Shadow's Light (26 page)

“So,” he said, eyeing Aliath, then returning his gaze to me. “Michel is alive.”

For Jett, that was probably the main issue. His Master, the vampire he had inherited the title of Master of Auckland City from, was alive. This was going to be tricky. Not that I thought Jett was the kind to push Michel out, but he'd had time to fill Michel's boots. He had taken over the reins and now was firmly in the driving seat of the Durand family line. Michel being back would affect him, no matter how happy he was to hear the news. I had no idea what the political ramifications were going to be, but the personal ones were already quite complicated.

“Yes,” I answered him and sat back down on the sofa. “Except we don't know where he has returned to in this realm. I ended up in Rio with Aliath,” I waved toward the fairy, “a
Dökkálfa
Grey Lord as escort. But, I have no idea where he has gone. I can only assume he
is
here as Queen Sofiq made an accord with us to that effect. I can't believe she would lie or break it.”

“She would not,” Aliath added from the corner. Still not moving or touching a thing. “He will be wherever my Aunt has chosen for him to be.”

Ah, well at least I now knew he was Sofiq's nephew, but his tone, when he said
Aunt
, made me wonder just how close the two of them were. I was sure he had gritted his teeth. Still, he could have mentioned the bit about Michel definitely being somewhere on Earth earlier.

“Good to know,” I said without looking at him. I so hated fairies, being civil was taking its toll.

Jett's eyes sparkled at my retort. I think he knew me pretty well by now to know I had little time for the Grey Lord at my back.

I retold the past two months to Jett. I was getting pretty good at only mentioning the pertinent information and leaving out the crud. I was even able to explain the
kvángask
without too much of a hang up. It was getting to the point where I felt it had all happened to someone else. I was a little removed from the mess my life had become.

Nataliya came in with a
Borscht
soup and flat bread and insisted Jett give me space to eat. He didn't argue, moving aside so I could eat where I was sitting without being crowded. Instead he went over to the fairy. Being the Master of the City he had more power than any other vampire in the room to call upon if needed. Whether he was afraid of Aliath, I couldn't tell, but he was the first of the vampires to approach him.

“So, Grey Lord, you visit our realm for the first time. How find you it?” he asked, his voice guarded, but sure.

I hadn't thought about the fact that it would probably be Aliath's first visit to the mortal realm. He was still probably centuries old, but for millennia the
Dökkálfa
had been held prisoner by the
Ljósálfar
and for most of that time the portals had been closed. I was betting Aliath was born into captivity, never having had the chance to explore like Lutin had. No wonder he was so reticent to touch a thing. It all would have looked lethal from his naïve eyes.

“It is intriguing, vampire,” Aliath replied neutrally.

“Wait until you see down-town Auckland on a Friday night, that'll blow your fairy mind.” I think Jett was teasing him, but his tone turned serious when he spoke again. “What plans have you here in my city?”

I could feel Aliath's gaze on my back. It didn't help that every time he looked at me Marcus tensed, ready to break his neck. Or at least try. Very protective were my personal guards. They'd lost me once, I was betting they weren't planning on letting me out of their sight again any time soon.

“I am hoping my time here will be limited and that the
mœðr
...” “Nosferatin!” I chimed in. “...will obtain what my Queen desires. The consequences for failing would be harsh.”

“We'll have none of your threats here, Grey Lord,” Jett admonished. “What is it that you are hoping Lucinda will obtain for you?”

I didn't let Aliath reply, he'd only get on Jett's nerves. Like he did mine. “I'm bait for catching Lutin. Sooner or later he'll turn up trying to claim his
elska
and then the
Dökkálfa
can take him as hostage in their war.” The sooner the better, but I wasn't sure how to advance that desire.

“How do you want to play it, Luce?” Jett asked, walking back over to stand in front of me. “We are at your command.”

I looked up at him, a spoonful of delicious beetroot soup halfway to my lips. “What do you mean you are at my command?”

“As Michel's kindred Nosferatin, you have claim to his line. Command us how you wish and we will obey.”

“But you're in charge of the line,” I protested, soup on spoon still hanging in mid-air.

“I have been caretaker, yes, but I have yet to take any of his vampires into my own line.” He shrugged then. “It just felt a bit too soon.”

I let the spoon clatter back down into the near empty bowl and Nataliya came and swiped the tray away before I dropped the whole thing to the ground. Jett hadn't taken over Michel's vampires? But, he'd been caring for them. I couldn't begin to unravel how I felt about that. The fact that no one had just simply picked up their lives and carried on as though Michel's 'death' was just a blip in the road was astounding. Beautiful. Absolutely heart warming. It was a testament to how they all felt about him as their Master. It warmed my heart.

But, Jett had forgotten one important factor.

I cleared my throat. “But, I'm no longer joined to him. I'm not his kindred Nosferatin anymore.”

Jett crouched down in front of me and took hold of both my hands. He smiled, an indulgent smile, as though he was about to talk to a little child.

“Luce. None of us is bound to him by blood anymore, but that does not mean we are not his. Just because you no longer share a joining and Bond with Michel, does not mean you are not his kindred. As we will always be his vampires, you will always be Michel's kindred.”

I'm not sure what it was. His words. Words which vampires always believe hold more strength than any human would consider. Words that carry weight. But, as soon as he spoke them, I knew they were true. I'm no vampire, what I perceive is not necessarily true. But to vampires, it is.

I was Michel's kindred no matter whether we were joined or not. And they were his vampires, mine by right to command.

“This is going to be complicated, what with you being the Master of the City and all,” I said in reply and Jett chuckled.

“When has life not been complicated with you in it, Luce?”

True. But still.

The phone in the kitchen rang and Matthias went to answer it. At the same time my cellphone rang and I fished it up off the side table to check who it was. Amisi.

I answered at the same time Matthias did. He was walking back in the room with the cordless to his ear.

Amisi didn't wait for a hello, she launched right in.

“Michel's at the
Iunctio's Palais
in Paris,” Amisi said right as Matthias announced, “The Champion has got him.”

I wasn't sure whether to be relieved or scared. He was here in our realm, but within my scariest nightmare’s grasp.

The Champion did not play nicely and by the way Matthias had said it, I was betting she didn't want to share.

Too bad. Michel was mine. I don't share either.

“We have to go to him.” Freshly brewed coffee in hand, I was barely able to sit still on the couch and drink it. The idea that Michel was being held by the Champion in Paris was too frightening. The desire to go to him immediately, overwhelming.

“Let's think about this for a minute,” Jett said from an armchair opposite me. He was also drinking a coffee made by Nataliya. I was going to have to let Nataliya know how essential she was to my wellbeing and stable state of mind. She always seemed to deal with the small background issues, like food and comfort. Without her, I would surely never eat or drink at all.

It was surprising, Nataliya certainly didn't look like the nurturing kind. She looked lethal and threatening, just like her brother. Only a feminine version of the dark swarthy skinned, dark haired, square jawed and harshly handsome features Sergei bore. Both were capable warriors, but both were fiercely protective of me. It hadn't always been that way, when I first met them, they were prepared to kill me.

Now, Sergei organised my protection squad, commanding Marcus and Matthias, organising their roles around my life. And Nataliya had taken it upon herself to care for my human needs. Ensuring my good health, while her brother ensured my safety. Both had missed me in my absence, like Samson had. But neither had chastised nor had shown disappointment on my return. Well at least, not yet. They had simply fallen back into the roles they had created for themselves in my line.

I was truly blessed.

I looked back at Jett, trying to decipher his meaning. “What is there to think about?” I asked. “He's being held by the Champion, he needs to be rescued.”

Jett glanced at Samson. “What does Alain say?”

“Michel is comfortable, but confined to quarters. He is unsure why. His team is investigating. He has contacts in the
Iunctio's Palais
. He will advise what he knows as soon as he can.”

“Why would she hold him?” Matthias asked.

Why wouldn't she? I thought bitterly. There could be any number of reasons, least of which the Champion has had her eye on Michel for some time. My guess, it was personal, but there is also a calculated business side to the Champion which is never switched off. Everything she does is done for more than one reason. Having Michel within her clutches would satisfy the woman in her, but he would be there for more than just her lust.

“The official reason will be to investigate his supposed death. What danger he could pose the
Iunctio
,” I said quietly, garnering surprised looks from those vampires in the room. All of which had not expected me to analyse the situation so accurately. Or at all. “The unofficial reason could be anything. Her whim. Her desire to use him in some way. She had offered him a job before he was taken by the
Dökkálfa
. We were hoping it was still available. Maybe she is toying with that.”

“What job?” Jett asked. I looked directly at him, but didn't answer. He just nodded after a prolonged silent second. He wasn't stupid. A job I couldn't voice was undoubtedly a powerful one. And also a controversial one. Keeping it quiet seemed the right thing to do.

“I need to convince her he isn't a threat. He needs to take that job. If she doubts him, she may not give him the access he will need and then, should I be forced to join with a vampire, the portals will be closed.”

Jett flicked a glance at the statue-like fairy in the corner, who was listening to everything, but not offering any comment at all. “Forgive me for asking the obvious,” he drawled, “but maybe the closure of the portals is in fact the wisest course of action.”

I couldn't argue with him about it being wise. At least wise from a humanity point of view. But, my freedom was on the line. I hadn't gone into detail on the accord Sofiq had made with us, purposely brushing over my charm. I shook my head at Jett. “No. If Michel fails to keep the portals open, I will be spirited away to
Álfheimr
.”

“Charmed?” Jett asked, but didn't wait for a reply. “Then you going to the
Palais
would undoubtedly be a mistake.”

“How so?” I demanded sitting up straighter in my seat.

“The Champion will force your joining as soon as you arrive. If we keep you here in New Zealand, we can at least give you adequate protection from any would-be kindred who wishes to join with you. The longer we avoid that outcome, the safer you will be.” He saw the look of mortified comprehension on my face. Every cell of my body wanted to go to Michel, denying it was more than just painful. It was tearing me up inside. “Michel is not without his own skills in situations such as these, Luce. He will win the Champion over, but we need to give him time. Besides, Alain will not desert him. He is not alone.”

I understood, in theory, what he was saying. I needed to stay unjoined for as long as possible. Until Michel was in a position to thwart the
Iunctio's
ability to use the power they would gain, from me joining with a Nosferatu, to close the portals.  I understood it, but I didn't like it.

Perhaps I could still go to him. Perhaps I could Dream Walk. But, even though I can't be seen or sensed in a Dream Walking state, I can be harmed when captured. I was sure that being forced to join would still work even if I was only present as a phantom. I slouched back down into the couch cushions in defeat.

I couldn't go to Michel. I couldn't even talk to him in his mind from this distance for some reason. I certainly couldn't feel him down a connection that no longer existed. I was his kindred in name, but little else.

The vampires all felt my sorrow. Or smelt it on the air. I couldn't hide it from any of them. I didn't feel the need to. They were my friends, they'd understand.

“So,” Jett said, trying to bring everyone back to a constructive conversation, “what about Lutin? How are you going to lure him here?”

Aliath stepped forward, finally deciding to enter the conversation. “The
Ljósálfar
Prince will find her anywhere. She is his
elska
. As long as she stays in one location long enough, he will be called to her side.”

Yet another supporter of the Keep Lucinda in Auckland approach. I glared at the fairy, but he didn't even spare me a glance. This pretty much sucked. It all made perfectly good sense, but I didn't have to like it. I was hurting and aching from days and days of unrest. I was frustrated and disappointed, that I couldn't go to Michel and be with him. The few days we'd had in
Álfheimr
were not nearly enough to make up for the two months of thinking him dead.

I hadn't slept in hours, but although my body felt tired, I knew I would not be able to sleep now. Daylight out, I couldn't venture far, as my personal guards would not be able to follow. I wasn't so stupid as to consider going anywhere on my own. Either Sergei or Nataliya would have to be with me 24/7, to help protect against the Fey. And Marcus and Matthias wouldn't be a bad idea at my side either.

So, wait for Lutin to arrive, avoid any fairies who want me to conceive their young and stay away from vampires who want to join and use my power. Not a bad To Do List, but I wasn't going to sit around in a room numbly waiting for fate to play its hand.

“OK,” I said, standing up and stretching. “You all know how to protect me, we'll make sure I'm never alone, but I will return to my duties as Auckland's Nosferatin. In the meantime, I need some semblance of normality. I'm going to workout in the gym and then catch some sleep. Then when night falls, I'm heading in to
Sensations
to catch up with the line.”

Jett stood up smiling. “Sounds like an ideal plan.” He turned to the door, obviously intending to return to the city even though it was daylight out. I supposed if he could make it here in the sun, he could make it back again unscathed. He stopped at the threshold to the room and turned back to look at me. “It's good to see you, Luce. The bar will be closed for just the line tonight. I'll spread the word.” And then he was gone.

Closing
Sensations
to the Norms would mean the vampires in Michel's line could commune with me unhindered. There would be no need to hide their Nosferatu sides from humans who wouldn't understand. It would mean a loss of income for the club, but I was sure it was just as profitable now as it had been when Michel ran it. Doug would have made sure of that. One night off from human patronage would not break the bank.

I changed quickly into some yoga pants and a T-Shirt, taking a moment to glance around the bedroom Michel and I had shared before he was taken from me to Álfheimr. Nothing had changed. Samson, who had been looking after the place, had kept it clean from dust, but untouched. It no longer smelled of Michel though. It had a faint scent that belonged to me, but Michel had been gone too long now, for the room to remember him.

By the time I made it to the state-of-the-art gym downstairs, Nataliya was already running on the treadmill. I took the stair climber and set myself a steady pace beside her. I was sure that part of her being in the room was to keep me safe and I would have baulked at that in the past. Michel had a tendency to overprotect me, but I had long outgrown the need to cling to my independence. To prove I was capable on my own. So much had happened recently, that proved I wasn't immune to mistakes and capture and harm. I am good at what I do, but strength can be found in more places than one's own self worth.

Strength can be found in the ability to ask for and accept help from others. I was no longer above taking help where I could find it. Besides, I'd spent a good portion of the past two months on my own. Even though Nataliya and I didn't speak, a comfortable companionship wrapped around us. I may not have known everything there was to know about the Russian who had recently joined my line, but she was family none-the-less.

We worked out together for the remainder of the morning, then by noon we mutually and silently agreed that was enough. I went and took a shower and when I entered the kitchen to grab a bite to eat before hitting the hay, Nataliya had already prepared some lunch for me. She'd left by the time I got there, but Samson was sitting reading from a tablet computer in her stead.

“She's going to spoil me,” I said as I bit into a club sandwich; three different types of meat and salad and a dressing that tasted divine.

“You need feeding up again, Luce,” Samson offered, lowering his tablet and watching me eat. My diet had always been an ongoing argument with Michel and me. I barely ate and consequently never put on weight. And when life was chaotic and challenging, the weight would drop off me. Feeding me up was a much favoured pastime of Michel's, before he had disappeared.

I hoped he'd return to pick up that pastime again soon.

“How have you been?” I asked Samson between mouthfuls.

“I've missed you.” He didn't bother to hide how he felt, reaching over and brushing my hair back behind my ear. “You were gone a long time.” His hand hovered by my cheek, then he slowly pulled back and smiled. A flash of chocolate and taupe swirling in his deep brown eyes. Samson could charm the most hardened woman with that smile.

I smiled back and held his gaze while I finished my mouthful. “I'm sure you kept yourself busy,” I offered once I had finished up the sandwich. Still fishing for information on the mystery bed partner from that morning. He didn't fall for it.

“Jett has made some changes to the business while Michel has been gone,” he replied, but hastily added, “nothing too dramatic. But it has required a little fine tuning of the line's computers and security systems.” Samson handled all the IT for the line, including the technicalities of security. “I've been spending a lot of time at
Sensations
.”
Sensations
was the hub of the Durand line, the seat for the Master of the City. It belonged to Michel, but would have been handed over to Jett by default. I wondered what would happen now.

There was so much to sort out, so many unusual difficulties to overcome. But despite the potential for territorial issues ahead, I couldn't help thinking it was all minor compared to Michel's current predicament. The Champion was a real threat. Jett, although holding a position that should still belong to Michel, was not. I didn't think either he or Michel would let the complications of Michel's return from 'death' cause irreversible problems for the line. But, the Champion was another ball game entirely. Just what did she want with Michel?

“Where's the fairy?” I asked, trying to steer away from a headache.

“I've put him in the guest room. I think he's a little overcome with our realm. He didn't refuse the hospitality, but insisted he accompany us this evening when we head into
Sensations
.” I had expected little else. Aliath wouldn't let me out of his sights for fear that Lutin would appear and he'd miss him. The
Dökkálfa
were keen to get their hands on the
Ljósálfar
Prince.

I stifled a yawn, but Samson spotted it and waved me off to bed, insisting a catch up session could be held after I had some sleep. I didn't argue. There was just so many variables in our life right now, concentrating on any of them for too long made my head hurt. I shuffled up to bed and climbed in between crisp, clean sheets. I was asleep within minutes.

I should have realised what sleeping would do. I should have insisted I go to bed as soon as I arrived. It just hadn't occurred to me that he'd reach me in my dreams. For some reason, because none of us had been able to get a hold of him through conventional methods, I'd just assumed non-conventional methods would be equally as useless.