Arundia Returns Page 17

  Anger and fear flooded my body. Words wanted to rip from my mouth, but I firmly held them back. It was bad enough that Serena could smell my emotions. When I could speak without shouting, I said, “Does this mean you are realigning your loyalties from Artemis to Matriarch Helena?”

  Again the delicate laugh bubbled out. How could something so musical hide something so...evil?

  “Helena merits no loyalty from me.” Her fangs elongated as she leaned forward. “She tried to destroy my Clan during The Time of Hunting. Did bleeding heart Belora teach you that bit of herstory, Alexis?” The emerald green of her eyes faded back a bit. Her fangs retracted enough for the tips to be hidden behind her lips as she relaxed against the chair.

  The sarcasm in her voice sliced through me like a hot knife and carved a hole in my heart. To hear the First Councilwoman disparage the great Matriarch--a woman Serena had once revered--terrified me more than anything else she could have said. Still, I managed to keep my voice calm. “I see. Where do humans stand in this new order?” I shifted my feet, prepared to move in any direction.

  “Humans have their place, but it is no longer at the top of the food chain.”

  “I hear Arundia’s words coming from your mouth, Serena.”

  Serena’s eyes narrowed. “You will address me with respect, Warrior. I am First Councilwoman Longer.”

  Through gritted teeth, I ground out, “I apologize...First Councilwoman Longer.”

  The tension left her body and she sank back into a relaxed pose again. “Arundia is simply a tool. You know that. I would never allow a man to rule me; or to even rule beside me. How laughable that such an inferior creature aspires to such heights.”

  “What would you have of me...First Councilwoman?”

  In a flash of fangs and motion, Serena moved. The coffee cup thudded to the floor as I clawed for my short sword. Her hand clamped down on mine and tightened, crushing my fingers against the solid metal hilt. She spun me around. One arm banded around my chest, she pulled my back tight against the front of her body. “What would I have of you, Alexis Night Runner?” Her breath feathered across my ear. “What a silly question.”

  With one quick motion, she ripped open the front of my shirt, tore through my bra and grasped my breast. Her fingers tightened painfully as she brutally kneaded the tender flesh.

  A groan somewhere between pleasure and pain worked its way out of me.

  Serena roughly nudged my head to one side. Her teeth scraped down the column of my neck. Heat shot to my groin even as my mind shouted, “Danger!”

  Her fangs lightly pierced my throat and she pulled a mouthful of blood from my vein. The will to struggle free abandoned me. My body melted into hers.

  She pulled her fangs free of my neck. A thin stream of warm blood meandered down the side of my throat. Her voice a sexy whisper, she said, “Ah, you do know what I would have of you, my young traitor.” Her hand released my hand and slid down my belly, shoved beneath the waistband of my jeans.

  My legs automatically spread to allow better access. I could no longer contain the groans as Serena ground her hips against my buttocks.

  “I will possess you, Warrior. Heart and mind, body and soul.” The sinfully delicious voice spilled like warm chocolate into my mind.

  “Yes!” my body shouted as I pressed the mound of my sex against Serena’s cupping palm.

  Three long, delicate fingers plunged into my wet slit. I gasped and pushed against them. She withdrew her fingers and let the tip of one finger circle my swollen clit.

  My hips undulated, seeking more of the increasing pleasure. A wave of lust built inside and I rode its crest.

  Her hot breath played along my neck while her tongue lashed the pounding pulse in my throat. “I will own you, Alexis Night Runner. You will serve me with unquestioning obedience.”

  “Yes,” I moaned as desire clouded my mind. Nothing mattered; only the rising tide of my climax seemed real. Moisture seeped from my sex.

  Serena’s hand pounded against my body. Roughly invading; taking. Then her fangs slashed into my throat.

  Pain roared through my body. My eyes popped wide. The pain overwhelmed the wave of lust. My mind suddenly cleared. I cried out, fighting to get free. Fingers tightened punishingly on my breast until streams of warm blood ran down their rounded sides. Her fingers scraped and deliberately gouged the inside of my sheath.

  Hot pain drilled through my gut. I screamed again. The sound ripped from my very soul as something black and cold invaded my mind.

  Suddenly, Serena’s words flashed into my head. I will possess you, Warrior. Heart and mind, body and soul. You will serve me with unquestioning obedience. Enthrallment--only enthrallment yielded such possession; such service. And, only such intent would produce enthrallment when a vampire simultaneously partook of both lust and blood from a human.

  Frantic, I tried to reach the sword hanging on my side. My fingertips brushed over the hilt. With my upper arm pinned by Serena, I couldn’t draw the sword from its sheath.

  With each suckle of her mouth, blackness edged farther into my mind. I called to my magic. The blue glow fought a losing battle with the blackness.

  The bedroom door burst open. “Mother!” Ariel’s young voice reached through my panic. “Mother, release her!”

  Serena ripped her fangs from my neck and snarled. “Go to your room, child. I will deal with you later.”

  Ariel drew the short sword strapped to her side. In a voice far too firm for a prepubescent child, she said, “No, Mother. You will deal with me now.”

  Through the darkening haze that cloaked my vision, I saw light glint along the gold edge of Ariel’s blade.

  A cold, crystalline laugh rode the air. “My little huvam is growing fangs.” Serena tossed me to the side.

  The coolness of the tile floor slapped the side of my face. Blackness wiggled icy tentacles further into my mind. My body throbbed with pain. Blood ran from the slashes on my breasts. More blood ran hot from the tears in my throat where her fangs had ripped free. My thoughts ran as sluggish as cold blood.

  Lethargy laid over me, a warm welcoming blanket. I closed my eyes. Can’t fight a vampire. No human can. Rest. I just want to rest, and not hurt.

  Serena’s sharp words sliced through the blackness oozing through my mind. “Do you dare to Challenge me, Ariel Morningstar-Longer?”

  The words speared through the thickening haze. Ariel Challenge Serena?

  “If you mean to kill humans then I must, Mother. Artemis does not will us to murder Caine’s Children.” The child’s voice quavered, but when I forced my eyes open, Ariel stood firm, sword half-raised in the defense position Nikki had taught her.

  “It’s true then.” Serena’s proclamation raised the hair on the back of my neck.

  “Artemis’ commands have always been true.” A query hung among Ariel’s words.

  Serena flicked her hand as if brushing away what Ariel said. “I have no need of a goddess who allows vampire to be hunted like common humans.” Voice mocking, she said, “No, Ariel Morningstar-Longer, what I refer to is the treachery you have learned at the hands of the Warriors. You would value human life above that of your First Councilwoman and your mother?”

  The child lifted her chin. “I value all of life, as Artemis has taught us to do; but, I am commanded by Artemis’ Purpose to protect Caine’s Children.”

  “Ah, do tell, young huvam. Give lessons to those hundreds of years older and wiser than you.” Serena folded her arms across her chest and sneered down at the girl before her.

  She’s playing with her. Getting her off guard, so she can disarm her. The thought lanced through the darkness, burning through the molasses thick blackness filling my mind. As my mind began to clear, I gathered Power. The blue globe of light that had been nearly extinguished sparked brighter in my core. Gradually, it grew as I fed my Will into it. Silently, I chanted as I worked the globe between psychic hands, kneading Intent into its fabric.

  “Mother, please,
why are you doing this?” Ariel’s bravado washed away beneath the cry of a child.

  Serena’s arms fell open and her hands fisted at her sides. “How dare you to question me!”

  I watched the muscles in Serena’s back tense, knew that only moments remained before she launched herself on the child. I scrambled to my feet. I called the Power into my physical hands.

  As Serena lunged, Ariel dodged to one side. The child had not been completely clueless. I flung the ball of blue fire. It burst against Serena’s back. The blue fire snuffed out almost immediately. She whirled around. Face contorted into a devil’s mask, her eyes glowed emerald. Her fangs shone in the low light. Her fingers had contorted into claws.

  I’ve failed. Desperately, I called Power. Heat infused my hands. I thrust them forward and wide. Blue light flashed across the space and fell like a translucent cloak over Serena.

  She screamed and collapsed. Pinpricks of blue light pulsed around her body.

  I sank to my knees, head hanging.

  Ariel ran over and tugged my arm. “We have to leave. The Guardians will kill us for attacking my mo...for attacking the First Councilwoman. I don’t know why they haven’t come yet.”

  “Silence Spell,” I gasped as I climbed to my feet. “Serena had a Silence Spell on the room. Why did you show up?”

  “I...I felt something wrong, and I followed the Feeling.” The child held onto me until I could stand without her assistance. “Matriarch said it is a Power some leaders are given.”

  “We can escape from the balcony.” I headed for the French doors.

  “How will you climb down?” Ariel opened the doors.

  The fresh air blew more of the black cobwebs from my mind. “I’ll make it. When we get on the ground head west and go down into the ravine then make your way up the mountain to Eagle’s Promontory.”

  I stopped with my hand clutching the railing of the balcony. “Listen, Ariel, you’re in as much, if not more, danger than I am. You Challenged your mother tonight. Under Vampire Law she has the right to kill you.” Tears glistened in the child’s eyes, but she didn’t argue. “If we get separated or if something happens to me, you keep running. Don’t stop until you get to Eagle’s Promontory. There will be help waiting up there for you.”

  Ariel’s mouth firmed. “We’ll go there together or not at all.”

  The determined look in her eyes warned me not to waste time and precious energy arguing. “Yeah, we will.”

  I managed to wrap my arms and legs around one of the posts that held up the balcony floor, but the ride down more closely resembled a barely controlled fall. Bent over at the waist, I scrambled behind Ariel as we dove into the ravine.

  The soft dirt edge crumpled under our weight. We tumbled down the rocky slope. I slammed into the slender trunk of an alder tree. It felt like my ribs snapped, but since I could breathe without intolerable pain, they were probably only badly bruised.

  Somehow, Ariel managed a more dignified descent. She scooted across the loose dirt to where I clung to the trunk of a tree. Afraid my voice would carry on the night air, I mimed walking horizontally along the hillside.

  We worked our way down and had nearly reached the bottom of the ravine when the first shouts split the night. Heart pounding, I darted into the deeper shadows of the copse of trees that followed the river, glad that only a half-moon shone.

  As we hurried along the ravine, several times Ariel had to wait for me to catch my breath. “Damn it, Ariel, keep going,” I whispered urgently. “We don’t have time for you to wait on me. The Trackers will pick up our scent in no time.”

  “We’ll go together,” the child whispered back fiercely. “We need to travel in the water.”

  The icy water of the mountain stream finished clarifying my mind even as it stiffened the muscles of my battered body. We pushed on as dawn painted the eastern sky a brilliant pink and orange.

  Darkness had descended again by the time Ariel and I stumbled into the Warriors’ camp on Eagle’s Promontory. Kira hurried over and looped an arm around my waist. She helped me to a nearby log.

  Ariel dragged over to the log and slumped next to me.

  Nikki poured two cups of coffee from the pot set on the edge of the campfire. As she handed one to Ariel, she grinned. “Have you run away from home to become a Warrior, young lady?”

  I ran a hand down my face as if it might wipe away some of the weariness. “I’d be dead if Ariel hadn’t shown up.”

  A Warrior draped blankets around Ariel and me as Nikki dipped up bowls of stew. “You can update us on the situation after you eat, Captain. Just one question--should we put out the fire and be ready to run at any moment?”

  I shook my head. “I think we’ll be safe here for a few more hours; maybe even overnight. I believe we lost the Guardians and the Trackers.”

  Nikki’s grin widened. “Then we have time to let you two eat in peace before you explain to us why you seem to have kidnapped the First Councilwoman’s heir.”

  Chapter 20

  Serena Longer

  “No, Gregory, I will not rethink my position regarding the werepanthers. In fact, I see no reason to align with any of the Supernatural races. Why should I dilute my strength to keep them safe? I have finally realized I am beset by enemies, even here.” I lounged on the couch as Gregory paced a short path back and forth in front of me.

  “How do you propose to keep our People safe, Serena?”

  A sly grin touched my mouth. “I have a few ideas.”

  He whirled and faced me. “Would you care to share them with me?”

  All expression smoothed from my face. “No, I would not. You will be apprised of my decisions when I see fit, General Trueson.” I swung my feet off the couch and sat up. “Now, report on your progress in tracking my kidnapped heir.”

  I could see how difficult it was for him to not press for more information. Good. He is learning his place. If he does, he will continue to be useful.

  “I dispatched Tracker Johansen shortly after I arrived this morning and you informed me that Ariel was missing. He picked up a faint trace of Ariel’s scent in the ravine; just as Tracker Evangeline reported to you yesterday when you found the child missing.” His eyes met mine. “He could detect no scent of distress. Are you certain Ariel didn’t leave on her own?”

  Anger sparked. I didn’t bother to control the descent of my fangs. Goddess damn this male! How dare he question me! I locked eyes with him until he dropped his gaze.

  Gregory cleared his throat. “Tracker Johansen lost the trail as it started up Lost Man Mountain. Unfortunately, it rained farther up on the mountain sometime between the hours when Ariel went missing and when you discovered she wasn’t in her bed. That’s why Tracker Evangeline lost Ariel’s scent trail. Tracker Johansen ran into the same problem. The only reason they could track the child at all was that it didn’t rain down here around the estate.” He shrugged. “As you know, that’s one of the weather anomalies when you live in the mountains—rain or snow on one part of the mountain, but not on the other part.”

  I glared at him, but decided to allow his condescending explanation about the weather—as if I failed to understand about living on a mountain—slide. “What progress can you report about the Warriors?”

  “The rain washed all scents away, First Councilwoman. We found several trails leading into the woods, but that could have been from the patrols the Warriors routinely walked.”

  I leaned forward. “I want those deserters found.”

  Wearily, and with obvious trepidation, he said, “First Councilwoman, the Warriors were never an official part of our military; therefore, by Vampire Law they are not deserters. They are simply human women who have decided to return to their past lives, perhaps.”

  “Did I ask you to explain the status of the Warriors in vampire society, or Vampire Law, to me?”

  He shook his head. “No, First Councilwoman, you did not, but there are some lines which I cannot cross. I cannot authorize hunts of people
who have done nothing wrong.”

  My nails dug into the palms of my hands. The desire to lash out, to slice him, to watch pain dance across his handsome features nearly overwhelmed me. With great effort I pushed away those delectable imaginings. Not the time, yet. “Do you refuse to perform the duties your First Councilwoman and Mistress requires of you?”

  Mouth set in a stubborn line, he said, “The Purpose set out by Artemis for our People is to aid and to guide Caine’s Children. The Warriors belong to Caine’s bloodlines; and, therefore, warrant our protection and our aid. Even if that were not true, I will not hunt innocents.”

  Deliberately, I relaxed against the soft leather. “You play loosely with your near-immortality when you lecture the First Councilwoman on herstory, General Trueson.”

  His body stiffened. “I would remind the First Councilwoman that I continue to serve her voluntarily, and have since my three hundredth Change Day.”

  Nostrils flaring, I stood up. “Yes, according to Vampire Law any Changed vampire who reaches their three hundredth Change Day becomes a free agent. Do you wish to leave my employ, General Trueson?”

  “No, First Councilwoman, at this time I have no desire to leave your employ; however, do not ask me to act in a manner counter to Artemis’ Purpose—the same Purpose that you personally explained to me three hundred and fifty years ago. Back then, I swore upon my honor to follow Artemis’ mandates until the day of my True Death. I will not dishonor myself.” Something that looked much like pity touched his countenance as he continued, “Not even for you, Princess Serena.” He spun on his heel and quietly walked out.

  Later that day I prowled the grounds of the estate, stopping often to check on the progress of the fortifications. Around the back of the remnants of what once had been my home—before Arundia burned it—I peered about to discern if anyone spied upon me. Reassured that no one watched, I lifted the in-ground trapdoor that led to the basement.

  Someday, someday soon Baskell would rue the day that he burned my house, just as he would bitterly regret his previous imprisonment of me.

  The basement had escaped destruction. Solid marble floors throughout much of the first floor had kept the fire at bay. Not needing light, I closed the trapdoor, locked it and headed into the inkwell blackness.