The Kingmakers(62)

Abruptly, Adele excused herself from her place along the greeting line and left many shocked and indignant expressions on the grandees, including Lady Tahir, as she walked to the end and stood before Sanah.

The Persian blushed behind her veil and curtsied. “Your Majesty.”

“So you did make it to the premiere. As you said when we met last year.”

“I wouldn't miss it,” Sanah replied.

“I thought you might have recognized me that night.”

“I admit, I did. I remember fondly our talk during the production of Desire in the Dead North.

Adele laughed out loud. “My art of disguise is awful, apparently.” She stepped aside. “May I introduce the real Greyfriar. Now you can see why no imitation would do.”

Sanah curtsied again and fought the urge to step back from what she knew lurked behind the cowled face. “Sir.”

The tall figure nodded in a semblance of politeness, his tone almost bored. “A pleasure.”

Knowing she didn't have much time with the empress's attention, Sanah grasped Adele's hand and slipped her a card. “We have much to talk about, Your Majesty. I knew your mother.”

“My mother?” Adele's expression was one of surprise. “May I ask your name?”

“It is written on the card along with my address. Send for me when you do not have more pressing matters to attend and we can talk more privately about her.”

“I shall. Thank you.” Adele allowed herself to be directed back to the receiving line, with a lingering glance over her shoulder at the Persian woman.

Sanah watched Adele return to the far end of the lobby where the expectant crowd waited to bestow their curtsies and salaams on the empress. Suddenly Greyfriar stiffened sharply. He shoved Adele aside and went for his sword. It released from its scabbard with a hissing scrape and then sang as Greyfriar spun around. The blade moved in a precise arc and struck a man in an ill-fitting tailcoat. It drew the barest amount of blood, but the coat burst open and something from his chest fell forward, straps dangling.

“Bomb!” a White Guard shouted.

People screamed around Sanah. Greyfriar was still in motion. He grabbed the device that had been strapped to the man's chest and flung it away. Then he grabbed Adele and shoved her to the floor, covering her with his own body.

The massive blast shook the establishment, filling the air with a sound so loud it punched Sanah in the chest as she was flung backward. The buzzing of a thousand angry hornets filled the air along with a sudden fierce flash that blinded her. Then everything went silent.

Smoke filled the high ceiling hall in a rolling wave. Sanah's eyes stung and watered, making it hard to see Adele or Greyfriar. Blood and wreckage were everywhere along with the palsied motions of the wounded and dying. Glittering crystal fluttered in the air as slivers of glass from an obliterated chandelier fluttered down like snow. Any sound was buried under a high-pitched whine inside Sanah's head.

She struggled to her unsteady feet and saw the still form of Adele, covered by the bloody body of the vampire. Jagged shrapnel fragments lay imbedded in Greyfriar's back. He looked dead. Mamoru had his wish finally. However, they might have lost the empress along with him.

Sanah watched in awe as Greyfriar stirred, raising himself on arms that shook. Blood flowed from multiple wounds. He grabbed a semiconscious Adele, and for a panicked moment Sanah thought he was going to feed on her to save his miserable life. She shouted to a stunned White Guard captain who was rushing in from outside at the head of a line of troopers, but her voice was ragged and useless against the smoke.

Then, to Sanah's astonishment, the vampire called for help, cradling the dazed empress. His mask still hid most of his face, so she could not see his expression, but there was despair in his voice, so different from the cold greeting of just moments before.

“The empress!” he rasped. “Here!”

A young blond corporal from the White Guard grasped Greyfriar's arm as the captain and two other soldiers tended Adele. “You're hurt, sir.”

“Forget about me! Help her!” The swordsman shoved aside the aid and attempted to stand.

“Yes, sir. But you are a priority too.”

Greyfriar hunched over on one knee, trying to shake off the weakness. “There may be more bombs. We need to get her to safety.”

“We will,” the White Guardsman insisted, grabbing hold of the Greyfriar's arm. The soldiers already had Adele and were carrying her out of the theater. The empress twisted in the arms of the captain and turned back to the vampire, determined not to leave him behind. Greyfriar gained his feet with the assistance of the corporal, and at Adele's frantic urging, followed her outside.