The Wicked (10 page)

The woman was thrashing about, convulsing terribly, then she went silent.

The vampire started bawling like a baby who just lost their favorite toy. “My heart…my treasure…I’ve killed you.” After a few more sobbing moments, he stood and quickly got dressed.

On his way out the door, the vision froze and the vampire stood right in front of me. I gave him a quick once over to remember his features, but nothing about him was shocking except one thing. “He looks traumatized,” I stated.

Kyden came to stand beside me. “Indeed he does.”

“I’ve had enough for one night,” Haven said, letting the vision fade. “That was thoroughly disgusting.” She leaned in and kissed my cheek then headed for the door to go back to the portal. “I’ll see you two later.”

After she left, I turned to Kyden. “What do you think…?” My words were cut off by Haven’s scream.

Kyden flew out the door with Broden and me following behind.

Haven stood in the living room staring at the vampire in question. He was young—obviously turned in his late teens. He wept, his face buried into his hands.

“Sorry for the scream,” Haven said as she glanced back to us. “I was startled.”

“Well, this is different.” I laughed. “How often does the target just appear at the scene?”

“Not as much as I would like,” Kyden responded.

He pulled the vampire up whose face was streaked with bloody tears. That’s just another disgusting thing they do.

“Pull yourself together man.” Kyden shook him a little. “We need to talk with you.”

The vampire wiped his face, which just smeared the blood more.

I cringed and reached for a Kleenex on the coffee table. “Here take this. Do something about that.”

After his face was clean, he was suitable to be on a teen novel cover—perfectly cute in every way. With his short blond and wavy hair, innocent dark eyes, and lips that would have teen girls going gaga over.

“She’s really dead, isn’t she?” he cried.

“She is,” Kyden replied with no emotion. “What is your name?”

“Lowen,” he answered.

Broden grabbed Lowen’s arm, pushed him back on the couch and took a seat next to him, taking out a pad of paper and a pen. “What can you tell us?” he asked.

Detective all the way. What more did we need to know? What did he have to write down?

Lowen ran through the night events just as we’d seen them. Never missing a beat nor wavering from the truth. “I loved her,” he cried. “I was going to turn her. We were going to do it soon. We were just waiting until she finished school. How will I go on without her?”

“You are immortal,” Broden said with a loud snort. “Loss is a part of what we deal with. When were you turned?”

“A few years back.”

“That explains it.” Broden looked up at me. “He is young.”

“How do we find out what killed her?” I asked him. “I mean, was it drugs or him drinking her?”

Broden shrugged. “It was probably a combination of both. With the loss of blood the drugs must have overwhelmed her body.”

“That disgusting habit of hers,” Lowen spat. “I tried on many occasions to rid her of it. It was one reason I wanted to turn her. She wouldn’t need to fight the addiction anymore.”

Addictions didn’t run high in vampires. Once they experienced blood, it instantly became the drug of choice. I glanced at Kyden. “What do we do with him now? It wasn’t really his fault.”

Kyden looked at Lowen inquisitively. “I have never come across this. I think it best if we return to the Council. Let them decide his fate.”

“This is an interesting dilemma,” Zade, the Master of Vampires, said intrigued. He gazed at Lowen deeply with his dark eyes and ran a hand through his slick black hair. “What to do with you?”

Lowen was cowering at his feet. “Finish me. My life is nothing without her. I don’t want to go on.”

“Ahh…it’s so sad,” I whispered to Kyden.

He arched a brow. “You’re such a sucker for a love story.”

“You’re damn right I am. They had the whole Romeo and Juliet thing going on.”

“I love that story,”
Zia’s voice said in my mind. “
It’s too bad Shakespeare wasn’t an immortal. He had a brilliant talent for capturing the heart.”

“I know. It’s so romantic,”
I thought back, then added,
“Well, not the suicide part, but you catch my drift.”

Zia smiled at me.

“I believe we should let Thalia decide this,” Zade said.

Talon stood. “I agree.” He pulled Lowen to his feet. “I will not put an end to him in this condition.” Then, he dragged Lowen to Kyden. “You two go to Thalia. Explain the situation and leave him with her.”

Kyden nodded. “Is…” He ground his teeth. “Ryker around? He might be useful in this situation.”

“Of course, I’m useful,” Ryker said, as he entered the Council’s Hall. When he stopped in front of me, he purred, “In more ways than one.”

Kyden shoved Lowen at him. “Let’s get this over with.”

Ryker grinned at me before he spun on his heels and dragged the wallowing Lowen with him.

I followed in behind Kyden as we exited the Cathedral, and thought to Zia.
“If these two come back alive it’ll be a friggin’ miracle.”

She laughed loudly.

When we reached the door to the portal, Ryker took my hand. “Ready, babe?”

Kyden slapped his hand away, snatching mine up quickly and rested his hand on his shoulder as he opened the door. That was the one thing with the portal. There always needed to be contact while teleporting. If not, everyone would end up in different places.

When I recovered from the travel and opened my eyes, a remarkable mansion that had a female feel all around was resting on flat land. Red brick and light pink wood trim made up the exterior. Two balconies, decorated with pillars, sculptures, and arched windows filled each side of the second floor.

This was one rich Mistress.

As we approached heading up the driveway, the front door opened and a short, stubby vampire appeared.

“We have been expecting you,” he said.

I glanced at Kyden. “Expecting us?”

“I am sure the Council informed them we were coming,” Kyden answered.

“Oh.” I laughed. “I was thinking they had some freaky voodoo shit going on here.”

Once inside, I was a little envious. Sure must be nice to have money. This place was complete marble from the floors to the pillars, even the damn ceiling. I wiped my shoes on the front rug, scared to get anything dirty.

“Follow me,” the butler said. “Thalia will meet you in here.”

We were led into a small sitting room. The furniture had to be from the 1600’s and looked French. Everything was rich in color with heavily detailed wood lining each piece. Sculptures, flowers and oil paintings made me deathly afraid to touch anything.

Kyden was about to take a seat on one of the chairs when I shouted, “Don’t sit there.”

He stood back up and eyed me curiously. “Why?”

“Cause you might ruin it.”

Kyden laughed, shook his head at me and sat down anyway. I chose to stand right where I was. I definitely couldn’t afford to replace anything here.

“Thaila will want you to be comfortable,” Ryker said to me as he sat in a throne chair. “Here.” He patted his thigh. “Come sit. You won’t break me.”

“That mouth of yours is getting annoying.” Kyden’s growl was an obvious threat.

“My mouth could…” Ryker started with an equal growl.

I interrupted in hopes the change of subject might distract them. “Where is Thalia?”

“I am here.” A sweet voice came beside me.

I screamed and jumped backwards slamming into the coffee table, sending a beautiful glass vase tumbling to the floor. “Shit,” I gasped. I slapped my hand over my mouth for swearing in the presence of a Mistress Vampire. “Oops.” Then, I looked at the glass shattered across the floor. “Double oops.”

Thalia laughed sweetly. “That old thing,” she said with a heavy French accent. “It was a dust collector.” She leaned in to kiss my cheek.

I almost blushed. She was beyond elegant—soft brown hair, pulled into a loose bun, rosy cheeks, impeccable skin, dark but kind eyes. She was well-dressed, well-designed, and well-established. A French rose.

“You are Nexi,” she said. “I have long wanted to meet you.”

“You have?” I asked, surprised.

“Indeed I have. You are the reason Lazarus was destroyed. I must say, to hear of your defeat against him impressed me.”

I kinda got the feeling not much impressed this vampire.

Just then, Lowen crawled to Thalia’s feet. “Mistress. End me. Put me out of my pain,” he cried.

“Rise to your feet, child,” Thailia demanded.

She called him a child. I almost laughed. She was all of seventeen years old—well she looked it anyway.

Suddenly, the butler stepped through the door as if she had called him. “Take Lowen,” Thalia said to him. “He is blubbering all over my Jimmy Choo’s.”

“Of course, Mistress.” The butler grabbed Lowen and dragged him out.

Thalia wiped the blood off her shoes then stood upright and met Ryker’s gaze. “Ryker, you have joined us tonight?” Her eyes sparkled. “Welcome back.”

Ryker stood from his chair to lay a soft kiss on the vampire’s lips. “It’s a pleasure to return, Thalia.”

Was it hot in here or what? These two had sexual chemistry hot enough to send the curtains ablaze.

“So where were we…oh yes,” Thalia said. Her gaze was coming my way, but when Kyden caught her gaze, her focused stayed on him. “Well, well…Kyden.”

She started to approach him and my jealously radar went into full alarm. “Ahem,” I said loudly. “I believe you were saying something to me.”

Thalia glanced at Kyden, then back to me. “He is yours?”

I gave a firm nod. “He is and I
don’t
share.”

“I apologize.” She smiled. “Vampires are territorial creatures too. I will be good.” Kyden gave me that sexy devilish grin and winked.

Fending off lustful females could probably become my full-time job—it was getting annoying. But we had more important things to worry about. “We have come to talk about Lowen.”

Thalia waved her hand dismissingly. “Boring. Let’s talk about Lazarus. Tell me, is all that happened true?”

I glanced at Kyden in confusion. I wasn’t expecting this.

He nodded, encouraging me to be gracious.

I sighed deeply, taking a seat in the chair next to him and then went through the whole incident that I would soon enough live without remembering.

By the time I finished, Thalia was laughing hysterically.

“That is magnificent,” she exclaimed. “I had much dislike for Lazarus. To know he met such a terrible end is wonderful!”

Not that I didn’t disagree with her in any regard, but I still didn’t understand her resentment. “Can I ask why you hated him so much?”

“His plans would have overthrown me and many others. If you had failed against him we would have joined our sources to destroy him.” She played with a strand of hair the fell loose along her face. “I am glad we didn’t have to resort to such measures. My regime is my family. To lose any of them would have been a terrible loss for me.”

Her words sent a sharp pain through me and took my breath away. That was something I did understand. Something I wouldn’t wish upon anyone.

In a blink, Thalia was kneeling at my feet. “Bah,” I screamed and ended up on Kyden’s lap.

Thalia laughed. “Did I frighten you?”

“Christ.” I squirmed my way back off Kyden. “You move fast.”

“What pained you there?” Thalia asked. “I saw the hurt ripple across your face.”

I gulped once just to steady myself then said, “Lazarus killed my family.”

Thalia took my hand and squeezed it tight. It never occurred to me before how cold vampires were, but her hands sent shivers right through me.

“My sympathies are with you for your loss,” she said softly. Then, taking me by complete surprise she leaned in and inhaled deeply.

My eyes widened. “What the hell are you doing?”

Kyden laughed loudly.

“Just smelling you,” she said, taking another deep sniff. “You have a wonderful scent to your blood.” She leaned back and looked all too excited. “Mind if I have a taste?”

My brows furrowed as I met Kyden’s amused gaze. “Is she seriously asking me if I will allow her to drink from me?”

“I believe that is exactly what she is asking.” His voice was well amused.

I glanced back at Thalia. Her entire face had lit up, looking like a kid at a candy store. “I do mind,” I told her sternly. “Very much.” No beating around the bush here—I’m not on the menu.

Thalia sighed and stood. “What a shame. That would have been quite a treat. I have not smelled one like you before. You are not just a Guardian?”

“No. I am part witch too.”

“Interesting. Maybe that is the scent. Although, I have tasted many witches and they smell nothing like you.”

A little scuffle came from the doorway. When I glanced toward it, a striking vampire was approaching.

“Ryker, my friend, you have returned to us,” the vampire exclaimed.

Ryker jumped up and shook the vamps hand. “For now anyway.” Then, he looked at me. “Hayes, this is Nexi. You know Kyden.”

Hayes looked like a rugged scot with wild hair, rough unshaven face—too bad he wasn’t in full Scottish regalia. The look always sent my mind to romantic interludes.

Hayes bowed formally. “Pleasure.”

“Smell her,” Thalia pointed to me.

“Ahh…” was all that came out of my mouth.

Thalia smiled. “We aren’t going to eat you. I just want him to scent you.”

It dawned on me that she must have called him telepathically. Guess Zia and I weren’t the only ones to share such a connection—vampires apparently could do it too. Well, Mistress Vampires that is.

Hayes glanced at Kyden and asked, “Am I allowed?”

“Hey,” I blasted. “It’s my body. What are you doing asking him?”

Thalia laughed as did the rest of them.

“You’re his,” Hayes said, respectfully. “I can smell him on you. I was only being proper.”

I gave Thaila a look at that. Sneaky vampire. She knew he was mine, and moments ago was about to make a move on him.

Thalia shrugged. “Can’t blame a gal for trying.”

I snorted.

“Forgive me,” Hayes said, drawing my attention back to him. “Would you allow me the right?”

I wanted to say no, but had no desire to piss anyone off. Having the Mistress on your side was probably something the Council wanted to keep.

Finally, I sighed, “I can’t believe I’m agreeing to this. Fine, get on with it.”

Hayes smiled, leaned in and took a deep breath. When he drew away, his eyes were wild.

I raised my hand to his face. “Smell only.”

His eyes dimmed. “That is an interesting scent you carry. As Thalia suggested, it must be your mixed heritage that causes you to smell so different, and so very good.”

“Wonderful. Smelling appetizing is just what I need.”

Hayes stood, standing beside Thalia—they were both looking at me like a Sunday buffet.

“Can we just get back to why we are here?” I snapped out.

Thalia shook her head in an obvious attempt to gain focus. “Of course, tell us what happened with Lowen?”

Kyden quickly divulged the night’s events, which I was entirely grateful for. I wanted to get the hell out of here.

“Hmm…” Thaila hummed, after Kyden finished. “Bring him in,” she said to no one in particular.

Only a second passed before the butler reappeared with Lowen who was still sobbing as he dropped to his knees in front of Thalia.