Giver of Light (32 page)

I knew what I wanted to do then, I knew it with a certainty that rocked me to my core. I even let my Light build within me, shaped it, moulded it, held with such care. I let him see my intention, but I held it back at the last second, conscious still, despite the moment, of how very much I wanted him to have more than just me to come home to, more than just survival to consider, but the promise of something he had wanted so fiercely for so very long. My mark. My
Sigillum
.

“Come back to me and it is yours,” I whispered against his cheek, then let the Light wash around us, wrapping him in my love and promise and showering us in my desire and passion and need.

He started murmuring words in French, too fast, too hurried for me to translate, too emotional to stop his accent from seeping through. I didn't care, I didn't need to know the exact words or phrases he uttered against me, I felt what he meant through his touch and care and movements. I felt what he meant through the glorious wave of heat he took us up and finally, after such attention and restraint and beautiful, beautiful emotion, over, in a burst of complete and resounding bliss, wrenching a gasp from my lips and a softly whispered, but extremely uneven, “Michel!”

We lay still for several minutes, neither of us able to pull away from the embrace, from the moment. His body still lying so carefully over mine, between my legs, inside me. Our breathing in time with each other, our heartbeats synchronised, our souls truly as one.

Finally, Michel whispered against my neck, in a very masculine sounding voice, full of amusement, happiness and vindication.

“Now
that
is a tone I can accept.”

I smiled, thinking how very typical, he hadn't needed a shout or a scream. He hadn't even needed the titillating thought that others may hear me, he just needed me to let go, to give in to the moment, to express in some fashion, what he does to me. The effect he has on my body, heart and mind.

It really wasn't that difficult to give him, was it?

“
Je t'aime, ma douce. Je t'aime si tres, tres beaucoup.
”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat and whispered back, “I love you too.”

We stayed wrapped in each others arms, just kissing and cuddling for the remainder of the trip. When the lights of the city began to invade our little sanctuary Michel reluctantly retrieved our clothes from the front of the vehicle and we dressed; silently, slowly, a little sadly. Neither of us wanted this time together to end.

But it had to. And as the bright lights of Auckland International Airport streamed in through the windows of our car, reality hit and my stomach flipped and my hands started wringing in my lap. Michel reached over silently and took hold of them in his, softly rubbing the back of them, but unable to voice what he was thinking or feeling, just like me.

The car pulled up in front of his private jet and the hangar it was usually tucked up in, the fuel truck rumbling away and the pilots doing their pre-flight external checks. Michel's guard got out of the car and stood by the door, but didn't open it, just stood there taking in the scene before him, watching for threats and no doubt communicating with the rest of Michel's line already on board and standing out around the brightly lit area. I noticed my BMW off to the side - so Erika had made it, although I couldn't see her anywhere to wish her well or goodbye.

“I must go,
ma douce,
” Michel said softly, lifting my hand to his lips for a lingering kiss. “You do not have to wait for the plane to leave, I can walk you to your car and you can just drive away, if it is easier.”

It would have been, I think. Still painful, but easier than watching him board that bloody machine and see the doors slam shut, so tightly, so finally and watch that sleek jet taxi out on the runway and then lift off into the sky, defying gravity and all reason. It would have been a hell of a lot easier, but I couldn't. I couldn't be the one to leave.

I shook my head and managed a small smile.

His lips twisted. “My brave, brave girl.”

The door opened, no doubt from a telepathic command from Michel to Dennis and he led the way out into the night. His vamps becoming immediately alert, some of them gliding on to the plane, some remaining scattered about for his protection. Marcus and Matthias flashing over to the Land Rover, I was guessing they would be following me home.

I looked a little rumpled, I was sure of it, but Michel just looked like Michel. He reached in and grabbed his jacket and tie from the rear of the car, slipping his arms in the sleeves and hanging the tie around his neck. His shirt not completely buttoned up, some of his glorious cream coloured chest peeking out at the top. He looked well sated and relaxed and extremely sexy.

As much as I was determined to stay and watch him leave, there was no way in hell I could walk him to those stairs. He knew, so just pulled me into one last embrace, one last long, deep kiss and then spun and left without another word. What else was there to say?

They didn't muck around once he was on board, God knows if they had clearance to taxi out yet, but Michel would have commanded the pilots to move regardless, for me, probably even for him. The plane slid smoothly along the tarmac, off into the distance and within less than two minutes had left the ground. I stifled an almost hysterical laugh at the thought that the commercial flights all gave way to the Master of the City and then slowly slid down the side of the Land Rover, to land in an undignified heap on the ground.

My
M & M
buddies didn't say a word, just stood by in formation, backs to me, fronts facing any threats and let me have my moment of utter loss alone.

Five minutes later and I was done. I stood up and brushed myself down - useless, I still looked like a woman who'd had way too much sex in the back of a car - and cleared my throat.

“I'm going for a drive.”

They just nodded, Matthias walking beside me to my car, Marcus starting the Land Rover. Then once I slipped in to the familiar seat and brought the engine to life, Matthias flashed away and they followed me out of the airport.

I had no idea where I would head or what distance I would travel, but after making it as far as Orewa, just North of Auckland and realising I still had a couple of vamps faithfully following behind some distance, regardless of the approaching sun, I did an illegal U-Turn and high tailed it home.

It was time to face the music, or at the very least, the impossibly long and painful wait for news.

Oh God, I missed him so much.

The house was quiet, really quiet. No Erika. No Michel. Only the two personal guards who flashed in the door behind me, beating the first of the sun's rays. And hopefully somewhere Amisi. Oh, and Samson. I could feel Samson downstairs, not like I sense vamps normally, more of an awareness, a connection I still wasn't quite used to. When I tested that connection, I got a surprising answer back, kind of like an acknowledgement of my tug on the line that spread between me and my vampire. Freaky.

I shook it off and said good night to Marcus and Matthias, who looked like they could do with a breather, the race against the light along Tamaki Drive having frayed the last of their nerves and then I went in search of Amisi. I could certainly do with a friend.

I found her in the office, on-line, using Michel's computer. He wouldn't have minded, it was more of a communal computer anyway, we all tended to use it.

“Hey,” I said and threw myself into the chair opposite the desk.

“Hey, yourself. How'd it go?” She sat back and ignored what was on her screen, giving me her full attention. That was Amisi, she always made you feel like you were the most important person in her world, regardless of any interruption you might have caused.

“Mum and dad freaked, then got won over by Michel's superior parent wrangling skills and I found out a bit more about my biological parents and came away feeling pretty centred.” I paused, gathering myself. “And now I need a distraction.” It was the best I could do. I just couldn't put into words the loss I was feeling having just watched Michel leave - and truth be told, I really thought the best approach was to just ignore it altogether and get on with day to day life. At least until we started getting reports back from America.

“
I understand,” she said, switching the computer off. “I was just catching
Citysider
up on what was happening. There's not much he can do from where he is, but his kindred has offered support if it's needed. Michel seemed to think it wasn't.”

I agreed, from what Michel had said, he had the numbers, it was just a matter of handling whatever tricks Jonathan threw their way.

Amisi shifted in her seat and suddenly looked a little uncomfortable. I had a bad feeling she was about to drop a bomb. It never rains but it pours, that's for sure.

“OK. Spit it out,” I demanded, crossing my arms over my chest in preparation. She really did look uncomfortable.

“Gregor phoned.”

“He didn't go to America with the others?” I'd just assumed all the first level masters had gone. Enrique and Alessandra had definitely gone, as had Michel of course.

“No, he stayed behind so there was a Master of the City in New Zealand. A safeguard, I think. He and Michel must have planned it that way.”

It made sense, like the American Families, Michel and Gregor wouldn't want to throw everything into the call to arms, leaving a core contingency here for protection of their territories was a prudent move. And it's not like Michel could have stayed behind, the call to arms was directed towards him.

“Yeah, so he's still in Wellington and he's got a bit of a problem. There's been an influx of rogue vamps, three Norms so far have been killed, he fears there's going to be more.”

Shit, that wasn't good. Amisi had been going down to Wellington at least once a week, for there to have been that many attacks since her last visit was unheard of. It needed investigation and it needed a Nosferatin.

“You gotta go,” I said, making it easier on her. She had no choice, she had to go when Gregor asked, she was officially his city's Nosferatin, despite living with me here in Auckland. Her staying was only a temporary measure, as soon as the Prophesy was fulfilled, she'd be gone for good.

“I'm sorry. I know you need me right now. I wish I didn't have to go.”

I held my hand up to stop her. Yeah, I needed a friend, but we also had responsibilities and maybe it was for the best. I'd probably lean on her too much if she was here, now I'll just have to get my mojo on and deal with the separation by myself. The power of one.

“Nah. It's all right, Amisi. You have to go and I'll be fine. When do you leave?”

“I'm heading out to the airport now. Gregor's jet has just returned from dropping off some of his line in America and swung by here to pick me up on the way down the line. It's either hitch a lift with them or go Air New Zealand domestic. I'm kind of strapped for cash right now.”

Hell, I hadn't even thought about that. I was no longer pulling a salary from the bank, having taken extended leave, but I did have a little bit tucked away. Amisi, on the other hand, had never had a job and although her parents sent her money, I knew it wasn't much. Both she and I had been living a fair bit off Michel's good grace, not that he would have had it any other way. Still, I think Amisi was of the same mind as me. As soon as this Prophesy shit was over, we were both going out to work.

“You need anything?” I asked, knowing she wouldn't take money, but maybe there was something I could help her with.

“Nah. Gregor's putting me up, I get a free flight, I think I'm set.”

“You're staying with Gregor?” Now that would have been entertaining to watch.

She gave me a good hard glare. “Purely professional.”

“If you say so,” I said, getting up from my chair and dodging the pen she threw at my head just in time. “Hey! I'm just saying.”

“Whatever!” She retorted, but I could see the smile. She was amping to get down to Wellington, I could tell.

I let her off lightly though, with just a few taunts before she headed out the door. She'd called a cab before I had made it home, not sure if I was going to make it in time, so refused my offer of a lift. That meant, within half an hour of getting back in the house I was, in essence, alone.

Marcus and Matthias and Samson, all out for the count, or as much as vampires do during daylight hours and I was left to rumble about the house in silence. After a few rounds of pacing, unable to settle enough for a sleep, I opted for a workout in the gym downstairs. No point wasting the day away.

An hour and a half later, covered in sweat and just winding down on the treadmill, Samson walked in.

“Mistress,” he acknowledged quietly, standing just inside the doorway, a little uncertain, I think, of how to proceed.

I switched the treadmill off and grabbed my towel to wipe away some sweat.

“You know, you can call me Luce.”

He looked at me for a moment and then nodded. I was kind of relieved. I thought he might argue with me on that, vampires tend to like hierarchy and formalities, but at least this meant he had some self respect as well. I
so
did not want a hanger-on with confidence issues. I had enough of those on my own.

“Do you like coffee?” I asked, throwing the towel in the hamper for the house cleaner.

“Yes, I do.”

“
Follow me then. We have the King of coffee machines upstairs. Let's go have a cuppa.”

It was actually not nearly as uncomfortable as I had thought it would be. Samson took half a cup of Long Black a la Lucinda style to unwind and finally we were into a more casual form of communicating. He was still a little formal, but I was guessing that was just all him. He was about 150 years old, meaning he grew up in Victorian London, some things are hard to change. I got the impression that Samson would open doors and rush to the aid of all women at the drop of a hat.

But then again, his previous existence since being turned had not been a bed of roses, nor had he been the gentleman vampire. With all that Dark, I could see why.

“Do you want to go back to London?” I asked, making a second coffee for us both.

“I would like to return one day. I have a debt to pay.”

I raised my eyebrows in a question, but he purposely avoided eye contact. Okaay. Personal issue, I could relate.

“Do you need to go back now?” I'd be happy to let him go, it's not like I wanted to be his keeper. We could remain in touch, but he's a big boy. I didn't want him to feel tied to me like a slave.

“I would prefer to stay here and be of assistance.”

“You don't have to, you know. You can come and go as you please, as long as you don't get into any mischief that's going to come back and bite me on the arse, I'm happy for you to do whatever pleases.”

He watched me finish off the coffees for a moment and when I pushed his second Long Black towards him he nodded, slowly. “That is kind. But for now I will stay.”

“Because you think I'm not strong, just like Shane said?” I did not want this vampire to think I couldn't handle myself. He might have been in my line now, but I still didn't know him from Jack. Michel had said that it would be impossible for him to harm me, his sole goal would be to please and protect. I kind of understood what he was saying, but truthfully, I still didn't really get it. It was all bit too mystical and magical to make sense.

“Not at all. I know you are the strongest Nosferatin in the world and I am honoured to have joined your line. I thank you for rescuing me. I stay because I want to.” He paused and looked around the room as if seeking divine inspiration or guidance. Finally he must have organised his thoughts enough, because he added, “I feel at peace when I am near you.”

All right then. Good to know.

“OK. You are welcome to stay as long as you like, but it's your life, you don't serve me. Obviously you have to answer to me, but only in so much as your actions reflect on me. You are welcome to spend your hours as you please within Michel's guidelines for the city.”

“I understand,” he replied, still a little formally. “I will seek a role within Michel's business structure. I may have skills that suit his need.”

I liked that idea. A vampire who wanted to make himself useful. I also liked how comfortable I was beginning to feel around Samson, even though his language was still stilted, I could see he was completely at ease too. In a short amount of time we had formed, if not a friendship, a bond.

“Sounds good to me. Now I gotta get some sleep.” All this talking had finally worn me out. The coffee didn't do it. The exercise didn't do it. But talking to my first vampire
child
wore the shit out of me. Not because it had been hard, but just because it was so new.

I trundled off to the shower in our ensuite bathroom with thoughts of vampire lines and the responsibilities of heads of those families ringing through my mind. No matter which way I looked at it, my life had turned upside down. But, like Michel had said, it wasn't that bad. Sure I was having to open my door and to a certain extent my heart, to these strange vampires – even though there had only been Samson so far, I knew there would be more – but, their connection to me made it seem so much easier. I wanted Samson to be happy and safe and feel welcome and not bound to me like a servant, but content enough to stay for his own reasons.

I knew it would take time to get to know him and any others that came my way, but for some strange reason it didn't seem so hard. Not a mammoth task after all.

I have never been one to have lots of friends around me, I spent my younger years occupying myself on the farm with the lambs for mates. And as a teenager, I had a few girlfriends and later even a couple of boyfriends, but never a bevy of chums surrounding me at any one time. I had thought that was just the way I was, a bit of a loner. But, I'm not so sure now. I have a lot of vampire friends. A lot of Nosferatin friends too. Even a couple of ghouls. And I was once very close to the local Taniwha Hapū. All of which I befriended with ease. I was beginning to see that my lack of friends as a youngster had nothing to do with any inability to connect with another person, but more my natural instinct to avoid Norms at all costs.

With Samson, I understood him. I felt connected to him, not just because we shared a Master/Vampire Bond, but because he was a part of my world. A world that was not normal, nor was it full of normal people. It was different and supernatural and hey, just fine by me.

I had long ago felt like I had come home when I was near Michel. Even before we joined, I felt at ease. Sure, I was still crazy scared of his fangs and his power, but inside, deep down, I was home. Samson, somehow, gave me that sense too.

I crawled under the covers of the bed, pulling Michel's pillow in close to hug and smell. I felt a little sad and lonely, I missed him, like a hole in my heart, but I also felt OK. I could feel Samson downstairs and that connection to someone so a part of me settled my stomach and pulled me back down to Earth. I hadn't expected to be able to draw on Samson so closely. I tried not to analyse it too much and just accept that right now with Michel gone, it was a lifeline I could use.

Surprisingly, or not, it didn't take long for me to drift off to sleep and I'm sure I would have slept the rest of the day away and all of the night, but despite my heavy lids my stomach had other thoughts.

At 7pm, just a half hour before sunset, I woke to a loud grumble. The realisation that Amisi wouldn't be in the kitchen fixing me a delectable treat had me rolling over to try for a few more minutes slumber, but nothing worked to stem the noise. So, washing my face and teeth and quickly dressing in my normal hunter gear, I fled downstairs to whip something up.