Queen of the Coast (Book 5 of the Northern Territories Series)

Chapter 2

Queen of the Coast

Chapter 2

Luka is carrying me up the stairs at the backside of his property. “I can walk now.”, I tell him, knowing he’s only carrying me because he is too impatient to wait for me to shake off the light headedness shimmering always leaves me with.

He sets me on my feet, directly in front of him. He says nothing as he follows me up the stairs. He studies me as I grab my heels from the stairs on the top flight, where it becomes the actual stone staircase attached to the courtyard, rather than the large rock jutting out. “Those didn’t look like something you’d wear.”, he comments, gesturing toward the cute girlish ballet slippers conjured for me.

“Tie conjured them.”, I answer, as Luka takes my heels from me, and places his hand against my back to guide me up the rest of the stairs. He opens the door and I step in. His anger still pours from him in waves, he just hasn’t decided what he is going to do.

He guides me back through to the sitting room, where Courtier is still sunbathing. I control my heart rate, but there is nothing I can do for the dread in my stomach. He’s probably linking Courtier. I make eye contact with him as Luka passes me, tilting my head slightly; hoping Courtier understands I’ve told Luka nothing. If he confesses, he’s dead and there is nothing I can do to stop Luka.

“She told me you sent for her.”, Luka lies, the anger in the accusation makes me nauseous. Courtier does not have the same ability to tell truth from lies in words. Luka is baiting him.

He hisses angrily. “Why did you come here?”, Luka turns to glare at me.

“As I said before, a concerned party told me of your intentions. You weren’t here. Tie's men came, I ran outside and down the back stairs. Left my heels. I stayed in the cabin by the river to speak with Vedant. Tie's team broke into the cabin, then brought me to you.”, I’m very careful with my phrase choices so he doesn’t hear any lies, nor partial truths.

“You never spoke with Courtier and he sent no one for you.”, Luka questions.

Shit s**t s**t

“Courtier chose a very horrible creature for communication, Luka. He should’ve chosen a bird, if talking were his interest.”, I dismiss rather than answer.

Luka’s anger intensifies, he knows I haven’t answered. I have to think of a way to mislead this. He moves suddenly into my face and forces me back against the wall. Courtier slowly uncoils. He knows Luka won’t hurt me, he’s wise enough to stay back. If he reacts, Luka will know.

“Who?”, Luka hisses, pinning me, and cupping my jaw to force me to look at him.

“They went to Maelopei, Luka. I didn’t speak with them.”, I answer honestly. Luka wouldn’t dare go after Maelopei. He knows that she is just as ruthless as he is. It would be death for both their kind, with no solutions ever to be found.

He tilts his head, “Maelopei told you to spare Vedant and his child?”

“Yes, she likes Vedant and doesn’t want him harmed. I never asked who she got her information from.”, I swallow when he releases my face and hisses. Luka rips the bar from the floor in a single movement, sending it across the room crashing into the stone wall with a bang that echoes through the entire house. I don’t look at Courtier, I keep my eyes trained on Luka. He has less reason to suspect Courtier now, but he’s still not off the hook. I pray there was enough truth in my statements that none came off as partial truths.

Luka suddenly grabs the back of my neck and forces me over to Courtier, “Tell me he had nothing to do with your betrayal, Daphne.”

I turn, slapping Luka’s hand away from me. “I don’t know what your wicked father does, nor for what reason! I’m not his f*****g keeper! Keep your hands off me, Luka!”, I shout, losing control of my own anger.

He lifts a brow, but lowers his hand. I roll my neck and move away from them both, rubbing the back of my neck where I’m sure his handprint was left. Snakes and their grips, Goddess!

Luka’s POV

I’m getting nothing at all from Daphne. She gives just enough to be truthful, but not enough to give a clear understanding. “I don’t know what you’re expecting, Luka.”, my father links as he continues sunbathing. He doesn’t hate Daphne; he respects her as an equal power, now that she’s mastered her gifts. He just doesn’t like her with me. He’s stuck in this form until I mark my mate, and that’s not going to happen when my interest is in Daphne.

“Where’s your phone, belle?”, I ask her as she takes a seat on the sofa, furthest from Courtier.

“In the cabin, on the cabinet above the dishwasher.”, she answers readily. I’d be annoyed, but I know how fast she is. A master of deception, very difficult for even me to track. That’s Maelopei’s attraction to her as well. They may not have seen her even if she’d done it right in front of their faces.

“Is your neck injured?”, I check on her, as I link a guard to get the phone and bring it to me. I didn’t mean to grab her that hard. I’d never intentionally hurt her.

“I’m fine.”, she sighs irritably, while being anything but fine. She raises a brow at me when I continue watching her. “My neck is fine, Luka.”, she answers truthfully, though she is struggling to reign her anger in. Her angry isn’t helpful, I have to give her a little bit to calm down.

“Did you send for Daphne?”, I focus on Courtier instead.

“No.”, he answers matter-of-factly, rotating his body under the sun.

“You have no part in her actions?”

I sense the amusement and can just see his smile when he links, “My son, that woman is feral. No one controls her; things work agreeably for her because she has a body that could inspire even the impotent, and the power to manipulate the emotions of pretty well whomever she chooses. You’ll know only what she wants you to. Find a way to accept that, or she will help you.” He’s right, Daphne does as Daphne chooses.

“That doesn’t tell me who gave her the information, father.”, I return.

“Maelopei did. You could POLITELY, mind you, ask her who she spoke with.”, he suggest unhelpfully. Getting information from Maelopei is just as difficult as Daphne, except Daphne still loves me. Even if she won’t admit it. That’s why she avoids me, she’ll see people she hates.

I accept her phone from the guard. “Code?”

She holds out her hand, her big blue eyes meet mine. I control my smirk when I kneel in front of her, facing the phone to her. I’m not stupid enough to place it in her hand. She enters the code, and I look through the phone. She’s erased everything… or had someone else do it remotely.

“I should’ve known you were making that too easy.”, I toss the phone down beside her. She’ll need it for the Head Councilman. Her grin gets under my skin and melts away a lot of my anger. I might as well just give her time to pull it together. She’s confident in his ability to get Melody back, I trust her fully. She may have acted against me, but not in a way that would harm me.

I stand and move back, not wanting to make her feel boxed in. She’ll take this better, “You’re staying right here with me until Melody is exchanged.” I don’t need her here, but if I let her go she’ll be right back to ignoring me unless it’s about Melody or contracts. If I make her stay, she’ll have to listen to me and let me explain at some point. I didn’t mean for any of this to happen between us.

She rolls her eyes and shakes her head. Maelopei can’t shimmer in here, she can only make it as far as the yard. Daphne isn’t willing to harm me, so she’s stuck under me until I let her go. If I don’t push her too far, she’ll take the easier route and let me have my way.

I link for dinner to be brought up for her. My belle gets grouchy when she’s hungry. Feed her, let her have a few drinks, she’ll calm down and perhaps be willing to listen to me.

I conjure a laptop I can monitor, for her to entertain herself. “Watch her. Notify me if she moves from that spot.”, I link Courtier.

“Be a good girl, belle. Stay right there.”, I tell her as I walk back to the entry to meet Baxter and take him into my study.

Daphne’s POV

I know Courtier has been told to watch me, even without being able to communicate with him. There are cameras all through this house, Maelopei’s presence would’ve affected the quality of those recordings, making them fuzzy and blurred. Luka will know she was here and where we were exactly, but not what we did, nor what was said. That’s why the pictures and videos of sirens are never seen, only drawings.

I scroll through shifter news, knowing better than to do anything else. He will have all my passwords and information if I log onto anything at all. I’ll use my phone for my calls and email.

A guard enters and places a bag from Le Desma alongside me. “The Guardian ordered for you, Ms. Lilith.”, he bows his head slightly and goes right back down the hall. I look up from the bag to Courtier, his beady red eyes remain focused on me.

“You must be rather bored, Courtier.”, I comment, opening the bag and pulling the containers out, placing them on the table Luka didn’t destroy in his fit.

He ordered lemon garlic scallops over pasta with fresh garlic twists. He knows my favorite, but I’m going to need a drink with it. I walk around the busted bar to the shelves, distinctly aware of Courtier’s gaze following me as I mix myself a tall drink.

I look him over as I return to my seat. “I’m going to be honest with you, Courtier. You’re more likable this way.”, his thoughts are concealed within, rather than being written all over his face.

I sit, feeling just a little sorry for him having to sit here and watch me. I turn shifter reports on, setting the laptop on the table, before moving to the opposite side of the couch toward him. Courtier adjusts some to see the screen; he was always watching reports and documentaries when he was vampire.

I finish my meal and close the containers, placing them back in the bag. “Leave them here, or go find a trash bin? Rise for leave it, coil for trash.”, I ask Courtier, wanting to reinforce this calm version of him. He lifts his head, telling me to leave it.

“Very well.”, I fold my legs under me and lean back in my seat, sipping my drink. A man enters, his emotions are intense, anger being the most prevalent.

“Are you the one that warned the Head Councilman?”, he accuses more than asks.

I see Courtier lift his head in interest. I can’t create what doesn’t exist, he feels angry, scared, and some love. I’m careful about enhancing that… love often inspires violence in these situations.

“Answer me!”, the pixie shouts.

Before I’m able to respond, Courtier suddenly strikes; grabbing the man and spinning him like a top as he coils around him.

I squeal, pushing off the cushion, and jumping over the back of the couch; sending the remainder of my drink across the floor. “Luka!”, I scream, hearing this man’s bones break, and the air forced from his body. I block him as Courtier unhinges his large jaw as he strikes down at the man’s head; turning away, unwilling to commit the image to memory.

Luka suddenly grabs me around my waist and lifts me to him, carrying me back through the entry to the opposite hall.

“Who was that?”, I ask the moment he sets me down in his study. He conjures another laptop for me on the coffee table by the plush leather sofa.

“Melody’s cousin.”, he answers disinterestedly.

I grab his arm when he goes to walk away from me, “Your father just ate that poor girl’s cousin, Luka.” He’s just scared for her, death wasn’t necessary.

He looks down at me, tilting his head. “He entered my home and came for someone in Courtier’s care. He is expected to handle the situation. It’s unfortunate for Melody, but her cousin should’ve valued his life more. You’d allow that in your home?”

He’s right, you know he is right. If people thought they’d get away with storming into his house, it would be a constant problem. A giant snake crushing and swallowing him was a bit much.

Luka lightly pulls away from me and opens the liquor cabinet, mixing me another drink. “Sit, belle.”, handing it to me.

I take it and sit. It’s not like I haven’t killed someone, or seen someone die. I’ve never seen a snake eat a person. Courtier was almost cute… before he did that. “You know, I almost liked the new Courtier.”

Luka chuckles, “Father’s silence is endearing, but he is the same man he’s always been. His power sleeps, his full consciousness is in Courtier.”

“You call him Courtier so others don’t realize he is Vandergrift?”, I sip my drink, Luka always makes them perfectly.

“Yes, only people who know him well are aware that his first name is Courtier.”, Luka sits back in his seat, folding his hands across his muscular abdomen.

I can see it in his eyes, and the way he watches me, “What do you wish to tell me, Luka?”

“The truth about Gabe.”, Luka answers, I don’t want to hear him defend his reasons for killing Gabe. I’ve been cooperative thus far, that can change.

“If you’re going to try and justify your actions, I don’t need to hear it. You’re going to anger me, and I’m going to make keeping me here very difficult for you, Luka.”

“I’m not justifying my actions. I’m only asking that you have all of the information before you pass your judgement. I will accept that you cannot forgive, or even that you hate me; just know the story first.”

“Fine.”, having very mixed emotions about this entire situation with him.

“The very first knowledge of Gabe was when he stole four of my shipping containers. Irreplaceable items, belle. He left me a note telling me I had no right to them. THEY WERE MINE. I went after him to get my containers, AND to kill him. I won’t deny he was dead in my mind the moment this note was handed to me.” He pulls a note out of the drawer, before walking around his desk to hand it to me. It is in Gabe’s handwriting. Why would he rob Luka? Gabe wasn’t that type of man.

“I didn’t even know you knew him, until I saw you. I’d pulled my guards back, once you’d had your own. The intensity of the emotions I felt… I fully intended to kill Gabe before I got there, him having you too just… pushed me over, I think. I lost control of myself, but I do remember. I know exactly what I did.”, Luka sits back against the corner of his large wood desk. “What I didn’t know, at that time, was that Vandergrift had set it all in motion. He was concerned that I would become lenient on whomever you chose as your mate. Gabriel Clary was involved in river trades, not exactly the best place for my leniency. Vandergrift devised this scheme in his mind to make you his chosen. He used glamor and went to Gabriel, claiming my containers were stolen from the local village. He provided images and paperwork for each one; Stolen from me, of course. Gabriel was led to believe my shipments were owned by a pixie merchant; One known to dabble in theft. He took back what he believed to be the village’s, and left that note for a pixie thief he thought he was much more powerful than. He had no idea he had left that challenge to me. If I could change my actions, I would let Gabriel live. I would collect my property, and make sure Vandergrift never interfered in your life again. I never meant for any of this to happen, Daphne.”

“You expect me to believe you didn’t know I was with Gabe?”, I question. Luka isn’t a liar. He won’t gloss over that.

“I didn’t know, belle. How would I have known that; you didn’t tell me on any of the numerous occasions we spoke by phone. I hadn’t seen you in a year, you were off with Layla; I know you weren’t with him before then. I had no idea you were fated. I’m sorry, belle. There’s not a day that goes by, these past six years, that I haven’t thought about you. I miss you. In less than twenty minutes of our forty years together, I made a horribly tragic mistake. I swear to you, I’ll never make it again.”, his guilt and love is why I’ve avoided this conversation. It’s hard to take, and I can’t bring myself to block him; not when he’s never shut me out.

I know Luka lost control because I didn’t know what I was doing, I hadn’t mastered my gifts yet. I enhanced his love, thinking that if he loved me enough he would stop. I did it without realizing that it was partially his love fueling his anger. Overwhelmed by his emotions, his mind shut them off; setting the feral creature within free. He entered blood lust. Unmated feeders in blood lust are completely feral. I find it difficult to switch my anger from Luka to Vandergrift. I’ve been angry with him for so long. The events replay in my mind, one conclusion echoes loudly.

Courtier set up Gabe to have him killed because he wanted control of Luka. It wasn’t really even about me at all. Gabe was a pawn and I was a tool.

I stand and bolt out of the study, hoping to get far enough ahead of Luka.

“COURTIER!”, I shout down the hall. Luka grabs me, attempting to pull me back toward the study. I slap his hand away from me. “NO, LUKA! You don’t get to decide whether or not he pays for what he’s done! He doesn’t get to hide behind you!”

“I’m not stopping you, belle. I’ll take you to him, I’m just trying to warn you.”, he tries to coax me as he moves in front of me to block the entry. “If you think swallowing that man was bad, you don’t want to see him come back up. We can go kill Courtier, that’s fine. When you hurt him, he’s going to instinctively reject that large meal.” I don’t want to see that.

“Allow me to provide alternatives?”, I nod, willing to hear him out.

“We can give him a few days to digest. Then we can kill Courtier, his consciousness will return to his body; where he will sleep until he is awakened. OR, I’ve cast Courtier’s consciousness into the snake because I wanted him awake for the experience. He cannot use his power, he is but a large snake. Strong enough to defend himself, but far too vulnerable to create trouble. I didn’t want to allow him to just sleep while I deal with the consequences of both our actions. He cannot further his agendas or live his life as a man. He cannot even speak unless a person, capable of opening a link and holding it for him, chooses to do so. I have punished him and he will remain as he is until you say otherwise. Even once his curse is removed, it is my blood required to awaken him; I’m the caster.”

Live in a prison, without his power, for all eternity… At least until after I die; or kill his vessel now, and allow him to sleep until that same time frame. Letting him sleep the consequences away would be merciful and he is undeserving.

“Fine. I am going to hurt him when he’s finished digesting.”, I turn and walk back toward the study.

He follows closely behind me, “Are you willing to tell me whether Courtier was involved with your interference?”

While I’m extremely upset with Courtier, he wasn’t wrong this time. Luka needed to be stopped and due to his current state, Courtier was unable to. He made the right choice going to Maelopei. I stop and turn to him, having to take a step back when he almost runs into me.

“I’m tired. Where are you keeping me?” Luka grins mischievously. I raise a brow, “Don’t embarrass yourself.”

Luka steps into me, backing me against the wall. Amusement is all I see in his eyes; I had expected it to hurt his pride a little. He leans in against my jaw, nudging and nipping beneath my ear. “You know I won’t, little belle.”, he whispers against my jaw. I know he senses my body’s reaction to him. Luka has always had a way of making my body respond, no matter what my mind says.

I push against his chest and he steps back. “A bed you’re not in, Luka.”, I demand, leaving no room for arguments.

He smirks and places his hand against my lower back, guiding me through the entry down the opposite hall. Courtier is no where to be seen.

He opens the door and enters behind me, conjuring pajamas, a change of clothes, and bathroom necessities. Someone has already placed hygiene products in the bathroom. He turns to me, pulling a thin bracelet from his pocket, holding it out to me. “Put it on.”, he instructs.

“What is it?”, I take it and look it over. It is some sort of enchanted braided cable.

“It keeps you from being able to leave the house. You wear it, or you sleep with me, kitten.”, he suggests, his tone making it clear he prefers the second option. I purse my lips and offer the bracelet back, turning my wrist up to him when he takes it.

He grins, closing the bracelet, and it immediately shrinks to fit snugly against my skin; becoming a tattoo. It creates a strong emotional pull to Luka once it adheres to my skin. He’s tied me to him.

“Collar is on, you’re free to go.”, I instruct, walking around him to the bathroom. I hear the bedroom door close as I tie my hair back to shower and get ready for bed.

Luka is sitting on my bed with my phone when I walk out. “You left it in the lobby. There’s an email, open it.”, he offers me the phone. I unlock it and look at the emails, the one he’s interested in is the notification from Vedant. I read it over, then turn it to Luka. It says that she was sold to a vampire coven. They don’t know which coven has her currently, but the dragon they’re using to hunt her is familiar with the ones capable of containing her.

“It’s not Dunkan Alnwick, they’d never hold a reptilian lycan. That leaves Vander Demortz or Delaqua Reed.”, Luka says, standing from the bed and towering over me again.

“Let Vedant collect her for you. There’s no need for you to extend your reach.”, I advise. He knows I’m right, the dragonian can collect her with less risk of her being killed. The coven would likely kill her to hide they’d had her, if they discovered Luka was coming.

“Goodnight, Luka.”, I prompt him to leave. He is not sleeping in here with me. This isn’t even the usual time for him to be asleep.

“Goodnight, kitten.”, he returns, leaving my temporary bedroom again.

I climb in bed and under the thick warm duvet. Plugging in my phone with the conjured charger Luka left on the nightstand. I message Maelopei.

Daphne- I’m Luka’s hostage until Vedant returns Baxter’s mate. I’ll be out for a little while. Take over the office until I return.

Maelopei- Keep me updated on where things are. I’ll be you, when necessary. Summon me if you decide you want out.

Daphne- I’m fine for now. It’s not worth fighting him over at the moment.

Maelopei- You’re having him focus on you, rather than plotting. I want to hear the details of this distraction, little belle.

I can just hear her suggestive voice in my mind.

Daphne- Goodnight

She sleeps during the day, between 10am and 5 or 6pm. Like most feeders, she prefers, but doesn’t require, sleep daily. They can go weeks at a time without sleep.