Sunset: Pact Arcanum: Book One (38 page)

“Why don’t you come in and we’ll talk about it?” Rafael stepped aside for Nick to enter.

“Actually, I’m feeling kind of claustrophobic,” he said, gesturing to the empty marble streets and the polished obsidian buildings around them. “Do you think maybe we could go for a walk?”

Rafael frowned. The other races tended to avoid Icehaven, oppressed by the dark colors and the heavy weight of the water above. Most were glad to get indoors, where they could pretend they were somewhere else. Nick was usually no exception. Something was seriously wrong with this picture, and the Daywalker was obviously in no hurry to enlighten him.

What the hell, I need to take a break anyway
. “Sure, Nick,” he said. “Let me just grab something to wear, and I’ll be right with you.”

Nick shrugged out of his leather jacket and held it out. “Here, take this.”

Taking the jacket without comment, Rafael slipped it on over his bare chest, stepped out of his house, and closed the door behind him. “After you, Nicholas,” he said, inhaling the salty tang of the seawater that permeated Icehaven’s atmosphere, mixed with Nick’s scent emanating from the jacket. He was silent, waiting for Nick to speak, when he noticed the scent clinging to the leather was subtly different. It was imbued with a faint odor of something distinctly alien but somehow familiar. He searched his memory, trying to identify it, and then stopped dead in his tracks.
No. It can’t be.

“Something wrong?” Nick asked, noticing Rafael stop.

Rafael shook his head mutely.
Oh, Nicholas,
he thought.
What the hell have you done?

Nick stared straight ahead, getting his bearings again. The city was laid out in a great wheel, with circular streets punctuated by radial boulevards. It was easy to get lost if one lacked the vampire visual acuity to pick out the shallow runes carved into the black buildings as street numbers. “There’s a park near here, isn’t there? Maybe we should sit down.”

Rafael nodded. “One block inward and a couple of segments clockwise. I go there all the time.”

“Why don’t you lead?” Nick remained distracted.

Rafael walked ahead, his mind in turmoil.

* * *

The two silently made their way down the marble path to the Zen garden at the center of the meditation park. It was surrounded on all sides by carefully raked black sand. Stylized waves lapped at rocks embedded within the design. Nick sat on one of the stone benches, letting his gaze track along the patterned sand. Rafael sat next to him.

“It’s beautiful.”

“Yes, it is,” Rafael said softly. “It reminds us of what this place means.”

Nick looked at him. “It’s just a place to live, Raf. What does it mean other than that?”

Rafael’s eyes met the Daywalker’s. “It’s hard to explain to someone who hasn’t experienced the second life for real.”

“Try me.”

Rafael turned his face upward, to the opalescent glow of the perimeter shield that held back the water above. “Have you ever wondered why we rely on the shield rather than building a dome like they did at the Citadel?”

Nick shrugged. “I assumed it was so the city could expand as more Nightwalkers emigrated here.”

“That’s partially true. Unlike Anchorpoint and the Citadel, we can only build horizontally if we want to avoid exposing the city, but that’s not the main reason.” Rafael leaned back against the cool stone. “Close your eyes, Nick, and tell me what you feel.”

Nick shut his eyes and reached out with his senses. “The air’s cool; feels slightly moist,” Nick began. “It smells like salt. I can feel the increased pressure from the weight of the water.”

“And what do you hear?”

Nick frowned, his eyes still closed. “Two heartbeats, yours and mine.”

“Pay closer attention, Nicholas. What do you hear?”

There was something else, Nick realized, something other than the thumping of their hearts and the faint rushing sound of the blood pumping through their veins. A rustling in the background added a gentle, rhythmic beat in counterpoint to his pulse. He focused on it, hearing the secondary harmonics layered within the sound, forming a complex percussion at the limits of his awareness. Without even realizing it, he slowed his heartbeat, bringing it into harmony with the soft cadence, and felt himself relax. Opening his eyes, he found his friend smiling at him.

“Now you understand,” said Rafael. He looked up at the shield again. “A solid barrier would muffle the sound of the waves and the water currents against the shield. This is Icehaven, Nicholas. Our sanctuary against the rage of the Red Wind. Here, we are free to think and dream—without fear, without bloodlust.” Rafael reached out and touched Nick’s hand. “You’re safe here, Nick, if you finally want to tell me what happened.”

“Rafael…” Nick hesitated. “You’ve been a good friend to me, and I don’t want to lose your respect or your friendship. When I tell you what I did, it might cost me both.”

“Then you’ll just have to trust me enough to tell me and see what happens.”

“It’s not about trust, Raf,” Nick said. “It’s about honor.” Sighing, he closed his eyes. “When did you join the Armistice?”

Rafael frowned. “Twenty-thirty-five. Right after I heard about the off-world colonies the Triumvirate had been building. It was the creation of the Spacer Guild that pushed me over the edge. I was amazed they would give that much power to an autonomous civilian organization. It was contrary to everything the Court had told us about the Armistice and its leaders. So I took a chance, packed my entire life into two carry-on bags, and ran like hell before my superiors could eliminate me for desertion.”

“Twenty-thirty-five,” repeated Nick. He opened his eyes and turned to look at the Nightwalker. “Were you part of the expeditionary force that claimed the vacant Luscian territories after the Burning?”

“Yes. I had lived in Marseilles since the end of twenty-thirty-three. I hope you’re not offended. No one knew you existed when the expansion began, and Luscian had locked down some prime real estate in Europe and the Ukraine. House Tervilant just moved the fastest and most decisively, so when we claimed all of France, it was pretty much a
fait accompli
.”

“Did you know anyone in Paris?”

Rafael shrugged. “Not really. The Magister claimed Paris as his capital. Only his elite soldiers and high-ranking scions wound up there.” Rafael frowned slightly. “Why?”

Nick took a deep breath. “Toby was in Paris a few days ago. He ran into a Nightwalker in a bar; she kindled his Gift.”

“I see…” Rafael eyes followed the sculpted waves in the sand before him. “That’s unfortunate. Was he able to get away without having to fight her?”

“Yes.”

“Then everything is fine. Some intensive training and a little discipline, and he’ll be good to go.”

“I swore I would destroy any house that hurt one of my family, Rafael. If I backed down, something like this could have happened again someday—with my sister or my mother. I had to do something spectacular in revenge to ensure the Court took notice.” Nick leaned forward, clasping his hands together in his lap. “I trapped the Children of Darkness inside the city and cast a permanent spell of purification over it.” He paused and then rushed on. “They all died, every Nightwalker in Paris, tens of thousands of them. I killed them all, even the Magister and the Primogenitor. I cut off the head of House Tervilant.”

Rafael stared at him, shocked. Then he reached out and clasped Nick’s trembling hands. “And how are you holding up, afterward?”

Nick’s laugh echoed through the silent garden. “How am I holding up? I tell you I wiped out the entire leadership of your house, and you ask about me?”

Letting go of Nick’s hands, Rafael embraced the Daywalker. “My former house,” he whispered. “My current friend. No contest.”

“Thank you, Rafael.” Nick returned the Nightwalker’s embrace and then sat back against the cool stone and ran his hands through his hair. “I should go. There’s still work to be done before I can truly finish this. I’m sorry I doubted you, Raf.”

* * *

Rafael watched Nick stand, the pieces of the puzzle he had been trying to assemble finally fitting into place. He remembered the first time he heard Nick’s voice, brash and arrogant, issuing across the psychic landscape of Europe on the day Soulkiller’s Bane declared himself before the supernatural world. The memory contrasted with the Daywalker’s vulnerable, lost expression the day they had first met during the memorial service at the Citadel. The contradiction between Nick’s public and private face had intrigued Rafael from the beginning. He had never regretted striking up a conversation with this enigmatic Daywalker at the reception afterward.

Rafael stood as well and lightly clasped Nick’s shoulders. “Nicholas, I have killed innocents myself, more times than I care to remember. Even without a soul, I know how strong the need can be to avoid living your life again afterward.”

Fatigue marred Nick’s features. “I did it in cold blood, Raf—after almost half a year of relative time to plan it and set it up. I could have turned aside at any point, but I went through with it anyway, as if it were just another gambit in chess. How evil have I become, to do something like that and simply not care?”

Rafael sighed and sat again, patting the stone bench next to him.

Nick looked at him for a moment, then silently sat back down.

Lacing his fingers together in front of him, Rafael chose his words carefully. “Nicholas, for all your power and responsibility, you’re barely thirty-eight years old. You’ve just been through a difficult, drawn-out ordeal, and you’re probably still in shock. Just because you feel numb now doesn’t mean it won’t hit you later. Give it time before you make any rash decisions.” He focused his full attention on Nick, trying to convince the Daywalker of his sincerity. “What did Scott and Jeremy say when you told them what you did?”

“I haven’t talked to them yet.”

“Why not?”

Nick slumped on the park bench. “There’s still more I have to do if I want to cement its impact with the Court, otherwise the effort will be wasted.” He wearily met Rafael’s concerned gaze. “It may have been tactically necessary, but that doesn’t change the fact that I murdered an entire city full of people, none of whom had committed any crime against me personally.

“The Nightwalker who kindled Toby’s Gift was the only one who truly deserved to be on the receiving end of my vengeance, and she was already dead when I made my move. However I justify my actions, whether I say I was avenging my honor or an invasion of my lands, it doesn’t wash away the blood on my hands.”

The Daywalker shivered in his seat. “Scott is a just, decent man. He could turn his back on me forever over this, and I wouldn’t blame him. I could lose Jeremy—hell, even Toby. I don’t know if I’m ready to face the rest of my life alone.”

Rafael gave him a small, knowing smile. “You couldn’t tell them because you were afraid. So you told me because it would hurt less if I turned on you.” He looked at Nick, amused. “Am I so dispensable?”

Nick’s face reddened. “I didn’t mean it like that. Maybe you’re right. Perhaps I came to you first to test the waters, but that doesn’t mean I care about you any less.”

“Go home, Nicholas,” Rafael said gravely. “Tell them the truth about what you did, and let them see who you really are. If they’re worth holding on to, they’ll come through for you in the end.”

“Are we still friends?”

“We are. Nothing you’ve told me changes anything.” Rafael smiled at him sadly. “Go home, Nicholas. Tell your friends and your lover the truth. If they’re anything like the people you tell me they are, it won’t change anything for them either.”

“Thanks, Raf, for being here.” Nick smiled and stood, apparently planning his next move.

“What are friends for?” He shrugged dismissively as he watched Nick walk toward the park’s exit. “So, now what?” Rafael called after him. “Are you heading back to Anchorpoint?”

Nick turned, his expression steely. “No. I’m going to see an old flame and ask him if he loves me enough to watch my back while I brave a nest of vipers.”

“Somehow, Nicholas, I get the impression you’re not exaggerating in the least.” Rafael sighed. “It would mean a lot to me if you were there for my two-hundred-fiftieth birthday next year.”

Nick smiled. “That’s a lot of candles, Raf. I wouldn’t want to miss seeing you try to blow them all out.”

“Then do me a favor, okay? Don’t get yourself killed.”

Nick stared at him for several moments. “I’ll see what I can do,” he said finally. Then he turned and walked away.

Rafael watched Nick go and then turned his attention to one of the stones in the raked sand. Rippling waves spread outward in the carefully ordered sea around it. Once he was sure Nick was out of earshot, Rafael stood. “Ballista,” he instructed his AI, “get me clearance from the Anchorpoint Transit Hub to jump to Armistice Security Headquarters, tunnel level, and request the city garrison’s security AI to grant me permission to visit a new Sentinel trainee named Tobias Jameson.”

C
HAPTER 31

Court of Shadows Council Chamber Complex, Alexandria, Egypt; The next night

“How do you think I should play this?” Nick asked as he stared down the long tunnel ahead of him.

“Be dominant,” Lorcan suggested from beside him. “Don’t back down, no matter the insult, even if it means provoking a duel. Show no fear and no remorse. Anything less and they’ll kill you before you leave the room.”

He looked over Nick’s tan suit critically, noting the carefully embroidered seal of House Luscian on the left breast pocket and the triskelion adorning the triangular brooch on the right lapel. “It would probably go over much better if you hadn’t chosen to wear Armistice insignia and Daywalker colors.”

Nick snorted. “They know what I am. If I don’t show pride in my allegiance to Rory and the Grace, they’ll take it as an admission of weakness and eat me alive.”

Lorcan’s expression was unreadable as he casually smoothed the cuffs of his own black suit. The Seal of House Diluthical—a Celtic knot interwoven with the rune for ‘eternity’ in Arcolin—was embroidered on the left breast pocket. “True enough,” he conceded quietly. He faced the bright light at the end of the tunnel. “If you’re ready, it’s time we made our entrance.”