Kindling Flames: Burning Nights (The Ancient Fire Series Book 6) (23 page)

“What’s going on?” Vicky whispered, trying to figure her husband out. She could feel him trying to control his enthusiasm, but he didn’t answer. Instead, he shook his head and waited for the person coming down the hall to step out into the main room.

When Polunu stepped down from the hall, Darien smiled to himself. In the few short visits Darien had had with the man, he hadn’t been the politest of people, but he had a feeling that was about to change. “Polunu,” he called out to the man as he walked towards him. “Do you know where I can find Makani?”

Polunu’s spine went rigid. “I’m a master,” the man snapped. “And Master Makani is where
you
should be, preparing for tonight’s meeting with the Council.”

There was a bitterness to the man’s voice that drove a shard of irritation into Darien’s good mood and a sinister smile to his face. He was tired of the man’s outright hostility. It was time to take the younger vampire down a notch. “I am well aware of your status, fledgling,” he said in a low tone as he approached the offensive man. “And why should I prepare for a meeting when Makani has it well in hand?” His tone took on an antagonizing note. Darien could feel Vicky’s concern through their link, but he kept his attention on Polunu. The comments hit their mark and Darien watched as Polunu went red in the face and took a challenging step towards Darien. “I would think twice before you commit to that action, young one,” Darien warned.

“You are weak!” Polunu spat the words in Darien’s face.

“Weak, am I?” Darien asked. Amused by the direction Polunu had taken, he chose to ignore the challenge in the man’s stance. “Would you like to see how weak I am?” His eyes narrowed as he leaned in towards the younger vampire. Darien could see doubt pass through the other man’s eyes. “Take me to see Makani,” he ordered softly.

Polunu glared at him, but turned and led the way across the bridge and up into the other hallway.

Vicky raced to catch up to Darien as he hurried after the pissed off vampire. “What are you doing?” she hissed at him.

“Wait and see,” he whispered back. He took her hand and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. He hadn’t intended for this situation to arise, but it gave him the perfect opportunity to find out the information he needed to know before bringing up his idea.

Polunu stomped his way down the hall and slammed the door to the dojo open. “
Master
Makani is in here.”

“Thank you,” Darien said politely and led Vicky past the upset man and into the room. “I’d come in here if I were you, fledgling,” he called to Polunu.

Bristling with rage, the man followed them into the room.

Darien released Vicky’s hand and stepped away from her. His eyes found Makani helping two others set up a platform at the far end of the room. Darien cringed as he watched them maneuver the horrible scorpion chair into place on the dais. “Makani,” he called to the man supervising the work.

Makani turned to see Darien walking towards him. “Master Darien!” He seemed surprised to see Darien there.

“I require your assistance.” Darien slowed his pace. “Could you please come here?”

Confused, Makani hopped down from the small stage and met Darien in the middle of the room. “How can I help you, my lord?”

“Give me your hand,” Darien said, holding his hand out for Makani to take.

Makani gave him a curious look, but took Darien’s hand without asking.

“Your fledgling requires a demonstration,” Darien informed him.

Anger twisted Makani’s face and he shot Polunu a harsh look but did not pull his hand back, nor say anything to the younger vampire.

“I wouldn’t hold back if I were you,” Darien warned as he released the hold on his power and brushed it against Makani, drawing the other man’s power out.

Makani’s eyes came back to focus on Darien and he swallowed hard, but held on as both of their power levels climbed to uncomfortable levels.

Darien cocked a curious eyebrow at Makani as their power filled the room. The air sizzled with energy, but Darien pushed the level higher.

Unable to handle the pressure of the air, Vicky moved back to the doorway, but Polunu stood his ground, watching the two men who were clasped together testing each other’s strength.

“You’re stronger than I thought,” Darien said as their energies continued to rise. A small crowd had started to form around the entranceway.

“Kusanagi’s poison kept us weak,” Makani said through clenched teeth.

Darien could feel that Makani was coming to the end of his power, but he kept pushing his up, surpassing the younger man. It had been a long time since he’d faced off with anyone this way and he was surprised how high he could go without forcing or bolstering the flow with outside energy. He was still well below his true maximum, but he released Makani’s hand and let his energy drop back to a more comfortable level. Turning to the young vampire watching them, Darien stared him down. “Do you still think I’m weak?” he said, loud enough for the gathered group to hear.

The color drained from Polunu’s face, but the man held his ground without saying anything.

Darien threw a hand out, waving the stubborn vampire away before turning back and circling Makani. “Tell me,” he addressed the other vampire. “Are you the most powerful vampire on the Hawaiian Council?”

Makani watched Darien, unsure what the older man was playing at. “I was.”

Darien nodded and continued to pace slowly around him. “From that little demonstration, I can tell you are more powerful than Kusanagi was. Did you never consider challenging him?”

Narrowing his eyes, Makani glared at Darien. “I had.”

“But you never did.” Darien stopped in front of Makani. “Why not?”

“Kusanagi was an evil creature that destroyed anything he saw as a threat,” Makani said in a harsh tone. “Many made plans to challenge him, but all ended up dead before they could. I’m not too vain to know when I don’t stand a chance. Had I even attempted, he would have cut me down, too.”

“Kusanagi was a man of craft and wit,” Darien said with admiration, spinning away from Makani and putting some space between them. “Smart enough to know danger when he saw it, and quick enough to eliminate it before it could threaten him.” Darien stopped and turned to look back at the man he was taunting. “It wouldn’t surprise me to find that you were the next on his list of victims.”

Makani’s fists clenched but did not rise to Darien’s bait.

“And what of you?” Darien asked, waving all thoughts of Kusanagi away. “How would you handle a challenge?”

“I would face my foe head on,” Makani said in a controlled voice as he watched Darien for signs of a challenge.

“A man after my own heart!” Darien smiled at him, throwing Makani out of balance. He turned and circled him again, this time leisurely strolling in the other direction. “Victoria and I have decided that we are not going to stay in Hawaii,” he called out to the room in general.

Shocked sounds arose from the people.

“You would abandon your duties?” Makani asked, astounded by this news.

“No,” Darien said, stopping in front of him. “I plan to leave a second in command.”

Confusion filled Makani’s eyes.

“Victoria and I never intended any harm to the Grand Council of Hawaii when we came,” Darien explained. “We wanted a few days of vacation to relax from our normal lives. It’s tragic that Kusanagi did not believe me when I told him that. His death has put me in a bind.” Darien drew in a heavy breath and let it rush out as he considered how to explain the issue. “I do not have the luxury to stay and tend the Council as I should. I’ve got too much going on back home with my job, my kiss, and my new family.” He shot Vicky a warm smile that she returned. Turning his eyes back to Makani, he went on. “But I don’t want to leave this Council unprotected with no support.” He paused to make sure he was getting his message through to Makani.

“It’s true that one has to deal with perceived dangers when they happen, but by weeding out the people he saw as a threat, Kusanagi did a fine job of undermining the Council’s strength. He’s left Hawaii open and unable to protect itself.” Darien let out a sigh and shook his head. “With the proper foresight and planning, someone with half your strength could have come in and taken over.” He paused and considered how Makani was taking this information. His anger had weakened, and it was obvious Makani had considered this very idea. “I can tell you would have put up a good fight, but it would have been the death of you,” he said softly. “What Kusanagi did was wrong and I am not here to step into his shoes and rule over you. I have my own empire and problems to deal with back home, but I can’t, in good conscious, leave you as you are. I need someone who I can trust to do what needs to be done to rebuild this Council. A lot of work is needed to clean up the mess Kusanagi left behind. I could bring one of my young masters down and set him up as my proxy, but I’d rather have someone who is familiar with the needs of the Hawaiian people. A local.” He paused and watched Makani put everything together.

Makani opened his mouth to speak, but Darien cut him off.

“Will you be my second in this?” he asked.

Closing his mouth, Makani considered the opportunity that Darien was offering him.

“Think about it hard before you answer,” Darien warned him. “For this offer does not come without some risk.”

“Risk?” Makani asked.

Darien nodded. “I have no intentions of keeping Hawaii.”

That put the starch back into Makani’s spine.

Darien went on without giving the man time to respond. “Once the Council can stand on its own, I intend to relinquish my claim on the Grand Master’s seat and let another have it.”

“You can do that?” Polunu said, surprised.

Turning, Darien raised an eyebrow at the younger vampire. “There are ways.”

“How?” Polunu pressed.

“There are three ways to pass the power of the Grand Master’s position on,” Darien explained. He held out his hand and counted them off on his fingers. “First is to murder the person currently occupying that position and take it. This is the most common practice, and since I have no intention of letting someone murder me, it’s out of the question.” He unfurled another finger as he went into the second option. “Two, I could relinquish the power and leave you to your own devices.” He stared Polunu down, daring the man to demand this of him.

“This is not an option that is used by anyone who cares at all about a Council,” Darien warned. “It leaves the power loose and sends ripples out across the lines of power that connect all vampires. There are things out there waiting for such an opportunity and will jump as soon as they detect the opening.” Darien narrowed his eyes at the younger vampire. “Their rule would make Kusanagi’s reign look pleasant.” He dropped his hand and turned his back on Polunu, but raised his voice to make sure the man could hear him. “I have never known the third option to be used, but it’s what I’ll propose to you.”

“And what’s the third option?” Makani asked.

Darien considered him for a moment before answering. “If a master wishes to retire from his position, he can pass his powers and responsibility off to one of his brood.”

Makani paused to think. “So you will pass your power off to one from your kiss?”

“I’d rather give it to you,” Darien said. “That is, if you want to run the Council.”

“But I’m not your fledgling.” Makani protested. “And I’m already a master.”

“That doesn’t matter,” Darien said with a smile, trying to the put the other man at ease. “It’s rare to add an established master to a kiss. It’s harder than claiming a fledgling, and it can lead to issues. But under the right conditions and with proper respect, it can be done.”

“You would demand his respect on top of chaining him to your will!” Polunu growled in anger.

Darien turned to look at the man. “Never,” he said, insulted by the man’s accusations. “Respect is a two-way street. Slipping into another’s mind is easy when they are young and may be necessary when a fledgling is out of control. But trying to control a master at the peak of his power is folly at best and disastrous at worst. It’s the whole reason vampires break away from their sires when they are strong enough. No one likes to be ordered around in their heads.” Darien turned his attention back to Makani. “Forming this bond will be different than what you share with your people. We will essentially be joining our two kisses together. I will have access to you and your people, but you will also have access to me and mine.”

“You would add my people to your power base,” Makani said, processing Darien’s words.

“And you would add mine to yours,” Darien confirmed.

Makani stood in silence as he considered the idea.

“The link between us could only be broken by death.” Darien said before Makani could ask. “But it could be shut down once it wasn’t needed anymore.”

“And how long would it be needed?”

Darien let out another heavy breath. “I’m not sure.” He ran his hand up into his hair and ruffled it hard. “If all goes well, and we can rebuild the power base of the Hawaiian Council, six months to a year. If not, then longer.” Darien paused as he mulled over his next statement. “I’m not even completely sure that the power will transfer properly over such a bond,” he admitted. “We may go through the process, get the Council repaired, and attempt the transfer to find out all was for naught. It’s a risk, but no matter what happens, the Council will be yours to do with as you please.”