And Thaddeus fucking Wraith waltzed through it.
Chapter Ten
TherewasnomistakingThaddeus Wraith. Sera had never met him directly, only from afar, but she knew instantly that the man exuding danger with a relaxed fluidity and a shrewd gaze was the famed crime lord himself. He had one hand in the pocket of a nice suit, though it appeared more homespun in material than Kieran’s as he stopped in front of him. When he smiled, there was no hint of cheer in any other part of his expression.
“Evening,” Wraith said to the room, his molten gold eyes sweeping between Sera and Kieran. Perhaps reading that he’d interrupted something, he added, “I had an appointment.”
Not daring to so much as breathe too loudly while blood pulsed through her ears Sera remembered the note on her desk about an appointment from a name she hadn’t recognized. But that was impossible. Thaddeus Wraith had not—
Wraith pointed at himself. “Three forty. Cleared it with the secretary.” His gaze shifted to Sera. There was no white in his eyes, only gold and infinite black. “Yet, you look surprised.I didn’t use my name, obviously, but someone was expected, yeah?” He looked at the clock on the wall, and then back, as if to reassure himself that this was a simple mistake of time management and not a terrifying shock. Not entirely because of his reputation and status, but because Sera could not have recalled her own name five minutes ago, let alone the time.
Of course, there had been the chance Wraith would seek them out, though she had hoped he wouldn't need to, but to comehere? To the center of parliament? It was bold, even for him. Using a false name wouldn't be enough to hide his identity from wandering eyes. Was this a power play? Seeking them out at their place of work like he wanted it known that nowhere was off-limits, no line he couldn't cross, and no part of Unity that he didn't somehow control.
Sera smoothed her dress, glancing at Kieran who had recovered first, his clothes in perfect order and only a few tousled strands of white hair. If one didn’t know him, he looked presentable. To her, he looked disheveled. Was that really where she was now? Noting the minute changes in Kieran North? Knowing that no one else would guess what he had just been doing to her, but even if she hadn’t been the one being thoroughly ravished,shewould have known.
“My apologies, it’s been an unexpectedly busy day,” Kieran said, his tone somewhere between cordial and droning. He sounded like a politician. “How can I help you?”
“I won’t insult you with introductions,” Wraith started, and there was a heavy rasp to his voice, a deep vibrating tone and Sera clenched her hands to hide the tremble, “but I assume that won’t be a problem.”
Kieran now stood nearly an arm’s length from her, the distance meager and yet expansive considering he had been close enough for her to feel him harden as his fingers brought her to the very brink of release.
“Not at all,” Kieran said, “I am a public servant, that excludes no one.”
“Even crime lord imps?” The casual drop of the slur rattled throughout the room and Wraith watched them as if testing their reactions.
The slur was used because of grimm’s close relation to demons and the Infernal. Some had a tint to their skin in shades of blues, reds, greens, or purples while some had irises wreathed in black like Wraith. But all grimm inherited a sense for desires and impulses. Sera was certain Wraith sensed what he had interrupted, at least from her side of the room. And there was a strong chance he was fishing for reactions.
“Yes, even crime lords,” Kieran said, deftly leaving out certain terms. Sera’s heart fluttered and she ground her teeth.
No. She was not going to swoon over a politician. Not that she cared much for the profession one way or another, letting this side of him make her hot was one step too many. Even if his appeal had grown exponentially in the last few minutes.
“Now, you must have come all this way with a reason,” Kieran said.
Wraith’s smile was almost colder than Kieran’s, the humor only just reaching his eyes—though it was hard to find anything about his eyes humorous, when they were all the colors of hell. “Yes, I suppose that’s enough small talk. So why don’t we get to it? I was given some interesting information recently concerning Cole Hawthorne, conveyed through a trusted associate, and I’ve since learned it involves the pair of you and the Captain of the Watchmen.”
“Gideon has nothing to do with it,” Sera interjected, drawing his gaze again. She took a few controlled breaths, but her pulse was still erratic from when she’d been seconds from coming to Kieran’s exquisite fingers. “Gideon was just… he has nothing to do with this.”
“Yeah, your brother did seem like a dead end. You, however,” he addressed Sera, “are connected to Cole Hawthorne, as well as,” his gaze swept to Kieran, “you.” He pointed as he clicked his tongue, a pantomime of a pistol. “His former brethren of the Winter Fae. A highly ranked official, no less. Which was a shock, I’ll admit. I’m not easily shocked.”
Then he let out a deep breath, posture relaxing as he clapped his hands together, “Anyway, let’s all take a minute, breathe, sort out our rash impulses so they don’t cause any unintended consequences.” The threat masked with calm filled the room.
Wraith gestured to the chair behind Kieran’s desk. “Sit, please. No one’s on trial. I say it all the time, but the stories are greatly exaggerated. Can’t seem to find anyone who believes me, though.” He smiled, as if this were an inside joke shared only with himself.
Kieran’s gaze shifted to Sera. He said nothing as he maintained his rigid posture, but the sentiment was clear. Kieran had no plans to leave her side.
Wraith grinned. “Ah. Yes, the gentleman guards the lady. Well, if it helps, you have my word.” He put a hand over his heart. “She’s perfectly safe. In fact, I can guarantee neither of you will get so much as a scratch for the duration of this visit. I’m simply here to chat.” He shrugged a shoulder and added, “If I don’t like what I hear, well, we can deal with that at another time, yeah? Not exactly wise to go offing people in the middle of parliament.” He chuckled. “Even I’m not that reckless.”
Sera couldn’t quite share in the humor of his statement, as the undercurrent of threat lingered. He may not hurt them now, in the middle of the day, but if he decided he didn’t like their explanation then he would certainly prove even more dangerous than Cole.
“What do you wish to know?” Kieran said, his voice even and controlled in a way Sera didn’t know if she could achieve. Shemoved closer to him, drawn to the deep-rooted sense that she was safe if she was near him. Which…didshe feel safe with him? Truly? She set a hand over the riot in her stomach, not sure who was more the source, Kieran or Wraith.
Wraith stalked around the desk. “If you’re determined to stand, mind if I sit?” He didn’t wait for an answer, simply took Kieran’s chair and pulled it around so he was facing them. He eased back and crossed his fingers over his chest. “Now. Cole Hawthorne. He’s not quiet about his feelings for you, Alderman. Quite loud, actually. A few weeks ago, he asked if there was a way I could make your life difficult, possibly have you killed. Really heated about it, too. Now, I don’t seek out enemies based on personal vendettas. Cole hates you, that’s his prerogative. I like your politics, so there was little incentive for me to act on his suggestions and when I pressed him for a reason, he couldn’t give me anything more than you meddling in his affairs.Not, business affairs, I learned, and so I disregarded his ravings and let it be.
“Then Miles comes to me relaying a message from cryptic sources about Cole planning something. He wasn’t entirely versed on the details, only that it concerned me, possibly violence, maybe a plot. Figured I’d get more concrete information from those cryptic sources and Miles was kind enough to remember. The connection to your name, North, was not lost on me. So here I am.”
Kieran opened his mouth to speak, but Sera stepped forward. The bold step shocked even her, but she realized that sheneededto do this for herself and stood her ground. Turning her head to meet Kieran’s eyes, she silently pleaded that he let her handle this. He agreed with a nod.
She took a deep breath as Wraith watched her with intensity simmering in his eyes. She had no doubt he caught every sharedlook, though he didn’t comment. Sweat slicked her palms as she tried to find her voice. His direct stare was almost unbearable.
