A Cold Day in Hell (The Hellcat Series) (27 page)

She was weak, exhausted, sore and shivering, but she fought Julius taking her back to their bed.  She needed to know what was happening, who had tried to kill her.  After several tense moments he relented and instead brought blankets from the bed to tuck around her on the sofa, while Kyle built up the fire.  Julius shifted her to make room for him on the sofa and then lowered her head to rest on his thigh while Razor curled up over her feet, purring.  She closed her eyes and allowed her mind to drift while listening to the conversation that flowed around her in terse voices.

"How could Mariska have accomplished this?" Kyle asked.

"Not without help," Xavier said in heavily accented English.  "She is in a heavily warded room."

"Who would've been able to release her?" Julius demanded in a tight voice.

"Myself, Gemini, possibly one other who resides here, but isn't in residence right now," Benedict put in without hesitation.  She didn't have the energy to question his presence, but she sensed her miraculous recovery had something to do with him. 

"Why would Gemini want to kill Gabi?" Kyle sounded confused.

"We don't know it was them, but if it was, they can be bought.  Someone with something they really wanted could convince them to do it for a price," Benedict replied. 

A grunt of agreement came from Xavier’s general direction. 

"What would Gemini want enough to do another's bidding?" Julius asked.

"What all Dark Magi crave."  Benedict made it sound as if the answer was obvious.

"Power," Athena said, strong, sure.

"What gives Dark Magi more power?" Kyle wondered.

"Blood sacrifice."  The distaste was heavy in Athena’s voice.

"Vampire blood."  Benedict contradicted her.

"What?"  Athena's shocked voice was almost enough to make Gabi open her eyes.  "No, Vampire blood is toxic to Magi."

"You believe many fairytales, Defender," Benedict said in a tone that was both condescending and mocking. 

"You two can discuss this another time," Julius interjected sharply, annoyance plain in his tone.  "Who would pay Gemini, possibly in Vampire blood, to release Mariska?"

"Not only release, but recapture her and replace the wards once she was done," Benedict clarified.  "My ear confirms she is still in situ." 

"Why not just employ Gemini to enhance the effect of the poison?  Why go to the trouble of releasing Mariska to do it?  It doesn't make sense," Kyle muttered, and Gabi found herself nodding in agreement. 

"Even Gemini have standards.  It’s possible they don't know why she was released," Benedict theorised.

"They are also very recognisable," Athena said thoughtfully.  "They wouldn't have been able to get into the kitchens unnoticed.  Gabi and I saw how the humans and Werewolves avoid them.  To slip the poison onto Gabi's plate and cast the additional spell, the Magus would have to have been in the kitchen when Gabi's food was prepared.  We met the woman in charge of the kitchen.  I don't see her allowing them back there.  And besides, we saw Gemini walk into the dining hall after we'd requested
breakfast."

"Do you think the woman in charge of the kitchen was in on it?" Kyle asked.

"No."  Athena and Gabi spoke up together, Gabi without opening her eyes.

Athena continued.  "There was something about her; I honestly don't think she would've helped to harm any of us."

"Mariska is good at slipping into places unnoticed," Julius put in.  The back of his fingers brushed lightly down Gabi's cheek, as though reassuring himself she was still all right.  She allowed a little smile to escape but didn't open her eyes. 

"Okay, let's say it was Gemini who released her, and it was Mariska who slipped unnoticed into the kitchen and added the extra-strength poison and the spell to the plate," Kyle said, using his reasoning voice.  "Who arranged it?  Who paid Gemini?"

"That is the real question," Benedict agreed.  "Someone powerful and manipulative, underhanded.  I would look at the Princeps first."

"You included?" Athena asked archly.   

"Someone who would gain by your consort's death," Benedict address Julius, ignoring Athena.  "Someone who doesn't have faith that the vote will go the way they want it to."

"Or to send the vote into turmoil," Kyle countered.

"With Gabrielle dead, there would be no need for a vote,” Benedict pointed out.  “We all know the charges over Dantè won't stick.  Those are just to pacify the Maleficus.  Julius would walk away from here free of a consort, though perhaps planning revenge, perhaps a broken man, vulnerable, easy to manipulate." 

"You think this is a power play?" Julius asked. 

"I don't know, Julius,” Benedict responded quietly.  There was a pause as everyone digested the discussion.

"Do we bring this to the attention of the Princeps, or do we keep it to ourselves?" Julius finally broke the silence.

"You could make it official,” Benedict told him.  “If you can prove it was Mariska who placed the spells, you'd be within your rights to request her death for attacking your consort.  Unfortunately I think she's just a pawn in this game.  I'm not sure she'd even know who was behind the attack.  You could have your revenge on her, but the real assassin would walk free."  He paused.  "I think it would make whoever set this up insane with rage if you walked out of here tonight as though nothing had happened.  People in the grip of insane rage can trip up, make mistakes." What Benedict said made sense to Gabi. 

"They could try again," Xavier warned. 

"Almost without a doubt," Benedict affirmed, "but you'll now be on your guard.  I don't think they'll try the subtle route again."  There was a short pause.  "I must go now before it's noted that I'm missing.  We all have our spies; some are just better than others."  Gabi could hear the taunting smile in his voice. 

"Sire, I should probably go too," Xavier said. 

"Yes, go, Xavier," Julius replied.  "My deepest thanks for your help today."  There was the sound of two sets of footsteps, one far quieter than the other, then the slide of wood and the room went silent. 

Gabi cracked one eyelid open.  "How many hours until the ball this evening?" she asked, a tight knot of anger beginning to form inside her. 

"Lea, you don't need to worry about that now, just rest," Julius assured her. 

The knot of anger exploded like a firework.  "Someone just tried to kill me," she snarled.  "They're not going to get away with it, and I'm going to rub their noses in the fact that I'm not dead."  She sat up, glaring at everyone.  Razor issued a deep, challenging growl.  No one was going to keep her from that cursed ball.

CHAPTER 15

There was nothing simple or demure about the dress Julius had ordered for her to wear to the Princeps' Ball that evening.  It was an exquisite creation of form-fitting, deep red satin.  Delicate crystal beadwork adorned the 'v' of the neckline, only just revealing a hint of cleavage.  Narrow straps over her shoulders criss-crossed over her shoulder blades, adding a little support to the dress, which was otherwise backless, the red satin plunging down to only just above her butt.  More beadwork sparkled at the base of her spine, where the satin was bunched artfully before cascading down to the ground and pooling at her feet in a chapel train.  As she took a step, a slit up the front of the red sheath gave her freedom of movement and, for everyone who cared to look, a glimpse of her leg to mid-thigh.  Delicate silver evening sandals, with diamante encrusted straps, gave her an extra four and a half inches of height.  Ruby and diamond jewellery graced her wrist, throat and ears.

While this outfit was planets removed from what she would've chosen for herself, she had to admit it looked good.  The dress showed off her toned body, and the shade of red didn't even clash with her hair.  There was only one downside; there was nowhere to hide
Nex.  Even though Julius assured her that no one else would be sporting weapons at the ball, she still felt naked and exposed without the sword.

She took one last look in the mirror, dabbing at her make-up.  Well, at least she looked good, even if she felt like something a Demon had just puked up.  She shuddered; some of the hallucinations were still too real in her mind.  She took a deep breath and sashayed out to the main room before Julius could ask for the ninety-ninth time if she was sure she wanted to go. 

She instantly had the attention of all the males in the room.  Julius's gaze began bleeding to liquid gold, and she could feel the lust flare through their connection.  He quickly tamped it down, obviously reminding himself of how close she'd been to death just hours before.  He shot looks at the other men, and they all suddenly had something else to look at.  All except Alexander, of course.

"Hellcat," he drawled, in a tone that implied his next words would be 'ooh-
lala'. "You look pretty good for a corpse." 

"Back at
ya, bloodsucker," she retorted, trying to hold back a grin. 

It was true; the men all looked amazing in their formal wear, she could be backstage at a Hugo Boss fashion show.  Every one of them could've graced a runway at any fashion show in the world,
even Fergus with his scar and in full Scottish formal wear: black doublet, tartan kilt and hose and a traditional sporran.  It was the first time Gabi had ever seen him dressed like this, and she had to admit he wore it well.  Julius was darkly mesmerising in his black, single-breasted suit, cut to perfection, accentuating the width of his shoulders and the tapering slimness of his waist.  He'd broken with tradition and worn a black dress shirt with tie and handkerchief the exact shade of her dress.  He looked like a panther on the prowl.  Caspian had chosen to stand out, wearing a crisp white dress shirt under a red, velvet, double-breasted jacket edged in black satin and midnight-black formal trousers.  As always, the wolf's head cane was in his left hand. 

Athena came out of her room at that moment and sized everyone else up in a glance.  She'd brought her own evening dress, so apparently she'd been better informed than Gabi was.  The aquamarine, A-line dress looked fabulous on her.  The strapless, velvet bodice emphasised her petite cleavage and showed off her surprisingly toned shoulders and arms.  Chiffon fell gracefully from the front of the bodice, swaying with every movement and floating to reveal elegant, pewter-coloured, peep-toe pumps.  A matching pewter shawl, modest jewellery and natural make-up completed her look.  Her fine, blonde hair was brushed up on one side and fastened with a delicate Swarovski crystal clip.  She looked supremely elegant and utterly collected, so Gabi was confused by her almost hesitant approach as she walked to join the rest of them. 

It was only when Gabi glimpsed her eyes that she realised Athena genuinely wasn't sure that she measured up.  That she was intimidated by the company she was joining.  She put on a really good show when she could hide behind her formal business suits and superior attitude, but it was clear that she now felt naked, open to judgment by the others.  Gabi tilted her head so Athena couldn't see her face, and glared meaningfully at Alexander.

"Wow, Lady Magus," he exclaimed, catching the objective of Gabi's glare.  "In that outfit, we may just need to give you a stick to fight the men off with."  There was a chorus of agreement from the rest of the men. 

Gabi had to hide a smile as Athena's gaze went hard, and she lifted her head in usual arrogant, Athena fashion. 

"Are we ready to go?" she asked imperiously, ignoring the compliment, but pleasure creased the corners of her eyes. 

Iris left them at the door to the great hall.  Music was pouring from the
entrance, a little too formal for Gabi's taste, but then she doubted she had the energy to be dancing tonight anyway.  It was taking everything she had to simply remain upright and keep a smile pasted on her face.  She was leaning quite heavily on Julius, and to give him credit, he didn't make any attempt to send her back to their suite.  The room itself was awash with black suits and colourful evening gowns.  Feathers, tiaras and extravagant diamond jewellery screamed for attention as every woman there seemed to be trying to outdo her peers.  Gabi, having felt severely overdressed just seconds before, realised that, if anything, she was actually underdressed.

"Welcome to the quarterly Princeps' Ball," Caspian said with a grim smile.  It sounded more like he was announcing the commencement of a battlefield skirmish.  Though, after surveying the faces and
expressions on those nearest them, Gabi decided it may well be closer to a battlefield than an enjoyable evening of food, drink and dancing.  The predatory gazes that the women directed at their small group were reminiscent of a cackle of hyenas scenting a fresh kill. 

"Ears and eyes open," Alexander growled low in his throat.  "Do not get sidetracked." 

Gabi knew they'd formulated a strategy for her protection during the evening, but she didn't even have the spirit to argue with them.  And honestly, if guarding her kept them out of the clutches of some of these women, it might not be a bad thing.  Was there a serious lack of unattached male talent around here?