Free 4 - We Are Gathered by Jackie Ivie Page B

some of it. Rori moved her vision to one Buddha, looking like it had been crafted in the early Byzantium period, if she wasn’t mistaken. But she probably was. There was the most distinct hum filling her veins, like an electric charging system had just gotten connected and was radiating strength. Tristan was close. That’s what mattered. She swallowed and worked at controlling her voice so none of them would have the slightest inkling of what was about to be dealt.
    “Give what up?”
    “We know all about your supposed powers. You’ve fancied yourself a witch since childhood. It’s a great way to amuse your roommates. We understand you’re very good at perpetuating the fraud of it. Sleight of hand is your specialty. It was probably a good way to avoid the reality of foster home after foster home. No doubt it was one of the reasons you had foster home after foster home. What mother wants to raise a child who taunts her with the dark arts?”
    Anger punched through the humming sensation, the emotion significantly altering the current’s strength. Rori worked to mute it, sending more thoughts winging back to Tristan. Only Tristan. He’s the only thing that mattered anymore. Ever. I’m in a castle. Stone walls. Long tables. She just had to get out of this netting. Tristan couldn’t get through it to her. He’d be burned. Injured. Pained.
    Wait a minute …
    Her eyes narrowed. This net wasn’t an obstacle for her. She wasn’t a vampire yet. They’d just said so. There wasn’t anything on this netting except religious symbols. She just had to keep the old guy talking.
    “Wow. You did some background checking on me?”
    “The moment we were alerted to the Crusader’s interest. There’s a lot of data to sift through. You’ve got a large and varied record in social services.”
    “And all of it is supposed to be court sealed.”
    “We’re above every law, Miss Rori, or hadn’t you figured that out yet?”
    “That’s detestable. And this is supposed to make we want to join you?”
    “ Keep speaking to me, Friudil . I’ll find you.” Tristan’s voice cut through to her, cooling any residual anger. It was clearer, too. More distinct.
    “Detestable is what a vampire is, Miss Rori. The man you met is known as The Crusader. He’s part of a much larger organization; a cult devoted to not only draining blood for their needs but getting paid for the kills, as well. It’s our mission to destroy them.”
    “By cheating the system and reading private information?”
    “We’re vampire hunters, Miss Rori. We keep humanity safe. There isn’t any edge we won’t use in our mission. It’s a time-honored responsibility, and a hefty one to shoulder. Trust me. I shoulder it.”
    “So you think my powers are fake, do you?”
    The blond fellow leaned over and whispered something to Lord General Beethan that made him sober. The entire retinue seemed to perk up. He didn’t take his eyes off Rori.
    “Well? What does your lieutenant have to say about it? Does he think I’m a fraud, too?”
    “He says he has to leave now, but he wants me to thank you.”
    “For what?”
    “Doing exactly what we expected. Calling for your mate. Bringing him. I just told you we use every angle, and any edge. Didn’t you listen? South entrance. Now! Go! Take the Holy Water!”
    And that’s exactly when she knew. Tristan had arrived. The stone beneath her turned into a whirlpool, projecting heat, radiating energy, and transmitting so much power right to her core that Rori shook with the work of holding it in. A toss of her arms outward sent the netting flying upward, ratcheting off fluorescent tube after fluorescent tube, and showering sparks with every outage. She was on her feet next, and then above the floor continually pumping blows with every flick of her hand. The netting floated down, resembling a film of gauze, while Lord Beethan’s mouth fell open. He had very good dentistry, she thought just before she sent a blow right to