Blood Ties Part 13

I wait for his anger, his screams of condemnation. But they don't come. Instead he asks, "So, to what do I owe this... honor?"

Where to even begin? I shuffle from foot to foot. "Can we talk somewhere private?"

He nods. "Come upstairs to my hotel room."

I follow him back onto the elevator and we shoot up into the sky. A few minutes later we step into one of the most luxurious hotel rooms I've ever seen. With a view fifty-something stories up looking down on the neon wonderland they call s.h.i.+njuku.

"Wow," I say, walking over to the floor-to-ceiling window. "Rayne told me these were sweet digs. But I had no idea-"

"So your sister is in on this little escapade as well," Magnus says grimly, sitting down on the bed. "Of course."

I turn back to face him. Here goes nothing. "Turns out Jayden wasn't bitten by Cornelius after all," I admit. "He was bitten by Corbin. And now the two of them share some kind of psychic link. That's why the Alphas were able to locate the Holy Grail. I told Jayden where it was. And that's why they raided the Bite Club in Harajuku."

Magnus squeezes his eyes shut, then opens them again. "What else?" he asks in a tight voice.

I kick the carpet with my foot. "They probably know that you're here."

"Here, in j.a.pan?"

"Here in the Park Hyatt. Rayne was going off about how awesome it was. I'm sure Jayden heard her."

"Oh, Sunny." My boyfriend sighs deeply. "Why couldn't you have just trusted me and stayed in England as I asked?"

I frown. "Um, so I could just let you murder Jayden? I don't think so. I mean, I know he lied-and believe me, I'm furious with him, too. But that doesn't mean he deserves to die."

Magnus stares at me, a puzzled look on his face. "What are you talking about?"

"I overheard Tanner talking to Lucedio. You ordered him to poison Jayden and make it look like his body didn't accept the transfusion."

Magnus rises to his feet. "I don't know what you think you heard," he replies bitterly. "But I can a.s.sure you, I ordered no such thing."

"But-"

"You really will trust anyone in the world-even vampires you barely know-over your own boyfriend, won't you?" Magnus growls, pacing the room. "I don't even know what to say about that."

I hang my head in shame. Was it true? Did he really know nothing about this? "I'm sorry," I say, though the words seem so useless. "I just... I heard it and I freaked out. And I had to get Jayden out of there."

"And so you brought him here. And put us all in danger."

"Well, to be fair, I didn't know about the Corbin thing. I just found that out right before I came here to see you. He finally admitted it to me."

"Well, isn't that b.l.o.o.d.y n.o.ble of him."

I rise to my feet, looking pleadingly at Magnus. "I screwed up," I admit. "I know it. And I don't deserve your forgiveness. But I need your help."

He rakes a hand through his hair, freeing it from its ponytail. "Of course," he says, his voice laced with sarcasm. "How can I be of a.s.sistance?"

"It's Rayne. After the Alphas attacked at Bite Club, she went after Corbin. And I haven't heard from her since. I tried calling her cell, but the woman who answered said she found it discarded in an alleyway. I'm worried."

Magnus whirls around, his eyes wide and frightened. "She went after them? Alone-without backup? Is she crazy?"

"Um, we're talking about Rayne here, remember?" "h.e.l.l," he swears, stalking over to the hotel phone and picking up the receiver. He presses a few b.u.t.tons. "Jareth?" he says, after a moment. "Have you heard from Rayne?" He waits for a reply. "Okay," he says. "Well, let me know if she reports in. Yes, I'll tell you the whole story. It's probably nothing but..." He pauses. "Yes, yes, I promise. I've got to go." He hangs up the phone and sinks back onto the bed, scrubbing his face with his hands. "Pyrus is going to kill me."

"Who cares about him?" I demand. "My sister could be in trouble!"

"Ah, yes, once again, this is all about you," Magnus notes. "Who cares that Rayne put herself in trouble by not following orders? And who cares that I'm going to be the one to pay if the Alphas have really taken her." He squeezes his hands into fists. "Rayne knew full well she was supposed to stay here, under the protection of the Blood Coven. She knew the Alphas would stop at nothing to kidnap her and harvest her blood. And yet, she-just like her sister-decided to defy those orders and sneak out on some crazy mission she felt was more important. Putting all of vampire kind in danger."

He turns to me, his eyes bloodshot and wild. "You think I'm the one who's not trustworthy?" he demands. "You think my loyalties are divided? You don't care one bit about what I go through on a daily basis. Or how much trouble I'm constantly in for siding with you instead of my bosses. And if I even hint that I have a duty to perform that doesn't directly benefit you, you automatically start questioning my loyalty or making up crazy things in your head that I'm somehow lying to you and working behind your back to murder your friends."

I stare at him, unable to speak. Oh G.o.d, have I really been so selfish?

"I'm not saying the Consortium is perfect," he continues. "But it's the only government we've got. And when I took command as Master of the Blood Coven, I made a vow to uphold their laws, no matter what. In exchange, my vampires get protection and peace," he explains. "I've seen what happens to covens tossed out of the Consortium for not obeying their rules. They lose everything. They live in squalor-in fear for their lives. There's never enough blood..." He frowns. "I can't let that happen to my people." He rises from the bed and walks over to the window, crossing his arms over his chest and staring out into the night sky. I let out a frustrated breath, feeling the tears well up into my eyes as my mind races over the events of the last few days. Here I've been thinking I'm the n.o.ble heroine, on a mission to save a life. But am I really the selfish villainess, putting everyone in danger, just as Jayden did?

I glance over at my boyfriend's rigid back. You can practically see the anger coming off him in waves. My heart lurches in my chest and I feel like I'm going to throw up. How am I ever going to get him to forgive me?

I rise slowly to my feet and walk over to him, wrapping myself around him and laying my head on his back. At first I wonder if he's going to shrug me off, push me away. But he just stands there, staring out the window. Not submitting, but not rejecting either. I guess that's something.

"I don't even know what to say," I whisper. "Sorry seems so useless."

At first he doesn't respond. Then he turns slowly, pulling me into an embrace. I collapse against him in relief, feeling the sobs choke my throat at this suggestion of forgiveness. Maybe there's still hope. Maybe I haven't ruined everything...

"I'm sorry, too," he whispers. "I know I'm not always forthcoming about the big picture. I try to keep you out of things in an attempt to protect you. But that only makes you worry and doubt me." He pauses, then adds, "And you're not selfish. You're just all heart. You can't stand to see the people you love suffer." He strokes my head with a gentle hand. "We're a lot alike in that way. I'm protective of my vampires just as you're protective of your sister and friends." He sighs. "It's heartbreaking to see those two good things constantly at odds."

"We need to start working together," I murmur against his chest. "We're stronger together than apart."

He pulls away to look down at me with loving eyes. "I agree," he says with a small smile. "So let's go talk to the Consortium about what's going on here. Together."

I c.o.c.k my head in question. "What? But I thought mortals weren't allowed in their sessions."

"They're not." He shrugs. "But I don't care anymore. You're my partner. My equal. And it's time I start treating you as such."

"Thank you," I say sincerely. "That means a lot."

"You mean a lot," he replies, leaning down to kiss me softly on the head. "Now let's go save your sister."

21.

And that's how, an hour later, I find myself the only living girl in a room full of undead. All the premiere voting members of the Vampire Consortium- masters from all over the world-a.s.sembled together in a large arena, which, during normal business hours, houses sumo wrestling matches. (And has the stench of sweaty fat guys to prove it.) When the infamous House Speaker, Pyrus, a tuxedoed, bleach-blond vampire who bears a striking resemblance to Gerard from My Chemical Romance, calls on us, Magnus leads me up to the podium at the center of the arena.

"This is Suns.h.i.+ne McDonald," he announces to the crowd. "Royal daughter of Queen Shrinking Violet of the Light Court of Tir na nog."

The crowd quiets and I can feel a hundred pairs of eyes focus on me expectantly, and I'm suddenly glad of my fae heritage. At least that gives me a tiny dash of otherworld street cred here. I wonder if I should mention I was actually a vampire for about six days last spring. Would that help or hurt my case?

I step up to the podium with legs that feel like Jell- O. "Um, h.e.l.lo," I try to say into the microphone. But in my nervousness I've leaned in too far, spoken too loud, or just got my iPhone too close to the speaker, and high-pitched feedback screeches across the room. I leap back in surprise, my face heating in embarra.s.sment. Way to make a professional first impression, Sun.

I can hear several vampires t.i.tter amongst themselves. Jerks. You'd think living a thousand years would give them a more refined sense of humor.

I glance longingly at the exit. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea. Then I feel a presence beside me. Magnus has stepped next to me, strong shouldered and supportive. He squeezes my hand encouragingly. "It's okay," he whispers. "Go on."

Empowered, I step up to the mic a second time, this time keeping my distance. "h.e.l.lo," I say again, hating the fact that my voice sounds so squeaky and young, as it always does when I'm freaking out. "My name is Suns.h.i.+ne McDonald and I'm here to ask for your help."

I've got their attention now so I draw in a breath and force myself to continue. "My sister is a vampire-a member of the Blood Coven. And she's missing. We have reason to believe she was taken by Alpha operatives who, tonight, raided the Tokyo Bite Club and killed everyone inside."

I wait for the shocked faces, the gasps of horror, the fierce shouts, demanding action, justice, and revenge. We must mobilize. We must track them down. We must get Rayne back.

But, evidently not so much.

"Dude, did you just yawn?" I demand to the Gothy-looking vampire in the front row.

He rolls his kohl-lined eyes. "I'm sorry, who are you again?" he sniffs. "And why are you bothering us with this trivial matter? Are you not aware we're at war here? We don't have time to stage a rescue for every stupid vampire who puts herself in a foolish situation."

I stare at him in shock. Is he for real? Then I realize pretty much everyone in the crowd is nodding their heads in agreement.

"But she's one of you! A member of the Blood Coven!" I protest. "Doesn't that ent.i.tle her to some kind of protection? I thought that was what this whole stupid Consortium thing was all about."

"Sunny..." Magnus growls low at my side.

"Typical Blood Coven," sneers a buxom, black- haired vampire girl in the back row. "Such do- gooders. They should have named you the Bleeding Heart Coven."

I open my mouth to retort, but Pyrus cuts me off. "What are you really asking for here?" he demands of me. "You want us to stop our delicate negotiations with the Alphas and just go in, fangs blazing, to save some inconsequential vampire who disobeyed orders to stay in the compound and got herself kidnapped because of it?"

I hang my head. It doesn't sound good when he puts it that way. I glance over at Magnus with pleading eyes, begging him to step in. I know I said I wanted to be a part of this, but I didn't know that meant throwing myself to the wolves. I'm beginning to see why Consortium business stresses him out so much.

He gives me a regretful smile, like, I told you so, but in a nice way, and gestures for me to step aside. I do so willingly and he takes the microphone out of its holder. "Fellow Consortium members," he addresses the crowd. "Lord Pyrus," he adds, giving a short bow to Mr. Speaker. "I am afraid the missing vampire in question is not so inconsequential after all. You may be familiar with Rayne McDonald, our resident vampiric fae? This is the sister that Suns.h.i.+ne speaks of."

Oh, right. I flush. I should have mentioned her name. I forgot that she's some kind of special case to them. Sure enough, as soon as Magnus says it, the room erupts with excited chatter. Now they're worried. Well, whatever works, I guess.

Pyrus bangs his gavel against the wood block. "I will have order!" he demands and a moment later the talking dies out. He turns to Magnus, his expression grim. I can see my boyfriend gripping the microphone so tightly I'm afraid he's going to crush it with his bare hands.

"How could you have let this happen?" the speaker seethes. "Rayne McDonald was ordered to be under strict guard by your coven the entire trip. You know how valuable she is to us. And you said you'd take care of it."

Magnus grits his teeth. "Rayne can be very...determined," he spits out. "I will find out what happened, of course. But I have little doubt of her ability to outsmart my guards, if given the motivation to do so."

"Then you should have chained her up."

"She's a member of my coven, not a prisoner!" Pyrus shakes his head in disgust. "I should have never trusted your pathetic coven. Now you've ruined everything."

Confusion washes over Magnus's face. "Everything?" he repeats. "I know we had her on retainer but why-"

"How are we going to make a deal with the Alphas now?" Pyrus demands. "Now that we no longer have anything of value to them?"

"Wait, what?" I demand, grabbing the mic from Magnus. "You were planning to trade my sister? To the Alphas?" I turn to Magnus, fury raging inside of me. Did he know of this? But then I catch the horrified look on his face and I realize there's no way. Magnus may be loyal to his vampires, but he'd never sacrifice my sister-and the blood mate of his best friend-for any political purpose.

And suddenly, I realize I trust that-I trust him-completely and utterly without a speck of doubt. Magnus pries the microphone back from me and turns to Pyrus. "Could you please enlighten me on this so-called trade?" he asks, his voice tight and anxious. "I do not believe I was made aware of it."

Pyrus sniffs. "It's simple, really. The Alphas informed me that if I were to hand over Rayne McDonald, they would sign a peace treaty with the Consortium. We would transfer our contract from the main Slayer Inc. parent group and use the Alphas from this point forward." He shrugs. "It seemed like a good solution. They'll create their vampiric fae army and use it to protect us."

"Or go back on their word and destroy us," Magnus points out. "How can you trust an organization like that?"

"I don't," the speaker says simply. "But this would have bought us time, at the very least."

"Time bought at the cost of one of my own," Magnus growls, baring his fangs. He looks so scary and fierce-I don't know whether to be proud or frightened. "I should have been consulted. I would never have agreed to something like this!"

"Then you should have been here," Pyrus bites back. "This is war, Magnus. I couldn't sit around twiddling my thumbs, while you were off in England, trying to save some mutant stray."

So that's it. I asked Magnus to abandon his duties to the Consortium, and by doing so, I basically signed my sister's death warrant. I should have listened to him from the start. Trusted his judgment in doing the right thing. Seen the bigger picture here instead of always looking at my own selfish whims. We chose Jayden-who lied and put us all at risk. And in doing so, we doomed my sister.

"In any case, it makes no difference now," Pyrus adds. "Seeing as they've gotten her on their own and now there's nothing we can do about it." He shakes his head. "And no bargaining means war." He turns to the Consortium. "Masters, a.s.semble your armies," he instructs. "Our time is up. Tomorrow evening, we will mobilize against the Alphas. We will bring them down!"

The crowd cheers-caught up in the excitement- and the vampires start scrambling up from their seats. Magnus turns to me, a devastated expression on his face. "I'm sorry," he whispers, in a voice that breaks my heart.

"No, I'm sorry," I whisper back. "I should have never doubted you."

"So that's it then?" Magnus demands of Pyrus as the audience dwindles. "No discussion, no vote? They all just do what you say now, without question?" Pyrus gives him a self-satisfied smirk. "They know I have their best interests at heart."

"The only thing you have in your poor excuse for a heart is a thirst for power," Magnus snarls. "The Consortium I joined was supposed to be a democracy. And yet suddenly it smells suspiciously of a dictators.h.i.+p-"

"Lord Magnus, you are out of order," Pyrus interrupts. "If you would like to make a procedural complaint, you can do so tomorrow night by filling out the correct form in triplicate and filing it at the proper-"

"What, so you can bury it in your bureaucracy and keep doing exactly what it is you want to do?" Magnus demands. "Knowing that everyone's too scared to speak up and voice an opinion, fearing that you'll kick them out of the Consortium if they do?" He scowls. "Well, I for one am done with it. The Blood Coven will not go along with your plan until it's been discussed and brought to a vote-as we all vowed to do when we first joined the organization."

Pyrus smirks. "I'm afraid that's no longer your call. By the powers vested in me as Speaker of the Consortium, I hereby remove you from your position as Master of the Blood Coven."

I gasp. Can he do that?

Magnus's face turns stark white. I guess he can. "And what will happen to my coven?" he asks in a steely voice. As always, he's thinking of his people before himself.

"Your co-master, Jareth, will be placed in command. Hopefully he will prove more loyal to the Consortium than his predecessor."

"That's not fair!" I cry, horrified. But Magnus silences me with a fierce look. I reluctantly snap my mouth closed.

The speaker smiles smugly. "Actually, I think I'm being more than fair. After all, I'm sure Magnus here doesn't want the entire Blood Coven to be punished for his crimes, now, does he?"

Magnus hangs his head. G.o.d, this is so not good!

"Take your punishment like a good little vampire, and maybe I will see fit to let you live," Pyrus adds. "But if you lift even one finger to interfere with Consortium business and the upcoming Alpha attack, I will have you staked into oblivion." He smirks. "And you know full well there's not one vampire here who will stop me."

And with that lovely sentiment, he sweeps out of the room, leaving Magnus and me standing in an empty arena. My boyfriend sinks down onto a nearby bench, his whole body shaking with anger. I run to his side, wondering what I should do, what I should say. It's not often I see him looking lost-so out of control. I feel terrible that I am the one who caused so much of this pain.

"I'm so sorry," I say, feeling the tears well up into my eyes. "I'm so, so sorry. This is all my fault."