Bloodspell (The Cruentus Curse, #1)(85)

"Of course he does, he wants me to be safe from you," Victoria said, deliberately misunderstanding her words and diffusing Lena's poisonous exclamation. Lena opened her mouth to argue but Christian's crisp command pierced the room.

"Leave us, please," he said quietly. Victoria was amazed that everyone left without so much as a whisper in deference to his command, and the room emptied until it was just Lucian, Lena, Enhard, herself, and Christian. Lucian had told Lena to stay which seemed to anger Christian. He turned to him. "You forget your place, brother," Christian said.

"And you forget your duty!" Lucian said. "She is a witch!"

"That didn't stop you from wanting her, did it?" Christian's retort was just as quick. Victoria noticed the stunned look that flashed across Lena's face. "And why is she here?" Christian said, indicating Lena. Lucian looked at him coldly, spitefully.

"She is, after all, your Companion, is she not?" he said, his eyes glittering.

Christian glanced at Victoria, seeing shock crack her composure. "Lena chose another path, Lucian, you know that and she knows that," he said, but Christian knew the intended damage had been done. Victoria refused to look at him. "What do you want, Lucian?"

"You know what I want."

"I have already given you control of the House of Devereux. Anything more is impossible, you know that," he said.

Christian stared at Lucian, knowing exactly what was going through his head; there was another alternative, the right of succession. Lucian wanted the title Christian held as the first-born Devereux son. But Lucian was too cowardly to fight him in a fair fight, and he was afraid of the combined strength of the Council and the sway they held over the six other vampire Houses. Lucian believed that if he controlled Le Sang Noir, then he would have complete dominion over Christian and over all the Houses.

Challenge me then, Lucian, Christian silently said. Take what you think is rightfully yours. Slowly and with open loathing, Lucian stared at him.

Another day perhaps, brother. The time will soon come, that I promise you.

Lucian turned on his heel and sat insolently in his chair. Christian did not respond to his barely veiled threat and after a few moments, he signaled Enhard to bring in the Council. He wanted this over with quickly, so he could turn his attention to Victoria. He could already feel her anguish consuming her.

The Council members resumed their places, and as the meeting came to a close, Victoria slipped out the doors feeling Christian's eyes follow her exit. She went to the small room they had been in when they had arrived and collapsed onto a chair. Christian had a companion. She didn't have to be a vampire to know what that meant.

The very same woman who had tried to kill her, the one that she herself had said would be perfect for him. She felt sick with jealousy. Christian had made someone. He had loved someone enough to have made them a vampire. He'd made her. Hot tears leaked from her eyes as she sat hunched over. After everything they'd been through, the betrayal was crippling.

Hearing voices, she hastily composed herself, standing just as Enhard escorted Aliya and Fardon into the room. Without looking at her, Enhard explained courteously that they had wanted to meet the witch responsible for the death of the traitor. It was the last thing Victoria needed, but she forced herself to be civil and introduced herself. When she touched the woman's hand, the spark of energy between them did not go unnoticed, and Fardon eyed her with sharp interest.

"It's good to meet you," Aliya said smiling, her voice musical. "Do you mind if I ask how you ..." Victoria knew what she meant even before she finished her sentence. They wanted to know how she had killed the witch.

"I'm not entirely sure how, but I destroyed a crystal necklace she had," she said evasively, trying to avoid reliving the ugly memory of the witch's power running through her veins. Aliya nodded as if the simple explanation made sense.

"I see how that could be effective, considering that she was an exile and forbidden to wield magic," she said. "Are you self-taught?"

"My ... familiar helped with my training."

"And the compulsion in the meeting room? Where did you learn that?" Victoria was startled. "Don't worry. Some of us have natural gifts." Aliya smiled again, and Victoria felt her discomfort recede as quickly as it had come. Aliya's gift was clearly her ability to control emotions.

"You're a high-priestess?" Victoria asked. "You seem ... young."

A smile. "I am entering my fourth century as the liaison for relations with other societies, like the vampires, so not that young."

"And him?" Victoria asked, indicating the silent man at Aliya's side.

"Fardon is a Seer," she said. "He sees the unconscious mind of a person, and their true intent." At Victoria's confused look, she continued to explain. "A witch or wizard, or vampire for that matter, can block their conscious mind with the proper training but the unconscious part is more difficult to veil, just as it is also more difficult to interpret. Fardon sees what is hidden." She waved a hand to indicate where they were. "Which is also why he is here with me. If the vampires meant us harm, we would know it even before they did on a conscious level. We can't use offensive magic here, but we can teleport if we need to leave quickly."

Victoria nodded. It made sense that the vampires would have their own protective wards in place to inhibit a magical attack from the witch delegates. Smart.