Chapter 4
Therian Palace, Wednesday, January 9, 2013, Morning
Ash and Luca moved their discussion to the war room, hoping it would help them keep their hands off each other. Viktorija, Euan, Ivanna, Kittania, Mikhail, and several of Luca’s small council members arrived to help them address the evolving vampire issue.
“I need to learn what Nadya did before her death, starting with the vampires held captive here. I don’t want to be blindsided by her plans, but at this point, it feels inevitable,” Ash began.
“For now, I will travel across Russia, keeping my movements unpredictable and collecting any vampires who want to leave the life Nadya forced on them. They will become my army and live a different way, or they will die. Dealing with humans will be hard enough without reinforcing that vampires have survived on human blood for five thousand years. We can’t afford to have anybody go rogue.”
“Agreed,” Viktorija replied. “There is no room for mistakes right now. We are stronger than humans, but numbers matter, and they have the majority by far. Have you considered turning humans?”
Ash shook her head. “I’ve thought about it, but I don’t want to, and I don’t expect that to change anytime soon. Nadya ruined far too many lives. I won’t be like that.”
Viktorija shrugged, playing the devil’s advocate to perfection. “Maybe it’s not about whether you change people, but who you change. You could save lives by giving good, honest people who are dying a second chance at life. For that matter, the world is full of veterans who stepped up and sacrificed for others and were left to manage the aftermath alone.”
Mikhail cleared his throat. “If I might offer the perspective of a former king?”
At Ash’s nod, the old dragon smiled. “Beyond doubt, you’ve proven to the Therians that people can choose to rise above the circumstances and become vampires for brave and honorable reasons. From the time we hatch, we are told that vampires are evil and can never be anything but evil. Having more allies with your strength, abilities, and strong moral compass wouldn’t be a bad thing.”
Ash was stunned. She hadn’t expected a Therian royal to support making more vampires. Mikhail’s confidence touched her, but she remained undecided about her next step. “How about I don’t consider it until the council approves the measure? For that matter, I need to establish an advisory council. We can create a lasting peace, and I won’t jeopardize that. These decisions have layers, and there is no simple answer. Our choices must serve the Therians and the vampires willing to live a better life.”
Kittania drew the group’s attention. “You have everyone’s best interests at heart, and we trust that you will make a decision that benefits the most people.”
The color drained from Ash’s face, and she looked like she’d seen a ghost. “Oh, my God. She’s going to fucking kill me.”
Everyone went on alert. “Who’s attacking?” Viktorija demanded.
Ash groaned. “I was supposed to meet Dani at the airport when she arrived. She planned to leave by plane shortly after Eiko and I portaled out two days ago.”
Viktorija’s stance relaxed, and she smiled. “Is that all? She won’t hurt you too badly. She is your sister.”
Ash turned to Luca. “I hate to ask, but I need to borrow a car. My phone got smashed in the fight.”
He pulled out his phone and offered it to Ash. “Call her and see where she ended up.”
Niletean interrupted by knocking on the door. Until the dragon appeared, no one had noticed his absence. Ash didn’t know how someone more than six feet tall with white hair hanging to his waist could be inconspicuous, but Niletean managed. She pushed the thought aside and dialed her sister’s number. A phone rang in the hall, and Ash’s gaze snapped to the door as Dani crossed the threshold.
When Dani caught sight of Ash, she ran across the room and threw her arms around her. “You didn’t show up at the airport.”
Ash choked out a laugh. “I’m sorry. I kind of died.”
Dani hugged her tighter. “Niles told me. We’ll talk about that later. I can’t believe you forgot me.” Dani stepped back with tears of relief as she ran a hand through her newly shorn dark hair.
Ash smiled, fighting the tears that stung her eyes. “I know! I’m so sorry! I love your hair.”
“You left me at a Russian airport. You know I don’t fucking speak Russian,” Dani grumbled, though Ash heard the teasing tone in her sister’s voice and felt her love and worry. “Thank you. I didn’t know I could pull off a chin-length bob.”
“You’re not going to let this go, are you?” Ash asked. “You’re rocking the hell out of it. Makes your eyes pop.”
Dani grinned. She hadn’t been angry. “No worries. We’re cool. Niletean was there.”
The dragon grinned. “I run an algorithm that targets certain names booking travel to the transportation hubs nearby. The sister of our future queen is on that list.”
Niletean had to have been tracking Dani’s travel for a while. She didn’t know whether to be touched or creeped out, so she settled for both. “I appreciate your stalker tendencies in this instance while reserving the right to be skeeved out that you track where we go.”
Niletean nodded his acceptance. “That’s fair, and I’m just doing my job. Life as a royal doesn’t afford a lot of privacy. Most people appreciate it and factor my knowing things into their plans. You’ll get used to it.”
Kittania, Mikhail, Viktorija, and Luca laughed and offered various versions of “He’s right.”
Ash smiled. “I can accept that. Thank you, Niletean. I dropped the ball on this one, and you saved my ass.”
“My pleasure, Your Majesty.”
“We aren’t married yet,” Ash protested.
Niletean shook his head. “Respectfully, you might not be the Therian queen yet, but you are a queen. You’ve earned the title more than any royal I’ve ever known, present company not excluded.” The dragon met his aunt’s eyes.
Kittania wasn’t offended. She agreed. Things had been rough for the past few centuries, but her path to the throne had been smooth. Vampires had slaughtered her family when her engagement to Nikoli was announced, but that had been one more incident in eons of war. It was almost expected. She’d mourned the loss and moved on, but Ash had fought for every moment with Luca and jumped headfirst into a war that had been ancient long before she’d been born. She would be a great queen.
Ash blushed at the praise. “Thank you. I’m trying to protect all our people. I guess the next step is to talk to our guests in the basement and see what we’re working with. Unless someone has a better plan?”
“I’ll get Dani settled in appropriate chambers and catch her up on everything that’s happened,” Kittania offered. “There have been quite a few developments since the last time we saw her.”
Dani waved her sister away. “Go do what you need to do. Mama Dragon has me covered.”
“’Mama Dragon?’” Kittania asked.
Dani gave her an uncharacteristically shy grin, her green eyes sparkling. “You have a motherly vibe, and I always feel safe with you. I know I’m just spare baggage in this situation, but…”
“Oh, sweet girl. You are not spare anything. Do you have any idea how much bravery it takes to knowingly walk into this world as a human?” Kittania asked with affection for the young, dark-haired woman. “If I’m not mistaken, Luca and Ash reserved advisory positions for you in the royal courts of both the vampire and Therian empires. Come, we have a great deal to discuss, including how you see your role among our people.”
Ash hugged her sister before she left with Kittania. “You better not let me hear you talking shit about your importance ever again,” she growled into Dani’s ear. “You are everything to me, and there is zero chance I can do this without you.”
Dani’s eyes were shiny when she pulled away from Ash. “I love you too. Go do queen shit. We’ll catch up later.”
After Dani and Kittania left, those who remained turned their attention to the current situation and the steps they should take. They needed a solid idea of what they faced from Nadya’s surviving children and if her death would derail any plots she had in the works. Euan volunteered to help her interrogate the vampires, and Ash made plans to meet him on the second basement level after the meeting.
Luca had calls scheduled later that day with high-ranking officials in multiple governments to orchestrate a widespread and official reveal of the supernatural world. Rumors were growing faster than they could be contained, and misinformation would get people killed.
He couldn’t focus on the same issues as Ash. They were warring on multiple fronts and had to divide their forces if they hoped to conquer the challenges before them. Not to mention Jules and the Therian rebels. The coward hadn’t shown up at his own battle. Luca also had prisoners to interrogate.
When everyone had their assignments, they dispersed. Ash followed the Euan into tunnels carved through the mountain. This was a dungeon, but it was not like the horror in the old palace. The cells were clean and dry, although the vampires didn’t require much care or comfort. Most of them sat without reacting to the world around them until Ash stepped off the staircase.
The vampires cried out when they sensed the presence of their new queen, some with joy and relief, others with rage and aggression. Ash stopped in front of the first cell and asked the guard to unlock the door. He hesitated, but Euan stepped forward.
“Dinnae ye ken who this is? She’s their bloody queen, ye numpty.” Euan scoffed. “She took Nadya’s heart after being a vampire for a month! She can handle a baby bat surrounded by guards.”
The guard opened the door, and Ash stepped into the cell alone. The vampire sitting on the stone slab of a bed looked at her with contempt.
“What do you want?” He sneered, brushing the dark hair out of his crimson eyes. His handsome features were a mask of fury.
“I want to offer you a chance to live,” Ash replied.
“Why should I believe anything you say? You murdered our queen and plan to take her place with no idea what it means to be a vampire. You want to take away all the things that make us the fearsome stalkers of the night that we are and muzzle us to protect your precious humans and Therians. You’re a traitor to your species, and I will never follow you.”
He spat at her feet to emphasize his refusal.
Ash shrugged. “Okay. Have it your way.” She stepped out of the cell and turned to Euan. “You can prepare this one for execution. He will never change and would work against us at every turn.” She raised her voice to carry to all the vampires waiting for a visit. “The vampire race is under new management. Get with the program or die. The indiscriminate slaughter is over.”
Instead of the darkness that Nadya had radiated like an aura, Ash glowed with golden light. The hostile vampire shrank back from her. Ash grimaced and swung the door shut, gesturing for the guard to open the next cell. A curvy young woman with purple and blue hair huddled in the corner. When Ash stepped inside, she looked up and held out her hands.
“I want a different life!” she cried in halting English. “I did not choose this.”
Ash smiled kindly and knelt to help the woman up. “What’s your name?” she asked in Russian.
She looked surprised. “Amaris.” She launched into a rapid explanation in her native tongue. “I was in the school library when someone hit me from behind. I woke up in a dirty basement. I had fangs, and a crazy lady told me I had to fight the dragons. I want to go home!”
“I’m sorry this happened to you, Amaris.” Ash spoke with genuine sadness. “You’ve been turned into a vampire, and the life you lived before is gone. The one who made you is dead, and now you have to make a choice. Join my forces and cooperate with the Therians and humans, or die. When it’s safe, you might be able to visit your family, but your former life is over. I’m sorry you are in this position, but those are your options.”
Amaris sank onto the stone slab that served as the bed and shrank into herself. “I just wanted to be a graphic designer. I have no interest in any war, and I sure as shit am not a soldier. What use could you have for me? You might as well just kill me.”
Ash chuckled. “Amaris, look at me.”
When the vampire looked up, Ash smiled. “I was a college student until a few months ago. You don’t seem evil, and I don’t sense bloodlust in you. Others like you were turned by force and don’t want a life of death and destruction. I’m offering you another way.”
Amaris groaned in frustration. “I’m telling you, I don’t want to fight with or for anyone. All I want is a nice, quiet life.”
“Who said you have to fight? I’m trying to stop the fighting. You said you’re a graphic designer, right? With our world exposed to humanity, we’re going to need serious PR to spin things in a positive light. Seems like a good way for you to fit in with us without exposing your human friends and family to potential danger.
“I can give you a safe home, a place to belong with people who understand what you’re going through, and enough work to keep you designing for several lifetimes. When you’re ready, you can contact your family and have them visit.” Ash kept her tone patient. This young woman had been through enough.
“I’d like that,” Amaris stated hesitantly, hopeful after the darkness she’d known with Nadya.
Turning back to the door where Euan waited, Ash added, “Can you ask Zia to join us? I think she would be a big help here.”
Euan nodded and jogged toward the stairs, returning a few minutes later with the vampire. “Yes, my lady? What did you need?”
Ash gestured at Amaris. “I thought you could walk our newest recruit through the basics and bring her up to speed with how we do things.”
Zia grinned. “This is only the second cell, and you’ve already got someone? Fantastic! Don’t worry, boss, I’ve got this.” Zia stepped into the cell, shooing the others toward the next one.
“This is Zia,” Ash told Amaris as she turned to leave. “Nadya turned her against her will, and she was the first rebel vampire to join the Therians. She’ll get you situated and answer any questions you have.”
As the pair moved toward the staircase, Zia turned back to call, “Send any others who come over to our side up to the east wing dining hall. I’ll assemble blood bags and create a ‘welcome to the good side’ orientation to smooth the process.”
“Thanks, Zia,” Ash said. “You’re my… Well, shit. We need to come up with a title for the vampire queen’s right hand. Ugh, that sounds so weird.”
Zia waved her concern away. “Problem for another day. You have enough to worry about. I’m here, and I’ve got this covered for you, my liege. That’s enough for now.”
Ash nodded and returned to the task at hand. She found an older male vampire willing to follow her leadership in the third cell but struck out with the next two. It went on like that for hours. Viktorija’s people had rounded up well over a hundred vampires, and the ones who’d lapsed into a catatonic state had been herded into cells together. They only seemed to return to a semblance of life when she entered the room.
Ash was attacked three times during the long day, but no one had touched her. She was cursed and blessed and thanked and ignored. By the time she reached the end of the long hall, Ash had brought sixty percent of the captives to her side, which was more than she’d expected. Of the one hundred and forty-three vampires captured, eighty-five had chosen to convert.
In her rush to create an army of daywalkers, Nadya had stopped picking the evil ones and grabbed anyone. Ash would execute the remaining vampires the following day after giving them a final chance to join her forces. If they still refused, Ash would end them. It was a brutal sort of justice, but that was the situation Nadya had left her with.
As the room Zia used for vampire orientation filled to its limits, she realized they needed a barracks. Ideally, a separate facility oriented to vampiric needs and comfort. When Ash joined her after speaking to all the captives, Zia presented the idea and asked permission to search for the ideal location.
The vampire queen needed a hub of organization that belonged to her people and provided a place for others to negotiate with vampires. For all that her life revolved around Therians, Ash had to secure the vampires’ place in the hierarchy of powerful sentient species on Earth.
“You’re right,” she told Zia. “I have every intention of merging vampire interests with those of the Therians, but sometimes I don’t want or need to involve them. I have to establish a large and small council, too. Even though this has to be a dictatorship, I welcome and value the advice of people I trust.
“Vampires need a place of power, and it must be far removed from the taint of Nadya’s dark influence. A place that represents light in the darkness but is safe for those who can’t tolerate the sun yet. Most of Nadya’s children were hand-picked for their evil tendencies, so I don’t have a lot of hope where they’re concerned. However, I won’t have our stronghold only serve some of our people. I like the dichotomy of a bright and airy structure full of natural light on the surface and a lightproof underground fortress several levels deep. I’d also like to delve into the science of what our blood can do without all the mad scientist shit Nadya pulled. It’s a massive undertaking, and I don’t have that kind of money.”
Zia laughed and looked at Ash as if she were missing something obvious. “Nadya was fucking loaded, Your Majesty. She was older than money.”
Ash stiffened at the title but knew it was a losing battle, so she focused on the interesting part of Zia’s statement. “Okay. How do we find her accountant?”
Zia grimaced. “I don’t have a clue, but maybe one of them does.”
Ash turned to the room, which was packed with nervous vampires waiting for something to happen. “Who has knowledge of Nadya’s finances or the whereabouts of her inner circle and whatever plans she had in place before the battle?”
A dozen vampires raised their hands. Ash had memorized their names and faces when they spoke in the cells, and she called them forward one at a time to share what they knew. The first few only had vague information about the banks Nadya frequented or who they thought was important in Nadya’s organization. Ash heard the name Jean-Pierre several times and made a note to seek the man out as soon as possible.
All the recruits had been held in a barracks at Nadya’s compound and spoke of a half-blood Therian named Maksim she’d paraded around with, pretending to be a gentle-natured vampire in love with him. None knew the details of her plan, but they all figured it involved turning the man. They had heard rumors that his Therian half was dragon.
Great, yet another unknown. Nadya said his name when she died. I wonder if she loved him. Doubtful.
The most useful information she’d gathered in the interviews was the location of Nadya’s stronghold, and Ash couldn’t think of a better place to start. She should find the resources she needed, or at the very least, clues on where to look next and whatever vampires Nadya had left behind in the battle. It seemed to Ash that Nadya had abandoned her night-bound children when she developed the ability to turn daywalkers.
“Our next step is to make a move on whoever’s left at the stronghold. I won’t force anyone to go with me, but I will accept volunteers and would welcome anyone with previous experience at the facility. I aim to recruit as many as possible, but I don”t expect a friendly welcome since we will go in with Therians at our side. Anyone who didn’t want to be there may have already fled.”
Speaking to Zia, she continued. “We need a show of force, so please assemble those Therians who wish to accompany us. Euan Frazier is a good resource. He’s the most outspoken about his willingness to help handle vampire affairs, and he might have some insight on who is best suited to join us.”
Zia nodded, making notes as the queen spoke. “I’m on it. Where will we put all these people in the meantime? I wasn’t expecting this many on the first attempt.”
“My next stop is to ask Luca if there is a space we can use until I can establish a base of operations.”
“We don’t need a lot, Your Majesty,” one of the new recruits, Bill, stated with a Southern twang that stood out among the European accents common in this group. When Nadya turned him, the Tennessee man had been in the country for a business trip.
“All we had at the compound was a pole barn stuffed with bunk beds. Since we don’t need much rest, we can do it in shifts and make do with a smaller space if necessary. It’s just…is there a phone I can use, ma’am? If you let me speak with my wife and kids, I will do anything you ask. I’ve been missing for weeks, and they must think I’m dead.” He laughed bitterly and looked at the pale people around him. “Well, I am dead, but like you said, it didn’t stick.”
Ash looked surprised. “You heard that?”
Bill nodded. His American accent reminded Ash of home. “Yes, ma’am, I did. I reckon you didn’t count on that magic reaching here, but it went to every ear in the palace. We all heard. I was on your side long before you walked into that cell.”
Ash nodded at Zia, who pulled a cell phone out of her pocket and tossed it to Bill. He grinned in delight and started dialing, looking for a quiet corner to speak to his loved ones. Ash glanced at the others.
“Does anyone else need to let your families know what happened? The secret is out, so you don’t have to hide what you are, but I’m afraid I can’t let you go home until I’m certain you can control yourselves. It will be a process, but I plan to create a vampire stronghold with a visitors’ center that allows you to see your human loved ones in a safe environment where you won’t lose control. Eventually, I would like a property with apartments so you can live with your human families while keeping the protection and resources I will provide.”
Many in the group looked relieved, and fifty raised their hands.
“I’m going to secure some space for us, and I will send someone with phones so you can make those calls. Sit tight. I know it’s not ideal to get conscripted into yet another vampire army you didn’t sign up for, but unlike Nadya, I take care of my people, and you are all mine now.
“Mother, queen, head bitch in charge. I don’t care what you call me, but I am now the ultimate vampire authority. From this point on, I declare that our nature doesn’t mean we need to be the nightmare creatures that Nadya intended. It’s a new day for vampires and a new night for everyone.”
She left behind a room full of excited vampires. Ash tapped into the mating bond and followed it to the war room, where she found Luca with his small council. She asked a guard to announce her, but he just opened the door and waved her in without a word.
She was surprised. “Uh, thank you.”
“The king said you are to be admitted without question or delay, Your Highness.” The guard smiled at his soon-to-be queen.
Ash returned his smile and faced her mate. He looked up from the map he was studying with Ivanna and Niletean. “Is everything okay?” Luca asked, concerned.
Her smile grew wider. “Everything is wonderful. We converted eighty-five of the day walkers and gathered some intel, but I’m facing some logistics issues.”
Luca stepped around the table to take Ash in his arms and kiss her forehead before looking at her with a smile. “That’s great news. What do you need?”
“Well, my most immediate concern is cell phones. I’ve got fifty people who haven’t spoken to their families in weeks, and they need to make calls. They’re using Zia’s phone, but these aren’t going to be short calls.”
“I can take care of that. I keep a supply of phones on hand for missions and replacements,” Niletean told her and stepped into the hall to make arrangements.
“With that settled, I need to handle the executions of the vampires who refused to join me. They will get a final chance to change their minds, but I set a consequence, and I need to follow through with it sooner rather than later. I have to do it myself, but I wouldn’t mind having backup.”
“I’m on it,” Viktorija called from the corner of the room. “You need someone far more ruthless than you to be the strong one in this. I know you think you need to carry out the killing blow as a noble act but think about letting me help. It won’t hurt me like it will hurt you.”
Ash’s eyes flashed, and a confident smile curled the corners of her mouth. “It won’t hurt me, Viktorija. I’ll have given them two chances, and that’s one more than they deserve. Given the opportunity, they would slaughter everyone I love, so their deaths are no great loss to me. If I don’t do it myself, it will be a sign of weakness I can’t afford.”
Viktorija nodded, her respect for Ash clear in her expression. “Okay, but I will be with you regardless. I’ll make the arrangements and get the details to you.”
Ash nodded her thanks. “The next thing is space to house a hundred vampires until I can find and take control of Nadya’s financial holdings and secure my center of operations. I won’t keep my people in cells. The guest quarters are full, and it’s asking a lot to keep vampires as guests in the palace they attacked, but they were forced into this.”
Luca held up a hand to silence her. “Of course, we will find a place for your people. Everything is changing, Ash, and we will welcome those who choose to follow you, if warily, as an extension of you. They get a single chance. We will not tolerate their betrayal of your goodwill, but we won’t attack them or treat them like prisoners. Our people are all eager to see what peace between vampires and Therians looks like, and this is the ideal place to demonstrate that it is possible.”
“Get the financial information you find to Niletean. He’s a genius with anything technical,” Viktorija added.
Ivanna laughed. “Our boy Niles is just a genius.”
The white-haired dragon, who had slipped back into the room unnoticed, bowed his head in acknowledgment of the compliments. “Thank you, ladies. I do what I can. Ash, I will be delighted to help you take every penny of Nadya’s money. The idea of establishing a vampire base of operations is excellent. If you have the specifications, I will look into finding something appropriate within portal distance of the palace. You already have substantial funds at your disposal, by the way.”
“What?” Ash asked, confused.
Luca cleared his throat, looking sheepish. “I did say you never had to worry about money again, remember?”
Ash paled. “What did you do?”
“Shortly after your mating, he called and asked that your name be added to all his accounts,” Niletean explained. “You are an extremely wealthy woman, Your Highness. You could buy any property in the country outright.”
Ash poured love into the mating bond so Luca would know she was touched, not upset. She’d been stupid about money before, but that now seemed inconsequential. The scale of her life had expanded so much that a bank account with more zeros than she’d ever seen didn’t even register.
“As always, my mate takes care of me and provides all I could ever need, even before I know I need it. Your assistance would be wonderful, Niletean. Thank you. Can you get with Zia? She has the specifics on what we’re looking for, and she’s become my right hand on the fangy side of life. For this, she speaks with my authority. She will reach out for anything that requires me directly.”
Niletean nodded. “I’ll speak to her when we finish here.”
“The last urgent order of business is taking over Nadya’s stronghold. I’ve got the location, and I want to arrive with a show of force to ensure that those who want to fight see the futility. I am requesting a contingent of Therians to accompany us. I said I’d accept help, and I intend to do so. This is the beginning of the vampire-Therian alliance. Euan has been an enthusiastic supporter, so I’d like him to organize it, but I wanted to ask you first, Luca.”
Her mate nodded. “Of course. Euan will be thrilled. He’s a big fan of yours.”
Viktorija snorted. “That’s true. He won’t shut up about how interesting you are and how much fun it is to work with you. It’s all ‘she’s a canny lass’ and ‘Ah havenae seen the like.’ It’s ridiculous. I’ll go with you so he doesn’t get his fool head bashed in.”
Ash thought she detected jealousy in the dragon’s voice, and everyone heard the protectiveness. She wondered if something was developing between Viktorija and the Scottish wolf. She had heard that he’d declared his undying love for the royal warrior and made a mental note to ask him about her to watch his reaction.
Luca laughed and turned his attention back to Ash. “You’re going to have more volunteers than you know what to do with. After your speech and everything you’ve done, the people are enchanted with you.”
Viktorija growled, but she knew she’d already said too much. Still, when the meeting ended, she went to find Euan. Viktorija admitted to herself that the berserker wolf was getting under her skin, so the idea of him heading into a battle without her made her chest tight. She’d been alone for so long that the idea of needing someone the way Luca needed Ash terrified her, even though she longed to have someone look at her like her brother looked at his mate. The dragon didn’t think she could give Euan that kind of power over her, but she feared he already had it.
I need to hit something, she thought as she went to find her wolf.