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“Dear Geoffrey let you escape through his fingers? Crawl, I can understand. He is old and wily, but distractions plague him and it’s not necessarily difficult to get away from him if you see him coming first. But Geoffrey…” Lannan gave a shrug. “So he finds out he’s not exactly the god he sets himself up to be.”
I ignored Lannan’s comments and once again addressed Regina. “Did you hear me? Leo kidnapped my cousin. Rex is dead. And Crawl is killing people.”
“I heard you. Yes.” Golden Boy gave me a shrouded look, and for a moment, I wondered what ran through his head after all these years straddling the world of the living and the dead.
“I want your promise. If Leo hurts her, I get to kill him. Slowly. But think for a moment. If he tries to turn her—and we know he will—who’s to say what happened with Myst won’t happen again? Rhiannon is part Cambyra.”
Regina crossed to the door. “Wait here. And Lannan—watch yourself.” She gave him a dark look as she left the room. He merely arched his eyebrows.
Great, just what I wanted. To be alone with Lannan.
“So, how does being a queen suit you? I think it doesn’t. Suit you. Not by the look in your eyes.” Lannan leaned toward me. I’d have to push him away in order to stand up, and that wasn’t my idea of the wisest move.
“I’ll grow into it.” I stared at him for a moment. Lannan had his faults, but he was blunt and direct. I’d give him that much. “There’s a lot to learn.”
“You’re smart. You’ll pick it up.” He regarded me quietly for a moment. “I suppose, if I should touch you now, you’d sic your guards on me.”
Annnnddddd…he just wouldn’t let up.
“Lannan, can’t you just give it up? Give me up? I don’t know why I interest you, anyway. I’m not a vampire, I’m not your type.” I was too tired and worried to resort to subterfuge.
“You might think that, Cicely, and you’d be right in one way. But I always get what I want. As for not being my type…there…you are mistaken.” His voice was back to being smooth, seductive, and he ran his fingers up my leg, pressing hard through the material of my jeans. “I’ll never sweet-talk you, never woo you. But give me the chance and I’ll fuck you so hard that you’ll forget Grieve, forget that crown you’re wearing, forget anything but me.”
Instead of cringing away from him, I just stared at him. “My cousin is in the hands of a psychotic, abusive vampire. You really think I’m going to focus on you at the moment? Lannan, you are smarter than that.” Apparently, the changes in my life had given me more courage.
Lannan let go of my leg, gazing into my eyes with those dark orbs of his. “Regina should be back and then we’ll tackle finding Geoffrey. But if you think I care all that much about your cousin, make no mistake: Rhiannon does not interest me. Preventing her death will prevent a host of problems, so I will do everything I can to further that end. But, Cicely, never underestimate the power of desire. What I want, I get. It may take some time, it may take some planning, but I always get what I want.”
“You no longer hold a contract over me. If you want the money back you paid me, I’ll give it to you. But Lannan, I’m no longer in your service. No matter what you think about it—or even what I think about it—I’m now the Queen of Snow and Ice. I’ve been through the rituals and coronation. I’ve changed.” I wasn’t sure whether I was trying to convince him or myself. Lannan set me whirling, whether or not I liked the fact. But right now, Rhiannon needed me, and Lannan’s pressure wasn’t helping matters.
Lannan stared at me for another moment, then seemed to relent. “You are worried about your cousin. I do understand.” He crossed the room, then turned back to me. “Geoffrey is single-focused, a trait I also understand. He is set on overthrowing the Crimson Court and in taking down you at the same time. Which means he will probably leave Leo to his own devices. And that, my sweet, places your cousin’s fate at the whim of that upstart whelp.”
Three weeks ago, I would have never believed Geoffrey capable of the betrayal that he’d shown the Crimson Court, nor the insanity that had created Myst’s people. But deception in my world seemed to be at all corners.
Except Lannan and Regina. The thought was disturbing. I stared at the vampire, realizing that—from the beginning—the two had been more open and aboveboard with me than just about anyone. Even Lainule had tried to sell me out to Geoffrey, in her fear over Myst finding her heartstone.
As Lannan and I continued our stare-down, Regina opened the door. She glanced at Lannan, then at me.
“Everything all right here?”
I nodded, slowly. “Yeah, everything’s fine. At least here. Where are Peyton and Luna?” A sudden fear swelled up that perhaps they’d been swept away, too. There were so many monsters on so many sides.
But Regina calmed my fear. “They’ve cleaned up and are in the parlor, having some tea. Do not fear, they are guests and will not be touched or bothered. I thought it best to let the girl relax for a moment, considering her loss.”
She settled herself behind her desk. “I’ve assigned extra guards to the town. They’re hunting Crawl now. As for Geoffrey and Leo, I’ve doubled our efforts to find the trail that will lead us to them. But I’m thinking we could use magic in the attempt. Cicely, do you know any seers?”
I frowned. “I’m not sure, but perhaps…the Consortium. They’ll have to help us since I’m a member. I’m supposed to meet with them tomorrow, Rhiannon and I. I’ll call Ysandra and see if we can up that meeting to tonight.” But that still meant Leo had the entire night to torment Rhiannon, because by the time we met, even if they could help me, it would be near morning.
My resolve faltering, I sank back into the chair, covering my face.
“Cicely, are you…” Regina stopped, then crossed to my side. She sat beside me, smoothing my hair back. “There’s nothing I can say to make this easier. I can’t—and won’t—make false promises that everything will be all right. But I do promise we are doing everything we can to find them. To save your cousin.”
I looked into her face and, for the first time, felt like Regina was seriously trying to extend an olive branch. True vampires usually didn’t concern themselves with breathers. They were near the top of the food chain, and they left no doubt about that fact. But tonight, Regina’s expression was almost friendly.
“Thanks.” I told myself I wouldn’t cry, but a tear slipped down my cheek. Regina reached out, gently wiped it away. I swallowed the lump in my throat and looked at her. “First Myst captures my aunt and turns her into a monster. Now Peyton’s father is dead, and Leo’s kidnapped my cousin. And we all know what he intends to do. And I’m sitting here, doing nothing. I want to be out there, finding her. I want to canvass the streets, to hunt her down, to pound on doors.”
Lannan moved over to the chair opposite us and sat down. “I’ll go out. I know several vampires who will talk to me where they won’t talk to anybody else. If anybody’s hiding Geoffrey and his protégé, I’ll find out who.” He hesitated, then reached out and placed a hand on mine. “Cicely, we’ll find her. But don’t do anything stupid. Crawl is still out there, and until he’s found, you’re in danger. Take your guards with you wherever you go. Even…take that idiot prince of yours. I’ll give him this: He’d die to protect you.”
I started to bristle, but Regina gave me a soft shake of the head. She motioned toward her desk. “Call the Petros woman. See if she can meet you tonight, and if she can, my driver will take you.”
