Kiss of the Dragon (8 page)

I was starting to get a bad feeling about this. What exactly was he telling me?

"Paris is not exactly safe for you right now,
ma douce
. Should you come to the city you will need to stay with Yves."

That perked me up. I loved the Nosferatin house Yves looked after in
Montmartre
and I was relieved Michel no longer saw the Nosferatin as opposition for my affections. Yves and I had established an easy relationship from the start, but it had only ever been platonic. And the idea of staying with him instead of the austere
Palais
, was an enormous relief.

"But I would like you to go to London and see what you can find out from Amun." My perkiness vanished. Michel knew I hated London. I stared at him for a beat, but he wasn't finished. "I could send some of my other vampires, but Amun likes you and is likely to open up to you. As well as the fact that you have both Nosferatin and Ghoul contacts in the city. I believe you would be the best person for the task."

The perkiness may have vanished, but it was being replaced with a sense of pride. I'm not normally a prideful person, but Michel asking me to do this obviously important job, treating me as he would an equal, one of his vampires or another Council member... well, it was
big
. Bigger than big. It was fantastic.

Michel had always tried his level best to protect me and having been taken
again
from him by the fairies and whisked away for three whole weeks, I had prepared myself for more of the same. But here he was giving me my wings. I was shocked, but elated and couldn't speak to save myself right then.

"You can take Marcus and Matthias of course, as well as your
Tego Texi Tectum
duo, I should think. And should you wish it, Sebastian Cole is also available to assist."

"The
Nathair-Sgiathach?
" Surprisingly I found my voice at that. The dragon shifter had done his best to aid the former Champion, much to my chagrin. I didn't completely trust him, but then Michel was Champion now, maybe the honour of his loyalty now fell to him.

"Yes, he serves the
Iunctio
."

"He serves the Champion," I corrected.

Michel cocked his head at me and then murmured, "Rightly so."

We were both silent for a moment, letting that all digest. Michel was giving me an assignment, asking me to do something that he felt I was best suited to do. Even if it meant returning to London, I would do anything to have Michel put faith in me like that.

"I have always had faith in you,
ma douce
," he said quietly, reaching a hand up to push some of my hair off my face. "Always."

"But why now? Why this? Sending me away when I have only just come back."

He looked at me, a little of his vampire mask back on his façade. He was hiding. It disappointed me. I went to pull away and he grasped my hand and pulled me back to face him.

The vampire mask had slipped, in its place was definitely an emotion that sucked the breath from my lungs.

"Paris is not safe and until I can make it safer, I can not have you there. But I know you and asking you to remain behind at the
Château
would be useless. You would follow me, Dream Walk to me at the very least." He took a deep breath in and then let it out in a rush of words. "I can't lose you again and I know you can do this. You are the best person for the job."

"But London is safer," I concluded softly, still reeling from the fear I had seen on his face.

"
Oui, ma douce
. London is safer than
Paris
."

I smiled up at him. I couldn't be mad about his reasoning. I
was
the best person for this task and even if his hand was being forced because of the fear that I would be harmed in Paris, he had still given me a thrill to have asked at all.

"What do you expect I will find there?" I asked him, giving him something to focus on other than my safety and his fear.

"I believe someone is establishing an army to come against the
Iunctio
."

Whoa, not just a little conspiracy then.

"Any ideas as to who?"

"We have considered Viktor Davydov, but he has been observed back in St Petersburg and hasn't left since your last confrontation with him in London. If he is involved, it is remotely. Still, we cannot rule him out."

Oh boy. Viktor was not a vampire I wished to meddle with again and for Michel to suspect him at all
and
let me be involved was bigger than fantastic. It was down right thrilling and a little scary, truth be told. I blinked several time at his words, he just watched me mutely.

"So," I swallowed, "possibly Viktor from afar, possibly someone else, but it's happening in London."

"Yes."

"Anything else I should know?"

"Carry silver. It is a vampyre, of this we are sure."

I wasn't going to ask how he was sure, if Michel was sure, he was bloody sure.

"You'll have three days, then I'll meet you back here." That made sense, three days was normally how long a joining separation took to begin to show ill effect. And any more than three days in London was simply ridiculous to contemplate anyway. It's not as though there is anything specifically wrong with London, it's just not my cup of tea.

"Wow," I said on a breath of exhaled air. "You really know how to welcome a girl home."

He started chuckling, wrapped an arm around my shoulders and pulled me close to his side.

"Do you think you can do it,
ma douce
?" Who was he kidding?

"Of course I can, Champion. Who better to catch a conspiring vampire, than a vampire hunter."

"Not just any vampyre hunter," Michel said as his face began to nuzzle into the curve of my neck. "But the biggest, baddest and most powerful vampyre hunter of the lot."

I laughed at him and then started to squirm as his tongue lapped at the sensitive skin behind my earlobe. His hand at my front decided to join in the fun then and slipped under my T-Shirt, finding its way to my breast. He never could leave my boobs alone for long.

Just as he turned himself to cover my upper body, pinning me to the back of the little couch - his tongue exploring, his fingers exploring - there was a soft clearing of a throat at the door to the room.

Michel growled low, I jumped.

"Kathleen. This better be good," Michel said in a voice that did not invite argument.

"Master," his old human servant said with deference. Then ruined the effect with her next words. "If you two love birds could come up for some air for a moment, I have a room full of people dying to reacquaint themselves with the Mistress."

Then before he could respond she spun on her heel and almost ran from the room. Good move, I thought. Kathleen might have called a spade a spade, but she normally didn't do it to Michel's face.

He sat still for several seconds, blinking a few times as though trying to comprehend what had just happened.

"I see things have gone to the dogs since I was gone," I offered in an attempt to break the stunned silence. He glanced at me, blinked again and then shook his head.

"You have no idea."

And then he stood fluidly to his feet and grabbed hold of my hand, entwining our fingers he lifted my knuckles to his lips and kissed the tops of them softly.

"We have tonight together, before we must part again. Commune with our family,
ma douce
, but by midnight,
you are all mine
."

And I was sure he meant every word.

Kathleen had gone all out. One of the sitting rooms was bedecked with wild flowers, so many different colours in little vases all around the room. The smell of them wafting on the air as soon as we entered the grand space was alluring. The furniture here was more casual than the sitting room I had appeared in last night; this room was clearly for entertaining close friends. Its overstuffed sofas were in pale colours that complemented the many wild flowers Kathleen had picked from the
Château's
gardens, the throw rugs were in contrasting and in some cases clashing colours, but the overall effect was still homely, rather than garish. The artwork was less formal, the lighting dim and inviting. The entire space was definitely one I could picture using again and again.

She had also placed snacks around the room, fresh vegetables and dips, finger food that looked delicious, treats that carried no less than a thousand calories I was sure. Considering Kathleen, Matthew and I were going to be the only ones eating, it seemed a little over the top. But then I spotted Yves in the corner with a young Nosferatin girl I didn't recognise. So, five humans to eat enough food for fifty then.

I laughed at the sight that met me and all eyes in the room turned to Michel and I standing just inside the door. I was swamped by vampires within a second. Sergei and Natalyia wrapping me up in a huge Russian bear hug that threatened to suffocate. Marcus, Matthias and Christopher off to the side, but replacing my
Tego Texi Tectum
duo as soon as they let me come up for air. A nod and grin from each of Michel's Shadow Guards in the corner of the room and then I was scanning the space for the one vampire, if I am truly honest, who was most important right then.

Samson stepped out from beside the fireplace - which had been lit for some reason, only adding to the cosiness of the room - and walked towards me slowly. I couldn't make out what he was thinking from his vampire impassive face. I held my breath, I'm not sure why, but his reluctance to embrace me, to come to me immediately upon entering the room, worried me.

He stopped a few feet in front of me, but came no closer. I could feel Michel's presence at my back, as though he knew Samson's behaviour was having an effect on me and he was offering support. The heat of his body down the back of mine and his warm hand wrapped around the back of my neck grounded me enough, so that I didn't simply demand Samson tell me what was wrong. Instead I smiled at him, raised my eyebrows and cocked my head, and then held out my arms for a cuddle.

Samson's lips twitched, he ducked his head and murmured, "Mistress," and then finally stepped into my embrace.

"You're an idiot," I whispered in his ear, but didn't release him when he stiffened. "You should always be the first to greet me and I expect nothing less than a full body hug."

He pulled back and looked down at me, he looked infinitely sad.

"I thought you'd be mad at me," he said softly. The vampires in the room would have heard our conversation, Michel definitely did as he was still at my back, but the others had started conversing amongst themselves to offer the only privacy they could.

"I still am," I answered honestly. He cringed, I grabbed his hand before he could step away. "But I am more relieved that you are alive."

I had not wanted Samson to challenge Sofiq, but without my permission he had entered into that alliance with Aliath in order to help me. His only intention was to save his mistress from harm. I could understand his motives at the time, but watching him nearly die at the Fairy Queen's hand was almost too much to bear. Samson was the first of my
Lux Lucis Tribuo
vampires to join my line. I took almost all of his Dark and held it dear, in exchange for him joining my line through a Light Bond. His attempts to kill Sofiq would have brought him back towards the Dark. I could think of nothing worse than that.

I smiled up at him and squeezed his hand. "Shall we put it behind us?" I suggested.

He nodded slowly, but there was still a slightly haunted look to his eyes. I wondered if he regretted doing what he did, if it had tainted his soul in a little Dark. I allowed myself a moment to slip into the blackness to
seek
his Dark signature out, using my
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
talent. The relief at seeing familiar Light washing his signature was almost too much to take in, but the shock of seeing that his
Sanguis Vitam
had increased in power level, like Sergei's, distracted me from my task momentarily. My body automatically leaned back against Michel for support. His arm wrapped around my waist immediately, his face nuzzling into my hair behind my ear.

I flicked a glance around the room quickly and noticed that
all
the vampires had increased
Sanguis Vitam
, not just those of mine. Which could mean only one thing. The new joining had not only given Michel and I a boost in power levels, but also those of our line. Marcus, Matthias, Antonio and Ricardo were all now level ones, with Christopher moving up the scale to level three. I flicked my glance back to Samson and took in his nearly level two
Sanguis Vitam
signature again. We had done this, Michel and I - with the help of the Ambrosia - we had given them all more strength. Was that why Samson was acting strange? Did he not want it?

Samson stared at me for a moment, his jaw set in a firm line. He'd recognised what I had done. Most wouldn't, but he has been my vampire for some time now, he knew me as well as I knew him.

"Did I pass the test?" he asked through stiff lips. Michel growled.

I looked back at Samson for a moment, wondering if I knew him at all. He was clearly angry that I had
sought
his
Sanguis Vitam
signature out, maybe angry that we had given him more power - albeit inadvertently - but to challenge me wasn't his style. Something was wrong, but now was not the time to investigate further. The vampires in the room had become aware of a problem as soon as Michel growled.

"I think you need a drink, Samson," I said evenly. Christopher appeared at his side immediately, closely followed by Sergei. They both steered him away without a word. To my surprise he let them.

I remained where I was, a little shocked. Something was on Samson's mind and it pained me as much as it seemed to be hurting him. Michel turned me slowly in his arms until I was flush against his chest. His lips trailed along my cheek until he found my earlobe.

Then softly, he whispered in my ear, "We could skip this and retire." His teeth started nibbling on my ear.

I let a breath of air out on a laugh mixed with a little moan of delight. Exactly what he was going for, so he didn't stop there.

"I have plans for you that involve massage oil and restraints. Soft candlelight and low music. They will take hours and hours, we should get a start on them now."

I laughed a little harder. His fangs scraped down my neck. My body shuddered, my fists grabbing the lapels of his jacket for support and I moulded myself to his length. He purred against my skin.

"Make a decision now,
ma douce
," he murmured against my lips. "Or in another ten seconds I will make it for you."

"You're not playing fair," I whispered in a husky voice.

"Three weeks," was all he said. And all he needed to say. He'd suffered without me for three whole weeks, he had every intention of making up time.

As much as I was well on-board with his seductive plans, I also didn't want to be rude. Kathleen had gone to a lot of effort tonight and I hadn't even had a chance to greet Yves and his guest.
Communing
, as Michel called it, was important and despite Samson's display I wasn't going to neglect my family. My family meant everything to me.

Michel sighed. "You are killing me,
ma belle
." But his lips were spread in a smile against my skin, I could feel it. Michel took the responsibility of heading a line seriously. He would have agreed with my decision even if his body did not.

Now it was his turn to laugh, a low chuckle rumbling through his chest. It was so damn sexy.

"I need a drink," he announced at normal volume. "Or two," he added flashing me a grin. Then he was gone, over by the drinks trolley, his glass already to his lips.

"Show off," I whispered and he chuckled harder, having caught every word from across the noisy room.

I turned my attention to the leader of the Parisian Nosferatins, walking up to where he stood by the fireplace with the brunette at his side. She was petite, but athletic looking, as though she worked out every single day. Most Nosferatins are, we have to keep on top of our fitness when faced with the power of rogues on a nightly basis. But she seemed more than just fit, I was sure she was a little powerhouse all on her own.

I could tell she was immature, meaning she hadn't yet passed her 25th birthday and probably
hadn't joined with a kindred Nosferatu yet. She'd have one lined up, no doubt, because she was clearly close to maturity and without a joining she would die. One of the many complications of being a Nosferatin.

She was pretty though, with stunning blue eyes, perfect pale skin and lustrous long brown hair past her shoulders. There was a slight wave at the tips of the strands, making her hair seem carefree and natural. She looked natural. I wondered if she was Yves' girlfriend.

"Hey," I said as I approached. Yves immediately bowed low, hand fisted over chest in a formal Nosferatu show of respect. The girl followed suit as soon as she saw him do it. I sighed. "You know that is not necessary, Yves."

"
Sanguis Vitam Cupitor
, I disagree." He stood to full height again and grinned, making the formal greeting seem that much more out of place.

"You're impossible," I chastised, as he stepped in and kissed both of my cheeks. When he pulled back I took a good look at my friend. Slightly tanned skin, short blond hair - a little dishevelled as usual - stunning Arctic blue eyes, friendly face and casual dress. Tonight, jeans and a
Euro Disney
T-Shirt completed the boy-next-door look.

"Lucinda," he murmured in his lovely French accent. "It is so good to see you again." And he meant it, I could tell. Yves was just one of those people who genuinely cared.

He turned to the girl at his side and took hold of her hand, confirming they were closer than just colleagues in my eyes. He pulled her forward and began introductions.

"Lucinda, this is Sophie Delacroix, my most promising protégée. Sophie, this is the Prophesied."

Oh boy. "Lucinda," I said purposefully, as I took her hand to shake. "And if you try to call me by that archaic title, I will have to stake you." The last was said with a big smile.

Sophie laughed, a delightful delicate sound and shook my hand firmly. "I promise I won't forget," she said in a slight French accent, not quite as pronounced as Yves'.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Yves," I said honestly. He was kept very busy in Paris.

"We came through with the Champion for your arrival. He requested our attendance in case word got out that you were being pulled through the portal to here."

That didn't sound good.

"Was there a concern?" I asked quietly. For Michel to consider Nosferatin assistance, as well as his usual vampire guards, was not good news.

"Things have become heated in Paris," Yves confirmed what I already knew from Michel. "The Champion is using every asset he has. We are pledged to aid him when necessary. Besides," he added, "you are our Prophesied, not just his."

I let that sink in for a moment, nabbing a snack off a plate of delicious morsels to my side. I chewed thoughtfully.

"It must make protecting the innocents in Paris more difficult for you," I said at last.

"We have taken on more recruits from further afield," Yves said casually, as though having to increase the Nosferatin population of Paris was no big deal. I wasn't so sure. Whatever Michel was worried about happening, was worse than he had even indicated before. Still protecting me, it seemed.

Always.

I smiled to myself at Michel's soft words in my mind. It didn't surprise me that he was keeping an eye on my conversation and I could hardly blame him now. Things were precarious, I was beginning to see, and Michel's desire to keep me safe would be all encompassing. Which made his choice to send me to London intriguing. How difficult would it have been for him to let me do this, whilst his desire to protect me would be in overdrive?

You have no idea,
he added, repeating his earlier words.

I stifled a laugh and returned my attention to Yves and Sophie.

"Well thank you for coming," I said with feeling.

"Our pleasure," both Nosferatins replied. "We are relieved to be working so closely with our Nosferatu brethren again," Yves added. "It has been many centuries since the Nosferatin and Nosferatu were so closely aligned."

I thought about that for a moment. It was a clear indication of Michel's political leanings. He had a kindred, the first Champion to do so, I believe. He understood the strengths of the Nosferatins and because of that, he didn't fear us as much as the previous Champion had done. Which only boded well for future relations between our kinds. We were of the same ilk originally, after all. But he would have his work cut out for him with some of the
Iunctio's
Council, I was sure.