Chapter 66
Chapter Sixty-Six
APRIL
I have no idea what I look like, but if the fear flickering in Sebastian’s eyes is any indication, I must not look very pleasant at the moment.
The two parts of me have been molding together rapidly, and somehow having Sebastian inside me while I drank from him sped up the process.
Was it him, or was it the sex? The monster is sharing the same space in my head, not trying to push me away, but I don’t feel like clawing out of my skin because I’m surrounded by males.
Muscled, chiseled males that I’ve been hiding from for over a week.
Going on killing sprees apparently helped me to steer clear, and although it would’ve sickened me just last night, I don’t feel disgusted by it anymore.
The feeling of Sebastian inside me like a spare passenger is much stronger, too.
Through it, I get glimpses of Marcus and Andrei, their emotions muted but there for me to see.
Their combined worry and protectiveness would’ve brought me to my knees if I wasn’t on them already.
Warmth spreads through my chest. I’ve been alone for what feels like forever, always running, always hiding, scaring people away from the fear of them leaving just like my family did that day.
I never knew how badly I wanted a family until this very moment. Until I feel their unfiltered emotions.
Stronger than all of it is Sebastian’s pulsing need to protect me.
His guilt and shame for tricking me. It doesn’t excuse his actions, and I’m not as good at anything as I am at holding a grudge, so I’ll pay him in kind.
Keeping my thoughts to myself, I offer him a small smile, his intent gaze unfurling butterflies in my stomach.
I’ll sate that need after I’ve dealt with Irina. Speaking of a grudge…
“I have a plan.” Sebastian doesn’t move or speak, still searching my face, feeling that I’m not telling him something.
My smile grows.
How does it feel to be blind of others’ intentions?
I want to ask him, but I don’t. Instead, I look around at the faces watching us wide-eyed and openmouthed.
They think I performed some miracle here by offering life to those not really dead.
What have those miserable eight scums been teaching these people?
Have they shared nothing that will guide them in their immortal lives?
After everything, I don’t know why I’m surprised, but there you have it.
I guess I thought the hatred was simply aimed at me. At who I was, or am, I guess.
“A plan for what, mia redenzione?” Sebastian finally finds his voice, hunger and unease warring in his gaze.
My redemption, I repeat his words in my head. You have no idea, tesoro, I want to say, but I don’t speak my thoughts.
“You will let Irina capture me and take me in front of the Council.” Sneering the last word in disgust, I’m not prepared for the onslaught of shouting and growling.
“Absolutely not!” To my surprise, it’s Marcus shouting the loudest. He is so loud it wouldn’t be a shock if Irina heard him, wherever she may be hiding.
“You will follow me there.” My chest will explode from the worry they feel streaming steadily through the bond in my heart.
“This”—twirling the enchanted wooden stake between my fingers, I watch it with detachment— “won’t kill me.
” A wry smile pulls my lips. “They tried before, and it didn’t work.
It just got me angry. So they became inventive. But that’s a story for another night.”
“You are not going to do this, April.” Raising to his full height, Sebastian looms over me. “I will not allow it!” Slicing his hand in the air with finality, he glares daggers at me. “I will not allow any of them to place their filthy hands on you.”
“Aww, how touching, tesoro.” Lifting up as well, I pat his chest none too gently. “Too bad it’s not your decision to make.”
“I will tie you to a column if I have to, April. Do not make me do things I will regret.”
Loyal, honorable Sebastian. My heart thumps fast a few times in my ribcage, sensing his fear for me through the bond, and that fuels the anger.
Even now, he is not aware of what he has awoken.
If he knew, he might not be so stressed about the outcome of this little charade.
The two parts of me mold even closer together.
A thumping sound brings my focus to my feet.
Mutt watches me with his adoring gaze, his tail going crazy behind him, thumping on the oriental runner covering the floor of the hallway.
Scratching behind his ears, I turn to put Sebastian in his place, but Andrei stops me.
“Give me thirty minutes.” He comes closer, his hand lifting as if he is going to shake some sense into me before dropping to his side.
“That’s all I ask, April. Thirty minutes, and if what I have in mind doesn’t work, I will be the first to help you do what you want, even if Sebastian kills me for it. ”
“I will rip your head off your shoulders!” Sebastian roars angrily, and I step between the two of them, preventing him from snatching Andrei.
“First, you won’t rip his head off his shoulders. Second, he is giving you thirty minutes to convince me why my plan is a bad idea. I’d think about that if I were you.”
I like this calm inside me. Being pulled in two different directions for days almost drove me mad. I can definitely get used to this.
“Time is ticking, Andrei.” Glancing at him over my shoulder, he nods grimly and disappears. “Are we going to wait for him here in the hallway?” Raising an eyebrow, I look at Sebastian.
Pressing his lips in a firm white line, his nostrils flare for a few long moments before he jerks his head in the direction of the large reception hall we are using as a gathering place.
The Guardians part when I follow behind him, their eyes like physical fingers touching my back.
Marcus blocks them, shielding me with his massive bulk, and I walk between him and Sebastian, a strange feeling enveloping my body.
They look intimidating, all coiled muscles and immeasurable strength, yet, here I am, appearing so tiny between them, but a bigger monster than anyone can guess.
When we enter the hall, silence greets us.
My guess is word of what happened has already reached them.
Sebastian glares at everyone, forcing them to avert their eyes.
My fingers twist the fur on mutt’s head absentmindedly until I feel hatred burning a hole on the side of my head.
My head snaps in that direction and Sara stumbles back, the blood draining from her face when our gazes meet.
Poor, Sara. I feel no pity for her, just detached sadness for her foolishness. Her thoughts project loud and clear in my mind, stirring up my anger, but I push it away. There will be time to address that later. We have a Council of eight to bring to their knees.