Kiss of the Dragon (15 page)

Oh, Michel
, I said with feeling.
Your dragon-within doesn't need to do that. You are the sun that shines on my world. You are the air I need to breathe to survive. Without you, I am nothing. How much more power could he have than that?

There was a long silence. Maybe only a couple of seconds, but I was sure my heart had beat a hundred beats in that short time. Finally I felt his warmth, making me realise how cold I had become. His vampire-within having accomplished that? I wasn't sure, but now I was tingling with heat; a beautiful sensation as though I was wrapped in the softest, warmest blanket. But it was more than that, it was a heat that built from deep down inside, sending shockwaves of pure bliss along my nerve endings, pooling deliciously between my thighs.

Michel,
I gasped - probably aloud as well as in my head. The fact that he could make me feel such lustful emotions from so far away was astounding. And impressive. And unnerving. Goddess knew who was watching me right now.

He is appeased, ma douce
, Michel said huskily, speaking of his dragon-within.
But be warned, the moment I see you next, he will pounce.

A shiver ran down my spine and I moaned. Michel began to laugh quietly in my head.

You are delightful, ma belle. What I would do to you right now if I had you in my arms.
He sent a barrage of images through my mind, each one more erotic than the last.

You've got to stop
, I chastised weakly. My heart really wasn't in it, I was enjoying the sensations he elicited too much.
I've got a Master of the City to confront and Nosferatins to rescue,
I added, in an attempt to prove to him - and myself - that I meant business.

Very well.
The images stopped.
Please take care of my vampyres.
I held my breath, unsure if he was about to turn all angry vampire on me again.
But most importantly, please take care of yourself. Je t'aime, ma douce. N'importe ce que tu fais, je t'aimerai toujours."

He was gone in the next moment and I was alone again with my thoughts. My mind already trying to translate his words, but with the rudimentary amount of French I knew, I was coming up blank. I blinked open my eyes and took in the surroundings. Marcus was sitting upright, a bemused expression softening the features of his face. Matthias was standing beside him, a guard in every sense of the word. Natalyia was crouched down beside me, and Sergei stood sentinel above.

But it was Sophie I sought out. She walked forward when I caught her eye. I cleared my throat.

"Um, what does  '
N'importe ce que tu fais, je t'aimerai toujours'
mean?" I asked, stumbling over the words quickly before I could think better of asking her to translate out loud.

"No matter what you do, I will always love you," she replied instantly, her lips tipping up attractively at the sides.

"Oh," I said, rather pathetically. But I couldn't stop the smile that graced my own lips. "That's good to know."

"Are you feeling able to stand now, Mistress," Sergei said, bringing our attention back to more pressing matters than expressions of love from my kindred in French.

"Yeah, sure," I replied and let Natalyia haul me to my feet. "How are you, Marcus?" I asked, dusting myself down.

He sprang to his feet in that puppet-on-a-string glide the vampires do, looking every inch in control of his body.

"I am fine, Lucinda," he replied a little formally. I glanced up to see him watching me intently, his gaze flicking to Sophie every now and then, but resolutely springing back to keep an eye on me.

I could have apologised for what happened, but I wasn't sorry for washing him in my Light, for achieving what I had set out to do. That is, making Sophie visible to him and holding some of the Dark he'd been weighed under on his behalf. I'd been sorry that I'd almost stolen him from Michel, and I'd apologised to Michel for that. But, going with the notion that I was the one in charge tonight and acting like I had everything under control, I stuck to my guns and just nodded my head at him instead.

"OK. Any sign of the shifters?"

"Yes," Matthias answered. "They await us by one of the fountains."

"Great," I muttered, thinking they may have seen some of what had happened here from where they stood.

"Everything was masked, Mistress," Sergei said in a low voice to my side, clearly understanding my statement for what it was. "They are only now becoming aware of us."

I watched as the shifters began to stand taller in that moment, their eyes now trained directly on us as we approached. I took a couple of fortifying and calming breaths in, thankful that only those vampires closest to me, and one Nosferatin I could trust, had seen that little display. Both Marcus's Light washing and Michel's reaction so clearly visible on my body even when he was just inside my mind.

"You are late, lass," Sebastian chastised as soon as we were in earshot.

"Apologies," I answered nonchalantly. "Something came up."

"Time is of the essence. The Master of the City will be alerted to our presence, so close to his club, any moment now."

"Can't be avoided and it really is to be expected. I never thought we'd have the element of surprise."

"Still, your priorities seem a little confused," the dragon-shifter continued to doggedly make his point.

I frowned at him and threw my glance over his mates. Three, just as he'd promised, including himself.

"Well, we're here now," I said, rolling my shoulders and fingering a stake inside my jacket pocket. "Let's do this."

I just hoped Amun would see the Light.

The vibrant multi-coloured lights outside the club's entrance sent colourful rainbow-like patterns across the road. A queue snaked out from the front doors and down the street, nearly to the end of the block. Amun's club had always been popular, most vampire haunts are, but this seemed even more so than previously. I wondered if all the Dark called to the humans who wanted more from their night than just a drink and a dance.

Just because vampires can be cloaked in Darkness, does not mean they have the monopoly on it. Humans can be just as evil as the Nosferatu. One does not rule out the possibility of the other. Darkness is not a single opportunity task master, it accepts
any
who seek to dwell in the shadows of the night. Vampire, human, shifter, ghoul. Even fairies are not exempt. I hoped there were none here tonight. Things would be complicated enough with the rest of the supernatural community in attendance, members of the
Ljósálfar
and
Dökkálfa
Royal Courts would only escalate matters.

We walked up to the bouncers on the front door, right past the line of humans waiting patiently for their turn under Amun's multi-coloured spotlights. Initially, we received only a few scornful looks, but it soon became obvious the vampire guards on the door were going to entertain us. The looks became more plentiful and started to be accompanied by grumbles and rude remarks.

"State your business," one of the burly vampires said in a low, gruff voice. His mate growled menacingly at the queue to shut them up. They obliged.

"The Prophesied to see the Master of the City." No point beating about the bush, the vampire hunter was out of the bag.

"He is not in attendance tonight," the guard said dismissively.

I let myself sink into that black nothingness I use to
seek
and
sought
out Amun's Dark signature. I'd been before him enough to it commit to memory and it didn't take long to find him exactly where I suspected he'd be. In his private chambers at the rear of the building, beneath the club itself.

"I'm sorry," I said sweetly. "Did I not introduce myself correctly? I am the Prophesied, here as the Champion's envoy, to see the Master of London City."

The guard hesitated. Only for a moment, but long enough to tell me he was unsure, or seeking telepathic instructions. He began smirking, just before he spoke again.

"He is not in attendance tonight, apologies to the Champion and his ambassador, but your time has been wasted coming this far."

I smiled, maintaining the 'sweet' I'd been going for. "That's fine, I'm sure he has his reasons for hiding like a coward in his chambers beneath the club."

I watched as the guard's fangs came out and his eyes turned a blood red. The other vampire stepped forward to stand at his side, shielding him from human view and offering support.

"Ask Amun Nadeem if he has the courage to meet the only free standing Nosferatin left in his city this night," I demanded, backing my request up with a little Light. Just enough to prove my point. And to glaze him.

The vampire at his side sucked in a surprised breath, his fangs descending and eyes turning an unnatural maroon. I turned my head slowly to look him in the eyes and let mine flash briefly. His gaze fluttered away immediately. Ha! How do you like the tables being turned on you, predator?

There was a commotion at the door and then after a few knocks and bangs and loud indistinct noises from the other side, the doors swung open revealing a dozen vampire guards. The front one, a guard I had seen before when I first met with Amun, stepped forward and glared at me.

"The Master of the City requests you not tamper with his vampires, or he will consider it an outright attack on his line," he declared harshly. I was guessing he expected me to blanch.

"I think that might be the pot calling the kettle black," I replied smoothly, pushing past the vampire bouncer I had 'tampered with' and stepping toe to toe with the new vampire guard. "Does the Master of the City refuse an audience with the Champion's envoy?"

"No, of course not," he replied, standing taller - towering over me. I didn't let any emotions
show on my face. "But only you may enter his inner sanctum. Unarmed," he added for good measure.

I felt my vampires stiffen behind me, their
Sanguis Vitam
accumulating on the air at my back. The new guard flicked his gaze up over my shoulder and growled low and long. "Those are the conditions," he stated flatly.

I didn't like this at all. But it was hardly unexpected. Besides, I wouldn't be alone. Sophie would be with me and if the shit hit the fan, M&M and my vampires could force their way inside. I turned and smiled at Sergei reassuringly.

"I'm sure the Master of the City wouldn't begrudge you hospitality in his club." The new guard shifted to my side, clearly about to protest. "It would be too much of a show of weakness to deny my guards access, at least, to the club itself."

The new guard paused and then without a word turned on his heel and led the way inside. I hadn't forgotten how Amun operated. A show of weakness to any vampire was a big faux pas, but to Amun, who was at the beck and call of a more powerful vampire when I last met him, it was a sore spot. He longed to prove how powerful he was. Weakness of any sort would be unacceptable.

"Stay near the the doors to his chamber, I'll notify Michel if help is required. He can then tell Marcus and Matthias," I whispered softly to Sergei as he leaned in for instruction, his ear practically at my mouth. "Sophie will be with me and will be fully armed."

"We should have had her carry your sword," Sergei whispered back, almost too low for me to hear.

"She'll have extra stakes. She's been well trained."

At the door to Amun's private chambers Sergei stepped in front of me, shielding me from the vampire who led the way. The rest of the dozen who met us, had fanned out and surrounded us, shielding us from those in the club and making a prominent display of power to any supernatural who cared to watch.

"I shall mind your weapons, Mistress," Sergei announced, loud enough for the vampire guards to hear. There was some movement among their ranks, but no verbal protest. As long as I was unarmed seemed to be enough. I handed him my two silver stakes, noticing he'd donned gloves at some stage, enabling him to touch the silver of my weapons. He pocketed the stakes swiftly before any Norms could see. The silver dagger followed, but the sword would be harder to hide. Rather than strip off completely, I simply unsheathed it and watched mesmerised as Sergei used
Sanguis Vitam
to slip it inside an invisible scabbard at his waist, making it disappear.

"Nice," I said under my breath and watched a rare smile grace his angular face. My back straightened and my head came up, I glanced at each of my vampires. "Have fun!" I announced, code for stay on guard. I hoped they got it. Then swung around and proceeded to follow at least half of the group through the door. The other half stayed behind to keep an eye on my vampires.

Sophie kept shoulder to shoulder with me, not being spotted by any of the Dark vampires who herded us through the multitude of corridors - after they'd searched me for hidden weapons behind the closed door to the club. The search had been perfunctory, swift and precise. And had elicited nothing, because I was now officially unarmed. Well, at least, I wasn't wearing any physical weapons. I still had my Light.

It took forever to reach the double height and width doors that marked entrance to the Master of the City's private chambers. I'd forgotten how convoluted the passageways beneath the club were. It would take several minutes for my vampires to reach us if we needed them, and that was if they didn't encounter too many obstacles in their path. I tried to not let that thought trouble me, but worry was a constant companion since we'd started this - what seemed to me right now - doomed walk.

The guards hesitated at the door for silent consent to enter and then finally the doors swung open and the main vampire guard led the way in. The room was as white as the club was, but thankfully free of colourful flashing lights. White floors as I remembered them, white loop-pile rugs here and there. We passed a white couch and low lying white tables, and came to rest before a large white desk, before which stood Amun Nadeem.

I had prepared myself. I had thought I'd done enough to not show any reaction at all. But despite how Dark he now was, how different from my old Nosferatin trainer that Dark made him, he was dressed in white, like my dear friend always wore. And he
was
the spitting image of Nero.

My heart sank as my knees threatened to give out. Nero stood before me, but what should have been a moment of joy to see his likeness again after losing him so painfully all those months ago, was cast in a shadow of pure angst. Nero draped in Darkness. How cruel were the fates to make me see this?

It wasn't fair. My Nero was full of Light. So kind and compassionate. So caring and considerate. So loving and loyal. I missed him so much and this... this replica before me was a travesty, a brutal slap in the face.

I'm not sure how long Amun let me take him in, how long he fed off the emotions clearly gracing my face. It was Sophie's hand on my arm which broke the wicked spell I was under. I sucked in an audible breath and then fisted my hand across my heart and bowed low. I didn't wait for Amun to accept my respectful greeting, to verbally allow me to stand again. I simply stood up and looked him in the eye, wrapping my Light around me, to seal the pain from my heart and ensure he wouldn't try to glaze me with his eyes.

He'd told me last time I saw him he couldn't, but last time he'd not been this Dark. I wasn't taking any chances.

"Lucinda. What a delightful surprise."

Goddess, he still sounded just like Nero. I nodded in greeting, but couldn't form the words my mind wanted me to say. I had to get myself together. It really shouldn't have been that hard. I had
known
he looked like Nero. I had known this for some time. It shouldn't have been that hard to steel myself against his looks. Because that's all they were; just looks. A physical similarity that went only skin deep.

I kept telling myself that. I kept reminding myself of all the Dark this vampire was and how different from Nero that would always be. Nero had been a shining beacon of Light, who filled every room he entered with brilliant white light. Amun was nothing like that.

I
sought
out his Dark, I concentrated on what I could
see
. I committed the image to memory and I swore to never forget. Even when I stopped
seeking
and no longer saw the Dark manifest in a physical way, I needed to remember what lay beneath the veneer.

He wasn't my Nero. My Nero was dead.

"Master of the City, thank you for seeing me this night." The words finally found their way out, but the damage had been done. Amun knew he unsettled me, and I was betting he remembered the reason why.

Never show fear in front of a vampire. Always stay on guard. Never give an inch. I was thinking of adding a new mantra to that list: never let them see your weaknesses. Because sure as Amun Nadeem was a Dark vampire, he'd use this weakness against me, to get what he wanted in the end.

"Lucinda, the pleasure is all mine," he murmured in a way I had heard Nero use so many times before. Was Amun doing this on purpose? Did he know exactly how Nero spoke? Behaved? He was even standing like Nero did, leaning back on his desk, ankles crossed, legs stretched out before him. The only thing missing, was his hands clasped behind his head.

Any second now I expected him to do just that, but instead he thrust his hands through his slightly dishevelled short dark hair, a move seemingly innocuous but which sliced through my heart. Dear Goddess, if Amisi was here, what would she say?

I cleared my throat. I was here for a reason, regardless of how painful being in this vampire's presence was.

"I believe, Master of the City, you have some guests which are friends of mine."

His face broke into a beaming smile, a white toothed grin complementing his dark skin. He looked gorgeous when he smiled, for a moment you could almost forget the Dark.

"Now, Lucinda," he said softly, stepping forward from the desk and slowly approaching where I stood. I didn't take the step back I so wanted to. I didn't stop breathing, but forced myself to suck in one lungful of air after the other. I held his gaze, a neutral mask on my face and prepared myself as best I could for whatever he had planned.

He stopped within a foot of me, his chocolate brown eyes flashing copper and cinnamon as he looked down at my face. He reached forward and swept a lock of hair behind my ear. I blinked slowly, but otherwise didn't react.

"Master, I'd like to see my friends," I announced in a firm and steady voice.

"And I'd like to know," he said slowly, wrapping his large, warm hand around the back of my neck, his thumb running menacingly across my throat. Alarm bells went off in my head, but I was aware of my actions reflecting on Michel, and was valiantly attempting to let this play out before I called on my Light. "Why it is you haven't introduced me to your companion." His voice lowered ominously. "And why she does not offer me due respect."