Sarim's Scent

by Springs, Juliette

  Ivan

  P.S. Catch a cab to Triangle Mall. Cab fare in drawer.

  Opening the drawer, she picked up his platinum American Express card. Her heartbeat picked up. This could be fun. She did need more clothes. Spring was in the air and all she had with her was heavy winter wear.

  Her eyes misted at Ivan’s thoughtfulness. He knew her funds were limited and that she lacked clothes suitable for warmer weather. How sweet of him to do this.

  Placing the credit card on top of the note, she dropped back in bed and allowed her mind to drift back to last night. After their amazing first time together, she had fallen asleep in Ivan’s arms. She had woken up in the middle of the night with him whispering in her ear, hard and thick inside of her. She was surprised to find her body ready for him, and they enjoyed another intensely pleasurable experience. She fell asleep again, tired, but deeply satisfied and content.

  Her smile faded as an important thought occurred to her. She shot to a sitting position, a ball of uncertainty forming in her stomach. Ivan hadn’t used a condom at all last night, and she wasn’t on birth control.

  Sitting up straighter, she tried to remember when she last had her period. It wasn’t due for another two and a half to three weeks. She should be safe. But she couldn’t take any more chances. She had to get on some form of birth control. Rubbing her belly, she allowed herself to imagine being pregnant. The thought of having Ivan’s baby was pleasant. She was sure the child would be beautiful, but right now was a little too early to be contemplating such ideas. She needed to make an appointment with a gynecologist and soon if last night were any indicator of Ivan’s sex drive.

  Figuring she had enough of lying around, Victoria got out of bed and winced, her body a little sore from the new activities she had been involved in. She went in the bathroom and turned the shower on. Stopping in front of the mirror above the sink, she studied her reflection while brushing her teeth. Her eyes sparkled and for the first time in a long time, she looked happy. Hell, she was happy. What woman wouldn’t be? She was starting a relationship with her dream man, who was considerate, thoughtful, and amazing in bed. She felt secure and cherished for the first time in her life.

  She rinsed her mouth out and studied her reflection again. Her skin was clearer, which was unusual. She usually had breakouts of some kind. They were small, but they always cleared up in one area of her face and reappeared in another. Her teeth looked whiter as well. She was overdue for a cleaning, yet her teeth looked sparkly white. Come to think about it, Ivan had sparkly white teeth as well-must be the toothpaste. Further inspection showed her tattoo still on the side of her neck, and more pronounced than before. The colors were deeper. The hands were a deeper brown color, darker than her brown skin, and the flower in the palm of the hands was a deep purple. It kept getting weirder and weirder. No wonder Ivan had asked her where she had gotten it done. She sighed and walked back to the bedroom to towel off. Now was definitely the time to tell him the truth about who she was looking for and about the tattoo. She would do it tonight when he came home and had had a chance to unwind.

  With the strangeness of her issues, she was sure he wouldn’t hold it against her for not divulging them earlier. It wasn’t like she was hiding some big agenda from him or had been lying about what she was doing. She valued truth and loyalty. She hoped he would understand her hesitancy in revealing everything to him.

  Chapter 19

  Victoria had spent the last few hours hitting all five levels of the mall, and she was almost shopped out. Her arms were tired from lugging all her bags around. Yep, this would be the last shop before she went outside and caught a cab home.

  As she was passing the food court, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. Someone was watching her. Glancing around, her eyes stopped on an older gentleman sitting at one of the nearby tables with a plate of food. He stared at her with a peculiar expression on his face. He looked to be in his forties and was very attractive in a way that reminded her of someone else. She couldn’t put her finger on who, though. Was he watching her? She continued walking, a little faster this time. Feeling eyes on her again, she spun around. The man was reading a newspaper. She shook her head at her wild imagination. Thoughts of being watched left her mind as she was greeted by a sales clerk standing outside of Elizabeth’s Secret. I need some sexy underwear. Victoria stepped inside the store, unaware of the eyes following her.

  Sarim watched the woman enter the clothing store. He believed she was his heir, but since there were so many humans and other overwhelming smells, he could not be one hundred percent sure until she was away from the crowds. He had left host quarters as soon as he’d finished migrata. Once he stepped aboveground and was in fresh air, he recognized the scent.

  After making sure he wasn’t being observed or trailed, he had pursued the smell and arrived at the mall. Once there, the scent mixed in with odors from the other dozens of people milling about. He recognized the various illnesses, lust, human food, blood. Not to mention other irritating smells, like the sewer for instance. He was almost about to give in to the temptation of tasting the sweet, powerful blood flowing so freely around him when the delicate scent reached his nose. Thoughts of draining the pretty young girl who walked too close to him left his mind. He let the scent lead him inside the mall, through stores, up and down escalators until he sat near her at the food court.

  Now he watched her wander through the racks of intimate clothing near the store’s entrance. He could not believe that months of searching had led him to this moment. She was perfect. She was tall for a female, but not too tall. She looked about 5’9”, and had a solid build, not too slender and not too big. She would be an excellent breeder. Her attire was not appropriate for a female Taalib Duma, but she would be convinced to wear what was custom for Soga women of rank. Just as his thoughts turned to ways she could be convinced, the woman looked up, and he got a direct view of her face. All the ways he could ensure her obedience flew from his brain. She was the mirror image of the female he had cohabited with during his time in the human world. What was her name? He searched his memories for the moniker, but couldn’t recall it. Oh well, at this point it didn’t really matter. What mattered was the product of that union was standing less than a hundred feet away from him. If they were not in such a crowded place, he would snatch her away and inhale her scent fully before taking her into his world, her new home.

  Chapter 20

  Standing outside the mall, Victoria attempted to hail a cab. A difficult task to accomplish without losing the numerous bags she held. She had gotten more than enough items to see her through spring and probably summer as well. She was happy with her new selections and couldn’t wait to get back to the condo to show them to Ivan, maybe even model them. A cab finally responded to her frantic waving and stopped before her. As she loaded her items into the backseat, she shivered. Goose bumps covered her neck and arms. Turning warily, she had the feeling she was being watched again. Shielding her eyes with her hand, she scanned the area and didn’t notice anyone or anything out of the ordinary. She got inside the cab, slammed the door, then leaned up to give the cabbie the address. She sat back in her seat, unable to relax and shake the eerie feeling she had a stalker.

  Sarim had gotten close enough to watch her load her things into the car, get in, and watch her ride away. The scent was stronger, and he was almost certain it was her. There was only one way to be sure and that was by getting her by herself; away from other humans. On a hunch, he decided to follow the cab. There was no room for error and too much was riding on the female being what he needed. Moving faster than the human eye could see, he ran behind the cab, weaving in and out of traffic.

  Sarim slowed as the cab entered an affluent townhouse neighborhood. How did she live in such a nice area? Was she single or married? Did she already have children? He let his mind wander over these thoughts and how they would formulate in his plans. He watched the cab stop and the woman unload her bags and pay the cab driver.
After the cab left, she dragged her bags to 14F. She patted her pockets and then kicked the mat in front of the door aside. She seemed to have lost something. Ahh, her keys it would seem. He looked around, not seeing anyone and decided the time was perfect. He inhaled deeply. Elation filled him. Yes, she was his heir! The exact same scent had haunted him during resting periods and his dreams. Success was his!

  What would be his best move? Now that he was one hundred percent sure, he needed to execute his plan flawlessly, requiring a more careful plan than he had originally anticipated. He would observe her for a while longer to find out more about her, which would help him ascertain the best husband and help him learn enough to gain leverage over the situation. Sarim felt more certain than ever the Soga Brotherhood would retain control and there wasn’t a damn thing any other Taalib Dumas could do about it.

  He was so wrapped up in his thoughts he didn’t see the tall male walking up behind her. His heir turned around and smiled at him. He must be her significant other. Too bad, Sarim thought, he may have to kill him if he became a problem. As if sensing someone was nearby watching them, the male turned around in his direction, allowing Sarim a complete look at his face.

  They stared at each other. Sarim could feel the shock streaming from his blazing eyes. Khafil returned Sarim’s stare with a smile and smug satisfaction. For the first time in his immortal life, Sarim was shocked. No words came to mind. He watched his loyal protector Khafil turn toward his heir.

  Chapter 21

  “Is something wrong?” Victoria asked. Ivan had stopped with her bags and was staring across the driveway at something. She couldn’t see who or what it was. She stepped closer to Ivan and peered in the direction he was looking. “That’s the man who was watching me at the mall,” she said, her voice beginning to rise with fear. “What is he doing here? Did he follow me?”

  She heard Ivan issue a sharp curse.

  “Go inside and let me handle this.”

  Before Victoria could ask him what was wrong, she felt herself being pushed in the direction of Ivan’s home. She watched in horror as her stalker started toward them. Victoria began to move and nearly stumbled as Ivan pushed her harder toward the apartment. Nearly losing her balance, she regained her step and heard the strange man shout in their direction.

  “Khafil, face me instead of running like a coward!”

  She paused, eyes wide at the barely contained violence in the man’s voice.

  “Who is Khafil?” she asked, looking from Ivan to the man who was still staring at them and walking in their direction.

  She was about to repeat her question as Ivan ignored her and turned toward the approaching stranger.

  The man stopped in front of them. Victoria eyed him cautiously. It was indeed the same man from the mall. He was handsome in an Old World sort of way. He looked like a refined gentleman. However the expression on his face was not of refinement. He was furious, and his eyes were chillingly cold. He looked like a dangerous creature, capable of killing. Unconsciously, she took a step back. What did he want with them, and why was he calling Ivan Khafil?

  “You bastard!” The stranger looked at Ivan, then at her. “I see you have found my heir first, you faithless dog.” The hair on the back of Victoria’s neck stood up at the vehemence in his voice. “What are your plans with her?”

  “That is none of your concern now.”

  Victoria’s heart jumped at Ivan’s harsh reply. Something told her this was not good as she got a sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. “None of my concern?” the man raged. “You have made my heir your whore and you tell me it is none of my concern. How dare you!”

  “The Imvuras will let you know what we have decided to do with your heir,” came Ivan’s calm reply. He was acting like the man was a pesky fly bothering him.

  “The Imvuras, which would mean Zanhoden is behind this.” The man’s voice became colder. “I should have known the son of a bitch was involved, but no matter. The heir may be used but she is still my property as I am the father. Since she is unclaimed, she goes with me.”

  He turned his cold gaze to Victoria. She flinched at the harsh stare. “Come with me.”

  Victoria took another step back. “Who are you and what do you want with me?”

  He gave a humorless laugh. His eyes locked with Ivan’s. “I am your father. My name is Sarim. Under Taalib Duma law, you belong to me. I don’t care to know what Khafil has been doing with you, but it is over. Now let’s go.”

  Her father? She stopped listening after he said those words. This cold, frightening man was the father she had been searching for. She looked at him closely, remembering her mother’s words. He did indeed fit her mother’s description of being tall with a caramel complexion. He was a little over six feet and he still had the close haircut. His lips were full. He also had the mole beside his mouth and high cheekbones. She looked between him and Ivan.

  “Why does he keep calling you Khafil, Ivan?” She glanced back and forth between the two, trying to understand what was going on. Tension and violence hovered in the air around them.

  Sarim stared at her, before turning cold glare at Khafil.

  “Ivan.” Sarim gave another mirthless laugh before turning back to her. “Is that another one of your identities? You’ve defiled my heir and haven’t had the balls to reveal who you really are.”

  Victoria watched as Sarim closed his eyes in an obvious effort to control himself. His body was actually vibrating with anger.

  “His name is indeed Khafil. He is supposedly my loyal protector. Instead he is a faithless dog with no honor.”

  Victoria’s eyes widened. “His name is Khafil?”

  She turned to the man in question with wide, unbelieving eyes.

  “Ivan, please tell me he is lying,” she begged and swallowed back the vomit about to erupt from her stomach. When he did not answer her immediately, her voice rose hysterically. “Answer me, dammit!”

  She watched Ivan shoot Sarim a hate--filled look and knew the answer to her question. Sarim returned Ivan’s stare with equal hatred and with a smile on his face.

  “He lied to you,” Sarim answered. “He used you to get to me. He knew you were my heir, and he knew I had been searching for you for months.”

  A desperate, “No” escaped from Victoria’s lips, even though it felt true.

  “Yes,” Sarim continued. “He knew I needed an heir to keep the Drumhani Chair in the Soga Brotherhood.” He turned to Khafil with blazing eyes. “Tell her the truth. Have enough respect to enlighten us both of your true identity. You owe us that much.”

  Victoria watched as the face of the man she knew as Ivan became hard as a cold mask fell into place. Her heart dropped and pain ripped through her heart as she tried to catch her breath. Coldness ran through her body as she realized what some part of her already understood. Sarim was telling the truth.

  The man she knew as Ivan, who she thought she loved as Ivan, turned to face her, looking for the first time like someone she didn’t recognize.

  “He is right. My name is Khafil.”

  A rushing sound filled in her ears and she swayed. She saw “Khafil” reach out to steady her.

  “Don’t touch me,” she whispered, feeling sick. She stepped away from him and Sarim. She took a deep breath and tried not to throw up in front of them, further embarrassing herself. She would not fall apart in front of him. Despite the pain of her heart breaking, she forced herself to look into the bastard’s lying face.

  “Did you know Sarim, my father,”—she almost choked on the words—“was searching for me?”

  “Yes.”

  Unable to stop it, Victoria turned around and vomited on the pavement, her body recoiling against the fact she had been cruelly used and deceived.

  She heard Khafil let out a string of curses. “Is this what you wanted? Are you satisfied now?” he asked the man claiming to be her father.

  Sarim chuckled, sounding pleased.

  Victoria’s heart stopped at Khaf
il’s next words. “My name is Khafil, Visdan and only son to Zanhoden. My father and the Imvura Brotherhood send their warmest regards. It has been an extreme pleasure to take care of your heir.”

  Another round of vomit erupted from her stomach. She cringed at the coldness in his voice. How could this be the same man who made love to her last night? She wiped her mouth and sat down on the curb as Sarim gave a chilling laugh.

  “You have no honor, you traitorous bastard! You have been serving in my house, spying on me for your bastard of a father this whole time. You usurp my heir and seduce her in the name of your father. How dare you! I will make sure you both rot in hell for this.”

  “I owe one such as you no honor or allegiance.” He spat on the ground. “You are unfit to serve as leader of the Taalib Dumas. You judge me and my father when you have the honor of a mongrel.”

  Sarim turned his attention back to her. Feeling empty and weak, she continued to sit on the curb in silence as she watched the two biggest bastards in her life rip into each other.

  “This is neither the time nor the place for us to continue this conversation.” He paused as he continued to stare at Victoria. “I will take my heir and find a proper and suitable husband for her, despite the fact she reeks of your half-breed scent.”

  He started toward her. Victoria looked up and through the haze of anguish, realized what Sarim’s intentions were. She stared at him in horror and gathered her last remaining strength to either run or fight. Being one man’s fool was enough. She had to get away from both of them.

  Before she could stand up, Khafil stepped in front of her, blocking Sarim’s path.

  “You will do no such thing.”