Chapter 26 #2
Before any of us could ask who him was, Mendrion snapped his fingers and bright white light flashed all around us.
Three seconds later, because I counted, the light faded away to reveal Chanel’s father had transported us.
Pennsylvania had been covered in snow with it still actively falling from the gray sky but it was at least seventy degrees where we stood now.
Sweat was already rolling down my spine and it wasn’t even mid-morning.
The Florida sun shone through the palm trees, casting the little red brick patio in slices of golden light that moved with every warm, salty breeze.
The wooden railings that ran along the side of the patio were chipped and had definitely seen many, many years.
The streets were empty and quiet, which was a rare sight to see in the daylight hours of this town.
I knew where we were.
I knew who we were here to see.
Turned out I didn’t need to ask the girls or the angel Mendrion. There was only one person that he could refer to given where he’d sent us. My stomach dropped. Judging by the way Kaso hung his head and cursed, he knew what I did.
Regan scowled at Kaso then turned to me. “You know who we’re meeting here?”
“Yep,” my brother and I said at the same time.
“You don’t look happy about it.” She gestured between us. “Is this another bad guy?”
I smirked. “That depends entirely on who you’re askin’—”
“You, wise ass.” She rolled her eyes and tucked her sandy blonde hair behind her ear when the breeze pushed it in her face. “I’m asking you, is this a bad guy?”
“I wouldn’t call him one.”
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t care for that answer.”
“Wait a second…” Chanel spun in a circle. “We’re in St. Augustine, right?”
“Yeah,” Kaso and I said together.
I shrugged. “An old friend of ours hangs out here a lot.”
“If it’s my brother I’m going to get violent,” Chanel practically growled.
Kaso’s spine straightened. “Your…brother? You have a brother? There’s a male Virtue?” His voice raised an octave.
She shook her head. “He’s a half brother—”
“Half brother?”
Her brows furrowed. “You have a brother, why is this hard for you?”
“Yeah, love, but both our parents are vampires. We’re brothers of the classic variety.” Kaso ran his hand through his hair. “This half brother…he like…on your mother’s—”
“Mendrion is his father,” Chanel said slowly but I saw the way her lips quirked like she was trying not to laugh.
My brother was spiraling. Not that I blamed him. Meeting your crush’s angel father and brother – wait. I held my hand up. “This brother is a nephilim? One of the new ones?”
“More like temporary if I have anything to say about it,” a voice smooth like whiskey on ice spoke from behind us.
All four of us jumped and spun around. I hated when he snuck up on me. Not many could. Then again, he wasn’t like most others. For good and bad.
Riven, vampire prince of Fourth Realm, was stretched out on a black metal chair with one ankle propped atop his other knee, looking the picture of ease.
He wore his usual all black three-piece suit but this morning the top buttons of his shirt were unfastened, and that was never a good sign.
If Prince Riven had a rough night, you wanted to avoid him for days.
The only reason I wasn’t running with my tail between my legs was because we’d been friends with Riven since we were children, since before the species were split and separated into their own realms.
“WAIT. Hold on.” Kaso held both hands up. “You’re her half brother?”
Riven arched one perfectly shaped black eyebrow. “We’ve been friends since diapers — figuratively speaking, of course — and you think I just failed to mention I had a sister who was a Virtue?”
Kaso opened his mouth then shut it.
Riven chuckled, it was a menacing sound.
Chanel crossed her arms over her chest. “Did you just say my brother was temporary?”
Riven gave her a sideways grin and lifted his glass of red wine up to his lips but didn’t drink. “Does he not warrant the statement?”
She arched one eyebrow back at him. “You don’t make threats lightly, Riven.”
All the humor in Riven’s face vanished, leaving that cold, furious glare that only a vampire prince as pretty as Riven could make. “I don’t intend to handle him…lightly.”
Silence.
Regan’s eyes were wide as she glanced back and forth between Chanel and Riven.
Chanel snort laughed. She clapped her hands then dragged a chair out from the table where Riven sat and plopped down beside him. “I do believe you could get away with it.”
Riven’s telltale mischievous smile was back. “My, my, my darling Chanel, dare I say you sound intrigued to…help?”
“Do not answer that question, Chanel.” Regan rolled her eyes and took the seat on the other side of Riven. She gave him a pointed glare. “Must you?”
“Ask me this question again next month, perhaps you’ll have a different opinion.” He licked his lips and glanced to me then back to her. “Though even then you would not be able to imagine even a fraction of what I’ve endured.”
Regan’s face fell. “I know. I’m sorry.”
“Not your fault, Regan. Can’t expect you to have done something even I couldn’t.” Riven sighed and swirled the wine in his glass. “But you’re not here to discuss that nor Chanel’s problematic toad of a brother—”
“Half brother,” Chanel corrected him.
Riven grinned. “Lesser half, I assure you.”
“Obviously—”
“HOLD ON.” Kaso threw his hands up. “You’ve known the Virtues this whole damn time?”
Riven looked at my brother like he’d sprouted another head. “I am the eldest prince and it never occurred to you that I would know…everyone?”
Kaso cursed and dropped down into the seat next to Chanel.
Riven frowned. “You’re quite frazzled today, pretty boy.”
“He met Chanel’s father a minute ago,” I added with a laugh.
Riven’s eyebrows rose. “You decided to meet Mendrion for the first time on the first groundhog day without human spectators present? He’s been in a real pissy mood since he learned the new plague ruined his favorite holiday.”
I shook my head and laughed. “You should’ve seen his face.”
Riven chuckled. “I would ask you to tell me the story, however, I fear you’re encroaching on another meeting I have this morning so I urge you to get to the point of your presence here. Quickly.”
At the same time, all four of us grumbled the name, “Christopher.”
Riven smirked. “Oh, I see. Mendrion sent you here?”
We all nodded.
Riven shrugged one shoulder then pulled a cellphone out of his jacket pocket. He hit a couple buttons then held it to his ear.
“Prince Riven?” I heard Christopher answer through the phone.
“Chrissy, I’ve just had the best idea of a prank to pull on Lexington Prescott,” Riven said with a purr. “How would you feel about meeting me on the Island on Valentine’s Day? The Vaunteros always have some ghastly affair and it wouldn’t be right if I didn’t…cause them stress.”
My heart was pounding.
“I’m always your guy, Your Highness,” Christopher said with barely contained giddiness.
“Excellent. I’ll text you where to meet me and when.” Riven’s smirk widened. He hung up the phone and tossed it onto the metal table. “There you go.”
Regan sighed. “If that’s all it took this whole time I’m gonna be pissed.”
Riven winked at her.
“I wasn’t aware we were hosting guests, Riven.”
I knew that voice. The cold chill that ran down my spine knew that voice too. My heart stopped. I leapt from my seat and out of the way faster than I’d ever moved. Kaso squealed a little and practically levitated from his seat.
But being the charmer my brother was, he pulled his chair out and gestured for the newest arrival to sit. “I warmed it up for ya. Please?”
“We were just leaving,” I said in a rush. “Just passin’ through.”
Riven threw his head back and cackled at our discomfort.
Chanel and Regan looked at us like we had eight legs.
“Oh, stay…have a drink and some fun with us,” she said with a purr.
Regan chuckled and shook her head as she stood. “I learned that lesson far too long ago, MoVaun.”
“Oh come now, why say such things?” She motioned to our group. “When we are among . . . friends.”
MoVaun was the most powerful priestess .
. . ever. The air vibrated with power around her even though she wasn’t doing anything besides sitting here.
Her presence overshadowed even Riven. She was captivating with her ebony skin, ruby red lips, and brightly colored clothing.
Her skirt was bright red that fanned out around her body and cinched in tight around her waist. A bright white blouse was draped around her shoulders and tucked into the waist of her skin.
Her hair was bound on top of her head with a thick cloth with a red and white print all over it.
If I hadn’t known she belonged in NOLA I’d have thought she was perfect for Florida.
A bright yellow snack curled over her shoulders and down her arm.
She held the held of the snake in the palm of her hand and pet it with the other.
Regan sat there unfazed by MoVaun but I wanted to get out of here as soon as possible.
Everyone knew a favor from her always came with strings attached. Strings that could get you killed.
Regan chuckled. “I’ve lived a long time.”
“Indeed you have.” MoVaun’s lips curled into a seductive smile. “And you’ve spent so little time with me. I could help you, you know?”
I swallowed. “Riven already helped us out?”
“And what did you get in return?” She turned her cat-like gaze on him.
He gave a casual shrug. “I’ll get something . . . eventually.”
She shook her head. “Payment up front is always best, vampire.”
“Who knows what I might want later? I like to keep my options open.” Riven took a sip of his wine. “A favor from the Virtues or the brothers would give me a good return on my investment, for just a little phone call.”
“If you say so.” She turned back to Regan. “I’ll be here when you need me.”
“When?” Chanel’s eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean when?”
MoVaun threw her head back and gave a deep sultry chuckle. “I’ll tell you . . . for a price.”
Kaso and I shook our heads at the same time. Nothing was worth paying that price. Regan laughed it off. “Like I said I’ve learned that lesson well.”
“Pity.” MoVaun eyed the two of them with interest.
“But if Zuriel doesn’t kill us on the fifteenth then I might be down for another lesson.” Chanel wagged her eyebrows as she leaned in to kiss MoVaun on the cheeks. “We’ll call you.”
Regan followed suit and pressed two quick kisses to her cheeks. “Soon.”
I glanced toward Kaso and instantly knew he was thinking the same thing I was.
The fuck they’d be calling in favors with the priestess.
If they needed something we’d get it. MoVaun winked at me and my stomach dropped.
I grabbed Regan’s hand and dragged her away as fast as I could. “Come on, we gotta go.”
Regan chuckled but let me drag her away. When we were out of ear shot she gave my hand a squeeze. “Scared much.”
“You bet your hot ass.”