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
To Lee, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to read through my stuff. You're simply the best!
Feedback: Constructive criticism is greatly appreciated, so feel free to drop a line or two at steinwillard80@gmail.com .
PART 8
Chapter 14
Tahlia sat up suddenly, startling Jemima into instant wakefulness. Her hand reached out to caress Tahlia's broad back.
“What's wrong, baby?” It was still a few more hours before dusk and although Tahlia was powerful enough to be awake at this time, she rarely woke this early unless there was a threat.
Tahlia's eyes were pitch-black when they turned to look at her and Jemima wondered what was going on behind that impenetrable gaze. She sat up further and leaned forward to look into her wife's eyes. When Tahlia didn't answer immediately, she gently stroked the mussed midnight black locks and planted a soft kiss on a cool cheek.
“I sense a very dangerous presence nearby.”
“Enemy or friend?”
Tahlia shook her head. “I am not sure.” The black eyes shaded to a red. “But I will find out … tonight still.”
Jemima was worried. Too many things were happening at once and she was afraid that her wife, as powerful as she was, would not be able to take the strain for too long. She placed a soft kiss on Tahlia's cheek.
“Then I want you to rest well, my love. Come on, let me hold you.”
Tahlia smiled at Jemima and allowed her wife to draw her into her arms. She sighed deeply as she lay in the warm, loving arms of her wife. What would she have done without this magnificent woman by her side? She pressed her lips into Jemima's neck and kissed it softly.
<I love you so much. I love you with everything in me.>
Jemima felt her eyes well up at the desperation she heard in Tahlia's voice. When she was in a very emotional state, Tahlia either clamped up or use her mental link. This was one such moment.
“Oh, my beautiful heart, you are everything to me. I am incomplete without you,” Jemima croaked into the cool black tresses. “I love you.”
The avowal of their love seemed to have helped Tahlia relax and soon the Great Vampire Queen succumbed to the soft, gentle caresses of her mate. Jemima stayed awake, holding Tahlia tight to her bosom.
It was time for her to be actively involved in the security of the Race and their babies again. Tonight she was going to go hunting. If there was an enemy out there then she was going to find her. But first, she needed to get help.
<I need your help, Assassin.>
<What is wrong, Jemima? Where is Tahlia?> Almost immediately Paloma's voice echoed through her mind.
<She is sleeping. Could we meet later tonight, please? At the bench in the park?>
<I will be there.>
<Thank you.>
Satisfied, she closed her eyes. Maybe after tonight she could try to get Tahlia away from here and to a more relaxed environment. Maybe they could go to the village. Mendelone would welcome the company. She systematically shut her organs down and followed Tahlia into sleep.
A few seconds after Jemima's heartbeat stuttered to a stop, Tahlia's eyes creaked open. With dark, troubled eyes she looked at the peaceful sleeping face of her wife. What was she up to?
*************************************
Paloma swore under her breath as her eyes wandered over the park. It was Friday evening and the park was teeming with humans. Like all of her kind, she wasn't comfortable around a crowd of humans. The echo of multiple heartbeats and the distracting smell of blood that follows them everywhere were too much for her to bear at times. She had taught herself to block out these distractions when she was on a hunt with human slayers, but that was usually in a somewhat controlled environment. A soft ripple in the air alerted her to Jemima's arrival. She turned slowly to welcome to Jemima, but froze when she looked into the unreadable, dark gaze of Tahlia.
“What are you doing meeting my wife secretly, Paloma?” Tahlia's voice was eerily calm.
“She wanted to meet me here, but she did not say why?”
Tahlia nodded. Paloma was telling the truth. She delicately sniffed the air.
“She is on her way here. Take care of her.” With that Tahlia stepped into the shadows, away from prying eyes and dissolved quickly.
“And why are you staring into the darkness or … is Inger hiding somewhere out there?” Jemima asked, her voice dripping with amusement.
“No, she is working on a case and could not wait to have me out of the house.” Paloma couldn't help the silly smile that came over her face when she thought of her wife. “She accuses me of being too distracting.” Jemima smiled sadly and Paloma suddenly sobered. “Why do you need my help, Jemima?”
Jemima swallowed and bit down on her lower lips. “Tahlia is under a lot of stress. I don't know how much more she could take before she snaps. As her wife, I can't stand back anymore and watch her suffer alone. ”
Paloma felt a warm feeling settle in her chest. She doubt if she could ever admire Jemima more than she did at this very moment. Tahlia meant just as much to her now as she did 2 000 years ago. She too had been worried about Tahlia lately, but even as her friend and sister, she'd been unsure on how to approach her. And now Jemima had given her an opportunity to help. She stepped closer and wrapped Jemima into a warm embrace. She felt a shudder go through the blonde, before Jemima pulled her close too. After a few moments they pulled away and slightly embarrassed by their uncharacteristic display of affection.
“I have noticed the change in her.”
“First it was Mary, then the kidnapping followed by the pregnancies. I believe the threat to the babies is putting more strain on her now. As if that's not enough, earlier this evening she sensed the presence of another immortal nearby.”
“What?” Paloma's eyes were flashing in barely contained annoyance.
“She couldn't determine if it was an enemy or a friend.” Jemima's eyes were dark as she looked at Paloma. “I want your help hunting down this newcomer and eliminating the threat.”
Paloma wasn't in the least bit shocked by Jemima's request. She knew that Jemima would go to hell and back for Tahlia and if this newcomer was going to add to her spouse's tension, she wasn't going to hesitate in destroying it. Looking closely at the woman standing before her, she noticed the hard, determined gleam in the blue eyes and knew that whoever was out there threatening Tahlia's mental state was in for a fight.
“I am ready when you are.”
A relieved smile formed on the beautiful face and Paloma grinned.
“Let's go hunting.”
Paloma's eyes slowly shaded to a shimmering white as her beast stirred to life. A sharp pain flashed through her as she felt her beast claw at her insides. With Jemima pregnant she would have to draw on all her strength to help her friend as well as to protect her. When she looked back at Jemima she noticed the shock in the other woman's eyes. The change was complete. The Assassin was battle-ready.
“Let's go.”
Using preternatural speed they left the park to begin their search. Hidden from sight and cloaked to prevent detection, Tahlia had been watching the two women. She shook her head slowly at what she'd just overheard. She stood there, allowing a single long red tear to run down her face. She was so happy and completely overwhelmed by the Jemima's show of love.
Two shadows appeared behind her. Jonas and Pierre calmly stood there with their eyes averted, giving their comrade and leader a moment of privacy to pull herself together.
**********************************Using the shadows the tall shape slowly stalked its prey. The woman turned around to probe the shadows, the moonlight glinting off her nose ring. She carefully studied the shadows again before she resumed her walk. After a few steps, she stopped again, rummaged in her jacket pocket and took out a packet of cigarettes. She deftly lit one and sucked deeply on it. She left the flame of her lighter burning as she turned around to once again pierce the shadows. She gasped at the face looking back at her. A foot away from her was the most striking woman she had ever seen. A strong face surrounded by short chestnut hair and rounded off by piercing blue-grey eyes looked back at her. She took a slow step away and swallowed when the tall body jumped into action.
“I will not hurt you, little one,” a soft, lilting voice crooned even as large hands reached for her.
After a few sips the vampire gently helped the woman into a sitting position, hidden behind a wooden crate. Satisfied that the woman would be safe here, until she'd recovered from the temporary trance, she had placed her in.
She slowly stepped away from the woman and turned. Her eyes widened at the sight of the other tall woman standing but a few feet away from her. How the hell, could she have missed the woman's approach? It was impossible that such a dangerous creature could creep up on her without her noticing. The air practically vibrated with the woman's power.
She watched the other vampire intently, knowing that a split second relapse in concentration could mean death where this woman was concerned. She took a careful step to the side and shuddered slightly when the woman's death-like stare moved slowly over her. The feeling she got as those deadly eyes moved over was like an ice pick slammed into her back and jerked upwards, slicing through skin and bone. She had hoped the old man would have time to talk to them before they were alerted to her presence.
“What brings you here, stranger?” The voice was eerily soft, almost like a caress, but the eyes of the newcomer were almost white as they stared at her.
She stretched herself to her full height and cocked her head to one side.
“I am just passing through, Assassin.”
The Royal stepped closer, making her stiffen. She had heard of the Assassin. There was a lot of talk a few centuries before about her. Some had said she was destroyed by human slayers, other believed that her violent life had stained her soul prompting her to seek the dawn. Only recently she had learned otherwise. The Assassin was very much alive and dangerous, maybe even more dangerous now than before.
“What do they call you, stranger?”
She wanted to refuse to answer the question, but then, the vampire was very courteous. She did look threatening, but it didn't seem like she wanted to engage in battle … not yet, that is.
“ Syria Manas.”
The Royal slowly glided forward. “Are you friend or foe, Syria ?”
Syria smiled faintly at the vampire's question. How should she answer such a question? She maintained eye contact as she shook her head.
“Only you have the answer to that question.”
“Renegades are foes. Why are you really here?” The vampire's pupils were dilated, almost as if she wanted to burn her with her intense gaze.
“I am …” She felt a shudder go through her body as she sensed the presence of others. She slowly turned and met the hypnotic, dark gaze of the Vampire Queen. Unsure as to whether she should turn her back on either of the two, she turned her body so she had her back against the wall of the building. “Your Majesty.”
The raven head slowly cocked to one side much as the Assassin had done earlier. She felt a soft touch and then her body suddenly jerked before it went completely rigid. Using her mind she tried to break herself out of the invisible iron bands around her, but they didn't budge an inch.
“Syria Manas,” the Queen drawled as she slowly stepped closer. “What are you?”
Syria felt waves of menace coming off the dark vampire. The shadows shifted behind her and two more vampires stepped into the light. Her situation had just worsened. The newcomers were the two Dark Princes. She was strong, but she didn't stand a chance against any of the master vampires surrounding her. Her eyes hardened. Showing fear, however, was not an option.
“I brought the Druid Priest here so he could tell you about me.”
Tahlia came to an abrupt stop. “Molan is here?”
“Yes.”
Tahlia came even closer as she inhaled deeply. “Answer my question. What are you?”
A slight movement to her right caught her attention and she blinked as a beautiful blonde vampire stepped out of the shadows. There was something oddly familiar about her, but Syria knew that she had never seen the woman before. She turned back to see what reaction the strange woman's presence had on the Royals. Her heart missed a beat when she turned back. The Queen was so close to her that she could see tiny red flames churning in her midnight black eyes. She held her breath as the woman stood there, her nostrils flaring as she sniffed the air around her.
“You are a renegade, but there is something else too. I will ask you one last time, Syria . What are you? If you fail to answer me this time, your origin would not matter anymore, because you will be dead.”
“Tahlia.”
It was the blonde speaking. Syria was tempted to turn her head and look at the blonde, but she didn't trust the Queen not to snap her neck while she was distracted.
“Tahlia, I have to tell you something.”
The dark unblinking stare held hers captive for a few seconds longer, before the dark head turned and the cold, dead eyes darted away.
“I am listening.”
There was a pregnant silence as all eyes moved to the blonde. The blonde slowly made her way towards them, her gait fluid as she came to stand in front of her. Syria 's eyebrows shot up as she stared at the woman. Blue eyes met blue-grey ones and a soft gasp escaped Syria 's lips, her eyes widening.
“The baby knows her.”
Tahlia turned back slowly, her eyes burning with an unholy light as she stared at her, but Syria quickly looked away. Her eyes slowly traveling down the blonde's body until it came to rest on the woman's abdomen. It didn't take long before she felt the soft thread touching her mind. She looked up into the sapphire eyes of the woman.
“You are carrying the First Pillar, milady,” she said softly, her eyes warming as she looked at the woman. The blue eyes were wide in shock. “She wants me to tell you that she is very grateful for the love and protection you and your mate bestow on her.”
Jemima stepped closer to her and Syria reveled in the deep love she saw in the blue eyes.
“Tell her that she's safe and that … that we love her.” Jemima voice broke. She reached out a hand and slipped it into the large one of the Queen. Syria 's eyes widened as they rested on the dark vampire. This was unbelievable! The Queen was the blonde's mate! She felt the dark gaze on her and she waited for the inevitable question.
“How is it possible that you are able to talk to my daughter?”
Syria grinned and let her eyes roam over all the Royals. “My name is Syria Manas, Fifth Pillar of the Outlanders.”
______________________________________________________________________________
Chapter 15
Molan's face was split in a huge smile as he stared at the tall woman staring back at him. Oh, how he wished Gellar was alive to be here at this moment. The prophecy has come full circle.
“What do you want, old man?” The Outlander's deep voice was soft as she frowned at him.
Molan shook his head in wonder. “I cannot believe this. I … I only found out about your existence a mere three days ago. How did you find me?”
Syria shrugged. “I have never been far away from the crystal.”
“How did you know about the crystal?”
“I was there when the Druid performed the ritual. One of us had to stay behind to look after the few who were still in hiding.” Syria turned to look at the vampires who stood in a half-moon listening to their conversation. The Queen still looked like she wanted to tear into her, but was holding herself back with remarkable restraint. Even from here she could sense the delicate control the woman had over herself. The blonde, she noticed, held tightly onto her mate's hand.
“How many of your kind are still in hiding?” Pierre asked.
A sad look flashed over the Outlander's face. “Only a few that I am aware of. Maybe even less than ten.” She inhaled deeply. “There might be more, but with Copernicus and his renegade army hunting them relentlessly, many have gone into hiding.”
Molan smiled as she slowly circled her. “You have managed to camouflage your true nature? How did you get yourself bitten?”
Syria smirked. “What better way to fool Copernicus' army than masquerading as one of their own? About two years ago I befriended a renegade and allowed her to bite me. Unfortunately I had to kill her afterwards to keep my secret. Beside the camouflage my new hybrid state gave me, it also enhanced my power, sight and other senses.” She looked at Jemima and smiled. “The First Pillar will have the same attributes as I, but she will be even more powerful.”
Molan shook his head. “This is fascinating. Why did you not come forward before now?”
“I sensed the prophecy's fulfillment while I was in South America tracing the whereabouts of more of my kind. I came as soon as I could. I have waited patiently for you to figure out about me and knew exactly when you did. I followed you on your journey over here.”
“You did?” He looked into the blue- grey eyes and smiled self-consciously. “I know you did. You are a good tracker; I didn't even sense your presence. Uh … why are you here now?”
The brown eyes became sharp as they wandered over the vampires standing quietly, looking at her. “My duty is to protect the Pillars and my place is with them.”
Tahlia nodded and stepped forward. “Good, because we may need your help right now.”
“I am at your service whenever you need me.”
A slow, feral smile formed on the Queen's face, softening her usually stern features. “First things first, though. Let me introduce you to my family.”
After all the introductions have been made, Syria couldn't stop her eyes from returning to the quiet, hulking vampire with the palest blue eyes she had ever seen. So, this was to be the First's mate? An Eternal, the illustrious Prime of the hidden vampire race. She carefully studied the vampire where she was in quiet discussion with one of the Royals. She looked more than equipped to protect her mate. She also noticed the long longing looks the Eternal cast in Jemima's direction. The ice blue eyes held a tender expression when they rested on the blonde's abdomen. Amongst everything, it was good to know that at least one of them would know the pure, unconditional love that troubadours sang about. She averted her eyes, her heart indescribably heavy suddenly. Will she ever have the chance one day to experience that kind of love? When she looked up, it was to find the Queen standing very close to her. She stiffened momentarily. She noticed too that all eyes were on her now.
“Copernicus knows about the babies,” Tahlia said curtly and Syria felt her heart lurched at the information.
Her eyes hardened simultaneously as her fangs lengthened. “How do you know?”
A tall redhead with brilliant green eyes stepped closer holding out a folded paper to her. “Because he offered us a trade.”
Syria looked at the woman, before she reached for the paper. After scanning it, she handed it back.
“What is he thinking to want to trade the existence of the Race? Trading his bodyguard's life for those of the Pillars is absurd.”
“Our sentiments exactly,” Tahlia stated calmly. “We have devised a plan however. If you can beat Copernicus' champion, the possibility exist that he might be tempted to replace her with you. If we are really lucky, he might even offer you a job as his new bodyguard.”
There was a short silence as everyone stared at her. Paloma suddenly spoke up.
“What if he recognizes her? He should be able to know what the Pillars' Protector looks like.”
“He has never met me before. Only the Pillars know of my existence.”
“I do not understand,” Molan said with a frown. “How is that possible?”
“Unlike as it is the case with you, the Pillars were kept separate from the general populace. The Pillars, including myself, were in actual fact spirit guides. Right before the Druid priest performed the ritual on the Pillars, a ritual was performed on me. That was when I took on human form. No one, except the Pillars, will be able to recognize me in my human form.”
Tahlia turned to Jonas and Pierre. This is just too good to be true. If their plan works out, Copernicus will have his mortal enemy under his roof and close to him without realizing it. She turned to the two other female vampires in the room.
“Is there anything else you think we should take in account before we move on?”
The tall, redheaded vampire stepped closer and came to stand before her. The green eyes were unreadable as they looked at her.
“A lot depends on you and the success of the mission. I understand that with your enemy under your nose all the time, you will be tempted to forget how you fit into the bigger picture and would want to destroy Copernicus. I just want to remind you how important this is for me.” Trinity took a deep breath. “On the other side of that door is the woman I love with all my heart and she is carrying a child which we both love and cannot wait to hold in our arms. I have promised her that I will protect them both with my life.” The green eyes darkened. “All of us here are in the same boat. We have spouses and babies who depend on us for their protection. Every time the urge to kill that vile man strikes you, I want you to remember this: If you fail and anything happens to my woman and the baby, there is simply no place on this planet where you will be safe from me.”
The green eyes held hers for a moment longer before a bright smile lit up the woman's face.
“I wish you all the best and want you to know that you can count on me anytime.” She stepped back and when she looked back at the Royals, she was intrigued by the raised brows of the other vampires.
A quiet, but striking looking blonde rose to her feet and lazily sauntered over to where she stood.
“We are at your disposal anytime you need us. We are all on the same side, but a lot is expected from you. I wish you all the best.” The blonde walked back to her chair and once seated she spoke again. “Now tell us how we can destroy Copernicus?”
All eyes turned back to her and Syria nodded. “I am afraid you can not destroy him.”
Tahlia's eyes narrowed to slits as she stared at the Outlander. She slowly moved closer until she was standing very close to Syria , making the other woman stiffen slightly.
“What do you mean by that? He is not indestructible or is he?”
Syria nodded quickly. “No, he is not indestructible at all. For Copernicus to be destroyed, all the Pillars will have to be full-grown. He has killed over twelve of his kind and for their spirits to be released and for him to be completely vanquished forever; all Pillars need to be present.”
Pierre nodded. “So we have to wait until the babies have been born and then only can we pursue him?”
Trinity inhaled deeply and sat up in her chair. “This means we will have to wait a few more months, am I right?”
“Longer. The Pillars need to be fully grown and in full possession of their powers. I would say that it will take about twenty to twenty-five years before they have grown into their powers.”
The room was as quiet as a tomb as the Royals just stared at each other. Tahlia's eyes were hard as she looked at the door.
“I have asked the women to join us. They need to hear this.” She walked over to her chair and gracefully folded her long frame into the chair. “If what you say is the case, then we will have to request the presence of the best slayers and hunters to have the women guarded around the clock.”
There was a short silence, before Paloma spoke up. “Before the women get here, could we perhaps discuss Copernicus' challenge? How are we going to plant our mole, without him tracing her back to us? Also I believe we should not allow him to leave the continent. It would serve us better to have him under surveillance all the time.”
“I think we can use the same approach as with Mary,” Clarissa said softly and grinned when all eyes swung to her. Before she could continue, the door opened and four women entered.
Syria stared in wry amusement as the vampires all came to their feet. She blinked in astonishment at how the warriors transformed in the presence of their partners. Gone were the sever expressions and even the dark powerful aura which had hung heavy in the room dissipated. The tough-talking redhead was joined by an exotic brunette who almost immediately latched onto her arm. The quiet blonde woman's mate was a tall, short-haired brunette with big expressive grey eyes. Two more women entered and Syria smiled. The Royals had exquisite taste in women. She watched as the shorter blonde went to stand beside Jonas and waited with keen interest to see who the tall, attractive brunette belonged to. She felt a piercing gaze on her and searched it out. The Assassin's devil eyes rested on her, a very possessive look on her face. Syria swallowed and watched quietly as the woman went to stand next to the powerful vampire.
Pulling her gaze from Paloma and her mate, she closely studied each woman. After a while she smiled thinly. Her sisters were reunited again. For the time after nearly 700 years, they were all together again.
Tahlia waved a hand over everyone in the room. “This is my family. Ladies, let me introduce you to Syria Manas, the Fifth Pillar of the Outlander Race.”