Page 70 of Resurrection
“You will let Irina capture me and take me in front of the Council.” Sneering the last word in disgust, I’m not prepared for the onslaught of shouting and growling.
“Absolutely not!” To my surprise, it’s Marcus shouting the loudest. He is so loud it wouldn’t be a shock if Irina heard him, wherever she may be hiding.
“You will follow me there.” My chest will explode from the worry they feel streaming steadily through the bond in myheart. “This”—twirling the enchanted wooden stake between my fingers, I watch it with detachment— “won’t kill me.” A wry smile pulls my lips. “They tried before, and it didn’t work. It just got me angry. So they became inventive. But that’s a story for another night.”
“You are not going to do this, April.” Raising to his full height, Sebastian looms over me. “I will not allow it!” Slicing his hand in the air with finality, he glares daggers at me. “I will not allow any of them to place their filthy hands on you.”
“Aww, how touching, tesoro.” Lifting up as well, I pat his chest none too gently. “Too bad it’s not your decision to make.”
“I will tie you to a column if I have to, April. Do not make me do things I will regret.”
Loyal, honorable Sebastian. My heart thumps fast a few times in my ribcage, sensing his fear for me through the bond, and that fuels the anger. Even now, he is not aware of what he has awoken. If he knew, he might not be so stressed about the outcome of this little charade. The two parts of me mold even closer together. A thumping sound brings my focus to my feet. Mutt watches me with his adoring gaze, his tail going crazy behind him, thumping on the oriental runner covering the floor of the hallway. Scratching behind his ears, I turn to put Sebastian in his place, but Andrei stops me.
“Give me thirty minutes.” He comes closer, his hand lifting as if he is going to shake some sense into me before dropping to his side. “That’s all I ask, April. Thirty minutes, and if what I have in mind doesn’t work, I will be the first to help you do what you want, even if Sebastian kills me for it.”
“I will rip your head off your shoulders!” Sebastian roars angrily, and I step between the two of them, preventing him from snatching Andrei.
“First, you won’t rip his head off his shoulders. Second, he is giving you thirty minutes to convince me why my plan is a bad idea. I’d think about that if I were you.”
I like this calm inside me. Being pulled in two different directions for days almost drove me mad. I can definitely get used to this.
“Time is ticking, Andrei.” Glancing at him over my shoulder, he nods grimly and disappears. “Are we going to wait for him here in the hallway?” Raising an eyebrow, I look at Sebastian.
Pressing his lips in a firm white line, his nostrils flare for a few long moments before he jerks his head in the direction of the large reception hall we are using as a gathering place. The Guardians part when I follow behind him, their eyes like physical fingers touching my back. Marcus blocks them, shielding me with his massive bulk, and I walk between him and Sebastian, a strange feeling enveloping my body. They look intimidating, all coiled muscles and immeasurable strength, yet, here I am, appearing so tiny between them, but a bigger monster than anyone can guess.
When we enter the hall, silence greets us. My guess is word of what happened has already reached them. Sebastian glares at everyone, forcing them to avert their eyes. My fingers twist the fur on mutt’s head absentmindedly until I feel hatred burning a hole on the side of my head. My head snaps in that direction and Sara stumbles back, the blood draining from her face when our gazes meet.
Poor, Sara.I feel no pity for her, just detached sadness for her foolishness. Her thoughts project loud and clear in my mind, stirring up my anger, but I push it away. There will be time to address that later. We have a Council of eight to bring to their knees.
Chapter Sixty-Seven
“We can find that bitch, and I’ll rip the information out of her, April. I swear it.” For the tenth time, Marcus pleads with me.
“But where is the fun in that, Marcus?” Reaching out, I squeeze his hand reassuringly, making Sebastian growl like a caged animal. “They have done much. Taking my life was just the tip of the iceberg for how hungry they are for power and control. I want to play with them a bit, would you deny me that?”
“You are still not fully yourself.” Dropping on his knees in front of me, he begs with his gaze. “Maybe a few more days, a week? The transformation will be stronger, I think. I don’t want you to regret your actions. I hate to see you hurt.”
My eyes prickle with tears at his words. He tells the truth, spreading warmth through me. Sebastian, seeing that Marcus might be getting to me, drops down as well. His large hand takes mine, twining our fingers together.
“Let us deal with her tonight. There will be time to plan properly when the threat is not around the corner.” Bringing our joined hands to his face, he kisses my fingers, his warm lips burning where they connect with my skin.
“The threat is always around the corner, tesoro.” My eyes flick to the corner of the vast space where Sara is huddled pretending to sleep. “Sometimes, even staring you in the face while you think you are untouchable.”
Sebastian glances over his shoulder, and Marcus follows his lead. They both stiffen, but I tug on Sebastian’s hand, reverting his attention to me.
“She has nothing to do with the Council.” Keeping eye contact, I wait until his muscles uncoil. “That’s a problem for another day. And the time for waiting has come to an end. We should…” My words trail off when Andrei pokes his head out, searching the space until he sees us.
Urgency thrums through my veins, and I jump up, startling mutt where he dozed off on my leg. Sebastian and Marcus lift off the floor as well, following behind me, their heavy footfalls silent on the floor. I still might tie bells on all three of them.
Stopping short as soon as I walk out the door, Sebastian’s chest collides with my back. I stare at Andrei in confusion while he grins like a fool. Sebastian chuckles gleefully, adding to my dismay and making Marcus snort.
“I don’t get it.” I look from Andrei to a familiar woman that I can’t place. I know I’ve seen her before, I just have no idea where and when.
“Let us go to a more private place. I’m hungry, and I brought food.” Grabbing the woman by the arm, he drags her away, the three of us plus mutt following behind him.
After sticking his head inside a third door, he finally decides it’s private enough, and we all pile up inside what looks like a club. A long bar made of shiny wood stretches on one side, bar stools placed in even intervals along with it. Dangling, one bulb hangs above it, the yellowish glow reflecting off the mirrored wall and covered with dozens of shelves full of liquor. Tallround tables are scattered opposite the bar, leaving it empty of anything else.
“A perfect spot.”
