Red-Headed Stepchild

Page 23

I sat patiently, trusting he’d connect the two seemingly unrelated subjects together when he was ready.
“Tell me, Sabina, what happens when vampires ingest the blood of mancies?”
My whole body jerked, realizing where he was going with this. “The vamp absorbs some of the mage’s powers,” I said slowly. “Are you insinuating the Dominae are kidnapping these mancies?”
“I’m not insinuating anything. The Dominae are kidnapping the mancies and harvesting their blood.”
It couldn’t be possible, I thought. Any fool knew if the Hekate Council found out the shit would hit the fan. The centuries-old truce between the races would be broken. The result would be another war.
“But …” I began. “Why would the Dominae want to antagonize the mancies that way?”
“It’s simple: power. The Dominae have recognized their dwindling control over the vampire population. Do you realize over the last six months alone, I have recruited hundreds of vamps to my cause?”
I knew he spoke the truth. After all, hadn’t the Dominae sent me to kill him because he was threatening their power?
“But why antagonize the mancies? They have to know it will lead to war.”
He crossed his arms and regarded me levelly. “What better way to rally the support of the vampire community than to create a common enemy?”
Holy shit, he was right. I wasn’t buying it completely, but there was a certain twisted logic to his thinking.
“And think about it, Sabina,” he said. “If the Dominae can arm their vamp army with blood filled with mancy magic they’ll be almost unstoppable.”
My stomach sank. In centuries past, when the vampires and mancies fought, the mancies always had the advantage. A vampire had to be close to attack—hand-to-hand or fang-to-vein. But mancies could use their powers from miles away. If vamps had the power of magic combined with their superior fighting skills behind them, they could wipe out mage-kind. This certainly put a new spin on things. But if the Dominae wanted me to kill Clovis to prevent a war, why would they feel the need to have a secret weapon? Unless they were just being proactive. That had to be it. Still, if the Hekate Council found out the Dominae was behind the mancies’ disappearances, they’d be forced to declare war first. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the Dominae wanted a war. But why?
Wait a second, I thought. Clovis is full of shit. The Dominae wouldn’t do something so foolish. And even if they did, why should I care?
“Okay, so if what you’re saying is true, why does it matter to me? I am a vampire, after all.”
“Correction, you’re only half-vampire. Doesn’t it bother you that your own kin could be eradicated from this planet?”
“Considering I’ve never met any of my family on that side? No.”
“Then how about this? How long do you think the human race would last if vampires didn’t have their truce with mancies keeping them in check? It would be a bloodbath—literally. When the dust settled, there would be no humans left from which to feed. How long until the vamp population turned against itself?”
The hairs on the back of my neck stood on end as the implications hit me.
“Again, I have to ask why? Why would the Dominae want to bring on their own version of the Apocalypse?”
“My source—”
I held up a hand to stop him. “Just who is the source?”
“I’m afraid I can’t divulge his identity. But I can tell you he’s getting his information from a member of the Undercouncil.”
So Grandmother was right about the source of the leak. Now I just needed a name. “Which member of the Undercouncil?”
He ignored me. “As I said, my source has been sending me troubling reports about Lavinia Kane’s increasing fanaticism. As the Alpha, your grandmother holds power over the others. And it’s common knowledge her own daughter—your mother—broke the sacred laws and mated with a mancy, which led to her death. In short, Lavinia wants to make the Hekate Council pay.”
It couldn’t be that simple. Could it? Surely my grandmother didn’t want to risk an all-out war over a personal grudge. I stopped and regrouped my thoughts. For a minute there, I’d almost forgotten about my mission. Clovis was my enemy, even if he didn’t know it. But more important, he considered the Dominae his enemy. He’d tell me anything to get me to help him destroy their power. Besides, my grandmother might be angry about what happened with my parents, but surely she wouldn’t risk a full-out war. Would she?
“If you’re right, and frankly I’d need proof, what role could you possibly see me playing in this?”
“I want you to destroy the vineyards.”
“Me? How the hell am I supposed to do that? It’s not like I could just stroll in there.”
“Your skills as an assassin make you an expert at reconnaissance and moving about undetected, correct?”
“Sure, but—”
He wasn’t finished. “You come up with a plan to take over the vineyard, and I’ll make sure you have the manpower to carry it out.”
I’d reserve judgment on the simplicity of that assignment until I could gather some more information. I had bigger questions gnawing at me.
“What’s in it for you?” I said.
He lifted his hands as if trying to convey modesty. “We all have a stake in the survival of our kind, Sabina. I’m simply trying to do what I can to right a wrong.”
“Bullshit.” The word escaped my lips like a gunshot.
He stared at me in shock for a moment, as if amazed someone would dare question his sincerity. He leaned forward with his arms on the desk.
His voice was lower yet harder when he said, “Fine. I’m hoping to expose the Dominae’s plan and secure my place as the new leader. With them out of power, I’ll be able to convince the Hekate Council to refrain from seeking retribution.”
I leaned back to consider his words. Part of me admired his honesty. The other part understood he’d just given me the information I’d come to gather for the Dominae. But I knew I needed more to bring to them before I fulfilled the final stage of my assignment. They’d want details.
“And what is in it for me if I agree to help you?”
He chuckled. “Who said you had a choice? After all, Sabina, wouldn’t the Dominae be interested to find out that you’re no better than David Duchamp?”
My stomach did a somersault followed by a nosedive.
“If memory serves, you were David’s executioner.”
I swallowed hard as I remembered the betrayal on David’s face when I pulled the trigger.
Clovis wasn’t done. “Did you know that David and I only met once? I approached him to see if he’d be willing to work for me. Do you know what he said, Sabina?”
I shook my head because if I opened my mouth, I might throw up.
Clovis leaned his elbows on the table. “He told me to go to hell.”
“You’re lying.” I choked out the words. “He was working for you. That’s why they had me kill him.”
Clovis frowned and shook his head. “They lied.”
My eyes closed, trying to block out the words. Hadn’t David told me not to trust anyone? I’d assumed he meant Clovis, but could he have included the Dominae in that warning? My head started to throb as the mission that had seemed so straightforward suddenly felt more like a web of deceit and I didn’t know who was the spider.
“Just imagine, if they’d murder David just because I spoke to him,” Clovis said, “what would they do if they found out how far you made it in the process? That you allowed me to feed from you?”
I stared at him so hard I felt like my eyeballs might ignite. He had no idea how empty his threat was. After all, my grandmother not only approved of him feeding from me, she’d made it clear it was expected. I clenched my jaw, fighting to keep some perspective despite the painful implications. Clovis might be telling the truth. Maybe my grandmother did only see me as a pawn in whatever plan she had brewing. I suppose part of me knew that already, but didn’t want to face facts. And it hurt, a visceral pain in my midsection. But I’d do best to remember who was my real enemy here—Clovis. Using David’s death to threaten me sealed his fate. “That won’t be an issue.”
He leaned back with a grin, misunderstanding my comment. “I knew you were a smart girl.”
I clenched my fists under the table, so he wouldn’t see. If I could just hold back my anger for a few more minutes, I could escape his office and go put my fist through something.
“Why not just call in the Hekate Council now? Why use me? Why trust me when you know the Alpha is my grandmother?”
“Why trust you? An interesting question, Sabina. Let’s just say I have my own reasons.” His smile was downright reptilian. And for the first time I wondered if I was being played. Was it possible he knew I was still working for the Dominae? But why allow me this far into his circle of trust?
“As for your other question, I can’t risk the Hekate Council finding out because they’re likely to just declare war first and ask questions later. No, your lineage will help ensure my victory.”
“My lineage?”
“You’re of noble bloodlines on both sides of your family. Having you behind me will lend weight to my negotiations with the mancies.”
“I highly doubt that. They disowned me from the minute I was born.”
His eyes narrowed. “Who told you that?”
I really didn’t want to get into a discussion about my checkered family history. “Look, it doesn’t matter. If you think it will help, then fine.”
He looked like he wanted to say more on the subject, but let it drop. “What will you need to get started?”
I thought for a moment. “I need to see this place myself and read through any information you have before I answer that question.”
“No problem,” he said. “I’ll have Frank drive you.”