Dancing Dragon (28 page)

“I make it my business to know things, Lucinda, but I will not disclose my sources. You can be assured, however, that my information is correct. The only thing that really matters is whether you want Alastair dead as much as I do.”

He was asking a lot. Nosferatins are not naturally inclined to believe in a strange vampire right off the bat, but Samson had vouched for him - even if the current situation is not one he could have predicted or feared. Still, I'd need more before I'd feel comfortable trusting this man sitting so elegantly and casually opposite me. I was sure he'd know that too, so did he think I was a push over?

“That's not going to be good enough, Viktor. You're telling me things that I have no way of confirming are true. You're asking a lot.”

“Do you want Alastair dead?” he asked, simply.

“Yes, but...”

“Then what choice do you have?” he interrupted my sentence. “Until now you have been thwarted by the Imp Prince on every occasion. I have the means for you to avoid his influence altogether. Without his ability to capture your will, he would not pose such a threat.”

OK, so that was intriguing. My reticence to get close to Alastair again had been mainly due to Lutin and the effect he has over me. If I could be sure he didn't have that ability to
capture my will
, as Viktor said, then staking Alastair just became a whole lot easier.

“What shape does this
means to avoid Lutin's influence
take?” I asked and realised belatedly that I had just asked the one question that he had been waiting for. The one question that sealed my fate, let him know that I
was
his.

"
That
, my dear, will be our means to victory."

And, I thought numbly, revenge. Because it was all falling into place. Viktor wanted to avenge his brother's death.

And he saw me as the means to achieve this, but why?

Well, two things were immediately obvious, from the shift in Viktor's demeanour, from fun-loving, story-telling, vodka-distilling vampire to this vengeful-seeking, manipulative, powerful creature before me - I could not trust Viktor Davydov. Nor, did Samson know who he had sent me off with so willingly. I could only assume, Viktor had convinced Samson of his character as there was no way my vampire would be pleased with this turn of events.

Despite the change in Viktor, I was still not entirely alarmed. On guard and a little fearful of his power, as it was obvious he had been hiding his
Sanguis Vitam
and just what he was capable of, but not panicked. Not yet. Viktor was like any other vampire, out to get the most that he could from any given situation. He wanted revenge for his brother's murder, it was obvious this was the case. He was just going about it like any other vampire would, using what tools were readily in his reach.

I was not his to command, but for now, our goals were aligned. Because I did want Alastair dead and if Viktor had a tool to help me achieve this, then I would listen. Like I said, I needed all the help I could get.

"So," I said to break the silence that had followed his last announcement. “Why haven't you killed Alastair, if you have the means to avoid Lutin's influence altogether?” I was quoting him word for word.

“Do you think I have not tried?” He didn't sound angry, there was no increase of
Sanguis Vitam
in the air, it was simply asked without inflection. “As soon as I felt my brother's demise, I came here to investigate. It didn't take long to ascertain his entire line had been culled. All evidence led to Alastair. My retribution was to be swift. I didn't delay, but I also did not count on the Fey Prince, who had remained sheltered from my initial inquiries. My first attempt was thwarted. My second almost led to my final death. And my third, the Imp Prince placed a charm upon me and mine. I cannot harm Alastair. But the fairy has not had many dealings with the Nosferatu, it has been a while since his kind has been in this realm. He didn't forbid me from aiding another.”

Viktor watched as that all sunk in. I thought about how frustrated he must feel. No vampire likes having their hands tied. To feel impotent in their desire to exact revenge. I was quite sure I couldn't trust Viktor Davydov, but I wasn't so sure that I couldn't feel sympathy. A dangerous emotion, in any case.

Viktor went on. “I approached the local Nosferatins, but by that time, Alastair had enough of their interference and the Imp Prince intervened on his behalf. They have been expelled from London City. They are unable to enter the VC. And then you arrived and the Imp Prince did not expel you. I was, of course, curious and here we are. You will not be expelled as long as the Imp Prince lives in this realm.
You
could bring the final death to Alastair.”

I appreciated that many questions were being answered. Namely, why
Citysider
was no longer here doing his job. But, I still had many more. How could Viktor help me, if he hadn't managed to do so before Lutin placed the charm?

The sixty-four thousand dollar question.

“So, Viktor, what form exactly does your assistance come in?”

Viktor simply lifted his hand - that had been resting on his crossed knees - and waved it in the direction of the Dark Duo at the other end of the car. The Dark duo sat up straighter on their sofa, but their empty brown gazes still stared straight ahead.

“Sergei and Nataliya," he stated simply. "They have only recently arrived in the city, having been elsewhere on an errand for me. They were too late to assist me in my endeavours. I will admit, Lucinda, I am not well known for my patience, had I have waited until they arrived, we would not be sitting here discussing an alliance.” - I hadn't considered he wished to make this arrangement formal, that just sent a shiver down my spine. An alliance with a vampire was not something I would willing enter into in a hurry. - “But, we are and they can help you. They are my
Tego Texi Tectum
.”

He said it like it should mean something to me. The fact that he was speaking Latin, older vampires' preferred language choice, meant I didn't have a hope of understanding the term's significance. But, I also had the feeling that had he have translated, I would probably still be equally as lost.

He saw my lack of understanding, of course, he wasn't head of a powerful line, one that included two very Dark level two vampires, without being perceptive.

“
Tego Texi Tectum
means to cover, protect and shield.” Nope, still didn't understand. “Sergei and Nataliya are able to protect themselves and others from magical influence.”

Wow. Now that was nifty. And also a little disconcerting, because my powers were a type of magic, were they not? Could they protect themselves and Viktor from my Light? I tried, no doubt in vain, to keep that thought to myself and not show fear.

“So, they can't be influenced by Lutin's fey magic?” I asked for clarification, hoping Viktor would give me the parameters of their shield.

“No, nor can anyone who is included in their cover.” He didn't elaborate further.

I decided not to push for now, showing my concern to a vampire was not a wise move. I deflected with, “How do you know this? Fey have not been in our realm for centuries.”

“The Fey have not, no, but some of their magic never left when they did.” This was true, many protection wards were based on fey magic. I had no idea what else was, but Matthias had mentioned this to me already, back in Auckland, so I didn't doubt Viktor now.

Without Lutin's influence it would indeed be easier to stake Alastair. Not easy, but definitely easier. And I couldn't lie to myself either. The idea that I could not be influenced by Lutin's charms was appealing. Hell, if I was honest, it was more than just appealing.

I had spent a great deal of effort over the past few hours blocking all thoughts of what Lutin had done. He hadn't just made my body desire him, want him when I wasn't even physically attracted to the man like that, but he had also made me feel things that I had never felt before, not even with Michel, my kindred. I know it was all magic, but it felt real and I acted upon those feelings as though they
were
real. I hated that God damned fairy, but I feared him even more.

And then of course, there was his Light. I felt drawn to it, against my own desires, I felt compelled to meld my Light with his and create God knows what. I had come so close to doing that, but Michel had interrupted it and I had been telling myself forcefully, that even if Michel hadn't come along, I would have been able to deny myself Lutin's Light. But the truth of the matter is, I couldn't then and if I met him again, I am not so sure I would be able to either.

I have suffered many things over the past few months. I have had friends die, I have had to watch them die and stand by helplessly as their life ebbed away. I have had to kill those I had considered friends. Killed by my own hand. I have had those I considered friends betray me and mine. Almost causing my death and definitely causing me pain. I had been abducted, drugged and given false memories. I had been attacked, fed upon in a blood lust frenzy and had all of my memories taken from me. I have had my kindred cast me aside and torment me, all because his Light was failing him and I, his kindred, was not paying attention to it, to draw him back from the Dark. I have had a lot happen to me and I was still here. Still standing. Still alive.

But, don't think for a minute that none of that has had a lasting effect on me. I bury most of it deep. I lock it away in a part of my soul for safe keeping. I have never been good at emotional confrontations. Some of my problems I face, but many I have still not. Lutin was one of them. And if I was honest, I feared his effect on me, even more than I feared Avery right now. I was sure at some stage my denial of the situation, the fear, would come back and bite me on the arse. A psychologist would no doubt say how unhealthy my approach to survival was. But, my father had once told me, that I should do whatever it took to survive and forgive myself afterwards.

So, Lutin had assaulted me, he may not have been successful in the end, but his intentions had been clear and he had come so close to my capitulation. I knew he would easily get what he desired eventually, I wasn't strong enough to fight the pull of his Light. Nothing called to me like that did. I had been ignoring the possible consequences, but now I had a way of making it impossible for him to ever do it again.

How could I walk away from this, even though I knew it could be a false step? How could I enter into an alliance with the head of the vampire Russian Mafia and get away with it? How could I not?

I didn't know anything about Viktor Davydov, other than what I had picked up throughout this meeting and from Samson in his house. He was Russian and the brother of the now dead-dead Boris, former Master of London City. And he had two extremely Dark, level two master vampires under his line who could shield against fey magic. I was sure there was more to this vampire than I already knew and I was also sure that I should probably run this all by Michel, who would have, no doubt, a file somewhere all about the mysterious Russian vamp. But, I couldn't walk away, even briefly to check up with my kindred that I was doing the right thing and miss the chance to protect myself against Lutin altogether.

I just couldn't.

“OK, Viktor. You've convinced me. I want in.”

As it turned out, alliances are not blood bound, like an accord. Viktor and I did not need to share blood, which in itself was an enormous relief, but we did need to exchange words. And if there is one thing I have learned in the little over two and a half years I have been involved in the Nosferatu world, words mean something to vamps. More than they do to humans.

Viktor was the one who formulated the words, probably because I had never had to before. I was conscious of the fact that I should really have been putting my own stamp on the phrases, exerting my own power and status, but having no experience in this area, I found I just couldn't think of any alternatives to voice. It seemed OK, what he was saying. I couldn't think of how it could be misconstrued and tie me to something I did not wish to be tied to. So, I went along with it, all the while praying to Nut that I wasn't making a monumental mistake.

My inner monologue had not piped up, so I had faith things couldn't get out of hand in the future.

“I, Viktor Davydov, agree to an alliance with the Nosferatin, Lucinda Monk, abiding by the rules of the Night and Day, for the duration of our combined need, beyond the observation of others. I will allow two of my line to assist where necessary in hunting the vampire Alastair, Master of this City, in exchange for the Nosferatin's promise to bring him the final death.”

It sounded pretty much what we had been discussing, there didn't seem to be any hidden meanings.
Night and Day
, referred to Nosferatu and Nosferatin, we both had an understanding of honour, alliances are based on rules of honour. Even vampires are honourable when it comes to an alliance. They've had to be, or face extinction. If their word of honour in an alliance could not be trusted, no one would have aided them in the past. They needed to keep that honour, in order to keep themselves safe. You may not be able to trust a vampire in much else in this life, but in an alliance, you could. Usually.

The alliance also had an end point, it was not indefinite.
For the duration of our combined need
. The alliance would become defunct once both, or either of us, had fulfilled our need. It could only continue if we were both agreed in that need.

The part about
beyond the observation of others
could only mean that the alliance pertained to us, Viktor and I, and no one else. At least, that's what I assumed it would mean. I hadn't heard too many alliances being spoken, but all the words seemed to be benign, insomuch as they reflected what we had been talking about and had a logical explanation in the world of Nosferatu. I couldn't see anywhere, in amongst those words, that could cause me grief in the future.

It wasn't perfect, making an alliance with Viktor, but I needed all the help I could get. And truth be told, I couldn't wait to face Lutin with Viktor's
Tego Texi Tectum
Duo at my side. I imagined he would be surprised.

So, having assessed Viktor's words, I couldn't see where this alliance could come back and haunt me, but then I'm not practised in making alliances at all. I only had my gut instinct to go on, but fortunately my gut was not causing too much concern right now. So, I had to trust that all would be OK.

I repeated my side of the alliance commitment back to Viktor.

“I, Lucinda Monk, agree to an alliance with the Nosferatu, Viktor Davydov, abiding by the rules of the Night and Day, for the duration of our combined need, beyond the observation of others. I will promise to bring the vampire Alastair, Master of this City, the final death, in exchange for two of the Nosferatu's line to assist where necessary in the hunt.”

“So be it,” Both Sergei and Natalyia attested. The first time I had heard them utter a word.

Maybe alliances required a witness, but I had heard Michel use those same words before and they had always been accompanied by a slight shift in the air, almost a wash of
Sanguis Vitam
, but I could never home in on the signature to tell.