Sterling (33 page)

“Why are you doing this? There’s got to be another way.”

“Please, listen,” he said stepping forward.

My fingertips began buzzing with anger as I raised them up. “Back off, because I could hurt you. Go back to your life, it’s safer, it’s easier that way. I never wanted you to be dragged in to this.” I took a breath and leveled down.

His body leaned in and I stepped back until I bumped into the door.

“You’ll join us tonight, no more secrets. I know you’re pissed off, but I want to be the one. It’s not a favor or an obligation that I’ll enjoy breaking his neck. The way he hurt you…”

“You don’t even know how he hurt me,” I nearly choked. “You haven’t seen me until now, and I look ok don’t I? So why the fuss?”

“I saw what he did to you the night I found you, goddamn it! That waking nightmare, which I will live with for the rest of my life, is all the motivation I need to know that I want to be the one to put him in the ground. It was always my decision, there was no convincing. I was in from the beginning.”

“Look if you are on some kind of mission to make peace with the world because of some bad shit you did in your past, do not play martyr for me.”

He pressed his hand against the wall over my head and leaned in. “I care about you, Silver; I don’t want to see you hurt anymore. I’m not backing away from this and you can’t make me. I know the risk and it’s worth it.”

Words that should have given me comfort, but tore me apart instead.

“The risk is
your life
! It’s not worth giving up because of some ideal you have of protecting me from the world. Doing this won’t bring me happiness; I know you aren’t that naïve.”

“No, but you will be free of him, and that is a fucking start.”

I lowered my head; there would be no talking him out of this. Adam lifted my chin and ran his thumb over my lip. “What did I tell you about looking down? There’s something else.”

My body tensed and I swallowed hard.

“I knew what you were, when I saw your mark.”

“What the hell do you mean by that?” I said shoving him. I felt like my universe was unraveling—Adam was not the man I thought he was. He was a man of secrets and lies.

There was a pregnant pause.

“I’ve seen a mark like that before. Exactly like yours. The man who killed my sister—the men who jumped us were Mage, Silver. They were juicers. I’ve spent my whole life looking for him. I joined the military just so I could kill someone if I couldn’t kill him. The Mage have been my enemy, even before I knew what they were. Until I met you, Silver—you changed that. You can’t imagine how much I wanted to hate you.”

I pushed at his chest but he wasn’t backing down, Adam leaned in even closer. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?” my voice softened.

“I didn’t want you to know what you were.”

“Because you wanted me to be normal, is that it? You wanted to hide what I was, go on pretending I was like you. How do you think that makes me feel? I’m sorry for what happened to your sister, but this is who I am.” My eyebrows crushed together as something else came to mind. “If that makes me your enemy then there’s nothing I can do about it, I can’t deny what I am. Why did you help me?”

His head tilted. “Curiosity? You needed help and I couldn’t turn away. I didn’t know for sure what you were in the beginning. Not until the kiss, and by then I was gone, you already had me in your pocket.” He dropped his head so it was nearer to mine. “And you are
not
my enemy.”

My fingers brushed over his cheek and his eyes softened. “I’ll never be human. If one of Samil’s progeny killed your sister, that light is in
me
. I know your intentions are good but, be honest with yourself. No matter how long we stay friends, that’s always going to be racing in the back of your mind.”

A sound in the hall turned my attention away. Simon had his arms folded and a tightened expression, clocking Adam. I didn’t think he appreciated Adam’s domineering posture over me although I was quite used to it—Adam was a leaner.

“And you are a wanker!” I yelled at Simon.

“Why am I the wanker?” he laughed. “Do you even know what a wanker is?”

“I don’t like secrets,” I said staring between both of them. The truth of it was, Simon and Justus knew the dangers and I felt like they were using Adam as a pawn.

“If we’re going to do this I want to know everything that’s been going on, do not treat me like a child with my own life. I want you to keep training,” I said pressing my finger in Adam’s chest, “and you can start by kicking Simon’s ass.”

“With pleasure,” he smirked.

We both looked at Simon who spun around on his heel and strode off taunting Adam with, “Break a leg my friend. Break. A. Leg.”

Chapter 26

According to Justus, the Red Door was a private members only club.
He arranged to meet with his friend, Remi—someone he consulted with when he needed sound advice. I rode with Justus while Adam and Simon tailed behind; they had to wrap up their training which had been going on all day.

I did find out where Justus had acquired the photo of me that was on his desk in the hidden room. Not because anyone admitted it, I just put two and two together. When Adam first arrived, he had a satchel with his newest photographs that he wanted to give me copies of. Adam was frustrated to find that particular photograph copy missing.

Simon admired the
original
photo (which I insisted Adam keep) and showed Justus who seemed curiously disinterested as he raised his brandy glass and cleaned the bottom.

Justus had gone through Adam’s things without his knowing and stole that picture for himself. I don’t know the reasoning, or why he couldn’t just take a picture of me himself, but I didn’t ask.

My hair was tied back with a few stray pieces hanging in my face. I chose a long black skirt with a modest slit, an amethyst colored blouse and a simple pair of flats. These were expensive items Justus purchased, and he extremely proud to see me in them even though he didn’t admit it.

There were customs I had to get used to, one of which included being escorted by my Ghuardian at all times when I went in public. While it wasn’t a concern I had now, I was fully aware that I would begin to feel the pinch at my privacy in the future.

We approached the side entrance of a large brick building lined with eagerly dressed people hoping to get in.

Justus pulled a pair of mirrored sunglasses from his coat and slid them up the bridge of his nose. He leaned over and whispered, “Humans aren’t usually allowed, but we have a pass for Adam.”

“A pass for what?” I looked over the crowd again. “Is this a Mage club?”

His laugh was more of a growl. “No Learner, this club welcomes all Breed. It’s neutral ground. It’s social indeed, but many come here to do business or favor trade. You’ll find that you fit right in here. These clubs are all over, but they are very exclusive—Breed only. This is what you’ve been missing out on, Silver.”

Justus gave the bouncer a nod. The big meaty guy with the shiny bald head turned his mouth up in a crooked smile as he pulled open a large red door.

“Haven’t seen you around, Mr. De Gradi; the ladies have missed you.”

I snorted as we stepped through the door, my senses were getting hazy and I began to feel jittery all over. I stopped and grabbed Justus’s hand. “I don’t feel right.”

He leaned down and whispered, “Give it a few minutes to adjust. You’re feeling the energy of the Breed. It feels confusing the first time but you’ll get used to it. Come on, we’re down this way.”

Justus secured his arm around my back and escorted me through the club. Women were turning heads with extreme precision to follow Justus as he tunneled through the crowd. I didn’t particularly think it was his winning smile that was pleasing the ladies—it was the charm he was throwing out like beads on Mardi Gras.

Some even called him by name, and I realized his talents must have been legendary.

I began to soak in my first glimpses of other Breed. One gentleman nodded and winked at me, flashing a brilliant gold glimmer behind his lashes. His features were so gentle and yet I had to look away as those golden eyes locked onto me unblinking, as if I were prey. Two men lingered by an open doorway; their skin was phenomenally smooth and beautiful. The one with the long straight hair tipped his head in my direction and grinned and I caught the gleam of a sharp tooth lowering.

“Are those...”

“Vampires. Yes, and don’t stare. If he lowers a fang at you again it’s coming out of his mouth.” His eyes glared back at the Vampire as if he had been giving him a warning, but they were too far apart for him to have heard.

“I feel like I fell down the rabbit hole.”

“Just remember not to make human assumptions when you meet anyone because it only shows ignorance.”

“Like Mages being wizards?”

“Mage,” he corrected. “Not Mages, not Magi, not Magaree. Different rules, different world, different word. And you don’t see me carrying a wand do you?”

“Well…” 

“You’ve always got a counter for everything, don’t you?”

I giggled and caught his eyes smiling at the corners behind the shades, because of the way they crinkled at the side. It felt good to laugh again.

We stepped up to a private booth area. The oval tables were surrounded by lovely red seats, all of which had tall glass frames for privacy behind them. Each table was adorned with crackled glass votives, glimmering on the polished wood from the candlelight.

A very marvelous man in appearance stood up and bowed. “Justus, we must meet more often.”

I noticed a few eyes near us fall on him fearfully. Nothing about him struck me as menacing. He had a tall slender build and could have easily been my age, but his regal stature made him seem more mature. Soft brown hair fell to the square shoulders of his black coat. When his eyes lifted to greet us I thought they were a pretty shade of hazel, until he looked at me and the color shifted to a deep orange. But what
really
caught my attention was the frightening tattoo of a dragon prominent on his neck. I could only make out part of the claws and head from his raised collar, but it was enough to see its sinister smile around the gnashing teeth.

I timidly clasped my hands together which he noticed.

Justus bowed back. “Remi, it is good to see you again, still keeping the mane I see.”

Remi lightly touched the ends of his hair and arched a brow.

“I would like to introduce you to Silver, my Learner.” Remi gave a slow nod without breaking eye contact and I returned the gesture.

“I wondered when I would receive introduction as I have heard much about you. It is with great pleasure.”

Remi stepped aside and made a sweeping gesture for us to join him. “Do sit.” There was something odd about him I couldn’t put my finger on. When he changed expression there was something very off, very detached behind it. It was as if he were going through the motions without feeling.

I took a spot at the edge of the booth as Justus and Remi moved to the curved bench on my left at the end.

“Room for more?” Simon and Adam finally graced us with their presence. Simon was also wearing sunglasses, but he looked more like a rock star incognito.

“Remi, you know Simon. This is Adam Razor.” Justus made a small hand gesture to the new additions.

“Ah, so you are the one.”

Adam nodded taking the seat across from me and I eased over giving Simon some room. I caught a faint whiff of his cologne but kept my focus on Remi, who hadn’t looked away from me. I didn’t like the intensity of his stare so I squirmed in my chair and waited for Justus to speak.

Remi was a Gemini. It was very interesting to hear of other non-humans outside of the ones I’d read or seen movies about. There was a whole world that existed I’d never even imagined. Some were immortal while others led shorter life spans. Some were born into their Breed while others had to be made.

Gemini are a very old Breed of immortals who are only loyal to the very few that they trust. All Justus reiterated was that I should never provoke a Gemini. Ever.

Gemini learned to shut off emotions of anger, jealousy, and revenge as they considered it a weakness. Particularly since they had a raging beast inside of them that once provoked, would not rest until they killed their intended victim or otherwise. He did mention that most carried the gift of intuition, not the same as premonitions but just an ability to assess a situation and understand the outcome. They were often employed as advisors.

Remi also had a brief relationship a long time ago with Hannah, which made Justus think he might have some specific insight as to the decision the Council might come to.

Adam suddenly reached across the table and took my hand. “You’re not well,” he insisted.

“I’m fine, I can’t get sick remember?” I smiled weakly. “It’s just the energy here.”

I became more acclimated to the energy with each passing minute. I guess it takes a while to get your sea legs.

“May we begin?” Remi looked to Justus and I pulled away from Adam.