Blood Legacy: The House Of Alexander Part 14

"Two months," Kusunoki said evenly, his gaze unwavering. "She slept for nearly a month."

Abigail's gaze flicked to Kusunoki, aware of the significance of his words. She would have to reflect upon this development, and the danger of any type of alliance between Ryan and the shogun master.

Kusunoki was not finished. "And she did not stop with the Young Ones, nor did she waste any time with them." His voice was entirely conversational, as if relating temperate weather conditions. "She destroyed a dam in the southern part of China, which created tidal waves for hundreds of miles downstream. It wiped out two full clans of my line, not to mention a hundred thousand human beings, burying them under mountains of rock and debris."

Abigail paid no notice to the collateral damage and keyed on what Kusunoki had said earlier. "What do you mean she did not stop with the Young Ones?"

Kusunoki took a deep breath. "Apparently she is capable of destroying those who occupy the middle ground as easily as the Young Ones."

"That is impossible," Aeron said.

Kusunoki's gaze did not waver. "I spoke with a survivor personally, with whom Ryan had left a message. She said "Many things are impossible. Now I have done them all."

Abigail and Marilyn exchanged glances. Ryan had used that exact phrase the night she had "murdered" her father, and Victor had spoken the same phrase at Ryan's trial in reference to her birth.

Kusunoki continued and his tone grew darker. "Lest you forget, I spent several decades with Ryan when she was little more than a Young One. Even then she was one of the most effcient predators I have ever seen. There is no moral ambiguity within her. She is following her father's edict right now, which is absolute. And to complicate matters, she is being driven by an immense pain," he gazed at Aeron, his words suddenly biting, "The cause of which I cannot determine."

Aeron gazed at the shogun warrior coldly, but said nothing. Ala, who had been a.s.sessing the implications of Kusunoki's words, turned to him. "How many of those in the middle ground has she taken?"

"Twenty-five, perhaps thirty."

Aeron's fist smashed downward, creating a split down the middle of the heavy table. "That is not possible," he said through clenched teeth.

Kusunoki's gaze was as cold as Aeron's and his words were steady. "Do not make me repeat her words again."

Abigail interrupted the rapidly escalating situation. "I suggest we wait to hear those words from Ryan herself, who will be here shortly." In a display of extreme matriarchal authority, both Abigail and Ala stood, effectively ending the meeting.

The twelve witnesses stood stiffly, their attention wholly focused on the figure seated in the center of the room. "Seated" was once more a generous term, as the position was more akin to an elegant sprawl. It was hard to determine if the sprawl was an act of deliberate disrespect, or one of complete inattention, as the figure was so obviously lost in thought.

"Disrespect" became the more likely suspect as the Grand Council entered and the figure, although aware of their presence, did not move. When she did move, it was not to stand, but rather to shift position slightly, crossing one long leg over the other.

"Please be seated," Aeron said with mild sarcasm, and the witnesses took their seats.

Edward glanced over at Ryan. He had not seen her in weeks. She had stopped in several times, but her visits were brief, primarily to check on Victor and to speak with Dr. Ryerson. She rarely stayed for longer than a few hours, and most of those she spent kneeling at Victor's side, her head on his silent chest.

He looked more closely at her. He knew Ryan extremely well, and there was something not quite right about her right now. As if reading his mind, she turned to him, and as clearly as if she had spoken in his ear, he heard her words.

Do not worry about me.

Abigail noticed the exchange, but so powerful had the girl become, Abigail was unable to grasp the content of the message. Then, as if sensing the attempted interception, Ryan turned to the matriarch, staring at her intently.

And do you stand against me as well?

Abigail felt the girl's presence in her mind, and was angered at the intrusion while stimulated by the exercise of power. She was intrigued by the dangerous edge that Ryan possessed right now. The girl seemed positively reckless, seething in a tightly controlled manner.

Marilyn also noted the girl's unusual demeanor. She had the seen the girl like this before, when she had been furious at Victor many centuries before. She knew that were she to touch Ryan's skin right now it would be on fire. That thought brought its own heat to Marilyn, and she smiled at the memory.

Again, as if reading her thoughts, Ryan turned to Marilyn, and there was a wicked glint in her eye.

And are you the One to put out this fire?

Marilyn, who had never been caught off guard in the game of seduction, was nearly so by the surprise attack. But not quite.

I have put out that fire before, little one, came the whispered voice inside Ryan's head.

Ryan looked down at her hands, smiling to herself at the memory. This fascinated Marilyn, who had never seen Ryan quite so injudicious.

It fascinated Aeron as well. The girl was positively taunting the members of the Council, fanning flames that would not be easily extinguished. He again had his vision of her being held down, but the outcome was less certain this time. He could now see the Old Ones tearing each other apart for the opportunity to take what she was so impudently dangling before them.

If her actions up to this moment were startling, her next act was fairly astonishing. She turned her full attention to Aeron, and, shifting slightly in her seat, addressed him directly.

"And perhaps you and I should just end this charade and I should kill you now."

There were audible gasps and several of the witnesses drew backward at this affront. Abigail's expression immediately reverted to an unfathomable state while Marilyn raised an eyebrow. Kusunoki and Ala both looked over to gauge Aeron's response. It was not what they expected.

Aeron stared down at the girl, and very slowly, he smiled. His pleasure was evident. "You could try, my dear, which would probably be extremely enjoyable for both of us," he said in his clipped, aristocratic tone. "In fact, we could go back to my chambers and settle this right now."

Ryan also slowly smiled, not giving ground for a moment. "Could you at least wait until we are through with this meeting?"

"Why not?" Aeron said expansively, "I have waited this long."

"Very well," Ryan said mockingly, "Then let me give my report as required." She glanced over to Edward, nodding.

Edward stood, withdrawing a folded paper from his breast pocket inside his robe. Apparently Ryan was going to dispense with the pretense that he was an objective observer to the proceedings, which was fine with him. His sense of refinement was failing him; he wanted to kill half the people in this room as well.

He cleared his throat. "The numbers to this date are as follows: 8,132 dead, 196 missing and presumed dead, and 221 missing, status unknown."

There was utter silence in the hall. No one moved. And although no one required oxygen, the fact that no one breathed was evident as well.

Ryan stood, unfolding her long form with cat-like grace. "Well," she said casually, "if that's all, I will be in my father's chambers if anyone needs me."

And before anyone could say anything, she was gone.

Edward stood, still holding the paper, all eyes now turned to him for lack of a better target. He carefully folded the paper, placing it back into his breast pocket with great deliberation. He cleared his throat, uncomfortably aware of the intense scrutiny. "I," he cleared his throat again. "I will be retiring as well."

He bowed to the Grand Council, and made it three steps toward the door before he was abruptly stopped by Aeron's voice behind him. Aeron's tone was quiet, but there was an underlying steel in it that allowed it to easily carry in the vast hall.

"Edward-"

Edward turned to face the head of the Grand Council, bracing himself. Aeron gazed down at the man with unblinking ice-blue eyes. His words were measured, completely controlled, deceptively light. "You tell Rhian I expect her in my chambers within the hour."

Edward gave a short bow. "I will deliver the message, my lord." He quickly disappeared.

Ala nodded to the nearest witness, indicating that they should leave as quickly as possible. No sooner had she given the silent order than the eleven remaining witnesses disappeared nearly as quickly Edward, simply grateful to be out of the presence of such terrible power.

There was a prolonged silence among the five remaining Old Ones. It was finally broken by Ala, who stood. When she spoke, her voice was smooth, like fine mahogany. "I am afraid I must depart for my homeland immediately." Her white teeth flashed brilliant against her ebony skin, although her words were filled with meaning,. "I believe I will soon have a visitor."

Abigail stood as well. She moved to leave, but stopped at Aeron's side, speaking to him quietly, but loud enough for the Others to hear. Her tone was as deceptively light as his had been earlier.

"You may have unleashed something that will destroy us all."

Ryan was preparing to enter Victor's chambers when she felt Kusunoki's presence behind her. She turned to her old master, bowing. She felt Ala's presence in the shadows, and she nodded deferentially to her as well.

Kusunoki mentally reached out to his pupil. Ryan allowed him to touch her, and he was shocked at the chaos within her. He had a sudden, troubling premonition of how much danger they all were in due to the power she wielded and the condition she was in. He wondered what could have caused such a disturbance in the girl, and he was now greatly concerned for Victor.

"Do not worry about me, my master," Ryan said quietly, "or my father."

Kusunoki gazed at the striking, androgynous creature before him. "I fear for us all right now."

Ryan nodded, but did not reply. She was silent for a moment, then changed the subject. "And have you fully recovered?"

"Yes..."

Ryan glanced over at him "...and no."

Ryan again nodded her tacit understanding. She raised her hand in offering, her palm flat and facing him. He raised his hand and joined it with hers, pressing palm-to-palm. He spoke quietly.

"I am recovered, but I am no longer complete."

Ryan knew that such an admission of longing from the great man could only come from his great strength. She cleared her throat, looking away for a moment. She then looked into his eyes and spoke as solemnly and with the same simple emotion.

"When this is finished, I will make you complete again."

He gazed into her eyes, his own dark eyes the color of a starless night. "I know," he said simply.

Kusunoki dropped his hand, breaking the connection. He turned to leave, and then was gone. Ala was gone as well.

Ryan stared off into the dark and empty hallway. She sighed heavily, then turned to enter her father's stateroom. She paused, however, and turned back to the hallway as Edward approached.

He stopped in the alcove and started to speak. He stopped and shifted uncomfortably. Ryan raised her hand, saving him from having to deliver his message.

"I know," she said. She gestured to the double doors that she still had not entered. "When I return, I will stay the night in my father's chambers. There is a second suite that I understand is quite comfortable. You are welcome to stay there."

Edward bowed. It was a great privilege to stay in the chambers of the Grand Council, and although Ryan cared nothing for ceremony, he was honored nonetheless.

"I will prepare the quarters for your return."

"Very well." She turned, and Edward watched her stalk away with deadly grace, again struck by how similar she and her father moved.

Ryan approached Aeron's chambers. She hesitated briefly before the ornately carved doors, then pushed through them into the anteroom. Aeron was seated at a table reading the newspaper.

"Please come in," he said with mild sarcasm, still reading the paper.

Ryan smiled, completely amused. She took the opportunity to examine him. The years had done little to change him. He was still wickedly handsome, with chiseled, aristocratic features, ice-blue eyes, and hair so fair it was a stark contrast to his light tan. He sat, casually elegant with one long leg crossed over the other, a dangerous litheness about him. He had broad shoulders and a strong chest tapering to a slender waist, and Ryan noted that he had changed into a white, collared shirt that he wore open at the throat.

"Would you like me to disrobe?"

Aeron had stopped reading the paper and was watching her pointed examination of him. Rather than being embarra.s.sed, however, she was further amused and allowed her eyes to flick up and down him once more.

"Yes, could you?"

Aeron folded the paper without taking his eyes from Ryan. He was amused despite himself. "Perhaps another time," he said. He allowed his own gaze to flick up and down the girl, taking his own a.s.sessment. Time had not changed her, either. She was still strikingly beautiful, with high cheekbones and a perfect mouth, and the peculiar ability to pa.s.s as either a boy or girl and still remain a perfect specimen of both. She was tall with a deceptively slender build that he knew disguised incredible strength.

"So," he said casually, "perhaps you could tell me why you have chosen to go about your duties in this way."

Ryan was deliberately obtuse. "Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean," Aeron said, standing, "that you have killed more of our Kind in three months than have been killed in the cleansings of the last two hundred years."

Ryan was thoughtful. "Hmmm, I see your point. I shall have to pick up the pace."

Aeron moved around the table toward her, and Ryan nonchalantly moved around the table away from him. Aeron was not fooled by the tactical maneuver, nor by the indifferent manner in which it was executed.

Ryan continued moving with deliberate casualness and deliberate intent. She maintained a strategic distance between her and Aeron, but stopped abruptly when something caught her eye.

It was a chessboard, set up in a corner of the room. It was beautifully constructed, with hand-carved figurines that were horrifying, intricate renditions of the standard chess pieces. But it was not the horrific interpretation of the cla.s.sic pieces, nor the obvious skill that went into the hideous artwork that attracted Ryan's attention. The positions of the pieces, even from across the room, were instantly recognizable to her, representing a game that was over four centuries old.

Ryan slowly moved to the game board, disbelief and curiosity on her face. She noted that the knight that she had moved had been taken by the opposing rook. With only a brief examination of the new positions, she picked up an ebony rook and moved it across the board.

"An interesting move."

Ryan was startled by the whisper in her ear. Aeron stood behind her, so close she could feel his shirt collar brush the back of her neck. He encircled her wrists in his hands and pulled her forcefully toward him, and she could now feel a good deal more than his shirt.

"You should give up now," she said, still facing forward, her voice steady.

He was not fooled by her calm demeanor. He marveled at the sensations flooding through his body from the simple physical contact with her. Although he had not engaged in any s.e.xual act in centuries, he found himself idly wondering what it would feel like to have her naked form fully pressed against his own. He made a note that he would have to explore that at some time in the future.

He leaned over her shoulder and brushed his lips on the side of her neck. It was all Ryan could do to keep from blacking out, so electrifying was the sensation. She struggled to maintain her composure, knowing that if he chose to slice open her neck now, she was not in a position to resist him.

His teeth did not go through the skin, however, but his lips continued down the now-throbbing vein in her neck.

"And why is that?" he asked, his words partially m.u.f.fled by his continued torturous actions.

Ryan was amazed that she managed to keep her tone even. "Because I have already won."

Aeron smiled, but did not stop what he was doing. He instead moved his head from one side of her neck to the other, now feathering the artery on that side. Ryan felt her knees buckling, as did Aeron, who caught her about the waist, pulling her even closer. With one hand now free, he grasped her hair gently and guided her head backward, exposing her throat even further. Now having pulled her off-balance and completely supporting her, he spoke.

"Oh really?" he asked, his amus.e.m.e.nt evident. He lowered his head further, toying with a small vein that branched out near her collarbone.

Ryan closed her eyes, then forced them open to focus on the chess board. Her words were suddenly very clear, with a distant other-worldly quality. "It is twenty moves out, and you cannot see it, but you have already lost."

Her words stopped him, and he raised his head to look at her. In his current position, he was leaned over her shoulder. Before Ryan could completely think about what she was doing, she leaned sideways toward him and brushed her lips across the veins in his neck, biting him gently without breaking the skin.

The shock was instantaneous, causing Aeron a sharp intake of breath as his back arched. The dark desire uncoiled and began twisting inside of him, and any illusion that he had that he could maintain control in this situation was immediately banished. His involuntary response allowed Ryan to free her wrists and regain her leverage, but instead of pulling away, she turned to face him. She grasped his shirt collar in her hand, uncertain if she was going to push him away or pull him close.

She wasn't given the liberty of deciding. As soon as she turned to face him, Aeron wrapped his arms around her sinuous frame and pulled her to him. Without hesitation, her teeth were again at his throat, torturously biting without breaking the skin. Aeron wanted to moan with pleasure and scream in agony at the anguish this child was inflicting upon him.

Ryan was in her own agony, wanting so desperately to pierce his skin and take his life into her body that she felt her insides writhe in torment. She wanted to take this man's blood than she had wanted anything in her entire life.