Honoria Ravena (13 page)

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My scream pierced the silence of the room. Tears rolled down my cheeks as my heart hammered. I sat up and scrubbed my face with my hands. Something caressed my back, and I screamed again, jumping out of the bed.

I ran halfway across the room before I realized where I was. I turned back to face the two puzzled men on the bed. For a second, I was struck by how yummy they looked lying tangled in the blankets. Then the panic returned. I couldn’t breathe. I wrapped my hands around my middle and tried not vomit.

The dream rushed at me. Except it wasn’t a dream. Jason had pulled me away before I’d seen what happened next. My brother had probably saved my sanity, but it had played out in my mind a thousand times, recalling my mother’s scream and the blood from Daddy’s chest.

Laedan pressed on one of his ears and glowered at me. “Wow, you’ve got some lungs on you. What’s the problem?”

I rubbed my arms as I tried to form words. Goose bumps had popped up on my arms, even though I wasn’t physically cold. Inside I was chilled to the marrow.

Zarek sat up with a frown. “Laedan, something is really wrong.” He climbed out of bed and took a step toward me.

I held up my hand, and he paused for a second before closing the distance between us. I tried to push him away, but I was shaking so badly my muscles wouldn’t obey. I didn’t want a vampire anywhere near me right now.

He scooped me up and carried me back to the bed. He sat me down and wiped the tears off my face.

Laedan sat up and rubbed my shoulders. “Hey, what’s wrong? Make words, Regan.”

My shaking halted. Navarro. My brother had mentioned his name when I’d come to break him out of his cell. I wonder if he recognized it.

“Regan?” Zarek shook me and I looked up at him. His forehead scrunched as he frowned at me. His eyes were filled with worry. They were the same shocking shade of Danae’s eyes. Were they family? Why was she with Navarro?

I cupped his cheek in my palm and ran my thumb over his cheekbone. The frown grew deeper. He turned his face into my hand and kissed my palm.

“Danae.”

His eyes grew wide, and he gripped my hand. “You’ve seen my sister? Do you know where she is?”

“With Navarro.”

“You don’t have a location?”

“No. I’m sorry. What happened to her?”

“She was kidnapped by Dorian because of her precognitive abilities. I’ve never been able to get her back.”

Laedan tucked my hair behind my ear. “Navarro, the guy on top of the long list of people who want to kill you? What about him?”

Pushing Zarek to one side, I got out of bed. “I wonder if he knows it’s the same boy. It’s too much of coincidence not to be the same boy.”

“I get the feeling we aren’t going to get an answer out of her, boss.”

I opened Zarek’s closet and reached to the very back where I’d discovered the long-sleeved black button-down shirt. I put it on and started buttoning it. Zarek and Laedan pulled on their pants.

I was out the door before I realized I didn’t know where my brother’s cell was. I stopped and waited for them. Counting to ten, I tried to get control of my renewed anger. That jerk was keeping my brother in a cell because he’d objected to me becoming a vampire. I was going to smash his smarmy face in if I didn’t get a hold of myself.

I sensed Zarek when he came up behind me. I didn’t have to hear him to know he was there. I spun around and slammed my fist into his jaw.

I stood there, shocked, as he smashed into the wall and fell to the ground. I hadn’t even expected to be able to hit him. It seemed there were perks to being a vampire.

Laedan took a step toward me, and I kicked at his shin. He managed to dance away, but then, I wasn’t trying very hard.

“Don’t fuck with me, wolfie. I’m pissed enough to beat both your asses. You’ve got my brother locked up in some dank, dark cell for objecting to something he had every right to object to.”

I stomped the floor. I probably looked like an irate two-year-old, but it kept me from kicking Zarek. “I didn’t want to be a vampire, and believe me, we’re going to have a lengthy conversation about all of this after I talk to Jason and put him in a room.” I tapped my foot on the floor. “Well, get up, Zarek. I don’t know where my brother’s cell is from your room.”

His eyes flashed, and he was on his feet before I could blink. He grabbed my shirt and pressed me into the wall. His arms were shaking like he was trying to keep from slamming me against it.

“Be very careful, Regan. I’m no gentleman. If you choose to hit me, I might just hit you back.”

He lifted me off the floor by my shirt. “And maybe, just maybe, I didn’t want to witness your slow, agonizing death. I won’t make that mistake again. I’ll let those assassins gut your ass.”

He let go of me so fast my legs buckled, then turned and started down the hall. He glanced back over his shoulder. “Well, get up, Regan. You don’t know where your brother’s cell is.”

I used the wall as leverage as I rose. Laedan smiled at me mockingly and gestured for me to go ahead of him.

He actually cared what happened to me? For some reason the thought warmed me. I couldn’t quite keep the small smile off my face. I almost had to run to keep up with him. He was pissed. I’d actually managed to hurt his feelings. But then, I wasn’t happy with him either. No matter what his reason, he’d still made me a vampire.

We went down a flight of stairs in uncomfortable silence. Zarek opened the door at the bottom, and we entered the hallway that led to his office across from the door that went to my brother’s cell.

I pushed Zarek aside and almost fell down the stairs in my haste. He grabbed my arm and steadied me. “Careful, grace.”

I was pleasantly surprised he’d bothered to catch me. If he claimed he’d let assassins have me, then why save me from a tumble? I stuck my tongue out at him playfully and took off down the steps. I reached the bottom. My brother looked up from his pacing and rushed to the bars. They were bent, as if he’d been trying to pull them apart. Unfortunately for him, they were extra thick and probably reinforced with something vampire-resistant.

I ran to the bars and put my hands on top of my brothers’. His eyes were wild and frightened. They had dark circles under them, like he hadn’t fed or slept in a long time. His mouth was set in a grim line.

“Jeez, Regan, I tried to stop them. Are you all right?”

I had to think about that. I’d been turned into something I abhorred. I’d slept with two men who were my enemies. I was so confused I wasn’t even sure they were enemies anymore. Laedan seemed fond of me, and Zarek even more so.
Zarek…

I finally shook my head. “I have no earthly idea.”

Jason smiled and cupped my cheek. It wasn’t a very pleasant smile, more like he was trying not to cry. “We’re so screwed.”

I laughed and it turned into a sob. “You don’t even know.”

I spun around as Laedan and Zarek stepped into the little chamber. He was glaring at Laedan, his fists clenched at his side. Laedan’s lips were pulled back in a snarl, his powerful arms crossed over his chest, apparently to keep him from beating the crap out of someone.

“They were fighting about you. I know more about your sex life than I ever cared to. Damned vampire ears. Couldn’t you have put on more clothes? While Zarek’s shirt keeps you decently covered, I’m used to seeing more on you.”

I rolled my eyes. “I didn’t hear anything.”

“You’re probably still a little weak.”

I sauntered to Zarek and held out my hand. “The keys.” He stared down at me for so long I thought he wasn’t going to give them to me. “Zarek. Please.”

He pulled me into a hug and kissed my forehead. He rested against me like that, breathing in my scent. I hesitated before wrapping my arms around him. The physical affection made me incredibly uncomfortable, especially since I still wasn’t even sure I liked him.

He released me and stepped toward my brother’s cell. I watched him. Vampires weren’t known for being gentle. Not to mention I was a vampire hunter he’d captured, who’d just pissed him off. He unlocked the bars and Jason stepped out slowly, eyeing Zarek like he was tempted to jump him.

Zarek crossed his arms over his massive chest and glared him down. “I wouldn’t, boy. Your baby sister just pissed me off. I won’t lay a hand on her, but I’ll grind you into paste and use you to paint these walls.”

I frowned. What happened to threatening to hit me back?

He turned to me. “Now, you were babbling about something before we came here. Spill.”

I nodded before my gaze slid to Jason. “Do you remember the name of the vampire who killed our parents?”

Jason flinched. We Sumners liked to keep our feelings bottled up. It was an unspoken rule that we never brought up the death of our parents. After a few seconds, he shook his head. “Was his name even said?”

“See, I don’t know. I’ve never remembered it, but last night I had a dream.” I shuddered. “And I heard it.”

Jason ground his teeth. “Yeah, I have those dreams a lot.”

Zarek rubbed his head. “God, you guys need therapy. The amount of conflicting emotions I feel coming from you is giving me a fucking headache. I’ll never have two fledglings at the same time again.”

Jason scowled at him. “Anyway, what was the name, Regan?”

“Navarro.”

Chapter Twelve

“Navarro?” Jason turned to Zarek. “What does this guy look like? Is he a kid?”

Zarek laughed so loud I jumped. “If you really want to call him that. Yes, he was turned at fourteen, but he’s no kid. He’s a merciless killer. Children aren’t supposed to be turned into vampires. The younger they are, the more vicious they are. They’re stuck. They have minds of adults, but they’re physically stuck. It makes them bitter. They usually enjoy torturing their victims before they kill.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Every vampire tortures its victims.”

The stare Zarek fixed me with was so vicious I thought I might burst into flames. When he spoke his voice came out quiet, like he was trying to keep from shouting. “Are you that close-minded? Do you think Alaric torments his victims? Do you think I do?”

He marched toward me and grabbed my arms, jerking me closer. “The little mind games I’ve played with you are nothing. I mean torture, like on the rack. Branding, castration, bites that burn up the mind like wildfire. You have no idea what a vampire like that will do to a person. If you did, it would make you so sick you’d never eat again.”

“By the time he’s done with them, they’re mindless shells staring into space. They can’t even fight him anymore. What I admire about you is your fight. I’d never do that to you or anyone else.”

He released me so quickly I stumbled, and then he was gone.

Laedan gave me a nasty smile. “You’re having a brain-to-mouth issue today, aren’t you?”

I scrubbed my eyes. “Apparently.”

“So, this Navarro asshole killed your parents, and now he’s after you. Why?”

Jason and I just stared at him. I shrugged.

“Well, campers, let’s go ask the man you just pissed off.” Laedan took off up the stairs as we exchanged a glance. He spun around and patted his thighs like he was calling puppies. “Come on, kids!”

I rolled my eyes and started after him. “You aren’t funny.”

“Sure I am.”

He led us back through the club. We stepped into Zarek’s room. He was spinning in his office chair.

Laedan scratched the back of his neck. “Boss, are you five?”

Zarek pushed off the desk and spun around again. “It helps me think.”

“How can nausea and dizziness help anyone think?”

He stuck out his foot and came to an abrupt stop. “Who were your parents, Regan?”

I shrugged. “Alec and Giselle Sumner.”

“Shit. I’d hoped they would be okay…”

“You knew our parents?”

He nodded. “A lot of vampires come through here asking for sanctuary.” He glanced at Laedan. “Well, not just vampires, but anyway, I’m well-known for giving it because I’m one of the few vampires no one will fuck with. Hell, you’re even safe from the king here.”

Jason stopped him. “Whoa, wait, our parents weren’t vampires.”

I interrupted him before he could go into a rant. “Yes, they were.”

“And how do you know that? You couldn’t even remember that night whenever we did talk about it.”

“Like I said, I had a dream. Mom said she was a vampire. I guess we both blocked it out, or maybe in the confusion you didn’t hear it, and I did. Who knows, but they were.”

Jason shook his head. “How? I thought vampires couldn’t have children.”

Zarek sighed. “Under certain circumstances, they can. If a vampire bonds with a human, then that human can bear his children. Those children are called Gifts, because they’re so rare. A Gift can conceive easier. It still requires a blood-bond.”

Jason glanced at me. “Did you know Gifts were children of vampires?”

I shrugged. “I figured they were just a special breed of sensitive humans. I didn’t know they were children of vampires until Zarek told me. And even then, I didn’t particularly believe him.”

“So a female vampire can carry a child to term?”