Page 32 of Lore of the Wicked Wood
Well, that definitely changed things.
“The last time we saw Khiran, he was at the Mystic Obscura,” Davorin supplied, rising from the sofa. He shoved his hands into the pockets of his suit pants and turned to stare out the window.
Dawn would be approaching soon.
Atlas could see the tension bunching in his shoulders. It wasn’t the same as the loathing from before. No, this was concern. A tremor of fear.
“He’s a patron there?” Atlas wasn’t aware many of the vampires frequented the unique establishment. Considering what it cost to receive an invitation and gain entry, he didn’t assume many vampires would be willing to give up a precious drop of blood. Then again, it had been some time since he’d ventured inside the Mystic Obscura. Perhaps he owed them a visit.
“Yes.” Valaina sighed, fingering the strand of diamonds at her throat. “A very select few from our clan are, myself included. Khiran has always been fond of the ribbon dancers, you know, the ones who perform above the stage wrapped in streamers of silk?”
She waved one slender hand through the air, dismissive. “Anyway, I figured he wanted to get in one last fuck before he was mated to someone for an eternity…a pity not all of us were allowed such an opportunity.”
From the corner, Davorin turned, a low growl emitting from the back of his throat. His fangs lengthened, sharpened to dagger-like points. But Valaina silenced him with a look so threatening, not even Atlas would want to cross her.
He bit back a smile, knowing full well her comment was directed at him, and the rude interruption of their activities by Davorin. But Atlas wasn’t one to tempt fate twice, so he changed the subject. “Khiran possesses a rare type of blood magic, does he not?”
Valaina’s gaze slid from her mate, back to him.
“Yes.” She drew the word out slowly, with caution. “His blood can cure life-threatening wounds. It can rid a bloodstream of poison…he’s saved many lives.”
“And not just the lives of vampires,” Davorin grunted, running his tongue along the point of his sharp fang.
“Really?” Atlas ignored his intimidation tactics, more intrigued by this new information. “And when he uses his blood to heal another, it doesn’t turn them?”
“No.” Valaina shook her head, morphing back into the prim Eldress of the Morvayne. “I imagine it has something to do with his maker.”
Atlas leaned forward, resting one elbow on his knee, and running his thumb along his jaw. “Who’s his maker?”
Davorin stomped back over to Valaina’s side, pinning Atlas with a heated glare. “You have a lot of questions, Your Highness.”
“The more I understand, the easier it will be to find out who has taken Khiran, and why.” Atlas kept his focus on Valaina when he spoke, but he didn’t miss the way Davorin bristled at the slight out of the corner of his eye.
“Khiran’s maker is Lothaire, an ancient elder from the Stravoka clan.” Valaina stole a quick look out the window before returning her attention to Atlas. Already the stars were winking out and a hue of violet was painting the sky. “He hails from the Northernlands.”
It was Caedian who spoke next, stepping further into the reception room. The silver of his eyes was clouded with apprehension. “So, Elder Lothaire is still alive?”
Valaina’s eyes flicked to Caedian, and those lips of hers lifted into a feminine smile. “Very much so, Captain Trivaris.”
If Caedian wasn’t careful, Davorin would be after him next.
“And why,” Atlas asked, drawing Valaina’s attention away from his captain, “do you think Lothaire has some effect on Khiran’s blood?”
Valaina’s seductive smile vanished. Her expression shifted to one of solemnity, she closed her eyes briefly, and when she opened them again, the icy blue burned like fire. “Because Lothaire is fae.”
Atlas gaped at the Eldress.
He snapped his mouth shut, shared a fleeting look of “what the fuck” with Caedian whose face reflected the same shock and disbelief. Atlas pinched the bridge of his nose, replaying her words in his mind. “Let me make sure I’m following you. Lothaire…is a fae vampire?”
“Fae vampire. Vampire fae. It’s all the same thing, really.” Valaina shrugged, then held out her hand. Davorin clasped it readily, lifting her to her feet. “But yes, that is correct, Your Highness.”
Atlas couldn’t believe it. He didn’t think such a thing was possible. Avampire fae? Not in all his hundreds of years of study and education, of poring over lore and traditions, had he ever read about a faerie vampire. It was absurd. Worse, it was slightly terrifying. He imagined this Lothaire would be damn near unstoppable in terms of magic and strength.
“Will you help us find Khiran, Your Imperial Highness?” Valaina turned her alluring smile on him, but that charm had faded when Davorin threatened to cut off his cock. “He’s incredibly important to our clan.”
“I’ll help in any way I can, Eldress.” He stood, dipped his head in a show of respect, half listening, half thinking the disappearing immortals were becoming a more troublesome situation than he’d originally thought.
“Good.” Valaina moved closer to Davorin, the nearness of her mate somehow amplifying her power. “Because if not, we willsearch for him on our own and kill anyone who stands in our way.”
