Chapter 25
Once Kevin Holder had left, Saule enthusiastically announced she was so impressed with Ausra's description of the hotel gym, she couldn't wait another minute to try it out for herself. She bounded out the door before Jason had time to protest.
Saule had committed Ausra's notes about the two men to memory. She was certain she would recognize them on sight. She avoided her usual bouncy dancing way of walking. She needed to be different.
After nearly two hours of wandering the first floor halls, pretending to window shop, going to the restaurant and pretending to read the menu posted in the entry, peering into the bar as if she had lost track of a companion and checking through the gym, including the sauna, she was about to give up and go back to the apartment when she glimpsed them.
They were coming into the hotel and heading to the elevators. They didn't look happy. Saule followed them.
"Oh! Hold the elevator, please!" Saule called to them as she broke into a near run behind them. "Whew! Thank you," she said brightly as she joined them in the elevator. "Three please."
Though neither of them responded to her, Pear reached out and pushed three. The only other button lit was five. She could see they had been to The Asgard. Pear was holding an empty coin bucket from there. They likely hadn't gambled, they had simply carried the bucket around in an attempt to look like tourists. They really weren't very good at it Saule thought. Tourists usually didn't look so angry.
"I went into the bar, but no one looked very interesting there. Who would have guessed I should have been riding the elevators?" she said with a flirtatious giggle. Nothing.
The elevator doors opened on the third floor and as she stepped out Saule turned around and tapped the coin bucket Pear was holding. "Better luck tomorrow," she whispered and winked at him.
He smiled. He didn't say anything, but his smile told her she would get his attention next time they met. She strutted down the hall until she heard the elevator doors close behind her, then she found the stairwell and ran up to the seventh floor before coming back into the hall and taking the elevator the rest of the way up.
For the next few days Saule's new found zealousness for going to the gym at odd hours caused her to miss out on a good deal of the dancing lessons and she really was sorry about that, but it couldn't be helped.
Pear was speaking to her and openly flirtatious now. Turcas appeared to be disgusted by her. She was told to call them Pear and Turcas. They said it was easier since both of them were named John. She introduced herself to them as Sue Paladin.
It had been three days since Ausra first saw them in the hotel lobby and the only thing Saule had really managed to do was confirm they actually were pets and they belonged to a male vampire. She had overheard Turcas saying "yes, master" into his cell phone. She had giggled and pointed to a painting on the wall to appear as if her attention had been elsewhere. Tonight would be her first real chance to try and get information. She would have Pear alone for at least an hour. She had a date with him tonight at nine. Dinner in the hotel, then dancing and maybe some gambling at The Asgard after, where they would likely be joined by Turcas.
~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~
"Good evening, my lover," Eric whispered into Sookie's ear. "I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" Sookie asked with sudden concern in her voice.
"Calm yourself," he responded with a soothing chuckle. "I do not bring news of the apocalypse. Only a short separation."
"What are you talking about?" she demanded. "And please don't talk in circles."
"I must go to California. I should not be gone more than two nights."
"Why do you need to go to California? Can't I come with you?"
"My business is with the King. And no, you may not come with me. As I'm sure you recall the Ambassador saying, there are few females in the California court. I could hardly be expected to concentrate on conducting business with my thoughts engaged with concern about my beautiful wife in the midst of a hoard of vampires in want of feminine companionship."
"A hoard?" Sookie asked with a raised eyebrow. "The King of California keeps hoards hanging around his palace or wherever he is?"
"You are ever amusing, my love," Eric chuckled. "I confess I have never made an exact account of the numbers in King Leonas' court, but I assure you there are more than I care to have to worry about."
"What kind of business?" She asked, sadly adjusting to the thought of being without him for two nights.
"Leonas is assisting me with some of the details of a property acquisition," he answered slowly.
He was choosing his words. Sookie knew there was little point in continuing this line of questioning. There was something he didn't want to tell her and he could dance all around a topic longer and more efficiently than a slippery politician. He wouldn't lie to her, but he wouldn't give her anything more than she asked for. So unless she just happened to hit on exactly the right wording for exactly the right question she could ask questions for hours and not learn any more than he'd already told her. And he wasn't asking her consent. He was merely being polite and informing her.
Sookie sighed in resignation and asked, "So when do you leave?"
"At ten," he said bluntly.
"Tonight!? Eric, you can't!" Sookie cried, sitting up in the middle of the bed. "That's less than two hours from now. You can't leave me here all alone to think about the Gala."
He took her hands in his and gently pulled her back down beside him. "We'll have no hysterics," he said calmly as he kissed each of her hands. "You know perfectly well I wouldn't leave you all alone. Though with me so far away, I will not leave Oliver and there's no knowing what kind of trouble Pam would get you into if I left her with you, so I'll take both of them with me. Pam is taking Belladonna with her, but her other pets will all stay here to keep you company. And of course you'll have Mina and Genevieve. I'd like Mina to sleep in here with you so you're not alone if you should have an unpleasant dream. I'll have someone bring up another bed for her if you prefer for her not to sleep in our bed with you. Vivienne will be your guardian while I'm gone. Please listen to her."
"Only two days?" Sookie asked with a slight tremor in her voice.
"Only two days," he answered.
"You'll be back Thursday night. You promise?"
"You have my vow, Dearest. I shall not be separated from you for one moment longer than absolutely necessary to conduct my business."
"Don't forget how much I love you," she said with a bit of a smile. She was accepting and adjusting. "And be careful not to fall in love with some beautiful California girl. They write songs about them you know."
Eric gave her a stunning grin. "Only because the song writers have never seen you, my love. And do not fear. California girls hold no charms for me. The woman who fills my heart leaves no space for others."
Sookie smiled up at him. "She sounds awfully selfish, this woman."
"No," he said softly. "She is to be much admired. She guards what is hers jealously and surrounds it with her love."
"I suppose she should take care not to smother what she loves."
Eric burst into gales of laughter, leaving Sookie staring at him in wonder. "My love, I believe I've laughed more since meeting you than in the previous century."
"Someone has to provide the entertainment," she huffed. "Tell me what's so funny so I can remember to do it again."
"I was picturing you trying to smother me," he said with a smirk.
"Well, who wouldn't see the humor in that?" she snapped.
He reached over her and snatched up a pillow from the other side of the bed and handed it to her. "Would you like to try?" he teased. "For an element of realism, I'll even pretend to breathe!"
"But the point of smothering someone, my darling, is make them stop breathing. So if you pretend to breathe, then you'd have to pretend to stop breathing, but you already don't breath to begin with so why go round in circles to get to where you started?"
"I'm sure you have a point in there somewhere Dearest, but I confess I am at a loss as to where. I believe you are overcomplicating the situation."
Now it was Sookie laughing. She drew back and swatted him with the pillow. "The situation is very simple and the point is, technically, since you don't breathe, you're already smothered."
"Hmm, I suppose the merits of your position could be successfully argued."
"Do you plan to take me to court?" she asked with a smirk.
"Funny you should ask," he said, rolling so he was over her. "As a matter of fact, I do."
Before she could ask what he meant, his mouth was on hers. He slipped his hands behind her so he could feel her body react to his touch. When her soft moan came, the now familiar thrill which ran through him was as intoxicating as the first time he'd felt it. No, it wasn't possible California had anything to compare with this. By Thursday, he would return to her, worthy of all she so willingly offered him.
But before he could leave her there were prurient flames to be sated within them both.
She pushed against him and he gave way and pulled up. She slid out from under him and sat up with a hand on his shoulder. He laid back compliantly and she straddled him. She leaned forward, her hands on his chest, until her hair grazed across his face as she purred into his ear, "You can't leave now. You're my prisoner."
"I would not dream of leaving now," he said, dragging his hands from her hips, along her thighs and to her knees.
She looked longingly into his eyes and edged backward. "And what would you dream, my lord?" she whispered.
She leaned into his chest and took his nipple gently in her teeth. When he moved his hands to her back, she sat upright and when he let go she grabbed his wrists in her hands. "You'll not distract me. I'm waiting for your answer," she scolded as she guided his hands to the bed and returned her attention to his chest, licking and kissing his hardened nipples.
"I would dream of you," he murmured.
"Really?" she said and trailed her tongue down the center of his abs, teasing him with her body as she went. "Interesting." When she reached his hairline, she looked back up at him. "And what, my most gracious and plentiful lord, would you have me doing in this dream?"
He lifted his head, pulled his hands free of her hold and held her face in his fingertips. "As you please, my lover."
"As I please, or as pleases you?" she asked with a sly grin.
"They are the same," he answered.
Always the perfect response. He never ceased to amaze her. The teasing was over. She lowered her smile and kissed down the length of his erection, enjoying the salty sweet taste of him as her tongue trailed along his tight and acutely sensitive flesh. His head fell back into the bed as she took him in her mouth, his appreciative moan assuring her his desire matched her own.
She moved a hand to help her see that no part of his magnificent cock went unattended. As her hand and mouth worked in tandem to gratify his lust. Through their bond she could feel his pleasure driving her to inconceivable heights of arousal.
In turn he felt her longing for him, the hunger of each feeding on the other until their bodies demanded to be joined. She lifted her head and he pulled her up and onto her back. "I need you," he groaned.
"Yes," she said between heaving breaths.
She gasped and clutched at his back as he entered her and she drove herself onto him. The friction of her hot, wet body against his cooler one creating a perfect storm of colliding flesh.
He hooked her knee in his arm to leverage her and allow her more freedom of movement. She took full advantage. He stared into her face watching the pleasure he was giving her register there. "Look at me, lover," he whispered between her increasingly urgent moans.
She slowly opened her eyes and met his. She gulped for air and forced herself to release her grip on the sheets and reach for his face. Her hands only made it to his neck. They clung there and strained to entice his face to her. She didn't manage it before her orgasm hit. She screamed and arched her back as the first wave of spasms ripped through her body, then his, triggering his release deep within her.
Her head jerked to one side and he was overcome. His fangs penetrated the soft, pulsating skin over her jugular as she writhed and trembled beneath him. He drank until he dared draw no more, though the delicate flavor of her blood continued its ceaseless call to him.
With tremendous effort he withdrew from her and held her tight as he rolled onto his back carrying her with him. He pulled a blanket over her shivering body and held her close.
Much sooner than he would have liked, he kissed her hair and said, "It's time, my love."
"So soon?" she whispered sadly.
"The sooner I go, the sooner I can return to you."
Sookie raised her head to look at him. "Then go quickly," she said, her voice quaking and her eyes filled with tears.
He sat up and gathered her to him. It was almost more than he could endure to leave her when her tears begged him to stay.
"Please don't cry, Dearest. I can't bear causing you pain," he pleaded with his face buried in her hair.
She turned her face up to him and offered him a faltering smile. She wiped at her cheeks with her hand. "I'm just being silly. I'll be alright," she said, her voice quavering.
He raised his hand and held her wobbly chin. "My brave beauty."
"I love you," she said clearly. "I'm fine. Hurry back so I can show you how much I missed you. How much I miss you already." She grasped his face in her hands and kissed him passionately, then pulled away, climbed off his lap and went into her dressing room where she remained until well after he had showered and gone.
His heart urged him to follow, but his head overruled. The decision was made. His path was set. When next he came to her, he would come bearing her a crown.
~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~
Saule dressed in electric blue for her date with Pear. A sleeveless dress with a plunging neckline and made from clingy, light knit fabric which hugged her figure in quite a fetching way. She felt no fear or apprehension. Her goal was clear and her confidence high as she examined herself in the mirror. She would get the information she needed tonight, at all cost. She would do whatever she had to do and give up whatever was required, without regret.
She thought briefly of Jason. She wondered what he would think if he knew she had given herself to him so if she had to offer herself to Pear it would not be her first time. If she ended up in Pear's bed tonight, she wanted to be able to forget it and she knew that would not be possible if he was her first.
She looked at the clock on the dresser. It was ten minutes before nine. She picked up the small clutch bag which matched her pumps, brilliant yellow with an electric blue swirl. "I am as fearsome as the sun," she whispered to herself as she squared her shoulders and left the room she shared with Ausra.
"Wow!" Talon exclaimed as Saule bounced happily from her room.
"Ha!", Saule tossed back at him. "Keep your wows to yourself. I'm looking for trouble elsewhere tonight." She flipped her hair and headed out the door with no further explanation.
She found Pear pacing nervously outside the restaurant. He was a little under dressed in gray slacks and an open collar white button down shirt.
"I was starting to think you weren't gonna show," he said as he brazenly ogled her cleavage.
"Why would you think that?" she asked with a bright smile. "Am I late?"
"Not yet, I guess," he conceded. "Let's go on in." He opened the restaurant door and went through. He reached back and held the door from inside.
Saule struggled to keep from losing her smile. Clearly whatever vampire held his leash didn't put much of a premium on chivalry. She almost giggled when the Maitre 'd handed Pear a tie and explained the evening dress code required it.
When he looked a bit wild eyed at the tie, Saule quickly grabbed one end and sweetly said, "Oh please, let me. I always tied Daddy's ties and ever since we lost him two years ago it's one of those little things I miss terribly," she lied.
"Knock yourself out," he said, slumping forward into a posture he wrongly assumed would be easier for Saule. Of the many vampires she had encountered in her life, she couldn't think of a single one who she thought would have had any attraction to this boorish creature she was on public display with. What trait could he possibly have to recommend him as an appropriate or desirable pet?
"Brian will be your waiter this evening, Mr. Pear," the Maitre 'd informed them as Brian approached. "Brian, this is Mr. Pear and his companion --"
"Sue Paladin," Saule furnished when it became clear Pear was not going to answer.
"If you'll follow me," Brian said. He led them to a table against the far wall and pulled out a chair. "Miss Paladin," he said, motioning to the chair.
The moment she was properly seated there was a ding from Pear's cell phone indicating a missed call. He took his cell from his pocket, glanced at it and laid it on the table.
At least he didn't send a return message, Saule thought.
Pear received eight more dings during their meal. Each time he would look at his cell and put it down without answering. He never once apologized for the numerous interruptions. Saule kept a constant chat going but thus far had been unsuccessful at gaining any useful information other than he had a sort of hero worship of Turcas who was their boss' top assistant. As they were served thin slices of key lime pie garnished with twists of lime and a drizzle of white chocolate, Saule had reached her option of last resort. The only thing she had left to save her from trying to seduce this repulsive character.
She took a bite of her pie. "Mmm," she moaned seductively. "Delicious."
"Not exactly the pie I had in mind, but it'll do for now," he said with an openly lusty smirk.
She forced herself to giggle and reached for her bag. She opened it, dug around for a moment and came out holding a tube of lipstick. She had also palmed a tiny listening device.
Taking a second bite of pie, Saule stuck the bug under the edge of her dessert plate, smiled charmingly at Pear and excused herself, "to go to the little girls room". As revolted as she was, she stayed on task. Once in the ladies room she hastily took the earbuds from her purse and listened for Pear to return the call of whomever kept calling him.
Suddenly she heard a voice which wasn't Pear's. Turcas had actually come to the table! He must have been watching them, but he was talking freely so he must not have seen her plant the bug.
"It's perfect. The Master is very happy with us," she heard Turcas say. "They called for an extra bed and that stupid girl is going to let us carry it up to the penthouse."
"How did you manage that?" Pear asked.
"They are short handed tonight. Several people on the maintenance staff are ill. I told her we would be happy to pretend we work here and carry it up for her."
"That's brilliant," Pear said.
"We walk right in with the bed, snatch the wife and take her to the Master. I'm sure the king will reward us," Turcas said. Then he whispered, "Maybe this will even make us worthy to be turned!"
She'd heard enough. She didn't have time to listen to any more. She peeked out of the restroom and watched Pear leave with Turcas. She had to speak to the Sheriff and get to Sookie, now.
Saule asked a passing waiter for directions to the nearest stairwell and she ran for it. She couldn't risk the elevator until the sixth floor. She took the stairs two at a time. When she reached the sixth floor elevators she was barely even breathing heavy. She was running on pure adrenaline. She rushed through the apartment door and almost screamed, "Where's the Sheriff?"
Ausra was at her side immediately and within only a few seconds more, she was surrounded by a small crowd.
Vivienne rose from her chair, but did not approach Saule. "Why do you ask for the Sheriff so urgently?" Sookie got up and started toward Saule, but Vivienne extended her arm to block Sookie's progress.
Saule saw Sookie and pushed through the others to get to her. When she reached her, Saule dropped to one knee and bowed her head. "Mistress, I beg you. I must speak with the Sheriff."
Vivienne raised a finger to her lips to keep Sookie from answering. Vivienne spoke to Saule. "It is not possible to speak to the Sheriff at present. He is unavailable. He has left me responsible for his household. If your business concerns this home or anyone in it, you may speak to me."
"Mistress Vivienne," Saule began. "Lady Northman is in danger. There are two men coming here. They plan to try and take her."
"What are you talking about?" Vivienne demanded. "What men?"
"Their names are Turcas and Pear. I overheard --"
"Turcas and Pear?" Vivienne asked sharply. "A tall handsome black man and a younger oaf of a white man?"
"If by handsome you mean frightening, then yes," Saule retorted.
"Don't be insolent," Vivienne said as she slowly sat back down in her chair. All eyes were on her as she sat there, obviously running through a list of options in her head.
Ausra neared Vivienne. "You know them."
"They belong to James Terrance," Vivienne answered. Then she looked between Saule and Ausra. "And clearly the two of you know more than you're saying. Tell me everything. Be thorough, but quick."
Sookie slumped into the couch. "Damn Quinn. Won't he ever give up."
"Don't flatter yourself. King Felipe would not send James to kidnap you for a lovesick tiger," Vivienne snapped, and turned back to Ausra and Saule. "Well?"
Ausra told her about her first encounter in as much detail as she could, then Saule continued with the details of her surveillance.
"I see. So you don't know if James is actually here or not?" Vivienne pondered more than asked. "That's a problem. I can take care of Turcas and Pear easily enough, but James himself would be an entirely different matter. At least if he's on the fifth floor he won't be able to hear us. Sookie, Ausra, Saule, come with me."
The three followed Vivienne to Sookie's bedroom door. "If you would please, Lady Northman." She made a gesture at the keypad on the door.
"Of course," Sookie said. She entered the code and they followed her into her bedroom.
"Soundproof?" Vivienne asked when the door closed behind them.
"Yes," Sookie answered. "Please tell me what's going on. And Eric said you would be able to reach him in an emergency. Isn't this an emergency? Can't we call him?"
Vivienne tried to sound comforting, though she wasn't particularly skilled in that direction. "I'm not certain exactly what's going on. And yes, this is an emergency, but not one Eric can resolve. We will deal with this ourselves. Calling Eric now would only worry and anger him and he cannot afford to be worried or angered in this way. Not now."
"You know where he's gone and what he's doing. He only told me he was going to work on a business deal for some property," Sookie said sadly. "Where has he gone, Vivienne?"
"He didn't lie to you. He is arranging a very large property deal. The negotiations will be very tense and require his undivided attention," Vivienne assured her. "Now, this is what we're going to do. Obviously Turcas and Pear do not know I'm here or they would not be so foolish as to think they could simply walk in here and take you. That is to our advantage. We will go to my room. It is near the elevators. We will wait there. When we hear them come, Sookie you will need to listen to them."
"Let me listen," Ausra interrupted. "I do not want to risk Sookie."
"None of us want to risk Sookie," Vivienne assured. "But trust me when I say, she is better equipped to listen for the information we need. Sookie, it is imperative I know if James is here. That's all you have to look for."
"OK," Sookie said.
"How will she know that?" Saule asked.
"She'll know," Vivienne answered. "We'll wait for them to get into the apartment and if James is not here, I'll follow them in and take care of them quickly and then you can come back and all will be well. If James is here, then after they go into the apartment I will go and keep them alive to negotiate with James and get all the other pets out of there. The three of you will leave the second Turcas and Pear enter the apartment. They have a blood bond with James so the minute they see me, they'll be afraid, he'll feel it and he'll come. He'll take the stairs so he doesn't have to wait, so you take the elevator. Go straight to Sookie's car and get out of here. Don't tell me where you'll go and don't go someplace you're associated with. Don't go to Fangtasia and don't go to Bon Temps."
Sookie was beginning to shake. Vivienne reached over and took Sookie's hands. "Don't be afraid Sookie. Ausra and Saule will protect you."
"Can they do that?" Sookie asked nervously.
"I don't know, my dear. But Eric says they can and I believe him implicitly. You believe him, don't you?"
"Eric doesn't lie," Sookie said. Then she looked directly into Vivienne's eyes, "And you'll take care of Mina and Genevieve and all the pets?"
"You have my solemn pledge," Vivienne swore to her. "I shall defend them with my life if necessary."
"Let's go," Sookie said simply, taking her purse from the nightstand.
They left the bedroom and headed for the front door. As they crossed the room Vivienne gave directions. "My pets into the kitchen so Turcas and Pear won't see you. Heller, you answer the door and allow them in. Close the door behind them and tell them the Mistress has stepped out but you expect her return at any moment. Invite them to sit and wait. Everyone act as naturally as possible. I will be following behind them within a minutes time."
Sookie, Ausra and Saule followed Vivienne to her suite. Once inside no one went more than a few feet from the unlatched door. Life was put on hold as they huddled silently and waited. After an excruciating twenty minutes, Sookie whispered, "They're coming."
Only seconds later the elevator buzzed, announcing their arrival. Turcas and Pear were in there with a mattress. Before they had even come out into the hall, Sookie's heart sank. "He's here."
"Everyone take a deep breath," Vivienne instructed quietly. She stepped in front of Sookie and took the door handle from her. It seemed to take forever for them to cross the thirty feet to the front door of the apartment. As soon as they were inside, Vivienne looked at Ausra and said, "I am trusting you because Eric trusts you. Do not fail him."
"Yes, Mistress," Ausra answered, and Vivienne left the room.
Ausra peered down the hall and saw Vivienne go into the apartment. She took Sookie by the hand and said, "It's time to go. I'll go summon the elevator. Wait here until it arrives then run to me." The elevator doors opened right away and Sookie and Saule bolted from Vivienne's door.
Sookie could feel the passage of time stalling, as if someone had maliciously driven a stake into the cogs of the clock in England where Earth's official time was kept. She remembered what it felt like to be staked. It felt like the world was fading away. If it hadn't been for Eric -- Oh dear god, Sookie thought. Eric! Sookie grabbed for the rail as she pleaded with herself not to faint.
"Keys," Ausra was asking. "Sookie give me your keys."
Where was Eric? He'd taken Pam and Oliver. What kind of big real estate deal required him to take back up like that? Maybe Pam, but not Oliver. Oliver was never included in Eric's business. Oliver was strictly used for muscle. If Eric needed -- Sookie clutched her stomach but nothing was there. There was no comforting wave of calm, only vicious little horned demons with pitchforks, spiked tails and sharp curled toenails assaulting her from within.
When the elevator reached the first floor, they went to the parking garage at a full run. Ausra started the car as Saule forced Sookie into the backseat. Sookie saw other people in the parking structure going about their business at such normal looking speeds. How odd that was when the space time continuum was folding in upon its self in her immediate vicinity?
"Eric," she groaned.
"What did you say?" Saule asked.
"It has to be The Fellowship of The Sun. I've seen on the news how they're expanding and building new churches in California," Sookie mumbled.
"I don't understand what you're talking about," Saule said softly as Ausra pulled the car out of the parking garage and headed away as quickly as she could without drawing undue attention to them.
"Eric. He must have gone to help the California King get rid of The Fellowship and take their property."
"Not likely," Saule replied. "King Leonas has the largest army of vampires in this country under his command. And if for some reason he needed more, he wouldn't need to call upon the Sheriff. He'd call his brother, King Vincentas, and reinforcements would be sent to him within twenty-four hours."
"What can he be doing?" Sookie muttered as she curled into a ball in the backseat.
Saule sat beside her and patted her back, which served a dual purpose. It seemed to calm Sookie a bit and it gave Saule something to do with her hands. Ausra drove west, toward Texas, as if the imaginary line at the border would somehow offer them some level of protection. They would have to abandon the car at some point and it would have to be soon. But they had a head start of at least a few minutes and the most needed to be made of that before intentionally worsening their conditions.
~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~xxx~~~~~~
On the top floor of Valhalla, Vivienne had entered the apartment and snatched Turcas and Pear, then instructed Clio to lead the others to a safe place. Since her experience with Gage Gordon, Vivienne never went any place without at least dual accommodations available to her. In this case she had her luxury suite on the top floor in addition to a pair of adjoining rooms on the third floor. Clio took the others and went there.
Vivienne sat on a sofa, holding Turcas in one arm and Pear in the other. "You two be very good boys and be very still while we wait for your Master to join us," she purred at them. "I'm curious to see if he's fond enough of you to let you live after screwing this up so royally."
Pear's eyes were wide with fear. "Why so jittery little pear? Do you doubt the affections of your chosen?"
Clio's elevator had probably not yet reached the third floor when James filled the penthouse doorway. "This isn't like you Vivienne. You always professed to be vehemently against taunting ones pets."
"This is true," she said silkily. "But of course these are not my pets."
James took a step toward her and she tightened her right arm. Turcas screamed as one of his ribs cracked. The cocky grin on James' face grew into a broad evil smile. "Vivienne! His Majesty and Andrew always claimed you were charming, but I never saw it. How sad you waited until the end to show me. We could have had such fun together, you and I."
She would not be able to escape him. He was too fast, but she had to try. In one swift movement, she brought both arms to her sides, crushing Turcas and Pear, then threw them at James. As she did, she rose and attempted to run past him.
She failed. James batted the broken bodies of Turcas and Pear aside and caught her by the waist. "Where are you off to in such a hurry, my lovely Lady Vivienne? We have so much to discuss."
He bound her to the dining table with silver chains painfully scorching her skin. He took several steps back to admire his work. "Do I remind you of anyone?"
"Yes," Vivienne snarled. "A man without a king."
James' eyes flared with rage. He started back toward her when he was stopped by a loud beeping. He took something the size of a cell phone from his inside jacket pocket. As he stared at the beeping object his rage slowly transformed to glee. He looked remorsefully down at the heaps of dead flesh which had formerly been Turcas and Pear. "It seems I abandoned you too soon, my pets. My belief in your utter idiocy was rash. Do accept my apologies." He stepped over Turcas toward the door. "You'll have to excuse me, Vivienne. We will resume our chat after while. The tracking device they attached to the human's car is moving."
"James!" Vivienne screamed desperately. "She is innocent. She's done nothing. She doesn't even know what's happening right now!"
"I understand your attachment to her," James said serenely. "But as you said, I am a man without a king."
"You don't have to be. Swear fealty, James. I'll stand for you."
"If he has won, as you believe, I'll not see him make his human a queen over vampires."
"He won't forgive you. You're signing your own death warrant. You won't be able to hide from him," Vivienne said flatly.
"So be it."
James left the penthouse, carefully closing the door behind him.