Chapter 14 #2
Aramis shook his head, incredulous. Like he saw exactly what the little female was doing to him. Like he couldn’t believe it, but chose not to mention it.
“I’ve got something strange going on. Something I want your take on.
” Aramis shifted in his chair. “Few weeks back, one of my people was out on a patrol and…dropped to the ground right where he stood. No one suspected anything at first. Looked like he was sleeping. Took him to one of our fae healers, but she couldn’t explain what had happened.
” Aramis crossed his arms, leaning back.
“It reminds me of those human comas you hear about. Alive, but sleeping. Can’t wake up.
No one, not magic, not anything, has been able to wake him.
Wouldn’t have thought much more about it, except a few days later, three more fell into the same kind of sleep. ”
“Huh.” Bastian had never heard of something like this happening to fae. Their kind didn’t get sick. It would have to be magic related. Some sort of witch’s curse, perhaps?
“I’ve got seven of my own people laying in some sort of coma,” Aramis added. “Never in all my years seen such a thing.”
Bastian leaned forward. “And no one knows what caused it?”
“Our healers can’t explain it.”
He resumed his caresses against Eleanor’s skin, using the motions, the feel of her, to keep him calm. She softened against him, as if sensing his rising concern. His arms tightened, pulling her more firmly against his chest, her back flush to him.
“I called you because you’ve a knack for solving unsolvable problems, Bastian.
” To this, Bastian snorted. “I know this isn’t like your usual job.
I know we’ve had our differences, but this looks bad.
Real bad. With Endorian’s retirement, I’ve got the vote coming.
Thadur and I are neck and neck. I know he’d do just about anything to get the position, including sully my name.
” Aramis sighed, running a hand through his dark locs. His hand dropped and he shook his head.
“I need your help.”
Well, damn. Bastian wanted to gloat. He really did.
But this was serious, and not the time.
He exhaled, leaning in close to Eleanor’s ear. “What do you think, sugar? Sound like a case for me?” She sucked in a surprised breath and he chuckled. “You don’t need to answer that.”
“But Bastian?” Aramis said in warning. “I think there is something—something even stranger going on.”
“What’s that?”
Aramis scrubbed a hand over his face. “Can’t believe I’m even going to say this.
It sounds insane. Two days ago, I got reports that someone saw a fae lurking around Thadur’s property in Kentwood.
A fae that fit Jamilla’s description—she’s one of the affected.
Thing is, if she’s been sleeping soundly in a heavily guarded facility.
That’s where I moved all the ones affected.
So how the fuck was she seen moving around Thadur’s property? ”
Chills spread down Bastian’s spine and Eleanor stiffened in his arms. He gave her a gentle, reassuring squeeze, even if the thought left him a little shaken.
“Anyway, I don’t even know what I’m asking of you.
Don’t know how you’re supposed to help with this.
I don’t even know where to start.” Aramis leaned back against his sofa, letting his head fall back, eyes closed.
When he looked up again, his expression was open.
He looked exhausted. On closer inspection, there were dark circles marring his rich brown skin. Rare for a fae.
“I can ask around,” Bastian said, taking pity on the male. “Can’t promise much. I’d be interested to know if this was just happening to your people, or others, too. You haven’t heard anything from the shifters? Vampires?”
“Nothing, man. But you’ve got connections with other supernaturals that I don’t, being in my position and all.”
Aramis held one of three fae positions on the Supernatural Council.
Given Endorian’s upcoming retirement, he was up for a potential promotion.
Of the three positions, one always took point, the other two, support.
Every supernatural faction had three representatives that held positions in the SC.
The fae male was right to be worried. Something like this, a failure to keep his own people safe, wouldn’t look good for him.
He’d lose the vote, for sure.
“You think anything like this is happening to Thadur’s people, too?” He couldn’t help but wonder if Aramis was the only one being targeted.
“I’ve got a few on the inside with Thadur. No. Nothing that I know of. But like me, perhaps he’s trying to keep it quiet. This won’t look good for the vote, Bastian.”
“No. It won’t,” Bastian agreed. Eleanor shifted in his lap, sending a lick of heat up his thighs, straight to his balls. He needed to wrap this up. “I’ll see what I can do, Aramis. Give me a few days. I’ll get back to you.”
“Good. Thank you.” Aramis stood. It was their cue to do the same.
He lifted Eleanor from his lap as if she weighed nothing, setting her upright.
Aramis reached out to shake their hands.
He kept an arm wrapped around Eleanor so she couldn’t go far.
“Feel free to linger, if you wish,” Aramis added.
“But if you do, keep her glamour intact. I’ll never hear the end of it, otherwise. ”
He nodded, then swept from the VIP area, keeping a firm hold on his little female. He had no intention of freeing her. Not now. Perhaps not ever, said a voice in the back of his mind. But he ignored that voice, pushing it away.