Son of Ra (3 page)

Chapter Three

What would be the use of immortality...

...to a person who cannot use well a half an hour.

We stood now in a large dining room much like mine at home. The walls were a dull gray, but not a sad gray.  Each axial corner had the same design, a double delta shaped curve that aimed upward.  Come to think of it, I'd seen it before. In the first room he brought me too. 

                                                       
^^

It wasn’t hard to fall back to the style of living I was accustomed to.  It also didn’t phase me to have servants milling around.  I found my seat at the side end of the long table and watched him sit at the end. I followed his lead and sadly, I enjoyed every bite.  He had fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, breadsticks, my favorite type of oil and vinegar dip, and since I’ve grown up with wine at my table, my favorite red wine. 

How do you know what I like?

“I told you.  I know you, Anastacia Anat Hathown.”  He pronounced my name very slowly.  I watched his mouth open and close at each syllable. 

I wouldn’t give any emotion to him.  “You know, that’s kind of creepy.”  I shrugged it off and took a bite off my breadstick.

He didn’t eat much.  I have the feeling this meal was specifically made for just me.

What do you want from me?

I just want your time for now.  That is all.

“What do you like to eat?”  I tried to make conversation.  I needed information.  He didn’t answer.  I had my answer.  “Why are you eating food?”

“I like lasagna.”

“So what is your favorite food like my kind of food?”

“Pizza!  With pepperoni!”

I didn’t respond to his favored "edible" food.  If he knew me so well, he didn’t need my commentary.

“Do you live alone?”  I looked out the doorways I could see past.

“Yes!” 

Whose manor is it? 
“Do you have protection?”  I tore off a bite of bread and swallowed.

His face went blank with both questions.

What did I say?  I don’t see any guards.

He softened, hearing me I guessed.  “Yes, well guarded.”

“How old are you?”

He fidgeted in his seat, motions for our plates to be taken and we waited for what I presumed was dessert.  “Eighteen.” 

My knowledge of Vampires is a little more extensive being a well tutored Valkyrie princess.  “Plus?”

“Just that.”

Hmm! 
“Who was your mother?”

You are more clever than I gave you credit.

My head snapped up. 
I can hear you only when you want me to I’m guessing! 

“I am the son of a woman who fornicated with a… a man named Ra.” 

“Okay.  I’m following you mostly, I think.   Is that why you have the sun hanging above the sofa?”
Ah, the cat comments.  Egyptian history anyone? Who says fornicated?

“You connect well.”

Yes, I needed to know why I was here, but something else called me here.  Something related to...him.

“Are you married?”  I didn’t look at him.

“No!”  He smiled. 
I’m only eighteen.

“Ever married?”

“No!” His smile deepened.

“Not sure why I asked you that?”  I moved nervously in my seat. 
I like Cas.

He cocked his head sideways.

“You’re name.  I’ll call you Cas.  Unless I’m mad at you.  My father calls me my full name when I’m mad.  And do you worship cats in your pastime or do you just torture me with them?”

“Let’s move back to the other room.” 
And I only worship one.

We stood and he held his hand out for me to lead.  This was much like the picture I held in my head of how my father would have outlined events for who I would marry.  Probably the factory shipyard man or his son who owned all the buildings so we would yet own even more and help the Val court to prosper.

We were back in the same room with the balcony.  Needing to breathe I suddenly needed to breathe and walked out near the edge looking down to find only trees and little escape.  My neck prickled as I sighed internally.  I knew this time why and waited for him to crawl closer without so much as a sound.  My normal waves of fear and anger were gone at the moment too.  He didn’t have it waving at me.  Yet I felt something.
Joy. 
Not in my skill toolbox, but I’m sure that is what it was.

He was standing beside me holding the rail.  “No more questions?” he didn’t look my way.

I have a ton.  “Why am I here?”

“Another one for tomorrow,” Cas negated yet another question.

Okay!  “What is your favorite color?”  Childish, but I know he’ll answer it.

“Yellow.”

“Wow!  That’s awfully bright for such a dark kind of guy.”
 
I should be giving him a harder time being the kidnapped one, but I told myself if he thought me relaxed, he would release more information.

“I like yellow.”  His eyes watched me, but not my face but all around my face.  He motioned to sit on the sofa so I opted for the chaise lounge on the wall opposite the sofa.  He scowled at first, then forced a small smile and sat far away on the sofa.  One leg crossed over his huge black boots and propped on his knee.  He leaned one hand on the arm of the sofa and the other in his lap.

He is tough to crack and unusually easy to talk to for such a guarded jailer.  “Favorite book?”  I felt like a game show host but he is never going to answer the questions I really wanted to know, so I’d try to trick him into it or at the very least, enjoy myself.

“Hamlet,” he said crisply.  I could tell he wanted me to comment on his choice.

“Whole royal family dies.  End of story.”

“No, Fortinbras continues on the royal court,” Cas added.

“True, but still the entire line was lost,” I shrugged.

He nodded.   “And your favorite read?”

“Aha!  He asks a question that surely you know the answer to already.”

“Humor me.  Elizabeth would understand,” Cas said lifting one side of his lip.

Confirmation. Why the heck did he know me so well?  Keeping my composure I offered back,  “You see.  But then you already know that Elizabeth saw through Darcy’s arrogance and self-centered, “only me” attitude. Never did he once seem to give fancy to what the girl needed or cared about until it was sure he’d lost her.  She was just supposed to marry the highest bidder.”  I took a breath then added, “Favorite weapon?”

“You!” Cas didn’t bat an eye.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Only you are capable of anything.  And I rather like that.  You could take anyone,
Kissa
.”

Huff!  “I’m not that versatile.”

“Knives.”

“What?” I asked.

“Your favorite.” 
Big surprise. 
“You once threw one of your knives at me.” 

What?

Cas pulled his black t-shirt to the side exposing his shoulder blade. 

The vamp at the warehouse.  It was him! 
And I almost stripped him
naked! 
“You were the goon.  Well, not a goon.  Why were you there?”  I was blushing when I straightened my back against the chair.  
My brother was there. Were you going to torture him?

“I was there to escort for your father,” Cas said plainly easing my panic.

“My father?”

“Yes, he needed my services.”

And?

“I was there to make sure nothing happened to you.”

“What? Me?  This is getting really crazy now.  You better give me some answers.” 
Unfreaking real!

“A few.  The rest, tomorrow.”

I growled to myself wanting to strangle him into submission. 

He chuckled.
Your mouth curls up when you’re mad. It’s nice.

I growled audibly. 
My mouth is going to say some not very nice things if you don’t talk.

“Fine.”  He was beyond frustrating. Obstinate man.  I was trying hard not to think at all but the same phrase from P and P kept going through my head and I had no idea why I would be thinking it, except I did know.  "If a woman is partial to a man, and does not endeavor to conceal it, he must find it out.” 
On his own.

Cas impassively stated, “Your father had me keeping an eye on you.   I was to make sure you left alive and in one piece.”

“My father and you know each other?”

“Yes!”

“And does he know that I’m here—with you—alone,” I insisted he tell me some little secrets I knew I’d get the answers for.  He held out
my
phone and showed my father's text that he knew I was with Thorn and safe.  But he didn't give me back my phone.

“Yes!  Now let’s get you some rest.  Tomorrow will be busy.” 

The relentless Vampire who wouldn’t stop was shutting me down.  “Busy with what?” I asked.

“Training.”

“Training for what?”

“Tomorrow.”  He held his hand out for me to take.  I left it and walked off trotting a bit fast for effect and stopped in the doorway looking left and right.  Never once did I let go of my dagger.  I turned right around and ran into him. My hands flew up instantly and landed on his chest, releasing my weapon.  I would normally have moved back to a dagger, but never had I let it go either.   By now, if in battle mode, I would have one in his neck, but something had a hold on me with this guy.  He is warm to the touch.  Mistake number one.  Instead of moving my hands I ask, “Why are you warm?”

I looked up.  Mistake number two.  His eyes sparkled and darkened in the light.  Most of the candles have blown out on their own and very little light was left in the room.  And anyway this was the hallway, yet I can see his eyes with perfect clarity. 

I moved back now reeling my overly observant eyes away from the eye candy he was to me.  I knew if he could hear my thoughts and could surely hear how loud my heart was racing.  He pointed left.  I walked.  He stopped me with a hand on my shoulder in front of the second room down the long corridor.  He opened the door with his other hand.

I’m only warm to you. 

“Why?”

Tomorrow.

I sighed and huffed all at the same time as I slammed my body into the door as it closed on him.

What a—

Whoa!  This room
.  Candles lined the walls.  The same picture of the sun hung above the four-poster bed.  A lit bathroom was visible from the door with a walk in bath and shower.  Even my room at home wasn’t this laid out. 

I only had my clothes on me. I screamed in my head,
What am I supposed to wear?  I can't stay in this.
  I found the dresser full of my own clothes after he didn't answer.  My favorite t-shirt and jeans were lying in the top drawer.  And help me now, the second drawer had my unmentionables.  Did
Cas
put
them
here
?
His name alone sent shivers up my spine
. 
Thorn
. 
I
wondered
what
his
real
name
is
.
I
know
Thorn
and
Cassius
and
Cas
,
but
nothing
else
. 
That
will
be
my
first
question
tomorrow
. 
If
I hadn’t
been
so
busy
looking
at
his
hot
bod
maybe
I
could
remember
his
name
.

In the third drawer I found my yoga pants and tanks.  He had everything.  It was strangely eerie, but comforting.  My father trusted him.

And I hated that it was exciting.  This guy knew everything about me from the start and he wasn’t afraid of me or running away.  But he’s a Vampire.  What does that really mean if I’m trying to get the world to stop fighting and come together?  Didn’t I contemplate being with Calum? 
CALUM
!  I haven’t thought of him hardly at all.   Because this tall dark and really amazing guy just swooped me up and landed me straight into his lair.  And I didn’t protest much. 

I know I should feel horrible, but there is something about him I want to know more about.  I’ve never really known but two other guys really and now I feel I’m making headway on how they tick a little more.  I think.