Entwined With the Dark (8 page)

What more could he possibly add? I began absently rubbing my stomach. Nataliya watched my every move.

"Is it possible, mistress?" she asked quietly, her eyes narrowed in concern.

I knew what she was asking, but I really didn't want to voice the answer just yet. "I think I'm going to be sick," I said instead and leapt off the bed to stagger to the bathroom.

I heard Nataliya's voice from the other side of the closed door. "I will be right here, mistress. You will not be alone."

I think she was trying to be reassuring, letting me know that she and Sergei were taking my protection seriously. But all it did was make my stomach lurch even more, realising that I needed this protection at all. I thought I had passed all of this. Sure, Isoleth was bound to catch up with me eventually, but all reports out of
Álfheimr
indicated that she was too busy with the war to seek revenge on her son's
elska
. But now, Lutin was free and by the sounds of it he wasn't bothering with the war, he was coming straight for me.

I hung my head over the toilet bowl waiting for the inevitable to happen. It didn't, the nausea remained but my stomach held on to its contents with bitter determination. I contemplated forcing the issue, you always feel so much better once you've had a chuck. But I couldn't do it. All I could do was pant through the nausea and try to settle my discordant mind.

Everything was in such a mess. I was living in a city I hadn't yet bonded with. In a house I despised. Part of a team of Nosferatins I couldn't feel comfortable with. My husband was away on business and otherwise incognito. The local dragon-shifter
Ceannard
was either stalking me or worse. The Master of the City was not going to be a BFF any time soon. And my Nosferatin boss, for want of a better word, had just given me an ultimatum - play by the rules or get out.

And now I might be magically pregnant to a delusional and fucked-up fairy prince.

I don't think it was possible to feel any worse than I did right now.

The tiles on the floor began to chill my rear to such a degree that I think it had frozen solid, but I lacked the energy to get up off the floor and wash my tear streaked face. I wasn't sure what time it was, but the night must have been flying by. Dawn would be here soon and at the very least, I wouldn't have to contend with the pull. If I felt that calling right now, I wasn't sure I could respond and denying myself a hunt, when the pull called, was painful and just plain wrong. Even though I knew Marie would respond - her area matches mine. Arthur had made sure we all resided in the right areas to work together. He and Trevor hunted on the other side of the VC from us.

I wasn't sure if I was expected to hunt after my last confrontation with Arthur. Maybe Marie would be OK on her own. Ah crap. Who was I kidding, she'd respond to the pull and then curl up in a little ball and cry when faced with the rogue. I had a responsibility to Marie. To Nut. And it had nothing to do with my Prophesied roles. I had a responsibility to this city. I had to try.

That was enough to wake me up out of the slump I had fallen into. I still felt so depressed, so alone and so very tired. But I would not let Marie down, even if it meant I had to play by Arthur's rules. The Dark may have been threatening my sanity lately, but the Light would never truly abandon my side. It was that Light that made me realise I couldn't walk away from this. Despite every other burden that came my way. I had agreed to train Marie, I couldn't quit on her now.

I stood up awkwardly from my near foetal position and splashed ice cold water on my face. Towelling off I pulled my cellphone from my pocket and glanced at the time. The sun would be rising soon, it was nearly 7am. There was no point confronting Arthur this night, I would have to swallow my pride later today, but I did send a text out Marie to suggest a training session this evening. She'd pass it on to Arthur that I had been in touch. For now, it was as good as he was going to get in way of an answer.

As soon as I hit
send
I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. A decision had been made and even though I wasn't yet one hundred percent happy with the whole
teamwork
thing, I had confirmed my commitment to London and it somehow settled my nerves.

Maybe if I just battled one thing at a time, rather than looking at all of my problems as a huge insurmountable mountain of crap, it would be better. It was hard not to dwell on Lutin and the possibility that the
kvángask
had been more than it had appeared. I ran a hand over my stomach and said a silent prayer to Nut. Surely my goddess would not have allowed this to happen. Surely, it would not be the end of the path I must tread.

I opened the door and found Nataliya standing guard, back to me and rigid, alert and scanning the room. It was just one room, you'd think she was guarding a hundred strong audience with the way she kept glancing around. My two
Tego Texi Tectums
were definitely uptight.

"Hey," I said as I came out and she turned to sweep her piercing gaze over my body. Her eyes lingered briefly on my stomach and I forced myself not to cover up.
I was not pregnant.

"Mistress," she answered in her deep accented voice. "Are you hungry?"

Strangely enough I was. I hadn't managed to finish the earlier lasagne, and now I had made headway with my Nosferatin responsibilities to London and Marie, my stomach had settled and hunger had returned in full force.

"Yeah, but there's nothing in Samson's house that inspires right now." Sad but true. I'd already committed to memory the inventory of canned goods in the pantry. What I needed now was fresh coffee and a decadently indulgent piece of cake. Comfort food. Michel would definitely not approve. The thought that we should have returned to Michel's house for Christopher's cooking alone was not a pleasant one.

"That's all right. I believe the humans have brought groceries with them."

I hesitated at her words and turned to look at her. "Humans?" I really had to have a discussion with Sergei and Nataliya about their choice of words.

"Kathleen and Matthew arrived half an hour ago," Nataliya replied, unfazed by my raised eyebrow and cocked head.

I was out the door and down the stairs in the next few seconds, Nataliya fast on my trail. The smell of caffeine met me as I rushed into Samson's welcoming kitchen. Matthew sat at the table reading the
Telegraph
and Kathleen was busy fussing over something on the bench, her back to us.

They both looked up as I stumbled into the room gracelessly. I was stunned and overjoyed to see them. A connection to Michel that I desperately craved.

"What are you guys doing here?" I asked, somewhat abruptly.

"Making sure you eat," Kathleen replied just as abruptly and returned to her task on the bench. "Sit down, Lucinda," she instructed and I immediately obeyed.

A steaming mug of frothy coffee was placed before me along with a chicken and salad wrap, dripping in mayonnaise. Both were downed before I even realised what I was doing, Matthew and Kathleen's presence alone making me smile and my stomach unclench. A slice of chocolate cake followed and I could have easily wrapped Kathleen up in a hug. Finally, after a second cup of perfectly brewed coffee I leaned back in my chair and let out a relieved sigh. Nataliya had been replaced by Sergei, who sat silently in the corner of the room alert and aware.

Kathleen smiled at me as she cleared my plates and loaded the dishwasher.

"So," I said, cocking my head to the side as I watched her wipe down the table before me, "why are you here again?"

Kathleen's shrewd eyes lifted to mine and she sighed. "You don't think the Master would leave you to face all of this alone, do you?"

I just stared at her unsure what to say. Michel's absence was hurting me, I really believed he could have got in touch when he sensed I was so upset. But then, we don't have a Bond connection anymore, he has no direct line to my emotions as before. If he is listening, then he can hear my thoughts. But, even with those restrictions, I had hoped he would be aware.

Michel had always seemed omnipotent to me. And that included being able to provide me with everything I desired and needed at once. Him being gone right now, right when my life was just a tumbling mess, just seemed unfair.

"Mistress," Kathleen said quietly. "This absence breaks his heart too."

It was with thoughts of Michel, of how much this separation was hurting him too, that I finally made it to bed to get some sleep. Kathleen had suggested we stay at Samson's house until Michel returned. I think she preferred the modern décor and lighter atmosphere too. If the Taupo house she and Matthew had looked after for Michel was anything to go by, they were used to large, airy and light-as-a-feather ambience. Not overly depressing and dreary Gothic chic.

A small part of me hoped Michel would find the time to visit me in my dreams, but reality was a great leveller. He was undercover, far away and no doubt fighting for his life. Any
mission
the Champion sent him on would be fraught with danger. He never told me much of what he had to do, but usually when he returned from some job the Champion had sent him on, he would be quiet and withdrawn for quite some time. It was a process we had to wade through every time he came home to London. I'd wait him out until he had sorted whatever it was he needed to sort in his head, and then he was mine again. Until she called him away.

Is it any wonder the Champion was at the top of my To Kill List?

Right up there with Sofiq. But Sofiq wasn't the be-all and end-all of fairy frustrations for me right now. No,
that
title belonged to Lutin. I ran my hand over my belly again and contemplated the thought that a child could be growing inside. If I was a regular human I would already know for certain. But as a Nosferatin, my body does not operate in a
normal
fashion. So, there was no monthly reveal to put my mind at rest. Which confused me. If I didn't go through a monthly cycle, then how the hell could I be pregnant at all?

I'm not the world's best biology student, but I do know a monthly cycle of some description is necessary in these types of things. But then, there's Aliath's statement.
It is Fey. Anything,
anything
, is possible.

And didn't that make it
impossible
to fall asleep.

I didn't feel any different. I wasn't sure when you would be physically aware of carrying a child. I hadn't been nauseous. Well, only when I hadn't Dream Walked to Avery for a few days, but that was easily explained away as part of the need to connect with my joined kindred Nosferatu. I hadn't had cravings as such. Well, coffee, but that was not out of the ordinary and I certainly hadn't had cravings for anything weird. Like chocolate coated gherkins. My stomach was flat.

I pulled my PJ top up and ran my hand over my flat stomach. I didn't want this to be even remotely possible, but for some inexplicable reason a part of me was waiting, anticipating - hoping? I shook my head and roughly pulled my top back down and curled up into a little ball, grabbing Michel's pillow and hugging it close. This was so fucked up! I'd felt ill earlier when Aliath had dropped the bomb. Lutin's child. The words made me suck in a breath of shocked air. I hated that fucking fairy. I despised everything he stood for. I feared him like I have feared no other.

So why, oh why, was I fixated with the thought that this might be the only chance I ever have of conceiving a child?

Guilt waged with revulsion, confusion fought with hope. If my life wasn't complicated enough, if I wasn't messed in the head enough, I had to contend with this. It only made me hate the Imp Prince more.

Aliath had to be wrong. I hoped. I feared. I was so damn confused.

I drifted off to sleep eventually, aware that Nataliya had snuck in the room on quiet feet. I had expected her, Sergei had been outside the door to my room since I came in here, close enough if needed, but allowing me a modicum of privacy. Nataliya would spend the day at my side. If Lutin appeared, there'd be little he could do with an alert level two
Sanguis Vitam
Master Vampire and a
Tego Texi Tectum
to boot.

Michel didn't visit my dreams. I
was
disappointed even though I knew I had no right to be. By the time I awoke - dishevelled and overly hot, wrapped up in my sheet and blanket with Michel's pillow wedged in the middle of it all - I had managed four hours sleep. Not enough, not nearly. And as two days had passed since I last saw Avery, a dull fatigue was added into the mix.

I did feel nauseous and although my heart sped up at the realisation of that, the intelligent part of my brain insisted it was because of lack of sleep, stress and the joining's needs. I groaned as I rolled over and spotted Nataliya curled up in a well padded armchair. Her eyes flicked open and she was in a fighting stance within one blink.

"Are you all right, mistress?" she asked, scanning the room with keen eyes.

"Crap sleep," I muttered. "How about you?"

She laughed a wry sound. "You talk in your sleep," was all she said though, before returning to her seat. I really wasn't sure if she was joking or not. Michel had never told me I talked in my sleep, but then he heard my thoughts, so maybe he wasn't even aware I was vocalising. And if I did talk in my sleep, what exactly did I say? I shook my head, I really didn't need to know and I was sure Nataliya could keep counsel.

I dragged myself into the bathroom and did all the morning things - or, at any rate, the just risen out of bed in the middle of the afternoon things. I surreptitiously avoided my belly whilst in the shower. I purposely didn't look at myself in the full length mirror. Head in the sand, that's me.

Sergei had replaced his sister when I came out fully dressed. They were a fine tuned tag-team security detail, that was for sure. I decided I should tell him.

"Hey, Sergei."

"Mistress."

"Thanks for keeping me safe. I don't know what I would do without you and Nataliya."

He blushed, not something I had seen him do before, and ducked his head down. But I noticed the smile that curved his lips

Kathleen was in the kitchen when we arrived downstairs, Matthew was missing, no doubt still asleep. Just as we exchanged greetings and I took a seat at the table, there was a knock on the door. Nataliya appeared out of nowhere, hair wet, clothes not quite straight. She had obviously been taking a shower, freshening up after a day curled in a chair, but as soon as a threat appeared, she was by her brother's side, ready to protect me. Sergei nodded to her and headed to the front door.

I heard Aliath's voice before I saw him and my stomach lurched automatically in response. Kathleen watched me keenly from beside the stove. It looked like pancakes were up for breakfast. I wasn't sure if I would be able to stomach anything, even fluffy blueberry pancakes, maple syrup and freshly whipped cream. I did try the fluffy coffee she placed before me, but it was more of a nervous gesture, than because of thirst.

Aliath strolled into the kitchen, looking much the same as last night. So I was guessing no fairy on fairy fist fight. The last time he came up against Lutin, he had been a little worse for wear. He confirmed my suspicions without waiting to be asked.

"I have not picked up his trail. I am tempted to bring in help, but it would require my fetching her and by then it could be too late." Her? I could only assume he had a female fairy he relied on for these things. "Still, it may be something to consider if I do not have something to go on by tonight."

Kathleen placed a plate full of pancakes in front of me, drizzled in syrup and coated in cream. Man, Michel would so not approve. I smiled at her and suddenly my appetite was back.

"Would you care for something to eat, Aliath?" Kathleen asked startling all of us, except the fairy, who took a seat and casually replied, "That would be splendid."

I stared at him for a moment, but he wouldn't meet my eyes. He hadn't thanked her, something fairies, particularly the
Dökkálfa,
did not do. To thank someone would be to place yourself in their debt. Which might have explained why he accepted the offer of a meal. Kathleen had inadvertently asked a question, another way of placing oneself in debt. Aliath was simply evening out the balance by agreeing to eat her food.

Which reminded me that I had asked questions last night, but I was guessing Aliath felt indebted to me, seeing as he was in charge of keeping Lutin imprisoned and the Imp Prince had escaped. Fairy politics, a tricky business. I took a deep breath in and resigned myself to be very careful with anything I asked.

After a few more silent moments, Aliath well into his plate of food, I thought I'd put that plan to the test.

"This prophesy you spoke of. Just because it exists does not mean it will be fulfilled."

Aliath took a slow bite of pancake and syrup off his fork and then carefully placed the utensil back on the plate. He raised his eyes to mine, vivid green swirls dancing in the depth of his, unable to catch me, - if that was even his intention, but I was more inclined to think not - because Sergei stood nearby. He smiled and nodded his head, letting me know he'd noticed the way I had formed the words. Not a question, just a statement. We were back on even footing, I had remembered how to play the fairy game. I only wished I'd remember how to play all the games I was subject to, then my life might not be so complicated.

"The Prophesy will come true, Princess. Soon. Our Oracles have decreed it so." He hesitated then, as though he was deciding something. "They believe the Prophesy to include you."

I rolled my eyes before I could stop myself. Wasn't it bad enough that I was part of one prophesy, the one pertaining to the Light being balanced by the Dark? And then Arthur had tried to tell me I was also part of
another
prophesy, this one pertaining to the Fey crossing into our world. How had that one gone?
Light and Dark are intertwined, never to be parted. Dark will call to our kind, Light has already started.
Honestly. How many times can a girl get caught up in this sort of crap?

Aliath's lips twitched at the corners, no doubt at my rolled eyes. "If it is any consolation, the Prophesy may not have been activated yet." I let a breath of air out at those words and then bit my bottom lip thinking, well when? And then he added, "Besides, the Oracles don't always get it right."

I lifted my eyes to his and caught the twitch of his lips again. He can't lie, so there had to be some element of truth to what he said, but I was betting he was hiding something. And having a laugh at my expense. Maybe there was some Light Fey in the Dark Fairy Prince, if he was enjoying causing a bit of mischief and mayhem right now.

I hadn’t had my fears allayed, I still didn't know what to believe, so I just shook my head and continued with my meal. The longer I spent apart from Avery, the more important food was. And a small part of me whispered,
a baby would need food too.

I felt shocked at those words. Maybe it was my inner monologue, maybe it was my conscience. Maybe it was just a part of me that is all woman. The part that had wept and wept when I found out I was a Nosferatin and what that would entail - what I would never experience or have.

I swallowed my last mouthful painfully past a dry throat and washed the lump down with my coffee. There was no point sitting here wondering what was or could be. Logic said I wasn't pregnant. Nothing on my body had led me to believe this could be true. I'd ignore the inner longing and concentrate on what I had to do. To survive. To improve Nosferatin relations. To assimilate into London life.

First on the agenda was Marie. I pulled my phone out and sent her a text, asking where she wanted to train. Aliath didn't seem to have anything else to advise us, I think his coming here was a courtesy to me. Or maybe he thought he might be able to sniff Lutin out while he was here. But whatever reason, he stood after his meal, told Kathleen it was excellent and then turned to leave. Before he made it out of the kitchen door, he stopped and turned to look at me.

"You are more involved in the Fey world than you could possibly ever know, Princess. Regardless of the Prophesy." I had no idea what he was saying and right then, I thought it best not to ask. "Have you still got the gem I gave you?" he asked.

I fished the yellow jewel out of my pocket. Without even realising it, I always made sure it was on me and within easy reach. Aliath looked impressed that I had it with me, then quickly quite smug. The rough gem shone brightly in the lights of the room, the yellow so intense it couldn't possibly exist in this realm. Which, of course, only made you realise how special this little stone was. An
Álfheimr
talisman, this one designed to call Aliath to me should I need his help. An unusual gift and one that said more about the
Dökkálfa
Grey Lord than it did me.

"Use it, should the
Ljósálfar
Prince come calling, and I will be right there." With those words Aliath turned on his heel and glided out the door. Sergei followed behind, no doubt to ensure he left, leaving a silent Nataliya, Kathleen and myself to contemplate just
what
would happen if,
when
, the Imp Prince finally arrived.

Not for the first time since I woke, I wished Michel was here.

Marie turned up right on dusk. As it was a fine night under the stars we decided to train out in the walled back yard. Samson had a large deck off the kitchen area, with steps down onto the lawn. A few bushes edged the area, but otherwise the space was unhindered, ideal for spin fighting practice. Marie went through her warm up routine and performed the movements with moderate skill. She was actually doing better than I had remembered. I wondered if that was because I had started to climb out of my funk, at least as far as the Nosferatins were concerned. I still hadn't spoken to Arthur about his ultimatum, but part of me was sure he would be happy to let it go. As long as I played by the rules, kept my head down and acted as part of the
team
. I hadn't decided if I was in fact a team player yet, but I had decided to not turn my back on Marie, London and the Norms who resided here.