Chapter 5.

Gavin watched me dress for Tate Briggs' execution, his eyes betraying a bit of appreciation as I paraded around in underwear and bra. I chose black slacks and a black sweater, braided my hair and pulled on a pair of black, low-heeled boots while his eyes followed me silently. Gavin kept his arms folded and displayed a slight quirk at a corner of his mouth. He helped me into a short, black leather blazer, my last item. "You need jewelry," he breathed against my ear. "More earrings and necklaces and such. When I return from a.s.signment, we will remedy that." I put my platinum hoop earrings on, causing him to step back with a sigh. I knew he wanted to have s.e.x and had been hinting at it for days, but I didn't know what to do about it. I was feeling a bit queasy over the execution thing, really didn't want to go in the first place and had been told that it was an honor to be invited. Well, Gavin was Roman. I wondered if he'd had season tickets to the Coliseum.

Merrill arrived in a separate car and was already at the site when Gavin and I reached the designated execution area. It was set up on the grounds near Wlodek's manor and the entire Council was attending. No lights were provided; they weren't needed since vampires and werewolves could all see perfectly fine on the darkest of nights. The site was already roped off; it consisted of a twenty-foot square of dead gra.s.s on a chill October night, far away from everything human. Vampire Council members lined the rope on one side, some talking quietly to those beside them. I didn't listen in or give them more than a cursory glance, choosing instead to keep my revulsion over the whole thing from being noticed. Merrill made sure I was standing between him and Gavin behind an adjacent rope. Wlodek arrived after a bit, accompanied by Weldon and (to my surprise) Winkler.

"Lissa!" Weldon boomed before walking over and wrapping me in a bear hug, which aggravated Gavin. Gavin didn't get a greeting, but I wasn't surprised about that. He'd fooled everybody while watching Winkler and me. I hoped Winkler had somehow figured out that Gavin was keeping an eye on him over the recognition software he was developing. The fact that Winkler sold it exclusively to the NSA was our little secret.

"Good to see you, Grand Master," I nodded to Weldon after he let me go. Winkler grinned at me and frowned at Gavin, who displayed his usual unreadable expression.

"Honored one," Weldon turned to Wlodek, "it is my intention to allow my temporary Second to perform the execution." Weldon indicated Winkler.

"That is acceptable," Wlodek nodded to Weldon.

"It is also customary to my race for the one performing the execution to share the blood of the kill with a chosen member of the Pack if they so desire. Winkler wishes to bestow that honor upon Lissa."

Merrill stiffened beside me while I drew in a gasping breath. I didn't want any part of that, and I wasn't even sure what it was. No way did I want to share the blood of an executed half-human. No way.

"Lissa will accept this as the honor it is," Wlodek gave me a pointed look. f.u.c.k. I was pulled inside the roped-off area and shown where to stand, which was in a corner with Weldon. My skin was shivering and I only wanted to curl up in a little ball. That wasn't an option so I stood as straight as I could next to Weldon, who placed an arm around my shoulders and hugged me a little. The first thing to happen after all the Council members quieted expectantly was Winkler's preparation to turn to wolf. He removed his clothing. Winkler should definitely pa.s.s his genes off to someone; he could have posed for a few nude statues. He stretched his lithe, well-muscled body a little before nodding to Weldon and turning to wolf. His wolf was huge and solid black; only his eyes gleamed golden in the sliver of moonlight shining down.

"We are ready for the prisoner," Weldon informed Wlodek. Wlodek nodded to an attendant vampire and Tate Briggs was brought forward, struggling between two Enforcers that I hadn't seen before. I almost buried my face against Weldon's side at that point.

Tate was naked, just as Winkler was before he changed. I imagined that if Tate were werewolf, he'd be making the change as well. Unfortunately, he was the half-human son of a werewolf-human mating, and they were unable to turn. He was also crying, which made things worse. The vampires and the werewolves all looked on, their masks in place, no emotion evident.

"Tate Briggs, you are sentenced to death, according to the Law of the Pack," Weldon spoke beside me, his voice measured and even. "You have threatened the Pack by exposing the Pack, attempting to destroy it for your own petty revenge. These acts are in violation of the Pack oaths you swore, not only to your father, but to me as well. Make your peace and prepare to die."

"Shut up, you f.u.c.ker!" Tate shouted, struggling against the two vampires who held him. He was placed inside the roped off area. Winkler was already growling at him.

"Let him go," Weldon said and the vampires released their prisoner. Tate screamed and ran but Winkler was already on him, savaging his body. He nearly ripped a leg off first, causing Tate to scream louder. An arm was completely severed next and blood was indeed flying. I think I was whimpering by that time. Winkler then ripped out Tate's belly, spilling intestines and b.l.o.o.d.y viscera across the dead gra.s.s. Lastly, Winkler snapped the head from the neck, allowing it to roll away. He changed to his human form quickly and before I knew what was happening, Weldon shoved me forward. I found myself staring at Winkler, whose mouth and face were drenched in blood. He also had an erection as he came to me, stunned as I was, lifted me in his arms, kissed me with the mouth that still held warm blood from Tate's death and humped his erection against me until he achieved release.

Winkler set me down when he was done and lifted his head to howl. Shocked beyond comprehension, I almost dropped to the ground. Weldon was behind me, holding me up. "Stand up, Lissa," Weldon whispered in my ear. I did my best to stand as steadily as I could. The scent of Winkler's s.e.m.e.n was all over me now, along with Tate's blood. Winkler was done howling after a minute or two and warm, wet towels were brought to him. He made a huge production over cleaning himself off. Someone should have warned me about this, I thought, only now beginning to feel exceptionally angry over the whole thing. Tate's body parts were gathered up in a body bag by Enforcers. Who knew where they would be taken? I certainly didn't. Winkler dressed once he'd cleaned himself up.

"You are welcome to stay at the manor," Wlodek was extending an invitation to the werewolves. I was likely gaping at Wlodek and Weldon, who were exchanging pleasantries while I, horrified and covered in blood and s.e.m.e.n, looked on in obvious disbelief.

"We have a place to stay; one of the local Packs has offered," Weldon nodded to Wlodek. "We appreciate your invitation just the same, Honored One." Wlodek hadn't expected them to accept; I could see it in his face, but he was obligated to offer anyway. I wanted to smack both of them, as furious and humiliated as I felt at that moment.

"Lissa, I would very much like to hear from my Pack member, now and then," Weldon turned me to face him. "You are an official member of the Dallas Pack, by permission of the Packmaster. You should check in with him from time to time as well." He smiled at me. He was giving Wlodek instruction by talking to me within Wlodek's hearing. Wlodek's face was unreadable as he listened.

"She is a member of the Dallas Pack, by the demand of the Packmaster," Winkler added. All right, I not only had his come all over me and the blood from his kill, but now he was ordering me to keep in touch. The colossal schmuck.

"Haven't changed much, have we, Winkler?" I asked, doing my best to hide my fury and horror over what had just happened.

"Not one d.a.m.n bit," he grinned. "You have my email address. You could call, too, once in a while."

"Good to see you, Lissa," Weldon bent down and kissed my cheek. Winkler leaned in, gave me another tonsil-licker, grinned again, let me go and strode off after Weldon, leaving me dazed and speechless. As soon as they were out of sight, Gavin jerked me out of the enclosure, ripped my blazer, sweater and slacks off, tossed them on the ground and left them lying amid Tate's blood, threw me over his shoulder before I even had time to squeak out a protest and took off. I was now wearing only a bra, lacy panties and my boots.

I was beating on Gavin's back by the time we made it to the car but he was ignoring me completely. The door was slammed shut once he'd tossed me inside and Gavin was in the driver's seat before I knew it. He wasn't jealous. Uh-uh. I just hoped I was going to survive the next few minutes-Gavin was scaring me. His face was set and he hadn't said a word since the whole debacle started. On top of everything else, I couldn't get Tate's screams out of my head. Winkler hadn't tried to make the kill quick and merciful. He made sure the kid suffered. Maybe this was a deterrent to others who might consider breaking the law, but it didn't sit well with me or my stomach. Briefly, I considered telling Gavin that I'd like to walk home, even dressed as I was, but thought better of it.

"I think I'm needed at home," Merrill informed Wlodek quietly when Wlodek invited him to stay for a few minutes. "Perhaps to keep Lissa alive."

"If he harms her, I'll void his claim myself," Wlodek said, frowning. "Rene's offer still stands."

"I'll let you know," Merrill said, rushing toward the door.

Gavin was cursing. At least that's what I thought he was doing; it was all in French or Spanish or Italian; he seemed to be switching around. How was I to know? I didn't understand any of it. He was also pacing inside my bedroom. He'd tossed me in the shower, boots and all, when we arrived and I'd struggled to pull the boots off while Gavin ripped off my underwear. He proceeded to scrub my skin and hair twice under practically cold water, then watched while I brushed my teeth and rinsed my mouth with mouthwash. He didn't like Winkler's scent on me one tiny bit. Honestly, I didn't appreciate the scents Winkler left on me either, but there wasn't anything I could do about it. Now, I was wrapped in a bath towel and sitting against the headboard of my bed, listening to the rant. "Slow down, honey," I ventured after a while. Gavin growled at me and started up again. Well, this was going nowhere fast. I pulled my knees up and hugged one of the many pillows there. That's how Merrill found us; I was huddled up on the bed and Gavin was still having his fit.

"Gavin, enough," Merrill said, his voice a soft command. Gavin slowed down and then stopped. "Lissa, did he harm you?" Merrill turned to me.

"No. Unless you consider getting your skin scrubbed harm."

"Gavin, she didn't want to go and she didn't want what they did to her. Let it go." Merrill frowned at Gavin.

"You didn't want him to touch you?" Gavin looked at me.

"Not like that," I shivered a little. "I was so shocked, I couldn't even move. Somebody is going to have to explain all the rules to me someday before dumping me in the middle of a situation like that."

"Lissa is yours, Gavin," Merrill said. "She is here with you. She came home with you. She accepted your claim. This jealousy accomplishes nothing." Merrill stalked out of the room.

"Well, I guess he told me," Gavin drawled.

"At least you're speaking English, now," I said, refusing to look at him.

"Lissa, anyone has the power to raise my ire where you are concerned," Gavin rubbed a hand over his head. His hair was growing back slowly; he now had about a quarter inch of dark hair over his scalp. He looked to be growing it faster than the half-inch a year Charles had estimated.

"That was some ire," I said. My arms were still gripping my pillow tightly and I was still huddled against the headboard. I'd had a traumatic evening and Gavin hadn't helped matters any, flying off the handle like he did. "You're some kind of over-achiever, aren't you?" I added, looking up at him.

"Lissa, it was not my intention to make the situation worse." His dark eyes betrayed no emotion.

"I don't know whether it's a good thing or a bad thing that I didn't understand anything you said."

"More than likely a good thing." He came to sit on the bed beside me. "I will not harm you," he reached out a hand and trailed fingers across my bare shoulders. I almost shrank from his touch. "Your skin quivers when you are upset or frightened," he leaned in and placed a kiss against my shoulder. I still wore his ring; it was the only thing he hadn't removed when I'd been shoved into the shower earlier. Wanting to curl into a smaller ball, I lay there while Gavin stroked my skin, wondering what my life would be like when I had to marry him.

"How close are you and Rene," I asked, instead. "He'll want to kill me if he finds out I took those tiaras."

"Rene and I, well," Gavin sat up a little but still kept a hand on me, his thumb making circles on my shoulder. "Rene sometimes performs special services for the Council," Gavin said. "We are not very close but we don't ignore one another, either. We are family, he and I, where most other vampires no longer have family. Robert and Albert are close as brothers, as are Henri and Gervais, the misters. Rene and I are the only other two that are truly related in the vampire community."

"There are two sets of brothers who are Enforcers?" I hadn't thought about that before.

"Yes. As you can probably tell, the gifts sometimes run in families. Three years ago, we lost our Chief of Enforcers, Adam Chessman. His uncle was a mister and when Adam was turned, it was fortuitous for the Council that he also had the gift. Russell now holds the Chief position, but he doesn't have mindspeech or misting ability. We have difficulties as you might guess, finding the rare talents to begin with. Therefore, we often search out siblings who might carry the same abilities."

"So, you and Rene exchange Christmas gifts and birthday cards?" I asked, focusing on Gavin's only relative in the vampire realm.

"Nothing such as that, although Rene might find it humorous if I sent either," Gavin replied. "I was hoping to love you tonight but you are not in the proper mood." He sighed and stood up. "I must leave tomorrow and fly away from you, little angel. Remember to call me from time to time." Gavin left my room swiftly.

Gavin was kissing me when I woke. "I do not know when I shall return," he said and kissed me again before walking out my bedroom door. I blinked back tears as I watched him leave.

I sent an email to Winkler that evening, telling him that as an honored tradition among werewolves, what he'd done sucked. Of course, I skirted around the term werewolf and didn't describe the incident just in case, but he'd know what I meant. He sent an email back after a few hours, due to the time differences, I'm sure, and told me that usually if a female was involved, they got full s.e.x and not a dry hump.

"Thanks for that, O furry one," I replied.

"Howling with laughter," he sent back. The man was a lunatic in every sense of the word and that's what I emailed back to him.

Merrill and I finally discussed biting in public during my lessons. "It is considered a public bite if there are other vampires around that may become frenzied if they smell blood," Merrill explained. "If they cannot control themselves, humans may be killed as a result. This is not the same as when you bit that young man in the alley. There were no vampires close enough, you took the blood properly and not as a deliberate act of s.e.x, which is what happened the night of the ball. The vampire was not hungry; he merely wanted his escort to experience a climax. He should have taken her outside and away from the others if that is what he wished to do."

"Gavin took me to El Diablo," I mumbled, staring at my hands.

"And I'm sure he explained the differences to you."

"He did. I emailed Winkler and told him his traditions sucked," I lifted my eyes to Merrill.

"And he more than likely informed you that normally, the actual s.e.x act is included instead of what he did."

"He may have mentioned it. I called him a lunatic."

Merrill smiled. "Tomorrow," he said, I will take you and Franklin to London, where we will inspect the building that Sergio Velenci owned which now belongs to you. You may decide whether to keep it or sell it. There is also the matter of the villa in Spain. I have photographs of it." He handed a large envelope over that he'd pulled from a desk drawer.

"I don't need this," I said, going through the pictures. It was a grand estate, no doubt about it, and more than likely still contained Sergio's scent. I had no desire ever to smell that again.

"I can have someone pack up things such as jewelry and the like and have them shipped to you, so you may go through them and decide if there's anything you'd like to keep. Otherwise, a prestigious auction house will be more than happy to offer those things for sale," Merrill said. I nodded. "Do you wish to keep any of the furniture?"

"No."

"There are buyers who would like the villa furnished as it is," Merrill said. "Here is a listing of the artwork, along with photographs." We looked at those for a while. There was some Baroque art, even a few Rococo pieces, along with a Neocla.s.sical piece or two. What really drew my attention was the Vermeer; I drew in a breath at that one.

"Merrill, I want this one," I pa.s.sed the photograph back to him.

"You have excellent taste," Merrill smiled. "That one is priceless. It probably hasn't seen the light of day since Sergio acquired it-shortly after the artist painted it, no doubt. I'll have it packed up and shipped directly to my business address. Is there anything else you might like?"

"The Rubens. Do you think the Honored One would like the David?" It was a Neocla.s.sical piece, depicting Napoleon.

"I think he would like that very much," Merrill said, smiling slightly.

"Do you want the Rembrandt?" I pa.s.sed the photograph over to him.

"Are you sure you want to give this away? It is worth millions."

"I know. I'm asking if you want it. If you do, I'd like to give it to you. As an early Christmas gift."

"I would be honored to accept," he smiled. "I have a spot for it in my drawing room."

"Let me ask Gavin if there's anything here he wants; I guess I'll have to call or email," I said, leafing through the photographs again. "Franklin, too."

"You know quite a bit about art," Merrill said.

"I have an MFA in fine art, you know. They don't hand those out unless you take a truckload of hours in art history."

"I see." Merrill's smile deepened.

"So, you can keep Baudelaire and Voltaire," I said. "I can talk art with anybody, including those vampires who painted on cave walls, I think."

Franklin had a hard time choosing between the Fragonard and the Boucher, so I asked Merrill to have both of them packed up and sent to him. Franklin tried to stop me, so I hugged him into submission. Who knew Franklin would want a painting of Louis XV's mistress?

"The prospective buyers for the villa are vampires and have offered a fair amount for the property," Merrill informed me later. "They understand that the art work will not be included and didn't expect it."

"They're not like Nyles Abernathy, with an ax to grind, are they?" I asked. I just wanted to make sure.

"No. I know these personally, and that will not be the case," Merrill hugged me lightly. "Actually, Henri and Gervais, the misters, wish to buy. The countryside is beautiful there."

"Then more power to them," I said.

"Honey, I just need to know if you want any of the paintings," I spoke with Gavin on the phone later. I'd left a voicemail earlier and he'd called me back.

"You don't miss me?"

"Of course I miss you. I don't miss your temper; you can leave that behind when you come home."

"Amusing," Gavin grumbled.

"I'm teasing you. I don't think a surgeon could separate you and your temper."

"Then I am pleased you realize that."

"Charles wants to see a movie and asked me to go along." I winced, expecting the jealous rage but it didn't come.

"Charles would be a good companion," Gavin acknowledged. "I trust you have only a platonic interest in him?"

"I think of Charles as a friend, nothing more," I said.

"He's not your type," Gavin said, right at the moment I said almost the same thing.

"We say jinx when people do that," I laughed.

Charles and I did go out in early November. We saw a romantic comedy (I guess some vampires actually enjoy those, he and I did). He had a place in London, although he stayed at Wlodek's most of the time. The best part about the outing was the fact that we had fun and it was nice. He knew not to get too friendly; I don't think many vampires would want to tangle with Gavin, after all. The trouble with having Charles as a friend was his job-Charles didn't have a lot of spare time.

"Have fun?" Merrill was reading a newspaper at the kitchen island when I got home. He likes to keep up with the stock reports and his subscriptions to business magazines alone were staggering.

"I did and we liked the movie," I said.