Blood Wyne (42 page)
“So . . . Terrance is dead.” I took my place at the table and told them about the evening, including Serena. “I plan on handing her over to Wade, unless Roman’s ex-wife wants to take over the case.”
“So much blood the past few days. So much death.” Delilah shook her head. “But that’s what we’re here for, it seems.”
“Yeah, it seems so, doesn’t it?” I glanced at Camille. “You ready for Morio to come home?”
She nodded. “More than ready. I’ve managed to avoid Smoky knowing anything about Vanzir yet. But it’s going to come up soon and I dread it.”
“Changes, changes everywhere,” Iris said. “Speaking of which, I know we’re nearing midwinter, but can you and Smoky and Rozurial leave with me in a week or so? We’ll be back before your induction into Aeval’s Court on the solstice.”
Iris was off to search for a way to break a curse that had been laid on her centuries back, when she was in line to become high priestess of the temple to Undutar. She had been given the highest of titles: Ar’jant d’tel—Chosen of the Gods—but it had been stripped away when she was suspected of torturing and killing her fiancé. She had no memory of what happened, but until she broke the curse, she would be forever barren. And for a Finnish Talon-haltija, or house sprite, in her childbearing years, that was one of the most devastating things that could be done to her.
Now Iris had to venture to the Northlands, in search of the spirit of her lover, to find out the truth, and she’d extracted a promise from Camille and Smoky to go with her. Rozurial had volunteered, too, having spent many years in the icy northern wastes.
Camille nodded. “Yeah, we will. And that in itself should prove to be an adventure.” She turned to me. “So, big vampire party coming up in a couple weeks?”
“Yeah . . . and a cocktail party before then. And hand-fasting to plan.” I thought of Nerissa, who was tucked warmly away in Delilah’s playroom upstairs. She’d come over, waiting for me, while I’d been gone. “This is going to be one hell of an interesting ride.”
“We’re living in interesting times. The old Chinese curse, playing out in our lives. But at least I’ll be off bed rest as of next week,” Delilah said. “And that is a good thing.”
“A good thing indeed,” I said, thinking about all the things that were going on. We’d seen good and bad together, and my fears about us splitting up were at rest. I’d fought my battle tonight without them, but they’d still been there—in spirit—in my heart.
No matter whether we stood on the front line together, or whether Camille was hunting with the Moon Mother, or Delilah prowling with the Death Maidens, or even me—skimming the rooftops with Roman and dancing under the stars with Nerissa—we still had each other. And that would forever be enough.
ONE WEEK LATER
The Clockwork Club was old money, rich leather as smooth as silk, blood in Waterford crystal, warmed gently, from willing young donors who kept their bodies clean and free of toxins.
As we entered the sepia-toned ballroom, I felt giddy. My hand was resting on his arm, and I couldn’t help but be delighted with my gown that rustled every time I walked. Roman had ordered a special showing at a local gallery, allowing me to shop at night so I wouldn’t have to rely on Camille and Nerissa. I’d found a form-fitting cerulean blue cocktail dress, mermaid design with chiffon ruffles that gathered in at my knees, to blossom out in a muff of fluttery wings around my calves. The dress was beaded with clear Swarovski crystals and had cost—well, I didn’t want to think what it had cost. Roman had paid for it without blinking.
Nerissa had delighted in playing hairdresser, and my hair was loose—falling around my shoulders, a blistering tangle of curls. A silk wrap covered the worst of my scars, and satin heels completed the ensemble. She’d also laid me back, made love to me, and sated me so well that, as she put it, “If you sleep with Roman tonight, you’ll remember that I was here first.” I’d laughingly reassured her that I always remembered she came first.
Now, we came down the staircase into the ballroom and paused near the bottom.
“Lord Roman, Son of Blood Wyne, and his consort, Menolly te Maria D’Artigo.” The announcer called out our names, and a hush fell over the crowd.
We mingled, with me trying to put faces to names, until Roman led me toward the front of the chamber where what looked like an official retinue had gathered.
“See him,” Roman whispered, nodding at one of the men. “The one in black tails next to the plump lady, who would be his wife, I believe?”
The woman was lovely, if yes—plump. The man was straight shouldered and looked rather fierce.
“Yes, who are they?”
“Frederick Corvax and his wife. The new Regent sent by my mother. This weekend will be the official swearing in, and they’ll formally present at the Winter Solstice Ball. You are still expected to attend with me.” Roman tucked his hand over mine.
“Of course, no doubt.” It was going to take some getting used to—these official functions—but they were kind of fun, in a stuffy, awkward way. My thoughts drifted to home, wondering how Camille and Iris were doing. They had left yesterday, along with Smoky and Roz, for the Northlands, and I hoped they were okay. So far, Smoky hadn’t figured out what was going down with Vanzir, and that was a good thing.
Delilah and Shade were at home watching Maggie. Nerissa was there, keeping them company, and our cousin Shamas. Chase and Sharah were out on their second date tonight, and I mentally wished the detective well. We’d been through a lot the past few weeks, and I felt like I’d gotten to know him a lot better. And I—I was here, in the winter wonderland of a room that was dripping with crystal and silver decorations.
The lights went out and heavy drapes opened to show a snow-studded vignette from outside—fir trees dripping with white diamonds. Inside, a thousand Christmas lights in clear white and blue flashed on. The area cleared of those just mingling as the first song of the evening began. It was “Without You,” by David Bowie, and Roman drew me out, swirling me onto the dance floor.
If this was the pre-gala cocktail party, what the hell was in store for the actual dance?
“I think I was lying.” Roman softly spun me around the floor.
“About what?” I tensed, knowing what he was going to say, praying he wouldn’t say it. But he did.
“I think I’m growing to love you.” He reached down to nuzzle my neck, and I closed my eyes. His touch felt so good, and I liked him so much, but . . .
“Don’t get hooked on me, Roman. Please, don’t make me hurt you. You know I love Nerissa.”
He nodded, pressing his lips against my skin. “I know, I know.”
“I hope so,” I whispered, “because Nerissa owns my heart.” In the depths of my soul, every word I said rang as true as crystal. Nerissa was my chosen mate. As my thoughts drifted toward our promise ceremony, I fingered my promise ring, and my love for my beautiful Were swelled.
But Roman’s words sliced through my thoughts. “There’s no reason you can’t share your love, you know. Your sister Camille does.”
And then, before I could protest, we sped up, and the music flowed as we danced away blood and murder and the ever-present darkness in which we lived.
CAST OF MAJOR CHARACTERS
Sephreh ob Tanu: The D’Artigo sisters’ father. Full Fae.
Maria D’Artigo: The D’Artigo sisters’ mother. Human.
Camille Sepharial te Maria, aka Camille D’Artigo: The oldest sister; a Moon Witch. Half-Fae, half-human.
Delilah Maria te Maria, aka Delilah D’Artigo: The middle sister; a werecat.
Arial Lianan te Maria: Delilah’s twin who died at birth. Half-Fae, half-human.
Menolly Rosabelle te Maria, aka Menolly D’Artigo: The youngest sister; a vampire and
jian-tu
: extraordinary acrobat. Half-Fae, half-human.
jian-tu
: extraordinary acrobat. Half-Fae, half-human.
Shamas ob Olanda: The D’Artigo girls’ cousin. Full Fae.
The D’Artigo Sisters’ Lovers and Close FriendsBruce O’Shea: Iris’s boyfriend. Leprechaun.
Carter: Leader of the Demonica Vacana Society, a group that watches and records the interactions of Demonkin and humans through the ages. Carter is half demon and half Titan—his father was Hyperion, one of the Greek Titans.
Chase Garden Johnson: Detective, director of the Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigation (FH-CSI) team. Human who has taken the Nectar of Life, which extends his life span beyond that of any ordinary mortal, and which has opened up his own psychic abilities.
Chrysandra: Waitress at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Human.
Erin Mathews: Former president of the Faerie Watchers Club and former owner of the Scarlet Harlot Boutique. Turned into a vampire by Menolly, her sire, moments before her death. Human.
Greta: Leader of the Death Maidens; Delilah’s tutor.
Iris Kuusi: Friend and companion of the girls. Priestess of Undutar. Talon-haltija (Finnish house sprite).
Lindsey Katharine Cartridge: Director of the Green Goddess Women’s Shelter. Pagan and witch. Human.
Luke: Former bartender at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Werewolf. Lone wolf—packless.
Marion: Coyote shifter; owner of the Supe-Urban Café.
Morio Kuroyama: One of Camille’s lovers and husbands. Essentially the grandson of Grandmother Coyote. Youkai-kitsune (roughly translated: Japanese fox demon).
Nerissa Shale: Menolly’s lover. Worked for DSHS. Now working for Chase Johnson as a victims-rights counselor for the FH-CSI. Werepuma and member of the Rainier Puma Pride.
Roman: Ancient vampire; son of Blood Wyne, Queen of the Crimson Veil.
Rozurial, aka Roz: Mercenary. Menolly’s secondary lover. Incubus who used to be Fae before Zeus and Hera destroyed his marriage.
Sassy Branson: Socialite. Philanthropist. Vampire (human).
Shade: New ally. Delilah’s lover. Part Stradolan, part black (shadow) dragon.
Siobhan Morgan: One of the girls’ friends. Selkie (wereseal); member of the Puget Sound Harbor Seal Pod.
Smoky: One of Camille’s lovers and husbands. Half-white, half-silver dragon.
Tavah: Guardian of the portal at the Wayfarer Bar & Grill. Vampire (full Fae).
Tim Winthrop, aka Cleo Blanco: Computer student/ genius, female impersonator. Human.
Trillian: Mercenary. Camille’s alpha lover and third husband. Svartan (one of the Charming Fae).
Vanzir: Indentured slave to the sisters, by his own choice. Dream-chaser demon.
Venus the Moon Child: Shaman of the Rainier Puma Pride. Werepuma. One of the Keraastar Knights.
Wade Stevens: President of Vampires Anonymous. Vampire (human).
Zachary Lyonnesse: Junior member of the Rainier Puma Pride Council of Elders. Werepuma.
GLOSSARY
Black Unicorn/Black Beast:
Father of the Dahns unicorns, a magical unicorn that is reborn like the phoenix and lives in Darkynwyrd and Thistlewyd Deep. Raven Mother is his consort, and he is more a force of nature than a unicorn.
Father of the Dahns unicorns, a magical unicorn that is reborn like the phoenix and lives in Darkynwyrd and Thistlewyd Deep. Raven Mother is his consort, and he is more a force of nature than a unicorn.
Calouk:
The rough, common dialect used by a number of Otherworld inhabitants.
The rough, common dialect used by a number of Otherworld inhabitants.
Court and Crown:
“Crown” refers to the Queen of Y’Elestrial. “Court” refers to the nobility and military personnel that surround the Queen. “Court and Crown” together refer to the entire government of Y’Elestrial.
“Crown” refers to the Queen of Y’Elestrial. “Court” refers to the nobility and military personnel that surround the Queen. “Court and Crown” together refer to the entire government of Y’Elestrial.
Court of the Three Queens:
The newly risen Court of the three Earthside Fae Queens: Titania, the Fae Queen of Light and Morning; Morgaine, the half-Fae Queen of Dusk; and Aeval, the Fae Queen of Shadow and Night.
The newly risen Court of the three Earthside Fae Queens: Titania, the Fae Queen of Light and Morning; Morgaine, the half-Fae Queen of Dusk; and Aeval, the Fae Queen of Shadow and Night.
Crypto:
One of the Cryptozoid races. Cryptos include creatures out of legend that are not technically of the Fae races: gargoyles, unicorns, gryphons, chimeras, and so on. Most primarily inhabit Otherworld, but some have Earthside cousins.
One of the Cryptozoid races. Cryptos include creatures out of legend that are not technically of the Fae races: gargoyles, unicorns, gryphons, chimeras, and so on. Most primarily inhabit Otherworld, but some have Earthside cousins.
Demon Gate:
A gate through which demons may be summoned by a powerful sorcerer or necromancer.
A gate through which demons may be summoned by a powerful sorcerer or necromancer.
Earthside:
Everything that exists on the Earth side of the portals.
Everything that exists on the Earth side of the portals.
Elqaneve:
The Elfin lands in Otherworld.
The Elfin lands in Otherworld.
Elemental Lords:
The elemental beings—both male and female—who, along with the Hags of Fate and the Harvestmen, are the only true Immortals. They are avatars of various elements and energies, and they inhabit all realms. They do as they will and seldom concern themselves with humankind or Fae unless summoned. If asked for help, they often exact steep prices in return. The Elemental Lords are not concerned with balance like the Hags of Fate.
The elemental beings—both male and female—who, along with the Hags of Fate and the Harvestmen, are the only true Immortals. They are avatars of various elements and energies, and they inhabit all realms. They do as they will and seldom concern themselves with humankind or Fae unless summoned. If asked for help, they often exact steep prices in return. The Elemental Lords are not concerned with balance like the Hags of Fate.
FBH:
Full-blooded human (usually refers to Earthside humans).
Full-blooded human (usually refers to Earthside humans).
FH-CSI:
The Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigation team. The brainchild of Detective Chase Johnson, it was first formed as a collaboration between the OIA and the Seattle police department. Other FH-CSI units have been created around the country, based on the Seattle prototype. The FH-CSI takes care of both medical and criminal emergencies involving visitors from Otherworld.
The Faerie-Human Crime Scene Investigation team. The brainchild of Detective Chase Johnson, it was first formed as a collaboration between the OIA and the Seattle police department. Other FH-CSI units have been created around the country, based on the Seattle prototype. The FH-CSI takes care of both medical and criminal emergencies involving visitors from Otherworld.
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