But Rex nodded. “You did what was necessary.”

“I do not need your approval, werepuma, but yes, I did.” Lannan looked over at me, his eyes no longer filled with sensual fire but instead aloof and determined. “He betrayed Geoffrey. He would have betrayed us.”

Unfortunately, he was right. We could never have trusted Erik not to give us away. Instead of letting the horror of the situation paralyze me, I chose to focus on what we’d learned.

“What’s Inley? And who is Icarus?”

Lannan wiped his hands on a handkerchief and turned, Erik forgotten. “Inley is an underground club for vampires and fang hags. Icarus is the vampire who runs it. It is not a place to enter without an escort if you are still breathing.” He cocked his head to one side. “I am not surprised Icarus is hiding Geoffrey. He always did have a streak of rebellion in him.”

“As Regent, can’t you demand he hand over Geoffrey?” Peyton startled us all. She seldom spoke to Lannan, and it was obvious she disdained the vampire.

Lannan swung to look at her. “Astute but not well versed in the ways of vampire politics. Trust me, if I were to walk in there demanding he give me Geoffrey, it would be as if the former Regent never existed. There would be no evidence that he had ever set foot in the place. No, we’ll have to plan this very carefully, especially since Icarus technically isn’t doing anything against the Crimson Court’s edict. Pity I can’t go in disguise with you as my bloodwhore.”

My stomach lurched. “Me?”

“Yes, you. I think I’d rather enjoy that little scenario. You all decked out in skin-tight PVC, looking oh so afraid.” Lannan flashed me a nasty look. Damn him, he was doing his best to pay me back for…for whatever slight he thought I’d given him this time.

I shuddered. “I’d rather think of another idea, thanks.”

“If I chose to do this, you would be obligated to join me. Your contract belongs to me.” His eyes gleamed and he leaned back. Cat and mouse. And I was the mouse. “But are you a good enough actress to play the part? Unless I put you under a compulsion…” His voice snaked over the words and I stumbled back.

“No!” I could feel Grieve stir, turning on Lannan. I had to diffuse the situation. Having both of them under the same roof meant we were living in a powder keg.

I stopped as he slapped his thigh and started to laugh. I wasn’t sure whether that was more disconcerting than when he was being all slinky-feely. “No? More’s the pity. But I thought that would be your answer. It was amusing enough to watch your face. No, I believe we will deal with Geoffrey in a different way. However, tomorrow you will all move into Geoffrey’s mansion—mine now—with me. And that is an order.”

“Are you insane?” Kaylin leaped to his feet. “We’re safe here.”

“Really? You were almost taken out by day-runners this morning who had very nasty weapons that go boom. How much safer can you be than in a mansion filled with vampires?”

I wanted to protest, but he had a point. A valid one. Arguing was useless. I turned to the others. “I don’t like it, but he’s probably right. But it will have to be in a couple of days. We go into the woods tomorrow.” I drew my shoulders back. After tomorrow maybe we wouldn’t be relying on Lannan as much. If we could find the heartstone, then Lainule would be restored and we’d have her back on our side.

Lannan held my gaze, then inclined his head. “As you wish. But yes, you will move in with me. Even your cur of a boyfriend.”

Grieve folded his arms. “Altos, I warn you: Cicely is mine. I am fighting against my nature, but if you push me, I’ll let the Shadow Hunter inside me loose. And I could wipe the floor with you and swallow the shreds. I’ve been biding my time, but now I will speak. I cannot prevent you from tormenting her. Not yet. But touch her unwilling and I will have your heart on a plate for lunch.”

Lannan’s nostrils flared and at first I expected him to laugh, but his expression grew hard and he tensed. “Wounded, broken, and yet you challenge me. How very noble. How very dangerous.”

“Broken, I may be, but I am quite able to fight, able to kill, and more than willing to do either if the circumstances arise. You know my nature—if I unleash it, you would stand no chance. Trust me, Altos, it is you who are in danger. I have remained in the background, too aware of how easily I can be goaded into the violence that lurks inside of me. But one touch—if you touch any of these women when they say no—I will rip your heart out and revel in doing so.”

I stared at Grieve, my heart racing. He seemed taller, stronger, and I had the feeling something was changing with him. He turned to me, holding out his arm, and I slid into his embrace.

“My love, we must coexist.” I turned to Lannan. “It’s bad enough that we’re battling Myst, but this infighting is going to kill us faster than she will. You know I’m in love with Grieve. You know you won’t ever willingly have me. Yet you persist in baiting us.” I was exhausted, too tired to think straight anymore.

Grieve reached for me, but I motioned him back. “Enough. Lannan, please, I’m swallowing my pride here. Please just let it be. You’ll have your blood tithe every month—I stand by my word and my promise on the contract. But for the sake of sanity, give us a break.” I glanced back at Grieve. “And you, my love, I ask the same…I love that you want to protect me, but right now all our lives are up for grabs.”

Lannan’s expression was cold, but after a moment, he said, “I offer the safety of my mansion. I will not require it of the rest of you, but truly, Cicely, you should take refuge with me. You’ll be safer there. Geoffrey is not likely to let this affront go without looking for a scapegoat and no doubt, you—as well as I—will be the main targets of his animosity.”

He glanced at the others, turned, and headed toward the door. “I must return to the mansion to sort out the mess Geoffrey left in his flight.” He paused, looking back, and for a moment, a look of regret swept over his face. “I do not wish to be Regent, but what the Crimson Queen decrees, I shall obey. My sister will send for your things tomorrow night, Cicely. If the rest of you choose not to accept my offer, so be it. But for Cicely, it is an order—as per your contract. You will check in by nine tomorrow night.” And with that, he vanished out the door.

I stared at the others. “So, Lannan is now Regent, Geoffrey and Leo are in cahoots and out to get us. As much as I hate to admit it, Lannan is right. We’d be safer in the mansion. At least from Myst.”

Grieve cleared his throat and I expected him to argue but he merely said, “The vampires can protect us better than we can protect ourselves in this place. It’s been a good hideout, but we need a true headquarters.”

I crooked my elbow around his. “We’ll go. But first…I have to see if we can find Lainule’s heartstone. If we can, that may change everything. This is not a stable game, built on foundations and rules. The stakes are ever-changing and we have to be as flexible as a reed in the wind.”

My father, who had insisted on staying with me, even though I told him to go to Lainule’s side, nodded. “If you stay in the mansion, I will return to Lainule’s side. Truthfully, that is where I belong. But I cannot leave you unattended here.”

It hurt to think he was taking himself away from Lainule just in order to protect me. “I’ll go. You belong by her side.”

Rhiannon stood. “It’s late. We’ve all had a long, hard day. Let’s get some sleep. If we’re headed out to find the heartstone tomorrow, we’ll need all the rest we can get.”

“So you will come?” I gazed up at her, marveling at the quiet strength she’d been showing through all of this.

“Of course. Remember? We’re fire and ice, amber and jet. We’re cousin-twins. Where you go, so will I.” And with that, she headed toward the bedroom. Chatter watched her, wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Peyton, Luna, and I stood, and after murmuring quiet “good nights,” we followed her. The night winds howled outside the warehouse, and I closed my eyes, wondering just what the hell we were heading into tomorrow.

Whatever lay ahead of us couldn’t be much worse than what we’d already been through. And maybe, just maybe, we’d be back on the offensive again instead of playing with a wounded defense.

Chapter 9

At first light, when we were sure the light-rage had hit and driven all but the most resilient of the Vampiric Fae into a comatose stupor, it was time to head out. Everyone volunteered to go, but we couldn’t all go traipsing through the woods. Too many bodies attracted too much attention.

“Rhiannon, Chatter, Grieve. You come with me. Also…Kaylin. Peyton, you and Rex and Luna gather our things so we can move into Lannan’s mansion.” Before there could be any protests, I held up my hand. “I know, but we’re going. I have to and I’m not going alone.”

I so did not want to live under Lannan’s roof, but it was for the best. And I had my orders. Lannan would not brook outright disobedience. I’d better do as he said.

Another thought occurred to me. “With both the Shadow Hunters and the vampires down for the day, you might take a drive by the Veil House and see what’s going on over there. Maybe look around for anything else we can salvage. Especially since Ysandra said we can probably get a loan to fix the damage.”

Luna’s phone rang and she answered. After a moment, she hung up and clapped her hands. “My sister will be here this afternoon at two P.M. Zoey thinks she’s found something that may help us.”

“Where do you have to pick her up?”

She shook her head. “She will find me. She always does. I have no clue how the Akazzani travel, but it’s not like we do.”

Kaylin looked concerned and motioned me to the side. “I don’t like leaving them alone.”

“You think they’re in danger? The vampires are sleeping and Myst’s people are down with the light-rage.”

“True, but remember—Leo and Geoffrey sent day-runners to kidnap you and Rhiannon yesterday. Don’t you think they might have been more than a little upset when the men didn’t return last night? My guess is that they’ve already assigned somebody else to find out what happened to their little assassination brigade.” He leaned against the table, his jeans tight and form-fitting.

I glanced over at Luna. She was watching him out of the corner of her eye. She looked nervous, and vulnerable. And chances are, her sister wasn’t geared to fight—Akazzani or not.

Turning to my father, I said, “Kaylin makes a good point. If the day-runners found us yesterday, we should assume that more may be coming to look for us today. And most of us will be off after the heartstone. Can you take them with you? Will it be an affront if you take them into the realm of Summer?”

I wasn’t sure how the Fae would take to Rex, especially, because Weres weren’t always buddy-buddy with the Fae, but that was the only thing I could think of. They could go to Lannan’s mansion but I wasn’t comfortable with that until Lannan and Regina woke.

Wrath stared at the three of them. “We don’t often welcome strangers into our realm, but in this case I think we might make an exception.” He motioned to Luna. “The three of you will accompany me and obey my directives while we are there. Certain rules of etiquette for non-Cambyra apply and you must obey them.”

“What about my sister? She won’t be able to find me if I’m in the realm of Summer.” Luna began gathering up spell components and stashing them in a bag.

“If she can find you without directions, as you say she can, then we’ll wait outside the entrance to the portal this afternoon. Text her to tell her our plans. That way she’ll be able to home in on you when it’s time, and then we can take her back into Summer with us.” He turned to me. “You are sure you wish to risk this? Remember what my Lady said: You do this, and it forever will change your life, and the lives of those around you.”

I closed my eyes, searching the slipstream for any hint of what was to come. But it was silent and offered no answers. The only sounds I could hear were the the gentle movements of Ulean swishing around me. Slowly, I nodded.

“It’s Lainule’s only hope. I made a promise. I intend to keep it.” I turned to look over our supplies. We were taking backpacks with food, water, weapons, and a velvet box in which to put the heartstone, should we find it. “Let’s get dressed and head out.”

We dressed in layers and then slipped the packs on our backs. I strapped my fan around my wrist, and my moonstone pendant that helped me turn into an owl was hanging around my neck. I was almost to the point where I didn’t need it, but it still gave me comfort and a little boost. Lastly, I slipped the dagger my father had given me into my belt sheath, and a shorter blade into a sheath on my boot.

“We really need obsidian weapons—they affect the Shadow Hunters far more than silver or steel.” It had occurred to me that if we were all equipped with obsidian blades, it would make fighting Myst’s army much easier.

“Obsidian?” Rex looked up from where he was packing a bag. “If we can find a chunk of raw obsidian, I can make us all blades. I’m good at flint knapping. It takes some time, though.”

Wrath cleared his throat. “Cicely, we agreed that you would leave the blade alone.”

I let out a long sigh. “I know, but I’m rethinking that plan. The Vampiric Fae are especially susceptible to wounds made with obsidian, even though they use the blades. It seems that obsidian is entwined with their nature. I know what it does to me, Wrath, and I’m willing to chance it. I have to learn how to master the power so that it can’t possess me, so I can use it.”