Knox gave me a mischievous smile. “Anyway, forget about that. Come with me. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
I raised my brow. “What is it?” I asked curiously.
“You’ll have to come with me to see.”
He led me to his bedroom, and handed me a gift box that was sitting on top of his desk.
My eyes lit up, and taking the present from him, I tugged the ends of one of the ribbons tied around it, loosening the blue bow. It fell to the ground as I pulled off the lid of the box and looked inside.
I gasped, as my heart came to a stop. Staring back at me was a shimmering, silver-gray selkie pelt. I knew immediately it was the one from the auction house – I could tell by the familiar magical signature it was emitting.
Covering my mouth with my hand to muffle a small cry that escaped from my lips, I looked over to Knox.
He was smiling at me, his eyes shining warmly and with kindness. “I’ll leave it to you to decide what to do with it.”
“But why?” I asked, feeling overwhelmed. “It must have cost a fortune…”
Knox shrugged. “It was important to you.”
My entire face softened, and I rushed over to give him a big hug.
“Thanks, Knox. This is the best present I’ve ever gotten. You’re awesome!”
Knox hugged me back tightly, chuckling. “I’m glad if it makes you happy.”
I pulled away and grinned straight at him.
“It does. You have no idea how much it does…” I said, my voice wavering slightly.
I stared down at the open box again. Now hopefully, at some point, I’d get a chance to return this magical pelt to its original owner.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Jasmine
“Bad news,” Drake announced bursting through the doors of the gym with Ethan, where I was training along with the rest of the guys.
Damien and Liam stopped sparring on the mat, while Knox sat up from the bench where he was doing presses.
“What is it?” Damien asked, his brow pulling down in a frown, while I swung my body forward, leaping down from the pull up bars, to land softly on the floor in a crouched position.
Rising, I went to join the others who were making their way to huddle around Drake and Ethan.
“Uncle Lupin says he’s going to need more time. The magic locking the scroll is proving more complicated than he initially assumed.”
“Damn. Even Uncle Lupin’s having trouble…” Knox piped up, whistling. “The magic seal on that scroll must be some serious shit.”
“What are we going to do, then? The clan meeting’s tonight,” Liam said, looking a little worried.
“What clan meeting?” I asked confused, finding once again, no one had bothered to inform me of anything that was going on.
My eyes darted to each of the guys, waiting for one of them to respond.
There was a long stretch of silence, then Ethan sighed. “We might as well tell her.”
“It’s not something she needs to know,” Damien shot back, sending Ethan a silent, disapproving look. Since the incident in the library, he’d been acting as if nothing had happened between us. Seriously, this guy was totally bi-polar.
I folded my arms in front of me, lips pulling down into a deep frown. “If you guys want me to help you to the best of my abilities, you can’t continue keeping things from me. I need to know what’s going on.”
Ethan slowly gave me a nod, seeming to see merit in my argument, and I felt my lips starting to spread back into a victorious smile, when Liam spoke up, throwing in his two cents.
“I don’t think we should tell her. She’s an outsider,” he sniffed, clearly still pissed off at me due to our altercation several days ago. He still couldn’t get over the fact I wasn’t head over heels infatuated with him or any of his high and mighty siblings.
Seriously, this guy had a massive narcissistic complex.
I heaved out a loud breath, trying to control my temper, and placed my hand on my hip, cocking it to one side. “Are we really having this argument again? Aren’t you all sick and tired of this? I just want to do my job and get it over and done with. The more you let me in on what’s going on, the faster I’ll be out of your hair. Isn’t that what you all want?”
From the corner of my eye I saw Drake frowning, as if he might have disagreed with my words…I ignored the niggling urge to ask him what he was thinking.
Just concentrate on getting this job done Jasmine! Don’t think about anything else. You need to complete the blood contract and get back to searching for your mother as soon as possible!
“Don’t worry, I’m sure we can do this without your help,” Liam drawled arrogantly, looking down his nose at me.
I rolled my eyes at how juvenile he was acting. Seriously, I wanted to bitch slap that smug face of his. “If you could, Ethan wouldn’t have hired me,” I pointed out, not willing to concede to him on this argument. I needed to get the guys to co-operate with me, otherwise this was going to cause issues and stall my progress in helping them locate this ancient amulet that seemed so important to them.
Liam snorted in reply. “That’s because Ethan’s a – ”
“I suggest you don’t finish that sentence,” Ethan warned Liam, clearing his throat and interrupting him. There was a hint of threat edging his voice.
“Jasmine will come with us tonight,” he declared, making the final decision.
“Are you kidding me – ” Liam burst out, completely dissatisfied with this outcome. “You can’t just decide that on your own.”
“Yes, I believe I can,” Ethan informed his brother bluntly, raising an eyebrow at Liam as if to say ‘do you dare to challenge me?’ “I’m happy to show you why,” he grinned nastily, reminding Liam he could wipe the floor with his ass at any time if he really wanted to test his patience.
Liam balked, backing down, but still steaming from the argument, he fumed silently from the side.
Ignoring Liam as he seethed by himself in the background, I turned my attention back to Ethan and crossed my arms. “So, explain to me what this clan meeting’s about.”
“It’s a family gathering of sorts,” Ethan said. “All the notable heads from the different branches of the family will be attending to talk about the future plans for the clan.”
“Is this about whose to succeed to the position of head of the family?” I asked.
Ethan brows shot up in surprise. “How did you…”
“I might have mentioned something about it to her before…” Drake broke in, shifting his gaze away ruefully.
“What else did you tell her?” Damien asked, his voice sounding displeased, as the corners of his lips turned down into a frown.
“Nothing else…okay? I didn’t reveal anything else to her,” Drake answered defensively. “So, calm the fuck down.”
They both glared at each other, seeming to be on the brink of another argument, the atmosphere turning tense.
“Settle down. The both of you, please.” Ethan said with a loud clap of his hands to grab their attention.
For a moment, I wasn’t sure if either of them were going to listen to Ethan. They seemed to regularly butt heads and clash with one another, and rarely did they agree on anything or seem to get along. It went beyond simple brotherly rivalry, but I was still in the dark about what had happened between the two of them for their relationship to become this way.
“Ethan, can you please continue? I’d like to know more about this meeting,” I piped up, my voice cutting through the tense silence.
Damien grunted, and although he didn’t seem completely satisfied, he didn’t raise another objection.
Taking it as a good sign, I pointed my gaze back at Ethan, waiting for him to continue.
“Yes, you are correct. The meeting is largely to discuss the situation of appointing the ultimate Head of the family. It’s a very private meeting…strangers aren’t permitted to attend, so you’ll have to stay outside until the meeting’s over.”
&nb
sp; I frowned. “Then what’s the point of me going then?”
“You can observe the gossip happening outside the room for us – glean any useful information from the guards and staff belonging to the family members attending the meeting, and report it back to us afterwards.”
“I see,” I said dryly, still not completely happy with the role allocation. “Will you debrief me about the meeting afterwards at least?” I asked, wanting to make sure they weren’t going to leave me in the dark about anything important that happened.
“We’ll inform you of any matter we consider important and relevant for you to know,” Ethan replied smoothly, which I knew was just another way of him saying he wasn’t going to tell me shit.
Tossing my head to the side with a sniff, I bit back a retort. If none of them are going to tell me anything, I’m just going to have to find a way to listen in on the meeting myself.
“Anything else?” he asked, looking around to see if anyone else had any complaints.
No one responded.
“Good. That settles it then. Everyone, be ready to leave by five P.M. We’ll all meet at the front of the house, and then go to the meeting together.”
We all started filing out of the gym, Knox and Ethan as a pair first, and me by myself after them. The rest of crew, I assumed, were following right behind me, but I didn’t turn around to check.
My mind was preoccupied with trying to cook up a scheme which would enable me to go into the meeting room or listen in on the discussion in there – without raising any alarms.
Deciding to take a walk outside to clear my head and brainstorm, I slipped away from the others, and went into the back garden. The afternoon sun was out, bright and warm, and I inhaled deeply, taking in the fresh air and scent of flowers drifting along the spring breeze.
I weaved my way across the soft, green grass under the clear blue sky, heading towards the greenhouse further at the back. I doubted anyone would be in there at this time of day, and I’d found from my earlier explorations it was a quiet place where I could go to gather my thoughts.
I smiled to myself. It was the perfect place for me to think alone and finish concocting my plan.
❖❖❖
I was making my way back to my bedroom, when Drake stepped out in front of me as I turned the corner of the hallway, blocking my way.
Not in any mood to get into an argument with him, I made to walk around, but as I tried to pass him, he grabbed my upper arm, stopping me abruptly in my tracks.
He turned his head to the side, looking at me with a serious expression on his face. “You shouldn't come tonight. It's dangerous.”
I eyed the hand clutching my arm, frowning. “Please let me go, Drake,” I requested tiredly. “I need to get back to my room.”
Drake ignored me. “I'm telling you, it's not safe for you to come with us to the clan meeting tonight.” Drake repeated, giving no indication he was intending on releasing me anytime soon.
I sighed, scrunching my face in frustration. “Well, I don't really care what you think…it's none of your business what I do. I'm a grown woman, and I’m going to attend that meeting tonight whether you like it or not.”
I made an attempt to tug free, but Drake held on to me tight. “You’re seriously stubborn, you know that?” he scowled, sounding like he was fed up dealing with me.
“Maybe I am. Deal with it. Don't think you can just tell me what to do – especially, when you’re not even related to me. Understand this: you have no claim over me.”
I saw Drake’s jaw tighten at my words, and he gripped my arm harder.
“Ouch…!” I hissed, snarling at him. “That fucking hurts. Seriously, what is your problem?” I snapped, glaring at him with daggers in my eyes.
He met my glare with eyes as flinty as steel, and he stood there like a gigantic, immovable statue. Seconds stretched out in silence…both of us stubbornly holding our ground; neither of us wanting to budge an inch. Then, just as I thought our stand-off would go on forever, Drake relented, and I felt him slowly begin to release my arm.
I watched as he let his hand fall to his side, almost lifeless, like the energy had been sucked right out of him.
Was it because of what I said? I frowned. I shook my head, firming my resolve. No. He’d deserved it, and there was nothing wrong with what I said, I told myself. I was completely right, of course. Outside of a few ‘incidents’, there really was nothing between us.
“You don't need to waste your energy worrying about me,” I told Drake coldly, my eyes flickering back up to his face. I was sick and tired of his hot and cold act. It was driving me crazy and throwing me off balance, and I was over it. I need to get back my control.
Straightening my spine, I squared my shoulders and held my head up high, and then…I walked away…
Yes, ladies and gentleman…instead of acting like a mature grown-up and talking things through with Drake like an adult, I left him standing there, all alone in the hallway.
I tried to justify my actions to myself as I slowed down, nearing my bedroom door. Except all the excuses I kept telling myself came out sounding hollow.
I thought I’d won the argument, but something told me this bitter taste wasn’t victory; it felt like something closer to…loss.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Drake
Drake stood there, unable to move, and unwilling to turn his head to see if the Little Fox would turn back to look at him.
Although there was nothing more he wanted to do than go and chase after her, he knew it wasn't a good idea…not right now anyway. He wasn't confident he would be able to control himself if he did, and he wasn’t prepared to deal with the possible consequences…
He wondered, not for the first time, why she had to be so damn stubborn! He just wanted to keep her safe…but all that seemed to do was make her angry. He had to admit, what she’d said about him not having any right to worry over her, had really cut him – he’d felt like he’d been knifed in the gut.
Does she really think so little of me? he thought.
An image of his brother Damien flashed into his mind, and he clenched his fists so hard his nails dug into the flesh of his palm. He took solace in feeling the pain.
Another memory flashed inside his head; this time of him inside the gym, where not too long ago, he’d waited for it to empty out so he could be alone with Damien, and pulled him aside.
“Stop it. Stop toying with her,” Drake said to Damien, who’d reacted with little more than a lift of his eyebrow.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” his brother replied, acting dumb.
“Don’t give me that shit. You know exactly what I mean. Just stay away from Jasmine,” he threatened, making himself clear.
“Or else what?” Damien challenged, his face calm, completely unphazed by the threat rolling off Drake’s body in waves.
Drake narrowed his eyes at his brother, a vein ticcing on the right side of his temple. “This is not a game,” he ground out through clenched teeth.
“Isn’t it?” Damien said, looking at him with a cool and collected gaze. “You could have fooled me,” he muttered, hinting at something Drake wasn’t able to grasp, as he took on an expression of mock disbelief.
“You are such a jack ass,” Drake snarled, his body tensing, riling up into fight mode.
Damien stood his ground, not allowing himself to be intimidated by Drake’s show of anger. “If you think that, I would advise you to take a good look in the mirror first. You’re no saint either.”
“You are so full of yourself.”
Damien smirked. “Ditto. And you think you’re not? You’re as arrogant as I am.”
“If you hurt her, I’m going to make you regret it.”
“I could say the same to you,” Damien replied wryly.
Drake’s eyes narrowed into slits. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said.
“I guess now it’s your turn to act dumb,” Damien shot back, laughing witho
ut humor.
Drake narrowed his eyes, opening his mouth to deny Damien’s words once again...
“You should stop lying to yourself,” Damien advised with a smug look on his face. “You can try to hide from the truth however much you want, but I’ve seen how you look at her…you’re clearly attracted, but you’re just too much of a coward to make a move.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Drake scowled. “I have no interest in that annoying, little sprite. She means nothing to me.”
“Why are you denying how you feel about her? Because she can’t get you the throne?” Damien snorted, his face twisting in disgust.
Drake’s blood ran cold, and his whole body seemed to visibly shake, as he clenched and unclenched the hands at his sides.
“You think you’re so smart…” he began.
“It’s not just that I think I am: I know I am.” Damien corrected, crossing his arms, and pushing out his muscular chest.
“You think you’re the only one worthy of the throne…but if you were father’s final choice, he would’ve declared his decision a long time ago,” Drake mocked.
This time, it was Damien’s turn to scowl. “And you think you’re the best person to claim the position?” he scoffed, clearly thinking Drake was over-estimating himself.
“Maybe I am. You’re not the only one with people supporting your claim,” Drake said, retaliating, his fist starting to glow an orangey flame-red.
Damien looked down at his brother’s hand in disgust. “There you go again. Always thinking violence will solve everything.”
“It’s about survival of the fittest. And you know it.”
“I’m wasting my time arguing with you. You want the throne? Let’s see if you’re even qualified to get it. But don’t get all pissy and angry when things don’t go your way. Our clan needs a strong leader – someone smart, brave and a warrior who can defeat the threats to our clan. Not someone who can’t even control his own temper, or deal with his own inadequacies.”
Dragon Lords Blood Contract Page 20
