RBC05 - Bloodline (13 page)

We all followed Allwain down the hallway and into a back room that was being used as a library.

“First, drink this special crimson I made earlier to give you added strength.”

The tracking, I thought to myself.

“Each of your packs contains an accounting. It is encoded. This piece of paper holds the key. Open it, concentrate on the words and then give it back to me.”

Reynold and Quinn followed Allwain’s instructions completely. Allwain took back the notes, closed his eyes and they disappeared.

“Never can be too careful,” he mused, “Now if you will stand a little closer together, I will send you where you need to go.”

I walked over and gave Quinn a hug, trying desperately to keep tears from flowing. “Good luck, I hope to see you very soon.”

“I’ll be back when the task is done,” Reynold said. “Quinn can do as he wishes.”

Quinn was just about to say something when Allwain opened the portal and sent them through.

“Goodbye Quinn.”

I wiped my eyes and composed myself. It was our turn now.

“We are going to Europe,” I said.

“Right now? What’s going on?”

“I got a message today saying that we were needed there. I don’t know anything more. The four of you are going to portal to Gerhardt’s. I will be going to one of the new safe houses. I’ll contact you with details as soon as I can. I’ve been planning something for a while now. I guess I’ll have to implement it sooner than I thought.”

“Why do you need to go alone?” Mother asked.

“I feel I must in order to keep those that sent the note safe. Should I go first?”

“We’ll go,” Rose said stepping forward and each of the others giving me curt nods of agreement.

I was relieved and nervous at the same time. I didn’t know what or why I was needed, none of us did. We just knew we had to go.

“Eric knows we’re coming,” Kate said. “We’ll see you there, Katrina.”

“Good luck, girls. I love you all,” Mother said just before Allwain sent them on their way.

“You aren’t really going to the safe house are you?” Allwain said.

“Not right away. I am going to use the power Cathos gave me to get me where I need to go.”

“What can I do, darling. I feel so helpless. Give me something to do.”

“Go to sanctuary, Mother. Get them to install the new Queen. The sanctuaries are places of peace and security and we need no further turmoil there.”

She smiled, “You are your father’s daughter. That’s sounded just like him.”

We gave each other a hug and with a deep breath and concentration, I was in a dark side street in the heart of Paris!

Not being able to contact Damien or Cain with my mind was a drawback, but nothing I couldn’t circumvent with my new powers.

Once again I closed my eyes and let the scents of the city assail my nostrils. Just as I had requested, I was close to where Damien and Cain were. As I continued to concentrate an image formed in my mind. It was so vivid it was like I was floating above, taking in the scene below.

Damien sat at a small table across from Cain. The strong smell of human blood flared my vampire lust. It was obvious that this was a vampire pleasure den. We had been told about them by Gerhardt and Eric. There was a reason Damien chose this place knowing I would come.

I couldn’t just walk in there as Katrina, leader of the Five whose image was so well known. I had to change to one that would serve us well.

I smiled when the perfect image came to mind.

“Kate, I am sending the location of the safe house I have chosen and all the information that you will need.”

With my new form complete, including a fabulous outfit and my sword hidden, but available, I was on my way.

The difference in time between New York meant that it was well after midnight here in Paris. These places were open until dawn so the establishment was filled with seekers of all manner of pleasures.

Practically the whole room turned as I entered. I had enhanced my already alluring pheromones, subtly changed my features and made my hair on the red side of auburn.

I made my way towards the bar, giving acknowledging nods to my admirers along the way.

“Bring a bottle of your finest brandy to my table, will you please?” I told the bartender as I passed.

I chose a quiet table in the corner and waited for my brandy.

Seductively removing each dainty lace glove drew more than a few deep breaths. As I finished the brandy arrived.

“It’s complimentary,” the bartender stammered, not taking his eyes from my chest.

“From whom?”

“The two gentlemen across the way,” he added pointing in their direction.

“How nice, thank them for me will you?”

“Of course.”

He scurried off and I poured myself a brandy and waited. It wasn’t long before the two gentlemen rose and approached my table.

It was Rafael and most likely one of his brothers; this would be a good test.

“You’re new, I surely would have remembered one as beautiful as you, welcome,” he said with the same sneering smile I remembered when we met in Althar.

“Yes, and you are?”

“The owners of this fine establishment, you can call me Raf or anything else you wish. This is my brother Nevidius.”

“Will you join me?”

“It would be a pleasure,” Nevidius said motioning to the bartender to bring two more glasses.

So this was the brother that Rafael had indicated was the leader. I felt Cathos’ instincts were right, that was a deception. I needed them to lead me to the real leader of this assault.

“Tell us about yourself…”

“Suzette. I just arrived from Bavaria. I found an excellent property in which to establish myself,” I said as I reach in my bodice and pulled out a business card, which I handed to Nevidius.

“
Madam
Suzette’s House of Pleasure,” he said with a certain amount surprise.

“If your girls look anything like you, you’ll do very well in Paris. No house could compete with yours.”

“I don’t partake, only manage. Perhaps we could come to an arrangement. I’ve been told that you control all the vampire clubs in the city. I would like to do business in them and I’ll split the profits, seventy-thirty.”

“Nevidius, she wants us to have seventy percent,” Rafael laughed.

“I can easily do business in my new residence and take business
away
from you; it’s your choice gentlemen.”

This statement angered Raf, but Nevidius stayed perfectly calm.

“Oh, I think we can accommodate Suzette,” he said smiling at me.

“Good, we should be settled soon. We plan to have a party to introduce the girls next week. I’ll let you know the exact day soon.”

“Very well, I look forward to it. Now if you’ll excuse me. We have matters to attend to.”

“Of course.”

I poured myself another drink and watched the evil brothers leave through the back. A human male approached soon after and held out his wrist.

“Please,” he pleaded as if he needed it more than I did.

I took a closer look at his out stretched arm to find puncture wounds and scars, both new and old covering it. It made my stomach turn.

“Sorry, I ate before I came.”

“Need any help?”

Damien! My heart pounded as I answered, “This young man was just leaving.”

The human shook his head and backed away.

“Please join me, Damien.”

“Do we know each other?”

“Madam Suzette. Yes, I believe we do.”

Show him my truth.

His eyes widened and then he smiled. “I remember now.”

“Yes we met in Bavaria, Salzburg to be exact.”

“The best time of my life,” he said as he sat and then gestured for Cain to join us. “What brings you to Paris if you don’t mind my asking?”

“Business actually. I have just acquired a house in the second district.”

I pulled a second card out from between my breasts and handed it to Damien just as Cain arrived at the table.

Damien smiled again and then handed the card to Cain.

“You don’t mind if my brother joins us do you? Cain this is Madam Suzette.”

“Brothers, there seems to be a theme here tonight. Brothers joined me earlier as well.”

I could see Cain’s amusement, “Nice to meet you, Madam. We may be able to give you some business as well. Is there anything that we can do to expedite your efforts to open?”

“How many girls did you bring with you? Is there anyone that I would remember?” Damien asked.

They were both very amused by the cover I had thought of and were using the opportunity for their first light hearted entertainment in a very long time. I was glad that that I could provide them with amusement, even if it would be at my expense.

“Four, but I am expecting others to join us very soon and I’m sure there are several that you remember. Whether they remember you or not I couldn’t begin to tell you. Is this how you have been amusing yourselves since I saw you last?”

“It passes the time, and you find the most interesting people here. Just the other day we saw the Wahl cousins. I hadn’t seen them in such a long time.”

“Really, that is interesting. Do you think they would be interested in my services?”

“I’m sure they will be,” Cain mused.

“It’s nearly dawn. Can we give you a ride home?”

“That would be very kind of you.”

Damien stood and offered his hand to help me up. We stepped outside where Ivan as usual, had a coach at the ready.

“Are we glad to see you!” Cain said after we were on our way. “Madam Suzette?”

“It’s perfect, when you think about it.” Damien said. “All the girls can be together without suspicion and be at any of the club locations to observe.”

“I plan to get closer than that. We have to find Auguste.”

“You seemed surprised, Cain. You shouldn’t be,” Damien mused. “Katrina always is a step ahead of where others are.”

“Thanks to Cathos,” I said.

“Yes, we all have him to thank don’t we.”

“What can you tell me?”

“Not, much. You already know that the real leader Auguste, is not in Paris. What we are really concerned about is the money. Nevidius mentioned that the sale of treasure is funding their efforts. And we have been following some of them trying to find out where they are holding the treasures without success,” Damien said.

“We need more eyes and ears. While we can detect the hybrids if we are close enough, it’s impossible in crowds,” Cain said his frustration obvious.