Kiss of the Dragon (14 page)

I was one of them.

Trafalgar Square hadn't changed one bit since I was last here. Although, my memories of that time were bathed in a haze of unconsciousness and lack of blood. Viktor Davydov had really done a number on me that night, but I pushed thoughts of the Russian vampire out of my mind. One thing at a time. Tonight it was all about Amun and the Nosferatins. If Viktor was involved, I'd worry about it then. For now I had enough to be dealing with.

The bronze statues of the lions were all lit up strategically, making Nelson's Column seem guarded and on show. People mulled around on the steps and fountains to the side. Even at this time of night, the Square was a beacon to humanity. Maybe it was the lights, but it probably had more to do with the vampire club off to one side. Wherever vampires were, humans were bound to be as well.

Our group stopped across the Square, near where we had parked the car and I took a moment to
seek
out the Dark in the CBD tonight. There was more than I'd previously sensed before. Not surprising, Amun was acting Dark, he'd therefore be cultivating it around him. Also, with the Nosferatins off the streets, Dark vampires would be hunting unrestricted. I prayed none chose the next hour or so to attack an innocent. I could do without the distraction of feeling the pull right now.

Sophie sidled up to my right hand shoulder, looking out at the scene in front of us. Her stunning blue eyes sparkled in the artificial light, she looked alert and on guard. I was sure nothing got past her, despite the fact she wouldn't be able to
seek
the Dark like I can, she'd still be aware of it.

"There is much Dark on the streets tonight," she said in her soft French accent, confirming my thoughts with those words.

"Yes," I agreed. "But as yet no pull." She nodded. "I'll need you to deal with it if it arises. I must concentrate on Amun and the Nosferatins, and little else."

"As you wish," she said with a short nod of her head. "You have not said whether you require me with you in the club, or to remain outside as backup."

"What does your talent allow?" I asked. She'd indicated it was similar to Shadow Walking. Michel's guards, Antonio and Ricardo, could walk in the shadows; disappear from sight and even hide their
Sanguis Vitam
signature as well. I hadn't had an explanation of what Sophie was capable of yet. I was looking forward to finding out.

"I can hide from sight as do Shadow Walkers, but it is not as foolproof as their skills often are."

"What do you mean?"

"Are you aware how a Shadow Walker operates?"

"Not really, they just disappear into the shadows to me. Both physically and metaphysically."

She nodded slowly. "They wrap the shadows around them. They force it to their will." That made sense. "I am not made of the Dark," she explained and I think I understood where she was going with this. "I cannot bend shadows to my will."

"Then you use the Light?" I asked the obvious.

"Yes. Where there are shadows, there is also Light."

I'd heard a vampire say those words once. I hadn't thought of Avery Rousseau for some time until Sophie uttered those same words he'd used in the past. A chill ran down my spine at the memories associated with my former kindred.

"How does that work exactly?" I asked, clearing my throat and my mind. "It's not like you can hide in plain sight when basked in Light."

"But I can. I can become one with the Light. As long as shadows exist, I can hide myself in the Light forcing a vampire to only consider the shadows in a given place, to ignore the Light before them. They are naturally drawn to the Dark, it is a part of their soul. All I do is remind them of that connection, thereby distracting them from the Light that exists right before their eyes."

"Impressive," I said letting out a low whistle to emphasise. "A handy talent."

"Indeed, but as I said, it is not foolproof."

I cocked my head to the side to try to determine her expression. Her face was relaxed, serene even. I don't think much would faze this young hunter.

"How could it fail?" I asked, watching closely for a reaction when she spoke. I didn't get one. Her features remained neutral, as though she wasn't discussing a chink in her armour at all.

"If a vampire is used to walking in the Light. Michel, for example, would see through my ruse easily."

My chest swelled at the notion that this Nosferatin could see how full of Light my kindred was. I was proud of him, for battling his Dark and succeeding. And, if I was honest, I was proud of myself, for calling him back from the Dark. Michel had not always been so full of Light, but after all that we had been through, all that we had suffered and overcome, he'd embraced his Light. The proof of that was never more evident than when the Ambrosia rejoined us as kindred. The ancient vampire had warned us we'd need to call on our Light, and only our Light, for it to succeed. Michel had called on more Light than I had ever thought him capable of.

And to hear Sophie say she could see how much he walked in the Light was a priceless gift.

"Well," I said, having to clear my throat again as it croaked slightly with emotion. "Shouldn't be an issue with Amun, he's full of Dark and only getting Darker."

"I agree," she said softly, ignoring my frantic eye blinking to rid myself of happy tears. "Then you concur, I should accompany you inside? The closer I am, the better to aid should the need arise."

"Yes, I think that will be best. Hopefully we can keep you hidden. No need to divulge your presence unless absolutely necessary."

"Agreed," she murmured and stepped back.

I half turned to see what she was doing. All I could pick up on was a slight white glow around her body. Maybe her aura? I was never very good at reading those. Amisi was an expert, but aura reading was not
my
forte.

But when the vampires with us suddenly crouched down and let their fangs descend, I realised they'd lost sight of her completely. Then one by one - first Natalyia, then Sergei, then shortly after Matthias - they stood upright again, re-sheathed their fangs and cocked their heads in her direction. Sophie smiled sweetly at them and then turned her gaze to me.

"They can see me now. These three are awash in Light."

I smiled broadly back at her and then realised she'd mentioned only three. My gaze flicked to Marcus, who although no longer in a crouch, still had his fangs on display. A low growl was coming from the back of his throat, his eyes turning turquoise in colour,
Sanguis Vitam
crackling on the air.

I hesitated, stunned that he was not as Light as Matthias. I'd kind of accepted them as a pair. One much like the other. But Marcus had always had more of a temper, whereas Matthias was cool and methodical. I was also reminded of the fact that Marcus had behaved appallingly with Gigi, the
Nothus
my Goddess had left in my care. His prejudices, where the young vampire was concerned, were ingrained in him. He was not aware of what she was; half-vampire, half-vampire hunter, yet he treated her with disdain and mistrust as though he already knew. To some vampires,
Nothus
were not worthy of life.

This was interesting, to say the least, but right now unacceptable. It would be easier if all my vampires could see Sophie and therefore not impede on her actions unintentionally. Before I acted, I asked the Nosferatin, "Will the shifters be able to see you?"

"Yes," she replied calmly. "My talent only works on Nosferatu of the Dark."

Good for hunting, not so good for all the other supernatural crap we had to face.

I nodded, but my eyes hadn't left Marcus. I swear he would have attacked had he been able to see her. Not a good move. Before I thought better of it I gathered my
Lux Lucis Tribuo
powers and blasted him square in the chest with my Light.

Maybe I should have thought that through, especially as my
Lux Lucis Tribuo
powers can have one of two outcomes. Either the vampire is bathed in Light while I hold their Dark dear, and they get to choose good over bad. Or... they join my line.

Stealing vampires is what got me in the mess I'm currently in with Viktor. Sergei and Natalyia were once his and I had taken them under my
Lux Lucis Tribuo
line, giving them my Light, marking them with my
Sigillum
; an iridescent star-shaped tattoo-like design on their right cheeks. The Russian still hadn't recovered from that slap in the face. I was sure I'd be paying for it soon.

But the thought of stealing one of Michel's vampires was nauseating. My gut clenched, my mouth went bone dry, even as my Light continued to wash Marcus in a soft white glow. I stumbled backwards... and Michel was suddenly in my mind, filling my head with his presence. It wasn't gentle, I don't think he realised what he was doing. It was a knee jerk reaction to having one of his vampires tampered with. A Master Vampire protecting his flock. My hands clasped my temples, scrunching up my hair and I tightly closed my eyes. I could feel someone rubbing my back as I doubled over in agony, panting to get air in my straining lungs.

Lucinda!
Michel yelled, no
screamed
in my head. I groaned in response.
Stop!

My Light came hurtling back towards me knocking the stuffing out of my lungs. I made a strangled
oomph
sound and fell back into the arms of Natalyia behind me. Sergei was standing above my body, fangs out, red glow in his eyes, ready to protect. Matthias stood on looking confused and agitated. I couldn't see Sophie, but Marcus was lying, unmoving, on the ground.

"Oh fuck," I mumbled, a little incoherently. "Please tell me he hasn't got a
Sigillum
on his cheek."

Matthias woke up from his stupor and approached his sidekick, rolling him over onto his back. The sound of Marcus's head loudly colliding with the concrete beneath it was deafening in the still night air. If there were people around us, I couldn't see nor hear them. I wondered briefly if Sergei had masked us in
Sanguis Vitam
mist. A natural protection when in public and something supernatural like this goes down.

I strained to see, but there was no
Sigillum
. I let a breath of air out in a relieved sigh. But he was awash in Light. I'd wager my life savings that he'd be able to see Sophie now. Exactly what I had hoped would happen, but I sure as hell didn't feel elated by that fact.

I slumped down in a defeated position, lotus style on the cold ground. Natalyia still rubbed my back, over the top of my concealed Svante. Sergei still stood on guard.

And Michel was still in my mind. Pacing, like a caged tiger.

I closed my eyes for a moment and prayed to Nut for strength and courage. Michel when he was angry was something to behold. When he was angry in my mind, he
really
was something else.

Michel?
I asked, tentatively. He didn't reply. My shoulders sagged even further.
I'm sorry
, I whispered.
That wasn't meant to happen.

I heard his growl as though he was before me, it reverberated inside my mind. I let a shaky breath of air out and felt my entire body shudder. My jaw ached where I had been clenching my teeth for so long. Both out of fear of what could have happened and now out of regret. I would never steal from Michel. Not intentionally, anyway.

But then, if he turned Dark and his vampires followed, I'd sure as hell let him know. Although, I'd discuss it with him first, I was sure. I wouldn't blindly go forth and blast his line with my Light. And I think that was what was most shocking, to him and to me. The surprise. Michel knew I'd always stand up to him if needed, but I'd never do anything drastic such as this, without first letting him know he was on thin ice.

I sighed again and I felt Michel doing the same in my mind.

You almost had him,
he finally said. His voice sounding a little too much like his dragon-within. I wasn't sure if that was a good thing or not. His dragon loved me, as much as Michel did. But it could react brutally when thwarted. I only hoped it respected the power I'd displayed. To a vampire there can be nothing better than a good show of power. The part of Michel which is all vampire, is his dragon-within.

It wasn't my intention
, I reiterated inside my head.

I know
, he said softly.
I reacted on instinct to the threat. I could have harmed you.
And now I knew he was feeling as much regret as me.

Can we pretend this never happened?
I asked, attempting to smile through the words and lift the mood.

My dragon-within is agitated, ma douce. Right in this instant, he wishes to claim you. To prove you are mine.

I am yours,
I replied immediately.

Yes, but he wishes to remind you of that fact.
Oh, I get it. He wanted to prove a point, show me and the world that he was the stronger, more powerful, partner in this relationship.
Exactly
, Michel whispered, sounding a little defeated.