Ours eyes met and Martin was the first to look away. He spoke to Jacob then went up the staircase without so much as another glance my way. I think that made my blood boil more than him tricking me into drinking his blood for strength. Even if I knew deep down why he had done it, he shouldn’t have done it, no matter what. I watched as Jacob left through the front door to join Cates and Garvin and everything in my body wanted to rush up the stairs and confront my maker.
“Renee, will you join us please?” Jacob called from the open door and changed my mind for me.
“Sure,” I replied, but could not control my head from turning and looking up the way that Martin had gone. I think I may have made a guttural sound when I didn’t see him there looking back down at me. Now I knew what being in love was all about. I wanted to be near him whether I was happy or mad at him. My greatest wish was that my maker would join us when he was ready but until then, at least give us his blessing to kill those who laid harm to the innocent and set them free. The only thing he worried about was keeping me safe and that was unacceptable.
Chapter Twenty Six
My people had their fill of the largest of the pigs that the farmers had brought. I was so full; that just seeing them drink the warm red nectar was making me ill. We were an hour from the time when we had to leave. Martin and Jacob had laid out a number of weapons for us to choose from. As everyone was making their pick, I called Cates and Jacob over to me. I had the weapons that I wanted and now I needed them to do something that I knew they would be against.
“I want the two of you to take Alex and Martin down into the dungeon and make sure they can’t get out until we get back.”
“You want us to force the owner of his own home into the underground levels? Why?” Jacob asked.
I stormed up to Jacob, pressing my chest into his, putting my nose as close to his as I could. “How dare you question me after harping down my throat this whole time about me needing to take control! You belong to me and you will damn well do as you are told or I will…”
“Forgive me, My Lady?” Jacob went down on one knee.
“No, wait,” I was shocked at my own words and his reaction. “I didn’t mean it. I mean, I meant I want them in the lower level, but I didn’t mean to sound like that.”
Jacob stayed down on one knee. I turned around and saw Cates mirroring his actions. That’s when I started to cry. The confusion was overwhelming. I had been a complete cow before and they had just stood up to me, but now they were different and I didn’t like it. “Was this from taking your blood into me?” I backed into the bottom steps of the staircase and went down on my backside. Both Jacob and Cates were in front of me within seconds.
“It is, but it is a very good thing, My...Renee,” Jacob said. “All who we stand against this night will see your power. And that you rule your people with a powerful hand.”
“I take it all back. I don’t ever want to see what I just saw out of my friends again. Can I order you guy’s to not ever do that again,” I sniffed and smeared my red tears through the white make-up that was now plastered on my face.
“Miss Tanda will not be happy with you,” Cates laughed. “And yes, you can now, as before, order us to do whatever you wish.”
Jacob dropped his head and shook it. “I wish you had not told her that. Life will be dick to pay now, without doubt.” With that, I burst out laughing through my tears.
***
We all stood in the foyer, weapons well hidden, as Cates came down with Alex in chains. Martin followed with Jacob at his back and all looked at us with eyes filled with uncertainty. Alex’s eyes, of course, were glazed with the fear of his impending death as well. Martin showed no other emotion, it was as if he understood that he was being locked up for his own safety. Tanda knew she was going into the lower levels also, not only watch over Martin and to make sure Alex stayed put but to keep herself out of harm’s way if others came into our domain.
“Do not bother looking for this man you seek who makes the dead walk, all who ran from those you have already touched would not seek sanctuary in this country. The things you have crossed have been here for a very long time. If you wish to find him you have come to the wrong place.” Martin never looked at me; he only spoke as he turned to go down the hall.
“Is that why you think we…I came all this way, Martin?” He stopped. “I only mentioned those notes we found in that place because I was hoping you might know something that would help my brother. But that has nothing to do with why I came to London.” I saw his lead lower. “I thought my maker would be proud of what I was doing, proud that I came looking for him. I guess I was wrong.” That’s when I turned my back and started walking toward the rest my people.
“Renee!”
“What?” I stopped but didn’t turn around to see if he was now looking at me.
“May I please have a moment with you? I cannot bear the thought of this being our last words if you do not come back.”
I let out a harsh breath, knowing that I had everyone’s attention in the house. I nodded once and without turning, walked into the study and waited for Martin to join me. I stayed where I was until I heard the double doors close, then I walked over and stood in front of the fireplace. A few seconds later I felt Martin’s hands grip my shoulders lightly. “My Love, what am I to do with you?”
“I don’t even know what to do with me, Martin. I just know what I have to do.”
“Yes, and I, too, know what you must do. Even why you feel the need to lock me in my own dungeon.”
“I can’t have them taking you again, or Tanda, if this is a trap. I know you can get out, it’s your place after all.”
“It is and I can,” he chuckled. “But, I must admit I was very glad when Master Jacob told me he had no intention of chaining me.”
“Oh he did, did he,” I turned and smiled.
“It is good to see you smile. I am sorry that I tried to fool you with my blood. Your little ones love you very much and follow your mission fully. I did not think that they would give you notice to what I had done so freely. My hope was that they would have gone with what I was doing to keep you safe. One would never have guessed that those who were not marked would do so much for another out of free will alone.”
“Well, they’re marked now, thanks to you.”
“And for that I am even more sorry.”
“Why’s that?” I pulled away walked over and leaned on the desk, pushing the hoop down on the dress before Martin could see it flipping up.
“Because, it gave you more power over your people and it made you less weak to my call.”
“So the real truth comes out. What you’re saying is, now either my love is the real deal or there’s no love at all, right?”
“Correct,” he snorted. “Without my bond being so strong, you may or may not love me as you once did. And yes, my fear is huge.” He looked over at me and my heart sank. Nothing had changed inside of me, it may have grown, but I couldn’t tell him that.
“I do feel different, but there’s no time to talk about it right now. I’m not sorry that you helped me become closer to my family, Martin. I wish I had done it sooner. So, thank you,” I swallowed, walking up to him. I reached up and touched his cheek. “May I have a kiss for good luck?”
“Will you promise to come back to me?”
“I can say the words but I can’t control what will happen.”
“That will be good enough I suppose.” He didn’t say another word. He just wrapped his arms around my body and picked me up, locking his mouth to mine. He pressed his lips so hard to mine that I could taste mingled blood. I opened to him and our tongues danced until a light tap sounded on the door. I pulled back with a certain blush on my face, licking my lips just as Martin was. “You will be the death of me, Renee.”