Chapter Twenty Touched by Fire #4
"I don't." Adan spent most of her life having people treat her that way--In one way or another. She had long ago stopped caring for what people thought about her. Another trait that was needed to survive in her world.
"So what do you guys do all day?" Adan didn't mean for it to sound petulant, so she clarified. "I mean when you're not planning a rebellion." Ren harked out a laugh, and his brother shook his head as he shoved more food in his face.
"We guard the house, mostly in shifts." Aster spoke between bites of his bacon and sips of his coffee.
"It's rare that were even up at the same time, but normally, it's only two of us. Thammas is too high in rank for this work."
He grinned at his lord's second. "And Ren is never here, he's just here to help us with the demonstration in a few days."
Adan understood that it was him and Theo that worked side by side, and she had just got her booted from the house. A tinge of guilt hit her.
"I take offence to that." Thammas said over a mouthful of food, he swallowed. "I have done my fair share of grunt work."
Adan eyed his black tailored suit, the expensive silver cuff links on his white linen shirt, and grunted a scoff of disbelief.
Thammas threw her a sullen look.
He cut low. "How are you planning on helping out in a few days time if you won't use your wings."
He knew he hit his mark when her eyes flashed with murderous rage.
It was one thing to talk about it with Nox in the dead of night.
It was quite another talking about that now, in front of three males she hardly knew.
The temperature in the room shifted.
Adan's fork paused halfway to her mouth. Silence fell so thick it could've smothered fire. Ren's easy posture went rigid, his smile fading. Aster didn't even blink, just watched her with the sharp eyes of someone who noticed everything.
"You don't get to ask me that," Adan said quietly, her voice low and steady, like a blade being drawn from its sheath.
Thammas met her gaze without flinching, but there was a flicker—just a flicker—of regret in the way his mouth tightened. He'd struck the vein deliberately, and they both knew it.
All three males looked like they wanted to ask a thousand more questions.
Most people did. She was renowned for her time as a gladiator, had the brutal nickname The Butcher, coined in those dark days.
She was known as a courtesan in the right circles, and now as the king's assassin--she had notoriety.
Aster sipped his coffee without a word, still as a stone statue. Ren opened his mouth, but then closed it again, watching her like he would rather not make things worse.
"I do," Thammas said, setting his fork down gently. "If you're going to stand with us, we need to know."
"I'll manage," her lip curled, "I always do." She pushed her plate away, appetite gone.
"Gods, Thammas." Ren groaned, his hand dragging down his face. "Ignore my brother." He gave Adan a soft smile. Ren's baby face stopped her from taking anything he said too seriously. Even if she was only twenty-eight, chances were they were the same age.
So, she asked, "how old are you?"
"A hundred and eight." Truthfully, he was very young for a demon, but that wasn't what caught Adan's attention. It was how old Luka would have been if he were still living.
She swallowed the lump rising in her throat.
"And the runt of the litter." Aster joked, rustling Ren's short blonde hair. He scowled and batter Aster away.
Adan was about to ask how they all knew each other. Or if Nox had thrown them together.
When a familiar voice had Adan standing and running towards it.
She threw her arms around Czandra, who was dressed in modest unassuming clothing. It had Adan pulling back to look down at the garb. She saved the mental image of her long-time friend.
Not once had she ever seen her so...drab.
"Don't you say it, Little Mouse." She held a long pale finger in Adan's face. She smirked at the blood-red nails that were perfectly manicured. At least some things never change. Her grin deepened as she pulled the vampire back into a bone breaking hug.
"I missed you." She had. She had wanted to tell her so many things.
"And whose fault is that?" She pushed Adan away and playfully slapped her shoulder.
"Little Mouse?" The voice was filled with unmistakable mirth.
For a moment, Adan had forgotten about the other males in the room, and Czandra had not cared for them either--until now.
Thammas was grinning from ear to ear. Another name for his arsenal Adan realized, she could only glower back at him.
Czandra stepped up beside her, as solid as a brick wall.
"You're still predictable as always, Tham."
She placed her hands on her hips. "Aster. Ren."
Her clipped greeting was followed by a bright smile.
It seemed Thammas irritated females were ever he went because when his gaze fell to Adan and Czandra glowered.
Aster and Ren grinned at the arrival of the beautiful vamp. Most men were easy prey in her hands--they never stood a chance.
Adan thought of taking Czandra to her room, but she had burned that to ashes. She grabbed her hand and tugged, having only one other idea. "Come on." Adan drawled. "Leave the boys to their breakfast."