Blood Kin (30 page)

There was a sudden burst of laughter from farther down the corridor. Was this Ignatius’ private party?

Apparently it was. We reached another curtained doorway where the laughter came louder. The vampire held the curtain aside and gestured me through.

“After you, lady,” he said smoothly as I moved past him. The noise in the room cut off abruptly, leaving an eerie silence. Like stepping into a dark cave and knowing something lurks in the dark but being unable to hear anything.

It was too late to change my mind, so I kept walking. The conversations started again, though, to my ear, the tone now had a nasty edge to it. Avid, almost. The room was brightly lit and larger than I had expected. There must have been thirty people standing or sitting on the low sofas. Mostly Blood, though there were a few barely clothed human women and men kneeling by some of the sofas or curled into laps. No Fae. No Cormen.

Just vampires and those who came willingly to them.

Fuck.

I looked away from the humans. Nightseekers or Trusted, either way they had chosen to be here. As had I. I forced myself to look calm as I scanned the room.

There. At the far end of the room, seated in a chair that bore a strong resemblance to a throne—carved from some heavy black wood, its cushions made from an equally black satin brocade that gleamed sullenly in the gaslight.

Ignatius Grey, his long white hair falling free over his shoulders, sat in the chair, his posture a lesson in studied power. He wore black-and-white, the only color in his face the strange light brown of his eyes. Which were full of satisfaction as he surveyed his surroundings. Several of the half-naked humans sat around his feet, waiting to serve. The rest of the party seemed to keep one eye on him as they talked and laughed.

No hiding his ambitions here apparently.

As I approached, Ignatius stopped his contemplation of the room and stared at me. I dropped my gaze politely, stopping a little distance from the naked back of the woman closest to Ignatius’ feet.

“Well, well, what have we here?” he said. His voice had a rough burr, even though his accent was very correct. A little too correct, I thought. Rumor had it that Ignatius Grey had been a Seven Harbors pickpocket when he’d been human. He would have worked hard to lose the traces of the gutter from his voice.

I wondered if the rasp had been there before he had turned. It wasn’t entirely unpleasant, much as he was not unpleasant to look at, if you liked rough and brawny. The Blood do not, as a rule, turn those who are unattractive.

I dropped into a curtsey, felt the comforting weight of the razor strapped to my thigh. It wasn’t much, but it made me feel a little less vulnerable. “My Lord Grey.” Not Lord Ignatius. Not yet. I looked him in the eye as I straightened.

His gaze sharpened. “And where did you spring from?”

“My lord?”

“Come to offer yourself, have you?” He gestured around the room. “As you can see, we are not lacking in morsels this evening. Tempting though you may be.”

I hoped the shiver of disgust crawling down my spine didn’t show. “No, my lord. That isn’t my interest.”

He frowned, white brows drawing together. “Truly? Then you’re wasting my time.”

“I—I have a message, my lord.”

“From whom?”

I drew my pendant from beneath the neckline. Time to roll the dice and pray the Lady was on my side. “From the one who gave me this.”

Ignatius leaned forward, face gone still. “Go on.”

“He sends his regrets, my lord.”

“Does he indeed?”

I bowed my head, feeling triumph surge beneath my fear. Ignatius knew my father.

“Interesting that he feels it necessary to send them twice,” Ignatius continued in a flat tone.

Fuck and double fuck. I’d screwed up. Question was, could I talk my way out of it? “Twice, my lord?”

“The sa’Inviel had already sent a message. So, what are you? My consolation prize?” There was heat in his eyes now and anger in his voice. I clamped my mouth shut, trying to think.

Ignatius leaned farther forward. “Does he think he can buy me off with a
hai’salai
? He knows half-breeds are no use to me.”

I definitely didn’t like the sound of that. My fingers slipped to the flower, pressed the charm. Time for backup. “I was only told to give the message. And his assurances that all your needs will be met.”

“And if my needs include you?”

Fear arced through me.

“Ah, he didn’t mention that part to you, did he?” Ignatius’ eyes narrowed. “You must be trusting, to walk in here for him. You must think much of him.”

“Yes, my lord.” The lie stuck in my throat, but I would do anything to stall for time. Guy and Fen would find me. They would get me out of this.

“So, what will you give to walk out of here again?”

Ignatius stood. I steeled my spine. I would not step back. No retreat.

“You need the evening star’s goodwill, my lord,” I said.

“Oh? And does he value you so highly? That it would offend him if I . . . indulged myself?”

“He protects what is his,” I said with a false smile. Bravado. When surrounded by predators, you don’t survive by acting meek. “He said you were an honorable ally.”

Surprisingly, he laughed. Less surprisingly, it wasn’t a pleasant sound. “I don’t know who has been telling him tales about my honor,” he said. “But I think they have led you both astray.”

“Perhaps you don’t know yourself, my lord.” Around us, the room had grown very quiet. I didn’t dare look away from Ignatius. He moved closer to me, close enough that I could see the tiny pinpoints of red starting to flare in his pupils.

“Oh, I think I do. Much as I think he knew what would happen to you.”

Chapter Seventeen

HOLLY

My
pulse started to beat far too fast as the scent of vampire—blood and something acidic that couldn’t be masked by the cologne Ignatius wore—filled my nose. “And that is?”

He leaned in, close to my ear. “A taste. That is the price of exit, little
hai’salai.
”

His voice was edged with more than its usual rasp. There was threat in that tone. I moved backward; I couldn’t help it.
“No
.
”
The denial was instinctive.

Ignatius leaned closer. “So fast, with her refusal.” Around me, I felt the silence, if anything, grow deeper. Bottomless. A endless pit waiting to swallow anyone who made a wrong move. If the other Blood were chilled to silence by Ignatius’ tone, what should I be? My pulse sped. I had to lock my knees against the urge to run.

“He will pay more. If I am unharmed,” I said, trying to slow the pounding in my ears with a deep breath. This was about Mama. About Reggie. I had to get out of here. I had to save them.

“I do not bargain. You will pay. Or you will not leave.”

I swallowed slowly, trying to ease the acid in my throat. “Is there nothing—”

His lips drew back, baring his fangs. “I said I do not bargain. I meant it. Make your choice, halfling. I have named my price.”

This was why I avoided the Blood. They were ruthless. And I had nothing to counter with. My fingers itched toward the razor, but there was no way to attempt to hurt a Blood Lord here and survive the experience. Maybe if I were a wraith, I could manage it. But I wasn’t. The only way to survive was to comply.

My blood. How bad could it be?

Very, very bad, unless you are very, very careful
. For once, I had no argument with that little voice in my head. One dealt very carefully with the devil or paid the price. Ignatius might not be the Lord of the humans’ hell or any other, but he was dangerous beyond my reckoning. I needed to tread very carefully. Remember what I had been taught about bargaining with vampires. “There must be limits. That is the law.”

He smiled and behind me I heard murmurs from those watching us. I had no idea what that might mean.

“Such bravery. What limits are you proposing?”

Anything I could think of that would keep me alive and let me walk out of here. I was glad of my gloves, hiding the dampness of my palms. There was a trickle of sweat in the small of my back, and fear biting at my stomach.

There was a protocol. The treaties allowed for a human or Fae to control how much he or she was willing to offer a vampire. Of course, if the vampire managed through guile or the taste of their own blood to get you to forget protocol, then all bets were off. I didn’t know if the treaties specifically addressed half-breeds, but I was going to assume they did. “A taste only. Not a full feeding.”

“I do not need to drain you, my dear. I have plenty willing to sustain me.”

I didn’t like the cockiness of his tone. Was I forgetting something? “Then why ask for my blood at all?”

“I like the taste of Fae blood. It is a delicacy. And your fear will add a spice to the bouquet.”

I couldn’t deny my fear. No doubt Ignatius could smell it already. I could only show him that I wouldn’t let fear control me. Some vampires enjoyed things more when their food was afraid. Or hurting. “No pain either,” I said firmly.

“The bite always hurts a little,” Ignatius said. The amusement in his voice had eased off.

Yes, he was hoping he could make me scream. “Nothing more than that.” I didn’t know how I was managing to sound so calm. Inside I wanted nothing more than to run from the room. Run to Guy and let him take me away from the nightmare.

Ignatius bared his fangs at me, clearly displeased.

“Do you agree to my conditions?” I said.

“I will not kill you or hurt you.” He nodded. “Is that sufficient to calm your fears?”

My hands had clenched themselves in my skirts in an effort not to reach protectively for my throat. It was only blood, I reminded myself. It would not kill me. And it couldn’t hurt too badly or people would not willingly submit to it. I had survived Cormen’s beating. I could bear this.

Ignatius circled me where I stood, prowling like a large cat. I felt very much the mouse waiting to be pounced upon. Why had I ever set foot on that damned staircase?

Guy and Fen were both likely to want to lock me up for doing something so foolish.

But they didn’t understand. They didn’t feel what I felt every time I thought of my mother in Cormen’s hands. Picturing her believing whatever pretty tale he’d spun for her. That he had come for her at last, most likely. About to have her heart broken all over again.

I didn’t think she would survive it a second time.

And that was the most optimistic scenario.

More likely, he had her locked up somewhere. Had hurt her. She wouldn’t survive that either. Not and keep hold of what small parts of sanity she still had left.

I couldn’t let him break her completely.

What he might do to Reggie, who meant nothing to him, didn’t bear thinking about.

A moment or two of my own pain was a small price to pay for their safety. If I got out of here, I still had a chance to save them.

I cleared my throat, tried to make dry lips move. “Yes. That satisfies me.”

“So you agree. A taste in exchange for your freedom?”

“Yes, my lord. I give my consent.” There. I had done it now. Spoken the required words and given a vampire leave to drink my blood. Sweet lords of hell, had I lost my mind?

Ignatius stopped his circling, came to stand in front of me. The smile he gave me this time was pure predatory satisfaction. I hoped to whatever gods might listen that he would lose the fight for control of the Blood because his eyes held no lingering traces of humanity. No, this one was all about power and pain and satisfying his own urges. Not the sort of mind you want supposedly keeping the will of the vampires in check so they conformed to the terms of the treaties.

“Very good.” He retreated to his chair—throne—no, think of it as a chair, that was easiest. The movement was almost too fast as if one moment he stood before me and then the next he was in the chair. The speed made my stomach lurch.

“Come here, then.” He beckoned with one long pale finger.

I walked toward him, fighting for every step. I wanted to turn and run. Run and keep running. The gazes of the other Blood watching me, crushing my lungs. Their hunger—aroused by Ignatius’ games—smoked the air. If I tried to flee, I would be brought down in a second.

And who knew what might happen to me then? I had given my word, agreed to what was about to come. Breaking a deal with one of the Blood in their territory could leave me subject to whatever punishment they cared to mete out.

“Kneel,” he said when I was directly in front of him.

I frowned. Kneel? How could he feed from me if I were kneeling in front of him? As I hesitated he gestured and suddenly there were two vampires on either side of me. Ready to ensure my compliance. I didn’t want to be forced to my knees. Didn’t want to give any other vampire an excuse to touch me. So I knelt.

“Very good,” Ignatius said. He rolled his sleeve up, baring one wrist.

“What are you doing?” My voice quivered.

“You agreed to a taste. I didn’t say who would be doing the tasting.”

Stupid, Holly girl
. Horror washed over me. He was right. I had agreed.
Oh
so
stupid
. “No!”

Cool hands clamped down on my shoulders as I tried to rise, pinning me in place as effectively as chains. No way to break a vampire’s grip. I fought against the rising tide of panic, trying to think. “No. This wasn’t our agreement.”

“Yes, it was.” He glanced around the room. “Anyone disagree that she agreed to a taste?”

Deathly silence.

As if any of the assembled there were going to take my side of the argument. I struggled against the vampires holding me even though I knew it was futile. “No.”

“You must learn to be careful in your agreements,
hai’salai
. Did your Fae father teach you nothing?”

“I didn’t agree to this,” I said.

“Yes, you did” His voice was triumphant.

“I’ll—” I broke off, knowing there was nothing I could do. I could only make it worse for myself.

“Let her go.”

I almost fainted at the voice.

Guy.

“Hold him,” Ignatius snapped. I tried to twist around, but I was blocked by the vampires holding me. I heard the hiss of metal and several blows amidst grunts and snarls. A voice I didn’t recognize cried out once, and then there was a nasty-sounding thump.

“Let her go,” Guy’s voice repeated, cracking a little, and my heart leapt. Had he won?

Before me, Ignatius grinned viciously. I pulled again against the hands holding me, but their grip tightened painfully.

“So brave and defiant. How charming,” Ignatius said. “What do you think you can do about it, Mr. DuCaine? Your Templars won’t protect you now.”

“I don’t need them,” Guy snarled. “If you hurt her—” His voice cut off with the sound of flesh striking flesh.

My heart plummeted. “Don’t hurt him.”

“You are hardly in the position to make further bargains,” Ignatius snapped, face twisted in rage.

“Holly!” Guy yelled.

If he kept struggling they would hurt him or kill him. I had caused this mess and I held the only way out of it. Submission. It left a bitter taste in my mouth. “I will do as we agreed, my lord,” I said. “But please, don’t hurt him. He doesn’t understand.” I twisted again, and this time the vampire to my right moved so I could see Guy.

It had taken four vampires to restrain him. There was a cut over his eye dripping blood. Shit. Fresh blood. That was all we needed to add to this situation. “Guy, listen to me.”

Blue eyes snapped frustrated fury at me.

“I agreed to this. He won’t hurt me. Everything will be fine. But you have to stop fighting.”

He snarled wordlessly but stilled. I nodded at him, mouthed, “Trust me,” and then turned to Ignatius. “All right, my lord, Let’s get this over with.”

He still looked angry as if Guy’s arrival had spoiled something for him, and his movements were almost jerky if such a thing could ever be said to be true of a vampire.

He crossed to me and his hand closed into my hair, pulling my head back sharply. It hurt but I hid the wince.

“Open your mouth,” he snarled.

I obeyed.

He drew a knife from the sheath at his hip and held it up. The candles flickered off the blade and I shrank away. Vampire blood is addictive over time. Usually it is given a few drops at a time. If he was angry and did something foolish like slashing his wrist over my mouth, then it could be enough to addict me. Blood-lock me. Had that been his game all along?

He stood, staring down at me for a moment. He wasn’t looking at my face. I wasn’t sure what it was. My pendant perhaps?

“Tell the evening star that he should stop hiding behind the Veil and messengers and come to me himself.” He raised the knife and held it against his thumb.

“Drink deep,” he said, with vicious satisfaction; then the knife moved and blood welled and he let it fall into my mouth.

For a second all I tasted was blood. Warm salt and metal, but then I felt the flavor change . . . it bloomed and sweetened on my tongue and the room swam around me as pleasure swept through me, turning my limbs to liquid, spiraling into the core of me. “Oh my,” I heard myself say in a dreamy voice, and the vampires holding me let me go as I fell forward onto the floor and the orgasm took me.

GUY

I yelled for Simon as soon as we were through the front door of the hospital. My brother didn’t miraculously materialize, but an orderly appeared at a run.

“Sir—er, Mr. DuCaine,” the man said, eyes wide as he took in the scene. “What happened?”

“Get Simon,” I snarled.

Another man, a healer, also appeared. “We should take her into a treatment room.”

I tightened my arms around Holly. “No one is touching her until I’ve spoken to Simon.”

“Healer DuCaine is not on duty,” the healer—Lorenzo, I thought his name was—said tentatively.