Chapter Eighteen
Rowan awoke at roughly nine the next morning feeling better than she had since she’d been ambushed.
She’d flown down to Southern California, ruffled a lot of feathers, found some important connections, and had come home where her delightful husband had talked her into taking some of his blood. Naturally that’d led to some intense sexytimes where she had to do little more than lie back and let her man do his thing to all her parts.
It didn’t suck, that was for certain, having someone care that way for her. Even when he was bossy and nosy.
She told Star, “I’m going for a walk. If you want to join me, now’s your chance.”
Star hopped up and did a little tippy-tap dance on her way to the door.
Rowan wasn’t a huge fan of running. Or exercise in general. But she needed to do it. To regain the strength she’d lost after the ambush, and to keep sharp. One never knew when a mage firebomb would be set off, so it paid to be at a state of readiness.
It kept her alive.
Used to be, she exercised like she ate and slept. Purely to survive. Now she had reasons to take the time to enjoy a good meal with people she enjoyed and trusted. She slept in a bed her Vampire husband had bought her as a gift. Lived in a house he gave her.
Such a different—and better—life than she’d had before.
Today she opted for a brisk walk at a park a few miles from the house. The mountains stood tall and imposing all around her as the two of them began. They gave off magical energy the Devils and witches in the area seemed to gobble up. The sky above was that impossible blue of autumn.
There were a million things she needed to do, but mainly she was doing them all. The issue was nothing seemed a direct path. In the past two years, each time she’d thought herself at the end of a conspiracy of some sort, there’d be something worse behind the next door. Another layer of complication. She and her friends had been across the globe multiple times, getting the shit kicked out of them, fighting back the chaos eventually to fight another day.
So many next days.
There’d been the Blood Front. Which had flowed into the sorcerers who’d been working with a faery who’d been banished to this world from his. Witches had joined in and now there were werewolves?
Good goddess what a fucking mess.
“They could all live excellent lives without any of this murderous behavior,” Rowan told Star. She’d left the leg brace behind, and they’d started walking slow and steady. Why not bounce some ideas off Star while she was at it? “These Blood Front Vamps. The ones still alive. They could be Vampires in this world. They’re already moneyed and entitled! But noooo, they have to start new clubs every ten minutes. Human-hating clubs. They could have bocce ball clubs, or book clubs. Instead they have Sanguis Principatus —because of course it has to be in Latin. Though honestly the Brotherhood sounds racist as fuck, so I get the rebrand. And these fucko witches are up to some shady shit. For what? They could just be fabulously rich and paranormally powerful. That’s a pretty fucking nice life. One I’d get if they’d just stop being assholes.”
Star barked her agreement.
“So right now, I’ve got these Sanguis Vamps. And , the Vampire lord dinguses in Theo’s dungeon. Doubt that’s connected. But they’re both Vampire related. Add the witches. And because of the witches, murder shifters. What a fuckin’ motley band of scumbags. I’d very much like to have most of this in hand before we have to leave for the Joint Tribunal.”
The gentle incline on the path gave way to something more challenging. Rowan kept herself aware of the strain on her healing muscles, but so far, she’d remained limber and strong.
“I do like to think your being here with me means we’ll all survive. So you know, silver linings and all that.”
Rowan threw the stick Star brought her, content to watch as the dog retrieved it, brought it back to her so she could toss it again and run after it. Over and over for the next forty five minutes or so until they got back to the car.
“If it’s ever a choice between me and him,” Rowan said quietly to Star, meaning Clive, “make it him.”
Star snorted, getting dog snot all over Rowan’s forearm.
“What was that for? Ew!” She used the sleeve of the light zip-up jacket she’d brought along to wipe it off.
Star growled, not something she’d ever done to Rowan. Others, yes.
“Lady, ma’am, would you like to explain just what it is you’re doing?” Rowan asked her.
Star snorted again and then turned in a neat little circle and gave Rowan her behind. The silent treatment.
“I still want you to save him if it comes to a situation when it’s him or me,” Rowan said as they drove back toward home.
Then Star farted the grossest, most horrifying wet dog food stench. Rowan had to roll the windows down, laughing at how petty her dog was.
Star jumped from the car when they got back home, trotting to the door and waiting for Rowan at the base of the steps leading to the main entry from the garage.
“I’m leaving the windows down because that was so awful,” she said.
Star yapped and ran inside, tail wagging, smile on her face.
After a shower and some breakfast, she and David headed to the motherhouse where Rowan was about to have a call with Theo.
He looked healthy. Rested. Part of that nervousness that always rose before she could see with her own senses just what state he was in relaxed. His gaze was clear.
But he was pissed. She could see the lines next to his mouth as he gave her a long look via their video connection. That day—night where he was—he lounged in a wine-colored chair that complemented the navy sweater and gray trousers. His silver, waist-length hair had been caught away from his face.
Intense. Angry. But sane. She could handle that.
“Petal, I do not much care for yet more news of your involvement with a violent event.”
Not like she much cared for it either.
“I am well,” she said. Rowan found with him it was best to lead with a reminder that she was alive and fine. That way he couldn’t derail. “I’m out of a cast now. I have a brace and a cane. You’ll be pleased to know the cane makes an excellent weapon. I broke several very expensive pieces of art with it just last night.”
He laughed then with a clap of his hands. “Tell me about it! Who did you do this to? Not my Scion, Petal?”
“No, no. Our home is filled with lovely things I would never be so careless with.” She told him a very edited version of the situation the evening before at the Sansbury house.
“And you believe these witches are responsible for this spell that could have killed you?” The menace in his tone sent chills racing over her skin.
“A witch helped keep me safe, vater .” She reminded them both who he was. The last thing Rowan wanted was Theo deciding to go starting a war with the Conclave over this. “The majority of witches are no more responsible for what a few of their number did than all Vampires are responsible for the things the Blood Front and this Sanguis thingy do.”
“And what of the witches who tried to have you killed?”
“Oh, they’re totally responsible. And they will pay. I’ll see to it myself.”
He examined her features carefully for long moments and then nodded. Accepting her assurance.
“If you need anything you will seek it from my Scion or my Voice. If I am sleeping, you will contact the daytime staff. I will not hear no to this,” he said finally.
“As you wish. If you are feeling magnanimous,” she began carefully, “some information from the First regarding Sanguis Principatus would be quite useful.”
He wanted to play a game. She saw that in his smile.
It amused him to make her win the information. Normally, Rowan would go through it, giving him what he demanded. But she was tired . It shouldn’t be some sort of complicated dance every time she needed information to keep herself alive!
There was no use complaining. What would that change? This was their world and though his methods had been—and remained—unacceptable, there was no denying they’d hardened her enough to survive.
Love was...complicated.
“And why should I assist the Hunter Corporation?”
Because your Vampires have spent the last several years trying to kill me at every turn. You claim to be concerned for my well-being but you allow these murderers access to the process.
She settled on, “Because you are the First. These creatures are ultimately your responsibility.”
“My Voice his informed me it is in our best interests to share information with you regarding these fools,” he admitted. He’d wanted her to dance to entertain him even though he’d already given permission?
In anyone else, Rowan would have delivered a response so blistering her victim would ache for weeks to come.
But Theo was not anyone else and Rowan knew that.
She inclined her chin slightly in appreciation.
“They are a different sort of threat than the Blood Front, but it is the same direction. There are times, Petal, when it is best to let boys break their toys, grumble, and plot because it lets them release their negative emotions. Mostly they never get past the talking stage. These Sanguis Vampires like coin.”
“And blood?”
His lips curved into a smile that was more frightening than amusing. “Blood is coin in our world, Rowan. You know this better than most. They have, for the most part, remained out of our notice. Small transgressions are not worth my energy. Them trying to harm you? Well, that is worth notice.”
She thought so too. But as with everything else, it was the why.
Then he said, “Planning for Yule and New Year has begun in earnest,” reminding her of the deal she’d made just a few months prior. She’d done it to save Clive’s life. Clive’s family line, who’d always been loyal to the Nation with the exception of two who’d been handled by her spouse and father-in-law. She’d had to go to her foster father and do some bargaining, giving him what he wanted most, her presence at his Keep as his daughter.
She’d be paraded around. She’d have to wear ridiculous clothing and jewels and it would be horrible. However, Clive and House Stewart would continue to rise in stature. That mattered to her most.
Plus, though he sweetly pretended not to, being the son-in-law of the most powerful being in the Vampire world and having ten days of parties celebrating them both thrilled him and his family. They should fear it. Theo noticing you wasn’t a good thing always. It was best, she’d realized early on, when he forgot about you.
But if she could protect them all, she would. And though she’d hesitate before admitting it out loud to anyone but Clive, Rowan loved Theo.
So. They’d attend fetes and dinners. They’d light candles and go ice-skating on the pond at the Keep. She’d be transported to a place where the modern world wasn’t absent as much as the past dominated.
Electricity and running—hot—water, yes, thank goodness. But there were also times when it felt like she’d walked into the pages of a historical novel set in myriad times from before the current era to modern-day touches.
The man still liked a horse-drawn carriage, but instead of heated bricks, his modern conveyance had interior heating.
“I will have cook, who is doing most of the planning, connect with your young valet. He holds the keys to your kingdom, I’ve discovered.”
Cook had a name. Dina. She was lovely and undoubtedly had three-quarters of the staff already at work on whatever ridiculous display Theo had in mind.
“David controls something far more important than my kingdom, he is the keeper of my schedule. He does a fine job.”
“He has grown into it from what I have been told and have observed. The first meeting he wanted to run screaming from the room.” Theo chuckled.
“ But he didn’t. He was barely twenty-three years old when he was confronted by the first Vampire to exist and he stood his ground. For me. He is my protected.” She wanted to reiterate that. It wasn’t so much that she thought Theo was going to hunt David down to execute him. But he got jealous from time to time. He lost...sight of himself and his responsibilities sometimes and in those moments he was more dangerous than anything she’d ever been confronted by.
If such a time popped up, she wanted, somewhere in the back of his mind at the very least, him to know there were lines that if he crossed, things between them would be broken forever.
“He must be very brave to serve at your side. I expected nothing less. How is my Scion?”
Wary, Rowan chose an answer he wouldn’t consider rude while she tried to figure out what he wanted.
“He is a very fine husband. He buys me more sparkles and baubles than I could possibly use. And weapons. I can and do use those regularly.”
Not a lie.
She hadn’t expected marriage at all. Much less to a Vampire. An ancient. A fucking Scion, for goddess’ sake! But as she’d come to figure out in the years since they’d met, love didn’t work on any schedule but its own.
She hadn’t planned to love Clive Stewart. But she did. Each day he gave her more reasons. The infuriatingly attentive Vampire knew what she needed before she did sometimes. It was alarming even as it thrilled her to be in his attention.
“His territory appears to be lawless.”
Rowan drew a careful breath. There was no way she’d let Theo go down any road that ended with him believing Clive wasn’t doing his job.
“Like Europe? Like Asia, Russia, and Africa like these lords of yours? In your own Keep I was nearly murdered during a Joint Tribunal. Twice. What I can see, being a person uniquely qualified to see such things, is that Clive Stewart, Scion of North America, in the handful of years he’s been here after Jacques drove this land and her people into the ground, has addressed the rot he’s found. He was given a task most would fail within the first week. And here he is years later, bringing the Nation a steady flow of profit. He may be a Vampire, but he is an excellent husband and an even more excellent Scion.”
He was quiet as he looked at her intently. She allowed it, giving him only what she wanted him to see. Clive wasn’t just important to her, he was everything. She would screw up her courage and push back against her father if it meant Clive was protected.
“All right. Did Nadir tell you we were letting our guests get used to their new surroundings before we had a conversation with them?”
Theo’s we was the royal type.
“She mentioned Andros letting them stew a little. I can’t imagine it’s very pleasant below. However, I’d very much like to know just what it is they’re up to.”
“Power, I’d suppose. But Andros is a conscientious worker and tells me discussions will begin tonight.”
“I’ve looked at these Vampires and their holdings. Given who they are, they’ve reached the pinnacle of their station. Offending me does nothing for them. What do they gain by entering the process and derailing it the way they have? What is their goal? It’s not as if I am unaware of what Vampires get up to. Even the greediest and stupid have some sort of end goal. So. What is it? It can’t be to mess with the Hunter. Big deal. They all do. And as you know, I will still hire who I need to. If these lords can’t imagine why, that’s your problem and I’d be concerned about Vampires in any way beholden to your prisoners.”
“I am certain they will imagine why once they have been spoken with.”
The light in Theo’s eyes was a dangerous one. Full of violence and retribution. Rowan was simply glad none of it was aimed at her. Or Clive. If she had to throw these douchelords at Theo to keep his attention off those Rowan loved, so be it.
Truth was, Rowan had empathy. And sympathy. But she didn’t waste it on those who didn’t deserve it. These lords made their own mess, and she would not intervene to help them out of it. They lived in a very hard world.
For thousands of years Theo had operated under the type of control unimaginable to nearly every being on the planet. There were times he was lost to the past. Times when the years of his life had blurred the present, confused him, left him scared and angry and he reacted—usually murderously.
“I only wanted to play a game with you,” he confessed at last.
This glimpse of his...contrition was terrifyingly arresting. Tears stung the back of her eyes and she let Brigid soothe that anxiety so she could get herself back on track.
She couldn’t allow this sort of thing, or he’d try it again. Rowan had enough trouble to manage as it was. “By letting these Vampires dress up as lords.”
“I knew you would see how ridiculous they were. I wanted you to laugh. But they threatened you. They took our game, and they ruined it.”
So fucking glad she was across the world instead of chained in a cell beneath his feet, Rowan breathed through the stinging nettles of his upset. An ocean between them, along with half of two continents, and she could still feel it.
Rowan hoped it was a remnant of the blood bond she’d had with him as a child. Because if he was powerful enough to manifest physical responses at such a distance, Theo was gaining in strength.
When he spoke again, it was in the old dialect. Their original Vampiric language. “My Voice advised me not to allow these lords into the process. She did see my humor, but she had concerns they might step out of the box they’d been placed in.”
This language helped her maintain control. English was her emotional language. This one she only spoke rarely and in ceremonial situations. That formality gave her some space between the words and her feelings.
“The problem with fools is they act foolish.”
He wanted to play more than he wanted to think. Sometimes he was more like a toddler than an ancient predator.
“I have made mistakes, Petal. So many they plague my waking moments. When you allowed me to be in your life again, I made a vow to myself that I would not be careless with you as I had been. These lords... I was careless.”
“You were.”
Surprise registered on his features a moment and then he sent her a cheeky grin. “There’s the little Hunter all my Vampires quake in fear of.”
He really was spoiled. That was the absolutely nicest thing she could have said other than nothing at all.
“They wouldn’t have to if they’d stop acting up and threatening Hunters. I will be most interested in what their motivations were because frankly, what could they be that they would risk exactly the outcome they’re experiencing?”
“Can I trust my Scions?”
Oh shit.
“In what capacity do you wish my answer?” she asked with a calm she did not feel.
“Tell me as a Hunter.”
She took a deep breath. “You can trust Clive. And as annoying as he is, Warren is loyal. I saw it myself when we worked together. Paola’s territory is full of old powers, and she does not make waves. She does not grasp for things outside her reach. I have seen her loyalty to you and the Nation on multiple occasions.”
Though she’d just touched on the Scions of North and South America and Europe, the other two Scions she wasn’t entirely sure of. Nor did she want to start some bloodbath because her dad got pissed and acted before thinking.
“And the other two?” When he wasn’t on the verge of violence, he was very sharp.
“To be absolutely clear, I have no evidence that the other two are not loyal to you. My concerns as a Hunter are that they allowed the powerful ancients in their territories access to your internal political process and when it went off the rails, they did not react as quickly as I’d have preferred. That does not mean they have done anything wrong,” she repeated. “Both have served you for centuries. Were I in your place, I would give weight to that.”
“And how would you deal with them sending these Vampires my way to start with?”
Frustrated, she only barely withheld a snarl. “ You allowed them into the process, vater . You. And yes, you saw immediately they were shallow and silly, and I’d laugh. But they inserted themselves into a process and proceeded to offend you. That is the issue here. I would want to know if Tahar and Takahiro simply opened the way between their people and their leader—which is a normal thing—or if they sent Vampires to you to cause a problem. One is understandable. It’s how things work in your world. Scions are the conduit between their Vampires and the First. They don’t have to like the Vampire they send your way. Or even agree with them. Conversely, being deliberately provocative? Well, that’s reckless. I’d want to know why.”
She hoped that was enough to keep Theo wanting to talk to Tahar and Takahiro instead of executing them. She wanted answers too. And, she didn’t actually loathe either Scion. Killing a Scion would be hugely destabilizing in an already chaotic time.
Star wandered in; clearly Rowan had been forgiven whatever sins the dog had been annoyed by. She gave a sharp, pleased bark at the screen, placing her front paws on Rowan’s unhurt thigh to look at Theo better.
He caught sight of Star and an altogether different smile showed up. A younger Theo. Pleased with a dog.
Rowan tucked it away. Knowing at some point she’d be mad or sad about his bullshittery and the memory of that expression would get her through the moment.
He spoke to Star in an old language. Long dead. Rowan could only pick up a few words here and there. Theo praised her and then...told Star to watch and protect. Maybe defend?
Whatever it was, Star seemed to understand. She yipped and then licked Rowan’s nose in a sneak attack that had her laughing.
They spoke a little longer before she was able to break the call and face the rest of her day. In the light.