Blood Revolution (God Wars, #3) (22 page)

"I've sent the photographs and plate numbers to local law enforcement, so they're all looking for it," Bill said. "The trouble is, these guys are overworked now, and one more car added to a long list won't get priority. Since we don't have much information, I don't really have any excuse to maximize the search."

"What the hell do you think they're up to, if somebody is posing as Saxom?" Trajan asked.

"They want to get your attention, one way or the other," Hank spoke up for the first time all evening. "You say this one was vampire, and you're not completely sure he's actually dead? It may be a trap." Hank leaned back in the leatherette booth and sighed.

"That thought has crossed my mind, too," Bill said. "We already know somebody paid to have me killed—the Grand Master says Zach Tanner wouldn't lift a finger without the promise of big money. I have no idea whether this is connected, but it sure looks suspicious."

"I figure Obediah sent Zach," Winkler observed. "That means the hit is still active. Obediah likes his money, almost as much as he likes buffalo meat. Zach's death probably pissed Obediah off, whereas before, it was just a business deal. Now it's personal."

"Nothing like a vendetta, is there?" Jayson said.

"You'd know," Trace nodded. "Dude, I can't decide what to think about that video."

"That was a violation of privacy, that's what you should think about it," Hank said.

"True, that," Trace nodded. "I don't know if anybody might pass scrutiny, if their private life was splattered across the television."

"My mother needs therapy now," Jayson slapped his napkin on the table. "She knew about my preferences, but there's nothing like shoving it in the public's face, is there?"

"Jayson, enough," Bill said. "We're here to do a job. I've got people on that, for damage control."

"Yeah." Jayson sighed.

"Want to work out your aggression in the dojo after we're done here?" Trajan asked.

"Yeah," Jayson nodded.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

"How did you manage to keep this from us?" Cecil demanded.

"There was no guarantee that the attempt would succeed—you know the odds," Wlodek answered, his voice turning cold. The regular meeting was over and when requested, Gavin had ushered me to the center of the Council chamber, where I faced all eight members plus Wlodek. Surprisingly enough, Gavin remained standing next to me while I was scrutinized and the questions began.

"Once she survived the turn, we waited—you know how fragile suicide attempts can often be. We did not know whether she would choose to survive."

"She was turned shortly after the book's release?" Susila asked.

"Yes."

"It was wise to wait this out, for obvious reasons," she nodded. "It would only raise hopes, just to dash them again if the turn was not fully accepted."

"Lawrence and I discussed that, when he notified me," Wlodek said. "I was made her guardian, in case anything happened to him. Fortuitous, as it turns out."

"You and Lawrence were close, as I recall," Oluwa said.

"We were. His death was a blow. Gavin tracked his killer, and dispatched the rogue before bringing Breanne to me."

"Are her lessons proceeding well?" Jarl asked.

"Her lessons are current," Wlodek said. "There is no cause for complaint or concern. However, there have been discoveries of late, and we are fortunate that Lawrence thought to test her before his demise."

"Test her?" Montrose said. "In what way?"

"Tell them, Gavin, since you have observed this firsthand," Wlodek instructed.

"She is a talented mister and mindspeaker," Gavin announced. "She traveled to San Francisco with me on a recent assignment, and assisted in taking down rogues."

"Which rogues?" Nestor's eyes narrowed.

"Keir Arthur and Oscar Forde," Gavin replied evenly.

"We've been searching for them more than two years," Flavio broke in. "Has Director Jennings been notified?"

"Yes. There are other developments on that front, however," Wlodek said. "If you have further questions about Breanne, now is the time, as important information must be disseminated before we adjourn."

"Who was the woman who appeared on that news segment in San Francisco? She looked very much like this one, here." Cecil wasn't done, yet. He suspected something, he just didn't know what.

"The news reported on that earlier, claiming the woman was an actress planted to make everyone believe that Miss Hayworth had returned," Wlodek replied smoothly. "Charles has the video, should you wish to view it."

"I wish to witness the misting," Cecil said.

"Breanne, turn to mist," Wlodek laid compulsion. Well, it was trained monkey time. I turned immediately to mist. Gasps erupted—nobody was used to anyone turning that quickly, because they didn't remember Lissa.

"Now," Wlodek continued, "lift Gavin into your mist." That was the new trick, and Wlodek was waiting to spring it on the Council. His other misters couldn't perform that trick—they could only turn themselves to mist.

"This is preposterous," Cecil stood and declared when Gavin disappeared.

"Not preposterous," Wlodek replied smugly. "Breanne, release Gavin and reappear." I did both those things. Gavin seemed unflustered and none the worse for wear when I let him go and appeared at his side.

"Take Cecil, now," Wlodek nodded toward me.

"Of course, Honored One," I nodded to Wlodek and went to mist again, before flying toward Cecil and lifting him up. We hovered briefly over the others before I set him down again—as gently as I could. He was a dangerous asshole, and I had no desire to draw his interest. I was enough of a target as it was.

"That was—enlightening," Cecil squared his shoulders. The others stared at him while I reappeared at Gavin's side. "What about the mindspeech?"

"Breanne, send mindspeech to Cecil. Send the same message to me and the others," Wlodek barked.

I am at your service, Honored One
, I sent to the entire Council. Cecil blinked in astonishment, but there was no way he could deny he'd received the message.

"Astounding," Flavio breathed. "None of the others can send to anyone except another mindspeaker."

"What is your name now, my dear?" Marcellus was the first to speak directly to me.

"Breanne Arden," I replied.

"Very good," Marcellus nodded. "A suitable name, I think. Will she be trained to assist our Enforcers and Assassins?" He turned to Wlodek.

"That is our goal," Wlodek said. "Talent such as hers will augment our existing staff admirably."

"Have you taken over her teaching?" Marcellus asked.

"No. Gavin and Charles are working in tandem to provide instruction. Breanne will be with one or the other for the remainder of her training period."

"Did you make that assignment?" Susila asked.

"No, both volunteered," Wlodek replied. "Charles will see to the bulk of her lessons, while Gavin will train her in combat techniques. She is already quite fierce, with only a minimum of instruction."

"Charles, you have never taught a vampire before," Nestor pointed out.

"I have reviewed every record of every vampire trained in the last three hundred years," Charles didn't even look up from taking notes. "I know all the rules, and have been notified of every breaking of those rules, filed the complaints and witnessed every punishment meted out. Do you think I cannot impress upon a new turn the seriousness of the laws?" Charles lifted his head and turned to Nestor, then.

"I was only concerned for the well-being of the turn," Nestor bluffed.

"Then your concern is noted," Wlodek said. "There are other, more serious matters to attend to, if there are no further questions regarding our newest female?"

"This sounds rather ominous," Cecil said.

"It is. I have communicated with Director Jennings for the past two days. It seems that William Winkler has been spied upon recently. The vehicle involved, which appeared suspicious, has been tracked and the plates identified. The car was registered to Saxom Meletius, and we can uncover no other information, except that name."

Chapter 11
 

Breanne's Journal

"That was interesting," Charles placed his laptop bag in a corner of his office and blinked at me with a sigh.

I'd followed Gavin to the side of the cave again while the Vampire Council erupted in heated discussion. After reading them, I realized that they never did that—their emotions were generally tightly controlled. Saxom's name was the hottest of hot buttons for the vampires present, and I learned, both through readings and listening to the chaos, that Saxom was a very bad vampire.

"That almost gave me a headache," I muttered, dropping onto Charles's single guest chair.

"Don't let it upset you, they're just a bunch of old, fusty vampires," Charles said. "How about some blood?"

"No," I moaned and dropped my face in my hands.

"If I let you get by without drinking extra tonight, you have to make up for it tomorrow evening," Charles informed me. "It would be better to drink a little tonight."

"Fine." I lifted my head and worked to calm my gag reflex.

"Good. Go to the kitchen and pull a bag from the refrigerator. I'll drink what you don't."

"Okay." I rose from the chair and shuffled out of Charles's office.

* * *

Baby?
Hank's voice came to me as I opened the door on a refrigerator the size of Rhode Island.

What?
Did I miss him? Horribly. Was I still mad? Yeah. Some. A little.

What are you doing?

Getting a disgusting bag of blood out of a fridge so I can drink some of it
, I replied.

You don't like that, do you?

What part of disgusting eludes you?

Hank's mental chuckle sounded heavenly.
What are you doing?
I sent back.

In Dallas with Bill. I wanted to tell you that Jayson lost his job with Rome Enterprises. Have you seen the video?

What video?

Thought so. Janine managed to record Jayson and Belinda having fun. It's all over the news stations and the Internet, now.

Oh, no
, I said.
I swear I want to punch that bitch
.

You'll have to stand in line. Bill hired Jayson as a full-time temp, but everybody recognizes him, now. That's not a good thing for a special agent
.

I get that. Look, maybe I can do something about that in a couple of hours. Where are you in Dallas?

Hank rattled off an address.

I'll be there as soon as the vamps go to sleep, okay?

Baby, if you can help with this, I'll give you the biggest kiss ever.

Is that what it takes? Damn. I thought you just didn't want to get your mouth dirty.

Bree, I'd like to swat you for that. You know I won't. You taste like heaven to me. If you were here right now, my mouth would be all over you
.

Look, I have to get back with this blood or they'll think I've gone rogue. Around here, that's not a good thing.

I'll see you in a couple of hours, then
, he said.

* * *

"Ready?" Charles grinned, the tips of shortened claws poised above the tube on our bag of blood.

"No." I hugged myself.

"Hey, come here," Charles said, setting the blood on the edge of his desk and motioning me forward.

"Why?" I stayed where I was and hugged my ribs tighter.

"You think I'm going to hurt you. Or scare you. I won't, I promise." He took a step toward me. I took a step back. The fact that he'd lured me in with soft words and then bitten me still stung. That didn't take into account how much it had frightened me. The climax? It wasn't worth the fear.

"I didn't want to scare you any more than I had to," Charles spoke softly. "I know I did anyway. Come here, love. Let me take care of you."

I blinked. Charles was right in front of me, taking my hands and pulling them away from my waist. "Shhh, there's no need to be afraid. I won't bite again unless you ask me to. Why don't you bite me, instead? Right here," he tapped the side of his neck. "You can smell it, can't you? The blood, right beneath the surface of my skin? You won't hurt me, I promise."

"But," I whimpered.

"No, darling. Put your hand here, at the back of my neck, to hold me still. If I move during the bite, the skin will tear." He placed my left hand on the back of his neck. "Grip firmly, so I can't move," he instructed, leaning in to kiss my forehead. "Don't let go," he added.

I gripped the back of his neck firmly with my hand. "Now, look me in the eye and tell me you won't hurt me," Charles breathed against my temple. Keeping my grip on his neck, I leaned back far enough to look into his eyes.