“I’ll wait outside,” I murmured, not wanting to tempt my restraint.
Balthazar’s London residence.
Memories of my time with him crashed over me like a tsunami. Each wave threatening to drown me—I’d come up for air only to be dragged back under. Sullivan and Joshua eyed me curiously but didn’t ask what was wrong. They had enough on their minds.
Ushered inside, I’d gone to take a seat when Mikhail’s oily voice questioned my presence.
“Oh look, you’ve brought a pet. By all means, bring him in with you. I would hate for him to soil the carpets from lack of attention.” He peered down his nose at me, sneering over his assessment at what he perceived as weakness.
That was the problem with vampires. They believed they were at the top of the food chain, superior to everyone, including the gods. They overlooked the fact that they also shared limitations and that no one was infallible. Even with Sullivan there as an Alpha, the fool dismissed his power, choosing to goad me with his insults.
I could definitely see why Francis had lost his temper if this was any indication of what the men experienced.
An angry vein throbbed violently in Sullivan’s temple. “I’d prefer Mr. Lockhart to remain outside. The business I’ve come to discuss is sensitive and we need to be able to speak freely.”
“And you can’t do so in front of your puppy?” So help me God, if the asshole reached over and patted my head, I would tear his arm off and beat him with it. The Fates, be damned. “No. He either joins us or you can all go on your way.”
“I’m sure Balthazar would agree to allowing my friend to remain here and wait,” Sullivan pressed. “I promise you, Joshua and I won’t take too much of his valuable time.” I knew how much it cost him to speak so respectfully when at every turn he was being shown such blatant impertinence.
“It matters not what you think. You must first get past me. Should I feel your request warrants it, then and only then will I inform my Liege you require an audience with him. So again, I repeat, it would please me to have your pet in the room with us. The nature of your comments is of little consequence to me. Whatever secrets you hide are your own.”
Reluctantly, we followed him into a larger room where Mikhail took a seat behind a desk situated on a platform. He arrogantly gestured for us to take seats on chairs several feet away, making us look up at him. If I thought they’d understand the reference, I would’ve made a smart aleck comment about feeling as if we’d stepped onto the set of a Godfather movie. All that was missing was Mikhail muttering about making us an offer we couldn’t refuse.
It disgusted me how much I would need this bastard. I’d been so close to the answer I needed to honor my blood oath and hadn’t realized it. I’d jumped through so many hoops and here he was—the key to my problems—the individual responsible for the crushing guilt that would later completely bury me under the consequences of my choices. So much so I felt I’d choke on them.
As if presenting his case before a jury, Sullivan quickly began detailing the events of the night before. He kept his tone even and calm, a strategy he hoped would placate the vampire. From what he’d shared during the journey to town, his goal was to somehow find a solution that didn’t result in either more trouble or a retaliation so brutal it would destroy Kilgrave Manor and everyone inside.
Over and over he apologized for not speaking more clearly but I’d eased his worries. I was there for support should he need it. It wasn’t my place to judge how he governed those in his care.
“So, let me get this straight,” Mikhail said, his fingers steepled together under his chin. He must’ve thought it added to his sophisticated façade or that we would feel grateful he’d deemed to listen. “Your men had an altercation with mine and it resulted with their deaths?” He looked like a little boy pretending to be his father—all dressed up and sitting in the grown up chair he could never possibly be worthy of.
My hatred towards him raged within my chest—barely suppressed.
Before Sullivan could answer, the vampire caught my thinly concealed anger, and tutted at me. “Why is your puppy staring at me as though he’d like to gnaw on my leg? Must I discipline him so he knows how to act in civilized company?”
My fists clenched so hard that the knuckles cracked loudly. “I meant no offense.” My voice came out in a low murmur. “I am, after all, simply here to listen.”
The animosity that oozed from every pore in my body drew Sullivan’s attention. When he leaned in to whisper in my ear, I felt something calming coat my skin. While I wasn’t a wolf, his Alpha power could still be used and felt. The effect was akin to a wet blanket being layered over a burning fire.
“I don’t know what’s wrong, Devlin, but please . . . whatever you do, don’t give him any excuse to evict us before I can resolve this. Please?”
How could I argue with that?
Meanwhile Mikhail watched, amused, all but ignoring Joshua as if he wasn’t even in the room.
“Yes,” Sullivan continued, trusting that I would have his back and not make it any more difficult than it was.
“And you’ve come to make amends? Restitution? Beg for my Liege’s mercy and forgiveness?” He spread his arms apart like he believed he was a god hearing one of his follower’s petitions. “Or perhaps you are here to forfeit your own lives in repayment for the unwarranted deaths of those the King so dearly loves?”
It was a lie I dared not expose. In the time I spent with Balthazar serving as one of his assassins, I’d never seen him show even an ounce of devotion or loyalty to those who served him. He barely tolerated us—his false love as fickle as a child deciding what their favorite candy was that day. We were all dispensable and only deemed useful if we boosted his grandiose ego.
“I was hoping that it wouldn’t disrupt the peace we’ve all enjoyed. I know how tenuous it can be and, from the account I was told, it was unintentional. Those involved felt insulted and the altercation escalated quickly.”
“So, you’re asking for forgiveness. Interesting.” Tapping his finger against his lip as he feigned consideration. Mikhail turned to me. “And what do you think I should do, puppy? Are the lives of dead men of so little importance that we should simply shrug our shoulders and say, ‘Such is life’?”
My response would remain the same as our initial meeting. “I would hope that instead of spilling more blood, a more peaceful compromise can be found.” My words were in vain but they still rung loudly with the truth.
“Well spoken, Mr. Lockhart,” he all but spat out my name. In the future, he would take great pleasure mocking me with it. “Will you be punishing those involved?”
“You know I will, as well as the head of their families. We don’t take any loss of life lightly . . . regardless of how it happened. You can assure Balthazar he will be satisfied with my actions.”
“But you won’t be able to return his loyal subjects to him.” His lips curled up into a cruel smirk as light flickered in his dark eyes. “Unless you’re willing to part with your pet. I’m sure my liege will find him most entertaining.”
Joshua gasped, the only indication he was still breathing. Sullivan brought him along to present a united front, but the young wolf buckled under the vampire’s intimidating presence. There was a good possibility this was the first time he’d ever been this close to a blood drinker. Thankfully he didn’t broadcast that fear.
“No,” Sullivan responded firmly. “As much as it would please me to offer whatever Balthazar might surmise as a satisfactory repayment of his . . . mercy, Mr. Lockhart will be leaving with me.”
“Pity.”
Not once breaking eye contact, Sullivan stood his ground, taller than I’d ever seen him. In this moment so much about him reminded me of Mason and his determination to reason before resorting to aggression, of swallowing his own pride for the benefit of his Pack. It must’ve galled Sullivan to ask these things of a vampire, especially as the culprits were not even from his Pack. I’d watched with admiration
as Mason boldly faced down those who wished to see him cower, and now I was feeling the same feelings of admiration for Sullivan.
It made what was to come even more sickening.
“I am open to discussing other options if Balthazar so desires. In fact, I would prefer to talk with him face-to-face . . . leader to leader.” It was his subtle dig at being forced to interact with someone with lesser authority than a true Alpha, regardless of supernatural species. Mikhail caught the innuendo, his features instantly growing dark and icy.
“You will speak to me!” he thundered, losing his composure and revealing Sullivan’s barb had hit its mark. Sucking in a breath, he stilled before smoothing out his impeccably ironed jacket. “As I told you, I will deem whether you will see my liege. If you prove yourself, then I will . . . consider it.”
“So be it,” Sullivan countered, not needing to push it further. He was wise enough to see that ruffling any more of the vampire’s feathers wouldn’t help his case, no matter how good it felt. “I came here to honestly share the what happened in the hopes there will be no further violence. We did not hide. We did not lie. All I ask is your assurance we can keep our tenuous peace.” He took a step closer, stopping just before the front of the large mahogany desk.
Mikhail’s eyebrow rose at the movement. “I would give you my word but, as you’ve insinuated, I am but my master’s lowly pawn. Will that suffice?” He glared at Sullivan, daring him to disagree. It showed the level of idiocy he possessed—to knowingly taunt an Alpha.
“It will have to do.”
The tension in the room dropped, signaling the end of the meeting. Standing up and moving around the desk, Mikhail acted as though he was the poster child for displaying good manners and being a gracious host. “Then it is settled. I will discuss your matter with Balthazar and extend to him your extreme sorrow at causing him discomfort. You will return to your home and deal with the men in whatever manner you see fit. No blood will be spilled in revenge. I only ask should you agree to return and speak directly to him should my liege have any further questions. I’m sure it would soften his ire to also learn how you disciplined the offenders.”
It wasn’t exactly the response Sullivan hoped for, but the outcome was better than he’d anticipated. “Agreed. I thank you for your time, Mikhail. Be of good health.” Offering a curt bow, he turned and left the room, Joshua quietly followed behind him.
I turned to join them, eager to leave this place, when Mikhail called to me.
“I hope this won’t be the last time we meet, Devlin Lockhart. I have a feeling you and I would be great friends should the opportunity arise.”
I did not respond even as the words screamed to be spoken. Clenching my teeth, I simply nodded and fled the room. With bated breath, I didn’t truly relax until we were well on our way back to Kilgrave Manor.
Joshua must’ve had the same thoughts as sentences finally erupted from his mouth. “I am so sorry, Sullivan. It was never my intention to bring this to your door. I thought my men could be trusted to behave appropriately. Never in my wildest dreams did I expect this to bring an end to our visit. Please, whatever I can do to repay your kindness, it is yours. Me and mine will forever be in your debt!”
Sullivan slowly stewed on his words. “I was beginning to wonder if you’d forgotten how to speak,” he finally commented, shaking his head.
“I didn’t expect . . .” Joshua’s excuse died on his lips.
“Your reaction was pretty much the same as mine the first time I was in the same room with them.” He darted a quick look at me and I pretended ignorance. “And you, Devlin, I have no idea how you held your temper! A lesser man would’ve jumped over that desk and beaten him senseless. I’m sorry, my friend, for forcing you to endure that.”
What I wanted to say was that I would endure many more meetings like that because the debt I would soon owe him was far greater than the awkwardness we just survived.
Instead, I laughed. “Puppy? I was tempted to drop my trousers and piss all over the floor.”
Both of them looked at me startled before bursting into laughter.
“I would’ve paid good money to see that!” Sullivan admitted.
It was Joshua who truly surprised us. “I would’ve done the same . . . spraying the walls covered with that hideous wallpaper!”
Now that the deed was done and we were free to return home, the atmosphere in the carriage lightened. For the next few hours, we bantered back and forth, discussing a possible hunt before the guests headed north to their own homes.
That seemed to light a fire beneath my new companions as they discussed the different animals that lived in Waltham Forest and the various techniques they used when hunting.
Neither noticed how quiet I had become or asked me to join in.
No, my thoughts were already filled with what was to come.
Balthazar wouldn’t forgive so easily and Sullivan was a fool to believe he would.
Trouble was brewing.
A hunt of a different kind had already begun.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
There was a knock at my door, the sound causing a frown to wrinkle my brow. Before I could answer it, Sullivan entered with a cream envelope in his hands.
Ahhhhh, she’d finally summoned him to Court.
“I’m sorry for the interruption, but considering how patiently you’ve been waiting—”
“More like impatiently,” I interjected before waving my hand for him to continue. He smiled at my truthfulness.
“Iriana has finally answered and wishes for us to join her tonight.” Holding the letter out for me to read, Sullivan wore a crooked grin. “Excuse the flowery beginning. She likes to wax poetic over how handsome she finds me.”
Sure enough, I felt my eyes widen as I read the sappy sentiments she’d penned. Even the second time didn’t dull my urge to cringe or, at the very least, close the letter and attempt to wash the images she’d conjured out of my head.
If there was one thing the Fae Queen excelled at, it was painting a rather elaborate mental picture.
Sullivan had the decency to look somewhat modest as he shrugged. “I can’t help that she finds me irresistible.”
“As long as I don’t have to watch you—how did she say it?,” I stopped and waved a hand, trying to remember the exact wording. “Ah yes, lick the sweet honey from her . . .” There was no stopping the shivers running through me. “Actually, forget it. Just keep your tongue and lips to yourself.”
His laughter filled the room. Brushing his hand through his dark hair, Sullivan took a seat while he waited for me to dress. There was no way in hell I’d be meeting Iriana—again—in my sleepwear. Although, from what I remembered of her, she would’ve much preferred me stripped down and on display. To this day, I have no idea how Sullivan managed to be in a relationship with the Fae.
“The sex is phenomenal.” As if he’d read my mind, Sullivan grinned hard, waggling his eyebrows at me and I rolled my eyes in response. “I’m sure you’ve wondered but were too much of a gentleman to ask.”
Slipping on my shoes before grabbing my jacket, I followed his lead when it came to my attire. While he wasn’t dressed like he was going to a ball, he did make sure his clothes were worthy of the Fae Queen’s royal court. Immaculately pressed trousers, white shirt, and jacket, Sullivan, had knotted a cravat around his neck that gave it the formality it needed.
“She knows I’m joining you, right?” I asked, tying the last of my laces before standing. I knew she did, but it seemed the thing to find out considering Sullivan believed this to be the first time we’d meet one another.
“You really did stop reading the letter, didn’t you? She mentioned you by name and asked that I bring you to her immediately. Whenever she says that, I know not to delay. Nothing ever good comes from making that woman wait.”
Taking one last look in the full-length mirror I used to dress, I inhaled deeply and exhaled slowly. “I’m ready.”
He nodded and tucke
d the envelope into his pocket. “She’s opened the portal within our personal grove just inside the Waltham Forest. Once there, I shall speak the magical phrase and we’ll be able to step through to her realm.” He eyed me carefully as we left the room, lightly jogging down the stairs. Sullivan spoke a few words of instruction to Merrick, his second in charge, before we exited the manor and out into the cool night air.
Seeing the rapport the two shared gave me a deeper appreciation for the bond Mason and Daniel shared. While theirs resembled that of Sullivan and Merrick, it was easy to see that they’d spent their entire life together—best friends from the moment they could walk and talk. What Mason had was unique, yet another reason why I was going through this and reliving things I wished I could forever forget and bury.
Not only would Mason be restored and all those who perished in the battle brought back to life, but Daniel would also be brought out of his magically induced coma. Too much was at stake for me to fail.
I wanted to say it wasn’t in my nature to give up or concede defeat, but I’d also once thought I’d walk an honorable path. Yet, I not only fell off the path into darkness, I plummeted to the level of the vile evil creatures I would later hunt as an Enforcer.
A trail emerged amid the trees as I followed Sullivan. He spoke quietly, repeating the instructions I’d need upon meeting Iriana. Over and over, he explained the need to think before I said anything, always vigilant in how I addressed and answered her. She wasn’t exactly the sanest of creatures—lucid one moment before rambling nonsense that would get her locked in an asylum if she were human.
Anyone who dared laugh or made her feel she was being mocked in any way was instantly put to death.
To displease her in anyway was to risk her wrath.
These were things I already knew, but it helped to hear them again. When dealing with her, it would be wise to never lower my guard. Thankfully, this wouldn’t be my first time engaging with her so that worked in my favor.
Blood Oath (#8, the Mystic Wolves) Page 20