13. James

JAMES

Our first order of business is to stay off the radar. “We need to be cautious and avoid drawing attention to ourselves.”

I could think of something we could do while we were laying low.

She nodded sagely, but with her next question her voice wavered slightly, and that brought my mind right back out of the gutter I was reveling in.

“Why is this happening? Is it just because you’re a vampire? Am I just collateral damage or a pawn to them?”

I took a deep breath. It was time to reveal more about the reality of the supernatural world I’d just pulled her into. I should have told her everything last night before we began the bond, but, like the selfish asshole I was, I couldn’t wait to make her mine.

“You were a pawn to them, but those hunters wouldn’t?have killed you. Human life is sacred to them above all others. Especially mine and the people I serve. Vampires aren’t the only ones they hunt.”

“Hot damn. These guys were behind the witch hunts in the Middle Ages and stuff, weren’t they?” Her mind was deliciously smart.

“Yes. But there are many other supernaturals. The Order has a special hard on for vampires and people like Mary O. and the Council of Princesses.”?The more I let her figure out on her own, the easier it would be for her to accept everything.

“I knew it. Those ladies aren’t descended from the royals hanging in all those portraits all over the castle, they are those royals. Margaret is Princess Margaret?” Her eyes shined bright as she put more of the pieces together. Then her face went supernova into excitement, and she clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh my... that blonde... that was fricking Princess Diana? Holy cow, holy cow, holy cow.”

She danced around the room like this knowledge was too much to contain. She’d taken finding out that I was an immortal blood-sucking monster like it was no big deal, but the fact that Lady Diana Spencer hadn’t burned up in a horrible car crash? No, that was too much. Ah, humans. Weirdly adorable.

“Yes. They’re all immortals, demi-gods. They don’t age or get sick, but they can be killed in ways similar to humans. They’ve been ruling Europe as the royal families for thousands of years. Vampires were sworn into service to protect them.”

An old pact made by the First Vampire and upheld to this day.

“But what about her boys? What about Charles? Wait is Camilla—”

“The boys and Charles are all in on it, as was Queen Elizabeth and all the rest of the royal family.” We didn’t talk about Camilla.

“The Queen.” Rose gasped. “I forgot about the Queen. She just died. Or, I mean, I guess she didn’t. But if they’re all immortals, why did she die? I’m so confused.”

Elizabeth II had been a pain in everyone’s arses. She simply didn’t want to retire and refused to. We all knew why. “That’s the natural progression. The Immortal Royals marry and have children just like humans. During their first debut into society, they age and behave just as a human would to keep the rest of the world in the dark. When they choose, they fake their deaths, and pass on their titles to their progeny.”

“Have none of the members of any royal family actually died? They’re all what, hanging out in the capitals of Europe somewhere, like, out partying or something? I don’t suppose they dress in outfits from their time period.” She suddenly clapped her hands, all excited. “Ooh, I hope I get to design for Queen Victoria. Now there was a powerful plus-size woman.”

She wasn’t far off. Henry the VIII was a notorious partier, and still couldn’t stay in a monogamous relationship to this day. But not a soul ever recognized him in his modern-day bad boy cliche outfit of black jeans and a leather jacket. “No. As I said, they can be killed, and many have. They fight amongst themselves like any powerful family does. They also have enemies, like The Order. The VIA does our best to keep them alive, but we aren’t always successful.”

“But also, what the hell?” Rose paced back and forth in front of me, and I could practically see her brain working overtime to process everything. “I will never watch a history documentary the same, ever again. This has so many implications in European politics and history.”

This was a lot for her to take in, so it probably wasn’t the right time to tell her about the Kennedys.

“Right.” She waved her hand around and continued her pacing. I bet if I watched that reality telly show of hers, I’d see her do the same thing when she was thinking through her designs. “So, vampires are like these Immortal Royals’ secret service agents. I got it.”

There was much more to it than that. We had divisions that protected, but also that investigated both at home and abroad, and then there was the special ops unit I was a part of. But she didn’t need all the details of the org chart. “Not all vampires. There are outcasts who have betrayed our kind, and I fear Gabriel could be... joining their ranks.”

It was the only explanation I could come up with. We’d learned a vampire had betrayed us, and it had been too easy for The Order to kidnap Rose. Gabriel had been the one who suggested we let those hunters get away. He was the perfect distraction.

Rose’s eyes widened, shock and confusion playing across her features. “Gabriel? But isn’t he, like, in charge of your team?”

Yes. And my oldest friend.

“He is. If there’s even a possibility he’s turned dark, this endangers all the Immortal Royals and will tear the VIA apart.” My chest tightened as I spoke, the thought of my closest friend betraying me too painful.

Rose dashed for the landline phone on the other side of the couch and starting dialing.?”If Gabriel really is the traitor, and I’m not convinced about that, but if he is, Anna isn’t safe.”

Anna, her assistant? “In Chicago? I think she’s fine.”

“No. She’s at the castle. She was there when I was taken. Slapped around pretty good by the bad guys too. I should have already called to tell her I’m not dead, but, you know, I was busy.”

Rose dialed and I glared at the phone as it rang. When had Anna arrived and how? Why wasn’t I either notified she was coming or been asked to escort her as well? Was this one more clue that Gabriel had taken over this mission and hung me and Rose out to dry?

When she finally picked up, Rose sighed out her relief, not yet making those same connections. She was simply worried for this woman who worked for her. “Hey Anna, are you all right? I can’t believe everything that’s happened. I called as soon as I could, to let you know I’m safe.”

Thanks to my enhanced sense of hearing, I didn’t need her to put the call on speaker to hear every word this assistant of hers was saying.

“Where are you?” Anna asked, her voice strangely not as worried for her boss as someone who witnessed them being kidnapped should be. “Are you even in Scotland?”

“Uh, no,” Rose replied, and gave me a look that showed she was catching on to that tone same as I was. Good girl.

I put my fingers to my lips to indicate she should stay quiet about our location. She nodded and said, “I’m... somewhere safe, but I can’t say where.”

“Right, well, good you’re not dead or something,” Anna said, sounding completely uninterested in Rose’s well-being, and like she was rushing her off the phone. “Anyway, don’t worry about the dress for Mary O. I’ve got it under control. You don’t need to come back to the castle.”

“Wait, what?”Rose was totally surprised by Anna’s dismissal. I was not. This was just another clue.?”But my work—”

“Trust me, Rose. It’s handled.”Anna hung up before she could press for more information from her.

Rose stared at the phone for a full thirty seconds before she set its back in its cradle. “Well, that wasn’t suspicious at all.”

“Rose, I don’t like this,” I said, my unease growing as I paced the small room. “Anna’s behavior is suspect. I didn’t even know she was at the Black Castle when you were taken.”

“I didn’t know she was coming either. She just showed up right before I was... oh, oh no. Was she in on it?”

“Could she be involved with The Order of Vampire Hunters?” I mused aloud, my protective instincts on high alert.

“She seems so nice and competent. I’m having a hard time believing she’s some crazy zealot like those guys at the restaurant.”

“How well do you know her?”

“I only hired her a few weeks ago. She’s been a godsend, helping me get my new line ready. She had references. But I suppose anything can be faked. I need to get a hold of Jorge and make sure he’s all right.”?Rose’s forehead creased with worry.

“Call him but be cautious. Just check in as if everything is going swimmingly here.”

Rose chatted with her friend and did an excellent job not revealing any of her worries. He reported that Anna had said she had Covid and had called off work for the last few days. It made me wonder just how soon after I left with Rose that Anna had reported to her superiors and gotten on a plane too. But what was her end game?

I couldn’t believe, even if she was working with Gabriel, that they’d simply assassinate Mary O. She had clout, but in the grand scheme of the Immortal Royals, she wasn’t a major player. And if that was the plan, why take Rose, and leave Mary O. unharmed that morning?

Fuck. We needed to get back to the Black Castle, warn Mary O., or find someone who could. But I didn’t have a clue who I could and couldn’t trust anymore. It was too risky to trust anyone in the VIA. “I have to get back to Scotland, love. I can call in some favors and find a place to hide you, but I can’t let whatever is about to happen go down without trying to stop it.”

Rose put her hands on her hips in a pose reminiscent of Wonder Woman, and it was so damn sexy, I almost threw her over my shoulder and dragged her back to the bedroom. I knew what was coming and was already warring with myself over it.

I couldn’t put her in danger. But she already was.

“You’re not going anywhere without me.”

Before I could even try to argue with her,?there was a knock at the door. We both stilled and I motioned for her to hide. I’d spent my weapons in the fight at Franco’s, but the kitchen was well equipped with steak knives. I slipped two into my belt and fisted another two while creeping toward the door.

“Vond. Open up.”

Silvanus? Gabriel had brought him up to the Black Castle, so he could be in on this whole thing. If he was, I’d find out right now and kill him before he could report back. Cautiously, I opened the door, then yanked him inside, knife to his throat.

“How did you find us?” I demanded, letting the full ire of my monster out to play. Silvanus was young and hadn’t fully developed his other forms, so I had the distinct advantage here.

“Relax,Vond. It wasn’t hard. I tracked you to the restaurant and followed the reek of garlic here.” He wasn’t even the tiniest bit threatened, and his reply came with a confident grin. Either he was stupid or was actually on my side.

“Are you working for Gabriel?”

“Aren’t we all?” That question had caught him off guard. That, plus the fact that his father had been so loyal as to give his life in service to the Immortal Royals was all the evidence I needed to see he had no clue what was really going on.

I released him but pointed one of the knives at his face. “Perhaps. Why are you here?”

He was silent for a moment, and I watched him closely as he processed what had just happened. It wouldn’t be the last time another agent of the VIA threatened his life. He took it in fucking stride though. “I’ve got some important intel for you.”

“Intel?” Rose poked her head around the corner, brandishing a fireplace poker in her hand. She’d also fashioned the bedsheet into a modest and functional toga-style dress, so Silvanus didn’t get to see any of what was mine. What a woman. “What kind of intel?”

“A shipment of poisoned material,a list of targets,” Silvanus pulled a folder from inside his jacket, “including Mary O.’s birthday party and the King’s upcoming coronation.”

“Alright, Silvanus,”I said reluctantly. “Let’s hear what you have to say.”

“You’re not going to like this next part, so, quite literally, do not kill the messenger. I just found the intel. Got it?”

I scowled at him. “No promises.”

“There’s also something in here,” he tapped the folder, “about Rose being targeted because she was meant to be the mate of a vampire, even before you two met.”

My vision went hazy red, and I had to grip the kitchen counter, so I didn’t lash out and murder Silvanus just for standing there and delivering news. How could they have known about Rose’s destiny to be mine?