Bound by Blood (The Garner Witch Series) (35 page)

I glanced briefly to the car where Hayley stood, patiently waiting for us to finish our discussion. “At least one good thing came out of this.” I said to Morrison as I inclined my head toward Hayley. “I have a family now.”

Nathan returned a few minutes later. “Antonius will do it. However, the council has demanded an audience with me first.”

Outwardly, he appeared calm, but he had raised his shields so I couldn’t read his emotions. The fact that he was trying to hide his emotions from me caused alarm bells to sound in my head.

“What do they want?” I asked suspiciously.

“They have commanded an appearance to face charges for changing Todd without formally requesting consent beforehand. I am to appear tomorrow and await their judgment.” His mouth curved in a gentle, reassuring smile. “Do not worry it is simply a formality.” He shrugged nonchalantly as if there was nothing to worry about.

“If they find you guilty,” I pressed, not swayed in the least by his casual act. “What is the punishment for siring a vampire without expressed permission?”

“Do not worry about it. I will most likely not be convicted under the circumstances.”

“Not likely?” I snorted. “They are the council. They can convict you if they choose to. So, what is the punishment?” He let out a lengthy sigh. “The punishment is death.”

“What?” “What?” Morrison and I gasped at the same time.

“Over my dead body.” I swore, swallowing the lump of fury that had seized me. “I’m coming with you.”

“No, you are not.” He countered, imperiously.

I flashed him a knowing grin. “We’ll see.” He didn’t know it yet, but he was about to witness the full extent of that Garner stubbornness he was talking about earlier.

Ignoring the look on Nathan’s face I continued as if the discussion was resolved. “In the meantime where are we going to put Lisa, we can’t have her arrested until her memories are altered.” 

“That I can help with,” Nathan’s answering grin told me that there was something he wasn’t telling me. “I have just the place.”

***

The following day, Morrison insisted on accompanying Nathan and I to the hearing with the Elders. He was already unhappy about the fact that I was coming along, and after a lengthy, heated discussion, Nathan finally relented and allowed Morrison to join us as well. We piled into the car—surprisingly, the Elders were located only a short drive from Denver.

Ignoring the scenery that flew by during the drive I remained still, staring silently out the window, my irritation at what I had discovered last night building.

“Are you still angry?” Nathan asked with a quirk of amusement tilting his mouth.

“I still can’t believe you didn’t tell me about that hidden facility under Donovan Security.”

“I explained this to you last night. I was forbidden from telling anyone about the true nature of Donovan Security, including you.”

I was shocked last night at the discovery. After his cryptic announcement that he knew of a place we could hold Lisa, he brought us to the last place I expected—Donovan Security. As it turns out, Donovan Security was merely a front. The complex facility actually housed the headquarters for the enforcers. It was a military grade bunker located ten stories underground, directly below Nathan’s building.

After locking Lisa into a cell that made a maximum security prison look light on defenses, he flatly refused to give us a tour. Nathan claimed he had to request clearance from the Elders first. The fact that he had kept the place a secret stung, even more so when I considered that I’d overlooked my loyalty to the bureau for him. I had shared secrets with him. In fact, I risked my career and placed my trust in
Nathan
, only to discover that he hadn’t returned that trust. The more I thought about his lack of faith in me, the more hurt I felt. I’d dwelled on it all morning, leaving an ache in my chest and a lump in my throat.

“Brianna.” He exhaled roughly as he reached for my hand. His emotions changed swiftly from amusement at my anger, to regret. Confused, I couldn’t keep up with his rapid mood sway.

“It is not that I do not trust you.” He assured me, wearily.

The fact that he was addressing my hurt feelings let me know that I was inadvertently projecting them. I quickly erected a shield, cutting off my emotions.

“You must understand that if I had told you about headquarters before I was given authorization from the Elders, they could have decided you were a liability. I am not talking about losing my job or even facing criminal charges, they could have elected to have you terminated. I would never risk your safety that way.”

It was difficult to maintain my anger when faced with the sincerity in his words. My empathic senses provided me with insight into his motives, which were purely protective. Knowing that, how could I not forgive him? I had to admit, if the situation were reversed I’d have done the same thing.

I flashed him a genuine smile as a feeling of relief overtook me for the first time since I’d discovered his secret last night. “Okay. But I want you to ask the Elders for permission to show me around the facility.”

“Agreed.”

“I was wondering something else,” I hedged, a smile forming on my lips.

“And what is that?” he asked cautiously.

“The council of elders... is in Colorado?” I asked skeptically.

Nathan chuckled. “Why do you find that so hard to believe?”

“I don’t know. I guess I expected them to be somewhere exotic like Transylvania...but Denver?”

He laughed a deep, throaty rumble. “Brianna, have you never questioned why you felt so drawn to Denver? Why there are so many mysterious, unexplainable crimes in the area?”

“What do you mean? What does that have to do with Denver?”

“Have you ever heard of Ley Lines?”

He lifted a brow and I almost lost my concentration at the sight. “No.”

“Ley Lines are lines of power that are spread sporadically throughout the world.” When he noticed my confused expression he continued. “The only way I can think to explain them is to have you picture the human circulatory system. The vast web of blood vessels in the human body carries nutrients and energy throughout, providing nourishment. The same is true of Ley lines. Only they are the
magical
vessels of the earth, carrying an abundance of energy and power through them.” He kept focused on the road, but spared a brief glance in my direction.

“Magical vessels?”

“Yes. There are a few rare areas in the world where the lines converge and create a nexus of magical power. These areas in particular draw witches and vampires because they are able to tap into, and harness the power of the nexus. Denver is such a place.”

“Huh. Ley Lines? Wow.” While I sat quietly digesting this information, I noticed that we had pulled off the main road. When I took in the sight ahead of me, I was momentarily dumbfounded. We pulled up a long winding driveway that ended at a colossal, three-story, stone Gothic Mansion. It was surrounded by acres of meticulously landscaped grounds, and looked like something taken straight out of a Bram Stoker novel. A spontaneous, but brief burst of laughter tore from my mouth.

Morrison and Nathan looked at me strangely. “What’s so funny?” Morrison asked.

“Why don’t they just hang a sign on the road that says Dracula lives here?” I bit out sarcastically. “For a bunch of vampires concerned with exposure—they sure aren’t very conspicuous.”

Morrison laughed, and I noticed Nathan’s mouth twitched slightly at the corner.

“Entering the mansion, my attention was drawn away from the lush interior. The moment I stepped inside a crackling of power filled the air and literally stole the breath from my lungs. The intensity of the sensation was unlike anything I’d been exposed to yet. The vampire and witch auras I’d sensed so far were nothing in comparison to what floated in the air here. It would be like comparing a sloping hill to the Rocky Mountains.
This
was an immeasurable and vast force of energy.

Morrison, who was completely new to the vampire world, and his newfound senses, stopped brusquely the minute he entered the grand foyer. “What...is...that?” He asked breathlessly, and more than a little mesmerized by the phenomenon.

“
That
...is pure, undiluted power.” Nathan responded.

“My God, Nathan. How old are these vampires?” I probed while acclimating myself to the strange feeling.

“Marcus is the eldest, although no one knows his precise age. Only that he was one of the first vampires turned after the original. It is said, that he was born during the first century. Antonius and Lucius are considerably younger. However, both were born before the first millennium.”

The information stunned me into silence and my mouth dropped open. We were led by two vampires into a large ballroom. It was like a primeval Roman court. Ancient reliefs depicting images detailing the creation of vampires spread across the stone walls. The space was made up of rectangular naves lined with ornate columns. The center of the room descended into a miniature amphitheater designed for spectators.

“Holy shit. What is this place?” I whispered to Nathan as we followed our guides into the pit.

“This is where we hold court.”

“It’s—” I had no words to describe it. I had never seen anything like this. At this moment I could vividly picture what life was like in Ancient Rome. “Big,” I finished lamely.

Nathan chuckled quietly and laced his fingers through mine. He was so calm, or at least he appeared to be, and he wasn’t projecting a single emotion right now. He was locked up tighter than Fort Knox.

Although the room could have held a large audience, the only ones present at the moment were the three vampires standing in the center of the great hall. Their skin was radiant. Pale, but luminescent still, making them seem almost ethereal.

Two of the men were exactly what I’d have expected from the décor. Stiff, utterly still, with a menacing air about them. They wore identical black pants with a button up black shirt that hung loose over top. Both men had short dark hair. Intimidating, almost black eyes followed our every movement like hunters just waiting to attack. The smattering of scars over their exposed flesh gave the overall impression of danger.  The third man however, he was nothing like I expected. The first thing I noticed, he was more approachable with a warm smile that lit his young, angelic looking face. “Nathan, a pleasure to see you again. If only it were under more pleasant circumstances.” His accent was rich and mellow, and he smiled with genuine warmth and friendliness as he walked toward Nathan. I was startled when he embraced him as though they were long lost friends.

Though, the thing that surprised me most about this man. He looked like a twenty year old rock star. His features were innocent and angelic, but counterbalanced by multiple piercings. His soft, golden waves were worn long and disheveled. His body was lean and athletic and covered with tight leather pants, a short sleeve shirt, and heavy combat boots. From what I could see of his exposed flesh, he was covered in tattoos.  This man in front of me was the last thing I would expect of a thousand year old vampire.

“Lucius, it is good to see you as well. May I introduce Brianna Reece, and Todd Morrison.” He gestured to Morrison and me. I reached my hand out in greeting.

He reached for my outstretched hand, and at the precise moment our skin made contact, a reaction settled over me that was impossible to describe. There were no words capable of articulating the feeling. It was as though I were suddenly sucked into a bubble—voices, sounds, and even emotions, all of the things that constantly surrounded me on a daily basis—none of that existed while I was touching Lucius. It was as if the world just...stopped, and yet I felt connected to nature in a way I never thought possible. I felt the life force of absolutely everything around me. It was as if energy from every living thing was being funneled through Lucius, and while I maintained a physical connection to him—thorough me as well.

I’m not sure if it was fear, or shock, or possibly just the perplexity of the experience, but I abruptly jerked my hand back out of his reach. All at once, the world around me sharpened and reality suddenly rushed back.

Heat rose in my cheeks. I was mortified by my blatant social gaffe. “I’m sorry. I was taken aback for a second by your power. I didn’t mean to be rude.” Not only was I embarrassed, but also, I was horrified with myself for insulting one of the men who would decide Nathan’s fate.

“Not to worry my dear. It is a pleasure to meet you, Nathan has told us a great deal about you.” He fixed a beatific smile on me. I couldn’t restrain the sardonic laugh that escaped at the absurdity of this young looking Adonis referring to me as dear. Nathan gave me a confused look at my inappropriate outburst, but before I could say anything Lucius responded to his unasked question. “Do not fret my friend. She simply finds it humorous to be referred to as dear from someone who appears much younger.”

I narrowed my eyes at Lucius. “How did you—”

“Brianna,” Nathan interrupted. “Lucius can hear people’s thoughts.”

Great, I thought sarcastically.

“That’s a useful gift.” I attempted to hide the annoyance I felt at having someone able to intrude on my thoughts and invade my privacy in such a manner. Despite the sincerity of my tone, his knowing gaze told me he knew exactly how
useful
I considered his gift.

“Enough with the pleasantries. Can we get down to business?” Marcus’ booming voice cut into our conversation and his tone brooked no room for argument.

Nathan became serious and turned to face the men who would decide his fate.

“Nathan, as you are aware we have summoned you before us to answer to the charge of siring a fledgling vampire without permission—and a mortal at that. You may present your defense before we render our judgment.” Marcus’ words were said matter-of-factly, as if we weren’t discussing the possibility of his execution.

Nathan recounted the entire story to the Elders. He detailed the murders of my family, my kidnapping, the murder of the two vampire bodyguards, and the attack that left Morrison bleeding to death.