Rebellion (Risen Series Bk1)

Chapter 6: The Vampire Strikes Back

Atanas smirked as he stood behind my chair, his hands on my shoulder. I wasn't sure if it was to stop me from bolting or to try and get me to relax, or maybe he was staking a claim in front of Mirdull so he knew I was under Atanas' control.

Every muscle in my body was tense and waiting for Mirdull's reaction. I'd learned after many years that when Mirdull flew off the handle, I got hurt.

Atanas wouldn't let him hurt me, something told me that was a surety. A small chuckle left me, because the only person allowed to hurt me anymore was the very man that had protected me from others, and that still wasn't right.

Mirdull stared at Atanas like he couldn't quite trust his own eyes. He looked at me then back at the godly man who stood behind me. Smugness rolled of Atanas in waves, his hands tightening on my shoulder.

"You traitor." Mirdull hissed at me, standing and leaning over the table.

Atanas somehow picked me up from the chair, moved me behind him and slammed Mirdull's body against the table all before I could blink. My defensive instincts hadn't even had the chance to kick in from Mirdull's threatening look before I was safely behind a wall of muscle.

"Be very careful with what you say to her, my patience is wearing very thin. Now Mirdull, I've heard a lot of conflicting evidence about you and now I'm not so sure I can trust you." He almost sang, releasing him.

Mirdull staggered back, rubbing the back of his neck where Atanas had kept his vice like grip. I knew what it felt like to be on the receiving end of that hold, but I didn't pity him.

"I don't know what you're talking about." He choked, his eyes watching Atanas with fear.

It positively delighted me.

Maybe that made me sick and twisted, but it had always been my eyes that held that look. Mirdull had always been the one in control and seeing him so nervous brought a feeling of smug joy. Suddenly, he wasn't so threatening anymore.

Atanas sighed in fake weariness, "Where to begin? You were on our side during the rebellion, but then I hear that you are the one that gave me into the council...and that you cheated and killed your way to the rank you are now. Then I also find out you enjoyed torturing an innocent new born vampire for decades at the whim of her maker. One of the very things we stood against. Care to explain yourself? Even though I doubt any excuse you come up with will clear you of the charges I now bring against you."

Mirdull glared daggers at me and I flinched back on instinct. There was the Mirdull I knew and feared.

"You appear to be suffering from a loose tongue, Shylah. What stories have you been weaving?" He hissed, taking a step towards me.

Backing up quickly, curling my hands into claws as my fangs descended to protect myself, I hissed right back. Atanas moved again, blocking Mirdull from my sight.

"You so much as look at her in a way I don't like and I will end you right here and right now." He warned.

The threat shook even me, the venom behind it making me almost believe he cared. Almost.

"I know she's a pretty thing, Atanas, but make no mistake. She's spoiled goods, used, broken. She's the puppet of the council, and she doesn't even know it." Mirdull chuckled, "She is what you and Una fight so passionately against."

I froze, not understanding what he meant. I was no puppet, why did people keep saying that? I had hardly had anything to do with the council and it was a miracle that I even kept my position as territory leader. My makers blood ran through my veins and that was the only reason I'd kept my rank.

"You and I are going to have a long talk, Mirdull. Shylah, would you be so kind as to step outside and make sure we have our privacy?" Atanas asked, well more like politely ordered.

Anger flared. I was once again being kicked out like a child who wasn't privy to hear the adult conversation. Atanas' gaze told me not to argue and in all honesty, I would rather have been anywhere than in a room with Mirdull. I resigned myself to his orders and stomped my way towards the door.

"Puppet was too kind a word for her. I should have called her the council's toy...pet...whore. Though now I see she'll obey anyone, if she's doing as you ask. Have you had her yet? Is that why she's so compliant?"

I swallowed, pushing back the feeling of needing to be sick. I gagged but nothing came up and I fought to push back memories that tempted me into their darkness.

There was a sickening crunching sound and then a cry of pain from Mirdull. When I turned to look, Atanas had Mirdull's arm bent at an unnatural angle. I left the room quickly after seeing that, not sure what to make of it.

Taking the stairs at a dizzying pace, I clutched the banister to steady myself.

Once again I was reminded how deadly Atanas was, how angry, strong and dangerous he was. I had to stop forgetting. Had he done this act of violence for me? Had Mirdull's insults aimed at my past made him angry? Or maybe he just enjoyed an excuse to cause some pain.

The vampire supermodel stared at me from behind her desk, her fingers hovering over the computer keyboard.

"That was a quick visit." She snarked, narrowing her black eyes at me.

I smirked, walking over to the row of seats against one wall. Flopping onto the nearest obviously expensive velvet lined chair, I threw my muddy boots onto the the one next to me. Her jaw ticked.

"My boss is in talking with him." I said, glaring right back at her.

"You didn't come in with anyone." She noted, looking suspicious.

I kept the smirk on my face as I answered slowly, "You didn't see me come in with anyone."

"At least take your dirty feet off the chairs. Have some civility, try not to act like an animal." She muttered, going back to typing on her computer.

I dropped my feet to the floor, making sure they caused a thump that had the secretary flinching. My head quirked to the side as another of Mirdull's yells echoed down the stairs. Eyes flicking to the secretary again, I jumped up as she did. She looked warily towards the stairs and I could smell her fear.

"Sit back down." I ordered, "They're just talking. Don't butt into council business, it's not your place. Sit, and carry on with your tapping meaningless emails to whoever."

She bared pearly fangs in my direction, stepping forward, "They're right about you, you're all bark and no bite. Did your master kick you out of the office? You're no more important than I am, we're both sitting out here."

I let my power beat out, showing her that I was far more than her. She was a new vampire, and she obviously lead a privileged life, I doubted she knew very much about fighting. I could take her down easily if she continued.

She grinned at me, "Did I hit a sore spot?"

I lost my control.

My foot lifted to push myself towards her, fingers curling in preparation to beat her down. She shifted her position, hissing her warning that did little to frighten me.

Before either of us could act, Atanas and Mirdull himself appeared at the top of the stairs. Mirdull's skin was flushed and he moved stiffly, a hand pressed against his ribs.

"Stand down, Sarah. This is an old friend, he was just leaving." Mirdull said, and I was sure he was reciting what Atanas had told him to.

Reluctantly, Sarah sat back down at her desk. All worry for her boss and annoyance at my presence had left. She was watching Atanas, her eyes raking over his form with desire that I could practically smell.

"Sarah?" Atanas drawled, "Beautiful name."

Shoulders tensed, my nails digging into the palm of my hand as I watched the vampiress melt at his attention. She smiled sweetly up at him, her fingers curling around a lock of her dark hair.

Temptress.

"It's from the Bible." She purred, leaning forward to reveal too much cleavage.

I snorted, wondering how she'd managed to make that come out so seductively. Atanas grinned, leaning onto the desk.

"And you must be an angel."

My disgusted look was mirrored on Mirdull's face. Sarah giggled, her hand sliding across the desk towards where his rested. Atanas leaned down to, his finger tariling over his cheek as his lips brushed against her ear, sparking jealousy in me.

"But Sarah, if you ever make a move to harm Shylah again, I'll make sure you know what it feels like to be in hell." He whispered harshly.

Eyes that once held a sweetness to them now burned with rage. Her jaw clenched and dark eyes met mine with all the hatred a person could hold. Mirdull's eyes also flicked to me with curiosity and I hunched into myself, not liking the attention nor the way Mirdull was trying to figure me out.

"I will be back, Mirdull, make sure you do as I ask." Atanas said, straightening up.

Mirdull gave a jerky nod, "Of course."

Happy with his answer, Atanas grabbed my arm and tugged me outside with him. He was angry and I wasn't able to figure out whether it was with me or the situation inside. He didn't stop, he kept leading me back towards my flat that was a good walk away.

"Atanas." I snapped, yanking my arm from his grip, "I know how to walk."

"And you don't know how to keep your damn mouth shut." He growled back.

I stilled, hurt, "What is that supposed to mean."

He huffed, pushing me to try and make me walk again but I stood my ground, "Tell me!"

"All you had to do was sit quietly downstairs while I spoke to Mirdull, instead you antagonised that female and I'm sure would have started a fight if I hadn't interrupted." He scolded, his voice rising, "Keeping you out of trouble seems to be far more trouble than its worth, do you ever just do as you're told?"

I swallowed the lump in my throat, slumping. He was exactly like the rest of them, wanting me to be obedient and without thoughts and actions of my own. Part of me wanted to attack him but instead, I turned on my heel and marched quickly away. I wasn't quite sure why it hurt so much, I already knew Atanas wasn't a good man, he'd treated me like shit, perhaps I had also finally had enough.

Atanas yelled my name and I broke into a run, hoping to lose him in the alleys of the city. He could track my scent, yet I couldn't hear the thumping of footsteps behind me to signal he had followed. Maybe he had given up on me and truly believed I was too much trouble, that it'd be easier to let me run. Good. My life would be far less complicated and dangerous than it was now.

Faltering now that I was alone, I slumped against the brick wall. The distant thumping of music towards the city centre wasn't as appealing as it would have been had I been hunting.

I couldn't go home, Atanas would no doubt be there, probably waiting for me to come back so he could further scold me. Where else was there to go? I had no real friends, no family, no money on me so I could hide away in a hotel for the night. I sighed, looking up at the sky. There was no stars, their light was hidden by the artificial orange glow of street lights and the moon was barely visible beyond that.

Spending the night wandering the city wouldn't be the worst way I'd spent an evening, so I pushed myself on, leaving the alley and stepping into a narrow cobbled road. The walls of the old Georgian houses bounced the sound of my steps around. There was no particular direction I was heading in, that was until I caught a familiar scent. Chuckling when I realised where it was leading me, I walked with a little more confidence.

A small bar nestled between two large brick houses seemed oddly out of place amongst the tall three and four story buildings of the old city. The sign above the door was missing some letters but I knew that where it now proclaimed its name as 'he lver' it had once prouldy stated, 'The Wulver.'

I pushed in, immediately scanning the room. There wasn't a lot of people, a few that looked like Ailill were crowding around a table at the corner but it was the man slumped over the bar that caught my attention. He looked worse for wear, more so than the last time I'd seen him, even though he'd always held a certain ruggedness to him.

Slipping onto the stool next to him, he barely acknowledged me. It wasn't much of a slight, I didn't think he acknowledged many people's presence.

"Evening, Quillan." I greeted, before ordering a vodka from the bar.

He grunted in reply. His black hair was tousled messily over his face, covering eyes that I knew were just as dark.

"Shylah." He muttered, nursing his beer.

I sipped my own drink, glad to finally be away from Atanas' overwhelming presence.

"It's been a while since I've seen you here." I noted, watching him.

"Another Ailill went missing. The clan contacted Roarke who sent me to try and track her down. Her scent disappeared, just like the last one." He said before sighing heavily.

I nodded. At first, missing Ailill were so few and far between, nobody had really noticed, but now it was getting suspicious. It wasn't unheard of for Ailill to up and leave, travel the world, they were of the land and sometimes places called to them.

We lapsed into silence again, drinking and enjoying a moment of peace.

Quillan had always been easy to be around. There was no lying or words that held double meaning, he spoke the truth, no matter how harsh it was. He also didn't mind a lack of words, he happily sat silently, but there was something about his mood tonight that made me want to push him to talk.

"Why haven't you gone to report back to your Alpha?" I asked, for some reason needing the conversation.

His laugh was dark and full of pain, "I don't want to be there right now."

I grinned and nudged his shoulder.

"Is there a female giving you trouble?" I teased.

He laughed again, shaking his head, "Something like that. What about you? Have the council mentioned what they're going to do about the disappearances?"

"No. They've said nothing about it, not to me at least. I'm not very high up the council ladder, I report anything I see and whatever I'm told by the vampires in my city. I am surprised they haven't called a meeting with high council, perhaps they have some leads."

And that's when suddenly a few pieces of the complicated puzzle fell into place. I froze in my seat, trying to find some link between the missing Ailill, the council, and Atanas. How had I been so blind?

I jumped to my feet and Quillan's eyebrows jumped up.

"Are you okay?" He asked, frowning.

I shook my head, my mouth opening and shutting before I choked out, "I have to go."

Not caring for the eyes that watched me, I bolted from the bar, bursting through the door, and ran for home. Atanas was going to tell me everything or I was going to leave. If he wanted my help, if I wanted to know what was going on, why Mirdull had referred to me as a puppet, why Una had been so wary of me, I needed Atanas to trust me.

And I needed to trust him.