Blood Finale (God Wars #5) (26 page)

"To Le-Ath Veronis. You'll be placed in the palace guard."

"You cannot be serious."

"I am most certainly serious. Come. I hope you know how to use that sword you carry."

"Zen forced me to improve," Perdil grumbled. "I had some knowledge, but he drove me to be better."

"Good. I hope you know not to anger vampires," Kifrin smiled. "Because you'll be working with many of them."

"I've learned manners. Zen drove those into my head, too."

"Then Zendeval should be commended. Come, you will be guarding the Queen's suite." Perdil gasped when Kifirin folded him away.

* * *

"Have you commanded them?" The General demanded.

"Yes. They do not respond." Quislus worked to keep the agitation he felt from showing. It wouldn't do to display weakness to the General.

"How many?"

"Nearly one hundred, General."

"Find them, then. Bring them to me. They will learn how disobedience displeases me."

"Yes, General."

* * *

Charles's Journal

"This is quite a collection," Nefrigar said.

"I've been busy."

I had been busy. More than a hundred bodies of rogue gods, all drained of their power, lay in an underground section of the Larentii archives. Kaldill had supplied excellent information; all I'd had to do was travel to the locations given and take down unsuspecting rogues.

"Are they looking for these yet?" Nefrigar asked.

"If not, they should be. It would be negligent not to do so."

"Will they find the reason behind the disappearances?"

"If they do, they're welcome to have a chat about it."

"Do you suppose they will?"

"No," I chuckled. "They won't talk. They'll be out for revenge."

"That concerns me," Nefrigar said.

"Don't let it concern you," I replied. "Just be concerned for the rest of us."

"As if that had not already occurred."

"I'll bring more," I said.

"I have sufficient space," Nefrigar said. "Bring all of them, if you wish. I do not mind gazing upon the nonfunctioning bodies of rogues."

Chapter 15
 

Breanne's Journal

"How do you feel?" Trajan rubbed his nose gently against mine. Hank had gotten the previous afternoon, but the night belonged to Trajan.

"I feel good. And worried. I guess good and worried ought to describe how I feel."

Morning light filtered across my bed as Trajan and I lay comfortably together. "You're almost too tall for the bed," I said. Trajan was nearly seven feet tall, and his feet nearly reached the bottom of the mattress.

"I always get questions from people, asking if I played basketball," he grinned. "I started saying yeah, I played basketball. Did you play miniature golf?"

"Honey, you didn't," I snickered.

"I did. I thought Winkler was going to fall on the ground laughing the first time I said it to a waiter."

"Maybe you ought to hang around the Larentii, just so you know how the rest of us live," I grinned.

"They're tall, but I don't mention basketball to those guys."

"Barrigar is almost as tall as the goal," I said.

"Dunking from the charity stripe for them? No problem," Trajan laughed.

"Honey, what do you think is about to happen?"

"Baby, I don't know," Trajan sighed. "We're in a place where we can only react to what they throw at us. We can't plan against what we can't see coming."

"That's for sure." I snuggled against his warmth and tried to shut off the worries crowding my mind. I'd had dreams the night before—of people being bitten by spawn and losing their lives in seconds as the virus took over, turning them into what had bitten them.

"Do you think Acrimus designed the Ra'Ak and their spawn, or did he and Quislus plant the idea in Kifirin?"

"I don't know," Trajan mumbled. "Let it be, sweetheart. Let's be comfortable and happy for this moment. We've gotten very little time together, and I like waking up with you. Let's enjoy the morning. We'll have to get up soon enough and face the day."

"Yeah." I scooted as close as I could, laid my cheek against his shoulder and closed my eyes with a sigh.

"That's my girl," Trajan mumbled against my hair.

* * *

Lissa's Journal

"What?" I stared at what I found. I'd folded to Le-Ath Veronis for a Council meeting and discovered a dwarf standing guard outside my suite.

"Lord Kifirin assigned me to guard your door."

"I know you," I said, eyeing him suspiciously. "You're Perdil. Probably the only Liffelithi Dwarf still alive."

"I beg you not to point out the flaws or take pleasure in the destruction of my race," he said, lowering his eyes. "I am here to guard you. It is a very great pleasure for me to do so."

"Kifirin sent you?"

"Yes. I could not be here, otherwise."

"He must have had a reason."

"I trust that he does."

"Have you had breakfast?"

"Lady Queen, I have not—I have stood guard for hours, and my shift is about to end."

"Then come with me. You can sit and tell me how the Greater Demons are getting along while we eat."

"I thank you," he bowed. "I will be happy to tell you anything you wish to know."

"I love that in a man," I said, and motioning for him to follow, we made our way toward the dining hall.

The top of Perdil's head is just higher than my shoulder. He and I had a private breakfast while I scrolled through the agenda for the meeting and asked about Zendeval Riin and his Greater Demons.

"The army is stationed on Kifrin," Perdil informed me. "Kifirin thought it prudent to guard the Royal family and the surrounding city."

"Because we're borrowing the best of Jayd's army, right?"

"I believe that is correct."

"Not a bad idea," I conceded. "How many troops?"

"Three thousand."

"Not bad."

"Your kitchen staff is competent. These eggs are almost as good as Reah can make."

"She gave them the recipe," I said. "I'd forgotten that she cooked with you before."

"I should have known better, before."

"Have you had any dealings with Sirenali?" I asked.

"Only peripherally, through Cayetes and his horde. I hear he's dead. I'm glad. He was filth."

"Agreed," I nodded.

"Dantel Schuul only used him to hide assets; even he found him repulsive," Perdil grumbled. "And if Schuul found someone repulsive," he shrugged.

"Then they're the worst of the worst," I said.

"I hear through gossip that something may happen soon."

"You heard correctly. We just don't have any idea what it might be."

"I'd expect attacks on multiple fronts. Those brief forays employing flesh-eating monsters? Just an appetizer."

"You've been keeping up with the news?"

"Always. I understand how the criminal mind works. I hope that doesn't offend you."

"It doesn't, as long as you're not involved in the crime."

"I won't be."

"Hello," Breanne appeared with Trajan and both took seats at the table. Comesuli rushed to get the new arrivals something to eat. I'd sent out a mental message for Breanne, because I was curious about Perdil and wanted her to read him. I wasn't really prepared for her answers.

He loves you
, Breanne sent as tea and plates of food were placed in front of her and Trajan.
Has, for thousands of years
.

Are you kidding?
I sent back.

Not kidding. He'd do anything for you. He thinks Kifirin gave him the universe on a plate when he set him to guarding your door.

Unbelievable
, I replied.
How is he otherwise?

I think he's learned some hard lessons, and knows not to repeat past mistakes. He's changed over the years.

Good to know
, I said.
I won't kick Kifirin's ass, then, for springing this on me
.

He left a rose on your pillow. Kifirin did. Perdil knows that
, she added.

I wanted to sniffle at Breanne's message. Kifirin left me a rose.

"How about coming to the Council meeting with me?" I pleaded aloud.

"I can come," Bree shrugged. "Maybe it'll distract me."

"Good. Perdil, thanks for guarding my door. It was nice having breakfast with you," I nodded to him.

"You are welcome." He stood and bowed before walking away softly.

* * *

Breanne's Journal

"Breanne," Gavin kissed my cheek when I walked into Lissa's suite—I had to borrow something to wear from her to attend a Council meeting. I couldn't go dressed in jeans and a sweater.

"Hey, Gavin," I said. Yes, I still tensed whenever he was that close, but things had certainly improved between us. I didn't bother to read him—I didn't want to.

"Will you advise the Queen today?" He offered a wry smile.

"If that's what she wants," I shrugged.

"I want," Lissa walked out of her closet, carrying two outfits. "Which do you want?" she asked. "The blue one or the yellow one?"

"Give her the yellow, it will look very nice with her dark hair," Gavin said.

"Good. I look better in blue," Lissa grinned.

"You planned this," I accused, shaking a finger at her.

"I had a few things made for you, yes. Gavin paid for them."

"Then thank you," I nodded to both. "I like yellow silk."

I borrowed Lissa's bathroom to dress. The yellow, raw silk tunic and loose pants were made by a popular designer and fit perfectly. "Shoes," Lissa opened the door slightly and handed in a pair of pale-brown slippers.

"Nice," I said, slipping them on my feet.

"We'll make a grand entrance," Lissa said as we left her suite together, with Gavin walking beside her. Other guards fell in with us as we passed from the residence wing into the grand hall, heading toward the Council chamber.

Aryn said, "All rise for the Queen," as we walked in, and the Council members rose as Lissa walked toward her waiting throne. Gavin escorted me to a chair near the door, and I waited for the command to be seated.

* * *

"At least we have plenty of help," Amara shook her head. "And enough space."

"You may have anything you want, where these are concerned." Andeleda, formerly high in the rankings of the Nameless Ones, was now among the Al'Riyu and in charge of a large nursery. She smiled and rocked an infant in her arms as she spoke.

"Did you wonder what had happened to us—to the faithful ones?"

"I did, but I was afraid to ask."

"We received our assignment several of your months ago. As you see, we have plenty of work. Children are being brought to us by the hundreds."

"I do see. I'm glad Edan and I can help. Might I ask—who is bringing them in?"

"The children are being gathered by Griffin and Thurlow," Andelida nodded. "At the command of Wisdom."

"That is a good errand for both of them," Amara agreed. "A very good errand."

* * *

Breanne's Journal

Breanne?
Corent's voice floated into my mind.

Hi, honey. How are you?

Acting as peacemaker between vampires and werewolves
, Corent replied, a mental smile in his sending.

I'll bet they're eating out of your hand
, I teased.

Not in the physical sense, although Flossie Thompson
and I are having difficulty cooking enough for werewolves. They certainly have an appetite
.

I've seen them eat
, I agreed.
You have your work cut out for you
.

I miss you
, he said.
Very much
.

Me, too
, I said.
I have to go, the Council is about to begin a trial.

I will contact you later
, he said.
I love you
.

I love you too
, I sent and turned back to the meeting.

* * *

Bree?
Lissa sent. Evidence had been presented against a business owner from Casino City. He'd been accused of defrauding business partners and not paying sufficient taxes.

Guilty. Not just of those charges, but he's had a hand in several murders
, I responded.

Do you have names?

Of course. Taddus Rox, Evard Gindly and Parl Nevu
, I sent.

Those are on the lists of missing persons
, Gavin broke in.

This guy killed them. With help from an assistant. The bodies are buried in a field on the light half
.

Where most vampires can't go
, Lissa muttered.
Trevor?
She sent.

* * *

"Come with me," Trevor grinned at Kooper. "If this goes right, we'll get to see Breanne."

"I'm with you, brother," Kooper stood immediately. They'd spent most of the day marking worlds off lists—worlds being taken over by Ra'Ak spawn and populations destroyed. The count was up to thirty, and looked to be growing. "Where are we going?"

"To the light side on Le-Ath Veronis," Trevor said. "To dig up bodies."

* * *

Breanne's Journal

They'd bent time to arrive before the trial ended, but they'd managed to do a lot. Trevor and Kooper held a guilty assistant between them, while vampire guards hauled in skeletal remains of those killed. If I'd wanted a distraction from what was about to go down, this was a good one.

"I suppose you wouldn't want to confess to these murders, now?" Lissa stood and glared at the prisoner. "Your assistant has already confessed, and he named you as the one who murdered these three." She swept out a hand, indicating the remains.

"I'll kill you," the prisoner lunged at his assistant. His chains held him back. Aryn calmly ordered him back to his seat, placing compulsion to answer questions honestly about the murders. The Council had a full confession in a matter of minutes.

* * *

"I could smell it on him, but couldn't pinpoint who or how many," Lissa said, removing the gold circlet from her head. "You don't need a nose—you can see it in them."

"I'm glad I can block it when I don't need it now," I said. "I'm glad to help, but the visions of those murders were pretty grisly."

"Yeah. Sorry about that."

"Don't worry. He'll get proper justice now."

"Bree, what do you think will happen today?"

"Something we won't like, no doubt," I said. I couldn't stop the shiver that accompanied my words.

* * *