House of Comarré Omnibus, page 164
part #0.50 of House of Comarré Series
Octavian swallowed. “Yes, I killed her. It was necessary to the mission. She threatened to expose my cover.”
Creek let the crossbow drop an inch. “See? That wasn’t so hard, was it?”
Octavian jumped up and brushed the dirt off his suit, his anger returning fast. “If you think Annika isn’t going to hear about this, you’re dead wrong, you son of—”
Creek lifted his crossbow, pulled the trigger, and sank the bolt into Octavian’s shoulder.
Octavian staggered back. “What the hell?” His knees buckled as the laudanum took effect.
“Lies and threats make my finger twitch. I always forget to mention that.” Creek retracted the bow and tucked it away. “And don’t worry, Annika’s definitely going to hear about this.” He pulled his phone out of his jacket pocket and hit STOP on the recording app, then held the phone up for Octavian to see. “Got it all right here. Now you just go to sleep and I’ll be sure to keep you in a nice safe place until she decides what to do with you.”
Octavian slumped against the side of the car, mumbling something.
Creek started the recorder again. “What was that?”
“I’m going to kill you…”
“Great, got it, thanks.” Creek stuck the phone back in his pocket. “I’ll make sure to tell her that, too.”
“I’m going with you.” Radiating brotherly protection, Damian leaned against the door frame of Chrysabelle’s room.
“I appreciate that you want to, but you can’t. Rennata will strip your signum off just like she did mine. I’m not letting that happen.” She packed a small bag with a change of clothes. “This is really something Mal and I need to take care of once and for all. Besides, who will take care of the house and Amylia? I need you here.”
“You need me with you. I can handle Rennata. Velimai can take care of the house and Amylia can take care of herself.” He shook his head. “I’m serious, Chrys. I need to be there with you.”
Chrysabelle wanted to argue, but she smiled instead. If this was how the big brother thing worked, she was okay with that. It was sweet, really. She left her packing to take hold of his crossed arms. “It’s nice that somebody else wants to watch over me.”
“That’s what family does. Except you won’t let me do it.”
“Just in this instance. You can watch over me all you want when I get back. But you have to stay here. Trust me on this, I know best.”
His frown deepened. “I don’t like your going alone.”
“I’m not going alone. I’m going with Mal.”
He grunted. “You’re going to the Primorus Domus alone.”
“Yes, but I know what to expect now.” She returned to her bag, zipping it shut. “I won’t be spending a lot of time there. Just a few words with Rennata, and then I’m going to hide in the lower levels of Tatiana’s estate until Mal is ready to strike. We’ve got it all worked out, I promise.”
Jerem stuck his head in. “Plane’s ready.” He nodded at her bag. “Want me to load that?”
“Sure, thanks. Is Mal coming back from the freighter or are we picking him up on the way?”
Jerem grabbed the bag. “Picking him up.”
“Let’s go then.” She kissed Damian’s cheek as she passed. “We’ll be fine.” She gave his arm a squeeze. “But feel free to pray.”
Within an hour, she and Mal were on board the plane and the pilot and copilot she’d hired were completing their preflight check. Mal took her hand as they sat side by side. “Nervous about going back to the Primorus Domus?”
“Yes. Obviously, my history with Rennata isn’t good, but as I’m no longer under her control, there’s not much she can do. Except not let me in.”
His eyes narrowed. “I like the new look.”
She plucked at the gray leather jacket and black jeans she’d chosen. “Fi’s influence mostly.” The top was one of her comarré tunics, picked especially for its ability to hide her belly. She rested her arm on top of his, twining her fingers between his. “I know you’re going to fight me on this, but you need to feed. You need your strength for this trip.”
His jaw tensed and she could feel a protest coming on. She spoke before he could argue. “Listen to me. I know you’re worried that you’re going to be taking blood from the baby, but I’m not tired and my body is producing plenty. I’d know if it weren’t.” She smiled sweetly. “Besides, we both know there’s no point in arguing, because I will nag you until you break.”
He snorted. “That’s a given.” He twisted to splay his hand across her rounding stomach. “Protecting you and this child are my main priority, so even if you think I’m going to protest, I’m not. I’ve already lost the ability to go to smoke since I haven’t fed from you. Going against Tatiana and Lilith means I have to be at a hundred percent. If you think I can feed without harming the baby, then I trust you.”
She raised her brows. “Are you feeling okay? That really doesn’t sound like you.”
He mocked an injured look. “Hey, I can change.”
“Yes, but change with you isn’t usually this good.” A sly smile crept over her face and she bit her bottom lip. “Remember the last time you drank from me?”
His eyes shimmered silver. “Yes. You ended up pregnant.”
“No chance of that happening again.” She stood, grabbed his hand, and pulled him to his feet.
“Where are we going?”
“The bedroom. We’ve got time to kill anyway.” She laughed, walking backward down the aisle.
“Is that what I am to you? Just a way to pass time?” His voice was low and teasing and sent a shiver down her spine. He pulled her up against him, cupping her body close. Leaning down, he nipped her ear. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” She cradled his face in her hands. “Don’t leave me again. Swear it.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He kissed her. “This time when we come home, we’re not leaving. This is our last trip to Corvinestri. We’re a family now and no one is going to interfere with this chance at happiness.”
He looked her square in the eyes. “No one.”
Fi found Doc sitting on the floor of the shower, flames dancing over his body, his head in his hands and his back against the wall. “Baby? You okay?” She’d thought the fire thing was under control. Apparently not.
“I can’t believe this is happening. I don’t want to believe Barasa or Omur is to blame for this. They’ve supported me throughout this whole mess, supported you and supported us being together, but I guess that support went too far.”
He raised his head, then held his hand out and stared at the blue fire shimmering over his skin. “And now you know the witch’s curse never left me.” He stood and punched his fist into the shower wall, cracking the marble. “Damn it. What kind of man am I to drag you into all this?”
“Stop it,” she yelled. “You didn’t drag me anywhere. I came willingly. Because I love you. I’ve always come willingly when you’re concerned. Where we’re concerned. This isn’t about you; it’s about us. Don’t you dare fall apart on me.” She blew out a hard breath. “And don’t you dare punch that shower again. I love that shower.”
He snorted, shaking his head. “You’re crazy.”
“I’d have to be to be with you, wouldn’t I?”
He nodded. “I guess so.” He leaned his head against the wall. The flames seemed like they were getting smaller. “What am I going to do about Barasa and Omur? Just the fact that they’re being taken in for questioning will make them guilty in a lot of people’s eyes.”
She raised her brows. “Do you think they’re guilty?”
With a long sigh, he shook his head. “I don’t know. I don’t want them to be, but what if they are? They had access. They had motive.”
She came closer, but stopped before the shower’s threshold. “Hire that retired JAG lawyer who was at the cocktail party and get him down there ASAP. As soon as he can get Barasa and Omur bailed out, we need to sit down together and figure this out.”
He squeezed his eyes shut, his face a mask of concentration. A second later, the flames went out. He got up, walked out of the shower, and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
She punched him lightly. “Yeah, you’re a lucky guy.”
He laughed. “That’s for damn sure.”
She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him back. “Too bad Remo wasn’t one of your council members sooner or they’d be hauling him downtown too.”
Doc’s mouth came open and he stared at her like she’d just said something crazy smart. Then he snagged her hand and started leading her out of the bathroom. “You’re a genius.”
“I am?”
“My council members. Fritz. Don’t you get it? Fritz was a council member, but he quit because he was loyal to Sinjin. If anyone knows who might have wanted to kill Heaven, it’s him. As soon as I call that lawyer, I’m going to talk to him.”
“But I thought he moved out after he quit?”
“He did, but no one ever really leaves the pride.” He winked at Fi. “Or I guess I should say, the pride never really leaves them.”
Chapter Thirty
Creek would have been lying if he’d said he didn’t enjoy trussing Octavian up like a pig for a roast. He cranked the winch one more time, lifting the vampire into the air in the center of the machine shop. He knew living in this place would come in handy someday. Being able to hang Octavian off the old pulley system was a great way to keep track of him.
Swinging gently in the air, Octavian mumbled something. Apparently, the laudanum was starting to wear off.
“Sorry, can’t hear you through the gag. I’d take it off, but you threatened to kill me so getting close to your fangs seems like a bad idea.” He locked the chain in place, then stood in front of Octavian, staring up at him. “Annika will be here soon, so just hang in there. No pun intended.” He laughed. “Okay, maybe a little bit.”
The metal door behind him squealed. He turned to see Annika coming in. Her gaze was aimed at Octavian. “What the hell is this? Get him down right now.”
“Sector Chief, good to see you.” He imagined the eyes hidden behind her permanent shades were probably glaring at him now.
“I said get him down.” She didn’t bother shutting the door behind her, just stood there, hands on her hips, waiting.
“Listen to this first.” He pulled out his phone and played the recording he’d made.
She took it all in, her expression changing very little. When it was over, she pointed to Octavian. “Get the gag out of his mouth. I need to talk to him.”
Creek unhitched the chain and lowered Octavian to the floor, then carefully removed the gag. He tossed it aside and stepped back. “He’s all yours.”
Octavian rolled his shoulders. “You’re going to pay for this, you stupid—”
“Octavian, enough,” Annika snapped. “Killing a vampire without orders is a breach of conduct. Such a death can only create issues for all involved. You know how these things can affect—”
“She was going to blow my cover,” Octavian argued.
“You shouldn’t have gone to Seven in the first place.” Annika scowled. “And you had no order to kill her. You broke a rule.”
Octavian shook his head slowly and began to laugh. “I am so tired of your rules and regulations. I’ve given my life to the KM and what did I get back? Heartache. I was forced to betray the woman I loved and now I’m stuck in this dump of a city? I don’t think so.”
For a moment, his body seemed to ripple, and then he burst apart into a swarm of clicking metal scarabs. The tiny gunmetal wings whirred through the air as his restraints fell to the ground. The cloud of beetles streamed out through the open door and into the night.
“Stop him,” Creek yelled. “Turn him to stone.” But it was too late. Octavian was gone.
Annika shook her head. “Wouldn’t have worked. I couldn’t make eye contact.” She ground her teeth in frustration. “Bring him in alive. Do nothing else until that’s accomplished.” She started to leave, then stopped. “Let the mayor know Octavian is now considered a threat. Tell her whatever you like, but don’t disclose that he’s KM.”
Creek nodded. “Will do.”
“One more thing.”
“Yes?”
“Watch yourself. If he stays in the city, I’m sure you’ll be a target.”
“Where else do you think he’d go?”
She frowned as her wings unfurled. “Back to Tatiana. That’s why we need him contained.”
Lola dropped her head back and licked her lips. “Thank you,” she sighed.
Hector nodded and smiled, holding his wrist up with a handkerchief pressed to the bite mark she’d left behind. “It is my pleasure.” He stayed at her side.
She lifted her head enough to look at him. “Something else?”
“Are you pleased with me? With my blood, I mean?”
She nodded. “Of course.” The taste had changed, but Luciano claimed that was nothing to be concerned with so she’d let it drop. In fact, Hector’s blood seemed to invigorate her more than usual these days. “Is there a reason I shouldn’t be?”
“No, my lady. I just always want to make sure you’re happy with me. That’s all.” With a little dip of his head, he went to the end of the sofa and took up his usual spot.
A strange buzzing, clicking sound distracted her from any further thought on the subject. “What is that?”
Hector shook his head. “Sounds like bees, my lady. Do you want me to shut the windows?”
“No, it’s such a nice night, I love having them—” A swarm of something spilled into the room and a dark form appeared before her. “What in the hell!” She jumped off the sofa. Octavian stood in the middle of her home office. “How did you do that?”
“It’s called scattering. Some vampires can do it, some can’t.” He pointed at Hector. “Leave us.”
Hector looked at her for direction. She stood her ground. “He goes nowhere until you tell me what this is about.”
Octavian looked peeved, but so what. She was driving this bus. He made an unhappy noise. “I’ve done some thinking, like you asked me to.”
That hadn’t taken nearly as long as she’d thought it would. “In that case… Hector, give us a few minutes.” She sat back down while he left. “So. How do I contact these ancients?”
“Forget them. They’ve given your child to another vampire to raise.”
“What?”
“I can take you to her.”
Lola stood. “When can we leave?”
“Do you have access to a private plane? We can’t go commercial, obviously.”
“I can find one.”
He nodded. “As soon as you can arrange it, we can leave.”
She clutched the back of the nearest chair. “I could be meeting my grandchild by this time tomorrow.”
“That’s right. Imagine being able to hold her for the first time. Being able to bring her home.”
Her hands were trembling. “At last. This is what I’ve been working for.”
“What you’ve sacrificed for,” he added.
“Thank you, Octavian.” She’d misjudged him. “I owe you.”
He smiled. “Just seeing you with her will be payment enough.” The smile vanished. “I’ll be at the private airport waiting. Get that plane as fast as you can and meet me there. The longer it takes, the less chance we have of making this happen.”
She was about to ask why when he scattered again and flew out the window.
Tatiana’s home was enormous, but Mal also knew it was the Dominus estate. Its size and grandeur came because of its status, not from the vampire who currently lived in it. Still, to think that the woman who’d once been his human wife, a woman who’d eked out her living by stealing and conning, a woman who’d ended up on the gallows to pay for her crimes, now resided in a mansion that could house hundreds… He shook his head. There was no justice in the world. He was certainly proof of that. Loser loser loser.
He snorted softly. The voices were really having a hard time adjusting to his old self being gone. He almost felt sorry for them. Almost.
Having to pretend to be on her side was going to be undiluted torture, but if it meant a safe future for his family, he would play his part with every ounce of imagination he had. He reached for the heavy door knocker, then paused. Old Mal wouldn’t knock.
Hefting his bag in one hand, he shoved the door open and walked inside. “Tatiana,” he bellowed as he walked through the main hall. “Where are you?”
A moment later, a female servant ran into the room. “May I help you?”
“Who are you? Where’s Tatiana?”
“I’m Kosmina, my lord. My lady is in her study. If you’ll just wait a moment—”
He walked past her. “Which way?”
She hurried to catch up with him. “I’d be happy to get her for you. Who did you say you were?”
Farther down the hall, a door opened and Tatiana stepped out. She raised her brows, but her surprise quickly turned into a smirk. “I was beginning to think you weren’t coming.”
“Well, you were wrong. As usual.”
Kosmina went to Tatiana’s side. “I’m sorry, my lady. He just barged in and—”
Tatiana held her hand up. “It’s fine. I’d expect nothing less from him.” She strode toward him, sashaying her hips in that way of hers, a not-so-subtle smile playing on her lips. “So happy you decided to join me. I’d hate to put you on my naughty list again.”
He grabbed her hand as she reached for him. “Let’s get one thing straight. I’m not here for you. I’m here for the payoff. Understood?”
“Just like the old days.” She laughed, wrapping her fingers around his. “If that’s what gets you through, it’s all right with me.”
Kosmina cleared her throat. “Is there anything I can do for you, my lady?”
“Yes,” Tatiana purred, never taking her eyes off Mal. “Take Lord Bourreau to the guest suite. The one in the north wing.” She slipped her hand from his, only to trail her fingers down his arm. “I own a comarré. I’ll send her in to feed you.”
