Magistrate Consera’s suite never failed to impress Marc. He lived like a king, and Verrater wanted that life. He wanted every part of it.
Looking around like a tourist in a brand new city, he studied the gorgeous artwork that adorned the walls. Some pieces he recognized as priceless paintings, while others he felt like he was seeing their beauty for the first time.
The far wall of floor to ceiling windows beckoned him, and while he waited for the magistrate to return, Marc looked out the glass at the countryside below. The sun had just set below the horizon and all he saw shimmered in the sweetness of twilight.
This was the time of his kind.
“Gorgeous, isn’t it? I never tire of that view at dusk. This part of the day is the perfect combination of day and night. It’s the only time we get to experience the sun.”
“Very true,” Marc answered, sort of tired of hearing that same speech about the view every time he came to the magistrate’s office. It felt like Consera liked to rub it in his face.
“So what do you have to tell me tonight, Archon Verrater?”
Consera sat down on the couch and draped his arms over the side and back of the furniture. It make him look like some kind of royalty and made Marc feel like a fucking peasant summoned to pay his dues to the king.
Taking a seat across from his boss, Marc tried to mimic the draping thing he did with his limbs but only ended up sliding toward the front of his leather chair. Straightening himself, he pressed a confident smile onto his face and began his required report.
“The American shipment reached those vampires two nights ago, and I’ve heard wonderful things already. Los Angeles and Miami appear to be particularly successful sites. Our agents expect the south to fall under Bliss’s spell by the end of the month.”
Consera grinned and clapped his hands together. “Fantastic! Any problems to report?”
Marc took a deep breath and braced himself to give the bad news. “The northeast seems to be a bit resistant to the drug. New York in particular hasn’t been as successful as we’d hoped, but it has only been two nights. I believe it will surpass expectations there too in a very short time.”
“Hmmm…New York has a significant population of vampires, so we need it to succeed there. Any guesses why it’s been slow with New Yorkers?”
Shaking his head, Marc admitted, “I have no idea. I’ve never visited the city before. Have you?”
“Once,” Consera said as he knitted his brows. “It was a few decades ago, in fact. I found it to be a difficult place for vampires like us.”
“Difficult, sir?” Marc asked, suddenly curious about this place that gave a magistrate a hard time.
“They are strong-willed there, even more so than most American vampires. Living in that place makes them feel rather invincible, I believe.”
“Then it’s going to be doubly enjoyable when Bliss takes them over.”
“Keep your eyes on that, Marc. If I remember correctly, the Archon there is a vampire named Salvatore Nero. Let’s see what we know about his life. Perhaps he just needs a little encouragement to see how important Bliss is to all of us.”
“Nero. Okay. I’ll have him checked out. He is an Archon, though, so I can’t imagine he won’t be on board with the plan.”
Consera nodded, but he wore a skeptical expression. “Normally, I’d say yes, but you never know with those Americans. Nero isn’t from there originally, but that place does something to vampires. Look into him. We want to know what to use on him if he appears to be less than willing to play the game.”
“Will do.”
Marc wanted nothing more than to leave since a secret vial of Bliss waited for him downstairs in his desk drawer, but he had the sense that even though they’d finished discussing the American shipment, Consera had something else on his mind he wanted to talk about.
However, he simply sat there staring out the windows at the view for so long that Marc grew uncomfortable and had to break the silence. Asking about the Sons seemed to be a good icebreaker.
“Any news about the Sons and what they’re up to?”
Consera’s eyebrows shot up and he turned to face Marc. For a moment, he appeared surprised at the question, but it didn’t take long for the calm to return to his face.
“Why, yes. There is news. The born vampire has given birth to a second child. A girl.”
“Interesting,” Marc said, in truth utterly disinterested in the birth of some vampire, especially a female.
“Yes, it is. And completely unforeseen. None of our prophecy scholars predicted another child to be born to this vampire. I find that troubling.”
“If I may ask, how do you know so much about the Sons’ activities?”
Consera grinned in that diabolical way that made Marc nervous. It was a smile that showed too much of his teeth.
“One of them works for me.”
“Works for you? How?” Marc asked in amazement. Consera had an actual Son spying for him?
“Being a sire has its benefits,” Consera said in a tone that sounded almost like a purr.
“Are you saying one of the Sons of Navarus is helping you? Not some secretary for the Order or some other underling but a Son?”
“Yes. I am his sire, so he does what I command.”
“Then why don’t you just tell him to kill them all and be done with it?”
Marc’s question earned him another terrifying smile, and Consera’s answer made him wonder whether he was merely a power hungry magistrate, as he’d long believed he was, or something far worse.
“The Prophecy of Idolas tells us what will happen. There’s no need to rush things. I can say, however, that the time is coming for the next move in our war with the Sons. It won’t be long now.”
*
The walls of the cell that surrounded Thane stood bone dry to the touch. No matter how many times he ran his palms over them, he was always surprised to find no moisture at all resting on their surface. Perhaps it was the memory of reading Dante’s Inferno that tricked him whenever he had the temptation to feel for that elusive droplet of water something in him craved. Whatever it was that made him believe again and again that some evidence of life existed there with him, he felt none.
How long he’d been in the Underworld he had no idea. What part he was now trapped in he was unsure. All he knew was he’d been removed from the world where everyone he loved existed and imprisoned in the realm of Hades, sworn enemy of all vampires.
Thane’s mind drifted to the vision of his friends and fellow Sons watching him as he disappeared from the world courtesy of an assassin’s stake to the heart. The picture of their eyes filled with horror and sadness was as fresh in his mind at that moment as if he’d just felt that sharp piece of wood enter his body. He’d never gotten the chance to say goodbye to any of them or to Sasa.
Sasa.
Just the sound of her name in his mind made his chest feel like it was being seared by a red hot poker. After all they’d endured to be together, to be taken so soon after he’d finally found love seemed unfair, to say the least. And now she was probably back with the Romanian.
Fuck.
The thought of her in Vasilije’s arms made something inside Thane die every time. How was he supposed to live for the rest of time in this tortured place knowing she and the Romanian had likely renewed their ties so quickly after his death?
Fucking Hades! The joy in his expression when he told him about Sasa’s return to her sire had ignited a hatred in Thane’s belly that he’d never felt before, not even with Vasilije. If he could have killed the son of a bitch god of the Underworld, he would have with his bare hands. All he could do was stand there as a mixture of shock and misery tore through his mind.
The days (or was it weeks or months?) after that were a blur. Thane knew he should have just accepted his fate in this place and move on, but he couldn’t. He was a Son of Navarus, after all, so fighting was in his blood. Hades tolerated his hatred of this place for a while, but when he vowed to help his fellow Sons bring the fucking tyrant down, he was thrown into the cell he now called home.
*
Hades’ throne room loomed ahead, a large cavernous place that always filled Layla with awe each time she’d passed it. She hoped that the god of the Underworld had finally summoned her was a good sign. After living in his kingdom for centuries as one of his daemons, this was the first time he’d specifically commanded her to visit him in the main room of his realm.
He’d created her and then consigned her to the lower regions to serve as one of Nyx’s handmaidens for what had seemed like eons. Not that serving the goddess of night was an odious job. Her home was a sensual palace filled with delicacies from around the globe and beings of all kinds who offered her their very souls for a moment of her grace, often showering their gifts and sacrifices for Nyx on her handmaidens in the desperate hope that they’d help their causes.
No, Layla hadn’t disliked her time in Nyx’s palace. She’d just always yearned to serve her master and maker more directly. Now as she waited outside his throne room for one of his personal daemons to call her in, she fantasized about the real possibility that she’d be chosen to be one of them or even one of his private servants.
A tall, severe looking male walked toward her with a scowl on his face, his crooked finger beckoning her. “Come. Your master is waiting.”
She walked quickly behind him, all the while taking in the splendor of Hades’ room. Diamonds peaked out of the carved cavern walls, making the light from the enormous torches that stood around the perimeter appear to dance across the ceiling. Passageways to private rooms snaked through the upper walls, and below on the floor of the room lay the finest polished obsidian.
The servant stopped and held out his hand to keep Layla at bay. “When he calls you, you may move toward him. Keep your head lowered. Remember, he is the god of the Underworld.”
The man’s sharp tone frightened her, but she nodded quickly and lowered her head to stare at the floor in deference to her master.
Layla heard Hades moan her name, and she looked up just as a young male lifted his head from the god’s lap. Kneeling before him, he gazed at Hades with a look of love, but the god simply slipped his cock back in his pants and waved the young man away. Quickly remembering the servant’s orders, she lowered her gaze back down to the floor, blushing at the erotic scene she’d merely caught a glimpse of.
“Layla, come.”
Using the reflection from the jet black floor below, she walked slowly toward the god of the Underworld and stopped just before his throne. “My master. I have come as you wished.”
“Lift your head and look at me,” he ordered in a silky voice that slid over her body, exciting her.
“Yes, master,” she said quietly as she lifted her head to gaze upon him. He was everything she remembered from the night he’d made her one of his own. Long, glossy black hair fell to the middle of his powerful chest and black eyes as dark and shiny as the obsidian she stood upon stared back at her. He was sex and lust and power, and he used each to his own exclusive pleasure.
Raising his hand, he waved away the dozens of his slaves that milled around his chamber. Layla watched as they scurried away, leaving her alone with the god of the Underworld.
“I’ve missed you, Layla. How long has it been since I made you one of my own?”
“Five hundred and twelve years, my lord,” she answered in a shaky voice.
He moaned and slid his hand over the front of his black pants. “So long a time to be without such a beautiful face in front of me. How could I have been such a poor master?”
Layla lowered her head, unsure of what was expected from her. As she stared down at the floor, she heard him say, “Come to me, Layla.”
Slowly, she walked closer to his throne, keeping her head lowered.
“Don’t hide such a beautiful face. Let me see you.”
She lifted her chin hesitantly and his gaze met hers. He held his hand out toward her. “Come.”
A potent mixture of desire and terror raced through her body as she inched toward him and tentatively placed her hand in his. His fingers enclosed around her wrist, holding it tightly and pulling her with a yank onto his lap.
“Now, we can begin to speak about what I want from you.”
“Yes, my lord. Your wish is my command.”
Hades ran his fingertip down her jaw line and over her lips. His touch thrilled her, and she whimpered as need pooled in her belly. This is what she’d waited centuries for and now it was finally her turn to serve her god.
“So unlike the others with such beautiful hair,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck. “Shorter than I prefer, but perfect blonde, nonetheless.”
Layla’s heart sank at his tepid compliment. He was right. She was different from the others, who all seemed to have long flowing hair. She’d watched Nyx’s other handmaidens spend hours weaving flowers and beads through their hair, but never once had they invited her to join them, looking at her like an outsider so unlike them.
“I have a job for you, Layla. We have a new soul here that needs your special attention.”
“My lord?” she asked, trying to mask her disappointment.
“Yes. A vampire.”
A vampire? Layla’s heart sank at the word. Vampire. Of all the souls in the Underworld, vampires were the most hated by Hades. His power to rule the dead of the world was challenged by only them, and when they could finally outrun him no more and arrived in his realm, they were treated as slaves or worse, sent to Tartarus. That her master would want her to do anything with a vampire meant he cared nothing for her.
“I see by the disappointment in your eyes that you are unhappy with your assignment. Don’t be sad. This vampire is special,” Hades said as he traced his finger over the shell of her ear.
“Special?”
How could something so hated and reviled be considered special?
Nodding, he continued. “Some might say unique even. He’s one of the Sons of Navarus, a group of vampire warriors whose job is to protect their world from beings like myself, who would see them all in their rightful place—here, on their knees worshipping me.”
“What am I to do with this special vampire, my lord?” she asked, her curiosity piqued along with her arousal.
Hades ran his tongue across his bottom lip and grinned a devilishly sexy smile. “Make him happy. Show him why he should desire to be here, where he belongs.”
Nodding, she lowered her eyes and demurred, “Yes, my lord.”
Layla understood clearly what her master wanted. She was to seduce this special vampire. Why Hades cared one way or the other about one particular soul’s feelings about being in the Underworld she couldn’t imagine, especially a vampire’s feelings, but his wish was her command.
Lifting her chin with his fingertip, Hades added, “He’s nursing a broken heart. I want him to forget her.”
His jet black eyes sparkled with his plans for this vampire. Layla stared into them, wishing for Hades to give her the gift of himself before he sent her off on her task. “I will do your bidding, my lord, as you know I can.”
She watched as Hades’ gaze slid down her body. Perhaps her wish would come true.
“His name is Thane. He’s everything we need him to be. Now you must show him how to be that.”
“I shall take care of him as I have your lady’s petitioners.”
Hades ran his fingertips over the front of her dress, his gaze following their trail. “Yes, Nyx has told me of your talents, Layla. I have no doubt you’ll perform as I desire.”
That she’d have to perform with such a lowly creature still gnawed at her, but if this was to be her way of showing her worth in the Underworld, she’d take the opportunity and make the best of it.
“Thank you for believing in me, my lord.”
Pressing his lips to hers, he snaked his tongue into her mouth in a kiss that made her head swim with desire. His hand roamed up her thigh until his fingers touched her wet pussy. Angling her body toward him, she yearned to have him slide even one into her. Layla closed her eyes as he stroked her clit until she was sure she was just seconds away from release, but then he stopped and slid his hand away.
She opened her eyes and whimpered her wish for him to continue, but he merely shook his head. “Do as I say and you shall have what you desire.”
Struggling to regain her composure, she nodded her understanding. To be rewarded with a night with the god of the Underworld himself was everything daemons like her dreamed of, and no matter what it took with this vampire, she’d have that night.
Hades slid her off his lap and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “Thank you, Layla. And don’t worry. This is only temporary. He won’t be lonely for long. I expect one of his friends to be joining him quite soon.”
*
A noise roused Thane, and when he looked up through the bars of his cell he saw a woman there. Beautiful, with pale blond hair, she gazed in at him with a look of sadness that reminded him of Sasa. Was this one of Hades’ tricks to make him more miserable?
“Go away. Tell your master I can’t be bothered with his games.”
“I am no game,” she said in a level voice it was clear she had to force.
“Then tell him whatever you were supposed to do you didn’t. Too bad you’ll have to suffer the punishment for my disinterest. Now go away.”
The female locked her eyes on him and stared for so long even through closed eyes he felt her there looking at him. What did she want?
Crawling up from his place on the hard stone floor of his cell, Thane approached the bars that separated them. She didn’t flinch when he reached out to touch her to ensure she wasn’t just some vision Hades had sent to torment him.
“Why are you here?”
She sighed at his touch. “I’m told you’re lonely. I’m here to fix that.”
Thane closed his eyes and let his shoulders sag at her mention of what had become the truth of his existence. Loneliness. It colored everything about him and filled his hours with misery.
“I don’t need your master’s help with that. Or yours.”
He turned to go back to his place at the back of his cell, but she touched his hand and softly said, “My name is Layla. I can take your pain away, if you’ll only let me.”
“I don’t need to have it taken away,” he said, hanging his head. His pain was all he had left of his former life. If he let that go, he’d have nothing. No memories of his friends. No memories of Sasa. Nothing but his mere existence in this cold, damp hell.
“Please, I can make you forget what you so long for. I can make this easier until you’re joined by another of your kind. I promise it will make this bearable.”
Thane looked at the woman and worked to discern if what she’d said was the truth. “Joined by another? What do you mean?”
“I’ve upset you. I’m sorry. I’ll return later to see if you are more willing to take my help.”
Grabbing her arm as she turned to leave, he asked again, “Layla, what do you mean joined by another? I need to know.”
“I don’t know the answer. I simply know my master wants me to help you with your loneliness until you are joined by another of your kind.”
He thought he saw a flicker of sympathy in her eyes. He wasn’t about to give up just because that bastard Hades had sent him a beautiful distraction, but perhaps she could help him after all.
“Thank you for your offer, Layla. I think I would like some company,” he said with a smile.
With a wave of her hand, the cell bars disappeared. “My master wants you to be happy, Thane. Will you let me make you happy?”
A warm sensation slowly trailed through his body, and he wasn’t sure if it was this female or something else that made him feel happy for the first time since he’d arrived there. He wished he could let himself enjoy it, but no matter what he pretended on the outside, on the inside he had to fight whatever power she had.
But with the first touch of her lips to his, any thoughts of resisting her faded away with his memories of his life before this place.
LOOK FOR BLOOD ECLIPSE (SONS OF NAVARUS #6) COMING IN 2016!
AND KEEP READING FOR THE SONS SHORT STORY FORBIDDEN BLOOD