Blood Legacy: Heir to the Throne (11 page)

Ryan turned her gaze forward, still leaning her head against his shoulder. “Time makes us powerful. The circumstances of my birth have made me powerful.”

Kusunoki shook his head. “No, those are insufficient causalities. Your training and discipline have made you powerful.”

It was an extraordinary compliment from her master, and it pleased Ryan greatly. But she would give credit where it was due. “The blood of the Others has made me powerful.” She turned to him and spoke with quiet emphasis. “Your blood has made me powerful.” She was silent for a moment, then added, “A debt acquired and a debt unpaid.”

Kusunoki glanced down at the girl in front of him. “And would you Share with me only to satisfy a debt?”

Ryan turned forward again, the playful smile returning as she repeated herself. “Not entirely.”

Her sensual teasing amused him, and he leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “It is difficult to believe you are even more dangerous without a sword.”

Ryan tensed as he sliced into her neck, but she did not pull away. Kusunoki’s influence was immeasurable and she did not resist it in any way, welcoming his warmth and strength.

Kusunoki, on the other hand, nearly lost his grip on the girl at first contact. He was astonished at the power present in her blood, and as it began to flow through his veins, his system staggered under the onslaught. He brought all his mental discipline to bear and focused, simultaneously adjusting his grip on Ryan. He had the sudden insight that all of his predictions regarding Ryan’s future abilities had one thing in common.

They had all been markedly underestimated.

Kusunoki broke his feeding just long enough to guide Ryan to the couch. He lifted her and held her much like one would hold a child, cradling her head so that he could maintain contact with that flow of life. As he sat, the blood spread to his every extremity, creating an intense flush that was unbearably pleasurable. And Kusunoki, master of discipline, felt his will dissolving into a chaos that made him desperately want to relinquish control. It had been centuries since he had felt the bloodlust so intensely, and never had he such a desire to kill.

Ryan sensed his thoughts but they caused her no concern. She herself was caught in the dance, that wondrous place where inhibition was a quaint notion with no standing. She felt her heart slow, felt that wonderful lethargy that made death seem a welcome option, a release that had no equal.

She distantly felt Kusunoki’s growing distress, the thought that he might not be able to maintain control as his frenzy increased. And it was this distress that caused her to act.

Kusunoki was startled to find himself sitting on a precipice in a blood-red world, peering into black depths without end. He turned to Ryan, who sat shoulder-to-shoulder with him, her legs dangling over the ledge. She seemed very amused by their positions on the edge of the infinite abyss. He glanced around him. He had seen this place dimly, when she had fed upon him, but without the clarity he had now. He was amazed at her mental control.

“What is this place?” he asked.

Ryan glanced around. It was different every time, yet always the same.

“This is my playground,” she said, “I believe it is the edge of death.”

Kusunoki looked around again. They seemed in some great chamber, a half dome with a blood-red sky and walls that pulsated. He leaned forward, staring into the infinite darkness. He glanced down, realizing he had a death grip on Ryan’s wrist. Ryan looked down as well.

“And are you going to toss me into that great blackness?” she asked, still amused.

He stared at the wrist, uncertain of his response. Ryan then offered him an even greater temptation.

“Or perhaps we could just jump together.”

Kusunoki closed his eyes, and slowly released the wrist.

“No,” he said quietly, it the most difficult word he had ever spoken.

Ryan glanced down into the darkness, unconcerned. “Perhaps another time,” she said.

Kusunoki struggled, knowing that in the real world he was still feeding upon Ryan. But he suddenly understood that he could drain every drop of blood from her body, and she was in no danger of dying.

Ryan was content to sit on the edge, staring into the blackness, but a sudden tension filled her. She peered into the darkness. There was a presence in the depths, something unspeakably malevolent and ancient. She had felt this presence before, the hint of something reptilian and monstrous. She had the sense that claws were snaking upward from the blackness, and she heard the terrifying voice, one that spoke with the faintest sibilant hiss.

“I AM COMING–,”

Ryan stood pulling Kusunoki away from the edge as she did so.

“–FOR YOU.”

Kusunoki raised his head. They were back in the mansion and the blood red world had disappeared. He glanced down at Ryan, his concern evident. She was pale and nearly unconscious, but that was not what concerned him. He had sensed tremendous agitation from her, and if not mistaken, genuine fear. He cradled her in his arms, and she buried her head in his chest. For a long moment, he was at a complete loss.

“I am sorry,” Ryan said at last.

Kusunoki brushed her hair from her eyes, not understanding. “Why are you sorry?”

“I did not mean for you to be dissatisfied.”

Kusunoki stared at her. Although normally reserved, he could not hide his incredulity. She had just given him the most extraordinary experience of his immortal life, and she was apologizing. He cleared his throat.

“I have never felt such fulfillment in all my centuries,” he said simply, “and all other acts pale in comparison. Trust me,” he said with emphasis, “I am completely satisfied.”

This seemed to reassure Ryan, and she relaxed in his embrace. He could sense she was still troubled, and he had to ask.

“What did you see that caused you such dread?”

Ryan shook her head. “I am not certain. It is a vision of some sort. One I have had before.” She shook her head again. “I cannot explain it.”

Kusunoki realized the subject troubled her and decided to speak no more of it. He concentrated and allowed his influence to settle over Ryan, calming her. Ryan felt the reassuring presence and relaxed. Only her father had a similar comforting effect on her.

The samurai was again aware of the comparison, and admitted to himself that this time the association gave him great pleasure. It made him realize the great love he had for his pupil was returned because Ryan loved no one more than Victor. Kusunoki smiled, well, perhaps that blue-eyed little creature he had met earlier.

Kusunoki settled into the couch, willing to let the girl sleep for awhile. The thought of Victor returned him to Ryan’s vision, and a drop of concern rippled through his tranquility.

Victor was known to possess a degree of clairvoyance. He had once described it to Kusunoki as a general sense rather than a detailed description of future events. Kusunoki glanced down at the sleeping girl. He wondered if Victor’s child possessed her father’s gift as well.

Abigail watched the two figures in the courtyard below. Both wore blindfolds over their eyes, but it was apparent neither needed eyesight to perform the elaborate, ritualistic martial art form. Kusunoki and Ryan were side-by-side but moved as one. It was an ancient dance, both beautiful and deadly.

Marilyn approached and Abigail nodded in greeting. Marilyn joined her at the balcony railing, also watching silently. The form ended and the two participants turned to one another, bowing. Kusunoki removed his blindfold, then stepped forward and removed Ryan’s. Some sort of silent communication passed between the two. In a surprisingly tender gesture, the handsome Asian leaned down and gently kissed Ryan’s forehead. The two then parted.

“This displeases you far less than I would think,” Marilyn commented, watching the girl disappear into the house.

Abigail smiled her cool smile. “It is not my place he takes,” she said simply.

Marilyn nodded, and Abigail continued. “A place I have no doubt he will relinquish when Victor returns.”

Marilyn was not fooled. Abigail’s motives were always multiple and complex. Marilyn’s response was casual, but her words edged. “And until then, he assists you in keeping our little crown prince in check.”

Abigail again smiled her icy smile, her cool demeanor unwavering. “A task which you yourself perform with enthusiasm.”

The barb may have been intended as an accusation but it had no such effect on Marilyn. Instead, it brought forth the image of the girl in her bed, which immediately and pleasantly preoccupied her.

“Hmm, yes,” was all she said. She enjoyed the reflection for a moment longer, then grew serious once more.

“Ryan has grown immensely powerful.”

It was Abigail’s turn to be noncommittal. “Hmm, yes,” she said.

Marilyn turned to face Abigail. For a moment there was a dangerous intimacy between the two, currents of sensuality that swirled around them, threatening to sweep away all in their path.

“And what will you do,” Marilyn asked her softly, “when the girl discovers how powerful she truly is?”

For the briefest moment, Abigail’s eyes lingered on Marilyn’s lips, a hint of past and present seduction that had always existed between the two. The moment stretched outward, both women enjoying the sensation. Abigail smiled, ever-present amusement flickering in her cool gaze as she turned from the raven-haired beauty.

“When she discovers her power,” Abigail said over her shoulder, “I trust you will be there to help me hold her down.”

CHAPTER 13

SUSAN SMILED AS SHE FELT A WAVE of warmth wash over her. It was an intensely enjoyable sensation, like the heat of the sun on cool skin. She turned as Ryan walked in the room.

“It is not as easy for you to sneak up on me now.”

Ryan gave a mischievous grin. “Not without trying.” She glanced around at the various test tubes and charts. “Hard at work, I see.”

“Yes, I have interpreted some of your father’s results, and found some interesting things.”

Ryan moved to Victor’s side. “That sounds promising.”

“Well,” Susan said, pulling out one of her numerous charts, “I don’t know if it’s promising or not, but at least it’s a change. Do you remember when we discussed the rise of histamine in Victor’s system just prior to him going unconscious?”

Ryan thought back to the conversation. “Yes. You proposed that his histamine levels rose to put him into a state of hibernation, to protect his body while it attempted to fight off the virus.”

“Right,” Susan said, “a theory that was given credence by the fact that Victor’s hippocampus has continued to exhibit activity even though he shows no traditional life signs. Although histamine is generally thought of as an arousal molecule, it does seem to have a depressive function as well.”

“So what has changed with my father?”

Susan looked at the chart. “His histamine levels are beginning to fall.”

“Is that a good thing?” Ryan asked.

“I’m not certain. This still seems more science fiction than science. Victor’s levels of histamine were stratospheric to begin with, so they are not dropping down to what could be considered ‘normal’ levels. But the decrease may be a sign he is preparing to come out of stasis. At least it is some type of change.”

Ryan was not satisfied. “But you are not certain it’s a good change.”

“No, I’m not. And there is one additional variation to factor in. The rate of mutation of his mitochondrial DNA has slowed as well. Again, I am uncertain if this is a positive or negative change. It could be negative, an indication his system is failing and he is no longer able to fight off the attack.”

“Is that what you believe?”

Susan shook her head, much to Ryan’s relief. “No. Actually I think it is probably a positive sign. There are no symptoms indicating his condition has worsened. My guess is that his system is beginning to repair itself. And I found something incredible that may be aiding your father, and I have confirmed it exists in both you and Drake as well. ”

“You have analyzed Drake’s results?”

“Yes,” Susan said, “it is amazing how much I can accomplish now that I no longer have to sleep. Drake, unsurprisingly, has 92 chromosomal pairs, just as you and Victor. And you will be relieved to know he also exhibits considerable uniparental disomy, just as you do.”