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“What’s Inley? And who is Icarus?”
Lannan wiped his hands on a handkerchief and turned, Erik forgotten. “Inley is an underground club for vampires and fang hags. Icarus is the vampire who runs it. It is not a place to enter without an escort if you are still breathing.” He cocked his head to one side. “I am not surprised Icarus is hiding Geoffrey. He always did have a streak of rebellion in him.”
“As Regent, can’t you demand he hand over Geoffrey?” Peyton startled us all. She seldom spoke to Lannan, and it was obvious she disdained the vampire.
Lannan swung to look at her. “Astute but not well versed in the ways of vampire politics. Trust me, if I were to walk in there demanding he give me Geoffrey, it would be as if the former Regent never existed. There would be no evidence that he had ever set foot in the place. No, we’ll have to plan this very carefully, especially since Icarus technically isn’t doing anything against the Crimson Court’s edict. Pity I can’t go in disguise with you as my bloodwhore.”
My stomach lurched. “Me?”
“Yes, you. I think I’d rather enjoy that little scenario. You all decked out in skin-tight PVC, looking oh so afraid.” Lannan flashed me a nasty look. Damn him, he was doing his best to pay me back for…for whatever slight he thought I’d given him this time.
I shuddered. “I’d rather think of another idea, thanks.”
“If I chose to do this, you would be obligated to join me. Your contract belongs to me.” His eyes gleamed and he leaned back. Cat and mouse. And I was the mouse. “But are you a good enough actress to play the part? Unless I put you under a compulsion…” His voice snaked over the words and I stumbled back.
“No!” I could feel Grieve stir, turning on Lannan. I had to diffuse the situation. Having both of them under the same roof meant we were living in a powder keg.
I stopped as he slapped his thigh and started to laugh. I wasn’t sure whether that was more disconcerting than when he was being all slinky-feely. “No? More’s the pity. But I thought that would be your answer. It was amusing enough to watch your face. No, I believe we will deal with Geoffrey in a different way. However, tomorrow you will all move into Geoffrey’s mansion—mine now—with me. And that is an order.”
“Are you insane?” Kaylin leaped to his feet. “We’re safe here.”
“Really? You were almost taken out by day-runners this morning who had very nasty weapons that go boom. How much safer can you be than in a mansion filled with vampires?”
I wanted to protest, but he had a point. A valid one. Arguing was useless. I turned to the others. “I don’t like it, but he’s probably right. But it will have to be in a couple of days. We go into the woods tomorrow.” I drew my shoulders back. After tomorrow maybe we wouldn’t be relying on Lannan as much. If we could find the heartstone, then Lainule would be restored and we’d have her back on our side.
Lannan held my gaze, then inclined his head. “As you wish. But yes, you will move in with me. Even your cur of a boyfriend.”
Grieve folded his arms. “Altos, I warn you: Cicely is mine. I am fighting against my nature, but if you push me, I’ll let the Shadow Hunter inside me loose. And I could wipe the floor with you and swallow the shreds. I’ve been biding my time, but now I will speak. I cannot prevent you from tormenting her. Not yet. But touch her unwilling and I will have your heart on a plate for lunch.”
Lannan’s nostrils flared and at first I expected him to laugh, but his expression grew hard and he tensed. “Wounded, broken, and yet you challenge me. How very noble. How very dangerous.”
“Broken, I may be, but I am quite able to fight, able to kill, and more than willing to do either if the circumstances arise. You know my nature—if I unleash it, you would stand no chance. Trust me, Altos, it is you who are in danger. I have remained in the background, too aware of how easily I can be goaded into the violence that lurks inside of me. But one touch—if you touch any of these women when they say no—I will rip your heart out and revel in doing so.”
I stared at Grieve, my heart racing. He seemed taller, stronger, and I had the feeling something was changing with him. He turned to me, holding out his arm, and I slid into his embrace.
“My love, we must coexist.” I turned to Lannan. “It’s bad enough that we’re battling Myst, but this infighting is going to kill us faster than she will. You know I’m in love with Grieve. You know you won’t ever willingly have me. Yet you persist in baiting us.” I was exhausted, too tired to think straight anymore.
Grieve reached for me, but I motioned him back. “Enough. Lannan, please, I’m swallowing my pride here. Please just let it be. You’ll have your blood tithe every month—I stand by my word and my promise on the contract. But for the sake of sanity, give us a break.” I glanced back at Grieve. “And you, my love, I ask the same…I love that you want to protect me, but right now all our lives are up for grabs.”
Lannan’s expression was cold, but after a moment, he said, “I offer the safety of my mansion. I will not require it of the rest of you, but truly, Cicely, you should take refuge with me. You’ll be safer there. Geoffrey is not likely to let this affront go without looking for a scapegoat and no doubt, you—as well as I—will be the main targets of his animosity.”
He glanced at the others, turned, and headed toward the door. “I must return to the mansion to sort out the mess Geoffrey left in his flight.” He paused, looking back, and for a moment, a look of regret swept over his face. “I do not wish to be Regent, but what the Crimson Queen decrees, I shall obey. My sister will send for your things tomorrow night, Cicely. If the rest of you choose not to accept my offer, so be it. But for Cicely, it is an order—as per your contract. You will check in by nine tomorrow night.” And with that, he vanished out the door.
I stared at the others. “So, Lannan is now Regent, Geoffrey and Leo are in cahoots and out to get us. As much as I hate to admit it, Lannan is right. We’d be safer in the mansion. At least from Myst.”
Grieve cleared his throat and I expected him to argue but he merely said, “The vampires can protect us better than we can protect ourselves in this place. It’s been a good hideout, but we need a true headquarters.”
I crooked my elbow around his. “We’ll go. But first…I have to see if we can find Lainule’s heartstone. If we can, that may change everything. This is not a stable game, built on foundations and rules. The stakes are ever-changing and we have to be as flexible as a reed in the wind.”
My father, who had insisted on staying with me, even though I told him to go to Lainule’s side, nodded. “If you stay in the mansion, I will return to Lainule’s side. Truthfully, that is where I belong. But I cannot leave you unattended here.”
It hurt to think he was taking himself away from Lainule just in order to protect me. “I’ll go. You belong by her side.”
Rhiannon stood. “It’s late. We’ve all had a long, hard day. Let’s get some sleep. If we’re headed out to find the heartstone tomorrow, we’ll need all the rest we can get.”
“So you will come?” I gazed up at her, marveling at the quiet strength she’d been showing through all of this.
“Of course. Remember? We’re fire and ice, amber and jet. We’re cousin-twins. Where you go, so will I.” And with that, she headed toward the bedroom. Chatter watched her, wearing his heart on his sleeve.
