by N P Hector
Romulus thought that at some point or another Cullum would petition to be moved to the East, where he’d see more action against the growing minion faction. But Cullum had remained here, a steadfast fighter. Romulus knew that a certain statuesque brunette was responsible for his long term stay with his sect.
Cullum was a fighter, a man of few words. So, he squirmed uncomfortably in his seat and refused to make eye contact with Romulus. He rubbed the back of his neck and then cracked his knuckles. “Look, ah hell. I don’t really know how to do this. I’m not really one for giving advice.” He shot Rom an uncomfortable look but continued. “You know that Joan and I are fated, and you also know that I screwed it up.”
Romulus grunted in response. He respected Joan above all others and was insulted that one of his fighters would behave so disgracefully towards his fated. He could have kicked his ass into the ground for the additional insult to a woman he respected above all other fighters. But Joan had told him that she wished to handle the slight by herself, and so for years he had watched the back and forth between the two. As sect leader he could easily intervene, but he thought it best to leave fated fights to the couple. He could always step in when Joan requested it. So far she’d yet to tap out.
Cullum’s throat bobbed as he a swallowed nervously. “I know that I’m a massive ass. I’m trying to fix it. But I wanted to just let you know that I know what it’s like to fall in love with someone you don’t think is meant for you. I’ve been there. And I’ve regretted rejecting her every moment since.” He cracked his knuckles again. “Just don’t make the same mistake I did, ok? Don’t turn away an amazing love just because you think it’s not what the fates wanted for you.”
Romulus was impressed that this rough fighter, who had barely spoken a word to other sect members, was coming to his sect leader with this concern. His heart swelled with pride at the young man’s attempt to rationalize his feelings and to prevent his leader from making a similar mistake.
He realized that the effort this discussion had cost Cullum must have been significant. He put his fist over his heart and said very solemnly, “brother, thank you for your words.”
Cullum shifted in discomfort again and stood abruptly. He mumbled his regards and marched out of the room, his ham sized hands clenching and unclenching.
Romulus watched him go. After a moment of reflection he stood and marched over to the desk. Pulling up the phone, he called Dougall. “Dougall, are you working with the new recruits?” The man on the other end of the phone responded hesitantly.
“Yeah, we’re in the boxing conditioning week now.” His tone took on a cautious note. “Why?”
Romulus rubbed at his temples and bit out. “Perfect. I just need to hit something.”
“We just started and they all seem to think they’re superheroes. Wanna come down and show ‘em some humility?”
In response, Romulus hung up the office phone and strode to the gym. He had to do something with all this restless energy and take his mind off Selene.
It wasn’t until 4pm that Selene and Joan returned to the Estate. Selene was dead on her feet. The negotiation had first appeared to be an open and closed case. A teenage girl holding a convenience store hostage. Usually, Selene could close these negotiations in three hours max. But the young girl proved to be more demanding than most adult perps she dealt with, and it took Selene six hours to get everyone out.
As they walked up the drive of the estate Selene asked her friend, “Joan, do you think I’m losing my touch?”
Joan smiled and shook her head. “No, trust me, I’ve dealt with lots of hardliners in my time, and that girl had a stomach made of steel. I’m not even sure if she even has nerves-- she didn’t flinch once.” That made Selene feel a bit better about the whole ordeal. God, her back hurt. She dragged her feet.
“Why didn’t you portal us inside the estate?”
“Oh, so now we like portaling, do we?” Selene elbowed her playfully and then rubbed her lower back. “No, I just thought that you’d like a bit of cool down time before jumping back into your messy love life.”
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but your love life is just as messy.”
Joan shrugged her shoulders. “Well, then this walk is for both of us, then.” She tilted her head and wondered aloud, “why don’t we just leave them, and take Jamie and Katrina with us to Mexico?”
“Because we happen to love the men making our lives so crazy. And besides, Jamie is in love with her job. If her love life ever implodes then we should consider Mexico.”
Joan nodded. “It’s a deal.”
“You know, I called the Chief of Police and told him I’d be off rotation for about two weeks. I need to have my head on straight for negotiations, and I can’t be distracted by all of this Sorcha/Selene business.”
“I told you-- you weren’t bad out there, that kid was just tough as nails.” Joan’s comment was half impressed, half awed. Selene grunted in agreement.
They made it to the large estate doors and were greeted by a smiling Frederik. “Ladies! Welcome back. May I take your coats?”
The women both shook their heads. Selene planted a thankful kiss on the older man’s cheek and Joan clapped him on the shoulder. They both moved up the grand staircase and Frederik heard something about “bubble baths and face masks.” He couldn’t even pretend to know what Ms. Joan and Ms. Selene were up to, but he thought that they could definitely use some snacks. Resolving to offer them some comfort food, he bustled to the kitchen to locate some snacks. If rumors about the council meeting this morning were true, then they’d both need it.
Selene made her way to the luxurious ensuite. She turned the faucet on and poured some oil into the clawfoot tub. While the bubbles formed she wiped away her makeup and the stress of the day. Shucking off her clothes, she slipped into the decadent bath. She leaned back and rested her head against the rim of the tub and felt her sore muscles ease.
It has been a difficult 24 hours.
She tried her best to clear her mind. But she couldn’t help but wonder what Rom was doing. If he still felt the same way. Her stomach quivered at the thought of seeing him again. He’d all but broken her heart.
Just as she was trying to forget about him and clear her head, he appeared in the ensuite. Blinking twice, Selene believed that she was so stressed that she might have dreamt up his image.
But his husky voice ran out. “Selene”, and she realized that the Rom before her was not a mirage. The tall, broad man in all black was all real. His silver hair tied back as usual, and his square jaw clenched. He looked her up and down, and she sank deeper into the protective cover of the bubbles. “I’ve been thinking about you.”
“Have you, then?” She scooped bubbles closer to her chest and let her hair loose. She wanted to sound strong and brave, but her voice quivered a little bit. It was hard to sound impassive. 24 hours ago she had been in this man’s strong arms, in his bed. And now there was this great emotional chasm between them.
He moved towards her fluffy robe resting on the chair and held it briefly between his fingers. “I was informed that you went out of the estate today. Did you take an escort?”
Selene leaned her head back and groaned. Someone had snitched. It didn’t take much effort to guess who it could have been. “Frederik. I never thought he was one to kiss and tell.” Rom chuckled. He could hardly picture the older, polite man kissing Selene. True, the footman had informed Rom of her movements. His actions had been guided by loyalty and protectiveness of Selene, not pettiness. Selene relaxed further in the bath. “Yes, I took Joan with me.”
“I could have taken you.”
Selene clenched her jaw at that. “I don’t need you to protect me, especially not from a teenage girl in a convenience store.” Rom moved behind her and she resisted the urge to follow his movements. She didn’t want to give the impression that she was wary of him. She heard him shuffling through the cabinets and then the scent of sandalwood enveloped her. She jumped a bit w
hen she felt hands in her hair, strong fingers massaging warm oil into her scalp.
“Shhh...it’s just some oil. I won’t hurt you.”
Ah, but you already did.
He murmured into her ear as he massaged her head. He was so close that his warm breath caressed her ear. “I’m not trying to control your movements.” He spoke again quietly. “The invasion of your apartment and the fire weren’t coincidences. I think that there’s a traitor in my council.”
Selene turned sharply at that idea. “I knew it! I figured that someone must have found a way to get to the Estate with insider help. Who is it?”
Rom spoke lowly, “I still haven’t found the mole here, and I worry about your safety in and out of the estate.” He took the length of her hair in his palm and massaged the oil into her tresses. Before she could stop herself, she moaned at the sensation. When he hummed in response, she straightened her resolve.
“Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why should you worry about my safety?”
He parted her hair and began to rub another liquid on her scalp. This one felt minty fresh and made her scalp prickle. “Selene.” He let out a deep breath. “You know that I care for you. I cannot deny that.”
She bit back tears at the words. She was determined not to cry in front of him. “When I woke up in your bed last morning you told me you loved me. Now you care for me. Am I so easily discarded?”
“Selene, what am I to do. Can’t we be together? I don’t care that you’re not Sorcha.” He brushed her hair away from her neck and kissed her collarbone.
It was so tempting to lean into his kiss. To let his hands caress her. But his words cut through her. She turned sharply and grabbed the robe. Covering herself as quickly as possible she hopped out of the bathtub. Yanking the belt around her waist, she gave him the angriest glare she could muster. “You don’t care that I’m not Sorcha? Hm? You don’t care?” She pushed her feet into slippers and toweled her hair, shaking it as quickly as possible. “That’s real big of you, Rom. Real nice of you.”
“Sorcha, what do you want me to do? To go back on my word?”
Selene resisted the urge to throw the vase of lilies at him. How had it come this far? She was a professional! “I want you to love me for me, Rom. Not as a consolation prize, and not as a placeholder until Sorcha shows up.” Her voice began to waver and her eyes water. “It shouldn’t be that you don’t care that I’m not Sorcha. You should be happy that I’m Selene.”
When he stood to his full height and moved to hold her, she put up her hand. “No, no. You don’t get to hold me. You don’t get to look at me like that anymore.” She took a shuddering breath and swiped aggressively at the errant tears. “If you can’t love me like I love you then you need to let me go.”
His eyes flashed silver and he took another step forward. Selene pulled her robe closer against her and slammed the door.
Chapter Nineteen
What if you find your soul mate… at the wrong time?
- Lauren Kate
It was about 11pm when Selene gave up on trying to sleep. Her insomnia wasn’t the result of the thunder and lightning that the storm had brought an hour or so before. No, thoughts about Rom and what she had said before she left had kept her tossing and turning in the giant bed. His bed.
So, she did what any rational former grad student did, and she grabbed her laptop and sat by the dying embers of the fire. Lightning cracked and cast long shadows from the tree outside the window. The shadows were spread all the way up the tall ceilings with their crown moldings.
She curled up in the plush velvet armchair beside the fire and opened her laptop. She was teaching at the police college in a few weeks and wanted to brush up on the lesson’s content again. Realistically, the report about the convenience store robbery was more pressing. But she didn’t have the emotional bandwidth to deal with that now. Teaching wasn’t her sole passion, but on rough days like today it certainly made her happy.
The sound of thunder and rain pelting against the window reverberated through the cavernous rooms. It should have frightened her, but she languished by the fire knowing that she was surrounded by Order members. On their estate, in Rom’s quarters, she felt oddly secure. Cozy almost.
She began to review the lesson plan when a large crack echoed outside of the window. It felt like a huge tree had been felled. In response, the small bedside lamp that she had turned on after hours of tossing and turning shut off.
Well, there goes the power.
She placed her laptop on the floor beside the armchair and used the firelight to guide her to the window. Checking for any sign of a fallen tree, she was unable to see past the wind and the rain. She looked out the window at the lights that illuminated the grand iron gates. The soft pitter patter of rain on the windows and the gate had made her feel comfortable, protected.
She could have sworn that she had heard a yell from the hall outside of the door. She found it strange that such a sound would emerge, given that Rom’s quarters were the only rooms in this wing of the estate. She listened again intently.
Likely just the thunder.
Pushing away from the window, she turned and collided with a man’s chest. Thinking Rom had returned, she opened her mouth to protest when lightening lit up the room again. Instead of Rom’s silver hair and chiseled face, this man had a skinny, rat like face with straggly facial hair. He was tall, but not as broad as Rom. And he was in. Her. Room.
I’ve had enough of this bullshit to last a lifetime. It’s 11pm. My apartment was ransacked. And I. just. Want. to. Sleep!
Selene had enough. She shoved the man with all her might but he tackled her to the floor. Selene twisted to get away and tried to scream but the intruder grabbed hold of her neck. With a snap of his fingers they disappeared in a cloud of smoke.
After a restless night of tossing and turning, Rom awoke to another rainy day. It was still thundering outside.
Good. He thought. Weather to match his black mood. The thunder and thoughts of his conversation with Selene had kept him awake last night. And he had mulled the situation over. The solution had hit him like the lightning that illuminated the estate last night. It became so clear that he had to resist storming into the room he shared with Selene and kissing her awake.
But he wanted her to be fully awake and aware when he told her that she was the one for him --fated rules be damned. He loved her here, in the present, and he wasn’t about to let her slip through his fingers because of his foolishness.
He loved everything about her. The way she fought for what she believed to be right, her determination to find peace amidst the chaos, and her timeless beauty. But mostly he loved how she fought for them. How sure she was of her love.
Gideon had said that she wasn’t Sorcha, and he agreed. Sorcha was a brave, sweet woman. His time with her had been short but he would always treasure her. Loving Selene could not be a betrayal of his time with Sorcha, because his love for Selene was such a pure, powerful force.
Now that he had come to that realization, he was furious with himself for being so blind. How could he have spent so much time coaxing Selene to love him, only to abandon her at the first hint of doubt? While she had stood strong and sure in her love, he had let the Order’s norms for what soulmates should be cloud his thinking.
Today was the day he set things right. Showering quickly, he ran a quick hand through his silver hair and threw on some more black cloths. His customary knife in his boot and at the base of his back. He strolled through the halls like he was on the warpath. As he walked down the halls members of the Order gave him a wide berth.
He knocked at the door and waited for Selene’s response. When she didn’t answer he pounded on the door again. He tried the doorknob but found that it was locked. “Selene!”
Thinking that something must be terribly wrong or that she had been injured, he willed the doors to open. In his panic, the doors opened with a great force and slammed against the wall. He s
trode in expecting to find her reading by the fireplace, but she was nowhere to be found. The sheets on the bed had been tossed to one side, and her laptop was beside the chair. She had been here, but her essence had faded. She hadn’t been in her room for some time.
Katrina appeared at the doorway and was flushed. She must have run over after hearing the bang. “Is everything alright?”
Romulus prowled the room searching for any evidence of where Selene had gone. He was like a madman overturning books and pillows. “Selene isn’t here, she hasn’t been here for some time.” He whirled in her direction. His eyes were pure silver. “Did she say anything to you?”
Katrina moved throughout the room. “Well, Romulus, I hate to say it, but you did really hurt her. Joan mentioned that Selene had put in for some vacation at work. Perhaps she left to get some space? Clear her head?”
Romulus shook his head. “No, Selene wouldn’t run from this. It hurt her, but she wouldn’t just walk away. Something’s wrong.” With one last scent at the room, he left and marched to Cullum’s room. “I need you to get everyone to the council room. Now.”
Cullum pushed himself up and leaned back on his forearms. Still in the process of waking up, he asked, “what’s wrong?” But one look at Romulus’s silver eyes answered that question. “Selene. What’s wrong with Selene?”
Romulus flashed out of the room -- presumably to the council room -- and Cullum rushed out of bed.
Minutes later, all council members were seated at the table in the council room. Romulus paced until they were all seated. Before the meeting could officially be called to order, Romulus ground out, “The Order’s estate was breached and Selene was taken. Anyone who believes that she left willingly needs to leave this room now. I want to know where she is before the hour is up.”