Chapter 22
Mencheres and Kira were almost back at Big Thunder Mountain when he felt a shift of power in the air around him. For an instant, he tensed, but then that wave of energy struck a chord of recognition in him. Bones. How like him to be early.
"My co-ruler will be here momentarily," he told Kira.
She took her sunglasses off as if just remembering she didn't need them anymore.
Her eyes hadn't flared once after her feeding, and her manner was far more relaxed. He hoped she'd recognize the wisdom of forgoing those plasma bags in the future. Not only would fresh blood taste better and make her stronger, it would also satisfy her hunger more thoroughly.
He saw Bones and Cat part through the crowd on the other side of the roller coaster.
His co-ruler did not look happy.
"Bloody hell, grandsire," were Bones's first words as he approached. "You've left behind a wreckage of burned bodies, dead vampires, missing persons, threatened Guardians, and video evidence of our race's existence. Then you go on holiday. You really do have a death wish."
Kira's jaw dropped. Mencheres gave her hand a squeeze, noticing Bones's sharp brown gaze follow the gesture.
"Not anymore," he replied coolly. "I knew that establishment was being monitored; only a fool wouldn't expect those rooms were videoed. Yes, I intended to kill those three vampires, but not anyone else, and certainly not while leaving a tape behind with my actions documented. I did not do this deed."
"You were going to kill Flare, Patches, and Wraith?" Kira asked, shock plain in her voice. "I didn't believe Radje when he said that . . ."
Mencheres glanced down at her. "They tortured you. Of course I was going to kill them.
"
Cat cleared her throat in the tense silence that followed. "Uh, before this goes any further, let's at least introduce ourselves to your friend. I'm Cat, and this is my husband, Bones. We're part of Mencheres's twisted little fang family."
Kira shook the hand Cat extended to her after replying with her name. Bones shook Kira's hand as well, but with a far more speculative gaze than Cat bestowed on her.
Mencheres met his co-ruler's gaze impassively, not answering the silent question Bones directed at him.
"Normally I would believe you, because you are the most patient, calculating person I've ever met," Bones said, getting back to the original topic. His gaze flicked to Kira again. "Yet in this instance, I'm tempted to believe Radjedef's assertion that you were motivated to act without your usual careful planning."
"Is it safe to talk about this out here?" Kira asked, nodding at the families who passed by on their way through Frontier Land.
Mencheres gave Bones a challenging look. "It is if you weren't followed." Bones let out a snort. "I was careful, grandsire."
"That 'grandsire' thing is too weird, considering you look older than he does," Kira muttered.
A dark brow rose even as Cat laughed. "You know, I never noticed, but she's right.
Especially now, with his whole baseball cap and Disneywear thing going on. Quite a different look for you, Mencheres. Don't think anyone would recognize you like this."
"Yes, you're full of surprises, aren't you?" Bones agreed, with another pointed look at Kira.
"You told him you weren't the one who torched the club. If he doesn't want to believe you, we should just go," Kira said quietly, but with underlying steel in her tone. "I'm sure you have other friends who will be willing to listen to your side of the story." Mencheres felt a swell of pride as Kira squared her shoulders and returned Bones's hard stare. She might have choice words for him later about his lethal intention toward those three miserable vampires, but all Kira showed now was her steadfastness - and her inability to be intimidated. She was a strong woman. Strong enough to survive this murky human and inhuman world once he was gone.
"That may be true, yet I don't see anyone of them here," Bones replied, encompassing the park with a wave of his hand.
"Nor will you see them. I'm meeting them without you," Mencheres stated calmly.
Both of Bones's brows went up. "Indeed? And why is that?"
"The less you know about my plans for Radjedef, the more that ensures the safety of our line if I do not succeed," Mencheres replied, his tone hardening when Bones's expression darkened.
"You know, I could really use a drink," Cat said, again breaking the tension. "Kira, mind keeping me company while I hunt for some gin and tonic?"
Kira glanced at Mencheres. "I won't be long."
It both amused and touched him that Kira felt protective of him. How long had it been since anyone felt the need to shield him from others?
"Gin and tonic, huh?" Kira asked as she walked away with Cat. "I've got some bad news for you. I don't think this park serves alcohol."
Kira's prediction turned out to be true, and her new companion settled for a lemon slush instead. She was about to head back to Mencheres, but Cat waved a hand at a nearby table and benches.
"Maybe we should give the guys a few minutes by themselves. That way, they can burn off some excess testosterone. Sit with me?"
Kira could still glimpse Mencheres through the passing throngs of people, even if all the surrounding noise made it difficult for her to hear him. She eyed the redhead warily, but Cat's smile was bland, devoid of any of her husband's thinly veiled antagonism. Cat slid her lemon slush across the table when Kira sat down.
"Enough sugar to make a dentist cry, but it's good."
Kira took a sip to be polite, but then was unable to stifle her grimace at the taste. It was like wet sawdust.
"Sorry, not my favorite," she managed, sliding it back over.
Cat took another gulp, unoffended. "Right, you're a newbie. Nothing will taste good aside from blood for your first couple weeks. Then your taste buds will even out." Kira knew the woman across from her was a vampire; her lack of heartbeat had given that away the instant they met. She wondered how old Cat was. The tingle Kira had felt when she shook Cat's hand was far less than the vibe Bones gave off.
"Terrible, to be brought over without choosing it," Cat went on, still watching Kira with those clear gray eyes. "I saw the video. That Law Guardian was a real bastard. I don't blame you or Mencheres for being pissed - and if you ask me, those other three vampires had it coming, too. Torturing you? Kidnapping a teenager and making her strip for them? Burn, baby, burn. Mencheres did the world a favor by ridding it of those creeps.
"
Kira let out a laugh as understanding dawned. "Good cop, bad cop, right?" She nodded in Bones's direction. "He comes in acting all hostile, but you smooth things over and take me for a nice little chat. Was I supposed to be bowled over by your sympathy into confessing Mencheres's crimes? Sorry, try again. Something more original this time, I hope."
A smile played across Cat's lips. "Was I that obvious? God, I suck at subtlety. I suck at beating around the bush, too, so since you're obviously an intelligent woman, let's cut the shit and get right to it, shal we?"
"Yes, let's," Kira muttered. "It wasn't Mencheres. I've been with him in Wyoming ever since we left that club over a week ago. Yes, he could have snuck off while I was passed out from dawn until late afternoon, but the news station reported that the fire started after midnight. And Mencheres has been with me every night from the time I opened my eyes until dawn broke, so it couldn't have been him."
"See, that's the real scary thing right there." Cat leaned forward, her voice lower but more intense. "Mencheres clearly has a thing for you. That tape and seeing firsthand how he acts around you proves it. Normally, I'd say live and let love, but the last woman Mencheres fell for was an evil, murdering bitch. He couldn't bring himself to take her out until she almost destroyed everyone - and I mean everyone - close to him, me and Bones especially. So you'll understand if the sight of Mencheres making goo-goo eyes at you strikes fear in the hearts of me and anyone else who lived through what happened the last time that man had it bad for a woman."
Kira closed her eyes, hearing again the flat intonation in Mencheres's voice when he told her he'd participated in his wife's death. Was he still carrying guilt over whatever happened? She'd already surmised that the circumstances had been justified - if Mencheres was a casual murderer, he'd have killed Kira the first day they met. Cat's description of his ex only confirmed Kira's speculation. Mencheres clearly hadn't had a choice about killing her if he wanted himself and those he cared about to survive.
Just as Kira had had no choice about turning her husband in for drug dealing, knowing what would await him in prison.
"So you're worried that I might be another evil, murdering bitch? Maybe one who manipulated Mencheres into torching and slaughtering those people just to avenge what happened to me, is that it?" she asked, opening her eyes.
"You were tortured and killed." Cat's gaze flashed green for a second. "I've been tortured and almost killed, and let me tell you, I swore bloody vengeance against everyone who had a hand in it. If you did encourage Mencheres to torch that place and kill those vampires, I'd understand, but it seems he got overzealous. He does tend to lose his shit over a woman he cares about. Either way, both of you need to quit running and deal with the consequences before this problem gets any worse."
"It. Wasn't. Mencheres," Kira gritted out, her frustration rising. "It was that disgrace of a cop named Radje. He set Mencheres up because he wants something from him. Didn't you pay attention to that part of the tape? If you and Bones were real friends, you'd quit suspecting Mencheres, and you'd start helping him prove who really did it."
"If it was Radje, where is that young dancer?" Cat asked. "Jennifer, the one you tried to help? She's not among the dead, and she hasn't resurfaced with the police or her family.
Isn't it odd that the person you originally tried to take away from the club might be one of the few people who walked away from the fire?"
Kira stood up, sick of arguing the same point. "Radje obviously knows how to do a good frame job. It wouldn't look as convincing if Jennifer ended up dead, would it? If for once you looked at this situation with the idea that Mencheres didn't do it, you might be surprised at what else you notice. And you might have wanted bloody revenge against those people who tortured you. Mencheres admitted he intended to kill them, too, but that's not me. I could kill in self-defense, but not in retribution. It's my goal to save lives, not destroy them."
Kira turned around, feeling those gray eyes bore into her back as she walked away.
She doubted Cat had really heard a word she'd said. It seemed she and Bones had made up their minds about what happened before they even arrived. If these were Mencheres's closest all ies, then they stood a better chance at defeating Radje without them.
"No," Mencheres said for the third time.
Bones ran a hand through his hair in frustration. "I'll take your word that you didn't do this. Your all ies probably will, too. But you have many enemies who are seizing on this, spreading Radje's version of events high and low to rally opposition against you. If the majority of people are to believe you had nothing to do with this arson, then turning Kira in to the Law Guardians so she can support your claim of your whereabouts is your best chance. You know that."
"What I also know is that Radje will kill her or use her, and the other Guardians will not be able to protect her because they won't suspect him," Mencheres replied inexorably.
"Don't you see that hiding with her makes you look even more guilty?" Bones snapped.
"You're claiming she and Gorgon are your alibi, yet all of you are refusing to present yourselves to the Guardians to answer Radje's charge."
"Radje is mainly demanding her presence in addition to my own. Does that not seem unusual? Why wouldn't he be as vocal in seeking out the other witness?"
"Yes, it's unusual." Bones's voice was sharp. "I believe that Radje's up to something.
But you risk too much by not turning her in. You could be sentenced in absentia if you continue to defy them. Kira has a chance if she's relinquished to a Guardian you trust. It doesn't have to be Radje. Yet you greatly endanger yourself if you continue to act as though you are guilty. Grandsire." That sharp tone softened. "Please, don't do this." Mencheres abruptly turned around and stared off toward the beverage stand. Kira and Cat no longer sat at the table next to it. He sent his senses outward and found a swell of inhuman energy behind a tall wrought-iron streetlamp. Mencheres fixed his gaze there, seeing Kira behind it. She flinched as she met his gaze, then pretended to tie her shoe in a poor imitation that she hadn't been eavesdropping.
"You're so busted," he heard Cat remark conversationally as she came up behind Kira.
"Mencheres," Bones prodded.
"I have nothing more to say on this subject," he replied, watching Kira give up the shoe-tying pretense.
"Radje's demanding that I turn myself in to testify?" Kira asked Cat.
She'd heard too much. Mencheres cast a hard look at Bones before he started toward her.
"Uh-huh," Cat was saying. "And Mencheres just said hell no. Told you he's unreasonable when it comes to a woman he's into. Oh, he's on his way over. Looks ticked, too."
Kira didn't turn around, but her shoulders tensed. Mencheres shot a warning look at Cat that she responded to with a little smile.
"You're nothing like she was, by the way," Cat went on to Kira, ignoring his glower. "And believe me, I mean that as a compliment."
Mencheres knew who Cat was talking about. Anger flared in him at the mention of his dead, deceitful wife. Was he always to be judged by Patra's actions? Would her sins continue to haunt him, a phantom he could never put to rest?
"Just because some of us make a mistake in love once doesn't mean we're doomed to repeat it," was what Kira replied right before Mencheres reached her.
His hand slid across her back even as her words took the sting out of his anger, lessening a guilt he hadn't acknowledged carrying. Yes, his heart had once been ensnared by a woman he knew had the capacity for great evil. He'd warned Patra that her dark actions would lead to her destruction. She'd chosen to stay on that path regardless, determined that she could alter her fate. Patra's demise had come just as Mencheres had foreseen - a silver knife twisted in her heart by the vampire Mencheres loved as a son, shared his power with, and elevated to the status of co-ruler in his line.
But just because that bitter fate had befal en him, it did not mean he was forever cursed to love those who would betray him. His hand slid down Kira's back once more.
Cat was right. Kira was nothing like Patra, yet she'd captured his emotions even more firmly than his traitorous former wife had. This might be the end of his life, but he'd see that it was well lived.
"Our time with them is finished," he told Kira.
Bones circled around to stand next to Cat. "There's more that still needs to be sorted - "
"Finished," Mencheres repeated in a harder tone. Then he placed a hand on Bones's shoulder, meeting his co-ruler's obstinate brown gaze. "Protect the line. Until this is settled, it is yours."
"You can't do that," Kira said, shock in her tone. She must realize what he was giving up with those words.
"Wise lass, you should listen to her," Bones muttered.
"It is not permanent." Mencheres dropped his hand from Bones's shoulder and placed it on Kira's back again. "Radje has failed to defeat me in all of his many previous attempts. He will fail again now. I merely need time."
Bones opened his mouth, but Cat touched his arm. "Don't bother. You wouldn't give up your girlfriend either if you were him. Mencheres, you let us know what you need. We'll play dumb regarding your whereabouts with the Guardians in the meantime. Kira, pleasure to meet you. Bones . . . let's go."
Bones cast a long look at his wife. His scent still swirled with frustration, but then he lifted a shoulder in acquiescence.
"All right, Kitten. Grandsire, I sincerely hope you know what you're doing. Kira, perhaps next time, we'll meet under better circumstances."
Then the two vampires turned around and walked away, their striking looks the only thing that made anyone cast a second glance as they passed by. The air emptied of some of the energy in it, filled up instead with the softer vibrations that mortals gave off.
Kira faced Mencheres, her jaw set in that stubborn line. He cleared his expression back into an impassive mask as he waited for her to argue about his refusal to surrender her to Radje or the other Law Guardians.
Then, unexpectedly, her hands wound into the round collar of his T-shirt.
"Come down here," she said.
He bent almost cautiously, but his hesitation ended when Kira closed her lips over his.
He savored the feel of her full mouth, then the delights of her tongue when she parted her lips. A slow heat began to build inside him. So many hours left until dawn . . .
She broke their kiss to stare into his eyes. "How long do we have before we're meeting your next set of all ies?" she whispered.
A glint of emerald appeared in her light green depths, growing darker and brighter. He stopped stroking her face to curl his hand around hers. "Until tomorrow," he said thickly.
"Good." Kira's fangs had already started to lengthen with desire. "Then let's go back to the room now."
Power washed over the air in the next moment, whipping Mencheres around toward its source. Bones ran through the crowds, too fast to be observed by the humans as more than a rush of wind, Cat right behind him.
"Enforcers," Bones announced when he reached them. His eyes flashed green. "
'Round a dozen of them entering the park's main gates now. Don't know how they managed to follow me, but they must have."
It was unfortunate, but it wasn't a complete shock to Mencheres. Bones was smart and careful, but a vampire didn't become an Enforcer before turning five hundred years of age and completing a rigorous training process. They weren't the soldiers behind the powerful ruling body of all vampires because they were unexceptional. That was why Mencheres had chosen the park. It would be a relatively easier place to escape from.
"Go," he said with a growl. "If you fight them, you could be condemned by the Guardians along with me. Leave here and renounce me as a fool who would not listen to your urgings to turn myself in."
"I will not," Bones rasped.
Mencheres gave him a quick, hard glance. "Doing things you don't always want to do is the price that comes with Mastering a line. Now, protect our people and go." He shoved Bones and Cat away from him then, with a blast of his power that hurtled them through the air far away from the park. Kira let out a shocked noise and a few humans looked up in confusion, no doubt their minds rejecting what their vision had just caught a glimpse of.
"We need to go, too," Kira said, tugging on his hand. "Come on, fly us away from here.
"
He would, but not just yet. "Wait."
A dozen Master vampires from the elite ranks of the Guardian Enforcers filed into the entrance of Frontier Land. Beside him, Kira's grip tightened on his hand.
"I won't be the cause of any deaths, Mencheres. It's my choice, and if you won't get us away from here, I choose to give myself up."
He uncurled her hand from his with a light tweak of his power. Then he spread his arms out to the Enforcers.
"If you want me, here I am."