Chapter Twenty Six

 

If I was so adamant and sure of my plan—yeah, right—why did the idea of a little outside assistance from Ameline keep cropping up in my over-stressed brain?

Demetrius was pretty set on his opinions about her. “No, can't, worse than Batsheva, worse than Belaisle.” He shuddered when he spoke the sorcerer's name. I didn't blame him, really. Liander Belaisle was about as smarmy and arrogant as they came, with serious dominance issues, if our brief encounter in his custody was an experience to judge from. “Ameline, she is hate.”

And while I occasionally danced with the devil, I took his warning to heart.

Okay then. No Ameline.

Is there a way to remove the powder from my system?” I sat so I'd be more on eye level with the man, still hunkered down near the floor.

Yes, yes, yes,” he said. “But you won't be happy. No, no, no.”

Lovely. “Spill it.”

He flinched, a whine escaping before he bobbed his head, silver curls swaying. “All of your blood has to leave you.”

Well, the vampires would be happy. “And my crystal?”

He hugged himself, a little snarl on his face. “I'm going.” Demetrius dodged away, running back for the bedroom and his secret passage before I even thought to ask him how he planned to get to Wilding Springs in time. He was a sorcerer. Nutty as a jar of peanut butter, but still a sorcerer. And I knew he wouldn’t promise if he couldn’t deliver.

Another hot shower did me good, though this time I was alone and felt the pressure of keeping myself safe without Charlotte to watch my back. I piled as much furniture in front of my door as I could before using a precious little of my earth magic to lock the wood in place between the stone casements. A quick search of my bedroom revealed the passage entrance, which I also sealed. Demetrius wasn't welcome to come and go when I was in the nude.

All I could hope was he'd fulfill his promise and bring me the crystal. If he was capable. If he had the means to get to my house and inside and retrieve the thing.

If, if, if. Maybe I should have been reaching for Gram instead.

I secreted the small box of powder into the back corner of the wardrobe, not wanting to have it with me but hoping my choice to hide it instead of carrying it wouldn't come back to haunt me. Worn thin, I then sat down on the edge of the bed, body heavy, a yawn escaping. So tired. Now that I had a moment to just stop and think, I could barely keep my eyes open. Promising myself only a few minutes to close my eyes, feeling as safe as I could considering the circumstances, I propped myself up into a sitting position on a pile of thick pillows and had a quick nap.

***

Sebastian's lips traced down my throat, over the soft skin of my shoulder and across the line of my bodice, pausing just at the edge of my heaving breasts.

Beautiful one,” he whispered, one hand sliding up my ribcage, points of spirit magic lighting me on fire with every spark, “you don't know how wonderful I can make your body feel.”

He wasn't alone, Quaid, his bare chest dark from the sun, pentagram tattoo flashing with magic, crawled up the satin sheets toward me, dark eyes half-lidded, the heat of his power sliding under me, cushioning me as I vibrated from the pressure. “I love you,” he whispered, coming to hover over my mouth, the delicious scent of him making me quiver. “Let me show you how much.”

Liam slid in next to me on my other side, green glints of Sidhe fire dancing in his hazel eyes as the power of the earth rumbled through him and into me. “Our Queen,” he said, pressing his lips to my cheek as Sebastian sighed over me. “My love.”

My Queen.” His tongue traced a path down my flesh before he stopped to meet my eyes with his adoring gaze. “My love.”

I rose from the bed, Quaid rising to his knees, catching my hand in his. “My Queen,” he cried. “My love!”

Sycophants, pulling at my power with their need. Well, I didn't need them. I called up my vampire essence and destroyed them all with a single flash of lighting. Who was I to require anyone, anything, but what I had? What I was becoming? All powerful, not a Queen, far more than that as I shed my mortal form and blazed across the Universe as pure light, an iridescent glow of absolute power—

***

I tumbled from the pile of pillows with a gasp, thrashing a moment before I realized I'd been dreaming. Groaning, rubbing my face with both hands, I fell backward into the mess I'd made of the bed and tried to pull myself together.

One glance at the window shot me out of bed in a flash as I rushed for the closet and something to wear while I tore at my hair in a panic. Dusk. Damn it, I'd slept the whole day away.

I thought you needed to. My vampire sounded contrite at least. And you were having such pleasant dreams.

I bit back a swearword or two and stopped my frantic search for a dress I could put on without help. You watched over me. Not a question.

I always do, she sent. We all do. Rumbling from my demon and Shaylee, a soft hug from the family magic. You're never left unprotected.

Well, that was a bit of a take-aback. I didn't know. But wait, hadn't she said something about it earlier? I just hadn't paid attention at the time.

You do now. She paused. Though I think we left you too long. Time to get ready.

Now she told me.

I just managed to corral my hair into something that didn't look like I'd slept on it wet and shimmied myself into a corset and dress with a bit of magical help when someone knocked on my door.

At least they'd found some manners. Piotr stood on the other side, dressed as impeccably as ever, making me very self-conscious and wishing selfishly I'd kept Charlotte with me anyway. “Her Majesty is hosting another dinner,” he said. “Your attendance is required.”

If all they did was eat and drink and try to corner me now and then, this whole killing Batsheva thing was going to take forever. I was already primed and ready for a fight when, following closely behind Piotr so I'd have some warning, I felt the air displacement preceding the arrival of vampires.

They were so damned blatant about it, I couldn't keep my temper in check. Sebastian. No panic, just focused irritation as the four vampires circled me, Piotr fading into the background with a salute before he disappeared.

Sydlynn. You're in danger.

Why did he sound more worried than I felt?

Probably because the moment the vampires attacked me, mine came out to play.

And she wasn't holding anything back.

 

***