Empath (Book 1 of the Empath Trilogy) (39 page)

When she spoke, it was so quiet I had to strain to hear.  “They will receive you now.”

We followed her into the interior room beyond.  She backed into it, blocking my view until she moved aside.  As we entered, my eyes searched all around trying to take in my new surroundings, rapidly determining the danger waiting to befall us.  My pulse raced yet my mind remained quiet.  It was as though everything slowed down enough for me to take my time evaluating all that I was seeing.  My death grip on James’ hand didn’t loosen once.  I was glad for his lack of body heat because it kept our hands from sweating and slipping.  Instead, our hands were locked firmly together.

The room itself was large, as tall as a two-story home and wider than my high school gymnasium.  The décor reminded me of the castle I’d seen yesterday.  I felt like I had been transported back in time several hundred years.  Beautiful, richly colored tapestries hung from the walls breaking up the monotony of the cold stone, iron sconces held torches between them and several large roughly hewn wood and metal candelabras hung from the ceiling.  Milling about the room were not less than a hundred people, no, vampires.  Many were dressed like they were going to a costume party themed for the court of King Louis XIV, others in various other period fashions including our own.  All were formal of course.  Several of the men wore hose and those short pants I had seen in paintings, coats that buttoned down the front and some had hats with feathers in them, three who stared boldly at me when we passed wore tuxes with tails complete with white gloves and top hats.  At the front of the room were several high backed chairs and three vampires standing nearby exuding the type of power and confidence befitting kings and queens.  This must be the heads of the Court we were here to see.

The albino woman who had walked us in continued to lead us across the long room and through the crowd to halt mere feet before the three members of the Court.  She curtsied low to the ground, her head nearly brushing the stone floor.  I stood in awe of her grace, noticing she didn’t wobble once.  Standing, she announced in a voice as miniscule as when she spoke to us outside, only now I could hear it easily by some miracle of acoustics.

“James Thomas and Consort, if it please the Court.”  With that simple introduction, she backed away and left us to face them.  I actually felt a little more alone after she left, silly as that was. 

The three of the Court were equally focused upon us as we studied each other.  The leader, I was guessing since he was in the center and had that air about him, was the shortest and fattest.  Dressed all in pale blue silks, he had long, wavy brown hair that hung loose over his shoulders.  He couldn’t have been over five and a half feet without his heeled shoes.  His face was doughy and bore no facial hair.  I had never heard of an obese vampire before so seeing his fleshy face and matched protruding belly took me by surprise.  When he waved a hand at our escort I caught sight of the lace edge of his handkerchief hanging from his cuff. 

To the left of the fat man was a man quite different in dark blue.  His style of dress was of the same period, but he was the complete opposite of the doughy man next to him.  He had to be over six feet tall and built whip thin.  His thin blond moustaches and goatee reminded me of one of the musketeers.

To the far right of the men stood the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.  In life she must have been of Spanish blood, judging by her darker coloring and the dress she favored.  Her black hair was swept up in a loose plait, partially hidden under a small round black hat with a short black lace veil ending at the bridge of her nose.  Her red silk dress was trimmed similarly in black lace. 

The three stood, watching us expectantly as James and I held hands facing them.  I had no clue what to do and waited for someone to give me a direction.  James spoke first, bowing low at the waist.  “It is a distinct honor to be in your presence once again.  Thank you for accepting my request for an audience.”  Indicating me with a nod of his head, I simultaneously felt a squeeze to my hand and knew I should try to curtsy.  Working very hard not to fall, I tried the never before attempted maneuver as low as I dared and held it a few long seconds before coming back up.  James introduced me.  “Please allow me to introduce to you my human companion, Claire Martin.”

The man in light blue spoke first, inclining his head slightly toward James.  “It has been far too long James.  Henry has spoken highly of you in our discussions of late; he finds you to be a great asset.  It is unfortunate he could not be with you today, he is still my favorite opponent to face over a chessboard.”  His voice was high pitched, like that of a child.

Nodding back, James agreed.  “Henry wished to be here with us and sends his regards.  He had urgent business in the states that demanded his full attention.”  Unflinchingly, he added, “I’m sure you’re aware of the anarchy in Milwaukee.  Given its close proximity to our coven, we are most anxious about it ourselves.”

At the mention of Milwaukee, the three exchanged a glance and I heard rumbling from the audience.  The man in dark blue spoke up, his voice resonating through the stone around us.  “Charles welcomes you on our behalf and you waste no time in bringing up unpleasantness.  There are consequences for such insolence.”  Fangs flashed as he spoke.

James stood straight, staring unafraid at the man.  “I mean no offense Anton.  My apologies if it causes any undue discomfort.” James continued bravely on, “I have come here to discuss these very matters with the Court.  As well as the actions of an old adversary.”

The man in dark blue growled.  “How dare…”

Charles interrupted the tall vampire.  “Anton, please.  Let us welcome our guests.  The mention of unpleasantness is necessary, albeit unfortunate.  I understand Henry’s coven and allies have been seeking tirelessly to find the responsible parties involved in the difficulties in Milwaukee.  It only makes sense that the matter would be at the forefront of his associate’s mind.” 

“He forgets himself.”  Anton glared at James without giving Charles a glance.  “He no longer carries favor with this Court and we will not discuss
our
investigations with him.  Court business is no longer his concern,” he said decidedly.

Ignoring his intended insults, Charles turned away from Anton to face us, looking mildly amused and changed the subject. “This is not the only purpose for your audience today James.  I understand you have come to us to request permission for a human’s admission into our society.  Is that correct?” 

I felt myself blushing when Charles directed his attention to me.  James answered clearly.  “I have indeed and I request your approval.”

Charles approached me, smirking at my discomfort.  “James, I believed you were uninterested in anything so permanent.”  He waved a hand dismissively, speaking to no one in particular.  “Not that it really matters.  Some take them so seriously, as if it weren’t possible to get out of it if you choose.”  He tipped his head, black eyes boring into mine.  “Miranda, do you see how she flushes?  How enchanting.”  He studied me from less than three feet away, so close I could nearly touch him.  “Tell me, human, do you flush for shame to lie with a vampire or because I speak of your death so casually?”

Wishing I could look to James for guidance, not wanting to offend Charles by looking away, I answered the best I knew how.  “No Sir, I am blushing because my relationship is private and your mention of it publicly embarrasses me.”

At my answer, Charles laughed airily.  Turning to James, he asked, “You took an innocent, James?  I’m impressed.”  He aimed his explanation at me.  “That is a challenge for our kind due to your natural fear of being hunted.  It is instinctive and stronger for the pure than the more experienced, let us say, who might enjoy the pursuit a bit more.”

I couldn’t help but peek at James as I wondered at that.  How could I be afraid of James?  I couldn’t resist him if I tried, not that the thought had ever crossed my mind.  I considered briefly the Glamour Stephen had mentioned at our first meeting, then brushed away so quickly.  Even with his eyes black and body unmoving, more vampire than human, he was still the man I loved and trusted.

He sensed my curiosity and blinked at me, letting blue bleed back into his irises, clearly aware how unlike himself he must look to me.  “I can compel someone to come to me, but I cannot take away their fear entirely.  Your lack of fear was one of the things that drew me to you.”  It astonished me that he spoke so freely in front of the Court.  It had been nothing but formal to this point yet he showed no hesitation in addressing me while Charles looked on with a vaguely pleasant expression on his face. 

Charles glanced back at me and then at James, his disinterested mask slipping away.  As he examined us, a puzzled expression set in.  “Miranda, would you come here please?  I need your expertise.”

My heartbeat went into overdrive and sweat sprung up on my lip.  Could he sense my ability?  I had tried to block it through my shielding.  I didn’t want to call attention to myself any more than necessary.  Charles turned back to face me and stepped in toward me, close enough to kiss.  His face was right next to mine as if he was going to whisper in my ear.  Leaning in, he sniffed my neck.  Why did everyone do that lately?  Irritation prickled me. 

Charles startled backward a step, his eyes opening wide and I watched Anton stiffen expectantly.  Miranda continued her graceful steps toward us without hesitation at Charles’ reaction.  As Miranda drew near, Charles pointed a stubby finger in my face.  “Smell that.” 

Without hesitation, Miranda approached and leaned in between James and I, sniffing my neck.  It had been frightening when Charles did it, yet this was different.  Miranda’s slow, deliberate movements were mesmerizing; her raw sensuality made her inspection intimate.  Her seductive nature was agonizingly uncomfortable and I held James’ hand tighter since I couldn’t look at him without turning my face even closer to Miranda. 

She withdrew slightly, staring into my eyes from only inches away.  Her black eyes were hard.  “James, you are too bold.  Marking a human before gaining the Court’s permission carries a hefty penalty.  This one has not been admitted to our society and yet you have taken the liberty to bind her to it?  We do not have many rules, but we do require strict adherence lest we have anarchy.  Have you forgotten so much since leaving us?”  Her voice was deadly calm and I didn’t like the cold fury I saw in her eyes.  Nor did I like the words coming out of her mouth. 

“Marked?”  I sputtered, forgetting myself and furiously turning to face James.  That explained this connection and why no one would tell me more about it.  It wasn’t so mysterious after all.  He had promised me he would never do such a thing without my permission, something I wasn’t sure I would ever have given, and I had believed him.  Feeling a fool, resentment began to build within me.

The accusations forming on my tongue froze as I registered the astonishment written plainly on his face.  James’ dismay was not feigned.  He appeared equally shocked and taken aback at Miranda’s words. 

James was shaking his head in denial.  “I did not mark her.  I have only bitten her once and it was to feed.”  I knew he was not lying and out of habit, I opened myself up for only a second to confirm that I could still count him as trustworthy down here among these creatures.

Anton moved closer and I now had the very uncomfortable pleasure of three ancient vampires, pissed off at my boyfriend for something he didn’t do and more than likely me by association.  Trying to smooth over the situation, I sent as much confidence as I could through my shields.  As I projected, Anton stepped in and struck me so fast I was on the floor without even seeing his hand fly. 

James moved nearly as fast, a growl ripping from his chest as he hovered protectively over me, cradling me, dazed as I was, in one arm, the other held in front to stay any advances.  The mood in the room switched from politely tense to outright violent.  I tried to project calm again, despite the fact that my head was ringing and distracting me, making my efforts shaky.  The audience in the hall grew hungry and it was hard to control their images in the face of the onslaught.  Their hunger beat on my shielding with an almost physical, primal force.  Within me, the burning thirst began to build.

Anton looked at me, hatred burning in his inhuman cerulean blue eyes.  “Stop!”  It was a command ringing with authority.  Refusal was not an option.

Spitting out the blood in my mouth, I knew I had made a stupid mistake and hoped I hadn’t signed our death warrants.  I shook my muddled head in an effort to clear it. 

Miranda alone was reasonable.  “Jam
es, you have much to explain.  Your mate is marked, she smells of you, and she has special abilities you have not disclosed to us.”  Her flat stare settled on James’ face.  I did not allow her unperturbed demeanor to give me false hope.