Blood Double (God Wars #1)(74)

"Tell him to continue his efforts. If we are successful, perhaps we might celebrate three deaths quite close together."

"I hope you might dance with me should that happen," Rathik smiled.

"I will certainly dance with you should that be accomplished."

*

Breanne's Journal

How grateful was I that I hadn't been invited to the birthday party for one of Cheedas' comesula employees? Heathe and Grant were going—I read it briefly when I'd lowered my shield earlier in the day. I learned in my brief reading of Lissa's two assistants that the party coincided with the comesula's drinking day, which meant his patron vampire would also attend, and if my guess was correct, provide a little pleasure with the taking of blood.

I was more than happy that I wouldn't see that. I realize that most people would find it strange that I hadn't had sex (or pleasure of any kind) in all my fifty-nine years. If they'd seen me before I'd been turned vampire, they'd have known why that was. Disfigured would have been a compliment for me. I'd been so much worse off than that.

Broken bones that hadn't healed properly, too many scars to count, a face damaged beyond recognition—the injuries from my past saw to it that nobody would look at me with anything other than pity or revulsion. Now that I was as normal as I might have ever been, I had Gavin and a palace full of watchers who kept me away from any intimate contact. For a moment, I thought of Trevor, Stellan, Trajan and Kooper before squaring my shoulders and shoving those thoughts away.

With the brief absence of Council meetings, at least, the digital pile of comesuli requests was dwindling to a reasonable number. Without interruptions, I might be caught up in less than a week. My search for Erithia Cordan was still going on, but so far, there'd been nothing. I'd gone back to the conference table on several occasions, too, but nobody had visited it again since I'd sniffed out Rathik's presence. Thankfully, Kalenegar hadn't reappeared, either, and I was more than grateful for that. The evening might have been pleasant if Gavin hadn't poked his head in the door, interrupting my thoughts.

"You will come with me," he demanded, compulsion thick in his voice. I wanted to argue or mist away. I didn't. Obediently, I rose to follow him.

*

"Boss, what are you planning to do with him?" Astralan stared at the obsessed employee. "He's done nothing except sit on the cot inside his cell here at CSD Headquarters and eat the meals brought to him when ordered to do so."

"I don't know," Teeg sighed. "All we have is that stupid woman's assurance that there's something there. Dee doesn't remember a thing past this one setting a lunch tray on his desk."

"This is really weird," Astralan shook his head.

"Dad's on his way, and he's bringing the bitch with him. Tony and Rigo are coming too, and they're escorting Q'And Ribalo."

"Look, she's saved your ass. I don't think calling her a bitch is going to solve anything, and it certainly doesn't do your reputation any good." Astralan scowled at Teeg. "You're calling a known criminal by his given name and the woman who's saved you unkind names. Boss, I think your priorities are screwed up."

"Get Stellan and prepare a cell for Mr. Ribalo. Ildevar has given permission to try him on Campiaa. The other topic isn't up for discussion."

*

Ashe knew before anyone, just as he had the time before. His mate was in trouble and he followed it. Kalia had crept into the kitchen after everyone had gone to bed, and taking the sharpest knife she could find, had sliced into her wrists. Ashe shouted for every healer he could name while using a great deal of power to stop the bleeding.

*

Breanne's Journal

Tony and Rigo met us in the dungeon. That's where I met Q'And Ribalo for the first time. Not only did I read him, I read his brother's activities—what Q'And knew of them, anyway.

"You filth," I spat at him. He jerked back from me when Rigo led him out of the cell.

"Watch your mouth," Gavin's claws dug into my shoulder. I was folded to Campiaa immediately.

*

"A word, Master Cheedas?" A kitchen employee handed Cheedas a glass of wine as he made his request.

"What do you need?" Cheedas turned dark eyes on the humanoid male who'd ventured outside the bustling kitchen of the Hurricane Casino.

"The cooks are having difficulty with the cake," the employee explained. "They'd like your advice."

"I will be happy to help," Cheedas agreed. "Lead the way."

*

"Do you think I don't have spies?" Hordace hissed at Rathik's image. "I know the attempt failed and now my brother has been shipped to Campiaa. Be assured I will discuss this with Erithia when she returns. I will also attempt to achieve what she has so far failed to do."

"What is that?" Rathik bristled at Cayetes' insult against Erithia.

"I'll kill that fool Teeg San Gerxon. Don't think for a moment that I don't have people on Campiaa."

"You could bring all of us to San Gerxon's attention if you fail," Rathik hissed. He wished he were close enough to Cayetes—compulsion would certainly be placed and the fool would become compliant.

"Do you think for a moment I'd allow that to happen, you dolt?" Hordace growled. "How do you think I've managed to elude even their best in the past? Erithia isn't the only one with well-placed and powerful allies."