RBC05 - Bloodline (14 page)

“Liridon and Gruen are here with the girls. I thought Gruen would be a perfect guard, masking his real job of finding hybrids. Liridon will be invaluable as well.”

“He can change form,” Cain said.

“Yes and I have several ideas as to how to put that gift to good use.”

“The Five must be under observation. How do you plan to keep the fact that you are not in America from our enemies?”

“I’ll have Allwain take care of that. He can use magic to show the Five at home. I also have a secret weapon I’ll tell you about later.”

“We’re home. I’ll be back later Cain. I’m sure you understand.”

      “I do. So glad that you’re here, Katrina,” Cain said as he exited the coach. “See you tomorrow.”

“Where to?” Damien said, waiting to give Ivan the address.

“17 Rue St. Denis,” I replied waiting for his reaction.

Damien smiled, “Perfect choice. 17 Rue St. Denis, if you please Ivan.”

He closed the coach door and we were alone. My heart was pounding the same way it had when we first met. The scent of him was just as intoxicating to me as it had ever been.

“I’m sorry, Katrina; more sorry than you could ever know, for everything.”

“It was really my fault. I was the one who took dark power from the prince. I transferred it to all of you and put everyone that I care about in danger.”

“I should have been able to let you help me. I let my ego get in the way. I had a difficult time coming in second to your priority as leader of the Protectors. My feelings got in the way of our relationship.”

“You seem to have moved ahead with your life just fine, we both have.. I don’t blame you, Damien; there is nothing to be sorry about.”

From the look on his face he wasn’t buying it. I needed to change the subject.

“Have you seen Kale and Eric? They are staying with Gerhardt.”

“Yes, they showed us equal distain. Did you know they will have new Watchers joining them? Thomas and Simon.”

“Thomas and Simon are here in Paris?”

Damien laughed, “I knew you’d like that. Yes, and I have been told that Avery has been in contact with Arthur and is in the Slavic nations recruiting Watchers.”

Damien sat back and observed me for a moment. I couldn’t help but show my excitement at the thought of the Watchers who were as close to me as any family member joining us here.

“Youthful exuberance. I’d almost forgotten what it looked like. Until I met you that is. I’m glad you still possess it.”

“I feel I’m nineteen going on one hundred.”

“You won’t be nineteen until June.”

“It’s been a long year.”

“Yes, yes it has. Full enough for a life time. I thought surely that Quinn would be here with you.”

“He has his own journey to take right now and I couldn’t have a Watcher with me. None of our Watchers are here with us. Father has increased the elite guard and they have been retrained to do much more than they were ever required to do before.”

“Yes I’ve noticed that. Hybrids watch our every move. They will know if you use protections to block them from observing you and the girls at the new house. Cain and I have a safe room that we use for keeping our conversations private. But mostly we use our minds to speak to each other and block everyone else from hearing or contacting us that way. Now that you are here, you should do the same. I assume you plan to use Jinn power to pleasure your clients instead of the usual physical pleasures.”

“Are you worried about my virtue, Damien?”

“I worry about everything that pertains to you, Katrina.”

“Our customers will be very satisfied I assure you.”

“I will be first in line. Ah, here we are.”

“We purchased three buildings on this block and have been discouraging the local trade from appearing anywhere close.”

“Five stories, how appropriate. I assume there are also portals.”

“Yes, everything that we need is already here.”

The coach stopped and Ivan opened the door. Damien stepped out and offered his hand.

“If there is anything else that you require, please don’t hesitate to ask. My brother and I will be happy to help you,” Damien said for the consumption of anyone in earshot.

“Thank you, you are very kind. I will need some help to finalize my plans for a grand introductory party.”

“I look forward to it.”

He gave the back of my hand a kiss. I felt the sensual power moving up my arm and pulled my hand away. I could feel him watching me as I walked to the door. I wanted to tell him I’d missed him, but I knew it would be better for all of us if I didn’t.

With help from Father, Kate and I had been secretively planning this Paris enterprise for months. Our back stories had been solidified in case anyone went asking in Bavaria. The story was that a wealthy client of mine had left me an extensive inheritance which was what I was using to fund our new location here in Paris. Our network owned the three buildings on this block, but anyone investigating would only know that I had leased several floors in these two adjoining buildings with an option to rent the others, if we were successful in our endeavor.

I hoped we had thought of everything. Now the work really began.

“How did it go?” Kate asked.

“Very well. I met the owners of the V clubs and they have agreed to partner with us. I also met two brothers that are sure to be some of favorite customers.”     

I motioned for her to go into the back parlor. After I checked the protections, we could then speak freely.

“I brought Damien and Cain into our confidence. How about Eric, Kale and Gerhardt?” I asked as I loosened my corset and gave a great sigh of relief.

“Better get used to the costume and the hours. This is how it’s going to be until we find the leader of this hybrid movement and get rid of him. Rosa, Letta and El are still over at Gerhardt’s chateau. They will be here soon. The portal is set up in this room too. Anyone watching for that kind of energy coming and going won’t be able to see it through the protections.”

“Good. Damien told me that Kale and Eric have new Watchers coming: Thomas and Simon.”

“That’s fantastic! Oh, Katrina, I’m so glad.”

We both had tears in our eyes. We had missed them so much and we both knew how much it would mean to us to have them close by.

“Guess who else came with us?”

“
We’re here, Katrina. All of us.”

“Smyth!”

I knelt down and put out my hand. Smyth scurried over. I leaned down and kissed his little white head.

“
I have been waiting months for that. Thank you, Katrina!”

I laughed, “You are welcome my friend, thank you for coming to help once again.”

“
I wouldn’t be anywhere else. Now, I want to take the others for a quick trip around the neighborhood and through the nearby buildings. I’ll see you later.”

“
Good idea. Well I’m going to get some rest. Did everything that we ordered arrive?”

“Yes, your room is the back bedroom upstairs. It has a view of the garden and I think you’ll find everything in order.”

She smiled and gave me a wink.

“What is that all about?”

“You’ll see.”

I was really too tired to ask any more questions. I dragged myself up the stairs and straight back to my room. Our bedrooms were protected too and I couldn’t wait to just relax and hopefully sleep for a few hours. Noctu slept during the day, the hybrids or Belnovus having a more human constitution would be awake during the day. If I could find them without their Noctu protectors it would be much easier to eliminate them.

As I reached for the handles of the double door a very familiar scent and sound reached me.

I threw open the door excitedly.

“Sarah!”

“Katrina, finally!”

We hugged; this was what Kate had been talking about.

“Let’s get you ready for bed shall we? I’ve been here since you left home. My room is across the hall. All of the ‘working’ bedrooms are next door through the downstairs double front parlor. There is also a large gathering room there that will perfect for parties and a detached kitchen in the back. Both sides are fully staffed with our own people already.”

“I feel so much better now. Having you here will make all the difference.”

“My home is where ever you are, Katrina. I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, there is another surprise for you. It took Allwain’s connections and wizardry.” She led me to a space that truly amazed me. What looked like a door to a simple small cupboard opened up into a full bath with a large claw foot tub and formal dressing area. A carved marble fireplace already glowed with a magical flame and instead of a chandelier the room was softly lit by the twinkling stars shining down from a magical night sky.

“What do you think?”

“It’s amazing. I don’t even know what to say.”

“Well I do. Hot water filled tub please.”

Instantly the tub filled with steamy water.

“Bubbles and lavender scents, please,” Sarah added.

Bubbles formed and lavender filled my nostrils.

“There. Allwain enchanted the space although only you or I can ask for things. Anyone else who looks in the door will see only a linen filled closet. Now, you soak for a while and then I will be in to wash your hair.”

I didn’t have to be told twice. I dropped my robe on the floor and slipped into the delicious looking tub. It was just what I needed. I remembered Allwain’s fascination with Cathos and Ceron’s palaces as Cain told the stories about the ‘ask and receive’ aspect of them. I guessed that he couldn’t wait to use that in our homes, but only where it wouldn’t be observed by others.

I couldn’t help thinking about Damien. I was determined not to let him know I wasn’t over him. This mission needed my full attention. As I settled gratefully into the steaming, fragrant water, I realized how tired I really was, even more tired than usual.

“I’ll wash your hair now if you like?” Sarah said as she came in the room with a tray. “I brought crimson, but if you want anything else you just have to ask.”

“Thank you, I needed that,” I said as I took the glass from the tray.

I sat up so she could soap up my hair, my favorite thing.

“So you saw Damien.”

“Yes, and he saw me.”

“Can you get rid of this illusion for the moment please?”

“Sorry, but I have to keep it. If I make a mistake and our enemies discover who we really are, all is lost.”

“I guess I’ll have to get used to it, what are we supposed to call you?”

“Suzette, the others servants will just call me madam.”

“None of the servants that I have chosen are known to you. But they are trusted and very well trained, I assure you.”

“Good, everything must be perfect.”

I fell asleep as soon as my head hit my down filled pillow. Quinn filled my dreams and it was only because of my extreme hunger that I finally  roused myself  just before noon the next day. I was starving!