“Barely,” Xander replied, his nose scrunched up at her question. “It tastes disgusting, and we require a lot more of it. But that is how we got by in the beginning, before we found other means.”
“You mean mortals willing to let you feed? I suppose Niccolai’s stories of seduction came in handy with that.”
Adriana noticed a sly smirk dancing on his lips as he seemed to catch onto the hint of jealousy dancing on her tongue.
“Yes, they did. But we also made allies, agreements with those who were willing to help us in exchange for our assistance. Whether it be our gifts to those in need, or our skills in removing certain individuals from this world.”
“You killed,” Adriana stated, her voice void of any emotion as she twisted to face him.
A wary watchfulness crept into Xander’s eyes as he observed her. She knew he would not lie to her, for he saw it as a betrayal—a twisting of the trust she had offered and demanded in return. Xander had made it clear he ached to shield her from the depths of his darkness, from the monster he feared he truly was. But shehad told him she wanted to know all of him, to see all of him, even the parts shrouded in shadow.
“It cannot be a revelation to you that we have killed,” he said, a soft confirmation echoed in the darkness. “We only killed those who were not worthy of living. Contracted killing made it more bearable for my brothers, especially Deion and Edward.”
“And what of you? Did it make it more bearable?”
“I have no issue with removing those who do not deserve the air they breathe.”
Adriana tried to hide her reaction to his words, but she knew he felt her whole body stiffen. His sigh hung heavy as his arm fell away from her waist, a silent indication that she could move forward if she wanted. She didn’t, and it pained her to know that he thought she would want space from him.
As they neared the edge of the town, he steered his horse to the side where she spotted Edward’s and Deion’s mares tied to a post.
“I have told you many times that I am not a good man,” Xander continued. “Nor will I pretend to be. If I had it my way, I would not be here today, I would have died many years ago. But I have the burden and the privilege of leading my brothers and the Courts. And so, if I am to live with that burden, I will always do so efficiently.”
Before she could respond, Xander swiftly jumped down off his horse, landing perfectly with hardly any sound.Just like a predator, she realised.
She couldn’t believe how she hadn’t noticed the fluidity of his body with even the simplest movements, how clear it was that he wasn’t mortal. He was too smooth, too fast, too beautiful with every step, every look, every breath. It was only now she realised how much he was probably holding back during their combat training, and she made a mental note to challenge him on it at a better time.
Strong hands gripped her waist as he helped her down from the horse. He refused to meet her eye as he offered his arm, his jaw tensing when she accepted, and they walked to the nearest tavern. Adriana had spent many evenings drinking there with Jonathon and his friends, and although it had been months since she had visited, a wave of warmth and familiarity washed over her.
The tang of stale ale mingled with the comforting aroma of roasted meat, a symphony of smells that she had become accustomed to over the years. The familiar faces behind the bar and sitting in front of it were lined with laughter, a few of them even offered her a wave with an easy smile as she passed. In the corner, a four-piece band played a lively jig. Their collective music wove through the boisterous chatter like a playful thread, plucking people from their booths and leading them to join those dancing in the middle.
As they passed the drunken dancers, Adriana spotted Deion and Edward sat in a booth in the opposite corner to the musicians, their heads bowed in a serious discussion that she managed to catch the end of.
“How many of William’s descendents have turned up?” Edward asked.
Deion finished whatever was left in his metal mug before answering. “Nic’s letter did not say, only that he and Kadeem have taken them in and will help them adjust to their new lives without their… master.”
“Their master?” Adriana asked as she took a seat on the bench across the table, shrugging out of her cloak as Xander unclasped it to drape it on the edge of their bench.
Deion began to open his mouth in response when Xander clapped a stern hand on his shoulder, pausing his explanation. “That is enough talk of such grave issues. Deion, lend a hand at the bar?”
Deion flashed Adriana a warm smile, then excused himself and followed Xander. Adriana took her gloves and scarf off as she watched them both cut through the crowd with ease, despite their tall builds, making it to the front of the bar in no time and ordering drinks for their table. Seizing the opportunity, she wasted no time in questioning Edward.
“Are all Lamia descendents slaves to their creators?”
“Goodness, no!” Edward exclaimed, his speech slightly slurred. “My brother, William, had far too many sick and twisted dreams in his life. Fantasies of a world ruling over mortals and lesser Lamiae. Apparently he had decided to attempt to make those dreams a reality, and now the poor bastards have no idea how to live without his ruling.”
“That is disgusting.”
“Indeed,” Edward sighed, his head tilting towards the bar to let her know the other two were returning. “Had we known the extent of William’s depravity sooner, we would have intervened. Now all we can do is help them, something Xander has tasked Kadeem and Nicolai with for now. We all know Norman and Ieuwan would be useless.”
Edward was quick to change topics as Xander and Deion sat down, placing the drinks on the table between them. Adriana noticed Xander remained quiet as she exchanged pleasant conversation with the couple she had grown to love. They spoke about their children, told her all about Ana’s obsession with wanting to be like Adriana, and shared stories about their troublesome brother, Nicolai. Still, Xander remained silent other than the occasional hum of agreement.
The band in the corner began to play another upbeat jig, causing nearly half the tavern to get up and join the group of terrible dancers in the centre. Adriana turned to Xander, a half smile teasing her lips.
“You want to dance,” he huffed. Adriana wiggled her eyebrows at him, pushing him to accept her silent challenge. “The answer is no.”
“Xander detests dancing,” Edward mocked. “He hates any kind of social interaction, really. This miserable fucker just sits drawing your face over and over when you’re not around.”
