Pride X Familiar ReVamp (Pride X ReVamp Book 1) (41 page)

I turned to face them properly, and looked at all three of my comrades in succession.

“Gentlemen, I can recognize a trap when I see one. They baited me, they thought they could trap us, and they failed. Silia grossly underestimated us. She had three months to prepare and this was all she could achieve. It hardly befits her rank as Field Commander in Public Security.”

Sunaj took a step toward me. “That wasn’t a Public Security Section crew we faced at the Academy. Those were kids still learning how to use their Fragments. You don’t find it odd we didn’t run into Silia’s crew, The Coven?”

I eyed him flatly. “I find it fortunate, and so should you.”

“Mistress, that’s not what I meant.”

I hardened my stare and replied testily, “I don’t care what you meant. With the Black Camellia in my possession, Crimson Crescent is again one step closer to operating the Titan.”

Rylan nodded very, very lightly. “And what about your brother? He has a Kaiser, doesn’t he?”

“And what if he does. He can barely summon both Gauntlets, let alone the rest of the Kaiser.”

Sunaj narrowed his eyes at me. “The records state that those who came to possess Warlords during the War of Supremacy, were once in possession of Kaisers and Valkyries. It said they were the only ones compatible with a Warlord.”

“What’s your point?”

“The Primogens may choose to bond him with a Warlord. What do we do then?”

I shrugged. “My brother is my concern. Not yours. Should he bond with a Warlord, then what could you possibly do about it? What could
any
of you do?”

I looked at them, waited for answer, and received none, which was to be expected.

I nodded. “Exactly. With the Fragments and Artifacts you have, there is nothing you can do to stop a Warlord. Even the Kaiser’s Blessing would be outmatched. That’s precisely why it’s called a Warlord. It should really be called a War God.” Before turning away, I added, “You’ve trusted me this far. Won’t you trust me a little longer?”

I resumed walking toward
Induran
’s bridge.

I didn’t wait for their replies.

Words were meaningless. I wanted their answers expressed by actions, and not words.

Show me your trust, and I’ll show you my resolve.

Sleep would come soon enough, but for now there were still matters to address. I needed to be apprised of the ship’s condition. The trans-light drive was sure to have taken a pounding when
Induran
used trans-space to tunnel through Island Three’s mass shadow and broke into the habitat.

Afterwards, I needed to visit the ship’s Core and spend some time with her.

I needed to thank her for everything she’d done for us.

It wasn’t until much later, when I was alone and lying on my bunk, that I thought of Caelum and considered Sunaj’s opinions.

Caelum had manifested both shield-blades of his Artifact.

How much longer before he fully summoned the Kaiser’s Blessing?

How much longer before he bonded with a Warlord of his own?

When I presented the Black Camellia to the Primogens, some twenty odd months ago, they had expressed fear of the Warlord’s power, and ordered me to put it away. Yet I suspected they already had one in their possession, though I didn’t know if anyone was bonded to it. I had tried to find out if my suspicions were true, and again I feared that maybe my actions had tipped the Sanctum’s hand, already heavy with the responsibility of ordering the purge, and forcing them to accuse me of treason.

Was the Purge nothing more than a smokescreen for the Sanctum to target me?

If so, why had I gone from an asset to a liability? Had my efforts to determine the truth about the Warlords set off alarms within the Sanctum?

Or was it because I was looking for another truth?

I just didn’t know.

Perhaps I was overestimating my role in the debacle.

More than nineteen months had passed since I fled Pharos, and I was still no closer to an answer. Part of me suspected that Crimson Crescent had leaked false information to the Sanctum, which led them to believe my allegiance was in serious doubt. But again, nineteen months on and I had no proof, only suspicions. Those suspicions had grown stronger when I learnt of the Titan. That said, I didn’t trust Carlisle Crescent, but for now I had no choice but to do his bidding while following my own agenda when possible.

I rolled onto my back and stared up at the dark metal ceiling.

I knew the Lanfears were hiding an impressive collection of Artifacts and Fragments so it was possible they possessed a Warlord. They had chosen not to participate in the construction of the Vault chamber under the school some twenty years ago. Surely, they were hiding something special from the other Prides. They were always a crafty, secretive bunch. It was no wonder the other Prides were wary of them.

Arisa Imreh Lanfear, the girl who held Caelum’s leash – that girl had grown up much too quickly. Inevitably, I was going to have to deal with her.

Caelum….

I wondered if next time we met, I would kill him properly, rather than leave him to die.

I stretched a hand out to the dark ceiling.

I thought I’d rid myself of my humanity, but for one moment, as that girl cried on her hands and knees, and pleaded for his life – for one moment I was once more Celica Desanto, sister to Caelum Desanto, and in that moment of weakness I gave that girl the means to save him.

It was just one moment in time, and I swore I would never succumb to that weakness again.

In order to defeat the Sanctum, the Primogens, and Silia Alucard, I needed to be more of a monster.

There was no place in my heart for compassion toward my enemies.

And that included Caelum, who had chosen to be my enemy.

#

(Silia)

Seven faces, seven Primogens, looked at me, though one was conspicuously absent – the Lanfear Primogen, Yolanda Imreh Lanfear.

The seven Primogens were holovid representations, yet their displeasure was palpable as they stood before my desk.

They might as well have been physically standing in my office.

The holovid images were nearly perfect.

Xavier Augustine Avenir spoke in a measured, almost clipped tone. “I don’t recall this being the outcome you promised us, Field Commander Alucard.”

I replied as smoothly as my anger allowed me to. “No sir, it wasn’t.”

“An expensive habitat within Island Three has been damaged. A premier academy for our students was partially wrecked and is now closed for repairs. Military equipment destroyed, and dozens upon dozens of lives lost, all of them men and women under your command—a command granted unto you by the Sanctum. And we approved that command because they vouched for you.”

“Yes…sir.”

“The Sanctum supported you despite the fact you failed to terminate Desanto nineteen months ago.”

“Yes…sir….”

“And putting a lid on the situation is now impossible. The name Crimson Crescent is on everyone’s lips. The media, the news, the Nexus—it’s all anyone is talking about. And of course they’re demanding action. The people are demanding we bring Crimson Crescent to justice.”

“Yes, sir.”

“And Celica Desanto is still free, and now in possession of the Artifact known as the Black Camellia. Do you have any idea how much of a threat she now poses to the Prides—and not just here in Pharos but across the colonized star systems?”

I clenched my teeth for a heartbeat. “I do indeed, sir.”

“Were you aware of the threat ‘before’ you decided to bait her by dangling the Warlord before her nose?”

I chose not to answer, which agitated him even more.

“It’s clearly apparent that Desanto is one step ahead of you. You taught her, you trained her, you created that monster, and to top it all you failed to dispose of her.”

I stood up slowly then leaned over my desk, supporting my weight on my arms.

I met Xavier’s anger with an iron hard glare as I spoke.

“The Black Camellia was useless to us inside the Vault. We had no way of getting it out of there because there was no way for us to link the Warlord with another Regalia, and not without killing Desanto.”

Xavier’s holoimage took a step closer. “It might have been useless but it was out of Crescent’s hands. Now it’s back in their possession. This is the worst outcome.”

I punched the desk. “We would have succeeded if you hadn’t countermanded my order.”

“You’re holding me responsible?”

“Yes! Why did you recall the Avienda? Only a Warlord can face another Warlord.”

He looked aghast. “Can you imagine the damage to the habitat if both monsters faced each other?”

“Celica Desanto had little experience piloting the Black Camellia. Compared to the Avienda’s pilot she was a complete novice. The Avienda could have easily subdued the Camellia with minimal damage to the habitat.” I hit the table again. “She could have done it with her eyes closed!”

Xavier roared, “Don’t raise your voice at me!”

I yelled back, “Then answer the question—why did you recall the Avienda?”

“That is an Avenir matter, not a Raynar one.”

A deep male voice cut in. “Actually, we’d all like to hear an answer, Xavier.”

I glanced at Conrad Khayman Sora. The tall, lithely built man with a neatly trimmed goatee stared down Xavier. “Answer her question. Why did you recall the Warlord at the last minute?”

“As I said, that’s an Avenir matter—”

“Xavier, is there a problem with the Warlord Avienda?” implored Evelyn Isola Lorian. “Is there something you’re not telling us?”

Conrad Khayman crossed his arms. “You get the opportunity to answer now, or before a formal Council seating. What shall it be?”

“Are you questioning my position as Council Leader?”

Conrad nodded. “Absolutely. This fiasco might have been averted had you not interfered.”

Xavier noticed the looks he was receiving from the other Primogens – displeased looks, and a distinct lack of support. He stood tall and puffed out his chest. “The Avienda is our only link to the Titan. I deemed the risk of damaging it unacceptable.”

I straightened behind my desk. “You’ve given Celica Desanto the time she needs to learn to operate the Black Camellia properly. Now if those two face each other, it won’t necessarily be a one sided contest.”

“The Titan is more important,” Xavier insisted loudly.

The tall and gaunt, Byron Thadius Fenrir, voiced his opinion. “Perhaps. However, I don’t believe there is anyone here that doesn’t question your judgment, Xavier.”

“Question? Question me?”

I watched the mood continue to swing against Xavier. It was clearly a concerted reaction against him.

This was unexpected, though I’d hoped for it.

Byron said, “While it is true the plan failed, we cannot fault the Field Commander since you delivered the coup de grace to her operation by withdrawing vital support at a critical time. In other words, you pulled the rug out from under her feet.”

Xavier’s chest deflated a little. “My judgment was sound.”

Byron arched an eyebrow. “Shall we vote on that?”

I thought Xavier’s eyes would jump out of their sockets. “What?”

Byron looked at his fellow Primogens. “I propose a vote.”

“I protest,” Xavier said, “and that is my right as Council Leader.”

Conrad was eyeing Xavier distastefully. “Indeed it is. We’ll need to arrange for a council meeting and follow protocol.”

Byron shook his head while smiling faintly. “There’s hardly a need for that. Surely Xavier wishes to avoid all his dirty laundry being aired.”

Conrad looked at Byron, while Xavier’s face darkened.

Byron kept his attention on Xavier. “Oh, perhaps the good Primogen Augustine has something he wishes to tell us about the Avienda’s Khan.”

Evelyn asked, “Its Khan? You mean its pilot?”

“Yes. A Warlord is operated by a Khan, an individual blessed with a Regalia.” Byron focused on Xavier again. “Well, Augustine?”

Xavier grew deadly still. He didn’t even blink. For a moment I thought the holoimage had locked up, but then he clenched his hands.

“What do you want, Byron?”

“Hand the Avienda and its Khan to the Raynar Pride.”

I thought Xavier was going to cough up blood.

A look of intense agony washed across his face. When he partly recovered, he shook his head just once. “No. The Avienda is Avenir property, as is its pilot, and its Regalia.”

“It is clear that you don’t know how to employ it,” Byron continued smoothly. “It should be left in better hands.”

Conrad looked thoughtful. “No. That’s asking for too much.”

I raised a hand. “Then may I propose a compromise.”

Seven Primogens faced me, including Xavier.

I swallowed and said in a confident tone, “There is another candidate for a Warlord.”