Anna felt as if she were floating.
Okay, she actually was floating in the deep, deliciously warm water. But it was more than that. It was as if her entire body had become a boneless mass of sated pleasure.
It was a sensation she hadn’t felt for two centuries and while she hadn’t lied to Cezar when she said that she should regret what had just happened between them, she just couldn’t stir up the least hint of remorse.
God…it had been fantastic.
The feel of him moving deep inside her at the same time he was taking her blood was an experience that went way beyond mere sex.
They had been connected so deeply that it had been as if they had been as one. Two halves that were only complete when they were together.
A terrifying thought.
But not as terrifying as the sight of the powerful vampire suddenly bowing backwards, his head smacking against the edge of the hot tub and his eyes squeezing shut as if he were in acute pain.
“Cezar?” She gripped his beautiful face in her hands, her heart halting in fear. Was he under some kind of attack? Some vampire thing that she couldn’t see or sense? Or could he be sick? “Dear God…Cezar.” She crawled onto his lap, her powers swirling through the room. Not that she noticed the heavy statues that tumbled and shattered beneath the force, or the pictures that crashed to the floor. Her attention was focused on Cezar as his face contorted with a flare of agony. “What’s wrong?”
After what seemed to be an eternity, Cezar slowly relaxed, his eyes fluttering open to regard her with a blank gaze.
“Anna?”
“Yes. Are you hurt? Do you need Viper?”
He lifted a hand to touch the back of his head, the dark eyes clearing as he surfaced from the strange power that had held him in thrall.
“Nothing more than a cracked skull and a raging frustration,” he muttered, his dark gaze skimming down her naked body still straddling his waist. “Typical of the Oracles.”
She stiffened, a very bad feeling replacing her fear. “The Oracles?”
“Si.” He grimaced, his hand shifting to push the damp strands of his hair from his face. “They have yet to catch on to the whole cell phone thing. Not that I could use one even if they did.”
Despite the heat of the water, Anna felt chilled as she slid off his lap and wrapped her arms around her waist.
“What did they say?”
His expression became shuttered. “I must leave you for a short time.”
“Leave me?”
“I hope I won’t be gone long, but…”
Anna surged to her feet, her stomach clenched with a sense of sick dread.
“Oh no, Conde Cezar, not again,” she hissed.
With a far more elegant motion, Cezar was standing directly before her, appearing like some god rising from the water as his bronzed skin glowed in the dim light.
“Anna, I must leave,” he said darkly. “When the Oracles call, no demon can ignore their commands. Not unless they’re in a hurry to be planted in their grave.”
She stepped back, until her legs hit the edge of the tub. She was furious, but the temptation to reach out and stroke that perfect bronze skin was nearly overwhelming.
“Oracles.” She gave a short, bitter laugh. “Jeez. At least think of a new excuse to dump me. God, I’m such an idiot. You’re the master of hit-and-run sex and still I let you…”
“God dammit, Anna, this is not some scheme to try to sneak away.” He easily closed the space between them, his hands reaching out to grasp her shoulders in a near painful grip. “If there were any way I could tell the Oracles to go to hell and stay here with you I would. And I swear on my very life that the moment I am free I will return to you here.”
“Like you did last time?”
He jerked as if she had slapped him, then without warning his hands lowered and he was sliding the heavy signet ring from his finger.
“Here.”
She frowned as he pressed the ring into her palm and closed her fingers tightly around it.
“What are you doing?”
“That ring has been upon my finger since I first awakened as a vampire. It’s an intimate part of me.”
“I still don’t understand.”
“You possess the blood of the ancients, elemental magic.” He peered deep into her eyes, his power tingling over her skin with a cool breeze. “With this ring you could find me no matter where I might be in the world. Just as Sybil was capable of following you. It would even call to me between dimensions.”
She frowned, glancing down at the heavy gold ring with its strange scrolling.
“How?”
“I have no talent for magic, but I know you possess the skills.” His finger slipped beneath her chin and tilted her face up to meet his stark expression. “Anna, I will return to you, I swear it.”
Instead of replying, Anna stepped out of the water and reached for one of the terry cloth robes that were placed neatly on a shelf. Tugging it on, she at last turned to regard him with a suspicious frown.
Deep inside, she knew innately that he wasn’t lying. She could physically sense the sincerity etched across his heart. But she had had two hundred years to build up a healthy distrust of this man. One bout of mind-blowing sex wasn’t going to erase that.
Maybe if they could have two or three bouts…
She abruptly thrust the distracting thought away.
“What do these Oracles want of you? And why now?”
“Who knows?” His expression hardened. “They rarely feel the need to explain their actions.”
“Are they very powerful?”
An odd, mysterious smile touched his lips. A smile that said he knew something she didn’t. “The most powerful of all demons.”
Powerful? She was suddenly struck with a brilliant thought. “Then maybe they could help me.”
Stepping from the tub, Cezar swiftly dried his smooth skin. “I will request their assistance, but don’t get your hopes up. The Oracles only interfere when they believe it their duty.”
The brief hope sputtered and died. “Convenient,” she retorted dryly.
The dark eyes flashed. “There’s nothing about the Commission that is convenient.”
She followed as Cezar returned to the obscenely large living room and watched as he tugged on his jeans and white shirt. For a moment she couldn’t concentrate on anything but the sight of the reverse strip-tease, shocked to discover it was as erotic as watching the clothes being taken off. Maybe the realization that he was commando beneath those tight black jeans had something to do with it.
Wondering how the room had suddenly become so hot, Anna cleared her throat and struggled to think of something beyond that hard male body.
“You said that the Oracles came for you that first night we were together.”
Tying his hair back with a leather thong, he gave a short nod. “Si.”
“Do you…are you one of them?”
His lips twisted in a strange, annoying smile. “I don’t have the power to become an Oracle, I’m merely a servant.”
She snorted at the ridiculous words. “You a servant?”
“I didn’t say I was a very good one.” Tugging on his boots, Cezar crossed to lightly touch the puncture marks on her neck. A strange thrill of pleasure raced through her. “Anna, I must go. If they are forced to call for me again I will be suffering for days.”
For a moment she tried to hold on to her suspicion. Maybe because it was her last line of defense against the potent obsession with this vampire that threatened to consume her. Then, heaving a deep sigh, she gave a nod. “Go.”
“I’ll have dinner sent to you.” He brushed a tender kiss over her lips before lifting his head and regarding her with a worried gaze. “Don’t leave these rooms. And if you need something there will be a guard at the door. If you scream she will come running.”
“She?”
“This place reeks of blood and sex. I’m not going to take any chances.”
With a last kiss that was far less tender and a lot more frustrated than the first, Cezar turned to walk toward the door. He had stepped over the threshold when she called out softly.
“Cezar.”
He paused. “What?”
“Be careful.”
Morgana glared down at the pretty demon that lay dead at her feet. The Adar had returned as commanded and then received his rightful reward.
Rightful as far as she was concerned.
Any low-blood demon who was stupid enough to believe he was worthy to taste the flesh of a queen deserved to die.
She had at least made it swift, if extraordinarily painful.
“Vampires?” She kicked the lifeless body. “What a waste of my time.”
Modron shuffled forward, her stench filling the small bedroom.
“The Adar seemed very certain that the lair hiding Sybil belonged to a vampire. A very powerful vampire who had more than one of his brethren in his company.” Her white eyes held an eerie glow in the dark room. “And we both know that Adars are never wrong.”
Morgana reached down and with an ease that was shocking for her slender, nearly delicate body, she lifted the Adar with one hand and tossed him through the window.
“Damn his rotten soul,” she hissed, watching as his body broke through the panes of glass. She wished the Adar wasn’t already dead. She firmly believed in killing the messenger when she didn’t like the news. “If it is vampires, why would they interfere in this? They care about nothing but their own kind.”
“How should I know?”
Morgana turned and slapped the hag across her ugly face. She was not in a good mood.
“Damn your disgusting hide, you’re a seer, aren’t you?”
Modron turned to spit blood on the floor, her wrinkled face filled with mocking amusement.
“My visions aren’t cable TV you can turn off and on with a remote. They come when they come.” She grimaced. “Besides, they never work on the undead. They’re a void to all mystics.”
Morgana cursed. She’d never liked vampires. Oh, they made extraordinary lovers, and no one could deny they were the most beautiful demons to walk the earth. But they were stubborn and unpredictable and far too domineering for her taste. Worse, they refused to bow to her will as was only proper for a queen.
“Fine, then I’ll take care of this myself.”
“You intend to confront the vampires?”
“Of course not, you idiot,” Morgana rasped, shaking back the sleeves of her silk robe. “Not even my powers could overcome an entire pack of the walking dead.”
“Then what do you intend to do?”
“If I can’t follow my prey then it seems I shall have to bring my prey to me. Hand me my dagger.”
Modron raised a gnarled finger. “No. You’re too weak…”
Morgana offered another slap across the face, this one hard enough to send the old woman flying into the wall.
“Worthless hag,” she seethed, crossing to the dresser where she had placed her most precious treasures. Choosing a dagger that had once belonged to a powerful sorcerer, and a wooden bowl, Morgana made her way to the bed and sat cross-legged on the bed.
Closing her eyes, she ignored Modron’s low moans, as she breathed in deeply and allowed her power to flow through her body.
Morgana had managed to touch the mind of her prey when she had still been in Avalon. It had been nothing more than a brief brush while her enemy was locked in a deep sleep, but it had been enough to reveal that the old blood ran strong in the stranger.
Too strong.
She didn’t dare wait to destroy the power that threatened her.
Morgana lifted the dagger and with one smooth motion she had cut a shallow wound into her inner arm. Stretching out her arm, she made sure that the steady drops of blood landed in the wooden bowl.
The air stirred, thickening with the magic that ran through her veins. She tilted back her head, chanting in low tones:
Blood calls to blood.
Hearts beat as one.
Ancient shadows stir and seek
Find what is hidden and reveal.
The scent of pomegranates and dark magic filled Morgana as she peered into the blood that was pooling in the bottom of the bowl.
She sensed Modron as she limped to stand at the side of the bed. “Your Majesty?”
Swaying side to side, Morgana abruptly stiffened as she reached into the darkness and discovered the faint echo of her own blood.
“Yes, I sense the power,” she murmured. “Not fully formed, but pulsing beneath the surface.”
“Do you see a face?”
“No.” She tested the barrier that held her from fully claiming the mind she sought. “A female, but her face remains hidden.”
“Is she shielded?”
“It’s her own power that shrouds her in darkness, but she can’t keep me out completely. I already established contact during her dream.” Morgana trembled as she concentrated on the tenuous connection, using her centuries of skill to enthrall her prey. It was far more difficult than it should have been. “Come to me, my lovely one. Follow the sound of my voice and discover the destiny that awaits you.”
“You’re losing too much blood,” Modron hissed.
Morgana ignored the warning as well as the weakness that was attempting to claim her body.
“Come to me.” She whispered the powerful command over the miles. “Come.”
Cezar’s mood was dark as he returned to the Viper’s Nest.
Not unusual after a confrontation with the Oracles.
After the tedious journey to the caves, he had endured a fierce grilling on everything he had discovered concerning Anna, as well as the death of Sybil and his belief that Morgana was the threat they had sensed.
On the plus side, they hadn’t struck him dead for having dared to drink of Anna’s blood, he acknowledged as he entered the building and made his way to the upper floors. They hadn’t even mentioned the fact that he was covered in the scent and taste of her.
Of course, they had also refused to provide him any assistance in keeping her safe. Just a bleak warning that if anything happened to her, he would be held personally responsible.
As if he wouldn’t welcome a stake through his heart if Anna was harmed.
Jackasses.
Weary from the journey and the approaching dawn, Cezar struggled to smooth his features and ease his tension. He didn’t want Anna worried when he joined her.
At least, no more worried than she already was.
The elevator doors slid open and Cezar blinked in surprise at the sight of Viper standing directly in front of him. Instantly alarmed, he reached out to haul the silver-haired vampire forward, his expression stark with fear.
“What is it?” he demanded. “Has something…”
Viper gave a soft laugh, managing to rescue his velvet shirt from Cezar’s death grip.
“Everything is well,” he assured Cezar. “At last check your Anna was fast asleep. Did you meet with the Oracles?”
Cezar wearily rubbed the muscles of his neck. “Yes.”
Viper’s elegant features hardened with distaste. Like Styx, the ancient vampire deeply resented the Oracles’ hold over a fellow brother. And of course, there wasn’t a vampire that walked the earth who didn’t have authority issues.
“I suppose it would be a waste of time to ask what plot they have brewing?”
Cezar assumed a bland expression. “They’re here to rule on the werewolf king, as Styx requested.”
Viper narrowed his midnight eyes. “Something that should have taken less than a few hours to complete.”
“The Commission works at its own pace.”
“And are not to be questioned?”
Cezar arched a brow. “Not if you value your skin.”
With a grimace, Viper took Cezar’s arm and pulled him into a corner as the elevator opened to spill out a dozen drunken fairies.
“Did you at least request their assistance for your Anna?” Viper demanded in a voice low enough only another vampire could pick it up.
The lights flickered at Cezar’s blast of anger. Although not as ancient as either Styx or Viper, his powers were swiftly growing beyond those of all but a handful of vampires.
“They refuse to intercede.” He gave a disgusted shake of his head. “They claim her destiny must unfold without their direct involvement.”
“Meaning they don’t intend to get their own hands dirty.”
“Something like that.”
Viper leaned against the wall, his intricately braided hair gleaming silver in the dim light. “Do you know, I have the strangest feeling that Anna’s arrival in Chicago at the same time the Commission is visiting is more than a coincidence,” he murmured.
Cezar regarded his friend with a blatant warning etched on his face. He had spent enough time with the Oracles to know that they didn’t screw around when it came to ridding themselves of unwanted curiosity.
“Speculations like that can get a vampire killed, amigo. As thickheaded as you might be in your philosophy of the origins of demons, I wouldn’t like to see you left to roast in the sun.”
“I wouldn’t particularly like to see that either,” Viper said dryly. “Still, it truly pisses me off that those Oracles hold you like a dog on their leash and then refuse to grant you the one thing you desire.”
Just a day ago Cezar would have readily agreed with Viper’s dark mutterings. He’d been virtually imprisoned by the Commission, with the added insult of being forced into celibacy (an insult that could get people killed). Now, however, he couldn’t manage to stir even the faintest sense of regret for the grim years.
“Actually, the Commission is responsible for giving me precisely what I desire,” he said, his gaze instinctively turning toward the doors at the end of the long hallway. “Now, I must discover how the hell I’m going to keep her alive.”
Viper lifted his brows, but he was wise enough not to press the issue.
“You should know that Styx called.”
“And?”
“The Adar managed to slip away before he could kill it.”
Cezar cursed. Couldn’t one damn thing go right? “Did Levet catch its scent?”
“No. It never entered the estate.”
“Morgana must have commanded it to return to her when he found Sybil’s location.” He imagined his hands around the Queen of Fairies’ throat as he choked the life from her.
“That would be my guess,” Viper murmured. “Which means that she also knows that Sybil was in the hands of vampires.”
“And it won’t be a great leap to suspect that her prey was there with us.” Spinning about, Cezar smacked his fist into the wall with enough force to make the floor shake. Thankfully the reinforced lead kept the damage to a minimum. “I’m commanded to protect Anna, but given no direction of how I’m supposed to do it. Morgana has shrouded herself in such mystery I don’t have a damn clue what powers she possesses or if she has any weaknesses.”
Viper watched him in silence, waiting until Cezar had managed to regain his composure before placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
A wise move considering vampires were known to bite first and think later when they were upset.
“I might know someone who could help.”
Cezar struggled to contain the emotions that pounded through his body. It had been so long since he had felt anything beyond frustration that it was far more difficult than it should be.
“Who?”
Viper paused. “First allow me to contact him. He rarely meets with others.”
“He’s a vampire?”
“Yes.” Viper’s expression remained closed, as if he were hiding something. “He’s a dedicated scholar who has collected the legends and fables of every demon to walk the earth.”
Cezar’s brows snapped together. “Dammit, Viper, I can’t keep Anna safe with legends and fables. Not unless Morgana can be killed by a fairy tale.”
Viper held up a slender hand. “Among his books is a vast collection of forgotten histories. Many are so obscure that not even Styx has seen them. It could be that he has information on Morgana that has been forgotten over the centuries.”
A great big hell of a maybe.
Cezar kept the thought to himself. Viper was trying to help. “I suppose it’s worth a try,” he said wearily. “It’s not as if I have any other brilliant ideas.”
A hint of concern touched Viper’s elegant features. “Don’t be so hard on yourself, my friend. You’re doing everything…”
The words of comfort came to a dramatic halt as there was an explosion of air and the doors at the end of the hallway shattered, sending a bombardment of deadly shards through the air.
Cezar knocked Viper to the ground as the wooden splinters flew over their heads.
“By the gods, what was that?” Viper breathed.
Cezar flowed to his feet as the last of the splinters lodged into the wall, his gaze trained on the ragged opening into Viper’s private rooms.
“Anna.”
Viper cautiously rose to his feet, his pale skin a distinct shade of white at being nearly skewered.
“You told me she possessed the powers of an elemental, but you said nothing of being able to rip apart my club as if it was made of cardboard.”
A nasty chill inched down Cezar’s spine as he watched Anna walk toward them wearing nothing more than the short, terry cloth robe, her hair floating as the air swirled around her. There was something wrong.
“Her powers are still untutored and only emerge when she is in the grip of a strong emotion,” he muttered, studying Anna’s blank face and the lifeless hazel eyes. It was almost as if she were completely unaware of her surroundings. Certainly there was no recognition on her beautiful face as she approached. “She has little control of them.”
“So you’re saying she’s a loaded bomb with no off-switch?”
Cezar grimaced, knowing his friend wasn’t far off the mark. “I don’t think she would intentionally hurt anyone.”
“And unintentionally?” Viper stiffened as Anna came closer, his own power beginning to fill the hallway.
Cezar didn’t blame him. Already the force of the wind was stinging his face. Still, a growl sounded deep in his chest. If push came to shove he was quite willing to battle Viper should he threaten Anna.
“I don’t know what the hell is going on, amigo, but I need you to stand aside and let me handle this.”
“Cezar, her power…”
“That’s not a request,” he hissed, his gaze flickering toward his companion in a silent warning.
Viper’s expression tightened, but with a small nod he melted into the shadows, no doubt hurrying off to call for his guards. Whatever his seeming agreement there was no way he would allow Anna to harm any of his vampires.
Including Cezar.
Which meant he had only a few moments before all hell broke loose.