He grunted and hit a button that enclosed the lift.
“Who is attending the talks from the Realm?” she asked.
Dage rubbed his chin as an engine roared to life in the background. “Jase really wants to attend.”
“No,” Caleb said, reaching over to double-check Lily’s restraints.
Dage eyed his friend over Lily’s head, and Lily’s foot began to tap. “I’d like to talk about it,” Dage said.
Caleb lifted a massive shoulder. “I understand you’d like to talk, but Jase isn’t attending the peace talks. He’s still rightfully angry at the demons, and they him, so no Jase. If you really want peace, we need to be smart. You and Talen should attend the peace talks from the Realm.”
Lily pursed her lips. “Why Talen and not Conn?” Both men were brothers to the king and deadly soldiers. Either would be an excellent choice, and she wondered how Caleb had chosen between them.
“Janie needs to be there,” Caleb said quietly as the engine sound increased in volume.
“No.” The king’s jaw set in a hard line.
“Yes.” Caleb turned to more fully face Dage over Lily’s head. “The Kurjans and demons have both demanded her presence, and you know it. We’ll keep her safe, but she’s instrumental to the talks.”
Lily nodded. “The war began because everyone was fighting over getting to Janie, and it makes sense that she be present.” Plus, the unknown force that always guided Lily all but screamed that Janie needed to be there.
Caleb cleared his throat. “If Janie’s there, then her father needs to be present. He won’t take no for an answer, I assume.”
“I agree,” Lily said. Talen was Janie’s adopted father, and he’d raised her from the time she was a toddler. No way would he take a shooter’s position outside the talks while she was vulnerable inside. “So Talen it is.”
The scent of rock and earth tickled Lily’s senses, almost competing with the strong scent of male surrounding her. Most immortal species would be uncomfortable sitting between the powerful energies cascading off the two dangerous soldiers. Lily took a deep breath, thankful she’d been a human. If she’d been a witch, she’d be twitchy by now.
Dage nodded and gave a quick head nod. “Talen is a good choice. Are we almost ready to go?”
“Yes,” Caleb said. “Hold on.” A second later, he pushed a lever.
The world dropped out from under Lily. She cried out, her hair swishing up, her body slamming against the restraints. It was an amusement ride! Finally, when she thought she might actually vomit, they began to slow until finally stopping.
They bounced several times, and Lily grabbed the armrests to settle herself. The engine sound disappeared.
Relief lifted Dage’s upper lip as he released his restraints and stood. “They smoothed out the ride nicely.”
It had been rougher than that? Goodness. Lily unbuckled herself and stood, her knees shaking.
Dage nodded. “I want to check out the other entrances and lifts.”
“No,” Caleb said as he stretched his neck. “The other entrances are off-limits, as you know, King.”
The king turned, silver eyes glinting. “You know, Caleb, I don’t think anybody in the universe has told me ‘no’ twice in the span of a couple of heartbeats.”
Caleb grinned. “I do like to be one of the few.”
The door finally slid open.
Lily eyed the underground cavern, her mind reeling. “They don’t call you the Realm Rebel for nothing, do they?” She turned and surveyed the soldier. Yeah. He even looked like a rebel. Something warm unfurled in her abdomen. Something new.
The king stepped off the lift first. “Most rebels die young and horribly, don’t they?” He strode into the cavern, gaze sweeping the area.
Lily stifled a grin and patted down her skirt, stepping carefully onto the smooth stone floor. The obvious affection between the two men was heartwarming to see. Even the deadly needed connection.
She took a deep breath and surveyed the room chiseled so far into the earth. Four entrances, each the same distance from the others, opened onto a room about twenty-five feet wide and long, with an eight-foot rock ceiling. Five rock tables had been formed with seats behind each. A fire, even now crackling, burned in the center of the room, the smoke curling naturally up into a small opening in the rock.
Lily frowned. “How is that possible?”
“Quantum physics—and that’s all the magic that will work this far down in the ground,” Caleb said from behind her.
Lily nodded. “I read the last report you sent out.” Frankly, the room was darn impressive. The quartz rock prevented even the most powerful of immortals from using powers; thus nobody would have an advantage underground. Even the witches and the king were stymied.
“I don’t like that weapons won’t work down here,” Dage said grimly, opening his can of grape drink.
“I know.” Caleb smoothed his hands over the nearest dark table, his voice echoing off the rocks. “But that protects us, as well. The atmospheric pressure we had to create in order to keep from being cooked so close to the earth’s core also prevents the laser guns from firing. Any guns, actually.”
“You trust the Kurjans not to create something new?” Lily asked.
“No,” Caleb said flatly. “But they don’t have time, I think. Plus, each entrance is being fitted with a state-of-the-art detector that instantly freezes the person who tries to bring in a weapon.”
“A metal detector?” Dage asked.
“No. Weapon detector.” Lily turned around to face the king, having read the schematics. “Everything from plastic to metal to silver . . . these things detect it all.” The Realm’s scientists had been working around the clock. “After the peace talks, we’re hoping to leak the designs to the humans to use in their airports.” At least, that was her plan. The queen, a former human, agreed, as well.
Caleb rolled his shoulders, focusing on the king. “You, Janie, and Talen will be here. Two shifters to your left, two prophets to your right, the witches next to them, then two Kurjans, and finally two demons.”
Lily stiffened. “What do you mean, two prophets? Isn’t Guiles coming?”
“Yes. Prophet Guiles will be here,” Caleb said slowly, focusing those odd multicolored eyes on her.
How dare Caleb? He hated being a prophet so much, he wasn’t going to take part in the most important peace talks of their time? Disappointment tasted like ashes. Lily frowned. “I can’t believe you aren’t going to be there.”
“I am going to attend.” Caleb drew in a deep breath, waiting patiently.
Lily gasped. They’d already addressed this. She needed to attend, as well. Just who did he think he was?
Dage grinned. “I’m going to check out the other entrances—from a distance. I promise I won’t step inside.” Taking a deep swig of his drink, he sauntered toward the closest entrance.
A very rare temper tickled the base of Lily’s neck, so she donned her most polite smile. “Prophet Caleb, while I appreciate your desire to keep me safe and away from danger, all three of the prophets are required at the peace talks.”
The grin he flashed warned of an explosion, even so deep into the earth, with rumblings all around them. “Three points here, Prophet Lily. One, you know it pisses me off when you give me that crappy smile. Two, you know it really pisses me off when you call me Prophet. And three, you are not going to be here.”
She reached deep for patience. Even worse, an odd hurt filled her. Though Caleb drove her crazy, he was one of the very few people she’d thought saw the real her. The one with strength and not the fragile lady from centuries ago. “Yes, I am. You’re explosive, Guiles is arrogant, and I’m the peacemaker. What do you think I’ve been doing as a prophet for the last three centuries?”
His broad hands settled on her shoulders, shooting instant heat through her body. “You’ve done an amazing job, especially counseling soldiers in so much pain. There’s no doubt you’re the leading expert
in our world on PTSD with your constant schooling as well as personal experience. But this is war.”
“No. This is peace.” That pretty much summed up the differences between them. Caleb looked for the blade, while Lily looked for the sheath. “Why don’t you want me here?” A hurt she wanted to mask slipped out in her tone.
His gaze gentled and he blinked. “I can’t do my job and protect the king if you’re here.”
She frowned. “Why not?”
“Because when you’re in a room, you’re all I see.”
Flutters cascaded down her throat to her heart. The sweetness, the blunt honesty he’d no doubt wanted to hide, shone in his eyes for the briefest of moments. A real vulnerability, and one he had the courage to express.
“Caleb, I—”
“Stop arguing. Lily needs to be here.” Dage finished his stroll around the cavern and ended up back at their lift. “Just like Janie needs to be.” He smacked Caleb on the shoulder hard enough the sound echoed through the room. “Suck it up, and forget personal feelings.”
Caleb frowned and released Lily.
Lily shivered from the sudden coolness. How odd that it was cool. She glanced around the room again. “What if the quantum physics that created this crazy room fail?”
Caleb followed her gaze and shrugged. “We all fry.”
Chapter Four
Lily nodded at two guards flanking the doorway as she strode into the infirmary, her gaze catching on Jane Kayrs, who was patching up a soldier with a wound across his upper arm. “What happened?”
Janie finished with the bandage and gave the soldier a sweet smile. “You’ll be fine, Charlie.”
The young tiger shifter grinned back. “You should see the other guy.” He stood and grabbed his ripped shirt to tug over his battered chest, turning toward Lily. “Hi, Prophet Lily. We had a small skirmish with a band of Kurjans last night, and I thought a Band-Aid would suffice.”
Janie shook her head, fondness curving her lips. “You needed ten stitches. Thanks for coming in before your arm fell off.”
Charlie smiled and gave Janie a half-armed hug. “Thanks for the stitches.” With a respectful nod at Lily, he headed for the door.
Lily eyed Janie. Dark circles lined Janie’s eyes, and her pretty skin was porcelain pale. “How long have you been working in the infirmary?” Lily asked.
Janie shrugged and stood, stretching her neck. “All night. The fight was more than a skirmish. The Kurjans attacked an outpost of ours near Portland.”
“Your medical knowledge is impressive, considering you haven’t gone to school yet.”
Janie walked to the sink to wash her hands. “I’ve had battlefield training, I guess.”
Curiosity welled up in Lily. The young woman had been prophesied to change the world, but had anybody ever asked her what she wanted to do? What she wanted to be? “Are you interested in attending medical school?”
Janie turned around, wiping her hands on paper towels. “Not really.” She pursed her lips. “I’m interested in the medical field, and I like to help. But when the peace talks are over, and if I survive my twenty-fifth year, then I’d like to study psychology. To help people the way you do.”
Warmth slid through Lily along with alarm. “First, I’m flattered. Second, what do you mean about your twenty-fifth year?”
Janie blinked. “That year is the year it all happens. Whatever it is, I’ve always known the prophecy comes true while I’m twenty-five, which I am right now.”
“That’s frightening.” Lily’s heart sped up.
“I know.”
One concern at a time. Lily smoothed her face into calm lines. “When was the last time you ate?”
“Um, last night?” Janie smiled. “In fact, I’m starving. Let’s go find something to eat.” She tucked her arm through Lily’s. “Did Dage read you the riot act for our bar fight?”
“Not really. How about you?” Lily could eat.
“No.” Janie stifled a yawn.
“That shifter was cute,” Lily said as they maneuvered out of the infirmary into the warm sunshine brightening the main street of the vampire headquarters. Gorgeous maple trees lined the street with red leaves falling, the grass beneath already yellow as winter approached. “I’ve always found feline shifters impressive.”
Janie nodded. “I agree. Charlie was my first kiss, you know.”
“Really?” Lily smiled and glanced up at her friend’s face.
“Yes. My brother walked in, saw Charlie kissing me, and threw the poor guy over a pool table.” Janie laughed. “Charlie and I have been great friends since.”
Lily squinted against the fall sunlight. “Just friends, huh?”
“Yes.” Janie’s smile disappeared.
Now wasn’t the time to talk about Janie’s love life, or lack thereof. They both needed to survive the upcoming peace talks. Lily shook her head. “I find it so odd we need to survive peace, you know?”
Janie nodded as they strolled through the gated community, two guards following somewhat discreetly behind them. Finally, they reached a wood and stone house decorated with brilliant yellow mums lining the walkway to the door. Janie pushed open the front door, revealing a spectacular view of the ocean. “I haven’t been underground to the site yet. What did you think?”
Lily gasped at the stunning gray waves sparkling as far as she could see. “It was a bit intimidating, to be honest.”
“I agree. I’ve seen the room in visions since I was five years old. Maybe four.” Janie led her into a kitchen with shiny stainless-steel appliances. “I made lasagna last night. How do leftovers sound?”
“Fantastic.” Lily slid onto a stool behind a long counter. “Is this your place?”
“Yes. When Uncle Dage increased our land-to-air missiles, we figured we could all live aboveground in houses. If the war goes bad again, we’ll have to head back into the earth.” Janie took out a pan of lasagna. “Which is okay with me. I’ve lived in mountains for a good part of my life, and I’m comfortable there.”
Lily swallowed. There had to be a good way to bring up the subject, but she couldn’t find the right words. “Tell me about any visions you’ve had concerning the peace talks. What exactly do you see?” More importantly, could the visions really be trusted? Could the whispers in the night be telling the truth?
Janie slipped the glass pan into the microwave. “I see dark stone, tables, and a lot of figures. There’s a sense of expectation, of drama, but I can’t tell where it’s coming from.”
Lily stilled. “Do you see anybody in particular?”
“No. I can’t make out the people individually, but I see shadows moving.”
“Does anything go wrong? I mean, do you get a sense that this is a mistake?” Lily asked.
Janie leaned back against the counter, her blue eyes clouding. “No. I don’t get a sense of danger or of peace. Just shadows, and I know I’m there.”
Lily’s heart leaped. “You’re there? For sure?”
Janie shrugged. “I must be, or why would I be seeing the room?”
Good question. Lily forced a smile. “Why, indeed?”
A knock sounded on the door, and Janie eyed the microwave. “I’ll be right back.”
Lily nodded, her head spinning. Every instinct she had warned her to refrain from telling Janie about the dreams. The ones haunting her every night and keeping her from wanting to sleep. Why would her instincts warn her against Janie?
Everybody knew the young woman was the key to the future, yet nobody knew how or why. Janie was good and kind . . . so her contribution had to be necessary and good. Right?
Janie strolled back into the room with Prophet Guiles on her heels.
Lily stood for the obligatory kiss to both cheeks. “Guiles, how are you?” She’d known the man for years, and everyone called him by his last name. It might be his only name, as far as she knew.
Guiles held both of her hands in his warm ones, his brown eyes twinkling. “Ready for peace. You look lov
ely, as always, Lily.”
She laughed. “You’ve always been such a flatterer.”
The vampire had about a couple of centuries on her and had always worn his brown hair long while remaining ruthlessly clean shaven. The sharp angles of his face showed his Russian heritage, combining into a handsome configuration that inspired trust and confidence. He appeared to be in his early thirties, but his dark eyes showed the centuries he’d endured.
He released her and eyed the modern kitchen. “I do find it strange to be living in houses like humans.” Turning, he breathed deep at the view out of the nook window. “Though it’s beautiful outside the rock, isn’t it?”
“I agree.” Janie grabbed pot holders to tug out the lasagna.
Guiles laughed. “The king still has you surrounded, doesn’t he?”
Janie shook her head. “You mean the bodyguards at my front door? Yes. Right now, as the peace talks draw near, apparently I need guards around the clock.”
Amusement twinkled in Guiles’s eyes. “The bigger one frisked me.”
Janie sighed. “Sorry about that. Max gets a bit overprotective. Would you like to stay for lunch, Prophet Guiles?”
He smiled, flashing sharp incisors. “I just had lunch with the king, but thank you. I brought him a bottle of Dalmore 62, and we had a couple of glasses, so I really should go walk it off before I fall down in a nap.”
Lily breathed out. Guiles was usually rather, er, frugal, and the Highland Malt scotch went for about sixty-three grand a bottle. “How lovely of you.”
Guiles shrugged, red sliding up his face. “The king and his brothers saved my life, and I owe him. Everything.”
Lily nodded. Guiles had been kidnapped by their enemies, and the king and his brothers had rescued him, battered and beaten. While Guiles had always been neutral regarding the vampire rulers, he’d been devoted and loyal since his capture. “I’m thankful they found you in time.”
“Me, too.” He half bowed to Janie and glanced down at Lily. “If Prophet Lily would escort me to the door, I’ll take my leave of you gracious ladies today.”
Lily slid from the stool. “I’ll be right back, Jane.” She followed Guiles through the comfortably furnished home and out the front door and between two hulking vampire guards.