Guardian Witch: Burning Both Ends Part 5

"The hotel for tonight. Until the court has time to settle, the hotel will be more secure. If you and the werelions can pack during the day tomorrow, we'll move tomorrow evening." He shifted so he could see her face. "Formal meetings with Marta, other key vampires, and representatives from the local werewolves will take place tomorrow night. I would like you at my side."

"Then I'll be there." For as long as she could stay. Knowing he was securely established would make it easier when she had to leave. Already their hours together were shrinking into nothing. "Can we go now?"

Andreas's face creased into lines of concern. "Are you tired? You should have told me. I could have shortened my discussion with Marta."

"It's not that. I'd like to get somewhere I can let down my guard a little. I'm not used to being around so many vamps I don't trust. My witch senses are edgy, and I've been blocking like crazy. It's hard work."

Andreas held out a hand. "We will tell Gabriel goodnight and get out of here."

Five minutes later, they stepped into the cool night air. Ari was bundled into her leather jacket with a black scarf securely wrapped around her neck. Toronto was not enjoying the same Indian summer they had left behind in Riverdale. The air was nippy, but the wind had swept away the dark clouds and the stagnant city smells. Ari took a deep breath. It helped to clear her head of the sensory overload of the last hours.

As they walked to the top of the hill to catch a cab, the vast city skyline loomed ahead. The business district stood like a row of razor sharp teeth contrasting against the backdrop of the full moon. The Killing Moon had once again lived up to its reputation. A night of violence and death. They'd had a narrow escape. Ari shivered, glad it was almost over. Mistaking her shiver as a reaction to the wind whipping around them, Andreas drew her into the shelter of his body.

Instead of going straight to bed when they reached the hotel, Ari dropped onto the couch to unwind. An hour later, she fell asleep in Andreas's arms watching late, late-night television. When she woke, she was tucked into bed, and he had gone to his own bedroom for the day. Not for the first time, she regretted he couldn't stay. Her sense of loss would soon be a reality.

Chapter Five.

While they waited for that first critical meeting, Ari and Andreas made numerous calls to Riverdale to confer with his staff, Prince Daron, and the Magic Council. Ari had been granted temporary leave, and Martin, the suburban guardian, would be covering the patrols in her absence. Prince Daron was sending reinforcements. He'd been generous in his support, pleased with the end of the centuries-long feud with Sebastian.

Ari was especially excited that their old friends, werewolf Mike and werelion Benny from Daron's personal security team, would arrive in the morning along with five weretigers from Andreas's personal staff. By tomorrow night a dozen and a half Riverdale vampires would join them.

As Andreas had pointed out in private, his biggest challenge would come from ambitious vampires who perceived a power vacuum at the top. Someone was bound to issue a challenge, a fight to claim that spot. Ari was eager to have their friends and recruits around them before that happened.

In the meantime, they had to survive tonight's initial meeting. By 8:00 p.m., the audience chamber filled with vampires and wolves eager to get a look at the vampire claiming to be their new prince. Although uneasy with the uneven numbers, Ari was prepared to respond to the first hint of trouble. In addition to her usual weapons, she carried several packets of barrier dust and even a sneezing powder that would give the wolves fits. Lilith and Russell were stationed outside the chamber doors, and both were armed with automatic weapons.

Gabriel was an unexpected help. He was well-liked by Sebastian's vampires, and his history with and loyalty to Andreas appeared to calm some of their suspicions. He a.s.sumed the role of making introductions, added a witty remark or two, and the meeting got off to a good start.

Throughout the pa.s.sing hours, Sebastian's former a.s.sociates continued to listen to Andreas, asking questions, arguing now and then. Ari stayed quiet, keeping the focus on Andreas, while she watched for covert signs of hostility, especially from the wolves. At worst, they remained neutral. A new head wolf had taken over the pack, and his respect for power seemed to have outweighed any desire for revenge. Ari still didn't trust any of them.

The meeting wound down. The vampires seemed confused by Andreas's democratic approach, patterned after Prince Daron's rule in Riverdale, but they were happy to be free of Sebastian's brutality and most of them didn't raise much objection. Given time, Andreas would win their loyalty.

Andreas finally stood and declared the meeting over. Ari sighed with relief.

Once the doors had closed behind the last stragglers, Andreas and Ari, Marta and her human consort Percy, and Gabriel gathered in the lounge, a comfortable room of plush chairs and sofas located off the audience chamber. The vampires drank wine; Ari curled up on the sofa next to Andreas. As usual Percy's hand was touching Marta's shoulder. The vampiress seemed genuinely attached to him despite a past injury that had left him with a permanent limp.

The group rehashed the evening's progress. Marta thought most of Toronto would celebrate Sebastian's death. Of course, she could be prejudiced. Marta had rather forcefully expressed her feelings by cutting off Sebastian's head.

Ari grew sleepy. The evening had ended smoothly, and the worst was over.

"Have you told him of the bigger threat?" Marta asked, turning to Gabriel.

Bigger threat? Ari was suddenly wide-awake.

"Not yet." The blond vampire grimaced. "I thought it could wait, but maybe not. I suppose now is as good a time as any, since you've already brought it up." He gave Andreas an apologetic look. "I hate to put a damper on things, but Sebastian wasn't acting on his own. He had support from the Continent."

"The O-Seven." Andreas's voice was quiet.

Gabriel nodded. "You knew?"

"Knew what?" Ari straightened and looked from Andreas to Gabriel. "What's happening that you're not telling me?"

"Only suspected," Andreas corrected, meeting her look. "Sebastian was a brutal bully but not very inventive. I feared he was not nearly as obsessed with Prince Daron as his behavior would suggest. Yes, they were enemies, but that was not a new development, and Sebastian was too self-indulgent-too lazy, if you will-to mount such a determined series of a.s.saults. I presumed someone was encouraging him. As you might say, pushing his b.u.t.tons."

She remembered the portrait of the O-Seven that hung in the staircase of his Victorian home. "You think the old ones are behind this? What do they want with you?"

"I am not their primary target," Andreas said, his look swinging back to Gabriel. "Daron is."

"Very true," Gabriel agreed, "but I'm not sure that will matter when they're breathing down our necks. They won't mind taking out Daron's friends along the way."

"But why? What's he done to them?"

"It is not what he has done," Andreas said. "It is what he stands for, his social and political beliefs." When Ari frowned, he added, "I explained some of this to you before. Do you not remember?"

"I remember seeing the picture of the first seven vampires, and that they had disapproved of Daron." She hesitated. Should she mention one of them was Daron's sire? Probably not. That seemed to be some kind of secret. Gabriel might know already, but what about Marta? Ari chose to play it safe. "I guess I didn't pay much attention to the details. Are you thinking they'll come after us now? Why?"

"It is complicated."

"How complicated?" she said impatiently. "Explain."

"The Original Seven, the eldest and most dominant of our kind, rule over the European countries from a hidden stronghold in Germany and adhere staunchly to the old ways. They are formidable, their power absolute, ruling through intimidation and brute power. Their word is law."

"Meaning, if you don't agree with them, you die," Gabriel interjected. "And that is only after they've made you suffer." He gave an exaggerated shudder. "Not fun fellows," he said to Ari in an aside.

Marta threw Gabriel a disgusted look and loudly cleared her throat. "It's hardly something to joke about," she said.

"The human and Otherworld authorities let them get away with that?" Ari demanded, focusing on Andreas and ignoring the by-play from the other two.

"I can't imagine who would want to take them on," Gabriel said, looking at her in surprise. "But presuming someone did, the O-Seven's activities are shrouded in secrecy. They no longer leave the streets awash in blood and body parts."

Ari c.o.c.ked her head at Andreas. "Is that true? No one opposes them?"

"Essentially correct," Andreas said. "But not the entire story. When Daron broke away from the autocratic beliefs of the elders, they were irate and many wanted to have him permanently terminated. They feared his democratic vision was a threat to the power they had held for centuries."

"Democratic, as in voting? Does he plan to abdicate the crown?"

"He has not, nor do I believe he will give up the throne. But he does listen to his people, responding to community concerns. As much as is practical, he rules by consensus."

Diverted, Ari wanted to ask a hundred questions about Daron's beliefs. She'd never thought much about how unique the Riverdale vamp community was, and now she wanted to know everything about them. At the moment, however, they needed to focus on the threat from the O-Seven. "If the O-Seven wanted him dead, how did Daron survive?"

"An order of termination of a prince or any first generation descendant of an elder must be approved by all seven members. One of those members refused. Soon after that, Daron disappeared, living underground for hundreds of years and eventually escaping to America at the time of the Revolution. He brought a small band of like-minded followers with him. When the O-Seven realized he had established a princedom based on his beliefs, their hired a.s.sa.s.sins attacked and killed many of his followers. He relocated several times, but they have kept his court from growing large enough to present a threat."

"This is an ongoing thing? They'll never stop?"

Andreas sighed. "I am afraid so. Along with long lives come long memories. Unless the dissenter changes his vote, they cannot kill Daron, but there is nothing to prevent them from destroying anyone who follows his ways."

"Then why did they wait until last year? Daron has been in Riverdale for eight years."

"To my people, a few years is nothing."

"It's more than that," Marta interjected. "Daron was smarter this time. He chose a small city and built a court without attracting attention from Europe. They kind of forgot about him, and he might have remained unnoticed if Sebastian hadn't intervened. When he heard about Daron's growing community in Riverdale nearly two years ago, he contacted the O-Seven. They provided him with gold and incentive." She laughed, a harsh sound. "They fed his enormous ego. He actually believed the O-Seven would allow him to join their council. That is when he became obsessed with destroying Prince Daron. Regardless of the cost to the rest of us," she muttered bitterly.

"Now that he's dead, what will they do?" Ari asked.

"It won't be pretty," Gabriel said. "I can safely predict that the mood in Europe will be gruesome. Not that they'll care about Sebastian's death, but a majority of the council members wanted to see him succeed. I agree with Marta, they were stringing him along with promises of membership, but they wanted Daron and his court eliminated. They'll still want that." He produced a crooked grin. "I'd like to hear their horrified reaction when it dawns on them that Daron's influence has spread to Toronto." Gabriel sobered and gave Andreas a thoughtful look. "You can expect to feel their wrath, unless you renounce Daron's politics."

Silence followed Gabriel's chilling words. Ari tried to envision what the O-Seven might do next. Andreas's people hardly had a chance to celebrate Sebastian's defeat, and already there was a new threat to think about. What the h.e.l.l had they gotten themselves into?

"Daron's beliefs are my own. I will not turn my back on them." Andreas frowned at his long-time friend. "If you were aware of the O-Seven's intentions, why did you come to Toronto? Were you supporting Sebastian's efforts?"

"G.o.d, no!" Gabriel held up his hands in protest. "How could you think that? Don't you trust me?"

"I can explain," Marta offered.

"No," Gabriel said, his voice sharp as he turned to face Andreas. "I want to hear your answer first. Don't you trust me?" he repeated.

Meeting Gabriel's gaze, Andreas seemed to pick his words carefully. "I do not question our friendship, but I have not seen you in some time. I do not know your current att.i.tude toward Daron and his beliefs."

Gabriel looked somewhat mollified but before he could comment, Marta stood and came to his side.

"I invited Gabe to Toronto," she said. "We knew each other before I came to Canada, and I figured I could trust him. Some of us saw how Sebastian's obsessions were threatening our community." Her face hardened. "It was bad enough he'd nearly decimated our wolf partners, but when we learned he'd consorted with a demon-even brought the creature into the compound, placing us all at risk, we decided to gather recruits to mount a challenge. I immediately thought of Gabriel."

"And you came? You volunteered to get in the middle of a fight?" Andreas gave his friend a skeptical look. "Not exactly like you."

"I admit I had an incentive. The situation in Europe was getting a little hot for me. You may not have known my sympathies lay with Daron's movement, but the O-Seven did. I'd been under surveillance for months." He lifted one hand in a dismissive manner. "Helping Marta seemed like a good opportunity to make myself scarce for a while, so I came over six months ago." His characteristic grin appeared. "I hoped if I got as far as Canada, I'd run into you sooner or later."

Some of the stiffness left Andreas's figure. "So you have, and I am glad to have you here." He slapped Gabriel none too gently on the back. "How does Sebastian's death affect your plans, Marta?" he asked too casually. "Do you still desire the crown?"

Ari's eyes flashed to Marta's face, but the vampiress gave away nothing.

"I wouldn't turn it down. If you're asking if I will challenge you for it, the answer is no. Not if you change things around here, and if you can successfully hold off other challengers. You have a legitimate claim to the crown, but I will not have another outsider come in and take it. They're bound to come, you know. Toronto is a coveted prize, and the crown has not been available for dozens of decades." She looked him up and down. "You have proven powerful, Andreas, but you are also inexperienced in running a large court, and your challengers will have Europe's support."

"I appreciate your candor," Andreas said, "and will keep your reservations in mind. There is much still to be done before matters are fully settled."

A clever woman, Ari thought, to admit her ambitions. According to Gabriel, Marta was over three hundred years old-older than Andreas. A formidable adversary if she changed her mind. She would bear watching.

In the awkwardness that followed her declaration, Marta soon left them. Ari was tempted to follow her to see where she went and who she talked to. The vampiress had said she wouldn't challenge Andreas, but she hadn't said she would support him against other challenges. Ari thought it was a big omission and brought it up.

"I think you're worrying too much," Gabriel said. "Marta will be fine. She's the cautious type, and she doesn't know you yet. She'll be there when you need her."

Predictably, Andreas shrugged. "We will find out soon enough. I believe part of her a.s.sessment is accurate-one or more challenges are certain to come. I look forward to our people arriving from Riverdale. Even then, we will be greatly out-numbered, and it is too soon to rely on the promises of those we have just met."

"Agreed," Ari said, feeling an instant sense of relief that he wouldn't take anyone at face value. "Just because they didn't like Sebastian doesn't mean they'll like us." She turned to Gabriel. "Who are these dissenters she talked about? If it comes down to a fight, where will they stand?"

"I can identify most of those Marta met with over the last six months," Gabriel said, "but I'm not confident they'll be of much use. As soon as I got here, it was obvious no one was willing to take the lead in standing up to Sebastian. They were too intimidated, and rightfully so, I might add. He was vindictive and had spies everywhere. We can't forget those spies are still out there-somewhere-and the dissenters may still be afraid to act." He spread his hands in a doubtful gesture. "I'm sorry, but I can't predict what most of them will do."

"So be prepared for anything," Ari said.

"Exactly."

The conversation soon turned to room arrangements for the troops yet to arrive, and Ari lost interest. She watched the two men's comfortable interaction. Gabriel's presence was proving indispensable, both for his knowledge of Sebastian's court and his long-standing loyalty to Andreas. She would be more confident of Andreas's ultimate success, knowing Gabriel was at his side-if Gabriel's friendship was genuine. People change.

A wolf appeared at the door, motioning to Gabriel.

While he was away, Ari voiced her concern. "You trust him, don't you? Gabriel, I mean."

"I trust his allegiance to me. Why do you ask?" Andreas frowned. "Has he done or said something that makes you doubt him?"

"No, but you questioned him about his reasons for coming to Toronto."

"Would you have done less?" When she shook her head, he echoed her earlier thoughts. "People can change over time. I had to be sure, but I was satisfied with his answer."

"It sounded OK to me, too, but you know him a lot better. I wanted to be sure I was reading him right. You'll need his support in the coming weeks."

Andreas's quick turn of the head indicated he'd sensed an unspoken meaning in her words, but before he could pursue it, Gabriel returned.

"News travels fast," the blond vampire said, dropping back into the cushioned chair.

Andreas c.o.c.ked his head. "A little more information would be helpful."

"Oh, sorry. I was thinking about our unexpected visitor. Never known this to happen since I've been here. The local Guardian has come calling. Says her name's Zoe." He turned to Ari. "She claims to know you."

"She does." Ari popped to her feet, an instant smile on her face. "Where is she?" This was the best news she'd had in the last twenty-four hours. She hurried out of the lounge, crossed the audience chamber, and threw open the doors. "Zoe!"

A slender, leggy woman with short brown curls waited rigidly in the hallway with a vampire standing on each side of her. Her pixy face lit at Ari's greeting. Like Ari, Zoe was a mixed-species witch, but her family had bred with the elves rather than humans. The elf blood accounted for her nearly six-foot height. When Ari dismissed the vampire guards, Zoe relaxed, beamed from ear to ear, and enveloped Ari in a smothering hug.

"I had to see for myself if it was true. Is Sebastian really dead? Let me look at you. Are you all right? How long are you staying? Who is this hunky new prince I'm hearing about?"

"Whoa!" Ari said, laughing and trying to extricate herself. "In order, I think. Yes, Sebastian's dead. I'm fine. Don't know how long I'll be here." Ari dragged the other woman across the chamber toward the lounge, with Zoe twisting her head from side to side, gaping at the decor.

"G.o.d, this is awful," Zoe said, peering at one of the statues. "It looks like something out of an old Hollywood epic movie."

"Well, yeah," Ari conceded. "Sebastian's taste was really bad. But you're going to like this." She opened the lounge door. "Let me introduce you to the hunky prince, Andreas De Luca."

Ari grinned as Andreas glided forward. "This is my friend, Zoe Vesper, one of the-I believe it's six-Toronto Guardians." Blushing, Zoe nodded, confirming Ari's count. "Zoe helped me when I came to Canada on the drug case."

"I remember. My pleasure." Andreas bowed over Zoe's hand, causing her to blush again. When they had murmured polite words, Ari introduced Gabriel. The guys were on their best behavior, quite charming, in fact, and Zoe's expression proved she was suitably impressed.

"How did you hear about this so quickly?" Ari asked when introductions and civilities were completed.

"You, indirectly. You notified your magic council, your president talked with mine this afternoon, and it eventually trickled down to me. But everybody's talking about it now. So here I am."

"I'm surprised you're still up." It was nearly 2:00 a.m. and most Guardians had a regular day schedule. "Didn't you tell me you were normally getting up at dawn, which is only about four hours from now?"