Night Seeker

Chapter 17

We had to clean up before we could head to the radio station, and so I took my third shower of the day. Grieve came in with me, for which I was both grateful and nervous. I didn’t tell him about Lannan’s kiss. We were under enough pressure as it was, and if he knew Lannan had been groping me again, well, that would just put the nail in the coffin. Or the stake in the vampire.

“Where did they put the cats? I can’t stand to think of them in danger from Lannan’s people.” Cats didn’t like vampires. They had good reason.

Grieve smiled softly as he washed my hair. “Worry not about the furry creatures. Luna has been given a large suite and they’re all in there with her, safe and sound. I have to admit, for all of his folly, Altos seems to like Luna-he treats her with a respect that surprises me. I saw it while you were out of the room today.”

“She has a way of inspiring that in both man and beast.” I paused, my hands on the knobs of the shower. “I was worried she might be too easily hurt, too vulnerable, but I have the feeling she has a lot more power than I gave her credit for. It’s a quiet energy but runs strong in her.”

As I turned off the water and we dried off, I wanted nothing more than to take another nap. I was bone-weary, more tired than I’d ever been. The battle had been draining, even with allies, and the adrenaline that had been coursing through my body was now just as quickly departing.

I leaned against the wall, trying to focus. “I need more coffee or something.”

Grieve pulled me over to the bed.

As much as I loved him, as turned on as I’d been a half hour before, now I couldn’t muster up enough oomph to even think about sex. “I’m sorry, I just don’t have the energy-”

“No, my love. That’s not what I had in mind.” He sat me down and took my hands. “I taught you many things when you were little. Now I will teach you again. You are half-Cambyra Fae. You have the blood of a king in your veins. You will have some of the powers of the Fae, but you have to learn how to call upon them, to activate them.”

I waited, letting him hold my hands, drifting on his words. I was so sleepy, I just wanted to sail out to sea, to glide on the winds, to let the currents take me where they desired.

“Close your eyes. Listen to my voice. Follow me down, into the energy, into the slipstream.”

I followed his instructions, slipping into a light trance, letting his voice lead me into a somnolent state. The energy swirled around us, light whisperings on the slipstream, and I listened as they fluttered past, the light pattering of butterfly wings on the current.

Grieve’s voice echoed past. “Now enter the slipstream and follow me inward. Follow the trail I leave.”

And so I dove into the slipstream, and there it was, the trail of lights that signaled his energy, the trail of bread crumbs leading me onward. I spiraled and looped, the wind racing through my hair, through my thoughts, clearing the cobwebs out, refreshing me. We were running, racing through the slipstream, letting it carry us along, and for one moment, everything felt perfect.

“Now jump…follow me. Keep your eyes closed.”

I jumped. And the scent around me was of autumn and bonfires, and I felt it lure me in because it was Grieve’s energy. He was no longer the sweet freshly mown grass of summer, but the sound of crisp autumn leaves beneath my feet, and the scent of rain on cedars, and his lips tasted like sweet pumpkin and cinnamon sticks. I embraced his change, sank into it, realizing he was no longer of the Summer Court, but neither did Winter fully claim him. He was balanced between the two realms, walking a thin line.

And then his voice swirled around me like a flurry of leaves. “Cicely. Look deep inside. Find the part of yourself that connects to the owl. Find the Uwilahsidhe within you.”

I sank deeper, following the path inward. The slipstream seemed very far away now as I lowered myself into my core, as I let his voice lead me into myself. Past the jaded exterior, past the fear, past the weariness, past the loss, deep into my center where I felt a warm glow. And there…there waited my owl. There waited my father’s blood.

“Draw on that strength. Draw on that reserve. You have so much power there for the using. Feel your spirit rise, lifted on owl wings. Do not shift in body, but draw on your owl to carry you aloft, to free you from the weariness, to buoy you up. Can you do this?”

I inhaled deeply and connected with my owl. And then a rush of energy raced through me-of renewal, the rush of wind in my hair, of wind beneath my wings, the exaltation of being aloft, and yet I did not transform.

“Can you feel it?” His voice slid over the words, sultry and seductive.

“Yes,” I whispered.

“Claim it. Coax it out. Let it be your source right now.”

And so I claimed the Cambyra side of me, and my doubts slid away, my worry that I might not be worthy of the blood. And as it did, I began to rise, back into the slipstream.

“Come back now. Return to here, to now, reenergized, refreshed, aware of your inner power, and your connection to that power.”

As his words drifted away, I slowly rose through the slipstream and out, and opened my eyes. The weariness was still there but much diminished, and my body didn’t ache nearly as much as it had. Best, my mind felt clear, replenished, and I realized that I could think again.

“Thank you.” I took Grieve’s hand and pressed it to my lips. “I love you so much.”

“You are my everything.” He reached out and stroked my face. “I mean it, Cicely. You are why I have resisted Myst, why I have had the courage to still live, even as the monster I’ve become.”

“You’re not a monster. You’re a Fae Prince. The sentinel in Lainule’s secret chamber called you the Wounded King. And so you are. You are wounded, deeply, but even with all the dangers you’ve faced, the hell you’ve been through, you waited for me, and you’ve done your best to harness the wild blood that runs through your veins.” I pressed my lips against his hand again. “We will perform the ritual and do whatever we can to free you from Myst’s chains.”

“If Myst should die…I think I could control this much easier.”

“She will. We will find her weakness, and we will exploit it. I pledge to you with my life, I will do whatever it takes to destroy her.” As I gazed into his eyes, my heart swelled, my love for him sweeping through me.

“Come, we’d best be off. Altos will need us. Even though the enemy came to us, I don’t trust them allowing him to reach the station unharmed.”

Grieve rose and, taking my hand, headed for the door. I followed, ready to face whatever it was that waited for us on the other side.

The guards escorted us out to our cars. Lannan’s crew followed us. We were in the big limousine. Lannan sat in front with the driver, while Grieve, Chatter, Rhiannon, Peyton, Kaylin, Wrath, and I sat in back. We’d left Luna, Zoey, and Rex behind. Rex was in no shape to fight, and Luna and Zoey were preparing for the ritual.

Lainule’s warriors-the survivors-were to meet us at the building. They would not travel via car, but they assured us they would be okay. The surviving members of the Consortium, including Ysandra, rode in another limousine, under the protection of more of Lannan’s guards.

The streets were a silent shroud of snow, sleeting down with bulletlike intensity. I wondered if Myst knew yet just how many men she’d lost. And if another contingent had been dispatched to the radio station. We’d find out soon enough, one way or another.

As the limo glided over the snow and ice, the tension built. Regina had stayed back at the mansion. The Emissary could not knowingly walk into battle without approval from the Queen of the Crimson Court. But she had promised to contact the vampire queen and ask for advice.

We approached the WorldCom Building, which was in downtown New Forest. The streets were empty, under a curfew that Lannan had ordered. My heart sank as I realized just what the beautiful little town had come to: a haven for terror, a horror-movie director’s wet dream.

As the cars pulled to the curb, parking, we cautiously stepped out of them. A third, fourth, and fifth car arrived, filled with vampires who immediately formed a protective circle around us. We slowly began the walk to the building. I could feel creatures watching from the shadows of the alleyways and the hidden recesses, nooks, and crannies that we could not see, but that I knew were there.

“They’re here. I can feel them.” I glanced over at Lannan.

Grieve nodded. “I can, too. My blood is singing with recognition.” He slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me close.

“Cowards.” Lannan stared at the shadows. “Come out, come out, wherever you are, and show yourselves.”

But nothing moved, not even a whisper. We approached the building, Lannan’s guards going first. They were joined by a group of approaching Fae warriors. Ysandra and her witches stayed near us. The guards unceremoniously yanked open every door in the hallway, peering in to see if anybody was hiding, and we slowly made our way to the studio. The guards fanned out, covering every entrance to the building.

Lannan cautiously entered the radio station. He glanced around, but there seemed to be nothing amiss. As the workers in the booth fired up the mike, he motioned to me.

“I obviously cannot see myself in a mirror, so attend me. Make certain I look the part and do not fail me. While I may not be on camera, I want to feel as if I could be without embarrassing myself.” His voice was cool, but I recognized a faint tremor in his voice. For once, he was nervous.

I managed to tidy him up and brush out that glorious golden hair-it was like silk in my hands. Peyton watched me, and at one point Lannan stared at her till she looked away. No words passed between them. None were necessary.

“Fifteen minutes, Lord Altos.” The camera man motioned to the clock.

“No.” Lannan shook his head. “We go on now. Trust me.” He took his place in the booth. The announcer scrambled, the radio lights blinked, and the rest of us huddled outside the glass. The aide gave the five four three two one sign with his fingers, and Lannan turned to the microphone.

The announcer took a deep breath, then said, “Citizens of New Forest, we are interrupting our regularly scheduled programming for an important announcement from the Regent of the Vampire Nation, Lord Lannan Altos. His speech will be simultaneously broadcast on television and will be replayed throughout tonight and tomorrow. Please listen carefully. This concerns the safety of every person within this town. And now, Lord Lannan Altos.”

Lannan leaned forward. “Citizens of New Forest, we are facing a grave danger. As you know, there have been a number of unexplained deaths over the past months, and we have identified the killers. But they are at large-and there are many of them.”

As he launched into a simplified explanation of the Shadow Hunters, I began to notice an uneasy feeling creeping up on me. There were too many whisperings on the slipstream. I looked over at Grieve and Chatter, who both nodded at me, and we moved off to the side.

“Something’s up. I can feel it.”

“You’re right-but I can’t catch the words.” Grieve closed his eyes. “I do sense the Shadow Hunters near, but they are not…in the building, I think.”

Chatter paled. “It’s a trap.”

“You’re sure?” I turned to him, horrified. Had we walked right into their plans?

Just then, Lannan’s voice echoed through the intercom. “I urge you, tonight lock your doors and stay inside. Tomorrow pack up your necessities and get out of town. Take what you can and run. The danger is far too great. Be you yummanii, magic-born, Were, or Fae, leave this town-”

And then, at the precise moment when he’d originally been scheduled to deliver his speech, a low rumble began to shake the station, growing into a loud roar like a freight train. The building quaked as the roar grew into an explosion, and suddenly bricks and wood and stone were falling everywhere.

Rhiannon let out a short scream, but she looked unharmed as the lights flickered against the crumbling walls. And then we were plunged into darkness, and the destruction went on and on and on.

Chatter, Grieve, and I had been standing near the door. When the lights vanished, I felt a hand on my wrist and suddenly found myself being dragged out into what was left of the hallway. The lights were off, and it was impossible to see. I began to cough. Dust was swirling everywhere, and my throat felt like it had been burned dry. I was tempted to call on the winds, but if the underpinnings to the building were damaged, that might bring everything toppling down on us.

Grieve held on to my wrist, his hand never wavering, and Chatter held on to my other elbow as we stumbled through what had been the lobby. A flickering light began to shine. One of Lannan’s guards was holding a flashlight and he motioned for us to follow him. He shone it down at the floor, so we could do our best to skirt the toppled plaster and beams. The building hadn’t collapsed in toto but it had been severely damaged.

I tripped over a large chunk of something-whether it was stone or wood I couldn’t tell-but Grieve and Chatter righted me. We reached the door, where one of the guards was waiting. He hurried us out to the limousine. I could hear fighting a few yards away, but when I turned to help, the vampire yanked my arm and shoved me into the backseat, along with Grieve and Chatter. He slammed the door, locking it, and ran back to the building.

“What’s going on? We have to go back for the others!” It was a relief to be in the comfort of the car, but all I could think about were the rest of our friends, trapped inside. I struggled toward the door, but Grieve and Chatter held me firmly, while the driver peeked into the backseat.

“Stay here.” His voice was gruff, and the vampire looked big enough to enforce his command. “The guards are searching for the rest of your party.”

“They planned it. They planned for the station to blow right before Lannan began his speech, but he started early.” Grieve shook his head. “If he hadn’t started fifteen minutes early, the word would never have gotten out. But it’s going to be a bloody night. People are going to try to get out of town now, even though Lannan told them to wait until morning. Especially since they had to have heard the explosion over the air. The Shadow Hunters are going to have a field day.”

I cringed. He was right and there was nothing we could do. Hanging my head, I couldn’t stop thinking of the slaughter that was imminent.

A few moments later the door opened again and Rhiannon and Peyton climbed in, covered in dust. Neither looked seriously hurt, though Rhia was sporting a nasty bruise on her forehead. Chatter immediately opened his arms and she crept into his embrace. Another tense period passed-I don’t know how long it was, it seemed to take hours but it could have been minutes-and Wrath, Kaylin, and Lannan stumbled into the car.

I glanced out the window. The building was burning, flames lighting up the sky, and I realized I’d been hearing sirens without noticing it. Firemen moved in, their hoses aiming toward the fire, as we pulled away from the curb.

“The mansion.” Lannan’s voice was muted and even he looked wiped out. He glanced over at me and for once, his gaze wasn’t focused on my boobs or my body, but instead, was haunted. “I knew we had to go early. I wish I’d thought to make it even earlier, but at least the word got out.”

“We were kind of embroiled in a little war earlier.” Peyton gave him a quick shrug. “At least you warned them.”

Lannan nodded at her. “Yes, but was it enough?”

“What about Ysandra? The Consortium members? Wrath, what about your warriors? Did they escape?” I pressed my lips together. Nothing was going right.

He nodded. “I think so, but I can’t be sure. If they did, they’ll go back to the mansion. But it’s clear that the war has begun. And it’s not just against the vampires. Myst is out to conquer. And she’ll do whatever she has to in order to win.”

As we drove through the streets, even now we could see families piling into cars, carrying a hodgepodge of suitcases and backpacks. At one point, we heard screams but by the time we found where they were coming from, there was only a grisly blood smear left on the ground and a few mangled limbs. I didn’t want to know how many the Shadow Hunters had taken. I didn’t want to know how many would die tonight at Myst’s hands.

We pulled through the gates and a shout startled us. As we emerged from the car, we could see the guards fighting off a handful of Shadow Hunters.

Furious, raw from all we had witnessed, I shook off Grieve’s hand and ran forward, reaching deep inside to where I could feel the fury of the winds, waiting. I focused, mustering up all the energy that I could summon, and without a word, I was walking in the middle of a funnel cloud. Narrow and precarious, it was still a danger, and so I drove it forward, aching to sweep away the death and destruction that had laid siege to the town.

As I reached the fight, the vampires got out of the way quickly, leaving me a straight shot in mowing down the Shadow Hunters. I pulled on every ounce of energy I could, and sent the twister out of myself, giving it freedom, aiming it right down the center of their little group. As it raced toward them, they tried to run but they weren’t fast enough and the vortex swept them up, spinning them round with the dust and debris that I’d managed to pick up on the way, and then, as my anger grew, the cloud grew more vicious, and the Shadow Hunters came flying out, hitting the ground with a dull thud as necks and backs snapped.

I couldn’t hold on to the energy any longer, and I let out a long breath, the twister vanishing as quickly as I’d summoned it. The last of the Vampiric Fae came tumbling out of the sky to land at my feet. I bent over, and he opened his eyes, still alive. Without thought, without mercy, I drove my dagger down, slicing through his throat, pinning him to the ground. He jerked spasmodically and was silent.

As I turned around, the others were staring at me. I didn’t care what they thought, didn’t care if they approved. The only thing I could think about was destroying Myst and saving my love, my friends, and me.

But as I walked back to them, Kaylin clapped me on the back, and even my father smiled at me. Grimly, yes, but it was still a smile. Grieve slipped one arm around my waist, and Peyton took the other side. Leaning on them for support, I slowly climbed the grand steps as we headed inside, shutting the rest of the world out.

Regina was waiting. Despite her cool demeanor, I could tell she’d been worried. She raced over to Lannan and encircled his waist with her arms, drawing him to her. They looked a lot alike; I wasn’t positive if they were twins but it sure looked that way. Her hair was as golden as his and they were both so gorgeous it hurt to look at them. As her lips sought his, he sank into her embrace and they kissed, deep, dark, and sensuous.

I turned away, heading toward the stairs. I just wanted some peace and quiet, even for a moment, to relax.

But Regina’s voice rang out behind me. “Don’t be so quick, Cicely. We have to discuss what happened.”

I turned to find her staring at me, coyly giving me a sly smile. “I’m exhausted. I thought I’d take a quick shower to wash the dust and grime off of me first, before we talked.” We were safe enough in the mansion, and whatever might be going on outside tonight, there wasn’t much we could do about it.

She caught my gaze, and slowly licked her lips. Once. Then with a throaty laugh, she shrugged. “Perhaps that is best. You all look worn out. Go take your shower and I will tell the cook to prepare you food. But do not take long-tarrying is not advised at this point, and there is much to discuss.”

And with that, she led Lannan away.

Relieved that she didn’t offer to come with me, and that she didn’t order me to go with them, I motioned to the others.

“Let’s get cleaned up. She’s right. We have a lot to discuss and not much time in which to do it. Let’s go.” But the stairs were more than my legs could muster. I was exhausted, bone-weary. Summoning up the twister had drained me and three steps up, I crumbled and sank down, leaning my head against the railing. Grieve was at my side instantly, sweeping me up and carrying me up to my room.

He set me down on the bed. “Undress. I will prepare a bath for you.” He disappeared into the bathroom and I heard the sound of running water and smelled sweet vanilla and warm musk.

Even though I’d had at least three showers already, the thought of a bubble bath suddenly took over. I pulled off my clothes, realizing just how bruised I was from the shattered building, and how exhausted I was from calling up the winds. I was shivering because, although the mansion was warm enough, the cold outside had gotten to me, and I couldn’t seem to shake the chill that had crept into my bones.

I glanced at the clock. It was well past midnight, and I wondered if the day would ever end. Or would we just keep going and going until finally, we faded into history?

My clothes in a pile on the floor, I pulled a throw from the foot of the bed around my shoulders and closed my eyes, leaning against one of the bedposts, taking stock. My ribs hurt, my muscles hurt, my joints ached, and my mind was so cloudy I could barely think. Not even Grieve’s exercise on pulling on my Fae nature would help me this time. A moment later, I felt him near me.

“Cicely, your bath is ready.” I dropped the blanket and let him lead me into the bathroom. He’d lit candles, and the dancing lights gently illuminated the spa tub that was filled with sweet-scented bubbles. I inhaled deeply, holding the warm scent in my lungs, as Grieve lowered me into the tub. The shock of the hot water was momentary, and then I sank back, leaning against the back of the tub as I rested my neck on the edge, and closed my eyes.

As the hot water began to work its magic, pulling the ache out of my body, Grieve’s gentle hands were slowly caressing me. With a washcloth, yes, but also the pads of his fingertips. I gasped, slightly parting my legs. I was far too tired for sex but this…this sensation was marvelous and so I said nothing, just opened my mouth ever so slightly as his fingers dipped into the water.

He slid his fingers down my stomach, over my tattoo, and then down into the bubbles to reach between my thighs. I moaned gently as he began to stroke, light butterfly touches, flicking me to life, igniting the embers of a low fire that burned steadily, if not brightly.

I shifted, another moan escaping from my throat. “Grieve…”

“Shush. Be still. Let me play you. Let me release some of the tension.”

And with that, I gave myself in to his hands as he worked me, flicking this way and that with his fingers, softly encircling me to stir my desire, to stir the embers to life. As the feel of his hands on me heightened, as my stomach tightened, I shifted in the water, squirming under his gentle but firm ministrations.

I couldn’t keep quiet any longer. I began to pant, raggedly, as the pressure mounted, wanting him in me, wanting him to satiate the driving need that raged through my body.

Grieve was suddenly naked and climbing in the tub, and I pulled him to me, the hardened length of his cock sliding firmly inside my cunt as I pressed my breasts to his body. The loss and devastation of the night began to sink in and as he rocked against me, his hips pulsing as he drove himself deeper and deeper, I burst into tears and held him close, coming as hard as I was crying, in a burning mixture of relief and of loss. Grieve moaned into my ear as he gave one last, long thrust, and then he cried out, exploding within me.

As we lay entwined in the hot, frothy water, all I could think about was how even in the darkest times, the union of bodies, the connection of hearts, could wipe away all pain for at least a brief moment. I gazed into his eyes, the sparkling eyes of the Vampiric Fae, and whispered words to him I never thought I’d hear myself say.

“If we come through this…if we survive, I want your child within me. I want to create life with you. I’m tired of destruction.”

Grieve nodded, holding me close. “When we win this war, you will be my queen, and I will be your king, and we will give rise to a kingdom. Cicely, you will be a queen. You know that, don’t you?”

“What are you talking about?”

But he silenced me with a kiss, then with one final move, lightly leaped out of the water and pulled me to my feet. “We must get dressed and downstairs. They will be waiting for us.”

I stared at him, wondering what he’d meant, but there was no time for debate because a low sound rang through the room-the chiming of bells. Lannan was summoning us to his side. And right now, the last thing I wanted was a punishment for disobeying the vampire who held my reins, who forced me to call him Master.