BOOK THREE in THE GUARDIAN'S SERIES
Book One: A Guardian's Touch, Book Two: A Guardian's Love , Book Three: A Guardian's Passion,
Book Four: A Guardian's Salvation
Disclaimer See Part 1
Feedback: This is my first try and not being a native English speaker, it's so much more challenging. Constructive criticism if greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .
PART TWO
Chapter 3
Her hands were trembling in her lap as she sat in the opulent room waiting to be called in. She was utterly terrified, but she cannot turn back now. She has to do this, there was no choice. She looked down at the trembling hands and took in a shaky breath. Her head suddenly snapped up and she quickly scanned the area around her. Standing a few feet away from her, her hands clasped behind her back was the tall, dark Queen. Her eyes were cold as they studied her.
“Follow me.” The Royal turned and slowly walked down a long hallway. Surging to her feet, she quickly followed the monarch on rubbery legs. The dark figure waited for her in front of a large door, slowing for her to enter first. Holding her breath, she quickly slipped past the intimidating woman and into a large room which she believed to be the library. Rows and rows of shelved books adorned the walls. The door clicked closed behind her and she jumped at the soft sound, her heart starting to pound loudly in her ears.
“Why are you here?”
Taking a deep breath, she looked up at the commanding frame of the Dark Queen. “I am here to beg you to spare the life of my sister, Your Highness.”
The black eyes grew even colder as they looked down at her. “What kind of warrior sends her defenseless sister to plead for her life? Tell me, Healer.”
Izaura quickly shook her head. “No, she … she does not know that I am here. She will be very angry if she finds out. She thinks I am on a medical retreat with other healers.”
Tahlia snorted at that. “She cannot even keep track of her sister,” she said disdainfully.
The petite woman closed her eyes, but not before Tahlia had noted the flash of anger in them. She reluctantly felt admiration for the small woman. She was terrified of her, her fear hanging thick in the air around her, but even then she was willing to defend her sister's honor.
“Leo means everything to me and to our clan, milady. She has always been there for me and her clan. She has selflessly put her life on hold so that we could live our lives. She continuously places herself in harm's way to protect her family. Having her taken from us will break my heart …” Two red tears rolled down her cheek. “and destroy the Clan. We simply cannot continue to exist without Leo, milady.” She walked over to where the tall, imposing monarch stood. She fell to her knees, reverently kissing the tips of the shiny black boots. “It is therefore that I beg you to save her life, for my sake and for that of my people.”
Tahlia looked down on the golden head of the Healer, greatly impressed by the woman who was humbling herself like this for the love of a sibling. If she could love a sister like this, how would she not adore a lover? She felt a soft presence in her mind and identifying the link, she wasn't surprised to find that it was Jonas. Since their return from Athanas, her brother had been distracted and she knew that a petite, blue-eyed Healer was the cause for his lack of concentration. She also knows that he was trying to expunge the blonde from his mind, because he was scared to cross the barrier, an invisible barrier which separated Royal from Eternal. It was a temporary barrier which over the years had become a permanent fixture in the minds of both Clans.
<I will not hurt her, brother. I promise you.>
There was long silence before a reply came. <Thank you.>
She turned her attention back to the young woman. To be honest, she liked her, but what she asked of her was not something she could grant her. Leonara Pompeii had double-crossed her and everyone will know about it soon. Her authority might be questioned. The Dark Queen will be mocked, because another had managed to slip under her radar and snatched her wife right from under her nose. It's not a secret that Jemima and her daughters were untouchable to anyone but herself. Leonara had proved that Jemima could be reached even while under her protection.
An unexpected rage filled her, burnt through her control and spilled over. Her hand snaked out and she grabbed the kneeling woman by her arm, roughly pulling her to her to her feet.
Terrified blue eyes locked with hers and Tahlia almost softened her stance. This message needed to sink in and stay embedded. No one crosses the Queen and lives.
“I cannot allow your sister to go unpunished. What she did warrants death.” She saw the blue eyes widening. “A week from now I will pay her a visit. She better be armed and ready to defend herself. You…” her eyes hardened, “will stay here until we return together.”
Izaura was shaking even more now. For a while there she had thought that the Queen was going to grant her wish. She was sure she had sensed her softening. But the angry, cold woman standing before her was every inch the deadly Angel of Death so many people know. She couldn't remember when last she had felt so intimidated. Not even the Dark Prince, Jonas Beydrenoff had frightened her like this. Her build was so much like Leo's just less muscled. When Leo hovered over her like Tahlia was doing now, she felt protected, but is wasn't the case with Tahlia.
“You will be showed to a room and a guard will be placed at your door. Do not try to escape.” The black eyes were cold. “I will hunt you both down and bring an end to the Pompeii name.”
There was soft swirl of mist and the Queen was gone.
*******************************
After the departure of the Queen, Izi breathed a sigh of relief and crumpled to floor. Her whole body was shaking like a leaf as she recalled the cold threat of Tahlia. Oh, Leo, I have tried. I have really tried … A cool breeze touched her wet cheek and she quickly sat up; recoiling from the entity she knew was in the room with her. Had the Queen returned to deal with her again? Was she to be punished as a message to her sister? She came to her feet and slowly turned around to face her destiny. Her heartbeat accelerated at the sight of the dark vampire standing there, calmly looking at her.
“Milord,” she murmured softly and bowed in respect. She hasn't seen him again since the last time she'd taken care of the wounds in his chest. A quick glance at him, assured her that he had healed well in fact and that he was still as disturbing handsome as when she had first seen him.
“Greetings to you, Healer,” Jonas said in his deep baritone. His dark eyes roamed longingly over the petite body of the Healer as she stood before him with a bowed head. “Please, look at me.”
The blonde head lifted slowly and Jonas felt his heart melt when he gazed into the gentle blue eyes that haunted him so. He took a careful step forward, but stopped when he saw the panic in the expressive eyes. He knew that Tahlia must have scared her earlier and it hurt him to think that she thought he was going to harm her.
“I will not harm you, Izaura,” whispered in soothing voice and stepped closer until he was standing in front of her. His nose picked up the faint citrus smell of her hair and the warm earthy smell that was part of her. Because he was standing so close, she had to lift her head backwards to look into his eyes. With her head titled backwards, her soft pink lips were slightly parted and the tip of her pink tongue peeking out. Jonas sucked in a deep breath and slowly took a step backwards, trying to control his breathing. Since Joan's death, no one has ever affected him so. He never thought that there would ever be anyone after Joan's passing and he had made peace with the fact that he was going to be alone forever. But then this exquisite gentle butterfly entered his life.
He remembered her gentleness when she had undressed him in her healing chamber. Her small hands had trembled slightly as they had brushed the shirt off his broad shoulders. His body had hardened at the first touch of her hand on his muscled chest, his heartbeat thudding wildly, pumping more blood to seep through the wounds in his chest. Her blue eyes had made contact with his, the message in them soothing and tender. She was not going to hurt him and that he should relax. She shook his head mentally to send the arousing thoughts to the back of his mind.
Izi's eyes were riveted on the large powerful man standing before her. She wasn't experienced in the ways between a man and a woman, but she was aware of the intimate way the Vampire Prince was looking at her. His dark eyes were smoldering with a deep glow which threatened to engulf her and had made a warm shaft of pleasure shoot between her legs. She could feel the warm liquid trickle down her thigh and she quickly looked away from the gorgeous man who looked back at her with undisguised lust in his black eyes.
“Allow me to accompany you to the chamber you will be using,” Jonas said in a husky voice, his senses overwhelmed by the warm beckoning scent waving up from beautiful woman before him. He stood back, allowing her to follow him out of the library. He gritted his teeth as he tried to walk up straight, trying to ignore the painful swelling in his groin.
He would have to talk to Tahlia about his attraction to Izaura. It was within his rights to take a mate, but this will probably be the first time a Royal and an Eternal would join like this. Tahlia will have an answer to his dilemma. As soon as he had helped Izaura to settle in, he was going to consult with Tahlia.
**********************************
A large hand slammed down hard on the table, making all the other people around the table jump. Leo's eyes were almost white with rage as they swept over the faces of the Senate.
“She did what?!”
A young man came to his feet, his eyes darting nervously between the table and the towering warrior. “She slipped out under the guise that she was to attend a medical conference in the US , My Prime.”
A deep growl sounded and the senate members stared in stunned as a shock of black hair shot out on the powerful arms of the warrior. Leo's veins popped out as she bit down hard on her teeth, trying to reverse the transformation. Her rage was so potent that it triggered the emergence of the beast. She drew big draughts of air into her lungs trying to cool her fury and send the beast down to the deepest recesses of her being. Her bulging eyes took in the terrified faces around and shamed by her outburst; she brutally wrestled the beast to its knees and pushed it down, deep down inside of her. It took her more than five minutes to bring herself under control, before she could meet the eyes of her friends. Sweat dripped down her chin and onto the gleaming table as she raised her head to make eye contact with the people around the table.
“Izaura is in danger,” she husked and fell back into her chair.
“Why do you say that?” A tall blonde woman raised her head from where she was staring at the intricate lines on the table.
“Because she is on the same continent as the Vampire Queen.”
The blonde frowned. “What does Tahlia have to do with this?”
The ice-blue orbs turned dark, so dark that they were almost black, but still the Prime didn't say anything. She just stared at the blonde. Knowing the temper of their leader, the others waited patiently as a dead silence settled in the room.
“The prophecy has been fulfilled.” The deep, quiet voice of the Prime sounded like clap of thunder, shattering the silence.
“What prophecy, Leo?” This time it was blonde was sitting up straighter, her green eyes sharp as they studied the sweating warrior.
“I abducted the Queen's mate a month ago.”
This time an eerie silence fell over the room as the seven members of the senate stared in absolute horror at their leader.
“Sweet heavens, Leo. What …” The blonde sat back, her beautiful face slowing pulling into a victorious smile. “You actually did it. You are the One the text spoke about.”
Leo shrugged, her huge shoulders shifting in her tunic as she looked at the blonde.
“Yes, Nimiri, I did it.” She looked down at her large hands which rested on the gleaming surface of the conference table. “But I think the worst is yet to come. Tahlia will not let such an act go unpunished. I am sure that she is using Izi as bait.”
The blonde pushed out of her chair, coming to her six foot frame as she stared back at her leader. The others were gradually coming out of their stupor as they all realized the true meaning behind the Prime's actions. Slow smiles were forming on previous stoic faces. The prophecy has been fulfilled. The one thing they had all been waiting for; craved and lived for. Their existence had finally been cemented within the realm of immortality. At last they were free to live the lives of free men and women. They were no longer confined to their village. The world was now theirs to explore. A loud cheer rang out, as they all surged to their feet.
“Long live our Prime!!!”
Leo sighed deeply and closed her eyes . If only they knew, she mused. Whatever the text said, she was still living on borrowed time. The chants became louder and louder as the Senate members embrace each other.
“You did it, Leo. You managed to set us all free.” The blonde was smiling broadly as she looked at her leader. “You did it!”
Leo slowly came to her feet and without a backward glance stalked out of the room. But still the joyous celebration continued.
**********************************
Leo was halfway to her sleeping chamber when she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. She came to a stop and without turning around, she spoke.
“Please let me be, Nimiri.”
“I know you are worried about Izi. We will leave now to go and get her.”
The dark head turned and anguished blue eyes met concerned green orbs. “No, you cannot come with me.”
“Why not? We have always gone into battle together? Why do you want to leave me behind this time?”
The dark-haired warrior closed her eyes and when she opened them, there was stark fear in her eyes. “Because this is not a battle. I am going there to be slaughtered and hopefully to set my sister free in the process.”
The green eyes glittered as they moved over the large frame of her childhood friend. Her eyes softened as she felt her friend's sadness seeping into her heart. For as long as she could remember, she had always been in love with her dashingly handsome friend. But Leo had never showed any interest beyond friendship. Her heart was shattered when Leo joined the Templers as a Crusader. The mortality rate of knights was extremely high and when she had no news of her friend after three years, she had mourned her love and had moved on. Great was her shock, when they were all herded into groups by the Royals after they were converted, to see her friend amongst them. Leo was elected First Prime the same night and Nimiri was exhilarated when the ice blue eyes fell on her when Leo chose her Senate members. The love she had felt for the stoic, introverted warrior had dissipated over the years, but their friendship had grown in strength. She had been Leo's right-hand for over 700 years and nothing was going to keep her from being at her side.
“I am not going to let you go without me.”
Leo snorted and continued on to her chambers. She growled when a strong hand landed on her shoulder.
“Enough already, Nimiri.” The electric eyes swung around to skewer the blonde. “Please just let go. I have to leave tonight and I have a lot to do before I leave.”
“You will not go alone,” Nimiri hissed through her teeth. “I am going with you.”
A short stand-off ensued between the two friends as they measured each other up with hard eyes. Leo stepped away.
“You have ten minutes to get ready.” She turned on her heel and strode away.
“I will be ready, my Prime,” Nimiri shouted and smiled. Yessss!
_________________________________________________________________
Chapter 4
The moonlight glinted off the silver handles of the railing. Tiny sparks shot off, throwing little shards of light over the face of the lone vampire leaning against the balustrade. Slivers of silver cut through the moonlit landscape.
“You are early.”
Paloma closed her eyes for a moment. Only Tahlia could sneak up on her like this. She turned slowly and settled her silver gaze on her friend. Tahlia stood a few feet away from her, her arms locked behind her back. The dark eyes were unreadable, as they stared at her.
“Have you told her?”
Paloma expelled a noisy breath. “No. I did not know where to start.”
Tahlia sauntered over to the railing and stared over the moonlit park. Her eyes pierced a darkened corner of the park, seeking out the bench where she spent hours trying to understand her wayward daughter.
Four figures appeared behind them and they turned slowly. Jonas, Pierre, Trinity and Clarissa stepped forward. Tahlia acknowledged their presence with a slight nod.
“I will come out and say what I have to say. It will come as a shock to some of you and even a greater shock to your mates.” She saw the intense looks thrown her way. “What I have to say will specifically affect Paloma, Trinity, and Clarissa. It has to do with the babies your mates are carrying.”
Taking a deep breath, Tahlia continued to inform them all about the prophecy. She kept her eyes especially on Clarissa and Trinity, the two she was the most worried about. Once she was done, she was impressed by the restraint the two youngest members of the team showed. She could sense that their nerves were frayed, but still they just stood there looking back at her with unseeing eyes.
“Do you have any questions?” Tahlia's voice was uncharacteristically tender as she studied the two.
Clarissa looked dazed as she shook her head and Tahlia's eyes moved over to Trinity. The green-eyed vampire was looking back at her, her eyes suddenly clear.
“Where do the Eternals fit in? What are they gaining from this?”
Tahlia's eyes hardened.
“We will find out very soon. I have challenged their Prime to a fight. That will be our only chance to know the truth.” Pure malice radiated off Tahlia and even before she affirmed her intention, the other vampires knew the fate of the Prime. “I will destroy her afterwards.”
Both Jonas and Pierre knew not to try and reason with Tahlia where Jemima was concerned. They had centuries of experience when it comes to dealing with Tahlia. They both sighed inwardly when the tall vampire took a deep breath as she tried to calm herself.
“I am willing to break the news to your mates, if you want me to. I know that it will come as a great shock to your partners and you have my support.”
She suddenly had the overwhelming urge to be in her wife's arms. She gave the others a curt nod before she took the sky, shape shifting into a large black owl.
She appeared in their chamber at Marsden Mansion . She was surprised to find Jemima sitting on the bed, her hands splayed over her abdomen. Jemima was so engrossed in the life growing inside of her that she failed to notice her wife's presence. For a long while Tahlia stood there in the shadows observing her wife as she cooed to their baby. Tahlia's heart clenched at the tender scene. Her eyes caressed the beautiful face of her wife as she sat there with her blonde head bent.
“You are so beautiful.” The words escaped her lips, without her actually realizing. The blonde head snapped up and gleaming sapphire eyes met hers in mute surprise. Jemima quickly snapped out of it and gestured for Tahlia to join her.
“Come over here, baby. I think she wants to say hi.”
Tahlia grinned and quickly walked over to join her mate, moving in behind her so that the blonde rested against her chest. Her large hand came to rest on her wife's stomach.
“Hope she would not be a chatterbox like you-know-who,” she murmured in Jemima's right ear and smiled when Jemima giggled softly.
“Don't let Inger hear you say that. She will set Paloma on you.”
*************************************
A flute of champagne on a silver tray appeared and a bejeweled hand reached out and gripped the fragile stem.
“Will that be all, sir?”
The glass was lifted to a set of thin lips. After a small sip the man nodded.
“This will be all for now.” A soft spoken voice said, belying the hard exterior of the man.
Copernicus Bohm was a sociopath. Only the really gullible were fooled by his soft-spoken manner and foppish mannerisms. Looking closely into his hard muddy brown eyes was a dead giveaway of his brutal nature. He didn't regard himself as such. Instead he saw himself as a Conqueror, an ancient warrior seeking his destiny by eliminating all those who stood in the way of achieving it. His true destiny was to become the one and only of his kind.
He took a careful sip from his champagne, savoring the wine. It tasted like piss, but it was the best money could buy and money was not an issue for him. His brown eyes idly moved over the packed hall. They were all here … the movers and shakers. Leaders of industries, film stars, pop stars, sports stars and supermodels. Using the rim of his glass as a shield, he smiled, albeit disdainfully at his guests. They were such fake, egoistical beings—these mortals. They think that a few measly millions and billions buy them power. Oh, how mistaken they are. If they want to know real power they should emulate him. He had it all: immortality, unbelievable riches, good looks and an immortal army at his disposal.
“Hey, baby, why the long face. Come and dance with me.” A tall, skinny woman threw herself in his lap almost knocking the glass out of his hand. Pure rage flared up for a moment, but he quickly suppressed it. Not here and not now. She needed to be punished for her total disregard of his personal space, but now was not the time. He looked up into her face and his eyes hardened when he saw how dilated her pupils were. He suddenly felt disgusted with all these weak beings in and around his house. It was times like these that he really craved the company of others such as himself. But that would never happen. He was excommunicated a long, long time ago. And now he was their hunter and they his prey.
“Copi honey, come dance with me,” the skinny girl whined in his ear and Copernicus had to keep himself from swatting her away from him like a pesky housefly.
“My name is Copernicus,” he gritted out between his teeth. If only he was a bloodsucker. He would drain this flimsy excuse of a human. On second thought he doubted she would be very appetizing, she was way too skinny. He lifted his glass and drained the contents. Maybe he should go and mingle a bit. Most of the people here were on his payroll and had to keep the channels of communications open. In fact, in this day and age information was priceless. He brushed the girl off his lap and made his way over to where the Police Commissioner was in deep conversation with the Mayor.
He noticed the men tense up slightly when he joined them. Both of them were well-aware of the thick manila envelopes he had safely locked away in his office. Some of the people on his payroll had to be persuaded to join his growing team of employees, albeit reluctantly. The manila envelopes were insurance that they stay within the folds until such time that he didn't need them anymore.
“Good evening, gentlemen. I trust you are having fun,” he said in his trademark soft spoken tone. He saw the warily looks they threw him and he smiled reassuringly. “It's a party. I refuse to talk shop now.” His eyes flashed a warning. “But I do expect to meet with you before the end of the party though. I will be in my office.”
With that said, he plastered a fake smile on his face and moved on to a group of women chatting nearby.