Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13

R ene held my hand as we got in the back of the limousine and took our seats. His arm snaked around my neck and pulled me against his chest. His fingers traced the exposed skin on my shoulder as Cass took her seat opposite us.

Constantine was last, and he sat so close to Cassara that their thighs were touching. He had room on the other side, but he chose not to give her any space.

She glanced at him with flickering eyes. "Would you like to lie down? You would take up less space."

He turned to her and arched an eyebrow. "I require little sleep, but if you are offering to give me a massage on the way home, then I humbly accept."

Cassara's hand went to her weapon as Rene coughed.

"Constantine, you are playing with fire. I thought you had given up on your death wish."

Constantine shifted slightly in his seat and the material creaked as his leathers rubbed against it. "I have not had such thoughts since Cassara finished her training."

Cass grunted. "Yeah, but you were a total hardass when you were my mentor. I honestly thought you might kill me some days."

Constantine turned to stare at her. "I ensured you were the best. Few could take you in a fight and I trust every one of those men. I had to ensure your safety since Rene insisted you remain with him."

The muscles ticked in Cassara's jaw, but she was wise enough not to argue. Everything he said was true; only his motives went unsaid.

"Honestly, Cass, I am not sure how you resist him."

Cass blinked before focusing on me. "Excuse me?"

I glanced at Constantine's muscular form and handsome features. "With the exception of Rene, he is the sexiest man I have ever seen."

Cass slipped her hand to her eyes. "Jesus Raven. You can't say that in front of him. His entire head might explode from a comment like that. It can barely contain his ego as it is."

Constantine smiled, and I had to return it. "You are quite fortunate to have such a loving and honest bride."

I laughed as Rene brought my fingers to his lips. "I must agree with you, since she admitted I am more attractive."

Cass threw her hands in the air in exasperation. "What are you, two pre-pubescent boys?"

Constantine leaned toward her. "If anyone could make me feel young again, it is you."

She punched Constantine's arm. "What has gotten into you? Stop it before I stake you."

Constantine laughed. "I always enjoy it when you try."

Cass mumbled something under her breath. "... geezer with a spear."

Constantine's smile faded to be replaced with a look that made me shiver. "We are here, Cass. Are you ready?"

She nodded and her serious face matched Constantine's. "You are Rene's attendant, so you have the honor of announcing their status and how you want them to refer to Raven in formal situations."

Constantine nodded. "I have decided."

He opened the door to the vehicle when it came to a stop and waited for Cass to join him. They stood like sentries at the side of the limo as we exited, then stood shoulder to shoulder as we approached the entrance to the mansion.

Constantine opened the front door and held it for Cass before Rene and I entered. "I wish to announce the entrance of Rene and Raven Roth. They have completed their bonding ceremony and I entreat any who oppose this union to challenge me."

My heart raced as I entered the grand foyer of the opulent mansion with my hand gently clasped in Rene's. All conversation hushed instantly, and the air held an oppressive tension. I had no idea what had transpired while we were gone, but it was obvious they had not expected to see Rene again. At least not alive. Anticipation and fear crackled like electricity as the members of the vampire clan glanced toward the hallway. They were waiting for something... or someone. The silence was palpable, like a collective breath held in suspended animation, as they accepted the undeniable truth of our bonding.

The return of Rene's vitality was a testament to our shared strength and the eternal bond we had completed with the ceremony. His recovery from the treacherous compound killing him was nothing short of miraculous, a testament to his resilience and the depth of our connection. The trial of those events had only solidified our connection, and now we stood before our clan, with our destinies intertwined for all time.

The clan was rendered speechless, despite being used to the subtle changes of power and nuances of politics that coursed through the vampire world. They had witnessed a miracle, from the transformation of a witch to Rene's less-than-subtle courtship of me. The recognition of our bond and my new standing within this clan and every other rippled through the room like a gusting wind.

Hushed chatter broke out around us as Rene and I exchanged a knowing glance. Our silent conversation spoke volumes. We were a united front, two halves of a powerful whole, and ready to face whatever challenges the future would bring. The quiet strength in his gaze mirrored my determination, and was enforced by the two leather-clad sentries that now stood beside us. The clan members were gradually recovering from their surprise, and began to nod respectfully. Most were in a silent show of respect for the connection we had solidified, but whispers of disapproval rustled in the air like leaves in a growing gale storm.

Several clan members darted out of the way as Dimitri entered the foyer. His eyes roamed over Rene in anger before he briefly focused on my dress. "It appears your bonding has stabilized the progression of the disease. I will cancel the assembly immediately."

Rene released my hand. "I told you not to call an assembly. Are you telling me that you ignored a direct order?"

Dimitri flinched under Rene's furious gaze. "You were infected. That compound has killed every other vampire afflicted. I had no way to confirm you were in your right mind."

Rene placed his finger in the middle of Dimitri's chest, and all the chatter ceased. "I am not just any vampire, and you know it. You are a coward and care nothing for this clan or the well-being of our species. You intended to use my attack to gain power. It is pathetic and a childish waste of resources."

Dimitri's lip curled. "I have served this clan admirably and will continue to do so."

Rene grunted. "That is where you are wrong. I was remiss in allowing you to continue as leader."

Dimitri's eyes widened. "I have never betrayed the clan. I have always put its needs first. You cannot demote me, when my descension is so close, anyway."

Cass took my arm and led me from the arguing men to the corner of the room. "Sorry about this. A binding is usually a pleasant time for the clan. Dimitri and his followers are just pissed because you stabilized Rene. He thought Rene's sickness was an opportunity, though he never stood a chance of ascending to overseer."

I stared at Constantine, who remained at Rene's side. "Yeah, I think Con would behead Dimitri before allowing that to happen."

Cass shuddered. "Worse, he would have taken leadership until a suitable replacement was found. There is nobody more suited than Constantine, so it would have been a permanent position."

"Really?"

"Yes, I think..." Cass was flung in the air away from me and smashed into the far wall before crashing to the ground. The shimmering barrier formed around me, effectively cutting me off from the rest of the clan.

The dark shadows twisted and formed inside the barrier with me as Brigid stepped from the dark, evil mist. "I hope you didn't think this pathetic excuse for a union would be allowed to continue."

My power rose within me, but Constantine was right. It was nowhere near as powerful as it had been before I was infected with the witch poison. "You are like a bad penny, Brigid. You keep turning up when we least expect you."

She shrugged. "I brought my friends with me."

"Is this where you attack me?"

She smiled. "In time, but I thought you would like to see that whore vampire friend of yours die first."

Dimitri's brother stepped from a shroud on the opposite side with a look of pure hatred. This was nothing like the easygoing man I had met a couple of days ago. "Time to die, Cass."

I backed away from Brigid, and blasted the barrier, but my magic was not powerful enough to penetrate her shield. I knew I had to conserve my strength and trust Cass and Rene to help one another as several mercenaries exited half a dozen misty shrouds.

Dimitri looked as shocked as the rest of the clan by Davon's betrayal, and he backed away from Rene and Constantine when they turned on the intruders with glowing red eyes.

Brigid smiled. "I took the liberty of confining the rest of the death dealers before we crashed your party. Rene and his leather-clad friend will be forced to fight all of us."

My gaze moved to Cassara and while her eyes appeared open and staring at the center of the room, she hadn't moved. "What did you do to her?"

Brigid shrugged. "I simply hit her with enough force to break every bone in her body. Painful, but she would have healed in time. Davon is here to ensure that doesn't happen."

My heart stuttered. "You came here to kill Cass?"

"Of course not. The vampires are insignificant, except for you. Davon agreed to help us in exchange for Cassara's life. He really hates that bitch. I am here because of you. Rene could become more powerful than any creature who ever lived if you are not removed from this earth. You have no concept of the folly of your actions. He used you to boost his power and now you must die."

Davon advanced on Cassara's inert form. His sneer was a mask of madness. "You should have accepted my proposal, Cass. It was an honor and one I never bestowed on anyone before or after."

He pulled a weapon I didn't recognize from under his tan leather jacket. It looked like a cross between a laser weapon and a dart gun but was different than a UV light as the end consisted of two prongs with electrical sparks arcing between them.

"No," I whispered.

Brigid pulled an identical weapon from beneath her robe. "I wouldn't worry, honey. You will be joining your broken friend."

Constantine beheaded two mercenaries and moved to stand between Cass and Davon as Rene pounded on the shield separating me from the others in the room. "Your time has come to an end, Davon. Your death will serve as a reminder to those who oppose Rene's rule of what happens when you break clan law."

Davon hissed. "You overgrown ass. You are just as bad as Rene. Dimitri will be the next leader of the clans and he will ensure we are not the humans' whipping boys. We hide in the shadows while the humans flourish. The vampires and witches should have more control over the conclave and human law. They are weaker than us."

Constantine rolled his shoulders. "Your madness is only surpassed by your brother's. We were all human Davon. Your idiocy knows no end. But I will relieve you of your life so you may find peace in the next."

Davon aimed his weapon at Constantine, but as he discharged it and a double-pronged electrical arc pummeled toward the ancient vampire, he simply spun to the side and sent a small silver dagger flying through the air.

The strange weapon clattered to the floor as Davon clutched his neck and blood spurted from between his fingers. I had no idea what was on that blade, but vampires were obviously allergic to it.

Constantine approached Davon with the grace of a large feline, before he extended his spear and swiftly arced the sharpened end toward Davon's neck.

Dimitri screamed as the sharp blade separated Davon's head from his neck and the body slumped to the floor.

Rene continued his barrage against the shield, but Davon's death momentarily distracted Brigid, and I sent a small bolt of energy toward her hand. Whatever that weapon was, it looked fatal to vampires, and I had no plans to be an undead guinea pig.

Brigid screamed as the energy hit her wrist, and the strange weapon clattered to the tile floor. Her gaze moved to the door as the remaining death dealers arrived and began to kill or incapacitate the mercenaries. She turned to me with hatred as the shroud formed around her and disappeared a second before the barrier fell and Rene was at my side.

Dimitri dashed to his brother's side and knelt by his body. "No, Davon." There was no mistaking the pain in his voice, and I felt a pang of regret.

Rene stared at the fallen clan member. "He was a traitor."

Dimitri's eyes flashed red as they met Rene's. "You will regret this. You are blind to the wiles of the blood witch. Even her own kind know she is a threat and instead of putting her down like a feral cat, you invite her into your bed."

Rene hissed. "I will allow you to live since you are insane with grief, but my decision about your future as clan head stands. The process of re-selection will begin soon."

Dimitri stood and exited the foyer to complete silence as Constantine moved to scoop Cassara into his arms. He calmly held her as he moved to mine and Rene's side. "Your queen has proven herself worthy of standing beside you, Rene."

I heard his words and the collective gasps, but my gaze was locked on Cassara's face. She had closed her eyes, and I took the hand that draped from Constantine's arms. "Let's get her upstairs."

Constantine nodded. "Of course, my queen."

"I'm not a queen, Con."

"Yes, you are, and if anyone disagrees, I will convince them with my blade."

I shook my head. "No wonder you annoy the crap out of Cass."

His lip twitched as we ascended the stairs toward our suite. "I aim to please."