Crimson Reign (34 page)

When the female disappeared behind the double doors, Darklon’s magnetic gaze returned to him. “You will need a witness for this meeting. It is the official acceptance of your petition to be Elder before the spectacle of the Crescente di Ordinare Cerimonia tonight. I’m sure Malachi has chosen Laziel as his second. I will, of course, accompany you.”

A protest would have been futile. Roman nodded. “As you wish.” The doors swung open again, and Ms. Stroner emerged the glare back in her eyes.

“He will see you, Roman Di Sangue, but Lord Di Sangue will not be granted an audience.”

Beside him Darklon growled in outrage. “My son has the right to a second. He has chosen me. Malachi cannot forbid me entrance.”

“On the contrary, Loni, I can forbid you anything I damn well wish.” Malachi Denali strolled out of the office, one hand casually tucked into the pocket of his black leather pants. The long sleeved black cable knit sweater hugged a heavily muscled chest. Eyes blacker than midnight slammed into Roman. “If you’ve made the unfortunate mistake of choosing Loni Boy as your witness, I’m afraid you’ll have to attend alone or chose another. The Elder will not step foot in my office.”

Shoving Ms. Stroner aside, Darklon surged forward. Roman caught the secretary as she stumbled and yanked her tight to his chest when a roar of pure savagery shook the walls around them. A glow brighter than the sun had him blinking as Laziel materialized in front of Malachi, a rabid sneer on angelic lips.

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Instinct, or the notion of it whether human or vampire, paled in comparison to Laziel’s intuition. Time slowed, and between one heartbeat and the next, Laziel became one with the Earth. Fury hotter than the deepest depths of Hell erupted within him, turning the blood in his vein’s toxic with rage. The air around Lachi crackled and filled with the noxious scent of Laziel’s vicious vehemence. The Earth shifted, and as Laziel took shape so did his rage. Intense light blazed in an arc from his celestial eyes, sending Roman and Ms. Stroner running for cover under the secretary’s desk. Nonchalant behind the towering form of his angel, Lachi remained unmoved.

Slowly, and with deliberate intent, Laziel raised a solitary finger, and as if by magic, lifted Darklon until the Elder hovered in midair to come face to face with a seething Laziel. Any attempt to use the power Darklon possessed as a vampire proved futile as Laziel merely blinked and Darklon’s form turned limp. Robbed of his abilities, Darklon turned sickly pale, his eyes shone with fear and his lips moved in silent pleading to Laziel’s menacing form.

“I should crush you, Loni. You are nothing but a sycophant that refuses to learn his place. You have no power over me; therefore, you shall never have power of Malachi,” he sneered at the quaking male. “I should bend you until every bone in your body breaks and your screams for leniency echo throughout Rome.” A wicked smile curved his lips. “But this shall prove much more fun. Kneel Loni…kneel before your rightful King and beg his forgiveness, and I will spare you this night.” He formed a tight fist and the Elder crumbled to the floor. A second passed, and then two before an inert Darklon took to his knees. He wobbled a bit before lowering his head in defeat and kissed the ruby ring of sovereignty adorning Malachi’s outstretched hand.

Delving into the Elder’s mind, Laziel read the overwhelming degree of psychotic animosity the Elder held toward his King. But, what astounded Laziel more was the extent Darklon was willing to go to assuage his delusional aspirations.

A jolt of fear turned the inferno racing through his veins into ice. Darklon’s treachery knew no bounds, and as Laziel plundered the vampire’s sickening thoughts, the Elder’s body trembled. Allied to the Nephilim, Darklon saw himself appointing Arial as the Nephilim’s future King. Celix was likely to take umbrage to that plan which meant an inner conflict among the Nephilim. Chaos loomed on the horizon, and Darklon believed he held the superior knowledge and power control the melee and use the vampire’s only known enemies to bring about the decimation of his own fucking race.

“Ms. Stroner, kindly escort Mr. Di Sangue inside.” Laziel’s eyes never moved from where they bore into Darklon. When the soft click of the door shut firmly behind them, Laziel tore from Darklon’s thoughts with vicious intent. The Elder cast a panic stricken gaze between Lachi and Laziel before his hands scratched at the invisible hold clamped around his throat. Bones crunched under Laziel’s watchful glare, and Darklon shrieked in fear just before his body was lifted and hurled through the air. “Heed my words, Loni; this was your last warning. One more encroachment against your King, and I’ll see to it personally that the next angel you meet will be the angel of death.”

Darklon’s body crashed against the far wall and slumped in a heap at Saul’s feet. Laziel’s private guard eyed the male speculatively before using his boot to push him outside. Laziel turned around to meet Lachi’s glare and was instantly claimed by the lush possessiveness of Lachi’s mouth. The kiss stained the air with the soft angelic sound of Laziel’s yearning groans. Only the impending sound of heavy incoming footfalls tore him away from the male he’d sworn to protect.

“You hold that thought for me motherfucker, and I’ll more than reward you for keeping your cool.” Laziel winked mischievously at Lachi just as Arial’s looming presence made itself known.

Clouds shrouded Arial’s eyes to convey the Fallen’s darker than normal mood, and an arctic blast of ice seemed to flow around him as he knelt before Lachi and greeted the vampire King. “I am the bearer of bad tidings, my liege, and ask for but a moment of your time if you have it to spare.”

Lachi frowned, and the deep crease formed in his forehead that Laziel damn well adored. At the inclination of Lachi’s head, Arial rose to enter and came up against the solid wall of Laziel’s broad chest.

“Didn’t anyone ever tell you it’s fucking rude to leave people waiting? Bring in our guest, Arial, before the fucker starts to shed.” With a roll of his eyes and a sway of his hips Laziel turned and made his way into the private office of the vampire King.

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CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

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At the angel’s sardonic comment, Malachi swiveled back to face the doors leading into his office. A stranger waltzed in to the room as if he owned the place a flippant smile turning up the corners of his mouth. Tall and rangy, he moved with the easy grace of a predator. Longish hair highlighted naturally in different shades of blonde had been tamed and tied back with a leather cord. The light caught on the blonder streaks and made his honey colored eyes sparkle. His scent wafted into the room, a touch of wildness in Malachi’s nose. Wolf shifter, in his prime, pure testosterone, and Ms. Stroner sure noticed. Malachi’s own mouth quirked as her instant arousal pierced the air. Beside her, Roman stiffened, his jade green eyes landing on the new male. Fangs appeared just over his bottom lip. Malachi filed away the possessive reaction from the young vampire.

“Welcome to Italy and to my Court,” he addressed the newcomer. “In case you missed the opening act, this is the head of my Guard, Laziel, my personal assistant Ms. Kimberly Stroner, and the soon to be inducted Elder of the South American enclave, Roman Di Sangue.” The wolf’s eyes tracked to each, lingered with lustful interest on Ms. Stroner and returned to meet his own. “I assume you have reason to have dragged Arial from his duties to the enclave?”

When the wolf left Arial’s side and sauntered toward him, Malachi held up a restraining hand to both angels. The male’s cockiness amused him.

“I don’t need an angel to remind me of my manners, Sire.” Dropping to one knee, the shifter bowed his head in deference; however, there wasn’t a submissive bone in the male’s body. “My name is Tobias Chamberlin, Beta to Jorn Chamberlin, Alpha of the Appalachian Pack. My father was a trustworthy friend of your Elder Mendeeto. He sent me South to seek assistance. Unfortunately, I’ve learned of Mendeeto’s death. My father will be greatly troubled when I deliver the sad news of his passing.”

Never one to stand on ceremony, Malachi slapped a hand against Tobias’s shoulder. “Hold on a moment.” He turned his attention to the ones standing silent in the room. “Everyone grab a chair.” His eyes landed on Laziel, and with a smirk the angel crossed the room to take his place at his right shoulder. When they all sat, he addressed the wolf.

“Now continue. You were sent to Mendeeto for what kind of assistance?”

“Our pack is under attack as are others close to us. We managed to track the assailants for a few miles and the scent just disappears. No tire tracks, no whiff of magic, it’s just fucking gone.” The frustration in the male’s voice rang true. “We’ve lost five in three months, three subordinates, two pups and a breeding female. Other packs have lost more.”

“And, you think it’s a vampire, or vampires?” Malachi kept his voice calm and low. He didn’t take charges against his race lightly. They were the ultimate predator, and if they were born vampires the ability to port came naturally. They virtually disappeared into thin air.

“No, the Eau du Copper tang you bloodsuckers sport is pretty easy to identify. It hasn’t been found in any of the areas. It’s something different, I can’t explain it.”

“Laz.”

The name brought the angel out from behind him. Malachi hid a smirk when the tough talking wolf paled as the angel approached him. Obviously reading the wolf’s fear, Laziel braced his hands on the arms of the chair and deliberately invaded the male’s personal space.

“Does it smell like this?” Laziel blew a short breath across the wolf’s sensitive nose. Those honey eyes darkened. Fury, sadness and recognition clashed. He surged to his feet forcing the angel to straighten. With a roll of his eyes and hips, Laziel shoved Tobias back down in his seat. “Heel, wolf. I’m not the enemy. Well, not unless you make the stupid mistake of going after this vampire.” Laziel stroked his fingers up along Malachi’s arm as he returned to stand at Malachi’s right side.

“Are you telling me angels are killing our pack mates?” Disbelief warred with rage in the shifter’s voice.

“Not angels per say. It’s a possibility; one I hope is not true. But, if the Nephilim have turned their sights on other races, the war is going to get much uglier.”

“War?” Roman and Tobias asked in unison.

“Yes, war.” Malachi regarded the young wolf and younger vampire thoughtfully. An idea gelled, one that would solve several immediate problems. “After the ceremony tonight, Roman, you will accompany Tobias back to his Pack Headquarters in Virginia.”

Tobias’s eyebrows winged up in surprise that he knew the pack’s location, but Malachi didn’t falter. “After cleaning up the South American enclave following the Nephilim attack, you’re qualified to determine if the attacks are related to the Fallen hybrid bastards.” Firm lips pressed together, and he flicked his eyes to Arial. “No offense, Arial, that was thoughtless.”

The large brooding Fallen simply shrugged.

“But Sire, I’ve only just started at the enclave,” Roman sputtered.

“Afraid, whelp?” Tobias taunted crossing his arms over his chest.

“Of you, or your litter? No fucking way. I have a job to do.” Roman turned back to Malachi. “The survivors are starting to trust me, to ask for assistance.”

“Arial will return to the enclave. He has far more experience and will be better able to defend them in the event of a repeat attack.” And sending you will get you away from Darklon’s manipulative clutches. The last went unspoken but played a large part in Malachi’s decision. “Ms. Stroner will accompany you both.”

By no flicker of movement did his assistant evidence her distress, but Malachi sensed it. “Now, we have a small matter of swearing allegiance to attend to before you can leave to prepare yourselves for the Crescente di Ordinare Cerimonia. It’s fortunate you’re here Tobias, an impartial witness should dampen the fire I’m sure is scalding Loni’s ass right about now.” Malachi rose from his chair and circled the desk.

“Roman Di Sangue, kneel before your King.” Laziel’s deep baritone filled the room. “Arial to his left, Tobias to his right. Ms. Stroner if you will be so kind as to transcribe the event.” The female hurried to the desk and snatched up a pen and tablet and took her place on Malachi’s left directly before Tobias. Roman’s head came up, but Malachi caught it in his palm and shoved it down again. The young vampire needed to learn to hide his emotions better. Maybe the trip would teach him a bit about self...control.

“Roman Di Sangue, the Court has been petitioned and you have been nominated to fill the role of Elder of the South American Enclave.” The rehearsed words fell from Malachi’s lips while in his mind, he pictured Mendeeto’s stern face and Carmelishia’s beautiful smile, such a tragic waste of young love. “Do you accept this nomination?”

“I do.” Strong and sure, Roman answered, no hesitation in his voice.

“Arial Nathanial, Fallen Angel of Heaven, and Tobias Chamberlain, Beta of the Appalachian Pack, do you attest that this nomination was accepted without coercion and at the will of Roman Di Sangue?” Both males answered in the affirmative.

“The position of Elder is a life station. Once taken, an Elder can only be removed upon death or upon treason against the King and Crown. Roman Di Sangue, do you pledge your loyalty, your fidelity and your life to the protection and sanctity of the Crown?”

“I do.”

“Witnesses, do you attest this vow was pledged by Roman Di Sangue of his own free will?”

“Yes.”

“Yes.”

Malachi removed his hand from the younger vampire’s head and stepped back. Laziel moved in front of him, eyes flashing golden fire. “Roman Di Sangue, do you avow before me, that you will honor, protect and remain faithful to Malachi Denali, Your Sire and Liege, from this day forward. Think carefully before you answer as a vow made to an angel is a sacred promise punishable by immediate death if it is broken.”

“Is this part of the ceremony?” A faint whisper from Ms. Stroner broke the strained silence.