Dark War Chronicles Box Set One (81 page)

“Tegan, I know you probably haven’t...recovered completely, but we need to talk about what happened at Markus’.”

She moved her plate onto her lap. She wished she could see his eyes, his face, anything that would give her a clue as to what he was expecting. “Other than my brother and Kaden’s sister conspiring together to put me there?” She bit out.

“Yes,” Lucius said with a sigh. “Tegan, I know you are hurting, but—”

“No, you don’t. You have no idea what it’s like for your mate to walk into your life then out. You have no idea what it’s like to be under the control of a monster, with no true free will, and you have no idea what it is like to be blind folded and unable to do most things on your own.” She growled.

“You want to do this the hard way? I’m trying to help you.” Lucius growled and her confidence shrank.

“You want to know what happened there, Master?” She couldn’t keep the snide tone out of her voice. “After I failed to kill Markus, I convinced the Father that he could not simply keep me because it was against the laws. Then he dragged me to a table and let the Circle feed off me, from there he took his own turn and it was just like old times. I was left there as a free for all for any passing vampire in Markus’ dwelling.” She started to shake and she tried to hide it by clenching her fists.

Lucius was quiet for a moment and she put her plate back on the bed. Waiting. He had kept his emotions from her since she returned and she couldn’t read if she had pissed him off or not. Finally his hand curved around hers.

“I would do anything to spare you the pain and the memories. You know that, but I also know that you are always listening, always vigilant when you are with the Circle. Did you overhear anything?”

Tegan took a deep breath and thought back. She’d managed to shake most of the effects of the Father’s powers after she’d been fed from. Lucius was right, she was always listening. “They are talking about taking over territories and killing the Originals. The Circle is backing the Father and they think that if they take out the Originals they will succeed. They...” Her chest tightened. “They have started breeding humans. It’s apparently been going on for a while, they were talking about generations and how if they could gain enough vampires they could essentially control everything. It’d be too late to do anything by the time the humans noticed what was going on.”

“Breeding? Are you sure?”

Tegan nodded, she remembered when the Father first said something about it. He had been stroking his hand over her stomach idly and a sick feeling crawled through her. “Yes. Lucius, they are planning on trying to take over all territories and cull the humans.”

He squeezed her hand and she took a deep breath.

“Thank you, that’s what I needed to know. You may go to Renee’s tonight, but you are to remain blindfolded.” He squeezed her hand. “It’ll do you good to be surrounded by someone other than Zaaren and I.”

That gave her a little bit of happiness. “Thank you.” But she wanted Kaden to be there. She knew that wasn’t going to happen. He made himself clear last night. Fresh tears tried to surface, but she caught herself in time.

“Tegan. Despite me not knowing how everything feels, I know you are not yourself right now, and for that I am sorry.” He stood and kissed her head before leaving.

Tegan sat there in silence. She wanted her Lucius back, not the vampire he turned into when Zaaren was around. Once she was sure he was gone, she laid down and willed sleep to take her.

Tegan sighed as Jaxon let her out of the car. They’d finally gotten to Renee and Coran’s townhouse for the New Year’s party after a long, quiet drive. Kassity had never been talkative, but her near death experience seemed to have shut the cat up completely. Tegan, on the other hand, hated the silence and was glad to get out of the car and into the house.

Jaxon knocked on the door and Tegan heard the music grow louder when the door swung open. She hated being blindfolded outside of the mansion, but bargaining with Lucius had been worth it. There was no Zaaren here, there was no Lucius, and really no rules. Except to keep her eyes covered.

Renee squealed and arms wrapped around Tegan. “I’m so glad you could make it!”

Tegan gave her a half hug and smiled. “It took a little doing, but Lucius finally decided to let me out. I have to be back before dawn though.” Mostly so they could make sure she wasn’t going to do something stupid.

Someone snorted. “Rules, rules, rules.” Dani’s voice sounded. “Christ, it’s amazing you rarely break them. Besides, I think a mate is worth breaking Lucius’ rules.”

Most of the room laughed. Except Tegan. Suddenly she was grateful for the blindfold, she didn’t have to see everyone hanging off their mates. Her heart hurt. She shook her head. “I need a drink.”

The hours passed by with drinks, games, and music. Tegan managed to beat Orion in chess, with Renee’s help. Come midnight, the alcohol was starting to leave a lovely warm buzz in her and she started to relax. It wasn’t fair for her to be mad at everyone else for her screw-up. She was the one who let her guard down, she was the one who thought it was possible to have a mate. She was the one who disobeyed her master to go after a mate that could never be.

Her chest tightened and she couldn’t breathe. Forcing herself to take deep breathes she tried to focus on something else, but her mind seemed determined to focus on how she deserved every minute of punishment.

“I need some fresh air.” She muttered and stood. Using the walls and counting steps, Tegan found her way to the front door and stepped outside. She shook at the thought of how these last few weeks had gone. Reliving the past, finding her mate, losing her mate, and ending back up with the Father. The pain in her chest increased and she forced tears back. What the hell was wrong with her? It wasn’t like her to lose control of her emotions, Lucius had taught her better.

Her phone rang, making her jump. She pulled it out and slid her finger up on the screen to answer the call. “Hello?”

“Tegan?”

The male voice was barely familiar to her. A Keeper of an Original Vampire. It had been over a hundred years since she had heard it. “Ayden? Why are you calling me? Why haven’t you been answering my e-mails?”

“I’ve been busy, but I have a problem, and I’m hoping you and your master can help.” He sounded panicky and his voice was low. “I know your brother has wakened, maybe he can help us out too.”

Tegan forced herself to focus on the problem at hand. “What’s up?”

“We need to move Nuala to America, we need protection. There have been many lesser vampires around her crypt and I can’t handle them all.”

Fuck. “Have the Circle members been there yet?”

“No they haven’t been bothering us, but I can only imagine that is why these vampires are snooping around. What the hell is going on?”

She didn’t know if Lucius and Zaaren wanted everyone to know, but as a Keeper Ayden should know what he was facing. “The Father has awakened. I think they are trying to take out the Originals so that he can’t be put back in his grave.” Bile rose in her throat.

“That’s not possible.” His disbelief sounded in his voice.

“Yes it is, I’ve seen him with my own eyes. Ayden, you need to be careful. Is there anyone there that can help you protect the crypt until Lucius can make arrangements?”

Silence for a few moments and she wanted to scream at him to answer her. She never thought the Circle would get close to an Original, they were all very well hidden. Even if the best hiding place was in sight. “I think I have some friends who can help. You have my number on your phone now, so please call me when Lucius has made arrangements. Make it quick, though, I want her moved as soon as possible.”

She didn’t know what Ayden’s story was with his mistress, but it sounded like love in his voice for her. Now was not the time to ask. “Of course.” It was her duty to start making arrangements for the Originals now that Zaaren was awake. No one had answered her e-mails, and over the years addresses and phone numbers changed. But she knew Ayden was closer with the other Keepers, so through him, she would be able to get to the others. “Please tell the others to update me. I know they don’t trust me...”

“I know, but we have no choice right now. Thank you Tegan.”

The line went dead in her hand and she cursed. From inside she heard everyone yelling.

“Three...two...one...Happy New Years!”

“Yeah, happy New Year’s indeed. We’re all going to hell in a hand basket.”

––––––––

L
ucius leaned against the bar. New Year’s Eve, and The Disappearing Act was empty. Part of it was the holiday, no one came here to celebrate, most of them were out taking advantage of specials the other bars offered. Part of it was that he was running the bar, not Tegan, not Mae, and not Kass. He was glad that the cat was up to going out, it meant that she’d be up for work again soon. With Zaaren awake they needed to move quicker to get things in place before the other Originals woke.

The bell on the door rang and Lucius looked up. A smile curved his lips as a man walked in, one he only knew briefly and from Mae’s descriptions. The salt and pepper hair was new, but the man’s gray eyes were still crisp and clean. “Welcome to the Disappearing Act.” Not many detectives wandered into this bar, they got more private supernatural workers for patrons, like Mae.

“I’m looking for someone, I received word she may still work here.” He pulled out a photo and handed it to Lucius.

Lucius took it and studied the picture. Kassity, with her red hair. A fairly recent picture too. If Lucius had to guess it was after the demon attack but before the Queen of Fae’s attack. “That’s Kassity, she was one of my employees.”

“Was?” The detective prompted.

“Didn’t you know that Kassity was killed some years ago? Shot in front of a government building.” Lucius raised a brow. “After she spent time in a government facility dedicated to helping shifters.” He said it as if it was common knowledge.

The detective’s eyes widened a bit and Lucius heard the man’s heartbeat speed up. Ah humans...

Lucius shrugged. “So I can’t help you. Why are you looking for her?”

“That’s police business and is classified.”

“You have a case involved in hunting down a dead woman. Some case.”

“It’s considered a missing persons since her true family opened up the case a few years ago. It is also connected to another case involving a paranormal investigator.” He handed Lucius another picture.

Mae. “You’d have to come back and ask the bartenders. I’m only covering for them tonight.” Lucius pushed away from the bar. “And if you intend on searching my bar, I know the laws.”

The detective bristled. “Of course.”

Something didn’t sit right. The detective was either lying or going behind someone’s back. Lucius couldn’t put his finger on it, but the detective gave a nod of his head and left. 

Chapter Fifteen

“So he thinks that it’s the Circle?” Zaaren asked.

Tegan nodded. She’d been over the phone call with Ayden several times. “Yes, he does. He feels like he’s in enough danger to call on our aid and since you were the first to wake, it’s my job as your so-called Keeper to help the others.” She looked to Lucius. “Which is where you come in, since you’re actually my master.”

“Well, Kassity is healed enough for her and Jaxon to go and help Ayden get him and Nuala here.”

“We can use my mausoleum to hide her.” Zaaren pitched in.

Tegan rubbed her eyes, cursing the blindfold. “You want to send Kassity into foreign land? An untamed panther?”

“If Jaxon is with her, she’ll be fine, besides, there’s trouble stirring with her in the territory.” Lucius sighed. “I need her out of sight for a little bit.”

Well, wasn’t that great? Tegan sighed. “If you want to send Kass, fine. Maybe Jaxon has connections over there?”

“Possibly, I’ll make sure to ask him.”

Zaaren laughed. “The Father has no idea what he’s facing. The other Originals will be waking soon, all of us.”

“Don’t get cocky, brother.” She snapped. “He has the backing of the Circle now, he didn’t have that last time because they feared the Originals. They all think you are weaker when you wake up. If they manage to find and kill the Keepers, than you are all screwed.”

“Sister of mine, they will never locate all the Keepers. Not to mention they are not all bound to their assigned Original.”

“And if killed, they cannot feed the blood-starved Original.” Tegan snapped back.

“Which is why having you is an advantage.” Zaaren’s voice remained even and she lashed out.

Satisfaction filled her when her fist met with his jaw. She tried again, but Lucius pulled her back. “I am not food.” She growled. “Maybe you should actually ask me.”

“Sister of mine, I love you and you know that, but that is exactly what the curse did, turn you into food for vampires.”

She ripped her arm away from Lucius and turned to leave. “I delivered my fucking message, you two can finish making plans without me. Preferably a backup plan where I don’t bleed should be added.”

Lucius watched Tegan storm out of the room. He’d never seen her physically lash out when blindfolded. “I never agreed to use her like that.”

“It’s what she was made for, Lucius, and it’s time that you start understanding that.” Zaaren growled. “Your job was to prepare her for the waking of the Originals.”

“No, my job was to protect her.” Lucius snapped back. “You had me bind her for that reason.” Lucius shook his head. “She’s been through too much these weeks and despite the fact that I agree Kaden needed to leave, it is affecting her.”

Zaaren nodded and leaned against the wall. “I agree with that. I need to kill the demon.”

“No, that’s not going to help either. She’s still angry at you.” Lucius growled. “A trap that you never told me about.”

“Because I knew you would not agree.” Zaaren shrugged. “She needed to learn her lesson.”

And she had, Lucius could feel it. But his sweet, smart-assed Tegan was now nothing but a ball of anger and bitterness. The only thing that would fix that was Kaden coming back and Zaaren disappearing. It was a shame that those were out of his control. “I need to make arrangements for Kassity and Jaxon to travel.”