Part 22 (1/2)
”I see being flogged half to death hasn't taught him any more respect,” he remarked.
Gideon didn't bother to retort, more concerned about what he saw in Daegan's face, the taut lines around his sensual mouth. His dark hair was spiked, as if he'd been raking it. Anwyn went to him, rising on her toes to smooth down the strands.
”What's going on?” she asked.
”As we thought, Brian was at the dinner because of what Vincent witnessed. Belizar demanded a full report from him after he met with you.”
Gideon's eyes narrowed. ”Did he tell Belizar about his time with us before?”
”No.” Daegan shook his head. ”Brian confined his report to the present. He made it clear the condition was manageable, as long as Anwyn had my continued supervision as sire. He smoothly noted he already had some ongoing research, some injections that he thought would keep her functioning quite well. Unfortunately, the Council tends to turn information to their own objectives.”
”We met their tests, and it p.i.s.sed them off. They want somebody to suffer, to feel like they still hold the upper hand.” Gideon saw the truth in Daegan's gaze as Anwyn let out a creative and very unladylike curse.
”Us torturing Gideon in front of them wasn't enough suffering? Are these people all psychopaths?”
”A servant suffering isn't really suffering,” Gideon said shortly, so Daegan wouldn't have to say it. Calm readiness descended on his body, as if it already knew a fight was ahead. ”So what's the bullet?”
Daegan swept his gaze over them both. ”Lord Uthe pointed out that someone with this type of uncontrollable affliction would be an automatic addition to my termination list.”
Gideon scowled. ”They're not touching her.”
”That was also my reaction.”
You know what needs to be done, and you are refusing to do it. Lord Belizar had said it in such a perfectly reasonable voice, and Daegan had reasonably noted he would disembowel anyone who thought about hurting her. Gideon's a.s.sessment was correct. They wouldn't be happy until they'd had him do something against all his principles, to prove his loyalty to them. Which meant they were in danger of losing it forever. Lord Belizar had said it in such a perfectly reasonable voice, and Daegan had reasonably noted he would disembowel anyone who thought about hurting her. Gideon's a.s.sessment was correct. They wouldn't be happy until they'd had him do something against all his principles, to prove his loyalty to them. Which meant they were in danger of losing it forever.
”So what do we do now?”
”I leave.”
”What?” They spoke in unison. Gideon straightened while Anwyn's brow creased.
”What the h.e.l.l are you talking about?” he demanded.
”After I refused to allow a discussion of Anwyn's termination, Belizar ordered me to perform a task while they deliberate. There's a rogue nest, fifty miles above Berlin. They've been preying on small towns. Reliable sources have provided their location for the next several days. This group is much like Barnabus,” he rea.s.sured them. ”They're made vampires, loose cannons, easy enough for me to dispatch. But taking care of a housekeeping matter in the Council's backyard will prove useful to their state of mind.”
”You're not this stupid.” Gideon stepped forward, anger in every line of his body. ”Belizar's getting you out of the way to take care of Anwyn and me while you're gone.”
Daegan shook his head again. ”This is no longer about the two of you. It is clear to them that you both belong to me, so it is about my loyalty to the Council. And I do not go based on my trust in Belizar. I trust Uthe. I flatly refused to go on the a.s.signment until I had you safely returned home. However, Belizar insists on more discussion of Anwyn's seizures, given our track record with other made vampires with erratic behaviors. Uthe gave me his personal guarantee of your safety until I return, and he will post Brian here as a round-the-clock watch on you.” He inclined his head to Gideon. ”I trust Uthe's word. He is the one who loved my mother.”
Gideon paused. ”So what I said . . .”
”There was an element of truth to it, though I still take exception to the phrasing. However, as I'm sure your brother has told you, of all the Council members, Uthe holds the most honor and integrity.” A grim smile touched Daegan's mouth. ”Once, a long, long time ago, Uthe was a Templar. He's never left those principles behind. He also mentioned if I show my trust in the Council by leaving you in their hands while doing this, it's likely the older members will be sufficiently mollified to confirm my guardians.h.i.+p of Anwyn, with frequent reports on her status.”
”We should just leave,” Anwyn said. ”I hate all of them. I don't care about their approval. I'll take the consequences of that.”
Daegan laid his hands on her tense shoulders, commanding her attention. ”This is a new world for you, cher cher, and I know it is hard for you to understand. As I said from the beginning, I will not abandon the idea of your being accepted in this world, and the security that will bring you, until I have no other choice. Gideon, for all he abhors vampires, knows I speak the truth, for it is in his expression even now. He knows I am right.”
Confirming Gideon's reluctant nod didn't make the words easier for Anwyn to hear. ”I still don't care.”
”Then you must trust us that it is important that you do do care, even when you don't wish to do so.” care, even when you don't wish to do so.”
”I don't like this,” Gideon said. ”It feels wrong.”
Daegan considered him. ”You think I am being misled, that he will allow harm to come to either of you?”
Gideon frowned. ”No . . . What feels wrong is the nest of vampires. It's a trick, isn't it?”
”Perhaps more of a test than a trick.” Daegan shrugged. ”Uthe is sending me a message. They wanted to see if I'd trust their word, that you will remain safe while I'm gone, or if I'd defy them and take you home before performing their will. My loyalty appears to be the primary issue for them. The intel on the group is sound, though. I was seeking them when I was here before, but I ran out of time. Belizar told me he was expecting, or rather hoping, for information on them while I was here this time.”
Gideon frowned. ”There could be more of them than you expect. You might need reinforcement.”
”I will be fine. Your job is to care for Anwyn.” His tone final, in that way that raised Gideon's hackles, Daegan turned his gaze to Anwyn. A slight smile appeared on his serious mouth. ”As I said, my loyalty is the issue. I think the rest is mostly show, because even the ones who suggested exterminating you are quite taken with you. If this is a trick to test my loyalty and abilities, and I take care of it, then I agree with Uthe. They will be more open to a different solution and accepting our proposal for your care and Gideon's continued service to you.”
Daegan slanted Gideon a glance. ”They are also intrigued by you, and what you seem to have become under her . . . thumb. You were right. Seeing you as her servant is more intriguing to them than your death. Vampires despise boredom above all other things.”
”I'm thrilled to entertain them.” But Gideon's gut still made unpleasant grumblings as Daegan drew Anwyn to him, his fingers tangling in her loose hair.
Though he always noticed the appeal of Anwyn's body, Gideon wasn't sure why his attention became even more p.r.o.nounced when Daegan's hands were outlining those curves. Regardless, his brainless c.o.c.k didn't seem to realize now was not the time to whine about the backlog of unreleased need.
”You believe you'll be safe if I tell you it's true?” the vampire asked her. ”You won't worry?”
”I'll worry about you.” Anwyn laid her hands against his chest, inside the open collar of his s.h.i.+rt. ”I always have, every time you've left me.”
”There is nothing to fear. When I get back, we will take care of this. As I have said”-his gaze took on a steely glint-”it matters not what the Council decides. You will be safe.”
”And Gideon?”
”Who? Oh, yes, him, too. Maybe.” Daegan was quick enough to evade her head slap, but caught her wrists and brought her to him for a long, thorough kiss, running his hands down her back to palm her a.s.s. Gideon wasn't sure which way to look, so chose to watch, caught in the unexpected trance of the voyeur, watching Daegan slide a hand up to her breast, kneading it so the curve expanded provocatively in the opening of her silk blouse, and her skin flushed, her nipple becoming obviously aroused under his manipulation.
”I wish I had time to give you pleasure, cher cher, but perhaps this sorry servant of yours can finish what I started, keep you occupied until my return.”
”Or perhaps he'll do such a good job I'll have no need of you in my bed at all.” She tossed her head, and then managed a short laugh as Daegan caught her hair in a less gentle hand and branded her with a harder kiss that stole away all smiles and laughter, left her gasping and Gideon aching from the raw s.e.xuality of it, his c.o.c.k tight against his jeans.
”We'll see about that when I return. For now, cher cher, I need you to promise me something. Try not to listen to your servant's mind while I take him outside and talk to him a moment.”
”Is it something you think I can't handle?” Her blue-green gaze narrowed.
”No. You can handle anything. But I think there is some information that shouldn't be known to you, but should be to him. If you need it, it will be yours, but I think it will help protect you in certain ways. Plausible deniability. You understand?”
She nodded, though she looked confused and vaguely dissatisfied. He kissed her hands, backed away. ”I will see you in a day or so, cher cher. All will be well.”
Gideon arched a brow. As he followed Daegan out and shut the door, they moved down the hallway until they were out of her fledgling-vampire hearing range. ”What kind of bulls.h.i.+t was that?”
”The kind that will keep her alive.” Daegan turned to face him, all traces of humor gone. ”Despite your display of . . . loyalty, apparently the question of your fate is still undecided. Some still want you dead, even if Anwyn is allowed to live.”
”Son of a b.i.t.c.h.” Gideon shook his head, but now he understood. If Anwyn had thought he was still in danger . . .
”You are safe until my return, just as she is,” Daegan said. ”They know the impact on a vampire when her servant is abruptly terminated. I've convinced them that Anwyn would need me here to support her if that is the decision they make. Her well-being will give them pause where yours will not. It, and Uthe's guarantee, will keep them from acting prematurely. However, if anything happens to me-”