Chapter 14
It had been one month since Marc Lacoby had been found dead in his twelve million dollar Florence mansion. And despite the indications that Rina had something to do with it, as Elena had predicted; through the uncanny efforts of Archangel Tower, the story had been quickly squashed and Lacoby's death became generally accepted as due to natural causes.
Rina had seen the entire matter as another test of her mettle and she'd received a passing grade. However, at the moment the last thing she wanted was to ponder Lacoby's death, not when a certain angel was currently occupying her time.
Rina lay naked in bed with Bryce as the early rays of morning light illuminated her master bedroom within her Fifth Avenue suite. She stretched as languidly as a cat before gazing at the fine specimen of angel flesh that lay beside her. She took this opportunity to study Bryce's handsome face still in the throes of sleep. His liquid bronzed skin was smooth in appearance and to the touch. She doubted he had to shave, and as an angel it appeared that hair only grew where he wanted it to. At the moment, a tendril of sun-kissed tresses had fallen across his forehead making him appear almost boyish. However, due to the level of intimacy they had shared last evening and over the past month, she knew there was nothing boyish about him. The platinum blond tips of his lashes were a stark contrast to the smooth honey of his cheeks. Her eyes eventually fell to his lips, slightly full but so very kissable.
Rina didn't know where this relationship was headed and the fact that they had discussed Making process only once was very telling. She was certain Bryce knew it was ultimately her decision and she was grateful he didn't push her to make one. But she knew the true reason he didn't push her, because it was not the ideal outcome for him either. He would have preferred to Make her an angel. However, they were both aware that the only realistic route to immortality for her was through vampirism. But she couldn't help but wonder if the longer she took to make a decision, the easier Bryce would slip away from her. He had given no indication that he'd leave her should she decide to remain a mortal but who was to know what the future would bring. Rina sighed as these depressing thoughts soon put a damper on her mood. She should focus on other matters like her work, and the fact that Veronika was almost one hundred percent recovered from her injury. Rina couldn't wait to call the vampire later that day for their daily talk.
"Don't do that."
Rina noticed when Bryce's lips moved but he had yet to open his eyes. "Don't do what exactly?" She asked as she pressed the firm globes of her breasts against his bare chest.
"This is acceptable." A smile curved Bryce's lips before he opened his eyes. He then placed a finger against her cool lips. "But not when you sigh."
"Mmm, sighing is inevitable," She murmured against his finger before flicking her tongue out to lick that finger.
"Perhaps, but not when we are abed. It may lead to the false impression that my skills were lacking." Bryce suddenly removed his finger before replacing them with his lips. He kissed her, so thoroughly he felt her toes curling against his. His cock also rose to attention seeking an immediate response. He knew Rina would have to get ready for work soon, but if she was late it didn't matter. She had no boss to report to.
"Don't fret, golden boy - you have nothing to worry about in that department." She straddled his hips and reveled in the sight of his tawny wings spread beneath him reflecting the rays of sunlight like a mane of gold. He had allowed her to take him in this position before, and loved the slight feeling of power it gave her over the direction of their pleasure. She wasn't too concerned about arriving late to the tower, for other matters had to be tended to first.
OOO
Two Days Later...
"Why did you bring me here?" Those were the first words that left Veronika's lips when she noted that she had arrived in a training area; a windowless wooden salle equipped with a dirt filled practice circle no doubt for sparring. It was currently not being used but she recognized Dmitri and Galen who were conversing on the sidelines.
"Any pain left in the arm?" Jasper asked.
Veronika glanced at her white-sleeved clad arm that had now completely regenerated all the way to the finger tips. "None."
"Then it's time you trained with us," He replied with a slow smile.
"I'd rather not," She was about to turn to leave when Jasper spoke again.
"This had always been the original plan; to have Galen gauge your abilities. Dmitri is here to observe."
"And are you here to be my cheerleader?" Veronika didn't always want to be rude to the younger vampire but sometimes she couldn't help it. In the past month he'd been nothing but supportive and although hadn't given up on his flirtatious nature, he never came on too strong.
"While I'm not opposed to wearing a short pleated skirt and shouting 'rah rah rah,' I'm actually here in the hopes that I'd get to spar with you later, myself." Jasper was growing quite used to her barbs, he was grateful his skin was so thick or he could have seriously been hurt by her constant aloofness around him.
"Spar with me? Do you have a death wish?"
"You know what? Sometimes I think I do," He nodded briskly.
Veronika was about to walk away once more when she recognized Dmitri's voice.
"Welcome Veronika, come on down here. Don't be shy."
Hmm, it seems Dmitri knew exactly how to get her goat. Veronika spun back around on her booted heel and headed towards the salle proper. She knew Jasper was following her, but unfortunately she intended to disappoint all the men present. "I'd once been told that when I'd recovered, I'd be able to leave the Refuge and return to New York." She pursed her lips and shrugged her shoulders glancing back and forth between each member of the Seven. "Why am I still here."
Dmitri stood with his legs planted apart and his arms crossed over his chest. He was currently absent his suit jacket, but the black collared shirt he wore and tailored matching pants made him appear as if he had no plans on participating in the sparring this day. "You know why. You and Raphael have unfinished business."
Galen moved towards the weapons wrack and retrieved two blunt headed staves. He held one of the staves towards the lovely female vampire. "The first one to hit the floor loses."
Veronika looked at the staff but made no move to accept it. When the red-haired angel tossed it at her feet, she let it lay where it landed.
"Rina Boldare is now working within the fold of Archangel Tower," Dmitri began. "We have offered her and her company the protection it needs from physical attacks as well as bad word of mouth from public venues like the media. The idea that she's an immortal hater has been completely discredited. As well as the ridiculous notions that she somehow orchestrated Lacoby's death. Now all of this would have been difficult to accomplish on her own. Will you taint the relationship your employer now has with us by refusing to be cooperative?"
"How dare you bring Rina into this?" Veronika seethed.
There was a slight grin on Dmitri's handsome face. "Apparently you don't know me that well."
Veronika realized that as fact. From her first meeting of Dmitri in that plaza's parking lot that day, she'd sensed he was a no nonsense type of guy. And with the personal power Raphael delegated to him, it was no wonder his arrogance seemed to know no bounds. She'd noted the wedding band on his finger from day one, and had to wonder what kind of woman could keep this man in check. She didn't doubt that he must love this woman, for he had wed her. A man like Dmitri would have no qualms being a resigned bachelor. She could appreciate the irony, that a man capable of a soft emotion like love could also be such a blatant hard ass.
Suddenly, an image of Veronika standing within another dusty but larger arena intruded on her thoughts. She was wearing lightweight black armor, and her hair was very unlike what it was now. She was also facing half a dozen opponents alone. A hand instantly flew to her forehead as the memory left her off balanced. The partial waking dreams had continued ever since Raphael had messed around in her head. She was convinced they part fantasy and part reality, but there no way to distinguish between the two. And before she could even begin to see just who were the major players, they would end - leaving her with no definite information, not even a name. She hadn't told anyone about this, not even Rina.
"What is it? You just remembered something," Dmitri surmised.
Veronika smirked at him realizing that what happened between her and Raphael had not been kept a secret. "Does Raphael confide in you about everything? Are you - as Rina would say - his BFF?"
Dmitri returned the smirk. "Not only am I his BFF, but I'm also his second which means, his will - my hands." His phone rang right at that moment and it took him several seconds to answer. Even so he did not lower his gaze from Veronika's. "Ah, Miss Boldare. I have someone here who would like to speak with you very much." He walked the distance necessary to hand Veronika his phone.
The female vampire only paused momentarily before accepting. "Rina," She stated in simple greeting.
"Hey V! I'm so excited you're going to participate in this contest. Apparently Elena has a live feed set up where you are so we'll be able to see you!"
Veronika glanced at the immortals present before moving away from them. Once she was out of earshot she stated, "Mistress, you want me to do this?"
"Well sure, it's all in fun isn't it?"
"Perhaps you've been misinformed. They are testing me, Rina."
There was silence on the other end of the line for several moments before Rina finally replied. "I know V. But if I didn't think that you would blow them away with a display of your skills then I would have more of a say. But I do trust them. The one thing we know for certain is that after you do this, they will let you come home, and that is our ultimate goal here."
"As you wish." Veronika instantly ended the call not wishing to hear anymore and strode towards the men before returning Dmitri's phone to him. "I'll need to change."
Dmitri glanced down at his own formal attire before saying, "Me too."
Veronika did not hide the confused expression on her face. "I was under the impression I was to do battle with the weapon's master."
Dmitri shook his head, "You fight me first." He noticed when her lips pursed mutinously but she said nothing. "Don't look so happy about it." Dmitri and Galen were close to evenly matched, he knew that regardless of who the female vampire fought, she would not have an easy task of it.
Veronika gave Dmitri one last glance over before turning from the salle. She was grateful Jasper did not follow. Perhaps they felt that she would now do as she was told since Rina had interjected. A scowl marred her lovely features. It appears they knew her far too well. Her luggage had been delivered to her a month ago, therefore she returned to her quarters long enough to change into the black shihakushÅ pants and the tank top that was literally made of glued together white bandages. She opted to go bare foot, knowing that she would need all her maneuverability to hold out against her opponents. Lastly, she pulled her ebony hair into a tight pony tail before returning to the salle. She fond that Dmitri had indeed changed. Instead of his expensive suit he now wore a pair of flowing black pants and nothing else. Veronika imagined that had she too been a man, she would have also fought shirtless. The bandage tank top was more for decency and to keep her breasts from bouncing obscenely as she performed acrobatic feats than it was to aid in maneuverability.
There was a sensual smile on Dmitri's face as he saw Veronika return to the salle. This was a woman he most certainly would have brought to his bed before he'd met Honor. However, his loyalty to his wife did not detract from the fact that Veronika was an incredibly beautiful woman. When Galen once again tossed her a weapon staff, this time she caught it deftly. Dmitri casually twirled his own staff as he began to pace the dirt circle. He waited for her to join him before indicating that Galen would call the match. Along with Jasper, several other angels and vampires had come to witness the exhibition. A single camera feed also allowed a small audience back in Archangel Tower to bear witness.
Veronika held the staff with both hands behind her back horizontally as she gazed at Galen expectantly. The angel possessed dark grey wings with white striations that were currently folded neatly against his broad back. His pale green eyes were more of an olive green, whereas Rina's were closer to a sea green. She could sense his earnest dislike for her but couldn't blame him. She'd been anything but cooperative during her time here, and she doubted they were used to dealing with uncooperative people within Raphael's clique. She noted when he glanced from her to Dmitri and back again, and then he finally uttered the word they both were waiting to hear.
"Begin!"
Both Dmitri and Veronika began to circle each other within the dirt ring as if stalking their prey. Their eyes met and held for several long seconds; deep chocolate brown clashing with shiny gold. There was much at stake for both of them.
Dmitri knew he was taking a risk by being the first to spar with her without truly knowing her abilities. Her past triumphs against weaker vampires did not count as good examples. Either way, he preferred if she'd knock him on his ass instead of Galen. And by going first, Galen would be able to gauge her better before he also tested her. There was something very alpha about Veronika which led him to wonder if she'd held some position of power in her past. However, Raphael had deemed that those hidden memories were best left untouched which meant Dmitri wouldn't be finding out about her past anytime soon, unless Raphael changed his mind.
A part of Veronika considered only putting forth minimal effort and allowing herself to be defeated with ease. Yet another part of her still wanted to win, not only for Rina's sake but for her own pride. She wasn't in a situation where they would fear her for what she was capable of. Raphael's people were beyond skilled. Therefore, perhaps just this once she would acquiesce and give them exactly what they wanted to see. When Dmitri finally attacked, there was absolutely no indication that he was about to do so. No tilting of his head or turning of his feet to give a hint as to where he was going. However, Veronika was immediately ready with a block followed by a parry as their staves clashed. Although Dmitri's eyes were unreadable, she managed to anticipate a few of his moves. So when he swept out with his feet intent on felling her, she quickly performed a backward flip to put some space between them. She wasn't surprised when he didn't let up and was instantly charging her once more. Their staves instantly clashed once more before Veronika raised her right knee intent on kneeing him in the groin. He blocked her by lowering his staff and shoving her backwards.
Dmitri continued his offensive attacks and each time, she managed to block or parry him. They could both use their full strength since the blunt headed weapons offered no chance of serious injury. It also proved something that he had already suspected, her strength matched his own. He realized he'd have to think outside the box if he was going to fell her. He held the tip of his staff against his shoulder with the rest of it lined up in her direction, like a pool player would with a cue stick. He suddenly shot the staff forward and watched amazed when she managed to hold her own staff vertically and block his brisk attacks. Her precision was incredible, for it was almost like blocking a needle with another needle. Finally, he used the strength in his shoulder to swing the staff at her head, she ducked and then rolled before he could bring the weapon down on her back. She was instantly on her feet but this time had turned the tables on him and quickly shout out with her staff, Dmitri attempted to evade the attack at close range but didn't escape unscathed. The blunt head of her staff managed to strike his right shoulder. His lips pressed into a thin line. She'd landed the first blow, but the fight wasn't over yet.
The clacking of the wooden staves was the only sound that permeated the salle as the audience looked on with rapt attention in silence. Both combatants showcased their agility with acrobatic flips and gravity defying leaps and aerial attacks. For two that didn't have wings, or AGF's, they were tearing it up in the dirt circle.
At one point, Veronika managed to hook her leg around Dmitri's neck intent on felling him to the floor with the use of her body weight. He grabbed her by the waist which left her unbalanced before he flung her across the ring. She managed to right herself mid-air and landed on her feet. She noted the determined look on his face and realized that this battle may be taking far longer than Raphael's second had expected. Once again their weapons clashed and Veronika was soon distracted by the flapping of wings and a flash of blue as Illium who apparently had just arrived flew over the ring for a better view. This distraction cost Veronika, as Dmitri managed to slam his staff across her abdomen instantly knocking her to the floor.
Veronika allowed her own staff to slip from her grip before using her upper body strength to spring back to her feet. She turned to face Dmitri before tilting her head in his direction. "I yield."
"Like hell you do." Dmitri glanced up to where Illium remained aloft in the air. "Damn it Bluebell, you have the worst timing."
"We'll reconvene in one day, then you fight me," Galen's gaze held Veronika's.
"There's no need for an intermission, you can fight me now," Veronika replied.
"I will not have our fight tainted by a distraction, or fatigue. Our battle will be closed to public audience." Galen then glanced towards Illium. "And you if you don't sit still."
"Whatever you like." Veronika made a sweeping bow before Galen. Then prepared to leave the dirt ring. Dmitri stopped her.
"Stay for a minute. Illium, empty the crowd." Dmitri didn't stop to see if Illium complied with his orders before leaving the dirt ring expecting Veronika to follow. There was a locker room adjacent to the salle equipped with showers. He knew Veronika wouldn't have clothing to change into but that was not the reason he'd led her there. He was grateful that even Galen and Jasper had also opted to give them some privacy. Galen may be the one to decide if she was capable of working under the Seven, but Dmitri would be the one to give her orders. He needed to know that despite her individual skill, that she could still work together in a team. He looked her over and noted that there was a slight sheen of perspiration on her honey gold skin that was very little indication of the acrobatic feat she had just engaged in. Her exotically tilted golden eyes hid many secrets. Some that Dmitri had to wonder about.
"Do you truly remember nothing of your past? If I didn't know better I'd say I was fighting with one of my peers. You exude confidence, and I could see you riding at the head of an army in days past. Why do you think all that was taken from you, to leave you as you are now?" Dmitri wanted to know.
"If I didn't know better, I'd say I was going to be charged for this session." Veronika may not like the situation she was in, but knew it was prudent not to fight with him. "What did Raphael tell you about what he saw?" She had to admit she was curious to know the answer to that herself.
"He saw enough to know that messing with what was left of those memories would be a bad idea."
"Well that begs the question, why keep me alive at all?"
"It was a question that he did contemplate. However, you are important to Rina Boldare, which means - you must live."
Veronika was truly stunned by his words. It did mean that what Rina told her earlier was true. If they were making sacrifices for the heiress of this magnitude then the trust was indeed there. She knew they were getting quite a lot out of it given Rina's inventions. And although they could have attempted to enforce their will on her, they'd opted not to do so and even went so far as to bring her wayward vampire into the fold. Their daily phone conversations weren't enough, Veronika truly missed the younger woman. "I want to return to New York."
"Keep fighting like you did against me today, and you'll get there, sooner than you think. Give it your all against Galen, he'll respect you more in the long run for it." Dmitri turned towards the locker room indicating the conversation was over.
Veronika left the salle feeling a lot better than she had upon arrival. Perhaps matters would not turn out as badly as she'd feared. She almost felt a weight lifted that Raphael had tried to see what was there but decided against it. At least now she knew that any attempt at rekindling those memories were now better left buried.
OOO
The following night...
"I'm so excited, you're coming home, V!" Rina sat on her couch within her apartment with her laptop on her knees as she squealed with literal excitement at this bit of news. The vampire's face was not nearly as ecstatic as Rina's, but Rina could tell that she was happy to finally be leaving the Refuge nonetheless.
"I understand I'll have the company of an entire security detail when I return to your apartment," Veronika stated.
Rina could feel the tension in the air grow as she prepared to let lose a revelation. "Yes, and speaking of which; there's something I need to tell you. " She took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been seeing someone on that detail, his name is Bryce."
Veronika was quiet for a few seconds before replying, "An angel." It was more statement than question.
"I don't know what to say, V. He's just what I needed right now."
Veronika shrugged and regarded Rina with a calm look on her face. "You're a grown woman, Mistress."
"Yes I know. But I'm guessing you don't like my choice of bedmates."
"If a bedmate is all he'll remain, then it doesn't matter."
Rina lowered her gaze for a few seconds before replying. "You're wondering how serious it is."
Judging by Rina's tone of voice, Veronika could tell that it was already too serious. "I don't think I need to point out the obvious obstacles you two will face."
"Well that's putting it mildly. But I suppose it would create quite an obstacle in fifty years when I'm an old hag and he still looks unchanged. However, there may be a solution." Rina finally found the strength to meet Veronika's gaze once more. "Apparently, I'm compatible to be Made into a vampire. With the agreement Boldare Enterprises now has with Archangel Tower, Raphael is willing to waive the one hundred year contract."
"You would become like me," Veronika stated calmly.
"Would that be so bad?" Rina knew Veronika had reservations and didn't know how else to phrase that statement.
"There's one other matter you have yet to mention." Veronika regarded her coolly as if they were speaking about the weather, and not major life changing factors.
"I'll never have children." The words fell from Rina's lips with difficulty for she'd definitely wanted to become a mother. But she'd weighed the choice of either becoming a mom or being with Bryce, and one really stood no chance against the other.
"Have you truly thought this decision through?"
Rina nodded. She'd thought she'd have to make a decision in a couple of months but had been given an added boon. "Raphael has suggested I wait at least a year before going through with the process. He doesn't want to taint - however inadvertently - my accomplishments with the AGF as a human."
"Well that's rather decent of him," Veronika replied idly.
"Yeah, he's not all that bad. Him and Elena have been great actually over the past month. I feel I've made the right decision by allying with them." Rina clasped her palms together. "But you know me, V. We've been making decisions together for a very long time, I need to know how you truly feel." She'd been perturbed by Veronika's indifference. Was the vampire more upset about her decision to be with Bryce than she was letting on. If so, then she had to know the truth.
"To be perfectly honest, I don't know how I feel. I knew our life would eventually change when you chose a mate, however I expected that mate to be human. Our entire world will now be irrevocably tied to immortals. We'll both be immortals. You are ready to give up all aspects of humanity to enter into a world that can be unfathomably cruel and violent. If you believe you're ready for that, then I won't try to talk you out of it. I will work beneath the Seven, but you alone will know that I have not pledged my loyalty to Raphael. He understands that as long as my past taints me, I can not do so." Veronika was also aware of the fact that Raphael would not defend her should she come under attack from other immortals. If one of the Seven had been wronged or perhaps one of the lower vampires of Raphael's line, his retribution would be swift and severe. This new relationship would be tentative at best and clearly did not come without risk. Veronika hoped to never be put in a situation that would cause others to question his treatment towards her.
"I suppose it's all we can hope for that he even agreed to this much," Rina commented before stifling a yawn.
"Indeed," There was a soft smile on Veronika's face as she sought to end the call. "I'll let you get some rest, and by this time tomorrow, we'll be hanging out again."
Rina grinned at the screen before nodding briskly, "I can't wait!"
OOO
Dmitri met with Raphael in the archangel's office. Come the morrow, Rina Boldare's vampire would be returning to New York to work directly under the Seven in Archangel Tower. He had left the Refuge earlier that day after witnessing Galen complete his assessment of Veronika's abilities. Not only was the female vampire extremely skilled in many types of combat including swordplay, she could easily rank among the top vampires in the entire tower construct. But despite the asset her insertion into tower business would bring, it was also tainted with dark cloud.
"Am I taking a foolish risk accepting her into the fold knowing that she has yet to pledge herself to me." Raphael was usually not one to second guess himself, but this entire situation was so outside the norm for him.
"It won't matter that she hasn't, for everyone will already assume that she has for the sole fact that she will be here. This is something your enemies would not suspect of you, or those loyal to you," Dmitri replied.
"This is but a temporary situation," Raphael stated.
"One that Veronika is well aware of. I know Elena did speak with Miss Boldare about this matter." Dmitri shook his head. "I suppose I'm a little surprised that she will allow Veronika to make her own decision on this, considering what's at stake."
"It speaks to the true nature of their relationship. Partners in their decision making."
"But Veronika will work for you now, as she'll soon come to realize," Dmitri began. "I'm giving some thought to placing her undercover on the vampire fighting ring case. We need a strong female and I suspect she'll do well."
"Would it be wise to place her in a position with untold amount of vampires high on bloodlust?" Raphael asked.
"From Jasper's observations, she has a steely control on her own bloodlust. She didn't feed much while at the Refuge, and never from the vein. And from what you saw of her past..." Dmitri couldn't imagine how Veronika managed to sleep while starving herself for years at a time, it was completely unheard of but she had done so for centuries. Clearly she had been punishing herself, but perhaps that iron control over her appetite for blood had emerged through this severe process.
Raphael nodded. "You may be right about that. I just wish I knew what caused her guilt in the first place." He glanced away from the screen to look at Dmitri. "I'd told her she reminded me of you."
"Well if she were anything like me, she would have held a great deal of power in her time," Dmitri replied.
Raphael stared at Dmitri for several seconds as realization dawned in his cobalt yes. "Contact Jason, I need to speak to him immediately."
Dmitri nodded before flipping open his phone. "What is it?"
"Just an idea, hopefully Jason will be able to flesh it out for us."
After Dmitri made the call, he'd just hung up with Jason when his phone rang again. His features became downright dour at the end of that call. "We have another problem," Dmitri began. "The blood sample from Rina Boldare - the one we used to test her compatibility - had been contaminated. We secretly obtained some hair follicles to test her again and the results were perturbing. As it turns out, Miss Boldare is not compatible to be Made at all."
OOO
A.N. Hi Guys, and after a three month break, guess who's back? Did you all read Archangel's Storm that was released only a few days ago? I absolutely loved it, and it got me back in the mood to finish this story. I won't go another three months without an update, I promise! =)