Chapter 16 Let’s Make a Deal
SIXTEEN
let’s make a deal
Cyrus shutters, shifting back to the form I’m accustomed to. Pale-blue eyes make contact with mine. “Aurora cast a spell many years ago.” He looks at the marble tile beneath our feet. “It needs to be reversed.”
Lucien blinks out of vision, appearing seconds later in the living room, and sitting on the same chair he occupied earlier. “Join me,” he says, motioning to the open couches.
Simon and Stella shift back into human form, both standing stark naked in the foyer of the grand home. Lucien stares longer than necessary at Simon, making the awkwardness in the room rise several degrees. “Second floor, first room on the right,” he says. “You’ll find everything you need.”
“Cyrus?” Simon asks a much longer question than worded.
“We’ll be fine,” Cyrus answers. The lycan quickly disappear upstairs. Am I the only one who is leery of this entire situation? I don’t trust this man, yet everyone else seems to.
“Should I go with them?” I ask, moving toward the stairs.
Cyrus smiles, holding his hand toward me. “Come with me, my dear.” His eyes urge me not to question his actions. For once, I don’t. I do as expected.
“I can assure you, there is no one waiting to ambush your friends,” Lucien says. Can he read my mind? How did he know what I was thinking? “Your face is very easy to read,” he continues, answering my silent question yet again.
Cyrus and I sit on the large couch, facing our host. “Can you help?” he asks simply.
Lucien slides to the edge of his seat. “I believe I can. However, I require a favor first.”
Long fingers wrap around my hand as Cyrus pulls me up next to him. “Apologies for the intrusion, Mr. Creed. We’ll be on our way.” I don’t know why he wants to leave so badly, but I trust his instincts.
“I’d imagine you’re thinking the worst,” the warlock says, sliding back in his seat and crossing long legs at the knee. “You’re asking me to reverse a spell from Aurora. She’s more powerful than most. Being a vampire and witch hybrid gives her power beyond reason.”
Cyrus’s hand moves to the small of my back as he ushers me toward the door. “Then, you can’t help us.”
“I didn’t say that, Mr. Knight. I’m simply stating a fact.”
My buyer turns back toward Lucien. “What are you saying, Mr. Creed?”
“I’m saying I require a favor in return for my services.”
“I’m prepared to pay any fee,” Cyrus answers.
Lucien stands, motioning around the magnificent home. “Look around. Does it look like I need your money?”
Cyrus shifts from one foot to the other. “What is it that you want?”
“There is someone like you that magic won’t touch. I want him gone.”
My buyer stares at the warlock, processing his words. “If magic won’t touch him, how can I?”
“Because we both know the truth of your strength. If anyone can defeat him, it’s you,” Lucien answers simply. A parade of questions flies through my mind. Wisely, I hold them inside.
Simon and Stella are back at our sides, flanking either side.
Both are wearing clothes that fit like they were made for them.
Stella’s wearing a pair of form-fitting pants and a matching blazer.
The pale green color is the perfect accent to her chestnut-colored hair.
Simon’s khaki dress pants and button-down shirt make him look more like a banker than a lycanthrope.
Both look like they stepped out of a fashion magazine.
“Lovely,” Lucien comments. “However, I think I preferred you naked.”
“Who?” Cyrus asks, repeating his question and ignoring the pageantry around us.
Lucien smiles. “I believe it’s someone you know.” He lifts his nose in the air. “From your smell, you’ve met with him recently.” He moves to a bar cart against the far wall and pours a glass of what looks like brandy. “Callum O’Brien,” he answers several minutes later.
Seriously? I’m assuming Callum is the same Callum who’s after me. Is the lycan/vampire world so small that he’s after everyone?
Lucien smiles. “I can tell from the look on your face, Ms. Du Four, you’ve heard of him.”
“What do you expect from me?” Cyrus asks, keeping me from responding.
The warlock smiles. “Isn’t it obvious? I want you to kill him.”
“I have no issues with Callum,” Cyrus lies. I focus on keeping my face neutral. I don’t know how to play this cat-and-mouse game the two of them are playing.
“We both know that’s not true,” Lucien says, taking another drink from his glass. “It’s Chamberlin’s blood that runs through her veins. That makes her Callum’s property.”
How the hell does he know that?
“Seems to me, killing Callum would do both of us a favor,” he adds.
“Why is he after you?” Simon asks.
Lucien sighs. “I have something he wants very badly.” He rubs a gold ring attached to a matching necklace absently as he answers. “Something that is a great asset for him.”
“Where is the item you took?” I ask, speaking for the first time.
“It’s not an item, my dear.” Lucien looks to the back of the house.
“Terrin, please come here.” A child, no older than ten or eleven, slowly makes his way into the room.
His dark eyes are larger than normal, and his skin is the color of snow.
My stomach knots at the sight of him. Terrin makes his way to Lucien, who turns him to face the four of us.
“This is Terrin Dernbach. He is the item that Callum is seeking.” He turns the boy back to face him.
“Release your shield as I taught you.” The boy closes his eyes, and a rush of familiar energy hits me straight on. Vampire energy…
“An immortal child?” Cyrus asks. “That’s not allowed.”
“Obviously, I was not the one to make him,” Lucien responds.
“Callum?” I ask as I put the puzzle pieces together.
“Yes,” the boy answers. His voice is higher-pitched and matches his youthful appearance. “Callum is my father.”
“Wait,” Simon says. “Father, as in he produced you by…you know, or father, as in he turned you into a vampire?”
Terrin looks at Lucien, who nods, giving him permission to speak.
“I was born in 1750 in Vienna, Austria, the youngest of twelve children. My family was poor, and there wasn’t enough food for everyone.
Callum promised my father that I would have a good life.
In turn, he gave him enough money to feed my brothers and sisters until my parents were old and grey. ”
“Your father sold you to a vampire?” I ask.
“He didn’t know Callum was a vampire, but yes.” Terrin looks down. “I was turned almost immediately.”
“That’s why he’s here,” Cyrus announces. “He’s looking for Terrin.”
“And your young vampire.” He nods toward me.
“I can keep Violet safe,” Cyrus retorts.
Lucien laughs. “Can you, Mr. Knight? Do the two of you want a life always on the run, looking behind your backs, moving from home to home…shall I continue?”
“Does he know where the boy is?” Simon asks.
“No,” Terrin answers. “Lucien did not take me. I escaped and found my way here.”
Cyrus crosses his arms across his chest. “You expect me to believe that?”
Terrin nods. “Yes, because it’s the truth. I have the ability to…”
“Do we have a deal?” Lucien interrupts.
“If I do as you ask, you will cast a spell to dispel the one Aurora placed on me?” Cyrus asks.
“Yes,” the warlock answers quickly. “Terrin deserves a chance to live. That was taken away from him when he was a child. He cannot go through life hiding from his maker. The only way to fix the situation is his death.”
Cyrus sighs heavily. “What if I don’t succeed?”
Lucien looks between the four of us. “Then I will tell Callum where to find Violet.”
A heartbeat later, Cyrus has transformed into the creature from earlier. He’s in front of Terrin and Lucien instantly. “Do not mistake my gentle spirit for weakness, Lucien Creed. I can wipe you from this world before you know what’s happened.”
Terrin steps in front of the older warlock. “You will not get through me,” he warns. His voice is low and calculated. The top of the immortal child vampire’s head barely comes to Cyrus’s chest. The boy shudders, and a burst of energy floods the room, nearly knocking me off my feet. What the hell?
Cyrus steps back. “What are you?”
“The boy is special,” Lucien answers. “It’s the reason Callum turned him to begin with and the reason he wants him back.”
“Special how?” Cyrus asks.
“Special enough to change the world,” the warlock answers. “He must be protected, Mr. Knight. The only way to do that is through Callum’s death.”
“Send the boy after him,” Simon says, moving toward Cyrus. “If he’s that powerful, let him kill Callum.”
“He can’t kill his maker,” Lucien answers quickly. “Isn’t that right, Mr. Knight?”
Cyrus closes his eyes. “I would like to discuss this with my friends.”
Lucien bows. “Of course. Take all the time you need.” He motions toward the front and back of the home. “There are plenty of private areas outside.”
Cyrus wraps my arm through his, leading the four of us through the front door a second later. He moves us past the wrap-around front porch to the side of the house. We settle underneath a large Live Oak tree for several minutes before anyone speaks.
“This feels weird,” Stella says, breaking the silence.
“I say we let Callum find the boy,” Simon says.
Cyrus looks each of us in the eye. “I didn’t tell you everything about me.”
“Yeah, I think I can speak for all of us when I say, we noticed.” I cross my arms over my chest. “What happened to your face?”
He sighs, moving toward the wrought iron fence. “It’s something that happens to me when I’m angry.”
“Did it happen when you were human?” I ask.
“Not to the extent that it does now. I was always a bit different. Stronger than most, more graceful than others. When I got angry, my abilities would intensify. My strength became inhuman. It’s what drew her to me.”
“Aurora?” Simon asks.
“Yes. It’s why she’s used me for centuries. Why she made me her hitman.”
“You killed for her?” Stella asks.
“Among other things.” He runs a hand through his hair, something I’ve never seen Cyrus do before. “The spell keeps me from telling her no. She has complete control over me.” He looks at me. “Even now.”
“What does that mean, Cyrus. What are you saying?” I look around, half expecting to see Aurora looming in the background.
“It means if she were to show up right now and demand that I kill you, I’d have to do it.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Simon asks.
“Because it’s my burden to bear.”
“Cyrus?” I get his attention. “Have you been in contact with her?”
“No,” he answers quickly. “Your safety is my first priority, Violet.”
“You just said you can’t tell her no. How am I supposed to believe that?” I ask, fighting the urge to run.
“I can’t fight her, but I can hide my energy the same way Terrin does,” Cyrus announces.
“I can feel you,” I argue. “Your energy is rushing me right now.”
He sighs. “I choose who I hide from.”
“The only way to stop her from controlling you is through Lucien?” Stella asks.
“I think so. I’ve tried many things throughout the years. Only a practitioner stronger than Aurora can reverse the spell she cast. Many have tried; all have failed.” He nods toward the house. “Lucien is the only one powerful enough…I hope.”
“What if he’s lying?” I ask.
“I can feel his power,” Cyrus answers. “I can’t explain it other than you have to trust me.”
“Sounds like you only have one option,” Simon adds. “You have to do what he wants.”
“That option makes him a killing machine again. That’s what he’s trying to get away from,” Stella says.
“True, but it would end the years of control and death. If I kill Callum, Lucien will cast the spell on Aurora, and not only will I be free, but so will Violet.” Cyrus moves back toward the tree.
“You can’t risk your life for me,” I say, feeling tears fill my eyes. “I’m not worth that.”
Long fingers rub my cheek. “You are worth more than you know.”
Simon clears his throat. “We’re staying?” he asks.
Cyrus nods. “Looks that way.”
The four of us make our way back to the front door. Simon raises his hand to knock just as the door opens. “What is the verdict?” Lucien asks. He’s wearing a dinner jacket, dress pants, and smoking a long pipe.
“I’ll do what you want on one condition,” Cyrus says. “If Aurora discovers our whereabouts before Callum’s death, you will be next.”
“I admire your virility, Mr. Knight.” He opens the doors wide.
“I’ve taken the liberty of preparing your rooms.” He motions upstairs.
“Gentlemen are in the first room on the right, while the ladies are in the first room on the left.” He wiggles his eyebrows.
“Those assignments are subject to change at will.”
“Thank you,” Cyrus says, as the four of us climb toward our rooms.
“Dinner will be served in an hour,” Lucien announces. “You’ll find appropriate attire in your rooms.”