“You arrogant, reckless maniac!” I raged, hurling my mobile across the room. It shattered and I cursed myself next. Now, I had to use someone else’s phone to call and beg the council not to kill Ian before he did something to merit a death sentence, if he hadn’t already.
“How could you go to the council?” I continued to fume as I threw my clothes on. “Bones told you our marriage was a fake! And you never cared about the law. Why would you do this?”
I’m warning you.
Ian’s partial text flashed across my mind. So much for thinking he had nothing to threaten me with! But how could I have guessed that he’d sue the highest ruling court of vampires? Here I was, running all over the world fulfilling the vow I’d made to bring Ian back from the dead, and he was daring the Grim Reaper to come back for seconds!
Now, I had to go to the council, talk them out of whatever retribution they were planning, then abandon Ian all over again. It would hurt less to tear my guts out and stomp on them.
But I had no choice. I couldn’t leave Ian at the council’s mercy. I also couldn’t ignore a direct summons from the council. If I did, I might as well resign as Law Guardian on the spot.
I ground my teeth until my jaw crunched. Ian wanted a meeting, probably to have me formally renounce our marriage so there’d be no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was a free man?
Fine. He’d get his meeting, and I hoped I could convince the council to let him live long enough to regret it.
Chapter 3
The rugged limestone peak of Mount Lycabettus jutted above Athens, Greece, like an imperious stone giant. I remember when people said that this spot was created when the goddess Athena accidentally dropped a mountain after receiving bad news. Later, it was said that this was the home of fearsome wolves, hence its play on the word lycos—Greek for wolves. Both legends had it wrong. As was often the case, the truth was much stranger.
Mount Lycabettus was the official location for the ruling council of vampires. Oh, the council had other, lesser courts across the continents, but this was where all eleven members of the council presided when court was in session, and they only all came together when the charges were truly severe.
Like, for instance, the entire council being sued by a vampire known more for snubbing the laws than following them.
I began my climb up the worn stone steps that led to the modernized amphitheater at the top. The cable car wasn’t running tonight since none of Mount Lycabettus’s famed attractions were open. The surrounding city of Athens might be as boisterous as ever, but the silence on the mount was almost eerie. Normally, this was a bustling tourist attraction, with its rich history and unparalleled views of Athens. Now, it was as quiet as the grave.
No demon should be stupid enough to attack the vampire’s highest court while it was in session. Still, I scanned my surroundings with every upward step. Had news of this lawsuit reached Dagon? It might have. Vampires were as prone to gossip as any species. If Dagon had heard of tonight’s events and decided to risk an ambush, I was without weapons to fight him since defendants could hardly arrive armed at court–
Wait, what was that? I tensed when I heard it again. Ian’s voice, his British accent as smooth as ever. Hearing him was its own form of assault, making me stop so I could take a moment to collect myself. You can do this. Come on!
I resumed my climb, my pace brisk. I was almost at the top of the mount when I stopped again because I heard something even more unlikely than an approaching horde of demons. Great gods above the earth and below it, was that the council laughing?
“. . . then I landed next to him, dropped the warlord at his feet and said, ‘Is this the sod you’re looking for?’” Ian was saying, followed by fresh bursts of laughter.
Somehow, Ian had he gotten the normally dour council to sound like a bunch of merry drunks at a comedy club! I’d underestimated his charm, and I shouldn’t have. Even back when we first met and I was only using Ian as bait to draw out Dagon, he’d charmed me, too.
And now, I had to act as if I cared nothing for him.
I entered the amphitheater, my gaze drawn to Ian as if pulled by an invisible force. The last time I’d seen him, his hair had turned white from his death and his face had been more bones than features. Now, his hair was back to its lustrous, deep auburn shade and his profile showed his flawless alabaster skin, a hint of his high cheekbones, the line of his chiseled jaw, and part of his dark, winglike brow.
As if sensing my stare, he turned toward me. I looked away so I didn’t have to meet his eyes. Still, my brief glimpse branded itself onto my brain.
He’d dressed for the occasion, wearing an ebony suit that draped over his body so perfectly, it had to be handmade. He had a white shirt underneath it, the complicated silk knot at the neck held together with a jewel that winked crimson when he turned. Seeing him so whole, so gorgeous, so alive made my throat burn, my chest tighten, and my eyes sting.
Horrified, I realized I was about to cry. I’d done everything I could to prepare myself, and one look had razed me.
I dug my nails into my palms until I felt blood. The slight pain wasn’t much, but I clung to it. I would not humiliate myself by crying in front of Ian and the entire council! I’d picked my navy skirt suit because it was elegant yet somber; the right balance for court. Now, its dark color concealed the blood I’d drawn, and the perfume I wore to hide the scent of my emotions covered its faint scent.
When Ian drawled, “My runaway bride, here at last,” I dug my nails in harder, then took in a breath to steady myself.
Big mistake. His cognac-and-caramel scent invited me to breathe it in until he filled me, and being so near to him meant his aura brushed mine as if his power were stroking me.
Somebody, kill me now.
To distract myself further, I took in the surroundings I’d ignored before. The seats of the amphitheater surrounded the stage and reflected the moon’s pale, silvery rays back at us as if they were additional lights. Those seats were empty since the only people sitting were in eleven large thrones at the center of the circular stage. Hekima, one of only four women on the council, nodded at me. Her salt-and-pepper hair was in its usual severe bun, but her brown eyes were warm. Out of all the council members, I liked her the most.
I smiled at Hekima before giving a more formal nod to Haldam, the official spokesperson for the council. Then I inclined my head at the remaining nine council members before turning my attention to the other people on the stage.
Mencheres, Ian’s sire, was here. His long black hair hung down over his shoulders like silk scarves, and his obsidian gaze was accusing when it met mine. Don’t blame me, blame Bones for this! I wanted to retort. I’d told Bones to protect Ian and ensure that he kept a low profile. Simple instructions, but with this lawsuit, Ian had practically painted a target on his back before firing himself from a canon during a demon fireworks display.
At least Mencheres loved Ian. That meant I could count on him. Ian would just kill his way out of here if the council called for his death, but I had friends here that I didn’t want to see harmed. Mencheres’s formidable powers plus my own abilities meant I could get Ian away without any bloodshed.
I looked away from Mencheres to Xun Guan, my longtime friend and former lover. Her expression became hooded as she glanced from me to Ian. I responded with a slight shake of my head. No, that shake told her. I’m not changing my stance about denying my marriage.