Chapter 20
DARCIE
The next two days are utter mayhem.
The brothers, Council, and other prestigious members of the alliance can be heard arguing at all hours of the day and night as they strategize and formalize the details of the next wave of task forces they will be sending to search for Bella.
Tension hums in the air like a live wire that buzzes over my skin whether I’m in my bed, a lounge chair in the garden, or a fainting sofa in the parlor. While the others plan, I’ve been tasked with recovering despite insisting I am well.
Sure, my head is still a little fuzzy and my limbs are weak, but I’m far from the debilitated state from nights ago.
But Thane doesn’t care. If I want to join the search parties, I need to rest.
So, I do.
And I rely on Gregory for information. He reports every detail he can gather about each of the three task forces—who’s assigned where, which regions are considered high risk, and what kind of resistance they expect.
I memorize every name. Every plan. Every possible danger.
Group one will consist of witches and warlocks already working for the alliance, as well as were-beast escorts known for their scenting abilities.
“They’ll investigate plausible sightings of rebels,” Gregory explains from his usual seat in the chair by my bedroom door. “If Adir has hidden strongholds, the were-beasts should be able to scent them.”
I pause taking notes on my cell phone and tap the case with my pointer finger. “And if they find them?”
“They will not engage unless necessary.”
Meaning, if they are cornered.
“Hm…” I add the information to my notes app. “What about group two?”
“You, Alexander, myself, and two were-beasts will travel together, along with two members of the Nightsbane clan.”
My muscles tense. “Which members?”
“Jennifer and Mistress Lola.”
My face twists, but I brush past the unwelcome news. “What’s our group’s goal?”
“To scour locations for Adir. With the Nightsbane witches' heightened abilities, we hope they will be able to see through any advanced cloaking spells.”
“Hope?” I lift a brow. “We aren’t sure they can do it?”
“No one is sure of anything,” Gregory says. “This conflict is…unprecedented.”
“Of course.” I stare at my phone, re-reading the list of names. “Seven people. That’s our entire task force?”
He lifts one shoulder. “From what I’ve heard, yes.”
“That seems…small.” I set my phone in my lap and cross my arms. “I expected Thane to insist that an army travel with me.”
“He tried, but the Council does not want to draw attention. We want the world to believe you remain safely tucked away in this mansion.”
That makes sense. And I’m not about to complain. I’m glad I won’t be surrounded by strangers hell-bent on protecting me. I’ve had enough of that.
Then again…maybe I would appreciate the additional buffer between me and my mother.
It’s not surprising Jennifer Bane is assigned to my group. In fact, it would have been stranger if she wasn’t. But I don’t like that the woman has inserted herself into my life and my task force without even trying to talk to me.
Not once.
A knock at the door interrupts our conversation. One of the brothers’ employees rolls in a dining tray for lunch.
My stomach grumbles, but food will have to wait. Lying in the bed for half the day has left me feeling bleh. I want to clean up and change before doing anything else.
“I’m going to shower.” I swing my legs over the edge of the bed. “Feel free to start without me.”
Gregory grunts a noncommittal sound, eyeing the poor young man who wheels in the tray with unveiled suspicion. His fearful swallow echoes through the bedroom before I close the bathroom door behind me.
I make quick work of undressing, turn on the water to warm, then stare at myself in the mirror. My hair is a tangled mess. Dark shadows mar my eyes.
I sigh.
No wonder no one believes me when I say I feel better. I look terrible.
I turn away and test the water’s temperature before stepping inside the marble shower. I lather and rinse my hair twice and scrub my body just as many times. Once all the soap residue is rinsed away, I step out and wrap myself in a fluffy white robe.
I’m towel drying my hair when I leave the bathroom.
Gregory sits in the chair. Instead of eating, he’s holding a book.
I walk to the vanity table to retrieve the comb I left there and begin working out the tangles in my curls.
“What are you reading?”
“A Study of Scarlet.”
“Sherlock Holmes?”
“I’m surprised you know it.” He lifts his head but promptly drops it again when he sees my robe.
I suppress my smile. Despite the fact that I’m completely covered, he’s mortified by my “state of undress,” as he called it the first time I stepped out in a robe.
I’m not trying to fluster him. I just don’t like changing into clothes until my skin is no longer damp.
“It’s one of my dad’s favorites,” I say, hoping conversation will lessen his embarrassment.
“Your dad has good taste.”
“I guess.” I pause while I work out a particularly nasty knot, then ask, “Have you ever seen the movies?”
He doesn’t look up. “Not yet.”
“They’re really good.” I wince as I tug at my hair. “Robert Downey Jr. is an awesome actor.”
“We will have to rent them, then.” He turns a page with care.
“I’d like that.” I focus on my reflection as I continue to work through my hair. New freckles pepper the bridge of my nose, and my skin is tan from days spent out in the Grecian sun.
I’m far from achieving the olive-skinned tones of the Immortal brothers, but at least I’m no longer as pale as a vampire.
I grin, and my gaze flicks back to Gregory. He turns another page, engrossed in his novel.
I take the moment to inspect him.
His eyes are several shades darker than Alex’s pale blue, and the deeper hue contrasts more sharply with his fair skin.
Do all vampires have midnight-black hair and blue eyes? Or are there variations in Adir’s offspring that I have yet to see?
“Are you done?” Gregory asks.
I blink. “With what?”
“Staring at me.” He finally looks up, brushing stray strands of hair from his forehead.
Instead of being embarrassed, I ask what’s been circling in my head. “Do all vampires look like you? Is every vampire a descendant of Adir?”
Gregory closes the book, sliding a finger between the pages to mark his place. “No. Vampires can come in all shapes and sizes, especially those who were created, not born. But yes, all born vampires originated from Adir’s bloodline.”
The word “born” sticks with me.
“So, Adir is your father, too?”
Gregory shakes his head. “No. My father was another vampire, Alexander’s former second-in-command.”
My eyes widen. “Vampires can have children?”
“With human women, yes.”
“Oh.” My stomach churns. “That’s a little…strange.”
He smirks faintly. “I would agree. But do not fret. My father loved my mother. Once I was born, he turned her. I grew up in a stable, two-parent household.”
Even vampires get better childhoods than me.
The thought hits before I can stop it. I push it away just as quickly. My dad gave me a great life. I don’t need a mom.
I don’t.
“Is that common?” I meet his eyes in the mirror as I resume untangling my damp strands. “For vampires to have kids?”
“Not at all. My parents are…rare.”
“That’s nice.” I turn to face him fully. “I might regret this question, but how long ago were you born?”
“A little less than one hundred years ago.” His smile deepens. “And before you comment, you should know I am young by vampire standards.”
“If that’s young, how are you Alexander’s second-in-command? He’s like…a thousand years old. Shouldn’t someone older be his go-to guy?”
His back straightens. “I am strong and loyal. Once my father stepped down, King Alexander asked me to take his place. It was an honor.”
“Of course.” I clear my throat. “Sorry. I didn’t mean anything by that.”
“I know.” His shoulders relax, and he tilts his head to the side. “You still haven’t asked about it, you know.”
I tilt my head. “About what?”
“The fact that Alexander is a king.”
“Ah.” I look away, focusing on the floral, violet wallpaper covering the far wall. “I shouldn’t be surprised. He’s a natural at bossing people around.”
He laughs. “That, he is.”
I lower the comb and lean against the vanity, crossing my arms over my chest to keep the robe in place. “How did Alex become king?”
“There are five of Adir’s children still living. Alexander is one of them. A few hundred years ago, there were skirmishes between covens over territory, and the human casualties were immense. Then the Council intervened.”
My stomach tightens. “What happened?”
“Adir proposed that the vampire world be divided among his children. Each would have a leader in charge of monitoring the activities of vampires within their region and enforcing the Council’s laws.”
I frown. “What about humans or the other half-breeds in the areas?”
“Most vampire rulers have no sway over other supernatural communities. Clans and packs maintain their own hierarchies. Only Alexander has made an effort to build alliances.”
That sounds like him.
“But what about humans?” I press. “Where do we fit in all of this?”
I might be a witch, but I have no plans to join one of their clans. I need to know what impact that will have on my future.
Regardless of whatever is happening with my mortality at the moment.
“The Council’s stance is explicit,” Gregory says. “No human life is to be interfered with. They limit lesser Immortals’ interactions with humans, as well as our own.”
“But how does that work when vampires can create other vampires? Or have kids with humans?” I shake my head. “No offense to your family, but that doesn't seem like not interfering in a human’s life.
“Vampires who unwillingly turn humans face decapitation at the hands of their ruler,” Gregory replies calmly. “Though some monarchs are more lenient with their punishments.”
My jaw drops. “Has Alex ever had to do that?”
He nods. “Prior to joining this war effort, most of our days were spent hunting down the violent members of our coven. None goes unpunished.”
It’s a grisly image, but relief that floods my chest. “Good.”
“Good?”
I shrug. “It’s nice to know I’m not wrong to trust Alex.”
Anyone who punishes those who hurt innocents can’t be all that bad.
He nods and gestures to the two duffel bags sitting next to the dresser. “Are you prepared to leave tomorrow? Is there anything else you think you might need?”
“No, you and Eshe have taken care of everything.”
While the alliance leaders plan strategy and security measures, Gregory and Eshe have meticulously planned for my departure.
Their packing includes clothing for every conceivable climate, toiletries, and enough movies and books downloaded on my tablet to keep me occupied for days.
Gregory shrugs. “You will thank me and Eshe when the stakeouts last for hours.”
The door swings open. “Thank me for what?”
Eshe walks into the room without knocking. She glances between the sitting Gregory and where I stand, still in my robe.
“For overpacking for me,” I answer with a smile, then push off the vanity when my stomach grumbles.
“You’re welcome.” She moves over to the dining cart and lifts a domed lid. “Have you eaten?”
“Not yet.”
“Well, you should change and get a quick bite. We’re due to leave within the hour.”
“What?” Gregory and I ask at the same time.
The vampire shakes his head. “But we weren’t meant to leave until tomorrow.”
“There’s been a change of plans.” She plucks a grape from the fruit bowl and pops one in her mouth. “And if you don’t want to be left behind, we need to get moving.”
“On it.” I rush to the dresser to grab my clothes and then hurry to the bathroom.
I close the door and lean my forehead against the wood, inhaling slowly.
This is what I wanted… to be included… to stop being sidelined.
To prove I’m more than a liability.
I remind myself I’m excited. That this is progress. A little anxiety is normal.
So why does it feel like I’m about to waltz into yet another dangerous situation that I might not walk away from on my own?