Chapter 11 #2
Her mouth falls open in astonishment, clearly curious to learn more. “But they did it? Alixandre and Désirée were able to find a place for their own coven?”
“Eventually. Since they were the coven leaders, they retained their roles and became their king and queen.”
Elly hums in understanding, but her brow furrows as another question arises. “Alixandre was a witch? I thought only women could be witches.” The surprise in her eyes reveals how little she truly knows about our world.
“Male witches are rare and generally less powerful than female witches, but they do exist. Alix was an even rarer case, as powerful as any female, which is why he and Désirée were married. Désirée was the daughter of the coven leader, and Alix came to them as a child after his original coven was slaughtered by witch hunters. It was initially an arranged marriage of convenience—uniting the two most powerful witches as leaders. They eventually fell in love anyway.”
Elly’s eyes light up at this. She cradles her cup of tea, a smile forming on her lips as she leans back in her chair. “If they’re the king and queen of their coven, why do they live next door?”
I snicker, knowing she finds it odd that they mingle among other inhumans in the human world instead of with their people. “They’ve led their coven for centuries and eventually decided they needed a break—something like the honeymoon they never had, as Alix put it.”
“Then who rules while they’re away?”
“Their children, I suppose.”
It’s Elly’s turn to nearly spit out her drink. “They have children?”
I nod, and her surprise deepens. “They desperately wanted children when they were human but were unable to.”
“Then how? Aren’t vampires supposed to be a kind of living dead?” Her frown deepens.
“Pureblood vampires can have children like any other inhuman, either with another pureblood or with a human. The typical living dead vampires are those who were once human and turned by exchanging blood. They can only have offspring by turning them, but there’s a whole slew of rules and regulations to follow before that can happen. ”
Elly looks even more confused, clearly overwhelmed by the casual breakfast conversation.
“Somehow, the magic that turned them also made them able to conceive, despite being turned and not born vampires. They need an earth witch partner, but for Alix and Désirée, it fixed their problem.”
Elly’s eyebrows nearly meet her hairline. I can’t blame her; I had the same reaction when they suddenly showed up with two toddlers in tow.
“They found earth witches who were willing and finally had the children they always wanted.”
“But their children aren’t biologically related?” she asks after a moment. “Désirée’s child isn’t Alixandre’s, and vice versa?”
“Correct. Or at least, that’s what I understand from the vague explanation Alix gave me.” I give her a sheepish grin. “I didn’t feel inclined to ask for details—especially since their sons are clearly together.”
Elly wears a strange expression, struggling to comprehend how this is even possible. “Can they also turn humans? By exchanging blood with them?” she eventually asks.
“They can.” I nod. “Though in their case, the turned ones aren’t as powerful as the born ones.”
I admit I enjoy discussing this with her more than I expected.
I make a mental note to select a few books for her; there’s a lot for her to catch up on.
Even though I don’t mind this conversation, it will simply be faster for her to read up on it, especially since I don’t know all the details and might not be able to answer all of her questions.
“You said before that inhumans can have children with humans,” Elly begins, and I immediately sense where this is going. “You mentioned that some females aren’t allowed to have them?”
A sigh escapes me. This conversation is one I dread having with her. Despite the necessity, I prefer to delay it. “I think I need to clarify,” I say. “Those who aren’t allowed to have children can’t have them with humans specifically. Children with another pureblood of their kind are no problem.”
“How is that any better?” she asks, genuinely disgusted, her nose scrunching as she crosses her arms.
“It’s not, I guess.” I shrug. “I don’t think it’s right either, but there’s nothing to be done about it. Many humans impose rules on their women to keep them in line, just as it is with inhumans. I have a bigger problem with the fact that some lock their females up like trophies on a shelf.”
The rage in her eyes intensifies as she processes this information. When she doesn’t ask or say more on the matter, I’m relieved since I don’t think this is the time to get further into it.
I stand from my seat and start to clear the table, subtly ending the conversation for now.
Elly turns her head, staring out the window, seemingly lost in her thoughts.
“We should get going,” I say after loading the dishwasher. “Are you ready?”
Elly blinks a few times, suddenly remembering something, and jumps up from her chair. “Five minutes,” she says before darting out of the kitchen.
I chuckle, shaking my head as she rushes by. Rolling down my sleeves and putting my jacket back on, I head to the foyer to grab a coat and wait for her. A sigh escapes me as I reapply my glamor—the only part of being here I don’t enjoy. I told Elly it’s a tolerable downside, but it does sting.
Elly returns a few minutes later, a bag in her hand. She casts a look of disdain at my warm honey-colored skin while I wait for her by the front door.
“You do know this is my original skin color, right?” I laugh, unable to help myself.
“Don’t care,” she says, grabbing a coat and a pair of shoes. “I like the red better. It’s who you really are.”
Well, if that doesn’t warm my blood, then I don’t know what will. I know she prefers my red skin, but hearing her say she sees that skin as the real me... it does something to me.
“And who am I really, then?” I bait her.
“My asshole of a husband, of course.”
No, scratch what I said about my skin color. Hearing Elly call me her husband is what truly makes me come undone. I stare at her, the word reverberating in my head—and in hers as she realizes it’s the first time she’s called me that aloud.
“Yours, forever,” I say, pulling her into my arms. “Just as much as you’re mine.” I place a soft kiss on her head, reconsidering our plans for the day. Perhaps I should tie her to our bed after all. The thought of fucking her against every surface in our home almost makes me give in.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I take a deep breath, collecting my composure, and then slowly pull away from her. Elly’s soft whimper at losing contact almost breaks me. Instead, I lace our fingers together and gently pull her behind me, opening the door and stepping outside.
We’re just entering the lobby when my phone buzzes in my pocket. I pull it out, and my good mood instantly vanishes at seeing Thomas’s message.
“Did something happen?” Elly asks, her voice laced with concern as I release her hand.
“Looks like it,” I reply, jaw clenched. “Put your bag downstairs and meet me back here.”
Not waiting for her response, I walk over to the regular elevators and head to the floor that holds Thomas’s office.
Walking down the dark carpeted hallway, I find Thomas’s office at the far end.
“Again? We had an incident just the other day, Thomas.” I bark at him when I enter, my temper rising as I prowl closer to him.
Thomas raises his hands in a defensive gesture, but it has quite the opposite effect. “Lord Deimos, sir,” he hurries to say. “There was nothing we could possibly have done about it.”
“Nothing? If that’s truly the case, then explain to me why this transaction even happened in the first place.
I gave specific instructions to haggle, not to purchase at the asking price.
” I’m seething as I slam my hands flat on the large mahogany desk.
Black magic crackles around me like electricity, and the wooden tabletop cracks under the pressure.
Thomas takes a step back, inching closer to the window, sweat beading on his forehead.
He knows he messed up. His eyes dart from me to the window behind him and back, realizing he has no way out.
It’s as if he can sense I’m seriously contemplating shoving him through it.
Good riddance. I wouldn’t even lose any sleep over it.
“Well?” I snarl at him, sending more magic his way. The desk splits in two, the pieces collapsing inward under my hands.
Thomas yelps, taking another step back. “Th-they lowered the price. It was in line with what we’ve paid before for similar buildings, so I thought it best to proceed immediately. To ensure that no one else made an offer before us.”
“And in your haste, you forgot that I must approve every single transaction before it takes place?”
Thomas opens his mouth to answer when a voice sounds behind us. “Sir Evans? Is there a problem?”
I straighten and turn to the man who just entered. He looks me up and down, clearly unsure of who I am. “A human, Thomas? Are you kidding me?” I say, my tone sharp as I disregard the man and turn my back to him.
A gun clicks next to my head, taking what’s left of my patience with it. “Step away from him, slowly,” the man commands, signing his own death warrant.
“Lower the gun, you fool,” I snarl at him, turning my head so the barrel is aimed at my forehead.
He doesn’t react, certain of his actions.
I grab his wrist with a growl, and the man panics and fires.
Thankfully, I’m faster, and the bullet hits the window behind me, lodging itself in the glass with a loud crash, spiderwebbing across the surface.
Not that it would kill me, but healing from a bullet to the head is a hassle I’d rather avoid.
The sound of the shot is loud, and judging by the sudden influx of scurrying feet outside, people are getting the hell out of here.
“Idiot.”
I tighten my grip on his wrist, holding him tight.
My other hand grabs his shoulder, and before the man knows what’s happening, I pull his arm from his body.
The wet, squelching sound of flesh ripping and the crack of bone breaking are oddly satisfying.
The screaming that follows is not. I drop his arm and rip out his tongue next, careful to avoid spraying blood on myself.
I still need to go out, and I don’t have a change of clothes with me.
The man sinks to his knees, blood flowing from his shoulder and mouth. His eyes widen as he collapses further and proceeds to choke on his own blood. He gurgles and sputters for a few moments longer, then the light in his eyes fades, leaving him utterly still on the ground.
I look up from the dead man at my feet to Thomas. “We’re employing humans now?” My voice is flat and cold as I repeat my earlier question.
Thankfully for him, Thomas notices. “He is—was—part of my personal security detail.”
“I want them out by the end of the day. All of them. And I seriously advise you to stop testing my patience because it’s wearing dangerously thin.”
Without sparing him another look, I turn and walk out of his office.
I told Thomas he had until the end of the year. But if he keeps this up, it’ll be a miracle if I don’t kill him before the week is over.