“You don’t think after all the work you’ve done for Keystone that they’d turn a blind eye? You didn’t actually commit the act.”
“The higher authority might not care, but the Mageri does whatever it likes. Do you think they would take Cyrus’s word or mine? They could use a Vampire to question me and find out I played no part in the murder, but I knew it happened and made no attempt to turn Cyrus in for the crime. In fact, I stayed with them. The Mageri likes to make an example out of those who break the law. Murdering a Creator—especially one’s own—is a high crime. They value Creators more than anyone else.”
“Why did your Creator make slaves?”
“It was how men retained power in ancient times. They acquired slaves as guards, servants, spies, and whores. Some were chosen and others made by force. Almost all began as slaves, kept in chains and ignorance until they were ready. Only then would he teach us how to use our powers. A new Learner is too weak and inexperienced to overpower their Creator, and whether we like it or not, our Creator’s light lives within us and it beckons us to be loyal. It makes the betrayal that much harder, no matter how much you hate them. Cyrus possessed no such loyalty, because he is a man without conscience. Cyrus has always despised those who aren’t like us. According to him, our Creator was white.”
“Only white men, or anyone who isn’t his nationality? Because I hate to break the news, but you two don’t look remotely similar.”
“All Cyrus sees in me are common physical attributes. He did not come from my country or clan, and we do not share the same blood.”
“Does Viktor know all this?”
“Viktor knows the important highlights about my past but not the details. He doesn’t know about Cyrus. If Cyrus decides not to give up this foolish quest, I’ll have no choice but to tell Viktor. You haven’t been with us long enough, but sometimes we have skirmishes and look out for each other. Viktor doesn’t always know every detail of what happens when we go out. It’s safe to say that we’ve all made enough enemies to last a lifetime. This situation is clearly beyond his ability to control.”
“Is it beyond yours?”
“The fates will decide.”
Warmth radiated off Niko, penetrating through the coat he’d lent me.
“Why did Cyrus run?” I asked. “If he wounded you, why didn’t he finish what he started?”
“Because, Raven. He doesn’t want me dead.”
“Then what does he want?”
“To be my master.”
Chapter 4
A log blazed in the grandiose fireplace behind Viktor, deep orange and yellow light melting onto the hearth. At night, the stained glass windows in the gathering room took on a whole new life with darkness behind them and firelight illuminating the various patterns. They didn’t cast rainbow fractals of light on the floor, nor was their color as vibrant at night. But the images of wolves and humans came to life, telling stories of ancient times.
With the wound in my thigh still throbbing, I shifted in my seat. The painkillers Shepherd had given me were finally kicking in, but only enough to dull the ache. At least he was sober enough to stanch the bleeding by dressing my wounds. Viktor was used to us coming home looking like refugees fleeing a war-torn country. Though I’d changed into a pair of clean sweatpants, my limping into the room hadn’t escaped his attention. It didn’t matter anyhow since I’d be healed by morning light. All I wanted was to get through this meeting so I could crawl into my bed.
We waited eagerly for Viktor to begin, Christian and Gem to my right with Shepherd bearing his weight on the arm of the couch. Wyatt slouched in the leather chair on my left, Niko standing behind him. All eyes were on Blue as she turned her chair to see Viktor better.
Claude strode toward us from the shadowy corner of the room, a drink in hand. After a quick sip, he widened his stance like a guard of an imperial city. Claude just had that aura about him, as if he’d stepped out of Greek mythology with those golden locks of hair and a commanding presence.
All he needed was a toga and leather sandals.
When the wood snapped in the fireplace, tiny embers floated upward like intoxicated fireflies. Viktor turned toward us, hands tucked in the pockets of his chinos. Sometimes his silvery hair and sophisticated appearance reminded me of a college professor.
“My search for a maid has come to an end.”
Blue pinched the bridge of her nose. “I think you mean to say domestic help.”
“Da. Someone who can juggle the tedious responsibilities that are never ending. Cooking, cleaning, laundry, and making sure this building doesn’t fall down around us. Fate is not without a sense of humor.” He moved around his chair and sat down. “She is to be delivered tonight.”
Claude choked on his drink. After a few coughs, he cleared his throat. “Did you say delivered?”
“I think he means dropped off,” Gem said with a giggle.
Viktor’s mouth turned down, and he tipped his head to the side. “Not entirely. I need two men to lift the crate and carry it inside.”
I shared a glance with Christian.
Claude set his glass on an accent table with a hard tap, and his jaw set. “I’m trying really hard not to judge you, Viktor, but—”
“I have no time to quarrel. Everything will be explained. But I have one rule, and that’s that no one speaks of her presence to anyone outside this house. That is why I summoned you here tonight—so you are all together at the time she arrives. She will not leave Keystone.”
Wyatt stretched his legs and crossed them at the ankles. “Until when?”
“Until I die, she dies, or someone else becomes her protector.”
When the log snapped, Gem squeaked and jumped in her seat.
Viktor leaned forward, elbows on his knees. “She has traveled a long way and is familiar with the modern age to some extent, but she has never seen it with her own eyes. I do not know if she has been exposed to television, magazines, or even kitchen appliances. This is a very unique circumstance. She will not work for money.”
Blue huffed. “You can’t expect someone to do all this work for free, Viktor. This place is a palace. Cleaning the windows alone is a job for five people. But to cook our meals? Do our laundry? Sweep the floors? Light all the candles? Shop for groceries? That’s a lot to ask.”
“Da. And it was a lot to expect of you when you had cases to work. But this will be her only job. As I said before, she will not leave the house under any circumstance, so you will be the ones purchasing the food. This situation is by her choosing. Her payment is our protection. I cannot divulge any details about her past, only that I have assured her complete privacy and security in exchange for her services.”
I lowered my voice and turned to Christian. “Is this the same woman from your trip?”
“Aye.”
“Then why didn’t you fly her back here? You sent her here by crate?”
He shot out of his seat. “Jaysus wept. You act as if I shoved her in there headfirst. What kind of man do you take me for?”