A Cold Day in Hell (The Hellcat Series) (23 page)

He grinned conspiratorially.  "I also get to take trips out of the castle to buy certain supplies that aren't delivered.  I'm up to date with modern technology and like to hang out in coffee shops that conveniently have Internet connections available."

"You crafty bastard," Kyle suddenly huffed, but in admiration, not annoyance.  "They'll never track the leak from the Princeps' Court because it doesn't come from the Princeps' Court." 

Julius's sage smile was accented by smugness.

"None of this will matter if we can't get the court to leave us and Hellcat alone, though," Alexander reminded everyone of the real purpose of Xavier's visit.

"Before we continue, I want to remind you that none of us officially know Xavier," Julius said with dire warning in his tone.  The fire crackling in the hearth suddenly spat as though to reiterate his point.  "Do not speak his name once Athena lifts the protective spell.  We need to keep his presence under the radar as well as his affiliation to me."  He looked meaningfully at Caspian as he spoke.  "Only one Vampire knows I brought Xavier's mother to court, and I doubt even she thinks of the small boy who arrived with her.  He is unnaturally good at keeping himself in the shadows."   

Xavier's news had elements of good and bad.  He reiterated that Benedict, Cassandra and Oleksandra were fighting in their corner.  All three saw no need to imprison or destroy Gabi.  They were conspiring to come up with a third option to vote on in case of a guilty vote, but as a minority, it was proving difficult.  He felt that Fianna could quite easily be swayed to their cause, as could Faruq, the Arabic man.

Faruq’s
gift was being able to tell when someone was lying, so if they were honest as far as was possible in the proceedings, he would view them in a good light.  He was already swaying against her destruction. 

Their biggest advantage was the split between those who wanted her dead and those who wanted her under their control.  The fact that she was now Julius's consort had changed the game enormously.  They'd known it may create tension with Julius if they tried to do anything to her before, but now he had legal rights where she was concerned, and it was clear he had feelings for her beyond her being a Dhampir. 

A few of them were truly concerned about his level of power already, and were even more worried that Gabi was enhancing his abilities.  Some were concerned with keeping him alive, as they realised his potential as an ally, while others simply wanted him destroyed before he challenged them for their seat on the Princep council.  This revelation sparked Gabi's curiosity.

"What do you mean he could challenge them?" she asked.  "I thought the precious Princeps were sacrosanct, nobody would dare to act against them.”

"It's much more complicated than that," Caspian said.  His knowledge of the Princeps and their laws had already proved invaluable tonight.  "The Princeps may be protected by their Clans and their bodyguards, but they are not protected by law.  It is no more illegal to kill a Princep than it is to kill any other Vampire or member of the court."

"Really?"
Gabi was shocked.  How could they not try to protect their 'royalty'?

"Survival of the fittest," Julius declared simply. 

"The core attributes of a Princep are strength and power," Caspian put in.  "If they cannot protect themselves from others, they are not strong enough to keep their seat as a Princep.  If they’re killed, they’re deemed unworthy to have held the position.  As long as it was a fair challenge and fair fight, the assassin isn't even punished." 

"But surely that would breed a culture of plotting and assassination attempts?"  Gabi was confused. 

"Of course," Caspian agreed.  "That's what the Princeps' Court revolves around."  He whirled his hands in the air.  "The challenged Princep may use any and all powers they possess to defend themselves."

"So that's why there is only one
Princep Prime left?" Kyle asked, now also intrigued.

"Yes," Caspian affirmed, "and Oleksandra is one wily old cat."

"How is the next Princep chosen after one is killed?" Kyle asked.

"If the previous
Princep was killed by a Master, that Master is the forerunner for the position.  Only a unanimous decision by the others can veto the appointment," Caspian explained.

"And if the
Princep is killed by someone other than a Master?" Gabi asked, drawn in by the intrigue as much as Kyle.  

"If the person who kills the
Princep is acting on behalf of a Master, that Master may still put forward an 'application' to be considered for the role.  However, in this case, that Master would need a majority 'yes vote' in order to win the Princep seat." Caspian was clearly enjoying the attention his knowledge brought.  "If the Princep is killed by someone unconnected to a Master or dies in some other way, the Princeps themselves put forward their choice of candidate.  A vote is taken on the twenty-eighth day after the death of the previous Princep, and the candidate with the most votes becomes the next Princep.  For this exact reason most Masters try to stay on the right side of at least a few of the Princeps."  He shot a sidelong look at Julius.

"I have no desire to be a
Princep," Julius said flatly.  "I wouldn't accept the offer if one was made." 

Caspian's eyebrows shot skyward in a mixture of shock and surprise.  "But
Sire, that would be viewed as a serious insult to the Princeps' Court."

"Then best we make sure I don't get considered for the role," Julius growled, his stance firm. 

Caspian lapsed into silence, his expression closed and blank.  It made Gabi wonder what was going on in his head. 

"What other news have you got for us, Xavier?"

"Lennert and Thibault are both, how do you say…on the fence…at the moment, though both of them have a tendency to vote with the majority." 

Lennert was German, Gabi had learnt, and though he didn't have any particularly strong power, he had a very strong Clan behind him, one that protected its own viciously.  They were known to decimate entire Clans if one of their own was killed on purpose.  Thibault was French and had amazing control over fire.  Gabi wondered who would win in a contest between Thibault and her friend Lance, the fire-bender Magi who was affectionately known as Zippo. 

"Lennert tends to vote with Eliasz and Klara.  He likes to think of himself as part of a triumvirate, though they don't see him quite the same way.  Klara is just playing him," Xavier continued.  "Akshita has not made her stance clear yet, but in private she's set against you.  She thinks leaving any of you alive will upset the current peace, the, what do you say…status quo?" 

Julius nodded that they understood. 

"Santiago, of course, wants you both destroyed."  Xavier's voice had gone flat at the name of the drop-dead gorgeous, Colombian Vampire's name. 

His obvious dislike of the
Princep surprised Gabi.  It made sense that Xavier wouldn't like someone who wanted Julius, his hero, dead, but he'd spoken quite calmly about some of the others wanting her and Julius dead. 

Fergus stirred restlessly at that exact moment, and Julius shot him a warning look as Xavier continued, "He doesn't like the idea of anyone else with power.  He's secretly envious of those with offensive powers.  Though he enjoys his own ability to create as many Vampires as he likes, he is desperately power-hungry, and jealousy makes him want to destroy anyone else with a better power than his."

Gabi hadn't been aware that creating new Vampires was such a difficult task for most Vampires.  On the flight here she'd learned that most Vampires, even Masters, only created one or two Vampires a year at the most, some Masters could manage a half dozen or so.  And of those new Vampires, around twenty percent never made it past their first Vamp year.  Santiago had the ability to create numerous Vampires, anything up to one a week, and so had built an enormous Clan very quickly.  This didn't explain why no one seemed to like him.  For some of the men, Gabi might have put it down to jealousy over the man's looks, but she knew Julius and Fergus better than that. 

"So," Kyle’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully as he began ticking off names on his fingers.  “Of those who are going for a guilty verdict, Klara, Eliasz and Lennert want Gabi imprisoned and Julius and the rest of us mind-wiped.  Santiago and Akshita would prefer us all dead."  He looked around to make sure everyone agreed with him so far.  "We might be able to convince Fianna over to a not-guilty vote, along with Benedict, Cassandra and Oleksandra, who are already there." 

"Faruq and Thibault are still on the fence or haven't let slip which way they are thinking of voting yet," Caspian inserted, apparently over his pique with Julius.  "If we could convince both of them to vote not guilty, we'd have six on our side."

"We're missing one," Gabi muttered, counting only eleven names mentioned.  "What about the
English one; what's her name? Helene?  Wouldn't she think about supporting someone from her own country of birth?" 

Alexander and Xavier exchanged looks with Julius.  Was Julius actually looking a little sheepish?

"Uh," Alexander cleared his throat when no one else spoke.  "It's unlikely Helene would vote to let us all go," he said, cryptically putting emphasis on the word 'all'. 

"What reason has she got to want us all dead or mind-wiped?" Gabi asked, confused.

"It's only you she wants dead," Alexander said. 

And then she put Julius's obvious discomfort together with Alexander's suppressed amusement and Xavier's concern.  "She's got the
hots for Julius?" Gabi guessed. 

His rueful look confirmed her suspicions. 

"That's not true."  Caspian spoke up, sounding angry. 

"Yes, it is," Xavier confirmed adamantly.  "She keeps her desires hidden in public, but she is quite vocal in private.  She has plans for our Julius, and they do not include having a consort who is not her."  He looked at Gabi.  "You've got a powerful enemy in her," he warned.  "You need to be careful." 

Caspian suddenly stood and paced away from them, his cane thudding against the floor.  He seemed to be upset about something.  Before anyone could ask him what it was, he marched off to his room. 

"But aren't we protected while we're here?" Kyle asked, distracting her from Caspian's behaviour.  "Surely she wouldn't try anything during the proceedings." 

Xavier shrugged and put his hands up. "Passion makes people do stupid things, and Helene is a passionate woman.  Just be careful is all I'm saying."

"Your concern is noted," Julius said.  "But I'm confident Helene wouldn't risk incurring the wrath of the other Princeps just because of me."

"What is her ability?" Gabi cut into their conversation.  "I don't remember anyone saying." 

There was a pregnant pause. 

"Will somebody just spit it out," she ground out between clenched teeth. 

"That wench is able
te make any man come a crawlin' to her," Fergus rumbled from his position near the fire.  "On their knees and beggin' fer it."  His voice dripped disdain. 

Gabi hadn't thought she could be surprised one more time tonight, but she'd been wrong.  "So she's what, a siren?" she asked in disbelief.

"Maybe succubus would be more appropriate."  Julius sounded as disgusted as Fergus.

"So you've…" Gabi left the sentence hanging.

"NO," Julius said sharply.  "No, I can…resist…her call for some reason.  Perhaps because of my telepathy and ability to create a mental block."

"Making you the ultimate conquest," Gabi said, mostly to herself.  Now the poisonous glares made sense.  This woman wouldn't quit until she got what she wanted.  This wasn't about attraction; it was about control and domination. 

Xavier glanced at his watch, making Gabi aware that it had to be close to sunrise.  "One more thing before I must go," he said, a wry smile on his lips.  "I have a message for you from Benedict."  His revelation was met with more stunned silence. 

Julius finally broke it.  "Benedict knows about our connection?" he asked warily. 

Xavier shook his head, still smiling.  "No, he doesn't know about me exactly, but he does know you have someone who hears things they shouldn't and reports back to you," he explained.  "He was doing some musing out loud earlier, and it was obviously meant as a message to you."

"Well, what did he say?" Gabi
demanded, her patience completely at an end. 

CHAPTER 13

Xavier left the same way he'd come, shortly after delivering the message from Benedict.  He left an internal phone number to contact him in case they needed anything.  The Vampire-Magus
Princep had an idea of what to offer as an alternative to either death or imprisonment, but he couldn't make the suggestion to the rest of the Princeps without tipping his hand.  All they had to do was find an official way to introduce the alternative.  If the alternative was accepted, it would give them a much greater chance of having the vote go their way.  Caspian seemed confident he'd be able to dig something out of the legal archives that would help them, but sunrise was fast approaching, and the daysleep was calling to the Vampires. 

Frustrating as it was, they’d have to wait until sunset to finalise the details of their alternative suggestion.  Gabi knew they were all so tired as to be almost brain-dead, so she, Kyle and Julius followed the rest of the Vampires and Athena to bed.  Julius wanted to stay awake, but she knew he'd already skipped his daysleep twice in the last few days, and he was heading for a total shutdown.  She made him take blood from her before insisting that he sleep.  It took less convincing than she'd anticipated: a clear sign of his exhaustion.  He begged her not to go stirring trouble while he was asleep.  Moments later he was out cold.  She put out food and water for Razor and then joined the warm cat and Julius on the huge bed.  She was asleep in seconds. 

Movement in the outer room woke her.  She was immediately on high alert,
Nex in her hand from under the pillow.  It took her brain several seconds to catch up to her body.  She blearily shook her head to clear the sleep and found Razor looking at her questioningly.  The reality of where they were finally seeped back into her conscious mind.  She checked on Julius, who was still deep in his daysleep, then checked the time on the bedside clock.  It was mid-morning, and her stomach was already complaining about the lack of breakfast. 

The noise that had woken her was repeated in the outer room.  Now that she was awake, she realised it was voices—Kyle's and Athena's to be exact.  Trust the two of them to be up already.  They'd probably be all bright eyed and bushy tailed too after just four hours of sleep.  She growled, cursing morning people as she rose from the bed and fumbled in one of her bags for a robe.  Her need for coffee and food was overriding her need for more sleep.  She and Razor joined Kyle and
Athena in the sitting room. 

"Morning, sunshine."
  Kyle grinned at her appearance.

"Oh, shut it," she groused with ill temper. 

Kyle was only in a pair of pyjama bottoms, but Athena was already neatly dressed in smart linen pants and a warm cashmere sweater. 

"Tell me there's coffee in this place."

"Bad news on that front," Kyle said, far too cheerfully.  "You'll have to go and fetch it from the great dining hall."  He waved a piece of paper at her.  It had some typing and a map on it. 

She snatched it from his fingers and studied it.  Blowing out an annoyed breath, she saw it was a printed layout of the castle, along with instructions of how to find the great dining hall, where food was served for non-Vampire guests all day long.  Without another word she retreated back to the bedroom to drag on some clothes; a shower would have to wait.

Kyle opted to shower while she and Athena went to get breakfast.  They intended to grab a couple of plates of food and some hot drinks and retreat back to their suite, but once they arrived in the hall, it was apparent that they'd have to place an order for food and wait for it to be freshly cooked.  Gabi couldn't fault the service, but a room service option would've been nice. 

Despite the Princeps declaration of safety, her innate danger sensor was dinging with increasing urgency in the back of her mind.  She couldn't shake the feeling that they were in danger.  Razor pressed his body close to her leg, purring hard enough to make his whole body vibrate.  Gabi made a conscious effort to relax, and reached down to pet him reassuringly.  Five tables in the hall were occupied with a mixture of Magi, humans and Werewolves.  Shape-shifters were conspicuously lacking here, and it made Gabi wonder why.  Tea and coffee was on tap on a table near the main door, so they helped themselves while they waited.