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I wanted to protest but then shut my mouth as Geoffrey and Regina motioned to us. Lannan joined them.
Geoffrey pointed to me. “Come.” He glanced at Leo and Rhiannon. “You two enjoy the party. Don’t get yourselves in trouble.”
And with that, I followed the three vampires into Geoffrey’s office.
Geoffrey took his place behind his desk, while Regina sat on the corner of it, crossing her legs so that the smooth pale skin of her thigh flashed through the slit in her skirt. Lannan motioned for me to sit on the love seat and then parked himself beside me, his hand on my knee.
I stared at it for a moment, imagining what it would be like to stick a silver pin through his palm, which led me to smile and laugh out loud.
“You have a joke you’d like to share with the rest of us?” Regina asked.
I blinked and lowered my gaze. “Not really . . .”
“So, we have a situation. We need to ask Crawl, the Blood Oracle, for help. But you must be present because you are the fulcrum; you are the closest connection we have to Myst and her secrets. You have locked within you the memories of when you were part of the Indigo Court . . .”
I stared at them. They knew. They knew I’d been Myst’s daughter, just as Chatter knew. “Am I the last one to find out? You know, don’t you?”
Geoffrey searched my face, then nodded, a pale smile crooking his lips. “Yes, my dear. We know. You were Myst’s daughter. We weren’t going to tell you, but obviously you’ve discovered the truth. Or remembered?”
I shook my head. “No, I didn’t remember. I was told.”
The Regent turned a frown on Lannan. “Not from one of us, I presume?”
Lannan snorted. “Retract your fangs, Geoffrey. I didn’t tell her. But you’re right, she needs to visit Crawl. As much as I dislike the messiness of politics, it seems we will not be allowed to live in peace as long as Myst continues to make a nuisance of herself.”
“Nuisance?” I sat up, pulling away from him. “That’s how you think of her? Myst and her people are killing the magic-born and yummanii alike. And she’s coming after you, as well as me. If you haven’t figured out her plans, let me spell it out, Lannan: Your bloodwhores? Your favorites? All targets. Myst is strong. Terribly strong.”
“Cicely is correct,” Regina said. “We cannot ignore Myst and you know it, my brother. The Mistress of Mayhem is out to kill all of us. Winter’s next move is coming, and we must be prepared. We need to know more about her. When you tried to turn her—”
Here, Regina stopped and looked at Geoffrey. He blinked and shrugged. “Yes?”
“When you tried to turn her, Myst was lost to our spies and over the eons, we’ve barely been able to keep track of her. Now we have the chance to find out how strong she’s become since she was turned. We can probe Cicely’s mind, and because in one life, she was Myst’s daughter, Crawl should be able to see back to that time and find out more about our enemy. Not all the information will be up to date, but we can at least get a feel for some of the abilities she gained after we lost sight of her.”
Regina’s words struck terror in my heart. Crawl. My dream came rushing back to me and I leaned over, moaning as I rested my head in my hands.
Lannan’s hand slid around my waist and he slowly raised me back up to a sitting position. “Oh, still the waterworks, girl. Crawl is . . . who he is. One of us will be there with you, to make sure he doesn’t wrap you up and suck you dry like a mosquito caught in a web.”
I turned a bleak eye to Geoffrey. If anybody would be sympathetic, he would. “Do I have to? Crawl gives me the fucking creeps.” I didn’t care if I offended them. The last thing I wanted to do was to visit the Blood Oracle again.
“I’m afraid so. We need to see into your memories—and since you can’t give us a clear view, we need his help. It won’t be pleasant, but it won’t hurt you as long as you don’t resist. And as Lannan so succinctly put it, one of us will be there to ensure your safety.” As he stared at me, once again, his words rang in my head.
I’m offering you my protection again, girl. Join us in our world. I will sire you and keep you safe.
His look was low and sultry, and I felt myself wavering. Being under Geoffrey’s rule wouldn’t be as rough as dealing with Lannan, but then, before I could entertain the idea, a spark of sanity crept in and I shook my head. There wasn’t much I could say. I had no intention of letting anyone turn me into a vampire. Besides, I had the feeling it would spark off a war between Lannan and Geoffrey, with me suffering the consequences.
No thank you, but—thank you, for the offer. If I were to ask anyone to turn me, it would be you.
He inclined his head at the same time that Lannan clamped his hand around my waist. “Then we take you to Crawl. And I claim the right to see you through the ordeal. Can’t have you losing your way, now can we?” And with a look that spoke volumes, he told me exactly what I already knew: If Geoffrey ever turned me, Lannan would be out for blood.
“I think perhaps we’d better let Geoffrey take her. I have another engagement and you, my brother, tend to set Crawl off on his tangents.” Regina stood and smoothed her skirt.
But Geoffrey, his face humorless and taciturn, let out a rough laugh. “No, let Lannan take her. I have guests to attend to.” And with a last look at me, his thoughts were clear.
I offered you safety from him, but you obviously prefer Lannan’s ministrations to mine. Remember: Being a vampire is not altogether unpleasant.
Taken aback, I let out a little cry. No—don’t leave me to him. I’m part Cambyra Fae; you would turn me to something akin to Myst and I could not bear the thought.
You are only half Cambyra . . . I doubt very much that you would shift over to one of the Indigo Court. But this is your choice. Do not come crying to me when he tears you down, although if you change your mind, I am here.
