Chapter 17
L ukas
“Kiam’s gone,” Kalix stated, striding into my office.
“Gone?” I glanced at him as he pushed his hood back.
He swiped his hand around his neckline, freeing his long hair. “Yes, he went to the Third. He’s fetching Annalise’s son.”
My hand smoothed down the scroll I’d been examining. I was looking at vampire family lines, attempting to discern who her son’s father would be. It wasn’t going to be Wyvon, I knew that without a doubt. Nor would it be any of us in positions of power in her palace.
Annalise would have chosen someone unique, someone bearing some sort of advantage in another kingdom. Most likely, a man with exceptional magic or sorcery.
A mix of irritation and unfamiliar sadness wrestled together in my chest. Against my own will, I’d grown very fond of Kiam and truly considered him a friend.
He knew better than to lay a hand on Cassia. He knew how I would react. I couldn’t help the suspicion that he’d taken his leave without notifying me due to his mistaken belief he held a higher moral ground.
I’d felt it the moment Cassia recoiled from his touch. The sensation of wrongness that had hollowed her stomach and made her hair stand on end sent me flying from this very office.
Kiam was lucky I hadn’t disemboweled him and feasted on his remains.
“Do you have news of where his focus will lie? What do we know of her child?” The outrageous thought to drag his bag of bones back here was hard to resist.
Kalix paced back and forth, the skirt of his cape swishing against his legs and the chairs. “The boy’s name is Zaynan,” he glanced at me. “She believes he is just a few hundred years old. He is working with the demon, Alexander, selling drugs.”
“Drugs?” The child was lucky he was still alive.
“Alexander is no street thug. He’s a higher-level demon and was a close companion of the heir of the Satanic Throne. It is highly likely Zaynan has been extraordinarily comfortable.”
I made a mental note to investigate Alexander and his associates. “Very well. Europe?”
He shook his head. “East coast. New York City from what I understand. I sent one of the Kakians to verify and that is what he reported.” He paused. “Mind you, these demons aren’t always reliable.”
Nodding, I replied, “I’m aware. They are also aware of the consequences of false information.”
“Indeed.” Kalix's eyes glowed with excitement for a moment.
“Did you speak to Kiam yourself?” After the question left my mouth, I regretted asking it.
He gave me a knowing look. “Very briefly. Only about his task.”
“Mm. Thank you for informing me.”
Straightening in my chair, I began rolling the scroll back up. I placed it beside the others and opened my laptop, bringing up a map of Manhattan.
“Kalix,” I stopped him when he placed his hand on the door. “Do you have a woman?”
“I do not. I am expected to take one. Annalise doesn’t like the idea of me ruling the north kingdom single.”
Such a contemplative mood hadn’t overtaken me in years. “Good luck with that.”
He let out a short laugh. “I won’t be plagued as you, don’t worry.” He smirked roughly, his muscles stiff with an unfamiliar expression.
I gestured for him to exit. Our Queen was planning on sending him away soon, most likely this week. It was beyond me what she was waiting for.
He swiveled his head to face me again. “Our Queen would like an audience with you at your convenience.”
Kiam’s abrupt departure still grated at me. Kalix may leave just as suddenly, but that did not matter to me nearly as much. Besides, I knew without a doubt he would consult me prior.
“Thank you,” I replied.
Restless, I decided to go now and see what she wanted. I stood up from my seat as Kalix left, the door shutting softly behind him. I grabbed my suit jacket and put it on before I powered down the laptop.
When I stepped out of the room, my blood ran hot the same time her scent filled my head. I glanced to the right, spotting Cassia and Katarina slowly wandering in the opposite direction.
The skirt of Cassia’s gown trailed behind her along the floor, and I admired her shape, the tight waistline of the dress highlighting her supple curves. Her head tilted back as she laughed at something her slave said, and the motion of her silky hair released more of her fragrance, teasing me.
I hadn’t spoken a word to her since the day she screamed at me and walked away.
There was nothing to say.
Another man touched her, no matter his intentions, soiling her skin. Her bond to me should have made such an act disgusting and maybe it did, but she didn’t object. Her behavior was unacceptable in many ways, and I didn’t know what to do.
What I was supposed to do was well known, but I wasn’t going to be without her.
Cassia’s posture stiffened slightly while her head turned to the side just a fraction. She sensed me watching. She and Katarina continued on their way while she fought against the urge to look at me.
I could have forced her. I could have gone and planted myself directly in her path and made her do my will. But I didn’t. She would come to me, it was inevitable. In the meantime, I had to accept that my bride-to-be found me lacking.
* * *
Annalise was in her chambers, lounging on a sofa reading while her favored slave played with her nipples. When she saw me, she sprung up, sending the man to the floor in a tumble.
She kicked him, effectively clearing her path, and approached me as I bowed. “Lukas, thank you for coming so promptly.”
I didn’t wait for her signal and stood up. “You’re welcome, my Queen,” I said, as she graced me with a smile.
“Boy," she snapped her fingers in the air, “get us something to drink.”
He mumbled, “Yes, my Queen.”
Annalise rolled her eyes as I asked, “How can I assist you?”
“First of all, Cassia is a delight. Very smart woman, too,” warmth bloomed in my chest at her words, “she didn’t eat the meat.”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end. “What did you do?” I asked cautiously.
She let out a girlish giggle. “I had a virgin sacrificed to me the other day. We saved the meat. Here, try some of her blood. This one is especially sweet.”
A glass was handed to both me and Annalise. She was correct; it was very good. “I suspect Cassia would have been very disappointed had she known what was on her plate.”
She swallowed a mouthful and nodded her head. “Typical behavior. It saddens my heart she didn’t revere me as she should, but many humans don’t. Which brings me to my next point.”
Annalise held out her glass, and her slave retrieved it, quickly returning with her refill. “With Kiam gone, I’m very lonely. You’ve never worshipped me the way I desire, my sweet Lukas. I feel it is time you did.”
“Your Majesty, you know I am to be wed and that I’ve publicly committed to my bride.”
She took a lock of my hair between two fingers, rubbing them together over the strands. “I cursed you to look like me and you never changed it. Why? Is it not because you want to worship my body?”
Annalise sat back down and out of respect, I followed the motion. “I kept it because I prefer the appearance of this hair to the black. I also prefer green over blue. You did well.”
“You mock me,” she snarled. Next thing I knew, she was on my lap. I thrust my arms up and held her at bay. Her canines extended, spit dripping from her lethal mouth. “If I demand you worship me in that manner you will.”
That was an impossibility for a multitude of reasons. “ Mother ,” I insisted, “that will never happen.”
“Ungrateful brat,” she hissed. “I should have left you.”
Maybe, but I was thankful she’d taken me in. Whoever had birthed me, whoever my biological parents had been, I’d never met them or desired to. Annalise had found me as a toddler and for whatever reason, didn’t eat me or consume my blood.
Vampires weren’t known for their empathetic parenting skills, but she’d brought me home and clothed and fed me, taught me nearly everything I know. Due to our relationship, nothing has ever been sexual between us.
The other vampires she kept close had somewhat similar stories, just with minor differences. A rotating shift slumbered, but Annalise had amassed a major kingdom with our assistance.
As far as I knew, Kalix and Ezekiel had never slept with her either. Ezekiel wasn’t around much and today’s tantrum caused me to wonder if there was a very good reason for his distance.
Finishing my wine, I replied, “You may consider my physical appearance a tribute to everything you have done for me.”
Her nipple brushed my wrist, and she sighed before she let a fingernail extend and come dangerously close to my belt. I matched her motion, letting my own grow and crisscrossing them around her neck, drawing blood.
“Do not test me, Annalise,” I growled at her. I tossed her to the floor as a look of shock colored her face.
She sprung up onto all fours, her back arched like a cat before she straightened, and a look of peace transformed her back into the beauty she was known for. “You haven’t yet claimed the girl.” Her nostrils flared. “You are going to be very sorry you ever defied me,” she proclaimed.
“Perhaps. But at least my heart is true.”
As I walked out, her laughter surrounded me, pinging off the walls and snaking its way inside my head. It took nearly all of my focus to push it out and away, freeing myself from her malice.
The meeting with my Queen was taxing, and I lost all interest in continuing my day’s work. I found myself wandering to the other end of the palace, looking for a distraction.
A dining hall that doubled as a bar provided me with brief entertainment.
The bartenders consisted of a mix of human slaves and Kakian demons.
Not every demon was cut out for the more adventurous roles we generally assigned them.
Some enjoyed inebriating others rather than sucking their soul out of their body, and it was easier to assign them a civilian job rather than turn the species against us.
The bartender handed me a tumbler full of vodka, and I swallowed it, enjoying the light burning sensation sliding down my throat. I set the glass down and turned to the man who’d stepped beside me.
“Simon,” I addressed him. He was one of our men who patrolled the city. It was a coveted position, just below Lord.
He bowed and then turned to order a beverage. When it was brought to him, he asked, “Where is your bride, my Lord? Many are wondering when it will be official.”
“My bride is none of your concern.”
He blanched at my tone. “My apologies.”
With a glare, I turned around, scanning the other occupants.
Voices that lowered rose again with multiple faces sneaking furtive glances.
I had no doubt Annalise had immediately utilized her slave to spread dissent the moment I left her chambers.
Simon had used diplomacy with his questioning, but the underlying message was there.
I needed to do something, and soon.
Chatter near the door caught my attention, along with a familiar voice. In a blink, Kiam stood before me—but he wasn’t alone.
A young vampire had the back of his neck clutched in my friend’s fist, his extremely long, dark hair swinging about as he wrestled against him.
“This is Zaynan,” Kiam announced. “A bit feral, I might add.”
Quickly, I sized the newcomer up. His chestnut brown eyes were shaded and lined as was customary for our kind; his skin was nearly blemish-free other than a couple of small scars. He’d met a cursed blade or fingernail at some point in his wanderings.
His hair was another matter. He wasn’t pure blood and the liquid in my veins ran cold. The sheen of his hair suggested demon, however that wasn’t quite it.
“Where did you find him?” I circled the tall, flailing man. He was nearly as tall as I was.
Kiam yanked him back as if he was corralling a dog. “Napping in a penthouse.”
“Alexander will kill you for this,” Zaynan snarled at him, snapping at him with his teeth.
“No, he won’t,” Kiam stated, shaking him.
Zaynan’s nails flashed through the air and Kiam gave them a quick glance. The fingernails shattered, transforming into dust. “Perhaps Josiah will have his way with you,” Zaynan threatened.
Kiam didn’t even look at him. “I’ll be seeing him soon for tea, thank you for the reminder.”
The man calmed, narrowing his eyes at my friend. “Why did you bring him here so soon?” I asked.
The entire space was watching us. Some were horrified and others were overly curious. Annalise would be furious with the messy display of poor manners.
“Several alarms were tripped. I didn’t have enough time to investigate,” he wrapped a thick wad of hair around his wrist, “due to this fucking baby.”
“Your crows?” He had a massive flock that, from what I’d seen, kept trespassers far away from his home.
“Useless.” He glanced at me. “Have fun with your new charge.”
He thrust the man at me and Zaynan spun around, intending to run. “Kiam,” I snarled, shoving a finger toward his face, “this is your responsibility, not mine.”
“Annalise’s orders,” he replied, walking away. He stopped and turned around again. “Lukas?”
I switched my gaze from Zaynan to Kiam, my mind blank.
Kiam smirked and lifted dual middle fingers. Several gasps rose around me. “You can go fuck yourself.”
Then, he disappeared.