Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
SEBASTIAN
I keep tightening my arms around the woman I am holding like a babe to my chest. Her body is so light, I need to reassure myself I am not imagining her.
Her slight shivering is due to shock, I understand that, but while talking to her, she seems to calm down.
Andrei might’ve been onto something when he mentioned something similar at the pool area where I found her.
Impatient to hide her away from prying eyes, I think nothing of it when my feet cross the space leading me to my rooms. Plowing through Marcus and Andrei, I stop short when her body arches so hard I almost lose my hold on her.
The scream that rips from her dry lips feels like a hot poker to my brain.
Dropping on my knees, pressing her face in the crook of my neck, I curl my body around her, cocooning her tiny, fragile form.
“What the fuck is happening here?” My roar rattles the windows of the penthouse. The sound of breaking glass somewhere in the living room follows it.
I can feel the anger radiating from Marcus and Andrei through our bond. A wave of power slams me like a raging bull. Without looking back, I uncurl myself and push the unconscious woman towards both of them. Standing to my full height, I face whoever it is that made themselves known.
“Sebastian.” The cultured voice stirs the beast in me. I can feel it pushing under my skin, wanting to come out. I hold it in check, locking my gaze on the male standing casually in the living room.
“Niklas.” Tipping my head slightly to acknowledge his cunning, I keep my eyes locked on his. Two Council members in one night. I should be honored.
I’m not.
“What brings you to my rooms this evening?” Straightening the sleeves of my shirt and my jacket, I walk further inside the room.
“I would be a bad host if I care nothing about how my guests are faring, no?” His German accent makes the words sound cold and curt. It still can’t hide the curiosity and animosity that rings loud and clear.
“They do have doors in this place.” Combing my fingers to smooth my disheveled hair, I level him with a glare. “It’s customary to knock first.”
Niklas is as big as me, taller than your average male by a few inches.
His blonde hair is neatly combed to the side, his ice-blue eyes missing nothing.
The Council robes flow around him, pooling at the floor, covering his clothing.
If rumors are true, more like covering his naked flesh.
Apparently, this particular Council member doesn’t like clothing much.
His face is youthful, unlined. He looks a year or so younger than me.
Physically. In reality, he is older. Quite a few centuries older at that.
“Ah.” He waves his hand, nonchalantly. “I had every intention of being civil.” A big grin splits his face, long fangs glistening in the light of the chandelier hanging between us.
“The carelessly tossed around bodies gracing the floor of the lobby when I entered the hotel changed my mind.” Tilting his head slightly, his smile disappears.
“I thought you might have trouble at your doors. I used the windows to lend you a hand. It seems you don’t need help after all. ”
Saying nothing, I keep watching him. First Irina, now him.
I smell bullshit but keep my mouth shut.
Andrei was right. We might’ve given them more than we should have last night.
It didn’t worry me then, thinking I had more time until we got the girl.
Having her here at the moment changes everything.
“You must not think very highly of me if you think I need help to take care of myself or mine.” Striding towards the bar at the corner of the room, I turn my back on him.
Short of slapping him in the face, I can’t think of a bigger insult.
“Careful who you anger, boy.” My smile hurts my cheeks at the anger in his softly spoken words.
Too bad he can’t see it since he is staring at my back.
“I need a drink; it has nothing to do with angering anyone.” Pouring the whiskey in two glasses, I finally turn to look at him. “I think it’s a bigger insult you thought I needed saving.”
“With four Guardians beheaded, and a dozen or so slathered downstairs right after I heard Irina paid you a visit, you can’t blame me.” Reluctantly, he walks towards my outstretched arm, taking the offered glass. “I was told she was furious when she was seen leaving the hotel.”
“And you what?” One side of my mouth quirks up in a mocking smile. “Thought you’d find me here beheaded as well? By Irina?”
“That snake can get vicious when she doesn’t get what she wants.” Disgust twists every feature on his face.
“Good thing I’m a snake charmer, huh?” Chuckling, I take my spot in one of the chairs, tilting my chin in invitation for him to take the other.
“I should’ve known better,” he concedes, lowering slowly in the opposite chair. “Which reminds me. What have you got here?” Niklas glances curiously at Marcus and Andrei. “Or had, I should say.”
Both of them are standing motionless, shoulder to shoulder.
There is no sign of the girl, although her stench lingers in the air around us, reminding everyone, especially Niklas, of her presence.
Surprisingly, despite my acute sense of smell, I don’t mind the stench half as much as the sight of her broken state bothers me.
Marcus and Andrei don’t even blink, staring at the broken windows.
I realize I haven’t answered, and Niklas has a line forming between his eyebrows.
“Food.” My reply startles him slightly.
“You always protect your food with your life?”
“They taste better when they are alive.” Not allowing him to notice the unsettled feeling in my gut, I keep my face passive.
“I never acquired a taste for corpses.” A short burst of surprised laughter escapes the Council member.
“But, you’re not here to talk about my diet.
So, Niklas…what brings you to my door, or window if you may. ”
Niklas watches me for long moments through a narrowed gaze.
His eyes are so light blue that they are almost white, reminding me of the glass that sprinkled all over the living room floor.
So much for cleaning this place up before the girl sees it.
At least Andrei and Marcus were smart enough to remove the dead human I left in my haste to see the girl.
I’m not sure she would react calmly to that.
“There is talk that you came to North America looking to form alliances.” Relaxing back in the chair, Niklas takes a sip from the whiskey and stares at the glass dispassionately. “I was coming to see if we can both benefit from such a thing.”
“After you were told that Irina was here.” Not a question. A statement.
“She has always been impulsive and reckless.” Waving his hand dismissively, he pins me with his intent gaze.
“Between you and me”—After I nod my agreement he jerks his head sharply once— “I never thought for a second you would go there. You might be younger than us, but you are a smart male. Smarter than most of them dare to admit.” His smile says he knows something the rest of them don’t.
It doesn’t sit well with me—not that I’ll tell him that.
“I haven’t thought of forming anything.” Sipping my own drink that tastes like nothing, I eye him over the rim of my glass. “Italy gets boring from time to time. I needed a change of scenery. I’m starting to think I should’ve chosen a more exotic place.”
“Bah, nonsense!” Slamming the glass on the side table, whiskey sloshes over his hand. He doesn’t seem to notice. “You are always welcome here. Your presence makes things interesting for us as well. If not, maybe I should look to visit somewhere, too. The years can make any place boring.”
“Now that we cleared this up, is there anything else I can help you with?” When his face darkens at my dismissal, I relent slightly. “My food is getting cold.”
Chuckling, Niklas lifts himself up, and I do the same. “I forgot how exciting the thrill of the chase is when you are younger. Even feeding doesn’t feel as stimulating as it used to be after so many centuries.”
“I hope never to feel that way.”
“I don’t wish it on you, boy.” His jab doesn’t get the reaction he was expecting, so he smiles approvingly at me. “I still stand by what I said. An alliance could benefit us both. Think about it.”
“I shall.”
Niklas doesn’t go to the door. Walking past me, he goes to the broken windows. “Enjoy your meal.” With one last look over his shoulder, he jumps through the broken pieces and disappears in the night. We stand quiet and motionless for extended moments until we are sure he is really gone.
“Fuck!” Marcus spits from behind me.