Winter's Light (15 page)

Chapter 24

Winter had never seen such a beautiful woman outside the pages of a fashion magazine. She was tall, almost the same height as Dominic, and had the kind of figure Winter had always dreamt about. And her face! Framed by short platinum blonde hair, the woman’s features were remarkable: golden skin, a shade darker than Jasmine’s; wide cheekbones perfectly defined; a small and narrow nose with a slightly regal tilt; dark pink cupid’s bow lips.

But it was her eyes that struck Winter – an almost iridescent aquamarine. The colour of swimming pools, sapphires, and early morning summer skies. Below her left eye there was a small, intricate tattoo that curled down over the top of her cheekbone. The tattoo did not mar her beauty, but instead made her look even more exotic. Curiously she wore gloves – grey velvet, almost up to her elbows, despite the weather not really calling for it.

Winter realised she was staring at the woman but couldn’t look away. What was interesting was that the woman was staring just as fixedly at Winter.

‘How is he?’ Yuri inquired, calling the woman’s attention away from her.

‘He’ll live. A broken arm and some bruised ribs. I’ve given him some painkillers and told him to rest, but he asked to see the girl.’ Her accent was even more pronounced than Yuri’s. Definitely Russian. The woman’s eyes flicked back to Winter.

‘This is my wife, Elena,’ Yuri said, noticing Winter’s intrigued expression.

Winter nodded. ‘Hello.’

‘Nice to meet you,’ Elena replied. She said something in Russian to Yuri, who answered in kind. There was no mystery as to what their exchange was about. All the time Elena’s eyes never left Winter. Ignoring this intense gaze, Winter turned to Yuri. ‘Can I see Sam now?’

Yuri lent back in his chair and folded his arms. ‘Not just yet. First, there is something we must discuss.’ Behind him, Elena lent against the kitchen counter, continuing her quiet study of Winter.

‘If she wants to see Sam, let her see him,’ Jasmine said, her strong voice betraying the growing anxiety that Winter was also experiencing.

Yuri ignored Jasmine, his attention focused entirely on Winter. ‘Yesterday we received word from our Paris operation that they had intercepted a communication. A special kind of message transmitted not digitally or through analogue means, but through preternatural technology. Through a lodestone.’

Winter gasped. ‘How could you possibly —?’

Yuri waved her question away before she could finish it. ‘I have no interest in discussing our methodology with you. We know what happened, Winter. Approximately seven pm last night he contacted you through the lodestone. You interacted with him for nearly two minutes. The only information I need from you now is, what did you talk about?’

Shocked, Winter found it difficult to answer him straightaway.

‘Winter,’ Yuri prompted, some of the hardness leaving his expression. ‘It’s very important you tell us what you know.’

‘It happened so fast. My necklace started glowing. I touched it and was . . . transported. I was seeing through his eyes. It was a dark place, there were candles, stone walls – Blake was awfully thin. He looked like he’d been tortured. Then there was this other figure, in a red robe and hood. It hit Blake and then I was back on the beach again.’

Elena began to say something in Russian but Yuri silenced her, staring at Winter intently. ‘Most interesting. What did he say to you? Blake. Before this other figure appeared.’

Winter felt her heart clench as she recalled the moment. The lack of recognition in Blake’s eyes. ‘Nothing. He didn’t say anything. There was no time.’

Elena spoke again and this time Yuri answered her, their exchange maddeningly obtuse. ‘You were in thrall to this Demori. This Blake.’ It was a statement, not a question.

Winter stiffened. ‘No, I was not
in thrall
to him. Now, if you don’t mind I’d like to check on my friend.’

Yuri nodded thoughtfully. ‘Of course. Elena will show you the way. Can I make you some food, perhaps? For when you return.’ There was no sign of the interrogator now; his expression was disarmingly open and friendly. The speed with which he’d shrugged off this role gave Winter even less reason to trust him. The man was clearly a master manipulator. Winter thought about Lucy last night, blushing as Yuri whispered into her ear, and felt another flash of anger.

‘No thank you,’ she said brusquely and stood up, turning to Jasmine. ‘Are you coming?’

Jasmine was already on her feet. ‘I’m not staying with these weirdos,’ she replied, not bothering to hide her mistrust.

Elena opened the door for them, smiling a disquieting kind of half-smile that Winter didn’t like. ‘This way,’ she said, pointing down the hall back towards the living room. They took a turn to the left before reaching that room, and moved into another section of the house. The walls they passed were unadorned with photographs or pictures, however Winter did notice another oil burner on a hall table. By the strong scent of elderflower in the air she guessed there were others positioned throughout the house.

Elena walked ahead of them, stopping when she reached one of doors towards the end of the house. She knocked once before opening the door and ushered Jasmine and Winter through.

Chapter 25

Sam looked terrible. His face was puffy and bruised, his lips caked with dried blood. Someone – Elena probably – had put his right arm in a sling and bandaged his torso. There were more purplish bruises on his chest and stomach. Winter heard Jasmine gasp next to her, and only just managed to repress her own shocked reaction.

At their entry his swollen eyes slowly fluttered open. He smiled at the sight of the two girls, though the action seemed to pain him.

‘You survived,’ he rasped hoarsely.

‘Don’t look so surprised,’ Winter said as she approached the bed. She tried to return his smile, wanting to lift his spirits, not sink them by looking horrified at the sight of him. Unfortunately, she wasn’t up to the task.

Sam’s expression faltered. ‘It looks bad doesn’t it?’

Winter shrugged. ‘I’ve seen worse. I thought you were supposed to be this super-tough soldier boy.’

‘Guess I fooled you,’ he coughed, wincing as the spasm racked his body.

Looking at Sam’s injuries, any lingering conflict she still felt about him faded. Her heart swelled with compassion for this poor boy who’d been hurt trying to protect her.

Sam nodded at Jasmine. ‘Hey, Jas.’

Jasmine hung back behind Winter. ‘Sam,’ she replied a little cautiously. Despite his condition, she clearly wasn’t ready yet to forgive the wrongs he’d done to her in the past. The lies . . .

Sam glanced at Elena, who had remained near the doorway watching the three of them. ‘Do you think you could give us a second, Elena?’

Elena shook her head, replying in Russian. A flicker of annoyance passed over Sam’s bruised features and he snapped something back. Winter was silently impressed that Sam not only knew French but Russian as well. There was so much more to him than she’d initially suspected.

Elena retorted with something that sounded like a curse and then reluctantly stepped out into the hallway. After the door was closed Sam sighed deeply.

‘What’s her problem?’ Winter asked, lowering her voice in case Elena was eavesdropping.

Sam shrugged then winced in pain. ‘She’s always been that way.’

‘You’ve known her for a while?’

‘Of course,’ Sam replied, surprised she hadn’t guessed this already. ‘She’s been with Yuri as long as I can remember.’

‘What do we do now, Sam? Benedict got away.’

His expression darkened. ‘I know. He jumped me the second I left the circle.’

‘Do we try again?’

Sam shook his head. ‘No – it’s too dangerous. He’ll be expecting a trap now.’ He beckoned Winter closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. ‘What have Yuri and Elena told you?’

‘Just that they’re with the Bane. They came here to study me or something.’

A small furrow appeared between Sam’s eyes. ‘Did you tell them about what you saw last night? About Blake?’

‘Yes. Why? Was that wrong?’ she asked. Watching Sam’s reaction, Winter already regretted what she’d revealed.

‘How did Yuri react when you told him?’ Sam said, still speaking in that urgent, hushed manner.

Winter struggled to recall his reaction, trying to picture his expression. It hadn’t been sceptical, just intrigued and maybe a little confused. ‘I don’t know. He just listened.’

Sam nodded thoughtfully. The small furrow between his eyes didn’t disappear. It deepened if anything. Winter studied him as his mind ticked over.

‘Am I in trouble, Sam? Can I trust these people?’

At that Sam’s eyes snapped to hers and she saw there was something of a conflict raging behind them. ‘Trust your instincts, Winter.’

The door was abruptly opened behind them and Yuri strode in.

‘I see the patient is recovering.’ While he smiled amicably enough, Yuri’s gaze remained coldly clinical, jumping between Winter and Sam as if he could tell what they had been talking about just by reading their expressions. Elena lent against the doorframe, smiling that troubling half-smile of hers again. Like she knew something Winter didn’t. A dreadful secret.

‘How are you, cousin?’

‘Mending. Thanks again for what you did,’ Sam said, seeming to shrink a little in the company of the older man.

‘It was brave of you to go up against him alone,’ Yuri said, the trace of admiration in his voice unmistakable. ‘Against training, but I suppose you didn’t have much of a choice.’

‘He wasn’t alone,’ Winter interjected.

Yuri turned to her, one eyebrow raised. ‘Of course not. Now,’ he clapped his hands lightly together, announcing his proposition. ‘I think the safest thing would be for you to stay here tonight. The house is properly fortified and both Elena and myself are more than capable of protecting you.’

‘We can’t leave?’ Jasmine said, a distinct edge in her voice.

Yuri appeared mortified that she’d jump to such a conclusion. ‘You can – you’re not prisoners.
You
, especially can leave whenever you like,’ he added. ‘I doubt Benedict cares much for you either way.’

Winter noticed Jasmine was a little miffed at the inference that she wasn’t worth Benedict’s time.

‘I suggest, Winter, you stay here,’ Yuri said, his expression serious. ‘Call Lucy and perhaps tell her you’re staying at Jasmine’s or some other believable lie.’

You’d know all about believable lies
, Winter thought.

‘But I can go if I want to?’

Yuri’s mouth tightened. ‘Yes, but I wouldn’t recommend it. Benedict has tasted you now, so will be even more driven to find you. You understand your unique quality, that of the Key is particularly —’

‘Yes, I know. They can’t get enough of me.’

‘Unfortunately, that’s true.’

Winter felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up, remembering the sensation of Benedict’s feverish lips pressed against hers. The idea of spending the night in her bedroom alone, jumping at shadows was deeply unappealing. She glanced over at Sam, and he gave her a slight nod of encouragement. What had Sam said to her – trust her instincts?

‘I’ll stay then.’ Despite her misgivings about Yuri and Elena it seemed this was the safest place for her right now. Especially with Sam in absolutely no condition to protect her.

Yuri smiled in relief. ‘Fantastic. Elena will make a bed for you in the living room.’

Jasmine stepped forward. ‘Two beds, please.’ She smiled nervously at Winter. ‘I’m not letting you stay here by yourself. ’

Winter could have told her she’d be fine and didn’t need her to stay, but it would have been a lie.

‘Thanks,’ she said, shooting Jasmine a quick grateful smile.

A flicker of annoyance passed over Yuri’s features. ‘As you wish,’ he answered with forced politeness. ‘Elena will see to your needs.’

Winter paused before leaving the room and turned to Sam, her brow crinkling. ‘Are you going to be okay?’

Before Sam could reply, Yuri answered for him. ‘What he needs more than anything right now is rest.’ He moved to usher Winter out into the hallway where Jasmine and Elena were waiting.

She glanced past him to Sam, his weak attempt at a smile giving her pause.
He’s afraid of him
, Winter thought, but before she could dwell on this Yuri was gently guiding her away.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll look after him. We Bonnaires take care of our own,’ he said just before shutting the door, and while his expression was reassuring, there was an aspect to his tone that Winter didn’t like. Something sinister. Frowning, Winter allowed herself to be led down the hallway.

We take care of our own.

Where had the Bonnaires been for the past three months while Sam was being hunted by the police? Clearly they and Winter had different interpretations of the word ‘care’.