Slayers: The Aurora Part 8

Chapter 17.

Liza walked into the upscale boutique with Tricia the next morning. She wanted to get this trip over with. Not that she didn't love shopping with Tricia, she did. It was just that she really needed to talk to Vladimir, and she couldn't do that from an upscale boutique.

"How long have you been back at the manor, Liza?" Tricia asked.

"About two months. I love being home." She told the other woman truthfully. They walked to the back of the boutique where a sales woman was pulling out a rack of ballroom gowns.

"I bet. Living so far away for such a long time must have been hard."

"It was." She grimaced, it had been her choice to cut ties with Lucian. It had been the hardest decision she had ever made. He had refused to touch her, and she had been unable to take it any longer.

"Where did you go?" Tricia asked. "I know that Lucian kept watch on you." The woman giggled.

"Ah, so you knew about the investigator following me too, huh."

"Well my dear, you did not believe that a man as controlling as Lucian would allow you to escape." Her tinkling laughter made Liza smile. "He wanted to murder your live in boyfriend last year, you know."

"What?" Liza said, unsure what Tricia was speaking of. She had not dated anyone seriously enough to live with. What was the woman talking about?

"You were dating the blonde, surfer looking guy. He gave Dominick fits those three months. Every few days the investigator would send his update and Dominick would pull his hair out trying to talk sense into Lucian. It was quite entertaining for Marcus and me. We were at the manor visiting. I always knew that you were meant to be his mate. It was the way he looked at you. Marcus still looks at me that way. And if that had not been enough, then that three month period would have been." Tricia nodded to the sales girl who was waiting to be acknowledged. "You may send out the models and we will narrow it down then try some on." She informed the sales girl.

Liza realized from Tricia's description that the man that Lucian had wanted to kill must be Luke. He wasn't her lover, she thought, smiling. He was a new slayer that she had recently trained the year before. He had lived with her and Kara during that period. When the investigator was around they would pretend to be hanging out instead of what they had really been doing. Training the man to fight the demons who were touched by the dark evil that had begun to corrupt more and more demons lately.

"Luke was not my lover. We were friends. We let him stay with us for a little while." Liza told Tricia.

"We?" She questioned.

"Kara and I."

"Ah, yes the sweet young girl I met about a year ago, how is she?"

"She died." Liza told her. Guilt and anger almost crus.h.i.+ng her. She had failed to protect her. The wound caused by the death of her friend was not healed. It had only been eight months since her death.

"Oh, my dear. I am so sorry. I had no idea. Are you alright?" Tricia asked, remorse and sympathy filling her face.

"Yes...well not really. I will be though. Time, as they say, heals all wounds." Liza told her sadly.

"Yes, but some wounds are stubborn. If you need me dear, I am always here for you. I always will be. To talk or just a shoulder to cry on." Tricia reached out squeezing her hand. "Anytime you need me."

Smiling sadly with tears sheening her eyes, Liza whispered, "I know." Tricia nodded once, tears sheening her own eyes, then she motioned to the models who were beginning to enter the room.

"Now, enough sad talk! This is supposed to be fun. Let's find dresses that will knock the socks off our men, shall we."

"I don't think they wear socks, Tricia" Liza said, letting out a bark of laughter.

"Too right you are dear." Tricia replied with her own tinkling laugh.

They were still laughing a few moments later when another vampire walked in from the back room wearing a ball gown in a deep red. It was fitted at the top with small straps, and the flared bottom was made of feathers dyed red. It was beautiful. The vampiress however was not one she liked at all. Liza was immediately uncomfortable. She remembered Tara from Lucian's court. She was not a nice vampire. She wasn't evil unfortunately, even though she was petty and sn.o.bbish and she hated humans.

"Oh, I see you still hang around with the King's pet, Tricia." The woman sneered, making Tricia stiffen.

"Tara, so unfortunate to see you again." Tricia replied.

Liza remained seated trying to ignore the other woman. She wanted to stand up and introduce her to her sword. She had never forgotten the year the woman had embarra.s.sed her in front of half the ball seven years ago. It had been her first ball, and Lucian had invited Tara to be his date. He had never slept with the woman thankfully, but the scene she had created in the ballroom that night had broken Liza's young heart. If it hadn't been for Tricia and Lucas she would have never been able to walk back into that ball with her head held high. The woman had been spiteful and pushed her into the small fountain in the courtyard. She had looked like a drowned rat, and when she had entered the ball to inform Lucian he had laughed at her appearance. That had nearly broken her young heart. If Tricia hadn't swooped in with Lucas in tow pulling her aside and using her power to dry out the dress, she would have died of embarra.s.sment.

Lucian had discovered his date's part of that scene later and been livid. Tricia glared at Tricia.

"Ah, well you should be nice to me I will soon be your queen." Tara turned a smug smile on them, a cold b.i.t.c.hiness in her eyes. Liza wanted to kill the other woman for suggesting that she was getting anywhere near Lucian. He was her mate. Liza's hand gripped the edge of the striped couch she sat on. Her nails digging into the fabric to prevent her from pulling her swords and killing the idiotic woman.

Tricia, bless her heart began to laugh so hard tears formed in her eyes, and she looked at the other woman with tears of mirth escaping her eyes. "That is the dumbest statement that I have ever heard you utter, Tara. You will never be my queen."

Tara's eyes narrowed and she glared at the woman, completely ignoring Liza. "I will be your queen! I have a spell that will make Lucian love me, and then I will be your queen and you will be forced to bow down to me. And she will be thrown out into the human world where pets belong." The woman informed them.

Liza's hand moved before she even finished speaking to draw her swords. No one would steal Lucian from her. No one.

"No, those are to stay sheathed." Tricia said, surprising Liza from her killing rage, and capturing her hands before they found her swords. Liza was shocked, Tricia knew. She knew that Liza was a slayer. Dominick must have told her, she realized.

"Let me handle this dear. I think your secret needs to stay hidden, yes?" Tricia shared a meaningful look with her. Liza nodded. Although she didn't want to agree the woman was right. She couldn't reveal her secret here.

Tricia turned back to the woman who still stood in front of them with a smug smile on her face. "I do believe that you speak of treason, Tara." Tricia coldly stated as she stood moving towards the now paling woman.

Liza smiled.

"No...I-I that is not what I meant to say." Tara was backing away from Tricia.

"I believe it was. Which means I can kill you here and now and no one will question my decision when I tell them it was because you spoke of dark spells and treason." Tricia smiled, coldly.

There was a sudden commotion at the door to the dressing rooms and male voices were heard. Liza turned surprised when the five guards who had been sent with them to protect them flowed into the room. Their swords drawn. Lucas moved to her side standing beside her where she sat on the couch.

"Our King sensed your distress. He wants you to open the bond immediately." Lucas growled.

Liza was shocked. He had felt her anger? She still had a tight hold on the bond and it seemed impossible for him to have felt it from this distance. Lucas's phone began to ring. "s.h.i.+t, please Liza. He will show up here, and if this is not resolved he will kill whoever is upsetting you."

I am fine, Lucian.

Are you? His voice inside her was sarcastic, and disbelieving. Your anger, and your pain have been making me crazy for the last ten minutes. I will not allow you to feel this way. What is happening?

Nothing I am fine. Call them off. Now.

Lucas lifted the phone to his ear. Tara was struggling against the hold Tricia had on her arm. Only when she heard Lucas speak of the bond did she stop.

"He mated a human!" She shrieked, jerking hard and moving towards Liza. Liza didn't flinch, she knew that the woman would be dead if she touched her. She also knew that even if she didn't kill the woman, then the guards were going to capture her.

Kitten, if she touches you I will personally kill her.

Liza sighed. Opening the bond had allowed him to read the situation in the small boutique.

We had this under control, Lucian.

You did not. You were distressed, and that is unacceptable.

You cannot protect me from the dislike your people will feel towards me, Lucian.

I will. You are not to be looked down upon. You're my mate. They will respect you.

Lucas moved to stand in front of her as the woman came towards her with a mad gleam in her eyes. She was caught by two of the other guards who jerked her away from her dragging her out of the building screaming.

"I was to be queen! She is nothing! Nothing. I am to be your queen, let me go. Let me go!" Tara had been a little crazy apparently. She had already become a queen in her own mind. That had been strange behavior even for her. It worried Liza. What had happened to make the woman so convinced that she was going to be queen? Dark magic love spells rarely lasted long, and she was sure that it would not have trapped Lucian. Weak minds were the only ones those spells worked on for long.

Call off the watch dogs. We are safe now Lucian. I want to enjoy the rest of our shopping trip.

She thought to her mate. She was still working out what had happened with Tara. As much as she didn't like the woman there was something off about the way she had been acting. Something almost crazy, which was not normal for a vampire.

Fine, but do not allow one of my people to talk to you that way again. If they are rude you are to inform them you are their queen. Enjoy your trip. And stop getting into trouble.

You are impossible. She whispered. Her heart turning over at the warmth that surrounded her. It was as if he was holding her, even though he was back at the manor.

You love me anyway. He confidently informed her. I have to go deal with this infernal council, so stay out of trouble.

She felt his displeasure when she narrowed the bond again. She knew he didn't like it. She didn't either, but she also knew that it was necessary.

She turned to Tricia when the guards finally exited, her eyes wide. "You know what I am. Dominick told you!" She accused.

"Dear, Dominick said nothing. That boy is like a vault for secrets. What goes in never comes out." Tricia laughed.

"Then how?" She asked.

"Did I ever tell you that my sisters were slayers?"

"Oh My G.o.d! Marta and Dani. They told me ten years ago that they had a great aunt who is a vampire."

"Yes, they are my sister's children. They are the only living relatives I have left. My youngest sister died when she was just over four fifty. A succubus demon killed her. She left behind two children a boy and a girl. Theodor, her son had two daughters, twins. Marta and Dani. When they were of age they joined the family business."

"I had no idea. If you've known why have you not told Lucian? Why has Marcus not told him for that matter? I a.s.sume he knows too."

"Of course he does. You know that I would be unable to keep that from him for very long with the bond. But he also holds secrets very well. Like father, like son. I know the reason you do not want anyone to know that you are the slayer queen. It would cause problems, and until just recently you were unsure how he would react."

"Yes, bu-but wait who said I was the slayer queen? I'm not. I'm ju-"

"Dear, I already know who you are. You have your reasons for keeping this from him, and I do not judge you for that choice. I applaud you. With the bond pulling at you it must be a nightmare." Tricia's eyes were filled with understanding and sympathy.

"It is, but I have to wait until after the ball to let him know. I just hope he doesn't hate me when it's revealed." Liza whispered, biting her lip.

"Darling that will never happen. Ah, here's the lovely clerk with the dress I wanted you to see. I think it will be perfect for you. It is why I asked her to get it for me."

Liza turned, looking at the dress held by the sales woman. Her breath was taken away by the sight. It was a pale cream with sparkling diamond and sapphire beads in long swirls that swept from waist to the floor in a stunning pattern.

"Wow, the jewels on that dress could feed a small country." Liza breathed.

"Yes, and that is why it is perfect for a queen."

Liza waited in the hallway for the council to clear the hall. They were heading in the direction of the east wing to head to their rooms. Although from the sounds that had been coming from the conference room a few hours ago they were having more of a screaming match. If she had to guess, she'd say that Lucian had told them about her. She headed into the library after they had pa.s.sed to meet Vladimir. She entered, opening the double doors that led to the gardens where he would enter from.

Liza was impatient, she needed to know if taking her blood was affecting Lucian. If her blood was somehow responsible for his erratic behavior. She looked at the clock again. Twenty minutes late, d.a.m.n it. She heard movement from the garden. Finally, she thought, standing. Vladimir entered through the french doors, smiling at her.

"Where have you been? I said to meet me at six." Liza grumbled.

"Well, my dear. I was speaking with your friend Dominick. What has you acting so impatient? And rude?" Vladimir looked at her with a raised brow, and a sardonic smile.

"I'm sorry, Vlad. I know I'm being rude, but I need to know if my blood is addictive. Lucian is acting crazed and erratic since he first began drinking my vein." Liza worried her lower lip, and waited for his answer.

Vladimir move towards her hugging her. "No, Liza. That's not what is happening. You are not infecting the man." He chuckled, kissing her forehead.

"Are you sure, Vlad? It began from the very first time, and has only gotten worse. He seems obsessed with drinking my blood now." Liza leaned back looking at him, worry in her eyes.

"Liza, sweetness. It is not your blood. I think that is your bond forming dear. He is acting like a newly mated vampire. They become insanely possessive, and they become somewhat irrational. That is what is causing the odd behavior. Mated vampires only take their mates vein. It is odd that two vampires can sustain each other with the slow production of red blood cells, but that's what happens. Your fine." Vladimir brushed her hair from her face, gently.

"You're positive?"

"Yes, Liza your king is fine." He chuckled again.

"Thank G.o.d. I was so worried."

"If you would tell him what you are and why you are here he could have told you this himself. You need to tell him. The bond will be fully formed soon and you will not be able to keep this from him. I am actually surprised that you have been able to keep it from him this long." He said, standing close, but no longer holding her.

"I will tell him, but you don't understand. He will be out of control. He will freak and this will all have been for nothing." Liza emphatically stated.

"I do not agree. We should tell him. I will tell him if you are afraid."

"No, promise me that you won't tell him, Vlad. Promise."

"Promise that you won't tell me what Vladimir." Came a sardonically mocking voice from the library's open french doors.

Liza gasped, jerking around to look at Lucian standing in the doorway.

"This is not as it seems, Lucian."

"Really? And how does it seem Vladimir? That my newly bonded queen is betraying me with the former king's brother." Lucian sneered, his eyes glowing a deep fiery red.

"Lucian? You know that I would never betray you." Liza whispered through nerveless lips.

"I do not know that at all, kitten." His voice was mocking and he looked at her as if she was a bug. "I do not know that at all."