated around the space. With his hood up in place, his arms crossed, and his hands tucked into his billowing sleeves, he resembled a bishop in the game of chess.
Except, of course, he was the king down here.
The evils receiving area was about the size of a ballroom and decked out like one, with plenty of black chandeliers and stanchions that supported legions of black candles. It was far from stark, however. For one thing, those wicks were spouting red flames. And to top it off, the walls and floor and ceiling were made of the most extraordinary marble Lash had ever seen. From one angle it was black, from another it was metallic bloodred, and given that the source of illumination was constantly flickering, you got both colors at once all around you.
It wasnt hard to figure out the why of the decor. Given the Omegas wardrobe, which was limited to those driven-snow drapery things, he was the prime focal point, the only thing that stood out. The rest was window dressing.
He ran his world like that, too.
And would this be a mate for you, my son? the Omega asked from way across the room.
No, Lash lied. Just a blood source.
You did not give the Omega more information than you had to: Lash was well aware of how fickle his father could be and off-the-radar was key.
Have I not given you enough strength?
My vampire nature is what it is.
The Omega turned and faced Lash. After a pause, that distorted voice whispered, Indeed. I find that to be true.
Ill bring her to you, Lash said, straightening from the wall. To the farmhouse. Tonight. You turn her and Ill have what I need.
And I cannot provide that to you?
You would be providing it to me. You induct her and I have the blood source required to give me power.
So you say that you are weak?
Damn him to hell, but it must be obvious that he was. The Omega could sense things and surely it had been apparent for some time now.
When Lash stayed quiet, the Omega drifted forward until they were eye to eye. I have never inducted a female.
She wouldnt have to be in the Lessening Society. She would just be for me.
For you.
No reason to have her out there fighting.
And this female. You have chosen her already.
I have. Lash laughed shortly, thinking of Xhex and the damage she was capable of. Im sure youll approve of her.
You are so certain.
I have very good taste.
All around, the red flames trembled on their wicks as if a breeze had ruffled them.
Abruptly, the Omegas hood lifted, revealing the shadowy, translucent face that had angles just like Lashs flesh-and-blood version did.
Return from whence you came, the Omega pronounced as his dark, smoky hand rose up. With a stroke down Lashs cheek, the evil turned away. Return from whence you came.
Ill meet you at nightfall, Lash said. At the farmhouse.
Night. Fall.
You want it later? How about one. Well see each other then.
You shall see me, indeed.
Thank you, Father.
As the Omega drifted across the floor, that hood settled back into place of its own volition, and a panel slid open across the way. A moment later, Lash was alone.
Taking a deep breath, he rubbed his face and looked around at all the red flames and the spectacular walls. The place was kind of like a womb.
With a flash of will, he shot himself out of Dhunhd and back to the nasty little ranch house hed had to use as a launching pad. As he came awake in his corporeal form, he hated the fact that he was stretched out on a couch that had cheesy autumnal leaves on its slipcover. And God, the nap of the fabric was like a buzz cut on a dog. . and smelled the same, really.
Assuming said four-legged fucker had rolled in a damp ashtray.
Lifting his head up, he pulled his shirt to his neck. Still there. The lesions were still there and getting larger. And he felt like ass.
His hands shook as he got himself vertical, and when he checked his phone, he saw nothing from anybody. No voice mail back from Mr. D and no other slayers checking in. Both made sense. Everyone and everything was routed through his second in command so if the SOB had bit it, the Society couldnt find Lash.
Maybe the little Texan had been too good as a PA.
With hunger spurring him on, he shuffled into the kitchen and peeled open the refrigerator door. Empty. Except for a box of Arm & Hammer baking soda that should have been used on that couch.
Slamming the Frigidaire shut, he absolutely despised the world and everyone in italthough that was mostly a function of not having his eggs and bacon already waiting for him.
Plus crappy real estate did that to a guy. The ranch house was a new acquisition and one hed been to only once beforehell, not even Mr. D knew the Society owned it. The thing was, Lash had bought it out of foreclosure because they were going to need places to make meth and the POS had a large basement. Stunning that whoever had owned it hadnt been able to cover the mortgage cost. The bitch was one step up from an outhouse.
Maybe half a step.
He headed out into the garage and it was a frickin relief to be back in the Mercedes. . although it galled him to have to hit a McDonalds drive-through for an Egg McMuffin and a coffee. Hed even had to wait in line along with a bunch of guys in trucks and moms in minivans.
As he went back to his brownstone, his attitude sank further into Man-son territoryand then shot completely into the sewer as he pulled up to the garage. The door was still up, but the Lexus was gone.
Parking the Mercedes under cover, he shut the thing in with the remote and got out. The garden in the back was relatively undisturbed, but he could smell the lesser the instant he
Stopping on the terrace, his eyes shot to the second floor. Oh, God. .
Energized by panic, Lash started to run full tilt and he took the back steps on a oner, bursting through the door
His loafers skidded to a halt as he saw the carnage. Jesus. . Christ. . his kitchen.
The place looked like it had been hit with an oil shower. And duh, there wasnt much left of Mr. D. The slayers torso was in the middle of the room, by the island, but his arms and legs were scattered all around. . and his digestive tract was like macramé hanging from the pulls on the cupboards.
By some miracle, the guys head was still attached and his eyes opened wide, his mouth starting to move as he saw he was no longer alone; a guttural plea came out of lips glossy with congealed black blood.
You fucking pussy, Lash spat. Look at you. For fucks sake!
And goddamn it, he had bigger problems than his second in command getting shredded. He leaped over the mess, tore through the dining room, and raced up the stairs.
Bursting into the bedroom hed shared with Xhex, he found nothing but a whole lot of empty. . and a window with a hole in it.
Motherfucker!
Wheeling around, he looked through the open door and saw the mark outside on the hall wall. Stalking over, he pressed his nose against the silk wallpaper and inhaled. Her scent was in the fibers of the weave.
She had broken out physically.
Yet shed still been in the room after Mr. D had been attacked. Had the Brothers come back and helped her get out?
A quick run through the house and Lashs mood went from nasty to toxic. Laptop gone. Cell phones missing.
Motherfucker.
Down in the kitchen, he headed into the pantry to get the
Oh, fuck me! Kneeling down, he checked out the panel that had been torn open. His stash was gone, too? How the hell had they found it?
Then again, Mr. D looked like an anatomy class had had at him. Maybe hed spilled. Which meant Lash couldnt be sure what other addresses had been compromised.
On a burst of rage, he threw his fist out, winging it hard and catching whatever he did.
A massive glass jar of olives.
The thing shattered, juice going everywhere, those little eyelike rollers hitting the floor and making bids for freedom in all directions.
Lash stomped back into the kitchen and went over to Mr. D. As that bloody mouth started working again, the pitiful struggle was positively nauseating.
Reaching over the counter, Lash extracted a Henckels, palmed the hilt, and sank down. Did you tell them anything?
As Mr. D shook his head, Lash stared down into the guys eyes. The whites were darkening to a gray shade and the pupils had dilated to the point where there was almost no iris. However, although he appeared to be on the brink of demise, left on his own, Mr. D would languish and rot forever in this condition. There was only one way to kill him.
Are you sure? Lash murmured. Even when they pulled your arms out of those sockets?
Mr. Ds mouth moved, the gurgling sounds like wet dog food falling out of a can.
With a revolted curse, Lash stabbed the empty chest of that lesser, getting rid of at least that part of the mess. The pop and flash both faded quickly and then Lash shut himself in, locking the back door before heading up for the second floor once again.
It took him a half hour to pack his clothes, and as he muscled six Prada duffels down the stairs, he couldnt remember when hed ever had to carry his own luggage.
After lining up his load out on the back step, he set the security alarm, locked up, and shuffled his shit to the Mercedes.
As he drove away, he hated the idea of returning to that fucking ranch. But at the moment, he was out of optionsand had other things to fucking worry about rather than where he stayed.
He needed to find Xhex. If shed been on her own, there was no way she could have gone far. Shed been too weak. So the Brotherhood had to have her.
Jesus Christ. . with his father showing up at one a.m. for the induction, he had to get her back fast. Either that or find someone he could make do with.
* * *
The knock that woke John up was a real knuckle-bouncer, loud as a gun.
The instant he heard it, he was totally upright. As he rubbed his eyes, he whistled a come in and prayed it was nothing but Qhuinn with a tray of First Meal.
The door wasnt opened.
John frowned and dropped his hands.
Shifting to his feet, he grabbed a pair of jeans and pulled them up to his hips, then went over and. . Wrath was standing in the doorway with George by his side, and he was not alone. The boys and Rehvenge were with him, as were all of the other Brothers, including Tohr.
Oh. . God. . no.
His hands signed fast even as his heart stopped dead. Where was the body found?
Shes alive, Rehvenge answered as he held out a phone. I just got the message. Hit four.
John took a second to internalize the information. Then he snapped the cell out of the males hand and punched the key. There was a beep and then. .
Holy shit. . her voice. Her voice.
Rehv. . Im out. I got out. There was a low, deep sigh. Im okay. Im intact. Im out. Long pause. To the point that John was about to check to see if theI need some time. Im safe. . but Im not coming back for a little while. I need some time. Tell everyone. . tell. . everyone. Ill be in touch. Another pause and then her voice grew strong to the point of anger. As soon as I can. . Lash is mine. Do you understand me? No one takes him out but me.
The message ended.
John hit four again and listened.
After the second time, he handed the thing back to Rehv and met those amethyst eyes head-on. He was well aware Rehv had been around Xhex for years and years. Knew the guy shared not just experience with her but the symphath blood that in many ways changed everything. Knew that the male was older and wiser and all that shit.
But the bonded male in John put them on equal footing when it came to her.
And then some.
Where would she go? he signed.
After Qhuinn translated, Rehv nodded. Shes got a hunting cabin about fifteen miles north of here. On the Hudson River. Im thinking thats where she is. Shed have access to a phone there and its safe. Im going up at nightfall alone. Unless you join me.
No one seemed surprised by the exchange. . but then John realized his secret had to be out. After the way hed behaved up in that bedroom at the brownstoneto say nothing of how hed torn into that lesser, they all knew how he felt about Xhex.
That was the reason the group had come. They were recognizing his status, paying it due. The rights and boundaries of bonded males were respected when it came to their females.
John glanced at Qhuinn and signed, Tell him Ill go.
After his boy translated, Rehv nodded and then turned to Wrath. I go with him and him alone. He cant bring Qhuinn. Were going to have enough trouble with her if the pair of us show up unannounced.
Wrath frowned. Damn it, Rehv
Shes a flight risk. Ive been through this once before with her. Anyone else shows, shes going to bolt and shes not going to call again. Besides, John here. . hell follow me anyway, wont you, son. Youll ditch Qhuinn and follow me anyway.
John didnt hesitate to nod.
As Qhuinn cursed like a motherfucker, Wrath shook his head. Why in the hell I gave you him as an ahstrux. .
There was a period of tense silence, during which the king measured both John and Rehv. Then he said, Oh, for fucks sake, fineIll let you go without your guard this one time, but you do not engage the enemy. You go to that cabin, and only there, and then you come back and get Qhuinn before you head out into the field. We clear?
John nodded and turned away to hit the bathroom.
Ten minutes, Rehv said. You got ten minutes and were driving out.
John was ready in four and downstairs pacing the foyer in six. He was fully weaponized, as was protocol, and covered in protective leather. More to the point, he was alive to the point of mania, his blood humming at a tornadic pitch.
As he paced, he felt eyes on him. From the billiard room. From the dining room. From up above on the second floors balcony. Silent mouths, but eyes that missed nothing.
The Brotherhood and the other members of the house were clearly reeling from the Xhex connection and he supposed he could understand. Surprise! Hed bonded with a symphath.
But you couldnt help who you fell in love withor change the feelings of someone who didnt love you back.
God, not that that part mattered. She was alive!
Rehvenge came down the grand stairs, his red cane hitting the carpeted steps every time his right foot came forward. He was dressed not for war, but for warmth, his floor-length mink skimming the tops of his wingtips and the cuffs of his elegant black suit.
As he came up to John, he just nodded and opened the way into the vestibule. Together, they stepped through and penetrated the cool night.
The air smelled like clean, unfrozen earth.
The perfume of spring. The very scent of hope and rebirth.
Walking over to the Bentley, John drew the fragrance into his lungs and held it there as he told himself that Xhex was doing the very same thing on this very same night.
And not because she was buried underground.
Tears pricked his eyes as gratitude washed through every vein he had, pumped around by a singing heart.
He couldnt believe he was going to get to see her. . God, to see her once again. To look into her gunmetal eyes. To. .
Shit, it was going to be hard not to throw his arms around her and hold her until tomorrow morning. Or maybe next week.
When they got into the car, Rehv started the engine, but didnt put it in drive. He just stared out through the windshield at the cobblestone drive ahead.
In a quiet voice, he said, How longs this been going on for you? With her.
John took out a small pad hed brought with him and wrote: Since the moment I first met her.
After Rehv read the scribble, he frowned. She feel the same way?
John did not drop his eyes as he shook his head. No sense hiding shit. Not with a symphath.
Rehv nodded once. Thats so like her. Goddamn it. . okay, lets do this.
With a roar, they were off into the night.
TWENTY
H ope was a treacherous emotion.
It was two evenings hence when Darius finally walked into the home of the abducted females family, and as the grand door opened to both himself and Tohrment, they were met by a doggen whose eyes were filled with the tragedy of hope. Verily, the butlers expression was of such high regard, it was clear he felt he was ushering into his masters house saviors, rather than mortals.
Only time and the vagaries of fortune would bear out whether his faith was well- or misplaced.
With alacrity, Darius and Tohrment were led into a formal study and the gentlemale who rose from a silk-covered sitting chair had to steady his weight.
Welcome, sires, thank you for coming, Sampsone said as he reached out with both palms to shake Dariuss hands. Im sorry that I have not been receiving these last two evenings. My beloved shellan. .
The males voice cracked and in the silence, Darius stepped aside. May I present my colleague, Tohrment, son of Hharm.