An Unwanted Hunger (8 page)

“However…” The herald’s voice brought quiet. “In deference to your honorable houses and lords, who had no foreknowledge of your intent, Shah D’Harahn V’Kar, Atohl Vox TraaNur, in his infinite compassion, has agreed to rescind the sentence of death in favor of exile,” he paused again for effect, “if there is any present here today who will accept the sentence of death in your stead.”

There would be and could be no offers from the councilors, advisors or troops of either side. They too had been found guilty and would die with their leaders.

Before anyone could stop her, Leonidas’ wife Riana shrugged off her guards and lightly vaulted the wall to the Hippodrome floor. “I volunteer.”

“No!” Leonidas bellowed and moved toward her, only to be covered by four of the Imperial troopers.

The Emperor rose from his throne, a smile on his face. “Let it be done.”

And so began Leonidas’ descent into hell. Riana would die and he would be sent into exile. But not before he saw her staked out in the harsh sands of his home, in the midst of the Nurian wasteland, dying a breath at a time.

* * * * *

Resa took a look around the well-appointed room. Tasteful and elegant, it held a distinctly European appeal. Ironically, so did the man seated across from her. The cut of his clothes and fine Italian leather of his shoes spoke of culture and refinement. And sensuality.

Had it not been for her bond to Constantine, she had no doubt that she would have been far more affected by him. Even with that bond, she could not deny the power of his attraction. He was, by any standards, beautiful. Tall, slim but with obvious firm and developed musculature, he exuded an air of sexuality, a promise of satisfaction unparalleled.

And he fit the image of a Vampyre to the letter.

“Would you care for something to drink?” he asked.

“No. All I want is answers. Answers you promised.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Well?” she asked when he said no more.

He smiled and once more she was struck with the power of his appeal. How could any woman, unprotected with a bond such as she had with Constantine, resist him?

“Thank you,” he said, giving her a shock.

“You can read me?”

“A bit. Most of your thoughts are denied me. I can only assume the reason is one that is, to be honest, rather unbelievable.”

“Oh? What’s that?”

“That you’ve bonded with Constantine.”

“What would make that so unbelievable?”

Octavian chuckled. “Dear woman, Constantine is the Crown Prince of V’Kar. To mate with a woman outside of his rank, not to mention a woman of less than pure lineage, would be unthinkable. Should the Emperor discover such an act has occurred, Constantine would be passed over in favor of his younger brother RaJahn.”

Resa felt her gut tighten. It was true. In binding himself to her, Constantine had endangered his chance of succeeding to the throne. The enormity of it brought a swell of emotion that had tears threatening.

“Which makes it even more important that I get the answers I need,” she said, trying to ignore the emotions that sought to overwhelm her. “You said the Vox…”

“Narr,” he supplied the missing word.

“Yes, you said I carry a Vox Narr. What is that? A disease?”

“Hardly.”

“Then what is it?” She was getting a little frustrated.

“Do you know of the cataclysm that nearly destroyed our system?”

“Yes. Some.”

“Very well. When this cataclysm occurred, dormant symbiote life forms were awakened, left there by those who came before us. They were discovered by SyFeth, the woman you know as Pandora, and her confidante, Amara.

“Our people were dying by the thousands and despite all the efforts of our scientists, no cure could be found to stop it. Our worlds were in peril of extinction. Until SyFeth found the Vox Narr.

“A peaceful race, these symbiotes were, for lack of a better description, archives. In merging with hosts, they gained knowledge of the universe and its inhabitants. Contained within each of them is, literally, the knowledge of the known universe.

“SyFeth discovered that a union between a V’Kar host and Vox Narr symbiote not only cured the radiation poisoning but blessed the host with powerful immunity and dramatically increased longevity. And as an added benefit, the union bestowed considerable new abilities upon the host, some of them psychic in nature as the Vox Narr are an entirely telepathic race.”

“Hold on,” Resa said. “Exactly how does this symbiosis take place?”

“The Vox Narr enters through the ear canal and attaches to the base of the brain along the spinal column, integrating themselves into the central nervous system.”

Resa tried, rather unsuccessfully, to suppress a shudder. “Okay, so if you’re not born with them inside you, then how could I possibly have one in me?”

“That, my dear, is part of the mystery. I can think of only two possibilities. Azarth or the Sisterhood.”

“But you said you’re a priest in the sisterhood, so if they did it, wouldn’t you know?”

“Not necessarily.”

Resa mulled it over, chewing on her bottom lip in silence. Finally she looked up at him. “That doesn’t explain how I would be some solution to your sterility problems.”

“Perhaps more than you imagine. Consider, if you will, the Vox Narr propagate by means of asexual reproduction. Something relatively rare among multicellular organisms. Let us suppose that what we have learned from the Vox Narr is correct in regards to our dilemma. If a union between a V’Karian and earthling can produce life that contains more genetic material of the V’Kar than the Terran, and that being can be mated to another V’Kar, the result would be a being with little of human genetics in their makeup.”

“Which has nothing to do with the Vox Narr,” she pointed out.

“Except that the Vox Narr have declined to use humans as hosts.”

“What? Why? Are they prejudiced or something?”

“Hardly. It is simply that humans have, as yet, relatively little to add to the repository of knowledge housed within the Vox Narr.”

“Well that’s a little elitist, don’t you think? I mean we’ve…we’ve…well, we discovered penicillin and electricity and…and…” She trailed off as it occurred to her that in the greater scheme of things, maybe humans were a little behind other races. Particularly races that had mastered intergalactic travel.

“Okay, forget that. So, humans are the dumb asses of the Universe. I get it.”

“There is nothing stupid about the human race, Resa. You are merely children on a Universal scale and as such have much to learn before you take your place with more advanced races.”

“Unless we prove to be good breeders,” she corrected, and was pleased to see him avert his eyes for a moment.

“There is that,” he admitted.

“And I’m what? Test subject ground zero?”

“Believe me, there have been many attempts over the last ten thousand years. As is evidenced by your brother and sister Dhampirs. All products of cross-breeding.”

“Then what makes me different?”

“That is what everyone is so eager to discover.”

“And what puts me in everyone’s crosshairs?”

“You are in no danger of losing your life to a V’Karian. Capture and imprisonment? That is a likely outcome, as all three worlds would go to great lengths to uncover the secret that lies within you. But harm you? No. You are the first key to hope for our people since we came to this world.”

“And yet even with that, I’m not good enough for Constantine.”

“Even advanced societies have their prejudices, my dear.”

Resa opened her mouth to comment, but a knock at the door had her holding her words.

“Come,” Octavian called softly.

“Forgive the intrusion,” a lovely, dark-haired woman said as she entered. “We have received a communiqué.” She paused and looked at Resa.

“You may speak freely,” Octavian instructed

The woman inclined her head respectfully. “The communiqué is from Leonidas, requesting a summit. The Crown Prince has agreed and with your approval a time and place has been selected.”

“The purpose of this proposed summit?” he asked.

The woman cut her eyes at Resa before answering. “The elimination of the Alliance.”

Octavian nodded. “Have the location checked and if it proves secure, respond with my acceptance.”

The woman nodded and left. Octavian turned his attention to Resa. “This will be difficult for you.”

“It would have been. Once. But not anymore. I swore to help Constantine destroy them and if he aligns with you in that goal, I’ll do all I can to help you succeed.”

“That surprises me,” he commented.

“Why?”

Octavian sighed. “While war may be necessary, it is, nonetheless, heinous. The taking of life does no one honor.”

Resa nodded. She agreed. But what Octavian didn’t know was that if what she suspected was true, stopping the Alliance was not a matter of killing every one of their members. They were like a hydra. Cut off the heads and the bodies withered. And the one thing she did know about the Alliance was which heads had to be lopped off.

“I need to get back to Constantine,” she said and stood.

“Of course,” he agreed. “I shall provide—”

Another knock on the door interrupted him. The dark-haired woman had returned. “The location is secure. Your plane is standing ready.”

Octavian turned to Resa. “It appears that the most expedient manner of reuniting you with Constantine is for you to accompany me.”

“Then let’s go.” If Constantine was going to be meeting with people who might turn out to want his head on a plate then she wanted to be there. Armed and ready.

Chapter Nine

Azarth stepped from beneath the shelter of the old oak to look up at the sprinkling of stars dusting the twilight sky. “Your plane awaits.”

Constantine nodded. “Yes, I know.”

“I still advise against this. Whether we admit it or not, a line has been drawn in the sand. The opposing forces are preparing to move against one another. Leonidas prepares to move against Octavian and will soon turn toward you.”

“As we knew he would.”

“And what of your brother? Rumors whisper that his hand is at work here.” Azarth paid close attention to Constantine for a reaction to the news. Constantine’s reaction was one of surprise, which pleased Azarth. That meant that Constantine’s network had not detected RaJahn’s activity, which meant their intelligence was weak and therefore their position as well. And meant that his secret alliances had not been discovered.

“You have known all along that he has been tracking the events that take place here.” An accusatory tone came into Constantine’s voice

“It is wise to know the location of one’s enemies as well as one’s allies.” Azarth’s reply was a phrase favored by the Heir Apparent.

“Are you mocking me, Azarth?”

“Not at all. But your reactions prove a point. You may hide your true feelings from the J’Zhan, but not from me. I know this runs much deeper than loyalty to the cause. RaJahn, Leonidas and the Priest are old adversaries. RaJahn relishes the thought of defeating them and taking that which they seek to possess. If he destroys you in the process, so much the better. The sooner he is eliminated, the sooner he ceases to be a threat to you.”

“His power base is weak. I will crush him—after he sees me victorious.”

“Ah yes, I can see it now. A grand parade through the Imperial City with throngs of people showering you with loci petals and screaming undying loyalty to you for delivering them.”

“A grand spectacle to be sure, but not the motivation behind my actions. I seek only to serve the common good.”

“And what of Octavian? Does he strive for the common good or is he as greedy as Leonidas and your brother?”

“He believes he fights for the many. In truth, he fights for something entirely different.”

“And that is?”

“He fights for the idea of love. That is his weakness and will be his destruction.”

Azarth did not turn or move his gaze from the night sky. “Is there no other way? Why is this confrontation inevitable? After all these years, surely there is some way we can—”

“You know as well as I that there is no other way.” Constantine stepped up beside him. “The rift that has formed in the J’Zhan cannot be sealed until this chapter is closed. And need I remind you that you pledged your support? After all, were it not for your ambitions, this confrontation would never have come to be. You did set this in motion, after all.”

“My ambitions?” Azarth turned in anger. “This has never had anything to do with ambition, as you well know. This is and always was a matter of survival. Survival of our race. How soon you forget that it was your manipulations that swayed the J’Zhan to decide in my favor. Or have the years clouded your memory?”

Constantine reached out to lay his hand on Azarth’s shoulder. “No, old friend. Time has not yet begun to dim my faculties. As always, I support you. But there have always been those who viewed your little experiment as a means of more than mere survival. Some see it as a means to much more selfish ends.”

“You mean they see it as a way of eventually gaining control.” Azarth’s voice was bitter.

“There is always darkness, my friend. The light cannot exist without it. But…” His face took on an expression of intense determination. “I vow to you that neither side will find victory over us in this.”

“Then I was right. You seek to become the Aegis of the V’Kar Sha’Dahn.”

“Yes. The firstborn will be mine.”

“And will you share that child with your people should it prove to be the Sha’Dahn? Will you accept the role of Aegis and officiate in an objective manner, fulfilling all the position implies?”

“All.”

“Have you considered how you will gain the support of the Order? Without them, you are doomed.”

Constantine gritted his teeth, his eyes flashing. “Those damnable black-robed witches have held sway over the J’Zhan and the Emperor’s throne for far too long.”

“Might I remind you that without them all of our peoples would have joined the ranks of the extinct eons ago? Surely you do not seek to destroy the power that has given rise to your lofty position?”

Constantine locked eyes with Azarth. “By all the gods, I will gain supremacy over that order of sibyls and all will see them bow to me.”

“I fear that your ambition holds sway over your mind, Constantine. The Order will be far harder to defeat than you imagine. They’ll not stand idly by while you force your way into a position of power over them.”

“I did not imagine they would.”

“Then you have a plan.”

Constantine smiled. “Let us just say that I will depend heavily upon my dear brother to ensure their support.”

“Implying that your plan is one that will make him such an unappealing candidate for succession and the position of Aegis that they will have no choice but to support you.”

“That, old friend, is an excellent idea. And one we must discuss at length. But for now, we have a summit to attend.”

“Resa will be there.”

“Yes.” Constantine smiled. “I spoke with her a short time ago.”

“And you have no problem with her traveling with the Priest?”

“He would not harm her.”

“True. But his powers of persuasion are considerable. He might try to sway her to his cause.”

Constantine’s voice took on the unmistakable edge of command, making it clear he would brook no argument on that front. “She is mine, Azarth. As I am hers. And one day she will sit by my side as Empress.”

“And how, may I ask, do you hope to accomplish that?”

Constantine sighed. “I have no idea.”

“Then may the Universe guide us all,” Azarth prayed. “Come, it is time to go.”

* * * * *

Resa’s eyes were glued to the door. She and Octavian had arrived at the airport to be met by one of Leonidas’ representatives and escorted to a large estate.

After being offered food and drink, they were left alone in an enormous library outfitted with deep leather chairs that circled a low, highly polished table of wood inlaid with what appeared to be an elaborate gold carving.

Leonidas had shown up just a few minutes ago. One look at him had Resa certain that the legends of barbarians had to have stemmed from his people. Much larger in stature and musculature than any of the other V’Karian she’d seen, his was the face of a warrior.

Had they not been meeting in an accord of peace she would have longed for a weapon, for this was a man she was certain would rather take someone’s head than bother with negotiation.

The door opened and two of Constantine’s people entered. After a look around, one of them exited the room. A few moments later Constantine strode through the door.

She wanted to jump up and run to him, but suspected that would prove embarrassing for him. So instead she rose and tried to walk slowly toward him, meeting him halfway across the room.

“You and I have much to discuss,” he said softly, lifting her hand to his lips to kiss her knuckles.

“Like?” She was surprised at the gesture then realized its intent. He was letting everyone there know that he’d staked a claim on her.

The idea both annoyed and excited her. She wasn’t keen on being labeled anyone’s property but certainly had no qualms about letting anyone know that he held her heart.

“Such as issuing orders to my people during battle. And sacrificing your own safety to ensure mine.”

“Goes with the territory, Sire.”

She knew he got the intent of her words and said no more. He released her hand and she watched him cross the room, inclining his head to the occupants. Once he’d taken a seat, everyone else found a place to sit. She chose to stay in the background, out of the circle of chairs, and claimed a place for herself in a seat along the back wall where she could see not only the men seated around the table but the door.

Once discussions started, she paid close attention to not only what was being said, but the looks on the faces of the people, trying to read them. It wasn’t easy. The people of V’Kar knew how to erect mental barriers. And their faces gave away nothing.

Hours passed and it appeared no headway was being made. From the proposed plans she’d heard tossed out, none had been agreed upon. In her mind, none of them were workable anyway. They assumed they could both outmaneuver and out-power the Alliance. She didn’t think it would be that easy.

Suddenly it came to her. She knew how they could to it. And with a minimum of bloodshed.

“Excuse me,” she said as she stood. “Might I speak?

Every set of eyes in the room turned to her. Leonidas was the first to object. “Your opinions are not called for, Dhampir. Leave strategy and war to those best suited to devise a workable plan.”

“I disagree,” Octavian said quietly. “I would like to hear what she has to say.”

“As would I,” Constantine added.

“Very well. Speak, woman,” Leonidas growled.

She ignored him and stepped up beside Constantine. “From what I understand, you people control a stable wormhole that allows you to travel between galaxies.”

“The Sisterhood controls the Gate,” Leonidas barked. “They do not share such power.”

“Whatever.” Resa dismissed his complaint. “The point is, some faction of your people do control this technology. So, what if a plan could be devised to gather the leaders of the Alliance in one location, and they could be transported somewhere else?”

“Kill their leaders and new ones will rise to fill their shoes,” Leonidas argued.

“Not necessarily,” Resa argued. “Think about it. If you extend an offer to them to meet, with the implication that you’ve something of value to them, they’ll be tempted. If you challenge them and make the offer one of ‘if you dare’ you’ll goad them into acting on their ego. And they’ll immediately go into gear trying to devise a way to trap you at the meeting and destroy you. And to do that they know they’ll need troops.”

She smiled coldly at the men seated at the table. “No one knows better than I that you are not easy foes to vanquish. No, the Alliance will amass an army to stand ready to move against you. And you? You can simply find a place to send them where they won’t be a threat.”

“Into empty space,” Leonidas said with an evil laugh.

“Or without loss of life,” she argued, and met his angry eyes without flinching. “If you want to sink to the level of your enemy, then yes, kill every one of them. But is there not more honor in a victory that comes without the loss of life?”

“Yes,” Constantine said. “There is.”

“I agree,” Octavian said. “And I will volunteer to make a proposal to the Sisterhood.”

“What a surprise,” Leonidas said hatefully.

“This is neither the time nor place to allow old animosity to taint our judgment,” Constantine commented. “Let us deal with our common enemy, and then we can turn our attention back to how to outmaneuver one another.”

Leonidas barked a humorless laugh. “As you wish, Prince.”

“Then let us adjourn for the evening,” Constantine suggested. “We will reconvene in the morning.”

He stood, signaling an end to the meeting. Extending his hand to Resa, he waited for her to take it then allowed his bodyguards to escort him from the room.

“Are we staying here?” she asked as they made their way down the long corridor.

“No. I have a secure domain.”

She didn’t ask where and didn’t have to ask why. She wouldn’t have chosen to spend a night on the estate. While the different factions might be able to maintain a level of civility and cooperation to achieve a common goal, there was no doubt in her mind that given the opportunity, any of them would make a move against the other. Including Constantine.

Keeping those thoughts to herself, she allowed him to escort her outside to the waiting limousine.

* * * * *

Constantine rose from the bed and padded across the room to the antique writing desk by the window. Dim though the light was from only moonlight that streamed through the panes of glass, it was enough. Dipping his pen into the inkwell, he opened his journal and started to write.

It is interesting, the thoughts that cross one’s mind while in the midst of negotiation. While my mind should have been focused on discerning the intricacies of the plans suggested by my adversaries and what benefits it would reap them, I found myself thinking more of the people behind the titles.

Perhaps it is Resa’s effect upon me. Tonight while we were clutched in the talons of the bloodlust, she reminded me that while I may have accepted her less than pure lineage, most of my people would not. And that I had to consider the impact of my decision on the welfare of my people. As did the leaders of the other worlds. Was our goal not to save our worlds? And if it truly was, why then did we of V’Kar contend so stridently against one another?

That brought an old memory to mind. The Day of Judgment. Whilst I sat in the Emperor’s box watching the spectacle as Leonidas and Octavian were sentenced, I was struck with a curious feeling of sympathy for the men.

Pandemonium broke out at the Emperor’s decree, some screaming for Leonidas’ blood while others shouted support for the Emperor and screamed for the head of his wife, Riana. It took several minutes to quiet the rabble. When there was again silence, the Emperor looked to Octavian.

“And what of you, Octavian Ishban? Is there none here who will stand in your place?”

“I will,” a quiet voice replied from behind Octavian.

“No!” Octavian protested at the same moment his father, TrayMore Shamurz, jumped to his feet and screamed his defiance.

“Silence!” the Emperor’s amplified voice boomed.

Like an edict from God, all sound ceased. The Emperor gestured to the Imperial Guard surrounding Octavian and Leonidas. They allowed the lithe, dark-haired girl to step up beside Octavian.