Obsidian Flame

Her arm had begun to ache holding the baby in one position for so long. She crossed in front of Alison and Kerrick, then sat down in one of the large chairs and adjusted the baby. When Alison slipped a pillow under her elbow, she breathed a sigh of relief. In this position, she could hold Helena forever.

The baby once more sighed. Marguerite heard faint humorous grumblings from both Fiona and Parisa as they each stared at the sleeping baby.

Thorne continued, “What I need to know right now is where all of you stand on his activities as a spy for our Sixth ascender.” Zacharius dropped to sit on the floor in front of the couch, within touching distance of both Havily and Fiona. Marguerite watched as both women reached toward Zach’s hair then pulled away, each turning to meet the scowling gazes of her respective mate.

Marguerite thought the whole thing fascinating, but mostly she could understand why the women had reached for his hair. Zach’s unusual curly black hair fanned out from his cadroen in an enormous mass. He was prettier than most of the men, his large cornflower-blue eyes and heavily fringed lashes giving him an outrageous appearance. He also had faint freckles and pale skin.

Okay, you’ve looked at him long enough.

She shot her gaze to Thorne. He lifted a brow at her.

Sorry. Guess I was staring. He really could be a model.

Yeah, so stop looking.

Jealous?

Hell, yeah, especially in this room.

Thorne looked away. Generally, it wasn’t polite to hold telepathic conversations while in company. “Shall I give Leto and Grace a shout and bring them here? All in favor, say aye.” It was unanimous.

Thorne drew his phone from the pocket of his slacks. Not jeans this time, but tailored dark gray slacks and Italian loafers. His shirt was made of fine cotton in a blue-green that enhanced those particular shades of his hazel eyes. Damn, he was handsome. Helena made a kind of cooing noise in her sleep and Marguerite murmured, “Exactly. But you just wait. Your day will come and then you’ll understand.”

The baby huffed a short dreamy sigh.

Thorne frowned as he said, “He’s worse?” Pause. “Shit. But he still wants to come?”

Marguerite was just far enough away that she couldn’t quite hear Grace on the other end. She had strong, vampire hearing, but it wasn’t that strong.

Thorne hung up. “Grace wants everyone to know that Leto’s in bad shape, and the fold will make it worse, so be prepared.” He glanced at the couch. “He’ll need to lie down.”

Everyone rose as if on cue, even Zach who practically launched off the floor.

Parisa spoke to Antony. The next moment a blanket appeared on the couch, a very soft beige fleece, as well as a couple of pillows.

Thorne called out to Luken, “Carla’s sending them into the foyer. He might need assistance.”

“Got it, boss.” Luken was right there so he immediately moved into the adjoining room.

A moment later Luken cried out a resounding, “Fuck, is he even still alive?”

Marguerite stayed put because of the baby, but otherwise there was a mad rush to the doorway, which meant that it was one major traffic jam. Everyone had to retrace their steps and resettle in different parts of the living room once more.

Luken had Leto’s arm around his neck, his other around his waist, as he all but carried him to the couch. The vampire was pale and hollow-eyed. Grace followed behind, her expression calm, even dignified. Her lips, however, were pressed tightly together. She still wore the Convent gown, maybe thinking she would return after all this got settled.

Thorne joined her by the couch. “How’s he doin’?”

“Not well. He was barely holding his own before the fold. He’s going downhill fast, even though I’ve fed him twice.” She shook her head and her voice trembled. “Once we arrived … he collapsed.”

Thorne put his arm around Grace, and she turned into him until he held her tight in both arms. He turned slightly and met Marguerite’s gaze over his sister’s head.

Marguerite felt for all of them. Maybe she wasn’t the most sympathetic person in the world, but she loved Grace and she loved Thorne and from everything she’d heard, Leto didn’t deserve his present suffering despite his service to Greaves.

When brother and sister drew apart, Grace wiped her face with her hands then sank down on her knees next to Leto. His eyes were closed, his breathing shallow.

But an argument broke out near the doorway.

“No the fuck way,” Marcus shouted. “Not for a thousand deserving men, Havily. No. That’s final.”

Marguerite had no idea what was going on. She glanced at Thorne but he had a stunned expression on his face and began making his way to Marguerite’s side. For some reason, he sank down beside her, next to the chair, and took her hand.

“What is it?”

“Oh, man this is bad, but it might be good. But dammit, this is really bad. Shit. I don’t think I could do it.”

Havily’s voice lifted to the tall villa ceilings. “Screw that, Marcus, this isn’t your goddamn choice.”

Marguerite lifted her brows and held Helena a little more firmly. That was Havily? She hadn’t thought the lovely woman, with the immaculate makeup and perfectly coiffed red hair, would ever utter such words. She began to like her a little more.

“You are so wrong about that, Hav. Warriors don’t fucking share. You know that.”

“We need to make an exception in this case.”

“I don’t think I could do it,” Thorne murmured once more. He squeezed her fingers harder until she told him to let up, that he was hurting her. “Sorry.”

“What’s the argument about? What is it he won’t let her share?”

Thorne met her gaze, but boy did his eyes look dark, almost hostile. “Her blood.”

Marguerite recoiled. Even she got it. Even she understood the horrible nature of the idea. “She can’t … do that.”

He nodded in brisk pops of his head. “You understand, then.”

“Sure. Of course. I’d kill a woman for taking yours.”

But much to Marguerite’s surprise Fiona moved to stand beside Havily. “You have to let her try, Marcus, you know you do.”

“Okay, now I really don’t get this,” Marguerite whispered. But Thorne was rubbing her fingers and kissing them as though trying to soothe himself.

Alison moved closer to Fiona and put in her two cents’ worth. “If you stand next to Havily and hold her, would that make it easier? He could take her blood at the wrist.”

Marguerite was dumbfounded. Why Havily’s blood? The warriors had begun forming a tight knot near the entrance to what looked like the library. Tension in the room seemed to be mounting.

Sweet Christ, what the hell was going on?

But when Parisa, who really didn’t like to share, joined the group of women, Marguerite’s mouth fell open.

“Marcus, we can all stand with her, surround her. Will that help?”

Marcus pushed his way through this feminine onslaught until he stood before Thorne. “I can’t do this. You have to order Havily not to do it.”

Marguerite watched Thorne, wondering what he was going to do. He stared up at Marcus for a good long moment. His breathing was strange, really rough, like he was just barely holding himself together. He let go of Marguerite’s hand and squared his shoulders. He rose to his feet and leveled his hard stare on Marcus, that commanding stare that Marguerite knew so well. Oh, shit. Thorne was going to allow it. What the hell?

Thorne put a heavy hand on Marcus’s shoulder. “How about you and I and the boys go out on the front patio and have a smoke. Medichi has some great cigars and I’ve missed a lot of stuff over the past couple of weeks. Jeannie’s kept me informed, but I’d like to hear what you’ve got going on.”

“Shit,” Marcus muttered. He put a hand to his face and shaded his eyes.

Thorne stepped in close and put his arm around Marcus’s shoulders. He got the man moving in the direction of the foyer and kept him moving.

The women quickly flowed in to fill up the space behind, almost like a barricade to the couch where Leto breathed in small puffs of air.

Thorne signaled for the rest of the men to back him up and together, as one giant mountain of testosterone, they ushered Marcus outside.

Alison cried out, “Havily, make it quick.”

Marguerite’s mouth grew dry from having it so wide open as she watched female peer pressure orchestrate a move against one of the bonded warriors. It was no small thing that the rest of the warriors supported Thorne despite the fact that he’d been AWOL.

The next thing she knew, Havily dropped to the carpet next to Grace and offered her wrist to Leto. He moved his head around and wouldn’t take it.

Grace got in close as well and began to kiss him and play with lips. She rubbed her face against Havily’s arm several times, scenting it up. She then loomed over him, held his face in her hands, and looked into his eyes.

“Take it, Leto. Do it for me.”

Marguerite couldn’t see the strike from where she sat, but she watched Havily’s back arch then settle down. Her shoulder began to bob.

After a few seconds had passed, Alison, who now stood behind the couch with Parisa, murmured, “Look how fast his color is coming back.”

Parisa touched her arm and drew her away, whispering to her.

Alison drew back and met Parisa’s gaze. “Oh, God, you’re probably right. Oh, shit.” This, from Alison. “Well, so much for dinner and welcoming either Thorne or Leto back.”

Parisa leaned over the back of the couch and said to Grace, “You’ll have the house to yourself for an hour or so. Do whatever you need to do. Everyone’s taking off as soon as Havily’s done. Uh … except that Antony and I will be in his suite of rooms, but I’ll keep him there.” Her cheeks had turned a dark pink.

Marguerite was so confused. She was trying to piece everything together and failing. Why was everyone leaving?

Alison approached her. “Will you continue to hold Helena for a couple more minutes while I settle things with the men?”