Chapter 21
TOBIAS
Tobias hadn’t meant to fall asleep, but as soon as he sat in Alexander’s car, it was as though almost five hundred years’ worth of adrenaline had just ebbed away.
He’d leaned his head against the cold window, focused on the rivulets of moisture that dribbled patterns before his eyes, and gave in to the knowledge that he was finally going to Rothburn.
Then Tobias had closed his eyes, welcomed the peace, and only woke when Alexander had rested his hand on Tobias’ thigh.
Between Alexander’s gentle but assertive touch, and the difference in sound as the car passed from tarmac to gravel, Tobias woke to the news that they’d arrived.
“Welcome to Rothburn.”
Three words Tobias had once dreamed of hearing, and yet the nausea that followed wasn’t how he imagined he’d feel with his quest for vengeance nearly complete.
Tobias was a liar. His infiltration into Rothburn was no different from the Trojan horse, Tobias the concealed warrior hiding within Alexander’s shadow, entering the city he was prepared to topple.
Or was he?
As the car crept beneath wrought-iron gates, bathed in the glow of security lights, Tobias looked to Alexander. The sharp planes of his face were so defined beneath the light that Tobias worried if he reached up and touched him, they would slice his finger like the edge of a broken glass.
“Your father must be an important man,” Tobias said just to break the silence, unable to stand it.
“What makes you say that?” Alexander asked, turning the car wheel while easing on the brakes.
Tobias gazed back out the window, mentally counting the number of vampiric guards stationed around the estate’s perimeter. “Well, the armed women and men outside, and the gates, suggests they’re keeping people out. Not to mention you forgot to tell me you live in a castle.”
The car slowed to a stop, the clicking of the hand brake jarringly loud.
“Not all castles are like the ones from fairy tales, little deer. And those guards, I’d say that they’re more about keeping people in.” Alexander’s eyed roamed Tobias’ face. “But also keeping anyone with malign intention out, yes. No harm will come to you here, I promise.”
Tobias longed to tell Alexander not to make promises he couldn’t keep.
But he sealed his mouth shut and smiled.
“Of course not. Sorry, I’m still feeling…
honestly, I’m still really upset and nervous about what happened to Kate.
I didn’t know her well at all, but it’s really shaken me.
I know we weren’t friends for long, but she was so kind, and knowing I was with her right before she died… ”
“Understandable.”
If Tobias wasn’t going to go to hell for his previous sins, he certainly would be for using his dead friend as a scapegoat for why he was acting strangely.
But it worked. Because Alexander nodded sympathetically, patted Tobias’ knee, and turned to open his door.
Tobias just sat there, drowning in his reality, unable to take that first step towards his long-awaited revenge.
Alexander noticed the hesitation and was the one to step outside and open the door for him.
When Tobias still didn’t move, Alexander extended a hand for Tobias to take.
“Come on. I’ve got you.”
It was the encouragement he needed.
“Well, fuck me,” Tobias cursed as he got his first good look at Rothburn from inside the gates. Of course, he’d seen the building at a distance a thousand times over, but he had to pretend otherwise.
Alexander pressed himself behind Tobias, a reassuringly solid wall of muscle. “Is that an invitation, little deer?”
A shiver passed across Tobias’ skin. “It’s whatever you wish it to be.”
Rothburn truly was a castle placed in the centre of the English countryside.
A blend of dark stone, turrets, and jutting balconies – it practically screamed gothic nightmare, and was entirely different to the pale sandstone buildings that usually made up the Cotswolds.
Tobias wished he could describe the intricacies of Rothburn, as he was sure Alexander could.
But the best his mind could come up with was that the building before him was like someone picked up a fortress in the mountains of Transylvania and a chateau in France, squashed them together, and then plonked it on acres of private Cotswolds land.
“If the outside has left you speechless, just wait until you see the inside,” Alexander said, rubbing Tobias’ back, snapping him out of his trance.
“I got the impression you didn’t like coming here,” Tobias replied, choosing his words carefully. He was rooted to the spot, unmoving, knowing if he took steps towards the front door, there would be no turning back. At least outside, he could still turn away and leave all of this behind.
Alexander leaned in, his mouth finding the soft skin of Tobias’ neck.
The kiss was light and promising – hinting at what would come soon enough.
“Then you know me better than I first thought. Rothburn isn’t my home, Tobias.
It feels like now, you are. Just your presence makes this place finally somewhat bearable.
For the first time in a long time I find myself not frightened to walk through those doors. ”
Tobias’ stomach rolled. He couldn’t even force a smile now, not as Alexander’s words settled over him like a burial shroud. He opened his mouth, prepared to demand to be taken back to Oxford.
He couldn’t go through with this. He couldn’t murder Vladimir knowing Alexander would follow his father in death.
Tobias needed more time to find another way of punishing Vladimir, although he knew time was no longer a luxury he had, now that everyone at the Damianos estate was moments away from knowing his face and who he was in Alexander’s life.
Tobias was seconds from speaking aloud his request when he was distracted by movement in one of the many windows.
His gaze rose to find a familiar figure standing behind gauzy curtains.
Although Tobias couldn’t make out the details, he knew who was watching from above.
The way Alexander stiffened in reaction only confirmed that Vladimir was peering down at them.
Seeing the monster who’d started all of this, though, was exactly the reminder Tobias needed to push his emotions to the side and take that first step towards the doors of Rothburn.
“Wait for me,” Alexander said, quickly getting into step with Tobias before guiding him towards the grand double doors.
It was clear that Alexander was unsettled by his father’s presence, just as Tobias was, although likely for different reasons.
“I think it’s best we get you up to our rooms so you can wash and rest. Tomorrow we’ll proceed with a tour, if you’re up for it.
We need to wait until after I speak with my… family about your arrival.”
“They do know I’m coming, don’t they?” Tobias asked.
They do now.
Alexander didn’t respond straight away. They got closer to the doors, which swung open soundlessly, revealing the expansive entrance, sweeping staircases, walls covered in luxurious red wallpaper, and hanging chandeliers that likely cost more than Oxford city itself.
Alexander tried to usher Tobias inside, but Tobias dug his heels in.
“Answer me, Alexander. Does your father know I’m to stay with you?”
Alexander’s sigh was answer enough. “My sister, for all her talents, is not the best at keeping secrets.”
“And is that a problem? I don’t really like the idea of being a surprise guest. No one likes those.”
“You’re more than a guest. Don’t worry about my family, it’s nothing I can’t handle.
” Alexander spoke with a confidence that was born from practice.
And yet there was fear simmering underneath his tone and the way his self-assurance was held like a shield before him.
It was believable, but forced. “Oh, speak of the devil.”
Tobias returned his gaze back inside. There, standing atop the staircase, was a woman.
She was beautiful, her tall, elegant frame swathed in a black silk cocktail dress, her pitch-black hair pulled back into an unforgiving chignon that highlighted the sharpness of her cheekbones.
Her mouth was turned down in a scowl, which had definitely reached her icy blue eyes.
She looked very much like Alexander, down to the Damianos glare.
“Brother,” Maria called down, watching from her perch. Even though she spoke to Alexander, her eyes were pinned on Tobias. “I see you’ve brought fresh meat.”
“Maria,” Alexander replied in welcome as both men stepped inside Rothburn. “Play nice, please.”
The doors shut behind them, sealing Tobias inside the manor.
He turned around, watching as servants in black suits and ties walked around soundlessly, like wraiths.
Tobias hadn’t even noticed them until now.
In fact, the more he looked around, the more he could see a number of serving staff hiding in the shadows, waiting to be given a command.
“So, this must be the infamous Tobias Osian.” Maria walked down the stairs like a cat on the prowl. “I’ve read so much about you.”
Tobias’ body turned to stone. Read so much about you. He couldn’t begin to understand what she meant by that. He opened himself up to Maria’s aura, reading the swirling colours of distrust and uncertainty that encased her.
“All good things, I hope,” Tobias replied, his throat dry.
Maria cocked her head. “The jury’s out.”
Tobias had been so focused on Maria he hadn’t noticed Alexander’s curling lip and narrowed eyes. Only when Alexander loosed a growl did Tobias take his eyes off her.
“We’re going to my rooms. You can continue your interrogation tomorrow, over breakfast.”
“How exciting,” Maria said, her smile sickly sweet. “Might I make a suggestion, though? I could take Tobias to your rooms. Father is looking for you, and you know it’s best not to keep him waiting.”