“Then I’ll ask. What do you mean by ‘silence is the key,’” I ask him, placing myself between Bastian and Rozen.
“You said to indicate prior arrangements, this is one of them. The only thing I can offer you is those few words.”
I sigh, realizing he’s not going to be any more help unless we can come up with more questions. I turn and push Bastian towards the door, before he kills Rozen. He’s visibly shaking with anger.
Bastian, Aylesbury and I all head back up to the lounge. We leave the two Lycans with Cain to guard Rozen, I hear Cain refer to them as Watts and Harris. I’d like to think that because of the oath Rozen won’t try to escape, but knowing him as I do now, I think he’ll still try. In fact, I am really hoping he is that stupid. I want him to suffer some more.
As we move up the stairs into the lounge I can see Bastian visibly calm down. I follow him and throw myself down on the sofa, he places himself at my side with Aylesbury on the sofa to our left.
I sit in silence for a few minutes thinking about what Rozen said. There is someone else after me, it sounds like he is the mastermind behind everything that has ever happened to me. I’m shocked but, to be honest, it makes more sense than a random faction of demons taking interest in me randomly. What concerns me is I have absolutely no idea why he is after me. Why would a child born from a Vampyre be a big deal?
“Any ideas?” I ask Aylesbury.
“The first thing that pops into my head is, what does he want from you. And, how exactly, are we meant to track down this Derren when he can easily become someone else?” Aylesbury sounds as baffled as I am.
“Could you call a council meeting?” I ask Bastian.
He turns his glare my way but doesn’t answer immediately.
“I’m not sure that’s the way forward. If the Demon’s right, then the chances of this person falling into a trap like that are very low. He also said he’ll come looking for you,” Bastian replies, looking at me then narrowing his eyes. He says, “You’re not going home, you’re staying here.”
I glare back at him and I’m about to open my mouth to speak when he cuts me off.
“Not happening,” he mocks.
I glare at him harder. I don’t even let the fact that some other people have just walked in distract me from the anger bubbling inside me.
I stand then and say, “So, you’re just going to force me to stay here on the off chance this guy may, or may not, find me. He obviously already knows exactly where I am, if he’s been keeping track of me this long. I don’t know how many times I have to tell you, I can look after myself.”
He stands and gets right up in my space, he probably thinks towering over me will intimidate me.
“You have absolutely no self-preservation at all, do you?” he growls at me.
“I have plenty of self-preservation. It’s not like I asked for some psycho to kill my mother then plan something nefarious for me that would pursue me my entire life. I can’t live my life in constant fear that something may or may not happen at any point.”
Bastian’s eyes narrow, I can see the cogs working in his mind. I’m so busy watching his eyes I don’t see him telegraph his move, and within seconds he has my arms manacled, I’m over his shoulder, and he’s carrying me towards the stairs. At first, I don’t struggle, I’m too stunned I didn’t see it coming. I glance over at Aylesbury, pleading with him.
Aylesbury just shakes his head and says, “I’m with Bastian, you can’t go home you’re better protected here.”
I glare at him. As Bastian steps down the first step I stick my foot out and hook it onto the hand rail. Bastian doesn’t expect the move and we both fall down the stairs in a tangle of limbs.
I land hard but, compared to the torture of the last few months, I don’t have it in me to complain about a pain so minor. I glance over to see Bastian stand and rub his head, serves him right.
As he moves over to me, I quickly jump up. Noticing in my peripheral that a small group is edging down the stairs.
“Take one step closer, I dare you,” I threaten, then summon Neria who quickly appears in my hand.
I lift my arm and the tip of the sword sinks into his stomach as he continues to advance on me. I’m slightly horrified that he doesn’t even flinch.
“Where were you taking me?” I ask, not moving the sword once he freezes, a small amount of blood seeps through his shirt.
“If you aren’t going to listen to reason, I’m going to chain you in the cells. At least that way I can keep you safe.”
“Think about this logically, Bastian. If Derren wasn’t after me, then some pissed off criminal would be. And because we’re mated, I’m now an even bigger target because of you. You cannot control me or my life any more than you can the weather.”
“Logical but, until you can prove to me that you’re capable of looking after yourself, then the only solution is for you to live here.”
I’ll prove to him just how capable I am. I push the sword in a little further, knowing it was barely piercing him a few moments ago, his shocked gaze reaches mine. I use the exact moment of his surprise to kick him in the shin.
He’s obviously still shocked I managed to land a blow and puncture his stomach. He stands there, gaping at me, while I duck to the side and use my legs to swipe his own from under him. He grabs my waist and takes me down with him.
I land on top of him but manage to roll off to a squat before he can manacle my wrists again. He starts to lean forward ready to sit up, but I already have my sword pointed at his crotch. He becomes extremely still in an instant.
“Move the sword away from my dick, Scarlet, before you do something we will both regret,” he growls at me. I can see the fury burning in his eyes.
“I think I’ve just proved that I can, in fact, look after myself.”
“No, you yet again proved you are only capable of fighting effectively when you’re angry.”
That just makes my blood boil even more. Bastian’s gaze flicks to the stairs and I’m momentarily distracted. He grabs the sharp edge of the sword and yanks it out of my hands. It also throws me off balance but, all I can think as I fall towards him is, what idiot grabs a blade that can slice to the bone?
As I crash in to him he pushes up off the floor, so we are both standing. I’m a little disoriented from the maneuver and don’t see him grab my wrists and secure them. He crosses my arms in front of me then pulls me towards him. I struggle but can’t extract myself from his grip. His hands are pure steel.
I scowl up at him, immediately widening my eyes when I see hunger in his eyes instead of the fury that was there before. A lazy smile spreads slowly across his face and his head begins to descend.
“Well, I’d heard you were both a little explosive, but I honestly did nae believe it.” I smile and turn my head to the side when I hear Jared’s Irish lilt.
I see he’s with Steve and Jessica. All three have massive smiles plastered on their faces. Aylesbury stands behind them on the stairs, catches my eye then rolls his.
Bastian hasn’t let go of my wrists yet but lets me pull free from his hold. I turn away from him and take a step towards Jared when Bastian’s hand comes around my throat stopping me.
He whispers in my ear. “Mine.” That one word sends a shiver down my spine. I shudder and step away when he releases me.
“Whatever,” I mutter flippantly as I move away.
“What are they arguing about this time?” Jared asks Aylesbury.
“Bastian wants to chain her up in the cells for her own safety,” he replies as I stop in front of Jared and let him wrap me in his arms.
“Missed you, sis. Glad you’re okay.” He pulls back and looks me in the eye. “You’ve got to admit though, you’re safer with him than on your own.”
I roll my eyes.
Not him too.
“All I want is to go home. The entire time Rozen had me I just wanted my life back. Is it that hard to understand.” I turn to Bastian. “I need my own space.”
/>
He leans against the wall and crosses his arms over his chest. I hate that it makes me notice how big they are and how safe they make me feel.
“How about a compromise. You either stay here where you can roam about the Manor as you please, or you go home either accompanied by me or at least two Guardians.”
I sigh knowing nothing I say will make a difference.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Eventually, everyone is brought up to speed and I head back to my office in my new truck, which Aylesbury has apparently taken to driving around in while I was gone. Bastian had activated the tracking system and found it where I’d left it outside the canning factory. I am not happy with him right now, always invading my privacy. Aylesbury is currently in the back seat, and Bastian is sat by my side. I drive, enjoying the feel of driving a vehicle that practically drives itself, while ignoring the two assholes in the car with me.
It had taken a long time to hash out the details of my freedom. I am to be accompanied by either Aylesbury and Bastian, or two Guardians, at all times. I will also continue with the training sessions I’d started before all this began. The worst bit is, because Bastian had apparently destroyed my bedroom, I have no choice but to agree to return to the Manor each night.
I pull up to the curb, or should I say glide up to the curb, outside my apartment building and jump out of the truck without even a glance at the two obnoxious males accompanying me. I am pleased to see someone has cleaned the bloodstains that had marred the alleyway after Aylesbury had been dumped there. I really didn’t want to have to visit those feelings again for a very long time.
I enter the doorway noting that, even though Aylesbury and I had been absent, Dave or Joan have been keeping it clean for me. When I reach the door to my office it is slightly ajar. I frown and pause. Bastian and Aylesbury are whispering to each other as they walk in the door behind me. I take a deep breath and push through the door, dreading what mess I’ll find the office in.
As I fling the door open and step over the threshold, I freeze at the sight that greets me.
“Hello, Scarlet James Investigations, how can I help?” I hear Raven say, answering the phone as she rapidly types away at my computer.
I stare in shock as I see case files organized in folders piled neatly on the filing cabinets. Then I freeze as I see Quinn enter from the bathroom. I am not looking forward to this encounter, she had literally witnessed me betraying Bastian with Rozen.
As soon as she sees me, she runs over to me and envelops me in a hug. She has to bend slightly as she is a lot taller than me.
“Scarlet, I’m so glad you’re okay?” she says before releasing me.
“I thought you’d be upset with me after what you saw?” I say, stepping further into my office when she steps away.
“Oh, I was. Until Bastian explained what had happened, I was really pissed off you’d betrayed us. Luckily though, it took all of a day to figure out you’d been forced to act like that. Then I just felt guilty I hadn’t realized myself that you wouldn’t do something like that unless coerced,” she explains as Raven finishes on the phone.
Bastian then pushes past me to stand in front of Raven. “When you said you’d gotten a job, I didn’t realize that meant you were putting yourself in more danger,” he growls at her.
“Excuse you, brother! You were the one that mentioned Quinn was picking up some of Scarlet’s cases so her business didn’t go belly-up while she was out of action. I’m only helping my sister-in-law out. And I’m not putting myself in any danger as you put it, I’m merely doing the admin work while Quinn does the dangerous stuff,” she replies, standing to start growling back at him.
I decide to interject and say, “Let me get this straight. While I’ve been gone, Quinn has been working my cases, and Raven has been managing my office?”
“Yeah, pretty much,” Quinn says, moving to sit at Aylesbury’s desk.
I can’t believe they have covered for me and Aylesbury while we’ve been gone.
I walk over to my desk and move behind it, peering over Raven’s shoulder at the screen.
“I read up on being a licensed PI under The Guild. I made sure to register Quinn as a temporary worker, so she’s covered under your insurance. I also got new signs made once the paperwork arrived saying you had made Aylesbury partner. I filed all your old data with The Guild and paid your fines, but because I’d managed to file the paperwork there were only two fines instead of ten. Quinn’s covered the majority of your cases and you have four potential clients on your waiting list,” Raven tells me.
I stare at her with my mouth open, then look up at Aylesbury who is also doing the same thing.
“Did I do something wrong? I didn’t think you’d mind and you know just how bored I’ve been. It was driving me in—”
I cut her off with a wave of my hand, then ask, “Do you want a job?”
She lifts her head to look at me, her eyes sparkling. “Are you being serious?”
I nod then she looks at Bastian.
“It’s not his decision, Raven, it’s yours.”
He rolls his eyes as Raven shouts, “Hell, yes, I want the job. These last few weeks have been awesome. Well, maybe not for you, but… I just didn’t realize how much I enjoyed organizing.”
It is like all my wishes have been granted. I hate paperwork so much and this means I can take on even more cases. I look at Aylesbury and he clearly agrees. He nods his agreement before moving over to congratulate Raven.
“Thanks for offering me a job, after all I am the one closing your cases,” Quinn says around Aylesbury who has moved to lean against his desk reading a file.
“Oh, please, Quinn. You already have a job. You’re a Guardian, remember.”
She smiles at me.
As Bastian moves over to congratulate Raven, the door slams open, and Dante storms in, his face twisted with anger. He quickly scans the room, then walks up to Aylesbury and slams his fist into Aylesbury’s face, knocking him to the floor. The file he is holding flutters to the ground.
“What the hell, Dante!” I shout at him. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Explain, now!” Bastian says as he moves in to stop Dante from attacking Aylesbury again.
I shoot a look at Aylesbury as he picks himself up off the floor. He just shrugs.
“He slept with Quinn,” Dante roars, straining at the hold Bastian has on him.
I smile and look at Quinn and Aylesbury’s reaction. I knew I was right, and there was something between Quinn and Dante, he wouldn’t be acting this way if there wasn’t.
“We were drunk Dante, and it was weeks ago,” Aylesbury says, but that just seems to ignite Dante’s anger further.
Quinn finally recovers from the shock and says, “If I’m not mistaken it has nothing to do with you who I sleep with.”
“It does if some Rogue decides to use you, we’re a team. You deserve better than some idiot using you then discarding you.”
He is obviously still denying the spark that is between them.
“Have you ever thought I used him. Seriously, Dante, it’s not your problem. Aylesbury and I had sex. It was mutual and we both realized it was a one-time thing. Oh, and I was the one that initiated it, not him,” she shouts at him, before storming through the door and slamming it behind her.
“If I’d have known you were in love with her, I wouldn’t have agreed. We both just wanted to let off some steam,” Aylesbury replies, still rubbing his jaw.
“I don’t love her,” Dante says, confusion showing in his frown.
“Go after Quinn, Dante, and make it right. I won’t have a petty argument causing problems on my team.” Bastian releases Dante who takes a step towards Aylesbury. “You won’t touch Aylesbury again, either. He’s not a Rogue he’s a Guardian, specifically assigned to protect my wife, your queen.” His words practically challenge Dante to argue with him at his own peril.
Well, this just got official really quick. Bastian shoots me a look th
at says argue with me now, I dare you. I act shocked, but I was honestly going to do just that.
Dante glares hard at Aylesbury, then marches out after Quinn. A part of me would love to be a fly on the wall when he finds her. Maybe it will actually make them both admit their feelings for each other.
I turn to Aylesbury, reach up, and slap the side of his head. “I cannot believe you slept with Quinn. You always mock my skills of investigation, even I can see they both really like each other.”
“If I’d have known that, I wouldn’t have done it, now would I?” he replies sarcastically, backing away from me before I can slap him again.
Seriously, some men have absolutely no clue at all.
“Right, Aylesbury and Bastian, be gone! I have work to do,” I say, shooing them towards the door.
“We’re not going anywhere, Scarlet, remember?” Bastian says as I try to push him towards the door.
“And I work here, Red,” Aylesbury grumbles.
“Well, you can both make yourself useful then and fetch one of the desks I have in storage in the basement. They are flat-packed in boxes. I also want all the other office furniture I have stored down there, it’s all on the left-hand side under the mass of wiring hanging out the wall,” I say, instantly dismissing them both and turning to Raven.
I hear them both muttering as they walk out.
“Now, while they are gone, can you move Aylesbury’s desk to the other side of the door along with everything you need to do what you’ve been doing?” I ask Raven, my tone a lot less demanding than it had been with Bastian and Aylesbury.
“Of course, what are you going to be doing?” she asks, moving away from my desk so I can sit down and take control of the computer.
“Research, the backbone of any investigation,” I mutter, knowing she can hear me.
I start by making a list of everything Rozen had said about Derren. Then I underline ‘Silence is the key.’ Turning my attention to the interweb, I start researching the council, specifically Summer, but all those searches get me is the basic information and gossip columns the local newspapers print.
Sacrifice Page 16
