Hear Me When the Sun Goes Down (5 page)

“I am not accustomed to people challenging me,” he said, his voice cold in the face of my out
burst, and I felt the same dread sneak back into my stomach as when I’d stormed into his public executions.  I had to be careful of his temper, but at the same time, I couldn’t back down completely.  I couldn’t live in a world where he killed people on a whim because of me. 

“Well
, maybe it’s time to embrace change, because I’m not going to jump every time you snap your fingers.” 

I braced myself for his temper, but instead Jakob chuckled.  “I wouldn’t want you to.  Are you truly well?”  A tinge of worry crept over his features.  “They didn’t take any liberties of an… intimate nature, did they?”

“I’m fine.”  But I didn’t feel fine.  Not when he kept touching me, his fingers brushing over my bare arms, sifting through my hair, as though we were a couple.  Did he think we were a couple again?  “So um, I wanted to ask you, what did that mean about me being your consort?  What is that exactly?”

“It means you are my companion, in every way.”

“But I’m not.  We broke up.” 

A furrow appeared on his brow.  “I thought you wanted me to see you safe.  I have publically claimed you now, none will do so much as look askance at you.”

“Hey, I’m super glad you publically admitted to being my Sire, but I’m not yours to
claim
, claim.”  Boy howdy was I in a world of trouble if he didn’t get that.

“Aren’t you?”  He raised a single brow.

“Not
that
way.” 

Jakob took in a long breath like he was prepared to say one thing, but changed his mind.  “I don’t understand the objection.  Have you rekindled your affair with Ulrik?”

“No.”

“Surely you don’t prefer the company of that cowboy to mine,” he scoffed.

“Mac?  No.”  Actually I did, but I chose not to make things worse by saying it.  “Jakob, the same thing holds true here as it did back in San Francisco.  We’re not well suited for each other.  I don’t know if we ever will be.  I am grateful for you saving us all from Volkov’s inquisition, but don’t mistake gratitude for something else.”

“I see,” Jakob said, drawing himself up stiffly.  “In my time the maiden generally showed her gratitude to the dashing hero in exchange for saving her life.”

“I’m sorry if you were expecting something different, but we’re not living in those times anymore,” I said as gently as I could.  “Things have changed.” 

“Very well, but you will comport yourself as my consort while we are here.”

“Which means what?”

“It means you will do as I say without argument while we are in public.”

“Or what?”

His brow crumpled in confusion.  “How do you mean?”

“What happens if I don’t agree with every single thing you say or do?” 

“I can see I have erred in my treatment of you, allowing you to cling to your modern sensibilities because I enjoy your free spirit
.  Make no mistake, my word is law.  I am
Ellri
.”

“Maybe that’s true in a public arena, but not between the two of us.  I’m not going to stick around and let you dictate what I say and what I do.”

“Have a care,
älskling
.  You have little choice in the matter.”  The indulgent tilt to his smile disappeared, replaced by a hardness that made my palms sweat.  Cripes, what had I gotten myself into?  In the next instant his expression softened again, his touch at my elbow solicitous.  “But you are over tired.  You should go back to our room, I’ll join you presently.”

I allowed him to steer me halfway across the room until his words sank in.  “Wait –
our
room?” 

“Of course.  I left instructions for your Warden and his feeder to find other accommodations
.  We’ll have the suite to ourselves.”

I didn’t dare look at Rob to see his opinion on the turn of events.  “You can’t boot them out, the mansion’s full up with guests for the Gathering.”

“It’s already done.  They’ll make do, I’m sure.”

“So I get no say in this whatsoever?”  I don’t know why I was so surprised, I should’ve
anticipated a move like this.  Jakob could hardly reappear in society and not commandeer the rooms he wanted, but he had another thing coming if he thought he could commandeer me too.

“I don’t understand why you’re making such a fuss.  It’s not as though we haven’t been intimate with one another.  I look forward to re-establishing these intimacies.”

“By ordering me to sleep with you?  That’s not intimacy, that’s rape.”

“Enough drama,” Jakob barked, and it took everything I had in me not to jump back a foot.  “I will not force your charms, but make no mistake, we
will
be sharing a room.”

“Fine, we’ll share the suite, but not the same bed.”

His jaw clenched, but Jakob gave a short nod.  “Agreed.  In exchange you will act the doting companion whenever we are in public.”

“It’s a deal,” I replied, glad to have gotten off relatively easily.  I felt bad for Felix and Bridget, but at least I would get to keep some privacy.

Jakob gave a broad smile.  “Perhaps you will soon remember what it was about my company you found desirable to begin with.”

I didn’t know
what to say about that.  “Goodnight, Jakob.  I’ll see you later.”

“Good
night, petal.”  He leaned down to kiss my cheek before releasing me for the night.  “Rob… I will have words with you now.”

Uh oh.
  I tried not to read anything into that request, and I gave Rob a hopefully supportive smile, but he barely nodded to me as I passed him by.  Briefly, I considered standing outside the door to listen in, but Gunnar and Tucker both waited there to escort me up to the room.  Besides, I was fairly sure Rob could handle Jakob on his own.

Bishop waited outside the meeting hall, hoping for an opportunity to talk to Anja alone.  He’d been cursing himself for the past half hour for allowing her to slip through his fingers without telling her what was in his heart and begging for another chance.  In the end, the timing hadn’t been right, not with Rob hovering nearby. 

Rob was always nearby. 

But as she emerged alone, Bishop began to think he had his shot, and he trotted up to her side.  Only she looked so tired, he let her go when she blew him off.  Not that he blamed her, she’d been through plenty in the past couple of days and deserved a rest.  After everything between them, most of it being his fault, he was too afraid to push her.  He’d have to tread carefully in order to get back into her good graces again, but that was okay.  Bishop was patient, and he knew there was a part of her that still loved him.  He just had to help her learn to trust him again.

Which meant he needed to ensure he wasn’t included in Jakob’s edict to banish the Order from Vetis lands. 

Bishop let himself into the meeting hall, grateful when Jakob barely glanced in his direction instead of ordering him out of his sight.  Jakob was much too fixated on giving Rob a dressing down to pay much attention to him. 

“You have failed me utterly,” Jakob spat out, his face a mask of disgust.

Rob bore the accusation stoically, staring straight ahead.  “I did.”

“I gave you one task – to see to her safety – and she was brutalized right under your nose.”

“I had to slip away to get word to you.”  It came out as more of a statement than the ring of an excuse.  “I made a choice, and Anja was forced to pay for it.  I take full responsibility for any punishment you deem fit.”

“I’ve killed men for less,” Jakob said, his voice low, but no less deadly for it.

Rob wasn’t Bishop’s favorite person, but something needed saying.  “You’re the reason she was tortured, if you want someone to blame.”  Jakob’s head snapped in his direction, but Bishop held his ground.  “You denied her the place in society she was due.  She was forced to scramble to survive, it was only a matter of time before someone caught onto the web of lies.  You know the laws, you condemned her to death for abandoning her in the first place.”

Jakob’s mouth turned down in a heavy scowl.  “Don’t speak of things you don’t understand, Ulrik.”

“That’s right, I don’t understand.  I’ll never understand how you could leave her in the first place.  But don’t take your anger out on Rob, he couldn’t have known how far Volkov would take it in such a short time.”  It had surprised even him, and he’d known the man for centuries.  “Rob came back to break Anja free.  They would’ve gotten away too if she hadn’t insisted on taking me with.”

“I should be angry with you then?” Jakob posed with a shake of the head.

“Why don’t you try being angry with yourself for putting her in that position to begin with?”

“Do you think I haven’t had these thoughts?  Don’t presume to know my mind, boy.” 

Bishop felt the weight of Jakob’s stare like a physical thing, but when the
Ellri
turned back to Rob, he’d let go of his anger toward the bodyguard. 

“You’ll need to make arrangements for additional security for Anja.  Especially after we return to the West.”

Rob’s eyes lost the thousand yard stare as he finally looked at Jakob.  “Yes, sir, I know my job.  She’ll be properly guarded.” 

“She’s more than a job to me,” Jakob insisted.  “She’s more precious to me than anything in this miserable world.”

“I understand, sir.  I’d sooner die than see her harmed.”  There was no doubt in either of the men’s minds at the look in Rob’s eyes. 

“Good.”  Jakob found his smile again, clapping Rob on the shoulder.  “Your loyalty will be rewarded as usual.  Keep her safe for me, Rob.  I will not tolerate failure a second time.”

“As you wish.”  With that, Rob slipped out, and before Bishop could draw in a breath Jakob turned his attention to him.

“Have you seen to the Order’s banishment from Vetis?”

“Yes, the last will be gone within the hour.”  So far, so good.  He hadn’t said anything about Bishop getting out too.  “I still think you’re making a mistake in doing this.”

“It matters little to me what you think
, Ulrik.”  Jakob waved him away, but Bishop couldn’t let it go.  It was rare to get a moment alone with a powerful
Ellri
, and this might be the only chance to openly speak his piece.   

“Jakob, you know there will be ramifications around the world for your dismantling the Order here in Vetis.”

“I’m starting to think the Order’s outlived its usefulness,” Jakob admitted, settling heavily into a chair.

“Look, I know you and I have had our disagreements over the years, but I’ve worked with the Order for a long time.  All I’m saying is, think long and hard before you do anything permanent.  Think about the scope of your decisions.  I’m not challenging your right to make them, but consider what it’ll do to leave vampires completely unchecked.  There’s a reason you created the Order in the first place, and that reason still holds true.  Listen to Anja
.  Change the laws if you think it needs doing, but don’t cut us off completely.” 

In the end Jakob would make his own decision, he always did.  “Be gone before I decide to banish you too,” he grumbled irritably, and Bishop had his answer. 

For the moment he would be allowed to stay, and that was good enough for now.  Knowing Jakob’s moods lent him the wisdom to withdraw without saying anything else.  Something was eating at the
Ellri
, and he only hoped it had more to do with Jakob’s sudden re-emergence into society and not with a certain blond vampire.   

Speaking of which, he spotted Rob up ahead and jogged up to catch him before he got to the staircase.  “Hey, you got a minute?”

Rob glanced at the stairs, almost as if gauging whether or not he could make a break for it before he turned to face Bishop.  “Sure, what’s up?”

“I wanted to talk to you for a sec.”  Bishop tried a familiar door, his head jerking inside when he found the parlor empty.  “Let’s go in here.”

“What’s this about?” Rob asked warily, automatically searching the room to make certain they were completely alone. 

“Look, I’m sorry Jakob was ragging on you before about Anja.  I wanted to thank you for coming back for us.  I’m sorry I slowed us down.  I feel like I’m responsible for what happened to you.”

“You are,” Rob said without a trace of emotion.  “Then again, so am I.  I should never have allowed her to be taken in the first place.  I underestimated that brother of yours.  Won’t happen again.”

“Right,” Bishop replied uneasily, not sure if he was forgiven or not.  “I also wanted to say that even though Jakob’s here and Anja’s under his protection
, that isn’t a reason to let your guard down.  I can’t shake the feeling that she’s still in danger here.  So, be careful and make sure you take care of her.”

Rob’s jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists.  “Everybody can bloody well stop telling me how to do my job,” he growled and Bishop took a step backward, surprised at the anger burning there.

“Hey, I just care about her, man.  And I can’t get close enough to her to see it through.”

“Neither can I.”

“You’re as close as anyone is right now.”  Bishop waited for his meaning to sink in. 

“It’s not like that,” Rob snapped, his head canting to one side as he regarded Bishop’s choice of words.  “What makes you say something
like that?”

So it
was
true.  Bishop wasn’t a hundred percent positive about it until he heard Rob’s denial.  It wasn’t just tender feelings on her part, there was something between them.  “I know Anja.  I can see it every time she looks at you.”

“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Actually, I do.”  Bishop pulled out Anja’s locket and handed it over.  Rob stared at the silver necklace before snatching it up without opening it.  They both knew what was inside. 

“Where did you get this?” he breathed, turning the worn metal over in his fingers before pocketing it.

“It was in the personal effects locker after we were detained the other night.  I retrieved it along with the rest of her jewelry.  I don’t think anyone bothered to open it, and everyone on duty last night is dead now anyway, so your secret is safe for now.  But it’s only a matter of time before he notices.  You can’t keep something from him like that.”

Rob grabbed Bishop’s t-shirt, his grip tight enough to tear the fabric.  “There’s nothing going on between Anja and me.  Say otherwise and I’ll kill you myself.”

Bishop didn’t move a muscle, he could understand Rob’s agitation.  “You’ve had a rough couple of days, so I’ll let that slide this once.  But you’d best get your hands off me.”

“I’m not afraid of you,” Rob said, his lip curling into a challenging sneer.

“Then you’re dumber than I thought you were.”  To illustrate his point, Bishop grabbed hold of Rob’s fists and slowly pulled them free of his shirt.  “You think because you can push around your average vamp on the street, you stand a chance coming up against me?” He shoved lightly, sending Rob back a foot or two, but the belligerent man was right back in his face again a heartbeat later.

“Keep talking and we’ll find out.”

“I don’t want to fight you.”  That wasn’t his intent at all. 

“You sure about that?  It seems like you’d give anything to trade places with me right about now.”  Rob’s chin came up pugnaciously.

“I thought you said there isn’t anything going on between you,” Bishop couldn’t help but gloat, his point made, and Rob’s eyes narrowed to thin slits. 

“Keep your mouth shut or I’ll shut it for you.”

Yep, there was definitely something going on between the two of them.  That, more than anything else, had Bishop reaching for a drink as soon as Rob stalked off.   

* * *

The lower levels deserted, Bishop wandered through the halls, bottle in hand.  It was the second bottle of the night, and he wasn’t completely sure what it was he was drinking anymore.  It didn’t matter, nothing mattered anymore.  The sun would be up soon, most of the mansion had settled down for the night, and he missed the signs of activity under the house where his teammates would typically still be up and around. 

The labs were cleared out, Winter and his surviving team long gone, bound for Rome to await new orders.  Probably the same as he should be doing, but Bishop couldn’t rouse himself to pack.  Instead he’d wandered upon Fisher’s quarters, untouched since his sudden death.  The room showed more signs of life than his ever had, a poster of a blonde in a bikini hanging above the bed and strips of word art scattered on a small magnetic white board next to it.  A paper fortune from a Chinese restaurant was taped to the corner of it. 
Never give up.
 

Bishop left the room untouched, shutting the door behind him, not that there was anyone left to disturb it.  The stone walls felt more like a tomb than anything else, and he half expected to find moldering corpses around each corner.  He was losing it.  What was he doing down there, wandering the halls like a ghoul? 

Suddenly, Bishop didn’t want to stay down there any longer.  Heading straight for his quarters, he threw some things together into a bag, planning to find a room upstairs or even in town rather than stay down there one minute longer.  His fingers brushed against a file folder as he bent to retrieve the gun he kept under his pillow, and he recognized Fisher’s tight script across the first page.  His report on the vampire activity in Vetis. 

For a split second, he considered leaving it there
.  It hardly mattered anymore, but a tiny kernel of curiosity had him snatch it up at the last second before he left.  Without a specific destination in mind, Bishop found himself back in the parlor again.  The parlor he’d come to think of as theirs, his and Anja’s.  Not that he had any real claim to it, but he felt closer to her there, remembering the firelight flickering over her expressive face, and the sound of her begging him not to stop as he’d pressed her up against the wall.

He needed another drink.

All that was left in the bar was vodka, not his first choice, but Bishop gamely switched, settling in front of the fireplace to page through Fisher’s report.  He’d been right, there was definitely something fishy going on.  On the papers he’d sampled, there were several common markers.  Names of local magistrates that approved them, mostly over the past thirty years, but Bishop knew the solid increase of numbers hadn’t dated that far back.  That meant there was a concerted effort to backdate the docs.  What had Corley been up to?

Bishop spent the better part of a half hour trying to wrap his drunken senses around it before he realized – it didn’t matter one damn bit.  Corley was gone, the Order was gone – what difference did it make if there were extra vampires in Vetis?  Sure, he could turn the report in to Rome, let them puzzle it out, but in the end, he didn’t care. 

Instead, Bishop tossed the report among the logs in the fireplace, watching the paper curl and burn in the rush of flames.  The flicker of the fire held his attention until the beep on his phone shook him out of it.  Mason’s name flashed across the display, and that was the only reason Bishop answered the call.