The New Beginning
The reapers, to a man, stared at me as if I had painted myself blue, put a moose on my head, and started dancing on their table.
Youre not serious, Frederic finally said.
I am. Quite, as a matter of fact.
You go, girl, Magda told me, giving me a thumbs-up.
You are aware of the fact that you are... Frederic stopped, glancing at the governors.
A Beloved. I am Kristoffs Beloved. Yes, Im aware of that fact, I said, ignoring the gasps of horror from the governors.
Frederic turned pleading eyes on me.
But Im also a Zorya, one whos seen a lot in a relatively short time. I am, however, circumspect if the situation calls for it, I told him.
He didnt have any trouble reading between my verbal lines.
Its quite out of the question, the outspoken governor said. The very idea of a Beloved, the mortal enemy and complete opposite of everything the Brotherhood stands for, being a Zenith? Unfathomable.
Not quite so unlikely as you might think, I said, leaning on Kristoff as I kept my eyes on Frederic.
He looked uncomfortable, between a rock and a hard place, just where I wanted him.
Er... was all he could manage to say.
Pia is going to find me a Zorya of my own, Mattias announced, then leaned in and said in a loud whisper, I dont want the one over there.
Dont worry; Ill get you one you like, I whispered back. Why dont you sit down now?
All right. I will miss not having you for my wife. I will miss not kissing you, and licking you, and holding your hand, he said, looking downcast for a moment; then he suddenly brightened as he turned his gaze on Kristoff.
If he kisses me one more time
Stop fussing. He just likes you! You should be flattered.
He likes everyone when his brain is boggled.
Director? All three governors were watching Frederic as intently as I was, obviously waiting for them to show us the door. You cannot be considering such a thing.
You are aware that the Zenith is the ultimate of positions within the Brotherhood, Frederic said slowly, picking his words with care. Only the most august and revered Zoryas have climbed to its heady heights, and only after grueling and extensive searches were conducted to find the one person who could lead the membership in pursuit of our goals. You are aware that only the brightest, the best, the most devout of women can become Zenith.
Which is why shes so perfect for it, Magda said with a little shrug.
The reapers expressions turned to horror.
I may not be perfect for the job, but I am going to take it, and you are going to stop killing vampires, and in turn, they will stop killing you people, and everyone is going to live together in peace and harmony, or by God, I will let judgment roll down as the waters, and righteousness as an ever-flowing stream!
Frederic didnt miss that threat, either. Er...
And just how to do you expect to force us to name you as Zenith? the woman governor asked.
I smiled. Beside me, Kristoff straightened up and donned a menacing expression. Rowan moved into place next to him. Andreas scooted over to my other side. Magda cracked her knuckles, and stood on Andreass far side.
With a groan, Alec got to his feet and hobbled over to take up a position next to Rowan.
Mattias made a little bleating noise of distress, and joined the group.
Mattias! the female Zorya gasped. You are one of us!
Not at all like her, Mattias said in an undertone, frowning at the woman.
My smile grew larger. Any further questions about my qualifications?
Wait a second; Ray will want to be here. Ray? Ray!
Frederic glanced at the others. They were silent. Horror-struck would have been an apt description.
Theres nothing to prevent us from removing you from the position, should we accede to force now, Frederic warned.
I know. But Im willing to bet that I can convince more than a few reapers to see the light. So to speak.
He blanched.
Ray! Oh. Sorry, everyone. Ill just see whats keeping him
The door opened before Magda finished, and Raymond burst in waving his Taser.
Im here! Who needs shooting? He skidded to a stop at the sight of the wall of vampires, glancing around the room. What did I miss?
Just Pia taking over as head of the reapers. She is taking over, isnt she? Magda asked Frederic.
He hesitated for a moment. I dropped little balls of light around him in a decorative circle.
She is. For the moment, he agreed, jerking his arm away from where his elbow strayed into one of the beams of light.
The governors said nothing, their eyes on the light.
Mattias applauded and started to mouth, I love you, to me when Kristoff caught his eye. He moved around behind Magda instead.
You know they wont let you stay Zenith. Kristoffs hands were warm as they caressed my back, but his mouth on mine was positively scorching.
I know. But I can slow them down for a little bit, and maybe if we work at it, we can chip away at the members until the fanatics are outnumbered. Itll be quite a job on top of tracking down the Ilargi who has Ulfur, but I think were up to it.
I have something else in mind I think youre up to.
Now that really warms the cockles of your heart, I heard Magda say as Kristoff, without breaking his kiss, scooped me up and started to leave.
I dont think its just his cockles that are going to be warmed, Raymond said.
Ray!
Sorry, honey bunny. It just seemed appropriate somehow.
I giggled into Kristoffs mouth, my happiness dimming for a moment as I thought of what remained to be done. Ulfur.
Well find him, Kristoff promised.
And Mattias?
He sighed. Well find him a woman.
A Zorya?
A woman.
He needs a Zorya. Hes a sacristan. You have one, after all. Its only right he should have one.
Well discuss it later.
How much later?
He let me see a picture of just what he wanted to do to me. My toes curled. Youre right. Well talk about it later. Home?
Home.
Say it again.
I love you.
Sounds good, but I think I need to hear it again.
I love you, Pia. I love you now. I will love you tomorrow. I will love you always. I will love you until the sun and moon fade away into nothing, and the world turns to ash. I will love you beyond that, to the ends of all time. There is no beginning or end of my love for youit simply is, as I am, and so long as I am, so will it be.
I love you too, my adorable vampire. Oh! I know! Say it in Italian....
Chapter 1
Crash!
Sorry! I have a cart with a wonky wheel, I said by way of an apology to the woman whose shopping cart I had just bumped into while trying to maneuver my own out the door of the grocery store.
My victim reclaimed the package of toilet paper that bounced out of her cart at the impact, and waved away my apology with a gentle, That happens. Light be with you.
You called me up to tell me you have a wonky shopping cart? An amused voice laughed softly in my ear as I swore under my breath, struggling one-handed to make my cart behave.
