Queen of Darkness Read online

  Lovely.

  I watched Mom leave for the diplomatic clash between witch and vampire as Piotr appeared at my side, though he knew better than to touch me, at least.

  “This way.” He motioned for me to precede him, but I wasn't going anywhere with him. Not alone, anyway.

  “Coven Leader.” Sebastian bowed on my other side, gaze locked on his rival. “Allow me to escort you to your chamber.”

  I took his offered arm with a little curtsy, unable to help myself considering how he was dressed, though from the smile that broke for a moment, I felt certain I looked foolish doing it.

  Sunny's face was stoic, Uncle Frank's equally so as they fell in behind us, cutting Piotr off while Charlotte, now mostly human, clung to my free hand, head whipping around as she whined under her breath.

  “Thanks for the heads up,” I whispered to Sebastian as we exited the throne room.

  “I swear I had no idea.” There was enough tension in his voice I knew he was telling the truth. “I only heard of this moments before you were kidnapped and have been working to free you since last night.”

  “You could have told me it was Batsheva.” Yeah, I was grumpy.

  “I would have, had I known the clan changed hands,” he said. “It appears I'm not as trusted as I once was.” Sadness. No, I would not feel sorry for him. “Though I must admit I'm surprised she was able to defeat Yvette in combat.”

  I wasn't. The Hayle family didn't have the market on horseshoes cornered, it seemed.

  Two long corridors later, more stone, more tall, thin windows, more black carpet, and Sebastian closed the door on a chamber flanked by two of Pannera's vampires, cutting them off and leaving us alone.

  Charlotte's face morphed back to human, though her eyes still held the wolf as she began a systematic snuffling around every corner and piece of furniture in what looked like a sitting room, vaulted fireplace black from centuries of flame. I watched her with worry while Sunny stepped forward and hugged me.

  “Oh, Syd,” she whispered. “What a mess. I'm so sorry.”

  “You're sorry.” I hugged her back. “I ruined your shower.”

  She laughed and pushed me away, only to kiss my cheek with her cool lips. “Plenty of time for that,” she whispered in my ear.

  “Tell me you won't let this ruin the wedding.” Why did the idea of that make me fret so much?

  “Silly,” Uncle Frank hugged me too. “Nothing could stop our wedding. Okay?”

  Okay. I turned from him to face Sebastian who watched me with a mix of concern and amusement.

  “Life is ever interesting with you as a companion,” he said.

  “Not my fault,” I grumbled. “Speaking of which, I'm done now. Mom has them distracted and I'd like to go home. So if you all would just give me a hand, we'll cut out of this funhouse and let the politicians do their thing.”

  Sebastian's hesitation didn't warm my heart any. “It's not so simple,” he said.

  “Um, yeah, it is.” I didn't want to be angry with him. Or throw a fit. Or destroy this centuries-old castle because of my temper. But, well. Things happened.

  But even Sunny sighed, sinking into a chair probably as old as she was. “They will simply pursue you,” she said. “And order us to bring you back.”

  “Which you wouldn't do.” The look on Uncle Frank's face wasn't boosting my optimism, either.

  “We wouldn't have a choice, demon girl.” Sebastian turned from me to pace. Maybe I'd picked up the bad habit from him. Or maybe it was just the only solution when the mind was churning and the body couldn't help but respond. “As our Queen, Pannera's orders are tied to our blood. We have no say in the matter.”

  “Magic?” I joined Sunny who slid over to make room for me, despite the fact there were lots of low couches and divans and other things to sit on. I just didn't feel like being alone at the moment and when she put her arm around me I knew she was happy to oblige. “Compulsion?”

  Sunny nodded, eyes sad. “It's the way of our people,” she said. “How the clans keep order.”

  Though a convenient way to run things, the idea of no free will gave me the creepies.

  “We need to trust the process.” Sebastian came to a halt as though a decision solidified in his mind. “Your mother will help my Queen see reason.”

  “And if she doesn't?” I stood abruptly, needing space suddenly as much as I'd needed comfort. “You'll let your Queen strip me?” If she could.

  Sebastian didn't say anything while the swish of fabric told me Sunny was also on her feet.

  “Our Queen is as power hungry as she ever was,” she snapped, temper crackling in her voice.

  Sebastian spun on her. “You don't know her as I do.”

  “I know her better,” Sunny said. “From the other side of the fight. From Yvette's side. Remember?” He turned from her as Uncle Frank reached out, maybe to silence Sunny, maybe to back her up, but she pulled free of his grip and continued her assault on Sebastian. “You would never listen, didn't want to know your precious Pannera was, and is, every bit as much a monster as Yvette.”

  “You were raised by the darkest of clans,” he said, shoulders down, hands on the back of a chair, voice quiet. “What do you know of her honor?”

  Sunny laughed, humorless, her beautiful face twisted with scorn. “This has nothing to do with honor, Sebastian. Only power.” She pointed at me, but didn't look at me. “The power Syd holds inside her. Ambition, the need to rule everything. Where is the honor, I ask you?”

  “Better her than Batsheva.” Sebastian’s hands tightened on the carved back of a chair.

  “Better Syd, I say,” Uncle Frank said.

  The sharp crack of breaking wood made us all jump. Sebastian straightened, two chunks of elaborately carved flowers falling to his feet as the chair sagged to the side, broken.

  “You think Pannera has the best interest of you and your clan at heart,” Sunny said. “But you have no idea the hold she has over you, the lies she's made you believe. Nor have you seen the things I've witnessed, the atrocities she's ordered and participated in. Because you refuse to accept.”

  “I thought we were your clan now, Teresa.” Sebastian turned to face her, fire brewing in his eyes. I'd heard her called that before. Nicholas used the name Teresa. But wait, Nicholas called her something else, a long time ago, the night I lost my demon. Sonja?

  How many identities did my friend have?

  Sunny couldn’t know what I was thinking, shrugging as she looked away from Sebastian. Sighed. “At times like this,” she said, “I feel clanless, my leader.”

  Neither of them spoke and the longer the silence went on, the more my heart broke until I had to shatter their horrible silence and the implications of it.

  “I'll stay put.” I stepped between them, taking their hands in mine, connecting them through me and the vampire inside me. “But I won't let them harm me or the one I carry.”

  “Will she go?” Sebastian's tension hummed through him and into me.

  “No,” I said. “She's made it very clear she won't tolerate either Queen. Nor anyone who considers her property.”

  The essence I held grasped a hold of me and shunted me aside, sending sparks of white power to both of them. Sunny's eyes widened as she spoke through me again. They may not have realized she'd done so before, but with full contact it was pretty clear who was addressing them.

  “Forgive me, Sebastian DeWinter,” she told him. “But I am grateful to you, for in your body I began to heal.” She shuddered. “When your clan devoured me from the form of Cesard, my insanity grew worse. Being broken like that almost destroyed me.”

  “Which is why you controlled me.” Sebastian nodded slowly, sadly. “I understand.”

  “No,” she said. “You do not. Not really. I will never allow myself to be divided again. Sydlynn spoke correctly—neither of your so-called Queens is worthy of me. I've chosen my home with the one heart who healed me simply by the kindness in her and the strength of her spirit.
” Wow. Blushing. “Sydlynn has returned my wholeness, but she has also reawakened my purpose. And I will not be swayed. If anyone tries, I will ensure my assimilation destroys them utterly.”

  Sunny squeezed my hand. “And what is your purpose?”

  “To assist Sydlynn to evolve,” she said. “And become of the Undying. A maji.”

  ***

  Chapter Ten

  Kind of miffed. I hadn't been spreading that particular fate of mine around and here was the vampire side of me spilling it willy-nilly. Okay, not so nilly. But willy? Yup, yup.

  At least from the startled look on my undead friend's faces the revelation was satisfactorily shocking. Enough to convince Sebastian to have my back?

  From the sounds of it, he didn't really have a choice.

  Sunny's flawless face looked so sad I hugged her, letting Sebastian go, breaking the bond as my vampire retreated again and let me take the reins.

  “Syd,” she whispered. “Oh, Syd.”

  No crying. Damn her and her sweet sympathy. I was so over it.

  Yeah, right.

  “Such a burden to carry alone.” Sunny wiped at a crystal tear on her cheek, clearly not as concerned about the whole weepy thing as I was, making it harder for me to keep the grip sadness had over my throat from forcing me to sob.

  “I wish it mattered.” Sebastian's shoulders rolled forward and for the first time since I'd met him, he looked defeated. “We all know, if Pannera orders us, we'll be forced to participate when Syd is stripped of the vampire essence.”

  “No,” Sunny said, suddenly grim, arm around my waist while Uncle Frank came to stand behind me. “I will risk everything for the young woman who has done the same for me.” She glared, the guilt trip she tossed at him so tangible I could almost breathe it in. “For all of us.”

  “I'm with my family,” Uncle Frank growled. “My real family. Sunshine. Syd. This vampire clan thing can go to hell.”

  “You will be killed.” Sebastian's tone didn't change, remaining quiet, calm. “At the very least stripped and banished from your blood clan. Left empty, powerless.”

  “Not if I have anything to say about it.” I tapped one foot impatiently on the floor. Though I knew he was battling his loyalties, I'd saved his damned life. And no way was I letting anyone hurt Sunny and Uncle Frank.

  Or Sebastian himself for that matter.

  “Okay, tell me how this works,” I said. “Like covens and the High Council, right? So you,” I jabbed a finger at Sebastian, “are like me and she,” I flicked toward the door, meaning Pannera, “is like Mom?”

  He nodded slowly. “Yes, in a way. But it’s a much deeper attachment. She is the mother, literally, of all of us. Through her blood we were made. I carry it, and because of that, when I make a vampire, her control comes before mine.”

  Again with the all or nothing. Hmmm. I wondered if the coven would even consider it?

  Yeah, not.

  “I care for you deeply,” he said. “My feelings will never be in question. And I owe you my soul. But you're asking me to betray my family.”

  Oh boy. All the anger slid out of me as I crossed to him and hugged him. His arms lifted, pulled me close, the subtle scent of roses just enough to tickle my nose.

  “I understand,” I said. “Family is everything.”

  He looked down at me in silence. Nodded. Stepped away, though his hand lingered in mine a moment before he released me.

  “I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens.” And hope I wouldn't have to do something drastic to the people I cared about. It would break my heart to have to kill Sebastian.

  “I'm going to check in with my old clan.” Sunny's gown rustled as she turned. “Find out what really happened to Yvette. If there is something we can use against Batsheva.”

  I nodded. She had to be the key to this. As always.

  “I'm with you.” Uncle Frank turned and motioned to Sebastian. “Coming with us?”

  “Not quite yet,” he said. “Sydlynn, a moment?”

  Wasn't like he was going to attack me or anything. Though from the worried look on Uncle Frank's face he wasn't so sure.

  Charlotte completed her round of the room, now opening the door on the far wall, sliding through. I caught sight of a giant four-poster bed on the other side.

  “Pannera saved my life too, once.” Sebastian leaned on the back of a sofa, hands crossed before him, eyes on the carpet as his mind went to memory.

  “You don't owe me an explanation.” Yes, I was curious, of course I was. But I didn’t want to push him when I had my own hide to worry about.

  “I want you to understand,” he said. Turned and sat on the settee before patting the cushion beside him in invitation. Why did the look in his eyes as he did so make me blush? Shunting aside the totally inappropriate thoughts racing through my head, reminding my libido this was a serious conversation and naughty thoughts about his deliciousness had no place, I perched next to him, hands fisted in my lap so they wouldn't shake.

  He was so freaking yummy.

  “When Nicholas turned, he came to me at once and attacked me.” Sebastian shifted forward, one arm around the back of the sofa, leaning in as he spoke. No way was he hitting on me or anything. But wow, did it make it hard to concentrate when his face was so close to mine, chiseled jaw begging to be stroked, silken hair falling over his forehead. “I was dying, would have died, if Pannera hadn't rescued me. Turned me into one of hers.” His power slid over me softly. “I owe her everything. Not just my life. But my eternal loyalty. And no, it's not just the pull of my blood, Sydlynn. It's true family.” His eyes pleaded with me as he reached out and slid his fingertips over my cheek, tucking a stray strand behind my ear. “I should have come to my Queen when the essence claimed my soul.” She hissed inside me, cracking the spell he seemed to hold over my hormones, but only for a moment. “But I was afraid. This is all my fault.” He sat back then, sighing from lungs which didn't need air. Old habits never died, I supposed.

  Time for a wakeup. “This isn't your fault,” I said. “Or mine. It's Batsheva's and Ameline's. And the damned maji who made you in the first place.”

  “I swear I will do everything in my power to keep you safe.” He leaned in again, the weaving of his magic drawing me toward him as if he'd never pulled away. “I will convince my Queen. Somehow. But please, believe me. I had no idea this was coming.” He shook his head, dark hair swaying, beckoning, tempting. “There was a time she and I were close.” I didn't want to know how close as jealousy jabbed me, though I could guess from the old longing in his voice. “But no longer. When I chose to make a home for myself and my blood clan in the New World, she became cold, though geographical distance means nothing to us.”

  There was much more to this story than he was telling, but I didn't care. I just wanted him to keep talking and never stop.

  “It's been worse between us since you freed me from the essence. I fear she will never forgive me for allowing such power to slip through her fingers.” So he knew she wasn't perfect. Okay then. “But we have enough history, I think I can sway her.”

  “We'll see.” I couldn't help myself, reaching out to take his hand, breathing in the scent of roses his clothing carried. “This has to end well.”

  “Why is that?” His lips twisted into the sexiest smile I'd ever seen.

  “I'm immortal,” I said. “No way am I spending eternity on my own. I'm going to need friends,” I licked my lips, remembering our only kiss, the cool but delightful feeling of his mouth when he rewarded me in the cave after his release, “to spend it with.”

  Sebastian's eyes narrowed, heavy lidded, smile spreading as he bent closer. So close, too close, too far.

  Damn it.

  “Oh, how you tempt me, demon girl,” he whispered.

  “I'm not a girl anymore,” I whispered back.

  And I'm positive, absolutely positive, had Charlotte not chose that moment to walk through the bedroom door, I would have found out what kissing Sebas
tian could really be like.

  ***

  Chapter Eleven

  Sitting and waiting had never been one of my strengths, but after Sebastian rose abruptly at the interruption and left rather quickly, I didn't have much say in the matter.

  Charlotte calmed enough she was back to mostly normal, though I knew her present state would change at the barest hint of a threat. It couldn't be easy for her, surrounded by her enemies, knowing my life was in danger, and I almost wished Anastasia hadn't brought her, no matter the insane demands I'm sure Charlotte made.

  And though my usual reaction to being trapped and frustrated because my fate was being decided for me would be to pace or throw things or storm my way into more trouble, I found myself reclining on a divan, looking out at the silent mountains, lost in thought.

  Did my demon and Shaylee, not to mention my family magic, have that much of a restless influence on me? I certainly felt calm, almost relaxed, and had to blame—or thank—my vampire for my present emotional repose.

  Though, of course, instead of trying to work my way through a plan of escape just in case I needed it, my mind went to love.

  Not in a dreamy-steamy embarrassing kind of way. More of a pensive, what to do swirling softly around and around. I'd written love off because I just couldn't stand the thought of losing someone I cared about to old age while I remained young. But Sebastian, or someone like him… that was another option all together. It certainly opened up some interesting possibilities.

  You must be cautious, my vampire sent. While he cares for you, it is true, he is still her creature.

  Spoil sport. I don't know, I sent back. I think, in the end, he'll back me if push comes to shove.

  Delusion does not become you, she sent.

  It's not like it matters anyway. I picked at the fabric of the divan, the tapestry of woven colors making me dizzy. If they do decide against us, we'll just give the Queens the old heave-ho and deal with it later.