Betrayed in Blood (Of Blood & Dreams #6)

Chapter 3

Chapter Three

Devon tugged at the sleeves of the light-gray linen jacket. Gregor had sent a note that dinner would be business casual on the back terrace. The anger he’d felt when Cressa had passed out from the surprise dream construct had been doused by their lovemaking and her words of counsel.

He hadn’t needed them, but he appreciated her attempt at playing cadre when it was just the two of them. She could be as hot tempered as he, so he was surprised she didn’t harbor more annoyance with being pulled into a construct.

He was a House leader, and after putting aside his concerns for Cressa, he reviewed the afternoon from Gregor’s position. He didn’t know Devon. They’d never met, so he could only go by what he’d heard, read, or learned from the Oslo twins.

If it had been Devon in the same position, he might have done something similar. It was one thing when two House leaders danced around each other, searching for common ground as well as possible deceit. These were dangerous times when two factions within the vampire world began taking sides while ruled by a fractured Council. Throw dreamwalkers into the mix, and everything got turned upside down.

The thought that Gregor might have his own dreamwalkers had been a shock, leaving Devon with a decision on how to play the next round. Cressa had suggested they do nothing and wait to see what Gregor did. Devon had made a mistake when he’d asked Gregor if he had a dreamwalker. Cressa could have passed out from the heat. But then why had she been in a trance with Alejandro holding her wrist?

When Devon had mentioned the word, Gregor had merely smiled. A test, to be sure, but Devon had been too worried about Cressa at the time to care. It could have been a fatal mistake if Gregor turned out to be an enemy after all. Though it was clear he had no love for Venizi, maybe he had no love for any vampire outside his House. His welcoming tour of El Recinto could have been a larger ploy.

Devon had seen little of his security other than a handful of guards and difficult-to-penetrate walls. With the manor located in the middle of thousands of privately owned acres, it was already formidable.

“Why is it you can take longer than a woman to get ready?”

He turned and devoured Cressa with his gaze. She wore a royal-blue sundress that looked delectable with her lightly tanned skin. Her sable-brown hair had been pulled back by diamond clips he’d bought at a store in Madrid. Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

Any side effects of her unexpected dreamwalk were gone. After slipping on sandals with a slight heel, she sauntered toward him. She gave him a long look, then traced her fingers down his cheeks to his shoulders before tugging on the lapels of his shirt.

“Have I told you how good you look in a suit?”

He grinned, and his cock stirred. If they only had more time. “Once or twice.”

“Is that all?” Her words were nothing more than a purr.

He tugged her to him and gave her a hard, swift kiss before pushing her back a step. “You play a dangerous game.”

Her laugh was throaty as she took a last look in a mirror. “I have to warn you. I’ll be on my best behavior, but Pandora is itching to play.”

She rarely mentioned her alter ego, her street name when she’d been a thief. Well, she was still a thief, and as she walked out the door, he remembered one other thing. Something they hadn’t spoken of since her first days at the manor, which seemed longer ago than the several months it had been. She owed him a debt. A financial debt in which he’d released The Wolf in trade for a thief.

He pushed it aside. There wasn’t time for that here. He caught up to her as they strode down the hallway, and he reached for her hand. “All I can ask is that Pandora remembers her decorum.”

She patted his arm, and if she was going to respond, she held her tongue as they reached the Oslo twins, who waited for them at the end of the hall. Both vampires gave Cressa a long appraisal.

“I’m glad to see our Cressa looks well.” Erik partially bowed as he held out an arm, directing them to the left. “I understand the heat might have been too much.”

Before Devon could respond, Cressa laughed. “Don’t worry. I can take the heat.”

“There was never a doubt.” Erik led them through the manor decorated with a combination of ancient weapons, fine sculptures, and superb artwork. Not overly masculine or feminine, it was a beautiful home.

The expansive sunroom opened on one side to a terrace where a long table overlooked the same garden visible from their room. Gregor waited for them, drink in hand as he leaned against a stone and wrought iron railing while he spoke to a vampire with his same features. Not Alejandro, but another son.

He turned when they approached, setting down his glass so he could take both of Cressa’s hands. “I must apologize for my earlier deception, but you’ll soon understand.”

Cressa didn’t waver from his gaze. “I’ll expect nothing less.” While the threat seemed to register with Gregor, Cressa’s huge smile was difficult to ignore, and with an understanding nod, he returned her smile.

“The more time we spend together, the more I understand Erik and Ulrik’s fascination with you. Come, meet the rest of my family.”

The vampire he’d been speaking to was Miguel, his second oldest, who gave Cressa the European greeting of touching cheeks before shaking Devon’s hand.

“I look forward to the time you’ll be spending here. I don’t believe Father has mentioned it yet, but I’ll be giving you a tour of our offices. I believe we have some similar interests.”

“I look forward to that as well.” Devon turned when a young female vampire gave them the same warm greeting.

“I’m Mariah, the youngest.”

“But the fiercest,” said another male vampire. He had a fire in his gaze Devon had yet to see in the others, which was no doubt held just beneath the surface. “I’m Ernesto.” He put an arm around his sister’s shoulder. “Mariah leads our security teams.”

Mariah elbowed him. “Don’t embarrass me.” She turned to Devon and Cressa. “Ernesto is a fine soldier, but he spends too much time chasing females.”

If her brother took offense, it was hard to tell. Cressa seemed charmed by the young vampire.

“Don’t let my children fool you.” Gregor had retrieved his drink. “They are all well-trained fighters, but Mariah has a natural instinct for strategy as well as tactical defenses.”

“I would love to hear more,” Cressa said. “I have a few tricks of my own.”

Mariah’s laugh was musical. “So Erik and Ulrik have told me. Perhaps while my brothers bore Devon with our company business, we can spend time in the training room.”

“It’s a date.”

“Don’t let anyone fool you about Ernesto.” A dark-haired beauty, who Devon would be hard-pressed to guess her age, entered the terrace and took a glass of what looked like sangria from Erik. “Alejandro is the leader of the cadre and the family business, Miguel runs the businesses, and Ernesto has technical skills unheard of in most circles.”

“You mean he’s a hacker.” Cressa winked at Ernesto.

“The best I’ve seen,” Alejandro wrapped an arm around the woman and gave her a gentle kiss on the cheek. “How are you, Mother?”

She patted his hand and gave him a return kiss. “I’m feeling much better.”

“This is my wife, Sonja.” Gregor’s eyes caressed her as he said her name.

There was true admiration and love between these two, but as Sonja grasped Devon’s hand, he was in for a shock. Sonja wasn’t vampire.

I wasn’t sure what was happening, but I’d sensed a change in Devon the minute he shook Sonja’s hand.

Sonja gave Devon a wicked smile. “We have much to discuss over dinner. Shall we be seated?”

I gave him a questioning look, but he shook his head as he placed a hand on the small of my back and led me to our seats at the table.

Dinner was mostly vegetarian dishes served alongside salmon and halibut. Wine was abundant as the servers kept the glasses filled, but I only sipped mine. While my mental faculties were back to normal after my nap, alcohol didn’t mix well with the pink potion.

Devon was tense throughout the meal, though he didn’t show it as Alejandro asked about our short time in Madrid. If they found our trip to the Renaud library strange, they didn’t show it. Then Ernesto spoke of the village and shared his extensive knowledge of its early beginnings centuries before. He touched on some aspects of Gregor’s tour but delved deeper into the connection between the townspeople and vampires.

I’d never heard of another place where vamps and humans knowingly lived simpatico. Though I wasn’t a traveler, I had to wonder if the same relationship existed in enclaves distant from the larger cities.

“You know…” Gregor looked at me as he spoke. “Those not from vampire Houses don’t realize how little we’re spread around the world. Places like Santiga Bay have a denser population because of the Council, but in the rest of the world, we aren’t as widespread. We tend to live in or around large cities like Madrid, New Orleans, Tokyo, and the like.”

“Is that so you can blend easier among the populace?” I asked.

He shrugged. “Sí, we don’t stand out as much. It’s also easier for locating nutrient sources and to maintain relationships among our own.”

It wasn’t lost on me that nutrient sources meant humans, but I nodded.

“It’s a behavior from centuries ago.” Devon picked up his wineglass and leaned back as the server removed his plate. “Back when wars were our way of life and when allegiances swiftly changed with each new monarch or leader.”

“And once a House is established, it’s very difficult to move it.” Gregor waved for a server to refill his glass. “At least for the aristocracy or those Houses that serve on the Council. It can be seen as an aggressive move when relocating to another city.”

“But it’s okay for the smaller Houses?” I asked. This didn’t seem to be anything Anna taught, or perhaps it was in her advanced courses. I held my snicker at the thought.

“It’s easier, but it requires a petition and agreement from the largest House in the city.” Alejandro leaned back in his chair. He didn’t speak often but paid close attention to the discussion, especially when Devon spoke.

“House Aramburu has remained behind closed gates for hundreds of years.” Devon glanced around the table. “Yet you seem to be quite aware of how vampire society has grown over the decades.”

Gregor laughed. “You know as well as I that nothing moves that fast in vampire society, and most keep to their own kind. Not many do business with humans, let alone shifters.”

Devon grinned. “Only those with no concern for the old ways or those who have been ostracized by it.”

“Or those hoping to take advantage of particular situations.”

“You’re speaking of Venizi.”

Gregor shrugged. “He’s not the only one pushing for traditional ways while taking a broader step into human affairs, but yes.”

“So, why did you close your gates?” Devon asked.

The table grew deathly silent, and my first instinct was to scan the room for the largest threat—Simone’s and Sergi’s training never far from reach. When my gaze landed on Erik and Ulrik, they appeared amused by the conversation, and while that made me feel safer, it didn’t completely settle me.

Sonja placed a hand on Gregor’s arm. “We’ve danced around the topic all night. I think it’s time we put Devon’s mind at ease.” Her gaze locked with mine. Volumes passed between us, yet I couldn’t identify any emotion. The connection was strong on a level I didn’t understand.

Sonja turned to Devon. “You’re wondering why Gregor married a human.”

I dropped my fork, and it clattered on the plate of my half-eaten cheesecake.

She smiled. “He didn’t know until we shook hands. I’ve lived among vampires for a long time, and one’s behavior sometimes changes to match those around us.” Alejandro placed his hand on hers, and she gripped it before releasing it. “Mariah is my biological daughter with Gregor, and she’s vampire.”

“My first wife perished long ago after giving me three strong sons.” Gregor’s eyes misted for the briefest of seconds. “I didn’t think I’d ever find love again. Marriage,” he shrugged, “maybe. But love. It’s a lucky man that finds it more than once.”

“So, you were born within the gates?” Devon asked Sonja. “I mean, it’s been centuries since Aramburu disassociated itself from vampire society.”

“I closed off my House after the Council made a decision I couldn’t agree nor live with.” He pushed away from the table but kept his seat, as if he needed distance from everyone to share his story. He called again for his glass to be filled.

I really hated that vamps could drink alcohol all night when, after two or three glasses, Ginger had me singing lame songs from the eighties.

“This was almost a millennia ago,” Gregor continued.

“When the Council gave the order to eliminate dreamwalkers.” Devon’s statement rocked me. Not just because he threw it out there like it was everyday news and not some decision the Council buried so deep that dreamwalkers became nothing more than a myth. No. It was that he boldly mentioned it with a House we barely knew.

Gregor nodded. “Dreamwalkers weren’t as commonplace even then, and for the most part, they kept to themselves, preferring to live in communes or small villages. This was one reason the Council thought it would be easy to eliminate what they considered to be a threat to our race.” He laughed, but it wasn’t a nice one. And it was the first time I witnessed what a formidable man he could quickly become. “That was when dreamwalkers ran from their homes, scattering into the wind.”

“Except for here,” Devon said.

I glanced at Devon. My mouth had to be gaping open. I turned my attention to the Aramburus next, their focus completely on Devon and his reactions. It hadn’t occurred to me how long dreamwalkers might have lived here. I’d assumed the two who’d pulled me into the construct were the only ones at El Recinto. That they somehow sensed me and, being curious, pulled me in.

“The village was a dreamwalker community before the purge.” Sonja took up the conversation. “I only learned the story from my mother and grandmother. Once they heard about the Council’s ruling, they were packing, preparing to run.”

“It was my mother who talked them into staying.” Alejandro sat straighter, his eyes shiny with memory. “She had developed a strong connection with the village and understood what the dreamwalkers brought to vampire society.” His tone turned angry. “Things the Council knew but—to use a human euphemism—decided to roll the dice on our future.”

“Alejandro, let’s step back a bit.” Gregor’s rebuke was gentle. “My son is passionate. Sorry, all my sons are.” He lifted his glass toward them. “All you need to understand is that I agreed with my wife. A deep resentment toward the Council had been building long before their fatal decision. But even as powerful as my House was, I could only save the dreamwalkers in the village. So, I sent my army to protect them while I built the walls.”

“How did you know about Cressa?” Devon asked.

I don’t know why he changed the subject to me, but I’d been wondering the same thing. Had the two dreamwalkers reached out to me by accident or on purpose?

“We suspected.” Gregor’s warm smile touched on me.

I turned to Erik and Ulrik, who were still savoring their dessert. I wasn’t sure if they were even listening. When the conversation quieted, they glanced up, unsure why Devon and I were looking at them.

“It wasn’t them.” Sonja’s words refocused our gaze on her. “They were sent to monitor Devon, Venizi, and the Council. But when they met Cressa, they knew she was special, they just didn’t understand why.”

“Then how did you know about me?”

“Are you familiar with the Nexus?” she asked.

I shrugged. “Not a lot, but my understanding is that our power to create constructs is through our connection to the Nexus that allows us to turn psychic energy into mass… Wait.” Sonja’s earlier words caught up with me. “You said your mother and grandmother were ready to run. That means they were dreamwalkers.”

Sonja unbuttoned the top button on her silk blouse, revealing a silver medallion. “Just like me.”

I paced along the windows of our suite, too wired to settle down. Sonja, Aramburu’s wife, was a dreamwalker. The wife of a House leader was a dreamwalker. If I said it a thousand times, I wasn’t sure it would sink in.

Devon stopped me and pulled me into his arms. “How about an evening swim?”

“My brain won’t stop racing through all the possibilities, all the questions of who these dreamwalkers are. Does Colantha know about them? If so, why didn’t she say anything when she knew where we were going?”

He chuckled and tightened his grip, no doubt feeling my erratic energy. “I’m guessing this is why Gregor suggested we retire for the evening rather than allowing you to bombard Sonja with all your questions.”

I snorted. “I guess that’s why he’s a powerful House leader, even hidden away in the Extremadura region of Spain.”

“And we also know why he walked away and closed his House on vampire society.”

I squeezed his waist and stepped away, though I didn’t return to my pacing. “Can you imagine keeping this secret for centuries?”

“It explains his no-questions-asked policy and a quick dispatch of interlopers.”

I shuddered. He was right. If even one word had gotten out. “What do you think the Council would have done if they discovered this?”

Devon’s features hardened. “It would have caused a war and possibly a divide among the vampires, depending on which century it was discovered. Questions would be asked, but by then, it might have been too late for Aramburu and the dreamwalkers.”

That blew the steam out of me. I dropped into a chair and stared out at the garden. “I wonder if they’ve ever felt safe in their own home.”

Strong hands kneaded my shoulders, and I leaned into them. “I don’t think the Oslo twins are his only eyes and ears. And as the decades have gone by, I assume he’s built quite the arsenal. From what I’ve heard of his tech businesses, he can probably do deeper monitoring from here.”

“You think he has other hackers besides Ernesto?”

“Yes. The downside is that the Council keeps a closed network. They can download information, like what the Sentinels did when they accessed the drop box Roxie set up with Gheata’s files that cleared me of Boretsky’s death. But they would transfer the data to their internal network. It prevents hacking unless you had access to their network within Council headquarters.”

“So how would Gregor know if the Council was planning anything?”

“He’d only know by what he could glean from other Houses. And while the Council itself uses an internal network, that doesn’t mean the individual Council members do so within their own Houses. But my guess is that he simply uses spies across the globe to attend parties, like the Oslo twins.”

I chuckled. “Where it’s fairly simple to pick up the pulse of vampire society. Ginger always said the aristocrats were the gossip network.” I glanced up at Devon. “Have you heard anything from Lucas?”

“Not much, but I wouldn’t expect to unless there was trouble. Sergi’s last report was that Lucas was on his way to Maryland.”

I leaned back; my energy had dissipated under Devon’s magic hands.

“How about that swim?” Devon asked.

“How about a bath and some private time?”

He pulled me up until I was snuggled in his arms. “A much better idea.”

I giggled as I wrapped my arms around his neck while he strode to the bathroom. After lavender and cedar scented bath salts were added to the hot but still bearable water, I turned to Devon while the tub filled. I took my time undressing him, kissing his lips, then other parts of his body as they were revealed once I’d slowly stripped the clothes from him, tossing them toward a bench where some landed and others slid off.

Once Devon was naked, he used the same technique for undressing me, but he moved slower, spending time nibbling at my breasts and tracing feather-light kisses down my belly. Then he knelt and lifted one of my legs over his shoulder as he explored more intimate spots.

If I hadn’t been close enough to brace a hand on a wall, I would have tipped over as his tongue released all the tension from my body. Just as I relaxed into the sensations, my skin overly sensitive to touch and tingles flowing through me, I gripped his hair. He pulled away and lifted me in one practiced motion, stepping into a tub that could fit four. His muscles were so controlled that he had no problem holding me as we sank into the water, my legs next to his as I faced him. He leaned me backward as he reached the faucet to shut off the water.

Then he kissed me. It was deep, his tongue playing with mine as his hands moved over my back. We kissed for a long time, stopping to focus on other spots still above the water line before moving back to lips plump with passion.

He was hard beneath me, and I raised up until I was over him. We were in no hurry as we rocked back and forth, holding each other. No one could touch us here. The only thing on our minds was each precious moment we were together.

We stared into each other’s eyes. His beast came out through the shimmering brightness of an icy blue glow that warmed to a silvery blue. They were one, and we were one.

When the water cooled, he lifted us out of the bath, stopping a quick moment for us to towel dry before he tossed me on the bed. He stood over me, and his eyes lit up with the beast. This time it would be rougher, and hotter, and I couldn’t wait.

I crawled over the bed to him and smiled as his hands gripped my hair.