Bad Mouth (17 page)

Chapter Twenty-seven

When Kade turned back to Val, all color had left her face. He pulled her against him,
pressing his lips to her temple. She shook and he tried to rub the tremors out of
her, smoothing his hands along her spine. He wished he could protect her from all
this ugliness, but she needed to know what was happening.

“Kade?” She couldn’t hide her anxiety. He tipped her face up.

“My father has destroyed my estate in Glacier. There’s nothing left. I don’t give
a rat’s ass about the subjugates or the Legions they became, but he killed all those
in my private service.” Rage vibrated through him. “He knows I can’t feed from…He
knows.”

Val’s arms squeezed tighter around him. “I’m so sorry. Why would he do that? And what
are you going to do?”

“I don’t know why, but I suspect he learned I killed some of his Enforcers. I have
no choice but to challenge him.” Fuck, he’d take any other way, but there wasn’t one.
Challenging his father in a fight to the death would be the toughest fight of his
life, a fight he doubted he could win.

Val tensed in his arms. “No,” she rasped. He never wanted her to be afraid, but damned
if the fear in her eyes didn’t warm him to his center. It told him she cared about
him.

“I have no option. He’s thrown the first punch. If I do nothing, I lose everything,
my heritage, my status, my life. I cannot let the
Dominorum
remain in the hands of those psychos.”

“Why you?”

“Because it’s my responsibility, my duty, Val. They’re my parents, and the
Dominorum
is mine to take. The problem is I’m too young to take it.”

“How will you get around that?”

Good question.
“Damned if I know. It’ll come to me, but I don’t have time to wait around for an
answer. I have to get to the Ancients before they know the strike is coming.” He tugged
her toward the door, grabbing her bag on the way. “Come on. I’ve got to get you home.”

“No way. I am
not
sitting home alone while you ride away to your death.” She had that stubborn look
on her face, but that didn’t make any difference. He was never going to lead her into
a dangerous situation again, no matter how slight.

“I won’t put you in harm’s way. You’re defenseless against the Ancients. I can’t take
them out if I’m worried about your safety, Val.”

She looked as though she would argue, but then her eyes clouded with tears, and she
sagged against him. He looped her bag over his shoulder, lifted her into his arms,
and took her downstairs. She never looked up, only kept her face against his throat.
A tenderness he’d never known overcame him, tightening his throat. He wanted to hold
her like this the rest of his life.

He surprised her by settling her into the passenger’s seat. She gaped when he slid
into the driver’s side.

He laughed. “What? You didn’t think I knew how to drive?”

“I just—where’s your driver?”

“Somehow his application got rescinded. Hmm, I wonder how that happened.” He sent
her a crooked grin. She smiled even though her eyes were still teary. He made short
work of the trip, weaving in and out of traffic with precision, then pulled to the
curb in front of the Towers and glanced over at Val. Her fingers had bitten into the
seat, and her back was ramrod straight. He laughed so hard, he nearly choked. She
glared at him.

“I’m sorry, baby. I’m a great driver. I promise. You know I wouldn’t let anything
happen to you.”

“But you’d scare the heck out of me. Who needs the Ancients? I thought we were roadkill.”

He kissed her hand, a wide grin on his face again. “God, I love you.” He was still
laughing as he loped around the car to open her door for her. He grabbed the bag off
the floor and swept her up into his arms. She was a bitty thing, her weight easy on
him. She stayed unnaturally quiet on the trip up to his penthouse, but he couldn’t
see her face. She had it tucked against his chest, and her pale hair fanned across
it.

He started for the bedroom, but she pulled on his shirt. “Sofa,” she said. Her voice
was muffled. He did as she asked, settling her into the cushy corner. After a trip
into the hallway, he returned with some velvety blankets and a pillow, and then he
brought her a glass of ice water.

“Hungry?” he asked. She shook her head. He crouched and lifted her hair from her face.
She’d been crying. Hard. He stroked the tear tracks down her cheeks. “Please don’t
cry. You’re killing me.”

“S-sorry. I hate to cry. I d-don’t want you to d-die.”

He sank onto the cushion next to her and hugged her tightly against him. “Thanks for
the vote of confidence, you faithless bitch.”

She laughed until hiccups took over. When she looked up at him, his heart stopped
and started and stopped and started, utterly as confused as his mind. Even with her
slightly puffy eyes, every cell in his body responded to her. She was his tiny little
fae lover, and it blew his mind that she wanted him, that she cared for him.

“If you abandon me again, I’ll castrate you with my own hands.”

He grinned. “You promise?” Her expression sobered, and he did his best to reassure
her. “I’ll come back, Val. If I have to walk naked through hell to get to you, I’ll
come back.”

His cell rang again. She rolled her eyes and curled up in the sofa’s corner. “More
bad news, of course,” she grumbled.

He answered, and it wasn’t great news, but he wouldn’t exactly call it bad news either.
Ian had flashed to the Ancients’ mansion to keep an eye on them so Kade had advance
warning if his parents gathered military force. So far, there’d been no sign of such
activity, which meant he’d be clear to challenge his father alone. However, Graham
had shown up and was welcomed into the mansion. An hour later, there’d been no sign
of the man’s departure.

Kade hung up and then debated whether he should share this news. Val cared about the
guy, and it would upset her. She snuck a sidelong look at him and bit her lip. Damn,
he wanted to lick and nip right there, too. He shook his head. She’d want to know
what was going on. Well, hell.

“Ian saw Graham go into the mansion. It’s been an hour, and he hasn’t left yet.” He
took her hand. “I’m sorry, baby. It doesn’t look good for him.”

She nodded. “He made his choice.”

“You’re taking this better than I thought you would.”

“He nearly got us killed, Kade. My heart’s not broken over him.” She twisted the edge
of a blanket in her hand. “Maybe a little bruised. I don’t understand why he’s working
for them. He had a thing for the
Domina
, but it’s still confusing. The last night I saw him, he was at the VLO late working
in the dark. I never thought to ask what he was doing.”

“Maybe nothing relevant.”

“I don’t think so, but I guess we won’t know until we get him.”

Kade leaned over her, pressing her back into the sofa. “Damn, you’re sexy.” He caught
her mouth with his, taking what he could before he had to leave. When he sat back,
her fingertips went to her lips.

“You’re so good at that,” she said.

“Gotta keep practicing, though. Be ready when I get back.” His attempt at levity did
nothing to lift her spirits.

“Just come back.”

He wished he could annihilate her worries, but it was difficult when he knew the odds
were against him. He’d have his team there in case the Enforcers showed up, but he’d
have to challenge each of his parents to take the throne from them. Even with none
of the Enforcers at the mansion, taking on two of the Ancients could end him no matter
how badly he wanted to live for Val. He couldn’t share his dread with her. He kissed
her once more, and then headed out to meet his makers, literally. And likely his untimely
death.

Chapter Twenty-eight

Val waited, but it wasn’t with an iota of patience. She wanted to scream. Her leg
tapped a mile a minute as she counted how long it would take Kade to get to his car
and head toward the mansion. He could not find out she planned to follow him, or he’d
put a stop to it. He really believed she’d sit around like a princess while he put
his life on the line. Had he forgotten that she was VLO?

No humans knew more about putting down bad vampires than the VLO.

With a scowl, she pulled out her cell and called Alice.

After getting off the phone, she pulled on a pair of jeans and tennis shoes from her
bag. Next, she raced down to the plaza to catch the ride Alice had sent her way. At
the back of her mind, she kept track of the lead Kade had on her. He wouldn’t have
flashed there. He’d told Ezra it would be five hours, and one hour had passed already
since they’d left the hospital. If he wanted to be in any shape to take on the Ancients,
he’d have to travel there the old-fashioned way.

The driver Alice had sent was truly crazy. If she’d been nervous about Kade’s driving,
this man would have imbedded her into the seat. Even so, it didn’t override her persistent
worries about Kade’s safety.

Nothing could happen to Kade, not now. He’d said he loved her. “
God, I love you
.” Those were the words she’d treasure her entire life. She’d pull that memory out
every night to kiss and stroke. She didn’t think he had even noticed saying them,
but they rocked her to her toes. And what had she done in response? She’d cried like
a baby. She was not a crier, damn it. Now if he died, he’d never know she loved him.

When the car jarred to a stop, she realized she’d lost track of time. At least her
distracted thoughts had eaten the torturous wait to get there. They’d stopped at the
base of the driveway, where they waited another torturous fifteen minutes before the
VLO’s SWAT forces arrived to meet her. Alice had ridden with them.

“I can’t believe you came, too,” Val said. Considering how Alice felt about law enforcement
officers, her presence was earth-shaking. She avoided them like the plague at headquarters.

“As if I’d miss this. This is the most excitement I’ve had since my high school prom.
Are they all here?”

“I don’t know. We’ve been waiting down here for you guys.” Val checked her watch.
Kade’s merry men had to have arrived ahead of them. “Let’s go.”

They hiked up to the dismal mansion, but not before the SWAT commander made both of
them don Kevlar vests. Val’s heart thundered and nearly beat out of her chest when
the SWAT guys kicked the door open, and she heard the clang of swords near the staircase.

Swords?

Throwing caution aside, she dodged Alice’s restraining hand and raced past the commander.
She had her pistol drawn, but wasn’t sure what good it would do if Kade was engaged
in battle. With her lousy aim, she could hit him as easily as one of the Ancients,
and if she didn’t land the shot perfectly, it would only annoy whichever vampire she
hit.

The scene at the staircase wasn’t what she’d expected. Kade’s team formed a large
circle with Kade and Olen at the center. Near one foot of the staircase, Evangeline
stood with Graham at her side. Val did a double take when she saw him. His eyes glowed
red.

Oh, Graham
. What a fool. He’d pay a high price for his deceit and betrayal.

Another
clang
of metal brought her attention to the center of the onlookers. Kade and Olen circled
each other, their eyes bright and alert, watching for the slightest weakness in stance.
It was like some barbaric medieval death match and everyone seemed content to let
them fight it out. Was this vampire custom? Kade’s merry men didn’t seem overly concerned.
Val signaled for the SWAT commander to hold back.

Ezra caught sight of her. He worked his way around to stand in front of her, bodily
blocking her from the battle scene. She shoved at him, but he stood his ground.

“Do not interfere,” he rasped. “They’re fighting for the crown.”

“I don’t care, Ezra,” she said. She pushed a paper in his hands. “I’m here in an official
capacity. I have an order for Olen’s arrest as well as Evangeline’s. I’ll have one
for Graham within an hour.” She turned to Alice who had caught up with her. “Can you
get Graham’s papers?”

“Sure thing, boss.”

“Val.” Ezra demanded her attention again. “If they don’t finish, Olen keeps the crown
whether he’s detained or not. You have to let them finish.”

Frustration bit into her. She couldn’t believe Ezra was willing to let this all play
out until his friend was killed. “And if Kade dies?”

“You have to trust him.”

But she did trust him. That didn’t stave off the terror of losing him. It suddenly
struck her that she could lose him whether he won or not. She couldn’t live with a
foot in each world, and he couldn’t join hers. If she chose not to join his, they’d
have to part ways. She wasn’t ready to leave him. She didn’t think she’d ever be ready
for that.

Her hand gripped Ezra’s and the words burst from her like floodwaters behind a dam.
“I love him, Ezra.”

He nodded. “I know that.”

“I never told him.” A panicky feeling struck her at that thought.

He smiled and squeezed her hand soothingly. “Come, let’s stand back here. He can’t
afford to know you’re here.”

She didn’t need to ask why—she couldn’t distract Kade.

The pair of adversaries were both sweating and out of breath. Both wore blood from
a few strikes that had landed at some point, but neither looked as if they were ready
to lose the battle. They faced each other with swords at the ready, though a lull
had fallen between them. Val couldn’t help scrutinizing every visible inch of Kade
for injuries. It took everything she had not to rush in between the vampires and put
an end to this senseless duel.

“Why try so hard, Kade?” the
Rex
taunted. “I will always be your better. I’ve lived more than twice your lifetime.”

Kade circled Olen slowly, most likely watching for a moment of weakness. “So when’s
the last time you’ve actually fought, Old One? Longer than I’ve been alive.”

“You can’t lead the
Immortalis
. You haven’t lived long enough.” Olen matched steps with Kade, keeping them face-to-face
He didn’t seem worried about the outcome of the battle.

“That won’t stop me from taking it.” Kade grinned in that cocky way of his, and it
did the trick, if enraging his father was the goal.

Olen roared and lunged. Val choked off a gasp, but Kade leaned into the attack. Her
man didn’t ever shy away from a fight, and he’d been waiting for this one a long time.
He kept his stance and his balance. Still he couldn’t force his father back. The older
vampire was incredibly strong. Olen swung in rapid succession several times. Kade
blocked each strike, but he seemed to be slowing down.

“You think even if you win that you can get away with creating deranged to do your
bidding?” Kade’s breath heaved as he spoke. He was losing position inch by inch as
he spoke, backing away from the power of Olen’s hits. Val’s tension ramped up so high
she thought she’d scream. “You think the masses will appreciate the bloodings you
allow with your abominations? The Legion will never respect and follow a madman who
preys on his own kind.”

Olen reeled back suddenly as if a spring had broken. Kade advanced on him, but Olen
held up a hand and lowered his sword. “Stop.”

Val thought he should keep going, but Kade did as he’d been ordered, although his
merry men readied their weapons. As she scanned the room, she noticed Ptolomy lounging
against the wall like he hadn’t a care in the world. Whose side was he playing this
evening? Her focus went back to the center of the circle until she saw movement out
of the corner of her eye.

She caught sight of Evangeline. The woman’s hands covered her mouth and a look of
stricken horror paled her face to a corpse-like color. Val had never seen the woman
have one real emotion until that moment. Graham stood beside Evangeline, obviously
clueless.

“What say you, Kade? What are your accusations?” Olen asked. Val’s attention snapped
back to the
Rex
. He seemed genuinely surprised by Kade’s words.

“Accusations? I’ve seen it
with my own eyes
,” Kade yelled. He lowered his sword and approached his father, his lips pulled back
over his teeth in a snarl. “We caught Will, a deranged responsible for several bloodings.
We had him in chains at an empty warehouse. And then your Enforcers broke in, attacked
me and my men, and shot a VLO agent. You know damn well what you’ve done, and whether
I take the
Immortalis
from you or not, you
will
pay.”

Olen dropped his sword and left his hands limp at his sides. “My son,” he said. “I
have done many terrible things in my lifetime. Humanity treated me poorly, and when
I had the opportunity to change my fate, to become, I swore I’d have my vengeance.
And I’ve had it, many times over. The grand finale was in raising a perfectly hateful
child.”

“You’re fucking warped.” Kade’s words were hoarse. Olen had wounded him, and he hated
that more than the wound itself. She could hear it in his agonized voice.

“Keeping you out of caste politics and leaving your upbringing to subjugates turned
out a sound strategy. With your strong ties to both castes and your outlook on humans,
you were perfectly groomed to dominate humanity without dividing the
Immortalis
. Sending the liaisons was our last effort to get you where you needed to be.”

“Not where I needed to be. Where you
wanted
me to be. This was never about me.” Kade tossed his sword aside. “But that doesn’t
explain why you’d disgrace the
Immortalis
.”

“I did not.” Olen’s voice echoed through the hall. “The
Immortalis
is my life. I would not disgrace it for all the vengeance in the world.”

“What do you call creating Will and sending your Enforcers to free him? Ask Graham
what happened in that warehouse.” Kade gestured in Graham’s direction. “He was there
when Val was shot.”

“Val was shot?”

Val glanced at Graham, who’d yelled the question with a look of absolute shock on
his face. “Where is she? Is she all right? Is she—”

Obviously he hadn’t seen her yet.

“What the fuck do you care?” Kade growled. “You left her to die at the hands of
Dominorum
Enforcers. You betrayed her. You’re no better than that deranged fuck, Will.”

“She wasn’t supposed to be there. That trap was for you,” Graham insisted.

Evangeline slapped Graham hard across the face. “Shut your mouth, you little fool.”

Olen straightened with a jerk, his face growing cold and stony. “Evangeline.” He’d
said only a name, but his tone made her shiver. Lord, the Ancients were scary creatures.
Would Kade ever seem that scary to her? Her eyes found him, and the sight of him warmed
her. No, she could never be frightened of him. After all she’d learned of him, she
had no doubt he’d use his last breath to protect her.

Evangeline stepped forward to face her mate. “My darling,” she said in her sweetest
voice. “We wanted revenge. You wanted a war. I only wished to give you your greatest
desire.”

“By creating abominations of our own kind?” Olen advanced on Evangeline. “You lied
to me. You tried to kill our son. You would have had me kill my own child.”

Her simpering persona dropped and she hissed. “He was useless! All these years waiting
and planning and waiting even more, but he never became what we’d intended.”

“He didn’t walk the path we’d chosen for him, but I’ve never been anything but proud
of what he’s become. He is everything a pure vampire should be. He will rule the
Immortalis
with iron limbs one day.”

“He will never have the
Immortalis
!” Evangeline shrieked, and her arm flew up, pulling a gun from the folds of her dress
and firing three shots into Kade before Olen knocked the gun from her hand.