Page 9 of Resurrection
“It seems we have a problem,” I say, finally facing them both, aware that my eyes are flashing red, because the predator in me is too close to the surface. “A big enough problem that we forget our manners.” My gaze lingering on Andrei, I tuck my hands in my pockets.
Andrei flinches but keeps staring at his feet. Marcus is the one that shows his bravery by meeting my eyes. Swallowing a couple of times, his Adam’s apple bobs up and down before he speaks.
“We lost the girl, Sire.”
I doubt that they can see the stiffening of my shoulders in the unnatural stillness all of us possess. What they can feel, however, is the blast of my power that hits them through our connection like a monsoon, bringing them down on their knees. Pressing the bridge of my nose with a thumb and forefinger, I breathe slowly in hopes to calm my natural reaction pushing me to kill them both. I pride myself on the control I have accomplished over my instincts. It is the only reason both of them still have their heads attached to their bodies.
“Lost her how exactly?” With slow, measured steps, I stand in front of their kneeling bodies, looking down at the two males I trust more than anyone else. “Lost her, as in she escaped? Or lost her, as in she is dead and lost for eternity?”
“The human I tasked to watch over her during the daylight hours couldn’t find her at the sewer where she hides, Sire. He found the brother and sister sleeping there, but our girl wasgone. I’m hoping she was looking for food or something and that she will be back. I will go wait for her myself.” Marcus speaks through his pain, grinding his teeth. “I waited to inform you myself before I go search for her.”
“I will go with him, Sire,” Andrei adds, head still bowed. “We will find her before the sun comes up.”
“And if you don’t?” My words are spoken slowly, softly, like a blade gliding over skin, cutting to the bone.
“We will find her, or die trying, Sire,” Marcus assures me a little too quickly for my taste.
He doesn’t have time to see me move before I grab him by the collar of his shirt, throwing his body through the wall of the room. Plaster and brick rain down around us as his body flies through the large living room until it hits the opposite wall. He drops on the floor when I walk over the broken piece of the historic hotel. It should be a shame to destroy something that has stood up to the hands of time, but I don’t care about that at the moment. No history or future will be vital if we lose the girl.
Strolling towards him with murder on my mind, I ignore the sound of a door opening somewhere behind me. Bending down, I grab Marcus by the collar again, lifting him up to throw him over the balcony. It won’t kill him, but it’ll hurt like a bitch until he heals.
“La prossima volta che mi deluderai assicurati di essere in un posto dove non posso trovarti.” Marcus cringes at my snapped words.
“Sire…” The warning in Andrei’s voice stops me enough to look over my shoulder.
“Ah, ah, ah…speak English you stubborn Italian.” The woman standing at the entrance wiggles a finger tipped with a long red nail at me.
Irina, one of the Council members, stands at the opened front door. Her platinum hair is tied up in a high ponytail ontop of her timelessly pretty face. Red silk covers her porcelain skin, the slit of the floor-length dress exposing one perfectly shaped leg all the way to her hip. Labored breaths raise her breasts up and down, most likely from her palpable anticipation of violence. Red glistening lips are curled up in a feral smile, and her black eyes, lined in smoky shades of makeup, glitter in excitement. Behind her, four human women cower and press their bodies together, staring in horror at my display.
“Next time you fail me, you better make sure to be somewhere I cannot find you,” I amend, repeating what I said, this time in English. Not that she didn’t understand me. It was more of a power play than anything else.
“Don’t let me interrupt your fun, Sebastian.” Her Russian accent is thick, her fangs peeking over the cushion of her lips. “Do go on. I can wait.”
“You have displeased me, Marcus.” Turning my back on Irina, I watch Marcus to ensure that he understands what I’m not saying. “You should thank our Council member for saving your life. Now get out of my face. I tire of you.” Pushing him none too gently towards Andrei, I straighten my jacket, pulling on my shirtsleeves. “Think about your mistakes and come back when you can apologize appropriately.”
“Aww, you are no fun.” Pouting, Irina glides inside the room, leaving the humans scrambling behind her to get out of the way when Marcus and Andrei head out. They better be back soon with the whereabouts of the girl.
“I see you’ve brought something that looks like a lot more fun than me disciplining my subjects.” Giving her my trademark smile, my gaze roams over the humans. My hunger roars in my ears, but I ignore it.
“Ah, yes!” Waving her hand, she doesn’t even turn to look at them. “I brought breakfast. I hoped you’d be famished.”
“I’m ravenous.” Walking to the only chair that is left without dust or broken pieces of plaster, I sit, not offering it to her. Satisfied at the slight frown she doesn’t manage to hide; I grin at her. “Let us taste what delicacy you have brought to offer.”
Chapter Nine
APRIL
When the asshole leading me to my imminent death starts dragging me towards the beautiful doors of the Millennium Hotel, a burst of hysterical laughter escapes me. Tall, sand-colored columns stretch above my head, holding the overhang. Pretty potted plants decorate either side of the large glass double doors. I was standing here just last night, thinking of a way to break in. Apparently, all I had to do was find an idiot to drag me in by the arm.
No one pays us any attention when we pass through the elaborate arched doors, but my jaw drops to my chest once inside. Wide-eyed, I look around at the beauty surrounding me. Colorful rugs cover the marble floors. Beautiful pieces of furniture are sprinkled around tastefully without making it look overcrowded. The creams and light browns give me a sense of calm I shouldn’t be feeling at the moment. Transported in time, I pay no attention to anyone mulling around in the lobby, until four bodies, all dressed in black, stop our movement forward.
“I need to see the Italians,” asshole tells them, jerking me in front of him like a shield.
All four of them take a step back, their faces twisting in disgust. I grin at them like a loon, proud that my stench is at least turning their stomachs. I gave up on fighting the inevitable, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy seeing them suffer. By the green look on their faces, they’re suffering all right.
“No one goes up,” the one on the left speaks, his voice sharp like a drill sergeant.
“They will want to see me,” asshole growls, clearly angry that he can’t just walk past them. The one that spoke lifts his lips aggressively, fangs flashing in the soft glow of the hanging chandeliers. “I have one of the run…”
