Blood Bond (An Anna Strong, Vampire Novel)(16)

Fields surround us, the perfume of new grass and freshly tilled soil fills the night air. I look up at stars like pinpricks of fiery ice filling the darkening sky. They appear as if someone had thrown a switch at sunset to start the show.

A sliver of a moon dances on the horizon. Besides the stars, it sheds the only light, meager as it is, to illuminate the road. When the driver pulls off onto a side road, I stir and glance over.

"Where are we?"

He smiles but says nothing.

Okay. Enough is enough. "I thought I was going to meet King Steffan."

The driver slows the car at the edge of a bluff and stops.

He turns in his seat and lets his eyes lock with mine.

Before he opens his thoughts to me, I know.

And feel foolish that I hadn't guessed.

This dashing driver, this old vampire with the impenetrable mind, is King Steffan. "Very cute," I say.

"Are you angry?" he asks.

I raise my shoulders. "Should I be angry?"

"Well, you were promised a castle."

I wave a hand. "I'd settle for a ride in this beautiful old car over a visit to a stuffy castle anytime." I brush a finger over the dashboard. "What year is it?"

"It's a 1929."

"And I suppose you're the original owner."

He laughs. It's musical and self-deprecating. "Yes. But you may change your mind when you see my castle. It's not stuffy, I assure you."

He is studying me the way I studied him when I first got into the car. After a moment, he says, "You are not what I imagined."

"Which is?"

He tilts his head. "After the stories I'd heard about you, I expected someone with a harder edge. Someone tougher. You look like the schoolteacher you once were. Not a bounty hunter. And certainly not like the vanquisher of half a dozen old-soul vampires."

"You've done your homework."

"Of course. Haven't you?"

"No."

He looks surprised. "And yet you agreed to meet me alone? You were not afraid?"

"Half a dozen old-soul vampires, remember?"

He laughs again at that. "You have confidence, Anna. And strength of conviction, I can see that. It pains me to think we may become adversaries."

"Then you know why I'm here. Why we are meeting."

He sighs. "Chael told me. I am sorry it is such a sad occasion that brings you to France. But as for the other, you must recognize that you are out of your depth in Europe. We do not accept your title or your Council. Now that I have met you, I see why others respect you. But you will find no allies amongst the vampires in Europe. They swear allegiance only to me."

"Then it's you I'll have to convince to give up your shortsighted plan."

He studies me another minute, this time letting his eyes travel from my face to my breasts and down my legs in a lazy, appraising path that is as obvious as it is insulting. "You are welcome to try. In fact, I think I insist on it."

Bristling, I draw myself up on the seat. "Not even in your wildest dreams." Does it sound as juvenile to him as it does to me?

"How provincial. You are engaged. To the shape-shifter, I know."

As if that is the only reason I could possibly reject such an opportunity. But his tone while condescending and scornful has an underlying hint of-disappointment. I try to probe for the meaning behind his reaction, but the mental brick wall is back in place.

He reaches down and starts the engine. "I'll bring you back to town-to your fiancé whom I imagine is getting restless waiting for you. But we will talk again. I think you and I have many things to discuss, Anna Strong."

I reach over and grasp his hand, forcing him to kill the engine. "So, let's talk. Why waste time? I know what you are planning. You must know if you attempt to upset the balance between mortals and vampires, you will have to face the opposition of the Thirteen Tribes. We will be a formidable opponent."

This time, Steffan eyes me with nothing but a disdainful glare. The kind of expression I'd expect from a king. A dismissal.

"I am not prepared to argue with you tonight. In fact, have you not more important matters to tend to? Your mother is dying. You are preparing for a wedding. When we speak again, I want your full attention."

The hair bristles on the back of my neck. "You may not like what happens when you have my full attention."

He looks hard at me, then moves my hand aside and cranks the engine over once again.

This time I let him. Mentioning my mother reminds me that whatever Steffan's plans are, I do have more important priorities. Europe seems to be in no imminent danger, even from one as arrogant as this vampire who calls himself a king.

He pulls the car onto the road, makes a U-turn and we're heading back for the city lights of Lorgues. We travel in stiff silence and it's not until we've come to a halt in front of the café and I'm preparing to open the door that Steffan stops me with a hand on my arm. He's looking at Frey who has risen to meet me. He leans close. His lips are warm on my ear when he whispers.

Think carefully about your future, Anna. You could do better.

I pull out of his grip, a cold anger rising. You overstep, Steffan.

Frey is approaching the car, and I climb out to meet him.

I don't turn to see what Steffan is doing, but as the car engine revs, Steffan calls to me once again. Think about it, Anna, I could make you a queen.

Then he is gone, leaving me with Frey on the sidewalk.

Frey casts an inquisitive look, not catching Steffan's last comment. Unfortunately from his place at the table, Chael does.

A queen? Well, you have made an impression, he says when we rejoin him.

Frey is frowning. He may have missed what Steffan said but not Chael's reaction. "What's this about a queen?"

I wave a dismissive hand, sink into a chair.

And fix Chael with a warning eye. Nothing. To Frey, "Some bullshit meant to impress. A bad joke."

Chael doesn't wait to hear any more but stands as if ready to take his leave.

Which makes me snap at him. You knew it was Steffan in the car. Why didn't you tell me?

It was Steffan's wish to keep the first meeting low-key. I trust it went well. He pauses. I know you haven't resolved the issue tonight, and I will let you know when Steffan wishes another audience.

My temper flares. What issue? All that we determined tonight is that Steffan is an overconfident prick. When I meet with Steffan again, Chael, it will be on my terms. You can pass that on to his majesty and tell him I am the one who will be in touch.

Chael's eyebrows rise. He gives a little half bow. As you wish.

And then he turns on his heel like a Prussian soldier and marches off.

Frey shakes his head at his departing back. "Quite a character. Now." He leans toward me, takes my hand. "It was Steffan in the car? What happened?"

I fill him in as we sip wine. "Not much." I describe the ride and where we ended up. Steffan's comments to me about having no influence here but agreeing to listen to my arguments anyway. "We danced around like a couple of circus horses," I finish with a sniff.

"So the grand scheme never came up."

"Not so you'd notice. The only one who did any talking was me. I think this was a scouting party. Steffan taking my measure." Immediately, I'm thinking of the ways his eyes traveled the length of my body, appraising, coming to a conclusion about-what? His last remark certainly caught me off guard. Was he baiting me? If he was trying to impress me, he failed.

I don't say any of this to Frey. I finish my wine. I want to forget Chael and Steffan and everything vampire. I want to go back to the estate, hug my mother and make love to Frey. I take his hand and press it to my cheek. "Let's go home."

Whether it's the heat radiating from my skin beneath his fingertips or the breathlessness of my voice, Frey raises no objection.                       
       
           



       CHAPTER 15




NEXT MORNING, FREY AND I ARE THE LAST TO THE breakfast table.

I'm glad no one asks why. It would be embarrassing. Even an adult daughter doesn't want to acknowledge that she's late coming down because she and her fiancé were having sex. Lots of sex. Great sex. Sex so good I didn't want to stop. When I feel color start up the back of my neck, I decide what I'd better do is stop thinking about it.

I slink into a chair at the table and reach for the coffeepot. "Where are the kids?" I ask pouring myself a cup.

Dad avoids my eyes. Shit. Were we making too much noise?

Mom picks up the slack. "Gone next door. Trish and John-John arranged an early morning ride before Trish has to go to school." She casts an apologetic eye to Frey. "I hope that was all right."

Frey smiles. "Of course. Trish mentioned their plans last night. And John-John has been riding since before he could walk."

Mom grins then. "They left hours ago."

I lower my head. Yikes. I glance at Frey but he seems oblivious. He's buttering toast with the gusto of a man who's just experienced an earth-shattering orgasm.

I clear my throat. "So what's on the agenda today?"

Mom slips on her reading glasses and consults her ever-present list pad. "Well. After school you and Trish have to go into town to pick up the dresses. And you should call anyone in San Diego that you want to come for the wedding. And you need to decide who you want to officiate at the service."