Rhiannon Frater - The Fallen King

“Has Armando been seeing you in Austin? Alisha told me you were seeing a human.”

“Oh, my God, Roman! This isn’t about me and Armando! This is about you!”

Wagging his finger in her face, Roman said, “Armando is too old for you and he’s a vampire.”

Vanora glared at her brother, ignoring his admonition. “Roman, this is about you! You being in danger! Armando saved my life!”

“From vampires you didn’t see!”

“Do you really think Armando is making stuff up? Why would he do that?”

Roman flung up his hands. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s about you! He got you back here where he wants you!”

“No, no, no! Armando loves you! He’s trying to save your life. He wants us to leave Houston!”

“And he’ll go with us?” Roman shook his head with disbelief. “Our life is here, Vanora. My life is here. I’m not going to abandon it.”

“But it’s true, Roman! There are vampires out there who don’t like what you’ve done. They’re coming for you.”

Slamming his hands down on the table, Roman said, “I will not abandon our home! Our legacy!”

“This isn’t about family honor, Roman,” Vanora protested.

“Yes, it is, Vanora. The Socolis abandoned their ancestral home when the Communists took over Romania. Everything we could save is in this house. That mausoleum out there contains the bodies of our ancestors. This is our home. Our legacy.”

“It’s just bricks and dead bodies, Roman.”

Lifting his head, Roman stared at Vanora in disbelief. “I thought you understood.”

“I understand that you’ve become king of your own small kingdom and you don’t want to leave it.” Vanora felt each word strike deep into her brother’s heart.

To her surprise, Roman slowly nodded his head. “You’re right.”

“Roman, please, let’s go. Let’s leave. Tonight. You, me, Alisha, Carlotta...”

“Armando?” Roman’s eyes darkened at the mention the other vampire.

Vanora nodded.

“You and he...”

“I love him,” Vanora said softly, averting her eyes.

“And he loves you.” It was a statement, not a question.

“We’re not together. He only came into my life to save you.”

Dragging her into his arms, Roman held Vanora tenderly. “He’s too old. He’s a vampire.”

“I know.”

With a sigh, Roman released her. “Fine. We’ll go. Let’s finish this party for Carlotta’s sake. I’ll make preparations once it’s over. Where do you want to go?”

“I get to choose?”

“Yes. Choose.”

“I guess wherever Armando says it’s safe.”

Roman rolled his eyes. “Fine.” Plucking the wine bottle from the table, he leaned over to kiss her forehead. “I love you, Snow Pea.”

“I love you, Roman.”

The doorbell rang through the house.

“I thought they knew to go to the back.” An icy finger slid along her spine.

“It’s a new vampire. She’s a bit nervous. We’ve been corresponding by email and I invited her to come out tonight. That way she can meet everyone.” Roman strode out into the main hallway. “She’s a bit different from all the other vampires.”

Following her brother as he strode toward the front door, Vanora’s hands began to tremble. Dread consumed her and she reached out to grab his arm. “How is she different?”

“It’s a sad story, “Roman answered as his hand settled on the door handle. “She was made into a vampire at a young age.”

“No!” Vanora screamed as he brother’s thumb pressed down on the lever.

The door swung open revealing a diminutive blond girl dressed in a white lace dress and white granny boots.

“Lorelei, you made it,” Roman said warmly.

“Greetings, Roman,” the girl answered, her big eyes shining brightly in the light from the chandelier.

“Don’t let her in!” Vanora cried out, surging forward.

Lorelei’s eyes instantly narrowed.

“Vanora?” Roman stood with his hand outstretched to welcome the vampire inside.

Barely able to draw a breath, Vanora whispered, “She’s one of them.”

“Someone’s been using her witch powers to spy,” Lorelei said, her lips forming a snarl.

Surprise registered on Roman’s face a split second before Lorelei grabbed his hand, wrenched him through the doorway, and vaulted upwards, carrying him with her.

The wine bottle crashed to the steps and exploded into a fountain of red liquid and glass.

Vanora screamed.

As Armando approached Carlotta through the vampires clustered along the edge of the pool near the temporary dance floor, he saw the gypsy’s gaze dart toward him. With a charming laugh, she squeezed the arm of the woman she was talking to, then excused herself to walk in the opposite direction of Armando. He immediately shifted into a dark mist, rushed through the partygoers, and rematerialized before her, blocking her way.

“Ugh!” Carlotta threw up her hands at him. “I hate it when you do that!”

Catching her by the wrist, Armando tugged her onto the dance floor and away from the others.

“What do you want?” Carlotta demanded.

“To dance with an old friend,” Armando answered with a flirtatious smile.

“I need to find Roman,” Carlotta sniffed, though his answer had pleased her. She loved drama and Armando playing the resentful ex-lover pleased her.

Sweeping Carlotta into his arms, Armando drew her into a slow dance. “He can survive without you hanging on his arm for a little while.”

“Jealous?” Carlotta’s finely sculpted eyebrows rose playfully.

“Me? Jealous? Of you?” Armando lifted a shoulder in a shrug, but gave her a smoldering look. He knew Carlotta’s vanity would never allow her to believe he wasn’t longing for her. If it would keep her dancing with him and away from Roman so Vanora could speak to her brother, Armando would play along.

“Oh, dear Armando, you know that it was never that way between us,” she said, fingers tracing down his cheek. “We had passion and lust, but never love.”

“And it’s love between you and Roman?” It was difficult for him to think of Carlotta loving anyone but herself.

Surprisingly, her usual haughtiness and arrogance melted from her features as Carlotta nodded. “Very much so. He is...” She faltered, her dark eyes shockingly glinting with tears. Regaining her composure, she said, “I have never loved anyone before. It’s terrifying. I would do anything for him.”

Losing his jealous façade, Armando drew her closer. “Carlotta, Aeron is coming...”

“I know.” She lifted her chin, her eyes bright. “But Roman is safe. I’ve seen to it.”

Armando gazed at her doubtfully. “Aeron will start a purge.”

“Yes, but Roman is safe,” Carlotta insisted. “I spoke with Aeron personally and begged him to spare Roman.”

“And he agreed?”

Nodding her head, Carlotta smiled brightly. “Oh, yes, he did. I asked him not to kill Roman because I have found love and happiness. He said he wouldn’t.”

The music took a decidedly darker turn and Armando glanced over to see Alexander had taken over the deejay equipment.

“Aeron won’t kill Roman, Armando. His vow is sacrosanct,” Carlotta insisted, though there was a slight tremor of fear in her words.

“With your very own ears you heard him say he will not kill Roman?” Armando faltered in their dance. Would Aeron truly spare the Socoli?

“Yes.” Carlotta’s red lips spread into a beautiful smile. “He did. He never breaks his word.”

Armando pressed a kiss to her cheek. “I wish you happiness, Carlotta.”

“I am happy,” she answered.

With a slight bow, Armando excused himself and hurried through the party. Stepping into the shadows, he gathered his thoughts. Aeron had promised not to kill Roman, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t have someone who served him do the deed. Carlotta had obviously not considered that possibility. Whenever Aeron began a purge he always killed the leader first. Aeron was most likely still in transit from Europe, but Lorelei was in Texas.