A Hunt Among Vampires (The Angel Series) (20 page)
Read A Hunt Among Vampires (The Angel Series) Online
Authors: M. Cheykota
“What? When? How?” I stumble over my words.
Christien gives me time to recover. “Please sit down and join us for breakfast.”
I finally recover enough to speak. “Rome, can I talk to you in the other room?”
He replies sharply. “Don’t be rude Jess.”
“I’m not being rude. I just have some things that I would like to talk to you in private about.”
Roman holds the chair for Alex as she sits. “Sweetheart, I need to talk to Jess for a moment. I’ll be right back.”
He walks into the family room and waits for me with his arms crossed.
“What the hell, Roman? A mate? Children?” I exclaim, unable to form complete sentences. “What about me? I need you right now.”
“Damn it Jess! You couldn’t just be happy for me, could you? You had to make it about you. I have always been there for you and the least you could have done was congratulate me and say hello to Alex. I’m so angry at the way you have treated my family, I don’t think you deserve to talk to me.” He bumps into me as he returns to the kitchen, leaving me alone in the room.
What in the hell was that about?
I return to the dining room and see Roman sitting in the chair next to Alex, preparing a plate of food.
“Roman.” I call to him.
He ignores me and starts eating.
“Roman!” I call to him louder.
He looks at Alex, disregarding me completely. “Maybe we could take the kids for a walk after breakfast. It’s such a beautiful day outside.”
“That sounds really nice.” Alex responds while glaring at me.
Kayle chuckles softly and I turn my attention to him. “What?”
“Maybe you should try another tactic. Your current one is obviously not working.” Kayle suggests humorously.
I look over at Christien. His face is neutral but his eyes are swimming in amusement. I turn my attention back to Roman and see him kiss Alex’s cheek affectionately.
I give Roman a pleading look before I turn away and rush out of the room.
I wander around the estate for about an hour, until I see Kayle leaving. I walk back to the main house and find Christien and Roman in the family room talking.
“What’s going on?” I ask them.
Christien responds, pulling me down on the couch next to him. “I sent Kayle to meet again with Devan and Lenair. Roman and I were discussing ideas on what we should do if Kayle returns with the whereabouts of Hassan.”
“And you chose not to add me in the discussion?” I state, fuming.
“I do not wish you to be involved in the assault on Hassan.” Christien says.
“I agree with Christien on this Jess.” Roman agrees.
“What? You can’t be serious!” I whine.
“Jess, this is extremely dangerous what we are about to do. We are planning to walk into a nest of very strong vampires and you are pregnant with Christien’s child. How do you expect either of us to concentrate on the task at hand if we are both worried about you?” Roman asks.
“I can take care of myself.” I stubbornly argue. “You did not seem to care too much about me at breakfast this morning.”
Roman laughs. “That is because you were acting like a jealous girlfriend. You know I love and care about you Jess, but I have a family now too. You can’t expect me to just disregard them because you feel like having a temper tantrum.”
I sulk in the seat next to Christian.
“I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself, but what happens if you are cut or bitten? What will happen to you and your unborn child? There would be a feeding frenzy among all the vampires there.”
Roman has an excellent point and it causes me to pause.
Roman continues. “And what do you think the Vampire Council will do if they find out about you? You admitted to me that if Hassan saw you, he would recognize you. He could easily admit to them who you are and they will kill you. It would be irresponsible to bring you on this particular mission in your current condition.”
“He killed my parents.” I sulk.
“I am well aware of that,
ma chatte sauvage
. If we were at home in America, I would reconsider. Being this close to the Vampire Council and having their eye on our every move is going to be difficult enough to get Hassan to come out of his hole. If there was another way to allow your revenge on my sire without risking you or our child, I would more than eagerly allow your participation in the assault. As it stands now, I cannot and will not allow you to risk our future on such a dangerous endeavor.” Christien demands in a final tone.
I sit and continue sulking. Unable to think of a valid argument to their case, it is all I can do. Who knew a baby less than two months old in my womb would cause the men in my life so much uncertainty and hesitation. The desire to be angry is present, but I am unable to hold on to that anger because their reasoning is justified.
“Plus, I have something else I need you to do for me.” Roman says, softening his voice. “I would like to ask you to look after my family. Alex and the kids are human. If we are unsuccessful, there is a strong likelihood that the Vampire Council or Hassan himself will come here to claim what is Christien’s. We intend to leave some vampires here for your and Alex’s protection, but I would feel much better knowing that you can get yourself and my family to safety. I trust you more than anyone else with the most precious people in my life, my family.”
Completely moved by Roman’s request, I tell him the only thing I can say. “I will guard your family with my life Rome. I will keep them safe. You guys just need to be careful.”
Roman nods in acceptance.
Christien smiles and hugs me. “I will kill Hassan for you,
ma petite chatte
.”
“You better. Then you need to bring yourself back to me because there is no way in hell I am changing all those dirty diapers alone.” I tease.
Christien’s laugh fills the room. “I look forward to changing many diapers and daylight feedings.”
“No one looks forward to those things Christien, but I accept the offer. I’d do anything to bring you back to me.” I confess with my eyes watering in fear.
“Everything will be as it should be
ma chatte petite
. Do not worry.” Christien reassures me, kissing me softly.
Gently pulling away from Christien’s embrace, I redirect our focus back to business. “Now that we have that figured out, let’s think of a plan to get Hassan.”
Both men give me a perplexing look.
“Just because I am unable to join your attack doesn’t mean I can’t contribute with the planning.”
I receive suspicious glares from the two men who likely know me best.
“I have given my word I will stay here. My word is good.” I reluctantly promise.
Satisfied with my oath, Christien, Roman and I begin creating a plan on how to lure Hassan out of hiding.
Chapter 16
Kayle leaves Christien’s estate and arrives at Devan’s lair just as the sun goes down. Two vampires at least 500 years old greet him at the door. The two vampires escort him to a meeting room with a blazing fire in the fireplace. The room has no windows and the only light comes from the fireplace and sparsely hung sconces around the room.
Kayle is able to see Devan enter the room without hindrance minutes later. Waiting until Devan is comfortable in his seat before speaking; Kayle finally thanks him for meeting with him on such a short notice.
“So, what would you like to discuss?” Devan asks Kayle sharply.
“I am here on behalf of my master to retrieve the whereabouts of Hassan.” He responds without inflection.
“Why should I give you that information?”
“My master has requested that I negotiate with you on his behalf. I am prepared to offer you a very handsome sum for any information you are willing to provide in where Hassan is hiding.” The offer is weak and Kayle expects him to refuse the money and ask for something more.
Devan laughs loudly, causing his voice to bounce off the walls of the enclosed meeting room. “What do I need Christien’s money for? I have money. Is that all he has to offer?”
Kayle shakes his head. “My master has many items to negotiate with. I was sent to find out how valuable Hassan’s whereabouts are to you.”
Devan studies Kayle curiously, before he waves his arm, silently requesting Kayle to sit on the couch opposite his chair.
Kayle sits on the couch and puts the small bag he has been carrying with him on the couch next to him.
“I have known Hassan for at least a millennium. Why should I divulge his location to you?” Devan asks Kayle.
“It is not a secret why my master wishes to know where Hassan is hiding.” Kayle begins. “Either you are willing to part with that information or not.”
“I will admit that Hassan’s ways are harsh and uncommon, but that does not mean that Christien should be allowed to terminate his master without good reason.” Devan looks at one of the vampires waiting by the door and the vampire moves to the bar to fix a drink. “Would you care for a drink?”
Kayle politely declines the drink then returns to business. “All of Hassan’s vampires are gone. He no longer maintains a valuable empire. It would be wise to ally yourself with a vampire that can offer you something of importance.” The offer grabs Devan’s attention.
“And what does your master offer? He has no territory. His vampire base is small and he has already proven that he will not be a very obedient servant.” Devan implies.
“My master will not serve another master. Hassan is not worthy of his loyalty, or yours.” Kayle concludes.
“Then we are at a stalemate. I will not give up Hassan’s location without Christien’s loyalty to me.” Devan finishes the drink that his servant has given to him and stands.
Deciding that the meeting is over, Kayle also stands and grabs the bag off the couch.
“If there is nothing else, I have other business matters to attend to.” Devan nods at the vampires waiting at the door.
“Thank you for your time.” Acknowledging his dismissal, he follows the vampires to his car. He was not expecting the meeting to be very long or successful.
Kayle gets into the car and drives to the meeting location he has setup with Lenair. He expects his meeting with Lenair to be much more productive than his meeting with Devan. Lenair is older than Devan and has strongly disagreed with Hassan’s methods in the past. Christien was surprised when he first found out that Lenair was one of Hassan’s allies. He believes that Kayle should have a much more successful negotiation with her than Devan, unwilling to believe she will stay loyal to Hassan if presented with a better offer.
Kayle arrives at the meeting location nearly an hour early. As he waits in the car outside the gates of a beautiful mansion, a human servant approaches the driver’s side window.
“Yes?” Kayle acknowledges the servant as he bends over next to the driver’s side window of his Mercedes.
“Our master says you are early, but you may wait inside where it is more comfortable.” The servant bows and waves him through the opening gates.
Kayle drives to the door and a small group of vampires and servants dressed in fine 16
th
century clothing guide him inside to a gorgeous, gold-trimmed sitting room. The room is bright and welcoming compared to the dark and dreary room he was in at Devan’s lair.
The servants tell Kayle to get comfortable and inform him that Lenair will be joining him as soon as she is available. The cozy environment allows him to relax a little before the French doors swing open allowing Lenair to enter the room theatrically.
Kayle rises to greet her. ”Good evening, Lenair. I apologize for arriving earlier than when I am due.”
Lenair nods to him, waving her vampires and servants away. “It is not a problem Kayle.”
Kayle compliments her beauty as she crosses the room and sits in a chaise lounge chair near the center of the room.
“I understand your master would like some information?” She asks while playing with the lace on her 18
th
century style gown.
“Yes.” Kayle replies, returning to the couch where he was sitting before. “My master would like to know where Hassan is hiding.”
She smiles knowingly but continues to play the game that all older vampires enjoy. “What makes you think that I know where Hassan may be hiding?”
“If you do know where Hassan is hiding, my master has given me a small token of appreciation to give to you for your assistance.” Now that he has piqued her curiosity, Kayle settles more comfortably on the couch.
Lenair allows a few moments of silence between them as if she is thinking about his offer. Kayle feels confident Lenair would be willing to give up Hassan so he does not worry about her delay tactics. She is only positioning herself to gain as much as possible for the information. “What is the gift he has given you to lure me with?”
With a smile growing on his face, Kayle reaches into the small bag and pulls out a small tube of Jess’ blood. It is not much blood and it will not give the older vampire more than a euphoric feeling, but she will immediately know what it is and willingly give him Hassan’s location. He hands her the tube carefully as she looks at him confused.
“Blood? Your master offers me a tiny tube of blood?” She asks, amused by the offer.
“Taste it.” Kayle demands.
