The Fires of Tartarus: The French Vampire Legend, #3

By Emma V Leech

The Fires of Tartarus
THE FRENCH VAMPIRE LEGEND: BOOK THREE

Defying the gods, their love has spanned millennia.
A last desperate act, her lover's sacrifice, has led to this.
The Master of the vast and powerful Albinus family may have saved her from a vengeful god but Jéhenne is no damsel in distress. Waiting for a hero to rescue her, allowing Corvus to suffer any longer, just isn't in her nature.
Could Corvus truly be so irrevocably changed? Driven to madness by all he has suffered? Jéhenne hopes not, but swears to make Dis Pater, god of the Underworld, pay and bring her man home.
To save him she will have to journey through the underworld and into the infernal depths of Tartarus to face the monsters that dwell within.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ "I didn't want it to end! Completely wrapped up in the story, rooting for the characters like they are personally my friends. Wishing I had their "power". So beautifully written." ~ Amazon customer review

In her absence, a new and unexpected threat surfaces and her family are at risk. Summoning all of her powers and cunning, Jéhenne must hide the dangerous truth of her own identity as she proves her power to the world, risking everything to fight for the man she loves and the family he left in her care.
Everyone has their own agenda and with terrifying enemies, and even scarier allies, appearing on all sides she must decide who to trust. Time is running out and Jéhenne knows that if she fails, she and everyone she loves will be damned.

**** Warning: This book contains dark and mystical themes entwined with magical, mildly graphic sex scenes. We are very pleased, however, that the book - or series – doesn't fall into the category of erotica. ****

The third book of the paranormal romance series, The French Vampire Legend. From Emma V Leech, the multi-award-winning Amazon Top 10 romance writer.
•Book 1: The Key to Erebus
•Book 2: The Heart of Arima
•Book 3: The Firs of Tartarus
•Book 4: The Son of Darkness 

Happy reading! And please do leave a review – it would mean the world to hear what you enjoyed most about the book and be very helpful for others who might enjoy it too.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Emma V Leech
• Release date: May 3, 2021
• ISBN: 9798201271015

Book preview

Prologue

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I COULD HEAR HIS HEART beating, a quiet thunder under the roar of flames that surrounded him. Those blue eyes, once so calm and powerful, were wide and wild as terror pushed his body to the limits of endurance.

He knew it was coming. The night fell with heavy inevitability like the blow from an axe, but that would have been a sweet ending - swift and painless. The end was coming for him just as it came every single day for all eternity. The gathering twilight that once brought him life now brought slavering jaws and pitiless claws to pull and tear at his fragile body and grind his bones. It was inexorable, inescapable and yet ... he tried anyway. Tried to run, to hide, to plead ... to fight. Anything to cling to life for a few more precious seconds, anything to delay the scrape of teeth as he screamed for mercy - but there was no mercy here.

Here was fire and blood, demons and evil, retribution for sins and punishment for trespasses against the gods.

Here was Tartarus - and there was no escape.

Is it better to out-monster the monster or to be quietly devoured?

-Beyond Good and Evil, Friedrich Nietzsche

Chapter 1

CONSCIOUSNESS PULLED at my sleeping mind, and I grasped at it with sweaty hands, at anything to escape the terror.

I knew I was screaming, but I couldn't evade the horror before my eyes, couldn't accept that the carnage I saw in front of me had been a man, my man, my heart and soul. Monsters fought over his remains with such depravity and evil even my mind could not have imagined.

My heart pounded, my lungs gasping for the breath to scream again, to tear harder at my throat, already raw from the depths of my terror and anguish, and then ... it stopped.

Peace, comfort and familiarity wrapped around me like the patchwork quilt from my childhood bed. Except it was no quilt that curled around me, bringing warmth and security.

I took a breath as my eyelids struggled to open, even the dim light of the fire in the hearth too bright, too real after the brutality of the dream.

It's all right, Jéhenne. I'm here.

I woke fully as the voice threaded through my tender brain. It was soothing, calming, and yet somehow that irritated the hell out of me.

It was just a dream, he whispered as a large hand smoothed my hair from my face.

I know it was a fucking dream! I pushed Lucas away, unable to bear the touch of his arms around me even though a part of me desperately needed the contact.

Well good morning, sunshine. He smirked, laying back on my bed like he had a right to be there and looking like a bloody aftershave model. Max, the great cat that Corvus had given me, huffed from his position at the bottom of the bed and went back to sleep. He was only too used to me and Lucas yelling at each other in the morning.

Do me a favour and go stand in the sun, Lucas, I snapped at him, throwing the covers back and easing my body out of bed. The dream still clung to me, my muscles taut from the desire to run as hard and fast as I could.

Is that a command ... mistress? I could hear the sneer on his face, even without looking at him. It dripped from his voice.

I glared at him over one shoulder. Don’t tempt me.

He chuckled and stretched out on the bed, his arms up behind his head. The movement made his T-shirt ride up, exposing a rock-hard stomach and the edge of an impressive six pack. A trail of dark hair disappeared below his belt, and I snapped my eyes to his face, annoyed with myself at having noticed him at all. He looked at me steadily, the dark brown eyes amused.

Hungry? he asked with a slight quirk of one eyebrow.

I looked away from him. Starving, I replied. Make sure breakfast is ready for me downstairs in half an hour. I could eat a horse.

Of course I was well aware he wasn’t talking about food. He wasn’t even implying I wanted sex, though that of course was there too in his expression. The new torture that life had decided to stick me with on top of slicing my heart into bite-sized pieces was the fact I was part vampire and the only one I could feed from was Lucas. I squashed down the wave of despair that rose as I remembered why Lucas was here instead of the man who should be.  

Corvus. His name rang through me like a bell sounding, like the ringing of an empty vessel. He had been everything to me and I to him. To prove it he had sacrificed himself to keep me safe. He had killed himself and made me Master of his family. Now I was linked both physically and emotionally to every vampire Corvus had ever made and every vampire they had made and so on.

It was a vast and powerful family and took great power to control. Lucas was the last remaining link to Corvus. His second in command, the oldest and most powerful vampire within the family. Corvus’ pure, powerful blood ran in Lucas’ veins, the blood of the Albinus clan, and I needed that connection. I needed the power it gave me.

The fact that I needed it was bad enough but far, far worse was that, once I wrapped my head around the fact that I drank blood on a regular basis, I enjoyed it.

I more than enjoyed it.

I had always been jealous of the women Corvus fed from, jealous of the fact he touched them, that they got close to him. He had the power to make them feel pleasure or pain when they fed, could bring them to orgasm if he wanted. He’d sworn that since we got together he had made it pleasant but nothing more than that, and I’d believed him. I still believed he’d told me the truth. What he hadn’t said was how much he enjoyed it.

He hadn’t said how it made him feel.

I felt a rush of heat just thinking about it. It was very close to a sexual high and Lucas had been quick to point out that blood and sex were usually one and the same as far as vampires were concerned.

I didn’t want to feel that way for Lucas, not for anyone. As soon as I fed I felt disgusted with myself and got as far from him as possible with frustration burning under my skin, but I couldn’t go far. The depths of my anguish at the loss of Corvus meant that I was prone to waves of depression that could sweep me off my feet. Not just me though. My feelings could be transferred through the entire family. That meant thousands of vampires all weeping and mourning the loss of their Master. Lucas was the only one who kept me level. When he was close, I could focus, and I needed to be focused on getting Corvus back. The closer he was to me, the better I felt and the more I hated him for it. I was going to get Corvus back and until then there would be no one else. I wanted him, him alone, and I didn’t need any distractions.

I walked into the bathroom, locking the door behind me and avoiding looking in the mirror. I couldn’t bear to see the place around my neck where the tattoo had been, the mark that Corvus had given me when we had completed the bond. I’d done everything I could to find a way to break that bond and now that it was gone ... I wanted to scream and rage at my own stupidity.

Be careful what you wish for, Jéhenne.

I clutched at the sides of the basin as grief took hold of me like a cold, dark wave. Holding my breath for a moment, I squashed the emotions, forcing them down ... Breath out, breath in, breath out.

I didn’t cry. I never cried.

Not anymore.

The only purpose I had was to get Corvus back.

I ate because I needed to be strong.

I trained because I needed to be fit.

I slept because my body needed rest.

I existed.

There was nothing more than this. I was a machine. There was no emotion, I wouldn’t allow it. There was one purpose in my life and until that purpose was fulfilled, until my reason to be was back beside me, nothing else mattered.

I tried to focus on my breathing but the dream still lingered behind my eyes and the worry that had begun to haunt me returned tenfold as the dreams increased. What if it wasn’t a dream?

I’d always had visions and they often came as dreams. Glimpses of the past or present or what might come to be.

I showered, dressed, cleaned my teeth and scragged my hair back in a messy bun. I didn’t give a damn what I looked like.

Walking out of the bathroom, I found Lucas waiting for me just as I knew he would be. He sat stroking Max, and I went to walk past him, but he grabbed hold of my arm.

You need to feed. His voice was gentle but firm, and I could feel his concern for me, but I yanked my arm from his grasp, still shocked by the fact I could.

I’m fine.

He sighed and shook his head. Don’t make it a big deal, Jéhenne.

I sat on the edge of the bed and began to pull my boots on, my fingers clumsy as I tied the laces. I’m not. I said I’m fine.

I felt the bed dip as he moved to sit closer beside me. It’s been months now. It isn’t going to change. You have to get used to it.

I gritted my teeth, willing him to go away and knowing full well he wouldn’t. I could feel him holding his temper in check, trying his best to be reasonable. Somehow it annoyed me all the more.

No, I don’t. I’m going to get Corvus back and then everything can go back to normal. I got up and then gasped as he yanked me back down. Damn it, Lucas!

"Jéhenne, we have been through this. Even if we get him back, and believe me, that is a very big if ... but if we do, he won’t be the same. Corvus is gone, you have to accept it. His hand slid down my arm and covered my fingers, and I sighed inwardly at the comfort it brought; like finding yourself at home. This is your life now and you have to be strong if you don’t want someone to challenge your position."

I snatched my hand away, glaring at him, annoyed that he should try to divert me with such tactics. You can’t spend your life holding my hand and hoping I’ll do as I’m bid, Lucas.

He snorted. No shit. He sounded tired, and I couldn’t honestly blame him. I’d never been the easiest girl to get along with but now I could well imagine spending time with me was a pain in the arse. Not that he seemed to mind. In fact he seemed to thrive on the constant sniping.

Why haven’t you tried it then? I demanded.

What? He looked at me in surprise, and I wondered if it had really never occurred to him.

You challenged Corvus, why not me? If you think I’m making myself weak by not feeding, why not take your chances, take control of the family.

I felt a flash of anger from him that he quickly brought under control. I only ever wanted my freedom, Jéhenne.

Then what’s stopping you trying for it now? I pressed harder as my curiosity was now piqued. I knew he had always hated me, well, apart from a brief and uncomfortable period when I put a love spell on him to stop him killing me. I looked up at him and had to stop myself from glimpsing inside his mind. I could know everything he was, every thought, every dark desire as easily as pulling back a curtain if I really wanted to.

I hated that I wanted to.

He looked back at me, unblinking. Corvus didn’t need me. He kept me because he felt I wouldn’t make a good Master. He reached out and tucked a stray lock of hair behind my ear. You need me.

I frowned at him, wondering if he was shielding his thoughts from me. I could feel he was sincere I just couldn’t understand why when he had always hated me. His hand fell to my shoulder where it rested.

Corvus knew you could do this, Jéhenne, but he wanted me to help you. He asked me to stand by your side and guide you.

The letter he left you? I asked, and he nodded.

I looked at him, trying to see if there was anything false in his expression, but warm brown eyes met mine with more sincerity than I was comfortable looking at. I believe in you, he said, his voice soft. I want to help you through this.

Why? I demanded, feeling more perplexed and off-kilter than ever. Lucas hated me and I hated him. That was the world, nice and simple. Except my world was never simple.

He shrugged and gave a lopsided grin. Maybe it’s nice to be needed.

Hmmm. I dropped my gaze. I wanted to believe him, wanted to believe I had someone to trust but ... But I didn’t trust anyone, not anymore.

He squeezed my shoulder. Let me help you, OK? I won’t let you down I promise.

I pushed his hand away gently. Don’t be nice to me ... please. I looked up and shrugged an apology. Just keep being a bastard, and I can keep it together, OK? If you’re nice to me ... My voice broke and I looked away.

I heard him sigh and then the copper tang of blood filled my senses, making my mouth water and my stomach clench. His arm slid around me as he offered up his wrist to my mouth. I got up with a yell of annoyance, pushing his arm away from me. I said no!

Don’t be such a whiny little brat and have your damn breakfast! he snarled.

Stop being such a bloody arsehole and quit nagging me! I yelled back and rushed from the room, not even bothering to close the door with Max at my heels. I ran along the corridor and then hesitated for a moment at the top of the stairs. Thank you, I whispered, knowing he could hear me as well as if I was still in the room.

I heard a snort. Whatever.

Chapter 2

I HEADED TO THE KITCHEN with Max padding on silent paws behind me, and I could hear a heated conversation drifting from the doorway, accompanied by the mouth-watering smell of fried bacon.

Yes it bleedin’ is! Rodney exclaimed and set his mug down so hard the tea slopped over the sides.

"Nu, is not true. I don’t like this story no more. I not read no more. Is not true. If I don’t read it, is not so." Dimitri folded his massive arms together, looking mutinous.

Rodney shook his head, clearly exasperated. You can’t change the endin' and you can’t stop readin' jus’ cause it’s a bit sad.

Dimitri banged the table with one meaty fist, making all the china jump and clatter and more tea spill from Rodney’s mug. I sighed and went to fetch a cloth as Max went and curled up under the table by Dimitri.

"Is not bit sad! the big man objected. Is tragedy. Is ... Is ..." His bottom lip trembled, and he fumbled around in his pocket for his hanky as his eyes filled.

Aww, bleedin’ ‘ell, Dimitri. Rodney got up and patted his back as Dimitri put his head in his hands and sobbed.

What on earth is going on? I asked as I wiped up the puddle of tea on the massive oak table that dominated the kitchen.

Rodney rolled his eyes at me. Well, Dimitri’s been a bit down in the dumps, like. You know since ... He shrugged and sighed. Well I thought maybe it would take ‘is mind off things if he occupied his self wiv somethin’, so I told ‘im to go to the library and read a book.

Oh Lord, what book?

Rodney’s lip quirked, and I saw him take a breath and rearrange his face. Little Women, he said struggling to keep his expression solemn. He bit his lip, hard.

I raised my eyebrows. Probably not the best choice ever.

Rodney shook his head, his lips clamped shut.

Dimitri looked up at me. He held out one massive hand, his face imploring. Little Beth, she die, Jéhenne. She so sweet and so young and she die and ... He buried his face in the handkerchief again.

I looked at the massive fire demon, his burnt sienna skin gleaming in the warm glow of the kitchen fire that crackled merrily beside me, and I shook my head. It’s just a book, Dimitri, not real life. My voice was harsher than I intended and Dimitri glanced up, looking uncomfortable.

"Da, da. I sorry, Jéhenne, real life is much more tragic, is true, da." He nodded as fat tears rolled silently down his face.

Rodney pushed a plate piled with bacon sandwiches in my direction.

I smiled at him.

What would I do without you?

Bleedin starve, I reckon, he muttered, but I could see he was happy. If only everyone was so easy to please, I thought as my own personal rain cloud strode into the room.

We need to leave. Are you ready? Cain asked, scowling at my mountain of bacon sandwiches. My bad-tempered brother was never one for small talk in the mornings.

I shrugged, my mouth too full to respond.

Rodney sighed. You want those to go?

I nodded at him and ran to get my coat.

BY THE TIME WE WERE en route, Cain was his usual sunny self. Which meant we'd driven for an hour and a half in total silence. The sandwiches sat heavily in my stomach and were not being helped by the sense of unease at who we were going to meet.

So who is this guy exactly? I asked, squinting as the spring sun glittered over the frost white countryside.

Oh, he's a peach, Rodney piped up from the back seat, his tone dark.

Dragon's OK, Cain said, cool green eyes flicking to Rodney via the rear view mirror.

I turned to see Rodney pull a face. Yeah, a drug smuggling Fae, real trustworthy.

Dragon? I said, watching my brother.

I'm not suggesting you move in with him, he snapped, sounding impatient. I'm not even suggesting you trust him, but he's the only one who can get the kind of restraints we are going to need if you insist on going through with this insanity.

Do you really want to have this conversation again? I demanded. I heard Rodney's intake of breath as the atmosphere in the car sparked.

Cain's eyes went to my hands, clenched and covered with blue flame. Control yourself before you set us all alight, he said. He sounded tired.

I took a breath and shut my mouth, and kept it that way. I figured it was the only way we'd make Paris without killing each other.

NICE NEIGHBOURHOOD, I remarked, looking around me at boarded up shops and acres of graffiti, the bright colours vivid against the uniform grey of the street. Empty crisp packets and food wrappers blew past my feet like shabby plastic butterflies as an icy breeze cut through us. Cain turned his back on me and surreptitiously cast a ward over his car. It would be the only thing that guaranteed it would still be here when we got back if the surroundings were anything to go on.

Come on. Cain strode across the road leaving me and Rodney to scurry in his wake.

Where the hell are we going? I hissed. Rodney grimaced.

A Fae bar, full of lowlifes. Mostly those who trade between the worlds.

Smugglers you mean?

He nodded. Yeah, keep yer hand on yer ha' penny, luv. Dodgy don't begin to cover it. They smuggle all sorts, booze, drugs, magic ... People.

I stopped in my tracks. People?

His face darkened. You've noticed the Fae are a pretty lot, ain't you? he asked dryly.

I scowled at him. He knew damn well the only Fae I had ever met was a certain Elven Prince and I may hate him, but I couldn't deny he was a gorgeous bastard. So?

He shrugged, pushing me forward as Cain disappeared round a corner. So there's a big trade in them ... For slaves. That's what these restraints you're after do, subdue them. Stop them accessing their magic. He looked as disgusted as I felt. Keeps them docile.

Shit! I looked at Rodney in disbelief as we turned the corner. This bastard is a slave trader?

Oof! Rodney put out his hand to steady me as I ploughed straight into Cain who'd stopped to let us catch up.

Cain glared at me. Keep your damn voice down!

I am not doing business with a fucking slave trader, Cain!

He cursed and rolled his eyes at me. No, he said, running his hand through his hair. You're not. He grabbed my arm and towed me after him. Dragon doesn't trade slaves and if I were you I wouldn't imply that he does. You might upset him. Upsetting Dragon is not good for your health, he added darkly. I raised an eyebrow at him, and he sighed.  His mother was a slave, OK? She didn't meet a nice end.

Oh.

Oh, he repeated letting go of my arm, his voice mocking. Now both of you keep your mouths shut and let me do the talking, right?

I glared at him and Rodney stuck his hands in his pockets, looking at the floor.

Right? he repeated, sounding increasingly impatient.

Right! All right! I snapped. For God's sake, get on with it.

He carried on down a street that grew increasingly unpleasant with sex shops on all sides and whores plying their trade even in broad daylight. I watched with amusement as men who probably considered themselves dangerous in the human world scattered in his wake, their hard, cold eyes knowing true danger when they saw it. I kept close, watching Rodney casting anxious glances at our surroundings, and then I felt the ward hit me. Every sense screamed at me to turn around and walk away. Quickly.

This is it, he said, gesturing to a building that looked like it should have been condemned about fifty years ago.

Of course it is. I sighed.

Cain pushed open the door and we followed him into the gloom.

Magic and smoke assaulted my senses the minute we stepped through, as well as a few more unusual odours I wasn't familiar with. The place looked shabby and well-used. I could imagine at night, with lights and music blaring, it probably looked like any other bar to the untrained eye. But the shelves stacked with unusual bottles were a dead giveaway if you knew what to look for. Fae liquor was notorious. I'd drunk some once, and I wasn't about to repeat the experience. One sip and I'd been unconscious, waking up with a pounding headache and a grouchy vampire at the end of my bed. I suppressed the pain that bloomed as I remembered why that had been.

Cain.

I looked back to the bar and the frowning barman who watched us with a look of deep displeasure.

Beck. Cain nodded and extended his hand, Beck took it with the expression of someone being handed rotten fish.

Light Fae, Rodney whispered to me.

How can you tell? I asked, curious.

That yellow colour of his hair, blue eyes, bit rounded like. He leaned in closer. He's been 'ere too long, looks sick. See how grey 'is skin looks? Light Fae have perfect skin, too pretty by half usually, mind you could say that about any of em. He's an exile.

I looked and could see what Rodney meant. He was an older man, heading towards fifty which meant he could be seriously old by Fae standards. He was a bit overweight as Rodney had said, but I could see he'd been a handsome man.

We turned back to Cain and his conversation with Beck. The barman was holding up his hands. Don't tell me, I don't know and I don't want to, right? He jerked his head towards the back of the building. Through there, up the stairs. You'll find your own way out and ... He pointed at Cain, his eyes narrowed. I don't want no trouble.

Cain snorted and turned away. You never do. He gestured for us to follow him and we followed to the staircase.

We entered a dark room with music thundering, Rihanna singing about getting naked. The beat thudded dully through the floor, and coloured lights flickered, illuminating a barely dressed blonde writhing around a metal pole with dead-eyed enthusiasm.

You've got to be kidding me, I muttered and then sighed as I saw Rodney with his eyes on stalks. I gave him a sharp poke in the ribs, and he leapt, tearing his gaze away with a guilty expression.

Eyes front, I hissed.

Rodney nodded and looked away. Err, don't tell Milly, eh?

I snorted, and then my eyes fell on the woman's audience. I had to force myself not to take a breath. Rodney was right; the Fae were too damn pretty for their own good.

He stood as Cain approached him, looming over my brother like a tower block and built the same way. I was used to being around big men, but this guy was half mountain. His shoulders looked like an American footballer's - with the padding still on. He was smoking, sapphire blue smoke coiling in strangely perfect curls from the hand-rolled cigarette dangling from his fingers. 

He turned to us fully as we approached and gave me the once over. There was a considering look there, like he was wondering if the stories were true. I wondered if he'd try to find out.

Dragon, this is my sister, Jéhenne. You know Rodney I think.

Dragon transferred the cigarette to his mouth and held out a hand to me. I hesitated, thinking that if he tried to kiss my hand as a certain Fae prince would have done, my patience was going to get used up fast. To my relief, he just shook it, his hand engulfing mine, his grip warm and firm. He greeted Rodney, and we sat down now the niceties were done.

My eyes drifted to his neck and an ugly, ragged scar that ran close to his jaw line. It looked like someone had tried to hang him - and only just failed. He saw my gaze and grinned at me.

I'm an acquired taste, he said with a wink. I raised an eyebrow but kept my mouth shut. I wasn't about to encourage him. Sitting this close, the scent from the cigarette was sweet, like maple syrup. It kind of reminded me of burnt pancakes. My stomach rumbled.

Put that damn thing out, Cain said, wafting blue smoke away from himself with a look of disgust. Dragon shook his head, grinning and showing rows of perfect white teeth.

Always so uptight. He stubbed out the cigarette and gave Cain a heavy-lidded look of amusement. You know ... you really should do something about that.

Cain scowled. He'd been scowling to begin with, it was kind of the norm for him after all, but now he looked livid.

Am I wasting my time here? You said you could help.

Dragon looked him over, his expression placid and unhurried before turning his attention to me. His eyes were hazel brown and as warm as his handshake.

I felt a flare of annoyance. Cain was right, he was wasting time. While we'd been talking the blonde had removed some more of her minuscule outfit, and to my dismay she was right in my eye-line. Do you think you could tell your little friend to take five? She's making me feel nauseated, I said with a venomous, sweet smile.

He laughed, real amusement in his eyes, and then gestured to the blonde to call it a day. She gave me a look of cool dislike before sashaying off-stage.

He lifted his eyebrows at me. Better?

So much, I replied, meaning it and then becoming uncomfortable as his eyes lingered too long on me now that the distraction was gone.

Dragon. Cain growled.

He returned his attention to my brother. "Yeah, yeah, maybe I can help.

Maybe?

He sat up straight, his expression serious. "What - exactly - do you want them for?"

Cain glanced at me and shook his head. I explained that already. I can't tell you any more than I have.

Come on, man. Dragon leaned back against the faux leather banquette and shook his head. You haven't told me shit.

For the love of the gods, Cain muttered. "You know I don't touch slaves, you bastard. It's not for anything of that kind."

"So what kind then? the big man persisted as he glanced at me again. You want some seriously heavy duty magical restraints, and you want the means to make them even stronger. You don't think that rings some alarm bells? he said, his voice low. These things are not easy to come by, and I'm taking a big risk in getting them. I need to know I'm not going to end up in the middle of a shit storm if whatever you're all planning isn't just for some kinky bedroom fantasy that I don't want to know about."

It's to restrain a vampire, OK? I said.

Dragon's eyebrows shot up.

Jéhenne. Cain's voice had a warning tone. He'd told me on endless occasions we had to keep the news about Corvus quiet for as long as possible. As soon as the vampire Senate knew. they would want to meet the new Master, i.e. me, and things could get complicated quickly. I waved my hand at him.

Look he's ... mentally unstable, but I'm working on a spell to keep him level. In the meantime we just want to be sure he doesn't hurt anyone. I kept my voice even and Dragon looked at me, apparently deciding if I was telling him the truth. I was, obviously. What I wasn't saying was that we were dealing with one of the most powerful Master vampires on the planet - I figured that was the bit Cain wanted me to keep quiet about.

That's it? he asked, his eyes narrowed. Why didn't you say so in the first place?

I shrugged. Vampires like to keep their business personal.

We looked at each other some more and finally he let out a breath. OK. I must be insane but ... OK. I'll get them.

How much? Ever the diplomat, Cain jumped in.

There was a significant pause.

Four thousand aurela.

Cain's mouth hit the floor. Out of the question! You must be insane ...

Dragon leaned towards him, his expression fierce. Do you have any idea of the amount these things are going to cost me, the amount of people that need bribing to get hold of the damn things before I even get to the gates? His massive hand pounded the table. This isn't a crate of Ebony Fire, this is the kind of thing that could get my head separated from my shoulders!

Cain crossed his arms. One thousand.

Dragon laughed in his face. Not in a million years. The two men glowered at each other. Three thousand.

Cain shook his head again.

Dragon scowled.

I exchanged a worried glance with Rodney. I had no idea how much an aurela was or if we could afford it, but I assumed Cain knew what he was doing. At least I hoped he did. My brother scratched at the stubble on his chin and it glinted with copper tones in the flickering light. Finally he held out his hand to Dragon. Two and a half thousand aurela; it's my final offer. Take it or leave it.

Dragon looked at him and then at his hand, his expression thoughtful. Then his face split into a broad grin, and he took Cain's hand. Done.

We 'ave been, Rodney muttered beside me.

Now, said Cain. What about the pearls?

Chapter 3

CAIN DROVE US HOME with a Big Mac balanced on his knee and large fries rammed into the cup holder. There were several other bulging paper bags and burger boxes he hadn't opened yet. Apparently negotiating a deal gave my brother an appetite.

I still don't get what the pearls do, Rodney mumbled through a mouthful of burger.

Cain nodded as he filtered onto the madness that was the peripherique or ring-road around Paris, and I took one last glance through the twilight at the Eiffel tower that glittered on the hour like a massive, iron Christmas tree.

The pearls amplify the power of the restraints, he said before cramming a handful of fries in his mouth. So how quickly they drain the magic away from the user. The more pearls, the quicker the power drain.

But these aren't ordinary pearls, right? He said green pearls. I reached over and snatched a bunch of Cain's fries, and he scowled at me. What? I ate mine.

He huffed and gestured for me to give him my coke.

What? I drank mine, he said with a whiny voice.

I narrowed my eyes at him and handed him the drink.

Thank you, he said with a smirk. Yes, green pearls. They're incredibly rare but the most efficient for this purpose.

And we can only get them from a Selkie?

Cain's face fell, a deep frown furrowing his brow as he nodded. Yes, and don't ask me because I have no idea.

Fabulous, I muttered. It was late afternoon now and although I'd just eaten two cheeseburgers and large fries, I was starving and getting cranky. The knowledge that it wasn't food I was hungry for wasn't helping my mood. The black shadow of depression lingered behind me, so close I could feel it, a cold and all too tangible presence over my shoulder. I hadn't told Lucas about this little day trip because I knew he'd flip out at the idea of my being away from him for more than a few hours. Unfortunately I was beginning to see his point.

I let my fingers sink into the soft leather of the seats, gripping hard and trying to keep my attention on the problem at hand. If I could focus maybe we'd get home without me having a melt down on the auto-route. So Selkies are sea-bound shape shifters, is that right?

Cain nodded and handed me back the empty cup. I tutted at him and stuffed it in the bag with all the other rubbish.

Yes, and they're even rarer than green pearls, he grumbled. I haven't seen one in centuries, and even if you do find one, getting to speak to one is impossible. They run a mile if you get anywhere close. They can smell a witch a mile off.

Even better, I said through gritted teeth, feeling seriously tense now. So we've spent how much on these cuffs?

Two and half thousand Aurela, Rodney said from the back seat.

That's a damn good price too. I was prepared to pay three and a half, Cain added looking smug.

I glanced at Rodney who looked less convinced.

And what's that in real money, I asked.

About two million euros.

How much! My yell made Cain jump, and he swore at me as we sailed past our exit.

Damn it, Jéhenne! He glared at me, but I was almost hyperventilating with shock and his face softened. Calm down, you can afford it.

I can? Not that I cared about the money. I didn't care about anything but getting Corvus back, but I'd never had any money, unless you counted the thirty seven pounds and six pence I'd left in my bank account in the UK when I came to France. The idea of having to find a sum like that ...

Rodney laughed and patted my shoulder. Blimey, luv, Corvus could lose that down the back of the sofa and not notice. Cyd spends more than that on shoes in a year I reckon.

Oh? I tried to breathe normally but my chest refused to unlock my lungs. OK, so we've bought the cuffs but we need the pearls and have no idea how to get close to a Selkie to bargain with one. Focus, Jéhenne. Is that right?

Actually, Rodney said, leaning forward so his face stuck through the gap in the seats. I might be able to help you there.

Cain looked at him via the rear view mirror. How? he demanded, looking beyond skeptical.

Rodney shrugged. Well it's only somethin' I heard like, don't know if it's true but ... Well I was down the bar last summer and ...

Cain gave a sarcastic bark of laughter. Don't tell me ... you bought some magic beans.

Shut up, I snapped at him. We have to check out every possibility don't we?

Cain snorted and rolled his eyes while Rodney pulled a face behind his back and carried on.

Like I was sayin', he said. I met this bloke while I was working on a job for Corvus. He was a Demicaste.

A what? I asked, turning in my seat.

Oh. He crumpled up the box his burger had been in and handed me the rubbish. A mixed blood Fae, like Dragon. He is, ain't he? he asked Cain, who nodded. Anyway, I reckon this bloke was half Light Fae, half human, but the Fae are a snooty lot about bloodlines. Anyone less than pure-blood they call a Demicaste. It isn't a compliment, but he said it, not me.

Cain sighed. And the point of the story is ...

We both glared at him.

The point is, Rodney said, deliberately sounding out each word. "That this bloke reckons there are Selkies along the south west coast, Biscarosse, 'e said, and ... He paused for effect. He reckons they've adopted some lad."

What?

This information seemed to have piqued Cain's interest and Rodney sat back, looking smug. He winked at me.

And? Cain demanded.

"Oh, now you're interested."

Yes, I'm interested!

Rodney snorted and sat forward again. Apparently some kid got washed up after a ship went down about eighteen years ago; the boy was Fae, a Pixie by all accounts.

A Pixie? Cain repeated.

Yeah I know, Rodney said, nodding. What are the chances?

Why is that so surprising? I asked.

Pixies are solitary Fae, Cain said, fumbling with the box of his next burger. They never come to this world under normal circumstances and the Fae as a race are not great sailors. They stick on dry land as much as possible. I watched Cain devour half of his burger in one massive bite.

So you think this boy could negotiate with us? I asked Rodney.

Well, he scratched his chin and gave me a rueful grin. Unless anyone else 'as got any bright ideas?

I looked at Cain, who shrugged in defeat.

Well then, it looks like we're going to the seaside, I said, glancing at a road sign that told me we were still over five hundred kilometres from home, and my heart sank. I turned around to face front again and wondered if I was going to make the next five hours without doing something stupid.

Cain glanced at me.

You did feed last night like we discussed?

I felt my cheeks burn and turned away from him.

Jéhenne?

Bloody ‘ell, luv, Rodney muttered from the back seat.

Shit! My brother was always more succinct. I glanced at Cain to discover his eyes on me. He didn't say anything, just turned his attention back to the road, but his knuckles were white on the steering wheel. At a guess I'd say he was fairly mad - in the same way the Arctic was a bit chilly. Well it looked like the journey home was going to be fun.

I COULD FEEL HOME PULLING at me the closer we got. Not the building itself, not the location, but the pulse of the family. The beat of it thudded heavily below my skin, the heartbeat of the family thrumming over the distance that separated us and over that, over all of it, I could sense Lucas.

It was dark now, and he was standing outside the front door of the Château, pacing, his anger a metallic taste in my mouth. He was furious that I had gone for so long, and so far from home, without him. I could feel his desire to rage at me, to throw things and rip the fabric of the building apart. I could feel the control it was taking to keep that desire in check. And underneath that anger was pure, cold fear. It surprised me that he had been so afraid, and it made me guilty that I hadn't just done as everyone wanted me to and taken care of my needs as I should have done. The guilt annoyed me, fired my anger at the unfairness of it. They had no right to dictate to me, had no right to make me feel this way when they didn't understand, they didn't know what it cost me. But how could I tell them that every time I did, it felt like a betrayal?

It was another hour before we arrived, with Cain driving like we were being pursued by the Devil himself. I didn't care now. The ice in my veins was ripping me apart, a million tiny razors scoring me from the inside out while the snakes writhed in my belly once more. The sneering voice of my conscience mocked me internally as ever, stupid, stupid, Jéhenne. You could have avoided this and stopped everyone worrying. You could have made life easier for everyone. Except that Corvus was dead and nothing should be easy anymore.

We were belting down the driveway to the Château when Cain hit the brakes so hard we nearly went through the windscreen. My door was wrenched open and Lucas snapped the seat belt, hauling me out of my seat, none too gently, by the arm. He slammed the door in Cain's face and the next minute we were in the depths of the forest.

He didn't speak - which was just as well, as the scent of his blood was all I could focus on. He barely looked at me as his teeth pierced his own skin, and I grabbed hold of his wrist. I knew I would hate myself later, would relive with shame burning the way I wrestled him to the ground, the fury with which I bit into him - the moan of pleasure that he couldn't suppress.

I came back to myself little by little. The scent of the woodland enveloped me. I could smell the rotting branches and acorns, and feel the prickle of pine needles. The sounds of scurrying and tiny heartbeats, the pursued and the pursuer. Which would win this time? I opened my eyes, seeing perfectly well in the darkness. Lucas was lying behind me, the heat of him warming me against the cold of the ground and the night.

You have to stop doing this.

I know.

I heard him sigh. You're not going to, though, are you?

I remembered one of the last nights I had spent with Corvus, after he had fought with Corin, after he had forgiven me. I had made him a promise; I will never leave you, no matter what. I will always be there for you. I won't let anything come between us again. Not ever.

I can't, I said, helpless.

Lucas moved away, got to his feet. Whatever you are now, whatever it is you need to keep you whole, it's Corvus who made you this way. His voice was low, and I knew he wasn't saying it to hurt me. It's the last thing he did for you, Jéhenne, to protect you and the family. It's up to you whether you think that it was a gift or a curse, something precious - or something to be disgusted by.

I turned to look at him, to try to explain that it wasn't like that, but he'd gone.

THE NEXT DAY I FOUND myself at the beach. The sun sparkled on the sea, and white sand stretched out for miles and miles in either direction. The air was cold and crisp, the tang of salt and seaweed drying on my lips. Directly behind us on the edge of the beach stood thick pine forests.

So what now? I asked, sinking down into the sand, not caring if it was damp or not. We've been walking since the sun came up.

Rodney shrugged. Perhaps we should split up? he suggested.

I nodded my agreement and watched as he walked away, back down the beach. We both felt like we were searching for a needle in a haystack. We'd hardly seen anyone at all, certainly no sign of Selkies and not the faintest suggestion of a young Pixie.

The sun was climbing now and although it was only March, I could feel the heat of it against my face. I closed my eyes and sighed. The sand was cold under my hands, my fingers burying into it. I took a breath. Time to move, Jéhenne. I figured I'd head into the woodland behind me and see what I could stir up by poking around in the undergrowth. The sound of the sea, of the waves ebbing and flowing, was soothing though. There was something so unchangeable about the sea it was reassuring somehow. Empires could rise and fall but the sea would still be there, eroding everything it touched, smoothing the sharp edges of history until they blurred. The thought comforted me.

It was then that a prickle of awareness tingled up the back of my neck. I was being watched.

Chapter 4

I KEPT MYSELF STILL, my eyes shut, magic prickling over me. It had a familiar feel, the warm touch of it against my skin like a caress. Corin's magic had felt like this, only magnified many times over. This was an echo of that power, faint but distinct just the same. There was movement to my right, slight but coming closer to me. I didn't move but opened my eyes, looking out at the sea, trying to appear tranquil and undisturbed by my visitor.

I could almost taste his curiosity as, little by little, he moved into my eye-line until he was sitting, crouched in front of me.

I held my breath. He had wide green eyes, much paler than mine, like the first, fresh green shoots appearing now that spring was in the air. They sparkled with interest and mischief. His hair was light brown and hung in dozens of tiny braids decorated with bits of sea-worn glass and shells, a piece

Reviews for The Fires of Tartarus

[Cristy Ballesteros Edrial · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

i love it so much! to the point that I thought the characters are so much real and alive!!