by Sophia North
Damn, she silently mused, distracted from my prey by a kind OO Granny.
Begrudgingly, Hannah took a seat with Alfred and Lawrence. It looked like they may be there for awhile. But thankfully Hannah knew why Gabe was in attendance. Item #14 - the Etruscan bowl they'd discussed. Once it came up, and he purchased it, he no doubt would be on his way with his arm candy.
Shame Hannah had other plans for his evening.
Chapter Thirty-Four
GABRIEL KNEW THE MOMENT Hannah walked into the room. His entire being came alive and it scared the shit out of him. He actually felt hot. This Warlock curse must be more powerful than he'd given it credit for.
"Are you sure I'm not dressed as too much of a whore for this place?" The sexy Page from Lowerton, Roxy Malloy asked in a worried tone. The auction hall was full of elegantly dressed women who looked like they'd stepped from the pages of a fashion magazine and Roxy felt horribly out of place. An uncomfortable feeling for someone who usually didn't gave a fuck about fitting in with humans. She was proud of her hard core vamp ways, but lately she found herself wanting to change. Damn Alessio and his proud, noble ways.
The Grand Elder's recent behaviour, however, was raising more than Roxy's ire. His complete retreat from public life, and thus Gabriel's de facto rule, had raised its fair share of brows as well. The accompanying whispers in dark corridors were also causing cracks in Lowerton's power structure to show. No, all did not bode well in the Vamp Empire of late.
"You look perfect, Bellezza. I wouldn't change a thing. No woman tonight holds a candle to you," Gabriel whispered seductively in her ear, causing her to laugh.
Did he really think she'd failed to notice the leggy raven haired beauty he’d been stalking with his eyes the moment she'd walked into the main hall?
"Consul, we are both wise enough to understand the basis for our evening out. We seek to divert ourselves from the...issues we face with the opposite sex."
Gabe had been of two minds on whether or not Roxy was the correct choice of companion for his evening mission. But her candidness dismissed any reservation he may have had. She was a vampress who knew the deal and did not pretend to have any illusions about it. It was rather refreshing.
"Our leader is a fool to not appreciate such wise...and beautiful counsel to help ease his woes."
Roxy bowed her head regally. "Deftly said. Shall we now lay your woe to bed as well?" She offered Gabe her arm as the auctioneer took his place on the podium.
Grateful for her assistance in sending a message to Hannah, he escorted her to the section he'd picked out for them to sit. The position gave him a perfect view of the main competition whilst at the same time being out of Hannah's eye line, even if it meant she was in his. It was a torment he'd have to live with to avoid her amber eyes staring at him for the remainder of his time at the auction.
Things progressed quickly until they hit lot #13. The Rudston Diamond. The Christie's crowd started to stir as it was brought to the display table. The necklace was stunning. Tiers of diamond strands created a web-like masterpiece with a large blue diamond at its centre. For some reason, it caught Gabe's eye, which was surprising as he never took much interest in jewellery over the centuries.
Seeing it displayed on the large screens behind the auctioneer, Gabriel imagined making love to Hannah with it draped around her neck. How the glint of the precious gems would sparkle as her body undulated under him and in that moment knew he had to possess the necklace.
The opening bid started at ten million pounds.
Dismissing the disturbingly arousing images of Hannah writhing beneath him, Gabe focused on the present. The necklace was soon up to thirty-three million. And that's when he saw the current winning bidder. It was that cunt Pierce Nelson-Aldrich III, Hannah's ex.
He watched the love sick puppy look over towards where Hannah was sitting. Gabe's eye's narrowed and he lifted two fingers to signal he'd offer double the last bid.
The auctioneer didn't delay in announcing the change. "New bidder at sixty-six million." The price was astronomical and caused a few heads to swivel his way, Hannah's included.
Damn those eyes hit him with a force he almost couldn't withstand. Outrage, accusation, hurt. Aldrich the shit, shot daggers from his - the meaningless bastard.
"Sixty-six million, once...twice..." Bang. "Sold."
Gabe smirked, pleased with himself.
Roxy leaned over. "She's one lucky woman, Consul."
Up next was the item he'd shown up for, the bowl. Leaning back in his chair, Gabe’s smirk turned into a full out smile as the panicked faces of the staff approached the auctioneer. A group conference took place, with the auctioneer holding his hand firmly over the microphone. But the looks on their faces told the story.
Clearing his throat, the auctioneer spoke. "Ladies and gentlemen, we regret to inform you a theft has occurred." The crowd began to chatter at the news. "If you could please remain in your seats, the authorities are on their way."
Mission accomplished.
Time for Gabe to collect his necklace and get the hell outta there.
Chapter Thirty-Five
THE CLENCHED MUSCLE in Gabe's jaw pulsed as he listened to the news that he'd failed in his quest. "What the fuck do you mean it was already gone?" he growled into the phone.
"Sorry, mate. How else do you want me to put it? The bowl was stolen before Alfred had a chance to take it," Vlad answered, equally pissed at the outcome.
Gabe held the receiver away so he could curse. Which he did, most vehemently.
"I thought you knew what you were doing. Evidently I was wrong on that score, along with your assurances Hannah would be safe at Simone's and your wife's keeping," he snapped once able to speak again.
Vlad went silent at the other end. He didn't appreciate the ticking off. How was he suppose to control the uncontrollable? The Consul cunt needed to accept that in a game of high stakes there are many players.
"Alfred reported he was unable to detect a trace pattern of the culprit. Sounds like a Brotherhood heist to me. Who else would have an interest in something you wanted so much? Which by the way, you have yet to explain to me. It's a fucking old bowl."
But it was so much more than that. It was the one piece he needed to get back in the game and lure out whoever had taken his Marker and cylinder.
"Were the Lang's paws involved?" Gabe asked, displeased by his lack of diligence over their relations with the werewolf clan. There were only so many balls he could keep in the air at once. And the Lang's had slipped from his grasp.
"Ethan's appearance on the scene doesn't mean they are...he is a legit Inspector for the Yard. As you no doubt realise, given the shit he put you through tonight."
The mention of Ethan's name, made Gabe's blood boil. The arrogant young pup had been a right pain in the ass with all his police procedural bullshit. He'd taken great pleasure in putting Gabe through his paces before he'd relinquished the necklace to him. The head of Christie's nearly had kittens over Ethan Lang's aggressive stance with one of their patrons.
But his anal ways weren't the real reason for Gabe's animosity towards the wolf. It was his close proximity to Hannah. Granted, neither had met the other before. But every gesture Ethan made towards her during his enquiries into the theft drove Gabe to distraction.
He'd give the wolf props though for his treatment of Pierce. That pompous ass had tried to talk over the Inspector at one point and insist he be able to leave immediately. Lang had him cuffed to a chair. Good lad. It had kept Pierce away from Hannah.
"By the way, why have I paid sixty-six million pounds for a necklace?" Vlad asked after a prolonged silence on Gabe's part.
Ignoring the question, he snapped, "Keep digging. We need some sort of lead," and hung up before Vlad could say anything further.
Tossing the phone down on the desk, Gabe's hand went for the deep blue velvet box that sat there. Lifting the lid, the glint of the diamonds caught in the light. Tenderly caressing the intricate de
sign of the necklace, his fingers brushed the large blue diamond at the centre.
If there was any consolation for his night, it was obtaining the necklace. It would be the only thing he'd allow himself to have in remembrance of Hannah.
Snapping the lid shut, Gabe tucked the case into a leather satchel. His transfer to Lowerton was nearly complete but for a few last items he needed to collect.
A soft knock at the door interrupted his final walk through. Probably Housekeeping.
Wandering over, he opened it. No, not Housekeeping.
Hannah.
Shit, what was she doing? She couldn't be here. His body still shimmered in rage over the male attention she'd received at Christie's and he knew it had to be the curse at work. What if he hurt her?
"So, you didn't run back to your Lowerton hidey-hole?" she said, brushing past him into the suite.
Oh, so that's how she wanted to play it, was it? Gabe fumed. Well, two could play the outraged game. "You are brave to come here with your anger, when the truth is I am the one who should be directing it at you. I sent you to Simone's to ensure you'd be safe...and I did warn you of the consequences if you felt the need to defy me."
"Defy you? Since when do you have any say about me? You left, remember?"
About to shut the door, Gabe noticed two of his Praetors had followed her there. Dismissing them with a nod, he clicked the door shut. No need for their private exchange to be overheard. It might get rather heated.
"Don't play naive, Hannah. You know why I left. I heard what your man Maltby told you, I was in the garden."
"You were what?" Hannah had not sensed his presence, but she had been rather wrapped up in disbelief over what Maltby had told her. So he'd heard the ridiculous notion that they could not be together because of some curse. "How long did you stay? Obviously you left before you heard me tell Maltby to leave...that I trusted you no matter what."
Gabe took a sharp breath. He hadn't heard her declaration of faith in him but it didn't matter either way. She had to accept the truth and walk away from him. Forever.
Hating that he would have to be cruel in order to force her from his life, Gabe pretended to be more interested in collecting the last of his things. "Pretty words don't mean much when one is destined to die by the other's hand."
"I don't believe it...how can you? How can you deny what is between us is far greater than any sorcerer's ridiculous curse?"
Hannah thought about the story Penny told her about Bertie as she was getting ready earlier. She'd explained that at the lowest point of her relationship with Vlad, she'd met the kind old gentleman in a jazz club after her Uber mysteriously refused to show up.
He'd made Penny look at her challenge with Vlad in a completely new light by telling her the story of him and his wife who had recently passed. Bertie's story had explained how although there were points in their life together when he and his wife were at odds, in the end he wouldn't trade a minute of it. Even with knowing how the pain of her loss would affect him and that life may have been a hell of lot easier if he'd never married.
Hannah felt the same way about Gabriel. She'd rather have every minute they could, even if it ended tragically, than never have him to love at all.
"Don't you feel anything for me?" she asked quietly.
Gabe ran a hand through his thick raven hair. Why was she making this so painful? "My feelings are irrelevant. We cannot be."
Hannah advanced on him. "You mean we're not here, right now...being."
"You know very well that is not what I meant. I will not let you die by my hand."
She stood in front of him, preventing any retreat. Gabe wasn't interested in backing down. Her sweet scent was taking over his resistance - as it always did.
Her exposed shoulders beckoned to be kissed, the full shirt of her dress raised ever so slowly to reveal her crown jewel. And Gabe's obsession.
"Do you really believe we are not meant to be together. I can feel the blood rush through you - it rushes through me too. I am yours, for now, forever."
Pulling her to him he kissed her passionately. One more night. He could give in one last time.
Hannah wrapped herself around him, plundering his mouth with all the love she felt for him. She would never let him go, no matter how far he ran. He was hers.
Tearing her lips from his, she slowly began to undo his tie. Then his jacket came off, followed by his shirt. Hannah loved the rippling muscles of his torso, she ran her hands greedily over them, marvelling in the strength he possessed.
Pressing kisses down his throat, she was soon lapping his nipples. Gabe groaned, as her hands went to his erection, now straining against his trousers. She caressed him before turning her attention to undoing his belt. On her knees, she slipped it off him, then kissed him below his navel, her intent clear. Freeing him, she took his hard penis in her hand and began to stroke him.
"Hannah..." he whispered, then gasped in pleasure as she took the tip of him into her mouth.
Rubbing her tongue along the length of him, she performed the act over and over again, until she swallowed him whole.
"Hannah!" he yelled, as her mouth worked him harder and harder. Unable to stand the torment any longer, Gabe brought her up to him for another bout of deep kissing, his hands busily undressing her.
Naked, he flashed from her momentarily, returning to place the diamond necklace around her throat. The cold stones felt strange against her skin. "I bought this for you," he whispered in her ear. "And imagined you wearing it as we made love."
Hannah turned in his arms, "How did you imagine it?"
His scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. Placing her on the bed, his spread her legs open. "It started like this..." He began to kiss her thighs, teasing her, tormenting her, until she was soon begging him to take her.
Gabe's eyes gleamed in masculine contentment as he watched her writhing in pleasure as he fucked her with his tongue. The necklace nestled between her full breasts, the large diamond glowed against her bronze skin.
He then moved up to pay homage to her pert nipples, massaging the fullness of them.
"Please, darling. I need to feel you inside me."
Gabe complied by easing into her, inch by slow inch.
Hannah undulated her hips, urging him to stroke her. He rode her to the heights of ecstasy, and just when she thought she'd explode, he flipped her over and took her from behind. He was so deep, she gripped the sheets and screamed when she climaxed, but Gabe wasn't done. He took her again to release before yelling her name and spilling his seed deep within her.
Cradling each other, it took some time before either of them could speak. Hannah stirred first. Her cheek pressed against his Praetor tattoo, she whispered, "I love you."
Gabe traced the length of her spine. "I love you too, my Temptress. Now sleep."
Her eyes closed, a pleased smile on her face.
As her breathing evened out, Gabe played with a lock of her hair. His heart ached. After tonight he would never hold her again. The threat was too great to be selfish. If only the bowl had not been lost. It meant the chance to reunite the pieces of the Chalice was gone...and with it, any hope of breaking his and Hannah's bad karma.
Nuzzling her brow, he held her closer. He'd leave in a minute...maybe two. An eternity without her deserved a little bit of lingering.
Chapter Thirty-Six
THE OO MOTHERHOUSE rose majestically in the fine morning mist. The main house dated back to Tudor times, but it was believed that the Ophanim Order had been at the site since the Romans arrived on Britannia's shores...or Albion, as the locals liked to call it before the invaders renamed it in their language.
The local grey stone used in its construction gave the establishment the required austere look to impose itself on the landscape. As if to say, here stands history - don't mess.
In the back of the taxi she'd miraculously found waiting outside the small village train station, Hannah’s gaze soaked in the sight. Thank go
d for Margaret Rowan. The old woman, whether unwittingly or not, had revealed the location of the OO's HQ when they'd met at Christie's. Without the vision, Hannah would have never have found the place.
"Yew be wanten me to wait foir yew, Miss?" the cabbie asked her, his thick Kent accent easily recognised by Hannah, being a Kentish lass herself. Her family's favourite estate, Penshurst, was located nearby. A fact that had surprised Hannah when she'd replayed the vision and saw that the village sign read Hever. It was but a few miles from her family home.
Hannah hesitated. Perhaps having a taxi waiting may be wise. Her unexpected arrival at the Motherhouse was likely to be greeted with a high dose of suspicion by the OO. Yet, on the other hand, an awaiting taxi may also encourage them to refuse her entry. She was still amazed they'd opened the large iron gates for them as it was, so why tempt fate and pretend there was anything to fear? Thus far, the OO was being accommodating.
"Are you local, Harry?" she asked the cabbie, whom she'd become on a first name basis with rather quickly. Harry did not stand on ceremony and had immediately struck up a conversation with her from the moment she'd entered his taxi. Granted her arrival in Hever at barely gone seven would have no doubt sparked his curiosity. Most of his fares at that time of day were for clients going into the capital, not arriving from it.
"Aye, family's been in Hever for as long as records be kept. An if'en yew don't me a saying again, yew look awful familear. Yew sure we haven't met afore today?" His bushy grey brows scrunched together over his hawk nose, as if trying to place her.
Hannah blushed. She wasn't the best at fibbing, even though she'd been telling Harry the truth about them never having met. But with her deep family roots in the community, she felt it was still something of a lie.
"I've been told I have one of those 'familiar' faces," she replied, hoping to quell any further examination. Harry, however, snorted in disbelief. Hannah's face was hardly familiar with its distinctive beauty. Eager to be on her way, she carried on. "Would it be alright if I take your number, should I require your services again?"
