Blood Hunt (55 page)

William nodded, said, “If you would take your seats, then, I will explain, and we may come to a decision on what actions to take.”

Naomi led Two and Theroen to the bench where Stephen sat, and Ashayt followed. After quickly introducing Theroen to Stephen, Naomi left to take her seat among the council members.

“Fun night?” Stephen asked Two as she sat down next to him.

“It’s had its ups and downs,” Two replied. “Do you know what the hell this is all about?”

“William will explain it, give him a moment. Prepare to be unhappy.”

“Great.”

William stepped up to the podium again and cleared his throat. The murmuring from the council members quieted.

“A quick summary for those who just arrived,” William said. “The Burilgi vampire Aros Kreskas has formed an army and is preparing to make war on the Children of the Sun. We fear that this war will spill over into our ranks or alert the general human population to our existence. In addition, he has kidnapped our fellow council member Jakob and the two humans Rhes and Sarah Thompson, because he wants Two for some reason and believes she will come after them.”

“He’s right about that,” Two said. “What the hell are we doing sitting around here?”

“That’s what I’ve been wondering,” said Sasha from her seat amongst the council members.

William tapped on the podium. “The purpose of this council – the entire reason for its existence – is to make sure that we avoid making rash decisions. If we leapt into action at every hint of danger, we would risk bringing too much attention to ourselves. If we act rashly, if we expose ourselves, we risk destruction. This has always been true.”

“Yes, but William—” Naomi began, and the elder vampire held up his hand, stopping her.

“Clearly, this is a special case,” he said. “Jakob has been abducted. That will not stand, and I am so confident in my belief in this council that I hardly feel it necessary to call a vote. Still, a vote we shall have. Sasha has obtained information on Aros’s whereabouts. I propose … I make a motion that we task a small group of vampires with going to this place, liberating Jakob and the humans, and bringing Aros here to face trial for his crimes. Do I have a second?”

Sasha and Stephen gave their affirmation simultaneously.

“Very well. The vote, then: all those in favor of the motion?”

William was greeted by a strong, if not universal, “Aye.”

“Motion passed. Sasha, please take the lead in assembling the group.”

Sasha glanced around the room. “I assume Stephen’s coming unless we chain him down. I’d also like Peter and Kanene’s help, if they’re willing.”

“We are,” Peter answered.

“I’m going,” Two said. “He’s got my friends.”

“She’s not going anywhere without Theroen and me,” Naomi said. Sasha raised her eyebrows at this.

“I may not be much of a fighter,” Naomi said, “but I’ve learned how to take care of myself from Stephen, and I will happily wager on Theroen’s strength and Two’s … utterly perplexing indestructibility. Besides, I didn’t fly halfway around the world and spend the past year reuniting these two just to let one or both of them get killed.”

Sasha smiled, nodded, turned to William. “That should suffice. Too many would just be difficult to coordinate and would make stealth impossible.”

Ashayt coughed and stood, stepping forward and glancing first at William, then at Sasha. “With your permission, I would like to accompany you as well. It pains me to see my people fighting, and if by my words or my reputation I might prevent it, I would like the opportunity to try.”

“A wise stance, Mother,” William said. “I am sure it will not be a problem. Sasha?”

“Of course not. I would be honored.”

“Very well, then,” William said. He glanced at his watch, frowned, looked to Sasha.

“Not enough time,” Sasha said.

“Sadly, no. Tomorrow night?” William asked.

“Yes. We will wait through one more day, and tomorrow at sunset we will set out. Is that acceptable to everyone?”

There were murmurs of assent from all of the involved parties.

“Excellent. I have no further business for this evening,” William said. “I would like to thank everyone for coming. We are living in a most unusual time, and drastic steps were needed. Once we have rescued Jakob and brought Aros to trial, it is my fervent hope that we can return the council to its normal state.”

This pronouncement was greeted with muttering from the council members. It was clear that the political implications of this minor coup would not be fully sorted out for some time.

“Does anyone have any further business to discuss?” William asked. After a few moments of quiet, he nodded and wished the council goodnight. Most of the vampires stood and began to file out of the cathedral. A few stopped to speak briefly with Ashayt, and she greeted each with pleasure, but it was not long before they were gone and the emergency meeting was over.

The only people remaining in the church were Two’s band of companions, William, Sasha, and Molly. William stepped down from the podium and joined the others, who were clustered together at the back of the cathedral near the table of wine and blood.

“Well,” he said. “It seems that we are living in interesting times.”

“That would be one way to describe them,” Naomi said.

Sasha turned to Theroen and Ashayt, who were standing next to each other, each holding a glass filled with blood.

“Forgive me for not expressing the appropriate amount of awe upon meeting either of you, Mother Ashayt and
Theroen-Sa
. My mind has been over occupied this night.”

Theroen smiled. “I cannot speak for Ashayt, but I find your current level of awe not only acceptable but completely appropriate. Your name is Sasha, yes?”

“Yes. I am Jakob’s fledgling.”

“Jakob is the vampire we’re meant to rescue?”

Sasha nodded. “Yes, along with Molly’s parents.”

“Why have the Burilgi taken them?” Naomi asked.

Sasha shrugged. “We are not entirely sure. We know that Jakob was not the target. Aros wanted the two humans as bait for Two. Jakob was just in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Two, who was standing on Theroen’s left, spoke up. “Why the hell would he want me?”

“That remains a mystery,” William said. “I know Aros. I sat with him on this council for decades before he abandoned it. He was not exactly of sound mind then, and all indications are that he has only grown worse with time.”

“Fantastic,” Two said. “I wish we could go now. I hate waiting.”

“As do I,” Sasha said. “We are already risking very much by sending so small a group into a situation that we know is meant to be a trap. Doing so during the daylight, when it is so debilitating at least to the Ay’Araf among the group, would be insane.”

“I know,” Two said. “Theroen hasn’t even gone through a sunrise yet. Who knows what it’ll do to him? Of the bunch of us, I’m the only one who’s really built for daylight work.”

“I am, too,” Molly piped up. Sasha glanced over at her.

“I believe we agreed that you would stay in my apartment,” she said.

“Yeah, well … I mean … Two’s going!”

“I fail to see how that changes anything,” Sasha replied.

“So do I,” Two said.

Molly made an exasperated noise, throwing her body into an aggravated, sulking posture. “You guys suck,” she said.

“Life’s a bitch,” Two replied. Molly stuck her tongue out.

“Molly has given me her
sincere
assurances that she won’t try to stow away or otherwise join us,” Sasha said. “I’m holding her to her promise.”

“Yeah, yeah,” said Molly. “Fine. OK. Can we go now? I’m tired.”

“Yes, we should probably finish up for the evening,” Naomi said. “Speaking of which … Two, Theroen, you’re welcome to sleep on my couches, but I’m afraid I don’t have any further space.”

“We’ll find accommodations,” Theroen said, smiling slightly. “Do we need to find space for your friend, Two?”

“I’ll stay with Sasha,” said Molly. “If he’s really been dead for two years, I bet you guys want to have some … alone time.”

Two felt her cheeks warm. “Thanks, kiddo. You’ll be all right?”

“Long as you bring everyone back safe, I’ll be fine.”

“We’ll do our best. Guys, we’re going to go find a hotel or something. We’ll see you here tomorrow night just after sunset, right?”

“Yes, please,” said Sasha. “Theroen, it was nice meeting you.”

The others echoed this sentiment, and there was another round of hand shaking before Two could usher Theroen out into the street. Once there, standing on the curb and peering around, looking for a taxi, she smiled up at him.

“Finally have you all to myself,” she said.

“Yes,” Theroen said “I must admit to looking forward to … how did Molly put it? Some alone time?”

Two’s smile widened to a grin, and she put her arms around Theroen’s midsection. He put one arm on her back, holding the other up to hail an oncoming cab. As it slowed, he turned to her with an embarrassed expression on his face.

“I just realized that I have no money. Abraham didn’t put my wallet into the pockets of the suit he dressed me in, and with the rest of the mansion burned to the ground I doubt we’d be able to find it now.”

“I’ve got it covered,” Two said, opening the door. “I sold a lot of stuff from the mansion before it was burned. I uh … sold your Ferrari. Sorry.”

Theroen looked pained as he sat down in the cab next to her. “Please tell me you got a fair price for it.”

“I could tell you that, but I’d probably be lying,” Two said. “Where the hell are we going, anyway?”

“The W Hotel, Union Square,” Theroen said, loud enough for the cab driver to hear. The man nodded, hit a button on his meter, and began driving.

“How trendy,” Two said in a dry voice, and giggled as Theroen turned and raised his eyebrows at her.

“I know the manager and have a deposit box in their safe,” Theroen said. “Not only will we have a place to stay, but it will provide me with a driver’s license, passport, Social Security card, credit and ATM cards … all of the necessities.”

“Nice,” Two said. She nestled in against Theroen, leaning on his chest in silence for a time. Finally she said, “I can’t believe you’re back.”

“I can’t believe I’ve been gone for two years,” Theroen said. He was staring out the window, watching the city go by. It was nearly one in the morning, but the streets were still crowded with Saturday-night revelers.

“You really don’t remember any of it?” Two asked him.

“It seems like last night. I’m sorry, Two, I know it must have been hard for you. There is so much to catch up on, I hardly know where to begin.”

“I can tell you anything you want to know.”

Theroen was quiet for a moment, considering this. Finally, he said, “How long were you in a relationship with Naomi?”

Two took a deep breath and pulled away from Theroen, frowning slightly. “You’re going right for the throat. OK, it was about … ten months. When did you figure it out?”

“Near the end of the meeting. My mental abilities are coming back to me, and I could sense some kind of connection while we were in the car, but didn’t understand what I was feeling until we were taking our leave. Two … she
loves
you.”

“Yes. Yes, she does.”

Theroen glanced at Two, and she could read his concern on his face. “And how do you feel?”

Two shook her head. “I’ve only ever loved one person in my entire life. Naomi is … I don’t know what happened, Theroen. I was lonely, and she was interested, and holy shit, I can’t believe how lame this sounds. Did I really just say ‘I was lonely’?”

“I believe you did,” Theroen told her.

“I hear it, too!” the cab driver told her in his heavy accent as he pulled over in front of their hotel.

“Really earning your tip …” Two muttered, handing him a twenty dollar bill. “Keep the change.”

The cab driver thanked her, and Two stepped out onto the curb next to Theroen. A few people were mingling around the front of the hotel bar, smoking, not paying any attention to the new arrivals. Theroen was watching her with interest, waiting for her to finish.

“I’ve loved you every minute of every day since the first night I met you,” Two said. She shrugged. It was that simple. “Naomi is a wonderful, amazing person and I care about her very much. I know that I ended up hurting her, and I’m sorry for that … but I don’t love her. I love you.”

“And she knows this?”

“She knows. She knew the whole time. As soon as we found out there was a chance of bringing you back, she and I agreed to end it. Theroen, I never said I loved her. I couldn’t say it to her or to anyone else.”

Theroen considered this, saying nothing. Two stared back at him, some strong and terrible emotion welling up inside of her. She could feel tears stinging at the corners of her eyes. Had she come all this way only to lose him now?

“Please tell me you can forgive me,” Two said. “I thought you were dead. I thought you died for me, and I couldn’t stand it. I couldn’t stand being alone, so I went looking for something … someone, and I found her.”

Theroen stepped forward, standing directly in front of her, and pressed the pad of his thumb against her left cheek, wiping away a tear. He tilted his head, looked into her eyes, smiled his inscrutable smile.

“Let’s go inside,” he said.

* * *

Theroen’s penis was warm and hard in her hand as Two took it, brought the head to her damp and slippery labia, arched her back, and wrapped her legs around his body. Theroen moved his hips forward, parting her, entering her and pressing his teeth against her neck. Two put one hand on the back of his neck, gasped, murmured his name.

Theroen began to move within her, creating a slow and delicious friction that Two wished would never end. He kept his teeth pressed against her neck until she brought her left hand up from between her legs, wrapped her fingers in his hair and pulled gently. Theroen lifted his head, looked into her eyes, continued to thrust slowly within her.

“Hi,” Two said.

Theroen seemed to consider this for a moment before asking, “Do you come here often?”