Another round of clapping, shouts of congratulations and general ribaldry filled the room as Val stepped forward, trying to look hard and blasé. However, the slight blush on his cheeks gave him away as he raised one hand to the crowd then retreated to Cassius’ back.
“We’ve already started with cleaning up Manhattan,” Cassius shouted to be heard. “We will continue to clear it of undesirables, gangs, looters, and anyone else who refuses to live in a civilized world. No longer will they run free and terrorize any who has the misfortune of being in their path. We will not, I will not, tolerate this any longer. We have a lot of work to do, but we will do it, and come out the other side a better, stronger, and fortunate race.”
More cheers, more stamping of feet, and Cassius thought he may just stand a chance of pulling this off.
“So, my esteemed friends and colleagues, enough of my ranting. Where’s the music, the drinks, and the dancing? Let’s get this party started.”
Sighing heavily, he took the offered glass of champagne from Valeria. “I’ll maybe catch you later, Cassius. You’re going to be inundated with people wanting to congratulate you, or question you on some of the things you said. Enjoy, my friend.”
“Thanks.” Cassius tipped his head as he was surrounded by people doing just that. He caught a glimpse of another wink from Valeria before she disappeared in the crowd.
Rose woke to a cold bed, sad that Seth was not at her side, she’d hoped he’d stay with her and have a morning of reconnecting after her return. Obviously, he was still hurt after her confession, so she pushed the cover off and saw the towel she’d been wrapped in had come undone. Stark naked, she rubbed her eyes as she used the bathroom, brushing her teeth quickly, and running her hands through her long hair. It was her natural dark color showing in the mirror, not one of the dozens of colors she’d use when on an assignment.
Shaking it so it fell around her shoulders, she went in search of Seth. Loud grunts and thuds came from the courtyard and pulled her towards the sliding doors in his bedroom. She looked out and watched silently as he went through his morning exercise routine. Her eyes drawn to his muscles rippling and straining as he abused the punching bag viciously.
Dressed only in loose cotton trousers, he punched and kicked at the heavy bag, drops glistening on his torso as sweat rolled down to soak into his waistband. Opening the door, she stepped outside, her eyes never leaving Seth’s muscular body. A body she’d hoped she’d wake up enveloped in. Her disappointment soon forgotten when he caught sight of her, stopping mid-punch as his eyes locked on hers.
Raising an eyebrow for a second before he looked over her nakedness. “Aren’t you cold?”
“No,” she lied, giving a small smile.
“I beg to differ.” Seth pointed to her chest. “You’re either very cold or happy to see me.”
Chuckling, she shrugged. “Probably both.”
Seth nodded but stayed where he was, so she stepped toward him. “I’m sorry, Seth.”
“I know you are, Flower.” He sighed as his eyes left hers to look around, then landed back on hers. “You need something I can’t give you. I know that, but it’s just so hard to think of letting you go.”
Rose’s heart started to thud in her chest, her breathing grew more difficult with each one she took. “No,” she whimpered, stepping closer to him. “Don’t talk like that, Seth. Please.”
Seth picked up a towel, wiping his face and body as he walked towards her. “My beautiful flower. My Rose. I see how much you hurt when you return, yet it doesn’t stop you the next time you’re out there. Does it? No. So that tells me that I’m not enough, I’m not ever going to be enough for you. It hurts, deep inside.” His hand clenched over his heart, his eyes soft as he stared at her. “But I love you too much to go through this every time. To put you through this every time.”
“Seth,” she whispered. “Please, I would be lost without you. You’re my rock, my safe place . . .”
Seth’s fingers covered her lips. “I’ll always be that. I’ll always be your safe place, Rose. But I’m not the man to be at your side for eternity. That’s going to be someone else. Someone who will be able to keep you from doing what you do. Someone who you wouldn’t even think of doing that to. When you find him, you’ll know, baby, you’ll know, and when that happens, I’ll let you go to be happy, secure, safe, and loved.”
Tears started to fall down her cheeks with the mere thought of not having Seth at her side. “Not yet, though, it’s not yet.”
“No.” Seth leaned down, kissing her softly. “Not yet.”
His strong arms picked her up, carrying her as if she weighed nothing, back to his bed. Laying her softly on the cover, he slipped out of his trousers before crawling on, to stare down at her body. “You’re so perfect.” He bent down, his lips grazing her mound as she gripped the sheets.
“No games today,” he breathed against her as his tongue darted out to tickle her nub.
“What?” she asked, frowning, not understanding what was going on. Seth always took the dominant role, tying her up, making her do his bidding. Only in the bedroom did she give him this control. It was the way it’d always been. What had changed?
“I think the time for you being my submissive is over, Flower.” Seth raised his head, his eyes spearing her in place. “Until you leave, and you will leave, we’ll do things differently. I need to separate you from being my sub, baby. Otherwise, I’d get worked up when the time came for you to go. I’d probably do something damn stupid, like challenge whoever it is you find. We’ll just take things a day at a time. Okay?”
Rose reached down, her fingers gripping his hair as even more tears fell. “I’m scared,” she admitted to the only person alive who she would say that to. “I don’t want to lose you, Seth, lose us. I’m not sure I could cope with that.”
“I’ll always be here for you. Don’t ever think I won’t, Rose. If you need me, I’m here, no matter what. Tell me you believe me, Flower, you have got to believe me.”
“I do, but I’m still scared.”
“Then let me take that away,” he said as he crawled up her body, his hands caressing her skin as he finally lay above her, his hard cock pressing to gain entrance.
“Yes,” she breathed, letting him take her to places only he could.
Quite some time later, she lay in the safety of his arms, both sated. “Better?” he asked as he kissed the top of her head.
“Yeah,” she murmured, snuggling closer into his arms.
A second later, he was pushing her away, jumping out of bed and pulling on his trousers. Grabbing one of his many swords from the wall, he hissed, “Clothes, now, and arm yourself.”
“What is it?” she whispered back, already moving quickly and silently.
“One of my spells tells me there’s someone outside.” Seth cocked his head to the side. “Scratch that, something.”
Rose found her discarded clothes from the previous night, pulling on the bottoms and a sleeveless tee before grabbing her deadly katana. Seth’s finger was on his lips as he pointed for her to go down the hall and out the main back door as he moved to the sliding door in his room. She moved with speed and stealth, her senses on alert as she softly ran along the hallway.
She knew something was amiss, a foreigner in their sanctuary, but she couldn’t figure out the who or the how. Shaking her head to clear it, she focused on the job at hand. Protect Seth’s back and take out the enemy who dared to encroach on their sanctuary. Her hand twisted the door handle slowly, careful not to make a noise, and opening it only far enough for her slim body to slip through.
On the balls of her feet, she slowly inched along the side of their home, a touch of anger seeping in at the thought of someone else being here. This was her and Seth’s place, and whoever had invaded it was in for a nasty surprise. As she neared the corner, she darted quickly to hide behind one of the huge potted plants Seth so adored. Sneaking a look around the corner to their outdoor seating area, her heart almos
t stopped at what she saw.
Seth stood before a man lounging in one of their chairs, as calm as could be, one leg crossed over the other, with his hands resting on the arms. The stranger’s eyes were taking in everything around him, which pissed Rose off greatly. Stalking forward, she glared down at him.
“Who the fuck is this?” she ground out, flicking a look to Seth. “And how did he get in? What’s going on, Seth?”
The stranger’s eyes sought hers, almost pinning her to the spot. She had to fight to tear her gaze away, turning to look at Seth.
“This is Basilius, he’s the new Head of the Council, apparently.”
“Indeed I am.” He stood, towering over Rose as he stepped right up into her space. “Pleased to meet you, though I’m more than a little surprised at seeing such a beautiful young woman standing before me. You are The Black Rose, are you not?”
Rose ignored his question, her voice cold as ice as she glared at him. “How did you get here? Inside, I mean. We’ve got this placed locked down pretty tight, so I’d like to know where you breached?”
She felt Seth’s hand on her arm. “Easy, Flower.”
“No!” she spat out, anger filling her at this invasion. “Tell me how the fuck you got in here.”
Basilius sat back down, raising an eyebrow at her. “Feisty little one, isn’t she?”
Seth all but growled his reply. “You have no idea.”
“I think I do.” Basilius picked a piece of non-existent lint from his trousers. “I’m a Demon, a pretty powerful one at that. All I needed to find you was something of yours, or something you’d handled. Like, say, some paperwork from the Council.”
“Really?” Rose looked at Seth, her eyes wary. “That’s all you needed? If that’s true, then why have no others done that? Trust me, there’s a few who would just love to come calling, but they never have.”
Basilius’ eyes pierced hers, holding her in place. “I’m no ordinary Demon, Rose.”
Rose forced her gaze to leave his, stepping back and away from him before she flung over her shoulder, “You don’t look so special to me.”
Laughter erupted from deep within the man, Demon, lounging in her chair. The noise seemed weird coming from him. She kept her look indifferent as she cocked her head to the side.
“What are you doing here? And, oh yeah, what can I do to make sure you never return? This is my home and it is off-limits. Do you understand? That includes you…I don’t care who you are…this place is not open for visitors.”
“Flower.” Seth’s voice held a warning, one which she had no intention of heeding.
“I mean it.” Rose glowered at Basilius, taking in his handsome good looks, the obviously expensive suit that hung on a body she knew would be just fine.
“What the hell,” she whispered as she shook her head, Seth shot her a worried look. She felt drawn to this man, Demon, and fought to keep her mind clear. She threw up a guard around her mind, shielding it from him, and shielding herself, her true species from him, too.
It’d been the first thing Seth had taught her so many years ago. Shield herself and never, ever, let anyone know she was part Witch.
Basilius smiled up at her with a knowing look in his eyes. “I like you, Rose. You are definitely not what I was expecting to find here today. However, even my powers are not allowing me to see you clearly. So, Black Rose, tell me, what the hell are you?”
“Irrelevant,” she snapped coldly.
Seth stepped closer, his eyes hard as steel, as he glared at the Demon. “What do you want?”
The Demon didn’t even acknowledge Seth, his only focus on Rose. “I’m here in my capacity as Head of the Council. I have a job for you. Though, you are intriguing me with every second that passes. Hmm, I would really like if you told me what you are.”
Again, she felt that pull and she strengthened her defenses again. No way in hell was she letting him in. “Stop. I can feel you trying to get in and you won’t succeed, so just stop. If you’re here about a job, then just get on with it. I’m a busy woman.”
He paused, his eyes raking over her. “I’m not sure if you’re up to it. Seeing you before me makes me wonder if even the inimitable Black Rose can pull it off.”
Rose bristled, in a weird way, her reputation was something she was proud of. “Just tell me what it is and I’ll be the judge of whether it’ll be a success or not.”
The Demon’s eyes twinkled as he nodded curtly. “Very well. There’s a Vampire who the Council believes is going to be a threat to the peace that we’re trying to establish. It’s not something we want to continue, so we would like him eliminated. You can deal with Vampires, can you not?”
“Of course.” Rose sneered.
“Really?” Basilius queried, cocking his head to the side and staring at her intently. “Even an ancient Vampire? One of the oldest in existence? He’s powerful, little Rose, very powerful. I’m not sure you have it in you to deal with him.”
“Don’t you worry about me.” She sneered again, throwing him a filthy look. “However, I need some more information before agreeing to this. What exactly are his crimes?”
Basilius’ gaze seemed to pin her in place, a small tug at the sides of his lips making it appear as if he was trying not to smile. Again, she felt a tug towards him and fought it, standing firm as she raised an eyebrow. “Well?”
The Demon nodded. “This is strictly confidential. He speaks publicly about peace, however, we’ve uncovered his true intention. He is working to gain power, and once he has it, his plan is for Vampires to take over. Completely, utterly, and to enslave any species he can. You don’t need me to tell you that the most vulnerable will be humans.”
Rose shot a glance at Seth, who looked angry and ill at ease. “I’ll do it. What’s the payment?”
“For something like this, you can name it. What do you want?”
Rose looked over at Seth, who stepped forward. “A semi loaded with food and water and a truck full of gas. Half now, and the rest when the job’s done.”
“A semi and gas?” Basilius seemed to ponder Seth’s words before smiling at Rose. “That’s a lot of food for two people.”
“It’s the payment, take it or leave it.” Rose pulled her eyes away from the Demon’s, finding it more difficult to do the longer she was in his presence. Again, she wondered what the hell he was doing to her.
“I’ll take it.” Basilius smiled. “His name is Cassius Allarde.”
Seth suddenly shook his head furiously. “No! Are you insane?”
Rose looked at him, frowning. “What? Who is he, Seth?”
“He’s the most powerful Vampire there is, and to top that, he lives in Manhattan. That’s a no-go area, Flower, you’re not going in there.” Seth turned back to the Demon. “You can leave now.”
Basilius looked from Seth to Rose, cocking an eyebrow and giving her a look that had her hackles rising.
“So the legendary Black Rose isn’t capable of taking this assignment? What a pity. I was looking forward to working with you.”
She paced back and forth. Their food supplies were running low. They had plenty of gold, jewels, and trinkets, but food was definitely something they needed.
“I’ll do it. I said I would and I will.”
Seth grabbed her arm, spinning her to look up at him. “No, Rose, it’s too dangerous, even for you. He lives in the penthouse of the Plaza and has dozens of guards in place. That’s even if you get there in one piece. We both know what Manhattan is like. It’s full of gangs and bloodthirsty Vamps just looking for blood. We don’t need food that bad, baby.”
“Yes, we do.” Rose reached up, her fingers trailing the side of his face. “I can do this, Seth. Don’t worry.”
“Please, let this one go,” he whispered as she turned back to face the Demon.
“You’ve got a deal.”
“Good. I’ll have half your payment delivered within the week.” He grinned up at her. “Apparently, he was elected as the Vampire’s
leader last night. However, he doesn’t take full control until he is sworn in, and that will be a month from now. You have to eliminate him before that happens. Understand?”
“Yes,” she snapped out. “I’ll get the job done, don’t worry. Just make sure you get half of the payment here as soon as possible because I won’t start until you do.”
“That’s cutting things fine, is it not?” Basilius queried. “You still have to travel there and that will take some time.”
“I know exactly how long it will take me to get there,” she spat out, staring him down. “I’ve made the journey before. I’ll be there within a week.”
“Whatever.” Basilius stood, staring her in the eyes and drawing her in. She took a step towards him and only stopped when Seth’s hand gripped her arm.
Rose tore her eyes away and cursed softly. The Demon’s laughter dragging her eyes back to his. “You feel the draw. Don’t you?”
“Leave,” was all she answered.
“Very well.” Basilius looked her over again, his stare making her feel like he was leering at her naked. “Will you stop at the Council Headquarters on your trip to New York?”
“No,” Rose answered far too quickly.
Again, the Demon laughed. “I’ll drop in once your part-payment has been delivered to ensure everything is as it should be.”
“No need,” Seth spat back, his tone as unfriendly as she’d ever heard it.
“Goodbye, Rose. I look forward to seeing you again.” Basilius smiled, his eyes twinkling for a mere moment before he disappeared.
“What the hell?” Rose sputtered. “He was trying to get into my head.”
Seth cursed, obviously unhappy. “Fuck, Flower, that’s not all he was trying to get into.”
“Weird.” She shook her head to clear it, visions of the dark Demon invading her thoughts. His muscular frame hidden beneath the handmade suit, dark eyes that bored deep inside her, and a smile that caused her stomach to churn. A brief glimpse of what he would look like naked popped into her head. Seth’s angry voice interrupted her musings and she dragged her thoughts back to the present.
The Black Rose Chronicles: Deceit and Lies Page 4
