Guardian Witch: Burning Both Ends Part 20

"You're not leaving us, are you, witch? I hope it was nothing I said." Jamal's drawling voice brought her to a momentary halt.

"Not at all. I'll be back shortly. Enjoy your drinks." Ari smiled sweetly. Trying to look innocent was hard for her, and she hadn't had much practice in the last ten years. She grew up looking so much like the wholesome, blonde kid next door that she'd worked hard on perfecting a tougher image. A witch in law enforcement had to look competent, command some respect. Now she found herself trying to reverse the process. She widened her eyes and blinked her lashes at him.

"Are we boring you?" he pursued.

OK, so he wasn't going to make it easy for her to check on Marta. He was deliberately trying to keep her here. Or delay her. Ari's witch senses went on alert, adrenaline spiking. She needed to get out of here, find the vampiress. ASAP.

Everyone in the room was watching by this time. Ari couldn't think of anything better, so she gave him another vacuous smile and said, "Oh, no, not bored. But I'm going to have an accident if I don't visit the little girls' room very soon."

Jamal's mouth snapped shut. Lilith snickered, although she tried to smother it. Why does any mention of a woman's bodily functions have that effect on men? Ari was afraid to look at Andreas. Laughter would be so inappropriate right now. But Gabriel wasn't so inhibited. He burst out laughing.

Ari ducked her head as if embarra.s.sed and hurried toward the door.

Most of the crowd lost interest immediately, but Jamal continued to watch her. Aware of his intent gaze on her back, she kept her head lowered and her mouth shut until she and Lilith escaped the room.

"Something's going on," Ari whispered. "Marta's not here."

"I saw her consort leave, and then Marta followed him. Is that a problem?"

"I'll tell you while we look." As they started checking the hallways, Ari related what Horatio had told her about the tail at the airport.

"Why would he follow us?"

"Makes me think he's plotting something on his own or Marta's not as supportive as she acts. I'll feel better when I can lay my eyes on them." When she did, she intended to keep them under surveillance. Better yet, maybe she'd lock them in an empty room until the rebels were gone. If they'd just stepped out for a innocent quickie, she could apologize later.

"I don't like anybody spying on me," she said, as she turned into another hallway. "When we find Marta's boy toy, I'm going to ask him what his problem is."

Ari and Lilith sped through the maze of hallways. As Ari became more anxious with each turned corner that failed to reveal the missing pair, her witch senses started to tingle, adding to her unease. Too much time had pa.s.sed since she left Andreas. Anything could be happening back in that room while she was on what looked like a wild goose chase. Not to mention that her failure to return would soon be noticed. She was on the verge of giving up the search, thinking Marta might have returned to the meeting. One last pa.s.sage, the one closest to the rear entrance, then she'd go back.

As they neared the corner, a rush of Otherworld power sent energy shooting down her arms and across her neck. She stopped without warning; Lilith narrowly avoided a collision. Hushed voices and furtive footsteps approached them from the hallway ahead. Ari and the lioness slipped into the nearest room, leaving the door open a crack. Ari could smell them long before she saw them. Wolves. Marta, Percy, and a group of a dozen or more wolves pa.s.sed the door. It wasn't hard to figure out their mission. As Andreas or Gabriel might put it, a coup d'etat was underway.

As soon as the enemy was out of sight, Lilith and Ari came out of hiding and split in opposite directions, alerting their own troops. Ari fought off her instinct to race to Andreas's side. Stick to the plan, she told herself grimly. They needed Gilbert's help to contain any disturbance, keep it from spreading beyond the audience chambers. The battle would be won in that room or it might not be won at all. If the fight reached the other vampires and lycanthropes spread throughout the compound, no one could predict what would happen. She couldn't let it get that far. If Sebastian's people turned on them en ma.s.se, the numbers would not be in Andreas's favor.

Ari chafed at the time it took to collect their forces and kept urging everyone to hurry. Groups of two and three took off at a sprint to man the strategic stations in the hallways. Gilbert and a dozen or so followed Ari. When they arrived at the chamber doors, they weren't more than a minute or two behind Marta's band of a.s.sa.s.sins, but they heard nothing from inside. Ari held up a hand to stop her companions, before opening the door a crack to peek inside.

Andreas and Gabriel stood back to back, surrounded by a circle of enemy wolves and vampires. Oliver knelt in a pool of blood, held tight by silver chains round his throat, a gun to his head. Four of Andreas's lycanthrope staff, including Russell, lay bleeding on the floor. Ari heard Lilith's quick intake of breath behind her. Off to one side, two staff members who'd served the wine and refreshments appeared to be dead.

Andreas was talking with the rogue vampires, but Ari couldn't make out what was being said. She considered her options, but with Andreas at risk and Russell lying injured or dead on the floor, she wasn't looking for a diplomatic solution. She signaled her troops to take their positions, and she did it the old-fas.h.i.+oned way.

She kicked open the doors, and they exploded into the room.

As soon as Andreas saw Ari, he slammed his power into Ezekial, knocking the other vampire to his knees, and leaped over him, punching Jamal in the mouth. Bartholomew, apparently left to guard the door, grabbed Ari from behind, lifting her in a bear hug. "Now play nice, witch. It'll all be over soon."

"Is this nice enough?" She twisted in his arms, punching him twice in the nose. "I want it over now." She punched him again; blood spurted, and he cradled his damaged snout in both hands, releasing her. Ari landed on her feet, ducking under the giant's arms in time to see Percy hand his mistress the sword that had decapitated Sebastian.

Marta launched herself into the air toward Andreas. Gabriel yelled a warning. Without hesitation, Ari raised her fingers and released the lethal witch fire. Crimson flames arced between them, catching the vampiress in midair with a direct hit. Marta screamed, bursting into a blaze of fire. The sword clattered to the floor.

Traitorous b.i.t.c.h. The vampiress had gotten off easy.

Gilbert and his band of wolves and tigers swarmed over the rest of the combatants. Marta's forces fired a half-dozen shots, but the heart had gone out of the rebellion with her dramatic death. The fighting was over in a matter of minutes, but Ari wheeled to face a new potential threat as high-pitched keening rent the air.

She relaxed her stance when she saw Percy kneeling in the vampiress's ashes. The eerie wail that erupted from his throat was a terrible mixture of physical and mental pain. Lilith crouched beside Russell, running her hands over her husband's body. She finally looked up and nodded. Andreas stood with one foot on Ezekial's throat and the rest of their forces soon had the others under restraint. When the room was quiet, except for Percy's occasional wails, Andreas allowed Ezekial to stand and the other rebel leaders were released.

"What do you want done with them?" Gabriel asked. Everyone looked at Andreas, waiting for his decision, except for Jamal, who seemed afraid to look at anyone. Ari turned her back on him. He should be worried.

Before Andreas could answer, Percy's strident voice interrupted. "You," he screeched, a world of accusation in the word. He lifted a trembling finger to point at Ari. His entire body was shaking from the effects of the bond breaking. "Oathbreaker! They said you're forbidden to use witch fire on vampires. I told her she'd be safe. Marta! Marta!" He frantically scooped the ashes into a pile. Even he probably didn't know what he intended to do with them.

Is this what he'd traveled to Riverdale to learn? He'd have been better off to ask. Ari would have told him. She wondered who "they" had been, but the source didn't really matter. No one who knew Ari very well. Otherwise, he would have learned the truth.

She did whatever had to be done.

She had no sympathy for traitors. Not for Marta, and not for Percy, whose death had been set in motion the moment his mistress died and the vampire bond broke. When he finally collapsed over Marta's ashes, Ari winced but turned away without a comment.

No one else died that night. Once initial hostilities were over, the vampires turned into consummate pragmatists, including Andreas. She'd been around them long enough not to be surprised. While most of the company retired to the lounge to celebrate-although a party seemed odd to her with four people dead-the rebel leaders met with Andreas and Gabriel. Ari sat in on the proceedings. Deals were made, treaties were signed in blood, and the defeated leaders eventually departed with their supporters. World leaders could take lessons from the vampires. It was hard to figure out their rules of diplomacy and engagement, but you couldn't fault the results.

"I am glad tonight is over, madam witch. We were fortunate we did not lose more, but I doubt the friends of the two fallen wolves feel that way." Andreas had one arm around her as they turned away from the chamber doors that had closed behind their former enemies, now allies.

"Will the treaty hold?"

He favored her with an unreadable look. "For now. For a while. Until something or someone else triggers their ambitions."

"Are you suggesting they'll be back? That they might change sides again?" Maybe world leaders didn't have any lessons to learn from the vampires after all. Not if Andreas had to fight the same battles over again. The world already knew how to do that.

"If it suits their purpose," he said wearily. "Not soon, but I cannot speak for the future. You should know by now that vampires are as changeable as circ.u.mstances warrant. Tonight they are our allies. It is enough for now." He surveyed the disorganized room. The bodies had already been removed but the floor was covered with blood, broken bottles, and scattered pieces of tableware and chairs. "I will send for staff to clean up this mess. Shall we join the others in the lounge and thank our friends?"

Arms around each other, they strolled toward the door, but Gabriel stopped them.

"I have something I need to say to Ari, and I'd rather do it here. Keep this among us."

Andreas's look might have been a question or a warning, but he didn't say anything. His arm tightened around Ari in a rea.s.suring squeeze.

Good G.o.ddess, what now? Had she done something else wrong? She'd hoped Gabriel was through being p.i.s.sed at her. Bracing herself for whatever was coming, she stepped away from Andreas and gave Gabriel a weary look. "OK, say it."

"I was wrong about you. I shouldn't have questioned your loyalty to Andreas." When she frowned, he said, "I know I said that before, but it was because Andreas wanted me to. Now I'm speaking for myself."

For a moment, Ari was dumbfounded, then she was irritated he'd pretended the first time he apologized. It might be important to Andreas for her and Gabriel get along, but enough was enough. She narrowed her eyes. "So you lied to me?"

Gabriel flinched at her unexpected response. "Yes, I guess so, but it was for a good reason. Now I've seen how you came through. When we needed you, you were on our side and took Marta out. I'm sorry I-"

"You still don't get it, do you?" Ari interrupted. "I've always been on Andreas's side. I shouldn't have to kill someone to prove it. I guess I don't act the way you think I should. And knowing me, I probably never will. Until you accept that, we're going to be constantly b.u.t.ting heads."

Openly disconcerted, Gabriel regarded her for several long moments. Then he threw back his head and laughed. "Touche. I stand corrected." He gave a courtly bow and dropped to one knee. "In the future, I hope to meet your high standards for always speaking one's mind. In the meantime, I beg your forgiveness, Lady Arianna. Can we be friends again?"

"Now you're overdoing it, and I'm not sure there's much hope for you. But..." She paused, pretending to consider her response. "Friends," she agreed, promptly turning away to hide the grin on her face and walking toward the door. "But a little begging and kneeling from time to time would be nice."

Chapter Eighteen.

Reluctant to cut her time short with Andreas, Ari delayed her return to Riverdale as long as possible. She and Andreas were inseparable whenever he wasn't involved in vital court business. Sometimes they just enjoyed being together, but often they held serious discussions on the situation in Toronto, her responsibilities in Riverdale, and how they were going to reconcile the two. And they talked about the magic.

In public, they worked hard to dispel any rumors by openly discussing Ari's plans to fly back and forth from Riverdale to Toronto. She also tried to meet the vampires' expectations by acting more like a consort, even allowed Andreas to give her an order or two, which she meekly accepted. He ruined the performance by laughing.

When Andreas was busy, Ari became better acquainted with his inherited staff, hoping to win their trust. This included spending time with Gabriel. He was rather amusing company, and, best of all, a great source of information on her favorite vampire.

On Sunday, her last night in Toronto, Ari and Gabriel met in the lounge for drinks while Andreas dealt with some last minute business, something to do with finances.

Gabriel had commandeered two upholstered chairs near the stone fireplace, and Ari sipped her gla.s.s of wine while watching a group of wolves playing pool. Gilbert and his friends had returned to the States, so these had to be locals. They acted happier, more carefree than they had under Sebastian's dictators.h.i.+p. But then maybe her interpretation was biased.

Gabriel had fallen into an uncharacteristic silence.

"Is something wrong?" she finally asked.

"No, just something on my mind. I'll figure it out."

Ari decided it was none of her business and changed the subject. This might be her last chance to interrogate Gabriel on Andreas's early life in England, and she didn't intend to let it get away from her.

"Tell me what it was like when you lived in London. I know you and Andreas were sired by the same vampiress, and you can spare me those details, but did you know each other before you became vampires?"

Gabriel gave her a crooked smile. "Afterwards, but I had seen him once before." He warmed to his subject. "It was the night of London's Spring Ball. I probably wouldn't have noticed him, except he was the fas.h.i.+onable young buck dancing with Miss Charity Worthington. And I very much wanted to be dancing in his place." Gabriel sighed. "She was such a lovely thing."

"Did you get to meet her?"

"Alas, no. She only had eyes for Andreas. I never saw her after that evening, and a month later I was a vampire. The memory of Miss Worthington and that missed dance still breaks my heart." He clapped a hand to his chest. "I'm sure it left me scarred for life. Tragic, isn't it?"

"I might think so," Ari chuckled, "if I believed a word you said."

"You wound me."

"Oh, please. But tell me, was Andreas already a vampire? The night of the ball, I mean?"

"He was. I didn't know at the time. How could I? I'd heard the whispered tales of vampires, but who really believed such fantastic stories?"

Ari had a sudden horrible thought. "That isn't what happened to your Miss Worthington, is it? Did Andreas kill her that night?"

Gabriel looked at her in mock horror. "Shame on you. Of course not. Even at our worst, Andreas and I didn't prey on beautiful women. No, she married a wealthy lord and left the London scene. I suppose she had a dozen aristocratic babies." He sounded a little wistful.

"So Andreas was leading a normal life, going to b.a.l.l.s and whatever else you guys did back then? Didn't people notice he was a vampire?"

"Andreas, Andreas. Can you talk of nothing else?" Gabriel shook his head, dislodging a shock of blond hair. He finger-combed it back in place. "I know he's a fine fellow and all that, but sometimes a guy wants to talk about himself, you know? Why don't you ask me about the great accomplishments of my life? Or, heaven forbid, even my failures?"

"Fine, I'll bite," Ari said. "No pun intended. You can tell me all about yourself, and then you can tell me about Andreas."

He gave her a prissy look. "I give up. A man has to admit when he's beaten. You have a one-track mind." He gave her his lop-sided grin, but when he spoke again, the carefree lilt was missing from his voice. "You'd have to understand London at that time to understand Andreas's behavior-and later, mine. Society, at least the part we belonged to, was a constant swirl of parties and dinners. Almost everything happened at night, so it wasn't remarkable that no one saw Andreas during the day. And remember, no one believed in vampires, not really. No one suspected that Andreas and I were different. Without an older vampire to guide us, we didn't know how vampires were supposed to act, so for a while we kept doing the things we'd always done as humans. At least most of the time. The rest of the time... It was almost as frightening to us as we were to our victims." His voice drifted away, and he gazed pensively into the fire.

Gabriel's face reflected pain, and Ari was sorry she'd pushed him into talking about the early years. She didn't know what she could say to make it better, so the silence lengthened. Gabriel finally looked at her. "I think that's enough of the history lessons for tonight. Maybe it would be better if you talked to Andreas about those first months and years." He smiled ruefully. "I didn't mean to turn gloomy, but some of my memories aren't so good." He took another sip of wine. "I think it's time to tell you why I wanted to have a drink tonight."

"That would be good, but I don't understand your hesitation. I thought we'd become friends."

"We have, but I'm not sure how to say this, without there being another misunderstanding. It's about your leaving tomorrow. I won't pretend I like it or agree with your decision, but I want you to know that up here," he tapped his head, "I understand your reasons. You have a job to do, and Andreas has his own life to live, but you two belong together. Not for romantic reasons-that's none of my business-but you're stronger together. Your magics are stronger." He s.h.i.+fted to sit forward in his chair, resting his arms on his legs and gave her a direct look. "I'm worried about what happens to him and to you after you leave."

"Worried about what?" Although he meant well, Ari wished he wouldn't do this to her. "Believe me, this magical thing is a two-edged sword. It isn't all good."

"I can see that." Gabriel shrugged.

"What is it you want from me?"

He shook his head. "I guess what I really wanted was to say you won't get further grief from me. When you're not here, I'll keep a close eye on everything-including your boyfriend, and if he gets into trouble, I'll call." Gabriel grinned and leaned back. "You better not hang up on me again, even if I deserve it."

"Deal. I can drink to that." Ari lifted her gla.s.s.

"What are you two toasting so early this evening?" Andreas was smiling, obviously pleased at seeing them so comfortable with one another.

"Long lives and pretty women," Gabriel said glibly. "At least, I was."

"A worthy toast," Andreas said. "I wish you luck with both, but I am going to take this particular pretty woman away with me."

"Such is my life," Gabriel grumbled. "Destined to drink alone."

"I hardly imagine that will happen," Ari predicted, rising from her chair.

As they left the lounge, she glanced back and smiled to see Gabriel had already found other company. A dark-haired vampiress was regarding him with a sultry look over the rim of a gla.s.s of dark burgundy liquid.

Ari looked up at Andreas. "Did your meeting go OK?"

His lips tightened for a moment. "Finances are not particularly enjoyable but necessary to the running of an operation this complicated. I must admit, I was unpleasantly surprised by the large amounts of money Sebastian squandered. Another few years and he would have run the court into disastrous debt."

"That bad? But then he seemed to do everything to excess. I suppose he had expensive tastes."

"Very. Speaking of that, I wanted to discuss your return trip to Riverdale. When do you have to be there?"

Ari shot him a quick look. How did finances bring up her trip? He couldn't be that worried about flight cost. Besides, the Council would reimburse her. But his question reminded her how short their time was, and she struggled to keep the regret from her voice. "The vote's tomorrow afternoon. I can't risk missing it, so I should probably get a flight out late tonight. I haven't checked connections yet. I guess I've been putting it off, not wanting to cut into our time."

Andreas's face broke into a boyish smile. "Forget about the connections. One of Sebastian's extravagances was the sweetest little jet you will ever see. I have decided to keep it, and it will be at your disposal whenever you feel you must go. Flight time to Riverdale's small airport is approximately three hours, which means we still have until dawn."

Ari returned his smile. Andreas loved to spring things on people and watch their reaction. Usually she didn't share his enthusiasm for sudden revelations, not unless she was the one making them, but this was fantastic news. "You mean I've been catching these commercial flights for nothing? Why haven't I heard about this plane before now?"

"If you had checked with me before flying here and there, I would have told you." A twitch of his lips a.s.sured her he was teasing. "Shall I have its galley stocked with champagne or coffee?"

"Are you kidding?"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, I was. I am working on that sense of humor you value so much. My special blend of coffee from Club Dintero is already on board."