Bound by the Vampire Queen (66 page)

Fortunately, the scientist moved away from the delicate topic.

“Cultures with strong magical versus scientific paradigms, such as the Druids, believed that spiritualism was intimately tied to the practical way life was lived. The outcomes of crop production, fertility, et cetera, were all affected by magical forces or the relationship with the gods. These days, some might cal it karma. Whatever name or cause we give it, there does seem to be a correlation between the way we live our lives, and the consequences of those choices, with the expected exceptions. It is even possible that, since we are a very small race, the spiritual forces in our lives are that much stronger to help us survive as a people, to shove us in the right direction, so to speak.

“This is a very odd way to present scientific findings, Lord Brian,” Helga noted. “Particularly for you.”

He nodded. “If you'll bear with me, my lady, my point will be made clear shortly. So many times, bad outcomes with respect to crops and harsh winters were pinned on individuals, usually community outsiders easy to blame. It is far easier to do that than to consider such difficulties as the result of the way our lives are being lived. Or even considering it a test of Fate, building our strength, helping our adaptability as time goes on.”

He nodded toward Helga. “I am perhaps unique from others in my field in that I consider an amalgamation of esoteric factors along with the concrete ones, when the concrete ones reach their limit. When that occurs, testing variables becomes more challenging, but I test all that are available and review experiential data. Let me give you an example.”

He looked toward Lyssa. “With your permission, my lady, I would like Jacob to remove his shirt and show us your servant’s mark.”

At Lyssa’s nod, Jacob handed Kane to her. He slipped the buttons of his shirt, turned and let it fall off his shoulders, displaying the fossil-like serpent shape. There were mirrors along the walls of the dining area, a curious decorating choice for vampires, unless one realized how they liked to see their servants at all angles during entertainments. No place to hide facial expressions, but he kept his steady as he watched the Council members’ attention turn to his back.

“Every full servant bears a spontaneous impression like this when they receive the third marking. We can’t explain why the shapes appear as they do, but they are always symbolic of the unique relationship between the vampire and servant. In this case, Lady Lyssa is the oldest among us.”

There was a pause as the Council members exchanged glances. Uthe chuckled. “Best explain quickly, lad. She’s close enough to tear off your sensitive appendages.”

Light laughter rippled through their ranks. Brian, mired in his science, pul ed out of the deep end enough to realize the faux pas. Lyssa arched a brow at him, her jade eyes cool, though Jacob felt her indulgent amusement with

Brian’s sudden discomfiture. He pressed on hastily.

“I am not comparing you to the fossil, my lady. Not technically. A fossil is an enduring impression of ancient times, of our history, of what has led us to this moment. I think it could be argued that Lady Lyssa does represent that to us. This serpent shape”—he moved closer, followed the track of the mark up Jacob’s back with a finger—“has three distinct curve points. Lady Lyssa has made it clear she believes Jacob was a part of her life at three different points, in three different bodies.

“These are just interpretations, obviously, and this symbol is more open to them than others. However, many of you know about Lord Mason’s tiger mark on his back, a brand and inked tattoo he put there himself many years ago. When he took Jessica as his fully marked servant earlier this year…” Turning toward Mason, Brian had the good sense to clear his throat, ask delicately. “Er, my lord, if you don’t mind?”

Jessica waited, her gaze on her Master’s profile.

Mason gave her a nearly imperceptible nod.

Stepping forward, she slid her skirt up almost to the juncture of her thighs, barely covering what was between. Gracefully, she pivoted her toe to reveal her inner thigh, the tiger mark there.

“Thank you, my lady, my lord.” He nodded to Lyssa and Mason. Jessica smoothed her skirt back in place. However, before Jacob could shrug back into his shirt, Lyssa extended her free hand out over the side of her chair. While she didn’t spare him a glance, he understood the message well enough.

Jacob placed the shirt in her hand, and she gave it to Kane to crumple in his fists, bury his face in his father’s familiar scent.

“Thank
you
, my lady,” Carola said, a sparkle in her eye as she ran an appreciative glance over Jacob’s upper body. Giving her a slight bow and a curve of lips, Jacob took up his place on the wall again.

Brian resumed, the sense of expectation in his voice indicating he was about to reach his point of import. “Just like the marks that appear on our servants that we can’t explain, but which seem appropriately suited to our relationships, I have found a correlation between those of our kind who are successfully getting pregnant and bearing children now. A significant one.”

That stilled movement at the table further, for few things concerned the Council as much as the dwindling population of the vampire species.

“Ten of our nearly five thousand known vampires have children on the way. Eight are born vampires, two are made. Seven others are raising children they have had in the past five years.” He nodded toward Kane, dozing off in Lyssa’s arms. “I won’t bore the Council with the painstaking details of years of data collection on this subject, trusting that you have confidence in my research skill's, though of course I always maintain the data for your personal review . . . particularly in this case.”

As he paused on those last four words, their attention sharpened. “When biological factors proved no pattern, I chose nonbiological factors. The one common factor every couple had was something I waited to voice until I was reasonably sure of it.

What I have found is this: there is an undeniable connection between fertility and those vampires and servants who have a closer relationship than is considered acceptable in our world.”

A murmur ran through the assembled Council.

Some gazes darted toward Lyssa to see her reaction, but her attention remained on Brian, her expression unchanging. “You may say my research is speculative,” Brian noted, “since those vampires and servants who have such a relationship are not likely to reveal it. However, I applied a set of constant factors, and all ten relationships demonstrated them.

A higher level of intimacy and trust, some level of
positive
dependence between the couple. Positive, in that the vampire still clearly held the dominant role in the relationship, but he or she valued the servant in a manner that strongly suggests a deep emotional bond there. One that could be defined as deep, romantic love.”

At the uncomfortable shifting around the table, the frowns that appeared on more than one face, he lifted a shoulder. “Whenever a scientist dips a foot into such a realm, he is already beyond measurable standards, but I use the term as we define it visually, by intuition and feeling, in our interactions with others.

“I admit I struggled with whether or not to bring this information to the Council, because for as long as we can remember, the relationship between vampire and servant has been strictly dictated. Any sense of a vampire having stronger feelings for their servant than is perceived as appropriate has been dealt with harshly by this Council, as well as Region Masters and overlords. But this is such an important topic for our survival, I think I must trust Council with it.” Though he didn’t say it, his glance toward Lyssa suggested the change of governance had aided his decision. Belizar’s mouth tightened, but if he thought to accuse Brian of delaying the release of his findings, he apparently swallowed the urge.

Brian bowed toward Lyssa. “It is probably easiest to use your circumstances as an example, my lady, since you have openly declared it. The relationship you have with your servant is much deeper than what is considered usual and acceptable for our kind. You did not conceive for hundreds of years, yet you conceived within a year of being with him.” Lyssa nodded. Jacob knew she had conceived within days of being with the knight he’d once been, centuries before, but she hadn’t offered that data to Brian, since that would stretch even his scientific flexibility beyond bearing. Plus, she liked having that memory as a private treasure between them. He didn’t mind that, either.

Brian turned his attention back to Council. “It is very possible that there is a biological component here I’ve not yet located. Scientists know there are chemical forces of attraction that compel males and females of many species to choose one particular mate over another for reproduction. Perhaps when there is a greater level of intimacy and trust, it triggers a chemical change in the female vampire or the seed of the male vampire, to encourage fertility.

Science and spiritual forces often overlap in such inexplicable ways.

“As my final evidence for this summary report, I offer the latest data confirming my findings.

Yesterday, I took a blood sample from one of my recent subjects. My intention was to run some tests on her fertility levels, but I received a rather direct and unexpected confirmation of it.”

Turning to the opposite end of the table, he executed a bow, a smile playing around his serious mouth. “Lord Mason, I’m delighted to inform you that your servant is in the early stages of pregnancy.” There was a pause, then the Council erupted with comments and exclamations. Mason was rooted to his chair, his usually unreadable expression stunned.

Jessica’s legs began to shake, her eyes wide in her face. Though Gideon and Torrence moved toward her immediately, Mason still beat them there, sliding his arm around her waist and almost lifting her off her feet to steady her. The expression she turned up to him was a mixture of terror and joy.

“This is a simple report of my findings.” Brian cleared his throat at length, drawing the rest of the Council’s attention back to him and giving the couple a needed moment of semiprivacy. “I am a scientist, not a policy maker. The Council, I am sure, will wish to carefully deliberate on what to do with the information. However, in conclusion, from a purely scientific standpoint, I would suggest this. Though the stringent safeguards on vampire-servant relationships have been set down to good purpose, perhaps they have been twisted in a wrong direction over time, such that it has been harder for those bonds to develop in a way that would encourage fertility.”

Giving a short bow to the assembled, he added,

“Thank you for your time, my lords and my ladies. As always, I am open to any questions or further discussion.”

Lyssa gave Brian a nod as he took his seat, but then turned her attention outward. “First things first,” she said.

Handing Kane to Jacob, she rose. At Jacob’s direction, the staff had already placed a chair at the wall so Jessica could sit until she was steadier on her feet. Mason stood at her side, his hand on the sweet line between neck and shoulder, his expression full of her and the momentous news.

Another staff member had been refilling the wineglasses, anticipating the coming toast. Now Lyssa lifted hers toward Mason, drawing his attention when Jessica squeezed his hand.

“Congratulations, Lord Mason. May your offspring be far less obstinate than you, and as beautiful as his or her mother.”

As he locked gazes with the vampire queen, the long history between them was evident in the naked emotion in his gaze, and how her throat thickened over her next words. “You deserve this happiness, Mason. You both do. Blessings upon you both.” The Council members joined in with “Here, here,” and assorted other comments of encouragement and good humor. For the moment, the import and potential controversy of Brian’s report was put aside.

As Lyssa had said, every conception in the vampire world was precious. However, Jacob knew this one was even more personal to his lady.

Putting down the wineglass, she came around the table to the male vampire. With gentlemanly courtesy, he met her halfway, but he walked as if he might stumble, entirely un-Mason-like. When she slid her arms around his wide shoulders, he lifted her off her feet and held her tight, burying his face in her neck, his copper hair falling across his broad shoulder and brushing hers. Stretching out her other hand, Lyssa brought Jessica to them, drew her into the embrace. Jessica wrapped her arms around Mason as well.

As Lyssa spoke in Mason’s mind, she shared those words with Jacob.

You know how deeply you are in my heart.

Beyond Jacob, you are the one I trust and love beyond any other. I wish you and Jessica all the happiness this child will bring you. And the baby could not have a better mother, one who will love the both of you to the bottom of her soul. For some unimaginable reason, she already loves you that way, despite all your shortcomings.

Drawing back, she gave him a smile through suspiciously wet eyes, pressing a kiss to both his mouth and Jessica’s. Then she stepped back, allowing the other Council members to rise and congratulate Mason in their own way. While they would not congratulate Jessica directly the way Lyssa had, Jacob noted they touched her shoulder or gave her a nod of acknowledgment, steadying her further during the earth-shattering moment.

During the time they were involved with that, Lyssa returned to the head of the table. Brian sat in the chair at her side, watching the goings on with his usual academic scrutiny. Lyssa tipped her glass to him. “Well played, Doctor. You have a highly unscientific flare for dramatic timing.” Brian shrugged, but couldn’t hide a light flush.

“Perhaps I have been learning from the company I’ve been keeping this past year or so.”

“They’re a dangerous element. You should be careful of that.” Her eyes gleamed. “However, you have served the Council well in this instance.”

“I credit my lab assistant and servant with this finding, Lady Lyssa. She pointed out the variable to me and backed it up based on some earlier conversations she’d had with your servant, when you were sick with the Delilah virus.” He looked toward Debra. She still stood at the wall, quietly watching it all, though there was a shine of happiness in her eyes as she looked toward Jessica and Mason.