Page 125 of Andreas

Caius blinked. Once, twice, three times, before pulling away slightly. He cupped her cheek in one hand, tears brimming in his eyes. ‘Nelly, I—’

Click. The familiar sound of a lock unlatching echoed through the room. They didn’t have enough time to move away from each other because in the next second the door swung open. The unmistakable tap of dress shoes padded along the floor, and Areanel was just barely able to peer over Caius’s shoulder to spy the wide perma-grin on Verdugo’s face.

The sight had her mind clearing in an instant. They were here for a reason, and it wasn’t whatever just happened. Areanel would just chalk it up to disinhibition for now. She could think about that later.

Now, they had a job to complete.

Chapter 45

Areanel

‘Now this,’ the raspy voice echoed through the small room, lifting the hairs on the back of Areanel’s neck, ‘is my kind of party. Mind if I take her for a ride if ya done with her?’ A heavy-set man with a ruddy face entered the room. He wore a long cloak decorated with a large embroidered eagle at his shoulder, a telling sign that this male was none other than the Chieftain of Vennedove.

He was stopped short, however, by the snarls that ripped through the air. Caius and Rymedur’s chests rumbled as animalistic growls tore through their throats. Areanel had expected it from Caius—it was in their elvish nature to be protective—but she was shocked at Rymedur, who protectively snaked an arm around her waist.

Caius still looked dishevelled, but his eyes held a wild and threatening glare that had Areanel wishing she’d brought her blades. Caius could not be trusted when he was angry.

She knew that well.

‘Now, now. That is not what I brought you in here for,’ Verdugo’s oddly joyful voice pierced the tense air. ‘However, I am glad to see you finally enjoying yourself at my establishment, Jamison.’ Verdugo waltzed further into the room, using his cane to usher the chieftain inside, moving around the desk by the window.

Areanel itched to grab a weapon, but there were none in sight.

‘Tell me,’ Verdugo continued, ‘have you finally decided to take part in the debauchery here at The Zenith?’ That everlasting grin set her on edge. This male was danger wrapped in silk.

The chieftain frowned at Verdugo’s words, obviously getting angry. ‘What do you mean you didn’t bring me here for this? I was promised an experience I would never forget!’

Areanel’s eyes flicked between the two males—one stood with the ease and grace of a self-made tycoon, the other was slightly hunched, older yet still just as greedy. What was the mogul’s goal here? Had Caius made a deal with him already?

The chieftain pushed Verdugo’s cane away, and though his eye twitched, his smile remained intact. Areanel hoped to all the gods that Verdugo knew what he was doing; she couldn’t risk losing this male, she needed the information he possessed.

Then she would have the pleasure of killing him.

The chieftain ignored the host and turned towards them. ‘Jamison, right?’ He aimed at Caius, who tried to shield Areanel from sight.

Areanel moved to shoulder her way past the stupidly protective male when the Chieftain’s eyes snapped to her. His gaze trailed her body from head to toe, making her want to squirm beneath his penetrating stare. Disgusting! She wanted to crawl out of her skin. She’ll need several showers after this.

‘I wouldn’t mind taking her for a ride myself. How much for the girl, boy?’ The chieftain addressed Caius without taking his eyes off Areanel’s figure, his gaze lingering on her exposed leg.

The look he gave her made Rymedur grip her tighter, drawing her closer as he scowled at the man. Areanel could feel his rage like it was her own; he was ready to rip the chieftain’s throat out with his teeth.

The thought shouldn’t have excited her the way it did. Gods, she was truly despicable.

Caius again moved to stand in front of her, blocking her from the man’s eyeline. ‘She’s not for sale,’ he stated plainly.

‘Dear gods!’ The chieftain made to move closer, tongue flicking out to wet his lower lip. ‘Then I’ll pay to watch you take her. Heavens, both of you!’ He clapped his hands and made to take another step closer. His luxurious jewellery clicked as he moved. ‘I wouldn’t mind seeing exactly what she looks and sounds like between you both.’

Anger rolled off Caius in waves, and Areanel’s spine straightened. She braced, knowing what was going to happen next. How many times had she witnessed this? She had thought it was perhaps because of his elven heritage. But no, this was just how Caius had always been—violently enraged.

Hand inching closer, Areanel was ready to stop him at a moment’s notice.

He would ruin everything. Areanel needed answers from the chieftain before they disposed of him, or her father would have her head for disobeying his direct orders and leading the rest of her envoys, and Rymedur, astray. This wasn’t his kill to claim; the chieftain had been conspiring with whoever killed her son, and Areanel would do anything if it meant eradicating all the rebel rats.

Even if it meant disobeying her father.

Caius snapped at the comment. He hadn’t changed. His anger was destructive.

He slipped from her grip. Moving faster than light, he grabbed the chieftain by the scruff of his neck and shoved him into the table.