Dark War Chronicles Box Set One (25 page)

Chapter Five

Coran walked into Lucius’ great room, the black and white motif surrounding him. His shoes made small clicks on the tile floor of the enormous room as he approached Lucius. Gazing at the vampire lounging on the ancient throne, he laughed. "You look like you haven't slept for days."

"It's been a long few weeks for me." Lucius snapped, his raven black hair falling over his shoulder as he leaned forward in his chair. "Why have you come tonight, wolf?"

Coran met Lucius' black eyes and thought better of arguing with the vampire over the unfavored nickname. "I have something to report to you. I know Kassity is supposed to be on the hunt for the stone, but I found the human that is carrying it."

"You what? Did you approach her about it?" Lucius shot to his feet and took a few steps forward.

"She's under my protection. Shifters have attacked her twice that we know of. She has suspicions that it has to do with the stone, but she doesn't know anything about the supernatural world." Coran held his hands up to stop Lucius from approaching. "She's special though. She has an ability, but I don't want to drag her into all this. Despite that ability she is human and doesn't belong in this war." He relaxed when the vampire stopped approaching.

Lucius crossed his arms and raised a brow. "Then how are you going to get the stone from her?"

"I'll convince her to give it to me." Coran shrugged. "Or I'll find a way to snatch it from her."

"Why are you protecting her? If she's already been attacked, force on our side is not taboo. You could have already taken the stone for me." Lucius watched him, his black eyes following Coran's every move.

Coran held his ground. Having been around this vampire for centuries threats had become familiar. "Because that doesn't make us any better than those who attacked her. Not to mention we don't know if they are rogue or if they are actually under the Circle's rule. Don't you think it’s best that we play by the rules?"

"You care for her."

"She is human."

"Answer me honestly, wolf, you are governed by me and mine. You care for her?"

Coran swallowed. The memory of Renee and his dream about her sent heat flooding through him. "It seems fate has dealt me a difficult hand, and help me gods, I do care for her as an innocent human, but I will not let it go further this time.” He said it more to convince himself than Lucius. “I don’t think force should be used to bend her to your will. She should have a choice in giving up the stone."

"A human." Lucius let out a dark chuckle. "You and humans." He shook his head. “I must have that stone back. If you don't get it for me, I will send Kassity." That Kassity would kill her was a silent statement both men knew to be true.

"What is this stone?”

At those words, Lucius' power filled the room. Coran clenched his jaw against the pressure pushing against him, a physical manifestation of what Lucius could do if he really tried. "I just asked a simple question. Tegan had mentioned how bad she screwed up and you were upset about it."

Tegan entered the room and went to Lucius' side, touching his hand. "I confided in him, but I did not tell him exactly what it was."

The moment Tegan touched Lucius the power died down and he glanced at her. Coran held his breath, hoping this spell of calm would last. Only Tegan held this power over Lucius and her timing always seemed to be perfect.

"I ask again, what is this stone? What could be so important that we risk an innocent being exposed to our world?" Coran met Lucius' eyes when he turned.

"You remember the old legends about the Originals?"

Coran nodded. "There were five Original vampires that locked away their creator in order to save mankind. They were fledglings of the first vampire, the Father. It is said that one of the Originals was able to trick the Father, and with the help of a witch they trapped his soul and put him in an eternal slumber. That's just myth though, vampires don't have souls."

"He did." Tegan whispered. "My brother was the one who helped capture it and Lucius and I were in charge of protecting the stone that held the Fathers soul. Then...then." She started shaking and her hands flew up to her head. The trembling woman in front of him didn't resemble the fierce fighter he knew Tegan to be.

"And that's the stone." Coran eyes widened. "You have to be kidding me. No wonder there are people after her." Now he was even more convinced that he needed to keep Renee safe and why Tegan panicked about sending the stone away.

Tegan nodded. "Whoever has it can bring him back if they can provide the other two items needed."

"Which are?"

Tegan shrugged. "We know they are living beings and that is it."

He sensed a tremor in her pulse, and a difference in her breathing, but he couldn't tell if she was lying. "Okay, well I'll figure it out, but I don't want Renee hurt. I don't want her any further into this world than she has to be."

"Just remember, if you don't get it from her I will give Kassity permission to kill if it’s needed to get that stone back." Lucius pulled Tegan closer to him. "We can't allow it to fall into anyone else's hands."

Because it would end in disaster. Coran nodded. "I got it. I'll see you two later." He grumbled and turned to leave the great room.

Once Coran left, Lucius turned to Tegan. "I want you to go stay with them and make sure that Coran listens to me. If you get a chance, take the stone back."

"I doubt she keeps it on her. I wouldn't wear a necklace that was just randomly sent to me." She pulled her hair over her shoulder and started playing with the ends—a nervous tick that hadn't gone away over the centuries. "And if she does, I don't think I can be that close to it."

"I need you to keep an eye on them. I don't want Coran getting any ideas about this human. I need him unmated with a clear mind. Do you understand?"

She clenched her fists and glared up at him. "Yes, I do."

"Good. Stay safe and check in with me." He waved a hand, dismissing her. Having Tegan there would be best for everyone. She could keep her head clear in tough situations and could be his eyes and ears should anything happen.  And if all else failed, he'd send Kassity.

Renee lay on the bed looking around Coran's room. Typical of a male, a pile of clothes claimed one corner of the room, running shoes took up another, making Renee wonder if he used his closet at all. Shaking her head, she got off the bed and examined the bookshelf to the left of the door. A range of paperbacks took up the top two shelves and hard covers took up the bottom two in stacks. Everything from classics to history, many of the bindings worn from being well read, but the antique one on top of the bookcase caught her attention. She went up on her tippy toes and reached for it.

"Coran puts it up that high for a reason." Orion's voice caught her off guard and she stumbled to catch her balance.

"I didn't see you standing there." She grumbled and tried to gain her composure. "I was just curious as to what kind of books he reads."

Orion’s green eyes sparkled when he smiled and he tossed his black hair out of his eyes. Crossing his arms, she noted that he was a little more slender than Coran. Too slender for her taste, and though handsome, he had nothing on Coran.

"He'll read anything he can get his hands on, he's collected books for most of his life. He’d much rather read than watch television."

"Oh wow." She smiled. It wasn't every day that she found a man who liked to read. "What’s he like?"

Orion laughed. "I don't know, he's fierce and loyal. He sticks to his convictions. He protects what is his."

Renee’s heart swelled with pride, did Coran consider her his? She tried to push the thought away, but she recalled his burning eyes and how he protected her. It didn't strike her as an obligation. "Is he military? Or was he?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Because he knows how to kick ass and he's in amazing shape." She blushed as she said it. "Not that I've been looking or anything." No, she just devoured him with her eyes at every opportunity.

"No, he's not really military, but he is a type of warrior." Orion said. "It's just the way he is. You know, we don't have to talk in here, we can go to the kitchen, have a drink."

"From what I hear, having a drink with you can be dangerous. Isn't that how Tegan ended up without her shirt?"

"No, she made a bad move in chess, and that's why she lost her shirt. Don't worry; we won't be playing any strip games. You have questions and I have answers, it's simple as that." He led her to the kitchen. “What’s your drink of choice?”

Renee gave one more glance at the book on the top shelf before going downstairs. She sat at the table and watched Orion fix drinks. "Rum and Coke. So what about you? How do you know Coran?"

"Isn't that a fucked up story." He shook his head. "Coran saved my life back when...I was in a bad place. He helped get me back on my feet and was willing to give me a place to stay."

"You two are close then."

"Like brothers. He means a lot to me and there isn't much I wouldn't do for him." Orion smiled and sat down with their drinks.

Renee took her rum and Coke and took a sip. "Does Coran have any family?" She wanted to take advantage of Orion's willingness to talk.

Orion took a moment, studying his drink. “No, he doesn't have any blood family left. That doesn't mean he's not surrounded by family though." Orion took a sip of his drink and laughed. "He's just not willing to admit it."

Renee played with her glass. "Why not? Of course he does seem like the type that would rather be left alone. It's like he's suffers from a great grief."

Orion sighed. "He has, he’s lost a lot of people he's loved and there are some things he’s done that he's not proud of. Though people have forgiven him, he can't move past it himself."

"How bad can it be?" She asked, her mind spinning as worst case scenarios popped up in her mind.

He leaned forward on the table and met her eyes. "I have to tell you, Coran comes from a dark past that not everyone understands."

"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because you're attracted to him."

Renee opened her mouth to protest, but Orion cut her off. "Don't. I know it's true and don't ask me how. I know you desire him, you can't keep your mind from wandering to him when he's not around."

She blushed, but shot a question at him. "What about you and Tegan? What's going on there?"

His face closed down and he studied the table. "Nothing."

A bitter tone tinted his voice. "Nothing? You two seem so comfortable with each other. Hell, you play strip chess with the girl."

"Yeah, well that's as close to her as I get. Lucius, her...guardian for lack of better word, is extremely overprotective. Though I'm wondering if she's not fucking him."

Renee made a face. "Who would screw their guardian?"

"It's a complicated situation." He shrugged. "But nothing will ever change between us. Her, Coran and I all grew up together." Pausing, he tapped his fingers against the table. "We're all like a family. That being said, you hurt Coran, you're going to have issues."

She blinked. "I'm sorry, what?"

"I know he's fond of you or he wouldn't be going through all of this for you. Therefore, you throw his kindness back in his face I will make sure that your life becomes a nightmare." He downed his drink and his eyes flashed to a purple color so fast that she gasped.

Shivers crawled over her skin. "I have no intention of hurting him or throwing his kindness in his face. Why would I?"

Orion shrugged and played with his empty glass. "Coran has had issues in the past with people who don't belong with our kind."

"Your kind?"

He shook his head. "Never mind, don't worry yourself about it." The front door clicked open and Orion flashed her a smile. "He's back."

Coran stormed into the townhome. Lucius' words burned inside him and the only thing Coran could do was try and get the stone from Renee. He rubbed his eyes as he walked into the kitchen, ignoring the two at the table and going straight to the fridge looking for something to eat.

"You look like someone ran over your puppy." Renee glanced up from the table.

Orion choked on his drink. "Bad choice of words."

Coran shot him a nasty glare. "My errand didn't go as well as I planned. What are you two up to?"

"Well, I'm off to work. I'm on stage tonight, so I need to go to get fitted for costumes." Orion winked at Renee as he left the room.

She laughed slightly. "Where does he work?"

"Strip club." He said with a straight face and sat down in the vacant chair. "You guys have a good time?" He started to doubt if she could remain innocent with how talkative Orion could be.

"We just talked for a little bit. I wanted to ask you about something. You know when I mentioned I could see animals?” Coran nodded. “What if I told you that I saw a shadow of wings on Orion?" She studied her glass, trying to disappear; worried he would think she was crazy.

It didn't surprise him, but what could he tell her without pulling her further into their world? He wanted to stroke her hair and comfort her. He wanted to hold her against his chest and hug her while he spilled the secrets of his world to her. To kiss up her neck and drive her wild, to have someone to share his life with again and someone who could make his body stir. That was Renee; he wanted all those things with her. He rubbed his eyes. "I would say that it isn't out of the question, but I can't say much more than that."

"Why not?"

He shrugged. "To put it in terms that you can understand, 'You can't handle the truth'."

"You dare to quote movies to me? I bet I could handle anything you throw at me." She teased him with a grin.

"Not this. This is your life that’s in danger and I won't allow you to put it at any more risk." He turned when the door slammed shut again. "Fuck, now what?"

Tegan walked into the small dinning room with a bag slung over her shoulder and a long slender case clenched in the other hand. "Hi honey, I'm home." Her locked jaw told him everything he needed to know. Her lips pressed tight and she crossed her arms. "Lucius sent me."