A Taste for Blood (The Godhunter, Book 6) (20 page)

“
And delicious,” I added.

“
Well, yes, some of us,” he shrugged, “but goblins will eat anything.”

“
That one seemed disgusted by the taint of my fey blood,” I reminded him.

“
Oh, they just think human blood is sweeter,” Roarke waved it off. “Something about magic tasting too acidic.”

“
Good thing he knew a way to soak the meat,” I countered.

“
Ah, he was a renowned chef among the goblins,” Roarke nodded. “It's why that red cap was so upset about you killing him.”

“
Goblin chefs,” I rolled my eyes, “go figure. Look, I think I should put up some new wards before you contact anyone. Why don't you go get some sleep and we can make the calls in the morning?”

“
Fine with me,” he yawned dramatically. “I can always use some sleep.”

“
You are such a cat,” I said as he followed Kirill out. “Hey, by the way, have you seen my real cat?”

“
He's fine,” Roarke laughed. “We went hunting together earlier but he fell asleep in the hallway, so I left him in search of a softer bed.”

“
Great,” I shook my head, “Nick's gone over to the dark side.”

Chapter Twenty-Seven

“
Vanishing Acts, Veerings, Walking on Clouds, ah, here we go, Wards.” I flattened my spell book, the one I'd got from Ku, out on my bed in front of me. Before I did anything else, I was going to handle this ward situation. “Alright. Position yourself facing the trace point you'd like to ward,” I skimmed the spell, to make sure I didn't need any accessories like herbs and such. God magic usually didn't and now that I knew where my human magic stemmed from, the fey and their connection to nature and the elements, it made perfect sense to me that doing human magic would require elements of nature to work. But the warding I was doing wasn't human warding, it was god magic, so I didn't need anything but my intent and my words.

I put the book down and gave some thought to the last part of the spell, where I would have to come up with my own chant to allow friends and family through the warding. This was important so I got up, taking the book with me, and went down to our library. In a few minutes, I'd found the words I needed and I headed over to the hallway that ended in our tracing point. When I stood before the wall that was our place to trace in, I laid the book down at my feet, focused on the Aether, and did as the spell instructed, envisioning the trace point as a door that I was bolting closed, only to be opened by the right key.

“Open ways are now shut against those who are unwelcome,” my voice rang out against the wall and echoed back to me. “I, Mistress of this home, declare it so and bind the way before me that none but those I choose shall pass. Clear the way only for those who speak these words,” I paused and then spoke the chant I'd decided on. “Intaho Intare Ishema.” Home of the Lion Pride.

The wall shimmered, a pulse vibrating through it and dissipating through the walls of the Palace. I felt the protection sink into the boundaries of my lands and knew we were safe. A relieved breath flew out of my lungs, releasing tension I didn't realize I'd been storing. I guess I was more afraid of a faerie abduction than I thought.

I went back to my suite, looking forward to a peaceful night spent between my lion and my wolf.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

“You ready to make that call?” I asked Roarke as soon as I saw him.

“
Just show me a mirror,” he smirked, “but who are we calling first, the High King or your dragon King?”

“
Shut up, cat,” I pushed past him and went looking for Darius, there was something I had to do first.

Roarke just followed along, content to trail behind me wherever I might lead. I had to go through a few rooms before I found Darius. He was in the kitchen, making himself an omelet. He looked up with a smile that changed quickly to confusion upon spotting Roarke.

“Tima?”

“
Hey, Dare,” I smiled. “This is Roarke, he's a cat-sidhe and he's going to be staying with us for awhile, which means you'll either see him or a black cat running through the Palace. Please let the others know to let him be.”

“
Yes, Tima,” he nodded.

“
Also, I need you to spread the word about the new tracing chant,” I added. “Tell everyone it's Intaho Intare Ishema. Oh and please send someone to let the God Squad and Azrael know.”

“
Right away,” he grinned and took a bite of his omelet, clearly not doing anything right away except eating.

“
Thanks,” I laughed and headed out of the room, knowing he'd get it done eventually.

“
Your lions all live here?” Roarke asked as we walked back to my room.

“
Yeah,” I shrugged, “they can leave if they want but so far, they've all decided to stay at home.”

“
It's good to have your army stationed near,” Roarke nodded. “You shouldn't allow them the choice of leaving.”

“
The last lion goddess took everything from them,” I said grimly. “I intend to give it back. I don't want them to feel that they have to do anything unless they want to.”

“
Admirable,” Roarke smirked, “but irresponsible.”

“
How so?”

“
You are in charge of these men, you are their leader. You should act more like their leader or things will get confusing at best and violent at worst.”

“
Violent?”

“
There needs to be order established and most men are followers, they need someone to tell them where to go,” he shrugged. “Without a firm leadership, men will look elsewhere to be led.”

“
I do lead them,” I frowned, wondering if the cat was right and I was doing my men a disservice.

“
Really? My mistake,” he smiled like he knew damn well there was no mistake.

“
So what,” I stopped and faced him. “I should make more rules? There are already house rules in place.”

“
If I were you,” he pursed his lips in thought, “I might choose a few men as commanders and then have them separate the men into two groups which can be used to do mock battles against one another. You can schedule weekly training sessions for the groups separately and then monthly battles for them to test their skills against each other.”

“
That's” I stared at him, amazed, “That's quite brilliant actually. It would give them an outlet for all their energy besides hunting game and would improve our strength as a fighting unit.”

“
Yes, I knew it was a great idea when I thought of it,” he nodded sagely.

“
I'll start them on it after our talks with the Kings,” I started walking again and even though he was walking behind me, I could feel the preening pride oozing off of Roarke. Damn cats, I was becoming more and more glad that Nick couldn't talk.

Speaking of my tabby, we found him sleeping in the spot Roarke had occupied the day before. He got up, stretched and meowed, first at me and then at Roarke. I gave him a quick neck scratch and he started to purr but then Roarke said something in that faerie language and Nick jumped up onto his shoulder. Roarke scratched at him while Nick swung his tail around Roarke's neck.

“Well, fine, you little furry traitor,” I huffed and went to the mirror set above the vanity table I'd recently purchased.

The table was polished wood, like the rest of the furniture I'd brought in, heavy and wide, with a large, oval mirror hung between two posts. My make-up and perfumes were spread out on it and a padded chair was pushed into the space beneath. I pulled it out and sat down a little toward the side so Roarke could stand beside me.

He came up and looked over the mirror with interest. “That'll do,” he finally announced and pulled some dried herbs out of his pocket. “Eyebright, to see faeries,” he laughed. “Rub it clockwise over the mirror while you call to the one you wish to contact.” He rubbed the herb over the glass, “High King Cian!”

The glass fogged, like someone had breathed on it, all over the entire surface. When it cleared, King Cian was looking back at us. I flinched a little, I'd forgotten how blindingly bright he could be. He looked serious, really serious as he stared first at me, then at Roarke, and then back to me.

“Greetings, High King,” Roarke bowed. “Lady Vervain has requested to be present for this conversation.”

“
King Cian,” I smiled. “You look very bright today.”

“
Thank you, Lady Vervain,” he nodded. “I assume Roarke has explained the situation with our wards?”

“
Yes, sir,” I felt like I was in Elementary school again.

“
King Arach has also brought your personal situation to my attention,” he raised a brow. “My congratulations. Dragon-sidhe are all born nobles, so you are a descendant of a ruling House of Faerie. This is cause for celebration and for concern. Which is why I must insist on Roarke being with you. I would have sent Danal but alas, the tear was too small for him.”

“
Yes, the tear,” I frowned. “Roarke said you were unsure as to whether or not you'd be fixing it.”

“
Now that you have come through, there have been debates on whether we should have left it open in the first place,” a small crease formed between his eyes. “You've become a symbol of what we've lost, a physical representation of not only excitement and adventure but of a continuation of the race. A few bloodlines have died out since the sever and now here you are, a new hope for the dragon-sidhe. It's been pointed out that maybe other lineages would still be thriving if we'd had human mates to help us procreate.”

“
You think there may be other humans with bloodlines that have been lost?” I frowned, feeling sorry for the lost races but still not wanting to give up my life with those I love, for the greater good of the fey.

“
That hadn't occurred to me,” he sat up straighter. “I'd only meant that sometimes we fey have a harder time conceiving, whereas humans are very fertile. The thought that there might be a trace left of those who have died off... well that is an even more interesting thought.”

“
Glad to have helped,” I was such an idiot. Way to go, Vervain. “King Cian, I would love to help you and your people.”

“
Your people too,” his mouth twisted wryly.

“
Yes, our people,” I continued, “but I have a pretty full life here and have already made too many commitments. I just can't have another man in my life.”

“
That is at it may be but the fact is that you are the last hope of there ever being another dragon-sidhe,” he narrowed his gaze on me. “Can you live with yourself if you let your race die out?”

“
Yes, I can,” I growled and he pulled away from his side of the mirror in shock. “My men have sacrificed a lot for me and their happiness means more to me than a continuation of the dragon-sidhe. Maybe they'll be another human witch out there with dragon blood and Arach can have her but I'm not up for grabs and that is final.”

“
Lady Vervain,” the King frowned, “I don't think you understand. You are not just a witch with some dragon-sidhe blood. You are a full blooded dragon-sidhe. It's why King Arach is so intent on you. Dragon-sidhes need to be full blooded to rule the House of Fire and only pure bloods can shift to a complete dragon form. Halflings can usually only manage partial shifts, they are earth-bound generally. You are the last female who can breed a true ruler for Fire.”

“
Impossible,” I whispered. “I was born of a human woman. I know my mother isn't full sidhe, much less dragon-sidhe.”

“
You forget,” King Cian shook his head. “Your fey magic comes from your soul, which is pure blood.”

“
No,” my heart was racing. “Sabine was human.”

“
My lady, I'm so sorry,” he looked confused, “I had thought to give you happy news, I can assure you that all of Faerie rejoices that you are found.”

“
King Cian,” I rubbed at my forehead. “What are you talking about?”

“
When you told me your story the month before last...”

“
I'm sorry, did you the month before last? As in three months ago?” I interrupted. “It's only been a few days here.”

“
If you recall, I did tell you of the time difference.”

“
Yes, I know, I'm sorry,” I shook my head. “When I returned home only minutes had gone by, when I had spent almost two days in Faerie. I just forgot, please continue.” Three days here, three months there, that was a hell of a time difference.