I gaze back at him, processing his offer. He looks serious, but there’s no guarantee that he would agree to anything. He’d said he’d ‘consider’ all requests. That gives me nothing.
“I think we both could come to a mutually beneficial arrangement. Nothing needs to be decided right this moment, but if there are things you’d like to discuss, we can hash out some now and the rest later. I’m sure you’re going to want to think things over.”
“You said you’d consider,” I reply coolly.
He frowns. “And that’s a problem?”
“Considering and agreeing are two completely different things,” I point out. “You could consider all my requests, but there’s no guarantee that you’d agree to any of them. Which gives you what you want and leaves me with nothing.”
“You think I’d go back on my word?”
“In a heartbeat,” I say without hesitation.
Lethe picks up his wine glass. “You would have to trust that I would fulfill my end of the arrangement.”
“I don’t trust you at all.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then that leaves us at a stalemate once more,” I reply.
I can tell that he’s growing quite unhappy, and he takes a drink of his wine before calmly setting the glass back down. “What would it take for you to believe that my offer is genuine?”
Just how far is he willing to take this? I hold up one of my wrists. “Take these off, and then I’ll believe you.”
He watches me with unreadable eyes. “I can’t until I am certain you can control your fire. I would hate for you to burn the place down.”
“I can’t learn to control anything if I can’t work with the fire,” I counter back.
“You would need training,” he agrees. “But it’ll have to wait until after we’re mated.”
“I don’t trust you to follow through with anything.”
He regards me silently.
I stare back at him steadily. “I’m not willing to give you what you want without getting what I want—first.”
“You’ve escaped twice. Become my mate, and then I’ll give you your requests.”
“No,” I say firmly.
“Then we are back to square one,” he says with a resigned sigh.
“Looks that way.”
* * *
I can’t sleep that night as my conversation with Lethe rolls around in my head. Like it or not, living free is no longer an option. My cover has been blown, and even if I did somehow manage to flee, Lethe would never stop looking for me.
With everything that’s happened lately, I think Nany would start telling me to think logically instead of with my heart. My unplanned escape brought me nothing but a horrific ordeal that I’d suffered through. I’d grown up always having a plan and always thinking ahead, and that’s how I’ve managed to survive up until this point.
I stare up into the darkness and know that she’d tell me to plan ahead. What would get me the furthest along the way? If I want my freedom so badly, what’s the closest that I’ll get to it, and how can I accomplish it?
Shit.
That would be giving into Lethe—if he’s telling the truth about fulfilling my requests.
This clan’s probably one of the very few that doesn’t condone violence against women. If I’m going to be stuck with a clan, wouldn’t it be best to be with one that won’t beat me?
My chest tightens as I seriously begin to consider his offer. If I do agree to it, it has to be on my terms, though.
But there’s the problem of whether Lethe will agree to them and see them through.
* * *
The next morning, I decide that my best option for information about Lethe and the clan is to speak with Anton. He seems like a genuinely nice man, and as far as I know, he’s never lied to me. Maybe he could help me find some insight into this mess with Lethe.
After breakfast, I use the call button in my room to request a trip down to medical. When Cassius asks why, I tell him that I have a headache and a few questions for Anton that are health-related.
Soon, I’m in the medical room, and Anton motions for me to take a seat on the bed. He looks at me with concern. “You’re not feeling well?”
“I’m fine.” I give him a sheepish look after I sit down. “I just wanted to talk to someone”
“I see.” He smiles and grabs the stool before sitting down directly across from me. “What’s on your mind?”
“Can I talk to you about something, and will you be honest with me?” I ask seriously.
“Of course.”
“What kind of leader is Lethe? Please don’t tell me what you think I want to hear,” I add and hold his gaze. “I need you to be honest with me, Anton.”
He’s momentarily silent, and then he nods. “Lethe is only loyal to the clan. Anyone outside of these walls will tell you that he’s a heartless bastard and a killer.”
I hadn’t expected him to be quite so blunt, and I silently gaze at him as I process his statement.
Anton gives me a half smile. “You said you wanted honesty,” he reminds.
“I do. I just didn’t expect…” I shrug.
He looks at me intently. “He wants you as his mate. You need to go into it with your eyes wide open instead of having misconceived notions of him. I’d prefer you understand what you’re getting into rather than having second thoughts after the fact.”
“Okay, that makes sense,” I slowly agree. “So tell me, what is the worst thing about him,” I say bluntly.
“The worst…” he murmurs, clearly thinking. “I would have to say his thirst for blood. He doesn’t like to be lied to or made a fool of. Many have died without being given a second chance, because his way of dealing with someone he doesn’t trust is to kill them.” His eyes hold mine. “Most of them are crooks or street thugs,” he clarifies.
“I see. What happens when someone in the clan pisses him off?”
“I don’t know. No one has ever made him mad enough to find out.”
“Really?” I ask doubtfully.
“It’s the truth. We all respect him as our leader. He’s never wronged any of us.”
“So everyone just does what he asks?”
He smiles with a hint of amusement. “It’s not quite that simple. However, when Lethe asks one of us to do something, there’s always a reason behind it. A valid one. He has never taken advantage of his authority.”
“What do you consider is his best quality?” I ask with interest.
“His loyalty,” Anton says without hesitation. “He would do anything for every single one of us. To him, there is no limit when it comes to loyalty.”
I can’t help but frown. “So would you consider him to be honest?”
“He only tells us what he wants us to know, and when he does, he’s straight to the point. So yes, I would say that he can be honest.”
“So then it’s true? He has a sister?” I press. I want to see if Lethe is lying. Though there’s a chance he could have prepared Anton with the story ahead of time if I should inquire about it.
Anton looks genuinely surprised. “He’s spoken to you about Davina?”
I nod, and decide not to elaborate. I want Anton giving me information, not the other way around.
His expression turns sad. “Our old clan was a very violent one. The life Davina is currently living isn’t a pretty one by any means. Don’t quote me on this, but Lethe and Maverick’s father is a real bastard, and I think that’s where Lethe gets his thirst for violence. Victor likes to spill blood as much as he enjoys wielding his power over everyone. I believe that bloodlust is inherited, but I also think it stems from Lethe being in clan for many years and having to be obedient when he’s a natural leader.” His expression shifts as he gives me a warning look. “I trust you won’t repeat any of this.”
“I promise,” I vow sincerely.
Anton nods. “Good. I’m not sure how Lethe would react to being talked about behind his back like this.”
“Then why do it?” I prod.
“Because I like you,” he says warmly. “And because you’ll never accept him unless you get to know the real man that lies within him. There’s something about you Arista, something that is more than capable of dealing with a man like Lethe.”
I can sense that Anton is being honest with me, and I feel like maybe we are building a friendship. I hesitate and offer, “Ari. You can call me Ari,” I tell him quietly.
He breaks into a smile. “Thank you. I’ve almost called you that before, but I wasn’t sure if you’d appreciate the nickname.”
I’m still not finished with our conversation, and I look at him searchingly. “Anton, do you believe in the armor? Lethe is certain that our mating could give him it.”
He thinks over my question. “I would say that it’s possible, but it’s certainly not guaranteed.”
“Has Lethe ever gone back on his word?”
He frowns. “How so?”
“Has he ever told the clan he’d do something and then not followed through?”
He studies me, and I can tell he’s wondering why I’m asking all these questions. “No, at least not that I’m aware of.”
“What would happen if he did?” I ask curiously.
“He’d lose respect.”
“Would that bother him?”
“Absolutely.”
The medical doors open abruptly, and we look up to see two men entering the room. I blink and take in their lack of clothing and the blood that’s streaked across their bare, sweaty chests. Both are wearing black combat pants and boots, and not much else. The dark-haired man on the right seems to be injured, and he’s holding his chest with one hand while hunching over. The man on the left seems to be holding him up as they walk.
I quickly hop off the medical bed and watch as the scene unfolds before me.
Anton hastily rises to his feet and frowns at the two of them. “What’s going on?”
The uninjured man grimaces, and he looks oddly familiar with his black hair and brown eyes. “I broke one or two of his ribs, and one must have punctured his lung,” he explains.
“I’ll heal,” the injured man grits out, but he seems to be having an issue with drawing in oxygen.
“Get him on the cot,” Anton orders, and he gives the injured man a look. “If you’ve got a rib that’s in the way of your lung, it’s never going to heal on its own.”
As the hurt man is helped to the cot, his pale blue eyes glare at his friend. “You fucker.”
The man that seems familiar holds up his hands and smiles, flashing white teeth. “It’s not my fault you did a shit job of blocking me.”
“You cheated.”
“We’re supposed to cheat, dickwad. You think everyone plays by the rules?”
The man on the cot flips him off as he grimaces.
Anton sighs and steps between them as if this is a normal occurrence, and he turns on the uninjured man. “Alright, out.” His eyes then turn to me.
Brown eyes follow his, and they light up when they see me hovering on the other side of the room. “Hey there. Nice to see you upright this time,” the man greets.
I look at him blankly. Have we met?
Anton smiles. “Ari, meet Maverick,” he explains. Then he turns to Maverick. “Can you escort her back up to the third floor?”
“Yeah, sure.” Maverick ambles to the door and holds it open for me, his expression expectant.
As I walk towards him, I study him. So he’s Lethe’s brother. No wonder why he looks so familiar to me. He looks a lot like Lethe, except shorter by a few inches, and leaner. I also vaguely recall his voice speaking to me when I’d been drugged up on pain medication. “Thanks,” I murmur as I step past him and enter the hallway.
Maverick follows me into the hall after closing the door behind him. “You look much better,” he comments as we begin walking towards the elevator.
“I feel better,” I say awkwardly. It’s weird having a conversation with a man that’s half-dressed and bloodied.
Maverick enters the code when we reach the elevator, and then we wait for it to arrive.
My eyes once again run over his bare chest. “Were you guys fighting?” I can’t resist asking as I try not to ogle him too much. His abs are nearly as perfect as Lethe’s.
“Sparring,” Maverick corrects.
I gesture to his bloody chest. “That seems more than just friendly sparring.”
“Sparring is never friendly.” He shrugs. “We heal fast, unless there’s something in the way of a clean healing process.”
“Like a rib piercing a lung?” I ask dryly.
“Exactly.”
The elevator chimes as the doors slide open, and we step inside. I watch as Maverick presses the third floor button. “Does everyone…spar?” I inquire.
“It’s necessary. It keeps our skills honed and our reflexes quick,” he explains.
My eyes drift back to where his cuts have nearly healed. “So what does sparring involve?”
“Hand-to-hand combat, knives, guns, fire play,” he says with a shrug.
“Guns? With real bullets?” I ask doubtfully.
He smiles, and a dimple shows in his cheek. “We love our toys.”
“Isn’t that dangerous though? I mean in a warehouse full of people?”
The elevator announces our arrival, and the doors slide open. We step into the foyer, and Maverick walks to the double doors but pauses as he glances at me. “We have a special room that we use for sparring. It’s completely safe,” he assures.
“Oh. Well, that’s good.” I walk to the doors and reach for the doorknob. “Thanks for the…escort.”
He grins. “My pleasure.” He moves away from the doors and walks to the elevator, re-entering the code. “Later Ari,” he says as the doors open, and he steps inside.
“Later,” I echo.
Thirty
Arista
Later that evening, I’m in the privacy of my room and pacing the length of it. I’ve had all day to think over my conversation with Anton. It’s all I’ve thought about since leaving the medical room. The very last thing that I want is to actually find myself mated to someone, but there really isn’t much of an alternative.
Do I believe that Lethe has a sister? I don’t know. Was Anton being truthful about everything? I have no idea.
Both of them could be chronic liars.
But what if they’re not?
I hug myself as I walk back and forth, my mind racing as I try to sort out what my next move will be where my captivity is concerned. I’ve thought long and hard about my options, and it seems like the only answer is to accept Lethe’s offer. But if I’m going to do that, it has to benefit me as well. I want something out of the deal. He’d offered to treat our relationship like a business deal, and that leaves everything up to negotiation. The only problem I foresee is making certain that Lethe follows through with our deal once he gets what he wants.
I think I might have an answer to that.
Feeling wary, I rub my temple. This could backfire on me if this has been nothing more to him than a game of manipulation. At this point though, I can only hope for the best. And right now, it’s the best plan that I have.
After I draw in a deep breath, I exhale slowly. I feel as if I’m about to make a deal with the devil. Knowing that I won’t rest until I’ve set things in motion to my liking, I walk to the call button and sit on the bed before pressing it.
“Yes?” I hear Cassius ask.
“I’d like to speak with Lethe,” I tell him.
“He’s unavailable right now,” he responds.
Figures, I think with disappointment. The longer it takes to sort this out, the more my nerves feel frayed. “Would you please tell him that I would like to speak with him?” I ask.
“He likely won’t be back until late,” he warns.
“That’s fine.”
“Is there anything else?”
“No. Thanks,” I add awkwardl
y.
There’s a soft click, and I know that Cassius has disconnected the call.
With a scowl, I turn and flop onto my back as I stare up at the ceiling. I’m in the mood to negotiate, and he’s likely at the club watching his strippers. As that last thought crosses my mind, I begin to smirk. I know enough about matings to know that the men don’t cheat on their mates—not if they want to keep their power boost from the mating. That means I’m the only one he’ll be able to have sex with. I bet that doesn’t set well with him, and as much as I hate the idea of taking him as my mate, I have to admit that gives me a little power over him.
A frown mars my features as my thoughts shift in a different direction. So if cheating can break a bond, wouldn’t abuse? I don’t understand it. I would think fearing a mate or not loving one’s mate would sever the connection. Unless the connection only has to do with the physical chemistry. I’ve heard that once mated, the sex is pretty good. That just sucks for us, though—and I’m referring to the connection part, not the good sex. Too bad it’s not based on emotions, because then maybe it would give the men an incentive to treat us better. But of course, everything seems to benefit them more than us.
My jaw clenches as I stare angrily up at the hated chandelier. If I’m going to do this with Lethe, I am going to make certain that I begin changing the way this clan sees their women. My goal is to open their eyes up to the fact that we have much more to offer as woman than just sex.
I need to find a way to be Lethe’s equal, or this new life is going to slowly but surely kill me.
Time seems to pass slowly, and as the hours wear on, I begin to think that Lethe won’t likely see me until sometime tomorrow. Just when I’ve decided it’d be wise to try to get some sleep, I hear a soft knock on my bedroom door.
I rise from the bed and walk over to swing the door open.
Cassius stands there, and he looks surprised to see me. “I wasn’t sure if you’d still be awake.”
“I was just thinking of going to bed. Is he back?” I ask as I keep my voice hushed. The living room behind him is dark, which tells me that Tenley and Evie must have gone to bed.
Captive (Igniting the Flame Book 1) Page 18