Lord of Shadow and Blood

Chapter 20: The Girl

Nicolai made his way around the crowded club, his eyes scanning the room as he took in all the shocked faces that had watched him fall and land sprawled at the bottom of the stairs. One minute he had been chasing the girl Niamh had told him to stop, and the next he was blinded by a flash of light and thrown backwards.

He felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him. He was one of the strongest Lamiae to ever exist, one of the original Purebloods, and he had been bested by an unknown Incantrix in front of dozens of people. An unknown Luciferus.

It was impossible. The last Luciferus had died over a century ago, his brother had killed her and she left no children to pass on her gifts to.

Nicolai scratched his head as he tried to think, the throb at the back of his skull from his fall not helping. Who was she? Why had they not heard about a Luciferus existing? Why had she run?

Niamh came over to him with ice wrapped in a towel and pressed it to the back of his head, easing the ache as his head wound healed over.

"She certainly showed you up, huh?"

Nicolai pushed her hand away. "Oh piss off, I just didn't expect that. You didn't tell me she was a fucking Luciferus."

"I didn't know, I didn't get a good look at the markings on her back. But you saw the ones on her arms, right?"

Nicolai shook his head as he took a seat at the bar, the crowd of people slowly settling down. A lot of people had left after the display, only a few remained at the bar now. He reached for his drink and took a sip, appreciating its ability to sooth his headache.

"She had Nocte brands, Nic. Xander's markings."

Nicolai froze. "You're mistaken. Xander has never turned anyone, not ever."

"Are you sure about that?"

He finished the rest of his drink and brought his gaze to the club owner, Mitchell. He knew her.

Nicolai slid his empty glass to the bartender and sauntered over to Mitchell who was saying goodbye to the remaining customers.

"Who is she?" Nicolai asked.

Mitchell carried on talking to the people that were getting their coats, holding a finger to Nicolai to tell him not to interrupt.

Nicolai sighed and waited for him to finish.

"What can I do for you, Lord Nicolai?"

"Oh don't start, Mitch, I haven't been called that in years. Just because my dickhead brother enjoyed making his descendents bow down to him doesn't mean I want anyone to do the same to me."

Mitchell stiffened at the mention of his creator. He had been turned by William without consent, and for nine years had been made to treat him as a god. Although he never agreed with William's involvement in the Lupus fights, he still feared him, and so he had obeyed every order, causing him to do things he would forever regret. It was a blessing when William was killed, he was finally free to live his eternal life as he wanted.

Coincidentally, he had met Nicolai shortly after William's death, and he had stayed with him for a couple of years, learning how to curb his bloodlust and gain control of his Aeris powers. The two had lost touch until Nicolai had heard Mitchell was in Manchester and decided to visit during his and Niamh's trip. They had travelled north to meet with Rafael, who acted as the mortal communicator between countries in the World Court and was set to take over as Prime Minister from Katie one day. It just so happened that their meeting was only a short walk to Mitchell's club.