Blood Double (God Wars #1)(63)

*

Lissa's Journal

Lissa? Lendill's voice came in clearly as I sat dejectedly at Kiarra's kitchen counter. Norton, a healer for the Saa Thalarr, cooked for Kiarra and her mates most of the time, although he did have two helpers who filled in and covered days off for him.

Lendill? Did you find something? I sent as Norton set a cup of tea in front of me.

Power flashes, he returned. I have dates and duration, if you want the information.

Yes. As quickly as possible, I sat up straight, my heart thumping in fear and anticipation.

Have your comp-vid? These were recorded as stellar anomalies, since our crew doesn't have information on any population in those areas, Lendill added.

They mistook it for stellar events? Like solar flares or something? I asked

Exactly. Since it wasn't really a concern—in their minds, at least, they ignored it and turned to more important tasks.

Pulling a comp-vid into my hand, I quickly scrolled through the information Lendill sent, realizing immediately that the recorded power flashes coincided exactly with the razing of Dark World planets. Thanks, Lendill, this is what I needed, I sent and misted through the house, looking for Kiarra, Adam and Merrill.

*

"Casimir, I regret that this is necessary, but I must ask that you pose as her approved suitor." Gavin paced behind his desk while Rigo and Aryn, both seated nearby, looked on silently. Casimir, nearly as old as Wlodek, showed no emotion.

Wlodek had come to him earlier and explained the dilemma, after several Council members approached Flavio and Gavin. All were requesting meetings with Breanne. Wlodek had also placed compulsion, informing Casimir that he couldn't discuss Breanne's particulars with anyone other than Flavio, Gavin, Rigo or Aryn.

"I seem to have no other plans, and am happy to serve the Crown," Casimir hid his distaste for the entire affair. Wlodek hinted that Gavin hadn't behaved as a proper sire, and Casimir wondered why Gavin didn't just hand the girl over to him. He would see to it, at the very least, that she was taught and treated properly. That, however, didn't appear to be in Gavin's plans. "I do wish to meet her, however, in case others approach and ask to discuss her care and wellbeing."

"I would prefer not to do so," Gavin growled. "You have her image on your comp-vid—that will be enough for now. The temporary engagement is recorded in the records, and will be reviewed after the five-year period is reached and she is officially released."

"Then I will have a word with the Queen when she returns," Casimir rose stiffly from his chair. "Good evening." Casimir gave the briefest of nods to Gavin before turning and walking out the door.

"I'll have a word with the Queen when she returns," Gavin muttered.

"Gavin, remind me to question your manners on a better day," Rigo walked out behind Casimir.

*

Breanne's Journal

Had someone planned this? Three people crowded around Dee's crumpled body in Teeg's basement. Furious, I appeared before them. "Get out," I hissed. "You will remember none of this," I pointed at the body. A gaping wound covered the chest area—they'd shot Dee with a Ranos pistol from close range.

Three employees, their eyes suddenly blank, turned and fled the darkened room where I stood over the old vampire's remains. He'd been dead for hours, and I wanted to weep. Dee hadn't mistreated me, and that was the only reason I held out my hand now and watched it become charged with light before I Changed What Was.





Chapter 13


Breanne's Journal

"Can we keep this between us?" I knelt beside Dee, who seemed confused, blinking at me in surprise as I brushed dark hair away from his face. Dark eyes, now with the light of life returned to them, studied me in curious puzzlement.

"If that's what you want. What are we keeping between us?" Dee had no idea. Well, I wasn't going to tell him he'd been dead. If he didn't recall it, that was less trauma to deal with later.

"Nothing. We were just looking for you, that's all. I'll take you to Teeg, now."

Eventually he took the lead as his senses returned, and I walked behind him as we made our way through the newly reconstructed tunnel between San Gerxon Palace and San Gerxon Casino.

*

"Dee, I imagined the worst," Gavril pulled the old vampire into an embrace the moment we arrived in the meeting room.

"Child, I have no idea why I was in the basement, but Breanne arrived and informed me that everyone was searching because I'd been missing several hours."

"Do you remember anything?"

"Not past having my lunch delivered," Dee observed the obsessed employee who'd brought his tray earlier.

"Breanne?"

"I found Dee in the basement, lying on the floor. I had to get him up—he wasn't moving when I found him." All my statements were true.

"How did you know to go there?"

"One of your employees knows more, but I'm not sure how much more," I hedged. "Astralan is holding him in the meeting room."

"I'll question him shortly. Dee, I'm so glad you're alive," Teeg slapped the old vampire on the shoulder. "From now on, too, at least one of the warlocks will be with you."

"What are you going to do with Mr. Obsession over there? He could be dangerous, you know." I nodded toward the employee in question.