As Dawn Breaks, page 17




The packet contained a pair of steaks, and David laughed before pressing the key on the phone and asking someone to come collect it. “Maybe you could cook it and have it delivered to my rooms in about half an hour or so?”
“Of course, David. We’ll arrange a meal. Would you like anything else?”
Genevieve. Naked. On my bed, waiting and willing. The thought was hot enough that his body reacted instinctively.
“David?”
“Uh… champagne and strawberries.”
A long silence followed by “Of course.” The line disconnected, and he shoved the note into his pocket. No need for anyone else to know until he was good and ready to announce his change of circumstances. Not that he really felt any different.
“We’ll have to talk about that,” he murmured and set to work.
***
The tray table was wheeled into the room just as David appeared. “I’m going to change first, and then we can eat.”
He disappeared into the bathroom, and Genny wondered what he was up to. There was a bottle draped with a white cloth and glasses. Champagne flutes, she noted. The silver domes catching the light and a bowl of strawberries off to the side, a mounded dish of whipped cream, and the crockery and cutlery gleamed.
“Thanks,” she muttered and latched the door behind the retreating back.
With swift moves, Genny set about preparing the room, glad she’d taken a moment to shower and dress in fresh yoga pants and a light top. At least I don’t look a hag.
When the bathroom door opened, Genny was sitting on the bed. David emerged, a towel slung around his neck but dressed in jeans and a button-down shirt. His feet were bare, and for a reason she couldn’t explain, that had her belly filling with heat. He made a beeline for her, and as he kissed her—a slow and infinitely carnal kiss—he snagged a strawberry.
“Hey!”
His grin lit up his eyes, and he settled beside her, whipping off one and then the other of the covers.
“Oh. Steak?” She turned to him.
“Ever met Simon Bellingham?”
She nodded. “Sure. A long time ago. He wanted me to join the pack, but I wasn’t ready to make decisions. He’s a good guy, though. Hasn’t pushed me since.”
David reached into his pocket and withdrew a card, passed it to her. She read the words, surprise filling her. “How does he know that?” She shook her head. “I bet it was Henri. He’s got more connections than an octopus has suckers.” The words sounded waspish even to her ears, and she slumped. “That was mean. Henri’s a good guy.”
David embraced her. “I can understand your frustration. Thankfully he doesn’t seem to be needing an answer right now. But I’ve got a question for you.”
The sudden nerves in his words had her turning, brow wrinkling. “What?”
“Marry me?”
Her jaw dropped open. Inside her, the curl of heat grew, blinding her because the emotions it carried were huge. “I…”
He cupped her cheek, swiping away an errant tear with his thumb. “I know it’s quick, and I’m ham-handed, but I want to be with you. To share my life, whatever it is. Because you…” His voice thickened. “You complete me, Gen. Without you, I’m only half the man I can be.”
“Yes,” she breathed. “I will.”
His lips claimed hers, and she let him gather her close. “After Attar, we’ll share our news. All of it. Then we can talk about the future, that house we need to buy, and clans. But until then”—he pulled away—“we should eat.”
Chapter 20
David set about following the precepts of war as set down by the manuals of the Yeux Secondes. For centuries it had been their way, and while he could swap carriage for car and runners for cell phones, the art of preparation really hadn’t changed all that much.
The staff from the kitchen trooped into his office.
“We have the blooded wine prepared. Goblets? Make sure there’s enough to go around several times over. When they return, they will require immediate sustenance. Also check our supplies of bloods for those injured.”
A chorus of “Yes” answered, and he ticked it off from the list on his desk.
He turned to the armourers the house employed. “Weapons?”
“David, each vampire’s individual weapon has been checked. Knives and blades have been sharpened and the scabbards laid out. Those who prefer UV weapons have turned them in for servicing and are laid out down in the caverns, as you requested. We’ve also added some whips and bats for those who’ve requested them.”
Another woman raised her hands. “I’ve a supply of body bags prepared for returning any lost, and the vans have their shelves in place should they be required as funeral transportation. We’ve also managed to get the old ambulances prepared with emergency supplies of plasma until we can get them back to their houses for attention.”
Burying their head in the sand and being ill-prepared for losses was neither strategic nor realistic, but hearing the work his people had done buoyed him.
“Cars and trucks backed up to the witches’ cavern to receive the supplies,” offered another of the nestlings, and David could just imagine the humans racing back and forth, hoping to ready what may be needed.
He cleared his throat, aware that silence had descended. “I’ve spoken with the lieutenant from the Liaison Division. Captain Usain has issued a warning to general policing staff and those in the Division to stay away.” Voices murmured. “I will leave here and join my family this evening once the alert comes in. The house will lock down. No one in or out until I give the clearance order.”
“But, David, what about our families?”
He eyed those assembled, aware that one false step now could undo all the work he’d put in preparing them for such a crisis.
“Bring them in. Have them here no later than one hour before nightfall. Once night settles, there will be nowhere to hide. Are there any further questions?”
Heads shook, and he dismissed them, his hand itching to reach for his cell phone to hear Gen’s voice, but she’d be busy. They were setting barricades in place and making patrols, though they’d back off well before sundown.
It beeped, and he looked down, smiling as he noted the message from her.
David huffed out a breath, relieved to know she’d be with him when the time came.
He rose and headed to the office. He’d move upstairs and dress. Cressida’s house didn’t have many humans, and he along with others hand-picked would be ensuring the safety of the Council residence during the attack. Genevieve at his side.
The black leather pants were reinforced with a light but durable substance. Not quite bullet- and knife-proof, but it would give them some protection. He tugged off the button-down shirt and replaced it with a T-shirt, then donned his leather jacket. He wore boots, light enough to not impede but with reinforced metal toes and a nifty switchblade in the front.
He ordered a meal to be shared in the dining room with Gen once she’d dressed in the jeans and jacket she’d laid out just before heading into the precinct this morning. His nerves jumped and quivered until he saw her enter the room.
They didn’t talk as she stripped off and headed for the bathroom. There wasn’t much left to say for the moment, but they let the kiss and touch of hand on cheek communicate for them.
Before leaving the room, he watched as she slid around her neck a pendant of gold adorned with the coin her mother had sent.
“Ready?”
She took his hand. “Yes.”
Together they descended the stairs, a united front. Celina and Javed had stayed during the day at Cressida’s, along with Hope and Xavier, so he and Gen would offer the solace and support to the house.
They settled at a table in the centre of the room, having agreed to eat early before they were due to head to Cressida’s house. Those who joined them in the dining room were sober. Very few spoke, and those who did kept their voices low. On the nestlings’ face, he read concern but a readiness to offer whatever service might be required of them.
His phone rang, and all eyes settled on him. He took Gen’s hand. “David Jardin,” he greeted.
“It’s time. We have the location and are massing.” Daniel sounded tired.
David looked to the front of the house. The shutters hadn’t yet dropped.
“Understood.” He dropped his fork and nodded to Genevieve, who rose.
They turned, hands gripped tight. “We must leave you all now. The Council house is unprepared. You are well trained, but make no mistake, the hour of danger is upon us. Take care of each other. Remember, a house can be replaced, but those who make it a home cannot.” He bowed deeply.
In turn, the nestlings rose and returned the action before he and Gen left the room.
“We’ll win this, won’t we?” the girl who usually parked his car asked as she handed him the keys.
He wouldn’t lie. “I don’t know for sure, Sarah. I hope we do. We’re trained, but nothing is certain in life and death.”
He and Genny climbed into the car, but as he drove away, he glanced in the mirror to see the pale-faced girl still standing there, watching him leave.
Genevieve couldn’t ignore the butterflies whirling inside her belly. Fear wasn’t something she ignored but rather used to make her stronger.
Tonight, she’d need every ounce of strength she could muster.
She’d seen the twin of her fear inside David’s gaze. The way he’d looked at his people, his eyes touching each one. Memorizing them.
Arriving at Cressida’s nest, they climbed the steps together, hand in hand. The humans gathered didn’t speak, simply took up positions at various points of the house, she and David at the main entrance. But they didn’t speak either.
What more was there to say?
At midnight, they dragged chairs side by side and settled in them, just in front of the doors.
Every hour a slow trail of time.
By three, exhaustion pulled at her. Draining.
When the peal of a cell phone ringing broke the silence, she jerked upright. “Who?”
David dragged the phone from his pocket and glanced at the screen. “Javed?”
She didn’t hear the conversation from the other side. Could only watch as the worry on his face lightened. “Fine. We’ll see you soon.” Now he turned and smiled. “It’s done. Attar is defeated.”
She almost deflated until he rose and tugged her from the seat, pulling her close. “Marry me, tomorrow night, Gen. You and me? What we have is special. Let’s formalize it.”
Heaven knew, the words he spoke warmed her in a way no others could. But was she ready for tomorrow? “I need a little more time, David. We need to do this right.”
His brow furrowed. “The dress? The soiree?”
She giggled at the dismay in his tone. “No. Not necessarily, but we’re talking about forever, David. Let’s make it special. Our combined family of choice.” She slid her hand over his cheek. “I know with Alexa, you had the whole nine yards and a lot more besides. I don’t want a society wedding, but I do want those who are most important to us there. I’d like to ask Bastien and Gina. I think he’d be amenable to bringing her over and I’d… I’d like to get to know her. Damn the taint.”
“Sure,” he answered, but she detected a note of concern.
“I’m not planning on changing my mind,” she whispered and kissed him gently. “Now, we should move these chairs back, out of the way. I don’t want Cressida on my tail because I rearranged her furniture.”
The house was once more settled by the time Cressida and Daniel, Hope and Xavier, along with Javed and Celina arrived. They didn’t linger long though, heading to their respective rooms, but not before Cressida announced that David and Genny should remain in the house during the day. Then they headed for their beds.
“They defeated Attar,” Genny murmured, watching them head up the stairs.
“Together they’re a pretty strong army.”
She glanced at David. “Yes.” Even as she settled in, her cell phone squawked.
“Fernly.”
“Bebe?”
She rocked upright at the voice.
“Maman?” Her mother sounded panicked.
“Bebe, I’m in town and must see you. It’s urgent.”
“I… Sure. Where and when?” Her mother might have been vacuous and more interested in her own needs, but Genevieve couldn’t ever say she’d heard this tone before. “I’ll bring David with me.”
“Why?” The genuine puzzlement overlaid the concern, and Genny almost laughed out loud but contained it.
“Because what affects me affects him too. We’re together, Maman. We’re planning to marry.”
“No Joining Ceremony?”
Annoyance flashed through Genny at the sound of her voice, memories of Syrah’s ceremony coming to the fore. The arguments and her mother demanding involvement as the “Mother of the Mate.”
“If we do, it’ll be on our terms, Maman.”
“Fine,” her mother sniped and then named a location. “I’m heading there now, so you should arrive in about ten minutes.”
Genny bit her lip and glanced to David. “Thirty at least. I’m not in town.” Without thinking, she disconnected and turned to him. “We need to meet with Maman. Let’s go.”
David’s eyebrow raised. “Now?”
The sound of shutters broke through the near silence, and Genny nodded. “Yes, now.”
Chapter 21
David rubbed his brow, trying to stay awake. They’d been on the go since early the previous morning, and he had to admit the fact that Gen still had enough energy to meet this latest crisis was admirable. If a little scary.
At the twenty-four-hour restaurant, she parked, and they climbed from the car. His gaze swept the nearly empty carpark. All he could see were a handful of cars and a motorcycle. A gleaming gold Debussy Eliminar. Beautiful to ride, worth a mint, the collector bike was a dream for most enthusiasts.
His glance settled on it, wondering who would be in a place like this riding something like that.
“It’s beautiful,” Gen said and swiped a finger over the seat.
He’d noted before her affinity with gold. Her jewellery was all old gold pieces. Memories surged, the way she touched the coin she wore as if it were a talisman.
They entered the building, and the first thing he noticed was Vivienne, sitting straight-backed in a chair, beside her a man with red hair and piercing golden eyes.
Genny’s eyes.
Genevieve glanced from her mother to the man and back again. “Who is this?” she demanded.
Vivienne opened her mouth, closed it. Opened it again, and for a moment, David had the impression of a fish out of water, gasping for air.
The man rose. “So, this is my daughter, Vivienne?” His head moved to the side as he inspected her. “What’s your name, child?”
Gen’s spine straightened, and David took her hand, squeezing it gently in warning. He couldn’t put his finger on it, but he had the suspicion of magic and age. Deep and powerful.
“My name is Genevieve. Genevieve Fernly.”
The man turned to Vivienne. “You didn’t give her your name?”
Vivienne blanched. “I would have, but Luca refused that. She chose my father’s name instead when she came of age.”
The man grunted. “Well, Genevieve, I am your father, and it’s time we talked.”
David watched Genevieve blink slowly. “And who might that be?” he asked.
The man glared at him. “Padraic O’Shaunessy. Magician and—”
“Leprechaun?” David enquired.
The man’s eyes narrowed. “And what would you be knowing of them, laddie?”
David refused to be cowed by Padraic’s presence or the way he loomed over him.
“More than you’d imagine, Mr O’Shaunessy. I’m also Genevieve’s fiancé, so whatever you have to say to her, you also have to say to me.”
“Is that so?” Padraic muttered.
Genevieve’s eyes flashed. “Yes.”
Padraic sneered at David. “And what would it be that gave it away?”
David dragged Gen into his side. “It just clicked. You own the gold Eliminar outside. The expensive watch on your wrist is gold, I assume. Around your neck you wear a coin, the same as Gen’s. Also gold. The belt you wear, the buckle would also be gold, I’m guessing. The Irish in your voice. I could go on.”
“Clever man, for a human.”
David smiled. “Not so much these days.”
Padraic’s eyes narrowed. “No?”
“Mr O’Shaunessy, I don’t understand—” Gen’s words were cut off.
“Pop. You call me Pop, Genevieve,” Padraic responded.
“No. You’re not the father I knew growing up. You weren’t around for—”
“I didn’t even know about you.” The words lashed like a whip, cutting through her furious refusal. “Not until this morning. Your mother came to see you, and I felt the tug of the coin I’d left with her. The magic in it, it stays with a person, and she wore it for many years. Until now.”
David wanted to know why now but wisely kept himself quiet. These were questions he’d ask later.
“So, why are you here? Why now?”
The muscles in Padraic’s face tightened. “The coin. Strong emotions power it. My connection to it, and through that to you, called. Summoned. Whatever term you want to use. I had to follow it. So yesterday, I called up my jet, and here I am.” He flung out his hands. “But we should sit.”
Gen kept a death grip on David’s hand, and he didn’t pull away, taking the seat beside her. “So, you came here for what?”
“That’s the rub, young fellow. It called me, and I can’t ignore that pull. Genevieve, your mother was supposed to let me know when and if something eventuated. But the coin didn’t pull me back.” Padraic whipped around so he could face the silent Vivienne.