Transfusion (Transfusion Saga #1)

Chapter 6

Unlikely Date

“Lucius.”

The second I uttered his name I saw his harsh gaze that had once been centered on the man behind me, shift to my own.

It then softened for a mere second before they snapped back into his usual steely composure.

This in turn made me also snap out of my dreamlike state and I frowned up at him, quickly remembering how much I hated him.

So, I took a step back and folded my arms across my chest, telling him first without words, that I was not impressed with him being here.

It was then I decided to trust my voice and say with a mild waver in its tone,

“Wh...what are…are you doing here?”

The second I asked this the bastard actually smirked down at me.

This made me so mad that the next time I spoke, I couldn’t help the bite that came with it, even if that bite came out as an intimidated whisper,

“Looking smug is not an answer.”

His lips twitched with his amusement as he still looked down at me.

I suddenly felt that being under his intense gaze was as though I was being studied by a predator, so that he could find my weaknesses and abuse them as he wished.

The only thing that broke his connection was the sound of a voice being cleared behind me, reminding us both that we weren’t alone.

“Leave us…now.”

Lucius’ demand came with a bite of power that told me this wasn’t just an order but more a control of the man’s mind, rendering his will useless…something Lucius just so happened to be a master at.

And when I say master, what I really mean is the most powerful being alive at it!

Instantly the man left with no complaints and no doubt doing so with no memory of why he had walked over to me in the first place, or quite possibly even of me to begin with.

Well, a girl could hope as that might save me at the next gala.

I don’t know why but the second I felt myself alone with him, I suddenly wished the man hadn’t been made to leave.

As now it left me feeling open and exposed, with only the reminder of the worst mistake of my life standing opposite me.

And even in a room full of people, I couldn’t shake the feeling that we were the only two beings stood at the centre of a private storm fueled by my emotions and battling it out in our silent standoff.

I felt like running away as fast as my legs could carry me, knowing the power he held over me.

I hated to admit it…no, I loathed to admit it, but it was the truth no matter how I pretended otherwise.

I couldn’t lie to myself, but I would be damned if I let him believe anything other than my utter indifference towards him.

I was no longer that unsure girl who once shook with nervousness and stuttered with uncertainty around him.

But even as I told myself this, I couldn’t help but nearly choke on the silent plea for him to allow space between us.

For the second I took a step away from him, he simply took one closer to me.

Then he took my hand in his, causing intense sparks to flutter in my heart the second he made the contact with my skin.

I watched as he raised it up and placed the champagne flute he had held out to me into my shaky hand. Damn my traitorous body and the way it gave evidence to the way he still affected me.

“Here, drink this, as it will help settle your nerves,”

he told me in an impassive way, looking over my head due to our height difference and moving his interest towards the rest of the room.

I wanted to growl at him the way I would often hear other Supernaturals do in anger, but I knew it would have been wasted on such a man.

Instead, I took the glass just so that I could get away from his touch, unable to stop my eyes taking in his gloved left hand.

I never knew why he kept it hidden and every time I had asked someone about it, all they told me was that it was a price once he paid to save us all.

To say that this vague answer had been a frustrating one would be an understatement.

But when it came to the history between Lucius, my dad and my mum, then let’s just say vague was the nature of the only beast they would let out of the cage.

Hence, why I didn’t know what he had hidden behind that black leather but from the look of things, it didn’t exactly render him handicapped as he used it just fine.

However, I could tell he didn’t like it being stared at or mentioned in any way.

I had made that mistake once when I reached out to touch it, only to regret it instantly the second I received his snarled response.

In short, Lucius was and always had been, an enigma to me.

I couldn’t make him out and with regards to his feelings, then as ever I was at an utter loss.

But what did it matter now? No, all that did matter was why he was here right now, which I was determined to get to the bottom of.

That was if I could take my eyes off him long enough to form a coherent thought.

Unfortunately, Lucius looked as though he was the bad boy at a wedding who refused to conform but thought that you should just be grateful that he turned up at all.

He was wearing a suit that looked more like you’d expect to see at the end of a night out than the beginning of one, for he was minus a tie and his top two buttons were undone.

This, unfortunately for me, was showing the length of his corded neck and just the hint of his extensive muscles you just knew was hidden beneath the white shirt.

This, of course, making my mouth feel dry enough so that I quickly found myself downing my champagne until not a drop was left.

I also ignored his handsome, smug face as he watched me do this, one that sported a knowing grin I could just feel was there.

His darker blonde hair had been tamed back, giving him a severe edge to his usual stern gaze as he looked upon the space with annoyance, no doubt asking himself why he was even here at all.

Which still begged the question to be asked once more.

“So, are you going to explain to me what it is you are doing here or am I left to guess?”

I said, hoping my haughty tone wasn’t lost on him.

Well, I don’t know if it was or not because he didn’t even grace me with a look when he answered me.

“And why should I not be here, considering a museum is usually obligated to willingly grant admittance to the general public,”

was his sarcastic reply.

I rolled my eyes and finally found my bravery when I replied with a slice of sarcasm of my own,

“Does this look like the type of party where everyone is welcome…there are more designer shoes and handbags in this room than Bond Street…now cut the bullshit, Lucius, and tell me why you’re really here?”

I snapped this last part after first ridding myself of my empty glass thanks to a passing waitress and folding my arms once more across my chest.

Unfortunately, for me though, I had forgotten about the deep and low cut of my dress and only remembered it again when I saw Lucius’ perfect lips form a cunning smile when eyeing up my cleavage.

I released a pissed off ‘humpf’ sound as I dropped my arms quickly, hating that he knew how much he had just affected me.

“If you wish to know my reasons for being here then I suggest you had better ask daddy, for he requested my attendance in his place.”

I frowned, knowing now the reasons why he was here and hating the way Lucius always referred to my father as the childish ‘daddy’ he always did around me.

Acting as if I was still the young girl that foolishly cared what he thought of me.

I decided not to answer him, instead getting ready to call my father himself so that he could explain to me why he thought to have Lucius come here, when he hadn’t even given me chance to open the box.

But then, as if on cue, Lucius’ phone started to ring, and he pulled it calmly from his suit jacket with ease.

“As instructed,”

was his cool answer to the obvious question my father had asked, which would have been, ‘Are you with my daughter?’ or some other version of that.

“Very well…he wishes to speak to you,”

Lucius told me as he handed me his phone.

“Dad?”

I said in question.

He could also tell with my tone that I was less than pleased.

“Sweetheart, I am sorry but business at home prevented me from being there and as I knew that Lucius was in the city, I thought that you could…”

“Kill two Gorgon leeches with one arrow?”

I said cutting in and trying to ignore the raised brow Lucius gave me.

“Yeah, I get it… but you could have waited and given me more time,”

I told my father trying not to sound as whiney as I felt like I was being.

“Well, when you said you needed a date…”

I groaned aloud, cutting in and hissing with embarrassment,

“I didn’t say that I needed a date.”

“No? Because the way I heard it, was that you hated attending those events alone.”

my father argued back in a calm tone.

This then made me wonder who my dad would have sent instead, had he known what my true feelings had been towards Lucius years ago and was in fact, one of the reasons I hardly ever came home in fear that Lucius would be there.

I released a sigh and muttered,

“Yeah, but not that much.”

Of course, he heard this and chuckled, obviously finding my reluctance to be around his old enemy both reassuring and amusing.

Lucius, on the other hand was outright frowning at me and I had to question the reason why? Because let’s face it, what else did he expect? But more importantly, why would he even care?

“Then think of this as a good time to show him the box I gave you and he can soon be on his way,”

my dad said, obviously believing that I had left it at work and not taken it home with me.

I suddenly wanted to curse myself knowing that this wasn’t going to be a quick and flying visit, both Lucius and my dad had obviously believed it would be.

I decided it was wise not to correct him and instead just agreed noncommittedly,

“I will see what I can do.”

“That’s my girl.”

He praised, making me subtly wince and close my eyes longer than I needed to, meaning that the second I opened them again, I found Lucius studying me in a quizzical way.

I ignored this, not daring to think too much into it and instead concentrated my time in saying goodbye to my dad and asking him to give my love to my mum, who he was no doubt eager to get back to.

Then I handed Lucius back his phone, annoyed that my dad had unknowingly put me in this situation.

“But of course.”

I heard Lucius say in response to whatever request my dad was asking of him this time.

This was why I hated being the only mortal in my family sometimes, knowing how handy having super senses was in situations like this.

Especially when you wanted to hear both sides of the conversation and only got the brief and curt end of one.

But the only ‘gift’, if you could call it that, was that I could choose whether or not to see a Supernatural in their true form.

Most of the time I just didn’t bother as it wasn’t exactly needed, and I had grown up seeing those around me for who they really were and let’s just say that it affected me more when I saw a spider the size of my thumbnail than a demon stood next to me.

Spiders were the ones that received the petrified screams, whereas most demons didn’t even see me flinch.

However, the only one who I couldn’t see in his true form and never had, was Lucius.

Oh, I had come close that night when he saved my life but what I had seen had been too close to the shadows to fully make out.

Normally I could have just conjured up the sight with a mere thought but for some reason this wasn’t the case with Lucius.

As that night I had only seen what he had allowed me to see, along with the others that had attacked me.

But even stranger still, was that I wasn’t the only one afflicted with these restraints around him, as it seemed Lucius had some of his own around me.

Shockingly, I was the only one who was immune to Lucius’ mighty control over other people’s will.

Meaning he couldn’t make me do a damn thing he wanted unless of course it was by force.

And well, considering the size difference in not just height but also given his immense bulk, then that wouldn’t have exactly been too hard to accomplish for him.

Lucius was almost the same size as my father, who was a large and imposing figure of a man.

Lucius’s broad shoulders did look fit for swinging an axe in the woods somewhere or more fitting, the huge sword I knew he had used in battle, if my father’s stories were to be believed… which there was little reason for them not to be.

But Lucius was certainly an intimidating man to behold, even in a suit and I doubt he would have had much trouble getting my earlier admirer to go away, even without his use of mind control.

Being taller and bigger than most men kind of did that.

Damn him and his abundance of hot, sexy muscles!

“Ah, Miss Draven, there you are, you sweet thing, you!”

A voice I recognized as the Chairman of The Board of Trustees, and who was essentially my boss, appeared at my side looking slightly flustered.

He was a middle-aged gentleman with slightly greying hair at the sides and laughter lines around a pair of brown eyes, and he was dressed in a tux.

His name was Sir Nelson Allerton and he was the one Trustee appointed by Her Majesty, in accordance with the British Museum Act of 1963 and the Museums and Galleries Act of 1992.

He had also been appointed Chairman by the Board from its members[sh4], so needless to say, he was well liked.

“Sir Allerton, a pleasure seeing you as always,”

I replied smiling and I don’t know why but I could instantly feel the air around me becoming statically charged.

I refrained from frowning in question and shooting Lucius a strange look, as I had a feeling that it was coming straight from him.

“You are looking beautiful this evening as no doubt your girlfriend has already told you this…speaking of whom, was she not able to accompany you this time?”

he asked making me suddenly want to blush scarlet, especially when I heard Lucius cough back a laugh at my side.

I saw the unimpressed look the chairman gave him in response and I quickly decided that I needed to speak now.

Especially before Lucius managed to put his foot in it by doing something stupid, like asking me outright if I was a lesbian as I let my colleagues believe.

“No, Wendy had other plans tonight but asked me to give you her regards for she was truly disappointed not to be able to do so herself,”

I said lying through my teeth and imagining her sniggering the second I told her what I was forced to say.

Well, she wouldn’t be sniggering if she could see who was stood next to me right now, that was for damn sure! She had a weakness for sexy, eye candy.

“Ah, but of course, news never sleeps in the city…and your replacement, will you not introduce me?”

he said, smirking playfully which I doubted Lucius appreciated.

“I am her…”

I just knew that Lucius was about to really confuse matters and with it, my sexual preferences, by declaring himself as my date, so thought it wise to interrupt him quickly…

“Cousin!”

I said a bit too loudly and I knew this when Sir Allerton jerked back a little because of it.

Then he looked from Lucius and back to me, obviously trying to find any family resemblance at all, which was a pointless endeavor.

“On my mother’s German side,”

I added with a whisper, once again making Lucius scoff next to me.

Then I remembered my manners and introduced my boss to Lucius, letting him know in my tone how important he was in my world and therefore to behave himself.

“Cousin, this is Sir Nelson Allerton, who is Chairman of the board.”

I said trying to ignore the disapproving glare he gave me when I started that sentence out with calling him my cousin for the second time.

“It is very nice meeting you Mr…?”

He let that nameless question hang in the air along with his hand for Lucius to shake and waiting for him to complete the sentence.

Which after a pleading look from me up at him, he finally did.

“Septimius, Lucius Septimius,”

he replied taking his hand and giving it a strong shake, something that clearly took Sir Allerton off guard as I noticed him rubbing his hand discreetly once Lucius let it go.

“Ah, an unusual name to be sure, and I will wager your father was a fan of Ancient Roman literature, as if I recall the name being one you share with an assassin of Pompey the Great in 48 BC.”

Sir Allerton, I should have mentioned was also a historian of high esteem.

But one look at Lucius’ face and the cunning smile he had upon it, no doubt at being referred to as an assassin, told me that he seemed best pleased.

But knowing Lucius and his arrogance I was surprised that he didn’t say something crazy like, ‘Oh those were the good old, ancient days’, because if the rumors were to be believed then Lucius had in fact once served as my father’s own personal assassin.

Thankfully though he went with something less creepy and definitely less threatening, when he said in a self-confident tone,

“I believe the Roman emperor, Lucius Septimius Severus Augustus was more in mind at the time.”

Sir Allerton grinned back at him as if he had just found the one person in the room who had the same interests in Roman History as he did.

Even though we were currently in one of the largest museums in the world and there were no doubt plenty enthusiasts to spare.

“Ah yes, correct me if I am wrong but Severus seized power after the death of Emperor Pertinax in 193 during the Year of the Five Emperors, did he not?”

I looked at Lucius once again in a wary way, begging him with my eyes not to say anything like ‘Yes I did’, giving freedom for Sir Allerton to then think I had brought a crazy family member to this gala.

Of course, the second I discovered that it was true, that Lucius had once been a Roman Emperor, then not only did this bombard my historical mind with a bucket load of questions, but it also plagued me with about a years’ worth of fantasies too.

Wendy had wondered at the time why I was on a mission to watch every movie and tv series that was based in Ancient Rome.

Something which only ended up adding fuel to the raging fire that was imagining Lucius dressed as a Roman Emperor, fighting general or heck, even as a gladiator in nothing more than a helmet and leather tasseled skirt.

My imagination had been endless for many nights alone, keeping me company and my hands shamefully busy.

“He did indeed,”

was Lucius’ curt reply and I released a secret sigh of relief before deciding to change the subject.

“I trust, Sir Allerton, that the gala is looking to be a successful one?”

I asked, taking a look around and seeing that there were definitely more people than last time.

“Oh yes, which reminds me of what I wanted to ask of you.”

“Oh?”

“Would you be so kind as to show a few of our guests along room four, and you know, give them a little taste and insight to your knowledge, for you have better people skills than Duncan, and a prettier face to be sure,”

he said jovially, making me laugh.

Duncan was a nice guy, once you got to know him that was, as he worked in the same department as I did.

But Sir Allerton wasn’t exaggerating as Duncan’s people skills were more than lacking as he most definitely preferred the company of people that had been dead for thousands of years.

“But of course, it would be my pleasure,”

I replied knowing this was really what I was here for.

To woo the rich with my easy manner and extensive knowledge.

Which was why after this, Sir Allerton clapped his hands, declaring ‘excellent’ and reminding me silently of Mr Burns from the Simpsons, only with a lot more hair and minus the ass kissing sidekick, Mr Smithers.

“In that case I will gather those who inquired after the private tour and have them meet you in room 4 in ten minutes, should give you time for another champagne to calm any nerves.”

I gave him a nod and watched as he left, making him the second person of the night to suggest I drink to ease any stress.

Well, in that case, if Lucius stuck around any longer then I would no doubt be an alcoholic by the end of the night!

However, this thought didn’t sway me enough to stop me from taking another glass from the waiter, gaining a sound of disapproval from Lucius for my actions.

“I…I’m not expecting you to stay,”

I told him, trying once again to steady my voice now I was alone with him.

“Why did you tell him that I was your cousin?”

he asked, flatly ignoring my comment.

“Well, I could hardly say you were my date, and besides, we would make unlikely friends considering we don’t even like each other,”

I replied being honest, but from the look of his face, it was clear I had shocked him.

“Why do you think that?”

Okay, so his question definitely threw me off my guard, and my face must have said as much.

In return he took a step closer to me, then in a blink, took hold of my forearm the second he saw I was about to retreat.

Then he took that last step into me until I had no option but to bend my neck back just so that I could maintain eye contact.

Something I wasn’t sure I wanted to do, let alone thought as a wise decision, not with those dangerous eyes of his.

However, it was as if he had me captured with my body and mind having no choice but to obey him.

This was the danger of being around a man like Lucius.

He knew the effect he had on me and the bastard used it to his advantage, for he may not have had the power of will over me, but he certainly had other means to exploit.

Primarily those which were named my foolish feelings for him.

This was why I needed to increase my efforts in making him believe that there were no longer any feelings there, even if it was the biggest lie I would ever tell.

“You believe me to be indifferent to your beauty because we aren’t friends as you call it, and therefore I could never be classed as a date in your eyes?”

he asked, and I swear my mouth fell open, no doubt rendering me much further down that ‘beauty scale’.

But I didn’t care because my shock overrode any good sense I had not to show it.

Worse still my mouth confirmed this when I couldn’t stop myself from uttering the incredible hushed words,

“You think I am beautiful?”

The utter shock in my tone softened his gaze when he looked at me just like he had when I first whispered his name not fifteen minutes ago.

It was as if he found my surprised response endearing in some way.

He showed this through the tender emotion in his stunning eyes, eyes that turned to amber shades in a heartbeat, making me wonder if it had been a trick of light or his demon side breaking through.

My father’s eyes would often do this, especially around me and my mother, when they would turn from their dark blackish brown to a vibrant deep purple tone.

But then, as if some invisible cord had just been snapped, he let me go and took a step back, replying sarcastically,

“Do I look blind to you, Princess.”

The use of this royal title was one I utterly loathed to hear.

Especially coming from him and the way he always managed to say it as though I was some spoilt child he had accused me of being all those years ago.

I gave him a glare in return and muttered a lame,

“I told you, don’t call me that.”

Which in the end was said through gritted teeth over my champagne glass and with me looking at the rest of the room, wishing I could just ignore his presence until he was gone.

Because this was the dangerous thing with Lucius: one second, he could look at you as if you were the only girl in the world.

The way he would draw you in with every gentle yet owning touch, captivating you and making you fall into that hopeful place you dreamed would be real.

But then the inevitable would follow where he would cut you down by mentally snapping his fingers in front of you, waking you up to the reality that was him.

The cruel and stern truth, that Lucius Septimius was a King…

Without a heart to give.