Gena Showalter - Intertwined 02 (12 page)

“Should we wait until after the coronation?” someone else asked.

“Wait to see what?” he asked Victoria from the corner of his mouth.

She shifted uncomfortably, as he had done, and whispered, “They want to tell you about…they want you to know… Oh, this is difficult. I had hoped never to have to speak with you about this, but it was decided that, as king, you must know.”

“Know what?”

“That we are not…alone.”

Literally? 'Cause he could have figured that out on his own. Clearly they weren't yet on the same page. “You want to explain what you mean?”

“No.”

“Do it anyway.”

She sighed. “There is…something with us.”

O-kay. Time to try another route. “If I'm going to…run things—” God, he couldn't believe he was saying that, even just to get answers “—I need to know everything. So, let's try this again. What
something
is with you?”

Twin pink circles bloomed on her cheeks. “This is so embarrassing, and you might run screaming from me once you find out.”

“I've seen you eat, and didn't run screaming.”

“Yes, but this is worse.”

He didn't give up. “I promise you, nothing could make me run from you,” he said, squeezing her hand. “And you know I like you, just as you are.”

“Well, hold on to that thought.” She gazed down at her feet and kicked out as if moving an invisible rock. “First, you should note that despite the familiar trappings you see here, whatever you thought you knew about vampires from your books and movies doesn't come close to the truth.”

“So noted,” he said dryly.

Her eyes widened. “Can you be serious?”

“I'll be serious if you relax.”

The pink tip of her tongue slipped out, sliding over her lips and leaving a sheen of moisture. Of course, she didn't relax. “If you insist on knowing…”

“I do.”

“Then here it is. The truth. We are…more than bloodsucking vampires.” Her chin lifted stubbornly. Like her sister had done earlier, she practically dared him to protest. “There. Now you know.”

“Hardly. Explain.”

Again she licked her lips, her mulish vibe giving way to a nervous energy. “Aden…”

“Victoria. Just say it. Rip the Band-Aid.”

Her shoulders sagged in defeat. “Very well. We are more than bloodsuckers because we have…we have monsters living inside us.”

Monsters? “Again. I don't understand.”

“We are possessed—wait.” She shook her head, dark hair dancing over her shoulders. “I'll explain a different way. But first, the good news.”

A stalling tactic, he knew, but he didn't stop her.

“The designs you see on the walls? Well, we have them burned into our skin. All of us.”

“
You
have these marks?” He'd swum with her—and they'd only worn their undergarments—yet he didn't remember seeing any marks on her. And he'd looked. Hard.

“Yes. I have them.”

“Where? And why?”

“On my chest. And they are…wards.”

He ignored the first part of her words because yeah, he wanted to stare at the area in question, and focused
on the second. “Wards?” Aden blamed the pills for his inability to fit the pieces of this crazy puzzle together.

“As I said, we each have a monster inside us, and they are true beasts of nightmares. Humans would probably liken our condition to that of demon possession. Anyway, the wards in our skin keep those monsters contained inside us and quiet, rather than walking the earth.” Now
she
squeezed
his
hand. “Believe me, you never want to encounter one of these creatures. They are savage and brutal and crave the death of those we drink from. Destruction is all they know.”

He was quiet a moment, trying to absorb her words. “How did you get them? And do
you
have one inside you?”

As she started to reply, five men stepped forward to form a half-moon around him, each watching him expectantly. They clutched bejeweled goblets, thick red liquid swirling inside. Blood, no doubt. He smelled the coppery tang.

“You remember your council, I'm sure,” Victoria said, sounding relieved that their conversation about the monsters was over.

Not even a little
. “Of course.” He met her gaze, silently telling her they'd be discussing those monsters again. Very soon. Then he turned back to the…councilmen, he supposed they were called. They were older, almost identical to each other with silver hair, strong builds and
only slightly lined skin. Plus, their fangs were visible, poking from their lips.

Were they hungry? For him? If he'd had his wits about him, he might have been scared. No way could he fend off five determined vampires at once. Sure, his blades were anchored in his boots, as always, but those blades were useless against such creatures.

The only useful weapon he had was Vlad's ring. Oh, yeah. He glanced down at his right hand and saw the opal winking in the light. He was suddenly grateful to Riley for insisting he wear it.

“Now that Victoria has explained about the beasts, let us move on to more pressing subjects,” one of the councilmen said. Before Aden could ask what could be more pressing than monsters, he continued, “There is much we must decide upon.”

“Where will you live, for one?” another said. “Here or with your humans?”

The rest jumped right in, peppering him with questions as briskly as Thomas had earlier.

“And if you
are
with your humans, how then will we call upon you when we need you?”

“Also, you must be introduced to our allies. When shall I set the meeting?”

“Also, you must choose a queen.”

“And you—”

“Give him a chance to catch up,” Riley barked, silencing them.

Aden was surprised when the men immediately bowed their head in agreement. Two even apologized. Riley was a guard, not a prince or a vampire at all, yet they'd obeyed him without rebuke. Very interesting.

“So, to answer your questions. I'll live at the D and M Ranch, just as before,” he said, and all eyes returned to him. He traced his thumb over the ring. “I'll meet your allies sometime next week—” this week was for the witches “—but it'll have to be after school. Just let me know when, and I'll be there.” Or here. Wherever. And who were their allies? As far as he'd known, the vampires and werewolves warred with
everyone
. “As for a queen, that will be Victoria.” No question. Not that he was ready to get married. Not that he'd be king for long.

Again, she squeezed his hand.

All five councilmen frowned at him. “You can't simply pick the princess Victoria. You have yet to spend time with our other females,” one said.

“I don't need to spend time with them,” he replied. “I won't change my mind.”

“Complaints will be raised,” another said, irritated.

Aden shrugged. “I don't care.”

“Fathers of eligible daughters will rebel, for they desire a chance, at the very least, to forge an alliance with the
royal house. You don't want to cause a rebellion so early in your reign, do you?” a third asked.

“No, but I—”

“Good, good. It's settled, then.” Each of the five raised their goblets, smiling now.

He shook his head. “I don't understand. What's settled?”

“You'll meet the rest of our females so that their fathers won't rebel.”

Aden pinched the bridge of his nose. “No,” he insisted. “I won't.”

The men muttered amongst themselves for several minutes before nodding and facing him. Their determination was palpable.

“We will compromise,” the tallest among them said. “You'll meet only five female vampires, not including Victoria, each chosen by a member of the council. You will rendezvous with each girl and on the day of your coronation, you will name your favorite. That favorite shall be your queen.”

Uh, what now? Rendezvous equaled date, he suspected, and he did not want to date. And
five
of them?

“He agrees to your compromise,” Victoria said without revealing any hint of her emotions.

Aden opened his mouth to deny her claim, but the men wandered off, slapping each other on the back in a job well done.

“Aden,” she said.

His narrowed gaze swung to her. “I don't care what you told them. I'm not dating anyone else.” She was the only girl he wanted. The only one he dreamed about, hungered for…

Her expression was blank, just as it had been when she'd arrived at the ranch earlier. Only this time, he doubted she was “exaggerating” to be more humanlike. This was not a “ha-ha, let's tease” subject.

“They were right.” She released his hand, severing all contact. “If you refuse to date anyone else, families will complain, and complaints will lead to unrest. Unrest to danger. You face enough of that already.”

Was she trying to protect him again? Or was she really okay with the thought of him seeing other girls? Because
he
might pound any guy who looked at
her
into dust. Then spit on that dust. Then flush that dust down the toilet.

“I'd rather deal with the danger,” he said through gritted teeth.

“Well, I wouldn't.” Her expression remained implacable, her tone dead.

“Don't care.” She was mentally pushing him away, he realized. One second comforting him, the next seemingly done with him, and he didn't like it. For his own good or not.

“This must be done, Aden.”

“No. I—”

“Wonderful. A lovers' spat. Let's mingle instead,” Riley said, giving him a push, “and spat later.”

Aden and Victoria glared at each other for a moment. Then she nodded stiffly, and he followed suit. But this wasn't over. On any level. He was
not
dating other vampires. And she was going to apologize for acting like she didn't care. Unless she hadn't been acting. Perhaps vampires saw nothing wrong with dating more than one person.

What did he know?

She had kissed him while engaged to Dmitri, after all. But she'd hated Dmitri, and had wanted nothing to do with him. Still. If that was the case, she could be seeing someone else right now. And if
that
was the case, he didn't know what he'd do. Besides involving himself in a knock-down-drag-out.

“We'll talk about this later,” he said quietly, fiercely, before turning away from her.

She gave another stiff nod.

Silent, they entered the masses. Multiple hands brushed against him. Someone thrust a goblet at him and he grabbed it before it could fall and shatter.
Do not forget what's inside and accidently drink.

“Do I scent a…fairy?” someone suddenly growled.

He froze, Victoria and Riley moving closer to flank him.

Nostrils began flaring. Many vampires cringed. Once again, the room fell silent and all eyes landed on him. Only this time, those eyes were filled with horror and hate.

Great. The cologne must be wearing off.

The vamps backed away from him, until he and his friends were enclosed in a tight circle. Riley was rigid, ready to attack. Victoria finally exuded emotion—fear. Until the werewolf guards pushed their way through the crowd and joined Riley in the circle, facing the vamps, growling for them to stay back.

Unwavering, unquestioning support.
For me
. How odd.

One dark-haired vampire who looked to be Aden's age finally stepped forward. He ignored the wolves, his cold gaze locked on Aden. “Are you already a traitor, cavorting with our enemy?”

Aden laughed. He just couldn't help himself. If escaping repeated death-attempts could be classified as cavorting, then yes, he was.

“You dare laugh?” the boy gasped out.

“You dare question your leader?” Riley snapped.

The boy squared his shoulders and raised his chin. Though he spoke to Riley, his gaze never left Aden. “I will say what most of us are thinking. He's too weak to lead us. Anyone in this room could enslave him in a matter of minutes.”

Finally. The threats he'd expected. “Anyone in this room could try.” Brave words, foolish words, but he meant them. He would lose, no doubt, but he would fight 'til the end. That had always been his way.

“Our enemies will assume we're as weak as you are and attack,” his accuser continued. “You should never have accepted this position.”

Accepted? Ha! The position had been thrust at him, and he still didn't want it, but now wasn't the time to try to find someone new. They'd assume he'd done so because he was “weak.” “From what I'm told, fairies protect humans. Perhaps those same fairies will wish to ally themselves with you, now that you're being led by one of those
weak
humans they so love.”

Not that he was going to lead these vampires, he reminded himself. Again. God, he was digging himself in deeper just to leave with dignity.

Still his opponent persisted. “And goblins? Do you know how to deal with them?”

“Yes. As Vlad did. By sending the wolves into the forest at night to fight them.”

“And how can you send the wolves to fight them when you yourself have never fought one? That smacks of cowardice.”

“I might not have fought a goblin, but I
have
fought a vampire. Need I remind you the outcome of
that?
”

Murmurs erupted. The circle was tightened. Saliva dripped from the wolves' still-bared teeth.

Finally the boy nodded curtly and rejoined the crowd. Once again, conversations resumed, and the circle expanded. Crisis averted, Aden thought, and yet, relief eluded him. Just how long was this unspoken truce going to last?

F
OR ONCE,
Riley didn't pick up Mary Ann to take her to school.

Had he heard about last night already? Was he angry with her?

Or had he been hurt at the vampire mansion?

Stomach churning
…

By the time Mary Ann realized he wasn't coming, Penny had already left. Which gave her two options. Walk alone, miss most of first period and be considered absent, or let her dad drive her, and deal with the tardy slip. Either way promised absolute mental torture.

She was a perpetual early bird. If she wasn't ten minutes early, she considered herself late. But trying to converse with her dad…ugh. He'd ask how things were going with Riley; he wouldn't be able to help himself. She wouldn't have an answer. Not now. So he'd feel obligated to mention sex, condoms and STDs. Again.
She would burn to ash with embarrassment, so of course she'd be late forever since she would be
dead
.

In the end, she decided to walk. Her dad didn't try to stop her, but he did thrust an apple into her hand as she flew out the door. She still wasn't hungry, so she chucked the bright red fruit the moment she exited the neighborhood. A stray dog would appreciate it, rather than vomit at the very thought of taking a bite.

If she didn't develop an appetite soon, she'd have to talk to someone.

Sighing, she picked up her pace. She stuck to the main roads, which would shave at least ten minutes from her walk time. Since Riley had pounced into her life, she'd stopped taking this path.

Where are you, Riley? Are you okay?
How had Aden handled the introductions? Had anyone attacked him? Mary Ann hated that she'd been left behind. Next time she'd… What? she thought dryly. Demand they take her or she'd give them the silent treatment? Cry alone in her room?

The school parking lot was full when she arrived, but there was no one out front and the halls were empty. Which meant the tardy bell had rung a while ago. As she reached for the front door, she paused. Frowned. Something warm and powerful was wafting through her, filling her nose and mouth and sliding sweetly into her stomach.

Delicious
. For a moment, she closed her eyes, savoring. There really was no reason to eat when she experienced
this
. With every inhalation, she was stronger, better, happier. Then she recalled what had followed this same sensation last night, and dread overtook her.

The witch was nearby.

Mary Ann gulped and spun, hands fisting as Aden had taught her. Her gaze darted across her surroundings. Sunlight shone brightly, those stupid blackbirds singing overhead.

The yellowing grass stretched before her, interrupted only by a large oak. Perhaps she'd been mistaken. Perhaps she was wrong and—

The witch stepped from behind the trunk, and their gazes met, locked, clashed. Mary Ann's heart thundered in her chest. This morning the witch wore a plain red T-shirt and jeans. Long blond hair curled over her shoulders, stopping at her waist. Sun-kissed skin soaked up the bright light haloing around her.

“I've been waiting for you.” A musical voice, yet it dripped with anger nonetheless.

Every instinct she possessed demanded she run. Last time she'd spoken to this woman, she'd been cursed with death. Still, she held her ground. She'd wanted to question a witch. Now she could.
Without
resorting to kidnapping. “Why?”

“Oh, no. You aren't the one who will be given answers. I am. Why were you spying on me last night?”

Mary Ann squared her shoulders and raised her chin. Time for a little bravery—whatever the price. “You placed a death curse on me. Why
wouldn't
I spy on you?”

A gleam of admiration brightened the witch's eyes. “True.”

“And I
will
be given answers. You commanded my friend to attend one of your meetings, yet never told him when and where that meeting will be held. Tell me, and I'll tell him.”
Please, please, please.

“I don't have the information you seek.” The witch never took a step, yet the distance between them was suddenly cut in half.

Mary Ann raised her chin another notch. “You're lying.”

“Am I?”

Yes, she had to be. “Do you
want
us to die?”

“Maybe.”

“Why?”

“You are friends with a vampire, a werewolf, both enemies to my kind, and a boy who draws us with a power we have never encountered before. To echo your question, why
wouldn't
I want you to die?”

Her teeth ground together as her own strategy was used against her. Time for a new angle, she supposed.
She forced her expression to clear, her tone to gentle. “What's your name?”

“Marie.”

Mary Ann was surprised by the simply stated answer. “Well, Marie, you should know that we're going to do everything we can to stay alive.”

“As would I.” Marie's head tilted to the side, her study intensifying. “Do you know what you are, Mary Ann Gray?”

Hearing her own name used, when she'd never offered it, was jolting. “Me?” She laughed; she just couldn't help herself. “I'm human.” Average in every way.

“No. You're something more. I can feel you feeding on me.”

Her eyes widened in horror. “
Feeding
on you? Are you kidding? I am
not
a vampire.”

“I didn't say you were. But you
are
attempting to drain me, and I won't allow it.” With every word, Marie's voice sharpened.

Drain her? What— Oh. Yeah. “Drain” must mean “mute” in witch-speak. “I don't mute natural abilities, so you should be able to—”

“Do you purposely misunderstand me? I said nothing about muting. You are sucking at my life-force like a vacuum, trying to take everything and leave a mere shell behind.”

“No. I'm not.”

“Continue to lie to me, and I'll cast a truth spell on you.” Now the witch's voice slashed. “Never again will you be able to lie about anything to anyone. Ever.”

Could she really do that? Mary Ann experienced a wave of fury, of frustration and helplessness. And with the emotions, more of that sweet power flowed through her, filling her up, somehow soothing her. “I'm not lying now. I'm not…sucking at you.”

“Perhaps you haven't yet realized what you are, then.” Marie's eyes narrowed as she backed away, heading into the forest. Odd. She was pale now, her beautiful tan visibly fading. “If you return to town, I'll assume you're there to finish this.”

Finish this fight between them, she meant. “You will assume correctly.”
Shut up. Just shut up before she attacks!

Mary Ann couldn't, though. She would not be the weak link anymore.

Marie disappeared behind the branches and leaves, and Mary Ann spun, quickly jetting inside the building. To safety. What had Marie meant by “perhaps you haven't yet realized what you are”?

Riley might know. He had arranged his schedule to match hers, so, if he'd come to school, she'd get to talk to him during class.

The second period bell suddenly rang.

Doors flew open and kids raced into the halls. Lockers creaked open and slammed shut. Mary Ann had to fight
her way through the crowd. Great. She'd missed first period entirely, and she had a test tomorrow. Great. Mr. Klien, if he'd come to school after partying so hard last night, would have done a review today. Without that review, she would flunk.

Schoolwork didn't come easily for her. She had to slave for every A, and slave hard, but she hadn't been studying the past few weeks, her attention too focused on, well, staying alive. Last test, she'd gotten a B. Her first. And the last pop quiz? Solid D. Another hated first.

She hadn't told her dad yet. When she did, he would flip. Make that
if
she did. She kept telling herself he was better off not knowing. He had enough to deal with. Besides, she would ace the next one and her overall grade wouldn't be affected.

Oh, who was she kidding? As her peers headed into their next class, she finally admitted the truth. She hadn't told him because she didn't want the hassle of being lectured, maybe even grounded. And hey, maybe Marie really had cast a truth spell on her. Now she couldn't even lie to herself.

“Hey, Mary Ann.” Brittany Buchanan walked briskly down the hall, grinning, a paper outstretched in her hand. Her chin-length red hair was the envy of every girl at school. Well, not her twin sister. Brianna's hair was the exact same color, only longer. “Glad I ran into you. Riley asked me to take notes for you in Chem.”

“Riley's here?” she asked, claiming the paper.

“Yeah.” The redhead sighed dreamily. “I almost passed out when he spoke to me. That boy's voice is
deep
.”

Thank God he was here. If he was here, he was okay. “Where is he?” And why hadn't
he
delivered the notes? Why hadn't he picked her up this morning?

“Don't know. But, uh, are you two, like, dating, because…” Brittany bit her bottom lip. “Yeah.”
Hands off!
“We're dating.” She hoped. After last night, though, he could have changed his mind. She'd been so sure of herself, so stupid. She may have ruined everything. Now witches were even visiting the school. “Thank you for the notes. I owe you. Big time.”

“No problem. And as for payback, if Riley has a brother, you could, I don't know, introduce me.” Brittany started biting her lip again.

“He has two.” And both were dealing with curses of their own, she recalled. Anyone they were attracted to would think they were ugly. Anyone they weren't attracted to would think they were gorgeous. “I'll see if they're free.”

“Thanks!” A grinning Brittany flounced off.

Mary Ann rushed to her locker, threw her bag inside and grabbed her book and binder. The halls were now almost empty, the bell due to ring in less than a minute.
Too much time gabbing, she thought, and she had to haul butt into the three hundred building.

As she barreled around a corner, a door in front of her opened unexpectedly. She stumbled as she darted around it—or tried to. An arm reached out, hard fingers banding around her wrist and jerking her into a darkened room. The moment she was inside, the door closed, locking her in with her assailant.

Her textbook thumped to the ground.
Crap!
She could have used it as a weapon.
Do something. Quick!
Fighting panic, trembling, Mary Ann struck, slamming the heel of her hand into the guy's nose, just like Aden had taught her.

He howled.

She stilled, recognizing that howl. Her heart slammed against her ribs. “Riley?”

“I think you broke my nose,” he said, but he sounded amused. That amusement didn't last long, however. He flipped on the light, chasing the shadows away, and she saw that his expression was etched in violence. His eyes were narrowed, lips pulled back, teeth bared. Didn't help that blood poured from his nose.

“I'm sorry. You just, you scared me!”

The tardy bell rang, and she wanted to curse.

“Don't be sorry,” he growled. “Be proud. And I'm sorry I scared you.”

He didn't sound apologetic. He sounded just as violent
as he looked. She glanced away, needing a moment to calm, and saw that they were in a supply closet. The scent of disinfectant saturated the air. Cleaning supplies lined the shelves.

Deep breath in, out. Finally, her trembling eased and her heartbeat slowed. “Why are you so upset?” she asked, keeping her eyes away from him.

“I'm not.”

She ran her tongue over her teeth. Someone needed a truth spell, and it wasn't her. “So where were you this morning? I waited.” And waited. Oh, God. Did he hear the whine in her voice?

“After the vampire gig, I had to escort Aden home. As there was a wee bit of opposition from his new subjects, I was afraid someone would follow him and try to take him out, so I ended up camping outside his window all night and all morning.”

Her hand whipped up to her throat as her gaze once again clashed with his. “Did they? Try to take him out, I mean?”

“No.”

“So he's well?”

“Well, but tired. He still sees the fairy ghost, and that ghost prevented him from sleeping.”

Tired and ghost-whispering were far better than mortally wounded. “Where is he now?”

“Here.”

“With Victoria,” she said with a nod. A statement of fact, not a question. Those two were always together.

“No. Victoria didn't attend today.”

“Why? Was
she
hurt?” And why wasn't Riley with her? Usually Riley glued himself to the vampire's side, protecting her his first priority.

Tendrils of jealousy worked through Mary Ann, followed by tendrils of guilt. Their relationship shouldn't bother her. They were princess and bodyguard. If Victoria were injured, Riley would be punished. Perhaps killed.

Or maybe things were different now, under Aden's rule.

“Physically, she's fine,” Riley said. “Our councilmen want her to stay away from Aden so that he can date other people.”

What?
“And she's okay with that?”

Riley's lips twitched. “You'll have to ask her.”

“If Aden's king, how can the councilmen tell her what to do? He wouldn't allow it.” Would he?

“Aden doesn't live in our home. He's new and no one knows what to make of him. Everyone is looking to the councilmen for answers, and right now, they support him. We don't want that to change, so we're catering to their desires. Besides, to deny them would cause unrest among the people. That unrest would be dangerous for Aden.”

Still. Having to watch your boyfriend date other girls? Absolute torture! The thought of Riley with someone else…her hands curled, her nails cutting past skin. “Well, you could have called me. Let me know you weren't coming for me.”