Burning Both Ends

“They all survived the breaking of the bond? How? I thought they usually died.”

“Only when there’s a deep bond. Can you imagine anyone being genuinely fond of Sebastian? I doubt if any of these bonds were by choice.” Gabriel discarded his serious tone, the mischief returning to his voice. “Would you like to inspect the ladies?”

“No, but maybe Andreas should. I mean, what else are they going to do?”

The humor left Andreas’s face. He looked perplexed, clearly at a loss to understand her.

“That’s what I like, an accommodating girlfriend,” Gabriel said. He grinned and threw an arm across Ari’s shoulders. “You’re a lucky man, Andreas.” Gabriel stepped back and offered Ari his arm. “Come with me, my lady. Let me show you around the place, including the royal bedchamber.”

“Perhaps later…” Andreas began. He questioned Ari with his eyes, but she looked away.

“Oh, no. You can’t deny me,” Gabriel protested. “You and Marta need time to talk, and I’ll see that Ari is suitably entertained. My lady?”

Relieved to avoid further discussion of the consorts, Ari nodded and allowed Gabriel to lead her away. Andreas’s gaze followed her, a trail of awareness running across her back. She ignored the urge to return to his side. They could talk later—when they’d both had time to adjust to the situation.

Gabriel turned his head to look at Ari as he led her across the room. “A fascinating display of fire tonight. I thought the ancient salamanders were merely a legend.”

“So did I, in the beginning. They’re pretty awesome.”

“May I say I hope I never make you angry with me?”

“If you play nice with Andreas, you won’t have to worry.”

“I’ll remember that.”

Their conversation turned to more general topics regarding the compound, the staff. As Gabriel showed her from room to room, Ari gave in to an urge to pump him for information on Andreas’s history. Ironic, now that they wouldn’t be together in the future, she wanted to know everything about his past.

“How long have you known Andreas?” she began.

“Since London, early 1800s. Hasn’t Andreas talked about me?”

“No. But we haven’t talked much about his past. How did you meet?”

Gabriel cocked his head. “We were both living in London and were sired by the same vampiress. Apparently she liked the begetting part but not the idea of having a family. She abandoned us on the streets of London, and we found each other shortly after I was turned. Andreas was transformed only two months earlier and knew little about being a vampire, but together we got by. We stayed close for almost fifty years before going our separate ways. Since then, we’ve run into each other from time to time, kept in touch.” He grinned. “Christmas cards, you know, that sort of thing.”

“Yeah, right.” Ari chuckled, envisioning Andreas or Gabriel poring over Christmas card lists.

“I find it curious you haven’t heard this story before.”

“We haven’t dated long.”

“You just met?” Gabriel’s face registered surprise. “I didn’t get that impression.”

“No, we’ve known each other a year.” When Gabriel kept waiting for more, she added, “There were…still are…issues.”

“Ah.” He gave an exaggerated sigh. “The bane of any romantic relationship I’ve ever had.” He made a woeful face, and Ari laughed.

“There,” he said with satisfaction. “I knew I could make you laugh. You’ve been looking way too somber.”

“It’s been a long couple of days.” Not wanting to elaborate, she looked for a safer topic. “Is Gabriel a given or chosen name? I know Andreas kept his name because of the family estates.”

He stopped and stuck a thoughtful pose for her. “Do I look like an Edmund? That was my birth name. When I woke up as a vampire, naming myself after an archangel struck me as amusing.” He smiled angelically and flashed his fangs. “By the time I grew embarrassed by my noir humor, it was too late. The name stuck.”

Ari grinned at his light-hearted approach to life. He was the most entertaining vampire she’d met. And maybe just what she needed tonight.

He led her down a hallway on the right. Sebastian’s compound was much larger than Ari had suspected. In addition to the immense audience chamber where the prince held court, more than twenty rooms had been built underground. Most were bedrooms, including the rather ornate chamber that had been Sebastian’s private retreat. It contained several coffins. Sebastian’s was the largest and most decorative, with red satin cushions. Ari had kind of expected it, since Sebastian had been so old school, but the sight made her flinch. Über creepy. When she said so, Gabriel laughed aloud.

“An affectation. And vastly outdated. No one uses a coffin anymore. They were never used until Bram Stoker wrote his ridiculous novel, then suddenly everyone had to have one. Mine had carved angels on the lid,” he admitted. “It’s long gone now. I got rid of it about the time I realized my name was a mistake.” He produced a sheepish grin.

“There’s nothing wrong with the name Gabriel. I hadn’t even thought about angels until you mentioned it.” But, jeez, no coffins. Never? It was almost disappointing. Another vampire myth destroyed—although she already knew that Andreas didn’t sleep in one.

Ari and Gabriel completed their tour and returned to the audience chamber. Andreas must have been watching for them, for the moment they walked in the door, he stood and waved them over. He took Ari’s hand and drew her close.

“Are we interrupting?” she asked, while Gabriel plopped himself down in a chair next to Marta.

“Not at all. We had finished for tonight and were waiting for you. Marta has filled me in on how much needs to be done. Sebastian has sadly neglected his people.”

“And you’re going to fix everything.”

“Not all at once,” he said, turning to include Marta. “But we will work together to improve what we can.” His attention returned to Ari. “What have you and Gabriel been doing?”

Marta stood abruptly. “Sorry, but I have things that must be done before dawn. I will see you tomorrow.”

Andreas watched her leave, a thoughtful look creasing his forehead. Turning his gaze to his companions, he asked, “Now, where were we?”

“You asked what we’d been doing,” Gabriel said promptly. “It was nothing you could possibly take exception to.” His tone implied the opposite, matching a wicked glint in his eyes. “We poked around. The usual tour of the bedrooms. Bounced on the beds. Exchanged intimate secrets.”

Andreas gave Gabriel an enigmatic look. “Not too intimate I hope.”

“I hear someone calling me,” Gabriel said. “Arianna, it was delightful to meet you, but I believe I’ll go someplace where I’m wanted.” With a wicked wink at her, he left.

“Trouble-maker,” Ari said to his departing back.

Andreas smiled, shaking his head. “He is irredeemable.”

“And then some. But we did make the rounds. This is a huge compound. And guess what? Sebastian has a room full of coffins!”

“What did you expect? He was a vampire.”

“Oh, don’t give me that. Gabriel spilled the beans about the coffin myth. We chatted about a few other things, too. I guess you guys go way back.”

“We do. To 1815 London. What exactly did he tell you?”

Did she see a flash of concern? Intriguing.

“Not much. Is there something he shouldn’t tell me?”

“Many things,” was his cryptic response. “Those first years were hard. And violent. We did not know any other way to live.” Andreas gave a weary sigh. “I would rather talk of something else tonight. There is too much to do to be thinking about the past.”

“It is getting late. The sun will be up in less than three hours. Are we staying here or going back to the hotel?”

“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.