Out for Blood (24 page)

Chapter Twenty-Two

T
he groundwork had been laid and everyone was in their places. All that remained was to wait, something Tatiana had never been good at, but this time was different. This time as she sat in the dark nursery, listening to Lilith’s soft breathing, she found new patience. And oddly, a niggling of fear she’d never before experienced.

The fear wasn’t for herself but for Lilith. Tatiana was about to put her child in danger, and even if it was ultimately to protect her, that knowledge did not sit well with her. At least she knew Octavian and Daci were in on this plan with her. She felt confident they wouldn’t let harm befall Lilith. She’d even come to believe that Kosmina would protect her child for reasons beyond duty.

She tipped her head against the rocker’s back. By now Daci would be in place, poised to come running in from where she’d just been “passing by” to act as another witness. Octavian and the Dominus and Elders who’d not yet turned in were down the hall in the library. As soon as Octavian heard her call out, he’d come running as well, bringing their guests with him. Hopefully in time to see Svetla’s demise at the hands of the Castus.

The nursery door swung open slowly. Tatiana was positioned behind the screen where Oana, the wet nurse, sat to feed Lilith. She could see slivers through where the panels hinged. Svetla would be able to detect the presence of another vampire, but Tatiana hoped she’d attribute it to Lilith. Or perhaps the compulsion to obey would override any other concerns.

She’d soon find out.

Svetla stood silhouetted in the doorway for a second; then she was in and the door shut again, plunging the room back into darkness except for the moonlight filtering through the diaphanous curtains. For a vampire, it was light enough. Without a moment’s hesitation, she stole toward the crib and scooped Lilith into her arms. Lilith woke, cooing softly.

Tatiana’s heart ached, fearful that Lilith might be scared. She squeezed the arms of the rocker. The one in her metal hand cracked.

Svetla looked up. “Who’s there?”

The time for hiding was gone. Tatiana burst out from behind the screen, throwing the light switch as she did. “You’re kidnapping my child!” she screamed.

“What? No.” Svetla blinked. The compulsion was wearing off, but Tatiana couldn’t call the Castus until there were witnesses.

Daci barged in a few moments later. “What’s happening? I heard loud voices.” She turned to Svetla. “What are you doing with Lilith?”

Octavian skidded to a stop in the open doorway, Lords Timotheius, Syler, and Zephrim following along behind him. “What’s going on? Who’s got Lilith?”

Tatiana pointed at Svetla. “She’s trying to kidnap my child.”

The other lords looked appropriately dismayed. That was all the witnessing Tatiana needed.

“Samael,” she bellowed. “Help me!”

The shadows in the room pulled together into a dark column. A great flash of lightning shattered the space and the jagged sourness of brimstone and unclean flesh cut through the room until the stench was unavoidable. Samael stepped out from the column, the shadows giving way to reveal him in all his fetid glory. From the waist down, his body was hidden by a skirt of shadows shifting with tortured faces and clawing hands. From the waist up, he was nude, his skin the burnished red of dried meat.

Tatiana had never been so pleased to see the monstrosity who’d fathered her kind. The others bowed their heads at his sudden arrival. After a quick bow herself, she took a few calculated steps toward him. “My lord.” She spoke without waiting for his greeting, something she prayed he’d forgive. “This one”—she pointed at Svetla—“is trying to kidnap the child you gave to me to raise.”

His mouth pulled back in a grimace as he twisted toward Svetla. “How dare you?” His voice grated the air to brittle shards.

Svetla cringed. “I…”

Samael charged forward. “You think you know better than I? That you should be the one to rear this child?”

She shook her head, clearly terrified. Lilith began to cry. Tatiana rushed to Svetla and took Lilith, cradling the child against her body. “Mama’s got you,” she soothed Lilith, bouncing her gently.

Svetla backed away, but Samael followed. The Dominus looked on with mortified interest. He turned to them. “Which of you is her Dominus?”

The three shook their heads. Only Syler spoke up. “Her Dominus is Lord Grigor. He has already retired for the day.”

“Get him,” Samael screamed.

As if on cue, Grigor stumbled in. Kosmina had seen to it that his last brandy had been laced with a touch of laudanum as well. He rubbed at his eyes. “What is the ruckus?”

“The ruckus,” Samael spat, “is your Elder has defied my command.”

Instantly awake, Grigor assessed the situation. “Svetla, what is the meaning of this?”

“I am just doing what you told me to.”

An audible gasp went up from the others. Tatiana almost smiled.

“What?” Grigor howled. “I never told you to do any such thing.”

“Lies. Typical.” Tatiana scowled at him. “You’ve never been a friend to the House of Tepes.”

Kosmina entered from the adjoining dressing room. “My lady, my apologies, but Lord Grigor’s car has been brought around front as he requested.”

Tatiana praised the day Octavian had hired the woman. The kine was as good as he had been as her head of staff. This improvisation would earn her a bonus. “Kosmina, now is not the time.”

“Yes, my lady.” She bowed and ducked out as Samael began to rage again.

“Enough,” he growled. “I told the council that Tatiana and her family were to be protected. I promised that any harm that came to them would be assuaged with the ashes of those responsible. Did you think me a liar?”

All had gone to their knees but Tatiana and Grigor. They responded as a group. “No, my lord.”

Grigor stabbed a finger at Tatiana. “You’re to blame for this.”

“Silence or your life will be forfeit as well.” Samael turned toward Svetla, now crouched against the wall, shaking and crying.

“Please,” she begged. “I meant no harm—”

Samael grabbed her by the waist. His fingers wrapped easily around her body. She pried at his hand, but to no avail. Smoke rose in wisps from her clothing. She swatted at him, terror unlike anything Tatiana had ever seen turning her eyes into glowing silver flares. She wept bodily, screaming, “No, no, no!”

Then a
whoosh
filled the room and flames swallowed her whole. A few seconds later, they died out. Samael opened his hands and let loose a flurry of ashes to the floor. “For your part in this transgression, Grigor, your power of mind reading is revoked. As for the rest of you, let this serve as a reminder.” He stomped his foot and a cloud of ash puffed up around it. “Disobey me at your own risk.”

Another flash of light and he was gone, leaving in his wake a silence so loud, Tatiana’s ears burned with it. Somehow, during all of that, Lilith had fallen back asleep. Tatiana turned to Octavian. He came to her, pulling her into his arms. “It’s all right. Lilith is safe.”

She nodded, more upset by the event than she’d have guessed she would be. “I know. I’m just shaken, that’s all.”

Lord Syler joined them. “It’s to be expected.” He turned to the group. “I want it known that from this day forward, the House of Bathory will always side with the House of Tepes. Cross them and you cross us as well.”

Grigor swore in Russian. “This is not the end of this, Tatiana. You may align yourself with whoever you choose; it does not change the fact that you are out for your own good and nothing else.”

“If you could read my mind, you’d see that’s not true.” She held Lilith tightly, surprised to find those words truer than she could have imagined. Nothing mattered to her so much as protecting Lilith, but that would never be a problem again. No one would dare come against them after word of tonight spread through the families.

Grigor stormed off, shouting for his things to be packed. Timotheius and Zephrim looked like they’d fallen into a state of shock.

Timotheius straightened. “We should adjourn the council. Grigor’s time as Dominus may have come to an end.”

“Yes, perhaps.” Zephrim nodded as both he and Timotheius looked at Tatiana. “What would you have us do, my lady?”

And for the first time since she’d entered the nursery that night, Tatiana smiled.

When Doc reached Chrysabelle, Jerem was crouched beside her in the square, trying to get her into the car. Jerem stood as Doc approached.

Doc glanced at the chains hanging empty from their posts. “Tell me what I saw on TV was just a trick. Mal’s in the car, right?”

Jerem shook his head. “I wish.”

As numb as Doc felt, he could only imagine how Chrysabelle was. “I can’t believe this. I didn’t believe it when the mayor made the announcement, and I don’t believe it now. He can’t be gone. He can’t be.” How many times had Mal saved his life?

“It was so sudden.” Jerem shook his head. “Something must have happened to change her mind. Unless she planned it all along.”

“Couldn’t be. I was supposed to be there, not Mal. The sun wouldn’t have done anything to me.” He never should have let Mal take his place. Dammit. Mal would still be alive now. He lifted his chin toward Chrysabelle. “How is she?”

“Refuses to leave.”

“Let me talk to her.”

Doc approached her like he might a wounded animal. “Chrysabelle?” He crouched beside her. She rocked back and forth, arms wrapped around her, tears cutting tracks in the makeup she’d used to hide her signum.

She didn’t answer, just stared blankly at the spot where Mal had been.

He wrapped his arm around her. “Let’s go home now.” Gently, he eased her to her feet. Jerem got the car door open. “Come on now, that’s my girl.” She slumped against him, her feet not really moving. Not wanting to make more of a scene for the cameras than they already had, he picked her up and carried her, putting her down again on the backseat. He shut the door and turned to Jerem. “Get her home. I’ll be right behind you.”

Too many minutes later, they’d cleared Mephisto Island security and pulled into Chrysabelle’s driveway. As Doc and Jerem got out, a red-eyed Fi opened the door. Behind her stood her the whirling gray storm that was Velimai.

“Tell me it’s not true,” Fi cried.

Doc held the car door while Jerem lifted Chrysabelle out and carried her inside. “I wish it wasn’t.”

Fi started crying softly. “How could the mayor do this?”

“I don’t know.” Doc pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. She clung to him and wept. “Come on, now. Be strong for Chrysabelle.” And Velimai, who couldn’t seem to pull herself together enough to stay solid.

“Where should I put her?” Jerem asked.

Fi wiped her eyes. “Upstairs. In her bedroom. I’ll go with you.” She pulled away from Doc and led Jerem up the steps.

As they walked away, Doc shifted uncomfortably. Grief was not something he dealt with easily. Anger, yes. But Chrysabelle needed comfort, and anger wasn’t going to do that. “Uh, Velimai, could you help me make tea?” That’s what Chrysabelle had sent him to do the time they’d arrived to find her mother kidnapped by Tatiana. It seemed like a good activity.

Velimai solidified enough to nod. She pointed toward the kitchen, then moved in that direction. He followed.

“I guess you were watching it on the holovision?”

She nodded again and signed something he didn’t understand.

“I don’t know signing, sorry.”

She shrugged and didn’t bother trying to make herself understood.

“I’m surprised you’re so upset about a vampire.” He tried to smile a little, to show he’d meant it as a way of lightening the mood.

She just sat at the kitchen table, put her head between her hands, and stared into space.

Without much else to do, he started opening cabinets and looking for supplies. The kettle was already on the stove, so he turned that on, then went back to rummaging. He made a point of knocking a box out of the cabinet.

Velimai caught it before it hit the ground. She rolled her eyes at him and made shooing motions with her hands.

He got out of the way as she went to work. “Chrysabelle needs us to be strong right now. I don’t feel like it any more than you do, but it’s what she needs.”

Velimai set the tea canister on the counter, then looked around for something. Not finding it, she left and came back a few minutes later with an e-tablet in her hands. She scrawled something and held it out for Doc to read.

The mayor’s the one who’s going to need help when Chrysabelle comes to her senses.

He held his hands up. “No argument there. I was in a council meeting when the mayor’s announcement went down. My council members are plenty concerned about what this means for the rest of us.”

She nodded as she scooped tea into a little silver ball.

“We’ve got to keep Chrysabelle from doing anything rash. We can’t lose her, too.”

Setting the tea aside, Velimai wrote something new.
How could the mayor do this? Doesn’t she understand how the city will react?
Her image flickered again.

“I hear you loud and clear. Maybe we should put the TV on? See if there’s anything new.”

Yes
, Velimai signed. One of the few he understood.

The intercom buzzed. Velimai went over to the panel and pushed a button. The guard from the front gate appeared on the small screen. “There’s a visitor here for Ms. Lapointe. Name’s Mortalis.”

Velimai nodded vigorously so the guard could see her.

“Okay, I’ll send him through.”

She clicked the screen off, punched a few other buttons, then turned to Doc. She pointed toward the driveway, her eyes questioning.

“Got it.” He walked back to the foyer, opened the front door, and stood waiting. The gate into the estate was already swinging wide. One of Dominic’s cars pulled through, looking eerily like no one was driving it.

The driver’s door opened, then shut.

“I’m here,” Mortalis called out. “You’ll be able to see me better when I get inside.”